Against The Current Episode 43 Recap
**SPOILER ALERT**
Table of Contents
TL;DR (Quick Overview)
After Fengxian’s plot to frame Lanxiang backfires, the Old Master welcomes Xiulai’s children into the Lin genealogy and officially makes Lanxiang head of the household. But peace doesn’t last. The late Emperor dies, the eunuchs tighten their grip on the new court, and Jinqi is handed an impossible command over the bandit-ravaged Longjiang Garrison. When Xiuwan is kidnapped while working at Gantang’s weaving workshop, Jinqi fiercely defends Lanxiang from Second Aunt’s blame, and as Xiuwan escapes, a figure from sixteen years ago steps out of the shadows to greet them.
What Do You Live For?
Yingzhi answers Lanxiang’s question eagerly. She loves eating qingtuan, crystal duck and tofu buns. She loves sleeping in with her mother, reading and playing with her brother, going to the theatre with Aunt Lanxiang, spring outings outside the city and flying kites.
She loves beating a little drum for her younger cousin and the pearl hairpin Aunt Suhua gave her. She has so many reasons to live, too many to name. Jun agrees. They couldn’t possibly list them all, but one thing is certain: they don’t live just to plant a ritual vessel in Aunt Fengxian’s room.
Lanxiang tells them that she was born a servant into a poor family, and they lost their father and have had to live under someone else’s roof. Those are facts. But no matter what others say, as long as they know what they live for, all those words are nothing but filth.
Jun understands. They must keep their hearts true, follow the right path and walk steadily, so they’re worthy of their mother’s love and the lives they’ve been given. Still, Yingzhi asks quietly whether they’ll be driven out. Lanxiang tells her no.
Two New Lins
The Old Master arrives, and the children greet their great-grandfather. He tells them that their eldest uncle once suggested they take their mother’s surname, but he refused, because being entered into the family genealogy is not a decision to make on a whim. Now he asks whether they are willing to give up their father’s surname and take their mother’s. Both are ecstatic and say they are.
In the ancestral hall, the Old Master declares that from this day forward, Lin Zhangjun and Lin Zhangzhi are descendants of the Lin family. As long as they commit no crimes, no one may drive them out of the Lin residence. Second Aunt, learning for the first time what her daughter-in-law has done, rounds on Fengxian, asking if she’s lost her senses and how she could do something so disgraceful and foolish.
The Old Master then praises Lanxiang as broad minded, noble in character and worthy of great responsibility. From this day forward, management of the Lin household is entrusted to her, and she may decide how Fengxian is to be dealt with.
Lanxiang shows restraint. Since Fengxian comes from a family of scholars and is well versed in the classics, she is to remain in her room for a year and copy the Diamond Sutra a thousand times for the First Madam. For Aunt Lingxiao’s sake, she won’t punish her publicly today.
Second Aunt orders Fengxian to thank Lanxiang for her mercy. Lanxiang adds that if it happens again, she will have no choice but to write to the Cheng family and ask how they raised their daughter. Fengxian thanks her for her leniency.
Lanxiang Takes Charge
Lanxiang takes on her role with great pride as she walks the halls of the Lin Residence, reminiscing that she did so for the first time as a maid. Her transition to the head of the household also saw upgraded changes in her maids that are loyal to her.
Lanxiang addresses the household. She tells Xiulai that whenever she’s unsure about something, she can come to her, and if Lanxiang isn’t around, there are Suhua, Fengxian and Qiuluo. Two heads are better than one, and there’s always a solution. Xiulai promises to handle what she can and ask for help with the rest.
Lanxiang then reminds everyone that although they are one family and their bonds come first, the nation has its laws and every family has its rules. Without rules there can be no order, and anyone who breaks the family rules will be punished severely without exception. A family that does good will be blessed for generations, while a family that does evil brings misfortune on its descendants. The household answers as one.
Years Pass
Time moves on. Zhangcheng is now a lively little girl running through the courtyard while Jinqi calls after her to slow down. Xiuwan complains that her mother cried and made a fuss, blaming her for every grey hair, but she has made up her mind not to marry, and asks Lanxiang to talk her mother round. Lanxiang says life is only a few short decades, and what matters most is that Xiuwan is happy with her own life.
The conversation turns to Old Madam Yuan, who couldn’t let things go. She insisted on concubines to get a grandson and took two in succession, both chosen with a fortune-teller’s help, only for two more granddaughters to be born. She practically worried herself to death.
Lanxiang corrects the record, pointedly repeating that Old Madam Yuan died of illness, and the others quickly agree that it was illness. Xiuru reflects that what’s meant to be yours will come, what isn’t shouldn’t be forced, and there’s nothing wrong with staying single and carefree for life.
The Emperor Is Dead
The Head butler Yang rushes in calling for His Lordship. The Emperor has passed away. He died at the Hour of Yin on the first of the month, eighteen days ago, and the Eldest Prince has already ascended the throne as the new Emperor. Lanxiang orders Head Butler Yang and Baogai to notify the entire household. Everyone is to observe national mourning, with no meat, no drinking and no festivities.
Jinqi is shocked and in disbelief. Memories of the late Emperor wash over Jinqi: the young Crown Prince declaring that he and Fengtai were practically family, their desperate ride out of Jinling with Jinqi urging him to hold on, the cry that the Crown Prince had returned, and the Emperor presenting him with a newly forged firearm and special permission to carry it.
Lanxiang tells him the late Emperor stood by him through difficult times, and suggests they burn paper offerings together as a small farewell. Jinqi remembers how they rode side by side fleeing Jinling, and now they’re separated by life and death, with only memories left.
He reflects that though the late Emperor loved crickets, he still knew when to stop and could be considered a worthy ruler. But the new Emperor is another matter. Jinqi resolves to be more careful with his words and actions from now on.
An Impossible Appointment
A year later, river bandits are running rampant. Attendant Eunuch Mao announces that the undefeated General Blackhead, one of the Emperor’s prized fighting crickets sent as tribute, met a brutal death at the bandits’ hands, and calls it intolerable.
He blames the Longjiang Garrison for failing in its duty. Eunuch Wang has spared the soldiers’ families from collective punishment and granted the garrison special permission to raise funds to compensate for the plundered tribute, which Mao calls an extraordinary act of mercy.
With Commander Ding killed by the bandits, the post of Commander of the Longjiang Garrison is vacant. Mao tells Jinqi that Eunuch Wang, now Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, has not forgotten an old friend. Knowing Jinqi has been without a post for years, he personally petitioned the Emperor to appoint him commander.
Jinqi must ensure the garrison compensates for the tribute as soon as possible and brings the bandits to justice to avenge General Blackhead. Unable to refuse, Jinqi thanks Eunuch Wang for his confidence and promises to do everything in his power.
Afterwards, an official appeals to the Duke of Xiang. A third rank commander was tortured and killed, and these bandits clearly have no regard for the law. The garrison lacks funds and equipment and its troops are demoralised, so how can it bankrupt itself to pay compensation while also hunting the bandits? The Duke claims he’s getting old and his hearing isn’t what it used to be, and leaves.
Shaohui can’t help either. The Ministry of War has ordered him to oversee Zhejiang’s coastal defences against the Wo pirates, and he leaves Jinling soon. Jinqi says investigating cases is something he’s good at, but Shaohui warns that even the best investigator needs capable men. If the soldiers are driven into ruin paying compensation, they’ll resent him, so why would they follow his orders?
Jinqi explains that he has already submitted a memorial to the Emperor proposing to reform naval service. Conscription would be replaced with paid labour, with all military households sharing the cost according to their means. Poorer households wouldn’t be ruined by minor duties, and better off households could be spared service.
When Shaohui asks if the Emperor will approve, Jinqi says the Emperor gets his compensation in full and a mutiny is avoided. Even if the Emperor doesn’t understand, the Grand Secretariat will. Shaohui warns him that the eunuchs wield great power now and he must be careful. Jinqi tells him to be careful too, since the coastal defences are short of troops.
Channel, Don’t Block
At home, Jinqi reads Lanxiang’s newest play, The Tale of Suppressing the Bandits, and is surprised its general, Tanniang, is a woman. Lanxiang asks whether Marquis Lin thinks women can’t be generals, citing Fu Hao of the Shang dynasty, Madam Xian of the Sui and Princess Pingyang of the Tang, none of whom achieved any less than men.
Playfully, Jinqi humbly apologises, calling himself poorly learned and bound by outdated conventions. Lanxiang tells him not to underestimate her play. Even the vendors selling wooden swords at the theatre have seen sales rise by thirty percent, and Zhangcheng’s future shops and farmland will all come from her pen. Jinqi says she truly has a knack for running a household, and asks her advice.
He explains that the stricter the maritime ban has become, the more rampant the bandits have grown, with river bandits now openly attacking government vessels. The late Emperor cut troop numbers because the Ministry of Revenue couldn’t afford the army.
Lanxiang asks whether a steady stream of tax revenue wouldn’t let the Ministry support the army. She shows him letters from Ji’er, who at her request recorded Quanzhou’s customs and livelihoods in detail, along with prices she collected around Jinling and Suzhou for her plays. The profits are substantial, and Jinqi remarks that no wonder Jinqiao was tempted.
Lanxiang reminds him how Yu the Great tamed the floods: it is better to channel than to block, and better to guide than to channel. Jinqi agrees. If the court allowed and properly regulated maritime trade, the people could earn a living and the government would gain steady tax revenue.
With pirates rampant, trade would still be difficult, but Shaohui is reorganising the coastal defences, and as the new Commander of the Longjiang Garrison, Jinqi can wipe out the river bandits. Once peace returns, they could abolish the tribute system, lift the ban and sell the people’s cotton and cloth overseas for silver.
Lanxiang looks sternly and questioning eyes as she catches the word commander. Jinqi sheepishly admits he was appointed that very day. He was about to tell her, but her play was so beautifully written and captivating that he completely forgot.
Xiuwan’s Future
Xiuwan is acting out a battle scene from an opera at home, brandishing a sword and declaring she’ll wipe out the bandits. Her mother is appalled that a young lady would run around like a madwoman, and asks whether she’s trying to anger her to death. Xiuwan cheekily carries on with the scene until her mother comes in the room and starts wailing in frustration. Xiuwan promises to behave like a proper young lady.
Her mother explains what truly frightens her. The Old Master is getting older, and when he’s gone, the first and second branches will divide the family property. No matter how good Jinqi and Lanxiang are to her, they belong to a different branch. And once her mother is gone too, Fengxian will run their branch, and she’s as petty as they come. How could Xiuwan possibly live well depending on her? She must marry while she still can.
Xiuwan says her mother has prepared a dowry, so she won’t need anyone. Her mother tells her the dowry won’t be hers until she marries, because an unmarried daughter cannot own property. When the time comes, nothing in the residence will belong to her.
Xiuwan vows to find a way to earn enough to support herself. Her mother scoffs at what a woman could possibly do, and begs her to marry Second Master You as his second wife so at least she’ll have someone to rely on.
Kidnapped
Xiuwan goes to work at the Zezhi Workshop, the weaving business Gantang runs as head shopkeeper, employing many women. The workshop’s looms and techniques are the most advanced around, and Gantang confidently negotiates prices with merchants for everything from fine cloth to coarse cotton.
A weaver, Lady Peng, tells Xiuwan the head shopkeeper arranged for them to inspect the latest waist looms at Han Family Village outside the city, and they’ll be late if they don’t leave now. Seeing Gantang is busy, Xiuwan goes with her.
On the road, Lady Peng apologises for the inconvenience, but Xiuwan is thrilled. With the new looms, a skilled weaver can produce an extra bolt every three days, and that’s money. If a little inconvenience is all it takes to earn it, she’d make the trip ten times a day. On their way back, bandits seize both women and the looms.
That night, Gantang blames herself for being busy with merchants while the Second Young Lady went outside the city. Lanxiang tells her it isn’t her fault, since no one could have known. Jinqi returns to report they’ve searched the whole city, and since the gates are closed, he’ll search outside at first light.
Second Aunt storms at Gantang, threatening to skin her alive if anything happens to Xiuwan, then turns on Lanxiang. It’s all her fault. She kept taking Xiuwan to outrageous, indecent plays that filled her head with improper ideas, making her obsess over earning her own money and refusing to marry. Gantang insists it’s her own fault, not the Madam’s.
Jinqi cuts in, furious. They’re all worried about Xiuwan, but she’s thirty-five, not a three-year-old. What she does is beyond even her own mother’s control, so how can Second Aunt blame her nephew’s wife? The room falls silent. Jinqi lays out the plan: Jincen and Liu Xiaochuan will keep searching the city, while he and Jinqiao search outside, and they will bring Second Aunt an answer.
As she’s led away, Second Aunt and Fengxian keep ranting that women should be chaste and modest and stay out of public view, that Xiuwan forgot the ancestors’ teachings by following Lanxiang, and that it’s all the fault of that reckless, presumptuous servant Xu.
Jinqiao stops them, asking whether they want every servant to hear. He apologises to Lanxiang, saying his mother has never had much sense, and with his younger brother bids Jinqi and Lanxiang goodnight before agreeing to search together tomorrow.
Lanxiang tells Jinqi that first thing tomorrow, she and Gantang will go to the workshop and question the women who know Lady Peng for clues. Jinqi tells her she’s been put through a lot today. She says that as long as Xiuwan comes home safely, she asks for nothing more.
The Escape
That night, Xiuwan and Lady Peng make their escape. Their captors hear rustling and dismiss it as a rabbit or badger, until the alarm goes up that the abducted weavers have fled. As the bandits scramble to search, a fire breaks out, throwing the camp into chaos.
Zhang Shuizai, the leader of the kidnappers and an unknown figure in a wide brim hat appear and order the fire to be put out as they search for the women. The two women slip away, and on their flight they cross paths with Xie Zhao. Both not recognising each other, they draw small knives at each other in fear.
Against the Current Episode 43 Recap: My Thoughts
Fengxian is such a troublemaker and so petty. Driven by jealousy, she sets in motion something she will eventually regret. I loved that Xiulai’s children went straight to Lanxiang, understanding that what Fengxian wanted them to do was immoral and wrong. They received beautiful life lessons and were rewarded by being added to the Lin genealogy.
The scene where Old Master Lin officially made Lanxiang head of the household in the ancestral hall was immensely satisfying! Her punishment for Fengxian was fair but firm, and I loved how the entire household acknowledged her leadership with happiness and respect. It was frustrating, though, that Second Aunt and Fengxian remain so bitter. Even with the Old Master’s explicit trust, they still look down on Lanxiang because of her servant birth.
I loved how the director blended old and new. Lanxiang first walked into the Lin residence as a maid, and now she walks those same corridors as head of the household. Even the maids have gone from simple uniforms to lovely dresses, showing that they too have risen in status under her rule.
And now we’ve entered the family’s next era. Watching Jinqi as a parent is beyond joyful, and you can see that he and Lanxiang have built a family and a bond full of ease and love. The Emperor’s death marks the start of danger. I loved the quiet tenderness as Lanxiang comforted a grieving Jinqi.
He mourns a friend he couldn’t be there for, but takes comfort in the warm life he has built as a husband and father. It reflects a lesson this drama keeps returning to: there are no perfect solutions in life, only trade-offs you choose to live with.
Another time skip of a year, and the river bandits strike, giving the court an opportunity to engineer Jinqi’s downfall even though he hasn’t held office in years. Eunuch Mao has handed him an impossible task: compensate for the plundered tribute while catching the bandits. I loved that Jinqi went straight to Lanxiang for help, knowing she always has good ideas, and of course she did!
Xiuwan is now 35! Wow, how did that happen? Her insistence on not marrying is so awesome. She refuses to rely on a man purely to survive. Second Aunt really needs to be quiet. Jinqi’s furious defence of his wife was such a crowd pleaser, and it shows exactly why his late mother never trusted Second Aunt with the household.
I also cheered for Xiuwan and Lady Peng for escaping their captors on their own instead of waiting to be rescued. And did they add this subplot purely so Xiuwan could meet Xie Zhao? They already had a missed connection years ago, so are we now tempting fate for them to be together after all?
The time skips in this episode were far easier to digest than in Episode 39, lol. Still, they’re one of the more polarising parts of this final stretch. Watching characters age so quickly makes the story lose a little steam, and I’d have loved to see more of the daily growth of Lanxiang’s businesses and family life.
Even so, we watch the Lin family grow older together, and the writers continue to champion strong female perspectives while showing what the world was like when a new emperor came to power. It’s always a time of foreboding, especially since we know the Eldest Prince and his eunuchs are power hungry and lack the late Emperor’s sense of restraint. With that mysterious figure appearing in the final moments, the hype for the last stretch is at its highest.
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