The ongoing C-drama The Double, starring Wu Jinyan and Wang Xingyue, released episode 22 on June 12, 2024, focusing on Fang Fei’s (Wu Jinyan) return to the capital. In episode 21, viewers see the protagonist’s struggle as she attempts to return her father to the capital.
The latest episode shows Fang Fei investigating the authenticity of the disaster victims. She finds it strange that the victims of Dingzhou knew about her even before she arrived there. Even outside of the city, many refugees were looking for her. She is certain that someone intentionally grouped these people and has sent them off elsewhere. Furthermore, she finds Wei County to be the adjacent.
After discussing the matter with Officer Liu, Fang Fei becomes confident that Wei County’s magistrate is responsible for the grouping. Moreover, it is no coincidence that the place’s population dropped drastically. Officer Liu suspects that Wei County must be hoarding food and causing people to starve. Hence, Fang Fei decides to interrogate the refugees who caused trouble earlier.
The angry refugees stop Fang Fei’s carriage and accuse her of fleeing from her responsibilities. Later, it becomes clear that some of the refugees intend to turn the famine victims against her. They get into an argument with Mingyu, and one of them uses this opportunity to try to harm Fang Fei. He tries to sneak inside the carriage with a knife but faces Xiao Heng (Wang Xingyue) instead. Xiao Heng quickly puts a stop to the chaos and arrests the agitators.
Xiao Heng urges Fang Fei to return to the capital with him, but she refuses. Clearing the Xue family’s name is not enough for her; she also wants to expose the mastermind behind all this. Fang Fei gets annoyed at Xiao Heng when he calls Magistrate Xue mentally unstable.
The Double episode 22 focuses on Wu Jinyan’s arrival in the capital
Meanwhile, Xiao Heng and Fang Fei learn that Lu Ziyun, the magistrate of Wei County, planned the famine. Not only did he embezzle the relief granted by the court, but he also directed all the refugees toward Dingzhou. Xiao Heng decides to take matters into his own hands and confront him.
Fang Fei asks him to be careful on his journey to Wei County. Xiao Heng advises her not to get too emotional and to maintain her composure. On the other hand, Jiang Yuanbai has stopped eating as he worries about his daughter’s safety. He thinks that Li Zhongnan has pushed her to a corner in Dingzhou. Furthermore, Jiang Yuanbai worries that her situation will get more complicated when she returns to the capital.
Xiao Heng reaches Wei County’s granary to investigate. After taking down the guards, his subordinates are able to enter the location to find that some grains are still left. However, Lu Ziyun manages to get away. Meanwhile, granaries and escorts around the county refuse to sell or transport goods for the Ye family. In a shocking revelation, viewers find that Li Zhongnan orchestrated everything. Even Xiao Heng’s visit to Wei County was a trap planned by him.
The refugees accuse Fang Fei of deceiving them with poor-quality food. They demand for her to come out. When the situation gets out of control, she sends Xue Huaiyuan to Yamen and decides to leave the city for help. She assures them that she will get food for them, but the refugees do not seem to calm down and attack her. Fortunately, Ye Shijie arrives with grain on time and pacifies the angry refugees.
Upon her return to the capital, Fang Fei is greeted by the court of judicial review, which accuses her of freeing a death-row prisoner. Fang Fei strikes the Dongwen drum at the city gate to seek justice for Xue Huaiyaun.
The Double is available to stream on Youku throughout the week.
