The ongoing costume C-drama The Double, starring Wu Jinyan and Wang Xingyue in the lead roles, released episode 28 on June 16, 2024. As seen in the trailer, the drama focuses on Fang Fei’s (Wu Jinyan) search for justice after being deceived by her husband. Episode 28, however, focuses on the death of Fang Fei’s trusted maid, Tong.
In this episode, Xiao Heng (Wang Xingyue) suspects that the imperial diviner has some sort of ulterior motive. Judging from the ghost light and his alleged visit to the Jiang residence to exorcise an evil spirit, Xiao Heng is certain he is working for someone. Xiao Heng obtains a map of the diviner’s den and sends his men to check it. Meanwhile, Fang Fei arrives at his office.
Fang Fei asks for Xiao Heng’s help to get rid of the diviner. She suspects that Princess Wanning and Shuran have joined hands to conspire against the Jiang family. Furthermore, she asks him to find her an artist who can do vocal mimicry and ventriloquism.
The next morning, Liu Wencai, the diviner, arrives at the Jiang residence. When he exorcises Jiang Ruoyao, Shuran slips a pill inside her mouth that makes her cough up blood instantly. Liu Wencai comes to the conclusion that Ruoyao is possessed by a powerful evil spirit who has sucked away all her essence.
Wencai convinces the head of the family, Jiang Yuanbai, to let him perform an exorcism, or his whole family’s life will be in danger. Yuanbai hesitates to believe him at first but slowly comes on board when the family temple strangely catches fire. Wencan asks Yuanbai to gather the family members in one place so he can find the root of the evil.
Liu Wencai blindfolds himself and performs ceremonial stunts with a redwood sword that is said to ward off evil spirits. He then points at Fang Fei as the host of the evil spirit.
The Double episode 28 focuses on Wu Jinyan losing her beloved maid
Although Fang Fei’s well-wishers try to diminish Wencai’s claims, Shuran and her subordinate point out that Fang Fei’s behavior and temperament have changed since returning from the Zhennyu hall. Wencai offers to take Fang Fei to the temple to perform a ceremony. As Fang Fei watches Jiang Yuanbai struggle to make a decision, she decides to take matters into her own hands.
When no one is looking, Fang Fei swallows a pill that makes her cough up blood. She starts to act possessed, and with the help of the vocal artist, she mimics Jiang Yue, Yuanbai’s eldest daughter. She narrates how Shuran murdered her in cold blood after pushing her from the mountain. Soon, Fang Fei pretends to come back to her senses and narrates what the spirit told her. She says Shuran killed her and later drowned her in a river.
When all plans go south, Liu Wencai attacks Fang Fei with murderous intent to save Shuran. But before he can reach her, Tong Er shields her and gets stabbed instead. In a short while, she passes away on Fang Fei’s lap.
Wencai uses Ji Shuran as his shield and manages to flee from the spot after enduring a fatal injury. But before he could get any further, he started to bleed from his injury and slowly passed away. Shuran mourns the death of her ex-lover.
Fang Fei is broken to her core after the death of her beloved Tong. She reminisces how Tong accompanied her to the capital when she had nobody by her side. She holds on to Tong’s lifeless body and refuses to let go. Her heartbreaking screeches even brings tears to Yuanbai’s eyes.
The Double is available to stream throughout the week on Youku.
