Debit Queen Episode 17 Recap
> Debit Queen Recap
Xu Zilu's mother and Ling Se went to the Prefecture Office to inquire about Xu Zilu. The Governor informed them that Xu Zilu might have met with an accident on the walkway. Only his personal belongings were found, but he was nowhere to be seen. Given that it was the middle of winter and so much time had passed without news, it was likely that he had perished.
Upon hearing this, Xu Zilu's mother was overcome with grief and anger and fainted. Back at the mansion, Ling Se diligently cared for Xu Zilu's mother and offered comfort. She assured her mother-in-law that she would always be by her side and with the Xu family, no matter what. Ling Se firmly believed that Xu Zilu would return safely. Seeing the servants distraught, she instructed them to pull themselves together, reminding them that the Xu family had not fallen.
With Xu Zilu missing and his mother ill, the responsibility of holding the family together fell entirely on Ling Se. She encouraged her mother-in-law to recover, emphasizing that the Xu family needed her. A servant reported that after Third Master Xu Yushan returned to the city, he had transferred all the shops in Furong City that were under Xu Zilu's name to his own, causing chaos among the staff there.
Hearing this, Xu Zilu's mother declared her intention to go to Furong City herself to reclaim the properties. Ling Se, concerned about her mother-in-law's poor health and the arduous journey, tried to stop her. Ling Se persuaded her mother-in-law to let her go to Furong City to retrieve the shops, asking her to trust her. Xu Zilu's mother reluctantly agreed, stating that Ling Se was the only one she could rely on now.
Ping'er learned that Ling Se was going to Furong City for the Xu family and offered to accompany her for mutual support. However, Ling Se told Ping'er that due to her special status, it was better for her to stay at the mansion and take good care of Mother. Ling Se thought about Xu Zilu's promise to return and watch the plum blossoms with her. Now the blossoms were in bloom, but he was still gone.
Standing alone in the plum forest, holding a branch of plum blossoms, she missed him but also chided him for not keeping his word, calling him a cunning businessman. Suddenly, Xu Zilu appeared, telling her he was back. Ling Se was overcome with joy at seeing him safe and cried as they shared a heartfelt embrace. She told him how worried she had been, how the family was in turmoil, and that Mother had fallen ill.
Xu Zilu apologized for causing her so much worry. They were simply relieved to be reunited. Xu Zilu met with his mother and explained that he had accidentally fallen into a river when his horse got startled, which caused the delay in his return. He apologized for making her worry, but she was just grateful he was safe. Xu Zilu then told her that he would need to go to Furong City soon.
Ling Se immediately expressed her desire to go with him. His mother was happy to see them together again, feeling the family was reunited. Wu Qi arrived to visit, announcing that he too would be leaving Linchun City for Furong City. He returned the shops he had won from Ling Se earlier, as well as the dough figurine he had bought. Ling Se acknowledged his integrity but insisted he didn't need to return the figurine he had paid for.
Wu Qi explained that he considered the figurine to be something Xu Zilu cherished and he could not bear to take what someone else loved, so he returned it. Xu Zilu then asked why Wu Qi had deliberately conceded during the incense competition.
Wu Qi replied that his sole desire was to compete seriously in incense making, that he greatly admired the Xu family's tradition, and that being able to smell the incense personally prepared by Xu Zilu was a fulfillment of his wish. He also warned Xu Zilu that Furong City was a dangerous place, a "dragon's pool and tiger's den," and advised him to be extremely careful if he entered the city.
Xu Zilu thanked him for the warning, and the three agreed to meet again in Furong City. After Wu Qi left, Ling Se commented on the returned shop in Furong City, seeing it as an opportunity for profit. Xu Zilu agreed, mentioning they could assess its location and potential for business or rent it out. Ling Se told him not to worry about her if he was busy, but Xu Zilu insisted he would still accompany her.
Separately, Ping'er told Wang Zhujue she was going to Furong City with Ling Se. Wang Zhujue wanted to go with her, but Ping'er urged him to focus on waiting for his Provincial Examination results, which she felt were more important. Feeling disappointed, Wang Zhujue later confessed to a friend that he felt like a joke and was not good enough for Ping'er, deciding not to see her off when she left.
Xu Zilu instructed Fuding that he would not be going with him to Furong City this time. Instead, he assigned Fuding the crucial task of staying in Linchun City to take good care of his mother and report any important matters. Fuding was initially hesitant, having been told by the young master to always be with him, but Xu Zilu stressed that he trusted Fuding the most with his mother's care.
Xu Zilu's mother gave Ling Se farewell instructions, urging her to be careful in Furong City and telling her to ask Xu Zilu for anything she wanted to eat or drink, adding that he had plenty of money. She also gave Ling Se some pocket money and expressed her hope that they would return with a baby, as she was eager for a grandchild. Ling Se promised to ask Zilu for whatever she needed and thanked her mother-in-law.
Ping'er ultimately decided not to wait for Wang Zhujue and left with Ling Se. Meanwhile, Wang Zhujue checked the results of the Provincial Examination with some friends and was surprised and overjoyed to find that he had passed. Realizing that passing the exam meant he could travel to Furong City for the higher exams and thus find Ping'er, he excitedly set off immediately. After Xu Zilu left, two thieves broke into the Xu Mansion.
Although no one was caught, the thieves showed surprising agility, easily climbing over a high wall. Xu Zilu's mother was terrified and suspected they were not ordinary thieves, fearing they might have been sent by Third Master Xu Yushan. Worried about Xu Zilu's safety, she immediately instructed Fuding to take a good horse and ride quickly to catch up with Xu Zilu and inform him of the break-in, urging him to be extremely cautious.
Fuding initially reminded her that Xu Zilu had told him to stay and protect her, but Mother insisted he obey her instructions, asking him who the young master listened to. On the road, Fuding was ambushed by two men who demanded to know Xu Zilu's whereabouts. Fuding refused to reveal anything, despite their threats to kill him.
Just as they were about to attack him, Ling Shuo, who was also traveling to Furong City for his exam, happened upon the scene and intervened, saving Fuding. After untying Fuding, Ling Shuo explained his own situation: his father had lost their fortune and wanted him to give up studying to farm, but he had run away from home to pursue the exam despite being penniless.
Since Ling Shuo had saved his life, Fuding offered to take him to Furong City, and Ling Shuo happily accepted, calling Fuding his elder brother. They quickly departed together before the attackers regained consciousness. Separately, Wang Zhujue continued his journey towards Furong City, lamenting about being left behind by a friend. He arrived at a suburban posthouse where he encountered Wang Zixuan.
Due to the large number of students traveling for the exams, the innkeeper informed them there was only one room left and suggested they share it, which Wang Zhujue initially refused. Wang Zixuan then misled Wang Zhujue, telling him that Ping'er was waiting for him at the street corner across from the posthouse and suggested he go there immediately as it might be hard for her to find lodging.
Eager to see Ping'er, Wang Zhujue believed him and set out at night. He arrived at the location Wang Zixuan described, with a donkey and candied haws he intended for Ping'er, but she was not there. He waited patiently, hoping she would eventually show up.
