Debit Queen Episode 20 Recap
> Debit Queen Recap
Prince Xian arrived at the Xu Mansion with Ping'er, where they were greeted by Xu Zilu and Ling Se. Prince Xian introduced Ping'er to everyone, stating that she was his friend. He then expressed gratitude to the Xu family and their companions for taking care of Her Grace when she was missing, mentioning his daily worry until she was safely returned to him.
He then revealed that he and Her Grace had been engaged for a long time, catching Wang Zhujue by surprise. When Wang Zhujue called Ping'er by her given name, Prince Xian chided him for being ill-mannered. Ping'er intervened, stating that she had asked her friends to call her that.
Prince Xian declined the offer to sit and have tea, stating he was only there to take Ping'er back to the Marquis Mansion as he had important matters to discuss with Marquis Wei later. He left with Ping'er. Upon returning to the Marquis Mansion, Prince Xian met with Marquis Wei.
He explained that he had just finished discussing the sacrificial ceremony with the Grand Commandant and also picked up Ping'er on the way, thinking her presence was necessary to discuss the marriage. Prince Xian announced that he had consulted a fortune-teller who determined that an auspicious day for the wedding would fall after the sacrificial ceremony. Marquis Wei suggested that marriage was a serious matter and he needed to consult Ping'er's mother and uncle before setting the date.
Prince Xian agreed that consultation was necessary but emphasized his deep affection for Ping'er, stating his love was sincere and clear. He declared that he would forgive and forget Ping'er's previous escape, but if anything went wrong again, he would not be lenient. Marquis Wei assured him there would be no repeat of the incident, attributing it to Ping'er's youthful immaturity. Prince Xian dismissed it, saying he understood she was young and playful and wouldn't blame her.
Later, Wang Zhujue went to the Marquis Wei's Mansion to see Ping'er but was stopped at the gate. The gatekeepers claimed that Marquis Wei stated Her Grace did not know any young masters from outside and that Wang Zhujue must be mistaken about their acquaintance. They warned him not to bother them again, or they would report him. Distraught, Wang Zhujue returned to the Xu Mansion, dejected.
Xu Zilu and Ling Se found him despairing over not being able to see Ping'er. They tried to console him, urging him to at least eat. Ling Se mentioned she was planning to visit Ping'er in the next few days and could relay a message for him. Hearing this, Wang Zhujue immediately became hopeful and eagerly agreed to have Ling Se act as a go-between.
When Ling Se visited Ping'er at the Marquis Mansion, Ping'er noted how good Ling Se was at the game they were playing. Ling Se delivered Wang Zhujue's message. Ping'er expressed her thanks and said she had also prepared a note for him, waiting for Ling Se to help deliver it. Ling Se noted Wang Zhujue's low spirits recently and believed the note would cheer him up.
However, she commented that passing notes wasn't a sustainable solution and they needed to meet. Ping'er explained that it wasn't her grandfather preventing her from seeing Wang Zhujue, but Prince Xian, who had placed many informants at the Marquis Mansion gate. She felt it would be difficult to meet Wang Zhujue, though meeting Ling Se was less risky. Ling Se reassured her that she would help them pass notes and find a way for them to meet.
Meanwhile, Xu Zilu went to the incense shop that his Third Uncle had taken over. He found the shop had been renamed and the staff did not recognize him until the manager, Luo, was alerted. The manager explained that Third Master had been present when he was ordered to take over the shop and they dared not defy him. To prove his loyalty to the Xu family, the manager handed over the shop's title deed, ledger, inventory, and details.
Xu Zilu retook control of the shop. While examining the inventory, Xu Zilu noticed a particular type of incense that smelled both familiar and strange, and became slightly astringent when smelled for a long time. He realized Xu's family formula could not produce this fragrance, which seemed to contain an ingredient unique to Beiyun. Suspecting something was amiss, he instructed his subordinate to investigate Third Uncle's recent movements and contacts.
At the same time, a report reached Third Uncle about a message from Prince Xian urging him to send the goods quickly. This suggested a connection between the unusual incense, Third Uncle, and Prince Xian. On the day Ping'er was expected to visit Xu Mansion alone as planned, Prince Xian surprisingly accompanied her. At the family dinner, Prince Xian observed Wang Zhujue sitting next to Ping'er.
He suggested that Ling Se change seats to be closer to Ping'er, her close friend, but Ling Se playfully refused, stating she wouldn't have an appetite if she didn't sit next to her husband, Xu Zilu. Prince Xian then inquired about Wang Zhujue's result in the Provincial Examination. Wang Zhujue admitted he barely passed, placing last, but expressed confidence that his rank would improve significantly in the Metropolitan Examination.
Prince Xian remarked on his confidence despite being last but conceded that diligence could improve one's standing. Ping'er spoke up in support of Wang Zhujue's ambition. Prince Xian then offered to arrange a good marriage for Wang Zhujue when he became the Number One Scholar, suggesting Assistant Minister Liu's daughter as a suitable match.
Wang Zhujue politely declined, stating he knew his limitations regarding the examination and couldn't aspire to marry such a prominent daughter, adding that he already had someone in his heart. As the dinner continued, Prince Xian served Ping'er a shrimp. Wang Zhujue, seemingly feigning poor eyesight from studying, quickly took the shrimp, claiming he thought it was for him. Prince Xian was visibly displeased by this provocation.
While cautioning Wang Zhujue, Prince Xian firmly asserted Ping'er's identity as Marquis Wei's granddaughter and his future Princess Xian, warning everyone to remember her status and observe proper etiquette now that they were in Furong City. He stated that while he was magnanimous enough to overlook past informalities in Linchun, further breaches of etiquette could lead to embarrassment if word got out.
After dinner, Xu Zilu offered to show Prince Xian a new incense he was testing in his study, perfect for reading and playing the zither. Prince Xian, expressing shared interests, agreed to accompany him. Ling Se took this opportunity to invite Ping'er to her room for a private talk, claiming she had prepared Ping'er's favorite things.
Once they were in Ling Se's room, Ling Se told Ping'er that Wang Zhujue would come to meet her there while Ling Se kept watch outside and Xu Zilu distracted Prince Xian. Ping'er confessed to Wang Zhujue that she absolutely did not want to marry Prince Xian and had fled Furong City to Linchun precisely to escape the engagement. She asked him if he would wait for her, and he promised he would, no matter how long it took.
Ping'er warned Wang Zhujue that Prince Xian was outwardly warm but inwardly cold and cunning, urging him never to provoke Prince Xian directly. Wang Zhujue reassured her, saying he was good at pretending and would avoid Prince Xian, promising to stay indoors studying diligently and not give Prince Xian any leverage. They both promised to take good care of themselves and wait for each other. In the study, Xu Zilu and Prince Xian discussed their shared interests in the arts.
Prince Xian mentioned acquiring items from the Ink Pavilion in Lingnan a few months prior. Xu Zilu remarked on the Ink Pavilion's reputation and expressed regret at not being able to visit it when he was in Lingnan the previous month. Prince Xian recalled the freeze disaster in Lingnan around that time and questioned why Xu Zilu would travel there. Xu Zilu explained he went to his family's Laurel Garden, which was severely affected, to comfort the victims.
On his hurried journey back due to a family emergency, he encountered bandits, barely escaping with his life. He noted that bandit activity was unusual in Lingnan after many years without reports. He also mentioned that a companion traveling with him was killed by the bandits but couldn't recall their name, only that they seemed to be from Furong City.
He recounted how, moments before dying, this person had given him a parcel containing something important and asked him to take it to Furong City. Prince Xian expressed concern about the bandits and vowed to report it to the Emperor to pacify the region if they were rampant. After returning to his mansion, Prince Xian instructed his subordinate, Liufeng, to investigate Xu Zilu.
He wanted to determine if a certain important item, which his own men, Yetian and Mu, had failed to recover, could be in Xu Zilu's possession. Prince Xian suspected Xu Zilu might have learned something during his trip to Lingnan last month, possibly connecting him to a spy from the Ministry of Justice whom Prince Xian's people were searching for.
Liufeng asked if Xu Zilu should be silenced, but Prince Xian dismissed the idea, stating that killing him now would be premature and could interfere with his larger plans. He ordered Liufeng to follow Xu Zilu and assess the situation before taking further action. News of Prince Xian's visit to the Xu Mansion reached Wu Qi, who arranged a meeting with Xu Zilu and Ling Se. Wu Qi welcomed them to the capital.
Ling Se shared her idea of opening a game shop near the academies, where students lacked recreational options after school. She proposed that Wu Qi invest in the venture, which he readily agreed to, offering to cover the cost of all the gaming equipment. As they discussed business, Wu Qi subtly warned Xu Zilu.
He acknowledged that having a connection with Prince Xian could make business smoother, but emphasized that safety was the most crucial aspect of their endeavors, suggesting it should be prioritized over profit. Xu Zilu agreed, stating that his family's safety and well-being were his primary concern.
