Debit Queen Episode 22 Recap
> Debit Queen Recap
In Xu Mansion, a subordinate reports to Prince Xian about a new discovery, presenting an agreement they found within the estate. Ling Shuo and Wang Zhujue return from their exams. Wang Zhujue initially claims the exam was difficult but then boasts about answering all questions and feeling closer to achieving his goal. Ling Se welcomes them and announces she has prepared a feast at the Joy Game Shop to celebrate their return.
Later, at the celebration dinner, Wu Qi arrives at the mansion, stating he saw the "Closed" sign and came to check. He then informs Xu Zilu that the third master of the Xu family accidentally fell into the water last night and was found this morning, his body swollen. Wu Qi offers condolences but claims to know nothing more about the incident. Xu Zilu goes to the Xu family's third master's mansion.
Prince Xian's men are also searching the premises, confirming they found fire lances in the warehouse area and ordered them burned. Prince Xian remarks that someone had been in the room before them. A servant interrupts to report there is something the prince wants in the third master's room, and Prince Xian, calling him a loyal servant, orders the house burned. Distraught, Xu Zilu returns home and tells Ling Se to avoid going out.
When she asks what's wrong, he dismisses her concerns, saying he's just dizzy and tired. Later that night, everyone is searching the mansion and Ling Se's shop. Ling Se returns, explaining she went out because Xu Zilu seemed unhappy and she wanted to buy him something to cheer him up. Xu Zilu becomes furious, scolding her for leaving on her own and expressing deep worry about her safety, questioning what would happen if she were kidnapped or encountered danger.
Ling Se is upset by his harsh reaction, reminding him she was trying to show she cared. Ling Shuo intervenes, asking them both to stop being angry and acknowledging their concern for each other. Xu Zilu meets with Lyu Qingfeng and shows him a drawing of a weapon. Lyu Qingfeng identifies it as a fire lance, a secret weapon of Qing State that ordinary people would not know about.
Xu Zilu confirms he saw this weapon and that Prince Xian later took it away. Lyu Qingfeng advises him not to mention this matter to anyone else and to pretend he doesn't know anything, as it's very important and requires thorough investigation. Prince Xian invites Xu Zilu for tea, praising the incense delivered from Linchun. Prince Xian hints at future business opportunities after his marriage to the princess, proposing they do "something different" business together.
Xu Zilu states he is just an honest businessman. Prince Xian tells him to think about it and mentions Xu Yushan's recent passing, asking if Xu Zilu has visited the mansion to mourn. Xu Zilu says he hasn't yet, and Prince Xian asks him to light an incense stick for him when he does.
Returning home, Xu Zilu tells Ling Se he will be busy focusing on making incense for the sacrificial ceremony and doesn't need to be called for meals. Ling Se, still upset by their previous argument, says she won't talk to him. Fu Ding brings food to Ling Se and explains that Xu Zilu is in a bad mood and is worried about many things, especially since their third master was killed.
Ling Se is shocked, realizing Xu Zilu had not told her his uncle was murdered. Fu Ding asks her not to be angry with Xu Zilu, revealing he saw him crying secretly and that Xu Zilu is truly worried about her safety, as she is the only person he really cares about now.
Xu Zilu meets Wu Qi late at night, telling him he believes Prince Xian was responsible for his third uncle's death because he refused to engage in smuggling military supplies with Beiyun State. He admits he saw fire lances hidden in his uncle's incense box. Xu Zilu states he wants to fight Prince Xian and asks for Wu Qi's help. Wu Qi replies that he generally avoids such matters and considers it the Xu family's business.
Xu Zilu points out that with his uncle gone, Prince Xian will likely target either the Xu or Wu family for the smuggling operation, and he believes Wu Qi would not engage in treason. Wu Qi says he has his own plans and warns Xu Zilu that Prince Xian already knows he visited Xu Yushan's mansion that night and advises him to be careful.
After meeting with Wu Qi, Xu Zilu is visibly worried, realizing Prince Xian knows of his visit and that refusing to cooperate will make him an enemy, potentially endangering the Xu family. He decides he cannot let Ling Se face this danger with him. Ling Se brings him soup. He abruptly tells her to return to Linchun tomorrow, arranged by Fu Ding, claiming she is a burden while he is busy.
Ling Se is hurt and confused, reminding him of their earlier agreement to return together and asking if he considers her his wife. He coldly replies he does not. When she refuses to leave, he offers her a choice between a consensual divorce or a repudiation letter. Distraught, Ling Se says she will leave on her own without requiring a letter from him.
After she leaves, Xu Zilu immediately instructs Fu Ding to send people to protect her and ensure she is not harmed. As the Winter Solstice sacrificial ceremony and the competition of incense sticks for praying approach, Wu Qi confirms his participation. Prince Xian meets with Wu Qi, acknowledging the Wu family's status as renowned incense merchants and hereditary Imperial Merchants, suggesting their selection is assured.
Prince Xian then brings up Xu Zilu, calling him talented but regrettable, claiming he used a deceptive trick – a contractual marriage – to gain the Imperial Merchant title, which Prince Xian calls a crime punishable by death. Prince Xian shows Wu Qi something (implied to be the agreement) and advises him, based on his regard for Wu Qi's talent, to find a reliable partner and avoid getting entangled with Xu Zilu.
Wu Qi seeks out Ling Se at her shop, finding her looking sad. She admits she misses Linchun. Wu Qi tells her the truth: Xu Zilu drove her away to protect her because he is being targeted by the powerful Prince Xian, and if Prince Xian decides to act, Xu Zilu will have no defense and face death. Ling Se asks why Prince Xian would do this.
Wu Qi reveals his own investigation discovered Prince Xian was behind Xu Yushan's smuggling with Beiyun State and that Prince Xian had also approached him, but he refused. He suspects Prince Xian has something on Xu Zilu, as Xu Zilu is an upright person who would not willingly engage in such activities. Ling Se thanks him for telling her and decides to go home. Prince Xian confronts Xu Zilu at Xu Mansion.
He first questions a servant named Ah You, who was present at Xu Yushan's mansion, demanding to know if Xu Zilu entered the third master's study that night. Ah You refuses to answer initially, is threatened, but maintains no one entered. Prince Xian then tells Ah You he will care for his family if he reveals if Xu Zilu entered, but Ah You still insists he did not. Prince Xian accepts this response.
Prince Xian then presses Xu Zilu to cooperate with him. Xu Zilu questions the penalty for smuggling with an enemy state, implicitly acknowledging his knowledge of Prince Xian's activities. Prince Xian recognizes this as defiance. Xu Zilu refuses to work with him, explaining he cannot provide goods that would harm his country's citizens.
Prince Xian declares that if Xu Zilu is not with him, he is an enemy, but Xu Zilu reminds him that as an appointed Imperial Merchant, he is not easily removed under the Emperor's nose. Prince Xian retorts that he will prove Xu Zilu's cleverness is self-defeating. Ling Se returns after the confrontation, having seemingly heard parts of the conversation or found Xu Zilu immediately after. She confronts him, frustrated that he kept everything from her.
She reminds him that they are husband and wife and should face difficulties together. Xu Zilu acknowledges she knows. Ling Se states Wu Qi told her everything, including the danger, but despite her fear for herself, she is more afraid of something happening to him. She declares that Xu Zilu is the person she has chosen for life and that she will stand by him, even facing grave danger, refusing to be cast aside again. Xu Zilu apologizes.
The next day, for the incense competition, Ling Se and Xu Zilu meet Wu Qi, asking him to help by taking the Xu family's incense box to the palace with him. Wu Qi agrees but asks for a favor in return. On their way to the palace gate, they are attacked by men attempting to seize the incense box, but they fight them off. Upon arrival, as the eunuch requests their incense, Wu Qi presents his family's incense.
When Xu Zilu asks about the Xu family's incense that Wu Qi promised to carry, Wu Qi feigns ignorance, calls them naive for expecting help from a competitor, and denies making a promise. Then, addressing the eunuch and the crowd, Wu Qi publicly reports that Xu Zilu and Ling Se have a false marriage agreement for the sake of the Imperial Merchant title, denouncing it as an unforgivable act.
