Debit Queen Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
> Debit Queen Recap
The Xu family mansion and shops were sealed by officials. With nowhere else to go, Ling Se and the others were in a difficult situation. Wanrong arrived quickly upon hearing the news and offered shelter at the Lyu Mansion. Ling Se initially hesitated, not wanting to impose further, but Wanrong insisted, reminding her of their friendship. Seeing that Wang Zhujue was unwell and needed rest, Ling Se agreed to accept Wanrong’s help, sending everyone ahead.
Before leaving, Ling Se instructed Fuding to go to the prison immediately to inquire about Xu Zilu's condition, suspecting Prince Xian was behind their troubles and fearing for Xu Zilu's safety in prison. Meanwhile, Prince Xian was with Ping'er, trying to get her to take medicine. Ping'er was despondent, saying she couldn't accept what he offered. Prince Xian insisted she must, highlighting the grand wedding he was planning for her.
Ping'er then made a condition: if Prince Xian would agree to see Madam Xu (Ling Se), she would take the medicine and be a "living bride" for their wedding. Prince Xian reluctantly agreed for Ping'er's sake. Ling Se arrived at Prince Xian's mansion late at night, daring to seek an audience. Prince Xian initially refused to see her, surprised by her boldness, but was persuaded by Ping'er.
Ling Se entered and proposed a business deal, presenting herself as the acting head of the Xu family business. She asserted the Xu family's integrity and the continued viability of the incense workshop despite the current difficulties. Prince Xian expressed his past admiration for Xu's and regret that Xu Zilu had been uncooperative, suggesting things would have been easier had he dealt with Ling Se from the start.
Ling Se affirmed her authority to make decisions for the family in her husband’s absence. Her condition for cooperation was simple: she asked Prince Xian to ensure Xu Zilu received a public trial rather than being secretly killed in prison. She stated she needed to witness his fate openly to report back to the family, implying she feared Prince Xian might secretly assassinate him.
Prince Xian, understanding her veiled concern, agreed to her request, stating he would ensure Xu Zilu's death was "well-publicized" during his trial the day after tomorrow. Ling Se thanked him and took her leave. In prison, Prince Xian's men attempted to force Xu Zilu to sign a confession, threatening his family if he refused. Xu Zilu resisted.
Later, Lyu Qingfeng visited Xu Zilu, bringing him food and news of Ling Se's courageous visit to Prince Xian and the deal she made to secure a public trial. Xu Zilu was deeply moved and realized that Ling Se's actions had likely saved him from being killed in prison for refusing to sign the forced confession.
Lyu Qingfeng mentioned that Ministry of Justice agents had been investigating Prince Xian but two had disappeared in Lingnan and their bodies were never found. This sparked a memory for Xu Zilu. He recounted encountering what he thought were bandits in Lingnan a few months prior, where he had saved someone who gave him a package and instructed him to take it to Furong City if something happened to them.
Xu Zilu now suspected this person was one of the Ministry of Justice agents killed by Prince Xian's men, and that the box contained important evidence. He told Lyu Qingfeng the box was still at his mansion. Lyu Qingfeng noted it might be the only clue. Xu Zilu then asked Lyu Qingfeng to deliver a letter to Ling Se.
After receiving Xu Zilu's letter and understanding the box was the key, Ling Se was determined to retrieve it from the sealed Xu Mansion. Despite the heavy guard presence, she decided to go back, planning to improvise upon arrival. She gathered Liu Yeniang, Tao Meili, and Fuding, while Wang Zhujue also joined them and suggested using a slingshot to distract the guards, though this proved ineffective. Tao Meili bravely offered to run ahead and draw the guards away.
As guards pursued, Ling Se slipped into the mansion. She found the wooden box but initially found it empty. Trusting Xu Zilu wouldn't send her for an empty container, she tried opening it forcefully, discovering a hidden layer containing a document – a crucial letter. Outside, Fuding was captured while distracting more guards. Worried by Ling Se's prolonged absence, Tao Meili also entered the mansion. Together, they attempted to escape by disguising themselves as servants.
During their escape attempt, Fuding was apprehended. Tao Meili then sacrificed herself, holding back the pursuing soldiers to buy Ling Se time to escape with the letter. Xu Zilu was brought before Minister Li for his public trial. The main charge was tampering with the incense used in the Sacrificial Ceremony, a crime of sacrilege.
Xu Zilu pleaded innocent, arguing that the incense delivered for the ceremony had been thoroughly checked and was fine, suggesting the evidence presented had been tampered with later. Minister Li called forward two witnesses. They falsely testified that Xu Zilu had ordered them to substitute expensive ingredients with cheaper ones to save money, resulting in the impurities that caused the incense to explode. They claimed they were merely following his instructions.
Xu Zilu vehemently denied knowing the witnesses, accusing Prince Xian of framing him. He then boldly revealed the Lingnan incident, stating the "bandits" were actually assassins sent by Prince Xian to kill Ministry of Justice agents who had uncovered evidence of Prince Xian's arms smuggling operation with Beiyun State. Xu Zilu explained that Prince Xian had been pursuing him ever since learning of his connection to the agent he saved, believing he knew about the smuggling plot.
He claimed the incense incident was just another scheme by Prince Xian to eliminate him and prevent his treasonous activities from being exposed. Prince Xian immediately denied the accusations, calling them baseless slander and urging Minister Li not to listen to him. Minister Li demanded evidence. Xu Zilu suggested investigating his third uncle, Xu Yushan, stating that Prince Xian had him killed because he discovered the smuggling plot.
He pointed to Xu Yushan's warehouse in Changqing Alley and his business records, which he claimed would show Prince Xian had used them to store and trade military arms with Beiyun State via trade caravans. Prince Xian vehemently denied these allegations and pressured Minister Li to sentence Xu Zilu immediately for slandering a royal prince. Just as Minister Li was about to pass judgment, Wu Qi entered the courtroom and announced he could prove Xu Zilu's claims were true.
He presented individuals (identified as envoys from Beiyun State and Prince Xian's subordinates) and fire lances, stating these were evidence found on a carriage involved in the smuggling. Wu Qi explained that Prince Xian had threatened his family and forced him to participate in transporting the smuggled arms. He had feigned cooperation to gain Prince Xian's trust and collect this evidence. Prince Xian panicked and signaled his guard, Liufeng.
Liufeng immediately drew his sword and killed the captured individuals in the courtroom. He was then apprehended but quickly confessed that he, Xu Zilu, and Wu Qi had conspired to frame Prince Xian and that Prince Xian was innocent. Immediately after his false confession, Liufeng killed himself.
With all the crucial witnesses and evidence handlers now dead, Prince Xian seized the opportunity, declaring Liufeng's dying words proved the conspiracy between Xu Zilu, Wu Qi, and his own guard to frame him, and demanded Minister Li arrest them. Outside the courtroom, Ling Se was blocked from entering, despite explaining she had crucial evidence. Just as the guards were about to forcibly remove her, the Empress arrived and ordered them to let Ling Se enter the court with her.
The Empress announced she was merely observing but expected Minister Li to preside justly. Prince Xian pleaded with the Empress, claiming he had been unjustly framed by Xu Zilu and the others and requesting her support. Xu Zilu reiterated that Prince Xian was guilty and had destroyed the evidence. Prince Xian, confident that without the original document Xu Zilu had no proof, challenged him to produce evidence now. Ling Se stepped forward and declared she had the evidence.
She produced the document she had retrieved from the Xu Mansion – Prince Xian's secret letter to the King of Beiyun State. Ling Se read the letter aloud, detailing Prince Xian's promise to deliver 8,000 fire lances, confirmation of payment received, and expectation of reciprocal military support from Beiyun State, outlining their mutual plan. Prince Xian was left speechless and exposed. Minister Li, finding the evidence conclusive, ordered Prince Xian's arrest.
After Prince Xian was imprisoned, Wang Zhujue found Ping'er, who was overjoyed that her father had also been released and their troubles were over. Ping'er's grandfather arrived and, seeing the pair together, remarked on Wang Zhujue's simple nature. He then proposed that Wang Zhujue join their family by marrying into the Marquis Mansion. Wang Zhujue eagerly accepted, declaring he would do anything to be with Ping'er.
Later, Xu Zilu and Ling Se held a new wedding ceremony, attended by family, including Ling Se's mother, and friends like Wu Qi, Tao Meili, Liu Yeniang, Fuding, and Wang Zhujue and Ping'er. They performed the traditional rites, bowing to heaven and earth, to their parents, and to each other. Ling Se's mother gave them red envelopes and playfully urged them to have a grandchild soon. The ceremony concluded, and they retired to the bridal chamber.
Alone, they reflected on the difference between this heartfelt wedding and their first ceremonial marriage based on an agreement. Ling Se still cherished the original agreement document, which she called her treasure and expressed gratitude for, but also reminded Xu Zilu of the financial terms they had agreed upon. Xu Zilu affectionately called her a "money-grubber" as they shared a playful moment.
A flashback showed Xu Zilu discussing with Wu Qi how they had planned to expose Prince Xian using a fake agreement written on paper with Prince Xian's unique pattern, ensuring that when Prince Xian stole the real agreement and gave it to Wu Qi, they could substitute it with the fake one.
This elaborate plan, which included arranging for the fake agreement to be supposedly destroyed by the Empress, was their strategy to make Prince Xian believe the evidence was gone, allowing Ling Se to present the real document at the critical moment.
