Resumen del episodio 20 de Faithful
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The quinquennial Embroidery Convention, a significant gathering for embroidery masters to exchange skills and showcase their works, was announced to be held in Huaizhou this year, with Yanyu Tower serving as the host. This choice ignited public speculation that Wu Lian had leveraged his connections with the capital's Embroidery Office. The event also promised captivating performances by a top courtesan, leading people to wonder about her identity.
Wu Lian had selected Liu Sanniang, whom he had forcibly brought from the capital, to be the performing courtesan. Found bruised and defiant in her room, Liu Sanniang adamantly refused to perform, declaring she would rather die in the tower than dance for him. She accurately deduced that Wu Lian intended to use her as bait to lure Meng Wan and her allies, confident that Meng Wan would see through his scheme.
Wu Lian, however, remained unfazed, asserting that her defiance only confirmed his conviction that they would indeed come. He ordered his servants to feed Liu Sanniang, treat her injuries, and prepare her, noting her superior intelligence and the irony of her fate as a courtesan despite her efforts to protect her chastity. Meng Wan, upon learning about the invited courtesan, immediately suspected it was Liu Sanniang.
She returned to her courtyard, which had recently been repaired, and lit a distinctive red firework flare, her established "call to arms." This unique signal, designed to make a buzzing sound and ascend like a dragon, was a solemn pact among her allies to rush to anyone's rescue if they were in danger. From her confinement, a desperate Liu Sanniang glimpsed the brilliant fireworks through a crack in her roof, and hope instantly surged in her heart.
Although her dispersed friends initially seemed distracted by their own activities, they eventually responded to the signal and converged at the courtyard. Before her allies fully arrived, Meng Wan's husband, Xu Zhiyang, appeared with his servants. Fuelled by rumors of Meng Wan's infidelity circulating among his household and a maid's report of strange men residing in the courtyard, he confronted her.
Meng Wan honestly admitted that two male friends were indeed staying in the courtyard, which only intensified Xu Zhiyang's anger and disbelief. He accused her of being "ruthless and unfaithful" and ordered a search, further encouraged by the maid who insisted there were more than two men. Just as the search was about to begin, Shen Mu arrived, identifying himself as being from the Imperial Guard Bureau and immediately declaring his support for Meng Wan.
Li Chunfeng then appeared, mockingly challenging Xu Zhiyang's behavior and jokingly presenting himself as Meng Wan's disreputable paramour to discredit the accusations. Liu Xin also introduced himself as a former constable who had found shelter in the courtyard thanks to Meng Wan's kindness. Meng Wan earnestly pleaded with Xu Zhiyang to leave for the night, promising a full explanation after her urgent matters with her friends were resolved and accepting any punishment he deemed fit.
Despite the maid's renewed attempts to provoke him, Xu Zhiyang ultimately relented, asking Meng Wan to return early. Meng Wan then expressed her deep gratitude to her arriving friends, including a belated Feng Da, who, arriving with a hammer in hand, was ready for a fight, thus reuniting all seven righteous individuals. Shen Mu revealed Wu Lian's true objective: to become a capital official, specifically the director of the Embroidery Office, through a successful convention.
Wu Lian had secretly met with influential figures in the Dali Court's Right Court and the Imperial Guard to orchestrate this. If he succeeded, all his past crimes would be transferred to the Right Court for review, effectively placing him beyond the reach of Mr. Lou and their investigation. The public announcement of Liu Sanniang's performance was a deliberate trap, designed to lure Meng Wan and her allies into Yanyu Tower where they could be ensnared.
Despite recognizing the grave danger, the group unanimously agreed they had no choice but to attempt Liu Sanniang's rescue and prevent the convention from concluding successfully. Meng Wan then unveiled her counter-plan: they had two primary objectives for the night – to save Liu Sanniang and to burn down the Yanyu Tower, using petroleum she had prepared. Meanwhile, Wu Lian confidently presided over the convention. Director Yan praised the event, suggesting its grandeur surpassed even those held in the capital.
Commander Xie arrived with his soldiers, whom Wu Lian instructed to surround the Yanyu Tower's main building during the front yard's lion dance performance, ensuring no one could escape. Director Yan, reminding Wu Lian of the high political stakes, cautioned that if the convention failed to gain widespread acclaim, his ambition for the Embroidery Office director position would be unattainable. Wu Lian, however, remained assured, remarking that the "bait was in the water" and awaited those willing to take it.
The Huangji Embroidery House, which had previously severed ties with Yanyu Tower, also sent representatives to participate in the competition. Meng Wan entered the Yanyu Tower disguised, inquiring about the restroom. She quickly cornered an attendant who, under duress, revealed Liu Sanniang was locked on the highest floor and Wu Lian held the key. In the main hall, Wu Lian presented his masterpiece, the "Yaotai Plum Blossom Embroidery."
He elaborated on its intricate use of various stitching techniques, such as vertical, interlaced, flat, gradation, straight, bound stitches, and even Miao layering embroidery, articulating his philosophy that a true master, while skilled in many techniques, is ultimately devoted to perfecting one. He declared his preference for fallen plum blossoms, deeming blooming ones "too kitsch."
A foreign envoy expressed profound admiration for the piece and desired to purchase it for his queen, but Wu Lian politely declined, offering to showcase more of his works later. Then, Mr. Huang from the Huangji Embroidery House presented his "Plum Blossoms in Huaizhou," crafted with a unique Huai Embroidery skill, directly challenging Wu Lian's philosophy by referencing a lady who found blooming plum blossoms more beautiful.
Wu Lian dismissed it as "utterly vulgar," but the envoy was captivated by its originality and superior artistry, expressing a strong desire to acquire it. This unexpected interest in Mr. Huang's work created a crucial diversion, drawing Wu Lian away to address the envoy's inquiries. Seizing this opportunity, Meng Wan's group ascended to the top floor where they found Liu Sanniang bound by a thick iron chain.
Liu Sanniang immediately warned them of an ambush, revealing that Wu Lian's key was fake and that soldiers from the capital were strategically positioned downstairs. Despite knowing it was a trap, Meng Wan affirmed that they could not abandon her. Li Chunfeng confirmed that the key he had stolen from Wu Lian was indeed ineffective, and Feng Da's attempts to smash the chain with his hammer proved futile.
Realizing their desperate predicament, Liu Sanniang urged them to leave, arguing that their collective sacrifice would be senseless and would only lead to Wu Lian's ultimate victory. To ensure their escape and the mission's success, Liu Sanniang bravely picked up the petroleum they had brought, scattered it around herself, and deliberately set it ablaze. As flames engulfed her, she reiterated her belief that "great things couldn't be achieved without sacrifice," having now proven it with her own life.
She made Meng Wan promise to burn the entire Yanyu Tower to ashes, destroying the "foul place" and utterly ruining the embroidery event to prevent Wu Lian from achieving his ambitions. She also implored Liu Xin to escape, bring Wu Lian to justice, and avenge her, expressing that the shoes he'd once given her fit, which she would consider his payment.
With her final words, Liu Sanniang declared her sacrifice "worth it" for the destruction of the tower and the invaluable friendship with her comrades. The remaining group quickly spread the rest of the petroleum throughout the tower and escaped as the inferno consumed the building. The Yanyu Tower was soon engulfed in a massive blaze, its roof beams collapsing under the intense heat.
Wu Lian watched in horror, desperately demanding that the fire be extinguished and lamenting the destruction of his precious embroideries, including his "Night Feast Embroidery." Director Yan, recognizing the catastrophic failure, advised Commander Xie to seek immediate shelter, acknowledging the severe repercussions the night's events would have.
