Nancheng Banquet Episode 18 Recap
> Nancheng Banquet Recap
Princess Jiayang proposes to Emperor that Yan Changyun be made her consort as a condition for the trade agreement between Ning State and Nancheng. Emperor confirms this was his reaction too, but agrees because Princess Jiayang offered a five-cheng tariff, and refusing this small request would raise suspicion, jeopardizing the trade talks, which benefit the people.
Yan disagrees with the proposal, but Emperor insists he already gave his word, explaining that Yan's plan didn't include marrying Princess Jiayang is a minor issue. Emperor expresses faith in Yan to uncover the trade scheme before the New Year and pleads with him for the sake of Nancheng. Yan states he needs to consider it, wondering how to explain the situation to Fu Xiao.
However, he recognizes that going along with the marriage is the only way to investigate the trade conspiracy and potentially find justice for the Qin family, especially since Princess Jiayang appears connected to Poppy powder. Yan practices, and Princess Jiayang observes, praising his skill and saying he embodies the unity of man and sword, reflecting his state of mind.
She tells him she has proposed to the Emperor and, after the New Year and the signing of the trade agreement, she will take him back to Ning State, promising to fulfill any requests he has and even make him Commander in chief there. Yan replies that as a subject of Nancheng, he follows the Emperor's arrangements. Princess Jiayang suggests it's not the Emperor's plan, but fate's.
Emperor arrives, saying he is tired and intended to exercise with Fu Xiao but the weather is bad. Fu Xiao suggests they can still exercise in the rain. Emperor assures her he's fine as long as she is happy, then praises Fu Xiao's intelligence, beauty, grace, and skill at kicking the shuttlecock. Fu Xiao is modest. Emperor notes her joy, and she attributes it to exercising. Emperor states he and Commander Yan are also in good spirits.
Fu Xiao asks why Yan would be happy. Emperor replies that good news uplifts a man's spirit. Fu Xiao presses him for the news. Emperor reveals Yan will sacrifice for the greater good by going to Ning State to marry Princess Jiayang. That night, Fu Xiao gets drunk and confides in Chuyue, saying she was wrong about Yan and believes he is the type of person who covets glory.
She tearfully tells Chuyue that he is going to marry Princess Jiayang and leave for Ning State, expressing disbelief and sadness. Chuyue tries to comfort her, suggesting maybe he was forced and has difficulties. Fu Xiao laments that he lied to her and is ready to abandon her for Princess Jiayang. Yan watches the drunk Fu Xiao and speaks to her, expressing his feelings for her. The next day, Fu Xiao leaves a note for Yan and departs.
The assassin, following Uncle Lei's instructions, observes Fu Xiao, believing she must be eliminated as she knows Yan's true identity. Yan returns to his room, finds the note, and discovers a purse Fu Xiao embroidered with a yam flower on it. Seeing the flower triggers a memory: a young girl showing him a similar yam purse she embroidered as a betrothal gift and suggesting they practice wedding rites, asking what kind of man she would marry.
Yan realizes Fu Xiao is the little girl from his past and rushes to find her. Fu Xiao is stopped by an assassin who tells her he is there to kill her, calling her a menace that must be eradicated. Fu Xiao blows a whistle. Yan Changyun arrives and saves her. Fu Xiao embraces Yan, crying that she almost died. Yan tells her he has finally found her and will never let her leave his side again, then kisses her.
As they walk back, Fu Xiao holds his hand tightly, saying she doesn't want to let go because she fears he will run away again. Yan confirms he will never leave her. Fu Xiao asks if he is still marrying Princess Jiayang. Yan says no, he never considered it. Fu Xiao realizes his earlier statement about marrying the princess was to investigate the Poppy powder and admits it made her upset. Yan hints he was worried about her safety.
He promises that no matter what happens, they will face it together. Fu Xiao teases him about his past behavior. She suggests that since he still needs to get close to the princess for the investigation, it might be best to keep their relationship secret for now. Yan asks if she minds sneaking around. She admits she does and wishes they could be together openly, but understands his mission and is willing to wait, asking for some assurance.
Uncle Lei confronts Yan after the failed assassination attempt on Fu Xiao, asking if he has forgotten his blood vengeance and the suffering of their people in places like Jijin and beggars' alley. Yan insists he hasn't forgotten and lives daily with the pain and fire of revenge, having witnessed the brutal end of Jijin and the plight of their former comrades. He tells Uncle Lei he knows what he is doing.
He then asks Uncle Lei if he remembers the little girl who saved his life fifteen years ago. He reveals he searched for her for so long only to find she has been right beside him – Fu Xiao is that girl. Yan recalls that after Uncle Lei took him away that night, her village was massacred. He states that her family died because of him and that he vowed at their graves to find her, who was then missing.
Uncle Lei offers to have their former comrades search discreetly. Yan orders Uncle Lei not to harm Fu Xiao again, emphasizing her importance. Yan also clarifies his relationship with Chuyue, stating he has protected her but never intended to marry her. Uncle Lei expresses concern, asking if Yan has considered that if Fu Xiao regains her memory and learns her parents died because of him, she might hate him.
The next day, Princess Jiayang reports that Liu Yidao was caught stealing. Liu Yidao appears disoriented with red eyes. Princess Jiayang calls him a thief and insults Nancheng people, demanding Yan take responsibility. Yan apologizes and promises strict punishment. Liu Yidao confesses he didn't mean to steal the Dai incense but couldn't resist. He explains that using it initially made him feel energetic, but skipping even one day left him listless, feeling addicted.
Yan's subordinate notes that these symptoms resemble those from Poppy powder use. Yan confirms that the Dai incense contains Poppy powder and questions who is using it to poison Nancheng. Empress visits Emperor, asking for more Dai incense as it has made her feel much better. Emperor says it was a gift from Princess Jiayang before trade and he will send some to her later.
Madam Xi arrives seeking more Dai incense for Grand Empress Dowager, who felt unwell but has improved greatly since using it. Empress informs Madam Xi that Emperor has already gifted the incense to her. Xiao Quan arrives and, upon hearing the situation, tells Empress that since Grand Empress Dowager enjoys it, she should give all the Dai incense to Madam Xi, calling it filial duty. Empress thanks Xiao Quan, and Madam Xi leaves with the incense.
Xiao Quan speaks to Yi Heng (also known as Bai Yi), quoting a passage about the relentless flow of time. He states time is running out, the Emperor's delays may indicate suspicion, and the Liu Yidao incident means the secret of the Dai incense will soon be exposed.
He gives Yi Heng antidote, warning him against benevolence and reminding him he is the Second Prince of Ning State, not merely Bai Yi from the Wanshi Pavilion, urging him not to squander this rare opportunity. Yan informs his team that he suspected the Dai incense contained Poppy powder and has confirmed it. He believes Ning State is using it under the guise of trade to undermine Nancheng. He suspects Princess Jiayang is connected to Xiao Quan.
His subordinate questions if Xiao Quan is influenced by the princess or accepting bribes. Yan states Xiao Quan is not driven by greed or lust, and the extent of his secrets is unknown. Fu Xiao suggests they extract information from the embroidery house manager to clarify the connection between Xiao Quan and the princess, perhaps by finding a man who resembles one of the four gentlemen of Ning State. Wei Tianjiao volunteers for the task.
Wei Tianjiao, disguised and masked like one of the four gentlemen of Ning State, arrives at Xiao Quan's embroidery shop. The manager recognizes his disguise and warns him not to be so obvious as the area is crowded. Wei Tianjiao removes his mask, astonishing the manager. The manager is taken into custody but denies knowing any of the four gentlemen of Ning State, claiming he is being framed and threatening to report them.
Yan explains to his team that the manager is a servant of the Xiao family whose family is being held by Xiao Quan, making any interrogation futile as he will not confess. Keeping the manager will, however, unsettle Xiao Quan. Xueying asks Xiao Quan if she should infiltrate the prison to kill the manager. Xiao Quan refuses, believing it would be walking into a trap as they are likely prepared.
He considers the situation like a critical chess game where the opponent aims to checkmate him with a pawn, stating he will sacrifice a piece to save the king. He expresses weariness with court struggles and slander, offering to resign to the Emperor for the sake of Nancheng. Emperor is surprised but acknowledges Xiao Quan's loyalty, suggesting he should not mention resignation. Xiao Quan insists he is slandered and cannot continue. Emperor asks if he means Yan Changyun.
Yan arrives, reporting evidence of the manager's collusion with Ning State and suspecting him to be a spy. Xiao Quan counters that the manager has served him for years, suggesting Yan suspecting the manager is like suspecting Xiao Quan himself. He warns Yan that if the manager shows any sign of injury, it will be seen as torture to extract a confession, and he will not let Yan off the hook.
Emperor mediates, recognizing both as important officials essential to Nancheng, and returns Xiao Quan's resignation. Xiao Quan accepts, promising loyalty, and departs. Emperor remarks to Yan that Xiao Quan's tactics are deeper than his father's, but his resignation act was unconvincing due to his attachment to power. Emperor assures Yan he will handle the manager's situation. He then asks about Yan's progress with the princess as the year end approaches.
Yan states his relationship with the princess is merely a pretense. Emperor instructs him to make the pretense more convincing, emphasizing that cultivating genuine feelings is necessary to advance the investigation. He orders Yan to spend time with the princess in the coming days, an order Yan cannot disobey. That night, Yan and Fu Xiao talk to each other through the wall separating their rooms. Fu Xiao asks if he is asleep; he replies he is not.
She asks why he isn't sleeping, adding that if he is awake, she won't sleep either. She asks when she will be able to fall asleep while looking at his face. He calls her thoughts complicated. She asks if he doesn't desire that. Later, she asks if he has fallen asleep, and he signals yes by nodding through the wall.
