Nancheng Banquet Episode 2 Recap
> Nancheng Banquet Recap
After recent events, Liu Yidao instructs Fu Xiao that she is now Xiao Qiangzi, the Emperor's favored personal attendant, and that he (Liu Yidao) will henceforth call her Qiang Ge, acknowledging her new status. Liu Yidao expresses relief at having narrowly escaped Yan Changyun and credits the eunuch who helped Fu Xiao pass the verification process for her survival. It is revealed that this eunuch was previously bribed by a masked woman who paid him handsomely that night.
Fu Xiao, confused by the eunuch's unexpected help, tries to dismiss her doubts and focus on surviving. During the morning court session, ministers discuss the replacement for the deceased border official Guo Zhen. Prime Minister Xiao Quan proposes Yan Changyun, citing his bravery and loyalty. However, this suggestion faces strong opposition from other officials in the court.
Yan Changyun remains skeptical of Xiao Quan's support, reflecting on the fate of the Qin family, who despite their contributions, were framed and annihilated. The imperial edict concerning the Qin family is recalled, detailing their conviction for colluding with foreign enemies, abusing power, distributing "Zhu Yin powder" in the army causing soldier deaths, and their subsequent execution for treason and deception.
Meanwhile, Yan Changyun learns from Lei Bao's message that He Sanyuan has been located, raising hope that clues might be found regarding Guo Zhen. The Emperor notices Xiao Qiangzi watching him eat and invites her to join him. Despite her initial hesitation citing court etiquette, she accepts when the Emperor insists and eats with gusto, praising the food. The Emperor remarks that meals are usually uninteresting but are enjoyable with her company, ordering her to dine with him daily.
Xiao Qiangzi then requests permission to leave the palace, feeling uneasy there, but the Emperor refuses, promising his protection and stating he will reconsider her request later. Yan Changyun interrogates Lei Bao, a former deputy general under State Duke Qin. Lei Bao immediately recognizes Yan Changyun as the young master Qin Yan, whom he had helped escape the Qin family massacre. Yan Changyun demands to know who killed Guo Zhen.
Lei Bao claims ignorance initially, but under pressure from Yan Changyun's threats of torture, he confesses that Guo Zhen possessed a Jade Ring containing a great secret. He states that whoever holds the ring would possess significant power. He also describes the killer as being of medium height, dressed in white, with a veiled face, suggesting the ring is likely with the killer.
Yan Changyun quickly seeks out Fu Xiao (as Xiao Qiangzi), confronting her and stating Guo Zhen died by his sword, demanding the location of the Jade Ring. Xiao Qiangzi denies any knowledge of the ring or Guo Zhen, claiming there must be a misunderstanding and that she suffers from memory loss, specifically "Soul Loss," due to an injury.
Yan Changyun summons Imperial Doctor Qu, who confirms Xiao Qiangzi has Soul Loss due to a head injury and states that memory recovery is unpredictable, potentially taking from days to decades depending on luck. To test and potentially restore her memory, Yan Changyun subjects her to forceful methods, including being spun on a rotating disc and acupuncture. Terrified, Xiao Qiangzi briefly pretends to remember but then admits she lied to stop the treatment.
Yan Changyun appears to accept her amnesia and fabricates a story: she was his loyal dark guard, trained by him, sent to intercept Guo Zhen for the vital Jade Ring (proof of guilt), was injured and lost contact, and ended up in the palace by chance while seeking him. Inwardly aware he is lying, Xiao Qiangzi feigns delight at finding a "relative" and offers to inform the Emperor she will now follow Yan Changyun.
However, she immediately goes to the Emperor, tearfully claiming Yan Changyun tortured her with spinning and needles and threatened her with a sword. She begs to remain by the Emperor's side for protection, fearing she would die if forced to leave with Yan Changyun. The Emperor assures Xiao Qiangzi she can remain by his side for protection.
Later, Yan Changyun, still suspecting her, takes Fu Xiao/Qiang to the woods to reenact the scene of Guo Zhen's assassination to try and trigger her memory or reveal her guilt. Faced with armed guards simulating the scene, she panics and faints. Imperial Doctor Qu examines her again, noticing a red line on her wrist. He tells Yan Changyun that the red line indicates poison spreading, a complex "refined poison" for which only the maker has the antidote.
He warns Yan Changyun that if not detoxified, the poison will be fatal within 100 days. However, when Xiao Qiangzi is present, the doctor lies, saying she only has a minor ailment ("上火"). While in his private toilet, which he humorously calls his "true throne" as it's the only place he feels secure and clean from outside influence, the Emperor confides in Xiao Qiangzi about his powerlessness.
He explains how the Empress Dowager monitors his every move, Prime Minister Xiao Quan controls the court and even reviews his official documents, and State Duke Wei manages the country's finances. The Emperor praises Yan Changyun's loyalty, but Xiao Qiangzi privately thinks Yan is despicable and ruthless. Just then, Yan Changyun arrives, asking the Emperor to allow Xiao Qiangzi to join the Thousand Feather Guard, claiming she has applied multiple times.
Xiao Qiangzi immediately fakes illness, claiming dizziness and begging to stay with the Emperor. The Emperor, seeing her distress, refuses Yan Changyun's request and takes her to see a doctor. Later, Feng Shixi, a personal attendant, urges the Emperor to visit a consort that night, revealing only the Empress's card is available, a situation seemingly dictated by powerful forces.
Feng Shixi kneels, fearing severe punishment from the Empress Dowager and Prime Minister Xiao Quan if the Emperor does not comply with these arrangements. The Emperor agrees to visit the consorts and takes Xiao Qiangzi to the garden. Upon his arrival, the other consorts quickly scatter, terrified of the Empress's powerful father, Prime Minister Xiao Quan, which the Emperor notes. The Empress, who had been waiting, then comes out to greet the Emperor.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Xiao Quan severely reprimands his daughter, the Empress, for failing to produce a child after four years of marriage. He is particularly enraged because State Duke Wei has used her childlessness to propose her removal in court. Xiao Quan, feeling deeply humiliated, warns the Empress that if she does not conceive an heir soon, he will replace her with another woman from their family, emphasizing the absolute necessity of a Xiao heir for the imperial succession.
The Empress attempts to defend herself, suggesting the Emperor's avoidance of her might be the reason for her inability to conceive. Back with the Emperor, Feng Shixi continues to desperately plead with him to fulfill the expected visit to the Empress. Xiao Qiangzi, witnessing Feng Shixi's distress, offers a suggestion that could help the Emperor avoid the visit while also protecting Feng Shixi from repercussions.
