Nancheng Banquet Episode 20 Recap
> Nancheng Banquet Recap
News of Princess Jiayang's death reached the palace, causing distress and creating a diplomatic crisis with Ning State. Minister Xiao Quan argued that Yan Changyun, as the princess's personal guard, bore inescapable responsibility and must be executed to appease Ning State's anger. This sparked a heated court debate, with ministers divided between supporting the execution for diplomatic appeasement and arguing against sacrificing a valuable general, urging the Emperor to reconsider.
The Emperor acknowledged that while Yan Changyun might not be the killer, he was responsible for the princess's safety, questioning how to address Ning State if the true culprit wasn't found, especially since she died in his arms. Xiao Quan continued to press for Yan Changyun's execution, while other ministers defended his value as a general. Using a pass, Fu Xiao went to the prison to visit Yan Changyun.
She brought him dumplings she had made herself, noting he hadn't been eating well. As she fed him, they shared a brief memory of making dumplings together in their childhood. She asked if Xiao Quan's men had mistreated him, which he shrugged off. When the guard signaled time was up, she told him she would go plead with the Emperor. Fu Xiao went to the Emperor and asked why Yan Changyun had been arrested.
The Emperor explained the difficult situation, with the princess dying in Yan Changyun's arms and numerous petitions demanding action, adding pressure from Ning State. Fu Xiao argued against sacrificing a loyal minister for Ning State. The Emperor then revealed he intended to release Yan Changyun. Relieved, Fu Xiao asked for a pass to visit him in prison, which the Emperor readily granted her. Meanwhile, Xiao Quan visited Yan Changyun in the prison, taunting him about his confinement.
Yan Changyun retorted that Xiao Quan seemed quite pleased and pointed out the suspicious timing of the princess's death right after he began suspecting issues with the imported Yudai Incense, suggesting Xiao Quan was hiding something. Yan Changyun accused Xiao Quan of obstructing his investigation by trapping Chu Yue, eliminating remnants of the Qin family, and even killing the princess to corner him.
He declared that these actions revealed Xiao Quan as the true mastermind behind the Guan You incident, finally solving a long-standing mystery for him. Xiao Quan retorted that Yan Changyun, identified by Xiao Quan as Qin Yan, should have died long ago and mocked his failure to clear his name over the past fifteen years. Xiao Quan threatened that even if the Emperor didn't execute him, he could easily fabricate a charge to ensure Yan Changyun died in prison.
Yan Changyun advised Xiao Quan to act swiftly, warning that if he got out, it would be Xiao Quan who perished. Later, the Qianyu Guards arrived at the prison, asserting their right to enter as they were responsible for the capital's security, but Xiao Quan blocked them. Just then, Fu Xiao arrived, presenting the pass from the Emperor, and was immediately admitted.
She joyfully told Yan Changyun that the Emperor had given her the pass and said he would be released soon. Yan Changyun cautioned that it wouldn't be that simple, explaining that while the Emperor might wish to release him, the court officials and Ning State would object, potentially escalating tensions or causing war. Fu Xiao told him she was concerned about him, while he worried about the state.
Yan Changyun reassured her that he wasn't the killer and that Xiao Quan couldn't easily harm him, stating that finding the real culprit and the secret within the incense would prove his innocence. Fu Xiao promised that she and Wei Tianjiao would investigate quickly to get him released. They embraced, unaware that the Emperor was observing this scene from nearby. The Emperor sought counsel from a minister regarding Yan Changyun's case.
The minister argued that despite Yan Changyun not being the murderer, his negligence contributed to the princess's death. Releasing him without solid evidence, the minister warned, would intensify the conflict and create both domestic and foreign crises for the Emperor, urging him to deliberate further. Fu Xiao walked outside, appearing worried about the investigation. She encountered Bai Yi, calling him Master and feeling a sense of familiarity, recalling hazy memories of being adopted by him as a child.
Bai Yi examined her pulse, confirming she had old internal injuries but was recovering well, stating her memory would eventually return. He invited her back to the mountain for further treatment. Fu Xiao declined, explaining she couldn't leave as someone she cared about was in trouble and she had to save him. After Fu Xiao departed, Bai Yi looked thoughtful while Qing Yun commented to Bai Yi that once Yan Changyun was executed, Fu Xiao would surely return.
Returning to the matter of the princess's death, Fu Xiao examined the coroner's notes, noting the profuse bleeding and the unique shape of the wound, which she recognized was caused by a plum blossom three-edged dagger, similar to one given by her master (Bai Yi) and which was her senior sister Qing Li's weapon. She immediately went back to Bai Yi and asked about Qing Li's whereabouts, who was said to be at Wanshi Pavilion.
Fu Xiao stated that the princess's fatal wounds were inflicted by a plum blossom three-edged dagger, Qing Li's weapon, implying her suspicion. She looked at Bai Yi with suspicion. Qing Yun defended Qing Li, stating that despite her petty nature and jealousy, she wouldn't kill a Ning State princess and risk war. Fu Xiao clarified that she didn't suspect Bai Yi gave the order, but wondered if Qing Li might have acted alone.
Qing Yun accused Fu Xiao of still suspecting Bai Yi and suggested she arrest him if she truly believed it. Bai Yi intervened, stating he would return to Wanshi Pavilion with Qing Yun the next day to check on Qing Li and would hold her accountable if she was found responsible. Fu Xiao mused about Qing Li's possible motive, which also puzzled Bai Yi. Remembering something important, Fu Xiao left, asking to be kept informed.
Fu Xiao and Wei Tianjiao went to Doctor Qu, waking him to inquire about the Yudai Incense. Doctor Qu reported that after working for several days with the perfumers assigned by Yan Changyun, they had confirmed the presence of Zhu Yin Powder in the incense. However, the sophisticated techniques used by Ning State made it impossible to extract the substance from the incense itself.
Just then, Liu Yidao arrived, asking Doctor Qu for more of the medicine he had received previously, stating it had helped curb his craving for the Yudai Incense. Seeing this, Fu Xiao suggested that since the Zhu Yin Powder couldn't be extracted from the incense, they should try extracting it from Liu Yidao's body. Doctor Qu confirmed he knew of a "urine extraction method" mentioned in an old medical text that could potentially work.
They proceeded, prompting Liu Yidao to drink water to produce urine, and successfully demonstrated the presence of accumulated Zhu Yin Powder extracted from his system. The four men from Ning State arrived at the court, demanding an explanation for Princess Jiayang's death, which they described as a tragedy for a princess who came with good intentions for mutual prosperity.
They insisted that Yan Changyun, in whose arms she died, must be punished severely, demanding his execution and threatening that they had already informed Ning State and would launch their 100,000 cavalry if he was not executed. A Nancheng minister pushed back, stating their Qianyu Guards were equally capable. Fu Xiao arrived and was granted audience.
She addressed the envoys, stating Nancheng's sorrow for the princess's death and explaining that with the missing weapon and the unique wound pointing to a plum blossom three-edged dagger, it was clear someone else had committed the murder as part of a conspiracy. The Emperor agreed such a person was despicable.
Fu Xiao then asked the envoys to clarify another matter and had Liu Yidao brought in, describing him as the Emperor's most trusted eunuch, now incapacitated and inseparable from him. She showed his current state, weak and with dark eyes, stating it was a result of using their Yudai Incense. She presented the evidence from Doctor Qu: Zhu Yin Powder, a banned substance in Nancheng, was found in the incense and extracted from Liu Yidao.
She demanded an explanation from Ning State. Empowered by the evidence, the Emperor asserted Nancheng's strength and fearlessness despite valuing peace, and demanded an answer regarding the prohibited substance. The envoys denied any knowledge of Zhu Yin Powder being in the incense. The Emperor ruled that trade would continue, but the Yudai Incense was strictly forbidden. He also imposed an additional 20% tariff to compensate for the harm inflicted on his people.
Following the court session, the Emperor discussed the outcomes with Xiao Quan. Xiao Quan, eager to protect himself, agreed that Ning State's motives regarding the incense were questionable and that it should be banned. The Emperor stated that since Ning State was now in a position of culpability, he would not accede to their demand for Yan Changyun's execution.
He outlined his plan: to appease Ning State regarding the princess's death, he would find a criminal from the Ministry of Justice's death row to be sent to Ning State as the killer. Regarding Yan Changyun, while not the killer, he was guilty of dereliction of duty as commander responsible for the princess's safety. He would be severely punished by being demoted to a commoner and permanently removed from office, which would also satisfy the court officials. Xiao Quan assented.
An official decree announced Yan Changyun's demotion and permanent removal from office for dereliction of duty. Later, Fu Xiao prepared a meal for Yan Changyun upon his release, naming one dish "White with a Hint of Red" to ward off misfortune and another "Unity." She told him she knew he was aware of her efforts to clear his name and her challenge in court. Wei Tianjiao, who had been appointed the new Qianyu Guard commander, arrived and joined them.
Meanwhile, Chu Yue was seen sewing clothes for Yan Changyun late into the night. Her maid expressed concern, lamenting that Chu Yue had waited years without recognition, while Yan Changyun appeared quite fond of Fu Xiao, who had recently entered the picture, and they seemed close. Chu Yue dismissed her maid's worries.
Fu Xiao brought pomelo leaves to Yan Changyun, suggesting they could help remove bad luck after his time in prison, and also presented him with new clothes she had prepared. Yan Changyun apologized for making her worry. Fu Xiao responded that she had to worry because he was hers. They shared a tender moment, promising to protect each other.
Chu Yue arrived with the clothes she had sewn just as Yan Changyun told Fu Xiao that her being in danger was the greatest danger to him. Heartbroken by their closeness and his words, Chu Yue sadly left and was later shown burning the clothes she had made for him. The next day, Chu Yue sought out Xiao Quan.
She identified Fu Xiao as the killer of Guo Zhen and mentioned the Jade Ring Fu Xiao had taken from him, suggesting it might interest Xiao Quan as Yan Changyun didn't kill Fu Xiao because of it. Xiao Quan initially feigned disinterest, but Chu Yue pressed, arguing that anything Yan Changyun wanted so desperately must contain a significant secret.
Xiao Quan warned her about the dangers of excessive curiosity, but Chu Yue stated she was more afraid of losing someone important. She declared that Fu Xiao should not be involved with Yan Changyun, because he belonged to her. Xiao Quan agreed to help her, instructing his subordinate Xueying to keep a close watch on her.
After Chu Yue left, Xiao Quan pondered the Jade Ring, fearing it held evidence of his conspiracy with Guo Zhen and Ning State during the Guan You incident.
Flashbacks revealed Xiao Quan's past dealings, including plotting with Guo Zhen to use Zhu Yin Powder to overthrow Duke Qin and securing Guo Zhen's promise never to return to the capital, as well as discussions with Guo Zhen and a Ning State representative about destroying their tripartite agreement after the Qin family's demise.
Xiao Quan worried that Guo Zhen might have destroyed a fake agreement, and if Fu Xiao were to regain her memory and reveal the real Jade Ring, Yan Changyun could expose the Guan You incident secrets. Realizing the threat Fu Xiao posed, Xiao Quan concluded she could not be allowed to live and instructed Xueying to arrange a meeting with Bai Yi.
