Ni Chang Episode 10 Recap
> Ni Chang Recap
Yan Wenxiu provocatively told Yuan Xiang that she couldn't compare to Ni Chang, who was so kind and cherished by others. She then accused Ni Chang of constantly flirting with Cheng Tian, remarking that if she were in Yuan Xiang's position, she would despise Ni Chang, yet Yuan Xiang still treated her as a treasure. Yuan Xiang angrily retorted that Ni Chang was not as "cheap" as Yan Wenxiu.
Later, Master Yun counseled Ni Chang to let go of her hatred and live a peaceful life, emphasizing that this would be the best tribute to her parents. Ni Chang, however, vehemently disagreed, stating that she could never forget witnessing her family's murder. She vowed to clear her family's name and revive their business, asserting that without fulfilling this goal, her life would be meaningless. Master Yun, heartbroken by Ni Chang's unyielding resolve, embraced her.
Meanwhile, Yuan Daocheng and Mr. Gao expressed their dissatisfaction with Su Gongming's recent behavior, noting that the Su family was becoming increasingly presumptuous and had failed to deliver their monthly payments. Mr. Gao even suggested sending someone to intimidate Su Gongming. Su Gongming, upon receiving a sarcastic letter from the Municipal Bureau that congratulated him while demanding more money, was furious.
When housekeeper Xiao attempted to calm him by suggesting Su Wenyu could ease his burdens in the future, Su Gongming grew even angrier, accusing housekeeper Xiao of undermining his position. Shortly after, Su Wenyu appeared, trying to mollify his uncle by highlighting the success of a newly opened shop and his own talent. He requested permission to manage a few shops to further expand the family business. Su Gongming rejected this, stating it was not yet time.
He instead assigned Su Wenyu to settle an outstanding account at a store in the south gate, explaining that he was too young and not yet ruthless enough, suggesting he needed more experience from the ground up before taking on leadership. Su Wenyu politely thanked his uncle for the advice. On Master Yun's birthday, her students gathered to celebrate. After exchanging cheerful greetings and wishes, they presented their gifts. Master Yun praised Yan Wenxiu's exquisitely embroidered sachet.
Cheng Tian then presented Master Yun with a whip, jokingly suggesting she use it to punish him if he ever misbehaved again, which she accepted. Ni Chang also offered a sachet. Master Yun noted it wasn't as delicate as Yan Wenxiu's, but upon smelling it, she was overcome with emotion and began to cry, reminiscing about past events.
She recognized the scent of pear pistil in Ni Chang's sachet, which Ni Chang explained she used because she knew Master Yun cherished the pear garden and believed it held special meaning. Master Yun confirmed that the pear garden was planted by her mother, and the scent of pear pistil was her mother's unique fragrance.
Master Yun thanked Ni Chang for the thoughtful gift, then declared they should enjoy a grand feast and drink until they were content, as it was her birthday. The students celebrated boisterously, which only intensified Yan Wenxiu's jealousy. As the evening progressed, Ni Chang, feeling a bit tipsy, decided to go to the kitchen to fetch some sour plum soup for everyone, leaving Cheng Tian to look after Yuan Xiang. Yan Wenxiu secretly followed Ni Chang to the kitchen.
Ni Chang, still feeling the effects of alcohol, went into a room to search for the sour plum soup. Seizing the opportunity, Yan Wenxiu, driven by jealousy, quietly locked the door from the outside, intending to leave Ni Chang trapped there overnight. Just as she finished, Yuan Xiang passed by outside. Startled, Yan Wenxiu accidentally knocked over an oil lamp, which immediately ignited the surrounding firewood. Panicked, she fled without attempting to put out the fire.
Moments later, Cuiyu and Jin Chan discovered the blaze and raised the alarm. Trapped inside the rapidly burning room, Ni Chang desperately pounded on the door, refusing to die before avenging her family. Despite everyone's efforts, the fire quickly grew out of control. Yuan Xiang suddenly remembered Ni Chang was still in the kitchen. Master Yun, disregarding the danger, rushed into the inferno, followed closely by Cheng Tian.
Inside, Ni Chang had succumbed to the smoke, collapsing into a daze where she saw visions of her smiling parents and brother. Cheng Tian located Ni Chang and managed to break open the locked door. As he carried the unconscious Ni Chang towards the exit, the roof began to collapse. In a final, selfless act, Master Yun pushed Cheng Tian and Ni Chang out of the burning building, sacrificing herself as a burning beam crushed her.
Her last words were an instruction for them to live well and for Cheng Tian to take care of Ni Chang. The kitchen collapsed into rubble, and Master Yun perished in the flames. Yan Wenxiu stood in shock, while Cheng Tian and the other students wept uncontrollably. After the devastating fire, Master Yun was buried. At her grave, Cheng Tian, having lost his only family, cried until his tears ran dry.
Yan Wenxiu then callously accused Ni Chang of causing Master Yun's death and the destruction of Yunjin Store. Cheng Tian, grieving but firm, defended Ni Chang, stating it was not her fault, and the two almost fought. Ni Chang, consumed by guilt, accepted blame for Master Yun's death, but then revealed that she had been locked in the firewood room on the day of the fire, implying that someone deliberately trapped her. She vowed to find the person responsible.
Meanwhile, Su Wenyu's ailing father, having heard about the fire at the embroidery shop where Yan Wenxiu resided, suggested that Su Wenyu marry her soon, as their families were "well-matched in social and economic status." Su Wenyu, however, insisted on making his own decisions regarding his marriage, stating he wished to achieve something significant before settling down, and that his uncle could not force him.
Ni Chang confronted the other students, asking them about their whereabouts and requesting proof for the time she was locked in the kitchen during the fire. While one student called Ni Chang a "murderer," Cheng Tian defended her, stating that the matter was not yet clear. The other students provided alibis, confirming their locations and companions during that time.
When Ni Chang pressed Yan Wenxiu, who had no one to vouch for her, Yan Wenxiu became defensive and aggressive, accusing Ni Chang of murder and daring her to question her. When Yan Wenxiu refused to answer, Ni Chang slapped her, leading to a physical struggle before others intervened. Just then, Su Wenyu arrived to pick up Yan Wenxiu, whom he recognized as his childhood cousin.
Yan Wenxiu, crying, complained about being bullied but quickly dismissed the person as a "nobody." She hastily packed her belongings, eager to leave immediately, declaring that she never wanted to see Ni Chang again. Yuan Xiang was disgusted by Yan Wenxiu's joyful departure so soon after Master Yun's death. Cheng Tian, despondent over the loss of Yunjin Store, urged the remaining students to leave.
Yuan Xiang and Ni Chang, however, insisted on staying with him to observe the first seven days of mourning. Recognizing their shared orphan status, Cheng Tian suggested that the three of them should depend on each other. Ni Chang, at Master Yun's grave, tearfully confessed that she had long regarded Master Yun as her mother, though she never had the chance to tell her, and she revealed her true name, Xie Xiaoni.
She pledged to honor Master Yun's memory by taking good care of Cheng Tian and striving to become a successful female merchant. After a final farewell, the trio departed. Shortly after they left, Zhao Tongshen and Ouyang Ziyu arrived at the ruined Yunjin Store to pay their respects. Zhao Tongshen informed Ouyang Ziyu that Ni Chang, Cheng Tian, and Yuan Xiang had headed to the western suburb of the capital city.
Ouyang Ziyu then noticed a smaller, personal memorial tablet behind Master Yun's grave, inscribed with the name "Xie Xiaoni." The name struck him as familiar, but before he could fully recall, his recurring headache returned. His attendant then advised him to return to the capital city with the porcelain convoy.
