Ni Chang Episode 14 Recap
> Ni Chang Recap
Yan Wenxiu inquired of Su Wenyu about the progress of the investigation into Fang's Clothing Store for counterfeiting Su family designs. Su Wenyu noted that they had ceased their fabrication practices some time ago and advised Yan Wenxiu to let the matter go, urging her not to antagonize Xie Xiaoni further.
Yan Wenxiu, however, insisted that her actions were merely a casual inquiry on behalf of her uncle, Su Gongming, and the guild, who she claimed were concerned about the knitting industry in the capital. She concluded by stating that if Xie Xiaoni was truly upright, there would be nothing to fear. Shortly thereafter, officials arrived at Fang's Clothing Store.
Fang Heng, the manager, stepped forward, only to be informed by Chief Chen that the authorities had received public tip-offs about the store's long-standing sale of fake goods. By order of Your Excellency, all clothing and fabric were to be confiscated. Despite pleas and resistance from Xie Xiaoni and her family, the officials mercilessly seized everything, warning that future offenses would lead to the store's closure.
Meanwhile, Housekeeper Xiao joyfully reported the raid to Su Wenyu, calling it "a happy event for the Su family." Yan Wenxiu, present during the conversation, declared it karmic retribution, implying that Fang's deserved their fate. When Su Wenyu questioned her involvement, she denied it, claiming the guild, led by his uncle Su Gongming, initiated the action. Enraged, Su Wenyu accused her of acting out of personal vendetta against Xie Xiaoni, calling her actions despicable.
Independently, Xiao Lu hastily informed Ouyang Ziyu of Fang's predicament, but his aides reminded him of his urgent palace appointment, prioritizing imperial duties over visiting Fang's. Su Wenyu rushed to Fang's Clothing Store and attempted to intervene with Chief Chen, appealing to their mutual acquaintance. However, Chief Chen explained that he could not defy Your Excellency's orders, especially since it involved the Su family's backing. He stated the case would only be closed if Su Gongming himself withdrew the complaint.
Cheng Tian and Yuan Xiang, witnessing Su Wenyu's presence, accused him of orchestrating the raid. Despite Su Wenyu’s vehement denials and promises to retrieve their confiscated goods, Cheng Tian, in a fit of rage, physically assaulted him. Yan Wenxiu intervened, verbally lashing out at Cheng Tian and Yuan Xiang, calling them "common street folk" and dismissing Xie Xiaoni as a "lowlife springing from obscurity" who seduces men.
Yan Wenxiu vowed she would not rest until Xie Xiaoni was driven out of the capital. Xie Xiaoni, in turn, calmly told Su Wenyu and Yan Wenxiu that their store wanted no further dealings with them and asked them to leave, effectively severing their ties. Inside the ransacked store, Xie Xiaoni's aunt, Mingyue, wept uncontrollably over the loss of their livelihood, lamenting their misfortune and wondering how they would survive.
Fang Heng tried to comfort her, but Mingyue felt their dreams were shattered. Overhearing their despair, Xie Xiaoni was overwhelmed by a painful memory of her own family's wrongful persecution, deeply saddened by her inability to achieve justice for them. Elsewhere, Mr. Gao shared good news with Yuan Daocheng: the emperor had appointed Ouyang Ziyu to lead a relief effort for a severe drought in Nanyang, a region Ouyang Ziyu was familiar with from past travels.
Yuan Daocheng expressed his delight, hoping that Ouyang Ziyu, whom they regarded as a "jinx," would never return. While Xie Xiaoni was picking flowers near a pond, Su Wenyu arrived at Fang's, but Cheng Tian and Yuan Xiang tried to block him. Fang Heng intervened, directing Su Wenyu to Xie Xiaoni's location, hoping they could resolve their issues, as he believed the Su family was behind their recent misfortune.
Ouyang Ziyu, also searching for Xie Xiaoni at her usual flower-picking spot, saw her speaking with Su Wenyu and, disheartened, left with Xiao Lu. Su Wenyu, holding Xie Xiaoni's arm, told her that as the raid was his family’s doing, he felt responsible for resolving it. He planned to take her clothing designs to Official Wang's 60th birthday party the next day, hoping to secure wealthy clients and recover Fang's losses.
When Xie Xiaoni tried to refuse, Su Wenyu threatened to use his influence to drive her aunt and uncle out of the capital, echoing the accusation that he had used his power to confiscate their goods. He argued that helping her would be a way for the Su family to atone for their past injustices against the Xie family, demanding she trust him and provide her most elaborate designs.
Back at Fang's, Mingyue and Fang Heng remained despondent, refusing to eat. Suddenly, Cheng Tian burst in with exciting news: many high-ranking officials and noble families had arrived, all requesting Xie Xiaoni to make clothes. The store quickly filled with eager clients, clamoring for her attention and offering full payment upfront, understanding that new fabric needed to be purchased.
Meanwhile, Housekeeper Xiao instructed his subordinates to buy all of Fang's new ready-made clothes, regardless of style or size, cautioning them not to reveal their affiliation with the Su family, fearing retaliation from the "vengeful" Xie Xiaoni. Later, Yan Wenxiu confronted Su Wenyu, having observed his frequent visits to Fang's. She accused him of actively helping their rival by providing ideas, introducing clients, and even sharing Su's suppliers, allowing Fang's to enjoy similar preferential pricing.
Su Wenyu defended his actions, stating Xie Xiaoni was a dear friend in distress, and dismissed Yan Wenxiu’s interference as petty. Under Xie Xiaoni's leadership, Fang's Clothing Store underwent a remarkable transformation. The premises were expanded, meticulously cleaned, and the staff began wearing unified uniforms. Mingyue, overcome with joy, felt as though it were a dream. She expressed profound gratitude to Xie Xiaoni for revitalizing their business.
Xie Xiaoni, in turn, thanked her aunt and uncle for their kindness and shelter when she had nowhere else to go. She, Cheng Tian, and Yuan Xiang took on primary responsibilities, outsourcing tasks like washing, dyeing, and partial sewing to other workshops and trusted shops to foster broader prosperity. Mingyue was appointed the overall manager, overseeing operations and enforcing discipline. To mark their grand reopening, Fang's unveiled a new plaque and celebrated with festive firecrackers.
Xie Xiaoni announced a generous 20% discount on all goods for the first three days, drawing in a crowd of enthusiastic customers. At the Su residence, Su Gongming, having received a letter from Yan Wenxiu's father, strongly urged his elder brother to finalize Su Wenyu's marriage to Yan Wenxiu. He emphasized the growing influence of the Yan family in Huaizhou and the strategic advantage of a strong alliance between the two families to monopolize the weaving industry.
Despite his elder brother's insistence on respecting Su Wenyu's wishes, Su Gongming dismissed it, citing traditional parental authority in marriage matters. He declared his intention to personally arrange the wedding, disregarding his brother's concerns. Back at Fang's, Yuan Xiang brought Xie Xiaoni some beef patties, a frequent gift from Su Wenyu. Yuan Xiang commented on Su Wenyu's devotion and excellent qualities, urging Xie Xiaoni to consider him.
She also broached the subject of Cheng Tian's unrequited feelings for Xie Xiaoni, suggesting that if Xie Xiaoni's heart belonged elsewhere, it would be kinder to let Cheng Tian move on. Xie Xiaoni embraced Yuan Xiang, thanking her for her unwavering support. She then revealed that Cheng Tian secretly harbored feelings for Yuan Xiang, which Yuan Xiang had not noticed.
Xie Xiaoni pointed out Cheng Tian's pattern of teasing Yuan Xiang only to console her later, and his profound worry when Yuan Xiang was ill, advising Yuan Xiang to be more patient and gentle with him. Yuan Xiang, blushing at the revelation, awkwardly promised to try.
Later, Su Gongming met with Yan Wenxiu, reiterating his conviction that she was the ideal daughter-in-law for the Su family and entrusting her with the responsibility of helping Su Wenyu elevate the family's weaving business. Yan Wenxiu humbly deferred to their decision but expressed apprehension about Su Wenyu’s indifference towards her. To prove her capabilities and win Su Wenyu’s regard, she proposed managing the Su family's shops. Su Gongming approved, even commissioning her to design the season's new collection.
Yan Wenxiu's designs quickly gained popularity, attracting many noble customers, but her demanding nature was also apparent. Yan Wenxiu paid another visit to Fang's Clothing Store, where Xie Xiaoni was presenting designs to a client. Yan Wenxiu sarcastically commented on Xie Xiaoni's "one dress for different uses" concept, highlighting Xie Xiaoni's "poor" background and suggesting she couldn't understand the extravagance of wealthy madams.
She then presented two luxurious designs from Su's, explicitly stating they were suitable for the client's noble status. Xie Xiaoni, displeased by the disruption, reminded Yan Wenxiu that she was in Fang's store, not Su's. Yan Wenxiu retorted, accusing Xie Xiaoni of being "guilty" and "afraid" to compete. Xie Xiaoni, fed up with the verbal jabs, challenged Yan Wenxiu to a design competition, proposing to let the public judge their creations.
Yan Wenxiu disdainfully rejected the challenge, deeming it beneath Su's century-old, royally appointed status to "play monkeys" with a "small store" like Fang's, and left haughtily. Undeterred by Yan Wenxiu’s snobbery, Xie Xiaoni informed Yuan Xiang that they must prepare for a grand "Fang's Clothing Appreciation" exhibition, a public display of their finest garments.
Mingyue initially objected, fearing public ridicule and believing it would attract unwanted attention to their newly successful business, warning that "a person of high position is liable to be attacked." However, Xie Xiaoni passionately argued that given their newfound reputation and existing envy from competitors, it was crucial to strike while the iron was hot to expand their business and solidify their name. With persuasion from Fang Heng, Cheng Tian, and Yuan Xiang, Mingyue eventually relented.
Xie Xiaoni then enlisted several young women as models and, to everyone's amusement, decided that Cheng Tian, despite his initial protests, would also participate in the exhibition, declaring his "handsome" appearance and "charming" demeanor would complement the female models on stage.
