Ni Chang Episode 15 Recap
> Ni Chang Recap
Ni Chang was teaching Chengtian how to model when her uncle, who had always wanted to be on stage, suggested that Chengtian alone couldn't fully showcase the men's clothing. He then proposed to join Chengtian on stage himself. Ni Chang's aunt, however, found the idea embarrassing, but her uncle was undeterred. Chengtian confirmed that all the invitations for the upcoming fashion show had been distributed to ladies and madams, as well as to the public.
Ni Chang's aunt expressed concern about the scale of the event, but her uncle reassured her, saying that even if they failed, it would show their courage, a quality others lacked. Ni Chang thanked him for his support, and everyone continued preparations. Meanwhile, Yan Wenxiu learned about Fang's upcoming fashion show. She scoffed at the idea, finding it disgraceful.
Upon hearing that several neighborhood girls were helping Ni Chang, Yan Wenxiu sent them invitations to her own home, promising gifts and delicate snacks. On the day of the fashion show, many esteemed ladies and gentlemen arrived, including Huang Cuicui from Fanxiang Pavilion and Li Lanxiang from Chenxiang Chamber, who were rivals. Li Lanxiang wore Su's Purple Robe, while Huang Cuicui showcased Fang's silk skirt. They eyed each other with disdain. Fang's had even hired musicians to entertain the guests.
Just as the event was about to begin, Yuan Xiang rushed in with terrible news: none of the girls who had promised to help were coming. Their families had forbidden them from appearing in public. Ni Chang's aunt panicked, suggesting they cancel the show. However, Ni Chang remained calm and quickly instructed her uncle and Chengtian to perform a "canjun xi," a type of comedic skit, to stall for time.
She and Yuan Xiang then left to try and bring the girls back. Ni Chang's uncle and Chengtian awkwardly took the stage, their humorous performance initially drawing laughter. However, their routine quickly grew stale, and the audience became restless, pelting them with food. Ni Chang's aunt, mortified, pulled them off stage. Ni Chang and Yuan Xiang returned, having failed to find any of the girls.
Disheartened, Ni Chang was about to cancel the event when Su Wenyu arrived with a group of dancers from Tianxiang Theater, led by Yerong. Yerong clarified that they were performing artists, not prostitutes, and she was there to repay Ni Chang's kindness. Ni Chang, Yuan Xiang, and her aunt quickly helped the dancers get ready, dressing them in Fang's clothes and applying makeup, while Su Wenyu addressed the impatient crowd.
Ni Chang also prepared men's outfits for her uncle and Chengtian to model. Yan Wenxiu, still at her home, received news that Ni Chang was using dancers to fill the gaps at her show. Her own guests, who had been enjoying snacks, made excuses to leave and witness the spectacle, much to Yan Wenxiu's fury. She decided to go and see for herself. As the fashion show resumed, Ni Chang's creations shimmered beautifully on the dancers.
However, some guests recognized the dancers from Tianxiang Theater and left, deeming it inappropriate. Ni Chang remained composed, continuing to send models to the stage. Yerong's final appearance captivated the audience and garnered enthusiastic cheers, while Yan Wenxiu watched with a dark expression. The fashion show concluded successfully, resulting in numerous orders for Fang's and significantly boosting its reputation. Ni Chang's uncle and aunt expressed their profound gratitude.
Su Wenyu offered his congratulations, and as Yuan Xiang, Chengtian, and the uncle and aunt discreetly left, he was alone with Ni Chang. Su Wenyu requested that Ni Chang accompany him to see camellia flowers as a token of her gratitude, an invitation he had awaited for a long time. Ni Chang agreed to this long-standing appointment, promising to keep it this time. Meanwhile, Ouyang Ziyu was on his way back to the capital after completing his duties.
He instructed Xiao Lu to inform Xiao Qin to prepare the garden for a flower viewing. Xiao Lu, guessing the special guest, hinted that it was Ouyang Ziyu's intended beloved, Lady Ni Chang. Fang's business continued to thrive with Ni Chang's innovative designs, such as mother-child, sibling, and couple matching outfits. Su Wenyu visited, concerned about Ni Chang's heavy workload, designing and producing clothes daily.
To alleviate her burden, he presented her with a meticulously drawn collection of all her past garment patterns, saving her the time and effort of repeatedly sketching designs for clients. Su's business began to falter, much to the anger of Su Gongming. Yan Wenxiu stepped forward, proposing to organize other merchants to formally "petition" against Fang's, assuring Su Gongming that she would handle the entire affair and spare him the trouble. Su Gongming, impressed by her initiative, was relieved.
At the Luo Family mansion, Ouyang Ziyu brought out his cherished guqin, an instrument he rarely played. Xiao Qin, curious about the distinguished guest, asked Xiao Lu, who proudly confirmed it was Ouyang Ziyu's "intended person," hinting at Ni Chang. Ouyang Ziyu left early the next morning, intending to personally pick up Ni Chang. However, he encountered her happily strolling with Su Wenyu, engrossed in a riddle-guessing game in Yingchun Garden.
Su Wenyu then openly professed his unwavering love for Ni Chang, stating he would persist a hundredfold for every rejection, as he could not bear to lose her again. Ouyang Ziyu, witnessing this exchange, sighed sadly and left unnoticed. Yan Wenxiu met with various silk garment makers in the capital, inciting them against Ni Chang.
She argued that Ni Chang's use of Tianxiang Theater dancers for her fashion show was an impropriety that sullied the entire silk industry and that Fang's low-priced, seemingly inferior garments were unjustly stealing their business. The merchants, whose businesses were indeed suffering, agreed to collectively approach Su Gongming for action. Su Wenyu confronted Yan Wenxiu, demanding to know her intentions, but she calmly asserted that her actions were solely for the benefit of the Su family.
At the Luo Family mansion, Xiao Lu and Xiao Qin worried as Ouyang Ziyu sat in his garden all night, refusing food and drink. They speculated he was suffering from lovesickness due to the mysterious girl's absence. Meanwhile, Ni Chang received an invitation from Su Gongming to visit the Su family mansion. Yuan Xiang immediately suspected it was a marriage proposal. Chengtian, however, argued it was not proper for Ni Chang to be directly invited for such a matter.
Su Wenyu then rushed in, warning her that the invitation was a "Hongmen Banquet" – a trap orchestrated by Yan Wenxiu to turn the entire capital's silk industry against Fang's. Despite his desperate pleas for her not to go, Ni Chang was resolute. She asserted that Fang's thriving business would inevitably attract challenges from competitors, and it was better to confront them bravely now rather than later.
She declared that while she was a woman, she would never accept the label of "weak." The next morning, Ouyang Ziyu still had not risen from his bed. Just as Xiao Lu was worrying that his master had fallen ill with lovesickness, Ouyang Ziyu woke up.
