Ni Chang Episode 2 Recap
> Ni Chang Recap
Xie Xiaoni brought Ouyang Ziyu, who was unconscious, back to her home. Her parents, Master Xie and his wife, rushed over upon hearing the news. Xie Feng explained that Ouyang Ziyu must have fallen from the mountain path. Feeling responsible because her arrow had accidentally injured him, Xie Xiaoni insisted on staying by his side until he awoke, declaring she wouldn't feel at ease otherwise.
However, Master Xie urged her to return to her room and instructed Xie Feng to assign two maids to watch over the man. Once he recovered, they were to ascertain his identity and send him away, as it was best not to get involved with people of unknown origin. Despite her father's wishes, Xie Xiaoni secretly returned to Ouyang Ziyu's room, remarking on his handsome features while he lay still. Suddenly, Ouyang Ziyu awoke.
Xie Xiaoni was full of questions, but he remained silent. His eyes fixed on the buns on the table, and he immediately ran towards them, disregarding his injured leg, and devoured several in quick succession. Master Xie and Xie Feng arrived, also trying to ask his name and inquire about his well-being, but Ouyang Ziyu only continued to eat, eventually choking. Flustered, Xie Xiaoni quickly fetched water. After consuming two entire baskets of buns, Ouyang Ziyu still demanded more.
Xie Xiaoni promptly asked Hongrui to get more buns and summon a doctor. The doctor examined Ouyang Ziyu and explained that while his physical injuries were minor, a head injury had caused a blood clot, pressing on his brain meridians and leading to a loss of sanity. He would react slowly to events and behave and speak like a child.
Master Xie initially wanted to send Ouyang Ziyu away, wary of keeping a stranger with a compromised mind at home, fearing he might cause trouble. Xie Xiaoni vehemently opposed this, arguing that he was helpless and might be harmed or starve if left on the streets. She promised to care for him and prevent him from wandering off.
Xie Feng supported his sister, reminding their father of his own teachings about kindness and suggesting it would be inhumane to abandon an injured man. Eventually, Master Xie relented, agreeing to let Ouyang Ziyu stay until he regained his senses, at which point Xie Feng would personally ensure his departure. Ouyang Ziyu, meanwhile, was already exploring the room with childlike curiosity, amusing Xie Xiaoni.
Elsewhere, Yuan Daocheng, concerned about the missing Ouyang Ziyu, who disappeared after his banquet, worried about potential political repercussions. He dispatched Mr. Gao to send more men to search the capital, emphasizing the urgency of finding Ouyang Ziyu to avoid being implicated. At the Xie family household, business was flourishing, attracting many customers, a development that made Xie Feng feel slightly uneasy despite their success.
Ouyang Ziyu, true to the doctor's assessment, remained childlike, focused only on eating and playing, unable to recall anything about himself. Unable to glean any information about his family, Xie Feng proposed assigning Ouyang Ziyu some light work in the workshop to keep him occupied, to which Master Xie agreed. However, Ouyang Ziyu often became the target of teasing by the servants.
On one occasion, two servants tried to trick him with a cricket, but Xie Xiaoni intervened, reprimanding them and reminding them that Ouyang Ziyu was "her person" and should not be bullied. She then comforted Ouyang Ziyu, promising to have Xie Feng deal with anyone who bothered him and taking him for more buns.
Meanwhile, Su Wenyu continued his persistent search for the owner of the handkerchief he found, believing it to be a cherished item that he wished to return. Back at the Xie household, Xie Xiaoni brought Ouyang Ziyu another tray of buns. She tried to ask him about his leg, head, and age, but he only replied "Delicious" and eventually stated "Five years old" after some prompting, his main focus remaining on the food.
Amused by his insatiable love for buns, Xie Xiaoni decided to affectionately call him "Bun." As she was about to eat a bun herself, Ouyang Ziyu declared it "Mine" and playfully snatched it from her mouth, their faces coming so close that Xie Xiaoni blushed deeply. She then asked him to be her obedient "big doll," promising him beautiful clothes and plenty of buns. Ouyang Ziyu eagerly agreed.
Xie Xiaoni then took out her rouge and gouache, transforming him with makeup, much to his delight. Xie Feng arrived, initially chastising Xie Xiaoni for her antics, worried about their father's reaction. However, Ouyang Ziyu declared himself a "big doll" wearing the flower Xie Xiaoni gave him. Soon, the three of them were laughing and playing together.
Later, while playing hide-and-seek under a large red cloth, Ouyang Ziyu, seeing only Xie Xiaoni in his eyes, affectionately kissed her cheek before gleefully running off. A flustered Xie Xiaoni called after him that girls' faces shouldn't be kissed without permission. Xie Feng soon discovered that government officials were secretly searching the streets, carrying a portrait that bore a striking resemblance to Bun. He immediately reported this to Master Xie, who realized the unknown man's identity was far from ordinary.
Worried about the family's participation in the upcoming embroidery contest, Master Xie urgently ordered Xie Feng to send Bun away at once to avoid any complications. When Xie Xiaoni couldn't find Bun, her father gently explained that with his injuries healed, it was time for him to leave and find his own family. Xie Xiaoni was heartbroken, fearing Bun would starve, but her father reassured her that in these peaceful times, beggars wouldn't go hungry.
He also emphasized that it was inappropriate for a young girl to spend so much time with a man of unknown origins. Xie Feng also advised his sister, saying it would be best for Bun to reunite with his family. Reluctantly, Xie Xiaoni agreed but pleaded for time to say a proper goodbye, insisting they would send him away only after the contest concluded.
During their emotional farewell, Xie Xiaoni, with tears in her eyes, asked Bun if he would hate her for making him leave. Bun, distressed, begged her not to abandon him, saying, "Sister Ni'er's home is my home!" Xie Xiaoni cried, lamenting that he wasn't well and wishing him a swift recovery, imploring him not to forget her. Bun, in turn, tried to comfort her, telling her not to cry because her crying face wasn't pretty.
In the days that followed, Xie Xiaoni resumed embroidering. She showed Ouyang Ziyu a camellia design, explaining it was the most beautiful and fresh flower. She even embroidered camellias onto his clothes, which he admired. Soon, the Xie family received official notification of their selection for the final round of the Grand Brocade Contest, much to the delight of Xie Feng and Xie Xiaoni.
Meanwhile, at the Su family, Su Gongming, the second master, was furious that the "grassroot" Xie family had also been selected, calling it detestable. He complained to his elder brother that the Xie family was using the contest to build momentum in the capital, increasing their business significantly and threatening the Su family's long-standing dominance as tribute merchants. His brother, however, preached integrity and calm, urging him to focus on honest business practices.
Su Gongming, dismissive of his brother's cautious approach, declared he would not stand idly by and let the Xie family surpass them, stating that he was doing everything for his nephew, Su Wenyu. He implied that he would not heed his brother's advice this time. Later, a servant informed Su Gongming that Mr. Gao needed certain items and wished to meet him at his mansion once they were prepared, hinting at an alliance or exchange of favors.
At the Grand Brocade Contest, Su Gongming and Xie Feng, representing their respective families, met Yuan Daocheng, who congratulated them on reaching the final round. The president of the Chamber of Commerce then announced the rules: three rounds of competition, judged by officials and himself, with two wins securing the title of tribute merchant. If one party received unanimous approval in a single round, the other would be automatically eliminated.
The first round was embroidery, with a two-day deadline and the theme "Spring." They were required to use specific fabric provided by the Palace Bureau, without alteration or loss. As they left, Su Wenyu made snide remarks about the Xie family's ambition, but Xie Feng chose to ignore him. Back at the Xie household, the embroiderers were dismayed by the two-day deadline, deeming it impossible to create an elaborate double-sided embroidery of "hundreds of flowers" to represent spring.
They worried about losing. Amidst this, Xie Xiaoni and Ouyang Ziyu were drawing together. When Xie Xiaoni tried to peek at Ouyang Ziyu's drawing, he dramatically fell to the ground, claiming she was bullying him. She quickly appeased him, eventually showing him how to draw a peach blossom. They bumped into Xie Feng, who, seeing their playful antics, merely chuckled and sent them off to eat buns.
Two days later, at the judging, Su Gongming proudly presented the Su family's submission: a magnificent, large double-sided embroidery of blooming flowers. The judges were astounded by the artistry achieved in such a short time, praising it as a masterpiece. Master Xie, however, expressed doubt, politely inquiring how such a complex piece could be completed so quickly. Yuan Daocheng allowed him to inspect the fabric, and Master Xie confirmed it was indeed the original material provided by the Bureau.
Then, Master Xie presented the Xie family's work. It was a single-sided embroidery, appearing simple, with a lone peach blossom. Many judges found it too plain. Xie Feng stepped forward to explain its concept, which originated from Xie Xiaoni's painting. He argued that while "spring" conventionally evokes a riot of flowers, a single, early-blooming peach blossom, defying the lingering chill, best captured its essence.
He described it as a symbol of hope and the season's first smile, embodying the spirit of striving without needing to compete with others. Despite his poetic explanation, Mr. Gao remarked it was "still too ordinary." Yuan Daocheng then called for the voting to begin.
