Ni Chang Episode 25 Recap
> Ni Chang Recap
Di'er forcefully brought Ni Chang into the Su mansion, claiming that Ni Chang had accepted payment and was obligated to work. Ni Chang reluctantly entered, hoping to gather information from Yan Wenxiu regarding Su Gongming's past ambush. Upon her arrival, Yan Wenxiu immediately began to provoke Ni Chang, suggesting that Ni Chang had been flattering the Lord and accusing her of constantly flirting with him during their time at Yunjin.
Yan Wenxiu then announced her impending marriage to Su Wenyu and brazenly requested Ni Chang to be responsible for her wedding attire and makeup. Di'er repeatedly addressed Yan Wenxiu as "young mistress," while Ni Chang skillfully parried her taunts. Ni Chang, running a business, felt she couldn't easily refuse the job without risking her shop's reputation. Yan Wenxiu pressed further, demanding to see Ni Chang's makeup skills.
When Ni Chang offered her Yu Ze cream, Yan Wenxiu feigned concern about applying it to her face and insisted Ni Chang test it on her "jade-like feet" instead. Ni Chang, swallowing her anger, helped Yan Wenxiu remove her shoes. Yan Wenxiu continued to belittle Ni Chang, calling her an orphan with a small shop, and warning her against seducing men with her looks.
Unable to tolerate the insults any longer, Ni Chang gently but firmly pressed an acupoint on Yan Wenxiu's foot, causing her to cry out. Enraged, Di'er pushed Ni Chang away and then threw Ni Chang's cosmetic items onto the floor, insulting their quality. Su Wenyu, hearing the commotion, rushed in.
He became furious when he heard Yan Wenxiu referred to as the "young mistress" of the Su family, publicly slapping her and declaring that he would never marry her, regardless of his father's arrangements. A heartbroken Yan Wenxiu reminded him of their parents' consensus and his father's decision, but Su Wenyu remained resolute. Ni Chang quietly gathered her belongings, but Su Wenyu followed her out, pleading that she still harbored feelings for him.
He offered to abandon everything and leave the capital to start a new life with her. Ni Chang, however, coldly rejected him, insisting they were now strangers and urging him to respect himself and acknowledge Yan Wenxiu's genuine affection. As Su Wenyu refused to let go, Ouyang Ziyu arrived, pushing Su Wenyu away and escorting Ni Chang from the Su mansion.
Once they were safely away, Ouyang Ziyu expressed his anger at Ni Chang for going to the Su mansion alone, knowing Su Wenyu's persistent affections. He worried what he would have done if anything had happened to her. Ni Chang apologized, admitting she went hoping to uncover details about Su Gongming's ambush from Yan Wenxiu. Ouyang Ziyu reiterated his demand that she always inform him of her plans and never see Su Wenyu again, to which Ni Chang readily agreed.
Though he denied being jealous, Ouyang Ziyu advised her to take Chengtian with her on future business trips for safety. Meanwhile, Yuan Daocheng was enraged after Ouyang Ziyu rejected the entire list of palace market entries submitted by his department and proposed opening the selection process to the public, disregarding applicants' background or reputation. This new decree, sanctioned by the emperor, appointed Ouyang Ziyu to oversee the matter, explicitly prohibiting favoritism.
Yuan Daocheng and Mr. Gao worried that merchants who had already paid bribes might expose their illicit dealings. As Ouyang Ziyu played the zither in his garden, Ni Chang felt a profound sadness, reminiscing about her family and her inability to clear their names. Ouyang Ziyu comforted her, assuring her that she had already done exceptionally well and that with his support, she would one day achieve her goals.
Elsewhere, Yan Wenxiu informed Su Gongming about the new palace market rules, expressing concern that Herb Hall might enter the market. Su Gongming, however, reassured her, promising to handle the matter himself. Later, Ni Chang found a letter containing a substantial amount of silver, anonymously sent by Su Wenyu, who wanted to help her secure a spot in the market. Ni Chang, unwilling to accept it, confessed to Ouyang Ziyu about the money.
She explained her reluctance to take it, and Ouyang Ziyu acknowledged that while some merchants resort to bribery, others might do so out of desperation. He encouraged Ni Chang to focus on winning over the common people fairly, as that was the only approved path. Ni Chang proposed making samples of Herb Hall's products, which were typically expensive, and distributing them for free to the public, a strategy Ouyang Ziyu enthusiastically supported.
Ni Chang then went to return the money to Su Wenyu, but he refused to take it back, claiming it wasn't his. She left the money on the ground and walked away. Di'er, witnessing the exchange, misinterpreted the situation and promptly reported it to Yan Wenxiu. Yan Wenxiu confronted Su Wenyu, accusing him of leaking information to Herb Hall. Su Wenyu dismissed her, telling her she was inferior to Ni Chang.
Yan Wenxiu, rejecting Di'er's suggestion to inform Su Gongming, declared she would compete openly and fairly with Ni Chang. Inspired by Ni Chang's strategy, she also began distributing free samples of Yu Zhi Rouge's products. As Herb Hall and Yu Zhi Rouge successfully gained entry into the palace market, Yan Wenxiu attributed her success to anticipating Ni Chang's actions, knowing she would never resort to bribery.
She then spitefully suggested to Su Wenyu that Ni Chang's success was due to "pillow talk" with Ouyang Ziyu, infuriating him. Later that night, Ni Chang heard Ouyang Ziyu's flute and excitedly opened her window. He appeared at her door, recalling their past and teasing her for her "hypocritical" behavior. He then revealed that Princess Lan Zhao's upcoming visit was crucial for establishing trade routes between Da Ning and Lan Zhao, particularly in spices, porcelain, weaving, and tea.
A bidding conference for palace market merchants would follow, presenting a golden opportunity for Herb Hall. When Ni Chang offered him a handmade sachet as thanks, Ouyang Ziyu playfully pointed to his face, hinting he desired a kiss. Yuan Xiang accidentally witnessed their intimate moment and fled in embarrassment. Ouyang Ziyu, seeing Ni Chang's discomfort, handed her his flute as a keepsake and departed, asking her to see him off.
As they bid a sweet farewell, a drunken Su Wenyu appeared, accusing Ni Chang of breaking her promise to be with him. Ouyang Ziyu intervened, dismissing Su Wenyu's possessiveness and reminding him that while his family had harmed Ni Chang, he was the one who had always saved and accompanied her.
The two men briefly clashed before Ni Chang stepped forward and declared unequivocally that Ouyang Ziyu was the only one in her heart, vowing eternal loyalty if he remained by her side. A heartbroken Su Wenyu stumbled away into the night. The following morning, Su Wenyu returned to the Su mansion in a disheveled state and with a high fever.
Su Gongming reprimanded him for his overnight disappearance and for causing chaos, but Yan Wenxiu, noticing his burning forehead, quickly instructed Di'er to help him to his room and summon a doctor immediately.
