Ni Chang Episode 26 Recap
> Ni Chang Recap
Su Wenyu returned to the Su family early with a high fever. Di'er quickly helped him to his room, and a doctor confirmed he had caught a cold and might suffer after-effects, requiring medicine. Su Gongming, his uncle, was deeply disappointed, calling him a "disappointing bastard." He suspected Su Wenyu's current state was "probably for Nichang" and wondered when he would come to his senses.
Yan Wenxiu, who was present, was praised by Su Gongming for her generosity, lamenting that Wenyu didn't cherish her. Yan Wenxiu then went to check on Su Wenyu, urging him to take his medicine and advising him to be less angry, stating, "Not everyone wants to revolve around you. Don't bother others even if you are useless."
She left the medicine, telling him to drink it when he calmed down and to inform his uncle when he recovered, as Su Gongming, despite his complaints, still cared for him and planned to put him back in charge of the city's northern stores. Su Gongming expressed his frustration, having devoted his life to his nephew only for him to be rebellious.
Yan Wenxiu tried to reassure him, suggesting Su Wenyu was "just confused" and would soon be his "capable assistant." However, Su Gongming dismissed this, stating that Wenyu was useless and could never be a right-hand man. He then told Yan Wenxiu that her return to Huaizhou was now impossible and promised to protect her reputation.
Su Gongming declared his intention to arrange the marriage while Su Wenyu was still unwell, believing it would "counteract bad luck" and make Wenyu "understand" once it was a fait accompli. Yan Wenxiu, in turn, entrusted her marriage to him, stating she was a member of the Su family, whether alive or dead. Su Gongming decided not to notify the Yan family of the wedding, planning to inform them only after the ceremony was complete.
On the day of the wedding, Su Gongming addressed the guests, explaining that his nephew Su Wenyu was seriously ill and couldn't attend, but thanked Yan Wenxiu for her willingness to marry to counteract bad luck. He announced that he would officiate the wedding in Wenyu's stead. To everyone's surprise, a rooster was brought to stand in for the groom.
Yan Wenxiu, despite the obvious humiliation, went through with the ceremony, bowing to heaven and earth, to Su Gongming, and then with the rooster. After she was escorted to the bridal chamber, Su Gongming apologized for the situation but affirmed that Yan Wenxiu was now the Su family's madam and held authority within the household. Yan Wenxiu accepted this new status. Shortly after, chaos erupted when a servant reported that Su Wenyu was missing and Yan Wenxiu had fainted.
Su Gongming hurried to attend to her, then angrily questioned Di'er about Su Wenyu's disappearance, reminding her that he was supposed to be unconscious. Di'er explained that he was gone when she escorted Yan Wenxiu to the room, speculating that the wedding noise might have woken him. Another servant voiced concerns about Yan Wenxiu's reputation if Wenyu's escape became public. More alarming news arrived: Su Wenyu was at Tianxianglou, refusing to return, and was spreading rumors.
He accused Yan Wenxiu of being an "arrogant bully" who forced him to marry during his period of mourning, an act he denounced as "against ethics and morality." Enraged, Su Gongming ordered him to be brought back. Yan Wenxiu, who had refused food for two days, was furious at the humiliation.
She confronted Di'er, expressing her anger that Su Wenyu chose to spend his wedding night at Tianxianglou rather than at home, especially after the Su family insisted on marrying during his mourning period. She felt he had unfairly tarnished her reputation, making her appear as a "shrew with no respect and shame" throughout the capital. Despite Di'er's attempts to defend Su Wenyu, Yan Wenxiu vehemently rejected the title "Madam," stating she had not officially married him.
Su Gongming tried to remind her that the marriage was pre-arranged and publicly celebrated, but Yan Wenxiu stood firm, declaring, "From now on, I am breaking all ties with Su Wenyu. I have nothing more to do with him." Yan Wenxiu summoned Su Wenyu, who appeared on his own accord. She confronted him about his wedding day escape and the rumors he spread, which had made her a laughingstock and ruined her reputation.
Su Wenyu, however, denied escaping, claiming he never agreed to the marriage, and that her insistence on marrying into the Su family meant his words were not rumors. He offered a "compromise," stating that "externally, I will acknowledge your status as the Madam to protect your reputation," but "internally, we will not interfere with each other's lives. You do your thing, I'll do mine." Yan Wenxiu sarcastically accepted his offer.
She then questioned if he had truly given up on Nichang, but Su Wenyu claimed, "I don't know any Nichang," prompting Yan Wenxiu to remark on his apparent hurt and the karmic nature of events. Su Wenyu reiterated that while she could conduct business under the Su family name, he was still "the one in charge of the Su family" and she "can't intervene in my business, nor replace me in the power of the house."
Yan Wenxiu pointed out that his uncle disagreed, to which Su Wenyu asserted it was time for his uncle to retire. Growing increasingly angry, Yan Wenxiu retorted that her Yan family's wealth surpassed the Su family's, and she would not remain if she had other options. She vowed that the Su family would always owe her and that Su Wenyu would "regret this one day."
At the Palace Bureau's market, which convenes every fifteen days, Herb Hall faced a shortage of rouge and powder, making Xie Xiaoni yearn for her own plantation. As palace buyers arrived, Xie Xiaoni, Cheng Tian, and Yuan Xiang worked to attract their attention. Recognizing the intricate network of palace buyers and the need for recommendations, Xie Xiaoni observed a seemingly carefree and unconventional buyer, Liu Zixuan, and suggested Yuanxiang try to win him over.
When Yuanxiang approached him, Liu Zixuan dismissed her, stating he preferred to discover interesting items himself and that peddled goods were "bad stuff." Xie Xiaoni then stepped in, confirming they had the "rat poison" he had joked about. She explained an ingredient called Zhi Yu Xiao, a sweet, non-toxic substance used in their powder that, when consumed by rats, causes them to bloat and die without odor, leaving a pleasant scent to locate them.
Impressed, Liu Zixuan accepted a sample and followed her to the stall. Liu Zixuan's attendant, Old Huang, tried to hurry him, but Liu Zixuan was excited about the rouge and balm, believing the palace ladies would adore them. Despite Old Huang's warnings about breaking procurement rules and fearing punishment, Liu Zixuan insisted, taking responsibility and ordering 100 units of each item from the stall. Old Huang, exasperated, insulted the stall owners as "poor vendors" who coaxed Liu Zixuan into buying.
Liu Zixuan immediately defended Xie Xiaoni and Yuanxiang, demanding Old Huang apologize for his "foul language." Old Huang complied, placing the order and instructing them to deliver it to the Palace Bureau the next day under his name. Xie Xiaoni and Yuanxiang thanked him. Liu Zixuan, introducing himself and learning Xie Xiaoni was using the name Nichang, praised her name and asked for Herb Hall's address, stating he'd visit. He mentioned he could only visit every ten to fifteen days.
After he and Old Huang left, Yuanxiang was thrilled by the massive order, equivalent to two or three months' sales, attributing it to the "small purchaser." Xie Xiaoni, however, mused that the other arrogant palace buyers seemed "afraid of him," suggesting he "must have a great background." General Liu, a renowned military figure, returned to the capital with his family, prompting Yuan Daocheng and Mr. Gao to shower him with flattery.
Liu Zixuan, General Liu's son, greeted his father, and Yuan Daocheng identified him as "Marquis Jinxi, Zixuan." General Liu, however, downplayed the title, explaining it was a casual gift from the emperor and that his son was still young and mischievous. General Liu then questioned Liu Zixuan about his studies, urging him to prepare for the year-end imperial examination.
Liu Zixuan, eager to explore the capital, expressed his frustration at the constant academic pressure but assured his father he was diligent. He then excitedly recounted his purchases at the Palace Bazaar to his father, who scolded him for running around instead of studying. Meanwhile, Yuan Daocheng inquired about Ouyang Ziyu's absence. A servant informed him that Ouyang Ziyu had taken leave to procure items for Princess Lan Zhao's upcoming visit.
Mr. Gao criticized Ouyang Ziyu for his recent rise in prominence, expressing concern that he might botch the important diplomatic event. Both Yuan Daocheng and Mr. Gao lamented losing the opportunity for promotion to the Dian Zhong Department due to Ouyang Ziyu's involvement in such significant foreign affairs. Mr. Gao sinisterly suggested it would be "great" if "Prince Luo gets sick" at this crucial juncture, a sentiment Yuan Daocheng seemed to implicitly endorse.
Back at Herb Hall, Cheng Tian returned, reporting that the palace order had been successfully delivered and paid in full. Xie Xiaoni, worried about Ouyang Ziyu's absence, asked Cheng Tian about him. Cheng Tian reassured her that Ouyang Ziyu was handling matters for Princess Lan Zhao and would return "in two days," having left name cards of popular palace buyers, concerned about Herb Hall's entry into the market. Liu Zixuan soon appeared at Herb Hall, calling for Nichang.
Xie Xiaoni and Yuanxiang were busy with customers and couldn't give him their full attention. Liu Zixuan, pleased with the "rat poison" she had previously given him, now playfully requested her to concoct "Seven-step poison," a potent substance "that can poison a dog," claiming it was to eliminate a "vicious dog" in the city. Xie Xiaoni, however, firmly refused, explaining that she sells cosmetics, not poisons, and told him she could not help him with that.
At Herb Hall, Lady Qian arrived for her Acne Cream. Xie Xiaoni presented a freshly made batch, which Lady Qian, concerned about her sensitive skin, hesitated to use. Liu Zixuan, eager to help, snatched the cream and applied it to an acne spot on his own face, offering to test its effectiveness. After a short while, he triumphantly showed that his acne had "gone down a lot."
Convinced by the instant results, Lady Qian thanked Xie Xiaoni, paid generously, and left. Liu Zixuan then requested a box for himself, and Xie Xiaoni agreed, promising to enhance it with ingredients for "removing acne marks" and "helping sleep." Before he could leave, Liu Zixuan's attendant arrived, calling him "Xiao Hou Ye" (Young Marquis). Xie Xiaoni and Yuanxiang were astonished to learn that he was actually "Marquis Jinxi, Liu Zixuan," the esteemed son of General Liu.
Meanwhile, Yan Wenxiu reviewed textile orders with Su Gongming, thanking her father for securing new products from Huaizhou, which allowed the Su family to maintain its market advantage. She then informed Su Gongming that Su Wenyu had stopped drinking and had gotten into "close relation with the buyers of the Palace Bureau." Su Gongming was surprised, as Wenyu had never shown interest in that area.
Yan Wenxiu suggested he might be "sober" and eager "to be a master of the Family" like his uncle. Su Gongming angrily dismissed this, stating the Palace Bureau was "complicated" and its officials "not easy to serve." When Su Wenyu appeared, Su Gongming immediately confronted him about his contact with the Palace Bureau. Su Wenyu defended himself, claiming he was merely getting closer to them, adding that Yuan Daocheng and Mr. Gao were "reasonable."
Su Gongming was furious, questioning how Su Wenyu dared to meet Yuan Daocheng privately. Yan Wenxiu tried to intervene, suggesting Wenyu be allowed to gain experience. However, Su Wenyu then accused Yan Wenxiu of unethical business practices at Yuzhizhai, alleging she was "substituting lower grade powder in the upper grade box" to sell for higher prices to remote branches.
Yan Wenxiu calmly denied the accusation, explaining that the batch was "damp" and required different packaging, and that goods sent to branches were inherently cheaper. She suggested the workers might have misspoken. Su Gongming scolded them for arguing. Yan Wenxiu, citing urgent matters at her shop, left. Su Wenyu then urged his uncle to prevent Yan Wenxiu from managing the powder shop alone, citing "many problems" he had found.
Su Gongming dismissed his concerns, advising him to focus on himself and insisting that Yan Wenxiu was far more capable. Su Wenyu reminded his uncle that he was "the only heir" and Yuzhizhai was Su family property. Su Gongming firmly retorted that Yan Wenxiu was also a Su daughter-in-law and had the right to make business decisions, stating, "You don't recognize her? I do." Su Gongming ended the argument by shouting at Su Wenyu to "Get out" and warning him against any future private dealings with the Palace Bureau.
