Ni Chang Episode 30 Recap
> Ni Chang Recap
Yan Wenxiu approached Ni Chang, tearfully confessing that her marriage to Su Wenyu was merely a formality, as his heart belonged to Ni Chang. She admitted to being as vulnerable as Ni Chang, with no one to rely on, which is why she fought desperately to establish herself in the Su family. Her past animosity toward Ni Chang, she claimed, was solely for self-preservation. Now, having reflected, she realized that opposing Ni Chang for a man was foolish.
While their relationship was strained at Yunjinzhuang, Yan Wenxiu acknowledged Ni Chang's superior abilities and expressed a desire to forge her own path. She wanted to be liked and accepted, not rejected, and hoped they could work together in Ruiyuan, seeking Ni Chang's guidance. Ni Chang, however, was reserved, stating there was nothing to forgive and that people gather or part based on shared objectives.
She reminded Yan Wenxiu that the Su family's business was focusing on weaving, her strength, suggesting she hardly needed advice. She then advised Yan Wenxiu to collect her cloth from Steward Chen to avoid delays for the upcoming competition. Yan Wenxiu agreed, asking Ni Chang to visit her when free. That night, Ni Chang, determined to create a damp-proof fabric for the competition, went to the courtyard to work.
Her roommate, Bai Rouer, remarked on the effort, acknowledging the humidity of Lanzhao and Ni Chang's ambition before heading to bed. Meanwhile, Ouyang Ziyu was in a newly acquired, secluded courtyard nearby, playing the zither while Xiao Lu oversaw servants cleaning and arranging it. Xiao Lu initially believed Ouyang Ziyu bought the inconveniently located yard simply to be close to Ni Chang and alleviate his worry.
However, Ouyang Ziyu clarified that its proximity to both Ruiyuan and the royal market bureau was strategic. He intended to use it as an unobtrusive vantage point, "like a clear eye in the dark," to monitor the bureau, which he suspected of illicit dealings involving Ruiyuan. He specifically instructed Xiao Lu to keep a close watch on Gao Xuan's residence.
Late that night, Ni Chang, hearing the distant zither music, wondered if it was Ouyang Ziyu playing, her heart longing for him. The next morning, Ni Chang introduced herself at the spice room to Yu Qing and Xiao Ju, offering to share her knowledge of balm making. Yu Qing dismissively told her to work alone, but Xiao Ju mentioned the steward required everyone to contribute to the yard's upkeep.
Ni Chang eagerly offered her help, so Yu Qing assigned her the arduous task of separating mixed red jujubes and yam beans, instructing her to dry each piece individually in the sun. Yu Qing confided in Xiao Ju that she intended to make things difficult for Ni Chang, whom she perceived as a favored "red person." Later, returning to check on Ni Chang, Yu Qing was astonished to find all the herbs already sorted and spread out.
Ni Chang revealed her ingenious method: she had woven a net with mesh sized precisely for the yam beans, allowing her to easily sieve and separate them. The Princess arrived at Ouyang Ziyu's residence, but Xiao Lu claimed Ouyang Ziyu was away on official duties, which she didn't believe, vowing to find him eventually. Back at the spice room, Ni Chang offered a soothing throat cream to a coughing Xiao Ju.
Yu Qing, observing this, grew annoyed, asserting that Ni Chang was trying to curry favor and questioning why smaller merchants like them had to labor while Ni Chang seemed exempt. When Xiao Ju complained of a headache, Yu Qing helped her back to their room, dismissing Ni Chang's unique balm as a secret she was trying to protect. In the room, Yu Qing fussed over Xiao Ju's old, un-fluffy pillow, promising to replace its contents with fresh jasmine petals.
Ni Chang, however, returned with more ointment and noticed Xiao Ju's persistent fatigue and dark circles, suggesting she hadn't slept well. Ni Chang offered to brew a tranquilizing soup, mentioning a potent recipe from Xizhou. Xiao Ju revealed Yu Qing had made her a jasmine pillow that was supposed to aid sleep, but her condition had inexplicably worsened. As Ni Chang examined the pillow, Yu Qing burst back into the room and angrily sent Ni Chang away.
Yu Qing then replaced Xiao Ju's pillow filling with new jasmine petals, assuring her of a good night's sleep. Ni Chang, however, suspected foul play with the pillow. Su Wenyu presented the monthly tribute to Yuan Daocheng, who, impressed by Su Wenyu's meticulousness, promoted him to the head of the guild, replacing the aging Second Master Su.
Upon leaving, Su Wenyu encountered Ni Chang and invited her to join the guild, assuring her he would treat her better than his second uncle had. Ni Chang declined, however, and cautioned him against excessive involvement with the intricate affairs of the royal market bureau. Feeling disheartened, Ni Chang was then urgently sought out by Xiao Qin. Xiao Qin led her to a nearby courtyard, then mysteriously vanished, leaving Ni Chang to discover Ouyang Ziyu there.
Ni Chang was surprised to learn he had recently purchased the property. She realized with delight that the zither music she’d been hearing at night was indeed his. Ouyang Ziyu explained that he had strategically chosen the courtyard for its ability to muffle the zither’s sound, ensuring only someone intimately familiar with his playing, like her, would recognize it. He proposed using his zither music as a signal, and she would respond with her flute, promising he would hear her.
Ni Chang then shared her observation that some merchants in Ruiyuan had bribed their way in, which Ouyang Ziyu confirmed was a common corrupt practice of the royal market bureau. He assured her he would patiently uncover their misdeeds and urged her to be patient in finding clues for the old case, noting that many veteran members of the bureau were in Ruiyuan.
Ni Chang expressed her urgency, with less than 40 days remaining, hoping that dethroning Yuan Daocheng at the bidding conference would expose the necessary leads. The Princess found Xie Feng (referred to as Wuyi by the Princess) watching the moon, and though she sensed Xie Feng held secrets, she promised not to pry. She offered her friendship and support, acknowledging Xie Feng's Fanjing accent and experience.
Later, Ni Chang brought tranquilizing soup to Xiao Ju, who worried about Yu Qing's reaction. Ni Chang reassured her that she harbored no ill will towards Yu Qing and was only concerned for Xiao Ju's well-being. Ni Chang then gave Xiao Ju a new, improved pillow, taking away the old one. Meanwhile, Yu Qing brought Xiao Ju fruit and porridge, expressing delight at her improved appearance, attributing it to the jasmine pillow she had made.
Xiao Ju, however, admitted to still suffering from nightmares and fatigue. Separately, Liu Zixuan visited Ni Chang while she was drying herbs and offered to help. Ni Chang, trying to maintain a respectful distance due to his status as the Young Marquis, told him it wasn't appropriate. He jokingly insisted on following her and then expressed his frustration that she always acted formally towards him.
Ni Chang clarified that she genuinely appreciated his friendship, considering herself lucky to have such a generous friend in Ruiyuan, which greatly pleased Liu Zixuan, who had feared being seen as useless. Yu Qing angrily confronted Ni Chang, demanding to know what happened to the pillow she had made for Xiao Ju.
Ni Chang calmly admitted to replacing it and revealed she had found toad powder mixed with jasmine petals in Yu Qing's pillow, explaining that this ingredient, known for its invigorating properties, would cause endless nightmares if used in a sleeping pillow. Ni Chang accused Yu Qing of deliberately causing Xiao Ju's restless nights to gain an advantage in the competition.
She warned Yu Qing that she would keep the secret of the toad powder on the condition that Yu Qing treat her fellow merchants with sincerity and never repeat such malicious acts. Shortly after, Liu Zixuan suffered a sudden outbreak of extremely itchy rashes all over his body, alarming his servant and leading Zeng Taiyi to initially suspect smallpox.
Ni Chang and Xiao Ju arrived with medicine, but Liu Zixuan, embarrassed by his disfigured appearance, tried to hide and begged them to keep his condition secret. He mentioned the rash appeared after he visited the spice room. Ni Chang investigated the spice room and correctly identified the cause as Hyacinth, diagnosing Liu Zixuan with hay fever. Thanks to Ni Chang's specially formulated ointment, Liu Zixuan's condition rapidly improved.
Later, Liu Zixuan secretly told Ni Chang that, having overheard from Yuanxiang that she wanted to make balsams with Hyacinth, he had found some for her. He proudly revealed the flowers were hanging on the spice room roof, emphasizing that he hadn't told anyone else, fearing it would cause trouble for her in Ruiyuan. He then playfully reminded her that she now owed him a favor.
