Ni Chang Episode 34 Recap
> Ni Chang Recap
Xie Xiaoni was upset, but Ouyang Ziyu's fumbling apologies and their playful scuffle, which sent cherry blossom petals swirling around them, melted most of her anger. Xie Xiaoni told Ouyang Ziyu that she didn't need his help and to not touch her, but later, after he claimed to miss her and she joked about him bullying her even in dreams, her mood lightened. She then asked him to help her pick flowers for her craft.
Their peace was abruptly shattered when Xiao Ju rushed in, announcing that Princess Xinyue had been poisoned after eating Xie Xiaoni's cherry blossom cakes, and the Palace Market Bureau was looking for her. Just then, guards surrounded Xie Xiaoni. Liu Zixuan explained that he had taken Xie Xiaoni's delicious cakes to Princess Xinyue, who ate many of them before suddenly fainting and speaking incoherently. He panicked and reported it to the Palace Market Bureau.
Xie Xiaoni, concerned, asked if he was alright since he also ate the cake, and he admitted to feeling a little dizzy after just one piece. Ouyang Ziyu intervened, suggesting Xie Xiaoni be held in the Palace Market Bureau's backyard until the truth was clear. He then ordered guards to seal off the exits and promised to seal the kitchen and evidence himself, certain that any setup would leave clues. Liu Zixuan rushed to Princess Xinyue's side.
An imperial doctor had already administered acupuncture, but a maid insisted on finding and punishing Xie Xiaoni, accusing her of poisoning the princess out of jealousy for Ouyang Ziyu. Liu Zixuan vehemently defended Xie Xiaoni. Princess Xinyue eventually awoke, and the doctor confirmed she was out of danger. A member of Lanzhao's team demanded a thorough investigation and severe punishment for the poisoner.
However, Wuyi, believing Xie Xiaoni to be innocent, passionately pleaded with Princess Xinyue not to escalate the matter to the Daning court, promising to find the truth himself. Liu Zixuan also vouched for Xie Xiaoni's innocence and offered to investigate with Wuyi.
Princess Xinyue, swayed by their pleas and her own belief that Xie Xiaoni would not intentionally harm her, gave them three days to uncover the truth, stating that if they failed, she would have no choice but to inform the imperial court for a formal explanation. Yuan Daocheng expressed his displeasure at Ouyang Ziyu's handling of the suspect, emphasizing the need for severe punishment. Ouyang Ziyu countered that judgment should await clear evidence.
An imperial doctor reported that the leftover cakes contained too much alkali, which could cause corrosion if consumed in large quantities. Yuan Daocheng, seeing this as direct evidence against Xie Xiaoni, immediately demanded the case be closed with her conviction to satisfy Lanzhao. Meanwhile, at his restaurant, Su Wenyu awkwardly had to apologize to Mr. Gao for a waiter trying to collect payment, indicating that Mr. Gao was a regular who never paid.
Su Wenyu then generously offered to send Mr. Gao any dish he liked to his residence. Ouyang Ziyu visited Xie Xiaoni in her cell, assuring her of Princess Xinyue's recovery and promising to get her out, even if it meant sacrificing his own title. Xie Xiaoni, acknowledging her entanglement in the situation, gently told him his sacrifice would be in vain, as everyone believed her guilty.
Nevertheless, she expressed faith that he would uncover the truth, believing that justice would prevail. Later, Liu Zixuan cleverly distracted the kitchen guards with wine and beef, allowing Wuyi to sneak into the sealed kitchen. At the same time, Ouyang Ziyu, hearing a maid named Xiao Qin scolding another for mixing raw and cooked food bowls but never washing the rags, realized the source of the poison. Wuyi, after meticulously checking all the ingredients, confirmed they were safe.
Ouyang Ziyu then deduced that the poison must have been in the cooking tools, and the three quickly returned to the kitchen. It was revealed that Yan Wenxiu was indeed behind the poisoning, originally intending to poison Manager Chen and frame Xie Xiaoni, with Princess Xinyue's accidental poisoning becoming Yuan Daocheng's problem.
Yan Wenxiu, confident that Xie Xiaoni was doomed, was reprimanded by Yuan Daocheng for her recklessness, who reminded her that her blunder could have implicated his entire bureau and asserted his dominance over her and the Su family. The next day, Yuan Daocheng formally accused Xie Xiaoni of poisoning Princess Xinyue out of jealousy and recommended her immediate execution at Dali Temple. However, Ouyang Ziyu arrived, declaring Xie Xiaoni's innocence and stating the true culprit had been found.
When Yuan Daocheng demanded proof, Liu Zixuan presented a gauze cloth found in the kitchen, demonstrating a chemical reaction showing poison. Wuyi explained that the gauze had been soaked in venom, dried, and then secretly placed in the Rui Garden kitchen. Xie Xiaoni, unaware of the tampered tool, used it to filter flower petals for the cakes. Ouyang Ziyu further elaborated that he had the kitchen sealed immediately after the incident, preventing the culprit from retrieving the evidence.
To Yuan Daocheng's skepticism, a small servant from Rui Garden was brought in. Under Ouyang Ziyu's questioning, the servant confessed to poisoning the gauze but refused to name his instigator. After a chilling look from Yuan Daocheng, the servant bit his tongue and committed suicide. With her name cleared, Xie Xiaoni was released.
Liu Zixuan told her that Ouyang Ziyu, Princess Xinyue, and especially Wuyi had played crucial roles in her rescue, with Wuyi having pleaded on her behalf to the princess. Xie Xiaoni decided to first go and inform Manager Chen of her safety. Yuan Daocheng furiously slapped Yan Wenxiu, lambasting her foolishness. He pointed out that the servant's suicide clearly indicated he was acting under orders, and her scheme would undoubtedly lead to more trouble.
He warned her to know her place, reminding her that she and the Su family were merely his pawns. Later, a Lord Official stated that according to law, Princess Xinyue's poisoning required reporting to the emperor. Both Ouyang Ziyu and Yuan Daocheng, eager to avoid further complications, agreed that since the princess had recovered and the direct culprit was dead, there was no need to involve the emperor. However, the Lord Official hesitated to defy regulations.
Yuan Daocheng attempted to deflect blame onto Liu Zixuan, but Ouyang Ziyu retorted that as the princess resided within the Palace Market Bureau's jurisdiction, Yuan Daocheng was directly responsible. Their argument was cut short by Princess Xinyue's arrival. She declared that she was fine, required no report, and wished to let the matter drop, fearing the embarrassment of having her gluttony reported to her father.
The Lord Official, seeing her wishes aligned with avoiding diplomatic issues, agreed to handle the matter discreetly. Ouyang Ziyu couldn't resist a subtle jab at Yuan Daocheng for being relieved. Ouyang Ziyu thanked Princess Xinyue for her intervention, who in turn suggested he thank Wuyi, without whom the truth might not have been uncovered so quickly. Ouyang Ziyu then proposed a celebratory banquet, inviting Princess Xinyue, Wuyi, and Xie Xiaoni.
Princess Xinyue, believing Ouyang Ziyu merely wanted to see Xie Xiaoni, refused to be a chaperone, and Wuyi, citing his duty to the princess, also declined, leaving Ouyang Ziyu with a nagging sense of familiarity regarding Wuyi. Princess Xinyue, recognizing her lack of romantic connection with Ouyang Ziyu, chose to have Liu Zixuan accompany her hunting instead. Wuyi then requested half a day off to visit an old friend, which the princess granted.
At Ouyang Ziyu's banquet, Xie Xiaoni, her aunt and uncle, Yuan Xiang, and Cheng Tian celebrated her release. Despite their fears and suggestions to withdraw from the competition, Xie Xiaoni reaffirmed her resolve to continue and win, believing that her success would ultimately expose those who harmed her. She also expressed a desire to meet Wuyi in person to thank him, admitting she hadn't even noticed his appearance during the chaos.
Meanwhile, Princess Xinyue expressed her insecurity, feeling inferior because everyone favored Xie Xiaoni. Liu Zixuan quickly reassured her, calling her the best princess he had ever met—an innocent, kind, straightforward girl who could both handle difficulties and let go of grievances. While she complained about Ouyang Ziyu and Liu Zixuan's constant focus on Xie Xiaoni, Liu Zixuan differentiated himself, admitting his fondness for the princess. He openly confessed his feelings, making Princess Xinyue blush.
She, too, found joy and ease in his company, and they made plans to go horseback riding together the following day. After the banquet, everyone gathered to fly kites. Ouyang Ziyu suggested that by releasing their kites, they would also release all of Xie Xiaoni's bad luck. As they cheered and watched their kites soar, Wuyi observed them from a distance, a soft smile on his face.
Later that night, Princess Xinyue found Wuyi lost in thought and joined him for a drink. He admitted that seeing his old friend happy with a new family brought him joy, yet also a pang of sadness as their paths diverged. He decided not to disturb her peaceful life, and the princess advised him to cherish her silently, believing that sometimes, letting go was the best outcome.
She praised his talent, acknowledging his hidden agenda for joining her delegation, but Wuyi, simply stated his desire for her trust and needed no other help. Princess Xinyue further revealed that she sensed a shared goodness and strong conviction in both Wuyi and Xie Xiaoni, which made it impossible for her to truly harbor ill feelings towards Xie Xiaoni. She then urged Wuyi to rest before the next day's spice competition.
