Ni Chang Episode 38 Recap
> Ni Chang Recap
Yuanxiang returned, complaining to her aunt that a dispute with a sauce peddler, who then fled, had delayed her, and that Ni Chang had already left. Meanwhile, Ni Chang, who had been frantically searching for Yuanxiang, encountered Yan Wenxiu. Before Ni Chang could escape, Yan Wenxiu's men seized her. Yan Wenxiu gloated, telling Ni Chang that Ouyang Ziyu was still in the prince's mansion, and this time, no one would come to save her.
She advised Ni Chang to come along quietly to avoid suffering severe pain. Despite Ni Chang's struggle, Yan Wenxiu's men beat her until she coughed up blood. Suddenly, Xie Feng appeared, fighting off Yan Wenxiu's men and leading Ni Chang away, though he was wounded by a sword in the process. Ni Chang was astonished to see Xie Feng after so many years. Xie Feng continued to protect Ni Chang, engaging in another fight with their pursuers.
Eventually, Yan Wenxiu's forces cornered them at the edge of a cliff. Yan Wenxiu urged Ni Chang to surrender, promising to intercede with Yuan Daocheng for her. Ni Chang retorted that if she complied, she would become Yuan Daocheng's pawn to control Ouyang Ziyu, a fate she refused. She declared that she would never abandon Xie Feng again, proclaiming that they would face death together. With that, Ni Chang and Xie Feng leaped from the cliff.
Yan Wenxiu, enraged but also seemingly dismissive, commented that their death would "clean up" the situation. Elsewhere, Fu San, hiding beneath Gao Xuan's carriage, complained about Gao Xuan's lavish lifestyle while he suffered. He vowed to steal from Gao Xuan's residence before leaving. After bidding farewell to Yuan Daocheng, Gao Xuan entered his carriage. A subordinate informed Yuan Daocheng that Ni Chang had fallen off a cliff and disappeared.
He also reported that Ouyang Ziyu's men had withdrawn from around Yuan Daocheng's mansion, but still monitored Gao Xuan's residence. Realizing Ouyang Ziyu likely suspected Gao Xuan, Yuan Daocheng dispatched Amo to intercept Gao Xuan and bring him back to Yuan Daocheng's mansion without arousing suspicion. Fu San, still clinging to the carriage, was unknowingly taken to Yuan Daocheng's compound.
Inside, Yuan Daocheng informed Gao Xuan that Ouyang Ziyu's spies were everywhere, advising Gao Xuan to take refuge with him for a while. Gao Xuan expressed gratitude for Yuan Daocheng's foresight. He confidently informed Yuan Daocheng that he had already burned the Market Bureau's private account book and destroyed the secret chamber, leaving no evidence.
Yuan Daocheng commended Gao Xuan, and as Gao Xuan optimistically spoke of a future where Yuan Daocheng would control the Market Bureau, Yuan Daocheng coolly declared it was "time for him to go." Gao Xuan questioned this, then suddenly collapsed, poisoned by Yuan Daocheng. Yuan Daocheng remarked that "only the dead can keep a secret forever" and ordered Amo to dispose of Gao Xuan's body, his carriage, and the coachman. Fu San, who had overheard everything, was terrified.
Su Wenyu was informed that Gao Xuan had died, reportedly by suicide through drowning. Su Wenyu vehemently rejected this, convinced that the greedy Gao Xuan would never take his own life and must have been murdered. He connected Gao Xuan's death to his own uncle's mysterious demise, believing there was a larger conspiracy at play. Meanwhile, Ouyang Ziyu led a thorough search of Gao Xuan's mansion.
Despite tearing apart the front yard and digging through a buried secret passage, they found no account books or significant evidence. Later, Yuan Daocheng formally announced his resignation to Princess Lan Zhao, Ouyang Ziyu, and Liu Zixuan, stating he would leave after next month's evaluation. The Princess expressed her regret, while Ouyang Ziyu insisted that Yuan Daocheng was indispensable.
Yuan Daocheng then intentionally mentioned Ni Chang's long disappearance and presumed death, irritating Ouyang Ziyu, who quickly corrected him, stating Ni Chang was merely missing and it was premature to declare her dead. Ouyang Ziyu then pressed Yuan Daocheng to expedite the procurement of outstanding goods for Lan Zhao. When Yuan Daocheng inquired if negotiations would still be handled by Wuyi, Ouyang Ziyu informed him that Wuyi had "returned to his family" and he and Liu Zixuan would take over.
Yuan Daocheng conceded and left. Princess Lan Zhao subsequently announced the suspension of the merchant competition due to Ni Chang's death, promising further consultation with the court. Seeing the white cloth of mourning hanging at the Fang family's residence (Herb Hall), Su Wenyu, distraught by the news of Ni Chang's disappearance, drowned his sorrows in a tavern, only to be attacked and knocked unconscious by two thugs.
Separately, Di'er, a former servant of the now-declining Su family, pleaded with Yan Wenxiu for refuge. Yan Wenxiu, needing a trustworthy assistant, agreed to take her in but warned her against any betrayal. Returning to the Su mansion, Su Wenyu, injured from the tavern incident, assured his servants not to alert the authorities. He then spoke with Housekeeper Xiao, acknowledging his long and dedicated service.
Su Wenyu instructed him to close down unprofitable shops, sell off inventory for cash, and return the "body contracts" to the servants, allowing them to freely choose whether to stay or leave. Housekeeper Xiao expressed sadness at the family's decline but hoped for their resurgence. He even suggested that Su Wenyu capitalize on Ni Chang's death by acquiring Herb Hall at a low price, leveraging his previous connection with Ni Chang.
Su Wenyu firmly refused, stating he would never "take advantage of someone's misfortune." Yan Wenxiu, having observed Su Wenyu's reluctance to exploit Herb Hall's misfortune, decided to thwart his principled stand. She suggested to Yuan Daocheng that Su Wenyu handle the task of obtaining the unique spices from Herb Hall, noting his past friendship with Ni Chang and the Su family's ties to the establishment. Yuan Daocheng, intrigued, summoned Su Wenyu.
Playing the benevolent patron, Yuan Daocheng offered to assist the struggling Su family, citing his long-standing relationship with Su Wenyu's late uncle. Su Wenyu, desperate, knelt and pleaded with Yuan Daocheng to save the Su family from their current plight and punish those who had wronged them, asking only for a place for the Su family in the capital.
Yuan Daocheng, seeing Su Wenyu's resolve, helped him up and agreed to assist, presenting the seemingly simple task of retrieving Herb Hall's unique spices. After a brief moment of hesitation that drew a taunt from Yan Wenxiu, Su Wenyu readily accepted the mission. At Herb Hall, Yuanxiang mourned Ni Chang's death. Su Wenyu arrived with his men, demanding Herb Hall's unique spices under the authority of the Market Bureau, claiming they were for a national gift.
Chengtian bravely confronted Su Wenyu, calling him Yuan Daocheng's pawn. Su Wenyu's men violently subdued Chengtian and Yuanxiang, warning them that opposing the Market Bureau's orders would lead to severe consequences, especially now that Herb Hall lacked its former influence. After finding the spices, Su Wenyu and his men departed. Chengtian, furious, shouted insults at Su Wenyu, calling him a coward and predicting the Su family's downfall. Infuriated, Su Wenyu returned and ordered his men to beat Chengtian again.
Ouyang Ziyu then arrived at Herb Hall, questioning Su Wenyu's aggressive actions. Su Wenyu defiantly challenged Ouyang Ziyu, asking where he was when Ni Chang needed him most. Pleased with Su Wenyu's performance, Yuan Daocheng deemed him a "trustworthy" individual who could serve as a useful front for future operations. Su Wenyu presented the unique Herb Hall spices to Yuan Daocheng, assuring him that even Ouyang Ziyu could not stop an official state matter.
Impressed, Yuan Daocheng assigned Su Wenyu another task: procuring various silks, with Yan Wenxiu providing specific instructions. Privately, Yuan Daocheng ordered Amo to closely monitor both Su Wenyu and Yan Wenxiu, ensuring no errors occurred. Meanwhile, Princess Lan Zhao grieved deeply for Wuyi (who is Xie Feng), recalling her wish to show him the beautiful scenery of Lan Zhao. She lamented his sudden departure, especially since he had only just found his family.
