Ni Chang Episode 7 Recap
> Ni Chang Recap
Ouyang Ziyu chose Nichang as his guide, and Yunniang instructed Nichang to obey his commands while also continuing her weaving work. Though Nichang stated they had never met, Ouyang Ziyu felt a strange familiarity, asking, "Have we met each other before?" Nichang, being from Huaizhou and having never been to the capital, quickly replied, "You must be mistaken." Ouyang Ziyu conceded it might be his error.
Zhao Tongsen, who had introduced Ouyang Ziyu, informed him that he could reside in a nearby courtyard, making it convenient for discussions. Yan Wenxiu, observing this, made sarcastic remarks about Nichang being chosen, suggesting she was merely lucky and might earn some tips. Nichang countered, asking Yan Wenxiu why she had volunteered if she didn't need the money.
Yan Wenxiu claimed she was afraid the other students' lack of knowledge would embarrass Yun Cloth Store, but Nichang pointed out that Ouyang Ziyu hadn't chosen her anyway. Cheng Tian, noticing the tension, secretly warned Nichang that Ouyang Ziyu had an influential background and must not be offended. Nichang bravely dismissed the fear, stating, "What's meant to be will be. There is nothing to be afraid of. I don't believe he can eat me."
Out in the market, Ouyang Ziyu asked Nichang why she seemed so afraid of him. Nichang, keeping her head down, cited propriety between men and women and his noble status. Ouyang Ziyu clarified that his purpose in Huaizhou was to understand its weaving craftsmanship, and her timidity was impeding his objective.
Nichang acknowledged her error and, when he mentioned wanting to inquire about prices at the cloth market, she astutely differentiated between wholesale and retail prices, explaining how shrewd buyers could secure better deals. Ouyang Ziyu commended her business acumen and asked if she planned to engage in commerce or open a teaching academy like her master. Nichang replied that she would simply do her best to live without regret, regardless of her path.
Her clever responses caused Ouyang Ziyu to once again muse if they had truly never met, the feeling of familiarity triggering a momentary headache. He then requested Nichang to embroider a camellia design for him, a craft he admired from Yun Cloth Store, and she agreed. As they prepared to visit the market, Ouyang Ziyu suggested they only inquire about prices without buying. Nichang remarked that his luxurious attire would likely hinder any attempts at bargaining.
Meanwhile, Yan Wenxiu and Cheng Tian encountered each other, both having followed Nichang. Aware of Cheng Tian's affection for Nichang, Yan Wenxiu deliberately provoked him by suggesting Ouyang Ziyu might be attracted to Nichang's beauty. Anxious, Cheng Tian agreed to cooperate with her to separate the pair. Cheng Tian then falsely told Nichang that Yunniang needed her urgently, pulling her away.
Yan Wenxiu quickly approached Ouyang Ziyu, offering her services, but Ouyang Ziyu, losing interest in the market without Nichang, politely dismissed her. Cheng Tian took Nichang to a teahouse to get away, but they were dismayed to find Ouyang Ziyu in the adjacent room. He confronted Nichang about her reluctance to be his guide.
She explained that accompanying him forced her to work late to catch up on her weaving, which felt like an imposition since he had not committed to doing business with Yun Cloth Store. Ouyang Ziyu countered that he was indeed considering a large deal, but Nichang remained skeptical, privately thinking his leisurely approach was unlike that of a real merchant.
Deeming her attitude unqualified, he tested her knowledge of their market visit, asking about the number of shops, types of goods, and prices. Despite Cheng Tian's attempts to apologize on her behalf, Nichang answered every question precisely, demonstrating a keen understanding of trade and logistics. Impressed by her insightful responses, Ouyang Ziyu ordered a pot of the finest Biluochun tea for her throat.
Elsewhere, Su Gongming discussed the family business with Su Wenyu, chastising him for being too soft in collecting debts. Su Gongming then brought up the Yan family from Huaizhou, revealing that Yan Wenxiu was studying at Yun Cloth Store and would soon finish. Yan's father wished for her to visit the capital, and Su Gongming instructed Su Wenyu to personally pick her up and finalize their childhood engagement.
Su Wenyu vehemently refused, stating he only saw Yan Wenxiu as a sister and wished only to focus on the Su family business for now. Later, he visited the dilapidated Xie residence, reflecting sadly on Nichang. That night, as Nichang embroidered in the garden, Ouyang Ziyu played his flute from across the wall. Nichang, hearing his music, took out her ocarina and played along.
Ouyang Ziyu, curious, looked over and, upon seeing Nichang, jokingly remarked that her music was "polluting his ears." He offered to guide her in music, but Nichang curtly refused and retreated inside. The feeling of familiarity with Nichang grew stronger, and Ouyang Ziyu ordered his attendant, Xiao Lu, to investigate what had happened during his period of lost memory, convinced he had forgotten something important.
Xiao Lu reported that doctors believed his amnesia could not be cured by medicine and suggested they return to the capital. Ouyang Ziyu refused, stating he found Huaizhou "interesting" and wished to stay longer. The next day, Nichang went to pick flowers and encountered Ouyang Ziyu again. As they approached a bridge where her brother Xie Feng had tragically fallen, Nichang reflexively tried to avoid it.
Ouyang Ziyu mocked her for being a coward, prompting her to bravely step onto the bridge. With each step, she was haunted by vivid flashbacks of her family's murder. Losing her footing, Ouyang Ziyu swiftly caught and carried her safely across, joking about her composure. During a class assessment, students presented clothes they had made for Aunt Mei. Yan Wenxiu's elaborate design was deemed impractical by Aunt Mei, who needed clothes suitable for strenuous work.
In contrast, Nichang's simple, well-fitting design, which was also reversible for practicality, was enthusiastically approved. Yan Wenxiu accused Aunt Mei of favoritism, but Nichang calmly explained how her design considered the wearer's actual needs. Yunniang praised Nichang for her thoughtfulness and declared her the only student who passed. As Nichang tidied Aunt Mei's hair, Ouyang Ziyu, observing from afar, experienced another flicker of a familiar memory. Ouyang Ziyu expressed his wish for Nichang to accompany him to the market.
However, Yan Wenxiu intercepted him, lying that Nichang was exhausted and needed rest, and offered to go in her stead. Later, Cheng Tian found Nichang and told her that Ouyang Ziyu had already left with Yan Wenxiu. His trip with Yan Wenxiu proved dull, and he left prematurely. Feeling rejected, Yan Wenxiu pressed him to prove he wasn't annoyed with her by inviting her to dinner the next day, to which he reluctantly agreed.
The following day, Yan Wenxiu flaunted her dinner invitation. Yuan Xiang speculated that Ouyang Ziyu must be "blind" to be interested in Yan Wenxiu, while Cheng Tian commented that Yan Wenxiu was more attractive than Yuan Xiang, frustrating Nichang. Soon after, Xiao Lu arrived to invite Nichang to dinner, stating Ouyang Ziyu needed her help. At the restaurant, Ouyang Ziyu had already ordered many dishes, claiming he had been preparing since the previous day.
Yan Wenxiu, initially flattered, grew displeased when Nichang, Cheng Tian, Yuan Xiang, and all the other apprentices arrived. It became clear that Ouyang Ziyu's grand dinner was for everyone, not just her. Ouyang Ziyu showed particular care towards Nichang, further souring Yan Wenxiu's mood, while the other students enthusiastically enjoyed the meal.
