Overlord Episode 16 Recap
> Overlord Recap
Du Xiaoxian, observing Li Qingliu's frequent visits to Wuyun Pavilion, grew increasingly jealous. Her maid, Yue'er, advised her to try emulating Long Aoyi and avoid direct conflict. Taking this advice, Du Xiaoxian completely changed her demeanor. She stopped acting superior and began showing concern for her workers, teaching them makeup techniques and allowing them to apply cosmetics before work.
When Li Jun'er, a worker, arrived late, Du Xiaoxian initially lectured her about the importance of punctuality and respect for others, explaining the usual one-third salary deduction for such an offense. However, she ultimately decided not to penalize Li Jun'er this time, instead offering facial cream for the female workers. Du Xiaoxian then privately confessed to Yue'er that she was deliberately trying to win over the workers, stating, "Long Aoyi can make it. So can I."
After completing his prayers at Qimen Temple, Li Zhao rushed back to the city. However, Long Aoyi had been absent from Wuyun Pavilion for some time, leading to his repeated disappointments. One day, upon Long Aoyi's return, Li Zhao eagerly approached her, presenting her with fresh cherries from Chang’an and his special brown sugar honey, a delicacy even palace concubines enjoyed. Long Aoyi tasted a cherry, found it sweet enough, and politely declined the honey.
She then noticed the unusual quietness of Wuyun Pavilion. Wu Lin, Li Zhao’s subordinate, explained that Li Zhao had booked the entire pavilion to ensure he could finally meet her, having been unable to find her on previous visits.
Long Aoyi was angered by his extravagance, pointing out that the amount of money spent could feed a lower-class family for over a year and lamenting the hardships faced by her own gang members who lacked medicine and had their land seized. Wu Lin defended Li Zhao, emphasizing his concern for her safety. Li Zhao, disheartened by Long Aoyi's criticism, dipped a cherry into what he believed was honey, only to discover it was pepper water.
He immediately suffered a coughing fit, and Long Aoyi quickly fetched him water. Later, Yan Bin informed Li Qingliu about Du Xiaoxian’s new approach with her female workers, teaching them makeup and distributing whitening facial cream. He noted that everyone was remarking on how much Du Xiaoxian had changed, becoming more like Long Aoyi, a comparison that seemed to displease Li Qingliu.
Shortly after, Du Xiaoxian arrived with a bottle of Jiannan Spring liquor, an unusual sight as she typically abstained from alcohol. She proposed a drink with Li Qingliu to celebrate the Qiqiao Festival. Li Qingliu, sensing her change in behavior, agreed. Du Xiaoxian then cleverly presented Yan Bin with a collection of rare, out-of-print storybooks, knowing his love for them, successfully winning his favor.
As the Qiqiao Festival drew near, Li Zhao, eager to spend the occasion with Long Aoyi, visited a lower-class inn. He was highly regarded by the inn's owner, who gratefully acknowledged Li Zhao's gift of a red Ganoderma lucidum that had saved his wife's life after a miscarriage.
Other lower-class citizens also flocked to thank Li Zhao for his many good deeds, such as securing government jobs for their family members, reclaiming seized land, and finding doctors for their sick relatives. They hailed him as a great benefactor. Long Aoyi, genuinely impressed by Li Zhao's ability to understand the plight of common people despite his noble status, raised a toast to his "concern about the world and the people," playfully adding "talents and elegance like a Jade Rabbit."
Li Zhao then formally invited Long Aoyi to celebrate the Qiqiao Festival with him. After a moment of hesitation, Long Aoyi accepted, suggesting they meet at Wuyun Pavilion where her master kept hidden stashes of good liquor. On the day of the Qiqiao Festival, Li Qingliu led the Xinsilu employees in a solemn shuttle-worship ceremony, a crucial event for the silk industry.
After the ritual, Du Xiaoxian announced a "Qiqiao" contest, promising a special gift from Master Li for the worker whose spider spun the thickest silk by morning. She then proposed a romantic boat tour on the Jinjiang River with Li Qingliu, having booked a boat and arranged for a renowned chef from Chang’an. Li Qingliu, however, suggested inviting Long Aoyi to join them, revealing he had prepared a Gaoli Silk dress as a gift for her.
He explained that the Cowherd and Weaving Maid, as gods of the silk industry, made Qiqiao the perfect day to express gratitude. Du Xiaoxian, her plans thwarted, reluctantly agreed to accompany him to Wuyun Pavilion. At Wuyun Pavilion, Feng had prepared for a lively Qiqiao celebration. Li Qingliu and Du Xiaoxian arrived, and Feng called for Long Aoyi, who emerged, closely followed by Li Zhao.
A tense atmosphere immediately settled as Li Zhao, with a sarcastic tone, made a thinly veiled jab at Li Qingliu, hinting at the incident in the water chamber where he supposedly protected Long Aoyi "naked." Li Qingliu presented Long Aoyi with the Gaoli Silk dress as a token of gratitude, which Du Xiaoxian clarified was "specifically for her."
The other girls at Wuyun Pavilion teased Long Aoyi that it was a declaration of love, making her feel uneasy with Du Xiaoxian present. Long Aoyi accepted the gift, but Du Xiaoxian then firmly reiterated her plan to go with Li Qingliu for a romantic evening of drinking and stargazing on the Jinjiang River, implicitly excluding Long Aoyi and Li Zhao.
Long Aoyi, unwilling to be left out, insisted on joining, humorously suggesting they could climb to the roof if the boat was too small, then quickly asserted her preference for the boat tour. Li Zhao intervened, proposing that the group instead visit the Qiqiao night market, as drinking could be done another day. Amused by Long Aoyi's persistence, Li Qingliu agreed, instructing Yan Bin to cancel the boat reservation but still pay the boatman.
The foursome proceeded to the bustling Qiqiao night market. Li Zhao praised Silver City's night market, suggesting it rivaled Chang’an’s. Long Aoyi became engrossed in admiring colorful silk threads at a stall. After making a purchase, she turned abruptly, accidentally bumping into Li Qingliu. Li Zhao quickly caught her, preventing a fall. This sight visibly upset Li Qingliu and distressed Du Xiaoxian. Du Xiaoxian, leveraging her extensive knowledge, subtly challenged Long Aoyi by asking about the origin of Qiqiao.
Long Aoyi frankly admitted she only knew it as a custom. Du Xiaoxian then recited a poetic tale about a woman who waited endlessly for her husband, to which Long Aoyi bluntly responded that the woman was "stupid" and should have remarried. Du Xiaoxian continued to expound on traditional gender roles, emphasizing that women should "accept their position in life and abide by the rules," earning praise from Li Zhao.
Sensing Long Aoyi's discomfort, Li Qingliu intervened, reminding everyone they were there to enjoy themselves, not to "chew upon words." Li Zhao countered, arguing the inherent value of literature. Annoyed by the continuous bickering, Long Aoyi threatened to leave. They then discovered a Lantern Festival with a poetry competition, where the prize was a coveted green lotus lantern inscribed with a poem by Minister Li. The competition's theme was "Love."
Du Xiaoxian reminded Li Qingliu that Boss Wan of Jintan Shop, a key ally who had brought many large orders to Xinsilu, greatly admired Minister Li's calligraphy, and his birthday was approaching. She suggested that Li Qingliu win the lantern as a gift. Li Qingliu decided to participate, also hoping to showcase his talent to Long Aoyi.
Du Xiaoxian then publicly announced that Li Qingliu was competing specifically to win the green lotus lantern for her, much to Long Aoyi’s annoyance. Li Zhao offered to compete on Long Aoyi’s behalf, but she proudly declared she would challenge Li Qingliu herself, aiming to deliver a "head-on blow" and secure a bright lantern for her bath.
Long Aoyi, not skilled in poetry, recited a simplistic verse about "waiting for her lover wholeheartedly," which drew laughter and scorn from the onlookers. Li Qingliu responded with a more refined poem. Long Aoyi's subsequent attempt, equally straightforward and focused on a lover, again elicited derision, with some spectators dismissing her contributions as "vulgar poems" fit for brothels. Li Qingliu, wishing to spare her further public humiliation, advised her to stop.
Long Aoyi misinterpreted his gesture as condescension, believing he looked down on her for being illiterate and ignorant. When it was his turn again, Li Qingliu deliberately recited a poem unrelated to the theme of love, effectively conceding the round and the competition, and declared the green lotus lantern belonged to Long Aoyi. Long Aoyi was enraged, convinced that he had initially competed for Du Xiaoxian and was now only pitying her after her public embarrassment.
She furiously denounced the Qiqiao Festival and poetry as "bullshit" and stormed off, with Li Zhao quickly following her. On their way back, Du Xiaoxian tearfully reminisced with Li Qingliu about their shared past, including a romantic moment on that very street the previous year and his courageous act of protecting her from robbers during a trip to Jiangnan. She then directly asked if he had always harbored feelings for her.
Li Qingliu acknowledged remembering all those events but gently, yet firmly, rejected her romantic overtures, clarifying that his actions were born out of responsibility and their long-standing friendship, not romantic love. He then tried to end the conversation, leaving Du Xiaoxian heartbroken. In the days that followed, Long Aoyi secluded herself in her room, diligently studying classical poetry, often reciting verses aloud. She also arranged for Longzhu Gang members to read storybooks to her, emphasizing the importance of engaging storytelling.
She dismissed a book titled "Biographies of Women", calling it a patriarchal invention designed to keep women foolish. Later, Li Zhao visited Long Aoyi, bringing her Ayue Hunzi (pistachios) from the Western Regions. While there, he overheard gang members circulating rumors about Long Aoyi and Li Qingliu’s encounter in the water chamber, which had evolved into inappropriate "dirty jokes." Li Zhao angrily chastised them. Long Aoyi, unperturbed by her gang members' gossip, led them to the market.
There, they found Hu Laosan entertaining a crowd with a highly exaggerated and vulgar account of the water chamber incident, portraying Long Aoyi in a scandalous light. Upon spotting Long Aoyi, Hu Laosan's demeanor instantly changed. He quickly altered his narrative, describing Long Aoyi as a "bright and brave" heroine who bravely lifted Li Qingliu with one hand and commanded onlookers to "back off."
The crowd, disappointed by the sudden shift from the "juicier" parts of the story (about them being "naked and hugging" or Long Aoyi "flattering" a comatose Li Qingliu), accused Hu Laosan of fabricating the new version, comparing it to the tale of Mulan. Enraged by his lies and the spread of baseless rumors, Long Aoyi confronted Hu Laosan directly, threatening to beat him.
