Practice Daughter Episode 1 Recap
> Practice Daughter Recap
Under the light of the full moon, Mei Yushan, the daughter of a prominent family, and Douzi, a street urchin, stood before an octagonal pavilion in a large estate. They believed this spot, matching the time and location of a past event, was key to switching their bodies back. Despite various attempts, they remained in each other's forms. What intricate circumstances led these two young women to this desperate endeavor? Their story began one year prior, on the same night.
A year ago, the capital's Museum received a new collection of antiques. Crown Prince Nangong Yao was assigned to inspect them. Xing Shi supervised the museum's security arrangements, while the manager, Mr. Zhang, scurried about, anxious to avoid any displeasure from the Crown Prince. Outside the museum, Douzi and her three adoptive fathers, who had been casing the place, quickly concealed themselves behind a straw mat upon seeing a sedan chair arrive.
The chair carried Mei Yushan, who arrived shortly after the Crown Prince. As Mr. Zhang briefed Nangong Yao on the museum's renovation progress, Mei Yushan focused on admiring the diverse exhibits, seemingly indifferent to the rumors of the prince's handsome appearance. Her maid, Nanbei, however, kept reminding her to make a good impression before entering the palace academy. Nangong Yao displayed a severe case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, pausing and expressing discontent whenever he noticed anything asymmetrical in the exhibits.
Mr. Zhang busied himself trying to accommodate the prince's preferences. Mei Yushan entered the main exhibition hall first, followed by the prince. She stepped behind a screen as Mr. Zhang explained the hall's security system: forty-nine hidden silk threads connected to bells, ensuring that any intruder touching a thread would trigger an alarm and find escape nearly impossible. Douzi and her three fathers, eavesdropping, each took out a pair of scissors and planned to split up.
In the center of the hall stood a clay sculpture. Mr. Zhang only knew it was a trophy from the Shengdong war years ago and couldn't provide more details. Mei Yushan stepped forward and identified the sculpture as a Domestic Cat Monster, sharing information about its cultural significance from her readings. Nangong Yao found her explanation dull and instead spent time fixating on her asymmetrical hairpin before leaving the hall. Douzi and her fathers stealthily entered the hall.
The First Father acted as a lookout, while the Second and Third Fathers worked on disabling the bells. Douzi secured their target: the Moon Spirit Pearl, described earlier as a rare extraterrestrial meteorite grain from Shengdong culture, salvaged and lost over time. As they prepared to leave, one of them accidentally brushed a silk thread.
As the bell was about to fall, Douzi held the thread taut while the Second and Third Fathers quickly caught the suspended bell, narrowly avoiding detection. Later that evening, the Crown Prince hosted a banquet for the young ladies soon to enter the palace academy. Several eager candidates vied for his attention. Su Ruomei, daughter of General Su Shenhai, attempted a dance, but instead attracted a swarm of mosquitoes, creating a comical scene.
Zhuang Yangyang, daughter of Director of the Secretariat Zhuang Fucheng, was the next to perform but tripped over a red carpet. Douzi and her fathers, preparing to leave, were stopped by Eunuch Song and ordered to tend to the prince's brazier. The three fathers quickly hid. Inside, Huang Yuanyuan, daughter of General Huang Qi, demonstrated her family's martial art, Huang's Fist, much to the prince's bewildered amusement. Only Mei Yushan remained standing still, refusing to actively seek attention.
Grand Tutor Zhou Liang arrived to meet with the prince and discuss disaster relief efforts. After adding charcoal to the brazier, Douzi was then instructed to pour wine for the prince. Standing beside him, she recalled stories of the palace's immense wealth, viewing the prince as a walking treasure. The Grand Tutor suggested the prince select consorts from the palace academy candidates soon to ensure the continuation of the royal lineage.
Mei Yushan was subtly pushed towards the prince by her maid and stumbled, causing her hairpin to fall. With the asymmetry removed, Nangong Yao finally seemed more at ease. Douzi poured the prince his wine. Moments later, the prince collapsed, poisoned. As chaos erupted in the courtyard, a lunar eclipse began. Amidst the confusion, Douzi attempted to escape, but a guard grabbed her. She struggled, throwing the Moon Spirit Pearl at the guard, desperate to get away.
