Practice Daughter Episode 11 Recap
> Practice Daughter Recap
Rumors quickly spread through Chongwen Academy about a woman breaking into the Eastern Palace the previous night. Mei Yushan was late for breakfast, leading Su Ruomei and others to speculate that she was the intruder. While they whispered, Douzi, accompanied by a maid, entered the classroom. Huang Yuanyuan immediately questioned her. Douzi neither confirmed nor denied, instead accusing them of being nosy. Zhuang Yangyang warned that if the matter spread, it would tarnish the Mei family's reputation.
Unsure how to respond, Douzi asked Mei Yushan to grind ink while she stepped out to avoid the gossip. As she reached the doorway, she collided with Nangong Yao. They faced each other, and their interaction created a distinct atmosphere that everyone present noticed. Soon after Nangong Yao was seated, Nangong Pin eagerly questioned him about why the Grand Tutor was summoned to his palace the previous night.
Nangong Yao explained that his rabbit had injured itself from scurrying around, causing some commotion. Those who knew the truth lowered their heads, exchanging glances. Nangong Pin suggested that the Eastern Palace should select a Crown Princess soon so the Crown Prince wouldn't have to handle everything himself. Nangong Yao quickly clarified that he currently had no one he was fond of.
That evening, while the workers in the communal sleeping quarters were asleep, Douzi's three fathers attempted to escape the camp. A supervisor deliberately created noise, alerting the patrolling soldiers, and the three men were apprehended. An investigation revealed that the trio were actually petty thieves from the capital who had disguised themselves as refugees to claim relief payments. They had also stolen money from other refugees in their room and were caught while trying to flee.
News of the incident quickly spread throughout the capital. Liu Qinyuan led a group of officials to protest outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, submitting an impeachment against the Crown Prince for failing in the recruitment process and accusing him of incompetence in governance. Eunuch Song reported the matter to the Empress. The Empress remained composed, remarking that dealing with people is like tending to flowers, requiring regular pruning, especially when branches grow crooked and become a nuisance.
Shortly after, Zhuang Fucheng arrived with a memorial containing irrefutable evidence of Liu Qinyuan's corruption. The Empress decided to use this to curb Liu Qinyuan's influence. To secure Zhuang Fucheng's loyalty, she specifically mentioned that Zhuang Yangyang, Director Zhuang's daughter, was elegant and decent, making her a suitable candidate for the position of Crown Princess. Zhuang Fucheng expressed his gratitude to the Empress on behalf of his daughter.
Regarding the events that occurred during the appraisal at the Museum, the Empress ordered an investigation. Eunuch Song confronted Mei Yushan, questioning why she had impersonated a palace maid to approach the Crown Prince that night and why she was near the exhibition hall when something was stolen. When Mei Yushan was unable to answer, Eunuch Song prepared to take her to the Department of Prudence for interrogation. Xing Shi intervened, halting Eunuch Song.
Xing Shi stated that while he wouldn't defy the Empress's orders, taking someone away without fully investigating was improper. Eunuch Song claimed he found Mei Yushan's maid strange that night. Xing Shi pointed out that many people were present and questioned if all the ladies and maids should be interrogated. Eunuch Song then implied Xing Shi was protecting Mei Yushan.
Xing Shi asserted that as a guard of the Eastern Palace, he stood for justice, not individuals, and asked if Eunuch Song was questioning his character. Xing Shi then referenced the Crown Prince's assassination attempt and the order to keep it discreet, suggesting Eunuch Song was disobeying the Crown Prince. Eunuch Song quickly retreated, excusing himself for the disturbance. Mei Yushan thanked Xing Shi for helping her, and he replied it was his duty.
Nangong Yao returned the Moon Spirit Pearl to Mei Yushan, who was hiding. He asked what her plans were after they switched back. She replied that she intended to leave the palace as soon as possible. Nangong Yao was surprised by her haste. She acknowledged his kindness but explained she couldn't stay in the palace forever.
He cautioned her never to reveal the body-switching secret and to take good care of herself once she was outside the palace, as he could no longer protect her there. Bai Ye arrived at the Eastern Palace to report on the issues that arose from the recruitment. He also inquired if Nangong Yao had seen the Moon Spirit Pearl that went missing from the Museum.
Nangong Yao expressed surprise at how quickly the news had spread and did not answer directly. He then turned to accompany Xing Shi to address the matter of the fake refugees. Nangong Yao questioned Douzi's three fathers. Unaware of Nangong Yao's true identity, the fathers boasted about their daughter holding a high position in the palace. One of the fathers tried to silence the other.
Nangong Yao, posing as a minor palace official, provided them with wine and food and asked if they were afraid of death and losing such luxuries. They continued to refuse to identify who was behind them. Nangong Yao then declared that if they did not reveal their accomplice, they would be decapitated in twenty days according to the law.
Mei Yushan and Douzi took the Moon Spirit Pearl back to the pavilion at the Museum where they had initially switched bodies. They tried numerous methods, including using the pearl, changing positions, and reciting incantations, but despite their efforts, they were unable to switch back. Exhausted, they returned to their room. Douzi expressed worry about her three fathers' fate and who would care for them if they couldn't switch back.
Mei Yushan offered to ask her parents to bring them to the Grand Chancellor's residence to enjoy their later years, assuring her there was plenty of room and people there. Douzi was deeply grateful for the suggestion. She then proposed that they become sworn sisters, a suggestion Mei Yushan agreed to, though hesitant about the blood ritual. They performed a ceremony, vowing to share happiness and hardship.
Douzi joked that if one died, the other could still live on in the other's body. As they celebrated, Douzi suddenly remembered that the original body switch occurred during a lunar eclipse. She realized that they might need to wait for the next lunar eclipse to switch back. When Mei Yushan asked when that would be, Douzi replied she only knew it happened every few years. They decided to try again during the next full moon as an interim measure.
Meanwhile, Nangong Yao discussed matters with Eunuch Song. He asked if there were historical precedents for commoners marrying into royalty and if there were records of royals falling in love with female thieves. He clarified that he meant an "adorable" female thief, not a wicked one. Eunuch Song confirmed commoners marrying into the palace but had not heard of the latter.
He noted that historically, such marriages often ended poorly, mentioning a commoner who became Empress but died in a fire. Nangong Yao dismissed the negative outcomes, stating he didn't care about status as long as the person wasn't a princess from Shengdong. He expressed frustration at Eunuch Song's lack of understanding. Reflecting on the Moon Spirit Pearl and Mei Yushan, Nangong Yao confided in Xing Shi that he regretted giving the pearl back so quickly.
He questioned if truly liking someone meant keeping them close and growing old together, calling this idea selfish. Xing Shi offered a different perspective, suggesting that liking someone should mean respecting them and granting them freedom. Nangong Yao argued that this approach was cowardly and questioned how one could rule if they were so weak. Xing Shi countered that it wasn't weakness but a refusal to force things. They eventually agreed to stop the argument.
