Practice Daughter Episode 12 Recap
> Practice Daughter Recap
After returning the Moon Spirit Pearl to Douzi, Nangong Yao found himself in a difficult emotional state. He wanted to pursue the girl he liked and sought advice from his attendants. One of them, Dongxi, shared a childhood memory of liking a neighbor girl and trying to get her attention by playing pranks, which only resulted in getting beaten up. Nangong Pin, overhearing that Nangong Yao wanted to pursue a girl, offered his own advice.
He first suggested constant close protection, but Nangong Yao didn't agree with this method. Nangong Pin then recommended giving gifts based on the girl's hobbies and offered to help prepare one. Ultimately, Nangong Yao decided to give Douzi a high-quality rope that, as Nangong Pin noted with surprise, was typically used by professional thieves because it couldn't be cut by knives or burned by fire.
Nangong Yao didn't explain his choice but instructed a maid named Zuo to package it elaborately in multiple boxes. When Douzi finally opened the gift, she found layers of packaging leading only to a treasure map, which she found both frustrating and amusing. At the Chongwen Academy, a new seating chart was posted. After the students took their new seats, Nangong Pin discovered the rope Nangong Yao had prepared was on his own desk.
It turned out Nangong Yao knew Douzi enjoyed challenges, so he had cleverly hidden the rope and given her a treasure map as a clue to find it. Following the clues on the treasure map, Douzi eventually located the gift in the Limbo (cold palace). She found the indestructible rope along with another rope hanging in the air.
As she wondered about the meaning, Nangong Yao suddenly appeared behind her and explained that the hanging rope was left by a concubine who had taken her own life there. Douzi was startled and realized Nangong Yao was just teasing her. Returning to the Guixiu Pavilion, Douzi told Nangong Yao that she and Mei Yushan planned to switch back into their own bodies on the next full moon night, which was only about ten days away.
Nangong Yao advised her not to steal again after leaving the palace and said he had already made arrangements for her future living expenses. Later, Nangong Yao accompanied the Empress to Chengbi Temple to fulfill a vow. That night, looking at the moon, Nangong Yao secretly wished for the moon not to become full, hoping that would prevent Douzi from leaving.
He later sent his attendant Nanbei back to the palace to check on Douzi and bring her some jujube cakes from a shop near the temple, asking specifically how she had slept. He expressed his worry that in three or four days it would be the full moon night, thinking that if the moon didn't become full, perhaps she wouldn't leave. Back at the Chongwen Academy, it rained heavily, causing the Grand Tutor to be late for class.
The students felt bored and sleepy. Nangong Pin suggested they play a truth or dare game. When it was Nangong Yao and Douzi's turn, Nangong Yao asked Douzi about her favorite gift since entering the palace. Douzi answered that she really liked the star map given by Bai Ye. He then asked who she found most special since coming to the palace. Douzi replied it was Nangong Yao, describing him as a righteous and worthy friend.
Hearing this, Nangong Yao looked visibly disappointed, realizing she only saw him as a friend. After this exchange, Nangong Yao secluded himself in his room, not eating or drinking for several days, causing his maid Zuo worry. Eventually, he emerged and forced himself to resume his duties, calling for the memorials he hadn't read. When class resumed at Chongwen Academy, Nangong Yao intentionally seemed to distance himself from Douzi.
He forgot his book, and when Douzi eagerly offered hers, he ignored her and instead borrowed a book from Nangong Pin next to him. During the etiquette class, Nangong Yao also avoided standing facing Douzi as they previously had. Douzi sensed Nangong Yao was deliberately avoiding her and wondered if it was because he knew she was a thief and despised her for it.
As the full moon night approached, Nangong Yao instructed Eunuch Song to prepare a large amount of pastries, including Osmanthus, chestnut, and jujube paste cakes. He ordered five boxes of each, commenting that with Douzi's appetite, it wouldn't be too much food for her journey.
He also specifically told Dongxi to keep a close watch on Mei Yushan and her maid and to personally escort them out of the palace if they left, providing a token for the guards to ensure smooth passage. That evening, thinking of the impending full moon night, Nangong Yao wished Douzi well, knowing they might not see each other again for a long time. Meanwhile, back in their room, Mei Yushan and Douzi held the Moon Spirit Pearl together.
Douzi noted how the pearl was glowing, something it hadn't done before, and felt sure they would finally switch back. However, after a moment, they still hadn't switched and wondered why. Mei Yushan suggested perhaps holding the pearl together was the key.
