Practice Daughter Episode 16 Recap
> Practice Daughter Recap
Mei Yushan returned to the Guixiu Pavilion, where Su Ruomei and Zhuang Yangyang immediately confronted her, demanding to know why she had knocked them out. Mei Yushan claimed they had merely bumped their heads on the doorframe. Shortly after, Douzi arrived, being carried by the Crown Prince, Nangong Yao. Seeing this, Su Ruomei and Zhuang Yangyang's expressions changed. When Douzi appeared dismissive of them, they threatened to report her to the Empress.
Nangong Yao arrived more formally, and Su Ruomei and Zhuang Yangyang accused Mei Yushan and her maid of escaping confinement, asking for severe punishment. Nangong Yao clarified that Douzi had been with him on official business. Zhuang Yangyang continued to press the matter, which Nangong Yao interpreted as an attempt to create discord between him and the Empress.
Nangong Yao then checked on Douzi, noting her injury and telling her she would not go to the academy but would rest and be cared for. Mei Yushan attempted to prepare medicine or soup for Douzi, awkwardly trying to manage a live chicken. Nanbei offered to help clean Douzi's face, but Mei Yushan stopped him citing the impropriety of physical contact between men and women.
Witnessing Mei Yushan's clumsy attempts at care, Nangong Yao decided to take Douzi to the Eastern Palace for her recovery, instructing Nanbei to prepare a carriage. Mei Yushan commented on the importance of maintaining proper conduct, citing classical texts on propriety even when in love. Meanwhile, elsewhere, discussion arose about the Emperor's illness and the Crown Prince's recent troubles.
The Empress was reportedly displeased that all the best supplements, including wild ginseng and lingzhi, were being sent to the Eastern Palace for "Miss Mei," who was deemed frail. In the Eastern Palace, Douzi grew tired of the continuous supplements, which even caused nosebleeds. She expressed a desire for food she actually liked, specifically requesting pig intestines and stinky tofu, asking for it to be extra smelly and spicy.
The servants found this request unusual for the palace but had to comply. Nangong Yao was shown reviewing official petitions, dismissing proposals such as halting funds for a perpetually unfinished bridge, banning rural students from imperial exams, fining childless families, and halving the wages of lower officials. Amidst this, Nanbei reported Douzi's peculiar culinary demands, adding her request for a swing. Nangong Yao approved every request, stating Douzi could do anything as long as she didn't demolish the Eastern Palace.
The servants, including Zuo and You, were depicted gagging from the smell while preparing the pig intestines. Douzi offered them some of the food, but they declined, citing their low status. Nanbei reported to Nangong Yao that the individuals who had caused a disturbance at the execution ground had committed suicide by poison before they could be interrogated.
Nangong Yao stated he knew who was truly responsible for trying to harm him, identifying Liu Qinyuan as the mastermind, noting his unusual silence when other officials were vocally impeaching the Crown Prince. As they spoke, Nangong Yao noticed a strong odor, which was the stinky food being cooked for Douzi. Separately, Ling Xiao suggested to Bai Ye that they should inform the Crown Prince that Mei Yushan's maid was the Shengdong princess.
Bai Ye strongly disagreed, fearing this revelation would expose Douzi and implicate the entire Mei family, and resolved to find a way to protect Douzi. Officials conversed about Mei Yushan's behavior in the Eastern Palace, mentioning she had hosted a "stinky food banquet" that had left everyone, including the Crown Prince, smelling unpleasant. They saw her influence over the Crown Prince as disruptive and plotted to use accusations of "bewitching the lord" to cause trouble for Nangong Yao.
They noted that if Nangong Yao were to marry Mei Yushan, it would foil their plans regarding the prophecy and the issue of him taking other consorts. Douzi, nearing recovery, was informed by the Grand Tutor about a special medicine that would be most effective on the upcoming full moon night. Hearing this, Douzi remembered the body switch and considered attempting to swap back with Mei Yushan on the full moon.
Meanwhile, Xing Shi visited Mei Yushan (currently inhabited by Douzi) daily, ostensibly to deliver medicine. He inquired about her three adoptive fathers and her childhood, specifically asking if she was found in Black Dog Alley and how old she was. Douzi answered evasively. Xing Shi then presented her with stinky tofu, commenting that he brought it because she grew up in Black Dog Alley and might like it.
Douzi found the smell familiar and, tasting it, mentioned it was from "Ms. Xing's," which reminded her of childhood. Xing Shi, who seemed to have been nearby, perhaps behind a screen, accidentally dropped a handkerchief. Douzi found it, assumed it was Mei Yushan's, and called out for Mei Daidai, suggesting they seize the opportunity of the full moon to try switching back.
Mei Yushan then entered the room, and Xing Shi stepped out from behind the screen and politely excused himself. Afterward, Douzi pondered why Xing Shi was so interested in her past and Black Dog Alley. Unseen by Douzi, Xing Shi had clearly heard her mention the body switch and was shown later contemplating the idea of switching bodies.
Douzi (in Mei Yushan's body) saw documents detailing criticisms of "Mei Yushan" for causing disruption in the Eastern Palace, reflecting the sentiments discussed by the officials. Upset by these accusations and feeling unworthy, she walked without looking where she was going and nearly stepped on the Grand Tutor's delicate medicinal herbs. Bai Ye quickly caught her, preventing her from falling or damaging the herbs. Nangong Yao arrived and witnessed Bai Ye holding Douzi.
Appearing jealous, he took Douzi from Bai Ye, insisting she was still injured and needed careful handling as a patient. He then instructed Zuo to prepare tea for Bai Ye before taking Douzi away. Separately, Xing Shi sought out General Wang to confirm if the Moon Spirit Pearl could indeed cause two people to switch bodies.
General Wang recalled an event from approximately forty years prior where an imperial son-in-law used the pearl for his wife's headdress, leading to a drastic change in his temperament and the jeweler he hired claiming to be the son-in-law. Xing Shi took this historical account as confirmation of his theory about the pearl's effect.
Later, Douzi began packing her belongings, feeling out of place in the Eastern Palace and believing she was causing trouble and did not deserve to be near Nangong Yao. Nangong Yao confronted her. He misinterpreted her desire to leave as either a consequence of the negative talk about "Mei Yushan" or because she had developed feelings for Bai Ye and wanted to return to the Guixiu Pavilion.
He argued that he didn't care about her background or lack of manners, suggesting she could learn them. However, Douzi insisted she was inherently a wild commoner who never aimed for such a high station and simply wanted to return to the Guixiu Pavilion. Visibly upset by her insistence and departure, Nangong Yao instructed Nanbei to escort her back. Subsequently, Nangong Yao was observed looking distracted during his studies, clearly affected by the recent events and Douzi's departure.
