Practice Daughter Episode 17 Recap
> Practice Daughter Recap
Mei Yushan was absent from her studies for several days. Upon inquiring, Nangong Yao learned from Eunuch Song that she had been summoned by the Empress to Huacai Hall to learn court etiquette in preparation for potentially becoming the Crown Princess. The Empress tasked Douzi, who was in Mei Yushan's body, with embroidery. Douzi's attempt was substandard, and she offered unconventional information about distinguishing male and female geese for cooking.
Displeased with Douzi's lack of refinement and manners, the Empress ordered her to practice balance by placing precious vases, including a Dragon-patterned Jade Vase, on her head. Douzi found it impossible to stand steady and accidentally shattered several vases. Nangong Yao arrived at Huacai Hall to visit the Empress and found Douzi distressed among the broken pieces. He checked on her, and she apologized for the damage.
The Empress, having heard of Mei Yushan's supposed proficiency in the Four Arts, asked her to demonstrate one. Douzi, feeling she was unskilled in all of them, resigned herself to her fate. Nangong Yao subtly signaled to her, suggesting she choose Go, which he believed might be easier to bluff through. Their exchange of glances did not escape the Empress's notice.
During the Go demonstration, Douzi failed to grasp the rules and even used the Empress's black pieces against her own white ones, declaring 'Checkmate,' much to the Empress's disdain. The Empress concluded that someone like Douzi was unfit to be the Crown Princess. Afterwards, Douzi thanked Nangong Yao for his attempt to help her. At Chongwen Academy, Nangong Yao wore a white robe. Douzi, noticing this, remarked on how he looked like Bai Ye, whom she mentioned frequently.
Nangong Yao seemed slightly annoyed by this comparison but accompanied her to class. An announcement was made that Chongwen Academy would close for the Double Seventh Festival in three days, allowing students to attend temple fairs outside the palace. Douzi was overjoyed at the prospect of seeing her adoptive fathers.
Nangong Yao, planning a special surprise for Douzi, confirmed with an attendant that he had arranged to rent an entire street for the festival, agreeing to the high cost and stressing that Douzi must not discover his plan. Meanwhile, Bai Ye revealed a divination predicting the downfall of the Jixi Kingdom and the Crown Prince's exile. He believed the threat stemmed from the maid brought into the palace by Mei Yushan (referring to Douzi).
To protect Mei Yushan and prevent Douzi from being implicated, Bai Ye decided not to report the prediction. He concluded that the only way to ensure the safety of the Crown Prince and Douzi was the death of the maid. Ling Xiao offered to carry out this task on the night of the Double Seventh Festival, amidst the large crowds, stating he also had someone he wished to protect.
On the night of the Double Seventh Festival, Mei Yushan and Douzi went out to enjoy the temple fair. While they were browsing, a child approached Mei Yushan, asking for help for his sick sister in an alley. As Mei Yushan was about to follow the child, she spotted Xing Shi acting furtively. She told the child to seek out a physician instead and discreetly followed Xing Shi. Separately, Douzi was briefly seized but was left unharmed in another street.
She quickly made her way to the bustling market and was thrilled to unexpectedly run into her three adoptive fathers. After an emotional reunion, her fathers revealed that their meeting was not a coincidence but had been orchestrated by the Crown Prince, who had rented the entire street to facilitate their special reunion. Douzi was astonished and saw that the people around them treated her with respect. Soon after, Nangong Yao appeared.
He thanked the fathers and took Douzi to see a breathtaking fireworks display he had arranged just for her. Overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness, Douzi asked if he would still care for her if she were her original self (not in Mei Yushan's body) or if she were physically unattractive. Nangong Yao professed his unconditional and eternal love for her, regardless of her identity, status, or appearance. Believing his sincerity, they embraced and kissed.
Meanwhile, Mei Yushan's pursuit led her to a courtyard where Xing Shi was meeting with subordinates. She overheard them confirming the discovery of the Shengdong Princess, identified as Douzi, currently living as the Grand Chancellor's daughter. Her presence was detected, and Xing Shi confronted her. He revealed his true identity as a Shengdong Young General whose father, General Xuan Bing, had killed Jixi's former Emperor.
He explained that he had been searching for the missing Shengdong Princess for years, which led him to work as a guard for Nangong Yao, a path suggested by Bai Ye's prediction. He confirmed that Que was his subordinate. Xing Shi admitted he had initially suspected Mei Yushan was the Princess but later confirmed it was Douzi based on a distinctive mark and items found among her belongings.
He clarified that his earlier concern for Mei Yushan stemmed from genuine feelings, not just the belief she was the Princess. He revealed he knew about the body switch and, with the Moon Spirit Pearl now broken, believed they might not be able to revert. Fearing the danger if Douzi's identity as the Shengdong Princess were revealed in Jixi, Xing Shi proposed secretly taking both Douzi and Mei Yushan out of the palace and back to Shengdong for safety.
He reiterated his commitment to protecting the Princess and now, Mei Yushan, declaring he would give his life for her. He asked Mei Yushan if she would leave with him. Mei Yushan, acknowledging her status as the daughter of the Jixi Prime Minister, stated that eloping with a general from an enemy state was inappropriate. She declined his offer for now, expressing her desire to return to the Eastern Palace to find Douzi. Xing Shi agreed to escort her. As they left the courtyard, they were secretly observed by Ling Xiao.
