Practice Daughter Episode 19 Recap
> Practice Daughter Recap
The students at Chongwen Academy had heard rumors that Crown Prince Nangong Yao intended to request the Empress to choose a Crown Princess and were curious about the kind of woman he liked. Nangong Yao described her personality as "quite adorable," mentioned she was from a "decent family," and humorously noted she loved to eat delicious food. Huang Yuanyuan and Zhuang Yangyang, among other young ladies present, eagerly tried to embody these qualities.
Nangong Yao started to say the person he had in mind seemed "far away, but she's right. . ." before stopping, saying they would find out later. When he looked towards Douzi's usual seat, he noticed she wasn't there. The students then discussed whether the Empress would agree to his choice, but Nangong Yao stated his determination, saying no matter if his mother agreed, he had decided and would not change his mind.
They also commented on his preference for symmetry and speculated lightheartedly about where the Crown Princess would sleep after marriage, concluding "In the middle, of course." Later, Douzi entered the academy by herself, appearing lost in thought as she sat down. Nangong Yao approached her from behind and offered to teach her to write a character that was missing a stroke.
He told her not to worry about fixing it right away, because after she married into the Eastern Palace, he would have plenty of time to teach her. Douzi remained silent, but tears welled up and fell from her eyes. She then stood up and left the academy. Other students whispered, wondering if she was shy or thought Nangong Yao had embarrassed her. That night, Nangong Yao was troubled by Douzi's coldness and the way she had "pushed me away."
He questioned Nanbei, wondering if the talented young men in Black Dog Alley were "a hundred times better" than him. Nanbei reassured him that Black Dog Alley only had people like the knife sharpener Zhang Ermazi and the butcher Li Kui, with no talented young men. Nangong Yao seemed slightly relieved. Early the next morning, before dawn, Nangong Yao got up to make mutton soup himself.
He told a sleepy Nanbei he was making it as a "breakfast out of love." He rushed his servants for fresh ingredients and then made Nanbei, Dongxi, and another servant taste the soup, asking for their feedback, which they gave awkwardly amidst forced smiles and compliments. Later that morning, Nangong Yao approached Douzi, who was standing apart from other young ladies. He asked how she had slept and if she was angry with him or had missed breakfast.
He offered her the mutton soup he had made, emphasizing that he had made it himself. Douzi looked away and told him, "Don't do it again." When he asked if she didn't like it and offered to make something else, she simply replied, "No need. You are the Crown Prince. Don't you have other things to do?" She called for Mei Yushan, and they prepared to leave.
As she walked away, Douzi quietly apologized to Nangong Yao, saying, "Sorry, I've failed you." Nangong Yao was clearly hurt by her rejection. Back in the palace, Nangong Yao was visibly angry. Servants tried to stop him as he threw and broke objects. Nanbei urged him to calm down, reminding him that anger hurts his health and offering himself to be hit instead to help him feel better.
Nangong Yao eventually decided to practice archery to distract himself, ordering Dongxi to join him. Meanwhile, Mei Yushan spoke with Douzi, seemingly trying to counsel her regarding her relationship with the Crown Prince. Separately, Bai Ye observed the celestial phenomena. He mused aloud, questioning why Douzi would cause Jixi's destruction and why she would make the Crown Prince a prisoner. He wondered why he could only foresee the outcome but not the reason.
He concluded that while the situation was a crisis, there was "still a chance." He thought that if Douzi knew her connection to the Crown Prince meant disaster and was willing to leave the palace and him, the prophecy could be broken. In the academy, Douzi continued to act distant, seeming like a "totally different person." Nangong Yao again approached her, asking the reason for her change and offering to take her outside the palace if she was unhappy.
She refused his offer and insisted she had nothing to say to him. Observers commented on the situation, noting how difficult Douzi was being and advising Nangong Yao to remain calm and give her space. Meanwhile, planning was underway to help Mei Yushan and Douzi leave the palace. Someone, seemingly involved in arranging their departure, discussed the preparations, stating that all was ready except for an issue at the city gate where the guard had been unexpectedly replaced.
He planned to seek help from Su Shenhai, Su Ruomei's father, to smooth the way, acknowledging that if the two left, the Mei family and the court would investigate, meaning they absolutely could not remain in the palace. Nangong Yao was in low spirits. He practiced archery in the heavy rain, refusing Nanbei's pleas to stop and seek shelter. At the same time, invitations for the Mid-Autumn Festival Dinner were being distributed to the young ladies.
Zhuang Yangyang and Huang Yuanyuan expressed their excitement and speculated about the possibility of becoming the Crown Princess, as the Empress was inviting all the eligible young women to the event. Douzi received a message from Bai Ye asking her to meet him at the Tianji Mansion, stating the matter was important and he would not harm her. She went to meet him. Bai Ye referenced their first meeting at the Tianji Mansion, looking at the stars.
Douzi prompted him, knowing he hadn't asked her there just for pleasantries. He asked if she was still angry about his past actions (implied to be related to Mei Daidai), and she admitted she still hated him for hurting Mei Daidai, though she understood he had been trying to protect her and her "Little Master." Bai Ye reiterated his regret for his impulsiveness and promised to protect her "whoever you are."
He explained that he knew she was the one in the prophecy and that if she were anyone else, he would eliminate her to break it, but he couldn't do it to "her". Douzi expressed disbelief that she would ever harm her "Little Master" or cause Jixi's destruction, questioning the very idea.
Bai Ye insisted that the prophecy showed this would happen but offered "only one way" to protect both her and the Prince: if she would allow him to take her away from the palace and the Crown Prince, the prophecy would be broken. He then confessed his love for her, explaining he had fallen for her since their first meeting and that she had brightened his life.
He offered to use his Waning Moon Pendant to request the Emperor's permission for them to leave the palace together. Douzi refused, explaining that she only saw him as a good friend and that her heart had no room for anyone else, implicitly filled by the Prince. Despite knowing the prophetic outcome, she stated, "I know what I have to do."
As Douzi was returning, she overheard servants discussing how the Crown Prince had been punished by the Empress to kneel in the rain for two hours and had since returned to the Eastern Palace with a fever, needing ginger water bags. Worried, Douzi secretly went to the Eastern Palace. She found Nangong Yao in bed, clearly ill. Watching him, she spoke softly as if he were dreaming, wondering what he was thinking.
She reflected on how much she had wanted to leave the palace when she first arrived, but now wished she could stay just one more day. She spoke words of tender goodbye, advising him on taking care of himself and disregarding criticism, saying she knew he would miss her but someone better would eventually love him. She asked him to keep a small place for her in his heart.
She touched his forehead, noting how hot it was from being in the rain. Nangong Yao stirred in his sleep, murmuring her name, "Douzi, don't go. Don't go. I believe you are not a siren." Douzi said "Goodbye, Little Master" one last time and left just as Nanbei entered to inform Nangong Yao that the Emperor was critically ill and required him at the Yangxin Hall immediately. That evening, the Mid-Autumn Dinner was held.
Zhuang Yangyang attempted to sit next to Nangong Yao, who politely allowed it. The Empress arrived and announced that despite the Emperor's critical illness, the dinner was proceeding because she had an important announcement. She explained that due to the Emperor's long illness and lack of a cure, ministers had suggested following the folk custom of "counteracting bad luck" by selecting a Crown Princess quickly.
The Empress then announced that Mei Yushan, the only daughter of Grand Chancellor Mei Changjing, would be made the Crown Princess. Nangong Yao was visibly shocked. The Empress instructed Zhuang Yangyang to yield her seat to Mei Yushan. Nangong Yao immediately spoke up, declaring that if his mother did not think "she" (referring to Mei Yushan) was worthy, then she would not be Crown Princess.
The Empress was taken aback, and he threatened to ask the Emperor to dethrone him if she insisted. The Empress expressed her fear and the immense pressure she faced daily in the dangerous palace, citing Bai Ye's prophecy as a severe threat to their position. Calling Nangong Yao's words heartbreaking, she ordered him to leave and kneel for two hours as punishment.
Ministers then advised the Empress that the Chongxi custom was a valid approach given the Emperor's condition and that Mei Yushan, as the Grand Chancellor's daughter, was a suitable candidate. The Empress confirmed she would personally oversee the formal sealing ceremony, after which Mei Yushan would move into the Eastern Palace to assist the Crown Prince. She addressed Douzi, who was present in the identity of Mei Yushan, directly. Douzi abruptly turned and walked away from the dinner.
Nangong Yao questioned why she left and immediately followed her. Nangong Yao followed Douzi after she left the dinner hall, wanting an explanation. He told her he had thought about her recent actions for a long time and couldn't understand why she was acting this way – pushing him away at the academy, giving him the cold shoulder with the soup, and walking out of the announcement dinner.
He demanded a reason, insisting he would not let her leave until she told him. Douzi responded fatalistically, asking if he truly thought telling him would save her, suggesting he would simply "cut my head off." Nangong Yao vehemently denied this, proclaiming he would sooner hurt himself than harm her and promising to solve any problem she faced and always be there for her. Douzi insisted, "You can't. No one can. Anyway. . . We just can't be together."
He pressed her, asking if she "couldn't" be with him or "didn't want" to be with him, and questioned what their past relationship had meant – was it just his imagination or had she been pretending because of his identity? He described a recent dream where she was real, like a gentle bunny lying lazily on his shoulder. Tearfully, Douzi pleaded with him to choose "another Crown Princess. . . As long as it's not me. Anyone is fine."
