Practice Daughter Episode 20 Recap

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> Practice Daughter Recap

Douzi pleaded with Nangong Yao to find another Crown Princess, saying anyone but her would be acceptable. Nangong Yao explained that the position was not easily changed once publicly announced, and backing out now would be considered disobeying an imperial decree. Douzi declared that even if it meant decapitation, she could not be with him. As the rain grew heavier, Nangong Yao was visibly affected by her resolve and his existing illness, nearly collapsing.

Despite her refusal to explain why, Nangong Yao stated that they would be estranged from that day forward, never to see each other again. Douzi accepted this as the best outcome. Outside the palace, officials under Liu Jiao discussed the Empress appointing a Crown Princess to counteract bad luck, speculating the Emperor was critically ill and the Crown Prince's ascension was imminent. Concerned their past actions might be revealed, they resolved to distance themselves from their superior.

Douzi attempted to secretly leave the palace but was stopped by guards. The Grand Chancellor Mei was granted special permission by the Empress to visit his daughter in the Guixiu Pavilion. He expressed his pride, believing Mei Yushan had brought great honor to the Mei family by being chosen as Crown Princess. He mentioned discussing the wedding plans with the Empress and being allowed to visit "her room."

Seeing Douzi (in Mei Yushan's body), he commented on her lack of manners, threatening to replace her if she didn't serve his daughter well. Douzi (in Mei Yushan's body) asked if he could help her reject the marriage, explaining that becoming Crown Princess would make it impossible for her to leave the palace and see him. Her father sternly forbade her from speaking like that again, emphasizing that others begged for such an opportunity.

He mentioned her two older brothers, hinting that her position would help them advance in court. Mei Yushan (in Douzi's body) then told her father he could leave, realizing he still saw her only as a tool for the family's advancement. The Grand Chancellor was furious at their disrespect and ordered Douzi (the "maid") to be replaced, insisting it was inappropriate for a man to linger in a girl's room.

After he left, Mei Yushan comforted Douzi, saying she was used to being treated this way by parents who never truly cared for her, only seeing her as a means to benefit her brothers. She regretted repeatedly rejecting someone who genuinely cared for her for the sake of such parents and household. Mei Yushan assured Douzi she was not alone. Shortly after, Eunuch Song arrived with guards, bringing a chest of treasures for Douzi.

He apologized for his earlier rudeness when she first arrived at the pavilion. Mei Yushan observed that as she became the Crown Princess, more people would come to flatter her. Eunuch Song confirmed that the Household Department had prepared everything for the wedding and that leaving the palace would become increasingly difficult. Xing Shi met with Douzi to discuss the escape plan.

He mentioned that the urgent wedding ceremony, originally scheduled for three months later, had been moved up to half a month to counteract bad luck. He noted the palace would be heavily guarded, making escape harder. He assured Douzi he would safely escort them out of the palace and they would decide what to do next. Douzi asked if he would go with them.

Xing Shi said he had a plan: if Mei Yushan was unwilling to leave secretly, he would personally go to the Grand Chancellor's residence and inform her parents about the body swap so she could leave openly. Mei Yushan (in Douzi's body) confirmed she would go with them, stating she had no attachment to her current life or the Mei household, as her parents had treated her as a tool. Xing Shi, visibly moved, took Mei Yushan's hand.

Douzi realized the two harbored mutual affection and, looking at Nangong Yao's portrait hanging in the room, felt it was fate's cruel twist. Bai Ye sought out Nangong Yao at the Astronomical Bureau to again urge him not to marry "her." Nangong Yao questioned his interference, listing his mother, court ministers, and now Bai Ye as opponents to his marriage. He asked why Bai Ye was trying to stop the wedding.

Bai Ye stated he could not disclose the reason but insisted he was acting for the Crown Prince's good. Nangong Yao pressed him, asking if he liked Douzi. Bai Ye admitted his feelings but maintained that his personal feelings were not the reason for his opposition. Nangong Yao demanded to know why Douzi also refused to marry him, believing there was a hidden secret.

Convinced there was more to the story given Douzi and Bai Ye's combined opposition, Nangong Yao went to the prison to interrogate Ling Xiao. He reminded Ling Xiao of his promising career and his parents' pride, noting his current predicament was a shame. He offered to help Ling Xiao's parents and reinstate him if he revealed the truth.

Ling Xiao initially refused to break his promise to Bai Ye, but when Nangong Yao threatened to implicate Bai Ye, Ling Xiao relented. He confessed that the maid Bai Ye had attempted to assassinate at the execution ground was in fact the Shengdong Princess, and Bai Ye had concealed this truth to protect Nangong Yao.

Nangong Yao, hearing this, connected the information – if Mei Yushan was merely the Grand Chancellor's daughter, and the target Bai Ye tried to kill was the Shengdong Princess, then Douzi, the "maid," must be the true Shengdong Princess. Realizing that the prophecy from his childhood was coming true, Nangong Yao was shaken. He recalled his Grand Tutor's words that love was uncontrollable.

He reflected on Douzi's earlier cold words, now understanding that her harshness likely stemmed from just learning her own identity, perhaps a painful realization for her. He wondered if she had a change of heart or had just discovered who she was. He contemplated her situation now that her identity was exposed and his own predicament.

Back at the Chongwen Academy classroom, guards arrived and took Douzi away, stating it was by order of the Crown Prince to bring Miss Mei to the Eastern Palace. Students were surprised by this public display, noting the guards didn't seem to be inviting her politely. Xing Shi, hearing Douzi had been taken to the Eastern Palace, suspected Nangong Yao had learned something and decided to prioritize getting Mei Yushan out of the palace immediately.

Bai Ye, upon hearing that Nangong Yao had interrogated Ling Xiao, also guessed the truth was known and rushed to the Eastern Palace. At the Eastern Palace, Bai Ye asked to see Nangong Yao. Nangong Yao allowed him in, immediately asking if he was there to plead for her. He confirmed he knew the truth and asked how long Bai Ye intended to keep it secret if he hadn't investigated.

Bai Ye confirmed Douzi's identity as the Shengdong Princess, explaining she only recently learned it and came to the palace to retrieve the pearl to swap bodies, not to harm him. He mentioned only Mei Yushan and possibly Xing Shi knew about the swap before. Nangong Yao confirmed Xing Shi knew, noting his protective actions towards Mei Yushan made sense now. Bai Ye expressed concern that the Empress and ministers would not see it the same way.

He pleaded with Nangong Yao to spare Douzi for the sake of the Grand Chancellor Mei, suggesting he appoint another Crown Princess or allow Bai Ye to take Douzi away from the palace forever to circumvent the prophecy. Nangong Yao adamantly refused to change the Crown Princess or let anyone take Douzi from his side, declaring that the kingdom was not important to him compared to her.

He explained he had confined her to the Eastern Palace to protect her, as if her identity became widely known, the entire kingdom would want her dead. Bai Ye realized Nangong Yao's deep feelings for Douzi. Still, Bai Ye argued she couldn't stay in the Eastern Palace due to the risk, urging Nangong Yao to consider the country. Nangong Yao dismissed his concerns, saying he would face problems as they came and felt tired of the discussion.

Nangong Yao ordered his attendant to see Bai Ye out. As Bai Ye left, he asked to see Douzi one last time. Meanwhile, Douzi, locked in the guest room, woke up after sleeping through the night. She called Nangong Yao a coward for not facing her and threatened to break things, only to hesitate when she saw an antique. Deciding she couldn't back down after her threat, she resolved to make some noise regardless.

In another part of the Eastern Palace, Nangong Yao was informed that Douzi had not eaten despite cursing for a full day and night. Nangong Yao, despite having a strain around his shoulder (implying he had been keeping watch over her), ordered braised meatballs to be added to the menu for her, a dish his attendant noted he didn't usually eat as it was too greasy.

Separately, Xing Shi received confirmation that Mei Yushan had been safely escorted out of the palace. His focus now shifted entirely to rescuing Douzi. He declared he would secretly gather all the former subordinates of Shengdong and, if necessary, fight against the entire Jixi kingdom to save the Princess. His loyal followers pledged their lives to rescue the Princess.

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