Practice Daughter Episode 22 Recap
> Practice Daughter Recap
Xing Shi sought out Su Shenhai, knowing he had contacts within the Department of Guards. He offered a large sum of gold in exchange for Su Shenhai removing all soldiers from the city gate by Chou hour that night. Su Shenhai was reluctant, stating he had already done enough by arranging a maid by the side of the person Xing Shi was looking for previously.
Xing Shi pressed him, reminding Su Shenhai how Nangong Yu died by Xuan Bing's hand because Su Shenhai, in his fear, did not come to his rescue in time. Xing Shi presented an embroidered item made by Madam Su, complete with Su Shenhai's birth date, which he claimed Su Shenhai left behind when he hid in a tree during the battle where Nangong Yu died.
Xing Shi framed his request as a "deal," not a threat, and reiterated the offer of two thousand taels of gold. Faced with this undeniable evidence, Su Shenhai reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, someone (implied to be under the Queen's command) received a report from Fei Kuai that the Crown Prince had secretly visited "the evil girl" (Douzi), replaced the prison guards with people from the Eastern Palace, and reduced the palace's defense.
Fei Kuai was ordered to ensure the Crown Prince did not leave the Eastern Palace and that the evil girl was to be killed if she dared to leave the prison. The person giving the order stated she would kill the girl herself if the Crown Prince wouldn't. Inside the prison, Douzi heard the sounds of fighting and chaos outside.
When told that Xing Shi and the Shengdong army had broken in, she became worried that "Little Master" (Nangong Yao) might be in danger. Ignoring the guards, she demanded to be let out immediately to find him. As the Shengdong army, led by Xing Shi, stormed the palace and fought through the gates, Nangong Yao confronted them in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Nangong Yao ordered Xing Shi to drop his weapons and surrender if he came to save the Princess. Xing Shi refused, demanding the Princess be handed over. Douzi arrived and stepped forward, declaring she was the Shengdong Princess they were seeking. She rushed to Nangong Yao's side, ordering the Shengdong soldiers not to harm him. Nangong Yao told her to stand back. Just then, the palace knell sounded, signaling the Emperor's death. Nangong Yao realized his father had died.
Amidst the confusion, Fei Kuai, seeing the Shengdong army, charged at Douzi to kill the "evil girl." Nangong Yao pulled Douzi behind him and took the blow intended for her, collapsing severely injured. Outside the hall, Ling Xiao fiercely defended Bai Ye during the attack but was ultimately killed. Nangong Yao was taken to prison with his injuries. Douzi, devastated, was put under confinement.
Nanbei was able to visit Nangong Yao in prison, bringing him porridge and a secret message from the Queen. The Queen's message explained that while the palace was occupied and officials had been dispersed, there were still significant forces outside waiting for the Crown Prince's command. She urged him to recover and seize the opportunity. However, Nangong Yao was unresponsive, lost in despair, refusing food or drink despite Nanbei mentioning Douzi's concern and efforts to allow Nanbei to visit.
Nanbei pleaded with him to recover for Jixi and for Douzi. Mei Yushan, now recognized by her true identity as the Grand Chancellor's daughter, came to visit Douzi, who was under confinement. Mei Yushan expressed concern that Douzi had not eaten for two days, urging her to take care of herself. Douzi was angry, accusing Mei Yushan of colluding with Xing Shi and abandoning her by leaving the palace early to escape danger.
Mei Yushan insisted she had no knowledge of Xing Shi's plans or the attack, saying he only told her he was getting her out of the palace to save Douzi. Douzi refused to believe her, calling Mei Yushan cowardly and accusing her of being manipulated by Xing Shi. Douzi declared that if anything happened to Nangong Yao, she would consider Xing Shi her enemy, and by extension, Mei Yushan would also become her enemy.
Douzi continued her refusal to eat and drink for several days. Xing Shi came to persuade her, explaining that his subordinates wanted Nangong Yao executed, but he had spared his life by imprisoning him because Nangong Yao had not harmed Douzi. He stressed that Nangong Yao was the enemy of Shengdong due to the national hatred stemming from his grandfather's actions. Douzi passionately argued that the historical conflict was between their previous generations and should not fall upon Nangong Yao.
She even suggested Xing Shi should seek out Nangong Yao's grandfather instead. Xing Shi countered that if Douzi insisted on being with Nangong Yao, it would bring shame to Shengdong and make them a laughingstock, dishonoring their ancestors. He showed her a painting of her mother, Empress Li, hoping it would stir memories of her heritage and the suffering of Shengdong, but Douzi stated she was too young to remember her parents well.
Douzi pressed Xing Shi directly about releasing Nangong Yao. Xing Shi warned her that if she remained defiant, he would ensure she and Nangong Yao were permanently separated. Bai Ye, who had seemingly pledged allegiance to Xing Shi, visited Nangong Yao in prison. He whipped Nangong Yao, verbally criticizing him for his despair and loss of dignity in defeat. However, his true intention was to provoke Nangong Yao into action and rally for Jixi.
Bai Ye apologized to Nangong Yao, admitting he was only pretending to serve Xing Shi to preserve hope for Jixi. He told Nangong Yao that if he died, the rumor of Douzi being an "evil girl" would be confirmed, leading to her condemnation by the Jixi populace. Bai Ye urged Nangong Yao to survive, as he was Jixi's only hope. Nangong Yao remained silent, enduring the punishment.
Mei Yushan went to Xing Shi to confront him about his order to exile Nangong Yao in three days. She argued that exile to the described region was a death sentence, especially given Nangong Yao's injuries. Xing Shi stated that exile was a mercy compared to execution but admitted survival on that journey was unlikely.
Mei Yushan expressed her hurt that Xing Shi had ignored her presence since she entered the palace, only now seeing her when she pleaded for Nangong Yao. She questioned why he continued to persecute Nangong Yao after Douzi was safe. Xing Shi challenged her, asking if she would prefer him to die instead, explaining that freeing Nangong Yao would lead to the imprisonment and execution of himself and his soldiers. He felt misunderstood, believing Mei Yushan didn't care for him.
He explained that his initial plan was only to rescue Douzi, but the situation escalated unexpectedly, leading to the capture of Jixi's princes and the kingdom's fall, and he felt he had to follow destiny. He tried to suggest that despite the tragedy, they could now be together openly, but Mei Yushan indicated she preferred their previous hidden relationship. Xing Shi defended his actions as necessary for his country, stating his decision regarding Nangong Yao was final.
Mei Yushan sent a message to Douzi, informing her of Nangong Yao's impending exile in three days. Determined to save him, Douzi infiltrated the prison with Nanbei. They incapacitated the guards, took their uniforms, and freed Nangong Yao and Dongxi, who was imprisoned with him. As they attempted to escape, Xing Shi and his guards intercepted them, having captured their contacts waiting outside. Douzi stood protectively in front of Nangong Yao, defying Xing Shi.
She hurled insults at him, daring him to kill her instead if he wanted to exile Nangong Yao. She declared she was already the Crown Princess and would "commit adultery" if he harmed Nangong Yao, challenging him to destroy both of them if he persisted. Xing Shi threatened to dismember Nangong Yao if she did not comply and ordered his guards to seize Douzi, but she refused to move.
