Practice Daughter Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
> Practice Daughter Recap
Douzi, having left the Museum, is captured by members of the Heifeng Gang who are drinking and eating. They note she doesn't look like a refugee and might be from Shengdong, deciding she could be useful. Douzi, upon waking, pretends to be sick and useless, claiming she is afraid they will dislike her because of her illness. She then fakes a severe coughing fit, begging for medicine.
When they check her bag, they find a paper which one member identifies as a prescription for Asthma. Douzi elaborates on her fabricated condition, claiming she has a miserable life, her parents died after being infected by her, and she is now alone with no money for treatment. She pleads for them to save her. The gang leaders discuss what to do, considering letting her go, which they find wasteful.
One suggests giving her as a gift to Nangong Yao's camp nearby, which they agree is a good idea. The Heifeng Gang members place Douzi in a sack. The Chief arrives, expressing dissatisfaction with being offered only potatoes. Nangong Yao presents him with fine wine and meat, stating that men with great ambitions should not be consumed by trivial pleasures, suggesting the Chief could achieve great things if he were less reckless.
The Chief boasts of his achievements within the Heifeng Gang. Nangong Yao offers daily provisions of wine and meat, along with three thousand soldiers, if the Chief agrees to obey him and abandon their lawless ways. Surprised by the offer of three thousand men, the Chief questions if Nangong Yao is truthful. Nangong Yao assures him he keeps his word. The gang members are excited and agree to follow Nangong Yao.
Nangong Yao then lays down a rule: all stolen goods must be returned, including the "greeting gift" presented in the sack. The Chief agrees and orders the wine and meat to be served. As the gang members prepare to open the sack, Douzi, still inside, complains that she traveled far to find Nangong Yao, only for him to seemingly want to send her back, describing how constantly worried she was about him.
Nangong Yao, hearing her voice or seeing her as the sack is opened, confirms he will not send her back. The gang members, confused about whether to return her, are told by Nangong Yao to "Keep her." Nangong Yao asks about the contents of the sack. The gang members reveal hunting weapons, knockout drops, and a drawing. Seeing these, Nangong Yao recognizes them as Douzi's possessions and realizes it is her.
Douzi directly states her intention to stay with Nangong Yao that night, noting the camp's lack of private rooms unlike the Eastern Palace and that her only alternative would be to sleep outside. Nangong Yao initially suggests she take the bed while he sleeps on the floor, but quickly dismisses the idea, saying he wouldn't let his Crown Princess do that. He then simply tells her to go to bed.
Later that night, Douzi, seemingly restless, asks Nangong Yao if he is asleep. He questions whether she is concerned he cannot sleep or that he is already asleep. She urges him to hurry. She asks if he is cold, and he confirms he is. She asks again, and he confirms again, after which she says he shouldn't be cold now, implying physical closeness.
She expresses a deep desire for them to remain in this state forever, declaring her contentment with him by her side, even amidst hardship. Nangong Yao reciprocates, saying his life feels complete with her presence, turning even simple food into a feast. The next day, Douzi describes her journey back, having witnessed many displaced people and their suffering, finding the situation unbearable and unjust. She asserts that the current ruler, Xing Shi, is leading the country towards destruction.
She voices her belief that the name of the country, whether Jixi or Shengdong, is less important than ensuring the people live good lives. Nangong Yao asks if she truly feels this way, and she confirms her belief, stating she will support his desire to return to the palace. Nangong Yao shares his high confidence in his plan, giving it a ninety percent chance of success, but admits to a slight uncertainty.
He asks if she is afraid of the potential suffering she might face if they were to fail. Douzi expresses no fear, asserting her belief in his eventual victory. She adds that should their plan fail, they can simply wander the world together, confident in her ability to support them both. Nangong Yao reassures her that his plan will succeed and promises that neither she nor the common people will suffer under his rule.
Nangong Yao, supported by the Heifeng Gang and other remaining forces, arrives at the palace gates, where wanted posters for him are displayed. Inside, Douzi's companions urge her not to go out, conveying that Nangong Yao wants her to stay safe due to the danger of the fighting. Douzi insists on joining "Little Master," declaring she will follow him anywhere, even in death, and asks who will accompany her. Que volunteers despite her timidity, and others from their group agree.
They fight their way into the palace and enter the Hall of Supreme Harmony, expressing surprise at the ease of their entry. Xing Shi is inside with Bai Ye, whom he has taken hostage. Nangong Yao's forces demand Bai Ye's release. Xing Shi reveals he had suspected Bai Ye and used him to learn of Nangong Yao's plans and set a trap.
Bai Ye tells Nangong Yao not to save him, acknowledging his past betrayal caused Nangong Yao's exile and doesn't make him worthy of rescue. Nangong Yao counters that he would make the same choice if their positions were reversed. Mei Yushan is present and initially stands with Nangong Yao's side, instructing others to move aside as she is a princess. Guards order her to stand down. Douzi arrives with her group, including her second and third godfathers.
She tries to halt the fighting, but it continues. When a guard attempts to attack Douzi, her godfathers fiercely protect her, stating they would have killed him if she hadn't intervened. Douzi loudly orders everyone to stop fighting, using her hammer to restore order and assigning her second and third godfathers to maintain peace in the area. As fighting resumes elsewhere, Douzi worries about Nangong Yao and offers to help him fight, urging him to be careful.
Nangong Yao confronts Xing Shi. A dart is thrown towards Xing Shi, and Mei Yushan rushes to shield him, getting hit herself. Douzi calls out to Mei Yushan and scolds Xing Shi. She immediately calls for a physician for Mei Yushan, pleading with her not to die. After Mei Yushan is injured, Douzi frantically calls for medical help, specifically the Grand Tutor.
Informed Mei Yushan is near death, Douzi reveals she has had the Moon Spirit Pearl repaired and intends to attempt a body swap that night during the full moon, vowing not to let Mei Yushan die and offering to trade her own life. Someone warns against such an attempt. Douzi finds the Grand Tutor and brings him to Mei Yushan. Seeing her condition, he decides to use a poisonous worm to draw out the harmful elements from her body.
Douzi is horrified by the method but the Grand Tutor proceeds, noting the dart missed her heart by a small margin. After the worm treatment, Mei Yushan's hand moves, indicating the treatment was successful and she has recovered. Later, Xing Shi is seen in captivity, expressing contentment knowing Mei Yushan is safe, stating that being a prisoner is far less taxing than ruling as Emperor. He reflects that had he understood this earlier, his fate might have been different.
He remarks that the burden of being Emperor now falls upon someone else. Nangong Yao ascends the throne as Emperor, restoring the country's name to Jixi, while Xing Shi is exiled to Shengdong, forbidden from ever returning to Jixi. Mei Yushan bids an emotional farewell to her parents.
Her parents express disappointment that she is choosing exile with Xing Shi over a life of prosperity, telling her to go and act as if she is no longer their daughter, although her mother tearfully mentions hoping she might at least bring them simple food when they are old. Mei Yushan assures them Douzi will look after them.
As Mei Yushan prepares to leave, Douzi provides her with a carriage full of supplies, including gold, jewels, pens, ink, and a horse named Douzi, expressing concern that Mei Yushan is not accustomed to hardship. She instructs Mei Yushan to use the supplies, sell the valuables if needed, and write letters, simple ones she can understand, or draw pictures.
She also mentions hiring a servant for eighty years to ensure Mei Yushan has carved bitter gourd, a delicacy she is fond of. She tells Mei Yushan to talk to the horse if she feels lonely, cautioning her not to feed it stinky tofu due to its delicate stomach. Mei Yushan leaves, and Douzi expresses a wish for her to be happy, saying she hopes they will meet again. Bai Ye is seen traveling and reflecting.
He describes living a simple life away from the capital's chaos, appreciating the peace and the bright stars, though he misses his two best friends and wonders how they are doing after more than a year since he left the palace, wishing them well. Back in the palace, Nangong Yao is now the Emperor. In a scene possibly within Chongwen Academy, Nangong Yao and his Empress, Douzi, are present in a classroom.
Douzi is seen interacting with students, trying to lighten the formal atmosphere of rote learning. Later, they and others are shown looking out a window at something beautiful. The story concludes with the wish for the country and its people to be safe, prosperous, healthy, and secure. A final glimpse shows the Emperor and Empress together.
