Practice Daughter Episode 4 Recap
> Practice Daughter Recap
While Mei Yushan slept slumped on the table, Douzi began painting. The portrait she created was of herself, yet it was presented as Mei Yushan's work. At the Chongwen Academy, the Grand Tutor was lecturing, but the princes appeared sleepy. When asked about how a ruler should govern, Nangong Pin, whose mind was occupied with the new female students, talked extensively about how to treat a wife, frustrating the Grand Tutor. Mei Yushan and Douzi arrived at the Chongwen Academy.
The students were disappointed to hear that the Crown Prince had already begun assisting in court affairs and no longer attended the academy. Mei Yushan, feeling mischievous, played a trick on three other young ladies, telling them the Crown Prince had just passed by. As the three scrambled to see him, Mei Yushan tripped them, causing them to fall. Just as Mei Yushan was enjoying her prank, Nangong Yao suddenly appeared.
Eunuch Song announced that the Crown Prince would temporarily stop his court duties and study at the Chongwen Academy for a while. The princes and the girls were overjoyed, especially the three who had fallen, as they vied to sit next to him. Seeing that the princes had no interest in studying, the Grand Tutor left the academy, allowing them to arrange seats freely. Everyone wanted to sit beside the Crown Prince.
Eunuch Song set up a drawing with two colored bamboo slips, promising the winners the seats next to Nangong Yao. Nangong Pin drew one red slip. Mei Yushan, determined to get closer to the Crown Prince and reclaim the Moon Spirit Pearl, cheated to obtain the other one. After they were seated, Nangong Yao ordered everyone else to leave the study hall, keeping only Mei Yushan.
Nangong Yao confronted Mei Yushan, noting her previous attempts to approach him at the Museum, her appearance at the Relief Organization, and now her deliberate closeness at the academy, made obvious by her cheating. He demanded to know her true intentions. Mei Yushan stated she had difficulties and the Moon Spirit Pearl was crucial to her, asking for its swift return. Nangong Yao criticized her lack of decorum and self-respect before leaving the room angrily.
Mei Yushan argued back, questioning why he was at the Relief Organization himself and suggesting he was trying to approach "her". Several portraits were brought before the Empress for evaluation. The Empress immediately favored the portrait presented as Mei Yushan's work. Observing the detailed depiction, she concluded the subject must be a refined and dignified lady, noting the slight calluses on the fingers (indicating qin practice) and the posture (indicating dance training).
Eunuch Song knew the painting was actually done by Douzi, the maid, but did not reveal the truth to the Empress. Since her portrait was deemed the best, Mei Yushan and Douzi were assigned a superior chamber, which was luxuriously decorated. Mei Yushan was astonished by the opulence. Douzi initially insisted Mei Yushan sleep on the floor, saying she was used to sleeping alone and couldn't share a bed. Mei Yushan agreed to 'suffer a little.'
However, remembering her own body was experiencing this discomfort, Douzi relented and agreed they could share the bed. The room contained many precious items. Mei Yushan marveled at their value, noting items worth dozens or even hundreds of taels, far more than anything she had encountered. Douzi warned her that stealing in the palace was a capital offense. Mei Yushan recounted how her "daddies" had been tricked into stealing the Moon Spirit Pearl by a woman who challenged their reputation.
Douzi, now in the role of the 'maid,' ordered Mei Yushan to clean the room. Mei Yushan, unfamiliar with chores and seeing the valuable items, deliberately broke several vases and other pieces while pretending to clean, causing Douzi distress over the lost wealth. Seeing the destruction, Douzi quickly rescinded her cleaning orders. Mei Yushan, having learned the Crown Prince resided in the Eastern Palace, planned to retrieve the pearl.
When she saw Nangong Yao leaving the Eastern Palace with Nanbei, she approached the main gate. Spotting Eunuch Song nearby with a plate of fruit, she quickly struck him. Eunuch Song cried out, realizing someone was trying to take his things. Unable to get what she wanted, Mei Yushan fled. Eunuch Song called for guards and described his assailant as a thin person in green clothes. Commander Fei arrived and was given the description to pursue the culprit.
Meanwhile, Eunuch Song brought Douzi (in Mei Yushan's body) before Nangong Yao, explaining that Mei Yushan was not in her chamber and he had brought her maid instead. Nangong Yao recognized Douzi as the "palace maid" or "female thief" from the night at the Museum.
Douzi explained that she had been accompanying her young lady (Mei Yushan) at the museum and was mistaken for a palace official, and her young lady had encouraged her to go along with it to show support. Nangong Yao questioned why she hadn't clarified the situation at the time and doubted Mei Yushan's supposed respect given her behavior in class. He asked about Mei Yushan's current whereabouts.
Separately, in the Tianji Mansion, Nangong Yao reflected on the female thief from over ten years ago, frustrated that he still could not clearly remember her face, wondering if his calculations were wrong. In another part of the palace, children spoke about growing up to protect the royal family and the Shengdong country, just before the Empress fainted.
