The Autumn Ballad Episode 12 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Madam Xu’s elaborate schemes, which she believed to be flawless, began to unravel when she deliberately tried to lead Qiu Yan to suspect the Fourth Chamber, thereby exposing her intentions. As Madam Xu had served the Old Madam for decades and held enough authority to avoid suspicion, Qiu Yan, lacking concrete evidence, decided to turn the tables.
She sought out her Third Uncle, Qiu Ning, and convinced him to cooperate in a staged performance designed to lure Madam Xu into a trap. Qiu Yan threatened to expose Qiu Ning's visit to Wanyan House if he refused, highlighting that his reputation would be ruined regardless, thereby compelling him to assist. The supposed "potion" from Wanyan House, which Qiu Yan mentioned to lure Madam Xu, was in fact nothing more than ordinary well water.
Qiu Yan explained that if such a potent substance truly existed, she would not have gone to such lengths to investigate the matter using a jade pendant. Faced with urgency, Madam Xu, attempting to destroy what she thought was incriminating evidence, unwittingly exposed herself. Soon after, Qingdai, searching Madam Xu's room, discovered the fake silver notes. This revelation brought the "donation" scandal to a clear resolution.
With the evidence laid bare, Madam Xu offered no further excuses and confessed her crimes. She affirmed her loyalty to the Old Madam, insisting she never intended harm to the Qiu family. Her motive, she revealed, was to avenge her only son, Xu Song, whose death she blamed on Second Master Qiu Yi for his unverified accusations. Madam Xu emotionally recounted that if Qiu Yi hadn't falsely accused her son, Xu Song would not have died so young.
Though the Old Madam, valuing their long-standing relationship, urged Madam Xu to elaborate, Madam Xu refused, calmly accepting her fate. She was then escorted to the woodshed to await official reporting the following morning, and Qiu Yi was instructed to deliver the legitimate silver notes to the Ministry of Revenue. Later, Qiu Yi reflected on Xu Song's potential, describing him as diligent and fond of reading.
He recounted how he had recommended Xu Song to audit classes at the Imperial College eight years prior. However, six months later, the Imperial College registrar reported Xu Song for cheating on an examination, leading to his expulsion. Xu Song vehemently denied the accusation, claiming he was framed by fellow noble students and the registrar. Yet, Qiu Yi had dismissed his pleas, believing that students from prominent families would have no reason to conspire against a commoner.
It was Qiu Yi’s lack of trust that drove Xu Song to take his own life to prove his innocence, igniting Madam Xu’s deep-seated desire for revenge. Qiu Yan, examining Xu Song's belongings, discovered many books that had been torn and painstakingly re-glued. She pointed out to Qiu Yi that a diligent scholar would never damage books. She reasoned that Xu Song, being a servant in an institution filled with prestigious students, was an anomaly.
She explained that it is human nature to discriminate against outsiders, and the more exceptional Xu Song became, the more he would have been resented. She drew a parallel to her own experience, where her younger sister Qiu Rong would tear her books, which she would then repair in the same manner. Qiu Yan's sharp observation allowed Qiu Yi to finally comprehend Xu Song’s predicament and realize his past misjudgment.
Qiu Yi then visited Madam Xu in the woodshed, apologizing deeply for his past wrongs towards both her and Xu Song. Madam Xu, however, angrily retorted that his apology came too late and would not bring her son back, asserting that neither she nor Xu Song would ever forgive him for not listening to his explanation.
Despite his regret, Qiu Yi remained firm, stating that while he could overlook her hatred and attempt to frame him, he could not forgive her for implicating the entire Qiu family. He ordered her to return to her hometown the next day and never appear before the Qiu family again. After Madam Xu’s departure, the Old Madam became increasingly difficult to please, as no other servant possessed Madam Xu's meticulous care.
Meanwhile, whispers about Fourth Aunt Qiu Di circulated throughout the Qiu household. Under the Old Madam's relentless questioning, Qiu Min reluctantly revealed the truth. The Old Madam had intended to expel Qiu Di, but Qiu Di, a woman who had been encouraged by the Old Madam years ago to divorce her son for failing to bear a male heir, possessed a devastating secret about the Second Chamber.
Qiu Di threatened to expose this secret, which she had protected for over a decade, stating it would lead to the execution and confiscation of property for the entire Qiu family. This leverage allowed Qiu Di to remain safe, though Qiu Min inadvertently incurred her displeasure by revealing the information to the Old Madam. With the fake silver notes case finally settled, Qiu Yan regained her freedom, no longer constrained by unwanted marriage arrangements.
Meanwhile, Ping'er, the daughter of the corrupt official Dou Ying, was exiled to Yazhou, forbidden to ever return to the capital. On the day of Ping'er’s departure, Liang Yi watched from a second-story window. Qiu Yan, aware that Dou Ying was indeed a corrupt official and not merely framed, urged Liang Yi to tell Ping'er the truth, hoping to spare her a lifetime of misplaced hatred.
However, Liang Yi chose not to reveal the truth, believing that hatred was the only thing keeping the isolated Ping'er alive in her desolate new reality; knowing the truth would be an unbearable blow. Qiu Yan was struck by Liang Yi's words, her thoughts drifting back to her youth, surprised that he still remembered something she had said long ago. Later, Qiu Yan and Qingdai visited a bookshop to buy the newly released "Lu's Crime Investigation".
There, she unexpectedly encountered Qin Xuan, who had already purchased all the detective and romance novels in the shop. He revealed his intention to build a library for her, ensuring she would never be bored. Qin Xuan, understanding Qiu Yan's concerns about her parents' disapproval of their match, vowed to achieve an official rank or military success. If all else failed, he declared he would sever ties with his family.
However, the more devoted Qin Xuan became, the more Qiu Yan felt indebted to him. She acknowledged the validity of his parents' prejudices against her, especially given her past circumstances, and believed their relationship needed time to develop naturally, not through rushed decisions or family conflict. Despite this, she insisted on paying him for the books. That evening, Qiu Yan found herself staring at the golden cuff Liang Yi had given her.
A sense of unease settled over her, prompting her to quickly wrap the cuff in cloth and put it away. She reflected on the societal double standards, how women like her were scorned for being "widowed," while men who lost their wives were expected to quickly remarry, solidifying her defiance against such unjust norms. Concurrently, Liang Yi, practicing in his courtyard, also noticed his own cuff.
He too felt a similar stirring of emotion, wondering when he had begun to care for Qiu Yan. As Liang Yi's marriage had been repeatedly delayed, Noble Consort Guo personally arranged the match between Liang Yi and Qiu Min, informing the Qiu family. Han and Qiu Yi discussed this, unaware that Qiu Yan and Qiu Min were listening.
Qiu Yan advised Qiu Min to consider her choice carefully, emphasizing that once made, she must bear the consequences herself, without resentment or blaming others. After much deliberation, Qiu Min decided to accept the marriage proposal to Liang Yi. Preparations for the wedding began at the Liang Residence. Liang Yi intended to procure betrothal gifts and sought Qiu Yan's assistance, believing she knew her sister's preferences best. Qiu Yan diligently selected various items, traversing many shops.
At a jewelry boutique, as Liang Yi helped Qiu Yan try on a necklace, he became momentarily captivated by her. Unaware of his gaze, Qiu Yan remained focused on selecting items for her sister. Liang Yi then instructed Song Jin to specially pack the necklace for Qiu Yan as a gift. Song Jin was surprised by Liang Yi's unusual attentiveness to the marriage, implying he was smitten.
However, Liang Yi unconsciously echoed Qiu Yan's previous sentiment, stating that regardless of initial feelings, a marriage should be diligently managed. Meanwhile, Qiu Min received the gifts from the Liang Residence, surprised that every item perfectly suited her taste, wondering how they knew her preferences so well. Qiu Yan did not reveal she had helped choose the gifts, only telling her sister that while Liang Yi was shrewd, ruthless, and resourceful, he was not a bad person.
