The Autumn Ballad Episode 13 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Madam Han presented a silver gilded ruyi headdress to Qiu Min and silver jade pearl earrings to Qiu Yan, explaining that these were her most cherished dowries and hoping they would accompany her daughters and bring them happiness after marriage. With Qiu Min poised for a high-status marriage, other family members, including First Madam, offered their congratulations.
Qiu Yan then keenly suggested that Qiu Mei and Qiu Ying, known for their embroidery skills, should undertake the task of embroidering Qiu Min's wedding dress, slyly recalling their swiftness in embroidering the character "Yan" on a handkerchief, implying ample time despite Qiu Mei’s concerns. At the Firewood Office, Liang Yi received Qiu Yi, explaining his visit was to acknowledge the betrothal gifts and address his underlying reasons for the marriage proposal.
Liang Yi admitted he had investigated Qiu Yi and respected his integrity, revealing that his true interest lay in leveraging Qiu Yi's influence. He outlined Dashuo's three weaknesses – superfluous troops, unnecessary expenses, and redundant officials – and stressed the urgent need to select capable talents to prevent another national crisis, given the current threats from Northern Liang and internal rebellions.
Liang Yi confessed his distrust of existing ministries and sought Qiu Yi’s help in recommending worthy individuals, also confirming his collaboration with General He in the military. Qiu Yi, recognizing Liang Yi’s shrewdness, realized this elaborate scheme had likely been planned since Liang Yi mediated their family's domestic issues. Meanwhile, Yuan Lang analyzed Liang Yi's strategy, noting that his dismissals at the Firewood Office primarily targeted officials in lucrative departments.
Yuan Lang observed that Liang Yi replaced these corrupt figures with competent yet long-overlooked scholars, concluding that Liang Yi was not interested in bribes but sought to secretly control the imperial administration. He dismissed any romantic interest from Liang Yi towards Qiu Min, asserting that Liang Yi's true goal was to exploit Qiu Yi’s father’s extensive network of former students to select loyal officials, while Liang Yi himself eliminated obstacles.
Yuan Lang was convinced that if this alliance continued, Liang Yi could covertly control the court within a few years, making it imperative to thwart the Qiu family's alliance with him. Madam Han, Qiu Min, and Qiu Yan journeyed to Taiying Temple for prayers, where they unexpectedly encountered Qin Xuan. He explained his presence was to obtain safety amulets for his own family and asked to join their party.
Separately, Song Jin arrived at the temple, having finally located the key for Liang Yi's golden cuffs. He suggested sending the key to Qiu Yan. However, Liang Yi decided to personally deliver the key to Qiu Yan at the temple, prompting Song Jin to suspect Liang Yi's real motive was to see Qiu Min. Inside the temple, Master Zhenyan offered blessings for Qiu Min's approaching marriage.
Liang Yi, ever vigilant, noticed a suspicious street vendor, identifying him as an operative of Yuan Lang who had been following them. Aware of the surveillance, Liang Yi subtly instructed Song Jin to ascertain the extent of their observation, while publicly maintaining an appearance of being solely focused on his wedding preparations and religious duties.
At the Cangjing Chamber, Qiu Min tearfully confided in Qin Xuan, expressing her sorrow over something "within reach but unattainable," an unfulfilled desire she could neither fight for nor abandon. Qin Xuan, seemingly oblivious to her emotional distress, merely inquired why she was gloomy given her impending wedding. Qiu Yan subtly overheard this poignant exchange. Shortly after, Liang Yi approached Qiu Yan, accusing her of persistently pestering Qiu Min despite his engagement.
Qiu Yan swiftly refuted his accusation, stating she was there for prayer, and then urgently declared she had something important to discuss, leading him away to prevent him from witnessing any further emotional interactions between Qiu Min and Qin Xuan. Qiu Yan led Liang Yi to a pavilion atop a mountain, describing it as a beautiful spot to witness the cloud sea after an early summer rain.
Although Liang Yi initially found the view unremarkable, he was momentarily captivated by Qiu Yan's presence, which caused him to hesitate and keep the cuff key he intended to give her. Qiu Yan then chose to express her gratitude, thanking Liang Yi for rescuing her from bandits six years prior on the outskirts of the capital. She recalled that he had not revealed his name then but left a distinctive folding fan, which she had preserved.
She added that she now knew the owner's name and understood every word written on the fan, also disclosing how her mother had abandoned her during that harrowing incident. Liang Yi was visibly shocked by Qiu Yan's revelation, asking when she had recognized him. Qiu Yan explained she identified him during the Lantern Festival, recognizing his signature, "Heavenly Purifier of People," on a sky lantern.
She elaborated that she had initially felt disheartened and unwilling to acknowledge him after realizing he had "used" her, and their subsequent misunderstandings and rivalry had prevented her from speaking sooner. Liang Yi clarified that he had only used her to uncover the truth and gain leverage against influential figures like General He, emphasizing he was not a "gallant knight" and had rescued her for her "utilization value."
Qiu Yan asserted she was no longer the helpless girl she once was, having learned to manage a household, count, and keep books. With their misunderstandings resolved, she sincerely wished him and Qiu Min a happy marriage, asking for a reciprocal blessing. Liang Yi wished her to find her loved one. Qiu Yan then departed, playfully mentioning she had forgotten to bring a thank-you gift.
Left alone, Liang Yi remained in thought, surprised by his own unawareness of her true identity all this time. On her way back, Qiu Yan encountered Qiu Min and cautioned her, stating she should be grateful that Qiu Yan herself, and not someone else, had overheard her conversation with Qin Xuan. She then warned Qiu Min that Liang Yi had come to the temple intending to see her.
Qiu Yan advised Qiu Min, having chosen this path, to avoid pushing Liang Yi's boundaries or clinging to past affections after her marriage, as the Qiu family would not be able to protect her from the repercussions. Qiu Min responded that her "lingering dream is over" and, observing Qin Xuan's apparent happiness, encouraged Qiu Yan to "cheer him up for life."
Separately, Master Zhenyan met Madam Han, remarking that he always thought of her whenever he saw a particular jade pendant. Master Zhenyan then asked if they had met before, to which Madam Han replied they had never met prior to entering the palace for the Empress's birthday celebration. Madam Han also privately recalled making a promise to a childhood friend to study like men.
The Qiu Residence was filled with a festive atmosphere as preparations for Qiu Min's wedding were in full swing. Qiu Yan and Madam Han were pleased to see Qiu Min adorned in her beautiful wedding attire. In stark contrast, Liang Yi displayed little interest in the upcoming marriage. Song Jin observed Liang Yi's unusual moodiness, speculating that he might have "fallen for" Qiu Yan.
Liang Yi dismissed Song Jin's observations, stating his wedding attire fit well but otherwise remained preoccupied, implying Song Jin should focus on his own duties. On the eve of the wedding, while overseeing courtyard arrangements, Madam Han suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed. Qiu Yan diligently stayed by her mother's side, constantly preparing medicines to aid her recovery. However, days passed without improvement, and Madam Han's condition worsened.
First Madam and Third Aunt visited, their presence preventing Madam Han from resting properly. Qiu Yan, witnessing her mother's distress, directly informed them that Madam Han required quiet rest and that the ginseng they had brought was harmful, as it exacerbated her "interior stagnation of heat" given the blood in her phlegm. Qiu Yan insisted they leave, causing them to depart. Despite Qiu Yan's firm belief in her mother's recovery, Madam Han had lost hope, acknowledging her deteriorating health.
She cautioned Qiu Yan against being overly headstrong, urging her to maintain family relations, as there would be times she would need their support. Madam Han hinted at her impending death, expressing regret at not seeing her daughters married and entrusting the care of the Second Chamber to Qiu Yan, given her father's lack of interest in worldly affairs and Qiu Min's timid nature.
Qiu Yan, heartbroken by these words, which sounded like final instructions, discreetly retreated to shed tears while feigning to tend to the medicine. Although Madam Han was not her biological mother, Qiu Yan deeply valued her kindness, considering her superior to Madam Liu. Determined to find a cure, Qiu Yan continued to seek remedies. Physician Li arrived and, after examining Madam Han, was alarmed to diagnose her with an infectious disease.
He immediately ordered everyone out of the room, instructing them not to re-enter without his explicit permission, as he stayed to treat her alone. Madam Liu, feigning concern, quickly suggested taking Rong'er and the other children to a separate villa to avoid infection, revealing her priority was her own son's safety. Qiu Yan saw through Madam Liu’s pretense and firmly stated she would not leave her mother.
She also suggested that the Taiying Temple might be the source of the hidden infection. Qiu Min initially agreed to stay with Qiu Yan for a day or two, but Madam Liu persuaded her to leave, citing Qiu Min's delicate health and her own duty to protect her. Qin Xuan sent tonic medicine to the Qiu Residence.
Qiu Yan personally prepared herbal remedies for her mother, while Qiu Min dedicated herself to hand-copying scriptures, believing her sincerity would ensure Madam Han's safety. Qiu Yan expressed her skepticism towards such superstitions, asserting that only medicine and food could truly cure. Noting that her mother's condition worsened despite copious medicine, Qiu Yan, in a desperate plea, vowed to her ancestors that she would remain unmarried forever and serve them if they restored her mother to health.
The following morning, Qiu Yan overheard Old Madam and other family members (Third and Fourth Masters) discussing preparations for funeral rites and suggesting simplicity. Outraged, Qiu Yan burst in, accusing them of abandoning her mother and planning a funeral while she was still alive. Old Madam attempted to justify their actions as a traditional way to bring "good luck," but Qiu Yan dismissed their excuses as thinly veiled intentions to give up on her mother. Qiu Hong then suggested a folk remedy, which was quickly dismissed given Physician Li's inability to cure the disease.
