The Autumn Ballad Episode 15 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Qiu Yan, heartbroken by her mother’s death, adamantly declared that if being a daughter meant ignoring her mother’s mysterious passing, she would rather not be. Despite her Uncle Qiu’s attempts to calm and restrain her, Qiu Yan addressed Old Madam Qiu and Official Qiu, stating that she did not wish to go to extremes but they could not keep her at the Qiu Residence that day.
She asked her younger half-sister, Qiu Min, to come with her, but Qiu Min hesitated and remained. As Qiu Yan prepared to leave alone, Liang Yi accompanied her, asserting he would take over the matter. Official Qiu, distressed, admitted his inability to control Qiu Yan and apologized to his mother, Old Madam Qiu. Qin Xuan, unable to get involved directly, also followed them out. Qiu Yan declared her intention to lodge a complaint at Fengjing Prefecture.
For the night, Qin Xuan offered his courtyard for her to stay, but Liang Yi interjected, warning that staying at the Duke Ying Residence would put Qin Xuan’s parents in a difficult position if the Qiu family came looking for her. Qiu Yan agreed it was inconvenient and asked Qin Xuan to find her an inn. Liang Yi then offered a room at the Firewood Office, assuring her it would be a safer alternative for a single woman.
Meanwhile, back at the Qiu Residence, the Fourth Brother (Qiu Di) complained to Official Qiu that Qiu Yan’s temperament would surely cause a huge scandal, perhaps even leading her to beat the Admonishment Drum by morning. Old Madam Qiu, however, remained composed, stating that if Qiu Yan wanted to cause trouble, she should be allowed to.
She believed that the Fengjing Prefecture would ultimately uncover the truth and clear the Qiu family’s name, rather than letting people accuse them of oppressing younger generations. She dismissed the family, asserting that a girl like Qiu Yan couldn't stir up too much trouble. Later, Official Qiu quietly confronted his mother, Old Madam Qiu, asking if she was involved in his wife Han’s death. Old Madam Qiu simply asked if he doubted her as well, then sat down silently.
At the Firewood Office, Qiu Yan immediately began drafting her complaint, determined not to let her mother's murderers go unpunished. Qin Xuan arrived and attempted to dissuade her, suggesting the physician might have made a false claim, as Official Qiu had asserted. Qiu Yan challenged him, asking the physician’s motive for a false claim and if Qin Xuan no longer believed her deductions, which had always proven accurate in the past.
Qin Xuan confessed he did not want to believe her this time, hoping that Han’s death had nothing to do with the Qiu family, as he did not want her to lose her family after losing her mother. Qiu Yan, however, insisted that after her mother’s passing, her home held no meaning for her, and she preferred to endure the torment of truth than to live a lifetime of self-deception.
She urged Qin Xuan to go home to prevent his parents from worrying. Later that night, Liang Yi came to check on Qiu Yan, claiming he was on night patrol. He found her still awake, meticulously refining her complaint. She asked him to review it, and Liang Yi probed her, asking if she had considered the consequences of her actions.
He pointed out that if she pressed the complaint, it would strain her relationship with the Qiu family and potentially affect the Qin family’s perception of her, despite Han not being her birth mother. Qiu Yan acknowledged that Han was not her birth mother but emphasized the profound warmth and care Han had shown her, patiently teaching her to read and write and secretly acquiring her beloved investigative stories.
She expressed deep regret that she would never have the chance to repay Han’s kindness and declared that avenging Han’s death was her sole purpose, dismissing romantic relationships, men, and her future as insignificant. She added that Liang Yi shouldn't have gotten involved, as it would only complicate his betrothal to Qiu Min.
Liang Yi then revealed his own painful past: his father had been framed six years prior, and as a powerless young master, he had been tormented by regret for being unable to avenge him, thus understanding her torment. Liang Yi meticulously reviewed her complaint, pointing out a major loophole: the lack of a clear motive for Old Madam Qiu, given their outwardly harmonious relationship.
Qiu Yan theorized that Old Madam Qiu might be an accomplice, covering for another member of the Qiu family or one of the concubines who harbored resentment towards the Second Chamber. Liang Yi countered that if Old Madam Qiu had truly colluded with Physician Li, she would have known the truth earlier and could have warned the real culprit instead of facilitating their actions. Qiu Yan then suggested the killer might have some leverage over Old Madam Qiu.
Realizing they needed more information, Qiu Yan proposed starting their investigation at the apothecary, tracing the red safflower Physician Li mentioned as the cause of Han’s poisoning. Liang Yi then urged her to rest, but Qiu Yan, eager to refine her complaint and ask him questions, insisted on staying up. Liang Yi, having his own official documents to review, agreed to keep her company.
As the night wore on, Qiu Yan eventually dozed off at her desk, and Liang Yi, after finishing his work, gently draped a blanket over her. The next morning, Qin Xuan prepared to visit Qiu Yan at the Firewood Office. His attendant questioned why he was still supporting Qiu Yan, given his earlier reluctance for her to uncover a potentially damaging truth.
Qin Xuan affirmed his decision, stating he couldn’t bear to see her sad and would accompany her in whatever she insisted on doing, even if he disagreed. His plans were cut short when his servant rushed in, announcing that his mother had suddenly experienced chest pains, prompting Qin Xuan to rush back home. Unbeknownst to him, his mother was feigning illness to prevent him from getting further involved in the Qiu family's scandal.
Meanwhile, Yuan Lang met with Official Lin Changzhi, the Minister of Works, implying knowledge of Lin's significant financial deficit. Yuan Lang subtly presented a memorial meant for the Emperor, pressuring Lin to find someone else to take the blame for the large deficit, effectively coercing him to frame the Qiu family to protect himself.
At the same time, Madam Mi was frantically urging her son, Qiu Di, to flee the capital, revealing that Qiu Yan had lodged a complaint at Fengjing Prefecture and they could both be implicated in Han’s death. Qiu Di, however, was reluctant to abandon the Qiu family’s wealth, for which his mother had toiled for decades. Madam Mi insisted it was a matter of life and death, leaving no room for luck, and forced him to leave.
As they attempted to escape the city, they were intercepted by Song Jin and men from the Firewood Office. Song Jin explained that they had investigated every apothecary in the city and found someone purchasing red safflower with a mole on their chin, which led them to Qiu Di. Knowing Qiu Di had returned to the capital but wasn't staying at the Qiu residence, they then traced him to Madam Mi's hidden location.
Under interrogation, Madam Mi reluctantly confessed that Qiu Min had revealed Qiu Di's true birth identity to Old Madam Qiu. Disturbed by this, Madam Mi had written to Qiu Di, who was studying abroad, and he had returned to plan their future. Qiu Yan immediately accused them of plotting her mother’s murder.
Madam Mi vehemently denied it, clarifying that Qiu Di had indeed purchased red safflower, but his intention was not to kill Han, whom they referred to as "Second Aunt." Instead, he wanted Madam Mi to mix a small, non-lethal dose of red safflower into plum wine for Qiu Yan and Qiu Min to drink, intending to cause them lifelong infertility as revenge for having ruined Qiu Di's future.
Madam Mi maintained that she had hidden the red safflower in her room, but it had mysteriously disappeared. She claimed she only realized Han’s death was due to red safflower poisoning when Qiu Yan confronted Old Madam Qiu. Qiu Yan remained unconvinced, suspecting Madam Mi was the real killer, believing she was covering for Qiu Di due to the perceived harm Qiu Yan and Qiu Min had inflicted upon his prospects.
She still pondered what leverage Madam Mi held over Old Madam Qiu. Liang Yi added another puzzling detail: Physician Li had described Han’s symptoms as internal heat, but her pulse was normal. Qiu Yan deduced that another medicine must have been secretly administered beforehand to create the illusion of a strange illness, ensuring that Han's eventual death would not raise suspicion.
A Firewood Office subordinate suggested torturing Madam Mi and Qiu Di for more answers, but Liang Yi refused, stating that this was a public case and any interrogation or punishment must adhere to the rules of Fengjing Prefecture to be valid.
He decided they would go to Fengjing Prefecture the next day with the existing evidence and Physician Li’s expected testimony to force Old Madam Qiu into a direct confrontation, believing this was the only way to uncover the full truth. Qiu Yan worried about unanswered questions, but Liang Yi insisted they could not delay, especially since Madam Mi and Qiu Di had almost escaped, and Old Madam Qiu would undoubtedly become alert if Madam Mi did not return.
Although Liang Yi had a royal court meeting to attend, Qiu Yan was determined to go to Fengjing Prefecture herself, with Song Jin offering to accompany her. Before Liang Yi’s meeting, Official Qiu intercepted him, asking about Qiu Yan’s safety and whereabouts. Liang Yi assured him that Qiu Yan was safe at the Firewood Office and would convey any needs.
Official Qiu, while acknowledging Liang Yi’s care for his daughter, reminded him that his betrothal was with Qiu Min, not Qiu Yan, and urged him to consider Qiu Min more. An imperial eunuch then announced the cancellation of the morning court meeting, summoning Liang Yi to the Imperial Study. The Emperor questioned Liang Yi about the recent chaos at his future father-in-law’s home. Liang Yi explained Han's suspicious death and Qiu Yan’s independent investigation.
Yuan Lang then stepped forward, accusing Liang Yi of “abuse of power” for hiding Qiu Yan at the Firewood Office and mobilizing his men to investigate apothecaries and inns as if the office were his personal property. Liang Yi admitted his actions were driven by concern for his future mother-in-law's unclear demise, accepting any punishment.
The Emperor, taking into account Liang Yi's betrothal to the Qiu family, excused him but sternly warned him not to interfere further in the Qiu family’s affairs during the mourning period. The Emperor also instructed his eunuch to release Physician Li’s daughter, who had been taken by Liang Yi's men earlier. Meanwhile, at Fengjing Prefecture, Qiu Yan formally lodged her complaint. Old Madam Qiu and Official Qiu Yi were brought before the magistrate.
Old Madam Qiu admitted that she had ordered someone to take the red safflower. She explained that her Fourth Son had a history of stealing, prompting her to plant a maid in the Fourth Chamber. This maid discovered Madam Mi hiding red safflower and immediately informed Old Madam Qiu, who then had the maid steal it for safekeeping. Old Madam Qiu claimed she intended to address the matter with Madam Mi after Han’s funeral, but Qiu Yan’s actions had interfered.
Qiu Yan, however, strongly implied that Old Madam Qiu was the primary suspect. Old Madam Qiu vehemently dismissed the idea that red safflower could have killed Han, requesting cooking utensils to demonstrate. She showed the magistrate a large amount of red safflower, explaining that while a small dose could induce miscarriage, a fatal dose was so large that no sane person would willingly consume it.
She challenged anyone to drink such a concoction and stated a physician could confirm her words. Qiu Yan immediately countered, asking what if her mother had been forced to drink the poison. Official Qiu Yi interjected, stating that if his wife had been forcibly poisoned, she would have surely informed him before her death. He urged Qiu Yan to stop her relentless pursuit and return home, warning her not to further tarnish her mother's reputation.
Qiu Yan then called Physician Li Zhengyuan as her witness, asserting that he had personally told her that her mother’s body showed clear signs of red safflower poisoning, not an infectious disease, and that Old Madam Qiu had instructed him to fabricate the illness. Physician Li was summoned to testify, but to Qiu Yan’s shock, he denied ever saying Han died from red safflower poisoning or that Old Madam Qiu instructed him to lie.
He claimed Qiu Yan and Liang Yi had coerced and threatened him and his daughter into making a false statement. When asked to explain, Liang Yi reiterated his admission of mobilizing the Firewood Office men due to his concern for his future mother-in-law, accepting any punishment. The magistrate declared Qiu Yan’s complaint a false accusation, sentencing her to twenty floggings according to law. However, Old Madam Qiu and Official Qiu Yi interceded, pleading for mercy due to Qiu Yan’s grief.
The magistrate commuted her sentence to kneeling outside the Qiu Residence and reciting the Filial Piety Commandment one thousand times as a warning. At the Qiu Residence gate, Qin Xuan arrived, despite his mother’s feigned illness and attempts to stop him, to accompany Qiu Yan. He refused to leave, stating he would stay with her. Together, Qiu Yan and Qin Xuan knelt, loudly reciting the Filial Piety Commandment.
Qiu Min’s attendant remarked that Madam Liu, Qiu Yan’s birth mother, showed no affection for her daughter and deemed her a disgrace, even refusing to visit. She suggested Qiu Min plead with Official Qiu Yi. Qiu Min, however, noted it was a Fengjing Prefecture punishment, and her plea would be in vain. Qiu Yan continued reciting until she eventually collapsed from sheer exhaustion. Qin Xuan, Qiu Min, and Qingdai quickly carried her inside.
Qiu Yan drifted into a dream, where she saw Han bidding her farewell, urging her to take care of herself and not to be overly strong. She awoke to find Madam Liu, her birth mother, beside her. Madam Liu immediately chided Qiu Yan for causing such a public spectacle, causing shame and embarrassment. Qiu Yan defended her legitimate mother, Han, but Madam Liu retorted, asserting that Han was nothing special, even inferior to an ordinary woman.
When Qiu Yan forbade her from speaking ill of Han, Madam Liu angrily revealed that Han had been having an affair with a monk behind Official Qiu's back. Qiu Yan was stunned but then remembered seeing half of a jade pendant with Master Zhenyan, a detail that now chillingly connected with Madam Liu’s shocking revelation.
