The Autumn Ballad Episode 18 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Liang Yi arrived early at the Royal Academy, bringing a gift of rouge for Shi Xiaoxiao. Qiu Yan observed his uncharacteristically tender demeanor towards Shi Xiaoxiao, a stark contrast to his usual coldness when handling cases, which gave her a new perception of him. Liang Yi then asked for refined dishes, indicating he hadn't eaten yet. Later, Qiu Yan prepared a nourishing soup for Liang Yi.
He deliberately complained that it tasted bad and insisted Qiu Yan taste it herself, then commanded her to drink it all. Qiu Yan initially didn't understand his intentions until Shi Xiaoxiao subtly explained that Liang Yi was likely showing his concern for her hard work. Ms. Wang informed Shi Xiaoxiao that Qiu Di from the Main Administrative Office specifically requested her company.
Despite Shi Xiaoxiao's initial reluctance to interrupt her meal with Liang Yi, Ms. Wang explained the potential criticism if she turned down such an important guest. Recognizing Qiu Di as the man with a mole on his chin, Liang Yi told Qiu Yan to leave and gave Shi Xiaoxiao a brocade box, implying she could use it to decline intimacy.
Qiu Yan then encountered a drunken Qiu Di, who brazenly admitted he was no longer a criminal but a "key witness." He revealed that he would write any testimony Official Yuan (Yuan Lang) desired, as long as he was entertained. Qiu Yan confronted him about his betrayal, reminding him of the Qiu family's decade-long kindness. Qiu Di, however, expressed his long-held desire to escape the Qiu family and his current burden to lead them once Second Uncle was incriminated.
As Shi Xiaoxiao led Qiu Di away, Qiu Yan confided in Liang Yi, expressing her searing hatred and helplessness at seeing her enemy enjoy himself, a feeling that tore at her heart. Liang Yi acknowledged that Qiu Di was also his enemy. The next evening, Qiu Di, having been gifted an incense pellet by Shi Xiaoxiao, left happily, promising to return. He lit the incense pellet in his room that night and soon suffocated to death.
Yuan Lang arrived to investigate, and the coroner reported no signs of forced entry, external wounds, or poisoning, concluding Qiu Di died of an asthma attack. Yuan Lang, though suspecting foul play from someone within the Royal Academy, admitted he couldn't act against them. He bemoaned Qiu Di's death, as it foiled his plan to use him to frame Liang Yi and have the Emperor punish him.
He revealed that all male members of the Qiu family had already been exiled to Gannan. Liang Yi, angered by Yuan Lang's relentless pursuit, initiated a plan to redeem the Qiu women. He considered Qin Xuan, but acknowledged Qin Xuan lacked the authority to act independently. General He was also not an option as his wife was bedridden after Qiu Yan's annulment. Liang Yi realized he couldn't directly involve anyone too close to him, lest Yuan Lang find leverage.
He needed a few days to find a suitable person. Meanwhile, Yuan Lang, having observed Liang Yi's recent contacts with officials, deduced Liang Yi's true motive during the raid on the Qiu residence. He realized Liang Yi had appeared ruthless, sending the Qiu women to the Royal Academy, but only to protect their innocence. Determined to thwart Liang Yi, Yuan Lang decided to pressure the Royal Academy and summoned Ms. Wang.
During a lightning storm that night, Madam Liu burdened Qiu Min with all the heavy chores. Qiu Min, typically meek, accepted it, believing Madam Liu cared for her. Qiu Yan, witnessing Qiu Min's fear and timidness, refused to help her, hoping her sister would learn to stand on her own feet and stop deceiving herself. She stressed that Qiu Min could not rely on others forever.
The following morning, while Qiu Yan was accompanying Shi Xiaoxiao to the Marquis Yongming Residence to deliver pear soup, she unexpectedly encountered Qin Xuan. He confessed he had scaled the wall just to see her, despite his mother's objections, and reiterated his unwavering love, accepting her new circumstances.
However, Qiu Yan, resolute in her decision, coldly rejected him, stating she now met many high-ranking officials and would use her cunning to select a suitable man, just as she had "calculated" him in the past. She urged him not to worry, as she was doing well and would do even better. Liang Yi observed their strained interaction from a distance. During the performance, Young Master Meng attempted to harass Shi Xiaoxiao, but Qiu Yan intervened, stopping him.
Enraged, Meng Yu turned his aggression towards Qiu Yan, but Liang Yi arrived just in time to stop him, prompting Meng Yu to angrily retreat due to Liang Yi's authority. Liang Yi then questioned Qiu Yan's actions, advising her to endure such situations as a maid rather than provoking trouble.
Later, Ms. Wang gathered the Qiu women to announce the final verdict on the Qiu family's case: Qiu Yi was convicted of embezzlement, and all Qiu men were exiled to Gannan. Furthermore, due to Qiu Yan's previous defiance at the Marquis Yongming Residence where she injured Young Master Meng, all Qiu women were permanently registered in the Royal Academy and could not be redeemed until death. This devastating news crushed their hopes.
Meanwhile, Shi Xiaoxiao felt unwell and couldn't perform, and other girls were unavailable. Qiu Yan, seeking a way out, volunteered to take the stage and tell a story titled "The Vermilion Bird Saves Its Master," about a celestial being who descended to the mortal realm and promised to aid those who called upon him in need.
Her storytelling captivated the guests, prompting Ms. Wang to immediately order Wang Shun to prepare a nameplate for Qiu Yan, allowing her to officially receive guests. News of Qiu Yan's new role quickly reached both Liang Yi and Yuan Lang. Both men promptly arrived at the Royal Academy, vying for her attention. Ms. Wang explained that Qiu Yan had voluntarily put up her nameplate due to her captivating storytelling.
Yuan Lang, initially asserting his claim by noting Qiu Yan's familial connection to Liang Yi, intended to use her to expose Liang Yi's alleged care for the Qiu family. However, Liang Yi quickly seized Qiu Yan's nameplate, preventing her from being claimed by Yuan Lang. Yuan Lang, not wishing to argue further, gracefully conceded, sending a jar of Chunhui wine as a congratulatory gift to Liang Yi.
Inside their room, Qiu Yan and Liang Yi deliberately engaged in a fabricated display of intimacy to deceive Yuan Lang, who was listening outside. Yuan Lang's subordinate reported a vague scene, leading Yuan Lang to mistakenly believe Liang Yi's actions were driven by a desire to protect Qiu Yan's purity, hoping to catch them red-handed if they attempted to escape later. After Yuan Lang departed, Liang Yi and Qiu Yan drank the Chunhui wine in the courtyard.
Liang Yi, observing Qiu Yan's troubled expression, inquired if there was another reason behind her mother's death. Under Liang Yi's compassionate gaze, Qiu Yan confided in him about a secret shared by the Qiu Old Madam and showed him a thumb ring, signifying her new responsibility as the eldest daughter of the Qiu family. She expressed her deep hatred for Yuan Lang and the Emperor, feeling they were responsible for her family's downfall.
However, she also revealed that she had initially felt immense hatred for Liang Yi, believing he was the reason Yuan Lang targeted her family, but ultimately understood that the Qiu family was merely collateral damage in his ongoing struggle with Yuan Lang. Liang Yi, expressing his sincere apology, promised to bring justice to her family.
