The Autumn Ballad Episode 19 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Qiu Yan, having been forced into the Royal Academy despite her family's reputation being salvaged, decided to break off her relationship with Qin Xuan to avoid implicating him further. In a state of drunkenness, she mistook Liang Yi for Qin Xuan and poured out her heart, expressing deep regret. She confessed to using him as a "lifeline" and admitted her self-serving nature, stating that she dragged him into her troubles.
She claimed he was no longer her most important person and that she felt burdened and couldn't carry him along anymore, having many other people and important things to attend to. She also believed everyone, except her mother, hated her, considering herself a "jinx" and a "dead weight." Liang Yi, understanding her state, offered to help her to her room. As he did so, they accidentally shared a kiss, which Qiu Min witnessed.
Liang Yi then instructed Ms. Wang, the madam, to ensure Qiu Yan would not serve any other clients for the next month, handing over 100 taels in silver notes for her care. Ms. Wang readily agreed. News of Qiu Yan's new life at the Royal Academy quickly reached Marquis Yongming Residence. Qin Xuan heard that Qiu Yan had begun entertaining guests and that Liang Yi had spent a fortune booking her schedule.
Despite this, Qin Xuan steadfastly believed that Qiu Yan was acting under duress and that Liang Yi's intentions were noble, having booked her to protect her maidenhood rather than exploit her vulnerability. He expressed frustration at his inability to help her. Meanwhile, Qiu Min confronted Qiu Yan, bitterly congratulating her on Liang Yi spending 100 silver notes to book her.
Qiu Min accused Qiu Yan of being overly intimate with Liang Yi, completely forgetting Qin Xuan in a matter of days and never shedding a tear for him. Qiu Min condemned her as fickle-minded and questioned if she now had to cry for Qin Xuan every day. Qiu Min initially thought Qiu Yan's break-up with Qin Xuan was to protect him and her entertaining guests was a sacrifice for their family's survival, and that Liang Yi was protecting her maidenhood.
However, she now believed Qiu Yan was solely thinking of herself, discarding Qin Xuan when he was no longer useful and coveting Liang Yi's power and position. Qiu Yan, angered by the accusations, defiantly admitted that she indeed only planned for herself, stating that this wasn't the first time Qiu Min had known her, and confirmed her intention to "climb the social ladder and attach to the powerful," whether it was Liang Yi or Qin Xuan.
Qiu Min retorted that Qin Xuan deserved someone better. Liang Yi brought the wood supplier, Hu Wan, to the Firewood Office for interrogation regarding Official Qiu Yi's embezzlement case. Hu Wan initially refused to confess, claiming Official Yuan would not let Liang Yi off if he resorted to torture. However, Liang Yi explained his unconventional method: a silver needle, thin as hair, inserted into a specific point near the lungs.
This needle, carrying a slow-acting poison, would cause the lungs to gradually shrink over three days to the size of an infant's fist, leading to a sensation of drowning without leaving any external marks. Terrified, Hu Wan immediately confessed. He revealed that Official Lin Changzhi of the Ministry of Works had repeatedly demanded bribes for the imperial temple's wood supply, forcing Hu Wan to use subpar materials.
When Official Qiu Yi discovered the deception and demanded an audit, Official Yuan intervened. Yuan offered Hu Wan and Lin Changzhi a deal: accuse Official Qiu of embezzlement, and Yuan would plant the bribe money in the Qiu Residence, thus ensuring their safety. Meanwhile, Official Yuan, dining with another official, acknowledged that Hu Wan had been apprehended by the Firewood Office. He was fully aware that Hu Wan, being spineless, would confess everything under duress.
Yuan admitted that his intention was for Hu Wan to confess to Liang Yi. He explained that he had personally submitted the Qiu case to the Emperor for judgment. If Liang Yi were to use Hu Wan's confession to appeal the Qiu family's case, it would not only contradict Yuan but also imply that the Emperor had erred in his judgment, a truth the proud Emperor would never admit.
Yuan meticulously planned that if Liang Yi submitted Hu Wan's testimony, he would accuse Liang Yi of bribing Hu Wan, then have Hu Wan killed and frame Liang Yi for his murder, making it impossible for Liang Yi to clear his name before the Emperor. That evening, Qiu Yan learned that Official Lin Changzhi was hosting a lavish banquet at the Royal Academy.
Despite being booked by Liang Yi, she insisted on attending, claiming Liang Yi wouldn't know or wouldn't severely reprimand her. She approached Lin Changzhi and Yuan Lang, offering her services. While Lin Changzhi was initially dismissive, Yuan Lang, recognizing her, invited her in and revealed her identity as Official Qiu Yi's eldest daughter. Lin Changzhi feigned sympathy, offering to help her, but quickly became lecherous, demanding she call him "Brother Lin" and serve him to his satisfaction by drinking more.
Qiu Yan, attempting to gather information, proposed a drinking game: she would drink a cup for every interesting detail Lin Changzhi shared about the temple construction. She pressed him about the supplier of the valuable gold Nanmu logs, to which he began to mention "Hu. . ." before being interrupted. Suddenly, Liang Yi stormed into the room, confronting Lin Changzhi for his behavior towards Qiu Yan.
He asserted that Qiu Yan was "his woman" and demanded an explanation for Lin Changzhi's actions, despite Lin Changzhi claiming Qiu Yan had volunteered. Liang Yi, feigning anger but expressing genuine jealousy, pulled Qiu Yan away from the banquet. Qiu Yan, though initially protesting, questioned his possessiveness, pointing out that he had only booked her to protect her reputation as Qiu Min's elder sister, not because she was truly "his."
Liang Yi, however, hinted that his reasons might be deeper than merely protecting her as Qiu Min's sister. Qiu Yan played along, commenting that he performed his role very convincingly. As expected, Yuan Lang was observing their exchange from a distance. He concluded that Liang Yi's intense concern for Qiu Yan indicated genuine affection, not merely an extended care for Qiu Min's sister.
Yuan Lang reflected on Liang Yi's past actions, which, though seemingly cold, consistently protected the Qiu women, deducing that Liang Yi's true interest lay with Qiu Yan. He reasoned that while political marriages often prioritized legitimate daughters like Qiu Min, true affection knows no such boundaries. After they were alone, Liang Yi questioned Qiu Yan about her decision to serve Lin Changzhi and Yuan Lang, expressing disgust at her willingness to interact with those who framed her family.
He reminded her that he had booked her to ensure she and the other Qiu women lived comfortably without having to serve other clients. Qiu Yan admitted her actions were indeed distasteful but explained she was trying to extract information about her father's case from Lin Changzhi, claiming she was close to a breakthrough before Liang Yi intervened.
Liang Yi admonished her, calling her "foolish" and warning her that Lin Changzhi was a "sly fox" who would have exploited her without hesitation. Qiu Yan, frustrated, asked what else she could do, indicating her reluctance to remain a passive "caged bird" in the Royal Academy. Liang Yi reassured her that he would address her father's case but stressed the dangers of her acting alone.
Liang Yi then presented Qiu Yan with Hu Wan's signed confession, which detailed how Lin Changzhi and Yuan Lang had conspired to frame Official Qiu Yi. However, Liang Yi immediately burned the confession in front of Qiu Yan. He explained that the document was now useless because the Emperor had already concluded the case.
To reopen it and present new evidence would be to implicitly suggest that the Emperor had made a mistake or had been misled, something the proud and self-assured Emperor, despite his current focus on refining pills, would never tolerate. Liang Yi warned that an appeal would only be perceived as him being impartial or even colluding against the throne, which would implicate not only him but everyone involved.
He confirmed that Yuan Lang's scheme was formidable, as Yuan Lang intended to accuse Liang Yi of bribing Hu Wan, then murder Hu Wan and frame Liang Yi for the death, thereby ensuring Liang Yi could never clear his name before the Emperor. Liang Yi admitted there was "another way" to pursue justice, but it required "thorough planning."
When Qiu Yan, suspicious, suggested he was merely trying to keep her confined to the Royal Academy and prevent her from causing trouble, Liang Yi simply stated that he would visit her again tomorrow. After Liang Yi left, Qiu Yan, frustrated, internally called him a "blockhead" for always helping others achieve their goals at his own expense. Qiu Yan learned that Qiu Min had caught a cold and offered to arrange for a physician to see her.
To better care for her sister, Qiu Yan suggested Qiu Min move into the empty outer room of her greenhouse, ensuring privacy from the main chamber. However, Qiu Min, still holding grudges, flatly refused. She defiantly stated she found her current room cleaner than Qiu Yan's "dirty place" and would rather endure Madam Liu's scolding and physical abuse than compromise her maidenhood by stepping into such an establishment.
Qiu Yan, unable to express her true feelings, could only worry in silence. Meanwhile, Madam Liu proved to be a harsh guardian, constantly berating Qiu Min for being lazy and sickly, even accusing her of still acting like a pampered young lady from the Qiu Residence and being a "bottomless sinkhole." Despite Qiu Min's pleas of illness, Madam Liu ruthlessly forced her to go to the firewood room to fetch charcoal.
For several days, Liang Yi consistently sought out Qiu Yan whenever he visited the Royal Academy, much to the chagrin of Shi Xiaoxiao. One day, Shi Xiaoxiao attempted to draw Liang Yi's attention by offering to perform a new song for him. Qiu Yan, seeing this, immediately approached Liang Yi, displaying a bouquet of flowers she had received from other patrons. Liang Yi, feigning jealousy, questioned her for accepting gifts from others, suggesting she was deliberately provoking him.
Qiu Yan countered that as he wasn't always present, she still had to adhere to the Royal Academy's rules and perform. When he asked if she preferred him or the flowers, she quickly affirmed her preference for him. He then presented her with a beautiful jade necklace, a thank-you gift he had promised her long ago at Taiying Temple. Qiu Yan genuinely liked the gift, admitting her fondness for anything more valuable than rouge.
She then playfully asked if she looked better than Shi Xiaoxiao, to which Liang Yi declared her beauty unrivaled, even though Qiu Yan playfully critiqued his exaggerated praise. She then stated her intention to flaunt the necklace to others, solidifying the perception of Liang Yi's exclusive favor towards her. Later, other Qiu women, including Qiu Mei and Qiu Ying, warned Qiu Yan against continually provoking Shi Xiaoxiao, fearing that if Liang Yi's visits ceased, Shi Xiaoxiao would retaliate.
Qiu Yan, however, maintained that she had always shown Shi Xiaoxiao respect and that it was Shi Xiaoxiao who insisted on the rivalry. She vowed not to give Shi Xiaoxiao any opportunity for revenge. Qiu Yan checked on Qiu Min's health, learning that her condition hadn't improved much, though Madam Liu was tending to her. Despite Qiu Yan's concern, Qiu Min remained distant, refusing to talk to her sister.
Qiu Yan expressed her distrust of Madam Liu and asked Ms. Wang to keep a close eye on Qiu Min. Meanwhile, forced by Madam Liu to fetch charcoal, Qiu Min went alone to the remote firewood room. There, Wang Shun, observing her vulnerability, cornered her. He commented on her delicate hands, lamenting her difficult work, and then trapped her, explicitly stating that no one in the forecourt would hear her screams in the secluded rear yard.
Qiu Min, terrified, tried to escape, but she was trapped and helpless against him. Later that night, Qiu Min returned disoriented and broken, bitterly blaming Qiu Yan for her predicament. She contemplated taking her own life, first by cutting her wrist, then by submerging herself in a water tub.
As she began to drown, she suddenly recalled Qiu Yan's past words about her weakness and running from problems, urging her to change, to not be so meek, and to stop using helplessness as an excuse for fear. Remembering that she was no longer a pampered young lady and no one would cater to her, Qiu Min's will to live ignited. She resolved to transform herself, vowing to become stronger than her sister.
Shi Xiaoxiao, consumed by jealousy over Qiu Yan's favor with Liang Yi, orchestrated a harsh retaliation. She accused Qiu Yan's sisters, Qiu Mei and Qiu Ying, of deliberately sprinkling lily pollen on her bed, knowing her severe allergy, and claimed Qiu Yan had orchestrated the act. Despite Qiu Yan's attempt to reason that any defense would be futile against such accusations, Ms. Wang held Qiu Yan responsible as her sisters were under her care.
Shi Xiaoxiao, asserting her authority, demanded that Qiu Yan and her sisters be confined for half a month and banished to a desolate, unkempt yard in the northeastern corner of the Royal Academy, far from the forecourt. The Qiu women were forced into this dilapidated new living quarter, lamenting their return to hardship and blaming Qiu Yan for their predicament. Qiu Yan, however, calmly urged them to tidy the place. During this upheaval, Qiu Yan realized Qiu Min was missing.
Meanwhile, an informant reported to Yuan Lang about the quarrel between Qiu Yan and Shi Xiaoxiao, and Qiu Yan's banishment from the forecourt. Yuan Lang found the situation "interesting," especially noting that Liang Yi had left the capital for a business trip, leaving Qiu Yan exposed. With their new dire living conditions, Qiu Min, refusing to return to the "rickety place," desperately approached Ms. Wang, offering to serve guests by singing and reciting poems, but her plea was rejected. Wang Shun was seen speaking with Qiu Ying, who also seemed to be seeking a similar path, highlighting the dire circumstances the Qiu women now faced.
