The Autumn Ballad Episode 23 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Liang Yi initiated the first step of his plan by hosting a grand banquet under the name of his new concubine, Su Yiwan. Many guests, including Meng Yu, the eldest son of Earl Yongyi, attended, drawn by the pervasive rumors surrounding Liang Yi and Qiu Yan and their curiosity about the woman who had captivated Liang Yi. Upon seeing Liang Yi with Su Yiwan, Meng Yu immediately identified her as Qiu Yan.
Liang Yi clarified that Su Yiwan merely looked like Qiu Yan, a fact he himself had initially confused. Despite his explanation, the guests remained skeptical, finding it too coincidental for Liang Yi to encounter two individuals with such similar appearances. Seeing the persistent doubt, Liang Yi confessed that he had indeed taken Su Yiwan as his concubine because of her resemblance to Qiu Yan.
He then recounted his past desire to marry a noble daughter but revealed that he had come to find Qiu Yan more captivating than her younger sister, Qiu Min, during their time at the Imperial Entertainment Bureau. He sadly added that both Qiu sisters had drowned while attempting to escape from the Imperial Entertainment Bureau.
He claimed that encountering Su Yiwan, who bore such a strong resemblance to Qiu Yan, felt like destiny, prompting him to bring her into his residence. " Su Yiwan," who was Qiu Yan in disguise, expressed her sorrow at being treated merely as a shadow of another. Liang Yi, however, reassured her, stating that after spending time with her, he found "Su Yiwan" to be more charming, making Qiu Yan the true shadow.
Qiu Yan, in character, playfully chided him for keeping secrets, to which Liang Yi admitted he liked her jealousy. Following guests' suggestion, "Su Yiwan" performed a zither piece, "Longing." Yuan Lang praised her exceptional zither skills but subtly implied that her rapid mastery of an instrument she supposedly knew nothing about just days prior was suspicious and proved nothing.
Meng Yu, while acknowledging the facial similarity between "Su Yiwan" and Qiu Yan, found "Su Yiwan" much more interesting, even jokingly asking Liang Yi to find him a similar companion for himself. Still unconvinced, Yuan Lang announced he knew an old patron of Su Yiwan who fondly remembered her, suggesting that this person's identification would settle the matter. Liang Yi initially resisted, insisting that "Wan'er's" past was severed, and accused Yuan Lang of trying to ruin his wedding day.
However, urged by other guests and Yuan Lang's argument that it would dispel all rumors, Liang Yi agreed to let the man in. The person brought in was Yao Gai, a gambler Liang Yi and Qiu Yan had previously helped. Earlier, Liang Yi and Qiu Yan had discussed how to counter Yuan Lang's investigation.
Qiu Yan suggested they use Song Luo to feed Yuan Lang a false lead, then employ a trustworthy individual with a clean background to act as a false witness to confirm Su Yiwan's identity. She proposed Yao Gai, recalling his gratitude despite his gambling habits, assuring Liang Yi that not all gamblers were greedy. Liang Yi had given Yao Gai money and promised protection from the Firewood Office, securing his cooperation.
Yao Gai, upon seeing "Su Yiwan," feigned an emotional reunion, dramatically confirming "she is Su Yiwan," claiming he would recognize her even if she were "burned to a cinder." Liang Yi feigned outrage at Yao Gai's "disrespect," declaring Yao Gai had offended him, and ordered Song Jin to take the gambler to the Firewood Office for punishment.
Yuan Lang attempted to argue that Yao Gai was a mere unreliable vagrant, but Liang Yi cut him off, accusing Yuan Lang of trying to spoil his banquet and threatening consequences if he continued to question "Su Yiwan's" identity. Unfazed, Yuan Lang asserted his duty to investigate the Qiu family's suspicious deaths and Liang Yi's involvement in the scandal.
He then revealed that Su Yiwan's old family had reported a distinctive willow-leaf-shaped burn scar on her back, stating that if "Su Yiwan" lacked this mark, she must be Qiu Yan. Liang Yi expressed hesitation about such a personal examination in public. Yuan Lang suggested that the noblewomen and their servants could conduct the verification privately behind a screen.
However, "Su Yiwan" (Qiu Yan) insisted on an immediate examination behind the screen, claiming she had "no luxury of pride and honor." Skeptical of the Firewood Office's known disguise techniques, Yuan Lang produced a "disguise solvent" from the Main Administrative Office, claiming it could dissolve any fake scars. He demanded "Su Yiwan" apply it to her scar in front of the female guests. Liang Yi vehemently protested, accusing Yuan Lang of going too far.
At this point, Madam Jin, Liang Yi's mother, intervened. She acknowledged Yuan Lang's duty as an inspector and firmly stated that if Su Yiwan proved to be a criminal's daughter, she herself would be the first to turn her over to the authorities. Madam Jin then personally applied Yuan Lang's solvent to "Su Yiwan's" back behind the screen, with Song Luo also present as a witness.
After verifying the scar remained unchanged, Madam Jin confronted Yuan Lang, asking if he had any more doubts and demanding he publicly clear "Su Yiwan's" name. Defeated, Yuan Lang made a hasty excuse and departed from the residence. After the guests dispersed, Liang Yi questioned Qiu Yan on how she managed to fool Song Luo during the scar examination. Qiu Yan clarified that she hadn't fooled anyone, as a fake scar would have been easily exposed by Yuan Lang's solvent.
She revealed that she had intentionally burned herself with charcoal to create a real scar, ensuring her disguise was foolproof. Liang Yi was deeply upset by her self-inflicted injury and chastised her, warning of severe health consequences even with medicine. Qiu Yan, seeing his anger, redirected the conversation by asking him to teach her self-defense, hoping to protect herself and avoid being a burden in the future. Liang Yi, still concerned but seemingly swayed, agreed to her request.
Unexpectedly, Qin Xuan arrived at the residence. Liang Yi introduced him to "Su Yiwan," who greeted Qin Xuan. Other guests commented on Qin Xuan's past devotion to Qiu Yan and how "Su Yiwan" looked identical to her. Qin Xuan, visibly stunned, observed from a distance, drinking alone, as guests encouraged Liang Yi and "Su Yiwan" to drink cross-cupped wine for a lasting marriage.
Qin Xuan interrupted, taking the cups himself to "demonstrate" the correct way, forcing Liang Yi and "Su Yiwan" to drink, his gaze fixed on "Su Yiwan." When Qin Xuan referred to "Qiu Yan," Liang Yi corrected him, stating "you've mistaken the person." Another guest tried to rationalize Qin Xuan's mistake, attributing it to his heartbreak over losing Qiu Yan.
Qin Xuan then rejected a collective toast, instead confronting Liang Yi directly, demanding to know why he had hidden his wedding from him, feeling betrayed as a friend. Liang Yi tried to dismiss it as Qin Xuan being drunk. Qin Xuan then asked "Su Yiwan" if she did not wish to see him. Another guest suggested Qin Xuan's heart belonged to Qiu Yan, and "fate" had merely sent an identical woman to Liang Yi.
Qin Xuan was eventually led away by another guest. Before leaving, Qin Xuan offered three distinct toasts: first, wishing Liang Yi and "Su Yiwan" a harmonious marriage; second, honoring his long-standing friendship with Liang Yi, emphasizing their mutual trust in times of crisis; and third, which "Su Yiwan" (Qiu Yan) took, acknowledging Qin Xuan's past affection for Qiu Yan and thanking him for attending despite the circumstances. Qin Xuan then abruptly left the banquet.
Outside, a heavily intoxicated Qin Xuan, stumbling, was helped by Song Jin. In his drunken state, he emotionally declared that "you're alive, that's the greatest thing in the world" to "Su Yiwan" (Qiu Yan), reaching out to embrace her. Song Jin intervened, stating Qin Xuan was mistaken, and helped him into a carriage where Qiu Min was waiting to take him away. Qiu Yan observed this scene from a distance.
The next morning, Liang Yi began teaching Qiu Yan martial arts. During their training, Qin Xuan suddenly appeared, demanding to speak with Liang Yi. Song Jin attempted to stop him, but Liang Yi permitted it. Qin Xuan confronted Liang Yi, questioning why he had planned Qiu Yan's rescue without informing him, excluded him from all plans concerning the Qiu family, and even concealed Qiu Yan's survival.
He initially assumed Liang Yi acted to protect him but then pressed further, asking why Liang Yi felt it necessary to take Qiu Yan as a concubine. Liang Yi corrected him, stating he didn't save Qiu Yan for Qin Xuan's sake. He confessed that he devised plans for her, risked his life for her, and even saved her family, all "because he likes her."
Qin Xuan was stunned, recalling Liang Yi's past efforts to thwart his relationship with Qiu Yan, suspecting Liang Yi harbored feelings for her even then and had deliberately interfered. Liang Yi admitted he initially viewed Qiu Yan as opportunistic but couldn't pinpoint when his feelings changed, only that he found himself yearning to see her, to engage in witty arguments, and to hear her insightful analyses of cases.
Qin Xuan accused Liang Yi of taking advantage of the situation and acting despicably, reminding him that "a gentleman does not steal another's beloved." Liang Yi boldly retorted that he was "never a good man" and would abandon any semblance of righteousness for Qiu Yan, challenging Qin Xuan to fight for her if he dared.
Liang Yi then revealed that he had been monitoring Qin Xuan and Qiu Min's movements, implying knowledge of their intimate relationship, and confirmed that Qiu Yan was aware of it too. Horrified, Qin Xuan tried to rush off to explain himself to Qiu Yan. Liang Yi blocked his path, stating there was nothing to explain and that Qin Xuan, as a man, should "own his mistake." Enraged, Qin Xuan drew his sword and lunged at Liang Yi.
Liang Yi stood his ground, making no attempt to dodge. Qin Xuan, taken aback, lowered his sword and, in a daze, stumbled out of the residence. That night, Liang Yi led Qiu Yan, blindfolded, to a rooftop. She quickly deduced they were there to release sky lanterns, a detail she had shown interest in after a previous case, and which also symbolized the scene of their first significant meeting after growing up.
As they lit and released the lanterns into the night sky, Qiu Yan was delighted. They each wrote a wish on a sky lantern without peeking at each other's. Qiu Yan's wish was related to her family's well-being. Liang Yi's lantern, which he had secretly prepared, was inscribed with the words, "May Qiu Yan be free from all perils and harms." Seeing his message, Qiu Yan was deeply touched. From a distance, Madam Jin observed the young couple, a gentle smile of contentment gracing her face, seeing her son appear genuinely happy after a long time.
