The Autumn Ballad Episode 24 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
News arrived at the Firewood Office from the borders, informing Liang Yi that Qiu Yi had contracted a severe fever during his exile, and after four or five days, physicians saw no improvement. Recognizing the urgency, Liang Yi instructed Song Jin to keep this information from Qiu Yan, wishing not to add to her worries. Song Jin then inquired about the auspicious item, the immortal pearl from the Hongzhen Sutra, that they had been searching for.
They had previously found a large Eastpearl in Japan, but it was too fragile to be carved, and other stones like lapis lazuli and Amazonites were too common. Song Jin recalled the Night-luminescent Pearl, a family heirloom from Duke Lu's residence, suggesting its resemblance to the immortal pearl. Liang Yi, knowing the pearl was still with Gao Yang, emphasized their limited time, as Qiu Yi, a scholar, had a weak constitution and might not endure much longer.
Liang Yi then sought out Gao Yang, who questioned his presence. Liang Yi came to see how his old friend was doing, while Gao Yang, despite his family's destitution, stubbornly clung to the heirloom, claiming he had never harmed anyone and thus possessed his own blessings. Liang Yi, noting Gao Yang's poverty, questioned his steadfastness, offering to buy the pearl.
Gao Yang retorted that the honor of his clan could not be valued by money, asserting he had nothing left to lose and was unafraid of death. Liang Yi reminded Gao Yang that he had spared his life when he brought down Duke Lu for his father's murder, urging him not to self-destruct. Liang Yi presented him with a final chance to turn his fate around.
Gao Yang seized the opportunity, demanding that Liang Yi submit a memorial to His Majesty, vindicating his father. Liang Yi deemed this impossible, citing His Majesty's disposition and the matter being beyond his power, and again offered a monetary price. Gao Yang reiterated his lack of interest in money, insisting on the memorial. He specifically asked Liang Yi to write that the Gao family had aided him or had reformed, requesting His Majesty to restore their name and status.
Liang Yi expressed his difficulty with the request, to which Gao Yang replied with satisfaction, viewing it as karmic retribution. Gao Yang retorted that since Liang Yi had caused his family to be destroyed, he now wanted Liang Yi to personally elevate his father's killer and witness his immense suffering; otherwise, Liang Yi would not get even a fragment of the pearl. Later, at his father's memorial tablet, Liang Yi confessed his dilemma, asking if his father would blame him.
He recalled his vow to make Duke Lu pay with his life, ruin his reputation, and ensure the Gao family never recovered. He admitted he had no other recourse, emphasizing that Qiu Yan was of paramount importance to him, and this matter was equally crucial, just as avenging his father had been. He sadly acknowledged his unfilial act. Returning home heavily inebriated late that night, Liang Yi was helped by Qiu Yan, who expressed concern for his excessive drinking.
As he requested water, Qiu Yan searched for items to make a paper kite in a chest where he kept his childhood belongings. To her astonishment, she discovered that his "Collection of Odd Occurrences," a book she had loved as a child and wished had a complete ending, was his own work. Thrilled, she tried to share her discovery and her past connection to the book with him. However, Liang Yi reacted abruptly, feigning hunger and demanding food.
While Qiu Yan went to the kitchen, Liang Yi, in a fit of emotion, tore up the manuscript pages. Upon her return, she found him unconscious on the bed and the scattered, mutilated papers. Despite their damaged state, Qiu Yan treasured them, staying up late to meticulously piece them back together. Meanwhile, Qiu Min, fully aware she could not displace Qiu Yan in Qin Xuan's affections, crafted a manipulative farewell letter.
In it, she claimed she would hide away forever, believing herself to be his disgrace, yet cherishing the memory of their night together as the "best night of her life." She reiterated her promise not to interfere between him and Qiu Yan, stating it was no longer appropriate for her to stay now that Qiu Yan was alive. She hoped Qin Xuan would soon forget her to avoid hating her.
Reading the letter, Qin Xuan was overcome with remorse, wanting to find her. However, his attendant advised against it, explaining that without any clues and with Qiu Min actively hiding, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Qin Xuan despaired, lamenting his failure to both Qiu Yan and Qiu Min, acknowledging Liang Yi's prior assessment that he was "not a man." Qiu Min, having orchestrated her dramatic departure, returned to Guangji Hall.
Her mother, Madam Liu, had been worried. Madam Liu immediately began scolding Qiu Min for her previous actions, particularly for causing Qiu Yan to risk her safety searching for her. Madam Liu contrasted Qiu Yan's success in becoming a concubine at the marquis's residence with Qiu Min's "shameful" return. Qiu Min apologized and offered to immediately begin working. Qiu Yan's mother, addressing Madam Liu as "First Sister-in-law," suggested helping Qiu Min with the chores.
Madam Liu quickly dismissed the idea, advising against being kind to Qiu Min, as there was nothing to gain from it, unlike Qiu Yan, who could look after them from the Marquis's residence. Qiu Yan and Madam Jin enjoyed a pleasant afternoon, with Madam Jin patiently teaching Qiu Yan to fly a soft-winged paper kite. Qiu Yan, delighted by the experience, expressed her desire to learn how to make hard-winged and long-string kites.
During their time together, Qiu Yan brought up Liang Yi's "Collection of Odd Occurrences," mentioning her childhood fondness for it and her disappointment at its unfinished state. Madam Jin confirmed that Liang Yi was indeed the author, but explained that his character had drastically changed after his father's death six years prior.
She recounted how Duke Lu, in an act of calculated malice during a hunt with His Majesty, pretended to accidentally shoot the old marquis's steed, leading to the marquis's death from severe blood loss and fever. Following this tragedy, Liang Yi vowed vengeance, putting away all his beloved possessions, including his writings. Madam Jin noted that Liang Yi had indeed achieved his revenge, as Duke Lu was eventually exiled and died.
She revealed that the late marquis had left a letter for Liang Yi, specifically instructing him not to seek revenge, and expressed her sadness that Liang Yi stubbornly kept his feelings to himself, admitting her failure as a mother. Qiu Yan reassured Madam Jin of Liang Yi's deep respect for her. Madam Jin confided that she only began to see a flicker of humanity in Liang Yi when he decided to take Qiu Yan as his concubine.
She confessed her initial approval was due to her desire for him to marry and continue the family line, but now she understood why he valued Qiu Yan so deeply. She then asked Qiu Yan if she would always remain by Liang Yi's side, and Qiu Yan readily affirmed that she would. That same night, Liang Yi completed the memorial to His Majesty.
The memorial eloquently detailed his recent capture of bandits from Northern Liang and highlighted the full assistance and significant contribution of Gao Yang and his clan during the operation. Liang Yi implored His Majesty to consider Gao Yang's loyalty and status as a descendant of the Grand Princess's clan, requesting that he be allowed to redeem himself and have his family's name and status restored as a testament to His Majesty's benevolence.
Following this, Liang Yi instructed a skilled craftsman to create the illusion of an ascending immortal within the Night-luminescent Pearl as he had envisioned. He then personally handed the finished pearl to General He, requesting him to present it to His Majesty. General He praised Liang Yi's painstaking efforts for the Qiu family.
Liang Yi explained that having sought out the Qiu family himself, he could not abandon them now that they faced adversity, as it would be perceived as cold-blooded and would lose the support of others. General He acknowledged this, drawing a parallel to how Liang Yi had previously approached him to successfully implement anti-corruption measures within the military, which involved removing incapable noble sons and replacing them with capable individuals, thereby boosting morale.
General He conceded that he was effectively "tied to Liang Yi's boat" in these endeavors. Later, Madam Jin arranged an opera performance and invited Liang Yi to watch it with her. He initially hesitated due to official duties, but she insisted, reminding him how long it had been since they last enjoyed a play together. The performance depicted a character named Murong Yuyan, a prefect from Liang Yi's "Collection of Odd Occurrences," judging a corrupt official.
Afterward, Liang Yi remarked that Qiu Yan's self-choreographed play was more interesting than others. Qiu Yan, pleased, then asked him how her performance was, to which he gave a modest "all right." She eagerly asked him to include her pen name when the "Collection of Odd Occurrences" was reprinted, expressing her excitement at choosing a memorable name. She then pressed him for his honest opinion of the book, having read many similar works.
Qiu Yan praised the book, stating it was unlike others, as it subtly portrayed Murong Yuyan's ambitions and ideals, revealing a "burning fire" in the author's heart. Liang Yi, however, confessed that he was not as noble as she perceived, nor as virtuous as his written characters. He admitted that his actions were always driven by purpose, such as approaching the He family for military and political reforms, and initially seeking to marry Qiu Min for her father's support.
He apologized, acknowledging that his ambitions had inadvertently brought trouble to her father and the entire Qiu family. Qiu Yan dismissed his self-reproach, attributing his harsh self-criticism to momentary anger and calling it overly opinionated. She reminded him that even the wisest individuals make mistakes, and that she herself had nowhere to vent her own anger at the time.
Liang Yi confided that in his six years at the Firewood Office, he had not had a single peaceful night's sleep, constantly questioning the righteousness of his actions. Qiu Yan assured him that, regarding the Qiu family's predicament, her father had not been coerced, so he had no reason to feel guilt or self-blame. She reminded him of his own words: "What do the sun and moon care about a few floating clouds?
What are a few setbacks and hardships when you achieve great things?" She concluded by telling him that they were all ordinary people, incapable of perfection, but could strive to do their best and live without regrets. Qiu Yan then repeated her question about her performance, and Liang Yi responded with a genuine, "It was very good." General He personally entered the palace to present the pearl to His Majesty.
He explained that his eldest son, while patrolling the northern borders, had chanced upon this extraordinary Night-luminescent Pearl. General He described it as a rare find, even more remarkable for the faintly discernible image of a flying deity and naturally formed cloud patterns within it. The Grand Preceptor then elaborated on its significance, linking the pearl to the "Dengxian Pearl" mentioned in the Hongzhen Sutra.
He explained that the immortal Hongzhen, after comprehending the truths of existence during his pilgrimage, was sensed by the Empyrean Fairy and ascended to heaven. Before his ascension, he condensed his years of cultivation into this immortal pearl, leaving it in the mortal realm.
The Grand Preceptor further stated that while the sutra did not describe the pearl's appearance, it did mention that when a fated person obtained it, the Empyrean Fairy would sense it and reincarnate as the purest virgin in the mortal realm to cleanse the pearl of mundane impurities. Daily worship of the consecrated pearl would grant longevity.
Liang Yi, in an internal monologue, confirmed his plan: he had Song Jin find a skilled craftsman to create the illusion of an ascending immortal within the pearl, and General He's eldest son, being stationed at the northern border, presenting it would seem logical. He was confident that His Majesty, who devoutly studied the Hongzhen Sutra, would connect the pearl to the Dengxian Pearl, thus initiating a search for the reincarnated Empyrean Fairy.
The Grand Preceptor then conversed with a palace eunuch, acknowledging that the Hongzhen Sect was inherently mystical, but noting that those in power perpetually craved eternal life. He implied that he and the Hongzhen Sect appealed to His Majesty's desire for longevity, and despite the eunuch's implied skepticism, he had no reason to disbelieve the auspicious sign given His Majesty's advanced age and illnesses, anticipating it would be a great boon for the Hongzhen Sect.
His Majesty, greatly pleased, hailed it as joyous news, believing his years of sincerity had finally moved Immortal Hongzhen. The Grand Preceptor confirmed that the Dengxian Pearl should appear alongside the reincarnated Empyrean Fairy, whose consecration would ensure His Majesty's health and longevity. When His Majesty inquired about the Empyrean Fairy's whereabouts, the Grand Preceptor described her: the purest virgin, untainted, associated with water, dressed in white, and appearing near water.
He then presented a fortune-telling paper, indicating the exact location where the Empyrean Fairy would appear. His Majesty immediately summoned Imperial Commander Yan, entrusting him with the crucial task of finding this person. The Grand Preceptor stressed the immense importance and secrecy of the matter, instructing Imperial Commander Yan to involve only his most trusted subordinates and reveal nothing to others. Imperial Commander Yan dutifully accepted the task. His Majesty, eager for her arrival, asked when she would be found.
The Grand Preceptor advised him to continue his cultivation, assuring him that sincerity would lead the Empyrean Fairy to sense his presence. After the Grand Preceptor departed to continue his concoctions, he privately discussed with a palace eunuch the possibility of His Majesty failing to find the Empyrean Fairy, remarking that they would simply attribute it to His Majesty's lack of sincerity and offer words of comfort.
Qiu Yan, understanding Liang Yi's strategic plan, agreed that placing the "Empyrean Fairy" at the Grand Preceptor's predicted location would secure His Majesty's trust. The immediate challenge was to ascertain the specifics of Imperial Commander Yan's movements. Liang Yi assigned Shi Xiaoxiao the task of approaching Imperial Commander Yan to extract information about his future operations. He promised to redeem her from the Royal Academy after the mission, allowing her to find a suitable partner and settle down.
Shi Xiaoxiao, who harbored feelings for Liang Yi, questioned if her services were no longer needed. Liang Yi explained that the Firewood Office was thriving, and she deserved a peaceful life after years of hard work. Shi Xiaoxiao, however, called him a liar, pointing out that Yuan Lang's Main Administrative Office was currently targeting him, making it a dangerous time for her to leave, especially as she was the Firewood Office's best informant.
She then implied that Liang Yi's desire to redeem her was related to his affection for Qiu Yan. Liang Yi stated that regardless of her willingness to take the assignment, he would ensure her redemption. Shi Xiaoxiao, however, agreed to complete the task but adamantly refused redemption, declaring that the Royal Academy had become her home over the past three years. She then left to fetch refreshments for Liang Yi.
Shi Xiaoxiao infiltrated the military camp, skillfully serving Imperial Commander Yan at a gathering. Imperial Commander Yan, emboldened by drink and in high spirits, confided in Shi Xiaoxiao that he had received an unprecedented and crucial mission, promising a great reward upon its completion. Though bound by military discipline from revealing the person he was to find, he hinted at the details when pressed by Shi Xiaoxiao.
Shortly after, Liang Yi received a cryptic note from Shi Xiaoxiao containing only a list of items: "Luggage, one straw raincoat, one pair of wooden clogs to wade." Song Jin noted the lack of specific directions. Liang Yi, understanding that Imperial Commander Yan was too trusted to explicitly divulge classified information, deduced that Shi Xiaoxiao had conveyed all she could by listing the items prepared for his journey.
Liang Yi and Qiu Yan then analyzed the list, connecting it to the Hongzhen Sutra's mention of the Empyrean Fairy appearing by water. They reasoned that a raincoat, while unusual during a summer drought, would be needed for the unique topography of Huilong Mountain in the west, which frequently experienced sudden rain showers. Song Jin confirmed the presence of the Jinxian Spring in that area, though it spanned tens of miles.
The mention of wooden clogs suggested passing through shallow water, leading them to pinpoint the specific location as the upstream spring cave, where the water was shallow and required wading. Song Jin memorized the precise location. Liang Yi then took Song Jin to meet the Qiu women at Guangji Hall.
He had initially intended for Qiu Mei to portray the Empyrean Fairy, but during a rehearsal of her imperial greeting, Qiu Mei became visibly nervous and stuttered badly, making it clear to the other Qiu women that she was incapable of such a deception. As the women despaired, Qiu Min bravely volunteered, asserting that she had already memorized the lines from listening to Qiu Mei practice.
She argued that as a legitimate daughter, she had a duty to contribute to this crucial effort to save their father. However, Qiu Yan immediately refused, stating that Qiu Min's timid and soft-natured disposition made her unsuitable for facing His Majesty. Another woman commented that Qiu Min's delicate nature and frail health made her unsuitable for facing His Majesty.
The Qiu women then discussed the immense risks involved, emphasizing that deceiving His Majesty could lead to the execution of their entire family, a fate far worse than mere exile. They questioned whether they, as women, could succeed where even the family's men had failed, expressing their fear of death.
Ultimately, some advised Qiu Yan to simply remain safe at the Marquis's residence as the young madam and occasionally send money, suggesting that would be enough to show her concern for the family.
