The Autumn Ballad Episode 25 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
The atmosphere in Guangji Hall was heavy with despair, but Qiu Yan, steadfast in her resolve, publicly displayed Old Madam's jade thumb ring. The Qiu women recognized it instantly, understanding that the late Old Madam had entrusted it to Qiu Yan as a symbol of hope and a mandate to lead them through their hardship, envisioning a day when the Qiu family would rise again. Inspired by Qiu Yan's conviction, their spirits were rekindled.
Qiu Yan then expressed her confidence in Qiu Mei, believing her to be the most educated and elegant, perfectly suited for an imperial audience. Meanwhile, Yuan Lang harbored deep suspicions about Liang Yi's recent actions, particularly how Liang Yi had avenged his late father against Duke Lu years ago, only to now praise Duke Lu's son. He speculated that Liang Yi and his allies were orchestrating something grand.
Yuan Lang believed the He family's sudden offering of the Dengxian Pearl was a calculated move, propelling them to prominence. He theorized that if they had the pearl, they must also have an Empyrean Fairy prepared to legitimize it. Knowing that Imperial Commander Yan was set to search for this fairy, Yuan Lang ordered his subordinates to apprehend Qingdai and Xiuyu, two former servants of the Qiu family, to "erase the problem" and foil Liang Yi's presumed plan.
As preparations for the imperial audience commenced, Qiu Mei diligently rehearsed her role as the Empyrean Fairy. Qiu Min, however, harbored her own agenda. She offered Qiu Mei a cup of tea, subtly laced with a substance that caused Qiu Mei to suffer severe stomach pains just as they were nearing Jinxian Spring, the designated meeting point. Qiu Mei collapsed, distraught and unable to proceed, lamenting that she was once again a burden to the family.
With time pressing, Qiu Min quickly volunteered to take her sister's place, asserting that there was no time to find another substitute. She urged Song Jin to take Qiu Mei back while she would follow the map to the spring. Song Jin, understanding the urgency, agreed. Upon learning of the sudden change, Liang Yi expressed concern about Qiu Min's suitability for the role, given the requirement of a virgin fairy.
Qiu Min bravely faced the Emperor, identifying herself as Qiu Yi's daughter, which initially shocked both His Majesty and Imperial Commander Yan, who believed all Qiu women had perished. Undeterred, Qiu Min spun a compelling tale of surviving a boat disaster and being divinely chosen to consecrate an auspicious item for the Emperor's longevity, presenting herself as the true Empyrean Fairy. Overjoyed by this divine blessing, the Emperor declared a grand amnesty, pardoning all criminals except traitors and murderers.
Liang Yi, elated by the news of the general amnesty, rushed back to his residence to share it with Qiu Yan, only to find her gone. He discovered a letter from Yuan Lang and realized the perilous situation Qiu Yan was in. He immediately ordered his men to locate a maid he suspected was Yuan Lang's informant within his own household, intending to force her to reveal Yuan Lang's hideout.
Meanwhile, Qiu Yan, following Yuan Lang's instructions from the letter, was led to a remote location outside the capital, where Yuan Lang had also brought Qingdai and Xiuyu. Qiu Yan bravely confronted Yuan Lang, demanding the release of the two innocent maids. Yuan Lang, acknowledging her sense of loyalty, released Qingdai and Xiuyu. As Qiu Yan then defiantly maintained her new identity as Su Yiwan, Yuan Lang, frustrated by her unyielding spirit, ordered his men to begin torturing her.
He tried to coerce her with promises of protecting Liang Yi and the Qiu family, but Qiu Yan merely mocked him, deriding him as a pathetic schemer who, despite three years of plotting, still could not outwit Liang Yi and resorted to bullying a defenseless woman. Enraged, Yuan Lang ordered a subordinate to prepare a dagger designed to permanently sever her tendons. Just as the blade was poised, Liang Yi burst in with his men, subduing Yuan Lang.
Seeing Qiu Yan's injuries, Liang Yi was overcome with a murderous rage, but Song Jin intervened, reminding him that killing a government official would invalidate Qiu Yan's ordeal. Liang Yi, restraining himself, delivered a powerful punch to Yuan Lang and then tenderly carried the injured Qiu Yan away. A physician assured Liang Yi that Qiu Yan's injuries were superficial. As Liang Yi gently tended to her hands, he sternly reprimanded her for her reckless bravery, emphasizing his worry.
He then shared the good news: Qiu Min had successfully convinced the Emperor, leading to the pardon of the Qiu family. Qiu Yan, relieved, then confessed her contingency plan: she had taken a poisonous pill from Liang Yi's pouch, intending to end her life if she could not endure Yuan Lang's torture. Liang Yi was furious, berating her for her disregard for her own life.
Though he stormed out, seemingly in anger, he soon instructed Song Jin to fetch the imperial Cotton Rose Jinchuang Solvent for Qiu Yan. Later, he returned to find Qiu Yan asleep, gently covered her with a blanket, and gazed at her injured hand and peaceful face, wishing for time to stop. He mused that he simply wanted her to be indebted to him, the more the better. Following Qiu Min's imperial audience, the Qiu Residence was finally unsealed.
Liang Yi accompanied Qiu Yan as she witnessed the joyous return of the Qiu women. Soon after, Qin Xuan arrived with supplies, bringing Qingdai and Xiuyu with him, whom he had redeemed at Liang Yi's request. Qin Xuan was visibly surprised upon seeing Qiu Yan. Later, in a bamboo forest, Qiu Min eagerly sought Qiu Yan's approval for her actions.
Qiu Yan acknowledged Qiu Min's success in helping the family but then revealed she knew Qiu Min had deliberately poisoned Qiu Mei to take her place, pointing to the suspicious timing and Qiu Min's eagerness to accompany her. Qiu Min admitted her deceit, explaining her desire to prove herself and show that Qiu Yan was not the only one capable of saving the family, hoping that as the Empyrean Fairy, she could honorably marry Qin Xuan.
Qin Xuan, still captivated by Qiu Yan, affirmed his intention to wait for her forgiveness. Qiu Yan warned him against pursuing both sisters, alluding to the tragic tale of Emperor Shun, and stated that she did not wish to know about his future choices. Qiu Min, sensing her sister's continued disapproval, sadly remarked that Qiu Yan had not truly forgiven her. Qin Xuan attempted to speak further with Qiu Yan, but she walked away.
Song Jin, intervening, advised Qin Xuan that he should maintain distance from "Madam Su," reinforcing that Liang Yi's assistance to the Qiu family was out of his regard for Qiu Yan, and she was now under his care. Qiu Min then pressed Qin Xuan about disclosing their relationship to his parents, but Qin Xuan offered a vague reply.
That evening, the Qiu women gathered for a celebratory dinner in their unsealed home, feeling as though their hardships were a distant dream. They showered praise upon Qiu Yan, crediting her entirely for their newfound freedom and proposing an annual celebration in her honor. While one of the aunts proudly referred to Qiu Yan as the Marquis Weiyuan's wife, another woman quickly corrected her, pointing out that Qiu Yan was merely a concubine, sparking a brief argument.
Though one woman attempted to acknowledge Qiu Min's significant contributions, the general sentiment remained focused on Qiu Yan. Feeling overlooked and dejected, Qiu Min quietly excused herself from the dinner, leaving the women to continue their celebration, albeit with a dismissive comment about her "unique" character. The next day, Liang Yi took Qiu Yan for a leisurely stroll. He discreetly informed her that Yuan Lang's operatives were trailing them, giving her an opportunity to demonstrate her new status.
Qiu Yan seized the chance, playfully announcing her intention to make Liang Yi pay for her "entourage" and leading him on a shopping spree. At a textile shop, she ostentatiously purchased an extravagant amount of fabric, openly flaunting their wealth for the benefit of their unseen observers. Liang Yi, though playfully complaining about his salary, indulged her every whim.
Qiu Yan then pointedly reminded Liang Yi that Yuan Lang's people were watching, prompting Liang Yi to loudly declare his intention to buy everything in the shop. Qiu Yan, thoroughly enjoying the charade, jested that she should thank Yuan Lang for allowing her to live like a rich wife for a day, musing aloud about whether their next stop should be the jewelry street or a rouge boutique.
