The Autumn Ballad Episode 26 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Mr. Lu, a reclusive author, was forcibly brought by the Firewood Office to meet Qiu Yan, much to his displeasure. Despite his initial refusal to see anyone, even the Emperor, Qiu Yan's genuine admiration and deep understanding of his works quickly won him over. She praised his less popular piece, "The Case of Zhao," highlighting its sharp social commentary and insightful critique, which resonated deeply with him.
Impressed, Mr. Lu not only gifted her his latest manuscript for feedback but also encouraged her to write her own stories, recognizing her keen logic and experience in solving cases. Meanwhile, Official Yuan approached Shi Xiaoxiao, subtly revealing that Liang Yi had been lavishly spoiling his new concubine, Su Yiwan, during a recent shopping trip, painting a picture of intense affection.
Yuan Lang insinuated that Shi Xiaoxiao, as a courtesan, could never marry a Marquis, but suggested he could arrange for Liang Yi to lose his title and become a commoner, thus making him attainable. He even offered to fake a meritorious deed for Shi Xiaoxiao to gain an audience with the Emperor and request a marriage to Liang Yi, ensuring Liang Yi would be forced to marry her.
Shi Xiaoxiao, however, expressed a different ambition: she desired to utterly defeat Liang Yi, making him lose everything and live a mediocre life, rather than seeing him dead. Official Yuan noted her hesitation. Later that evening, back at the residence, Liang Yi observed Qiu Yan engrossed in Mr. Lu's new book. She shared Mr. Lu's encouragement to write her own detective stories, though she doubted her ability to do so, fearing a lack of inspiration.
Liang Yi, with a hint of playful sarcasm, reminded her of her previous success in continuing his own story, even though he had mockingly called it "doing a terrible job." Qiu Yan then instructed Song Jin, a servant, to deliver the numerous items she had purchased that day to Madam Jin, revealing that her extravagant shopping spree was actually a thoughtful gesture to gift Madam Jin items she liked.
At the imperial palace, Eunuch Liu, while reviewing memorials for the aging Emperor, discovered a submission from Wang Shun accusing Qiu Min of not being a virgin. He discreetly held the document. The following morning, after the imperial court, Eunuch Liu discreetly summoned Liang Yi, showing him the incendiary memorial. He cautioned Liang Yi that the Emperor, still recovering from the stress of the "Dengxian Pearl" incident, could not endure another emotional shock.
Eunuch Liu, loyal to the Emperor, gave Liang Yi three days to resolve the matter, stating he could only withhold the memorial for that period. Liang Yi consulted with Qiu Yan, explaining that Wang Shun, though usually a liar, had stumbled upon a critical weakness in their plan. He warned that if the Emperor discovered Qiu Min's lost maidenhood, her identity as the Empyrean Fairy would crumble, leading to severe consequences, potentially death, for the entire Qiu family.
Liang Yi proposed sending everyone, including the Qiu men returning to the capital, far away for their safety. Qiu Yan, however, steadfastly refused to leave, asserting her concern for Liang Yi as their family's benefactor. She criticized his stubbornness for trying to bear the burden alone and suggested they, along with Qiu Min, brainstorm a solution together, drawing on their past successes in overcoming predicaments.
Liang Yi agreed to their strategy, arranging a discreet meeting with Qiu Min outside the Marquis's residence to avoid attracting attention. Qiu Min, upon their arrival, expressed her deep remorse, admitting she had inadvertently caused trouble by attempting to help, unaware of the strict requirements for the Empyrean Fairy. Qiu Yan, however, directly placed the blame on Qiu Min for the predicament. It was then that Qin Xuan revealed he had a solution.
Qiu Yan, reluctant to involve him, immediately turned to leave, but Qin Xuan pleaded to be allowed to help. Qiu Min interjected, pointing out that since she had lost her virginity to Qin Xuan, he was inextricably linked to the situation. She also passionately declared her deep affection for Qin Xuan, stating that true lovers should face adversity together. Liang Yi stopped Qiu Yan from leaving, encouraging her to hear Qin Xuan's plan.
It was revealed that Liang Yi had previously orchestrated this entire scenario with Qin Xuan. During their prior conversation, Qin Xuan had initially hesitated to accept Liang Yi's plan, understanding that it would permanently end any possibility of a future with Qiu Yan. Liang Yi, however, asserted that Qin Xuan's night with Qiu Min had already eliminated any such possibility.
Liang Yi then explicitly instructed Qin Xuan to present the plan as his own, ensuring Qiu Yan would not suspect Liang Yi's involvement. Qiu Min, understanding that Liang Yi's complex efforts were solely for Qiu Yan's sake, pledged her full cooperation. After Qin Xuan presented the detailed plan, Liang Yi feigned skepticism, initially calling the plan "preposterous" and warning of potential blunders.
Qin Xuan, in turn, subtly accused Liang Yi of orchestrating the plan to separate him from Qiu Yan, acknowledging that he couldn't stand by and watch Qiu Yan suffer. Despite Liang Yi's feigned initial doubts, everyone, including Qiu Min, expressed their approval. Qiu Yan, though initially hesitant, agreed for the sake of her family and Liang Yi, realizing that many lives were at stake.
As Qiu Yan prepared to depart, Qin Xuan quickly approached her, offering an ebony hairpin he had carried as a keepsake since retrieving it from Fengjing Prefecture, now wishing to return it to her. Qiu Yan refused, stating that as Su Yiwan, she could not keep an item belonging to Qiu Yan. Observing the exchange, Liang Yi stepped in and took the hairpin from Qin Xuan, stating he would keep it for her.
That night, Liang Yi presented Qiu Yan with a specialized, indestructible box from the Firewood Office. He instructed her to place the hairpin inside and set a unique code, emphasizing that no one else would be able to open it. Qiu Yan playfully revealed her mother's birthday as the code, asking Liang Yi to remember it in case she forgot. She then confronted him, having shrewdly deduced that Qin Xuan's "plan" was, in fact, his own elaborate scheme.
Liang Yi initially deflected, but Qiu Yan explained that she knew he chose Qin Xuan to present it so she wouldn't feel conflicted, as if he had proposed it directly, she would have faced a difficult choice regardless of her decision. She further noted his feigned initial acceptance during Qin Xuan's presentation. Qiu Yan then expressed a profound sense of debt to Qin Xuan, feeling it was a burden she alone had to carry.
Later, Liang Yi approached Madam Jin, requesting her assistance in asking Noble Consort Guo to arrange his marriage to Qiu Min. Madam Jin initially chided him, urging him to focus on bringing her a grandchild with Su Yiwan. Liang Yi firmly reiterated his earnest desire to "remarry Miss Qiu Min."
Noble Consort Guo, informed of Liang Yi's surprising request to marry Qiu Min after his previous public entanglement with Qiu Yan and subsequent marriage to Su Yiwan, visited his residence to inquire. She demanded a truthful explanation for his past erratic behavior, including his close association with Qiu Yan when she was in the Royal Academy and his subsequent marriage to a performer resembling her.
Liang Yi confessed that while he initially intended to marry Qiu Min, he was later undeniably drawn to Qiu Yan, finding both sisters captivating in their distinct ways—Qiu Min's quiet elegance and Qiu Yan's bold assertiveness. He explained that after Qiu Yan's passing, he took Su Yiwan as his concubine. However, upon learning that Qiu Min was still alive, he felt compelled to provide her with a complete home and asked for the Noble Consort's blessing.
Noble Consort Guo initially hesitated, but Liang Yi appealed to her compassion, stating his remorse for Qiu Min's past hardships and his desire to make amends. Convinced, Noble Consort Guo agreed, remarking that as Qiu Min was the Empyrean Fairy, her marriage should be handled unconventionally, and that a reconciliation could become a beautiful tale. Before departing, Noble Consort Guo expressed a desire to meet the rumored Su Yiwan, wanting to see if she truly resembled Qiu Yan.
Liang Yi claimed Su Yiwan was ill and confined to bed. However, Qiu Yan, acting as Su Yiwan, erupted into a theatrical tantrum. She smashed objects and loudly accused Liang Yi of abandoning her after promising eternal love, lamenting her inevitable suffering once a legal wife entered the household. She adamantly refused to meet Noble Consort Guo, accusing her of siding with Liang Yi. When Noble Consort Guo entered the room, Madam Jin tried to explain Qiu Yan's "jealousy."
Noble Consort Guo sternly rebuked Liang Yi for spoiling his concubine into a "belligerent wife." She then admonished Qiu Yan for her behavior, reminding her of her "lowly concubine" status and warning that Qiu Min, as the future legal wife, would be her master, and any disrespect would not be tolerated, even by Liang Yi. Following this, Noble Consort Guo summoned Qiu Min.
Qiu Min, composed and respectful, explained that while she initially harbored resentment for Liang Yi's annulment, she now understood it was his duty. She gracefully accepted the marriage proposal but requested a three-year waiting period to observe her mourning duties. Impressed by her adherence to tradition, Noble Consort Guo offered to adopt Qiu Min as her foster daughter, promising to marry her off with appropriate pomp and ceremony, a gesture for which the Qiu family expressed profuse gratitude.
As Noble Consort Guo prepared to leave, Qiu Yan, still playing the part of Su Yiwan, dramatically rushed out. She claimed to have witnessed Qiu Min and her maid disembark from their carriage and enter a local inn. She further alleged that Qiu Min's maid, Qingdai, then led a gentleman upstairs before standing guard outside the room. Qiu Yan declared she suspected a secret liaison and hurried back to inform everyone.
Despite Liang Yi's attempts to dissuade her, Noble Consort Guo, asserting her duty to verify her foster daughter's character, insisted on investigating herself. At the inn, Qingdai confirmed that "Third Young Lady Qiu" had instructed her to bring "Mr. Qin from the Duke Ying Residence" to the inn and wait by the stairs. Inside, Noble Consort Guo discovered a disheveled Qiu Min and Qin Xuan, and spotting blood on the bed, she immediately understood the truth.
Qiu Min, upon being confronted, immediately fell to her knees, tearfully confessing her long-standing love for Qin Xuan and her unwavering reluctance to marry Liang Yi. She revealed that she had secretly planned to take her own life after the marriage ceremony, simply wanting Qin Xuan to know her true feelings before she died. Noble Consort Guo, disgusted, chastised her for failing to uphold the decorum expected of an Empyrean Fairy.
Suddenly, Liang Yi burst in, confronting Qin Xuan with accusations of betrayal. A chaotic brawl ensued between Liang Yi and Qin Xuan, while Qiu Min and Qiu Yan (still as Su Yiwan) also engaged in a verbal and physical altercation. Qiu Yan, playing her part, declared her lifelong disdain for her sister and accused Liang Yi of being a "rascal" who took advantage of Qiu Yan in her distress. Qiu Min retaliated by calling Qiu Yan "useless."
The Noble Consort finally halted the pandemonium, cutting through the drama. She canceled the marriage between Liang Yi and Qiu Min and revoked her offer to adopt Qiu Min. She then ordered Liang Yi to take his concubine home, and Qin Xuan to escort Qiu Min back to the Qiu residence, strictly forbidding any of them from ever mentioning or pursuing the matter again.
Later, back at the residence, Liang Yi and Qiu Yan shared a private moment, lightheartedly confirming the success of their meticulously orchestrated ruse, despite their minor injuries from the staged performance.
