The Autumn Ballad Episode 28 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Qiu Min knelt, weeping openly before her father's memorial tablet. Madam Liu approached, her heart softening with pity. She acknowledged their past disagreements but reminded Qiu Min that with her mother and father gone, only Qiu Min, Rong'er, and she remained in the Second Chamber.
Madam Liu declared that for the sake of her late husband, she must care for Qiu Min, ensuring that after the mourning period, Qiu Min would have a grand wedding to Qin Xuan, which would ease her husband's mind. Feeling somewhat relieved after witnessing the scene, Qiu Yan left with Liang Yi. However, on their way home late that night, they were ambushed by Ping'er, who had been pardoned by His Majesty during a general amnesty.
Ping'er, consumed by thoughts of vengeance for her father, attacked them. Liang Yi shielded Qiu Yan and was struck by a poison arrow. In desperation, Qiu Yan told Ping'er that Liang Yi's handling of cases never implicated innocent family members and that her father's embezzlement of public funds was a grave crime punishable by law. She urged Ping'er to recall her past life of luxury and reconsider her father's actions.
Qiu Yan then implored Ping'er to let go of her hatred and embrace a new life, suggesting her fathers would want her to live happily and safely. Shocked by the revelation, Ping'er abandoned her attack and, before leaving, urged Qiu Yan to find a physician quickly for Liang Yi’s poisoned wound. As Liang Yi steadily lost consciousness, Qiu Yan grew increasingly desperate, crying out for him to wake up.
When she saw blood seeping from his shoulder, despair filled her, and she tried to move him, but he was too heavy. Refusing to give up, Qiu Yan found a cart and laboriously dragged Liang Yi back to his residence. A physician was called, who confirmed that Qiu Yan’s quick action of sucking out the venom had prevented the poison from spreading, and Liang Yi had survived the most dangerous phase. He merely required careful nursing to prevent infection.
Qiu Yan stayed by his side, never leaving him, holding his hand tightly. She confessed her deep-seated fears and love, admitting that she had once believed nothing in the world could scare her, but seeing Liang Yi hurt made her realize how much she feared losing him, fearing she would never hear his voice or see his familiar poker face again.
She pleaded with him not to leave her, confessing that her time in the Marquis Residence felt like a dream of a home, a dream she desperately wanted to last. Early the next morning, Liang Yi awoke, surprised to find Qiu Yan still by his side. He acknowledged hearing her heartfelt confession from the previous night.
Their bond rapidly deepened through this ordeal, and in a moment of tender emotion, they leaned in to kiss, only to be interrupted by Madam Jin's sudden appearance. For the following days, Qiu Yan meticulously looked after him, from his daily needs to his meals, tolerating his playful demands as a patient. Liang Yi, enjoying her attentive care, feigned lingering pain to keep her close. They grew inseparable, acting like a true couple.
Despite not being fully recovered, Liang Yi was eager to resume his activities, even practicing sword in the courtyard. Madam Jin, already fond of Qiu Yan, was delighted by the growing affection between her son and Qiu Yan. Recognizing that Liang Yi now had a family, she suggested he use his injury as an opportunity to request a transfer from his dangerous duties, hoping he would leave the perilous life behind.
However, Qiu Yan, now identifying as Su Yiwan, actively supported Liang Yi, understanding the importance of his work. She declared she would rather live in fear by his side than see him unhappy, confined to the mansion for her comfort. Deeply moved by her words, Liang Yi was grateful, and Madam Jin, seeing their resolve, conceded, allowing them to make their own decisions. Later, as Qiu Yan and Liang Yi walked and talked, Qiu Yan stumbled.
Liang Yi swiftly caught her with his right hand, accidentally revealing that his injury was fully healed. Qiu Yan was furious and for three days refused to speak to him, returning all his attempts at apology and gifts. With Qiu Yan’s birthday approaching, Madam Liu unexpectedly paid a visit to Liang Yi at the Main Administrative Office, bringing a pair of embroidered shoes she had personally made for Qiu Yan.
She requested Liang Yi to deliver them, explaining that she and Qiu Yan never got along and would likely quarrel if they met. Madam Liu then earnestly asked Liang Yi to tolerate Qiu Yan’s stubbornness and take good care of her. Recognizing the perfect opportunity to make amends for his deceit, Liang Yi, now aware of Qiu Yan's upcoming birthday, instructed Song Jin to help him plan a special celebration.
Song Jin shared details about Qiu Yan's favorite foods, dessert, and wine, urging Liang Yi to use the occasion to confess his true feelings. Song Jin delivered Liang Yi’s invitation for a private meeting, but Qiu Yan initially refused. Only when Song Jin lied that Liang Yi’s wound had relapsed did Qiu Yan rush to his study in concern. As she arrived at the door, Liang Yi playfully pulled her into a hug, presenting the embroidered shoes from Madam Liu.
He explained that Madam Liu had never celebrated Qiu Yan’s birthday before, but now that Qiu Yan was important to the Marquis Residence, she remembered. Liang Yi then presented Qiu Yan with his unfinished book, now completed with her ending. He declared it her work too, naming her "Devotee of Yanqi" as her pen name. Qiu Yan was touched, affirming her fondness for the name and acknowledging Mr. Lu’s approval of her writing, realizing her talent for detective storytelling.
Among all the gifts, the book moved Qiu Yan the most. Liang Yi then invited her to the Heming Building to watch a southern opera troupe perform that evening. Overcome with emotion, Qiu Yan broke down, revealing that it was the first time anyone had celebrated her birthday. She recounted how Madam Liu only celebrated Rong'er’s birthday and once called Qiu Yan a "burden" on her own birthday. This made her tell her mother later that she hated birthdays.
Liang Yi, listening to her story, gently promised to celebrate her birthday every year from now on. Later, as they sat on the rooftop enjoying the view, Qiu Yan revealed her true desire: to leave the Marquis Residence and travel the world to find stories and write her own novel. She explained that her first half of life was lived for others, but now, as Su Yiwan, she wanted to live happily for herself, unbound by anything.
Liang Yi, though deeply reluctant to see her go, vowed to fully support her dream, asking how long she planned to be away and when she would leave. Qiu Yan proposed an elaborate plan to fake a quarrel and divorce him in front of Madam Jin, claiming she had offended the noble consort by interfering with his engagement to Qiu Min, which would provide a plausible reason for her departure and buy her some time.
After the birthday celebration, Liang Yi’s mood plummeted. He sat alone by the door, overcome with sadness. Song Jin approached him, questioning why Liang Yi didn’t try to stop Qiu Yan, especially after expressing such strong feelings to Qin Xuan. Liang Yi confessed that he had mistakenly believed he knew Qiu Yan best and could give her everything. He had thought that after her family’s troubles were resolved, she would embrace a comfortable life with him.
However, he now understood that the freedom he could offer was limited to the confines of the manor, while her true desire was the vast world and boundless liberty. Knowing his own identity restricted him to the capital and his important work was unfinished, he recognized Qiu Yan’s decision as her way of saying farewell, understanding that he could not join her.
Song Jin, however, pressed him, suggesting that if Liang Yi truly loved her, he should follow her, reminding Liang Yi of his own past desire to wander and his father’s wish for him to stay out of court politics. Moved by Song Jin’s words and his own deep-seated desire, Liang Yi made a significant decision, instructing Song Jin to pack his belongings, declaring that starting the next day, he would move to the Main Administrative Office.
