The Autumn Ballad Episode 4 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Qiu Yan firmly believed that Zhao Rui did not commit suicide but was murdered, with her death staged to appear self-inflicted. She presented evidence to Yueying, including a copper coin found clutched in He Feng's hand after his death, clearly a lovers' keepsake. This disproved Yueying's false account of He Feng's betrayal.
Qiu Yan further argued that He Feng's deep affection for Zhao Rui was proven by a "Song of Everlasting Regret" found in his study, penned in profound grief, demonstrating his deep sorrow. Qiu Yan confronted Yueying, demanding the other half of the coin and accusing her of lying about He Feng's character. Under pressure, Yueying confessed that He Feng's parents were behind Zhao Rui's death.
She revealed that they promised her a position as He Feng's concubine if she could ensure he married Qiu Yan. Yueying then detailed how she was forced to lead Zhao Rui to her death, witnessing her being strangled and then hung from a beam to stage a suicide. A fake will was left to make He Feng believe Zhao Rui took her own life to spare him.
Zhao Mingli, Zhao Rui's father, was enraged by Yueying's confession, calling her "heartless" and wishing Yueying had consumed the "heartbreak grass" intended for Zhao Rui. Qiu Yan immediately pointed out that the coroner had reported He Feng died from arsenic, not "heartbreak grass," and that a silver needle wouldn't detect the latter, suggesting a deeper mystery surrounding He Feng's own death.
Shortly after, a group of household guards, ordered by General He, surrounded Qiu Yan, Yueying, and Zhao Mingli in the ruined temple. That night, General He, accompanied by Madam He, arrived, intent on making them scapegoats for He Feng's death. General He attempted to dismiss Zhao Rui's death as a "family business," claiming she committed suicide out of shame, and then accused Zhao Mingli of killing his son.
As General He tried to attack Zhao Mingli, Qiu Yan intervened, warning him that killing Zhao Mingli would only solidify her own false reputation as a "husband killer." She then bravely exposed the true circumstances of He Feng's death, revealing that Zhao Mingli's poison was heartbreak grass, yet the coroner had confirmed He Feng died from arsenic.
Qiu Yan deduced that He Feng must have taken arsenic himself before Yueying could give him the tea, having learned that his parents were responsible for Zhao Rui's death. She further revealed that He Feng had asked Yueying to purchase arsenic for rats the day before the wedding. Unable to confront his parents directly, He Feng committed suicide on his wedding day as an act of revenge.
Madam He was devastated by this revelation, but General He remained unrepentant, labeling Qiu Yan a mere "covering cloth" or "scapegoat" and dismissing her efforts to uncover the truth. Before General He could act further, a group of black-clad figures suddenly appeared, swiftly overpowering his guards. Liang Yi's men took Yueying and Zhao Mingli into custody, transporting them to the Firewood Office. As they returned to the city, they found the streets adorned with vibrant lanterns and bustling with activity.
They soon realized it was for the upcoming Qiqiao Festival. Qiu Yan, having been restricted from leaving her home after sunset by strict family rules, marveled at the city's lively night scene. Qin Xuan suggested they celebrate their narrow escape by exploring the city and enjoying a meal at a renowned restaurant.
Liang Yi initially urged Qin Xuan to take Qiu Yan home due to the late hour, but both Qin Xuan and Qiu Yan insisted on treating him as a token of gratitude for saving them. Liang Yi feigned indifference, implying they simply wanted an excuse to sightsee. He pointed out the famous pickles at Shengxin Restaurant, while Qiu Yan mentioned the exclusive glutinous snacks sold only two days a month at Daoyu Pastry.
While Qin Xuan and Beixue went to buy the snacks, Qiu Yan purchased the final chapter of "The Peculiar Case of Xiangyun," noting how such stories were often embellished to earn money from common folk. To this, Liang Yi retorted that the Firewood Office's investigations were "knife to the bone," not mere "armchair strategizing."
Qiu Yan then recited a line from Qu Yuan's "Far-off Journey," surprising Liang Yi with her knowledge of classical texts, as most women were limited to "Examples for Women." She explained she vowed to read what men read, having promised someone as a child. Observing Liang Yi's rare smile, Qiu Yan expressed her surprise, noting his usual stern demeanor. Drawn to sky lanterns, they decided to light one together.
As the lantern ascended, Qiu Yan noticed the inscription "Purger of Evil" and had a sudden realization. A vivid flashback showed a young Liang Yi telling a young Qiu Yan that she could leave home once she could read all the characters on the fan he gave her, promising his name was written on it. This confirmed to Qiu Yan that Liang Yi was the benefactor from her childhood.
However, her moment of recognition was cut short when Qin Xuan and Beixue returned with the snacks, prompting them to head to the restaurant. The marriage annulment letter was delivered to the Qiu family, stating Qiu Yan's innocence and her freedom to remarry. Simultaneously, the official conclusion of He Feng's death case blamed his maid Yueying and Zhao Mingli, stating they had colluded in a premeditated murder. Both were imprisoned in Fengjing Prefecture Penitentiary and sentenced to execution after autumn.
Outraged that General He seemed to have escaped any consequences, Qiu Yan went to confront Liang Yi. Using Qin Xuan's name as a pretense to meet her, Liang Yi confirmed the annulment. Qiu Yan immediately questioned the injustice, demanding to know why the truth had been twisted and who was protecting the He family. Liang Yi openly admitted that he was the one protecting the He family, citing their rising influence and his reluctance to cross them.
He claimed that his previous interventions to save Qiu Yan had caused him considerable trouble, and he had worked hard to mend relations with the He family, unwilling to jeopardize them again because of her. Qiu Yan challenged his hypocrisy, pointing out his repeated rescues, his failure to expose her when she opened the coffin, and his inaction when she was kidnapped, if he truly feared the He family.
Liang Yi then revealed his calculated motive: he had used her to uncover the truth about the He family, as General He and his son had always defied him. He asserted that with this new leverage, their dynamic had changed. Qiu Yan realized he had used Zhao Mingli and Yueying's lives as "leverage." Liang Yi, in turn, sharply rebuked her, dismissing her as arrogant for thinking she understood people merely because she was educated.
He declared he was never a "righteous servant of justice," and he saved her only because she had "utilitarian value." Qiu Yan, heartbroken and tearful, countered that he was such a person but had simply forgotten. She asked when he decided to use her, concluding it was after she revealed He Feng died of poison.
She then asked if they had met before, to which Liang Yi coldly denied, stating they had only met on the day of the Noble Consort's birthday banquet. Deeply hurt, Qiu Yan left. Later, Song Jin reported to Liang Yi that General He had agreed to all of Liang Yi's demands and would fully cooperate with the Firewood Office in the Ministry of War.
Liang Yi secretly ordered Song Jin to transfer Zhao Mingli and Yueying from the Fengjing Prefecture Penitentiary to the Firewood Office, to protect them from General He's potential retaliation and ensure they would eventually be vindicated. Liang Yi then mused to Song Jin about whether Qiu Yan, the Qiu family's Second Young Lady, seemed familiar, but Song Jin denied it.
The "Chastity Plaque" bestowed upon the Qiu family was returned to the palace, causing the Qiu household to become a subject of ridicule. Qiu Yi, Qiu Yan's second uncle and Qiu Min's father, apologized to the Old Madam for bringing shame upon the family. The Old Madam, distressed by the ensuing rumors and their potential impact on Qiu Min's marriage prospects, declared that Qiu Yan "must be married off immediately."
She asserted that Qiu Yan's departure was essential to safeguard the reputations of the other three girls in the family (Qiu Mei, Qiu Min, and Qiu Ying), stating that for the family to prosper, someone had to make a sacrifice, and Qiu Yan was fated to "suffer a bit more." Meanwhile, Noble Consort Guo summoned Madam Jin, Liang Yi's mother, under the pretense of reminiscing.
In reality, she was instructed by the Emperor to arrange a marriage for Liang Yi, who, as the head of the Firewood Office, was becoming too powerful and unconstrained. The Emperor sought to tie him down. Liang Yi, understanding the underlying motive, initially feigned disinterest in marriage due to his busy duties. However, Madam Jin urged him to accept, emphasizing the Noble Consort's offer as a "great blessing" and her own concerns.
Presented with a list of eligible women from prominent families, Liang Yi deliberately chose Qiu Min, the second daughter of Qiu Yi, an official with a low rank and no political affiliations. He defended his choice by describing Qiu Min as "shy, reserved, mannered, and honest," claiming she was "completely different from her sister," Qiu Yan, whom Madam Jin had disparaged as "not well-behaved."
Liang Yi later confided in Song Jin that his choice was a strategic move to appease the Emperor, who feared his growing influence. By choosing Qiu Min, a discreet and unaligned figure from a family whose late patriarch still commanded respect, Liang Yi aimed to demonstrate his humility and establish useful connections for the Firewood Office's future endeavors. He admitted he barely remembered Qiu Min, caring only that she wasn't "troublesome like Qiu Yan."
The Qin family hosted a banquet for the Qiu family's female members, pointedly omitting Qiu Yan, while inviting Qiu Mei, Qiu Min, and Qiu Ying. As Qiu Min prepared for the event, eager to uphold the "honor of the Second Chamber," she requested to borrow Qiu Yan's cherished folding fan adorned with Verses of Chu.
Although Madam Han, Qiu Yan's mother, initially hesitated, Qiu Yan readily handed over the fan, dismissing it as "nothing precious" and just an old item she wanted to replace. Madam Han noticed Qiu Yan's underlying unhappiness, but Qiu Yan feigned indifference, echoing her mother's past advice: "My heart is an untainted land. If I don't take anything to heart, then I will become invincible."
At the banquet, the absence of Qiu Yan was noted, with a relative remarking that Qiu Yan's name, being a single character "Yan," implied she was "raised by a concubine" and thus "could not be included in the family tree." Separately, the Old Madam had arranged a marriage for Qiu Yan with an elderly Mr. Jia, who already had numerous wives and maids, essentially sending her into a "wolf's den."
Madam Han vehemently tried to reject the proposal, but Qiu Yi, Qiu Yan's second uncle and Qiu Min's father, intervened, insisting that Qiu Yan must accept to protect the reputations of the other girls, including Qiu Min, and secure her status as a "rightful wife." When the matchmaker from the Jia family arrived, Madam Liu, Qiu Yan's step-mother, eagerly brought Qiu Yan forward. Recognizing her desperate situation, Qiu Yan took matters into her own hands.
She fabricated a story about a congenital illness that caused her to be infertile, claiming that any potential child would likely be "deformed or have jaundice or hernia" and that recovery would require daily consumption of expensive herbs like "ginseng, bird nest, and ganoderma" for "three to five years." Despite Madam Liu's attempts to dismiss her words as a "joke," the horrified matchmaker quickly excused herself, promising to report back to Mr. Jia.
