The Autumn Ballad Episode 5 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
After finishing his conversation with Qin Xuan’s father, Liang Yi decided to visit Qin Xuan. He found Qin Xuan in the study and revealed that Zhao Mingli and Yueying were not imprisoned in Fengjing Prefecture as believed, but were secretly protected at the Firewood Office. Qin Xuan was overjoyed by this news and immediately wanted to write to Qiu Yan to put her mind at ease, but Liang Yi stopped him, warning that revealing the truth would endanger their lives.
Later, Liang Yi discovered a folding fan on the desk. A servant identified it as belonging to Qiu Min, Qiu Yan’s younger sister and also Qin Xuan's cousin. This made Liang Yi realize that Qiu Min was the "little girl" he had rescued years ago. He observed that she was now well-educated and appeared to have no memory of their past encounter, which he mused was for the best, allowing her to forget unpleasant memories.
Meanwhile, Qiu Yan was deeply troubled by her impending marriage. Qingdai worried that after Qiu Yan’s earlier scene with the matchmaker, no one would dare to propose to her. Qiu Yan, however, welcomed the quiet. Qingdai cautioned her that while her Second Madam might tolerate her staying home indefinitely, the Old Madam and other family members would not. Qiu Yan lamented the limited options for women, wishing they could freely read and choose their partners, unburdened by their families' disdain.
Just then, Qin Xuan’s gift arrived. Qingdai, expecting a jade pendant like those received by the First and Fourth Young Ladies, was disappointed to find a wooden hairpin and initially dismissed it as worthless, calling Qin Xuan a snob. Qiu Yan, however, saw deeper meaning in the hairpin, understanding it as a message to overcome her confinement and not wallow in self-pity, connecting it to the poem "Lonely smoke straight in the desert."
She eagerly asked Qingdai to help her wear it. Elsewhere, Madam Jin had prepared betrothal gifts for Liang Yi to present to the Qiu family. Liang Yi, however, instructed his servant to delay the proposal for several days. He confessed that he was concerned about Qiu Min's true feelings, especially since she was the girl he had once saved. He refused to use his past kindness to coerce her into marriage, believing it dishonorable.
The following day, Liang Yi sent his subordinate to Marquis Yongming Residence. Soon after, the Qiu family received an an invitation to a Chuiwan Party hosted by the Marquis Yongming Residence. The family was surprised, as historically, only children of officials ranked third-grade or higher were eligible to attend, and their Second Brother was merely a fourth-grade official. They quickly realized the event served as an informal gathering for royal princes and noble sons to scout potential brides.
Old Madam decided that three young ladies from the Qiu family would attend, but explicitly excluded Qiu Yan, citing her delicate health and need for recuperation. Despite this, Qiu Yan was determined to thank Qin Xuan for his gift, planning to meet him at the party. She later sent a message to Liang Yi, implicitly reminding him of a past incident where he had replaced her gift to the Noble Consort with a stone, indicating he owed her a favor.
She gambled that he would not want to be indebted to her. Liang Yi acknowledged her request, understanding that she wanted his help to secure an invitation to the Chuiwan Party after her engagement with the He family was broken, which had caused her family to lose face and prompted them to keep her from public appearances. Liang Yi’s subordinate, Song Jin, questioned Qiu Yan's motives, suggesting she was a social climber, a sentiment Liang Yi echoed, calling her "shameless."
Despite Liang Yi's initial reluctance and scorn, Madam Yongming soon arrived at the Qiu Residence with four sets of exquisite scented rosewood Chuiwan Rods, one of which was specifically for Qiu Yan. Qingdai was surprised by Liang Yi's unexpected assistance. Qiu Yan, however, saw it as a reciprocal act, given Liang Yi's past manipulations. Madam Han, Qiu Yan’s mother, questioned how Qiu Yan knew Madam Yongming.
Qiu Yan explained it was related to Qin Xuan and the hairpin, then confessed her deep desire to avoid a forced marriage to an unknown man. She likened the hairpin to "skyglow in the dark clouds," a glimmer of hope she desperately wanted to grasp.
Recalling her mother’s words about the hardships faced by women, Qiu Yan declared she was unafraid to fight for her destiny and choose a truly worthy partner, asserting her right to be proactive in her own fate. On the day of the Chuiwan Party, the Marquis Yongming Residence buzzed with activity, filled with young nobles. Many ladies flocked around Qin Xuan, eager for his attention and the fruit cakes he offered. Qiu Yan observed the scene, noting Liang Yi’s presence.
She privately remarked on Liang Yi’s "mad for power" nature when he passed by. Qiu Mei and Qiu Ying tried to engage Qin Xuan, asking him to teach them Chuiwan, but he politely directed them to Young Master Meng, an expert player. Qin Xuan then approached Qiu Yan, asking if she liked the hairpin he had sent. Qiu Yan replied that she appreciated it but chose not to wear it during the busy competition to avoid damage.
Qin Xuan admitted he made it himself, fearing she might find it too coarse. As Qin Xuan was led away by other ladies, Qiu Yan reflected that she didn't possess exceptional beauty or talent to expect exclusive attention. Instead, she resolved to make him notice her through her own actions and abilities. Meanwhile, Liang Yi’s subordinate, Song Jin, pointed out Qiu Min practicing alone, suggesting she too was interested in Qin Xuan.
When it was time for participants to offer prizes for the winner, Qiu Yan put forward her wooden hairpin. Qiu Ying immediately disparaged it, calling it embarrassing. However, Qiu Mei recognized it as a rare and valuable Golden Silk Nan Ebony hairpin, chiding Qiu Yan for her ignorance. Qiu Ying then pressured Qiu Yan to use it as her prize.
Before Qiu Yan could be forced, Liang Yi intervened, asserting that a gentleman would not take what others cherished and questioning why they would force her. He then offered to provide a prize for Qiu Yan, presenting her with a jade thumb ring, advising her to cherish gifts, even if she disliked them. Qiu Yan, knowing Liang Yi had foiled her plan to test Qin Xuan and expose her cousins, felt annoyed by his meddling.
Liang Yi, speaking to Song Jin, revealed his true motive: he considered Qiu Yan cunning and wanted to keep a close eye on her. He intended to preemptively disrupt any potential relationship between Qiu Yan and Qin Xuan by appearing to help her, thereby discouraging Qin Xuan from competing with him for her attention. The preliminary round of the Chuiwan competition began. During the match, Qiu Ying intentionally tried to trip Qiu Yan and aimed her Chuiwan rod at her.
Anticipating this, Qiu Yan swiftly dodged behind Qiu Mei, causing Qiu Ying to accidentally hit Qiu Mei instead. Qiu Yan then feigned a fall, prompting the host to announce Madam Yongming’s decision to disqualify Qiu Ying for unsportsmanlike conduct. Liang Yi observed Qiu Yan’s calculated moves, realizing she had cleverly orchestrated the situation to eliminate her rivals, the First and Fourth Young Ladies, through a series of provocations.
As Qiu Yan lay on the ground, seemingly injured, Liang Yi approached, offering to carry her. He quietly remarked that her feigned injury was becoming more suspicious the more she moved. He admitted that he knew she was faking it but didn't expose her because he didn't want her to be angry with him, adding that he "couldn't bear" to see her interacting with other men on the field.
Qin Xuan approached, concerned, and Qiu Yan assured him she was fine, expressing her desire for a fair competition with him. Qin Xuan then directly confronted Liang Yi, asking if he had "fallen for that girl." Liang Yi advised him to stay away from Qiu Yan, but Qin Xuan refused to listen on this matter. Qin Xuan ultimately won the match.
He then presented the prizes to Liang Yi, declaring that he won not for the awards, but to prove he could win Qiu Yan’s heart. Liang Yi, seemingly unfazed, instructed Song Jin to distribute the prizes to all the participants, stating that Qin Xuan believed "sharing is caring." From the distributed prizes, Qiu Yan selected the jade thumb ring, returning it to Liang Yi and stating her desire to "not owe anyone any favors."
Later, Qiu Yan instructed Qingdai to find an excuse to lure Qin Xuan away, ensuring Liang Yi would not know. Meanwhile, Liang Yi was patiently teaching Qiu Min how to play Chuiwan, noting her shyness compared to her earlier composure. Qiu Min mentioned their previous encounter at Duke Ying Residence. Song Jin urged Liang Yi to intervene with Qin Xuan and Qiu Yan, expressing concern that Qin Xuan was again being swayed by the "cunning vixen."
Liang Yi instructed Song Jin to continue teaching Qiu Min instead, allowing him to approach Qin Xuan and Qiu Yan. Qin Xuan offered Qiu Yan a poria cake he had personally made for her. Qiu Yan, however, refused it, stating that if he treated everyone with the same kindness, she would rather not accept his exclusive gesture, and then walked away.
Liang Yi then approached Qin Xuan, openly questioning what made Qin Xuan superior to him, pointing out their similar backgrounds and accomplishments. He reiterated his negative view of Qiu Yan, accusing her of being cunning and seeking to climb the social ladder by seducing Qin Xuan for his family's status.
Qin Xuan, feeling Liang Yi's deep prejudice against Qiu Yan, proposed a bet for the final round: if he won, Liang Yi must cease interfering in his affairs with Qiu Yan.
