The Autumn Ballad Episode 6 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
The last round of the Chuiwan competition commenced, with participants required to provide an earring or a marked folding fan to be paired as teammates by Madam Yongming Hou, with the winning pair receiving a prize from the Noble Consort. Qiu Min expressed a wish to be teamed with Qin Xuan, but was initially paired with Liang Yi by Madam Yongming Hou.
Qiu Yan, overhearing rumors that the Noble Consort was arranging a marriage for Marquis Wenyuan and fearing he was a "living Yamla," quickly swapped earrings with Qiu Min, resulting in Qiu Yan being teamed with Liang Yi and Qiu Min with Qin Xuan. Liang Yi observed Qiu Yan's actions, noting she had cleverly separated her sister from him. Qiu Yan confronted him, accusing him of trying to approach her sister.
Liang Yi clarified that his intention was to pursue Qiu Yan herself, stating he desired to keep her away from Qin Xuan. Qiu Yan questioned what he saw in her, to which he replied she was good at Chuiwan and "not ugly." During the match, Liang Yi suggested that his marquis title was more substantial than Qin Xuan's status as a non-eldest son, implying Qiu Yan should consider marrying him.
Qiu Yan scoffed, questioning if he thought she was only interested in Qin Xuan's family status. Despite her disinterest, Qiu Yan encouraged Qiu Min to play well and beat Liang Yi, declaring she was not on Liang Yi's team, while Qin Xuan reassured Qiu Min that winning or losing didn't matter and he would support her.
Though Qiu Min's skills were limited, Liang Yi, who had initially held back, displayed his true prowess, securing victory for his team with Qiu Yan. After the match, Qiu Yan accused Liang Yi of despicable behavior, asserting he had pretended to approach her only to prove her a "woman of easy virtue." Liang Yi countered that she had equally defamed him in front of Qiu Min.
Qin Xuan, accepting his defeat in the game, firmly stated his belief in his connection with Qiu Yan. Despite their obvious animosity, Liang Yi and Qiu Yan maintained a facade of civility. All attendees then proceeded to a flower-viewing banquet at Marquis Yongming Residence, where Qiu Yan privately cautioned Qiu Min to distance herself from Liang Yi.
Qiu Yan explained her suspicion that Liang Yi's interest in Qiu Min stemmed from a calculated assessment of the Qiu family's esteemed lineage and her father's influential connections, believing it would subtly aid Liang Yi's career advancement while allowing him to easily control Qiu Min due to her gentle nature. Qiu Yan, having dealt with Liang Yi before, was convinced his actions were solely driven by self-interest.
Qiu Min then asked Qiu Yan if her pursuit of Qin Xuan was similar to Liang Yi's calculated maneuvers. Qiu Yan candidly admitted to wanting Qin Xuan's favor and using tactics to achieve it, confessing that his treatment of her during the day had deepened her initial fondness, offering her a ray of hope for her bleak future. Qiu Min, though saddened, offered her congratulations.
Meanwhile, in a side courtyard, Aunt Kou recounted the Chuiwan results to other madams, noting that Fourth Young Lady Qiu Ying was disqualified, First Young Lady Qiu Mei was injured, and Second Young Lady Qiu Yan had won the jade ruyi and stolen the show. Expressing their displeasure, Madam Qian proposed marrying Qiu Yan to a newly rich distant relative who sought concubines.
They planned to approach Old Madam after Madam Han departed for Taiying Temple, reasoning that Qiu Yan's current reputation would make such an arrangement seem beneficial for her. Separately, Qiu Ying apologized to Qiu Mei for her injury during the match, attempting to shift blame to Qiu Yan. Qiu Mei, frustrated, dismissed her.
Qiu Ying then subtly reminded Qiu Mei that both suffered setbacks while Qiu Yan gained prominence, further asserting that only a legitimate daughter like Qiu Mei, or at least a reputable lady like herself, was suitable for Qin Xuan, not a "second-hand good" like Qiu Yan. Qiu Mei, recognizing Qiu Ying's desire to undermine Qiu Yan, agreed to conspire.
Qiu Ying then found Young Master Meng, flattered him, and presented him with a handkerchief embroidered with the character "Yan," implying it was a gift from Qiu Yan to tarnish her reputation. Young Master Meng, flattered, began spreading the rumor. Qin Xuan intervened, claiming the handkerchief was his own, embroidered with "Yan" for a beloved actress named Yan Xiang.
When Young Master Meng persisted, Liang Yi surprisingly corroborated Qin Xuan's story, stating he had seen Qin Xuan use it, thereby preserving Qiu Yan's reputation. Upon hearing about the incident, Qiu Yan rushed to find Qin Xuan. However, Liang Yi intercepted her, claiming Qin Xuan was discussing privately with Young Master Meng elsewhere, and then lured her onto a boat on a lake.
Distraught, Qiu Yan demanded he stop the boat and reveal Qin Xuan's whereabouts, accusing Liang Yi of despicable interference due to her opposition to his pursuit of Qiu Min. Liang Yi retorted that her self-righteousness was exposed and that he would marry Qiu Min regardless. He then criticized Qiu Yan for using affection to secure a wealthy husband, warning her to stay away from Qin Xuan, his close friend. Qiu Yan defended herself, denying seducing Young Master Meng.
When Liang Yi cited Young Master Meng's claim, Qiu Yan logically explained that if she intended to manipulate him, she wouldn't openly embroider her name on the handkerchief. She also pointed out that the embroidery technique used was one she hated and was only known by Qiu Ying in her family, implicating Qiu Ying in the frame-up. She urged Liang Yi to investigate Qiu Ying, then disembarked.
Qiu Yan then reflected on her life, asserting that true love doesn't always "fall into place" and that pursuing a suitable partner was no different from striving in any other profession. She argued that if she didn't seize the current opportunity, her grandmother intended to marry her off as a concubine to a dying old man, trapping her in a life of endless competition.
She declared that while Liang Yi saw her as a social climber and others as a "broken woman," only Qin Xuan treated her with respect. She challenged Liang Yi, asking how much sincerity he truly held for her sister, Qiu Min, before walking away. As dusk settled, Qiu Yan returned to Marquis Yongming Residence to find Qin Xuan still waiting for her in the garden.
He dismissed her attempts to explain the handkerchief incident, assuring her he knew she was innocent and that his anger was directed at Young Master Meng for publicly slandering her. Qin Xuan promised to believe in her regardless of rumors. He then led her to a night-blooming cereus, a flower he had been watching all day, hoping it would bloom despite predictions it wouldn't.
Qiu Yan shared her past struggles, recounting how her Madam had favored her younger brother and mistreated her, leaving her feeling that life hadn't improved even as she grew up. She dismissed the words of a Taiying Temple master about fate and compensation for past hardships as mere comfort. Qin Xuan, however, revealed that he had intervened to help Mr. Zhao and Miss Yueying, who had suffered injustice, ensuring their safety despite further imprisonment.
Witnessing the night-blooming cereus finally blossom, slowly but surely, Qiu Yan felt a renewed sense of hope, acknowledging that the good times would eventually come. Before departing for Taiying Temple, Madam Han instructed Madam Dong at the East Side Door to facilitate the exchange of letters and gifts between Qiu Yan and Qin Xuan. Qin Xuan, aware of Qiu Yan's love for legal case novels, personally copied unprinted chapters of "Donghu Grievance Collection" for her, which she greatly appreciated.
Upon Duke Ying's return home, he expressed concern about Qin Xuan's frequent outings and suggested arranging a marriage with Minister Xue's daughter. Qin Xuan immediately declined, stating he had no intention of marrying and instead requested to join the Imperial Guards Camp in the suburb of the capital for training.
He explained that as a descendant of the Qin family, he wished to gain achievements and honor for his parents, and that serving in the camp would give him the necessary clout to propose to Qiu Yan in the future without parental objection. Duke Ying, impressed by his ambition, agreed to sign him up. Liang Yi, holding a position of trust within the palace, gained an advantage.
He appeared before the Emperor, presenting evidence against Xia Zhengji, an official of the Ministry of Revenue, for embezzling hundreds of thousands of taels of public funds. The Emperor, preoccupied with cultivating immortality and building temples, was short on funds, particularly for the three new temples he wished to construct in the imperial park. Liang Yi proposed a solution: have the clans and scholars in the capital donate to share the cost of construction.
Though Xia Zhengji protested his innocence, the Emperor immediately ordered his residence sealed and his assets seized. The recovered funds, including large amounts of gold, silver, and jade artifacts, were to be handed over to the Ministry of Works for the temple construction. It was also discovered that 11,000 taels of the seized silver notes were forged, prompting Liang Yi to order further investigation into Xia Zhengji.
News of the Firewood Office's overnight raid on the Xia family spread quickly, causing widespread panic in the capital. Old Madam, aware that the mandatory donations were unavoidable, tasked Madam Xu with handling their family's contribution of 5,000 taels. Given recent heavy flooding and diminished harvests, she urged all chambers to be more frugal.
Madam Qian, however, seized the opportunity to revisit her plan for Qiu Yan, mentioning her wealthy distant relative who would pay generously for a woman from the Qiu family. Old Madam firmly rejected the idea of marrying Qiu Yan off as a concubine, stating that Qiu Yan, despite her flaws, had committed no serious offense that would justify such a fate, and that it would shame the family. Madam Jiang and Madam Mi remained silent.
Unfazed by the rejection, Madam Qian noted Old Madam's condition that Qiu Yan had committed "no serious mistake," implying that if Qiu Yan were to commit one, her plan might become viable. Despite the growing pile of gifts exchanged between Qiu Yan and Qin Xuan, their relationship remained at a standstill, with neither willing to confess their feelings first. Qiu Yan believed that in love, as in chess, the first to reveal their heart loses the advantage.
However, hearing rumors that the Qin family was actively seeking a wife for Qin Xuan, and acknowledging his popularity, Qiu Yan realized she couldn't afford to wait. Deciding she needed to prompt Qin Xuan to make the first move, she disguised herself and arranged to meet him privately at the Heming Building opera house.
Qin Xuan and Qiu Yan's private meeting at the Heming Building, while enjoying the Hualin Troupe's performance, was unexpectedly witnessed by Liang Yi, who was there with his mother, Madam Jin. Liang Yi, upon seeing Qiu Yan disguised as a servant, deliberately made cutting remarks, mocking her appearance and status, and accusing her and Qin Xuan of secretly dating in disguise. He implied Qin Xuan had committed a "major offense."
Madam Jin intervened, urging Liang Yi to be more polite, acknowledging Qin Xuan's character, and telling Qiu Yan that it was acceptable not to know rules if she was willing to learn, though stressing the importance of a servant's observation skills.
Meanwhile, news of Qiu Yan and Qin Xuan's secret meeting at the Heming Building quickly reached First Madam, who was urged by her subordinates to act, suggesting that catching Qiu Yan and Qin Xuan red-handed would provide irrefutable proof of her violating family rules, placing Qiu Yan at First Madam's mercy.
Despite concerns about embarrassing the Qin family, the First Madam's attendants pressed on, highlighting that their own daughters were unlikely to marry into the Duke Ying Residence, and that Qiu Yan's advancement should be prevented, especially given the family's financial needs.
