The Autumn Ballad Episode 7 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Learning from her subordinates that Qiu Yan and Qin Xuan were secretly meeting, Madam Kou immediately approached First Madam to propose catching them publicly. This would confirm Qiu Yan had violated Qiu family rules, allowing them to deal with her as they pleased. Although First Madam initially hesitated, concerned about disgracing the Qiu family, Madam Kou's persistent urging eventually secured her silent consent.
Meanwhile, at an opera performance featuring "Autumn River," Qiu Yan and Qin Xuan watched a story unfold about the Taoist nun Miaochang and Scholar Pan, whose love defied societal norms, leading to their forced separation before Pan's eventual success and their reunion. Liang Yi, however, dismissed the tale as superficial, accusing such narratives of merely satisfying women's fantasies.
Qiu Yan, annoyed by his cynical remarks and constant demands, cleverly retaliated by soaking a napkin in liquor and giving it to him, knowing he had an injury, and watched smugly as he endured the pain. Later, while discussing the opera's themes of commitment during separation, Qiu Yan pressed Qin Xuan for his feelings. As Qiu Yan and Qin Xuan departed in a carriage, Liang Yi, observing from a distance, noticed they were being followed.
He discreetly warned them to take a detour. Shortly after, Madam Kou, with a group of her retainers, intercepted the carriage. To her surprise, only Liang Yi and Song Jin were inside. Meanwhile, Qin Xuan had pulled Qiu Yan into a nearby alley to escape. However, Madam Kou's retainers split up, eventually spotting Qiu Yan. To elicit a public declaration from Qin Xuan, Qiu Yan feigned a twisted ankle while fleeing, hoping to force his hand.
Madam Kou caught up, accusing them of illicit private conduct, drawing a large crowd. Marquis Yongming, Qin Xuan’s father, arrived, furious at the public spectacle. He vehemently demanded that Qin Xuan and Qiu Yan end their relationship immediately. Despite his father's wrath, Qin Xuan bravely declared his profound love for Qiu Yan, vowing to marry only her in this life. Marquis Yongming, enraged, ordered their immediate separation, and both were forcibly taken back to their respective residences.
Back at the Qiu residence, Qiu Yan knelt in the ancestral hall, facing her father Qiu Yi's harsh reprimands. Yet, she remained steadfast in her resolve, asserting that she had chosen Qin Xuan and had no regrets, no matter the consequences. Concurrently, Old Madam Qiu, deeply shamed by the day's events, instructed First Madam to promptly arrange a marriage for Qiu Yan with a distant relative, prioritizing speed over dowry to quickly dispatch what she considered a "disaster."
Afterwards, Old Madam Qiu dismissed everyone except First Madam and Madam Kou, severely scolding them for their impulsive actions that disregarded the Qiu family's honor. As punishment, both were docked half a year's allowance. As night fell, Qiu Yan, famished from kneeling all day, ate some offerings.
Qiu Min then visited her, confessing that she was the one who had informed Madam Kou of Qiu Yan's whereabouts, knowing it would lead to a public humiliation rather than a mere family scolding. This revelation shocked Qiu Yan, who then realized Qiu Min harbored feelings for Qin Xuan and that her actions were driven by resentment. Qiu Yan, however, firmly stated that she would not relinquish Qin Xuan willingly, proposing they compete fairly for his affection.
Qiu Min, admitting her own inability to compete with Qiu Yan's cunning and acknowledging the family's favoritism towards Qiu Yan, bitterly refused. She expressed frustration at Qiu Yan's seemingly virtuous facade and her own helplessness in openly fighting for her love, contrasting it with Qiu Yan's willingness to use any means necessary while she herself was bound by societal and family expectations.
Meanwhile, Song Jin reported to Liang Yi about a significant discovery: fake silver notes circulating among banks in the capital. These notes were meticulously crafted, replicating genuine paper, seals, patterns, and even secret codes, making them almost indistinguishable from real ones, identifiable only through specific bank records. A conservative estimate placed the total value of these fake notes at over two million taels.
Adding to the crisis, the Ministry of Revenue also reported that the Qiu family had submitted some of these counterfeit notes among their recent contributions. Liang Yi personally delivered the grim news to Qiu Yi, who expressed profound gratitude, feeling that Liang Yi had saved his family from ruin. Liang Yi explained his actions were driven by respect for Qiu Yi's integrity, not personal gain.
At the same time, Qiu Yan learned that Qin Xuan had been grounded and was unable to send letters. Determined to see him, she attempted to sneak out of the mansion, only to encounter Liang Yi. She pleaded with him for assistance in leaving, but Liang Yi, highly perceptive, saw through her pleas. He pointed out her past calculated actions, such as her feigned injury to force Qin Xuan's public vow, and refused to aid her.
Instead, he rendered her unconscious and handed her over to the Qiu family with strict instructions to keep her confined. Waking up in the woodshed, Qiu Yan overheard servants discussing the fake silver notes crisis, including the three thousand taels deficit in the family fund. A plan quickly formed in her mind, and she began shouting to be let out.
The Qiu household was in utter chaos over the sudden discovery of the fake silver notes and the immediate need to cover a three thousand tael deficit before the donation deadline. First Madam was distraught, and while Qiu Yi offered his modest savings of a few hundred taels, it was a mere fraction of what was needed. The Third and Fourth Chambers, already indebted to the family fund, could offer no substantial help.
With no other recourse, Old Madam Qiu reluctantly considered selling ancestral land, a decision that deeply pained the family. At this critical juncture, Qiu Yan stepped forward, offering to personally investigate the fake notes and recover the three thousand taels within three days. Her condition was clear: if she succeeded, her marriage would be decided by herself, free from family interference. Desperate, Old Madam Qiu accepted.
Following this, Qiu Yan, accompanied by Madam Xu, began searching all the chambers within the Qiu residence, which naturally caused resentment among the family members. However, with Old Madam Qiu's authority backing them, no one dared to openly defy. Eventually, Madam Xu discovered a fake silver note in Qiu Rong's room, a son of the Second Chamber.
Qiu Rong, kneeling in the hall, claimed innocence, stating he had merely retrieved a jar of Western candied fruit from the kitchen and was unaware of any silver note inside. His uncles and aunts disbelieved him, demanding Qiu Yi punish his son according to family rules. Madam Liu attempted to defend Qiu Rong, pleading for leniency due to his youth.
However, Qiu Yan, without a word, decisively took a wooden stick and began to beat Qiu Rong on his back, silencing all further protests and firmly asserting her authority in the investigation.
