The Autumn Ballad Episode 9 Recap
> The Autumn Ballad Recap
Qiu Yan, disguised as a man, accompanied Liang Yi to Wanyan House. Before entering, at the Firewood Office's dressing room, Qiu Yan insisted on choosing her own male attire and even sticking on a mustache herself, proclaiming her familiarity with opera. Song Jin, Liang Yi's subordinate, noted her handsome appearance in men's clothing. Liang Yi instructed Qiu Yan to remember her male identity, to which she agreed, emphasizing their partnership.
Liang Yi had also set a three-hour time limit for Song Jin, instructing him to intervene if they didn't emerge by then. While preparing to enter, Liang Yi asked Qiu Yan why she hadn't informed Qin Xuan of their venture. Qiu Yan responded that she didn't want him to worry and follow, which would make them a bigger target, and she didn't want him to risk danger for her.
When Liang Yi noted her thoughtfulness towards Qin Xuan, Qiu Yan sarcastically remarked that as someone "relying on powerful connections," she couldn't let her "patron" (referring to Liang Yi, who was funding their operation) be endangered. Meanwhile, Madam Chen, the owner of Wanyan House, was seen with an old man who had come to collect Miss Shaoyao, a woman he was promised. However, Madam Chen revealed her true intention, stating she never planned to let him live, implying his death.
This man was later identified as the old back alley rogue when his body was discovered. Inside Wanyan House, Liang Yi and Qiu Yan, posing as tea merchants named Mr. Song and Mr. Qin respectively, were greeted by Madam Chen. Qiu Yan, adopting the persona of a shy, young lad, initially prompted Liang Yi to ask directly for Shaoyao. Liang Yi refined this by asking for someone more "special," which led to Madam Chen mentioning Shaoyao.
After a brief show of reluctance from Madam Chen, who claimed the girl was confined for misdeeds, Liang Yi insisted on seeing Miss Shaoyao, offering payment. This act of generosity made Qiu Yan fret, as the money came from Liang Yi's salary, not public funds. Madam Chen, swayed by the offer, made an exception. Upon entering Shaoyao's room, Shaoyao expressed gratitude for their intervention.
Liang Yi, however, instructed her to dress, explaining that his "friend" (Qiu Yan) was shy and preferred conversation. Shaoyao, understanding their preference for "artistic" interaction, revealed details about her customers. She found most acceptable, regardless of their behavior, but singled out a "stingy" individual who consistently failed to pay. She couldn't refuse him because he was a subordinate of Tao Zhugong, the mysterious owner of Wanyan House, whose true identity and appearance were known only to Madam Chen.
Shaoyao confirmed she had never given the old man anything, but noted that her nameplate had gone missing recently, implying he had stolen it. She also mentioned seeing him heading towards Tao Zhugong just before meeting them. Shaoyao, sensing their true identities, then shrewdly observed that they seemed more like government officials than businessmen. Madam Chen, suspicious of the two newcomers, ordered her subordinate to monitor Shaoyao's room.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Shaoyao, aware of the powerful aphrodisiac incense, attempted to engage Qiu Yan intimately and, through this interaction, subtly discerned Qiu Yan's female identity. Liang Yi quickly intervened, rendering Shaoyao unconscious and assuring Qiu Yan she wouldn't awaken before daybreak. A servant then arrived, delivering "Red safflower soup" for Shaoyao. Liang Yi blocked his entry, and the servant, observing a disheveled room, concluded the "new faces" were simply "having fun" and left.
This report eased Madam Chen's suspicions, prompting her to instruct the servant to bring Official Yao to the backyard. Liang Yi then gave Qiu Yan water, explaining the potent incense in the room. When Qiu Yan questioned why it hadn't affected him, Liang Yi attributed it to his lifelong martial arts training, stating he was not comparable to ordinary people. Qiu Yan playfully suggested he might have an "unspeakable disease," which annoyed him.
Qiu Yan then deduced that Wanyan House served as a front for Tao Zhugong's fake silver note operation, a place where high-ranking officials and nobles could conduct illicit transactions. She believed the murderer of Xiao Tie was also present and that they needed to find the hidden inventory to catch them "red-handed." Liang Yi, however, criticized Qiu Yan for her earlier impulsiveness, blaming her actions for nearly exposing them and attracting Madam Chen's suspicion.
Qiu Yan responded by admitting her inexperience but highlighting that despite the risk, they had successfully gathered information. Liang Yi and Qiu Yan moved to a corridor, where Liang Yi recognized Official Yao, an administrative clerk from the Council of State, being escorted by a Wanyan House subordinate to the backyard. There, Official Yao met Madam Chen, seeking to acquire fifteen fake silver notes.
Madam Chen, adhering to the establishment's rules against accepting direct cash or silver notes for security, requested something more valuable. Official Yao then presented a "Yao family heirloom," which he claimed was worth no less than 800 taels, and the exchange was made. Liang Yi considered informing Song Jin to seal Wanyan House immediately.
However, Qiu Yan dissuaded him, arguing that mere possession of a few fake notes would only result in minor charges, and the culprits might be silenced like Xiao Tie. She insisted they needed to locate Tao Zhugong and the main warehouse to achieve a significant breakthrough. As Madam Chen entered a secret passage, Liang Yi activated a hidden mechanism, allowing them to follow.
They discovered a vast, winding underground network, which Qiu Yan likened to a "maze" and a "natural cavern" upon which Wanyan House was built. Liang Yi acknowledged her astute observation. Despite Qiu Yan's initial fear of the dark, they pressed on. Deep within the labyrinthine tunnels, Qiu Yan discovered the lifeless body of the old back alley rogue, confirming he had been silenced just like Xiao Tie.
Liang Yi immediately concluded that the assassin was likely within the same underground network. Further on, they observed Madam Chen reporting to a man she addressed as Tao Zhugong. This Tao Zhugong was surrounded by three martial artists and numerous boxes, which Madam Chen reported contained less than 200 fake silver notes, all expected to be sold the following night.
She also discussed plans to destroy the remaining inventory, dispose of the old man's body, and disperse the Wanyan House girls, spreading rumors that "Tao Zhugong" had already fled south. Liang Yi, confirming the identity of the man as Tao Zhugong, urged Qiu Yan to identify the assassin among the three martial artists, reminding her she was the only one who had seen his face. However, Qiu Yan admitted she couldn't see clearly.
Her accidental movement made a noise, exposing their presence. Tao Zhugong immediately ordered his men to attack. Liang Yi valiantly fought multiple assailants, while Qiu Yan initially struggled to navigate the dark, unfamiliar tunnels, accidentally retracing their steps. Liang Yi, realizing Qiu Yan had not identified the assassin with the crossbow, confronted her about her earlier deception, accusing her of not being scared but rather afraid of her lie being exposed.
Qiu Yan admitted to fabricating the story to ensure she would be included in the investigation, arguing that Liang Yi had also resorted to deceit for his own objectives. Liang Yi, frustrated, warned her one last time that if she acted willfully again, he would abandon her. During the chaos, Madam Chen attempted to escape, but Qiu Yan apprehended her. To Qiu Yan's surprise, Madam Chen swallowed poison and died. The injured Tao Zhugong fled deeper into the tunnel.
Liang Yi pursued him, following a blood trail, but kept circling back to the same spot. Eventually, he encountered a young woman named Ping'er. Liang Yi questioned Ping'er, who explained that she and her father, a porter named Liu, worked at Wanyan House. With her father constantly ill and in need of medicine, their meager monthly wages were insufficient.
Ping'er confessed to discovering the underground cavern by chance and had been stealing one or two fake silver notes at a time to sell, which went unnoticed. She pleaded for leniency, citing her filial piety. Qiu Yan then noticed a strange, faint scent on the fake notes. Liang Yi identified it as the distinct aroma of Hongzhen Sect's Incense of Worship, which could be masked by ink.
This revelation indicated that the Hongzhen Sect was likely involved in the counterfeit operation, making the case far more complex than anticipated. Ping'er, familiar with the extensive tunnels, offered to guide them to an exit she knew of, though she had never personally used it. They soon arrived at a location Liang Yi recognized as the Forbidden Park, a restricted area granted by the Emperor to the Grand Preceptor for the construction of Hongzhen Holy Palace.
Only the Emperor and high-ranking Hongzhen Sect members were permitted entry. Liang Yi quickly surmised that the Grand Preceptor was the true mastermind behind Tao Zhugong, realizing the immense implications of such a shocking case that could destabilize the nation, and urged their immediate departure. A group of Daoists suddenly burst into their location within the Forbidden Park.
Liang Yi promptly identified himself as an Inspector from the Firewood Office and requested an audience with the Grand Preceptor, explaining they had pursued criminals into the sacred grounds. The Grand Preceptor, however, declared the Imperial Park a holy place where any forced entry would incur divine wrath. Qiu Yan, impatient with his evasions, boldly accused him of fearing exposure of a scandal.
Liang Yi quickly apologized for her impudence, assuring the Grand Preceptor that he believed him innocent, but suggested that some disciples might be acting without his knowledge, which could undermine the Emperor's trust. The Grand Preceptor saw through Liang Yi's facade, asserting his intention to punish any wrongdoing within the sect and suspecting a frame-up. Liang Yi, feigning admiration, subtly advised the Grand Preceptor that a self-investigation would inevitably lead to accusations of partiality.
He proposed gathering all individuals with leg injuries for inspection, referencing the injured Tao Zhugong, to clear the Hongzhen Sect's name. The Grand Preceptor refused to prove his innocence to the Firewood Office, threatening to report Liang Yi to the Emperor for trespassing with ill intent. At this critical moment, Lingzheng, the head of the Hongzhen Sect and second in command to the Grand Preceptor, arrived, escorting a visibly injured and flustered Xuanjing. Lingzheng reported finding Xuanjing behaving suspiciously.
The Grand Preceptor, enraged, confronted Xuanjing about his involvement in the Wanyan House fake notes scheme, expressing profound disappointment. Liang Yi calmly interjected, reiterating his intention not to publicize the case and simply requesting to take Xuanjing back to the Firewood Office for questioning. The Grand Preceptor, seemingly appeased, agreed and instructed Lingzheng to hand over Xuanjing.
As Liang Yi prepared to depart, Lingzheng suddenly praised Liang Yi's prowess before shockingly drawing his sword and pointing it at the Grand Preceptor, revealing himself as the true mastermind behind the operation. Lingzheng ranted about the aging Emperor and the impending succession of the Crown Prince, asserting that Hongzhen Sect would be targeted first. He justified the fake notes business as a means to bribe the Crown Prince's trusted followers and secure the sect's future.
Liang Yi, seeing through Lingzheng's grand scheme, mocked his lack of foresight, questioning how he would explain the Grand Preceptor's and Liang Yi's deaths to the Emperor. Lingzheng acknowledged Liang Yi's favored status with the Emperor and proposed a deal: Liang Yi should kill the Grand Preceptor and pin the fake notes crime on him, promising repayment once Lingzheng became the new Grand Preceptor. Liang Yi scoffed at the offer, refusing to be manipulated. Lingzheng then shifted his threat, putting Qiu Yan's life at stake. Faced with Qiu Yan's imminent danger, Liang Yi was forced to negotiate, requesting one night to consider Lingzheng's offer.
