Truth or Dare Episode 11 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
Mei Shiqing held Xiao Wanzi's hand gently to his face, but the intimate moment was abruptly interrupted by Qiaoyun's arrival. Qiaoyun, reflecting on Mei Shiqing's recent kindness—such as cooking porridge and applying ointment after Xiao Wanzi's ordeal—reminded Xiao Wanzi that their priority was still rescuing Lu Yingyao, rather than focusing on personal feelings. Meanwhile, Mei Siheng reported to Mei Shiqing about the ongoing investigation into the jailbreak.
The delivery guy who swapped Xiao Wanzi and Lu Yingyao remained elusive, leaving the masked accomplice as their only lead. Although Xiao Wanzi claimed she remembered nothing of the masked man due to fright, Mei Shiqing suggested taking Xiao Wanzi out for a few days, believing a change of scenery might help jog her memory. Qiaoyun, overhearing this, suspected Mei Shiqing intended to use Xiao Wanzi as a decoy. Xiao Wanzi eagerly went out with Mei Shiqing.
On the street, after trying to order some lamb kebabs and hot zongzi, she turned to find Mei Shiqing had vanished, leaving her in an awkward situation with the vendors. As she searched for him, a masked assassin suddenly attacked her, having been lured out by Mei Shiqing using Xiao Wanzi as bait. Lord Nocturnal-elf appeared just in time to fend off the assailant.
In the ensuing fight, the masked man threw a dagger at Xiao Wanzi, causing her to lose her footing and fall from a balcony. Lord Nocturnal-elf swiftly caught her. Overcome by curiosity, Xiao Wanzi daringly unmasked her rescuer, revealing Mei Shiqing's face. Xiao Wanzi initially accused him of impersonation, but Mei Shiqing confirmed his identity by recalling a secret they had shared on Qingcheng Tower.
Though still bewildered that the heroic Lord Nocturnal-elf was the same person as the often-annoying Mei Shiqing, she now found him less annoying and developed a more favorable view of him. Mei Shiqing, however, warned her to be careful, explaining that their encounter had alerted the mole, making her a potential target. Back at the manor, Xiao Wanzi excitedly shared the secret with Qiuhua and Qiaoyun, who were equally astonished.
Qiaoyun quickly reminded her that Mei Shiqing was still betrothed to Lu Yingyao and cautioned Xiao Wanzi against developing inappropriate feelings. Xiao Wanzi, fueled by her newfound admiration for Mei Shiqing as Lord Nocturnal-elf, began to dote on him, bringing him tea and offering massages, much to Mei Siheng's discomfort, who excused himself from the room. When she playfully asked Mei Shiqing to wear his mask so she could serve "Lord Nocturnal-elf," he merely dismissed her request.
Instead, he made her practice calligraphy. Xiao Wanzi, not one to give up easily, tried to teach him her family's unique "chest-breaking and face-painting" skill, using a bewildered Mei Siheng as an unwilling canvas. Mei Shiqing, undeterred, insisted she continue with calligraphy, specifically her own name. When she tried to cut corners, he punished her by ordering her to write it a hundred times, ignoring her pleas to "Lord Nocturnal-elf" for help.
Later that night, Xiao Wanzi noticed a hidden mechanism under her bed had been disturbed, deducing that Lord Nocturnal-elf was once again on the move. She followed Mei Shiqing through a secret passage to Felicity Tavern, where she overheard him discussing sensitive intelligence with Rou. Rou reported that a silk trade caravan was due to pass through Dragon Mountain, and Dragon Stockade planned to rob it. Mei Shiqing saw this as a golden opportunity. Xiao Wanzi's presence was soon detected.
Mei Shiqing, somewhat impressed by her ability to find the hidden mechanism, was met with her cheeky retort that he simply hadn't secured it properly. She then questioned his relationship with Rou, realizing that Rou already knew his secret identity. Mei Shiqing clarified that his connection with Rou was strictly professional, and sternly reminded Xiao Wanzi that their own relationship was merely a contractual arrangement, dispelling any romantic illusions she might have harbored.
Meanwhile, in Dragon Stockade, Lu Yingyao and He Yizhi finalized their escape plan, having meticulously studied the bandits' patrol rotations. Lu Yingyao, recalling her previous failed escape attempts, expressed her deep fear of Nan Batian, but He Yizhi reassured her of their success this time. Seeing Bao prepare to lead his men on a raid, Lu Yingyao, despite her mixed feelings, decided to see him off.
Bao, hoping to gain her affection, presented her with a hairpin he had bought, envisioning a future where his success in raiding would earn Nan Batian's approval for their marriage. Lu Yingyao, however, urged him to prioritize his safety and, crucially, to avoid taking any lives during the raid. Nan Batian also bade Bao farewell, instructing him to return with a substantial haul of loot, further fueling Bao's ambition.
Left alone, Lu Yingyao could only grimace in disgust at Nan Batian's lingering presence. Distraught by Mei Shiqing's firm reminder of their contract and her conflicted feelings about Lord Nocturnal-elf and Mei Shiqing being the same person, Xiao Wanzi sought solace at a street food stall, ordering a bowl of wontons. By chance, she encountered Situ Lin, who noticed her gloomy demeanor. Xiao Wanzi confided her dilemma: the person she liked most was precisely the person she disliked most.
Situ Lin offered a thoughtful analogy, comparing her feelings to the sun—everyone loves its brightness, yet cannot look directly at it, implying her confusion stemmed from desiring something she could not truly possess. Xiao Wanzi absorbed his words, realizing that regardless of her feelings, she would ultimately have to "return" Mei Shiqing to Lu Yingyao once the princess was rescued. She resolved to cut ties cleanly and decisively.
Back at the Mei manor, Mei Shiqing presented his intelligence regarding Dragon Stockade's planned robbery to Mei Changyun, requesting troops to intercept them. However, Mei Changyun was skeptical, dismissing Mei Shiqing's intel from his "only contact" as unreliable. He accused Mei Shiqing of being too impulsive and eager to redeem his past failures, flatly refusing to grant him any soldiers. Mei Shiqing was left fuming.
Just then, Xiao Wanzi entered, reiterating their contractual relationship and attempting to return the cloak and bracelet Mei Shiqing had given her, stressing the need to maintain their distance. Mei Shiqing, preoccupied and frustrated by his father's refusal, told her he had no time for such matters and instructed her to wait for his return.
He then cryptically mentioned money he had stashed in a secret tunnel, for her to use if he didn't come back, implying she should leave for her own safety. Confused and desperate for answers, Xiao Wanzi turned to Mei Siheng for an explanation of Mei Shiqing's urgent mission. Meanwhile, Bao and his men ambushed Wang Biao's caravan. As the battle raged, with Bao reminding his men to only seize goods and not kill, Lord Nocturnal-elf suddenly appeared on the scene.
