Truth or Dare Episode 13 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
Nan Batian confronted Wu, asking if he had nothing to do with his subordinate's offense. Wu swore he was innocent, to which Nan Batian reacted by saying, "Strike you dead!" He then stated, "A country has its laws, a stockade has its rules, too," and told Wu to handle his man. Wu, pretending to be angry, reprimanded his subordinate for being too bold and stealing. The subordinate begged for mercy, promising not to repeat the mistake.
Wu then reported to Nan Batian that according to Dragon Stockade's rules, the subordinate's hand should be cut off to satisfy the other members. Xiaobao, showing compassion, intervened, suggesting that despite the man's mistake, he might have an unspoken hardship. Xiaobao proposed a lesser punishment: a beating and a few days of starvation. However, Nan Batian firmly stated that "Rules are rules" and that leniency would undermine the stockade's authority.
He declared, "I'll show you the price of hiding private goods," and ordered the subordinate to be taken away for punishment, ignoring the man's pleas to Wu for help. Back at the Mei mansion, Mei Changyun had already been informed by the Second Madam that Mei Shiqing and the princess had not returned all night, causing worry that the family would become "separated." When Mei Shiqing and Xiao Wanzi appeared, Mei Changyun sternly asked them where they had been.
Mei Shiqing claimed he was on a whim, taking "the princess" sightseeing to experience Qingzhou's local customs. Xiao Wanzi corroborated the story, explaining they were caught in a heavy rain in the mountains and had to take shelter in a cave all night. Mei Changyun reprimanded Mei Shiqing for being childish and irresponsible, warning him that if he ever stayed out all night with the princess again, he would break his legs.
He also urged them to focus on their political future and having children. Mei Shiqing acknowledged his father's words and took his leave. Afterward, in their room, Mei Shiqing's wounds began to ache. Xiao Wanzi, dismissing Siheng and insisting on caring for Mei Shiqing herself, offered to call a doctor, but Mei Shiqing declined, fearing it might "cause other problems." So, Xiao Wanzi bandaged his wound and went to the kitchen to prepare medicine for him.
In the kitchen, Qiaoyun and Qiuhua noticed Xiao Wanzi seemed distracted. Qiaoyun subtly questioned Xiao Wanzi about her relationship with Mei Shiqing, remarking that their "attitudes towards each other changed a lot" after spending a night in a cave. Xiao Wanzi nervously denied any wrongdoing, asserting she "didn't do anything bad to Her Highness." Qiaoyun expressed concern that Xiao Wanzi might get hurt if she developed feelings for Mei Shiqing, especially with the real princess's eventual return.
Xiao Wanzi, lost in thought, even burnt the medicine she was preparing. Later, alone on a bridge, Xiao Wanzi reflected on her growing feelings for Mei Shiqing, realizing he belonged to Lu Yingyao, and that Lord Nocturnal-elf was also Mei Shiqing. She wondered if she was falling for someone she shouldn't. Mei Shiqing noticed Xiao Wanzi's melancholy and approached her.
He accurately guessed she was worried about what would happen when the real princess returned and she had to revert to being Xiao Wanzi. He reassured her, stating firmly, "My heart already belongs to someone," and that his feelings would not change. Xiao Wanzi, torn by her promise to Qiaoyun and her burgeoning feelings, tried to deflect, claiming she was only concerned about his healing.
To cheer her up, Mei Shiqing took Xiao Wanzi to Felicity Tavern for a meal, a place she had previously expressed interest in. At the tavern, Rou greeted them warmly. Xiao Wanzi eagerly ordered several signature dishes, including Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs, West Lake Fish, and Beggar's Chicken. While they waited, Mei Shiqing inquired about the salt trafficking case.
Rou reported that the perpetrators were not ordinary roaming traffickers, as several arrested smugglers had committed suicide, indicating a powerful figure behind them. Mei Shiqing, confident the culprits would expose themselves, instructed Rou to cease further investigation, impressing Xiao Wanzi with his approach.
When Mei Shiqing suggested leaving, Xiao Wanzi, still waiting for her Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs, insisted on staying, explaining she wanted to return to the tavern in the future to enjoy the food and join them in "punishing evils." Mei Shiqing playfully remarked that she was probably "just coming here to eat."
Nan Xiang sought out Wu to show off the new clothes Xiaobao had given her, but Wu deliberately tried to drive a wedge between her and Xiaobao, claiming Xiaobao only cared about "that busker" (Lu Yingyao). Wu even confessed to setting Xiaobao up by planting evidence in his room, adding that Xiaobao must have spent that night in Lu Yingyao's room, being "lovey-dovey" with her. Enraged, Nan Xiang stormed off to confront Lu Yingyao.
Meanwhile, He Yizhi and Lu Yingyao discussed their next steps. He Yizhi believed Xiaobao cared for Lu Yingyao, noting that Xiaobao hadn't harmed anyone during a recent robbery, suggesting they should try to win him over. Lu Yingyao, however, felt her standing with Xiaobao wasn't strong enough to sway him and doubted he could change after growing up in the stockade. She expressed hope that Xiaobao would eventually see Nan Batian's true colors and return to a righteous path.
Suddenly, Nan Xiang appeared, accusing Lu Yingyao of seducing Xiaobao. Seeing that Lu Yingyao's face had recovered, Nan Xiang became even more furious, pulling out a knife and threatening to disfigure her. He Yizhi intervened to protect Lu Yingyao and urged her to run, but Nan Xiang easily overpowered him and pursued Lu Yingyao. Just as Nan Xiang was about to stab Lu Yingyao, Xiaobao arrived, saving Lu Yingyao.
Nan Xiang, upset that Xiaobao protected Lu Yingyao, stormed off to Nan Batian, fabricating a story that He Yizhi and Lu Yingyao were trying to flee and report them to the Yamen. Nan Batian, naturally protective of his daughter, summoned Xiaobao. Xiaobao arrived with Lu Yingyao and He Yizhi, attempting to explain that Nan Xiang had attacked them without cause. He Yizhi also tried to defend himself, stating they were merely taking a walk.
Nan Batian, believing his daughter's words over theirs, became enraged, especially when He Yizhi inadvertently confirmed Nan Xiang's claim by saying "She said it all right" in fear. Nan Batian declared that He Yizhi, despite being "Xiao Wanzi's father" and his future father-in-law, had provoked his displeasure, adding, "But even God can't save you when you piss me off." He then ordered He Yizhi to be locked up.
Lu Yingyao pleaded for her "dad," but Nan Batian, seeing her face was healed, was now fixated on marrying her. He threatened to keep He Yizhi imprisoned until Lu Yingyao agreed to marry him, despite Lu Yingyao feigning that her body was still covered in spots. Xiaobao, though angry at Nan Batian and Nan Xiang's machinations, could only suppress his frustration.
Nan Xiang gloated to Xiaobao, warning him that if he did not treat her well and instead favored Lu Yingyao, she would tell her father. Nan Batian then dismissed them, leaving Nan Xiang to lament to her father about being bullied by them, only to be told by Nan Batian to "Stay away from me. Give me some peace."
Later that night, worried about He Yizhi, Lu Yingyao was surprised when Xiaobao appeared, offering to take her to see her "dad" in prison. They cautiously made their way there, with Xiaobao bribing the guards to allow Lu Yingyao to enter with food he had prepared. Inside the cell, Lu Yingyao expressed her gratitude to He Yizhi for saving her earlier. He Yizhi, touched, said he saw her as a daughter and couldn't bear to see her suffer.
Lu Yingyao, feeling a warmth she hadn't known, confessed her envy for Xiao Wanzi having a father like him. She revealed that despite her noble birth, her own father treated her as a mere pawn. He Yizhi, moved by her words, offered to officially adopt her as his daughter, believing it would give her more protection in the stockade. Lu Yingyao agreed, and after a heartfelt exchange, she promised to protect herself and left.
Outside the prison, Xiaobao took Lu Yingyao to a secluded spot to watch the stars, a place he frequented when upset, especially when "my adoptive father said he would marry you." He asked her to stay with him for a while. As they gazed at the sky, Lu Yingyao mused that the stars were free, but they, observing them, were not.
She gently encouraged Xiaobao to consider a different life beyond the stockade, not for her or He Yizhi, but for himself. She believed he was meant for something greater, reminding him that "A gentleman can go anywhere" and urging him to have faith that he could become the person he truly wished to be. Xiaobao was visibly moved by her words. Lu Yingyao wished everyone could be as free as the stars.
Back in the mansion, Xiao Wanzi excitedly showed Mei Shiqing a set of night clothes she had designed, declaring her intention to be his "right-hand girl" as Lord Nocturnal-elf, ready to "handle the evil and help the people" and "kill all our enemies." Mei Shiqing, however, dismissed her plan, humorously suggesting she was "not making troubles" and telling her to "go back and sleep."
Just then, Siheng rushed in with alarming news: someone had reported to the Yamen, accusing Lord Nocturnal-elf of colluding with Dragon Stockade to rob merchants. Mei Shiqing was stunned that they "dared to set me up" and realized "the people behind this is thorny." He instructed Siheng to tell Rou to keep a close watch on the accuser without taking any direct action.
Not wanting to be left out of the action, Xiao Wanzi, anticipating Mei Shiqing might go out that night, cunningly tied his foot to her hand while he was sleeping to prevent him from "act stealthily" without her. Mei Shiqing woke up with a "headache." The next day, Rou reported that the accuser was a silk merchant named Guo Baiwan from Qingzhou City, who claimed Lord Nocturnal-elf and Dragon Stockade had burned and looted his "first-grade silks."
Mei Shiqing deduced that Guo Baiwan was merely "an errand boy" for a more powerful figure behind the scenes. Recognizing that his enemies had made a move, Mei Shiqing decided against inaction. Using the detailed movements of Guo Baiwan provided by Rou, Mei Shiqing, disguised as Lord Nocturnal-elf, confronted Guo Baiwan. When Guo Baiwan asked if he was Lord Nocturnal-elf, Mei Shiqing replied, "Who else can I be?"
