Truth or Dare Episode 19 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
Mei Shiqing, disguised as Lord Nocturnal-elf, sat across from Pelletie, feigning distress over where to catch villains. He asked for her input as his assistant, mentioning a playboy causing trouble in the east and robbers in the west, and lamenting the difficulty of choosing. Xiao Wanziremained indifferent, eventually walking away, leaving Mei Shiqing to wonder why she was still so angry and what he should do, feeling that "it's too hard to be a man."
Pelletie, Qiaoyun, and Qiuhua waited on a path known to be used by casino workers delivering silver to Dragon Stockade on the first day of each month. When a carriage approached, Qiaoyun pretended to twist her ankle, blocking their way. The casino's men, noticing Qiaoyun's beauty, were delayed. Qiuhua then intervened, creating a diversion. As this unfolded, Xiao Wanzisecretly hid underneath the carriage, successfully gaining entry into Dragon Stockade. Inside the stockade, Xiao Wanzifound Lu Yingyao.
Lu Yingyao, touched that Xiao Wanzirisked her life to rescue them, pulled her to a secluded spot to talk. Xiao Wanziexplained she came to save her father, He Yizhi, and Lu Yingyao. Lu Yingyao revealed that He Yizhi was imprisoned by Nan Batian for defending her against his daughter, not enjoying a comfortable life as Xiao Wanzihad been led to believe.
She warned Xiao Wanziagainst rashly attempting a rescue, explaining that she had an escape plan which involved freeing He Yizhi first. While they spoke, Xiao Wanzirecognized the pawnshop owner, whom she had previously encountered, speaking with Master Bao. Lu Yingyao advised Xiao Wanzito leave with the departing casino carriage.
To facilitate Pelletie's escape, Lu Yingyao created a diversion by falsely announcing Master Bao's disappearance to Wu and the casino guards, allowing Xiao Wanzito hide under the carriage and be transported out of Dragon Stockade. Outside the stockade, Qiaoyun and Qiuhua anxiously awaited Pelletie's return. Once Xiao Wanziemerged from the carriage, they inquired about Lu Yingyao and He Yizhi.
Xiao Wanziassured them that Lu Yingyao was safe and actively planning their joint escape, urging them not to act rashly and to trust Lu Yingyao's intelligence. Upon returning to Mei Mansion, they found Mei Shiqing had dispatched many servants to search for Pelletie. Knowing she couldn't hide, Xiao Wanziconfronted Mei Shiqing, who, relieved to see her safe, immediately embraced her.
He scolded her for her reckless behavior, reminding her that as the supposed princess, her disappearance had thrown the entire Mei Mansion into chaos and put them all at risk. Xiao Wanziapologized and explained her actions, reiterating her desire for Lu Yingyao, the real princess, to return to her rightful place in the mansion.
Mei Shiqing, frustrated, reminded her of his true feelings and insisted that he would handle all matters, including Lu Yingyao's rescue, and Xiao Wanziwas not to interfere. Xiao Wanzithen revealed her significant discovery: she had seen the pawnshop owner in Dragon Stockade, confirming his connection to the group and suggesting a link to the attack on Mei Shiqing’s mother. Mei Shiqing acknowledged the crucial information.
As a punishment for her unauthorized actions, he ordered her to write "I will never act without permission" three hundred times, but also rewarded her with a bracelet and a token for her valuable intelligence, which brought a smile to Pelletie’s face. The next day, Mei Shiqing’s servants were overly attentive to Xiao Wanziduring breakfast, making her feel uncomfortable. Siheng then announced Situ Lin’s arrival.
Excited, Xiao Wanzirushed to greet him, much to Mei Shiqing's chagrin, who secretly wondered if he lacked charm compared to Situ Lin. In the front hall, Situ Lin presented Xiao Wanziwith a telescope, an object she had never seen before. She was amazed by its ability to magnify distant objects, like the "Good Luck" inscription on a faraway attic lintel, and immediately took an interest in learning about such inventions and business from Situ Lin.
Despite Mei Shiqing's initial disapproval, he reluctantly joined them at Situ Lin's shop, fearing Xiao Wanzimight be swayed by Situ Lin's charms. At the shop, Situ Lin gave Xiao Wanzia Tangram puzzle and generously offered her any items she liked. He shared business insights, emphasizing various pricing strategies, while Mei Shiqing sternly reminded him about the importance of integrity and honesty in commerce.
Later, Mei Shiqing, finding a moment alone with Xiao Wanziupstairs, pressed her for an answer about her feelings for him. When she hesitated, he declared that he would take her silence as an agreement, then led them away to the streets. While enjoying roasted skewers, Xiao Wanzirealized she had forgotten the Tangram at Situ Lin's shop. She quickly returned to retrieve it, but instead saw a known salt smuggler interacting at the shop.
Suspecting Situ Lin might be involved, she decided to investigate further on her own before reporting to Mei Shiqing, not wanting him to think her rash. The following day, Xiao Wanziwas carving children's toys, hoping to earn money independently, but Mei Shiqing dismissed it as unprofitable and advised against selling them through Situ Lin.
Shortly after, Situ Lin arrived and invited Xiao Wanzito visit an artisan, Master Jiang, in the west of the city, whose workshop was full of unique items. Pelletie, seizing the opportunity to discreetly investigate Situ Lin regarding the salt smuggling, agreed. Mei Shiqing, however, was summoned by his father, so he secretly dispatched Siheng to follow them. At Master Jiang's workshop, Xiao Wanziwas captivated by the many peculiar objects and asked to learn the craft.
Master Jiang agreed to teach her, starting with carving small figures, then progressing to "the gears." Xiao Wanzicarved a masked swordman, which Situ Lin couldn't quite recognize. Xiao Wanzithen cautiously mentioned seeing the salt smuggler in his shop, and Situ Lin feigned surprise and ignorance, requesting to see the smuggler's image. Pelletie, observing his reaction, concluded that Situ Lin seemed genuinely unaware of the smuggling.
Meanwhile, Nan Xiang was preparing a tonic for Master Bao using a recipe from Lu Yingyao. Wu approached, revealing that Master Bao had promised Nan Batian he would marry Xiao Wanziif he captured Lord Nocturnal-elf. Enraged by this news and convinced that Lu Yingyao and Xiao Wanziwere conspiring against her, Nan Xiang stormed towards the prison to confront Lu Yingyao.
As she neared the cell, she overheard Lu Yingyao and He Yizhi discussing a plan to escape by infiltrating Nan Batian’s room. Overwhelmed by anger, Nan Xiang burst into the prison cell and apprehended both of them.
