Truth or Dare Episode 22 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
Xiao Wanzireassured Qiaoyun that she would silently leave once the real princess returned. Qiaoyun had earlier pressed Pelletie, questioning the true princess's fate if Xiao Wanziand Mei Shiqing were genuinely in love. Pelletie, admitting her role as the imposter, promised to give the princess an explanation and depart upon her return, vowing to keep her word. Meanwhile, Bao's condition worsened as Liu confirmed that the current medicine had failed to detoxify him.
Liu suspected that Nan Xiang possessed the antidote but was unwilling to provide it. He believed only Nan Batian could persuade her, but felt he was a nobody to approach the Master. Determined, Lu Yingyao decided to find Nan Batian herself. She tearfully spoke to the unconscious Bao, reminding him of his promise never to leave her and vowing to retrieve the antidote. She then instructed Liu to care for him. Nan Batian confronted Nan Xiang, demanding the antidote.
He chided her fiercely, stressing Bao's vital role in Dragon Stockade and accusing his "insubordinate girl" of jeopardizing his life's work. Nan Xiang retorted, blaming Lu Yingyao for Bao's current state and implying her father was blind to it. Nan Batian, enraged, attempted to strike Nan Xiang with his cane, but a companion stepped in to stop him. Lu Yingyao also pleaded with Nan Xiang to release the antidote.
Feeling cornered and pressured by everyone present, Nan Xiang pulled out a knife and threatened to take her own life. Nan Batian, unwilling to see his daughter harmed, dismissed Lu Yingyao and his companion, hoping to reason with Nan Xiang alone. Nan Xiang defiantly told him she could choose to no longer be his daughter if he wished to harm her.
Frustrated by her unwavering refusal, Nan Batian eventually left her room in anger, muttering about his daughter's unreasonableness and how she did not resemble him at all. Later, Nan Xiang privately called Nan Batian back, presenting him with the antidote. She explained that she had always intended to give it but had been unwilling to lose face in front of Lu Yingyao.
Accepting the antidote, Nan Batian realized that his daughter, much like her mother, possessed a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Nan Xiang affirmed that she never wished for Dragon Stockade to lose Bao, but warned her father that she would later settle accounts with him for his attempt to strike her. After she left, Nan Batian mused on the "dangerous beauty" that Lu Yingyao was. After taking the antidote, Bao gradually began to recover.
Liu confirmed Bao's pulse was strengthening, assuring Lu Yingyao that Bao would be fine, though the widespread poison would necessitate a period of rest. Overjoyed, Lu Yingyao held Bao's hand, softly urging him to recover quickly, as she was waiting for him. Bao later woke up, claiming he was "hard to kill" and that the "Lord of Death" would not accept him. Lu Yingyao immediately called Liu to examine him.
Liu reiterated Bao's good recovery but reminded him that without Lu Yingyao, he would have "been dead." Bao then playfully declared he had "nothing in return but give myself to you." Lu Yingyao playfully scolded him for his impropriety, urging him to focus on recovery before she would prepare him a meal and then take him to see the other brothers in the stockade.
Xiao Wanziwatched Mei Shiqing practice his sword, carefully reminding him to mind the wound on his right hand, though he assured her he had it under control. When he paused, she brought him tea, massaged his shoulders, and later, as he rested, gently fanned him. Mei Shiqing, feigning sleep, secretly opened his eyes and smiled as Xiao Wanzisoftly placed his hands on her face.
Later, as Xiao Wanzipracticed calligraphy with Mei Shiqing, she noticed that Qiaoyun was not the one serving tea. A servant informed them that Qiaoyun was unwell, causing both Xiao Wanziand Siheng to appear concerned. Qiuhua attempted to comfort a despondent Qiaoyun, urging her to accept the situation. Qiaoyun, however, felt a deep injustice for the real princess and disapproved of Mei Shiqing's growing closeness with Pelletie, despite Qiuhua finding Xiao Wanzilovely.
When Siheng arrived with various medicines, having heard of Qiaoyun's illness, Qiuhua left them to talk. Siheng peppered Qiaoyun with questions and remedies, but Qiaoyun, clearly in a foul mood, implied he was the one who needed the medicine. Xiao Wanzithen sought out Qiaoyun, asking if her discomfort was physical or emotional. Qiaoyun admitted her anger and distress upon seeing Pelletie. Xiao Wanzireaffirmed her promise to leave as soon as the princess returned, swearing on her life.
She pleaded with Qiaoyun to allow her to cherish this remaining time with Mei Shiqing, to "deceive myself once." While Qiaoyun acknowledged her own role in Xiao Wanzistaying at the mansion, she expressed deep concern about Xiao Wanzifalling "too deep" into her feelings. Xiao Wanziconfessed that after Mei Shiqing risked his life to save her, she could no longer remain indifferent to him. Qiaoyun reluctantly accepted her promise, hoping everyone would be spared further sadness.
During a meal, Mei Shiqing peeled shrimp for Pelletie, an act of affection noticed by other servants. Xiao Wanziseemed somewhat preoccupied. Pelletie's preoccupation led Mei Shiqing to take her to Qingcheng Tower to enjoy the night scenery. She remarked on how beautiful it still was and how long it had been, though Mei Shiqing reminded her it wasn't long since she had shared a drink with his alter ego, Lord Nocturnal-elf, at that very spot.
Xiao Wanzifondly recalled him taking her flying that day and how incredibly happy she had been. Mei Shiqing acknowledged his occasional distant demeanor, which he feared made her uncomfortable. However, Xiao Wanziquickly reassured him, declaring him the kindest person in her world besides her father, and added that she had grown accustomed to his ways as the dignified Mr. Mei. Mei Shiqing then revealed that his seemingly pretentious nature wasn't innate.
Ten years prior, his father had earned great merit by suppressing bandits, but this success also created many enemies. Preoccupied with wartime duties, his father had neglected Mei Shiqing and his mother. Eventually, bandits discovered their home and stormed in. His mother had hidden him to save his life but was tragically killed. Mei Shiqing confessed that he still saw his mother's suffering eyes every time he closed his own, rendering him unable to sleep due to the haunting pain.
To escape this torment, he had chosen to become the Night Traveller, finding a dual purpose in his sleepless nights: to right wrongs and to secretly investigate his mother's murderer. Xiao Wanzilistened in silence, then softly asked how she could alleviate his pain. Mei Shiqing replied that her constant companionship was all he needed, to which she promised she would never leave his side.
Days later, Bao was strong enough to walk, and he and Lu Yingyao ventured out to visit the other members of the stockade. Some playfully teased him about having a beauty with him now that he was well. Bao joked that he'd happily be poisoned a hundred times if it meant receiving such care from Lu Yingyao. Lu Yingyao, in turn, teased him, promising never to be angry again as long as he remained healthy.
Bao remarked on his unaccustomedness to her sudden kindness. Their outing was interrupted by the sight of Nan Xiang. Lu Yingyao subtly released Bao's hand. Bao called out to Nan Xiang, thanking her for the antidote, but she sharply rebuffed his "fake appreciation," stating she had never considered him a brother and certainly didn't need him as a friend. Angered by his evident closeness with Lu Yingyao, Nan Xiang swiftly departed.
Bao, bewildered, wondered aloud what had upset his sister, but Lu Yingyao advised him not to dwell on it, suggesting Nan Xiang needed time to process recent events. Bao then asked Lu Yingyao if she would continue to treat him with such kindness once he was fully recovered, but she offered no direct answer. Later, Lu Yingyao brought a meal to He Yizhi in his cell.
He Yizhi, having noted her absence during Bao's illness, had already suspected her developing affections. Lu Yingyao then confessed that she had truly fallen in love with Bao. He Yizhi affirmed her feelings, advising her to cherish such a rare connection. When Lu Yingyao expressed uncertainty about their future given their circumstances, He Yizhi, guided by his philosophy of "dealing with whatever comes," suggested the immediate priority was to persuade Bao to leave the mountain with them.
This advice filled Lu Yingyao with hope, and she promised He Yizhi they would all leave the mountain together once Bao was fully healed. With a renewed sense of purpose for her feelings, Lu Yingyao meticulously dressed and began to adorn herself. She picked up the hairpin Bao had given her. Just then, Bao entered, delighted to see her holding his gift. He offered to help her put it on, and as he leaned in, Lu Yingyao softly closed her eyes.
