Truth or Dare Episode 25 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
Xiao Wanzi visited Lu Yingyao, delivering gifts from the Mei Mansion. Lu Yingyao inquired about her experience as a princess, to which Xiao Wanzi complained it was "too boring," requiring constant attention to etiquette, even making meals unenjoyable. Lu Yingyao advised her that being a princess simply meant being "choosy," disliking this and that.
Xiao Wanzi then described Mei Shiqing as having a "bad temper," a "cold" demeanor with "dead eyes," and constantly "picking on me," but confessed that beneath his icy exterior, he had a "tender heart" and was "a bit cute." Lu Yingyao, in turn, described her sweetheart, Bao, as "not discreet," "not hygienic," and a "big boaster," yet she found joy in their time together. Both young women concluded that love often requires no reason.
Back at the Mei Mansion, Xiao Wanzi decided to implement Lu Yingyao's advice, becoming overtly particular during a meal. She deemed a round pastry unsuitable because it would stick to her nails, and later insisted that osmanthus liquor should be served in a jade cup to match her attire. Mei Shiqing, noticing her uncharacteristic behavior, was perplexed.
When he mentioned going to Felicity Tavern without her, Xiao Wanzi, fearing he was upset, quickly explained that her pickiness was an attempt to better impersonate a princess and avoid exposure. Mei Shiqing, realizing Lu Yingyao's influence, simply told her to "just be yourself." Mei Shiqing and Xiao Wanzi then went to Felicity Tavern, where Mei Shiqing revealed that Tao Juzheng had linked his mother's death to Mei Changyun's past extermination of the Salter Cartel.
Arou reported that the former Salter Cartel leader, Li Tianlong, had been a powerful figure in Qing Province, even feared by the government and Dragon Stockade, before General Mei Changyun's campaign. Li Tianlong was wounded in battle and subsequently died, leading to the cartel's decline. Further investigation revealed that a significant portion of the Salter Cartel's funds had been secretly transferred to Fulongchang, a merchant guild specializing in pastries, whose headquarters were in the capital and owned by Dong Daman.
Mei Shiqing deduced that the pastry business was merely a front for money laundering, indicating a powerful, hidden force from the capital behind the Salter Cartel, making their investigation increasingly perilous. Xiao Wanzi suggested Mei Shiqing ask his father directly for more information. Mei Shiqing then visited Mei Changyun, who, recognizing his son’s unusual visit, sensed he sought something. Mei Shiqing directly inquired about the connection between his mother's death and the Salter Cartel's demise.
Mei Changyun initially resisted discussing the painful past but, moved by Mei Shiqing's persistent pleas, recounted that a decade ago, he, in his youthful impulsiveness, had petitioned the court to suppress the rampant Salter Cartel. Knowing its ruthless leader, Li Tianlong, he had hidden Mei Shiqing and his mother in a secluded villa before the operation. Tragically, the information was leaked, leading to his wife's murder, though Mei Shiqing miraculously survived.
Mei Changyun expressed profound guilt, calling himself an unworthy father. Mei Shiqing realized his father believed the killer was long dead and chose not to reveal that the true culprits were still at large, fearing it would only deepen his father's sorrow. Meanwhile, Nan Batian met with Situ, who, impatient for Mei Shiqing's death, demanded an update. Nan Batian explained that recent events at his stockade had caused delays, though he dismissed rumors of his adopted son stealing his woman.
He assured Situ that Mei Shiqing frequented Felicity Tavern and that he had set a trap to eliminate him there. Situ warned Nan Batian not to disappoint him again. Later, at Felicity Tavern, Mei Shiqing, Xiao Wanzi, Bao, and Uncle He were enjoying a hotpot meal when members of the Dragon Stockade suddenly burst in. A violent skirmish ensued. Mei Shiqing delivered a fatal blow to the leader, demanding the mastermind's name.
In his dying moments, the leader retaliated by throwing poisonous white powder into Mei Shiqing's eyes, blinding him. Xiao Wanzi frantically urged Siheng to rush Mei Shiqing back to the Mei Mansion for medical attention. Back at the mansion, Xiao Wanzi watched over a temporarily blinded Mei Shiqing. Mei Changyun paced anxiously, while Her Ladyship, Mei Shiqing's stepmother, added to the tension by remarking that while the bleeding was staunched, the doctor believed his eyes might be permanently damaged.
Enraged, Mei Changyun threatened to confine his own son, Shiyuan, to the woodshed for making a flippant comment, prompting Her Ladyship to quickly usher Shiyuan away. Mei Changyun then pressed Mei Shiqing about the attack, who confirmed it was the Dragon Stockade. Mei Changyun urged him to cease his dangerous activities and live a peaceful life with the princess.
Mei Shiqing angrily retorted that he had uncovered clues about his mother's killer, but Mei Changyun dismissed it, insisting he had personally beheaded Li Tianlong and eradicated the Salter Cartel years ago. Xiao Wanzi corroborated Mei Shiqing's claims about encountering salt smugglers, but Mei Changyun remained unconvinced, criticizing Mei Shiqing for being disobedient. Mei Shiqing retorted that his father was "blind" to the truth. Mei Changyun stormed off, vowing to find other reputable doctors.
Worried about Mei Shiqing's condition, Uncle He and Bao also expressed their concern, with Uncle He blaming himself for Mei Shiqing's injury. Xiao Wanzi arrived, distraught, confirming that numerous doctors had declared Mei Shiqing's blindness irreversible. Seeing her despair, Lu Yingyao recalled a reclusive "blind doctor" specializing in eye ailments.
She explained that he had once been a renowned physician but was blinded by a noble he offended in the capital, leading him to become an eccentric recluse in Qing Province who no longer treated patients. Xiao Wanzi immediately decided to seek him out, opting to go alone despite Uncle He's offer to accompany her, believing her sole presence might be more effective with the short-tempered doctor. Xiao Wanzi found the blind doctor's residence and respectfully sought his help.
The doctor, gruff and reclusive, denied being a doctor and stated he no longer treated patients, declaring he wouldn't even help "the Emperor." Xiao Wanzi revealed Mei Shiqing's identity as the young general of the Mei army and mentioned his heroic deeds as "Lord Nocturnal-elf," hoping to appeal to his conscience. Unmoved, the doctor sternly told her to leave.
Undeterred, Xiao Wanzi vowed to stay until he agreed, kneeling outside his door through a night of rain and the harsh sun the following day, nearly fainting from exhaustion. When the doctor eventually emerged, Xiao Wanzi clung to his leg, pleading for Mei Shiqing's life and offering her own in exchange. To test her sincerity, the doctor presented her with a bottle he claimed contained poison. Without hesitation, Xiao Wanzi drank it, silently bidding farewell to her husband and father.
Amused by her unwavering devotion, the doctor revealed it was a tonic he made for himself and that she was fortunate to have consumed it. Xiao Wanzi, still believing she was dying, inquired how much time she had left to see her loved ones. The doctor, growing impatient, urged her to move quickly, assuring her she was not poisoned. Xiao Wanzi then brought the blind doctor to the Mei Mansion, explaining her overnight absence to Mei Changyun.
Immediately, Shiyuan, along with Her Ladyship and Mei Changyun, expressed skepticism, mocking the blind doctor's own blindness. Xiao Wanzi defended the doctor, clarifying that his blindness was caused by a noble, not by a lack of skill, but Shiyuan accused him of boasting and harming patients. Mei Shiqing, however, intervened, declaring his trust in the blind doctor, which convinced Mei Changyun to allow the treatment. After examining Mei Shiqing, the blind doctor provided a simple prescription to Qiaoyun.
Shiyuan snatched it, dismissing the common herbs as useless. The blind doctor retorted that Shiyuan, despite having seeing eyes, was "blind in his heart" and beyond help. Mei Changyun instructed Qiaoyun to fetch the medicine, while Her Ladyship quickly silenced Shiyuan. Xiao Wanzi then reassured Mei Shiqing, promising to find other doctors if this treatment failed, and apologized for causing him worry with her overnight absence.
