Truth or Dare Episode 28 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
Nan Batian threw Xiao Wanzi off a cliff and then stepped on a wounded Mei Shiqing, taunting him that he had killed both Mei Shiqing's mother and his "woman," Xiao Wanzi, and would now send Mei Shiqing to join them. Just then, Mei Changyun arrived, engaging Nan Batian in a fierce battle that saw neither gain the upper hand.
Mei Changyun helped Mei Shiqing up and confronted Nan Batian, revealing that the Mei family army had destroyed the Dragon Stockade, and today would be Nan Batian's last. Nan Batian, in turn, confessed that he had allied with Li Tianlong to teach Mei Changyun a lesson because Mei Changyun had destroyed the Salter Cartel and Nan Batian feared his own Dragon Stockade would be next. Enraged, Mei Shiqing declared that Nan Batian would pay for his blood debts today.
Mei Changyun swiftly captured Nan Batian, allowing Mei Shiqing to seize Nan Batian's crutch and stab him, killing him. Mei Shiqing then ran to the edge of the cliff, desperately searching for Xiao Wanzi, but could not see her. He then collapsed. Mei Shiqing later woke up in his room, still weak, and immediately asked about Xiao Wanzi. Mei Siheng regretfully informed him that all searches down the mountain had yielded no results.
Distraught, Mei Shiqing insisted on continuing the search himself, despite his injuries. Lu Yingyao, Qiaoyun, and Rou arrived, also looking for Xiao Wanzi. Lu Yingyao sent Qiaoyun back to care for the injured He Yizhi, instructing her to assure He Yizhi that they would definitely bring Xiao Wanzi back safely. Lu Yingyao and Rou fanned out to search, while Xiao Bao went to check on Mei Shiqing. Soon after, Qiuhua handed Mei Shiqing a letter.
Upon reading it, Mei Shiqing reacted with a mix of relief and determination, then left. The others, curious, read the letter and discovered that Xiao Wanzi was alive and in Situ Lin's custody, with a clear instruction that only Mei Shiqing was to come for her, or her life would be forfeit. Meanwhile, Situ Lin, who had rescued Xiao Wanzi, gently tried to feed her medicine.
However, Xiao Wanzi resisted fiercely, telling him not to use her to lure Mei Shiqing, as they were now sworn enemies, and Mei Shiqing would never come for her. Situ Lin, who already knew she was not the true princess, embraced her, pleading with her to stay with him, promising she would be the happiest woman in the world.
Xiao Wanzi angrily pushed him away, calling him a lunatic and questioning his obsessive desire for her given Mei Shiqing was his sworn enemy. Situ Lin, hurt and furious, questioned why she couldn't love him like she loved Mei Shiqing. Just then, a subordinate announced Mei Shiqing's arrival. Situ Lin, confirming Mei Shiqing's presence, glared at Xiao Wanzi, vowing to make her watch Mei Shiqing die. He then dragged her into the courtyard, ordering his men to kill Mei Shiqing.
Mei Shiqing, fighting alone against multiple attackers, held his own, prompting Situ Lin to grab a crossbow. Xiao Wanzi quickly pushed Situ Lin, causing his first arrow to miss Mei Shiqing and hit his subordinate instead. Situ Lin, determined, then shot Mei Shiqing in the leg, announcing his intention to avenge his father, Li Tianlong. Situ Lin then aimed another arrow at Mei Shiqing, but Xiao Wanzi rushed to Mei Shiqing, hugging him tightly.
At that moment, a mechanism was triggered, and Situ Lin revealed that Xiao Wanzi was bound with explosives that would detonate in just a short time. Xiao Wanzi, accepting her fate, told Mei Shiqing to live well, then turned and embraced Situ Lin, intending to die with him. But Mei Shiqing swiftly cut the chains on Xiao Wanzi, securing the explosives around Situ Lin, and carried Xiao Wanzi away just as the explosives detonated, destroying the entire courtyard.
Mei Shiqing brought Xiao Wanzi to visit He Yizhi, who was recovering from his injuries. He Yizhi, despite his wounds, immediately pleaded with Mei Shiqing not to blame Xiao Wanzi for the past, offering to serve Mei Shiqing as repayment. Mei Shiqing, however, remained silent, simply asking He Yizhi to explain exactly what happened that fateful day.
He Yizhi confessed that he had accumulated a large gambling debt, and to protect Xiao Wanzi, the casino thugs forced him to locate the hiding place of a wealthy woman, claiming they only intended to steal. He Yizhi, unaware of the true gravity of the situation, did as he was told. He later realized that the "wealthy woman" was Mei Shiqing's mother. On the day of the incident, he was forced to be a lookout.
While there, he saw a young boy, Mei Shiqing, who was about the same age as his own daughter, Xiao Wanzi. Overcome by a sense of duty, he hid the boy, saving him from the murderers. Mei Shiqing then realized that He Yizhi was the mysterious figure who had hidden him all those years ago, meaning He Yizhi had saved his life twice. Both Mei Shiqing and He Yizhi were visibly moved to tears by this revelation.
As Mei Shiqing and Xiao Wanzi walked through the streets, Mei Shiqing remarked on Xiao Wanzi's unusual quietness. He admitted that after desperately searching for her in the valley, he realized his greatest fear was losing her. Xiao Wanzi reciprocated, saying she also did not want to leave him, and expressed her desire to spend the rest of her life with him. Their intimate moment was interrupted by Mei Shiqing's rumbling stomach.
Xiao Wanzi then took him to a wonton stall, where she purchased all the wontons available. Mei Shiqing was puzzled until Xiao Wanzi began distributing them to hungry orphans. She explained that she often did this, relating to the children's plight as some revealed their parents were killed by Dragon Stockade bandits while working for Changlong Pharmacy. Xiao Wanzi pledged to ensure they would not go hungry again, seeing in them echoes of her own difficult childhood.
Mei Shiqing watched, deeply moved. Back at the Mei residence, Mei Siheng announced that Mei Changyun had returned from Yong Province. Mei Shiqing and Xiao Wanzi rushed to greet him. Mei Changyun, though demoted by the court for his actions, was relieved to see Mei Shiqing and Xiao Wanzi safe and sound, feeling that his family's reunion was all that mattered.
He praised Mei Shiqing for eliminating the Dragon Stockade and suppressing the Salter Cartel, calling it a great service to the people of Qing Province. Mei Shiqing, however, noted that the Salter Cartel issue was not fully resolved, as he had uncovered Situ Lin's connections to the capital, and Situ Lin's fate remained uncertain. Mei Changyun reassured his son, promising his full support in all future endeavors.
To celebrate, Mei Changyun decided to host a family feast and invited all of Mei Shiqing's friends, including Xiao Bao. At the banquet, Mei Changyun lauded Xiao Bao's valor in helping Mei Shiqing defeat the Dragon Stockade and, instead of gold, presented him with an imperial armor that had been bestowed upon him by the emperor for his past achievements, to Xiao Bao's delight. Everyone then took their seats, raising their cups for a joyful evening of celebration.
After the feast, Xiao Wanzi, Lu Yingyao, and Xiao Bao went to the city gate tower to admire the view. Xiao Bao and Lu Yingyao announced their decision to leave Qing Province for a period to travel the world. Lu Yingyao explained that she had spent her life secluded and now desired to experience the "great spring light" described in poems, believing it was fate for them to live a free and joyful life.
Though saddened by their departure, Xiao Wanzi wished them well, encouraging them to "go around the world and eat all cuisines," but urged them to return and visit. Meanwhile, Qiaoyun and Qiuhua watched from afar. Qiaoyun expressed her concern that her mistress, Lu Yingyao, was choosing a difficult life with a bandit instead of marrying a lord. However, Qiuhua countered that Lu Yingyao had never looked happier, leading Qiaoyun to wistfully send off her mistress, tearfully accepting her happiness.
A few days later, Xiao Wanzi complained to Mei Shiqing about being bored in the Mei residence, wanting to go out, but Mei Shiqing suggested she practice calligraphy. Qiaoyun then rushed in with urgent news: an imperial decree had arrived. It summoned Mei Shiqing to the capital to be rewarded and honored for his success in suppressing the bandits, and it also commanded the princess to immediately return to the capital for a family visit.
