Truth or Dare Episode 29 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
Xiao Wanzi was concerned about their secret being exposed. Qiaoyun delivered urgent news: the palace had sent a letter summoning Mei Shiqing to the capital for his achievements in suppressing bandits, and the princess was ordered to return home immediately for a visit. Qiaoyun feared that Liu, the Ninth Lord's trusted butler, would discover Xiao Wanzi's true identity. Mei Shiqing assured them he would handle it.
He instructed Qiaoyun and Siheng to retrieve Lu Yingyao and Xiao Bao, while Qiuhua was to stall Liu. Mei Shiqing then promised Xiao Wanzi that once this matter was resolved, he would marry her publicly as Xiao Wanzi. Qiaoyun and Siheng quickly set off. Siheng tried to impress Qiaoyun by boasting about his horseback riding skills and inviting her to ride with him, but Qiaoyun chose her own horse, leaving Siheng admiring her bravery.
Xiao Wanzi, disguised with a veiled hat, feigned illness, coughing and claiming light sensitivity to avoid detection. Mei Shiqing's father, Mei Changyun, was concerned and urged her to recover quickly, also reminding Mei Shiqing to treat the Ninth Lord's envoys well. Xiao Wanzi managed to deceive Mei Changyun, who believed her illness was genuine. When Liu arrived, Qiuhua greeted him, but upon hearing the princess was unwell, Liu insisted on seeing her.
Xiao Wanzi, still veiled, received Liu's greetings, who offered well wishes for her marriage. Mei Shiqing explained Xiao Wanzi's supposed light sensitivity and persistent cough. Liu, highly suspicious, questioned if a doctor had been called and why the Mei family hadn't informed the Ninth Lord's Mansion earlier, suggesting the princess be sent back to the capital for treatment. Mei Shiqing retorted, defending the Mei family's care for the princess.
After a tense exchange where Mei Shiqing tried to delay the trip due to the princess's health, Liu emphasized the Ninth Lord's chosen auspicious day for her return. Realizing Liu's deep suspicion, Mei Shiqing eventually agreed to depart the next day, hoping to find an opportunity for the swap en route. Xiao Wanzi could only wish for Qiaoyun and Siheng to bring Lu Yingyao and Xiao Bao back swiftly.
Meanwhile, Lu Yingyao and Xiao Bao enjoyed their time in Xi Province. Lu Yingyao expressed her newfound joy in a free life, and Xiao Bao reciprocated, cherishing their ordinary life together. Lu Yingyao found Xi Province charming, and Xiao Bao, despite feeling he hadn't provided her a rich enough life, readily agreed to extend their stay. He then enthusiastically suggested they try a famous noodle restaurant he frequented.
As they entered the noodle shop, a dishevelled Nan Xiang, still seeking revenge against Xiao Bao for her father's death and the destruction of her bandit camp, recognized them. She vowed they wouldn't live happily. While Xiao Bao and Lu Yingyao stepped away to buy flowers from a young girl, Nan Xiang seized the opportunity to secretly poison their noodle bowls. Back at their table, as they were about to eat, Qiaoyun and Siheng dramatically burst in.
Qiaoyun urgently informed Lu Yingyao that the Ninth Lord's Mansion was dispatching people to bring her home, and Liu was likely already at the Mei family's residence. They had to leave immediately, thus preventing Xiao Bao and Lu Yingyao from consuming the poisoned noodles. Nan Xiang watched them leave, furious but helpless. Xiao Wanzi remained restless with worry about Qiaoyun's mission, but Mei Shiqing reassured her, explaining that the journey back would provide ample time for the identity swap.
He planned to send a letter to Siheng with the exact time and location for the exchange, promising Xiao Wanzi's safety. Soon, Liu arrived, urging their immediate departure. Mei Shiqing and Xiao Wanzi bid farewell to Mei Changyun and boarded the carriage for the capital. Along the way, Mei Shiqing deliberately halted the caravan at an inn before Jiang Province, instructing Qiuhua to arrange an overnight stay.
Liu objected, pointing out it was still early and they could reach Jiang Province by nightfall. Mei Shiqing, however, fabricated a concern about bandits on the road, effectively strong-arming Liu into agreeing to stop. Siheng received Mei Shiqing's letter, learning that they were to meet at a post house before Jiang Province. Lu Yingyao, eager to reunite, immediately decided they should head there. Xiao Bao, however, seemed to ponder the message more deeply.
As Lu Yingyao and Xiao Bao arrived near the post house, Qiaoyun scouted ahead. Xiao Wanzi, inside her room with Mei Shiqing, was impatient for the swap. Qiaoyun confirmed Lu Yingyao and Xiao Bao were outside. Xiao Wanzi wanted to switch immediately, but Mei Shiqing cautioned against it due to the crowd and suggested the more secluded lush forest ahead. He sent Qiaoyun back to relay the message to Lu Yingyao and Xiao Bao to await their signal.
Mei Shiqing tried to calm Xiao Wanzi by offering her tea, which she refused. As the carriage entered a dense forest, Mei Shiqing ordered it to stop, again citing the princess's discomfort to dissuade Liu from proceeding. Xiao Bao and Lu Yingyao, following Mei Shiqing's earlier instructions, moved to meet them. Mei Shiqing sent Siheng to check on their whereabouts. However, Nan Xiang suddenly appeared, confronting Xiao Bao and Lu Yingyao.
She furiously blamed Xiao Bao for her father's death and the destruction of her home, accusing him of betraying his own people for Lu Yingyao. Ignoring Xiao Bao's attempts to reason with her, Nan Xiang, driven by hatred and unrequited love for Xiao Bao, lunged at Lu Yingyao with a knife. At that moment, Liu, growing impatient with the delay and despite Qiuhua's attempts to stall him, insisted on finding Mei Shiqing and the princess.
Mei Shiqing, seeing Liu approaching and with Nan Xiang's attack unfolding, had no choice but to continue the journey with Xiao Wanzi, hoping for another opportunity to switch. Arriving at the Ninth Lord's Mansion, Xiao Wanzi was terrified, but Mei Shiqing urged her to remain calm and adapt to the situation. They entered to meet the Ninth Lord. Xiao Wanzi, still veiled, greeted her father. The Ninth Lord immediately demanded she remove her veil.
Mei Shiqing intervened, reiterating that the princess suffered from a light-sensitive illness. The Ninth Lord, visibly displeased with his daughter's condition, warned Mei Shiqing to take better care of her and ordered Liu to summon an imperial physician, only to be informed it was already done. Undeterred, the Ninth Lord approached Xiao Wanzi and forcibly removed her veil. Seeing a stranger, he immediately cried "Assassin!" and called for guards.
Mei Shiqing tried to explain, but the situation escalated until Lu Yingyao, entering the mansion at that crucial moment, commanded everyone to stop. Lu Yingyao then explained the entire convoluted story to her astonished father, the Ninth Lord, who found it an "unheard-of marvel" but immediately grasped the seriousness of the "deceiving the Emperor" offense. Lu Yingyao bravely spoke of Mei Shiqing and Xiao Wanzi's love, but the Ninth Lord cut her off, refusing to discuss it.
He did, however, express gratitude for Xiao Bao saving her and promised him a reward, wanting to meet him. Lu Yingyao, overjoyed, immediately left to fetch Xiao Bao. The Ninth Lord, in a private move, then instructed Liu to summon Mei Changyun. While awaiting Lu Yingyao, Xiao Wanzi, fearing for their lives, expressed her anxiety to Mei Shiqing. He, however, remained composed, claiming to have divined that things would turn out well, though Xiao Wanzi was skeptical.
When Lu Yingyao returned, she informed Xiao Wanzi that the Ninth Lord still wished for them to swap back identities to preserve the marriage alliance and avoid charges of deceiving the Emperor, a proposition Mei Shiqing did not readily accept. Lu Yingyao recounted the failed swap in the forest due to Nan Xiang's unexpected appearance.
She explained that during Nan Xiang's knife attack, Xiao Bao had intervened, causing Nan Xiang to lose her footing and fall to her death from the cliff. Xiao Bao, deeply saddened, then carefully buried Nan Xiang, expressing his regret and hope for her peace. Despite the tragic turn of events, Lu Yingyao decided that for her own happiness and in light of her father's invitation, she would introduce Xiao Bao to him.
Encouraged by Mei Shiqing's "divination," Lu Yingyao went to bring Xiao Bao. Xiao Bao hesitated, feeling his identity as a former bandit made him unworthy to meet the prestigious Ninth Lord. Lu Yingyao gently encouraged him, reminding him he couldn't avoid his father-in-law forever. She led him before the Ninth Lord. Xiao Bao respectfully greeted the Ninth Lord, who immediately questioned his name and surname. Xiao Bao explained he was an orphan and had no surname.
Lu Yingyao suggested the Ninth Lord bestow one upon him. Xiao Bao humbly expressed his immense gratitude for such an honor. However, the Ninth Lord, who had been silently writing, suddenly erupted in anger, condemning Xiao Bao's humble status and accusing him of trying to curry favor. He immediately ordered his guards to seize Xiao Bao, proclaiming him a "double-dyed bandit." Lu Yingyao cried out in protest, asking what he was doing.
