Truth or Dare Episode 3 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
Qiaoyun entered Mei Shiqing's room to help him and Xiao Wanziwash up. Upon seeing Pelletie's face, Qiaoyun was startled and dropped the basin. Xiao Wanziquickly pulled Qiaoyun away for a private conversation. Qiaoyun demanded to know where Her Lady was, but Xiao Wanziclaimed ignorance. Under Qiaoyun's persistent questioning, Xiao Wanzifinally confessed that she was merely a street performer who had been sold to Dragon Stockade to become the wife of a bandit to repay her father’s gambling debts.
She explained that she encountered Her Lady at the Felicity Tavern while taking a bath, and somehow ended up marrying Mei Shiqing. Qiaoyun realized that Her Lady had indeed escaped her marriage. She stressed that an escaped marriage was an act against His Majesty, which could lead to kin punishment, affecting the Mei Mansion, the Ninth Lord's Mansion, and even Pelletie’s own father.
To avoid this dire fate, Qiaoyun pressured Xiao Wanzito impersonate Her Lady until the real Lady could be found. Xiao Wanziinitially refused but relented when Qiaoyun threatened to take her own life. In exchange, Xiao Wanzimade Qiaoyun promise to help her find her father, He Yizhi, a condition Qiaoyun readily accepted.
Qiaoyun then introduced herself as Her Lady’s maid and Qiuhua as Her Lady's personal guard, assuring Xiao Wanzithat Mei Shiqing's blindness and the lack of people in the Mei Mansion who knew Her Lady's true appearance would make the impersonation feasible if Xiao Wanzifollowed her instructions. Xiao Wanzialso revealed that Mei Shiqing wished to keep their marriage an empty shell and was even considering divorcing Her Lady. Qiaoyun urged Xiao Wanzito be obedient to Mei Shiqing to preserve the marriage.
Pelletie, jokingly worried that Mei Shiqing might fall in love with her, was quickly reminded that as a mere entertainer, she could not truly win the affection of someone like Mei Shiqing. Xiao Wanziagreed, reiterating that they must find her father. Qiaoyun also strictly warned Xiao Wanziagainst any intimacy with Mei Shiqing. Back in Mei Shiqing’s room, following Qiaoyun's instructions to be more proactive and play her role well, Xiao Wanzitook the initiative to wipe his face.
Mei Shiqing's face flushed, recalling the events of the previous night. He then mischievously tried to vex Xiao Wanziby repeatedly asking her to change his belt. Pelletie, growing impatient, retaliated by playfully tightening a belt around his neck. Eventually, Mei Shiqing settled on the first belt Xiao Wanzihad offered.
An attendant arrived to announce that General Mei, out of consideration for Lady Yingyao's long journey, had excused the couple from morning greetings; they could serve tea during the family banquet at noon instead. After the attendant left, Qiaoyun immediately began an intensive etiquette training session for Pelletie, teaching her how to act like a Lady.
Xiao Wanzifound the rigorous training, which included specific ways of holding a teacup and maintaining posture, to be grueling and declared that she couldn't continue, lamenting that a fake could never become real. Qiaoyun encouraged her, highlighting the similarities between Xiao Wanziand the real Lady, which boosted Pelletie’s confidence. Qiaoyun advised her to keep her back straight, eat little, and speak sparingly during the banquet, promising to guide her with discreet signals.
Meanwhile, Qiuhua reported that he had searched Paradise Casino but could not find He Yizhi, leaving Xiao Wanzidisheartened and worried about her father. As the family banquet began, Xiao Wanzideliberately supported Mei Shiqing to the dining table. After successfully serving tea to Mei Changyun and Her Ladyship, Pelletie, adhering to Qiaoyun's advice, struggled to refrain from eating the delicious dishes on the table, only managing to take small bites when she found an opportune moment.
Mei Shiqing then boldly brought up his desire to move out, stating that since he was married, he should be allowed to establish his own household. Mei Changyun became enraged, telling him to discuss it after dinner, but Mei Shiqing insisted on clarity. When asked if this was also Lady Yingyao's wish, Pelletie, following the plan, affirmed Mei Shiqing's wishes as her own, explaining that as his wife, she would naturally follow his arrangements.
Mei Changyun slammed his chopsticks down, furious that Mei Shiqing was pushing for division while he was still alive. Her Ladyship added fuel to the fire, suggesting that Mei Shiqing had feigned blindness to escape his marriage. Enraged by Mei Shiqing's defiance and Her Ladyship's provocation, Mei Changyun ordered Tao Juzheng to bring the family's punishment whip. As Mei Changyun whipped Mei Shiqing, Pelletie, unable to bear the sight, rushed forward and shielded him.
She declared that if Mei Changyun wished to strike, he should strike her instead, confident that His Majesty would understand. Mei Changyun, unwilling to strike the Lady, relented. After the family banquet, Her Ladyship subtly mocked Mei Shiqing and Pelletie, remarking on how long the Lady could protect him and the oddity of a Lady marrying a blind man.
Outside, Xiao Wanzifelt a sense of accomplishment for her "Lady-like" performance, but Qiaoyun reminded her to maintain a low profile and avoid meddling in affairs that weren't hers. Xiao Wanziadmitted her intervention was impulsive, promising to be more discreet in the future. Mei Shiqing, his back covered in welts, received care from Pelletie. She chided him for his stubbornness in confronting General Mei, suggesting he show more respect.
Mei Shiqing angrily told her to stay out of his affairs, questioning why she intervened at all. Qiaoyun and Siheng tried to mediate, emphasizing Pelletie's concern and the idea of the couple living harmoniously. Xiao Wanzithen suggested to Mei Shiqing that he could "divide the family" by simply building a wall in his courtyard.
Mei Shiqing found the idea amusing, and the two engaged in a playful challenge, betting that if Xiao Wanzicould build the wall, Mei Shiqing would have to bow down and thank her respectfully. Pelletie, determined, immediately sought out Butler Tao Juzheng for tools and laborers. Tao Juzheng, citing the late hour, suggested they start the next day. He then reported the matter to Her Ladyship, who, along with Lord Shiyuan, saw an opportunity for further drama.
Her Ladyship instructed Tao Juzheng to fulfill all of Pelletie’s requests, hoping the escalating conflict would lead to greater trouble for Mei Shiqing. Meanwhile, at the Dragon Stockade, Lu Yingyao wondered how she could escape with guards constantly outside. A drunken Master Bao stumbled into her room. Lu Yingyao, seeing an opportunity, began flattering him, calling him the best, most responsible, brave, and handsome man in the stockade.
Master Bao, pleased, offered to spend every day with her, but Lu Yingyao asked him to release her in return for a monetary reward, promising to repay his kindness. Master Bao, seemingly agreeable, tried to get closer to her, but Lu Yingyao reminded him of his promise not to force her. He then collapsed onto the bed, feigning sleep.
Lu Yingyao, realizing he was pretending, observed him until he appeared truly asleep and noted that he had dismissed the guards, making it the perfect time to escape. She stole his clothes as a disguise and attempted to slip away but was spotted by guards who were confused by "Master Bao's" sudden change in height.
Just as they were about to realize her ruse, the real Master Bao, now awake, quickly grabbed Lu Yingyao and scolded her for her reckless escape attempt, reminding her of the dangers of the bandit-filled Dragon Stockade. He then skillfully diverted the guards' attention by sending them after a phantom escapee. Though he had saved her, Master Bao was angered by Lu Yingyao's stubborn desire to flee. He insisted she remove his clothes, but Lu Yingyao defiantly refused.
The next morning, Xiao Wanzienthusiastically led a group of workers to begin building the wall around Mei Shiqing's courtyard. Mei Shiqing watched from a distance, inwardly impressed by Pelletie’s determination. Later, Her Ladyship deliberately drew Mei Changyun into the garden, and Lord Shiyuan further enticed him by praising the "hero flowers" of the kapok tree, a plant he usually had no interest in, as a fitting subject for a hero like his father.
They led him to Mei Shiqing’s courtyard, where Mei Changyun discovered the newly constructed wall. Her Ladyship seized the opportunity to fan the flames of his anger, painting Mei Shiqing's actions as a complete disregard for his father’s authority. Enraged, Mei Changyun demanded a ladder and climbed over the wall, with Her Ladyship and Lord Shiyuan eagerly watching. Pelletie, who was on the wall assisting the workers, greeted Mei Changyun.
When Mei Changyun questioned who authorized the wall, Mei Shiqing took full responsibility, stating his desire for a separate living space with Lady Yingyao's agreement. Mei Changyun, frustrated, again ordered Lady Yingyao to move aside. Mei Shiqing reaffirmed that the wall was his idea and that his father could beat him as he pleased.
Overwhelmed by anger, Mei Changyun publicly slapped Mei Shiqing across the face, accusing him of only acknowledging him as a father by name, not by affection, for the past ten years. Xiao Wanziwas shocked by the violent act.
