Truth or Dare Episode 7 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
As soon as Xiao Wanzi opened her eyes, she found Mei Shiqing’s lips inches away, realizing he had been pretending to be blind. Accusing him of being a "liar" and a "shameless and indecent man," she pushed him into a bathing tub, recounting her misery having to serve him, cook for him, comb his hair, dress him, and assist him everywhere. Mei Shiqing tried to explain that things were not as she perceived, but Xiao Wanzi refused to listen.
To compensate her, he offered silver, gold, and jewelry, which Xiao Wanzi eagerly accepted, thinking of her father. She added another demand: he must now serve her in all the ways she had served him. When she challenged him to reveal his blindness, Mei Shiqing retaliated by exposing her true identity as a fake Princess. Fearing the consequences for her innocent friends, Qiaoyun and Qiuhua, Xiao Wanzi immediately confessed everything.
She revealed her name, Xiao Wanzi, and her father, He Yizhi, explaining that her father's gambling debts led to her being sold to Dragon Stockade as a bride. She recounted how she met the real Lu Yingyao at Ruyi Tower, and their mix-up led to her impersonating the Princess. Mei Shiqing, realizing she wasn't lying, did not pursue the matter further, but warned her about the severe crime of impersonating royalty.
Xiao Wanzi begged him to spare Qiaoyun and Qiuhua, swearing to atone for her mistakes, which Mei Shiqing agreed to consider, then declared he was sleepy and asked her to make his bed. The next morning, at breakfast, Xiao Wanzi acted unusually attentive and submissive towards Mei Shiqing, taking over serving him from Siheng.
She even claimed she "tossed about all night" and didn't sleep until dawn, leading Qiaoyun to mistakenly believe that she and Mei Shiqing had consummated their marriage. After Qiaoyun and Siheng left, Mei Shiqing proposed that Xiao Wanzi continue to act as the Princess until their current predicament was resolved. Xiao Wanzi reluctantly agreed, fearing being sent to the Yamen, but initially protested that it was merely delaying her inevitable execution.
However, when Mei Shiqing offered "other solutions," she quickly became "deeply satisfied" and profusely thanked him, swearing she would not regret her decision. To ensure her commitment, Mei Shiqing made her sign a contract, which Xiao Wanzi, unable to read, signed after a brief glance, suspecting it might be an indenture. He also strictly warned her not to reveal his feigned blindness or her fake identity to anyone, especially Qiaoyun and Qiuhua.
Despite signing, Xiao Wanzi, still not full, immediately put on airs and demanded Mei Shiqing serve her porridge, which he did. Later, as Xiao Wanzi contemplated escaping, Qiaoyun and Qiuhua dragged her into a room, eagerly questioning her about her "intimate" night with Mei Shiqing, based on her earlier remarks and submissive behavior.
Unable to reveal that Mei Shiqing knew her secret, Xiao Wanzi concocted a lie, claiming that Siheng had told on her for having ugly handwriting, forcing her to practice calligraphy all night. Qiaoyun and Qiuhua, though somewhat convinced, still pressed her, to which Xiao Wanzi dramatically swore an oath that she was telling the truth, finally convincing them. Changing the subject, Xiao Wanzi pressed Qiuhua about her search for the Princess.
Qiuhua admitted her difficulty finding the Princess due to unfamiliarity with Qingzhou City and even mentioned losing money. Xiao Wanzi then suggested they seek out Lai Laoba, a local beggar known for knowing everyone in Qingzhou City, advising them to look for a shabby, drunk, and crazy man with a stick and a broken bowl, often found at Dongfeng Winery. Meanwhile, Siheng, following Xiao Wanzi's earlier instructions, sought out Lai Laoba to track down He Yizhi.
He encountered a man matching Xiao Wanzi's description – dirty, drunk, and with a staff. Believing him to be Lai Laoba, Siheng approached, only to realize this man, who knew of Xiao Wanzi's fondness for meatballs, was He Yizhi himself. He Yizhi, having previously been accosted by Qiuhua and mistaking Siheng for a debt collector from the gambling house who he believed had kidnapped Xiao Wanzi, fled into the forest.
He later encountered Young Master Bao and his men, who were suspicious of his inquiries about Dragon Stockade. Upon hearing He Yizhi's story about his daughter, Xiao Wanzi, being taken to Dragon Stockade to marry "Young Master Bao," Young Master Bao immediately realized He Yizhi was his father-in-law and welcomed him warmly into the stockade. Young Master Bao led He Yizhi to Lu Yingyao's room, expecting to reunite him with Xiao Wanzi.
He Yizhi was astonished to see Lu Yingyao instead of his daughter. Lu Yingyao, also surprised, quickly exchanged a secret glance with him, and they feigned a tearful father-daughter reunion for Young Master Bao. After Young Master Bao left to prepare food, they spoke privately.
Lu Yingyao explained her identity as the Princess of Ninth Lord's Mansion and how she was mistakenly married into Dragon Stockade after an incident at Ruyi Tower involving Xiao Wanzi, who was now at Mei's Palace. He Yizhi then realized the "tall, slim, white-skinned person with a sword" he had rebuffed earlier was indeed Qiuhua, sent by Xiao Wanzi.
Lu Yingyao implored him to inform Qiuhua and send help from Mei's Palace to rescue her, to which He Yizhi readily agreed, promising to head to Mei's Palace once he left the mountain. He Yizhi then inquired about Xiao Wanzi, describing her with her two topknots, and Lu Yingyao fondly assured him Xiao Wanzi was "cute" and "runs so fast."
Worried about her father and yearning for freedom, Xiao Wanzi saw Siheng about to take Mei Shiqing's ill-fitting clothes to a tailor. Seizing the chance to leave Mei's Palace, she used a grand tale of wanting to customize a unique, romantic garment for Mei Shiqing, embroidered with "Qing" and "Yao," to convince a hesitant Siheng to let her take the clothes.
Once outside, she quickly made her way to the gambling house in search of her father, but only encountered staff who demanded payment for her father's five-cent debt, which she quickly evaded, having no money. As dusk fell and Xiao Wanzi had not returned, a frantic Siheng confessed her absence to Mei Shiqing, explaining her "romantic" ruse. Mei Shiqing, angered by her disappearance, ordered Siheng to guard the gates, preventing anyone from entering.
Lost and without money for lodging, Xiao Wanzi wandered the streets at night, feeling vulnerable. She then stumbled upon Night Spirit Hero. Initially mistaking him for a robber, she pleaded for him to spare her, claiming to be ugly and penniless. Upon recognizing him, she expressed relief but also mentioned she had feared he was a "pervert" attempting to assault her. Night Spirit Hero suggested she was overthinking.
Xiao Wanzi, now comfortable, insisted he call her "Xiao Wanzi" as they had "drunk together and talked heart to heart." She then proposed they become "two heroes of the night" and travel the world, to which Night Spirit Hero agreed, on the condition she be "true to her word." Despite her initial promise, Xiao Wanzi lamented that Mei Shiqing was "too hard to get along well with," making her want to break the agreement.
However, she quickly decided to endure his "cold face" for Night Spirit Hero's sake. Night Spirit Hero then probed her opinion of Mei Shiqing, mentioning his reputation as a "great fighter" who protects Qingzhou people. Xiao Wanzi jokingly called him "pickles" that could be eaten with porridge, but then admitted he was "not bad looking" and his body was "fine," though "no good compared to" Night Spirit Hero.
She concluded that Mei Shiqing's main flaw was his inability to express his feelings, making him seem "like an iceberg." Having confided in him, Xiao Wanzi bid Night Spirit Hero farewell, stating she would return to Mei's Palace to uphold her contract. After Night Spirit Hero departed, Xiao Wanzi reaffirmed her decision not to escape, realizing she couldn't abandon Qiaoyun and Qiuhua, and acknowledging Mei Shiqing's past kindness despite his flaws.
She dismissed Night Spirit Hero's offer to walk her home, fearing gossip if she was seen with a strange man, and then complained he was "not very protective of a girl" when he took her at her word. Back at Mei's Palace, Qiaoyun attempted to enter the Princess's room to help her wash, but Siheng, under Mei Shiqing's strict orders, blocked her. Qiaoyun's persistent questions and playful charm eventually led Mei Shiqing, from inside the room, to permit her entry.
Just as Qiaoyun entered, Xiao Wanzi rushed in. Mei Shiqing, feigning ignorance of her escape, chided her for being late, threatening to send the army of Mei's Palace to find her. Xiao Wanzi quickly invented a story about getting lost in the large city. She then took the washbasin from Qiaoyun, dismissing her. Secretly bracing herself for punishment, Xiao Wanzi was surprised when Mei Shiqing, after a moment of hesitation, simply thanked her for returning, making her wonder if he was ill.
