Truth or Dare Episode 8 Recap
> Truth or Dare Recap
Xiao Wanzireturned, prompting Mei Shiqing to thank her, which confused her and made her think he was ill. She then started begging him not to report her to the Yamen, promising to stay put. Mei Shiqing clarified he had no such intention. When Xiao Wanzioffered to help him, he declined, reminding her she was his contractual wife, not a maid.
He then suggested she should perform "wife duties" by practicing calligraphy, explaining that she needed to learn to write to avoid being discovered by others in the Mei mansion. Xiao Wanziinitially resisted, stating she couldn't write, but eventually agreed to start practicing the next day. He Yizhi discussed with Lady Yingyao his desire to leave the stockade, believing Bao was amenable. Lady Yingyao warned him it wasn't easy to escape Dragon Stockade.
Bao then appeared with wine, and Uncle He seized the opportunity to state his intention to leave, citing that he'd seen his daughter was safe. Bao, however, informed him of the stockade's strict "no exit" rule. Uncle He tried another tactic, claiming he needed to go down the mountain to buy dowry for Pelletie. When Bao offered to have his men rob the items, Uncle He refused, saying it would be inauspicious.
Bao grew suspicious, but Lady Yingyao quickly intervened, suggesting Uncle He was simply restless and "needs fun" while stuck in the mountains. Misinterpreting this as a desire for entertainment within the stockade, Bao eagerly rounded up his men for a gambling and card-playing session with Uncle He. Uncle He, known for his unscrupulous ways, cheated at cards and was caught by Bao.
Despite Bao's initial leniency due to Uncle He being his future father-in-law, Uncle He's antics soon became too much. Fearing his stockade would be ruined, Bao abruptly ended the game, much to Uncle He's dismay, who was "just having fun." Mei Shiqing rigorously supervised Pelletie's calligraphy practice, scolding her for being a "lazybones" and holding the brush like a "pig foot." After two hours, a frustrated Xiao Wanzisilently called him a "Jerk."
When dinner was announced, Mei Shiqing declared that Xiao Wanzicouldn't eat until her writing was acceptable and instructed Qiaoyun to save her a portion, adding that he would have Siheng inspect her work later, threatening punishment for anyone who gave her food. Qiaoyun confirmed she had only given Xiao Wanzia cloak, not food. Later, Mei Shiqing found Xiao Wanziwearing the black cloak, the same one given to her by Lord Nocturnal-elf.
She openly admired Lord Nocturnal-elf, imagining him waiting for her to "venture in Jianghu," claiming the cloak gave her strength. Mei Shiqing, unaware that he himself was Lord Nocturnal-elf, became visibly jealous. He accused her of doing this "for a man" and questioned the propriety of her wearing another man's clothes as his "contractual wife." Xiao Wanziretorted that their relationship was fake, while her connection to Lord Nocturnal-elf was real.
She praised Lord Nocturnal-elf as "righteous and forthright," "gentle, sweet and thoughtful," and "way better than" Mei Shiqing, whom she labeled "bossy, rude, selfish and apathetic." Mei Shiqing grew angrier, sarcastically telling her to find her "sweetheart." Xiao Wanzistormed out, declaring that any man outside the Mei mansion would be better than him. Siheng tried to calm Mei Shiqing, reminding him he'd have to find her if she ran away again, but Mei Shiqing insisted he wouldn't.
He was left alone, wondering why he was so angry. Lady Yingyao inquired about Uncle He, who, following her advice to appear as if he wanted to stay, had been gambling excessively in the stockade. Bao expressed his alarm at Uncle He's gambling and how he had started forcing the men to practice "break rock." To divert him, Bao reluctantly took Uncle He to the wine cellar.
There, Uncle He attempted to urinate into Dad Batian's prized vintage liquor, a special brew said to spiritually protect the stockade. A horrified Bao stopped him just in time and, fearing his stepfather's wrath and the ruin of the stockade, decided he had to send Uncle He down the mountain. As Uncle He was being escorted away, Lady Yingyao, feigning sadness, secretly slipped a letter into his clothes, pleading with him to "save me."
Bao then lied to Dad Batian, claiming Uncle He had left to buy supplies and would return in a few days. Dad Batian, observing Lady Yingyao's face had cleared, grew eager to proceed with their wedding, suggesting they could marry first and consummate later. Lady Yingyao quickly revealed a rash on her arm, insisting her whole body was still afflicted.
Bao intervened, explaining that girls desired to look their best for their wedding, successfully persuading Dad Batian to delay until Lady Yingyao fully recovered, promising a grand wedding. Lady Yingyao mentally reiterated her plea for Uncle He's swift return. Meanwhile, a disheartened Xiao Wanziwandered through Qing. Situ Lin, President of Qing's Chamber of Commerce, spotted her. He felt a sense of familiarity, recalling a girl from his childhood who looked just like her.
As a horse-drawn carriage rushed towards Pelletie, Situ Lin swiftly pulled her to safety. Xiao Wanzithanked him profusely. Situ Lin apologized for the sudden contact due to the urgency and offered to treat her to dinner as an apology. Waking up in Qing, Uncle He was informed he had been "sent away" from the stockade by Bao. He quickly rushed to the Mei mansion with Lady Yingyao's letter. There, he met Qiuhua and Qiaoyun, who recognized Lady Yingyao's handwriting.
Qiuhua demanded to know where Xiao Wanziwas, but Uncle He refused to disclose Lady Yingyao's whereabouts unless he saw Xiao Wanzifirst. Qiaoyun grew impatient, but Uncle He remained firm, bragging about his decades of experience in Jianghu. After a brief standoff and fearing discovery, Uncle He gave Qiuhua a message for Pelletie: to meet him at their old rendezvous point. Qiaoyun muttered about the "old crook" as Uncle He departed.
As night fell, Mei Shiqing, growing increasingly worried about Pelletie, disguised himself as Lord Nocturnal-elf. He discovered her at a snack booth, happily chatting and eating with Situ Lin. Seeing their lively conversation, Mei Shiqing clenched his fists in jealousy. As their meal concluded, Situ Lin gave Xiao Wanzia token bearing the mark of Qing's Chamber of Commerce, assuring her he would offer his full support if she ever needed help. After Situ Lin's carriage departed, Lord Nocturnal-elf approached Pelletie.
He snatched away Situ Lin's token and replaced it with a red string on her wrist, claiming it as their personal symbol. When Xiao Wanziasked how she would find him, he replied that he would appear whenever she needed him. Xiao Wanzifelt a newfound sense of security and unconsciously smiled radiantly, softening Mei Shiqing's heart as he watched her.
Back in the mansion, Qiuhua informed Xiao Wanzithat her father, Uncle He, was looking for her and wanted to meet at their old spot. This news reignited Pelletie's desire to escape. Mei Shiqing, however, confronted her, chiding her for eating at a "cheap snack booth" and wearing a "crummy bracelet" from another man. Xiao Wanzichallenged his authority, accusing him of stalking her and threatening to expose his fake blindness if he tried to imprison her.
This prompted Qiaoyun to advise Xiao Wanziagainst angering Mei Shiqing further, suggesting Lord Nocturnal-elf couldn't help them in daylight. Together, Xiao Wanziand Qiaoyun decided to sneak out. The next morning, as they attempted their escape, they found Mei Shiqing already waiting for them, blocking their path. Xiao Wanzitried to make an excuse about visiting a nunnery, but Siheng, at Mei Shiqing's request, confirmed no such temple existed.
Qiaoyun then quickly suggested a trip to Abundant Store for new cosmetics, only for Mei Shiqing to counter by offering to have the store's latest selection brought directly to the mansion, effectively preventing their departure. Defeated, Xiao Wanzisoftened her tone and begged Mei Shiqing to release her, admitting she had been "bewitched lately" and spoken aggressively. Mei Shiqing then hinted that a way out might be possible, but only if she agreed to his terms.
