Faithful ep 20 recap/spoilers

Episode 20 recap: Everyone came to rescue Liu San Niang.

The crowd collectively stepped forward to rescue Liu San Niang. Upon seeing the heavily injured San Niang inside the house, her first words were, "It's a trap." However, despite the danger, the crowd still bravely assisted Liu San Niang. She revealed that it was Wu Lian's setup and that there were many soldiers downstairs who were specifically brought from the capital. Meng Wan also knew that it was a trap, but how could she just stand by and do nothing? Each person in the group held a vial of potent oil.

At the embroidery convention, renowned embroidery masters from various regions gathered to exchange and showcase their embroidery skills. This year's convention was held in Huaizhou City. In previous years, many wealthy elites from Nanyang would specifically travel by boat to Huaizhou City, as the embroidery there was famous overseas and highly sought after. Selected by the Wen Embroidery Academy, the embroidery convention took place every five years, and this year it was organized by the Misty Rain Embroidery Tower. The townspeople discussed eagerly, believing that Wu Lian had made connections in the capital.

However, this was not something that ordinary people could influence. What concerned them more was which renowned courtesan Wu Lian would invite to perform at the Misty Rain Embroidery Tower. Wu Lian had already chosen someone, and that person was Liu San Niang, whom he had captured in the capital. San Niang was a strong-willed woman who would never agree to Wu Lian's plans. Moreover, she knew very well that Wu Lian intended to use her to lure out Meng Wan and the others. But unfortunately, at this point, San Niang was like a fish on Wu Lian's chopping board. Her resistance would only confirm Wu Lian's belief that this scheme would indeed draw Meng Wan out.

Upon learning that Wu Lian had invited a renowned courtesan named Niang Zi, Meng Wan suspected that it must be San Niang and hurriedly headed to the outskirts of the courtyard. However, at present, the seven righteous individuals had already scattered and were no longer in that small courtyard. Meng Wan gazed at the lanterns being lit one by one and ignited a firework. Through the cracks in the roof, the despairing San Niang caught a glimpse of the magnificent fireworks, and in that moment, hope surged within her. As for the others, they merely paused briefly, then continued on their respective paths—some hurrying, some drinking, and others walking with their heads lowered.

Meng Wan anxiously waited, hoping that everyone would see the fireworks and remember their previous agreement - when the fireworks went off, all seven of them had to gather together no matter what. After a while, faint lights flickered outside the bamboo forest, and a group of people hurriedly arrived. As Meng Wan looked closely, it wasn't the person he had hoped for; it was Xu Zhiyang. As soon as he arrived, Xu Zhiyang accused Meng Wan of having a secret meeting with another man. Upon hearing this, Meng Wan's heart sank inexplicably, and he coldly stated that indeed there were two men living in this courtyard, and they were both his friends.

Xu Zhiyang was initially unwilling to believe the servant's words, but tonight he heard Meng Wan admit it himself. Mixed emotions filled his heart, as if he needed to search and find out something to resolve his concerns. Just then, Shen Mu arrived in time, revealing his identity as an official from the Imperial City to Xu Zhiyang. The other five people arrived subsequently, standing behind Meng Wan one after another. Meng Wan's face showed a look of joy as he persuaded Xu Zhiyang to return home first, promising to explain everything to him after tonight.

Under the moonlight, the embroidery gathering officially began. The seven comrades worked together, learned about the room where San Niang was trapped, and stole the key from Wu Lian. When they arrived at the room, they saw San Niang bound by a thick iron chain around her waist. San Niang's waist was originally slender, but under the contrast of the iron chain, which was as thick as a fist, it seemed as if her waist had been cut in two. Meng Wan hurriedly helped San Niang up, intending to use the key stolen from Wu Lian to unlock the iron chain. However, San Niang told them that it was all a trap set by Wu Lian, and the key was fake. The soldiers below were all brought by Wu Lian from the capital.

San Niang didn't want her companions to take risks for her. While persuading everyone to leave quickly, she picked up the oil they had brought and overturned the nearby candles. With a smile on her face, she was already prepared to sacrifice herself. Following her instructions, the others poured the remaining oil throughout the embroidery tower. Soon, the raging fire engulfed the entire Yanyu Embroidery Tower, as if carrying San Niang's wishes, instantly reducing the filthy tower to ruins.

Although the imperial guards had already been deployed inside and outside the Yanyu Embroidery Tower, Wu Lian never expected that things would develop into the current situation. He looked at the almost ashes of the Yanyu Embroidery Tower, his heart fluctuating, his eyes reflecting the flames that were about to engulf him.