Episode 19 recap: Xiao Dou Zi has coldly shunned Nan Gong Yao, and has been designated as the crown prince's consort.
It is said that Nan Gong Yao requested the empress to make Xiao Dou Zi the crown prince's consort. The few students at the Chongwen Academy were curious about what kind of young lady Nan Gong Yao would like. Nan Gong Yao stated that he prefers a lively and generous personality, and good family background. Su Ruo Mei, Zhuang Yangyang, and Huang Yuanyuan all came forward to display their charm in front of Nan Gong Yao. Just as Nan Gong Yao said that the ideal girl is far away yet right in front of him, he suddenly realized that Xiao Dou Zi was not in her seat, leaving him with a hollow feeling.
After class, Xiao Dou Zi walked into the study hall alone, sitting down in a dazed and dejected manner. Nan Gong Yao suddenly came up behind her and started teaching her calligraphy, quietly saying that he will make Xiao Dou Zi the crown prince's consort and there will be plenty of time for him to teach her. But Xiao Dou Zi was not listening and tears fell from the corners of her eyes, and she then directly left the study hall.
In the evening, Nan Gong Yao was troubled by Xiao Dou Zi's coldness towards him in the study hall, suspecting that she may be interested in the rough types from Black Dog Alley. Nan Bei quickly explained that the men in Black Dog Alley are brutes without refinement, which slightly reassured Nan Gong Yao. Early the next morning, Nan Gong Yao personally made a lamb stew and forced Nan Bei to taste it, then brought it to Xiao Dou Zi. But Xiao Dou Zi didn't even glance at it, coldly stating that she no longer has any interest.
Seeing Xiao Dou Zi's complete lack of appreciation, Nan Gong Yao became very angry and smashed many jade artifacts, with Nan Bei trying hard to persuade him. Back in his room, Mei Yu Shan advised Xiao Dou Zi not to completely turn against the crown prince, as Xiao Dou Zi actually hates her own origins but is just venting it out on Nan Gong Yao.
Bai Ye observed the celestial phenomena at night and began to ponder why Xiao Dou Zi would cause the downfall of the Western Region, leading the crown prince to become a prisoner. Bai Ye wonders why he could only predict the outcome but not see the underlying causes. If Xiao Dou Zi leaves the crown prince, perhaps the disaster can be averted, which is Bai Ye's greatest hope.
The next day at the study hall, Xiao Dou Zi remained completely cold, and when Nan Gong Yao inquired about the reason, she said nothing.
Xing Shi insistently and secretly arranged for Mei Yu Shan and Xiao Dou Zi to leave the palace. Little Sparrow reported that he had cleared every step for them to exit the palace, with only a few guards at the city gate. Xing Shi prepared to find a way to smooth over Su Shen Hai, so as to successfully send the two out of the palace.
Nan Gong Yao's mood had sunk to an extreme low, and he shot arrows in the heavy rain to relieve his feelings. The Empress issued invitations to all the young ladies, inviting them to attend the Mid-Autumn Night Banquet. Xiao Dou Zi received a letter from Bai Ye, and went to meet him at the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. After Bai Ye explained the prophecy, Xiao Dou Zi felt it was absurd, and no matter what, she would not harm the Crown Prince, nor did she have any reason to do so. Bai Ye reiterated the accuracy of the prophecy, and Xiao Dou Zi began to waver.
Bai Ye took the opportunity to express his feelings to Xiao Dou Zi, proposing to take her away from the palace so that the prophecy would not come to pass. Xiao Dou Zi replied that the Crown Prince was the only one in her heart, and there was no room for anyone else. On her way back to the young ladies' quarters, she overheard a maid saying that the Crown Prince was kneeling in the rain as punishment and had a high fever. Xiao Dou Zi then secretly went to the Eastern Palace and saw the Crown Prince on his sickbed, feeling deeply sympathetic. She realized that although she could barely stay a day in the palace when she first arrived, she now wished to remain by Nan Gong Yao's side forever.
Nan Gong Yao regained slight consciousness, and Nan Bei delivered a message that the Empress was gravely ill and requested his immediate presence at the Nourishing Heart Palace. Xiao Dou Zi hid in a secluded spot. At the Mid-Autumn Night Banquet, the Empress announced that Xiao Dou Zi would be the Crown Prince's concubine, as a way to bring good fortune to the ailing Emperor, and ordered the betrothal ceremony to be arranged. However, when the decree was about to be announced, Xiao Dou Zi directly left the venue, and Nan Gong Yao followed her, questioning why she had suddenly changed her attitude towards him.
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