Episode Summary
Luo Shuxiang's "first night" is auctioned off, but Qi Menglin disrupts the proceedings. Shuxiang escapes the brothel, is recaptured, and then rescued by constables. Han Muzhi arrests Menglin and assigns Shuxiang to go undercover. Shuxiang asks for freedom and a new name, becoming Luo Shu. She befriends a kitchen maid and, disguised as a constable, visits Menglin in jail, who pleads for her help with a fellow prisoner's case.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Madam Yu, the madam of the Mingke Brothel, preparing Luo Shuxiang for her "first night" auction, a highly publicized event designed to fetch the highest price for Shuxiang's virginity. The place is packed with wealthy men, eager to bid. The bidding war is intense, but young Qi Menglin, son of the powerful Governor-Governor Qi, throws a wrench in the works. He keeps outbidding everyone by a single tael, eventually reaching 501 tael, frustrating an older bidder who finally gives up.
Madam Yu, however, has secret plans. Her "master" had already arranged for Shuxiang to be given to the older bidder. She confronts Menglin, sure he can't actually pay, but he produces a bank note proving his wealth. Realizing Menglin has never even seen Shuxiang, Madam Yu schemes to substitute another girl. But Shuxiang is no fool. She tricks a guard into entering her room by claiming there's a rat, then makes a daring escape.
Meanwhile, Menglin is taken to a room where a veiled girl, pretending to be the famous Jinnang, plays the qin (a traditional Chinese instrument) for him. He's captivated by the music, though he never sees her face. The girl proposes a toast, but Menglin's heart isn't in it. He only bid on Shuxiang to save her from the lecherous old man.
The escape is short-lived. The guard wakes up, and Madam Yu leads a chase to recapture Shuxiang. Just as they corner her, Chen Meiqing and Han Muzhi, constables, arrive with their men. Shuxiang urges her friend, Jin Miaocui, to flee to the county office for help. Han Muzhi intends to take Shuxiang away, but Madam Yu, seeing her cash cow slipping away, begs him to reconsider. Han Muzhi lets Chen Meiqing take Shuxiang, staying behind to deal with Madam Yu.
Back at the brothel, Menglin, furious at being locked in, breaks down the door. He confronts Han Muzhi, accusing him of abducting a woman. Han Muzhi, refusing to explain, has Menglin arrested as well. Han Muzhi assigns Shuxiang and Miaocui to go undercover at a "fragrance hall" and they uncover the sinister plot of the master and disciples. They are all arrested. Shuxiang doesn't want payment, she asks Han Muzhi to buy her and Miaocui out of the brothel. Han Muzhi is unsure how to proceed since the paperwork is complicated. Chen Meiqing tries to brush them off, but Shuxiang, fearing delays, insists on waiting at the yamen for a decision.
As night falls, Miaocui gets impatient and leaves. Han Muzhi, learning Shuxiang is still waiting outside, overrides Chen Meiqing's objections and insists they stay in a side courtyard of the yamen. Chen Meiqing, clearly displeased, assigns the official matchmaker to settle them. The matchmaker, learning the girls are from the Mingke Brothel, spitefully puts them in a storage room. Shuxiang, undeterred, cleans it up and makes it habitable.
The next morning, Shuxiang and Miaocui witness the matchmaker scolding Cai Baozi, a kitchen maid with a soot-covered face and burnt cakes. Shuxiang befriends Cai Baozi, learning she's the sister of Constable Cai. Shuxiang borrows a constable's uniform from Cai Baozi to move around the yamen more freely. Chen Meiqing is furious, but Han Muzhi sees no harm, even asking Chen Meiqing to find her a well-fitting uniform. Shuxiang, wanting a clean break from her past, asks Han Muzhi for a new name. He drops the "Xiang" (fragrance) from her name, and she becomes Luo Shu.
Luo Shu, now disguised as a constable, visits the yamen jail. Qi Menglin, still imprisoned, yells at her to release him, using his father's title as leverage. Luo Shu says she can't, but promises to get him good food. Menglin gives her a jade thumb ring as a token. A fellow prisoner, Xu Luan, overhearing Menglin's identity, begs for help, claiming he was framed by the previous magistrate. Menglin, moved, vows to get justice for Xu Luan.
Luo Shu delivers a large brick to Qi Menglin, who is enraged. Luo Shu is worried that he will be charged with bribing an official, and Qi Menglin asks Luo Shu to help Xu Luan get justice.
