Episode Summary
Luo Shu resigns and prepares to leave for Taiyuan, rejecting Han Muzhi's attempts to keep her. Qi Menglin declares his love for Luo Shu and plans to go with her. Luo Shu says goodbye to Jin Miaocui, who hints at hidden troubles. After a farewell feast, Luo Shu and Qi Menglin travel to Taiyuan, where she revisits her childhood home and stays at Qi Menglin's family estate. On New Year's Eve, they celebrate together, triggering Luo Shu's memories of her lost family.
Spoiler Alert
This episode is packed with departures, confrontations, and bittersweet reunions, setting the stage for a significant shift in Luo Shu's life.
The episode opens with Luo Shu tendering her resignation to Han Muzhi. He suspects her decision stems from Liu Wan's influence, but Luo Shu insists on her desire for freedom and travel. Determined, Han Muzhi confronts Liu Wan, hoping to keep Luo Shu at the county office. Liu Wan, however, accuses him of selfishness, claiming he doesn't truly consider Luo Shu's well-being.
Despite Han Muzhi's attempts to dissuade her with various excuses, Luo Shu remains resolute in her decision to leave. Meanwhile, Qi Menglin receives a letter from his father, Governor Qi, urging him to return home for the New Year. However, Qi Menglin is more interested in spending the holiday with Luo Shu, even arranging for New Year's goods to be delivered to the county office.
Luo Shu bids farewell to Jin Miaocui at the Mingke Brothel, showering the girls with gifts. Madam Yu, the brothel's owner, treats Luo Shu with disdain and demands payment for even a brief meeting with Jin Miaocui, now the brothel's star. Luo Shu willingly hands over all her money for just half an hour with her friend.
Han Muzhi, still deeply affected by Luo Shu's impending departure, reminisces about her in the courtyard. Qi Menglin arrives and mocks Han Muzhi's inability to confront his feelings. Qi Menglin openly declares his love for Luo Shu and vows to give her a happy life. Han Muzhi scoffs at Qi Menglin's naiveté, reminding him that he's reliant on his family's power and warning him to stay away from Luo Shu, lest he harm both himself and her.
Luo Shu joyfully informs Jin Miaocui about obtaining her freedom papers and her plan to take Jin Miaocui to Taiyuan, where they can live together. However, Jin Miaocui reveals she cannot leave and cryptically warns Luo Shu to trust no one. Madam Yu interrupts, rushing Luo Shu to leave, and Jin Miaocui, with a heavy heart, pushes her away. Luo Shu senses Jin Miaocui's unspoken struggles.
Constable Cai, Coroner Xu, and Cai Baozi discuss spending the New Year with Luo Shu, only to learn from Chen Meiqing that she's leaving. Master Qin sends an invitation for Luo Shu to spend the New Year at his home, but she refuses. Qi Menglin sends New Year's supplies to the county office, hoping to celebrate with Luo Shu. Coroner Xu, Constable Cai, and Cai Baozi prepare a farewell feast, and it's then that Qi Menglin learns of Luo Shu's Taiyuan destination, delighting him as he plans to accompany her.
Luo Shu and Qi Menglin depart for Taiyuan early in the morning, seen off by Chen Meiqing, Constable Cai, Cai Baozi, and Coroner Xu. Notably, Han Muzhi is absent. Arriving in Taiyuan, Luo Shu's childhood home, she's flooded with memories. She attempts to find lodging, but Qi Menglin has secretly instructed Lianshu to ensure all the inns are "fully booked." With nowhere else to go, Luo Shu accepts Qi Menglin's invitation to stay at his family home.
Qi Menglin settles Luo Shu in and goes to greet his mother. Luo Shu encounters Qi Menglin's elder brother, who questions her identity until Qi Menglin intervenes. Maids surround Qi Menglin, curious about Luo Shu's relationship with him.
After settling Luo Shu, Qi Menglin visits his second brother and accidentally sees a list of gifts from wealthy merchants, reminding him of Han Muzhi's earlier taunts. On New Year's Eve, Qi Menglin wakes Luo Shu, and they celebrate with fireworks and wine. The festive atmosphere triggers Luo Shu's memories of happy times with her parents before a fire destroyed her home, leaving her an orphan.
A drunken Qi Menglin falls asleep and wakes to find Luo Shu beside him. He's overcome with the urge to kiss her but stops when he sees tears in her eyes, gently wiping them away. The next morning, Luo Shu wants to explore, while Qi Menglin plans to meet with childhood friends. Luo Shu then realizes that Qi Menglin had lived in Taiyuan for a period of time when he was a child.
