Episode Summary
Luo Shu's past resurfaces as she searches for her childhood home in Taiyuan. Qin Yi, her former lover, attempts to rekindle their relationship, but Luo Shu rejects him. Qi Menglin helps Luo Shu uncover clues about the suspicious fire that killed her parents, discovering it might have involved a military-grade substance called stone lacquer. The Qi family deals with internal tensions and secrets, while Qi Menglin and Luo Shu grow closer.
Spoiler Alert
After breakfast, Luo Shu wants to take a walk, but Qi Menglin has plans to meet up with childhood friends. As they head out, Taiyuan's wealthiest man, Qin Yi, arrives to see Qi Menglin's second brother, Qi Yanjin. Qin Yi greets Luo Shu, but she ignores him. After Qin Yi leaves, Qi Menglin is curious about how Luo Shu knows him, especially since Qin Yi called her "Yulan." Luo Shu vaguely mentions knowing Qin Yi before she came to Mingke Brothel, and that he used to visit her every time he went to Linfen. Qi Menglin suspects Qin Yi has ulterior motives, but Luo Shu, not wanting to explain further, excuses herself.
Qin Yi's visit to Qi Yanjin is about the salt trade permits. Qi Yanjin is hesitant, as the imperial court is tightening control over these permits. Although he manages the Qi family's business, his father, Governor Qi, is the ultimate authority. Qin Yi, unwilling to lose out on this lucrative opportunity, urges Qi Yanjin to seize control of the family business. Qi Yanjin maintains that his family is united by brotherly love. Before leaving, Qin Yi warns Qi Yanjin to be wary of the woman Qi Menglin brought back, prompting Qi Yanjin to assign his confidant, Lian Qi, to investigate Luo Shu's background.
Luo Shu spent her childhood in Taiyuan, but a fire tragically killed her parents, leaving her an orphan. Years later, she revisits the city, which remains bustling, yet she feels like an outsider. She can't recall the exact location of her childhood home, only remembering a large plaque at the alley entrance and a delicious baozi shop. Her search proves fruitless.
Qi Menglin returns home early from his gathering, eager to see Luo Shu. He playfully imagines Luo Shu as his wife. Learning that Luo Shu couldn't find her old home, he sends Lianshu to investigate based on her memories.
The next morning, Luo Shu goes out and runs into Qin Yi, who wants to talk. Unable to avoid him, she agrees to go to a teahouse, with Lian Qi observing. Qin Yi orders her favorite childhood snacks, but Luo Shu avoids him. Qin Yi expresses regret for hurting her and wants to start over. Luo Shu firmly refuses, stating she doesn't want anyone controlling her life. She recalls how Qin Yi, facing humiliation in his own family, was only comforted by her. He used her to gain power, and when he wanted to free her from her low social status, she refused. Qin Yi continues to try to please her, but Luo Shu, annoyed, leaves.
Luo Shu returns to the Qi residence and is summoned by Qi Yanjin. He has uncovered her past and demands she leave Qi Menglin, threatening her if she doesn't. It's New Year's Eve, and Qi Menglin is busy decorating the house. Luo Shu returns to Qi Menglin's courtyard, lost in thought. Qi Menglin, oblivious to her mood, excitedly shows off his decorations and promises to spend the night with her after the family banquet.
Governor Qi gathers the family for the reunion dinner. His eldest son, a government official, reports on his achievements. Qi Menglin, uninterested, sends some dishes to Luo Shu via Lianshu. Asked about his own work, Qi Menglin boasts about his successes in leading troops against bandits and solving major cases, even mentioning an injury. His grandmother fusses over him, while Governor Qi quietly warns him that they'll talk after the New Year.
After dinner, the family watches a play. Qi Menglin has Lianshu take his place so he can sneak off to see Luo Shu. He encounters Qi Yanjin, who warns him against getting too close to Luo Shu. Qi Menglin ignores him and goes to find Luo Shu. The next morning, Qi Menglin takes Luo Shu to her childhood home. Seeing the familiar baozi shop, Luo Shu quickly finds her old house. It's now occupied by others, but Luo Shu, with the owner's permission, enters her former room.
Luo Shu will never forget the fire that destroyed her family. She had snuck into the kitchen for a snack and fallen asleep. When she woke up, the house was ablaze, and her parents perished. She sees the height markings her father made on a wooden post. Qi Menglin offers to buy the post, but Luo Shu declines.
Outside, Luo Shu meets Aunt Guo, who is overjoyed. Aunt Guo had rescued Luo Shu from the fire, which was suspicious. Even though it rained heavily that night, the fire raged on. Luo Shu was unconscious for a day and night. Shady individuals came asking if anyone from Luo Shu's family had survived. Aunt Guo and Uncle Guo decided to send Luo Shu to a relative in the countryside, but Luo Shu disappeared soon after.
Aunt Guo assumes Qi Menglin is Luo Shu's fiancé, and Qi Menglin goes along with it, even inviting her to the wedding. Luo Shu believes her parents' death was not accidental. Qi Menglin promises to help her investigate, but it's difficult after so many years. Luo Shu remembers a strong, acrid smell during the fire. Qi Menglin visits a general store to test various fuels, but none match the smell. They go from shop to shop, and finally, a shopkeeper recalls that the military-grade material "stone lacquer" has that smell, and that a Mr. Zhang has some. Stone lacquer is expensive and already reserved, but the shopkeeper persuades Mr. Zhang to do a burn test. Luo Shu confirms the smell, suspecting her house was burned down with stone lacquer. Mr. Zhang finds it unlikely, as it's difficult for ordinary people to obtain such a large quantity.
Qi Menglin remembers his father was stationed in Shanxi at the time and plans to ask him about the stone lacquer. Luo Shu recalls her tragic experiences: being adopted by Uncle Guo's relative, then sold to the Qin family by human traffickers, before Qin Yi brought her to the Qin household.
