Episode Summary
Lady Chai's plan to force a marriage between Chai An and Kang Ning unfolds. Fu Hui helps orchestrate the plan, while Shou Hua tries to stop it. A confrontation at the Li residence leads to Du's mother realizing Kang Ning isn't the right match for her son. Chai An is tricked into marrying Kang Ning, who was substituted for another sister in a secret agreement. The episode ends with the two happily married.
Spoiler Alert
The drama intensifies in episode 10 of "Perfect Match," as Lady Chai's failed proposal leads her down a path of desperate measures. She decides to essentially kidnap the bride, Kang Ning, and enlists Fan Lianghan to recruit Fu Hui as an inside accomplice. Fu Hui, aware of her sister Kang Ning's feelings for Chai An, sees this as a potentially positive outcome and agrees to help. She goes home and tries to convince Lady Li that Chai An's genuine affection for Kang Ning is a better foundation for marriage than Du Yangxi's sense of obligation. Lady Li is hesitant, recognizing the marriage was born from a debt, not love.
Shou Hua interrupts Fu Hui, and the scene shifts to Fu Hui informing Kang Ning about Chai An's impending sea voyage. Kang Ning is distraught and, encouraged by Fu Hui, wants to see him. However, Shou Hua stops her sister, sternly reminding her that offending the promising Du Yangxi, one of the top three scholars, is dangerous and puts the family at risk. Kang Ning realizes Du Yangxi isn't as forgiving as he seems, but Fu Hui argues that his calculating nature makes him an even worse choice for a husband. The sisters clash, but Shou Hua eventually decides to bring the matter to a family discussion.
After leaving the Li residence, Fu Hui meets with Lady Chai, confirming her determination to have Kang Ning as a daughter-in-law. Fu Hui reveals her multi-pronged plan to make it happen. Meanwhile, Shou Hua makes clothes for Du's mother, who is delighted and wishes she had another son so she could marry both Kang Ning and Shou Hua.
Chai An visits a temple to pray, surprised to see the Li family there. Shou Hua, suspecting Fu Hui's plan, keeps a close eye on Kang Ning. However, Fu Hui has already enlisted help – from Qiong'nu. Kang Ning prays for Chai An, and he witnesses this, deeply moved. He accidentally rings a bell, drawing attention. Kang Ning's sisters arrive, announcing the wedding date: the eighteenth of the second month, the same day Chai An is set to depart.
On the day of the betrothal gifts exchange, Lady Chai storms the Li residence, declaring that Kang Ning will only marry into the Chai family. Lady Li accuses the Chai family of being snobbish and breaking the initial engagement, only to cause this scene now. The Chai family has also secretly replaced the Li family's tea shipment with betrothal gifts, solidifying the marriage contract. Lady Chai threatens to take the Li family to court if Kang Ning marries someone else, which would result in a hundred lashes for the bride.
Lady Li finally sees Kang Ning's true feelings and decides to support her. She and Lady Chai put on a show of arguing, which Du's mother overhears. She realizes that while Kang Ning is a good woman, she isn't Du Yangxi's destined match. Du's mother then invites Lady Chai and Lady Li inside to discuss the matter.
Chai An, learning of the events, apologizes to Du Yangxi on behalf of his mother and wishes him and Kang Ning well. Du's mother, hearing Chai An's name, suddenly remembers he was her savior years ago. Chai An tells his mother that the Li-Du marriage is still on, and he will leave for Quanzhou as planned. Lady Chai's tone changes, revealing she has found another match for her son and intends to hold the wedding before the Du family.
On the wedding day, Fan Lianghan ties up Chai An and forces him into wedding clothes. Lady Chai threatens suicide to force Chai An to marry. Chai An refuses to greet the bridal sedan until he hears Kang Ning's voice from inside. He realizes Kang Ning is his bride and immediately changes his attitude. Inside the bridal chamber, Chai An and Kang Ning drink the ceremonial wine. Kang Ning recalls how Lady Li decided to have a sister substitute, and the five sisters drew lots. Chai An embraces Kang Ning, smiling, and remarks that although the Lady Lis are hard to win, true lovers will eventually be together.
