Episode Summary
Shou Hua presents Du Yangxi with a separation letter, seeing through his seemingly selfless actions. Du Yangxi pleads with her, and she relents. A bet is made in Bianjing about winning Shou Hua over. Du Yangxi is anxious but pretends to be unconcerned. The Li family prepares a trap for the men who made the bet. Four men sneak into the Du family's yard and are caught. Du Yangxi arrives to help, and Shou Hua is moved.
Spoiler Alert
After dealing with the Yan Zimei situation, Du Yangxi personally brings Shou Hua back home, hoping for a closer relationship and a harmonious marriage. However, he's shocked and confused when Shou Hua presents him with a letter of separation. Shou Hua reveals that she sees through Du Yangxi's seemingly kind gestures, realizing they are not truly for her benefit, which leaves her deeply hurt.
Du Yangxi is speechless after hearing Shou Hua's words. He kneels and pleads, "I hope my sister will take pity on me," followed by a promise to "cherish my sister in the future." Shou Hua, still soft-hearted, relents. She softens her stance and spends the night reading with him by candlelight. The next morning, Du Yangxi discovers that the couplets from the Li family's previous literary competition for a son-in-law were actually written by his wife.
Du Yangxi excitedly shares this news with Sang Yanrang, who is envious that Du Yangxi is married to such a brilliant and virtuous woman. However, Shou Hua still intends to separate, mentioning that her late husband was exceptional in both talent and character. She recalls her late husband's words, stating that if she were to remarry, she should choose someone even better. Du Yangxi vows that he will not disappoint her.
Soon, the news of Shou Hua and Yan Zimei spreads throughout Bianjing. Lady Li overhears Lady Cui gossiping with the neighbors and throws a basin of water at them, sparking a feud between the two families. Meanwhile, some playboys in Bianjing start a betting pool, wagering thirty taels of gold on who can win over the virtuous Shou Hua.
Chai An informs Du Yangxi of the bet. Though Du Yangxi is anxious, he pretends to be unconcerned, saying that Shou Hua is intelligent and capable of handling the situation. He believes that interfering would make him appear arrogant and offend her. Similarly, the Li sisters discuss the situation, fearing that Shou Hua is being treated like a prize and that public opinion could quickly turn against her.
When Du Yangxi returns from Pan Tavern, he wants to comfort Shou Hua but finds her helping her mother weave instead of resting in her room. Sang Yanrang then takes Du Yangxi away. The sisters ask Chun Lai to call Shou Hua back, fearing that the situation might escalate.
Shou Hua, seeing her sisters bored at home, encourages them to go out. She also plans to make clothes for her mother-in-law. Du Yangxi is preoccupied with thoughts of Shou Hua but avoids direct involvement. He goes to Pan Tavern and gazes longingly at Si Fu Zhai across the street. Chai An reminds him that being the Li family's son-in-law is no easy task.
Meanwhile, the men of Bianjing are eager to pursue Shou Hua. Some approach her sisters, pretending to be helpful by paying for their purchases. Others, like the young owner of a jewelry shop, offer discounted hairpins to Shou Hua. Some are after her, some are after money, and some are after both.
At Lady Li's tea house, someone tries to get information from the servant, Aunt Liu. The Li family has a new plan. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, the Li family closes their shop early and holds a small banquet at home, with the married daughters returning to their family. Du Yangxi repeatedly tries to visit Shou Hua but is kept at Pan Tavern by Chai An, who reveals that Shou Hua is also at her mother's house.
After a few rounds of drinks, Fu Hui and Kang Ning leave in their sedans. Shou Hua helps Lady Li to bed and signals to Qiong'nu and the others. Du Yangxi, distracted while playing chess, is eager to leave but is called out by Chai An, who exposes his true intentions. Annoyed, Du Yangxi stays at Pan Tavern to continue playing.
Meanwhile, four men involved in the bet sneak into the Du family's backyard. Fu Hui and Kang Ning return, no longer appearing drunk. The Li family is ready to trap the intruders. Du Yangxi and Chai An suddenly realize someone is missing. Fan Lianghan is helping his wife's family catch the thieves. Neighbors, awakened by Chun Lai's cries of "Thief!", rush out with sticks.
The four men hiding in the Du family's yard hear The gong rings and flee in panic, jumping over the wall only to be caught by the neighbors. Lady Cui tries to take advantage of the situation to slander the Li family, but the Li women defend themselves eloquently, earning the sympathy and outrage of the neighbors. Du Yangxi arrives in time to help resolve the matter. Shou Hua is moved and gives him the first test.
