Episode Summary
Du Yangxi overcomes Shou Hua's challenges through cleverness and deception, ultimately winning her over. He reveals his troubled past, and they finally consummate their marriage. Meanwhile, business rivalry and a violent encounter add further complications.
Spoiler Alert
After the initial challenge, Du Yangxi discusses the riddle posed by Shou Hua's mother with Chai An. A seemingly offhand comment from Chai An sparks an idea in Du Yangxi, allowing him to finally give Shou Hua a satisfactory answer and pass the first test. Du Yangxi then lectures the four, and gives a special fan to Shou Hua. However, Shou Hua throws another curveball, tossing the fan into the Bianjing River. She declares that only by retrieving the "spilled water" (the fan) can their marriage be truly restored.
Desperate, Du Yangxi nearly jumps into the river, but is mistaken for someone attempting suicide. Luckily, Fan Lianghan passes by and, understanding the situation, sends his servants to search for the fan, but to no avail. This leads Du Yangxi to devise a clever scheme: he enlists Chai An's help. Kang Ning and Fu Hui invite Shou Hua to Pan Tavern, where a fan is hidden inside a fish and presented to her.
Shou Hua is furious, accusing Kang Ning and Fu Hui of colluding with outsiders to deceive her. Fu Hui is genuinely clueless, while Kang Ning is angry at Chai An. Back home, Shou Hua realizes the fan isn't the original, but can't prove it. Du Yangxi, through his wit, successfully navigates this second hurdle.
Du Yangxi notices Shou Hua has made a new pair of shoes, initially thinking they were for him. However, they don't fit, and he discovers they are for her deceased husband. Jealousy and resentment consume him, believing she still harbors feelings for her late husband, which is why she's been so difficult. Consumed by jealousy, Du Yangxi drowns his sorrows with Chai An, getting completely drunk.
Meanwhile, a new tea house called "Cui Ji," owned by Lady Cui, opens next door, directly competing with Si Fu Zhai. Lady Li is enraged and wants to confront her, but her daughters restrain her. Shou Hua sees Lady Li with a painting by Du Yangxi and learns someone offered 300 guan for it. She warns Lady Li that those seeking the painting are likely trying to gain favor through flattery.
At the same time, Qiong'nu brings in a nimble and lively maid named Chou'er to replace Chun Lai in serving Shou Hua. Shou Hua is very pleased with Chou'er. Lady Li advises Shou Hua not to dwell on her deceased husband, urging her to cherish the present and Du Yangxi. Shou Hua is moved by these words.
That night, Du Yangxi returns home drunk, and Shou Hua tends to him. As she goes to get him hangover medicine, he embraces her from behind. He confesses that he was an orphan, raised solely by his mother, Du, who sacrificed her reputation and endured public scrutiny to raise him. He acknowledges his debt to her.
Du Yangxi admits he can't compare to Shou Hua's late husband, lacking his noble lineage, character, and generosity. He calls himself a selfish, ambitious, and petty person, driven to succeed in the imperial examinations to prove that even an orphan can achieve greatness.
Shou Hua is deeply touched by Du Yangxi's story, understanding that his intelligence is forged from hardship. However, she still believes that a marriage should be built on mutual respect and formality. Du Yangxi rejects this coldness, pleading for her affection.
His vulnerable plea melts Shou Hua's heart, and she kisses him on the forehead. Overjoyed, Du Yangxi consummates their marriage, and they reconcile. The next morning, Du Yangxi paints a pear blossom on Shou Hua's dudou (a traditional Chinese undergarment), marking their newfound intimacy.
Because Cui Ji's daughter, Rong Mei, is good at using her charms, she attracts many customers, leading to the decline of Si Fu Zhai. Qiong'nu wants to greet customers, but Lady Li does not agree, she would not be like Lady Cui to use her daughter to make money, and also wants to find a good family for Qiong'nu in the future. Shou Hua, Fu Hui, and Kang Ning return to their mother's home, only to find Yan Zimei following their carriage. Lady Li, witnessing this, instructs her second son-in-law, Fan Lianghan, to teach him a lesson. However, Fan Lianghan goes too far, seemingly beating Yan Zimei to death.
