Episode Summary
Shou Hua faces pressure from Yu Xiu'e to give up Du Yangxi, leading to a confrontation and the Yu family's attempt to force a marriage. Du Yangxi's mother is briefly detained, raising suspicions about her past connection to Yu Weiyi. Du Yangxi is assigned to a difficult post, suggesting a deliberate attempt to sabotage his career.
Spoiler Alert
The hairpin business at Si Fu Zhai is booming! A prominent family, the Yu family, places a large order and extends an invitation to the Li sisters to attend a "Summer Flower Party." Meanwhile, Du Yangxi, still vying for Shou Hua's affections, buys her a lavish golden hairpins and hopes to accompany her to the party, but Shou Hua politely declines.
Runyue, one of the household staff, accidentally ruins some clothes while ironing. Instead of scolding her, Shou Hua shows concern for Runyue's well-being, asking if she was burned. This kindness deeply touches Runyue, who had initially intended to prevent Shou Hua from attending the party. However, Shou Hua feels it's impolite to cancel at the last minute and decides to attend, wearing an older dress, with her sisters.
At the flower party, Yu Xiu'e, a woman from the host family, pointedly tries to befriend Shou Hua. Shou Hua, already aware that Runyue is a spy planted by Yu Xiu'e, strategically sends Kang Ning away on an errand. Meanwhile, Chai An has located Yan Zimei, the man involved in the previous framing of Lady Cui. Chai An has Yan Zimei kidnapped and brought back to Bianjing, threatening him with imprisonment unless he reveals the truth about the incident. Yan Zimei tearfully confesses that he was also coerced.
Similarly, Shou Hua confronts Yu Xiu'e, pointing out that Yan Zimei acted under her orders. Yu Xiu'e, far from being shocked, admits it openly. She then makes a bold proposition to Shou Hua: give up Du Yangxi, and Yu Xiu'e will help her secure an even more advantageous marriage, even to a prince. Disgusted, Shou Hua leaves the party with her sisters. They discuss how, even though Shou Hua is unmoved by these offers, Du Yangxi might be tempted by the Yu family's influence.
However, Du Yangxi, understanding Shou Hua's concerns, goes directly to the Yu family and reveals the entire situation to alleviate her worries. The head of the Yu family, Prime Minister Yu Weiyi, is furious upon learning of his daughter's actions. He interrogates Yu Xiu'e and even threatens her with family punishment for her shameless behavior.
At the crucial moment, Madam Yu rushes in to intervene. Yu Weiyi angrily rebukes her, saying that the daughter's improper behavior reflects the mother's. After Yu Weiyi leaves, Yu Xiu'e declares that she will marry no one but Du Yangxi and begs her mother for help. Madam Yu, driven by her love for her daughter, begins to plot how to steal Du Yangxi from Shou Hua.
The next morning, Du Yangxi's mother, accompanied by Lady Li, visits a temple to offer prayers. Madam Yu sends someone to invite them to the Yu residence. Lady Li, unable to find Du's mother, becomes anxious and rushes to inform Du Yangxi. Du's mother, a woman of great integrity, pretends to be deaf and politely declines the marriage proposal. Madam Yu, extremely displeased, detains Du's mother. Fortunately, the maid Sang Ma understands the urgency of the situation and secretly escapes to deliver the news.
Du Yangxi rushes to the Yu estate, but Madam Yu has already instructed the servants to deliberately mistreat him, denying him a seat or tea. He stands outside for a full hour until nightfall before she appears. The butler finally allows Du Yangxi into the study, where he finds his mother safe and sound.
Just as Du Yangxi is about to leave with his mother, Yu Weiyi appears and apologizes to Du Yangxi. Hearing Yu Weiyi's voice, Du's mother instinctively clutches Du Yangxi's clothes, her expression panicked, urging him to leave quickly. This reaction catches Yu Weiyi's attention.
Later, Shou Hua personally attends to Du's mother, who is resting. Du Yangxi stays by his mother's bedside, noticing her troubled sleep and how she calls out his name. This, combined with his mother's strange reaction at the Yu house, makes him pull out a jade pendant he carries. He begins to suspect that his mother and Yu Weiyi know each other.
The next morning, as Shou Hua and Sang Ma are busy in the courtyard, Sang Yanrang rushes to find Du Yangxi. He pulls him into a room and reveals that the top three scholars (1st:Zhuangyuan, 2st:Bangyan, and 3st:Tanhua) have all been appointed to the Jiangzuo Jiancheng (a government position), with the responsibility of overseeing various prefectures. While others are assigned to prosperous regions, Du Yangxi has been assigned to the border region of Xiongzhou. Sang Yanrang believes that Du Yangxi, being inexperienced and lacking connections in the court, is being deliberately set up for failure, risking not only his own career but also potentially causing harm to the country.
