Episode Summary
Hao De and her sisters devise a plan to impress Magistrate Du Yangxi and win a case by appealing to his love of fame and unique legal arguments. Meanwhile, the sons-in-law form an alliance to counter them. The case takes unexpected turns with love poems, new romances, and reconciled families. Shen Huizhao admits defeat to Hao De and reflects on the importance of compassion in justice. A new case involving a silenced prisoner, Zheng Su'e, emerges, hinting at a potential injustice. Shen Huizhao's amnesia is discovered by his mentor.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Hao De and Le Shan facing a major problem: unmarried women being punished in court could ruin their reputations. They enlist the help of their clever sisters, who initially hesitate but eventually agree to help. The key to winning the case, they realize, is to impress Du Yangxi, the magistrate. Shou Hua points out that Du Yangxi isn't motivated by money, but by fame and recognition. He's looking for a unique case to make a name for himself, so the sisters need to present a truly unconventional legal argument.
Meanwhile, Fan Lianghan, eavesdropping on the conversation, learns that Hao De is leading the Li family women to challenge the court's decision. He immediately contacts Chai An and Du Yangxi. The three sons-in-law then bring Shen Huizhao into the fold, forming a "sons-in-law alliance" to strategize. Shen Huizhao is skeptical that a few women can overturn the ruling, but the others warn him, based on past experience, that the Li family women, especially Hao De, are incredibly cunning and should not be underestimated.
Shen Mu is crying to the Grand Madam Shen, and Hao De rushes to comfort. Shen Mu and Grand Madam Shen leave the residence, and are seen by Shen Huizhao. Hao De covers for them, claiming the Grand Madam is going to the temple to pray, when in reality, she's meeting with families involved in arranged marriages.
The next day, Du Yangxi re-examines the Qiu and Wu families, along with the betrothed Xu and Lu families. The Li sisters present their first argument: even without a matchmaker or parental consent, true love can blossom, and no marriage law can suppress human emotions and desires. The Wu family, having resolved their differences, pleads for their children along with Shen Mu, revealing a past engagement between the families.
Shen Huizhao, anticipating this move, sends a message to Du Yangxi through Qingshi. However, Du Yangxi, moved by Wu Xiulin's love poems for Gui Niang, starts to sympathize with the couple and considers uniting them. Although Shen Huizhao is confident Hao De will lose, Hao De has another trick up her sleeve. Wu Xiulin recites another poem in court, expressing his deep affection and praising the magistrate's fairness. Du Yangxi is delighted and decides to grant the couple's wish.
Just then, the Shen family brings in the children of the Xu and Lu families. The two pairs fall in love at first sight, creating two happy couples. The four families reconcile, ending their feud. Shen Huizhao, witnessing Du Yangxi's judgment, admits defeat and acknowledges Hao De's cleverness. Before leaving, Gui Niang gives Hao De a butterfly jade pendant. Shen Mu, though reluctant, finally thanks Hao De and tells her to seek his help if she's ever wronged.
With one crisis averted, Le Shan reminds Hao De of her one-year agreement with Shen Huizhao, realizing that Hao De had forgotten her original purpose for entering the Shen family amidst all the legal battles. Hao De brings medicine to Shen Huizhao, thinking he's angry with her. However, Shen Huizhao is actually reflecting on his past reliance on strict laws and lack of empathy. He finds an answer in his books: both human compassion and justice are equally important.
Because Hao De comes from a humble background, Grand Madam Shen pushes her to learn household management, making her study accounts late into the night. Shen Huizhao, missing Hao De, goes to Grand Madam Shen and, after much persuasion, finally brings Hao De back to their room, further strengthening their bond.
The next day, Shen Huizhao receives officials from the Ministry of Justice. Xue Guang, the Minister, immediately sees through Shen Huizhao's amnesia. Shen Huizhao panics, but it turns out Xue Guang is his mentor and benefactor. Xue Guang reveals he noticed Shen Huizhao's changed judgment style and asks who inspired him. Shen Huizhao immediately thinks of his wife.
Meanwhile, Hao De brings food to Shen Huizhao at the court and is unexpectedly confronted by Zheng Su'e, a female prisoner who has had her tongue cut out. Zheng Su'e is sentenced to death for murdering her husband, and the encounter deeply disturbs Hao De. Back home, Hao De is haunted by the woman's despair and begs Shen Huizhao to let her visit Zheng Su'e with her mother-in-law and daughter. Shen Huizhao eventually agrees to give Zheng Su'e a brief moment, and Hao De is overjoyed, kissing him on the cheek.
During the prison visit, Du Yangxi informs Shen Huizhao that cruel officials sometimes silence death row inmates to prevent them from proclaiming their innocence and avoid retrials, which could lead to the original judges being punished. Hao De learns from Zheng Su'e's mother-in-law that Zheng Su'e and her husband were deeply in love, making it unlikely she would kill him. Shen Huizhao also suspects Zheng Su'e may be innocent and gathers Du Yangxi and others to discuss the case.
