Episode Summary
A forced marriage between Le Shan and Yang Xian is decreed by the Emperor, despite both families' initial objections and a series of dramatic confrontations. Yang Xian, initially resistant, finds himself intrigued by Le Shan's fiery personality. Le Shan, trapped in the marriage, uses her wit and strength to navigate the situation, tormenting Yang Xian and defying his family's expectations. The episode ends with the couple returning to Le Shan's home, pretending to be happily married, while Le Shan feels something is amiss.
Spoiler Alert
The Li family, upon receiving alarming news, rushes to the Yang household, while Du Yangxi hurries to the He family. Both families are determined to expose the daylight robbery and forced marriage to the Emperor. As the Li women prepare to leave, Yang Demao and his family try to stop Lady Li. Enraged, Lady Li demands Yang Demao be taken to court, leading to a fierce argument with the Yang women.
The Li family, seeing the Yang family's unreasonable behavior, declare their intention to file a complaint at the KaiFeng Prefecture. Yang Demao, worried about the escalating situation, tries to appease them. However, the Yang family has already made secret preparations: they've warned the He family of the potential consequences and sent someone to the palace to seek the help of Consort Yang, hoping to use her influence to quell the matter.
Yan Baishi, who was originally supposed to marry Yang Xian, ends up becoming the wife of He Guangyuan due to his interference. He Guangyuan confesses in front of everyone that he mistook Yan Baishi for Le Shan last night and they've already consummated their relationship. Le Shan, unable to tolerate the He family's sudden change of plans, slaps He Guangyuan several times. This act further endears her to Yang Xian, who insists on marrying her.
After He Guangyuan's embarrassing departure, Yang Demao secretly rejoices, believing that the marriage between Le Shan and Yang Xian is a match made in heaven. He proposes that the two families become in-laws, with Le Shan officially becoming the Yang family's daughter-in-law. Consort Yang, upon learning of the news, rushes to inform the Emperor to cover up for her brother. Before the Li family's complaint even reaches the court, the Emperor's rewards flood the Yang household. Their marriage is solidified by the Emperor's bestowal of a plaque reading "A Match Made in Heaven," forcing Le Shan to temporarily stay with the Yang family.
Yang Xian confronts his father in the main hall, revealing that Yan Baishi, despite her seemingly noble background, is actually promiscuous. He claims that she eloped with her cousin three years ago, only to return home after enduring poverty. Yang Demao is shocked and denies these as rumors, but he knows that the reason he sought an alliance with the Yan family was because of her grandfather's promotion to Vice Minister of Works. Yang Xian criticizes his father for treating his children's marriages as business transactions, stating that he will not tolerate it.
To ensure Le Shan's well-being in the Yang household, Kang Ning leaves a group of male servants to protect her. Le Shan deliberately locks her door, forcing Yang Xian to stay in the study. Seeing this, Lady Luo is furious and finds an opportunity to lock Le Shan in a room for "reflection," intending to teach her a lesson.
Meanwhile, Yang Xian is entertaining his friends, who offer him advice on how to "tame" his wife. Le Shan overhears the maid Yinping badmouthing her and realizes her feelings for Yang Xian. When Yinping enters the room, Le Shan kicks her to the ground and disciplines the other servants as well.
Yang Xian's friends continue to disparage the Li family, claiming that the so-called Si Fu Zhai is actually a teahouse known for attracting men and selling daughters. Yang Xian, enraged, is about to take action when a cleaver comes flying. Le Shan, furious at their insults towards the Li family, bursts in, forces Yang Xian back with a stick, and beats up the other spoiled brats who mocked her. Yang Xian is secretly pleased by this.
Back at the Yang house, Le Shan locks Yang Xian out again and enjoys food and wine in her room until Lady Luo arrives with Yang Xian's two sisters. Yang Xian handles Lady Luo and the others for Le Shan, realizing that her fierce and unruly behavior is simply a way to make him divorce her, but he refuses to give her what she wants.
That night, Yang Xian tries to sneak into Le Shan's room. A servant drugs Le Shan's wine, but Yinping, unwilling to see Lady Li succeed, switches the cups. Le Shan sees through the scheme and switches the cups again, getting Yang Xian drunk. She then calls Yinping and other maids to tickle Yang Xian's feet with feathers, tormenting him.
Yang Xian, unable to endure the torture, agrees to prepare generous gifts and accompany Le Shan back to her family the next day, pretending to be a loving couple to reassure the Li family. Le Shan tells Yang Xian about her preferences, giving him a head start. Yang Xian tries to launch a sneak attack, but Le Shan knocks him out. The next day, Yang Xian keeps his promise and accompanies Le Shan home, but Le Shan feels like she's forgotten something.
