Episode Summary
Yang Xian returns to the Li family, feigning reform to fulfill a promise, but faces tests from the Li sons-in-law. Lady Li shows kindness to Yang Xian, while Le Shan's animosity continues, leading to a dramatic confrontation. Consort Yang visits, empowers Le Shan to discipline the Yang family with a golden staff, and reveals the root of Yang Xian's misbehavior, offering a chance for separation if Le Shan can reform him. Le Shan uses her authority and Lady Li continues to show care.
Spoiler Alert
Yang Xian, accompanied by Le Shan, returns to the Li family home bearing lavish gifts. He's there to fulfill an old promise, but it's clear he's swallowing his pride, hiding a simmering resentment beneath a veneer of repentance. The once-notorious playboy Yang Xian now acts the reformed character, bowing and scraping before the Li family. Lady Li and Fu Hui are gracious, and though doubts linger, they choose not to dwell on the past. However, Hao De keeps glancing at her husband, Shen Huizhao, seemingly gauging his reaction.
With Lady Li busy in the kitchen and the daughters making excuses to leave, Yang Xian is left alone with the Li family's sons-in-law. He has seemingly transformed into Le Shan's devoted husband. The Li sons-in-law, however, aren't buying it. They form an alliance, determined to test his mettle. They challenge him with the "eighteen martial arts," pushing him to his limits. But Yang Xian is no fool. He parries their attacks, enduring what he must, ultimately earning a grudging respect from the Li clan, who are secretly astonished by his transformation.
During the welcome banquet, Le Shan, to appease her mother, pretends to be affectionate with Yang Xian, but their private battle of wills continues. Lady Li, ever perceptive, sees that while Yang Xian is mischievous, he's not inherently evil. She recalls how he once risked his life to save someone, proving his heart isn't entirely black. Lady Li thinks that since they are now in-laws, they are family, and only by letting go of past grievances can they live in harmony. She speaks eloquently, touching Yang Xian's heart. He realizes his own parents were never this forgiving, highlighting the Li family's understanding nature. Lady Li not only offers medicine but also personally prepares an egg broth for him, making Yang Xian feel incredibly warm and happy.
However, Le Shan's resentment towards Yang Xian grows. One day, Yang Xian accidentally pushes Le Shan off the bed. Enraged, Le Shan grabs a laundry-pounding club and chases after him. The sisters, seeing an opportunity, egg Le Shan on, encouraging her to teach Yang Xian a lesson. Yang Xian, unable to endure it any longer, tearfully complains to Lady Li, claiming he can't marry Le Shan and wants them to go their separate ways. He then dramatically faints. Lady Li scolds Le Shan for her behavior and orders her to take good care of Yang Xian. Yang Xian seizes the opportunity to enjoy Le Shan's care, while Le Shan, though displeased, has to endure it. They are like a pair of bickering lovers. Le Shan lies, claiming the medicine she gives him contains arsenic. Yang Xian, furious, shoves Le Shan, only to realize later he was tricked, further complicating their tangled relationship.
Meanwhile, Consort Yang requests permission from the Emperor to visit her family. The Yang family women are critical of Le Shan, calling her rude and disrespectful, accusing her of defying her aunt and bullying her husband. They complain to Consort Yang, hoping she'll punish Le Shan. When Le Shan comes to pay her respects, she expects a reprimand, but Consort Yang is surprisingly friendly, even gifting her a golden staff. The Yang women are displeased, but Consort Yang is wise and understands that the Yang family's current prosperity hinges on the connections of the women in the imperial palace. Having tied the family's fate to this, how could they be so greedy and forget themselves?
Consort Yang declares that unruly offspring and a lack of discipline are the root of a family's downfall. She gives Le Shan the golden staff, instructing her to strictly discipline the Yang family, to correct their ways and enforce the rules. If anyone in the Yang family, whether it be a scoundrel husband or unkind in-laws, causes trouble or commits evil deeds, Le Shan is empowered to both scold and beat them. The Yang women are silenced, daring not to speak another word.
Yang Xian, due to past events, avoids seeing Consort Yang. Consort Yang tells Le Shan that her brother wasn't born bad, but his father's constant beatings and his mother's indulgence spoiled him, making him unable to distinguish between good and evil. Consort Yang promises Le Shan that if she can reform Yang Xian, she will personally petition the Emperor in a year to allow them to separate. Le Shan readily agrees, secretly resolving to help Yang Xian find his way back to the right path.
After Consort Yang departs, Yang Zhu'niang, fearing Le Shan will wield the golden staff to lord over them, orders her maid, Yinping, to steal it. Yinping, who has a crush on Yang Xian, tries to seduce him but is caught by Le Shan. Le Shan uses this incident to enforce discipline, punishing them severely. Lady Li, accompanied by Qiongnu, brings oil, honey, and steamed cakes to the Yang household. Yang Xian is overjoyed, deeply touched by Lady Li's care.
