Episode Summary
The Yang family faces continued hardship after being exposed and losing their property. Yang Xian is given a business challenge by Le Shan, and later, a secret opportunity by Chai An to engage in risky overseas trade. Three years pass without word from Yang Xian. Le Shan, believing him to be gone, agrees to remarry through a traditional matchmaking event. However, she spots someone resembling Yang Xian on the day of the event. The event proceeds with Qiong'nu standing in for Le Shan, and the embroidered ball ultimately lands with General Zhe Cong.
Spoiler Alert
The Yang family, accompanied by Lady Li, arrives at a temporary residence. While they find the accommodations lacking, Lady Luo and Yang Xian are exceptionally gracious, with Yang Xian going out of his way to express his gratitude to Lady Li, even taking on manual labor like chopping firewood. Du Yangxi reveals to the Li family that Jiang Chaozong had exposed the Yang family's previous, improper housing situation. While seemingly a minor issue, it became a major offense because Yang Jieyu was implicated in the former empress's case. The imperial censors seized the opportunity, and the Emperor, to appease them, confiscated the Yang family's property without a thorough investigation.
It seems the Yang family's troubles are far from over; they are, in fact, just beginning. Lady Li needs to decide what to do. Le Shan, showing her continued support, lends Yang Xian ten strings of cash, presenting him with the third trial: he must triple this amount within one month. Yang Xian, touched by Le Shan's unwavering faith, immediately accepts the challenge.
Yang Xian then explores the streets, brainstorming ways to make a quick profit. He decides to venture into the lychee business, and the entire Yang family pitches in to help. Lady Luo even starts to publicly scold Yang Demao, turning him into a henpecked husband. Furthermore, Yang Xian notices a failed scholar with Southern gauze brought from his hometown and produces 100 black gauze hats, but he is worried about how to sell them.
Later that night, Le Shan peeks over the wall, watching Yang Xian work tirelessly in the yard. Her aunt, Shou Hua, understanding the hardships of poverty, devises a plan with the family. The next day, as Yang Xian tries to sell his hats, a "Mr. Qiao" buys the entire stock. Claiming he needs to exchange currency, Mr. Qiao leaves his "mother" and carriage as collateral.
However, Mr. Qiao never returns. Yang Xian, suspecting a trick, confronts Du Yangxi and the others at the Li household. They unexpectedly berate him, causing him to storm off. Le Shan, upset at how her family treated Yang Xian, is about to go after him when Shou Hua stops her and reveals the truth.
Meanwhile, Chai An sends for Yang Xian. Impressed by his courage, Chai An secretly provides him with capital, demanding a tenfold return within three years and pointing him towards a specific opportunity. Chai An informs Yang Xian about a ship departing for Quanzhou that night, suggesting he could engage in overseas trade, though it carries significant risks. Yang Xian readily agrees.
After Yang Xian leaves, Kang Ning emerges from behind a screen. It's revealed that this is all part of the Li family's plan to teach Yang Xian about business and break his spoiled rich kid habits. If he succeeds, a happy family reunion might be possible. On the other side, Le Shan, alone with an umbrella, visits the temporary residence, reminiscing about Yang Xian.
Three years pass without a word from Yang Xian, his fate unknown. Lady Li urges her daughters to persuade Le Shan to remarry and find a good match. They're also concerned about Qiong'nu's future. Qiong'nu intends to stay with the Li family forever, but Lady Li, recognizing the difficulties of maintaining a business, especially for a woman, decides to leave the "Si Fu Zhai" to her and find her a live-in son-in-law.
With Shou Hua, Kang Ning, and others playing along, Le Shan agrees to remarry, feeling she has fulfilled her three-year promise to Yang Xian. However, she has one condition: a traditional "embroidered ball" matchmaking event. Her sisters readily agree, and the event is to be held at Pan Tavern, hosted by Fan Lianghan and Chai An, with the "Zhenzhu Zhang" (Pearl Tent) as Le Shan's dowry.
On the day of the event, everyone praises Le Shan, especially with the addition of the Pearl Tent to her dowry, and many eagerly sign up. Yang Xian's cousin is in the crowd, determined to prevent his cousin's wife from marrying another. Le Shan, on her way to Pan Tavern, spots a figure resembling Yang Xian in the crowd and rushes after him.
However, Yang Xian, feeling apprehensive about returning home and burdened by family feuds, avoids revealing himself to Le Shan. His sworn sister, Yin Yao, decides to meet with the Li family. Because Le Shan ran off, Qiong'nu, wearing a veil, takes her place on Pan Tavern to throw the embroidered ball. The ball lands in the cousin's hands, but he claims to have family matters and the ball is then snatched by a small dog. After a chase, the ball finally lands in the hands of General Zhe Cong, who is in the capital from Fuzhou.
