Episode Summary
Kang Ning orchestrates a plan to trick Yang Xian, involving a banquet and a strategically placed poem on a pearl-embroidered skirt, leading to Emperor Renzong's anger. Chai An intervenes when Yang Xian, realizing the deception, tries to harm Kang Ning. A misunderstanding arises when Kang Ning overhears Liang Junqing's boasting, leading her to accuse Chai An. Qiong'nu's secret meeting and attempted suicide add further mystery, culminating in Kang Ning slapping Chai An, believing he's involved in Qiong'nu's distress.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Fan Lianghan making a special trip to Chai An, explaining the situation with Yang Xian and his malicious intent to marry Kang Ning. Fan Lianghan hopes Chai An can find a way to dissuade Yang Xian, protecting Kang Ning from a forced marriage. Chai An plays it cool, claiming he'll only intervene if Kang Ning asks him directly. He then waits, thrilled to see Lady Li approaching with Kang Ning. However, his joy turns to disappointment as Kang Ning walks right past him, seemingly ignoring his presence.
In reality, Kang Ning isn't seeking Chai An's help. She's executing a clever plan to deceive Yang Xian. She hosts a lavish banquet at the bustling Pan Tavern, a place filled with lanterns and the aroma of wine. Kang Ning charms Yang Xian, her every word and glance carefully calculated, displaying both her beauty and intelligence.
Chai An, already deeply interested in Kang Ning, secretly observes the banquet. Seeing her warmth towards Yang Xian, he grows suspicious and watches her every move from the shadows. His instincts are correct: Kang Ning sets her plan in motion, subtly retrieving her Silk skirt while Yang Xian is drunk. It turns out Yang Xian isn't truly interested in Kang Ning; he's just trying to spite his father, who's forcing him to marry. He's decided to take a concubine before the wedding, just to defy his father. Yang Xian repeatedly asks Kang Ning if she was the woman wearing the veil that day. Kang Ning remains ambiguous, further orchestrating a situation where she leaves a poem she wrote on the skirt's sash.
After Yang Xian is escorted away by his servants, Chai An instructs De Qing to follow Kang Ning. He believes a woman as proud as her would never become a concubine and is determined to uncover her true intentions. Fan Lianghan then takes Chai An to the Xiangguo Temple market, revealing that Qiong'nu was lost in Luoyang at the age of six and taken in by Lady Li. She was originally intended to marry Lady Li's nephew, but he died before the wedding, leaving her a widow.
At the bustling market, Chai An keeps a close watch on the Li family's stall. He notices Eunuch Wang, a eunuch close to the favored Shang Meiren, appearing at the stall. Fu Hui also brings a Silk skirt, embedded with precious pearls and embroidery, to sell, intentionally presenting it as a rare treasure called the "Pearl Skirt." Chai An suspects something is hidden within the Pearl Skirt and subtly helps Eunuch Wang purchase it.
After Eunuch Wang leaves, Chai An questions Fu Hui about the skirt, suspecting a hidden motive. Fu Hui is evasive. Chai An, aware that she's lying, warns her that he'll pretend he didn't see anything for now, but if even a single word is untrue, he'll bring Eunuch Wang back for a confrontation. That night, Kang Ning sits at her dressing table, lost in thought. She's unsure if her plan will succeed and is prepared to take drastic measures if she's forced to marry Yang Xian. Meanwhile, Shang Meiren wears the Pearl Skirt to meet Emperor Renzong, who is enraged upon seeing the poem on the sash.
The next morning, Yang Xian arrives to take Kang Ning away. Just as she's about to enter the sedan chair, his servant rushes in with news. Yang Xian realizes Kang Ning's deception and, furious, tries to attack her. Chai An heroically intervenes, warning Yang Xian off. Knowing he can't afford to offend Chai An, Yang Xian leaves in a rage.
Grateful for Chai An's intervention, Kang Ning prepares pastries to thank him. However, when she arrives at Pan Tavern, she overhears Liang Junqing boasting to Chai An about his involvement in the "basket incident." Kang Ning realizes that Liang Junqing was the one who caused the trouble. Enraged, she confronts both Chai An and Liang Junqing, accusing Chai An of being shameless, her words cutting him deeply.
Following this incident, Kang Ning despises Liang Junqing and, because of his association with Liang, also views Chai An as a frivolous and disrespectful playboy. Chai An is upset by Liang Junqing's fabrications, but Fan Lianghan mediates, and Chai An decides not to pursue the matter further. Liang Junqing then asks to borrow a jade comb from Chai An, claiming his mother admired one worn by Chai's mother and wants to have a copy made. Chai An, without suspicion, agrees.
Kang Ning is learning to make incense with Shou Hua, but Qiong'nu seems strangely subdued. Lady Li buys hairpins for her daughters, but not for Qiong'nu, unaware that Qiong'nu overhears the conversation and is heartbroken. Chai An, still misunderstood by Kang Ning, is frustrated and seeks an opportunity to clear things up, but can't find the right moment.
Late at night, Qiong'nu secretly meets with Liang Junqing and is gone for a long time. Chai An learns that Lady Li took her daughters to watch a water puppet show, but Kang Ning wasn't there. He feels jealous, but can't do anything about it. Lady Li, learning of Qiong'nu's nocturnal outing and fearing she's having an affair that could disgrace the family, scolds her, attracting the attention of the other sisters. Kang Ning and Shou Hua try to calm their mother, who is still haunted by the past. She blames herself for saving Qiong'nu, believing it led to the loss of her only son, who was swept away by a river, leaving the Li family cursed and forced to leave their home to seek a living in Bianjing.
Meanwhile, Qiong'nu, overcome with shame, attempts suicide but is saved by the Li family. She stubbornly keeps her secret, refusing to reveal who she met or what she did, deepening the mystery and suspicion within the family. Chai An comes to retrieve the jade comb. Kang Ning, believing Chai An seduced Qiong'nu, slaps him, and the Li family shuts him out.
