Episode Summary
Liang Junqing's drunken boasting about the Li family daughter leads to a fight and a revenge plot orchestrated by Chai An and Kang Ning. Chai An uses a beautiful woman to lure Liang Junqing into a trap, resulting in him being beaten and breaking his leg. During the Double Ninth Festival, the Li sisters get permission to go out. Later, a fire and a kidnapping lead to Chai An and Fan Lianghan rescuing Kang Ning and Fu Hui. Chai An pretends to be a bandit to scare Kang Ning, but ultimately reveals his true feelings, deepening their connection.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Liang Junqing, completely drunk at a banquet in Pan Tavern, boasting shamelessly about his supposed affairs with the Lady Li. His vulgar and disrespectful comments enrage Fan Lianghan, who throws a punch at him. Even though Chai An is also furious, he keeps a cool head, knowing that acting rashly would be a mistake. He cleverly intervenes, protecting the reputation of the Li family daughter.
After Liang Junqing is dragged away by servants, Fan Lianghan is still fuming. Chai An points out that a public brawl at Pan Tavern would ruin the Lady Li's chances of marriage and subject her to endless gossip. Fan Lianghan remains convinced that Liang Junqing shouldn't get away with it, and Chai An, knowing this, reveals he already has a plan in motion.
Meanwhile, Kang Ning learns that Liang Junqing was the one who unsuccessfully tried to assault Qiong'nu. She's determined to make him pay. At this point, Chai An approaches Kang Ning, vowing to punish Liang Junqing severely and clear his own name, which has been dragged into the scandal. Kang Ning, needing Chai An's help, apologizes for past misunderstandings and asks about his plan. Chai An intends to play the long game.
Fast forward to the Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang Festival). The Sifu Tea House is bustling, offering a variety of unique Chongyang cakes. The Lady Li's silver tongue draws in a crowd of customers. Inside, the Li sisters are busy, but Fifth Sister Le Shan and Fourth Sister Hao De are bored and beg Shou Hua and Fu Hui to let them go out and have some fun. They finally get permission.
Kang Ning goes to meet Chai An as agreed, but he's nowhere to be seen. She becomes intrigued by a Jin Mo Ke Luo Duo (a kind of toy) and wins it with five coins, only to be told by the shopkeeper that it was already reserved for someone else: Chai An, the young master of Pan Tavern. Chai An then appears with Kang Ning, and they engage in their usual verbal sparring until Liang Junqing is spotted walking away with a woman.
It turns out Chai An has set a trap using a beautiful woman as bait. Liang Junqing, always on the lookout for a new conquest, falls for it. As he enters a room expecting a romantic encounter, the woman screams, attracting servants who beat him up. Kang Ning takes a stick from Chai An and joins in, finally getting revenge for Qiong'nu.
Afterward, Chai An escorts Kang Ning home, reassuring her that the servants were skilled and only broke one of Liang Junqing's legs to prevent him from harming others. He explains that Liang Junqing won't dare report the incident, as it would expose his own shameful behavior. Kang Ning's opinion of Chai An begins to shift, and she accepts the Jin Mo Ke Luo Duo he gives her, her feelings for him growing.
Shou Hua notices that Qiong'nu has lost weight and is still troubled by the earlier incident. Le Shan suggests a trip to the night market to cheer her up. Fu Hui is hesitant, hearing rumors of bandits targeting beautiful young women. Shou Hua, to be safe, suggests asking the Fan family to provide some guards.
That night, a fire breaks out on Cross Street. Chai An, ever the opportunist, realizes there will be a high demand for building materials. He and Fan Lianghan head out of the city to buy bricks, tiles, and wood, hoping to make a fortune. However, Kang Ning and Fu Hui are kidnapped by bandits. Chai An and Fan Lianghan, returning from their errand, learn of the kidnapping and immediately track down the bandits, capturing them all.
Chai An and Fan Lianghan successfully rescue the two women. However, remembering the Li sisters' past arrogance, they decide to teach them a lesson. Following Chai An's suggestion, Fan Lianghan makes Fu Hui lie on the cold ground all night, hoping to establish dominance over his wife. Meanwhile, Chai An pretends to be a bandit and takes Kang Ning away. He teases and threatens her along the way. Kang Ning tries to fight back with her hairpin, but when she removes his mask, she discovers it's Chai An and angrily scolds him.
Finally, Chai An reveals the truth and leads Kang Ning back to the city on horseback. Kang Ning worries about being seen with a man so late at night, but Chai An has already thought of that and provides her with a black cloak for cover, showing his thoughtfulness. When they reach her home, Chai An confesses that his past actions weren't meant to tease her, but simply because he wanted to spend more time with her. These heartfelt words stir emotions in Kang Ning, and she watches him leave with a shy smile.
