Episode Summary
Chai An's multiple schemes to win back Kang Ning and disrupt her potential matches with Du Yangxi and Sang Yanrang backfire spectacularly. His jealousy leads to a series of confrontations and misunderstandings, involving a broken inkstone, a staged confrontation, and a fortune-telling scam. Ultimately, his plans are foiled, Kang Ning remains unswayed, and Liu Baliang decides to pursue her own path, rejecting both Du Yangxi and Chai An. The Li family welcomes Du Yangxi's mother, showing compassion and further complicating Chai An's efforts.
Spoiler Alert
The Li family faces a dilemma. Du Yangxi is proud and aloof, and Sang Yanrang is a dedicated bookworm. Getting these two to actively seek marriage alliances is a headache for the Li household. The eldest daughter, Shou Hua, devises a clever plan. She orchestrates a meeting where Chun Lai delivers books to Sang Yanrang, "accidentally" dropping a rare edition that Sang craves. This, of course, piques Sang Yanrang's interest.
Sang Yanrang wants the rare book, but Chun Lai claims she can't make that decision, ultimately forcing Du Yangxi to visit Kang Ning. However, Du hesitates outside the Li residence and unexpectedly finds a dropped pouch belonging to Kang Ning. Meanwhile, Chai An, accompanied by Fan Lianghan, visits Du Yangxi. Just then, Kang Ning sends Chun Lai with a set of exquisite writing tools as a thank-you gift. Seeing Kang Ning's warm hospitality towards Du and Sang, Chai An becomes jealous. He "accidentally" breaks an inkstone, promising to replace it with a better one for Du Yangxi.
Before leaving, Chai An sees Kang Ning chatting idly at the door. He spitefully warns her against playing both sides, lest she end up with nothing. Kang Ning ignores him. After Chai An departs, she learns about his jealous act of breaking the inkstone. Rather than being angry, she expresses gratitude.
Back at Pan Tavern, Chai An meticulously pieces together the broken inkstone, revealing a complete poem. Fan Lianghan realizes that Lady Li intentionally wants Du Yangxi as her son-in-law. Fan Lianghan has been asked to arrange a marriage for Chai An by his aunt, Lady Chai. Chai An initially intends to refuse, but upon learning that the potential bride is Liu Tang's daughter, Liu Baliang, he hatches a plan and agrees.
Chai An then pretends to help Liu Baliang confront Du Yangxi, but his real motive is to win back Kang Ning. He uses Fan's residence to stage this drama. The Li sisters are busy developing a new wonton recipe when Fu Hui hears rumors that Fan Lianghan is "hiding a beauty." Furious, she rushes over, with Shou Hua hurrying Kang Ning to follow, fearing trouble.
At Fan's residence, Chai An pulls Kang Ning aside, inviting her to witness Du Yangxi's "true colors" and hides her in a wardrobe. Kang Ning hesitates but agrees. Chai An and Fan Lianghan hide in the same wardrobe. Liu Baliang then brings Du Yangxi into the room, questioning him about his public rejection of her proposal and his decision to live near the Li family.
Du Yangxi remains composed under Liu Baliang's pressure. He states his three "non-priorities" in choosing a wife: he doesn't care about her family background, her dowry, or her looks and talents. He rejected the Liu family because he comes from humble beginnings, living with his widowed mother. He has endured twenty years of hardship, and most women from wealthy families are spoiled and unlikely to treat his elderly, impoverished mother with respect.
His sincere words highlight his strong character, turning the tables on Chai An's scheme. Suddenly, Fu Hui arrives. Finding the door bolted, she furiously smashes the windows with a rock. Fan Lianghan escapes through the window, while Liu Baliang hides in the wardrobe, encountering Kang Ning. Chai An emerges to stop Fu Hui, ending the chaos.
After everyone leaves, Chai An humbles himself to persuade Kang Ning to return to him, but she refuses, stating it's none of anyone else's business. They part on bad terms. Fu Hui realizes her husband was used by Chai An and scolds him. Kang Ning discusses Du Yangxi with Shou Hua, finding him unpredictable. She becomes curious about Sang Yanrang, but Qiong'nu warns her against getting involved with a bookworm.
Lady Chai wants to match Liu Baliang with Chai An. However, Chai An quickly convinces Liu Baliang to help him win Du Yangxi's heart. Soon after, Lady Fan and Lady Chai have their fortunes told. The fortune teller claims Chai An and Liu Baliang are incompatible, their marital fates scattered, and only the third Lady Li, Kang Ning, can resolve it.
Lady Chai is initially stubborn, refusing to believe it. However, Liu Baliang encounters setbacks, and Chai An is injured in a fall from a horse. This reminds her of the fortune teller's words about Chai An and Kang Ning's compatibility. She sends a matchmaker to the Li family, only to be rejected, leaving Lady Li delighted.
Chai An tries a two-pronged approach, sending someone to bring Du Yangxi's blind mother to the capital. However, Kang Ning has already persuaded Liu Baliang. Lady Chai discovers the fortune-telling scam, while the Li family has already brought Du's mother to their home, feeling sympathy for her weathered appearance. Liu Baliang tells Chai An that she has decided to give up on Du Yangxi. Influenced by her family's business acumen, she prefers to find a son-in-law who will move into her family rather than marry out. Chai An's plan is foiled once again.
