Episode Summary
Luo Lingyu mistakenly believes a painting from Lu Yun is a sign of affection. She then schemes to profit from his popularity by charging women for viewing him, leading to a confrontation with the Matriarch. Lingyu creates a romantic setting to woo Lu Yun, but a misunderstanding ends with her slapping him. She later regrets her actions and returns to apologize.
Spoiler Alert
In this episode, the tangled web of relationships and schemes at the Lu household gets even more complicated. Jin Chuan gifts Luo Lingyu a painting, actually done by Lu Yun himself. It depicts a serene scene of a woman in white, fishing alone on a shimmering river. Lingyu is overjoyed, believing it's a sign that Lu Yun secretly harbors feelings for her.
However, Lu Yun is furious when he discovers his painting was given to Lingyu. He had instructed Jin Chuan to choose the least valuable item, and the painting was definitely not it. This misunderstanding fuels Lingyu's plans. She's determined to secure a long-term position in the Lu household, and realizes she needs to smooth things over with the other young women, who are jealous of her moving into Xue Wu Courtyard. With her sister and Lingxi, she creates a bunch of artificial flowers to give as gifts.
Meanwhile, Lu Yun, despite not being the eldest son, is quite the catch, attracting many admirers. Lingyu, ever the opportunist, sees a chance to make some money. She sets up a tiered seating system in her courtyard, charging women for the best views of Lu Yun: 300 wen for the closest seats, 200 for slightly further back, and 100 for the less desirable spots. Lingxi provides complimentary fruit and flower tea, making it a surprisingly lucrative venture.
Lu Yun, used to a quiet courtyard, is shocked by the constant noise from morning till night. He sends Jin Chuan to investigate, who reports back that women are everywhere. Lu Yun peeks outside and confirms it – Lingyu is shamelessly using his attractiveness to make a profit without his permission. He's annoyed but seemingly powerless to stop her.
Among Lu Yun's admirers is a particularly sharp-eyed woman who disapproves of Lingyu's brazenness. She reports Lingyu's activities to the Matriarch of the Lu family. Soon, the Matriarch arrives with a servant, startling all the young women. The Matriarch is furious, scolding them for their lack of decorum and publicly humiliating Lingyu.
But Lingyu is prepared. She explains that she knows the Matriarch appreciates orchids for their elegance, much like the Matriarch herself. She claims she was teaching the women to make silk flowers, and they were merely taking a break to rest their eyes. Lingyu acts the part of a wronged innocent, and the Matriarch, lacking concrete proof, backs down, but not without a stern warning.
After making a good profit from the "viewing fees," Lingyu uses the money to buy flowers and a beautiful screen, decorating a pavilion with lavish ornaments. She believes this romantic setting will help her win Lu Yun's heart and invites him to meet her there that evening.
Lu Yun arrives as requested. Lingyu, beautifully dressed and perfectly poised, makes sure to present her best profile. Lu Yun is captivated by her beauty but reminds himself not to fall for her charms. He leans in close, their faces inches apart, but Lingyu doesn't flinch. He whispers that she's using her beauty to seduce him – a grave insult in their society. Lingyu reacts instinctively, slapping him hard across the face before storming off.
Lu Yun was actually supposed to meet with Prince Changyi that night to deliver some important information. The slap leaves him with a red mark and a bruised ego. Prince Changyi finds the whole situation hilarious. Lingyu, after returning to her room, immediately regrets her impulsive action and goes back to apologize to Lu Yun.
