Episode Summary
Luo Lingyu faces expulsion from the Lu family after being framed for causing Lu Xian's accident and accused of improper behavior. She uses her wits and the Prince Hengyang's growing affection for her to avoid being thrown out, ultimately securing the Old Madam's permission to stay. Lu Yun, who is in love with Luo Lingyu, is caught in a difficult position, having to cover for her actions with the Prince.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Luo Lingyu returning to the Ancestral Hall early in the morning. Lingxi had secretly taken her place for the latter half of the night, fooling the eyes of the First Madam. When Luo Lingyu hears that the First Madam has summoned her, she quickly splashes water on her clothes to appear as though she's been kneeling all night.
The First Madam confronts Luo Lingyu about Lu Xian's fall into the water. Because the incident involved her sister, Luo Lingyu appears hesitant to speak. However, Lu Chang, who was playing with Hua'er at the time, rushes in and reveals the whole sequence of events. Luo Lingyu also reports that there was grease on the pebbles, pointing to sabotage by a girl who is always stirring up trouble. With both witness testimony and physical evidence, the culprit who put grease on the cobblestones is found and begs for forgiveness, but the First Madam still orders her to be expelled.
The First Madam was about to forgive Luo Lingyu, but another scheming girl seizes the opportunity to bring her down. She informs the First Madam that it wasn't Luo Lingyu who knelt in the Ancestral Hall last night, and that she often exchanges flirtatious glances with Lu Yun, showing a complete lack of propriety. The First Madam despises women with hidden agendas and immediately orders Luo Lingyu to be banished from the Lu family. Lu Yun tries to intervene, but the First Madam becomes even angrier. Luo Lingyu, with tears streaming down her face, begs the First Madam not to implicate Hua'er, and the First Madam agrees.
Outside the Lu mansion, Fan Qingchen is waiting. When Luo Lingyu hears about this from Lingxi, she is secretly shocked. Being expelled now would play right into Fan Qingchen's hands, so she knows she absolutely cannot leave at this moment. Luo Lingyu struggles to remain calm and racks her brain for a solution. She still has the Prince Hengyang as a chess piece, so she immediately seeks Zhou Yangling's help, asking her to find the Prince and bring him here.
Zhou Yangling, rushing to find the Prince Hengyang, follows Luo Lingyu's instructions and tells him that Lu Yun urgently requests his presence for an important matter. The Prince is skeptical but, hearing that there's an important matter to discuss, rides his horse to the Lu mansion.
Lu Yun thinks that he can ask the Old Madam for help, and explains in detail how he got to know Luo Lingyu. He explains that Luo Lingyu saved the third Young master Lu Yun and the second Young master Lu Xian, she should be considered the Lu family's benefactor. The Old Madam, also remembering that Luo Lingyu is the daughter of a martyr, persuades the First Madam to give her another chance.
The Prince Hengyang arrives on horseback. Lingxi intentionally pushes Fan Qingchen, who is waiting at the gate of the Lu mansion, in front of the horse. The Prince urgently reins in his horse, causing it to rear up and run wild. Seeing that the Prince is in danger of being thrown, Luo Lingyu rushes to his rescue in a classic "damsel saves the hero" move. The Prince is deeply moved and his feelings for Luo Lingyu grow stronger.
Lu Yun has already convinced the First Madam and the Old Madam. He's about to go out to find Luo Lingyu when he sees her standing intimately beside the Prince Hengyang. Fearing that the Prince might take her to his palace, Lu Yun quickly walks over and reminds Luo Lingyu that the Old Madam has agreed to let her stay. Luo Lingyu is overjoyed, mistakenly believing it was her sister's doing.
The Prince Hengyang, deeply impressed by Luo Lingyu, specifically mentions that there will be a banquet at his palace soon, and all his friends and their families are welcome. Luo Lingyu, fully aware of the Prince's intentions, smiles subtly without saying a word.
The Prince Hengyang, remembering that he came because Lu Yun had an important matter to discuss, asks what it is. Lu Yun is caught off guard, but Luo Lingyu immediately signals him to cover for her, so he has no choice but to welcome the Prince Hengyang into the Lu mansion.
