Episode Summary
- Forced Proximity & Growing Feelings: Rong Shu Kuang and Yan Shao's fake marriage arrangement leads to close encounters and undeniable romantic tension.
- Poisonous Intentions: Someone is deliberately trying to harm Rong Shu Kuang, using Li Niang weed to trigger her allergic reaction.
- Mistrust & Investigation: Yan Shao doesn't trust anyone and takes matters into his own hands to uncover the truth behind the poisoning.
- Hidden Agendas: Characters like Lin Wan Ci and Liu An have suspicious actions, hinting at deeper motives.
- Identity Crisis: Rong Shu Kuang grapples with her modern identity while navigating the challenges of her new reality.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Rong Shu Kuang bringing a bounty of gifts, essentially a dowry, to Yan Shao. Her goal? To get him to sign a marriage contract. She claims she wants to marry him, but it's really a ploy to ensure he'll protect her. Yan Shao, known for his unpredictable comings and goings, surprisingly agrees. However, upon closer inspection, he finds a hidden clause: he must obey Rong Shu Kuang's every command. A playful struggle over the contract ensues, leading to an accidental close encounter that sparks a flicker of romantic tension between them.
Later, during a meal, Lin Wan Ci and the Old Manor Lord try to figure out why Yan Shao is so willing to stay by Rong Shu Kuang's side, and whether the two have a history. Yan Shao recalls a past encounter where he witnessed Rong Shu Kuang's impressive, cold-hearted fighting skills in a tavern, but he lies and denies any prior acquaintance. Rong Shu Kuang, meanwhile, claims they've been through life-and-death situations together, fostering a deep trust.
Rong Shu Kuang admits she's changed and wants everyone to accept her new self, shedding the exhausting facade she used to maintain. She expresses a desire to regain her martial arts abilities quickly, but hastily reassures Yan Shao that she trusts his medical skills to heal her.
Suddenly, both Rong Shu Kuang and Lin Wan Ci nearly collapse. Yan Shao rushes to support Lin Wan Ci, causing Rong Shu Kuang to fall to the ground. Rong Shu Kuang glares at Yan Shao, who is worried that he will not be able to deliver poison to her, and that she will faint at any time. That night, Yan Shao sneaks into Rong Shu Kuang's room to administer the antidote. He notices a rash on her neck, but his examination awakens her. She screams, thinking he has ill intentions, forcing Yan Shao to immobilize her with acupressure and explain his actions.
After the treatment, Yan Shao rushes out and jumps into a water vat. Rong Shu Kuang, following him, assumes he's overwhelmed by his attraction to her and is using the cold water to cool down. She teases him, suggesting they actually get married and can divorce if things don't work out, which irritates Yan Shao, who warns her not to treat marriage lightly. Rong Shu Kuang then notices a rash on her arm, followed by shortness of breath and fainting. Yan Shao carries her back to her room. Rong Shu Kuang starts to wonder if she is about to return to the modern world. Yan Shao does not understand what she is saying, but he has flashbacks about Su Shi Yu's request to protect Fang Yi.
Yan Shao prescribes medicine for Rong Shu Kuang. When Tang Ying Luo and Lin Shao Ci arrive, Yan Shao insists Lin Shao Ci personally prepare and deliver the medicine, distrusting others in the manor. He instructs Tang Ying Luo to use the Thirteen Ghost Needles technique, which she's only learned from her older sister and never practiced. She hesitates but eventually agrees, under pressure from Yan Shao and Lin Shao Ci.
In a fever dream, Rong Shu Kuang remembers her modern life, clutching a jade pendant from her grandmother. When she awakens, Yan Shao gives her the medicine. Rong Shu Kuang realizes she's having an allergic reaction, and after questioning Lin Shao Ci, learns she's sensitive to Li Niang weed. Tang Ying Luo mentions that Lin Wan Ci recently brewed wine that might contain the herb.
It turns out Lin Wan Ci did purchase Li Niang weed, but the Old Manor Lord blames a maid for carelessly exposing Rong Shu Kuang to it.
While administering acupuncture, Tang Ying Luo discovers hidden toxins in Rong Shu Kuang's body. Yan Shao reveals he was already aware of this and, learning that Lin Wan Ci prepares the household's meals, goes to investigate, obtaining Rong Shu Kuang's dietary records.
Rong Shu Kuang, seeing Yan Shao leaving Lin Wan Ci's residence, follows him, worried about a secret affair. She finds him examining documents, thinking they're love letters. She snatches one, only to discover it's her own daily log. She accuses Yan Shao of spying, but he explains it's his duty as her protector. They bicker, accusing each other of spending too much time with Lin Wan Ci and Lin Shao Ci, respectively, but eventually calm down.
Rong Shu Kuang and Yan Shao analyze what Rong Shu Kuang contacted before getting sick. They remember that her maid, Liu An, gave her a bowl of water. They set a trap for Liu An, and discover Li Niang weed in her pouch. Yan Shao questions Liu An about why she would try to harm Rong Shu Kuang.
