Episode Summary
Qin Feng leaves to become a monk. Jiang Si and her sister, Jiang Yi, narrowly escape a carriage "accident" orchestrated by Madam Zhu. Xie Yinlou, a figure from Jiang Si's past, saves them. Jiang Si and Yu Qi investigate the incident. They also encounter Qing'er, a young woman with a suspicious connection to Zhu Ziyu. Zhu Ziyu questions Jiang Yi about her past relationship with Xie Yinlou.
Spoiler Alert
This episode of "Si Jin" is packed with drama, near-death experiences, and simmering jealousies!
Devastated by his wife's death, Qin Feng decides to leave everything behind and become a monk. He bids farewell to Jiang Si, who is also struggling. Although the recent case was solved, the fallout from the Shan'an Tang scandal has caused many women who sought treatment there to be mistreated by their in-laws. Zhen Heng comforts Jiang Si, but their closeness sparks jealousy in Yu Qi, who interrupts their conversation.
Jiang Si, Yu Qi, and the others continue their journey, passing by the Baiyun Temple, a popular spot for making wishes. Jiang Si and Yu Qi decide to visit. Coincidentally, Jiang Si's sister, Jiang Yi, is also at the temple. Jiang Yi, facing disapproval from her in-laws for only having a daughter, is performing a strenuous ritual of kneeling on each step to pray for a son. However, her mother-in-law, Madam Zhu, remains cruel. Jiang Yi collapses from exhaustion, and her husband, Zhu Ziyu, rushes to carry her down. Jiang Si arrives, but Madam Zhu, showing disdain for the Jiang family, quickly ushers her son away.
On the road to the Zhu residence, a shocking incident occurs. The carriage carrying Jiang Si and her sister suddenly veers off course at a fork in the road. The others give chase, and the coachman mysteriously jumps off. Yu Qi, riding swiftly, catches up to the runaway carriage, which is now heading towards a cliff! With quick thinking, he cuts the horse free, but the carriage continues to hurtle forward. At the last moment, Xie Yinlou, the school captain of Lingshui County, appears and helps Yu Qi stop the carriage.
Jiang Si recognizes Xie Yinlou; they have a history. Jiang Si suspects foul play, believing the horse was deliberately spooked and that Madam Zhu may have orchestrated the entire incident to harm her sister. Yu Qi agrees to help Jiang Si investigate.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhan returns to Ling'an and is practicing martial arts in the courtyard when Madam Xiao tries to flatter him, but he is uninterested. Back in Lin'an, Zhen Heng is also preoccupied with thoughts of Jiang Si.
Madam Zhu, furious that Jiang Yi survived, wants to kill the horse to destroy evidence, but Jiang Si intervenes, demanding an investigation. Yu Qi visits the carriage house and learns that the coachman was a new hire, suggesting a pre-planned scheme. After the investigation, Yu Qi seeks out the former official, Master Chu, to investigate the past slander against him.
Jiang Si and Jiang Yi plan to visit their ancestral graves. Worried for Jiang Si's safety, Yu Qi insists on driving the carriage, and Zhu Ziyu also joins them. Jiang Yi notices Yu Qi's concern for Jiang Si and inquires about their relationship, but Jiang Si downplays it, claiming they are just friends.
On their journey, they encounter three men harassing a young woman named Qing'er, who sold herself to bury her father. Jiang Yi initially wants to take Qing'er in, but Jiang Si buys Qing'er's indenture and offers her freedom. Qing'er, claiming to have nowhere to go, pleads to stay with Jiang Yi, even offering her indenture. Jiang Yi, moved by compassion, agrees. However, Jiang Si suspects Qing'er might have ulterior motives. Yu Qi's investigation confirms Qing'er's story, but Jiang Si observes a possible connection between Zhu Ziyu and Qing'er, suspecting Qing'er might be aiming to replace Jiang Yi.
Later that night, Zhu Ziyu questions Jiang Yi about Xie Yinlou, mentioning rumors that Xie Yinlou had been interested in a Jiang family woman during his youth, which is why he remains unmarried. Jiang Yi defends Xie Yinlou, stating his unmarried status is due to his parents' death. The episode ends with Jiang Yi taking Jiang Si on an outing, only to be abruptly summoned by Madam Zhu. The water season has officially begun.
