Episode Summary
Jiang Si uses her mother's jewelry to reclaim betrothal gifts, faces pressure from her future mother-in-law to proceed with the marriage, and deals with Yu Qi's desire to live next door. She discovers Ji Chongyi's deceitful nature through Qiao Niang and, despite initial success in finding witnesses to her near-drowning, faces setbacks due to Ji Chongyi's manipulations, leading her to bring forward Qiao Niang as a final witness. Jiang Si also pretends to go along with the marriage to appease the Old Madam, while secretly working to break it off.
Spoiler Alert
In this episode, Jiang Ancheng attempts to return the dowry to the Xiao family to call off his daughter's, Jiang Si, engagement. However, Madam Xiao lies, claiming the dowry money has already been spent. Jiang Ancheng, feeling powerless, admits his failure to his daughter, but Jiang Si doesn't blame him. Jiang Ancheng suspects Madam Xiao is hiding the dowry and decides to use his late wife's valuable jewelry to reclaim the betrothal gifts from the An Guogong family. Jiang Si, adorned with her mother's extravagant jewelry, waits for her stepsister, Jiang Pei. Knowing Jiang Pei's vanity, Jiang Si uses the jewelry to lure her to the hidden betrothal gifts. Jiang Pei, consumed by jealousy, is caught red-handed, and Jiang Si has the gifts moved. Madam Xiao tries to intervene, but Jiang Ancheng stands up for his daughter, successfully reclaiming all the gifts.
Yu Qi officially starts his new position, receiving the official seal from the Capital City's Tongpan. Immediately, a case arises. Meanwhile, Jiang Ancheng returns home to find the An Guogong family's betrothal gifts returned to his courtyard. Yu Qi, intending to monitor Jiang Si, decides to buy a house next to hers. Following the Zhou Dynasty's custom of inquiring about neighbors before purchasing property, Yu Qi visits Jiang Si. Jiang Si, wanting to avoid further entanglement with Yu Qi, pretends to be interested in the same property. However, seeing Yu Qi's military dog triggers memories of their past life together. At that moment, Madam Wei of the An Guogong family arrives with Ji Chongyi at the Dongping Marquis residence.
Madam Wei promises Jiang Si that she will treat her like her own daughter. However, Jiang Si, remembering the hardships and mistreatment she endured from her mother-in-law in her previous life, firmly refuses the marriage. Madam Wei insists on the marriage, threatening legal action. Jiang Si remains unfazed, knowing that a lawsuit would expose Ji Chongyi's crimes. The key is to find eyewitnesses. Yu Qi suddenly appears and, using the house purchase as leverage, offers to provide eyewitnesses. Jiang Si reluctantly agrees to let Yu Qi buy the house.
That night, during a rainstorm, Jiang Si is troubled by the lawsuit and the fact that the woman Ji Chongyi met secretly resembles a friend of hers. She visits Qiaoxiang Pavilion in the rain to question Qiao Niang. Qiao Ling doesn't hide anything and admits to meeting Ji Chongyi on the bridge. Qiao Niang tells Jiang Si that Ji Chongyi is not a good person, only seeking to climb the social ladder to pay off his gambling debts, and that she is doing the same, each using the other for their own gain. Jiang Si doesn't want her "sister" to fall into this trap, but Qiao Niang, hardened by the world, is determined to secure a better future for her child, choosing what she sees as the best option among many bad ones.
Old Madam Jiang returns home, and Madam Xiao immediately complains about Jiang Si. The Old Madam, furious at Jiang Si's actions, including the attempted annulment, summons her. Hearing that Jiang Si is still in bed, the Old Madam angrily storms into Jiang Si's room. She immediately asserts her authority, ordering Jiang Si to kneel for an hour. However, Jiang Si surprisingly becomes obedient and agrees to the marriage. Her maid, A'Man, is confused, but Jiang Si explains that she wants to avoid the Old Madam's interference and plans to act secretly to prevent further complications.
Yu Qi takes Jiang Si to the place where she fell into the water. Across from the spot, there were many vendors who likely witnessed Jiang Si being pushed. Seeing the potential witnesses, Jiang Si feels hopeful about escaping Ji Chongyi and dreams of a better life. However, the next day, all the witnesses claim they couldn't see clearly. Ji Chongyi, thinking he has won, has already bribed and threatened them into giving false testimony. But Jiang Si has another witness: Qiao Niang, the woman who had a secret rendezvous with Ji Chongyi.
