Episode Summary
Jiang Si and Yu Qi team up to expose Cao Xingyu's crimes, leading to a search of Changxing Marquis's residence. Despite initial setbacks and cover-up attempts, a sniffer dog locates hidden bodies. Meanwhile, Jiang Qian escapes her abusive marriage, revealing the truth to her family, who are hesitant to take strong action due to Changxing Marquis's status.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Yu Qi urging Jiang Si to return home, planning to bring reinforcements to uncover evidence later. However, Jiang Si, fearing the evidence might be moved, insists on staying. They decide to join forces to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The next day, Jiang Qian hosts breakfast with her sisters and the wife of Changxing Marquis. Cao Xingyu enters, and his presence is met with disdain from Jiang Si and Jiang Qiao, the latter making pointed remarks. Jiang Si recognizes Fu Lu, one of the men who attacked her the previous night. Sensing his softer nature, she targets him as a potential informant. Fu Lu leads Jiang Si to Cao Xingyu's secret base where he imprisons women, a place filled with torture devices, shocking Jiang Si. Meanwhile, Yu Qi meets with Zhen Heng to analyze the case, unaware their conversation is being overheard. Jiang Si finds Miss Chi, the embroiderer's daughter, imprisoned in a cage, injured and terrified. Yu Qi and Zhen Heng gather their forces, including the sniffer dog Er Niu, to search Changxing Marquis's residence. Changxing Marquis receives news of the impending search and, realizing it's connected to his son's activities, tries to obstruct them. However, Zhen Heng and Cao Xingyu stand their ground, arguing persuasively.
Changxing Marquis eventually allows the search, but it initially yields nothing. Zhen Heng, observing Cao Xingyu's calm demeanor, suspects something is amiss. A coffin is discovered, but it's filled with books. Frustrated, Zhen Heng prepares to leave, but Yu Qi insists on continuing, proposing to use Er Niu to track scents. Changxing Marquis vehemently opposes this, raising Zhen Heng's suspicions. Cao Xingyu, fearing exposure, attempts to use force but is apprehended by Yu Qi. Er Niu successfully locates a well where bodies are hidden.
Cao Xingyu continues to deny involvement, even forcing a servant, An Zi, to take the blame. Changxing Marquis promptly kills An Zi to silence him. Zhen Heng wants to pursue the matter, but Yu Qi stops him. Back at his residence, Cao Xingyu, finding Jiang Si and others gone, vents his anger on his wife, Jiang Qian. He abuses her, even contemplating murder, but the recent troubles force him to restrain himself. Jiang Qian's maid, Cui'er, suggests escape, revealing that Jiang Si has secretly left a sedan chair at the back door. Jiang Qian decides to return home. Later, as Jiang Si is preparing for bed, Jiang Pei arrives, informing her that Jiang Qian has fled back and is with Old Madam Jiang (the Old Madam). Old Madam Jiang scolds Jiang Qian for running home at the slightest issue, demanding she apologize to Cao Xingyu. Jiang Si, Jiang Qiao, and Jiang Pei arrive. Jiang Pei, angered, reveals Cao Xingyu's malicious intentions towards Jiang Si, but no one believes her. Encouraged by Jiang Si, Jiang Qian finally reveals the truth, showing her injuries. The family is shocked to learn of the abuse Jiang Qian has endured at Changxing Marquis's residence.
Madam Xiao, Jiang Qian's mother, wants justice. However, both Jiang Qian's father and Old Madam Jiang, mindful of Changxing Marquis's status, only seek an explanation, not a separation. Jiang Qian laughs bitterly, realizing that even after all her suffering, no one will truly stand up for her.
