Episode Summary
Zhen Heng's mother expresses interest in Jiang Si as a match for her son, causing conflict with Madam Xiao, who schemes to drug and disgrace Jiang Si at a banquet. Yu Qi rescues Jiang Si, removing the drug's effects. Jiang Si recovers and performs, thwarting Madam Xiao's plan. Madam Xiao is publicly humiliated after accidentally ingesting the drug herself, and Jiang Si takes over household management.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 9 of "Si Jin" sees the budding romance between Jiang Si and Zhen Heng take center stage, much to the chagrin of some members of the Jiang household. Zhen Heng's mother visits the Jiang family, openly praising Jiang Si in front of Old Madam Jiang and Madam Xiao (Jiang Si's step-mother). It becomes clear that she's interested in a match between her son and Jiang Si. Madam Xiao, who initially favored a match with Zhen Heng, is now opposed because Zhen Heng's affections are directed at Jiang Si. She tries to dissuade Zhen Heng's mother by highlighting that Jiang Si is motherless, hoping to portray her as undesirable. However, this backfires, eliciting sympathy instead of disdain from Zhen Heng's mother. Old Madam Jiang is in favor of the match, recognizing Zhen Heng's rising status as an official close to the Emperor, despite his lack of established roots in the capital, while the family's Dongping Marquis Residence is only good-looking. She instructs Jiang Si to take good care of Zhen Heng's mother, and even goes to great lengths to select new jewelry and clothing for her.
Meanwhile, Madam Xiao visits her daughter, Jiang Qian, who is reeling from a failed marriage. Jiang Qian is spiraling into despair, but after some encouragement from her mother, she resolves to turn her life around. Jiang Qian defends Jiang Si, but Madam Xiao remains wary, believing Jiang Si to be cunning and a formidable opponent.
Learning of Zhen Heng's potential to become a high-ranking official, Madam Xiao is determined to prevent a union between him and Jiang Si. She manipulates the naive Jiang Pei into drugging Jiang Si's utensils, aiming to embarrass her publicly and ruin her chances with Zhen Heng.
The episode's climax occurs during a banquet. Madam Xiao and Jiang Pei are shocked to learn that Jiang Si and Zhen Heng's mother have already met. During the feast, Madam Xiao deviously suggests that Jiang Si perform an incense-burning ritual, intending to draw attention to her and expose her drugged state. As the drug takes effect, Yu Qi, who is secretly protecting Jiang Si, notices her distress and swiftly removes her from the scene. Madam Xiao and Jiang Pei, seeing their absence, spread rumors to further damage Jiang Si's reputation. Old Madam Jiang, committed to the match between Jiang Si and Zhen Heng, orders a search.
Yu Qi takes Jiang Si to a secluded courtyard. In her delirious state, Jiang Si mistakes Yu Qi for her husband and makes advances towards him. Realizing she's been drugged with an aphrodisiac, Yu Qi uses his internal energy to draw the drug out of her system by making a small cut on her finger.
The search for Jiang Si and Yu Qi proves fruitless, leading to various speculations. Zhen Heng, sensing something amiss, wants to investigate using his authority, but Old Madam Jiang stops him, citing it as a family matter and realizing Madam Xiao's involvement. Just as tensions rise, music begins, and Jiang Si reappears, performing a graceful dance for Old Madam Jiang's birthday, thus defusing the situation. Yu Qi later tells Long Dan that he no longer needs to watch Jiang Si, which puzzles Long Dan, given the suspicious totem and drawings linked to Nan Wu that Jiang Si possesses.
The next day, Jiang Pei, curious about the effects of the drug, sneaks into Jiang Si's residence. Jiang Si confronts her, extracting a confession about the drugging plot. When the Jiang family questions Jiang Si about her disappearance, Madam Xiao attempts to use the inquiry to further discredit her. However, Jiang Si reveals that she switched Madam Xiao's tea with the drugged utensils, causing Madam Xiao to suffer the drug's effects and behave inappropriately in public. As a result, Madam Xiao loses her authority over household management. Old Madam Jiang seeks a replacement, initially considering Jiang Qian, but dismisses her due to her despondent demeanor. Jiang Qiao is also ruled out for being outspoken. Ultimately, with Jiang Qiao's support, Jiang Si is chosen to take over the household management.
