Episode Summary
Zhuang Shiyang confesses to Fu Yunxi about Lord Pei's bribery and his own involvement, prompted by a blackmail threat involving a precious painting. Fu Yunxi was already suspicious of Lord Pei. Zhuang Hanyan overhears their conversation and is shocked by the revelations. Zhuang Yushan, fueled by jealousy, attempts to infect Zhuang Hanyan with smallpox using a contaminated pillow, but Zhuang Hanyan cleverly turns the tables, exposing Zhuang Yushan's actions and ultimately gaining her mother's protection, while solidifying her resolve to stay and rise in society.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with a flurry of anxiety within the Hanlin Academy.Colleagues, having secretly accepted bribes from the powerful Lord Pei, are terrified that the newly appointed Minister of Dali Temple, Fu Yunxi, will uncover their illegal activities, jeopardizing their careers and potentially ruining their families. They desperately turn to Zhuang Shiyang for help, hoping he can leverage his son-in-law Fu Yunxi's position to smooth things over. Zhuang Shiyang, burdened by the situation, confesses that he, too, was entangled in Lord Pei's web, having been pressured to show favoritism during the imperial examinations.
Later that night, Zhuang Shiyang stares at a prized painting hanging on his wall – a treasure he holds dear. However, he realizes it has become a tool of blackmail by Lord Pei.Fearing the destruction it could bring upon the Zhuang Family, he decides to come clean to Fu Yunxi, revealing everything about Lord Pei's bribes and the painting. He kneels before Fu Yunxi, confessing how Lord Pei exploited his love for the artwork to influence the exams. Fu Yunxi, already suspicious of Lord Pei's seemingly spotless reputation despite his immense wealth, helps his father-in-law up, acknowledging his existing concerns.
Their conversation is unknowingly overheard by Zhuang Hanyan, who had entered the study intending to question Fu Yunxi about his true purpose in going to Danzhou. She hides, eavesdropping on the discussion, and is shocked to learn that Fu Yunxi's trip was connected to investigating Lord Pei's hidden assets.When Fu Yunxi recounts the tragic story of a baby girl brought to Danzhou seventeen years prior, Zhuang Hanyan's heart pounds.She's reluctant to accept that she might be that unfortunate child, but Fu Yunxi suddenly exposes a scar on her arm, a revelation witnessed by Zhuang Yushan, who storms out of the room in anger.
Fu Yunxi's guards are puzzled by his actions. They don't understand why he seems to be secretly supporting Zhuang Hanyan while simultaneously provoking Zhuang Yushan's jealousy and animosity towards her. Fu Yunxi believes that true strength comes from navigating adversity. He wants Zhuang Hanyan to learn to protect herself, not rely on his constant assistance.However, he's surprised by Zhuang Hanyan's resilience. She's not as fragile as he thought, demonstrating a sharp mind and strategic thinking, even figuring out his real motives for visiting Danzhou.
Driven by resentment, Zhuang Yushan orders a servant to secretly place a pillow belonging to a smallpox patient in Zhuang Hanyan's room. Chai Jing witnesses this act, deeply worried for Zhuang Hanyan.But Zhuang Hanyan, instead of succumbing to fear, takes decisive action. She burns the pillow and sends Chai Jing to the Southern Medical Hall to investigate.
With the New Year approaching, Zhuang Yushan, eager to please her grandmother, buys an extravagant fox fur cloak as a gift. Zhuang Hanyan, unfamiliar with New Year customs, doesn't have a present and instead asks her grandmother for the very same cloak.The grandmother, though hesitant, eventually gives in, handing the cloak to Zhuang Hanyan. Zhuang Yushan, furious, leaves in a rage.
Zhuang Hanyan's plan unfolds: she intends to use doujia (a substance related to smallpox) to induce a mild case of the disease, thereby gaining immunity.She waits, and soon enough, she falls ill. Zhuang Shiyang, upon hearing the news, summons Doctor Wu from the Southern Medical Hall.Doctor Wu, questioning Zhuang Hanyan about any new items she's come into contact with, specifically mentions pillows. Zhuang Hanyan seizes the opportunity, mentioning only the fox fur cloak.Upon examining the cloak, Doctor Wu confirms the presence of the smallpox virus.
Doctor Wu apologizes to Zhuang Shiyang, claiming that one of his apprentices sold the infected pillow. Although the pillow itself is missing, the virus on the cloak is undeniable. The grandmother is relieved that she didn't keep the cloak, realizing she would have been the one to fall ill. Zhuang Yushan confesses to her father, admitting that her jealousy of Fu Yunxi and her dislike of Zhuang Hanyan drove her to try and infect her with smallpox. The grandmother is appalled by her granddaughter's cruelty.
Seizing the moment, a weakened Zhuang Hanyan bids farewell to everyone, her frail appearance and feeble voice tugging at her grandmother's heartstrings.She doesn't blame Zhuang Yushan, instead claiming she insisted on having the cloak. The grandmother suspects that Zhuang Hanyan knew about the doujia all along and requested the cloak to save her. Zhuang Hanyan expresses her sincere desire to return to Danzhou, tired of being reminded of her past as the "Barefoot Ghost." Zhuang Yushan, increasingly irritated by Zhuang Hanyan's perceived weakness, approaches her, only for Zhuang Hanyan to subtly cause her to fall, leaving Zhuang Yushan unable to defend herself and facing confinement. Zhuang Hanyan is then taken back to her mother's courtyard, marking only the second time she's seen her mother and finally achieving her wish of living with her.
Late at night, Zhuang Hanyan is summoned to the main hall. The servants present her with a medicinal ointment that can cure both smallpox and the effects of doujia, revealing that her mother has seen through her scheme. Her mother offers her money, intending to send her away. However, Zhuang Hanyan refuses, claiming she's still too ill to travel. She remembers her aunt's words, noting the similarities between her own personality and her mother's when she was young. Ruan Xiwen, seeing her daughter's determination to stay in the capital, orders the servants to place a bell on her, both as a punishment and a means of surveillance. Zhuang Hanyan, however, is resolute in her decision to establish herself and become a true noble lady.
