Episode Summary
Shen Jiangli returns unexpectedly to the Lu residence, stirring suspicion and old regrets in Lu Jingming. The First Madam attempts to have her killed, but Lu Jingming saves her, leading to a reevaluation of past events. Shen Jiangli refuses to reveal her secrets but offers to treat Lu Jingming's illness in exchange for the restoration of her status. Tensions rise within the Lu family, as old wounds and rivalries resurface.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 2 of this slow-burning Chinese drama picks up with Shen Jiangli’s unexpected return to the Lu family estate — and let’s just say, it sends shockwaves through the household. Lu Jingming is visibly thrown off. After all, he did exile her to the mausoleum years ago, so seeing her stroll back in like nothing happened? Yeah, that’s a lot to process.
Naturally, he sends his men to dig into her life over the past few years. Turns out, the people who were supposed to be watching her? Total slackers. They didn’t even notice she snuck back to the estate in the middle of the night. No one knows how she suddenly became skilled in traditional medicine (referred to here as Qihuang, a form of ancient Chinese healing). From the reports, it’s clear Shen Jiangli’s life in exile was far from easy — and Lu Jingming starts to question whether he may have misjudged her all those years ago.
Meanwhile, the First Madam (Lu Jingming’s mother) is not handling Shen Jiangli’s comeback well. After getting exposed by her in front of others, she’s seething. In her eyes, it’s either her or Shen Jiangli — and she wastes no time hiring an assassin to take her out. Brutal.
But plot twist: Lu Jingming just happens to be near Shen Jiangli’s courtyard when the attempt goes down. He intervenes just in time to save her, but the would-be killer commits suicide before revealing who sent him. So, once again, the truth stays buried.
This whole ordeal forces Lu Jingming to revisit the past — specifically the incident that sent Shen Jiangli away in the first place. Back then, his mother accused her of poisoning someone, and Shen Jiangli didn’t defend herself. Looking back, her silence might’ve been more about disillusionment than guilt. Lu Jingming even remembers overhearing her once, saying she was tired of the endless scheming in the house and just wanted out.
After saving her, Lu Jingming ends up injured. When his mother hears about it, she storms over to Shen Jiangli and slaps her — twice. In her mind, no one matters more than her precious son. Shen Jiangli remains calm and unshaken, which only seems to infuriate her further. Lu Jingming steps in again to stop his mother, clearly caught in the middle of two powerful women.
Later, Shen Jiangli brings up a medicine called Lei Wan, a powerful remedy. It’s clear she’s hiding something — maybe a bigger danger. Lu Jingming presses for answers, but she remains tight-lipped, reminding him that once their deal is done, he must honor his end of the bargain.
Their exchange is filled with quiet tension and nostalgia. As they part ways, Lu Jingming watches her walk away, filled with regret. At one point, he dreamed of growing old with her. Now, she doesn’t even look back.
Back in the household, Shen Jiangli resumes living in the estate, and Lu Jingming’s older brother is not thrilled. There's unspoken rivalry here — the older brother has always been jealous of Lu Jingming’s past military glory and fears being overshadowed. When he invites Lu Jingming to admire a sword — one that just so happens to be his old battlefield weapon — it clearly rattles him. The sword brings back memories of a brutal ambush and near-death experience.
Later, the older brother quietly tells the First Madam that the sword was meant to stir up painful memories — and it worked.
Meanwhile, Shen Jiangli offers to treat Lu Jingming’s lingering illness, but there’s a catch: she wants her title restored. Not for vanity, but so she can live and work without being constantly targeted. Lu Jingming agrees without hesitation.
Final Thoughts:
Episode 2 pulls us deeper into the emotional minefield of betrayal, regret, and political intrigue. Shen Jiangli is no longer the passive woman she once was — she’s sharper, guarded, and ready to fight back. Lu Jingming, on the other hand, is caught between a past he can’t undo and a present that demands redemption. The First Madam and the older brother? Still scheming. And with assassination attempts and buried secrets swirling, things are only going to get messier from here.
