Episode Summary
Shen Jiangli exposes Su Ruian’s lies in public, leading to his downfall and rejection by Lu Qingqing. Shen also uncovers a dark incident from five years ago involving Dan Ling’s plot that accidentally harmed Qingqing. Determined to prove the truth, Shen finds Hexiang, a silenced witness, and begins to unravel the full extent of Dan Ling’s schemes.
Spoiler Alert
Things are heating up fast in Episode 5, and let's just say — masks come off, secrets unravel, and some people finally get what’s coming.
We kick off with Shen Jiangli absolutely shutting down Su Ruian’s little act in public. The confrontation is chef’s kiss drama. Su Ruian, clearly embarrassed, tries to flex his “future royal son-in-law” status, but Lu Jingming is having none of it. He walks in, drops truth bombs, and reminds everyone that there’s no wedding, no engagement — so where’s this "prince-in-law" nonsense coming from?
Then Lu Qingqing — queen of clarity — straight up declares she has nothing to do with Su Ruian. Brutal and brilliant. With Su’s true colors exposed, Lu Jingming orders his men to drag him out. Good riddance.
Now, let’s talk damage control. Had Shen Jiangli not figured out Su Ruian’s scheme, Lu Qingqing might’ve ended up married to a total fraud. Her mother is visibly shaken — this whole thing smells like a setup by the main branch of the family to humiliate her daughter. Still, even with Shen saving the day, mom’s not exactly Team Jiangli. She’s worried Qingqing will be even more heartbroken now that the truth is out.
And of course, what’s a palace drama without a schemer? Dan Ling is back at it, doing what she does best — stirring the pot. She tries to manipulate Qingqing again, but Shen Jiangli shows up to clear the air. She drops a bombshell about what really happened five years ago.
Flashback time: There was a lantern festival Qingqing desperately wanted to attend, but her strict mom had her locked down. Shen, seeing how miserable Qingqing was, offered her clothes and her sedan chair so she could sneak out. Sweet, right? Except things went sideways — Dan Ling orchestrated an attack en route. Shen was the intended victim, but Qingqing ended up getting hurt. Thankfully, soldiers intervened, but Qingqing was injured and left with a scar.
Back in the present, Shen Jiangli waits outside Qingqing’s home under the blazing sun for hours, hoping to explain. She finally collapses from exhaustion. Lu Jingming — who’s clearly starting to see Shen in a new light — carries her inside and summons Qingqing.
Once Shen wakes up, Lu Jingming brings in the attacker from five years ago. Turns out, the whole thing was Dan Ling’s doing. She had bribed the guy to assault Shen Jiangli, but it all backfired and hurt Qingqing instead. Qingqing is skeptical — until the attacker mentions that Hexiang, Qingqing’s maid, was there that night.
Problem? Hexiang has been missing for years.
But Shen Jiangli is on a mission. She vows to find Hexiang no matter what. When she finally tracks her down, it’s heartbreaking — Hexiang has been rendered deaf and mute. Why? Because she knew too much. Dan Ling had silenced her.
Still, Shen Jiangli doesn’t give up. She brings in Dan Ling’s old tutor, who knows sign language. With a few gestures, Hexiang’s truth finally comes out — and Dan Ling? She’s terrified. Her perfectly crafted lies are about to crumble.
Meanwhile, in a rare soft moment, Lu Jingming watches Shen Jiangli go out of her way to make a healing ointment for Hexiang’s scars. He realizes he’s misjudged her all these years. He even tries to make amends — sending desserts and gifts — but Shen's over it. She’s done waiting around for gratitude or love that never came.
Final Thoughts:
Episode 5 is a turning point. We finally see the schemers getting exposed, long-buried secrets coming to light, and characters starting to reckon with their past mistakes. Shen Jiangli is the clear MVP — smart, brave, and loyal to a fault. And while Lu Jingming is trying to make amends, it's still unclear if it’s too little too late.
