Episode Summary
Gu Pingyuan teaches his brother a risky business scheme selling fake braids to rebels, but Pingwen gets greedy and lands in jail. Pingyuan sneaks into the city to reunite Bai Yimei with her dying father, getting arrested by her new husband, Prince Li Cheng, in the process. Li Cheng releases Pingyuan and accompanies Yimei to reconcile with her father before he passes. Pingyuan saves his brother but punishes him, then sets off to find a mysterious Mr. Liao.
Spoiler Alert
Legend of the Magnate Episode 16 Recap
Business 101: The Fake Braid Hustle
Gu Pingyuan is trying to set his brother up for success, but it’s painful to watch. He secures a shop for Gu Pingwen, hires two solid workers, and hands over two hundred taels of silver. Pingwen has zero business sense. He stares blankly at the money. Pingyuan suggests a general store. The goal isn't instant riches. It’s about keeping busy and spotting opportunities.
Since Pingwen is clueless, Pingyuan practically holds his hand. He spots a gap in the market involving the rebel army. The rebels cut off their queues (braids) as a statement. But the Qing army is coming. No braid means execution. Pingyuan tells the staff to buy hemp rope, dye it black, and cut it into strips. It looks just like a braid. He warns Pingwen strictly: Do this deal once. Take the cash and stop. It is dangerous.
Crashing the Royal Wedding
Li Cheng and Bai Yimei are tying the knot. Su Zixuan picks up the bride and drops a bomb: Li Cheng is now Prince Cheng. That makes Yimei a Princess. Back home, Yimei’s father, Mr. Bai, is wasting away from depression because his daughter vanished. Pingyuan can’t stand seeing the old man suffer. He bullies Su Zixuan into taking him to Hefei to find Yimei. Su Zixuan eventually caves. He disguises Pingyuan as a porter to sneak him in.
Getting into the city is a hassle. The guards spot Pingyuan’s real braid and block him. In this rebel-held territory, a braid makes you a target. Pingyuan talks his way out of it, and Su Zixuan backs him up. They get in.
Greed and Jail Cells
Pingwen ignores his brother’s advice immediately. He sells the first batch of fake braids to the desperate rebels and makes a killing. The stock vanishes. Blinded by silver, he orders his staff to make more overnight. He wants another payday.
Pingyuan heads to the Prince’s mansion. The security is tight. He squats by the door and waits. Finally, Li Cheng and Yimei show up. Pingyuan yells Yimei’s name. Bad move. Li Cheng orders his guards to arrest the screaming man. Meanwhile, Pingwen gets caught selling his second batch of illegal braids. Li Cheng’s men throw him and his staff into prison.
The Family Reunion
Pingyuan lands in the same jail as his brother. He realizes Pingwen got greedy and gives him a verbal beating. Guards come and drag Pingyuan away. Pingwen panics. He thinks his brother is heading to the execution ground and sobs uncontrollably.
Li Cheng isn't killing anyone, though. He brings Pingyuan to see Yimei. Pingyuan drops the truth about Mr. Bai’s health. He tells Yimei to go home now, or she might never see her father again. Li Cheng steps up. He agrees to go with her. While Li Cheng changes clothes, Pingyuan begs Yimei to pull some strings and release his idiot brother.
Forgiveness
Pingyuan rushes back to the village first. Mr. Bai is on his deathbed. Pingyuan tells him to let go of the anger. Yimei and Li Cheng burst in and kneel. They apologize profusely. The old man is stubborn, but Pingyuan smooths things over. Li Cheng swears he will never leave Yimei. Mr. Bai finally softens. Pingyuan slips out to give them privacy. Li Cheng whispers a thank you.
Later, the couple thanks Pingyuan properly. He watches them leave and feels a mix of emotions. Pingwen finally gets out of jail. Pingyuan is still furious at him. He punishes his brother by making him walk all the way back to the city.
The Next Mission
Mr. Bai gives Pingyuan a new task before the end. He sends him to find a man named Mr. Liao. Pingyuan arrives at Liao’s place. Liao’s daughter is skeptical. She checks to make sure Pingyuan isn’t a debt collector. Once the coast is clear, Mr. Liao crawls out of his hiding spot inside the stove.
