Episode Summary
Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yuer get married in Anhui, but their wedding night is repeatedly interrupted by VIP guests and political demands. The Ninth Marshal recruits Gu to fix Nanjing's economy. After a drunken three-day blackout, Gu and his entire extended family are escorted to Nanjing. They realize they are essentially hostages; if Gu cannot solve the army's pay dispute, his family faces certain death.
Spoiler Alert
The Wedding Marathon and the Nanjing Trap
Back Home in Anhui
Gu Pingyuan finally ties the knot. He takes Chang Yuer back to his hometown in Anhui for the ceremony. Wu Caishen handles the prep work for the new house. The Gu family goes all out. They hang lanterns and light firecrackers. The whole neighborhood shows up to celebrate.
Old Master Hu and the tea merchants come to pay their respects. Gu’s mother gives Chang Yuer her favorite jade bracelet. The couple finishes the rituals amidst a crowd of well-wishers. Chang Si smiles so hard his face probably hurts.
The Never-Ending Wedding Night
The ceremony ends. Gu Pingyuan and Chang Yuer retreat to the bridal chamber. He helps her remove the heavy headgear. They share a quiet moment. It doesn't last long.
Su Zixuan and the Ninth Marshal crash the party. They bring gifts and a heavy request. The Marshal wants Gu to go to Nanjing. The city is a wreck after the war. He needs someone to clean up the economic mess.
Downstairs, Chang Si drinks with Old Master Hu. He brags about Gu endlessly. Upstairs, the mood is tense. Gu hesitates. The Marshal leaves Su Zixuan to explain the real situation.
The Political Web
Su Zixuan lays it out. Li Wantang has Prince Gong backing him. Wu Caishen has Zuo Zongtang. The Marshal doesn't want these outside factions controlling Nanjing. He also doesn't know how to run a business. Governor Ruilin needs to pay the troops. The Marshal wants Gu to advise Ruilin and manage the city. Gu promises to think about it.
An Unexpected Ally
The guests leave. Li Qin arrives next. He represents his father, Li Wantang. He asks to see the bride. Gu takes him to the door. Li Qin says a quick hello to Chang Yuer and leaves her be. Yuer is starving. Gu fetches her some food from the kitchen.
Li Qin pulls Gu aside for a private chat. He spills everything. Prince Gong wants Li Wantang in the salt business. Li Wantang sent Li Qin to sabotage Gu. Li Qin refuses to play dirty. He considers Gu a friend. They agree to a truce. They won't block each other's path to wealth.
The Party That Won't Stop
Gu rushes back to his wife. He wants to start their life together. The universe has other plans. The Horqin Prince arrives with a squad of guards. He insists on a second wedding.
They hold a Mongolian-style ceremony. There is singing and dancing. The Prince keeps pouring drinks. Gu Pingyuan can't handle the liquor. He gets blackout drunk.
The Morning After
Gu wakes up in a daze. He realizes he passed out on his wedding night. Chang Yuer feeds him porridge. He is still exhausted. He falls back asleep in her arms.
He sleeps for three days. He wakes up starving and wolfs down a bowl of rice. He regrets the drinking binge. He wants a second chance at a wedding night.
Governor Ruilin’s men knock on the door. They need Gu in Nanjing immediately. Gu tries to stall to settle his family. Ruilin’s orders are clear. Bring the family along. Gu realizes his honeymoon is officially over before it started.
Hostages on a Boat
The whole clan boards a ship to Nanjing. This includes Gu, Yuer, Chang Si, his mother, Gu Pingwen, Mr. Liao, and Miss Liao. Gu talks to the escorting soldiers. He learns the grim truth. The army hasn't been paid. The soldiers are restless.
Gu starts to panic. He isn't just a consultant. Chang Si, Mr. Liao, and Gu’s mother figure it out too. The Ninth Marshal isn't doing them a favor. He is taking hostages. If Gu fails to fix the Nanjing economy, the soldiers will riot. The entire Gu family will die with him.
