Episode Summary
The Zhuang family's tensions explode as Zhuang Yuchi accuses Hanyan of exam sabotage, triggering a chain of betrayals. Zhou Ruyin recruits disfigured scholar Yang Ping to frame Hanyan for murder during a ancestral ritual, while Fu Yunxi and loyal bodyguard Chai Jing race to thwart the scheme.
Spoiler Alert
The Zhuang family drama hit DEFCON 1 this episode as prodigal son Zhuang Yuchi finally crawled home after his three-day public shaming outside the Dali Temple. His parents, Zhuang Shiyang and Zhou Ruyin, looked like they’d aged a decade—though let’s be real, Yuchi’s real crime was being dumb enough to get caught. Old Madam Zhuang begged her son to let the boy quit the imperial exams, but Zhuang Shiyang’s ego’s more fragile than a Ming vase. His career? Gone. His dignity? Buried. All thanks to one person: the family’s resident chaos gremlin, Zhuang Hanyan.
The Roast Heard ‘Round the Manor
Yuchi, nursing his humiliation like bad wine, accused Hanyan of sabotaging his exam by swapping his answers. But our girl Hanyan? She came prepared. Dropping receipts like confetti, she revealed Yuchi’s drunken tavern meltdown where he trashed her reputation—with witnesses. When Zhuang Shiyang tried to slap her (classy move, Dad), Hanyan clapped back: "Blame your wife for raising a dumpster fire of a son." Zhou Ruyin’s face? Priceless.
Tea Time with the Devil
Ruyin, now fully aware Hanyan’s here to burn the Zhuang estate to the ground, challenged her to a passive-aggressive chess match. Hanyan didn’t even pretend: "I’m just here for revenge, sis." Ruyin tried dangling Hanyan’s estranged birth mother Ruan Xiwen as bait, but Hanyan smirked: "At least my mom didn’t raise two walking disasters like yours." Savage.
Meanwhile, in the Shadows...
Ruyin’s real play? Recruiting Yang Ping, a bitter scholar with a grudge (and half an ear missing, thanks to Hanyan). She offered to buy a damning autopsy report on Hanyan’s late foster parents—because nothing says "family bonding" like weaponizing dead relatives. But Fu Yunxi, the palace’s resident mysterious hottie, warned Hanyan about the trap. Cue Chai Jing (Hanyan’s ride-or-die bodyguard) nearly killing Yang Ping before Hanyan stopped him: "His mom’s a widow! Have a heart!" Unexpected soft queen alert.
The Ancestral Shrine Showdown
At the family ritual, Ruyin pulled a GOTCHA moment, forcing Hanyan to honor her abusive foster parents’ memorial tablets. Then—drumroll—out popped Lang’er, a disgruntled ex-maid, accusing Hanyan of murder! Arm scars? Check. Signed confession? Check. Hanyan’s response? "Yeah they beat me, but I’m still grateful they didn’t yeet me into a ditch." The judge hauled her off, but not before Fu Yunxi side-eyed Ruyin like "I see you, Becky."
Final Twist:
Chai Jing offered to take the fall for Hanyan’s "accidental" foster parent murder. Fu Yunxi, suddenly playing guardian angel, agreed to keep it secret. But as Hanyan faced 12 rounds of torture (!!), even her bio mom Ruan Xiwen shrugged: "She knew the risks." Mother of the Year, folks.
Next Episode Teaser:
Will Chai Jing’s martyrdom backfire? Is Fu Yunxi a ally or a puppeteer? And when will Zhou Ruyin realize her eyeliner isn’t nearly dark enough for this level of villainy? Stay tuned!
