Episode Summary
Lu Chang, a promising scholar, becomes the target of a "son-in-law grab," with the wealthy Jian family and their daughter, Jian Mingshu, vying for his hand. Mingshu confronts rivals and tries to reconnect with Lu Chang, who remains distant due to his own mission to clear his teacher's name. Despite Mingshu's efforts and family arrangements, Lu Chang rejects the forced marriage, leading to a painful confrontation and heartbreak.
Spoiler Alert
"Serendipity" Episode 1: A Recap & Spoilers
The Da'an Dynasty is living its best life – think booming economy, thriving arts, and everyone's obsessed with the imperial exams. "Grabbing a son-in-law from the graduates" is a thing. Seriously, everyone wants a piece of these fresh-faced scholars, whether they're talented or just from a fancy family. Even the young ladies are peeking from behind their curtains, hoping to snag a good one.
Our guy, Lu Chang, is studying at the Jian family academy and is a total frontrunner to ace the exams. The Jian family might be loaded (they're big in the Jiangnan region), but they're still "just" merchants. Jian Jinhai, the family patriarch, has his sights set on Lu Chang as a son-in-law, and wouldn't you know it, his daughter, Jian Mingshu, is totally crushing on him too. With the "son-in-law grab" happening tomorrow, Lu Chang is about to be the most popular guy in town, and Jian Jinhai's already got a plan.
Speaking of Jian Mingshu, she's running the family store, and this whole "son-in-law grab" thing is prime time for her gold shop to shine. When Gao Wan shows up with Wu Niangzi to pick out betrothal gifts, Jian Mingshu clocks what's really going on. Turns out Gao Wan was planning a sneaky rendezvous at a secluded spot outside the city. Wu Niangzi is furious and storms off, and Gao Wan gets all aggressive with Jian Mingshu. Luckily, Lu Chang shows up just in time to save the day.
Jian Mingshu is thrilled to see Lu Chang after so long, but then Wu Niangzi's brother arrives to thank Jian Mingshu and offer his services. Lu Chang gets a little jealous and makes a quick exit. Jian Mingshu chases after him, desperate to talk after his travels. But Lu Chang is acting distant, and their conversation is super brief. Two years ago, Jian Mingshu braved the snow to see him off, but now things are… different. She's a businesswoman now, and he's changed too, but she's willing to work through it.
Later, Lu Chang spots Su Xiansheng's jade pendant at Gao Wan's place, which raises some serious red flags. Su Xiansheng was Lu Chang's teacher, and Lu Chang is convinced he was wronged. He wants to clear his name, but it's a dangerous path, which is why he's keeping Jian Mingshu at arm's length – he doesn't want to drag her into it. Jian Mingshu is against this whole "son-in-law grab" tradition, but her dad is all for it, so she pretends to support him, but makes it clear she only wants Lu Chang.
Lu Chang meets up with a friend who tells him that Jian Jinhai badmouthed Su Xiansheng when he was imprisoned. Lu Chang is torn because he's always respected Jian Jinhai. The next day, the four big families of Jianglin are out in force to grab a son-in-law. Meanwhile, Jian Mingshu is at the Lu residence with a ton of gifts. When the results are announced, Lu Chang is the top scorer! Chaos ensues as everyone tries to snatch him.
Jian Mingshu visits Lu Chang's mother, Zeng Yi, and lays her cards on the table. Zeng Yi has always liked Jian Mingshu and is totally on board. Jian Mingshu leaves a note for Lu Chang to meet her at the Jian residence. When Lu Chang gets back, he decides to have it out with the Jians. He tells them he's not interested in marriage, but Jian Jinhai tries to bribe him with the family fortune. Lu Chang refuses and throws Jian Jinhai's past insults to his teacher back in his face.
The maid tells Jian Mingshu that Lu Chang has agreed to the marriage. She's happy, thinking he still cares for her. She remembers how he comforted her with snacks when she missed her mother as a child. The maid says that the families have picked a lucky day for them to get married. Jian Mingshu believes it and happily puts on her wedding dress. However, Lu Chang wakes up in the bridal chamber, having been drugged, and is furious. Jian Mingshu swears she knew nothing about the drug and that she would never force him. But Lu Chang tears off his wedding robes, accuses her of using kindness to manipulate him, and wants nothing to do with her. Jian Mingshu is heartbroken, realizing that he doesn't reciprocate her feelings. She pours two cups of nuptial wine as a final farewell.
