Episode Summary
Hua Lang Ge opens successfully, but gifts from both Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao cause awkwardness for Jian Mingshu. Song Qingzhao's interest in Jian Mingshu's bamboo painting, and later embroidering bamboo on his clothes, leads Jian Mingshu to mistakenly believe he is the man from her recurring dreams, not Lu Chang. This causes Lu Chang significant jealousy. Lu Chang returns to the academy, leaving Jian Mingshu potentially meaningful family jewelry. Meanwhile, Yin Shujun marries Prince Rui, but their wedding night is unconventional as the Prince only appears for formalities, much to Yin Shujun's apparent relief. Assassins are also tracking Jian Mingshu.
Spoiler Alert
Serendipity: Episode 11 Recap & Spoilers – Things are Heating Up!
So, the big day arrives: Jian Mingshu's "Hua Lang Ge" (think Flower Gallery Pavilion, but more like a cool women's social club) officially opens its doors! It's beautifully set up, even giving dear Zeng Yi her own little corner to shine. Naturally, our main guys want to show support.
Enter the gift-giving awkwardness! Both Song Qingzhao and Lu Chang show up bearing congratulations... and wouldn't you know it, they both bring a feng shui stone. Talk about putting Jian Mingshu in a tight spot! Trying to play fair, she decides Lu Chang's stone can go in the shop, while Song Qingzhao's gets a place in her private room. Hmm.
The opening is a hit! Hua Lang Ge is bustling. Song Qingzhao, ever the charmer (or is he?), notices a bamboo painting by Jian Mingshu and seems quite taken with it, making Liu Yuan Ying even more convinced he's got eyes for Mingshu. Poor Lu Chang is kind of left hanging around, trying to get a word with Jian Mingshu, but she's swamped and gets called upstairs. Meanwhile, uh oh, those shadowy figures hunting Jian Mingshu have spotted her – they're still aiming to "cut the weeds and eliminate the roots," which sounds seriously bad news.
Back downstairs, Jian Mingshu is run ragged. Song Qingzhao smoothly steps in to help answer customer questions, making Lu Chang feel even more sidelined and frustrated. Trying to be useful (and maybe win some points?), Lu Chang ends up wrangling the customers' kids so the moms can shop in peace. Bless his heart, he looks a bit overwhelmed but gets the job done. Later, Song Qingzhao, after browsing for his wife (wait, wife? Or is this a general term?), asks Jian Mingshu to custom-make a hibiscus hairpin for him. Jian Mingshu glances over and sees Lu Chang has successfully charmed the little ones.
Now, here's where things get psychologically messy. Jian Mingshu keeps having this recurring dream about a man whose clothes have bamboo embroidered on them, but she can never see his face clearly. She's been subconsciously assuming this dream figure is Lu Chang. But then, she sees Song Qingzhao waiting for her in the courtyard, and guess what? His clothes have the exact same bamboo embroidery pattern! Turns out, after seeing her painting at the opening, he liked it so much he had it added to his own robes. Jian Mingshu freaks out internally and rushes back to her room, having a major realization (or maybe misrealization?): the man in her dreams... it was Song Qingzhao all along? She thinks she got it wrong.
Lu Chang sees Song Qingzhao's new threads and is practically grinding his teeth. You can feel the jealousy radiating off him.
The next morning, things get really awkward at breakfast. Zeng Yi gathers everyone, including Ying Xun. Lu Chang tries to subtly steer Ying Xun to sit next to Song Qingzhao, but Jian Mingshu, putting on a slightly affected voice and calling Song Qingzhao by his name (which seems out of character?), asks Ying Xun to swap seats with her so she can sit next to Song Qingzhao. Yikes. The tension is thick.
Later, Jian Mingshu mentions the Jian Jinhai situation to Lu Chang, but he reassures her he's looked into it and found nothing concerning.
Wise Zeng Yi sees exactly what's going on – Lu Chang's obvious crush and his discomfort seeing Jian Mingshu cozying up to Song Qingzhao. She quietly warns Lu Chang to keep his feelings under wraps and reminds him not to let Jian Mingshu find out about his "background" or "identity" (the term used, shēnshì, is a bit ambiguous but implies something significant he's hiding).
Jian Mingshu confides in her friend Ying Xun, admitting she thinks she might be falling for Song Qingzhao. Ying Xun gives some solid advice: figure out her true feelings and be genuine about them; liking someone should feel natural, not forced.
Then, Jian Mingshu wakes up to find Lu Chang gone. He's returned to the academy, leaving her a note and some family heirlooms – specifically, some jewelry. As Jian Mingshu looks at the pieces, she gets a nagging feeling they look familiar...
Back at the academy, Lu Chang can't get Jian Mingshu out of his head. It seems distance is not making the heart grow less fond. He tries to distract himself by reading in the garden, but it's clear he's falling hard.
Meanwhile, in Royal Subplot Land...
The arranged marriage between Yin Shujun and Prince Rui (Rui Wang) is happening. Yin Shujun's mother (Yin Da Furen) is understandably worried, hoping that even though it's political, her daughter might find some happiness. The wedding ceremony takes place, and Yin Shujun bids farewell to her parents.
On the wedding night, Yin Shujun waits alone in the bridal chamber for ages. Prince Rui is chilling in his study, planning to give her the cold shoulder for a while before eventually showing up (mostly to appease the court/Consort). When he finally arrives, Yin Shujun is visibly nervous and downs a cup of wine for courage. She's sitting veiled (or holding a fan), and since she already drank the ceremonial wine alone, Prince Rui tells her to just lower the fan herself. He then bluntly states he's only there that night to keep up appearances. To his surprise, instead of being upset, Yin Shujun looks delighted! She promptly takes off her heavy wedding accessories, removes her outer robes, lies down, and goes to sleep, leaving Prince Rui utterly baffled.
