Episode Summary
Lu Chang returns home just before the provincial exams. He and Jian Mingshu share moments of closeness, while Jian Mingshu reflects on her confusing dreams and feelings. Both Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao take the exams, supported by their families and Jian Mingshu's well wishes. Afterward, Jian Mingshu gently rejects Song Qingzhao's romantic intentions but agrees to remain friends, keeping his gift for now. Lu Chang realizes his deep feelings for Jian Mingshu and subtly tries to express them, though she misinterprets his actions. Lu Chang achieves the top score in the exams, while Song Qingzhao also passes but is initially heartbroken by Jian Mingshu's rejection, later resolving to win her over through his career. The episode ends with an awkward encounter as Song Qingzhao witnesses Jian Mingshu measuring Lu Chang, and Lu Chang revealing to Prince Rui that he and Jian Mingshu are not actually siblings.
Spoiler Alert
Recap: Exams, Feelings, and Awkward Moments
So, Lu Chang finally makes it back home from Liangzhou Fu, and cue the waterworks from Zeng Yi – bless her heart, she was worried sick! To kick things off with some good vibes, Lu Chang and Jian Mingshu tie those little red strings on each other for extra luck. You know, the usual pre-big-event ritual.
That night, Zeng Yi goes all out, cooking up a storm because the provincial exams are the next day, and everyone needs all the good fortune they can get. Over dinner, Jian Mingshu gets curious about Lu Chang's backstory. She also shares these weird dreams she's been having – one about a super kind, fatherly figure, and another where Lu Chang is just grumpy and totally ignores her when she tries to give him food. Ouch!
Exam day arrives! Zeng Yi and Jian Mingshu are fussing over Lu Chang at the exam hall entrance, giving him the whole "be careful, do your best" spiel. Meanwhile, Song Qingzhao is lurking in the distance. He knows his parents are probably around (even though they're mad at him), and getting too close to Jian Mingshu might spell trouble for her. Sure enough, Mama Song rushes over to give him some last-minute stuff, while Papa Song stays stubbornly put, just watching from afar like the proud, stoic dad he is. Both Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao are sporting good luck charms Jian Mingshu got for them – cute!
While the guys are sweating it out in the exam hall for three whole days, Jian Mingshu and Zeng Yi are back home, praying hard for Lu Chang. Song Qingzhao's parents are doing the same for their son. It seems Song Qingzhao has had a bit of an epiphany: the only way he can truly be with Jian Mingshu is to buckle down, become an official, and gain some power. Okay, ambition!
Fast forward three days: Jian Mingshu rushes to the exam hall to pick up Lu Chang, but Song Qingzhao is nowhere in sight (at first). His mom basically has to drag his dad over to greet him, threatening to run away from home if he doesn't. Classic!
Later, Jian Mingshu is looking at the gift Song Qingzhao gave her (that fancy hairpin, the Furong Chai) and feels like she should probably give it back. Zeng Yi gives her some solid advice: if she's into him, go for it, Zeng Yi's got her back. But if not? Don't lead him on and cause more heartache. Wise words.
This whole ordeal seems to have clarified things for Lu Chang too – he realizes he absolutely cannot lose Jian Mingshu. His buddy Ying Xun has to remind him, "Dude, you're technically siblings right now!" But Lu Chang can't bring himself to drop that truth bomb on Jian Mingshu, worried about how she'd take it.
Jian Mingshu chats with her besties, Yin Shujun and Wen An Xian Zhu, admitting she just doesn't feel that spark with Song Qingzhao. They're totally supportive, assuring her they're friends no matter what. Side note: Zeng Yi is being an angel, taking care of Auntie Li (Li Shen) and even bringing her pear soup, which earns major points with a grateful Wei Zhuo. Hmm, potential romance brewing there?
Spoilers: Confessions, Rejections, and Big Reveals
Alright, spoiler time!
Jian Mingshu decides to deal with the hairpin situation. She meets Song Qingzhao at Hualang Ge (seems like her spot) and tries to return it. She explains that while she enjoys spending time with him, she's just... not feeling it. Song Qingzhao gets the message but asks if they can at least stay friends like usual. He refuses to take the hairpin back, saying she can return it if she ever finds her "true love." Smooth, but also kinda laying claim?
Lu Chang, meanwhile, isn't wasting time. He asks Jian Mingshu out for a walk and holds her hand the whole way! They end up at a place where the musician is off duty, so Lu Chang steps up and plays "Feng Qiu Huang" – a famous love confession song! But Jian Mingshu totally misreads the room and thinks he must be playing it for someone else he likes. D'oh! Lu Chang keeps trying to gently nudge her memory, suggesting she call him "A Chang Gege" (Big Brother A Chang, more affectionate) instead of "A Xiong" (Big Brother, more formal). This just leaves her confused.
Back home, they catch Wei Zhuo escorting Zeng Yi home, and Lu Chang and Jian Mingshu immediately turn into gossip buddies about it.
Then, the exam results are out! Big News: Lu Chang absolutely crushed it – he's the top scorer (Huiyuan/Zhuangyuan)! Song Qingzhao passed too, but he's miserable because Jian Mingshu turned him down. He gets drunk, lamenting that passing the exam means nothing without her (she was his motivation, remember?). But he quickly pulls himself together, figuring that now that he's on the path to becoming an official, she might reconsider him later.
Things get super awkward when Jian Mingshu is in her room measuring Lu Chang for new clothes (getting pretty cozy!), and Zeng Yi walks in... with Song Qingzhao right behind her. Yikes! Talk about bad timing. The air probably froze solid.
Later, Hualang Ge hosts a charity sale. Song Qingzhao shows up to help Jian Mingshu, instantly becoming the center of attention for a bunch of other young ladies.
And the biggest spoiler of the episode: Lu Chang has a private meeting with Prince Rui and tells him straight up: He and Jian Mingshu are NOT actually brother and sister. Dun dun DUN!
