Episode Summary
Jian Mingshu exposes Li Momo as the "ghost," revealing Wei Furen orchestrated the haunting as a desperate cry for help from her abusive husband, Wei Dushi. Wei Furen confesses her twenty-year suffering, and Song Mu vows to help her get a divorce. Jian Mingshu hopes to find clues for Lu Chang in Wei Furen's dowry box, accessible only after a divorce. After an assassination attempt on Jian Mingshu (foiled by Lu Chang), they trick Wei Dushi into a public display of abuse, forcing him to sign divorce papers. However, he keeps the papers, planning to renege after a banquet. While Wei Furen celebrates her presumed freedom, Jian Mingshu sneaks into Wei Dushi's study, finds the divorce papers and account books, only for Wei Dushi to be found murdered, with Jian Mingshu at the scene.
Spoiler Alert
The Ghost in the Machine... or Mansion
So, our girl Jian Mingshu, ever the detective, drags Song Mu straight to Li Momo and is like, "Boom! She's your ghost!". Apparently, Jian Mingshu caught a clear glimpse of Li Momo's shadow during one of the spooky encounters. Song Mu, not messing around, orders a search, and what do they find in Li Momo's room? The ghost getup, of course.
But here’s the kicker: Jian Mingshu lays it all out, explaining that even if Li Momo was the one doing the haunting, the real puppet master was none other than Wei Furen. The theory? Wei Furen was using the ghost act as a desperate S.O.S. signal, trying to escape the clutches of her controlling husband, Wei Dushi, who basically has the entire Wei household on lockdown.
And then, the floodgates open. Wei Furen finally breaks down and confesses everything. Turns out, her "ghostly" antics were indeed her last-ditch effort to find help. She’s been living in a nightmare for twenty years, regretting ever marrying that monster, Wei Dushi, who cut her off from the world and resorted to physical abuse whenever he was displeased. She’d thought about divorce, but with her own family having lost their influence, Wei Dushi threatened them to keep her in line. Even Li Momo, who was initially sent to spy on Wei Furen, couldn't stand by and watch her suffer, eventually agreeing to help her send messages. Song Mu, hearing for the first time the true extent of her friend's two-decade-long torment, is horrified and vows to help her escape.
The Bracelet and the Box of Secrets
Later, Jian Mingshu privately asks Wei Furen about a specific bracelet. Wei Furen can tell Jian Mingshu has her own agenda for being at the Wei residence, but Jian Mingshu assures her that she would have helped regardless of the bracelet. While Wei Furen doesn't know the bracelet's origin, she reveals that Wei Dushi meticulously cataloged every valuable item, storing these records in Wei Furen's dowry treasure box. The catch? They can only get that box back if Wei Furen gets a divorce. Jian Mingshu, thinking of Lu Chang, suspects this treasure box might also hold clues he desperately needs. So now, helping Wei Furen secure her freedom is a win-win, both personally and for the greater good.
An Assassin in the Night and a Brother's Vow
Just when you think things can't get more dramatic, an assassin sneaks into Jian Mingshu's room! Our quick-witted heroine manages to escape, and just in the nick of time, Lu Chang swoops in to save her. Wei Dushi rushes in with his men, but honestly, he seems more interested in seeing Jian Mingshu dead than catching the culprit. Jian Mingshu, cool under pressure, tells them to douse the torches, claiming she can identify the attacker. Turns out, she’d sprinkled phosphorus powder on the assassin, which would glow in the dark. Pressured by Lu Chang's presence, Wei Dushi reluctantly agrees. Jian Mingshu points out her attacker, and Wei Dushi, without a second thought, silences him permanently by having him killed on the spot. Smooth, Wei Dushi, real smooth.
Lu Chang, understandably worried, stays by Jian Mingshu's side. She, a bit flustered by his protectiveness, asks why he's being so incredibly good to her. Lu Chang, with a tender touch to her face, reminds her that since she calls him "A Xiong" (older brother), he'll do everything in his power to protect her. This leaves Jian Mingshu with a whole lot of feelings to untangle – if they’re not really siblings, what does all this mean? But not knowing the truth is eating her up inside.
The Divorce Deception
The next day, Song Mu and Jian Mingshu make an excuse to leave the Wei residence, all part of a bigger plan. Predictably, Wei Dushi immediately threatens Wei Furen again. He also finds out about Li Momo's ghost act. Li Momo, loyal to the end, refuses to implicate Wei Furen. Not wanting Li Momo to suffer for her, Wei Furen confesses, only to be brutally beaten by Wei Dushi yet again.
This is exactly what they were waiting for. Song Mu, Jian Mingshu, Lu Chang, and Song Qingzhao, who had been lying in wait outside, rush back in. They’d orchestrated the whole thing to catch Wei Dushi red-handed abusing his wife, even bringing a medical examiner as a witness. Wei Furen, finally done with Wei Dushi's manipulations, demands a divorce. To protect his precious career and reputation, Wei Dushi actually agrees and signs the divorce papers that Wei Furen had already prepared, right there in front of everyone. But then, in a sneaky move, he takes the signed papers back, promising to return them along with her dowry after he hosts a banquet that night. Red flag, anyone?
As Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao leave, Lu Chang has a little chat with Song Qingzhao, basically warning him about his obvious feelings for Jian Mingshu (who Song Mu knows as Xuan Qing) and how Song Mu might react if she found out. Meanwhile, we learn Wei Dushi's banquet guest is Wei Zhuo, someone he hopes will help him get a promotion. He’s even arranged a "gift" for Wei Zhuo – a beauty named Yan Shao, since he heard Wei Zhuo isn't married. Clearly, Wei Dushi’s agreement to the divorce was just a stalling tactic. He has no real intention of letting Wei Furen go. Oblivious to this, Wei Furen, Jian Mingshu, and Song Mu are actually celebrating, thinking she's finally free. Oh, honey, no.
The Ultimate Cliffhanger
Later that night, Jian Mingshu, ever the sleuth, sneaks into Wei Dushi's study looking for more clues (and probably those divorce papers). She hits the jackpot, finding the signed divorce agreement and some account books. But just as she's about to make her escape, BAM! News breaks that Wei Dushi is dead. Talk about timing!
Jia Fuyin, the local magistrate, arrives on the scene and detains everyone for questioning. And who does he spot immediately? Jian Mingshu, who, for some reason, is dressed up as a "fairy" (you read that right!).
So, Wei Dushi is dead, Jian Mingshu is at the scene of the crime in a rather conspicuous outfit, and the divorce papers are still in play. Who killed Wei Dushi? Will Wei Furen ever truly be free? And what will happen to Jian Mingshu now? This episode left us with a million questions! Can't wait to see how this unfolds!
