Episode Summary
Episode 31 sees Lu Chang furious with his father, Lù Shangshu, for his past inaction that harmed the Jian and Su families during Prince Rui's controversial reforms. Meanwhile, Song Qingzhao continues to pine for Jian Mingshu, who grows suspicious of the recently "found" Lu Wan'er, daughter of a Lord Lu connected to Prince Yu. A sweet moment between Lu Chang and Jian Mingshu sharing an umbrella is interrupted by Lù Shangshu, leading to a confrontation where Zeng Yi reveals Jian Mingshu isn't Lù Shangshu's biological daughter. Lú Shangshu (a different Lu) offers Prince Rui evidence against Prince Yu in exchange for Lu Chang marrying his daughter, Lú Ruishan. Lu Chang vehemently refuses, disgusted by Lú Shangshu's hypocrisy. Jian Mingshu gets jealous when rumors, spread by Lú Ruishan herself, suggest she and Lu Chang are engaged, leading to a dramatic, rain-soaked confrontation where Lu Chang teasingly enjoys her distress.
Spoiler Alert
Serendipity Episode 31: Principles, Proposals, and Palpitations!
The episode kicks off with some heavy baggage from the past. We learn that the whole mess involving Prince Yu has roots in Lù Shangshu (that’s Lu Chang's father, folks) turning a blind eye to Jian Jinhai's desperate cries for help. Apparently, three years back, when Prince Rui tried to roll out some much-needed new policies, it stirred the pot so much that the Emperor banished him from Jingcheng. Lù Shangshu, ever the cautious politician, chose to stay silent rather than risk getting caught in the crossfire.
This, understandably, has Lu Chang seeing red. He’s furious that his father’s calculated silence effectively doomed the Jian and Su families. For Lu Chang, it’s not even about blood ties; it’s the fact that Lù Shangshu knew the new policies were for the good of the people and still chose to do nothing. Ouch. But amidst this family drama, Jian Mingshu’s faith in Lu Chang shines through – she believes that with people like him in the court, there’s hope for a brighter future. You go, girl!
Meanwhile, poor Song Qingzhao is practically a permanent fixture at Hualang Ge, mooning over Jian Mingshu. He’s clearly smitten, always wanting to rush to her side if she so much as stubs a toe. Speaking of Hualang Ge, a Mrs. Lu (from the other Lu family, Lú Jia) pops in with her daughter, Lu Wan'er. The story is that Lu Wan'er was kidnapped as a kid and only just found three months ago. Jian Mingshu, with her spidey senses tingling, finds this whole reunion tale a bit too convenient, especially since this particular Lord Lu is tangled up in the Prince Yu affair. Our girl Mingshu is no fool! While Mingshu is playing detective, Wen'an Xian Zhu has to practically drag a moping Song Qingzhao out for some fresh air.
Later, we get a classic C-drama romantic moment! Jian Mingshu steps out of a shop right into a downpour, and who should appear but Lu Chang, also umbrella-less. They decide to walk home together, and Lu Chang, being the gentleman he is (swoon!), tilts the umbrella mostly over her, getting half-soaked himself. Adorable! But the warm fuzzies don't last long because guess who’s waiting at Lu Chang’s place? Yep, Lù Shangshu.
Neither Lu Chang nor Zeng Yi are thrilled to see him. When Lù Shangshu tries to get Jian Mingshu to smooth things over, she gives him an even frostier reception, calling him by his official title and making it crystal clear she couldn’t care less about being recognized by the Lu family. Burn! Lù Shangshu then tries to manipulate Zeng Yi, saying Lu Chang needs to acknowledge his ancestry for his career and, get this, for Jian Mingshu’s marriage prospects. Zeng Yi drops a bombshell: Jian Mingshu isn't Lù Shangshu's daughter, so he can butt out of her marriage plans! Mic drop!
While all this family drama is brewing, Song Qingzhao, bless his heart, has been busy. He crafts a custom set of tools for Jian Mingshu overnight and leaves them at Hualang Ge. What a sweetheart!
The political plot thickens when Lú Shangshu (father of Lú Ruishan, and the one with the supposedly convenient long-lost daughter) shows up offering Prince Rui a deal. He’s got a load of evidence against Prince Yu, including some dirt from Gao Zhifu. The catch? Lu Chang has to marry into the Lú family. Prince Rui, to his credit, tells Lú Shangshu he can’t meddle in someone else’s marriage and shows him the door. Prince Rui knows Lu Chang would never agree to such a thing, but man, that evidence is tempting!
Jian Mingshu, touched by Song Qingzhao’s gift, gets Wen'an Xian Zhu to take her to thank him properly, even bringing him some fancy calligraphy supplies. Soon after, an invitation arrives for Jian Mingshu from Lú Ruishan. Lu Chang, suspecting it’s a setup by Lú Shangshu, tags along. Sure enough, Lú Shangshu wants his daughter Lú Ruishan to marry Lu Chang, and Lú Ruishan is all for it. Lu Chang, however, is disgusted. He hasn’t forgotten that Lú Shangshu was the one who framed him and got him thrown in jail. The nerve of this guy, trying to trade evidence for a marriage alliance! Lu Chang flat-out refuses. While the men are posturing, Jian Mingshu quizzes Lú Ruishan about Lu Wan'er and learns she was supposedly adopted by a doctor who has now conveniently vanished. Suspicious much?
On the way back, Jian Mingshu notices Lu Chang is in a foul mood. When she finds out Lú Shangshu’s condition was for Lu Chang to marry his daughter, a little green-eyed monster appears, and she can't help but tease him about all his "peach blossoms" (admirers). It’s cute, even if she’s trying to hide her own feelings!
Lú Shangshu, furious that Lu Chang dared to reject his precious Lú Ruishan, decides to marry her off to some good-for-nothing playboy out of spite. Lú Ruishan, however, isn't having it and vows to make Lu Chang change his mind and marry her. Girl, read the room!
And because Lú Ruishan is just that determined (or delusional?), rumors start flying – supposedly from Lú Ruishan herself – that she’s engaged to Lu Chang, the brilliant new Zhuangyuan Lang. When Jian Mingshu hears this, she’s so worked up she runs back to Lu Chang’s residence in a downpour. Talk about dramatic entrances! At the same time, Yin Shujun overhears Prince Rui discussing a potential Lu Chang-Lú Ruishan marriage and jumps to the conclusion that it's Prince Rui's grand scheme to take down Prince Yu. She. Is. Livid.
The episode ends with Jian Mingshu, drenched and distressed, confronting Lu Chang: "Are you really going to marry Lú Ruishan?!" Lu Chang, seeing how utterly flustered she is, can't resist teasing her a bit. Oh, Lu Chang, you sly dog! You just know he’s enjoying seeing her so worked up.
