Episode Summary
Episode 35 of "Serendipity" follows Ming Tan as she actively resists her arranged marriage to the unfaithful Liang Zixuan, suspecting his family of coveting her family's military power. Her attempts to gather evidence of his affair lead her to Hanyan Temple, where she unexpectedly encounters the injured Prince Dingbei, Jiang Xu, who is also a target of the Liang family. Their paths cross again when Ming Tan infiltrates Duke Ling's Mansion to find proof, and Jiang Xu uncovers a hidden stash of embezzled official silver. The episode concludes with Jiang Xu exposing the Liang family's corruption by revealing their embezzlement of military funds and making a dramatic entrance at a palace banquet, intensifying Ming Tan's predicament.
Spoiler Alert
"Serendipity" Episode 35 Recap & Spoilers:
The capital is buzzing with news of the impending marriage alliance between the esteemed Duke Ling's Mansion and the powerful Marquis Jing'an's Mansion. Miss Ming Tan of the Ming family, celebrated as Jingcheng's most distinguished young lady, is the bride-to-be, and the lavish betrothal gifts from Duke Ling's Mansion have become the talk of the town. However, Ming Tan is less than thrilled. When Madam Li Lingyi from Duke Ling's Mansion arrives to formalize the betrothal, Ming Tan takes her time, her mind heavy with suspicion. She's convinced the Liang family (of Duke Ling's Mansion) is after her family's military power. Compounding her reluctance, she knows her fiancé, Liang Zixuan, is already entangled in a secret affair with his cousin. A marriage under these circumstances is out of the question for her.
An impatient Li Lingyi finally greets Ming Tan with an overly eager smile, anxious to seal the deal. But Ming Tan, sharp and observant, inspects the betrothal gifts and coolly points out that the matchmaker has included substandard items, making it appear as if she's the one desperately marrying up. Flustered, Li Lingyi promises to replace the gifts, emphasizing that the entire city witnessed the presentation, and calling it off now would be a scandal. As Li Lingyi presents the marriage certificate, Ming Tan subtly signals her maid, who then "accidentally" knocks over a decorative screen. Nanny Li, Ming Tan's trusted attendant, seizes the opportunity, declaring it an inauspicious omen and temporarily halting the proceedings.
Later, Ming Tan learns that Liang Zixuan is taking his cousin, Zhu'er, to Hanyan Temple to pray. She immediately orders her carriage, determined to find proof of their relationship. Meanwhile, Prince Dingbei, Jiang Xu, is ambushed en route back to the capital. Wounded from a previous battle and suspecting the Liang family's involvement, he narrowly escapes to Hanyan Temple for refuge.
At the temple, Liang Zixuan is with Zhu'er, who is pregnant with his child. Zhu'er expresses her fears about her and the child's fate if Ming Tan marries into the Liang family, a concern that visibly distresses Liang Zixuan. Ming Tan, observing them from a hidden spot, plans to retrieve the wooden prayer plaque they will inevitably leave behind. Such a plaque, bearing their names, would be undeniable evidence of their illicit bond, crucial for annulling her engagement.
Once Liang Zixuan and Zhu'er depart, Ming Tan instructs her maid to stand guard while she slips into the main hall to find the plaque. Unbeknownst to her, Jiang Xu is hiding in a corner of the same hall. He springs into action when Ming Tan nearly tumbles from a chair while reaching for something. Startled, Ming Tan notices her stocking is torn and quickly thanks him, pulling away. Just then, the local County Magistrate and his men arrive outside, intending to search the temple for thieves. Ming Tan's quick-witted maid uses a token of authority to bar their entry. Suspecting Jiang Xu might be the reason for the authorities' arrival and keen to protect both their reputations, Ming Tan firmly warns the magistrate off. Intimidated by the Marquis Jing'an's Mansion's influence, the magistrate retreats.
After Ming Tan leaves, Jiang Xu finds a jade pendant she dropped. He intends to return it but is forced to hide again when soldiers appear. He then discreetly hitches a ride on Ming Tan's departing carriage. Mid-journey, Ming Tan discovers him. Before she can react, a throwing knife flies towards them. The cowardly carriage driver, Zaozao, abandons them. Jiang Xu, despite his injuries, fights off and kills all the assassins. He then requests a ride to the capital, but Ming Tan refuses, citing the damage to her reputation if seen sharing a carriage with an unfamiliar man. Frustrated and in pain, Jiang Xu watches her carriage depart, noticing a water flask and medicine that have fallen out.
Her friend, Bai Minmin, rushes to Ming Tan's side upon hearing about the assassins at Hanyan Temple. To Ming Tan's dismay, she realizes the prayer plaque she secured is now missing, leaving her without the crucial evidence against Liang Zixuan. Bai Minmin suggests a bold move: infiltrate Duke Ling's Mansion to find proof of Liang Zixuan's affair.
Ming Tan seeks help from her adoptive parents, Grand Chancellor Su Wenqun and Zhang Yunru. She asks Zhang Yunru to accompany her to Duke Ling's Mansion, ostensibly to apologize for the earlier betrothal incident. While Zhang Yunru engages Li Lingyi in conversation, Ming Tan excuses herself, claiming to look for a Miss Rong'er. She dismisses her own maid and stealthily enters Liang Zixuan's study. Her search initially yields nothing, but she then stumbles upon a hidden room. Suddenly, a sword is at her throat – her captor is none other than Jiang Xu. Mistaking him for a common thief, Ming Tan pragmatically suggests they could both benefit by taking what they need from the room.
Elsewhere in the mansion, Li Lingyi, learning of Ming Tan's disappearance, instructs Zhu'er to remain in her room and avoid causing any trouble. Inside the secret chamber, Jiang Xu uncovers a substantial amount of official silver. When Ming Tan tries to take an ingot as evidence, Jiang Xu knocks her unconscious.
Ming Tan awakens later in her own home, confused, with a deeply worried Bai Minmin beside her. The gravity of the situation dawns on her: if she doesn't find a way to annul this marriage, the Ming family will be drawn into a dangerous conspiracy.
Meanwhile, at the Liang Mansion, Liang Qiwei (presumably a key figure in the Liang family) is aghast to find the secret room emptied of its silver. A letter from Prince Dingbei, Jiang Xu, informs him that the silver, embezzled military funds, has been confiscated, and what was taken is merely "a drop in the ocean."
The episode culminates at the Shangyuan Festival palace banquet. Li Lingyi spots Ming Tan and approaches with a smile, eager to discuss the marriage. However, Ming Tan pointedly ignores her. The tension escalates with the dramatic arrival of Prince Dingbei Jiang Xu, whose sudden return to the capital and appearance at the banquet sends a wave of shock and speculation through the assembled court.
