Episode Summary
Jian Mingshu, despite lingering feelings for Lu Chang, pushes him away after he stages a puppet show depicting their story. An imperial edict forces her into an engagement with Song Qingzhao, which Song Qingzhao himself tries to refuse. Jian Mingshu officially severs ties with the Lu family and attempts to formally adopt Lu Chang's mother, Zeng Yi, as her own, further distancing herself from Lu Chang romantically. In a desperate bid for freedom, Jian Mingshu drugs Lu Chang, kisses him goodbye, and flees, leaving a letter that causes turmoil for the Imperial Consort. Meanwhile, Su Tangli encounters a scammer and then spots Jian Mingshu.
Spoiler Alert
Serendipity Episode 36: Recap & Spoilers
A Love Rekindled, A Fate Sealed?
The episode opens with a heartbroken Lu Chang watching a shadow puppet show. His mind drifts back to a time when Jian Mingshu had asked him to accompany her to see one, a request he had coldly refused. In the present, Song Qingzhao brings Jian Mingshu to the same type of show. As the puppets dance, they tell the story of Lu Chang and Jian Mingshu, bringing tears to her eyes. It's then that Lu Chang and Ying Xun reveal themselves from behind the screen.
Deeply moved yet resolute, Jian Mingshu tells herself repeatedly that there's no turning back. In a dramatic gesture, she uses her hairpin to slash the puppet screen, telling Lu Chang to stop his futile efforts. What's done is done, and the past cannot be changed.
Back at Hualang Ge, Jian Mingshu finds Yin Shujun and the Wen'an County Mistress looking distressed. They inform her that the Emperor has issued an edict, decreeing a marriage between Jian Mingshu and Song Qingzhao. Jian Mingshu is alarmed; the timing of this imperial decree is highly suspicious, and she feels she can't delay her plans any longer.
Upon learning of the arranged marriage, Lu Chang, in a desperate move, goes to Jian Mingshu's room late at night. He intends to take her and Zeng Yi far away, to escape this fate. However, Jian Mingshu coldly states that her marriage to Song Qingzhao is none of his concern and warns him not to interfere further. She tells him his shadow puppet show didn't move her; instead, it felt like several more cuts to her already wounded heart. Once again, she pushes Lu Chang away. But as soon as the door closes behind him, her own tears begin to fall.
Meanwhile, the Imperial Consortvisits the Song residence, expecting to find Song Qingzhao overjoyed by the imperial decree. To her surprise, Song Qingzhao begs her to retract the order. He confesses that Jian Mingshu already has someone in her heart and that the whole situation is a misunderstanding. While he does harbor feelings for Jian Mingshu, he acknowledges that they are not fated to be together and that his love is unrequited. The Consort reminds him that an imperial edict cannot be easily withdrawn and that this might be his last chance. Is he truly willing to watch the woman he loves marry another?
Jian Mingshu successfully obtains her Jianglin household registration, officially severing her ties with the Lu family on paper. Song Qingzhao once again seeks confirmation that there's no possibility between her and Lu Chang, hoping she might give him a chance. Jian Mingshu, however, remains firm in her refusal.
Later, Jian Mingshu presents Zeng Yi with one thousand liang, the profits from her shop. With Wei Zhuo present, she expresses her wish to formally acknowledge Zeng Yi as her mother. As Zeng Yi looks at the tea Jian Mingshu offers, she hesitates, knowing that drinking it would formalize their mother-daughter relationship. Just then, Lu Chang rushes in and smashes the teacup. He declares he never wants to see Jian Mingshu as a sister; his only desire is to marry her. But Jian Mingshu insists she genuinely wants Zeng Yi as her mother and Lu Chang as her elder brother – isn't that what he always wanted?
Lu Chang pulls Jian Mingshu into another room, demanding to know her true intentions. She reveals her plan to return to Jianglin and states she doesn't want Lu Chang to accompany her. However, Lu Chang, unyielding, has already arranged for people to keep an eye on her, declaring the matter non-negotiable. Ying Xun is assigned to watch over Jian Mingshu.
Changing tactics, Jian Mingshu invites Lu Chang to a restaurant for a meal, her demeanor completely shifted. She reminisces about their past. Using goading tactics, she persuades Lu Chang to drink the wine she offers. Soon, he feels his body go limp. Jian Mingshu tells him it was perhaps for the best that he didn't agree to her request back then, or he too would have suffered this current calamity. She wishes he had never saved her, that they had never met. As Lu Chang loses consciousness, he repeatedly begs her not to go alone. After he faints, Jian Mingshu kisses his cheek, calling him "A Chang gege"as she always had.
Lu Chang awakens from a nightmare the next day to find Jian Mingshu gone, leaving only a letter behind. Realizing she must have already left the city, he rushes off in pursuit.
Jian Mingshu has sent a letter to Minister Cui , stating she has no connection to the Lu family and cannot marry Song Qingzhao as she is still in a mourning period. This letter eventually reaches Prince Rui and the Imperial Consort. The Consort is furious; she exclaims that if Minister Cui hadn't cautiously intercepted the letter, her own life would have been in danger.
In a separate storyline, Su Tangli attempts to become a servant at the Lin family residence. Granny Litakes all her money. Just then, victims of Granny Li's scams arrive, demanding their money back, revealing her as a fraud. Su Tangli draws a weapon and reclaims the stolen money. As she steps outside, she spots Jian Mingshu.
