Episode Summary
Jian Mingshu successfully executes a plan to expose Yin Liangjun and Yin Xianjun as the masterminds behind the plot to frame Yin Shujun and Lu Chang, clearing their names. The sisters confess after evidence involving drugged flowers and bribed storytellers comes to light, receiving lenient punishment after Yin Shujun intervenes. Following this, Yin Shujun surprisingly agrees to the marriage alliance with Prince Rui. Lu Chang seeks help from Grand Preceptor Yin to investigate his teacher's case. Back home, romantic tension builds between Lu Chang, Jian Mingshu, and a visiting Song Qingzhao. Yin Shujun awkwardly befriends Jian Mingshu and offers help with her new shop, which Lu Chang names "Hua Lang Ge". A new subplot involving Liu Xiankun's adopted daughter, Liu Yuanying, is introduced.
Spoiler Alert
Serendipity: Episode 7 Recap & Spoilers – The Tables Turn
Alright, so things kick off right after the royal envoys have finished discussing the betrothal arrangements (nacai) and are about to head out. But hold on, Yin San Furen pops up, suggesting everyone check out some cool exotic flowers Yin Liangjun supposedly gathered. Sounds innocent, right? Wrong.
They all troop over to the flower house, and BAM! The scene: someone looking exactly like Yin Shujun is in bed with Lu Chang. Yin Liangjun puts on her best shocked face, and Censor Yin (Yin Yushi) looks like he's about to explode.
But then, plot twist! The real Yin Shujun walks in from outside, stunning everyone. Turns out, the woman in bed was Jian Mingshu, decked out in Yin Shujun's clothes! This whole thing was Jian Mingshu's clever trap to clear Yin Shujun's name and expose whoever orchestrated this mess – namely, the person who conveniently led everyone to the flower house.
Yin Liangjun immediately denies everything, but Jian Mingshu calls her out, revealing she stole tung oil and smeared it on some shoes. Cornered, Yin Liangjun slips up and blurts out, "But I buried those shoes that day!" Oops. With her cover blown, Yin Liangjun drops the act, bitterly complaining that she's always been just as good as Yin Shujun but never had the parental backing.
Lu Chang adds that while they were framed, they were also prepared. He subtly suggests Censor Yin have an imperial physician check the flower house for anything... say... that might make someone dizzy? The physician's diagnosis confirms it, throwing Yin Liangjun into a panic, though she still refuses to confess. Then, someone finds the actual dizzying drug – in Yin Xianjun's room! (Yep, another sister).
Jian Mingshu explains that Yin Xianjun planted the drug. It turns out Yin Xianjun had initially sought out Jian Mingshu, pretending to need a friend but really wanting an accomplice. She deliberately let Jian Mingshu "discover" the shoes with the tung oil. Yin Xianjun tries to deny it, but just then, Song Qingzhao arrives with Qiu Tong, a maidservant to Yin San Furen (Yin Xianjun and Yin Liangjun's mother). Qiu Tong confesses she was bribed by Yin Xianjun to pay off a storyteller to spread those nasty rumors about Yin Shujun. Seeing her mother implicated, Yin Xianjun finally breaks down and confesses. She admits she felt invisible in the Yin family and just wanted to secure a good future for herself.
Right on cue, the family head, Grand Preceptor Yin (Yin Taishi), who'd been recuperating elsewhere, shows up to sort out the family drama. The royal envoys and Lu Chang politely excuse themselves.
Yin Liangjun apologizes to her grandfather. But Yin Xianjun isn't done venting. She complains about being overlooked and just wanting the family's affection – what's so wrong with that? Grandpa Yin lays down some truth: the marriage alliance was always about court politics, a tough situation even for the main daughter. Censor Yin adds they always intended to find both sisters suitable marriages, not just marry them off carelessly. Grandpa Yin wants to punish them according to strict family rules (sending them to the ancestral hall), but Yin Shujun pleads for her sisters, managing to get them a lighter punishment.
Later, as Grand Preceptor Yin (referred to as Taifu in one instance, likely the same person or a similar high-ranking title) leaves, Lu Chang waits for him, clearly wanting to discuss something important.
Back inside, Yin Da Furen (First Madam Yin, Yin Shujun's mother) sincerely thanks Jian Mingshu. Then she gently asks Yin Shujun if her request to change the betrothal card (gengtie) meant she had someone else she liked. Yin Shujun apologizes profusely for bringing shame upon the family because the rumors hadn't been cleared yet. However, Censor Yin surprises everyone by not blaming her. He admits they hadn't considered her feelings before and doesn't want to sacrifice her happiness for political gain.
Here's another twist: Yin Shujun, having had this realization about her family's support, suddenly agrees to the marriage with Prince Rui! Her logic? If he's still willing to marry her after all this scandal, he must be a decent, broad-minded guy. So, the marriage is back on!
Meanwhile, Lu Chang catches up with Grand Preceptor Yin, asking for help to reopen the case concerning his former teacher (likely seeking to clear his name). The Grand Preceptor advises him to start by investigating those close to a certain Liu Xiankun.
Lu Chang has a moment of reflection, observing the struggles of women – the hardships of the poor, the vulnerability of merchant women – realizing how confined their lives often are, preventing them from pursuing their own paths.
Jian Mingshu finally heads home from the Yin residence. She finds Lu Chang has cleaned and tidied her room, a sweet gesture she appreciates, though she still feels a bit uncertain about her past self before her memory loss. She resolves that whether past or present, "I am who I am." Lu Chang promises to support whatever she wants to do and protect her happiness. Jian Mingshu, in turn, vows to stand by him, whether he finds success or faces hardship. Lu Chang muses that his judgment of people (maybe meaning his initial impression of Jian Mingshu?) wasn't so great back then. Aww.
But the peace is short-lived! Song Qingzhao arrives bearing lots of gifts for Jian Mingshu. Zeng Yi invites him to stay for lunch. During the meal, Jian Mingshu keeps putting food on Song Qingzhao's plate, and Lu Chang is visibly getting jealous. Song Qingzhao mentions how much he admires the "sibling" bond between Lu Chang and Jian Mingshu. Lu Chang, perhaps being a bit petty, suggests Jian Mingshu should make Song Qingzhao her sworn brother. Song Qingzhao's face falls, and he quickly refuses. Zeng Yi clearly sees that Song Qingzhao has feelings for Jian Mingshu. Lu Chang, however, worries that marrying into a powerful family like the Songs might be complicated for Jian Mingshu, thinking it would be better for her prospects if he establishes his own official career first. Protective much, Lu Chang?
Later, Yin Shujun visits Jian Mingshu with thank-you gifts. She's genuinely grateful but still has that proud, slightly awkward ("aojiao") young lady vibe, even when suggesting they become friends. Hearing Jian Mingshu plans to open a shop, Yin Shujun offers her support.
On a different note, we learn that Liu Xiankun's son is still missing. However, his adopted daughter, Liu Yuanying, has become a popular dancer and has been taken into the Lu residence (presumably a different Lu family, connected to a Lu Wencai). This Lu Wencai seems entangled with Liu Yuanying, but she clearly despises him.
Finally, Jian Mingshu is trying to come up with a name for her new shop but drawing a blank. Lu Chang steps in and suggests "Hua Lang Ge" (roughly translating to Flower Gallery Pavilion).
