Episode Summary
Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao meet with Prince Rui (Prince Rui). Lu Chang reveals that Yin Xianjun's aunt, connected to Yu Wang (Prince Yu), is behind the marriage push, indicating political maneuvering. Lu Chang seeks Prince Rui's help in reopening an old case, but Prince Rui states Lu Chang must provide sufficient reason himself. To investigate the Lu family, Lu Chang plans to infiltrate their banquet disguised as a performer. After initially refusing, he agrees to have Jian Mingshu pose as his wife. They successfully enter the Lu household but face challenges, including sharing a room and navigating suspicions. Lu Chang tries investigating Liu Yuanying but finds her guarded. Jian Mingshu takes over, discovering Liu Yuanying might be involved with Lu Wencai but also noticing suspicious behavior. Meanwhile, Lu Wencai's jealous wife, Wang Xiuyun, plots revenge against Liu Yuanying by framing her with a broken hairpin, gifted by the Imperial Consort, just before a major performance. Jian Mingshu fixes the hairpin but is intercepted by Lu Wencai while trying to return it.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 8 Recap: Politics, Pretend Marriages, and Problems Brewing
Alright, so the episode kicks off with Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao heading off to meet Prince Rui (Prince Rui). Lu Chang isn't just there for pleasantries; he deliberately brings up the wedding plans. See, after leaving the Yin residence previously, he had his buddies do some digging. Turns out, the person really pushing for Yin Xianjun to snag this marriage alliance wasn't just Yin Xianjun himself. The real operator behind the scenes is Yin Xianjun's maternal aunt, who happens to be the sister of the current Censorate Inspector, Tian Chongjun. Now, Yin Xianjun probably has no clue about this connection. But here's the kicker: Tian Chongjun is one of Yu Wang's (Prince Yu) guys. So, Yu Wang meddling in Prince Rui's marriage? That spells major scheming.
Lu Chang is hoping Prince Rui can lend a hand with his own agenda (likely reopening that old case tied to his family). But Prince Rui cuts him off – he's already done his homework on Lu Chang and knows exactly what he's after. The catch? Reopening the case needs solid justification, and whether it happens depends entirely on Lu Chang's own skills and ability to provide that reason. No freebies here.
On their way out, Song Qingzhao finds himself actually impressed watching Lu Chang navigate the political talk. Usually, this stuff bores him to tears, but seeing Lu Chang in action? Suddenly, not so dull.
Later, Jian Mingshu notices Lu Chang looking pretty stressed and asks what's up. Lu Chang opens up a bit about Mr.Su (Mr. Su), who wasn't just his respected teacher but felt more like a father figure. The feels!
Plot twist time! Ying Xun rushes in with intel: the Lu family is throwing a big banquet for Ministry of Rites officials. It's a fancy affair, and word is they've hired a folk performer couple for entertainment. Lu Chang immediately sees an opportunity – go undercover as performers to infiltrate the Lu household! The only snag? He needs a young woman around his age to play his wife. Jian Mingshu, who's right there, practically raises her hand with her eyes... but Lu Chang is having none of it. He flat-out refuses to pretend to be married to her, like, zero negotiation. Ouch.
Meanwhile, Yin Shujun arranges to meet Prince Rui. She wants to thank him because, despite all the nasty rumors swirling around her, he stuck with the marriage alliance. She's genuinely grateful. Prince Rui, ever the charmer (not!), bluntly says he did mind the rumors, but the alliance was too important. Yin Shujun basically says, "Cool, works for me." She makes it clear that while she'll do all the duties expected of a princess consort, there's no real affection between them, and that's fine by her. She also lays down a condition: after marriage, she doesn't want to be stuck in the mansion all day; she wants to keep running her jewelry shop with her friend. Prince Rui agrees, basically saying as long as she fulfills her duties, he'll look the other way. After thanking him, she leaves.
Back to Lu Chang's infiltration plan: Ying Xun finds a performer known as "Tao Hua Niangzi" (Peach Blossom Maiden) to pose as Lu Chang's wife.
But Jian Mingshu isn't giving up on helping Lu Chang. She's at home, seriously practicing her dancing skills. In a classic drama moment, she nearly face-plants, but Lu Chang swoops in and catches her by the waist. Maybe seeing her dedication (or maybe finding the Peach Blossom Maiden's overly dramatic style annoying), Lu Chang changes his mind! He tells Jian Mingshu she'll be his pretend wife after all. Her reaction? She calls him "Guan Ren" (an old term for husband/official, definitely playing the part!), which startles Lu Chang so much he spits out his tea. LOL.
So, Lu Chang and Jian Mingshu successfully enter the Lu household disguised as performers. But they immediately face suspicion and are asked to give a little demonstration. Jian Mingshu's dancing is shaky at first, but with Lu Chang's subtle support (maybe a look, maybe playing music?), she finds her rhythm and totally wows everyone. Success!
Night falls, and they're assigned... one room. Naturally. They start bickering over who gets the bed and who sleeps on the floor. Just as things are getting tense, someone barges in to deliver something. Quick as lightning, Lu Chang throws the blanket over Jian Mingshu to hide her. Close call!
The next day, the investigation begins. Lu Chang tries to cozy up to a woman named Liu Yuanying to get information, but she's super guarded and he gets nowhere. Jian Mingshu suggests she should take over approaching Liu Yuanying, figuring it's easier for women to talk amongst themselves. Smart thinking.
Adding to the intrigue, a servant named Ye Rong (or maybe someone misheard a name?) secretly tells Lu Chang that Liu Yuanying is already having a secret affair with Lu Wencai (presumably someone from the Lu family). Later that night, Lu Chang and Jian Mingshu actually witness Lu Wencai sneaking out of Liu Yuanying's room after giving her a bracelet. But plot twist again! Liu Yuanying immediately turns around and gives the expensive-looking bracelet to her maidservant. Hmm, what's her game?
They also notice Liu Yuanying's maid, Zi Yun, keeps sneaking glances at Lu Chang. Jian Mingshu hatches a plan: use Lu Chang as bait (a "honey trap," basically) to distract Zi Yun, while she tries to talk to Liu Yuanying again.
However, Liu Yuanying is sharp. She realizes Jian Mingshu isn't who she claims to be (apparently Jian Mingshu used the name "Mu Qing," but Liu Yuanying recognizes she's not Mu Qing) and demands to know why she's really trying to get close. Jian Mingshu has to think fast, spinning a story that "Mu Qing" is her master's name, not a person's name. She tries to bond with Liu Yuanying as fellow performers, asking her to keep her "secret." Later, Jian Mingshu is excitedly telling Lu Chang everything she learned (or tried to learn) about Liu Yuanying, while Lu Chang sweetly peels longan fruits for her. Aww.
Now, let's introduce some more drama: Lu Wencai's actual wife, Wang Xiuyun. She desperately wants her husband's affection, but he cruelly dismisses her as old news ("lost her bloom"). Her maid fuels the fire, blaming the dancer Liu Yuanying for stealing Lu Wencai's attention. Wang Xiuyun is furious and vows to teach Liu Yuanying a lesson.
Meanwhile, Madam Lu is hosting a spring banquet. Song Mu (Song Qingzhao's mother) brings him along, hoping to scope out potential marriage candidates. It turns out the Lu family's third daughter, Lu Ruishan, has had a crush on Song Qingzhao for ages, and the Lu family is quite keen on making a match.
Here's where Wang Xiuyun makes her move. She takes a valuable hairpin, a gift from the Imperial Consort, and deliberately breaks it. Then, she has someone deliver it to Liu Yuanying, instructing her to wear it while leading the dance performance at the banquet. Liu Yuanying opens the box and is horrified to find the precious hairpin is broken. Jian Mingshu sees this and immediately realizes Wang Xiuyun is setting Liu Yuanying up for a massive fall.
Ever the problem-solver (especially when it involves intricate crafts!), Jian Mingshu decides she has to fix the hairpin before Liu Yuanying's performance to save her from disaster. She manages to repair the delicate piece. But just as she's rushing to get the fixed hairpin to Liu Yuanying... she gets cornered by the lecherous Lu Wencai.
And that's where Episode 8 leaves us! Will Jian Mingshu get the hairpin to Liu Yuanying in time? Will she escape Lu Wencai's unwanted attention? What's Liu Yuanying's real story? And how will Lu Chang's investigation proceed? Stay tuned!
