Episode Summary
Episode 10 saw Xiao Qiao navigate complex family politics. After a brief moment of understanding with Gongsun Yang, she found herself again at odds with Wei Shao over perceived slights. Meanwhile, Zheng Chu Yu actively schemed with Wei Fu Ren (Wei Shao's mother) to become Wei Shao's concubine. This led to a direct confrontation where Xiao Qiao fiercely declared her love for Wei Shao and refusal to accept a concubine, even faking illness. Wei Fu Ren and Zheng Chu Yu then plotted to drug Wei Shao and force a compromising situation. Wei Shao, though drugged, rejected Zheng Chu Yu and was furious with his mother. Xiao Qiao cared for him and cleverly covered up the incident to protect his reputation, earning his gratitude. Wei Shao demanded Zheng Chu Yu be sent away, which Xu Fu Ren (a senior matriarch) enforced. Despite a moment of tender care from Wei Shao for a bruise he'd caused, he grew distant, throwing himself into work. The episode culminated in a heated argument between Xiao Qiao and Wei Fu Ren, where Xiao Qiao accused her mother-in-law of never truly caring for Wei Shao, all of which Wei Shao overheard.
Spoiler Alert
Things started off deceptively calm. Xiao Qiao had a moment of self-reflection, admitting she might have been a bit too quick to judge, especially after Gongsun Yang schooled her in a game of chess. She even praised his skills, conceding defeat gracefully.
But peace is fleeting, isn't it? Xiao Qiao penned another letter to Yanzhou, which, of course, didn't make it past Wei Liang, who promptly delivered it to Wei Shao. Turns out, it was just an innocent family letter, with Xiao Qiao asking her aunt to send over a calming herbal formula for Wei Shao. He read it and walked off, but Wei Qu, ever the suspicious one, couldn't shake the feeling that there might be some coded message hidden within.
Later, Wei Shao found Xiao Qiao engrossed in a very domestic task: trying to find candles that wouldn't irritate his eyes. Sweet, right? Well, Wei Shao wasn't exactly touched. He seemed annoyed that she was making such a fuss over "small things," reminding her they were just an "ordinary couple" and didn't need everyone knowing their business. Xiao Tao, ever loyal to Xiao Qiao, jumped to her defense, pointing out that Xiao Qiao used her own money for the candles and hadn't bothered anyone. This clearly pricked Wei Shao's conscience, though he tried to play it cool, gruffly offering to send over some money, insisting Xiao Qiao didn't need to spend her own.
Meanwhile, the troublemaker Zheng Chu Yu was busy stirring the pot. She tattled to Wei Fu Ren (Wei Shao's mother) about some "Bo Ya incident," making it sound like Xiao Qiao was entirely in the wrong and had been scolded by Xu Fu Ren (a senior matriarch, it seems). Zheng Chu Yu then seized the moment to pressure Wei Fu Ren into recognizing her as a potential match for Wei Shao – yep, she's angling to be a concubine.
Wei Fu Ren, easily swayed, immediately summoned Xiao Qiao and tried to bully her into agreeing to Wei Shao taking a concubine. But Xiao Qiao is no pushover. She cleverly invoked Xu Fu Ren and Wei Shao's own (presumed) wishes to counter Wei Fu Ren. She then launched into a passionate declaration of her deep love for Wei Shao and her absolute refusal to accept a concubine, especially not Zheng Chu Yu, dramatically stating she'd rather die than let that woman into their household. She even faked a heart palpitation to really sell it, forcing Wei Fu Ren to back down for the moment.
Word of this quickly reached Wei Shao, who then privately asked Xiao Qiao if her feelings for him were genuine. Xiao Qiao, ever the strategist, replied that she simply followed his lead: if he wanted a concubine, she couldn't stop him, but if he didn't, she would fight tooth and nail to prevent it. Wei Shao couldn't help but remark on her tongue – sharp enough to wound, but also capable of sweet-talking.
Zheng Chu Yu then pulled the classic "I'm leaving" guilt trip. Wei Fu Ren, desperate to keep her around as a pawn against Xiao Qiao, cooked up a new scheme: let's just force the issue, "cook the rice until it's done," so to speak. Zheng Chu Yu, after some initial hesitation, was all in.
The plan was put into motion when Wei Fu Ren invited Wei Shao for drinks. After he'd downed three cups, Wei Fu Ren feigned needing to take medicine and excused herself. Suddenly, Wei Shao felt an intense heat overcome him – something was definitely off. Just as he was about to leave, one of Wei Fu Ren's attendants rushed in, claiming Wei Fu Ren had a splitting headache and needed him. Wei Shao, unaware of the trap, followed the attendant into a room, only for the door to be locked from the outside. And who was waiting inside, dressed provocatively? None other than Zheng Chu Yu, ready to pounce.
But Wei Shao was having none of it. He shoved Zheng Chu Yu away, fighting to control himself, and ordered her to put some clothes on. When he tried to leave, she clung to him from behind. He forcefully broke free, kicked open the door, and found his mother standing right there. The look on his face must have been terrifying as he accused her of colluding with an outsider to set him up. Wei Fu Ren, caught red-handed, didn't dare stop him.
A disoriented Wei Shao stumbled back to his own chambers, where he found Xiao Qiao. In his drugged haze, he remembered Gongsun Yang's advice to confide in someone he loved and trusted instead of bearing his burdens alone. He mumbled promises to protect Xiao Qiao, assuring her she wouldn't be left homeless. Then, things took a turn. He suddenly picked her up, placed her on the bed, and tried to kiss her forcibly. Xiao Qiao, in a moment of panic, slapped him, sharply reminding him of his vow to mourn his grandfather for a year (which, in their tradition, likely means no intimacy). The slap seemed to bring a sliver of clarity to Wei Shao. He explained he'd ingested something "dirty" at his mother's and desperately asked Xiao Qiao for ice. He ended up soaking himself in a tub of ice water to cool down.
Xiao Qiao, though shaken, didn't leave him. She stayed behind a screen, tending to him. When she accidentally dropped a cup of water and went to get another, she saw through the screen how much pain he was in, his body covered in what looked like scratch marks. A wave of pity washed over her. As Wei Shao gradually came to his senses, he asked for clothes. Xiao Qiao, concerned, asked if the marks on his body were from his time at Xiao Gang, but he brushed off her concern.
Once she sensed he was recovering, Xiao Qiao quietly slipped out. Later that night, she (or perhaps an attendant named Xiao Yao, the text is a little ambiguous here) saw Wei Shao curled up on the floor, clearly still suffering, which only deepened her worry. The next morning, Wei Shao woke up feeling much better. Xiao Qiao was gone, but a fresh set of clothes was laid out for him. As he was about to step out, he overheard Xiao Qiao instructing the servants not to wake him.
To the outside world, Xiao Qiao cleverly explained that Wei Shao's old injuries had simply flared up, masterfully protecting his reputation and dignity. Wei Shao was deeply grateful for this. He then went to confront Wei Fu Ren. His mother, terrified, apologized profusely, worried he would disown her. Wei Shao assured her he hadn't told anyone about her scheme but laid down one condition: Zheng Chu Yu had to go. Wei Fu Ren agreed, merely asking for time to prepare some parting gifts for Zheng Chu Yu, citing the companionship Zheng Chu Yu had provided over the years. Wei Shao gave her three days, warning that if Zheng Chu Yu wasn't gone by then, their mother-son relationship would be over.
Xu Fu Ren then summoned Xiao Qiao, wanting to know what really happened with Wei Shao smashing a door at Wei Fu Ren's place. Xiao Qiao played dumb, claiming she knew nothing and that the ice she'd fetched was just for his "injury pain." Xu Fu Ren didn't push further and sent her back. Interestingly, Wei Fu Ren was actually quite pleased with Xiao Qiao's discretion, recognizing that Xiao Qiao knew the truth but kept silent, thus saving Wei Fu Ren's face. However, Xu Fu Ren was clearly unimpressed with Wei Fu Ren's foolishness, noting that she wasn't even as savvy as the younger Xiao Qiao.
Shortly after, Xu Fu Ren paid Wei Fu Ren a visit and laid down the law: Zheng Chu Yu was to be sent away immediately. However, Xu Fu Ren also promised she wouldn't mistreat Zheng Chu Yu and would ensure she found a good husband. Wei Fu Ren, knowing better than to argue with the senior matriarch, had no choice but to comply.
Wei Shao couldn't stop replaying the events of the previous night. Just then, Xiao Qiao sent someone with medicine for him. He went to her room and learned that Xu Fu Ren had questioned her early that morning. Xiao Qiao reassured him that she hadn't breathed a word of the truth, not even to her trusted attendant, Chun Niang. Wei Shao was pleased and stayed to eat with her. During the meal, he noticed her wrist seemed sore and remembered gripping it tightly the night before, a pang of guilt hitting him.
Later that night, as Xiao Qiao slept, Wei Shao quietly crept into her room with an ointment and began to apply it to the bruise on her wrist. The touch startled Xiao Qiao awake. Wei Shao put down the medicine bottle, solemnly promising that what happened the previous night would never occur again, and then quickly left. Xiao Qiao was left staring at the ointment, lost in thought.
The aftermath of all this drama left Wei Shao irritable and on edge. Wei Qu and the others speculated that he must have had a fight with Xiao Qiao. With the Yongning Canal project nearing completion, someone needed to go inspect it. To everyone's surprise, Wei Shao announced he would go himself.
From that day on, Wei Shao threw himself into his work, barely touching the food Xiao Qiao sent, and seemed to be actively avoiding her. He didn't return to their shared quarters for several days. Xiao Qiao, seeing his relentless work and self-imposed isolation, started to feel a deep ache of sympathy for him and sent word that he could return. But just as she did, she heard that Wei Shao was now heading to Pan Yi to inspect another canal.
The drama wasn't over for Xiao Qiao, though. Wei Fu Ren, still fuming, summoned her and accused her of sabotaging Zheng Chu Yu's chances with Wei Shao. This was the last straw for Xiao Qiao. She finally unleashed her frustrations, having a massive argument with Wei Fu Ren. She accused her mother-in-law of never truly caring for Wei Shao, pointing out that her meddling with the wooden box (a previous incident, perhaps?) and her underhanded tactics were all for Zheng Chu Yu's benefit. Xiao Qiao passionately argued that Wei Fu Ren had never once considered Wei Shao's well-being or his efforts to secure his position as "Nan Jun" (Lord or Master of the House). Her words hit home, enraging Wei Fu Ren so much that she overturned a table.
And the kicker? Wei Shao was standing right outside the door and heard every single word.
