Episode Summary
Bai Minmin navigates a cringey matchmaking attempt with Zhou Gongzi, which Zhang Huaiyu interrupts, leading to a moment where he confesses his feelings for Minmin before they discuss business. Meanwhile, Ming Tan is kidnapped by Feng Zhao in a scheme to ruin her reputation and a potential marriage alliance. Jiang Xu heroically rescues Ming Tan and severely punishes her attacker, Gao Chen. Bai Minmin retaliates by exposing Feng Zhao. Jiang Xu faces consequences from the Emperor for his actions but also earns his approval for outmaneuvering the Empress Dowager. Just as things seem to settle, a new concubine, Yun Yi, who is a skilled fighter and has a history with Jiang Xu, arrives at his residence, causing Ming Tan distress and jealousy, especially after Jiang Xu is punished and Yun Yi offers to tend to him. The episode ends with Ming Tan confronting the situation and Jiang Xu discussing the Empress Dowager's continued interference with Shu Jingran.
Spoiler Alert
So, we kick things off with Bai Minmin practically snoozing through Zhou Gongzi's super intellectual monologue – you know, the kind that sounds like a monk chanting. She quickly cuts him off, only for him to launch into a lecture about the ways of husband and wife. Just then, Zhang Huaiyu conveniently shows up. Su Xin, being the sly wingwoman she is, distracts Bai Minmin's maid, explaining that this way, Minmin gets to "interview" two potential suitors at once! Smooth. After a bit of a debate with Zhou Gongzi, Zhang Huaiyu just whisks Bai Minmin away. Minmin playfully complains, saying Zhou Gongzi wasn't half bad, and hey, if she can't find a husband, will Zhang Huaiyu marry her? Zhang Huaiyu, bless his heart, suddenly gets serious and blurts out his true feelings. Hearing he actually wants to marry her throws Bai Minmin for a loop, but the moment he mentions talking business, her shrewd side snaps right back.
Turns out, Zhang Huaiyu wants to buy Bai Minmin's storybooks and agrees to all her terms. Smart move, Zhang Huaiyu. Meanwhile, Su Xin pops back to the pavilion only to find Ming Tan has vanished. Panic stations! She rushes to tell Bai Minmin and Zhang Huaiyu. Elsewhere, Jiang Xu has confirmed some intel about Liu Mo's activities before arriving in the capital. Publicly, there's no dirt connecting Liu Mo to Su Wenjun, but as Jiang Xu knows, no one can completely erase their past, no matter how hard they try.
And then, the drama really cranks up: Ming Tan has been kidnapped! Bai Minmin and Zhang Huaiyu search everywhere but can't find her. Jiang Xu is understandably frantic when he hears she’s missing. Changchun Garden is an imperial garden, and the only places they haven't checked are the private rooms. Surprise, surprise, the kidnapping was Feng Zhao’s brilliant idea. She had Ming Tan tied up and thrown into a room, aiming for a classic two-birds-one-stone situation: wreck the potential marriage alliance and ruin Ming Tan’s reputation. Ming Tan tries to explain to Gao Chen (the guy in the room with her) that she’s not Feng Zhao, but Gao Chen is no gentleman and clearly doesn't care who she is. Feng Zhao then has someone light a smoky fire to draw everyone to the scene, hoping they'll "catch" Ming Tan in a compromising position. But Jiang Xu, our hero, bursts in just in time, kicks Gao Chen to the curb, and saves Ming Tan. After Bai Minmin escorts Ming Tan away, Jiang Xu doesn't mess around – he draws his sword and, uh, makes sure Gao Chen won't be having any children. Ouch.
Bai Minmin quickly figures out that Feng Zhao is behind this whole mess. Without missing a beat, she sends Nan Zhi to report it to the authorities. Since Feng Zhao was supposed to be meeting Gao Chen today under the Empress Dowager's orders anyway, Bai Minmin decides to give her a taste of her own medicine. She has Feng Zhao thrown into the room with the now-incapacitated Gao Chen and makes sure everyone knows about their little "meeting." Zhang Huaiyu can only marvel at how ruthless women can be when they're pushed. You go, Minmin! Later, Jiang Xu tenderly tends to Ming Tan’s wounds. She's still shaken by the ordeal, but Jiang Xu doesn't blame her at all, only regretting that he couldn't protect her better. He declares he needs to go to the palace; this incident can't just be swept under the rug. Ming Tan is clearly reluctant to see him go.
Jiang Xu’s actions, unsurprisingly, get him into hot water, and the Emperor is dealing with a massive headache. But then it turns out Jiang Xu has already taken Feng Zhao into custody, basically holding her hostage to pressure the Empress Dowager. The Emperor is actually quite pleased with this bold move! Still, Jiang Xu can't escape punishment entirely and is sentenced to sixty strokes of the cane. Suddenly, the Emperor smells something funky and traces it to Jiang Xu. Turns out, that gift Ming Tan gave him has gone bad. Awkward!
Even though the marriage alliance didn't happen, Su Wenjun isn't worried because Jiangyang Hou and Dingbei Wang definitely won't be teaming up now. Bai Minmin is thrilled to see how much Jiang Xu cares for Ming Tan, but she's a bit concerned when she hears the Empress Dowager plans to send more women to Jiang Xu's household. She passes a message to Ming Tan: in these big households, securing your position with heirs is crucial, so think long-term. Ming Tan isn't too worried, but then, bam! Someone announces that a "Concubine Yun" has arrived to pay her respects. This newcomer, Yun Yi, makes her entrance. Ming Tan tries to play it cool and sips her tea, while Bai Minmin is ready to flip a table. Plot twist: Yun Yi is a skilled fighter! Ming Tan starts to worry – is this the kind of woman Jiang Xu is actually into?
Jiang Xu, fresh off his sixty strokes, gets back to his residence and tells Fu Shu not to tell Ming Tan about the punishment. Fu Shu agrees… and then immediately spills the beans to Ming Tan, probably with some dramatic embellishments. Ming Tan, though annoyed, is still super worried. Yun Yi then casually produces Jiang Xu’s usual medicinal ointment, and even Fu Shu has no idea where this concubine suddenly materialized from. Ming Tan, feeling a bit salty, tells Yun Yi to go apply the medicine to Jiang Xu, especially after learning Yun Yi has been with Jiang Xu for years. In a fit of pique, Ming Tan grabs the ointment and storms off to the study herself.
Meanwhile, Shu Jingran is also talking to Jiang Xu about the Empress Dowager’s plan to give him a secondary consort, asking him how he plans to handle it.
