Episode Summary
The episode sees Ming Ting Yuan questioning the Su family's motives regarding Ming Tan's marriage, while Jiang Xu deals with the urgent news of Gu Wen Yan's kidnapping. As a new bride, Ming Tan navigates her new role, understanding Jiang Xu's absences due to his duties as Ding Bei Wang. She begins to manage household affairs and befriends Jiu Rou, the troubled daughter of the disgraced Cheng En Hou, agreeing to accompany her to see him. Ming Tan makes several attempts to build intimacy and a real connection with Jiang Xu, from buying his favorite snacks to decorating their room, but he remains focused on work and seemingly oblivious to her romantic advances, leading her to humorously suspect he might have a "hidden illness." They eventually make their obligatory visit to the palace to give thanks, where Ming Tan also tries to advocate for Jiu Rou and faces potential social maneuvering from the Empress Dowager and Empress.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Ming Ting Yuan still scratching his head about why the Su family, specifically Su Wen Chun, was so dramatic about Ming Tan's wedding shoes. Su Wen Chun, ever the smooth talker (or so he thinks), claims they just cherish Ming Tan and didn't want her marrying Ding Bei Wang (our guy, Jiang Xu) and potentially messing up her life. When Ming Ting Yuan presses further, Su Wen Chun conveniently "gets drunk" and passes out. Classic. Meanwhile, things get real when Jiang Xu receives urgent news: Gu Wen Yan has been kidnapped and is missing.
The next morning, Ming Tan wakes up to an empty mansion – Jiang Xu is already gone. According to tradition, they’re supposed to go to the palace to give thanks for their marriage. Her maids, Lu E and Su Xin, are miffed that Jiang Xu ditched Ming Tan on their wedding night (rude!), but Ming Tan, ever the dutiful new wife, insists that as Ding Bei Wang, he has responsibilities, and she, as his wife, needs to be understanding. It turns out Jiang Xu’s household is a bit of a sausage fest – all male servants until now. Fu Shu, the head steward, explains that Jiang Xu specifically asked him to hire some maids for Ming Tan’s convenience. Jiang Xu has already sent word to the palace, postponing their thank-you visit until the next day due to "urgent matters."
Ming Tan discovers a swing set in the courtyard, which Fu Shu reveals Jiang Xu had specially built for her, hoping to make her feel more at home. Sweet, right? Fu Shu then hands over all the household account books to Ming Tan. However, she insists he’s been doing a great job and should continue managing things. Fu Shu admits he’s not great with business, so Ming Tan agrees to help manage a couple of their shops. He even has Chai Gui fill her in on Jiang Xu’s likes and dislikes.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xu is busy interrogating Cheng En Hou. The Marquis insists on seeing his daughter, Jiu Rou, promising to spill all the beans afterward. Speaking of whom, Ming Tan, while out shopping with Lu E and Su Xin (and thoughtfully buying Jiang Xu his favorite cheese snacks – a girl’s gotta try!), runs into Jiu Rou. Jiu Rou is in a tough spot. Since her father’s downfall, Ming Tan was the only one who checked in on her and even gave her some money. Now, with Cheng En Hou demanding to see her, Jiu Rou is terrified because she was never the favored child. She begs Ming Tan to go with her, and Ming Tan, being a good friend, agrees immediately.
Ming Tan heads to the military camp to distribute snacks, and who else shows up but Bai Yu. Jiang Xu lets out a few pointed coughs, which is apparently enough to scare Bai Yu into a hasty retreat, even refusing Ming Tan's snacks. Ming Tan offers the extra portion to Jiang Xu, who tells her she should visit the camp less often. Ming Tan feigns hurt, saying that if she doesn't show up, people will gossip about their marriage. She’s trying to build up his reputation as a married man, you know? When a messenger arrives, Ming Tan quickly puts on a show of wifely affection, feeding Jiang Xu. She tries to talk about their marital bond, but Jiang Xu, bless his heart, brings up their "contractual obligations." Ouch. Ming Tan then mentions her plan to accompany Jiu Rou to see Cheng En Hou, assuring Jiang Xu she’s just going as a supportive friend and won't interfere, but she’s curious if Jiu Rou will be implicated. As she’s leaving, she bats her eyelashes and asks if he’s not going to see her off. After a moment's thought, Jiang Xu actually gets up and escorts her. Progress?
It's clear Ming Tan is head over heels for Jiang Xu post-marriage, but she’s trapped by their contract, wondering when he’ll ever understand her true feelings. No one ever taught her how to navigate a marriage, especially one that started as a deal. Later that night, Ming Tan goes all out, decorating their room and changing into a special outfit. But when Jiang Xu returns, he heads straight for the study. Undeterred, Ming Tan follows him, bringing homemade bird's nest soup. Jiang Xu, however, claims he has too much work and plans to sleep in the study. Ming Tan pulls the "my reputation" card – his work is important, but so is her face as the new bride. He has to come back to their room!
Jiang Xu sees the redecorated room and simply comments that Ming Tan likes to change things up, then goes back to his documents. Ming Tan, now in bed, complains his lamp is too bright. Jiang Xu, in a surprisingly considerate (or is it oblivious?) move, comes over to lower the bed curtains for her. Still not giving up, Ming Tan offers to help him "relieve his fatigue" but ends up falling asleep herself. Jiang Xu, seeing her fast asleep, gently lifts her back onto the bed. When she instinctively grabs his hand, he, completely missing the romantic cue, just tucks her hand back under the covers and makes sure she's snug. Ming Tan is utterly exasperated, even starting to wonder if Jiang Xu might have some, uh, "hidden illness."
The next day is their rescheduled palace visit. Jiang Xu, predictably, is gone before dawn for "military affairs." However, he manages to rush back just in time to accompany her. Ming Tan takes the opportunity to plead Jiu Rou's case, explaining that Jiu Rou and her mother were never favored and had nothing to do with Cheng En Hou's misdeeds. She hopes Jiang Xu can speak to the Emperor to spare them from exile.
Later, Ming Tan and Feng Zhao go to see the Empress Dowager. Ming Tan is surprised to find the Empress also present and quickly pays her respects. She suspects the Empress Dowager, still salty about the arranged marriage, might try to make her look bad by pretending Ming Tan doesn't recognize the Empress, thus causing a breach of etiquette.
