Episode Summary
Qiao Manman, desperate to escape the Prince's Mansion, encounters the Second Prince, Fu Yunnuo, leading to an awkward situation witnessed by her husband, Prince Fu Chengjin. Surprisingly, Fu Chengjin decides Fu Yunnuo would be a good match for Qiao Manman and actively tries to set them up. During these orchestrated encounters, Qiao Manman discovers a possible connection between Fu Yunnuo's jade pendant and a box left by her mother. After Qiao Manman bravely saves Fu Chengjin twice, he grants her freedom to leave the mansion. However, her visit to Fu Yunnuo's residence attracts the attention of the scheming Imperial Consort, Guifei, who then summons Qiao Manman and tests her supposed medical skills, putting Qiao Manman in a perilous situation.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 4: Recap & Spoilers – An Unconventional Matchmaker and a Dangerous Masquerade
The walls of the Prince's Mansion are closing in on Qiao Manman. Convinced that her days as a fake princess are numbered, she and her loyal maid Chun Tao hatch a plan: find a discreet escape route, possibly even a dog hole, for a quick getaway if her true identity is discovered. The thought of the consequences of exposure is terrifying, and the heavily guarded mansion offers few obvious exits.
During a frantic search for their escape passage, Qiao Manman literally bumps into the Second Prince, Fu Yunnuo. He's every bit the dashingly handsome and refined nobleman, and importantly, not confined to a wheelchair. Flustered, Qiao Manman offers a hasty greeting and tries to flee, but her money pouch slips to the ground. Fu Yunnuo picks it up, and as she reaches for it, a second, equally heavy pouch tumbles from her robes. It’s an undeniably awkward situation – what princess strolls around her own home laden with two sacks of cash? Fu Yunnuo, his curiosity piqued, playfully withholds the pouches, questioning her need for so much money. This entire exchange is witnessed by Qiao Manman's nominal husband, Prince Fu Chengjin.
One might expect jealousy from a husband seeing his wife in such a close encounter with another man, especially his own brother. However, Fu Chengjin has other plans. Believing he'll eventually leave the palace, he’s decided Qiao Manman needs a secure future with a suitable partner. And in his eyes, the noble, talented, and handsome Fu Yunnuo is the perfect candidate. Thus, Fu Chengjin begins to subtly, and not-so-subtly, push Qiao Manman and Fu Yunnuo together.
His matchmaking efforts start with a makeover. Fu Chengjin persuasively insists on personally doing Qiao Manman's makeup and selecting fine clothes for her, telling her she’s about to meet an important guest. Qiao Manman, unaccustomed to such attention from a man, finds the experience rather strange. Once she’s ready, Fu Chengjin leads her directly to Fu Yunnuo, formally introducing them and lavishing praise on his brother’s handsome appearance and talents.
Following this initial meeting, Fu Chengjin orchestrates a social gathering, inviting Fu Yunnuo. He then contrives a situation where Fu Yunnuo must help Qiao Manman fly a kite – a rather pointed request given Fu Chengjin's own immobility. It’s an awkward moment, especially asking his younger brother (who is also Qiao Manman's brother-in-law, at least nominally) for such assistance. Fu Yunnuo, however, has his own agenda. Though puzzled by Fu Chengjin’s persistent efforts to pair him with his sister-in-law, he sees an opportunity. He’s heard rumors that the "foreign princess" (Qiao Manman's cover) is skilled in medicine and hopes to learn from her if Fu Chengjin’s debilitating leg injury can be cured.
Unaware of Qiao Manman’s deception, Fu Yunnuo presses her for information about Fu Chengjin's condition. Qiao Manman, knowing nothing about medicine or the Prince's legs, desperately tries to change the subject. The kite-flying offers a brief distraction before the string conveniently snaps. Undeterred, Fu Chengjin then suggests Qiao Manman learn archery from Fu Yunnuo. The Second Prince demonstrates his skill by dramatically removing a jade pendant from his waist, tossing it into the air, and shattering it with a perfectly aimed arrow. As the pieces fall, Qiao Manman’s eyes fix on the intricate pattern of the jade. It’s identical to the design on a brocade box left to her by her deceased mother. Could there be a connection?
Suddenly, disaster nearly strikes. A heavy wooden frame topples, heading straight for Fu Chengjin. Without a second thought, Qiao Manman throws herself in front of him, shielding him from harm. This is the second time she has bravely saved him. Deeply moved by her selfless actions, Fu Chengjin grants her request for unrestricted access to and from the Prince's Mansion. Finally, Qiao Manman can return to Wanshifang to check on her business, a prospect that fills her with relief and joy.
Back at her own place, Qiao Manman faces a new complication. The real Princess from Xilin Kingdom, who suffers from amnesia, no longer recognizes her. Qiao Manman feels a growing unease; events are unfolding far more rapidly and unpredictably than she had anticipated. Her brother, Ji Mo, shares her apprehension, increasingly worried about what the future holds.
Driven by the need to understand the connection, Qiao Manman is eager to open her mother's brocade box. She seeks out Fu Yunnuo at his residence, hoping to learn more about the mysterious pattern. Fu Yunnuo is surprisingly forthcoming, revealing that the design was created by his own mother and that he’s been familiar with it since childhood.
News of Qiao Manman’s visit to the Second Prince’s residence travels fast, eventually reaching the ears of the Imperial Consort, Guifei. Already wary of Fu Chengjin, the Guifei is intensely curious about this newly arrived, and as yet unseen, princess. She immediately summons Qiao Manman to her presence.
When Fu Chengjin learns that the Guifei has called for Qiao Manman, he knows trouble is brewing. The Guifei is known for her scheming ways, and the naive Qiao Manman is ill-equipped to handle her machinations. Determined to protect her, Fu Chengjin rushes to the Guifei’s quarters as well.
Upon Qiao Manman's arrival, the Guifei instantly feigns a severe headache, demanding that the "medically skilled" princess treat her. Panic sets in for Qiao Manman – she possesses no medical knowledge whatsoever. However, exposing her charade now is not an option. Steeling herself, she approaches the Guifei, tentatively massaging her temples and shoulders while inventing the name of an acupuncture point on the spot. The Guifei, who was merely testing her, isn't satisfied. She now commands Qiao Manman to take charge of improving her overall health, adding a chilling threat: failure will result in severe punishment.
Qiao Manman finds herself caught between Fu Chengjin's bewildering matchmaking, Fu Yunnuo's growing interest, the mystery of her mother's legacy, and the dangerous scrutiny of the Imperial Consort. How will she navigate these treacherous courtly waters?
