Episode Summary
In this episode, Yang Wangyue's attempts to win over a hot-and-cold Yang Qing are met with mixed results, culminating in a major misunderstanding when he discovers a letter from her former sect. In parallel, a deal is struck between Yao Fu and Yuan Yingxing involving the powerful Holy Moon Order, and a messy love triangle involving Lin Yin, Ming Yang, and Jiang Yan escalates after a drugged confession.
Spoiler Alert
"A Forbidden Marriage" Episode 16: Things Get Complicated
Episode 16 of A Forbidden Marriage begins with Yang Wangyue sitting in class at the Cloud Sect, but her mind is anywhere but on the lesson. She's fuming because Yang Qing left with Lu Xuanxuan, and she just can't believe he'd fall for someone like Xuanxuan. The teacher, Shen Tianyou, calls Wangyue out for rolling up her sleeves, which is against the rules. Wangyue talks back, saying people should be able to have their own style. She then distracts the whole class by talking about all the great food on the back mountain. Just then, Xuanxuan walks in and scolds Wangyue for being disrespectful, insisting she be punished. But Wangyue is quick on her feet, quoting a rule from the Sheng Yue Cult. When the teacher challenges her, she says Yang Qing himself taught her those rules. Right on cue, Yang Qing appears, confirms her story, and gets her off the hook.
You'd think she'd be relieved, but Qing immediately puts her to work, making her run laps and hold a horse stance as punishment. Two new disciples, Jiang Yun and Su Ming, watch from a distance. Jiang Yun feels bad for her, but Su Ming seems intrigued by her spirit.
Later, Wangyue sees Qing looking after a group of kids. A man named Jiang Yan tells her about Qing's tough childhood, and her heart softens. She tries to approach Qing, but he just brushes her off and tells her to watch the children.
That night, Wangyue goes to apologize. She explains that she never knew he was serious about marrying her, or she wouldn't have joined the Cloud Sect in the first place. She also reveals that she, too, is an orphan from the Sheng Yue Cult and promises she'll be good to him. Qing, however, gives her the cold shoulder, saying he can't tell when she's being honest. He's busy researching something called "Liu He Tong Gui," and it's only when Wangyue offers to help that he finally starts talking to her.
The next day, she tries again, bringing him a special soup she made. He's back to being cold, reminding her she shouldn't be in his room. Frustrated, Wangyue snaps that everything she does is to get closer to him, and all she gets is the cold shoulder. He retorts that he has never even liked bamboo shoots, a key ingredient in her soup, and is annoyed she doesn't know that about him. But as soon as she storms out, he looks at the soup with a little smile.
It seems Qing isn't as cold as he lets on. He has Jiang Yan deliver some candy and ointment to Wangyue. Thrilled, she runs back to his room that night, acting all cute and pitiful, begging him to cook for her. He still kicks her out. Standing outside his door, Wangyue sighs about how hard it is to please a man.
Meanwhile, other plots are brewing. Yao Fu and Yuan Yingxing are at Yin Mountain. Yingxing tries to force his way in but gets poisoned by the plants at the entrance. Yao Fu treats his wound and strikes a deal: she'll help him reclaim Yin Mountain and make peace with the Cloud Sect if he lets her borrow the Holy Moon Order. He agrees. Yingxing then decides to send a letter to the Cloud Sect to stir up trouble, demanding Wangyue return to the Sheng Yue Cult and claiming they know how unhappy she is. Yao Fu tries to stop him, but he grabs her by the throat in anger, frustrated that people from "righteous" sects are never straightforward.
There's also drama with Lin Yin, who receives a sweet letter from Jiang Yan. Her jealous companion, Ming Yang, snatches it, tears it up, and threatens to expose her. Later, Lin Yin gets her revenge by drugging Ming Yang's drink. Under the influence, he hallucinates that they're getting married and confesses he's in love with her. After he passes out, Lin Yin is shocked but secretly pleased. Yuan Yingxing, who witnessed the whole thing, wakes Ming Yang up with a splash of cold water and tells him he just proposed. Furious, Ming Yang storms off to find Lin Yin.
The episode ends back with our main couple. Yang Qing goes to see Wangyue and finds the letter from Yuan Yingxing on her desk. He reads it and immediately jumps to the worst conclusion: Wangyue is a spy for the Sheng Yue Cult.
