Episode Summary
A modern family trying to film a cooking video accidentally time-travels to ancient China. After realizing it's not a game, they must find a way to survive. They decide their only hope is to contact their famous ancestor, Lin Yan, who is now a high-ranking official. Their first few attempts to meet him end in disaster, culminating in the daughter, Shen Shaoguang, accidentally hitting him in the face with a crepe.
Spoiler Alert
A Modern Family's Very Bad Day
Just Trying to Make a Viral Video
So, we meet Shen Shaoguang. She's from our time. She just opened a small restaurant and needs to get the word out. Her big idea is to film a historical cooking video. You know, for social media.
Her whole family is on board. There's her dad, Shen Jianshe. Her mom, Li Fengxia. And her brother, Shen Shaojie. They even bring along her little niece, Shen Yangyang. They all go to the family's old ancestral home, a place called Yunshui Garden. They figure they'll pray to the ancestors for good business while they're there.
Shaoguang remembers a story her great-grandpa told her. One of their ancestors was a big deal. His name was Lin Yan. He was a high-ranking official who married into the Shen family. Shaoguang thinks a video featuring "Lin Yan" would be a huge hit. She runs off to find a random tourist to play the part.
She spots a guy and follows him toward the back gate of the old house.
This Isn't a Game
Shaoguang opens the gate. She doesn't see the tourist spot anymore. She sees a bustling, ancient city street. She's totally confused. A thick fog suddenly rolls in behind her. It forces her to run forward into the ancient street.
A moment later, her family is there with her. The parents are trying to figure out what just happened. The brother, Shaojie, has a theory. He thinks they've stumbled into one of those live-action role-playing games.
Then someone screams. The city guard is chasing a wanted man. The man runs frantically. He trips and crashes into a passing sedan chair. He dies right there on the street. Shaoguang and her family finally get it. This isn't a game. They've actually time-traveled.
Surviving in the Past
The Crepe Plan
The family finds an inn to stay in for now. The mom, Li Fengxia, says their top priority is getting back home. Everyone agrees. But nobody has any idea how to do it.
Shaoguang figures it out. They came through the gate at Yunshui Garden. So the gate must be the way back. She and her mom go to the house. But it's not their ancestral home anymore. It's the official residence of the Governor of the Capital. Guards tell them to get lost.
They try for days but can't get in. Their modern money is useless, and the gold jewelry they had is almost gone. Shaoguang hears some news, though. A new governor is about to take office. His name is Lin Yan. This is their chance. They can explain who they are and get his help.
But they need to eat until then. Shaoguang suggests they start a food stall. They'll sell jianbing guozi, a kind of savory Chinese crepe, to make money.
Meet the Ancestor
We then meet Lin Yan. He's a sharp official. He just busted a corrupt county magistrate. The magistrate was related to the Emperor's favorite consort, so things are a little tense. Emperor Yuanfeng calls Lin Yan in for a private meeting.
Lin Yan lays out all the evidence against the corrupt official. The public loves him for it. The Emperor can't really argue. He officially appoints Lin Yan as the new Governor of the Capital. He asks Lin Yan for his plans. Lin Yan says he wants to start by cleaning up Juxian Alley. It's the city's most famous food district.
Later, Lin Yan is heading to his new office with his attendant, Liu Chang. They see a huge crowd. It's Shen Shaojie, Shaoguang's brother. He's trying to auction off their crepes to the highest bidder.
Lin Yan is not impressed. He steps in and shuts it down. He tells Shaojie that price gouging is illegal. He's about to drag him to the market authorities. The dad, Shen Jianshe, sees Lin Yan's face. He looks exactly like the portrait of their ancestor in the family shrine. He quickly tells his wife.
A Sticky First Impression
The mom, Li Fengxia, runs up to Lin Yan. She apologizes for her son. She confirms it's really him and gets super excited. Lin Yan just sets a fair price for the crepes and leaves.
Shaoguang decides to be more direct. She sets up her crepe cart right in front of the governor's office. She's going to catch Lin Yan one way or another.
His carriage finally arrives. Shaoguang rushes forward to greet him. She trips. Her whole cart tips over. A round, freshly made crepe goes flying through the air. It lands perfectly on Lin Yan's face.
