Yu Mama begins by auctioning off Luo Shuxiang’s debut night at a high price. She has Luo Shuxiang meticulously dressed and spreads the news to attract wealthy merchants and young masters. Mingkefang fills with distinguished guests as Yu Mama holds a public auction. One wealthy man bids 300 taels, silencing other competitors.
Unexpectedly, Qi Menglin, the youngest son of Governor Qi, raises the bid by one tael each time the wealthy man increases his offer. Finally, Qi Menglin wins with a bid of 501 taels. He warns the older man to back off, forcing him to leave in frustration. Yu Mama brings Qi Menglin inside but faces a dilemma—her master had already promised Luo Shuxiang to the older man. The master orders Yu Mama to deal with Qi Menglin, threatening dire consequences if she doesn’t.
Yu Mama confronts Qi Menglin, assuming he doesn’t have 500 taels. Qi Menglin presents a banknote to prove otherwise. Yu Mama, realizing Qi Menglin hasn’t seen Luo Shuxiang, plots to substitute another girl in her place. Meanwhile, Luo Shuxiang fakes an excuse about rats in her room, tricking the attendant into entering, and seizes the opportunity to escape.
Yu Mama brings Qi Menglin to the girl’s room, where the substitute impersonates Luo Shuxiang, wearing a veil and playing the zither. Qi Menglin, captivated by her music, doesn’t see her face. The girl tries to persuade Qi Menglin to drink with her, but he has no intention of consummating the marriage. His primary goal is to prevent the older man from taking advantage of Luo Shuxiang.
When the attendant regains consciousness, he informs Yu Mama of Luo Shuxiang’s escape. Yu Mama locks Qi Menglin in the room and sets off to recapture Luo Shuxiang. As she corners her, Chen Meiqing and Han Muzhi arrive with constables. Luo Shuxiang urges Jin Miaocui to escape in the chaos and seek help from the county office. Han Muzhi insists on taking Luo Shuxiang away. Yu Mama, unwilling to lose her lucrative asset, pleads with Han Muzhi, but he has Chen Meiqing escort Luo Shuxiang away while he negotiates with Yu Mama.
Qi Menglin breaks down the locked door and accuses Han Muzhi of abducting a civilian woman. Unwilling to explain, Han Muzhi has Qi Menglin arrested and taken to the county office. After uncovering the conspiracy of the fragrance hall, Luo Shuxiang declines a monetary reward, instead requesting Han Muzhi to buy her and Jin Miaocui’s freedom. Han Muzhi hesitates, as the redemption process is complex. Impatient, Luo Shuxiang decides to wait outside the office until they reach a decision.
As night falls, Jin Miaocui, tired of waiting, leaves Luo Shuxiang behind. Later, Han Muzhi, learning that Luo Shuxiang is still outside, disregards Chen Meiqing’s protests and arranges for her and Jin Miaocui to stay in the side courtyard of the county office. Chen Meiqing, dissatisfied, assigns the matchmaker to handle their accommodations. The matchmaker, aware of their background as entertainers, deliberately places them in the storeroom. Undeterred, Luo Shuxiang cleans the space and settles in.
The next morning, Luo Shuxiang and Jin Miaocui overhear the matchmaker berating a kitchen maid, Cai Baozi, whose face is smeared with soot and whose pancakes are burned. Luo Shuxiang befriends Cai Baozi and learns she is the sister of Constable Cai. Borrowing a set of constable clothes from Cai Baozi, Luo Shuxiang gains freedom of movement within the office. While Chen Meiqing disapproves, Han Muzhi supports her and even provides better-fitting attire.
Determined to leave her past behind, Luo Shuxiang asks Han Muzhi for a new name. He suggests dropping the “Xiang” from her name, and she becomes simply Luo Shu.
As Luo Shu, now disguised as a constable, visits the county jail, she hears Qi Menglin loudly proclaiming his innocence. Unable to release him, she promises to bring him better food. Qi Menglin gives her a jade thumb ring as thanks. A fellow prisoner, Xu Luan, overhears Qi Menglin’s identity and pleads for his help, sharing his story of being wrongfully imprisoned by the previous magistrate. Furious, Qi Menglin vows to seek justice for Xu Luan.
When Luo Shu returns with food, she presents a large brick instead. Qi Menglin, enraged, accuses her of mockery. Luo Shu explains she’s preventing him from being accused of bribing officials. Qi Menglin shifts focus, pleading with her to help Xu Luan clear his name.
