After returning to their rented house, Lady Li recounts the temple incident to her daughters. The family begins to worry that if things continue as they are, they may have no choice but to return to Luoyang. However, they had boasted to their neighbors about settling permanently in Bianjing. Returning now would only invite ridicule. Faced with this predicament, the five sisters decide to draw lots, as they did in their childhood, to determine the next course of action. Shouhua, the eldest, draws the longest lot and concludes that the priority should be to start a business to secure their livelihood. She advises everyone to stop quarreling about their mother’s plans to marry them off and instead focus on finding a way to survive. Lady Li is eventually convinced, and the family uses their savings to rent a house with a shopfront for business and a backyard as their residence. They decide to open a teahouse called “Four Fortune Teahouse.”
Lady Li, agreeing with her daughters, is reminded of her knack for business. However, she suddenly remembers that she left behind a portrait at the temple and laments loudly. Meanwhile, a gust of wind blows one of the portraits away as the monks at the temple tidy up. The family chooses a location for their teahouse across from the bustling Pan Pavilion (潘楼), hoping to draw customers. Kangning looks back at the crowds in Pan Pavilion and briefly locks eyes with Chai An, who stands on the pavilion’s upper floor. Chai An nods politely, but Kangning pretends not to notice.
At the same time, Fan Lianghan is sulking because Fuhui has forbidden him from drinking. His whining irritates Chai An, who is then informed by his servant Deqing about the new teahouse opening across the street. As the owner of Pan Pavilion, Chai An quickly realizes the Li family’s intentions and orders his staff to launch a morning tea service, offering 200 portions daily. Profits are secondary—his main goal is to prevent the Li family from poaching his customers. Meanwhile, Fan Lianghan begs Chai An to help him escape Fuhui’s control. Although Chai An is reluctant to meddle in their marital issues, he suggests that Fan Lianghan invite his parents back home, which excites Fan, giving him new hope.
A Rough Start for the Teahouse
The next morning, the Li sisters work together in the kitchen, each taking on a task. Before long, they have steamed a batch of sweet buns. However, just as Chai An predicted, the teahouse’s opening day is a disappointment, with barely any customers. The tea market in Bianjing is saturated, and the Pan Pavilion’s morning tea service further undercuts their business. Lady Li and her daughters brainstorm solutions, eventually suggesting that Fuhui ask Fan Lianghan to talk to Chai An. After all, Pan Pavilion could afford to let smaller teahouses thrive without much loss. However, Fuhui has her own troubles. With Fan Lianghan’s parents back home, her mother-in-law blames her for being too strict with Fan and even suggests finding him a concubine.
Outraged, Lady Li wants to confront the Fan family, but Shouhua stops her, urging restraint. Kangning, quick-witted as always, devises a plan to deal with both the Fan and Chai families. First, she convinces Lady Li to temporarily close the teahouse. Then, she advises Fuhui to feign acceptance of the concubine suggestion, claiming it would take time to find a suitable woman in the city. This tactic confuses Chai An, who notices the closed teahouse and wonders about the family’s strategy. Deqing reports that the teahouse appears to be undergoing renovations, with its large open space being divided into smaller sections—an unusual move. Meanwhile, Kangning visits famous shops in Bianjing to sample their food and instructs her maid Chunlai to gather information about local tastes.
Fan Lianghan’s Concubine Crisis
Fan Lianghan, still intent on taking a concubine, summons Chai An with claims of an urgent matter. Chai arrives at the Fan residence only to discover that the “life-or-death” situation is merely Fan asking for his opinion on potential concubines. Three young women from poor families are presented, but Fan, unimpressed by their plain looks and lack of talent, shows little interest. Chai notices someone hiding behind a screen and immediately suspects it is Kangning. He warns Fan that taking a concubine could bring trouble. Fan, confused, follows Chai to Pan Pavilion, where they encounter Zhenniang, a singing girl Kangning had arranged to meet Fan. Struck by Zhenniang’s beauty, Fan decides to take her as his concubine.
When Chai hears of this, he grows concerned and sends a warning to Fan to abandon the idea, fearing complications. However, Fan ignores the advice and joyfully brings Zhenniang home to meet his parents. Fan’s mother instructs Zhenniang to serve tea to Fuhui as a sign of respect, marking her acceptance into the family. Unexpectedly, Zhenniang kneels and tearfully recounts her tragic past, thanking the Fan family for their kindness. Fan’s father, realizing Zhenniang is the daughter of a scholar, becomes furious and orders her to leave Bianjing immediately. When Chai rushes to the Fan residence, he finds Fan’s father about to punish Fan. Fuhui steps in to protect her husband, and Chai manages to de-escalate the situation.
The Teahouse’s Revival
After the ordeal, Fan seeks comfort in Fuhui’s arms, realizing that no other woman could compare to her. He vows never to take a concubine again. Meanwhile, Chai notices Kangning meeting secretly with Zhenniang. Suspecting a scheme, he approaches, but Kangning is prepared, instructing Chunlai to block him as she leaves in a sedan chair, tossing him two crab meat buns to taste.
The Four Fortune Teahouse reopens with a transformed interior, featuring elegant decorations, paintings, and a menu of unique teas and snacks. Customers flood in, drawn by the inviting atmosphere. Chai visits out of curiosity and is stunned to see one of his prized paintings decorating the shop, which Fan Lianghan had taken without permission. Furious, Chai vents his anger to Fan and reveals the truth about Zhenniang. Realizing he had been manipulated, Fan once again places his trust in Chai, determined to follow his lead.
