Dou Shiying and Dou Shishu were casually discussing the wedding arrangements, feeling a sense of relief now that everything was settled. However, they were shocked to find Dou Zhao sitting in the garden, leisurely eating. Upon investigation, they realized Dou Ming had secretly replaced Dou Zhao to fulfill the marriage arrangements. Dou Shishu’s first thought was to apologize to the Wei family to preserve both families’ reputations. He proposed announcing the annulment of the marriage, citing infertility, while forfeiting the dowry and compensating with additional gifts. Dou Zhao, however, was outraged at Dou Shishu’s behavior, feeling that she was the true victim yet had to endure all the consequences.
Meanwhile, Wang Yingxue chimed in with harsh remarks, accusing Dou Zhao of being pleased with the annulment. Dou Shiying, unable to tolerate the insults, lashed out at both Dou Shishu and Wang Yingxue for the first time. He declared that Dou Zhao was his daughter and that any explanations or apologies should come from him, not Dou Shishu. He also berated Wang Yingxue for her shameless attempts to seize Dou Zhao’s dowry. Dou Zhao, taken aback, was deeply moved to see her usually meek father defend her so fiercely.
That evening, Dou Zhao sat alone under a magnolia tree, lost in thought. Song Mo appeared and confessed his love, asking Dou Zhao to marry him. Dou Zhao rejected him, claiming she didn’t like him. Song Mo, unconvinced, pressed her further, prompting Dou Zhao to reveal her deeper fears. She recounted her mother’s tragic suicide, triggered by her father’s infidelity, and how it had shaped her disillusionment with marriage. She also shared a recurring dream where both she and Song Mo were killed by a single arrow. Song Mo, realizing her fears, tried to reassure her, arguing that dreams shouldn’t dictate reality.
When Dou Zhao pointed to a red flower mark behind her ear as proof of the dream’s significance, Song Mo discovered the mark had disappeared. Shocked, Dou Zhao remembered an old man’s words: “When you gain the ability to reverse mountains, you also gain the power to change rivers.” This realization led her to suspect that destiny had shifted. Song Mo then presented her with an imperial token granting her the freedom to marry or annul any marriage. He explained it was a result of his plea to the emperor and gave her five days to consider his proposal. If she agreed, she was to tie a red ribbon to the magnolia tree; if not, a white ribbon.
Resolution and Confrontations
Wei Tingzhen arrived at the Dou family estate, furious over the disrupted marriage, but the root issue turned out to be financial. Wei Tingyu soon arrived and, taking responsibility, vowed to care for Dou Ming for life. As tensions eased, Wang Yingxue offered to split her business profits with Wei Tingzhen to secure the marriage’s legitimacy. The two reached an agreement, and Wei Tingyu and Dou Ming knelt before Dou Zhao’s door, apologizing. Dou Zhao, however, refused to see them, only observing Wei Tingyu through the door crack and acknowledging that he and Dou Ming seemed to belong together.
Dou Shiying offered Dou Zhao a compensation of 5,000 silver taels, but she declined. Instead, she asked her father to reject all future marriage proposals unless she explicitly approved. Dou Shiying, finally shedding his years of meekness, fully supported Dou Zhao’s wishes, even revealing how he had secretly visited her before to ensure her happiness. This heartfelt moment mended their strained relationship.
Dou Shiying also confronted Wang Yingxue, demanding she relinquish household management to Dou Zhao. Despite her protests, Dou Shiying threatened her with the consequences of her usury, forcing Wang Yingxue to comply. Meanwhile, influential families began sending marriage proposals for Dou Zhao, causing Dou Shiying great distress. When Hai Changbo proposed, Dou Shiying chased him away with a broom, outraged at the disrespect.
Dou Zhao, reflecting on the purple-flowered plants in her courtyard, found comfort in Song Mo’s unwavering support. Cui Shi, noticing Dou Zhao’s conflicted feelings, reminded her of Song Mo’s selfless actions, including obtaining the marriage freedom token instead of forcing her into marriage.
The emperor later summoned Dou Shiying, scolding him for Dou Zhao’s delayed marriage. Dou Shiying firmly defended his daughter’s right to choose, frustrating the emperor. On his way home, Dou Shiying’s carriage was sabotaged, but Song Mo saved him and escorted him back. Dou Shiying, puzzled by Song Mo’s motives, began to understand the depth of his intentions.
