Wei Tingzhen is quite pleased with Dou Ming this time. Dou Ming explains that originally Wei Tingyu was supposed to go to the Ministry of Personnel to obtain his appointment, but Grandfather obtained it in advance. All Wei Tingyu needs to do now is to meet once with the Ministry official. Wei Tingzhen reminds Dou Ming not to forget to prompt Wei Tingyu about this. However, what they don’t realize is that Wei Tingyu has already overheard their conversation. When Dou Ming seeks out Wei Tingyu, he finds that Wei Tingyu has already packed, claiming he has made an appointment to go sketching. Ignoring Dou Ming’s pleas, Wei Tingyu declares he hates the bureaucratic life and hopes Dou Ming won’t try to change him. Dou Ming can only watch helplessly as Wei Tingyu departs.
While Dou Zhao is doing the accounts, Song Mo stays by her side, feeling distressed by her hard work. Dou Zhao reveals to Song Mo that she is the famous “Mr. Zhaoning” of the capital. Song Mo, who knows of Zhaoning as a nationally renowned landowner, is surprised to learn that person is actually Dou Zhao. Dou Zhao recounts her life story through the years, and Song Mo feels even more remorseful for not having cared for her all along and even having bullied her when they first met. Noticing Dou Zhao awkwardly writing with her right hand, Song Mo places the brush in her left hand and tells her that here, in Yizhi Hall, she can live freely without being bound by strict rules.
Seeing that Dou Zhao looks distressed, she suggests dividing her property in half with Song Mo, but he refuses, joking that he fears his father-in-law might be displeased with a son-in-law who needs his wife’s wealth. To ensure Dou Zhao rests well, Song Mo prepares a calming herbal soup for her. However, when he returns, Dou Zhao has already fallen asleep. He gently lifts her onto the bed but fails to notice the brush still in her hand, and she accidentally dirties the bedding.
Early the next morning, Song Mo wakes up and specifically instructs the servants not to disturb Dou Zhao’s rest. He also arranges nutritious supplements for her and reminds them to change the bedding. Everyone assumes that Song Mo and Dou Zhao have consummated their marriage and happily speculates that soon there might even be a little heir on the way. The rumor quickly spreads, evolving into claims that twins are on the horizon. Dou Zhao notices everyone’s strange looks and, after understanding the situation, suspects Song Mo of deliberately playing a prank on her. She retaliates by making Song Mo drink endless chicken soup. Song Mo regrets having cooked so much chicken soup.
When Wei Tingzhen learns that Wei Tingyu has gone out and that Dou Ming packed his belongings, he becomes furious and summons Dou Ming for a scolding, belittling both Dou Ming and Wang Yinxue. Nanny Zhou speaks a few words in Dou Ming’s defense and gets slapped. Wei Tingzhen mocks Dou Ming for being useless, unable to bring any benefit to the Wei family—unlike Dou Zhao, who is capable and wealthy. He regrets the “swapped marriage” arrangement. From that day on, he imposes rigid rules and continuously torments Dou Ming, eventually causing her to miscarry. Initially, Wei Tingzhen feels guilty, but his nanny shifts the blame onto Dou Ming, claiming that Dou Ming must have concealed her condition and that the miscarriage had nothing to do with Wei Tingzhen. After reconsidering, Wei Tingzhen believes she is in the right and storms off to confront Wang Yinxue.
Meanwhile, Song Yichun is having issues with unclear accounts and, upon hearing of Dou Zhao’s vast assets and her harmonious relationship with Song Mo, grows increasingly uneasy. He sends the steward Lü Zheng to inquire about Dou Zhao’s character once more. This time, the feedback is the exact opposite of before: Dou Zhao is not only as wise as Zhuge Liang (a “female Zhuge”), owning countless acres of farmland, but also beloved by the common folk for her kindness. Hearing this, Song Yichun becomes so upset that he falls ill. Dou Shiying comes to see him, urging him not to worry too much and to leave matters to the younger generation. Song Yichun misunderstands, thinking Dou Shiying wants him to yield his title of Duke Yingguo to Song Mo. Growing angrier, and especially after hearing that Dou Zhao personally prepared medicine for him, Song Yichun knocks over the medicine bowl, fearing Dou Zhao might be trying to poison him. He orders Lü Zheng to prepare his medicine personally from now on.
Dou Shiying visits Dou Zhao and is relieved to see how well she is doing. However, he has also received reports of Dou Ming’s miscarriage and feels saddened. Dou Zhao senses something amiss and asks about it. Dou Shiying tells her the truth.
Wang Yinxue and Wei Tingzhen engage in a fierce exchange of words. Wei Tingzhen accuses Wang Yinxue of orchestrating the swapped marriage (standing in for another bride), while Wang Yinxue counters by blaming him for causing Dou Ming’s miscarriage. Wei Tingzhen fires back that Dou Ming is a venomous woman who brought about her own child’s demise and deserves a divorce. Wang Yinxue is at a loss for how to respond when Dou Zhao returns. Dou Zhao’s few words leave Wei Tingzhen speechless, and then she proposes taking the matter to the prefecture office of Shengtian to settle it. Terrified by the idea, Wei Tingzhen feigns illness, and Wang Yinxue can only appease him by offering the warm study for him to rest, agreeing to discuss this matter another day.
Wang Yinxue accuses Dou Zhao of shedding “crocodile tears” and believes Dou Ming’s current plight is all Dou Zhao’s doing. Dou Zhao scolds Wang Yinxue for repaying kindness with ingratitude. Wang Yinxue, at a loss for words, leaves to pick up Dou Ming. Alone, Dou Zhao wanders under a magnolia tree, feeling dazed and nearly stumbling. Song Mo appears just in time and catches her. He had followed her to ensure no one bullied her. Seeing Dou Zhao’s eloquent defense against their opponents only deepens his admiration. Dou Zhao admits that these are inner-courtyard battles, something she would rather he not witness.
Meanwhile, Wang Yinxue gives Nanny Zhou a large sum of money to buy supplements for Dou Ming, allowing her to keep whatever remains. Another maid worries that this is money borrowed at high interest from the Cangbei Gang. If the Cangbei Gang doesn’t get their money, they will not spare Wang Yinxue. Wang Yinxue must think of another way to fill this deficit.
Dou Zhao also visits the Marquis of Jining’s household to see Dou Ming. She urges Dou Ming to leave Wei Tingyu and the Jining Marquis Residence behind. Dou Ming, however, bears no grudge against Wei Tingyu. She reminds Dou Zhao that she had been warned of Wei Tingyu’s unsuitability as a husband and the undesirable environment of the Jining Marquis household, but she insisted on marrying him anyway. Dou Zhao advises Dou Ming to divorce, as it’s her best way to escape. Dou Ming counters, asking what Dou Zhao would do if she and Song Mo ever ended up in such a situation. Dou Zhao is left without an immediate answer.
At this moment, Song Mo has already chased after Wei Tingyu and brought him back at top speed. Wei Tingyu kneels outside, repeatedly punishing himself, hoping for Dou Ming’s forgiveness. When Dou Zhao steps out, she slaps Wei Tingyu across the face for his cowardice. Wei Tingyu, seeing the prepared divorce papers, assumes Dou Ming wants a separation. He immediately admits his wrongs and vows to cut off all improper entanglements, determined to protect Dou Ming from now on.
