In Chang’an, the flower trade was monopolized by the Flower Guild. He Weifang understood that joining the guild was essential for her business to thrive. Previously, her shop was too small to attract the guild’s attention, but things had changed, and offending them was now unwise. When Zhu Fu delivered her visiting card to the guild, it was rejected, with the guild insisting that the shop owner visit personally.
Accompanied by Sheng Yi and Zhu Fu, He Weifang went to the guild. A servant reluctantly let them in after learning they were the shop owners. However, a male shop owner who arrived after them was promptly attended to and left within moments, while they were made to wait for the time it took to drink three cups of tea. Frustrated, Zhu Fu couldn’t hold back her complaints.
When the guild leader and deputy finally met them, they were dismissive, belittling the three women by suggesting that as female shop owners, they would eventually marry and should hand their business over to the guild. He Weifang rejected this notion. The guild leader further argued that there had never been a female shop owner in their ranks, and to avoid upsetting other members, He Weifang would have to agree to a 50-50 profit split. Since He Weifang already had a contract with Jiang Changyang, such a split would leave them with no profit. She refused and left with Zhu Fu and Sheng Yi.
In retaliation, the Flower Guild cut off their fertilizer supply. The fertilizer suppliers, intimidated by the guild, refused to sell to them. Sheng Yi suggested apologizing to the guild, but He Weifang chose not to bow down. Instead, she decided to make her own fertilizer. They gathered materials suitable for composting and buried them in the soil, eventually producing usable fertilizer.
Chuanyu visited He Weifang to collect shoes and socks she had made for the children, only to return covered in the stench of the compost. Jiang Changyang learned about their struggles and sent her a gift of algae beans, advising her to use them for bathing before delivering her monthly profits to his estate. He also offered to support her by allowing her to use his name when dealing with the Flower Guild, assuring her that they wouldn’t dare oppress her further. However, He Weifang declined, believing it would be inappropriate for both herself and Jiang Changyang.
Jiang Changyang admired He Weifang’s determination, confident that he had placed his trust in the right person. The homemade fertilizer resolved the immediate crisis, but He Weifang knew it wasn’t a sustainable solution.
Meanwhile, Lu Gengchun, the daughter of the guild leader, sent her maid to purchase expensive peonies from Hua Man Zhu, but the delivery location was a bridge. Initially, the staff found this odd but didn’t question it. Later, Zhu Fu passed by the bridge and noticed that the peony’s stem had been deliberately cut. Curious, they set a trap during the next purchase and caught Lu Gengchun in the act of cutting the flower.
Sheng Yi recognized her as the guild leader’s daughter and suggested leveraging this incident to pressure the guild into admitting them. However, Peony found Lu Gengchun’s direct demeanor refreshing. She instructed Zhu Fu to let her go, refund the money, and take back the peony without publicizing the matter, avoiding embarrassment for the guild leader.
Later, Peony visited Jiang Changyang’s estate to deliver the profits. Unexpectedly, Prince Ning and Liu Zishu arrived to meet Jiang Changyang, forcing her to hide in a cabinet. When Jiang left to accompany the two men to the courtyard, Peony tried to sneak out, only to encounter Xu Zuping, who was presumed dead, hiding in the same cabinet. Her scream gave her away.
Peony awoke to Jiang threatening her, declaring that anyone who knew his secrets had to die. Summoning her courage, Peony prepared to plunge a knife into her stomach.
