Due to insufficient guest rooms in Huan Yun Tower, Mudan is able to share a room with Yun Niang and seeks her advice on business. Yun Niang emphasizes the importance of knowing how to utilize people effectively, placing talented individuals in positions where they can fully发挥 (fully develop) their abilities. Liu Chang requests Prince Ning to cancel his marriage to Li Youzhen, even willing to resign from his position as a Deputy in the Ministry of Revenue for this purpose. On the surface, Prince Ning appears to admire Liu Chang as a gentleman, but in reality, he intends to transfer Liu Chang to a harsh post, forcing him to return embarrassed and apologize to the Lord of Ji’an County. Upon learning that Liu Chang has called off the marriage with Prince Ning, Liu Shen becomes furious. Liu Chang offers to have Chen Gong speak well of him before Prince Ning to protect his father’s position. As a result, Liu Shen no longer has time to vent his anger on Liu Chang and obediently goes to flatter Chen Gong.
With Chen Gong mediating, Prince Ning acknowledges that Liu Shen has some ability to win people’s hearts and can collect money and silk for him, considering him a compliant and useful servant. Therefore, he tacitly allows Liu Shen to retain his position. Outside, She Yan is working hard on behalf of Jiang Changyang. Jiang Changyang specially goes to the stables to select a horse for She Yan but encounters Secretary Ge collaborating with two other officials to bully and harass Liu Chang, forcing him to drink water from the stable. Jiang Changyang assists Liu Chang in temporarily escaping Secretary Ge’s harassment and then asks Liu Chang why he doesn’t cooperate and flatter the county lord, suggesting that doing so would brighten his official career. However, Liu Chang’s pride prevents him from doing so. He firmly believes that he can rise through the ranks based on his talent and, when the time comes, he will seek to remarry He Weifang, with Jiang Changyang more concerned about whether He Weifang is willing.
Sheng Yi wants to go home to see her family and her younger brother Liu Lang. Mudan sends Sheng Yi off, encouraging her by saying she is the most promising daughter in the family and that her future is bright, assuring her that they will no longer underestimate her. Initially, Sheng Yi thinks the same, but upon returning home, the reality is that her father and brother treat her coldly, scolding her for being lazy, which is why Wang Qing beat her. Sheng Yi feels immense sorrow, but thankfully her younger brother Liu Lang understands her. Unexpectedly, her father has chosen a husband for her—a widower from the Zhou family nearing forty years old. Her mother even believes that marrying the widower would be more stable than living in Chang’an, leaving Sheng Yi feeling hopeless. She returns to Chang’an and overhears Mudan telling Lü Gengchun that she feels she has no talents and nothing to make Mudan proud.
Feeling extremely discouraged, Sheng Yi leaves alone to burn paper offerings for her unborn child who died prematurely, where she encounters Wang Qing, who has come to mourn his child. At this moment, Sheng Yi is already empty and heartbroken. Wang Qing takes advantage of her vulnerability to apologize and seek forgiveness, making numerous promises that touch Sheng Yi’s heart. Knowing Sheng Yi will return that night, Mudan specifically bakes chicken and boils nourishing soup for her. However, the roasted chicken is stolen by the greedy Jiang Changyang, who sends Dressed Fish to bring Dendrobium. Mudan brings the nourishing soup to Sheng Yi, urging her not to overthink, which deeply moves Sheng Yi. Meanwhile, Cui Mao, an official who tried to escape after being beaten, is captured by Jiang Changyang and confined in a secret room for severe interrogation. Cui Mao’s crimes are numerous, but he steadfastly refuses to reveal the mastermind behind them.
Jiang Changyang has a method for interrogations, adept at exploiting a person’s weaknesses to get them to reveal the truth. Cui Mao’s weakness is his own son. Jiang Changyang promises that if Cui Mao confesses truthfully, he will ensure the safety and security of Cui Mao’s wife and children, allowing them to leave Chang’an peacefully and live out their remaining days in tranquility. After eating the Dendrobium, Sheng Yi’s complexion improves significantly. To thank Jiang Changyang, Mudan sends him freshly made, fragrant roasted pastries.
