On a moonlit night, Peony prepares a late-night snack to celebrate her successful collaboration with Jiang Changyang. However, their peaceful evening is interrupted by a knock at the door. Her cousin Li Xing arrives, expressing his concern over Peony’s recent troubles and offering to marry her, promising to protect her as his concubine. Before Peony can respond, Liu Chang appears, declaring that he’s already secured a residence for her and assuring her safety without needing to become anyone’s servant. Jiang, amused by the rivalry, jokingly states that Peony’s contract is in his possession and invites the two men to bid for her. Frustrated, Peony warns Jiang to stop stirring up trouble while Zhu Fu and Chuan Yu watch from afar, defending their respective allies.
When words fail, Peony grabs a stick and chases the men out, slamming the door behind them. She reflects on the absurdity of the men around her, including Jiang. Meanwhile, the Fangyuan Garden estate is up for sale, and Peony plans to mortgage her gold ingots to secure it. But when she arrives the next day, Lü Xingtou informs her that the estate has already been sold to the Hua family. Disappointed, Peony redirects her efforts, using the gold ingots to secure a new storefront in the Eastern Market. Soon after, her new store, Huamanzhu, opens with great success, especially with the popular skincare products developed by Xiaochun. Despite the store’s success, Peony feels a pang of sadness, reminiscing that Shengyi, if alive, should have been the one managing it.
Shengyi, aware of Huamanzhu’s opening, embroiders a silk handkerchief adorned with a white peony flower as a gift. However, when her abusive husband, Wang Qing, returns home drunk and sees her handiwork, he destroys it in a fit of rage. Overcome by years of suppressed resentment, Shengyi snaps, grabbing scissors and fatally stabbing Wang Qing in a frenzy. Her hatred consumes her, and she stabs him repeatedly until he breathes his last. Shengyi later turns herself in but ends her life in court before justice can be served. When Peony receives Shengyi’s belongings and letter, she rushes to the courthouse with Zhu Fu, arriving just in time to witness Shengyi’s final moments. Heartbroken, they bury Shengyi and plant flowers at her grave, vowing to visit when they bloom.
Shengyi’s act of killing her husband spreads rapidly, with society branding her a venomous woman. Outraged by the distorted rumors, Peony buys every sensationalized account and burns them, instead penning her own account of Shengyi’s story. In a patriarchal society, Peony’s courageous act of defiance becomes her silent rebellion.
Meanwhile, trouble brews for Huamanzhu. Noble patrons begin canceling their flower orders, and Peony sets out to investigate. Jiang Changyang, accompanied by Tang Silang, reveals that the County Princess has warned noblewomen not to buy flowers from Huamanzhu due to Liu Chang’s drunken visit to Peony’s shop. Rather than retaliating, Peony shifts her focus to other markets. She secures contracts with Hanyun Tower and several weaving houses in the city, ensuring Huamanzhu’s survival despite a 20% drop in profits.
Peony also discovers a new business opportunity at Hanyun Tower, planning to introduce affordable beauty products made from algae beans. Testing the products herself, she inadvertently sparks Jiang’s jealousy, leading him to mistakenly believe she has a new romantic interest. Overcome with envy, Jiang rushes to confront her, adding yet another layer of humor to Peony’s eventful journey.
