Prince Ning has already sent invitations for Jiang Changyang’s banquet, leaving him with no choice but to host it. During the event, Chuan Yu overhears gossip but chooses to stay silent. Lianzhou, the concubine sent by Prince Ning, takes over an hour to get ready, prompting Jiang Changyang to check on her. She feigns pity, complaining about the lack of a bridal carriage, poetry, or even Peony’s presence. Jiang Changyang brushes her off with vague answers, but the smell of roasted meat wafts from the backyard, giving him an excuse to escape.
In the backyard, Zhu Fu expresses indignation over the situation, but Peony remains indifferent. For her, their marriage is a façade, and Jiang Changyang’s decision to take a concubine is his own business. Jiang Changyang, hesitant to interrupt Peony’s celebratory feast for reopening Fang Garden, resorts to tossing pebbles to get her attention. Peony spots him perched on the wall, and Jiang Changyang explains that taking a concubine wasn’t his choice but Prince Ning’s coercion, noting that even the emperor has a favored consort. Peony sympathizes and offers to handle the situation with Lianzhou, but Jiang Changyang stops her, worried that her drunken state and flushed cheeks might cause a scene. Instead, Peony uses rouge to cover her blush, stunning the banquet guests who are captivated by her beauty.
Peony surprises everyone by treating Lianzhou with grace, even entrusting her with household management. This move is so magnanimous that no one can fault her. That evening, Jiang Changyang avoids his bridal chamber by sneaking into Peony’s courtyard.
As the banquet winds down, Lianzhou’s maid reports Jiang Changyang’s absence, confirming he’s in Peony’s courtyard. Lianzhou, aware that Prince Ning sent her to control Jiang Changyang, decides she can’t wait idly. When Lianzhou finally arrives at Peony’s courtyard, she finds Jiang Changyang pretending to be drunk while Peony looks after him. Their staged performance convinces Lianzhou to retreat.
Afterward, Peony offers Jiang Changyang a portion of Fang Garden’s profits as gratitude for his protection. Jiang Changyang, however, feels disheartened that Peony always talks about money rather than feelings. Peony, focused on her business, remains oblivious to his growing affection. Later, Jiang Changyang presents Peony with a redesigned blueprint of Fang Garden, drawn by palace artisans. Peony is ecstatic, her attention fixed on the plans, unaware of Jiang Changyang’s reluctance to leave her room.
Peony’s business, Flower Pavilion, flourishes after word spreads that her products helped improve Consort Shu’s health. Demand for her perfumes and rouge skyrockets, and tickets for the garden’s grand opening sell out instantly. Believing Peony will move to Fang Garden soon, Jiang Changyang pens a congratulatory letter, though he struggles with sadness. That evening, Peony surprises him by returning home, declaring she won’t move to Fang Garden after all. Overjoyed, Jiang Changyang orders Chuan Yu to burn the letter and forbids him from mentioning how much he had missed her.
Elsewhere, Liu Chang visits his parents on Liu Shen’s birthday but brings chaos. He kills and cooks the dog gifted to Liu Shen by Prince Ning, serving it to his parents as a meal, severing all familial ties.
Back at Fang Garden, Jiang Changyang helps Peony with gardening and uncovers a stash of aged Nu’er Hong wine buried by Peony’s late mother as a blessing for her daughter. One jar is damaged, so the two share the leaking wine. Peony scolds Jiang Changyang for drinking too much, and their playful bickering turns into a lighthearted chase around the garden, reminiscent of flirtation.
