Peony kneels in the temple, speaking to her late mother in the heavens. Jiang Changyang wants to stay by her side, but Peony refuses, saying she can fool Prince Ning, but not her own mother. Respecting her wishes, Jiang leaves a jar of “Nu’er Hong” (daughter’s red wine) and watches her from afar. Peony drinks heavily and talks to her mother until the alcohol takes effect, leaving her unsteady. Jiang rushes in like the wind to catch her. Afterward, he carries the drunken Peony home and listens to her honest, wine-fueled words. At first, Jiang thinks Peony sees him as her husband in her heart, but when she calls it a lie, he can’t help but laugh. Carrying her back, Jiang holds the still-unconscious Peony in his arms, feeling unexpectedly content.
Meanwhile, Qin Liu Lang brings osmanthus cakes to the garden entrance, but Aunt Tang relays that Peony is too busy to meet him. Peony, however, is reminded of Shengyi’s younger brother upon tasting the cakes and rushes to see him. She finds Liu Lang struggling with a long-standing illness. Xiaochun diagnoses him, revealing that his chronic cough requires expensive medicine to heal. Peony generously pays for his medicine but instructs Xiaochun to substitute the expensive herbs with cheaper ones on the prescription, ensuring Liu Lang doesn’t feel burdened.
Liu Lang stays at the garden but feels uncomfortable and cautious. Peony notices and takes him to the western market, sharing Shengyi’s stories and answering his questions to ease his mind. She buys Liu Lang a robe and belt and, noticing his awkward gait, deduces his shoes don’t fit. She quickly buys him a new pair. Her gentle care dissipates Liu Lang’s unease, and he finally calls her “sister,” closing the gap between them.
Elsewhere, Lian Zhou sneaks into Peony’s courtyard and plucks a flower without permission, only to be chased away by Zhu Fu. Peony, having worked tirelessly, starts feeling unwell. After resolving a small issue for Xiaochun, she hears of trouble in the garden. As she tries to address it, she collapses from exhaustion. Jiang Changyang and Qin Liu Lang rush to care for her, but Jiang, feeling jealous, sends Liu Lang away. Liu Lang later realizes the medicine he’s been taking is actually the expensive herbs Peony substituted to help him.
When Peony wakes, she insists on visiting the garden. Jiang accompanies her, forbidding her from doing any heavy work and urging her to take care of herself. While observing a dispute between Hu the gardener and Guizi, Peony worries she might need to step in, but Jiang, noticing her furrowed brow, gently smooths it with his hand. Fortunately, the two reconcile on their own, sparing Peony from intervening, much to her relief.
After much effort from everyone, the year-end approaches, and the first snow falls. The garden’s reopening is just around the corner. Peony remains kind to Lian Zhou, even inviting her to share dumplings, leaving Lian Zhou surprised.
When spring arrives, the garden opens, drawing so many visitors that the threshold is nearly worn out. The lively scene fills Peony’s heart with satisfaction as she hopes her mother and Shengyi in heaven can see this moment. Peony welcomes the spring with a garden full of radiant blossoms, marking the story’s end.
