Frustrated with Kangning, Chai An secretly instructs Shopkeeper Liao to set a trap for Lady Li. Liao pretends to sell an ordinary-looking guqin named Bingqing, claiming that a wealthy client has already paid a 30-string deposit and is willing to buy it for a high price of 300 strings. Lady Li notices the contract tucked under Liao’s sleeve and believes the story. Impulsively, she spends 180 strings to purchase the guqin. However, the promised buyer never shows up, and as the day passes, Lady Li realizes she has been swindled. Devastated, she breaks down in tears.
Her daughters rush to her side and learn that their family savings are nearly depleted because of the scheme. Lady Li, initially vowing to confront Liao, loses the guqin in her anger. Kangning and Chunlai head to the streets to search for it and hear elegant guqin music emanating from Pan Pavilion. To her surprise, Chai An is playing none other than Bingqing. Kangning realizes that her mother’s misfortune was part of Chai An’s deliberate plan. Determined to get even, she begins plotting her revenge.
A Temple Plot
The next day, Chai An’s mother visits the temple, accompanied by her maids, to pray for her son’s marriage. Lady Li, following Kangning’s advice, enters the temple humbly, drawing the attention of Chai’s mother. When she learns that Lady Li is there to fulfill a vow related to a successful matchmaking prayer, Chai’s mother is intrigued and asks for guidance. Lady Li, sensing an opportunity, directs her to seek help from a “divine being.”
Meanwhile, Kangning blocks Chai An’s path with a sedan chair in the street. She confronts him about meddling in her sister Fuhui’s marriage and setting up her mother. Chai An responds dismissively, mocking her. However, he returns the 180 strings he swindled, deducting 30 strings as a warning that others may target the Li family. He advises Kangning to act more cautiously in the future.
Chai An, smug with his victory, returns home, only to discover that his mother has donated 180 strings to repair a Taoist temple. Stunned, he learns it was part of Kangning’s ploy. Kangning sends a message thanking him for his “generosity” and returning the balance, warning him not to underestimate her. Amused rather than angered, Chai An grows more intrigued by Kangning, though he comments that her boldness may lead to trouble.
Tensions Escalate
Liang Junqing, hearing that Kangning bested Chai An, recalls the slap she once gave him and plans to take revenge. Chai An devises his own counterplan, promoting his wine with a grand spectacle involving the famous courtesan Lu Yanyan. She parades through the streets in a flower carriage, attracting crowds and diverting customers from the Four Fortune Teahouse. Meanwhile, Liang Junqing’s follower Yang Xian, following a bad suggestion, harasses Shouhua at the teahouse. However, Leshan retaliates by rallying a group of street children, who strip Yang Xian of his clothes, leaving him humiliated. Furious, Yang Xian vows revenge.
Outside the teahouse, Lady Li tries to attract customers but is confronted by Chai’s mother, who accuses her of deceit. A heated argument ensues, with Lady Li wielding a broom in anger. Kangning intervenes but nearly falls, only for Chai An to catch her. Chai An convinces his mother to leave, and Lady Li resumes promoting her teahouse. With Kangning’s strategy, they successfully draw customers from Pan Pavilion, leaving Chai’s mother fuming. Chai An manages to calm her down, though she remains resentful.
A Brewing Crisis
With their earnings, Lady Li buys accessories for her daughters, and the family enjoys a brief moment of happiness. However, Yang Xian accuses the Li family of stealing his pearls and uses this as an excuse to harass them. Fuhui rushes to warn her family. Fearing Leshan might act impulsively, Kangning dons her sister’s veil and confronts Yang Xian herself.
Yang Xian, smitten by Kangning’s beauty, takes the opportunity to demand she become his concubine. He even seizes her robe as leverage, threatening to publicly shame her if the Li family refuses. The situation grows dire, as the Yang family wields great power in Bianjing, and no officials dare to intervene. If Yang Xian presents the stolen robe as evidence in court, the Li family’s reputation will be ruined, and public opinion alone could destroy them.
Trapped in an unprecedented crisis, the Li family struggles to find a way out while the arrogant Yang Xian revels in their despair.
