During the day, Zhang Jinran was attacked by assassins. That evening, Yan Zijin hosted him for a calming drink and conversation. As they chatted, Zhang Jinran expressed his amazement at Yan Zijin’s methods. Over the past days, Yan Zijin had systematically cornered the Cui family, destroying the Pearl Pavilion and deceiving Cui Shijiu into losing her family’s fortune at the auction. Zhang Jinran suspected a deep-seated grudge, but Yan Zijin evaded his questions, instead hinting at another layer to the case: Cui Shijiu had agreed to provide tribute pearls annually to a mysterious third party.
Zhang Jinran had previously found a sheepskin scroll at the Pearl Pavilion, containing details about someone named Baniang and a mysterious figure called Yu Shi. Duanwu, noticing a reference to the Yan family’s hairpins on the scroll, wondered if Yu Shi could be her father. When she asked Yan Zijin, he did not deny the connection to the hairpins. However, he claimed that the Cui family members mentioned on the scroll had all died and stated that he had once witnessed Yu Shi being tortured to death. Not wanting to worry Duanwu, Yan Zijin suggested Yu Shi’s fate was uncertain.
Still from Episode 11 of The Story of Pearl Girl
The tribute pearls were delayed, and Cui Shijiu’s father prepared to face punishment from the emperor. Unable to bear seeing her father suffer, Cui Shijiu offered to take responsibility. Her father, though initially hesitant due to her being a woman, relented. He suggested a solution: several years ago, Lord Tan had shown interest in Cui Shijiu. If she agreed to become his concubine, the crisis might be averted. Sacrificing her happiness to save the Cui family, Cui Shijiu reluctantly accepted.
On her way to meet Lord Tan, carrying the precious lotus platform as an offering, Cui Shijiu noticed blooming dandelions and reflected bitterly on her fate, feeling like a weed with no control over her life. She encountered Young Master Zheng, with whom she once had a marriage arrangement. Feigning concern for her plight, Zheng offered to help but instead knocked her unconscious and stole the lotus platform. This loss left Cui Shijiu utterly devastated.
Meanwhile, Yan Zijin’s caravan headed toward Shaozhou. Zhang Jinran, suspecting a connection to the Yue family, ordered his men to investigate in Shaozhou as well. After days at sea, boredom set in among the crew. To liven things up, Yan Zijin announced a contest, offering an entire table of venison as a prize for the winner. Hearing that her brother Little Shrimp had never tasted venison, Duanwu decided to participate. She asked Yan Zijin to allow her to distribute the venison among all the enslaved workers if she won. Yan Zijin agreed.
Still from Episode 11 of The Story of Pearl Girl
Against all odds, Duanwu won the contest with her agility and clever strategy. Impressed by her skill, particularly with short swords, Yan Zijin instructed his men to give her one to practice with.
Overjoyed with her new weapon, Duanwu, believing it to be a kind gesture, crafted a wrist-mounted crossbow as a return gift. Meanwhile, she continued to study the text on the sheepskin scroll. Remembering that Yan Zijin had claimed to understand it, Duanwu sought his help in deciphering the mysterious script.
