Lao Yue, who has a friendly relationship with Cui Ba, manages to secure lodging at the Bafang Tower. Duan Wu notices the pervasive miasma in Wuling and immediately orders her subordinates to prepare medicine to dispel it and strengthen the guards. Any suspicious activity must be reported at once. Cao Tou discovers that the people in Wuling used to be extremely poor, but about half a month ago, someone started distributing porridge, reducing poverty in the area.
Lao Yue takes Yan Zi Jing to meet Cui Ba. Cui Shi Jiu, aware of Yan Zi Jing’s caravan arriving, secretly rejoices. She had been worried about finding a chance to seek revenge, but now the opportunity has presented itself. Cui Shi Jiu orders someone to disguise themselves as Cui Ba and set up a curtain in the room, ensuring no one can see Cui Ba’s true face.
Still from Episode 15 of The Story of Pearl Girl
Yan Zi Jing explains his intentions, asking Cui Ba to help Lao Yue repay the jewelry debt. The imposter, following Cui Shi Jiu’s instructions, immediately agrees, promising the payment of 10,000 coins in the coming days. She then orders her men to pour wine for Yan Zi Jing. Despite his suspicions upon seeing the green liquid in the cup, Yan Zi Jing drinks it after some thought.
Kang Ju, examining the liquid Yan Zi Jing vomited, identifies the poison as originating from the Li Long Bandits. This indicates the Cui family has maintained close ties with the bandits over the years. After being poisoned, Yan Zi Jing is severely weakened. Kang Ju scolds him for taking such a risk, but Yan Zi Jing explains he had no choice. He has sensed something strange since arriving at Bafang Tower. Beyond the Li Long Bandits, there seems to be another hidden force. He believes earning their trust is the only way to uncover the truth.
Yan Zi Jing instructs Kang Ju to immediately hide the jewelry they brought along, suspecting the attackers are after their valuables. Upon hearing Cao Tou report that the caravan’s jewelry has gone missing, Duan Wu becomes even more suspicious. She goes to question Yan Zi Jing, who, though pale and weak, maintains a calm tone. Still, Duan Wu notices his unusual behavior and, after learning about his orders to Kang Ju to hide the jewelry, secretly leads the caravan away from Bafang Tower.
Duan Wu sends Lao Yue to investigate, but the cunning Lao Yue refuses to get involved. Left with no choice, Duan Wu tricks him by claiming he’s been poisoned and will need her antidote to survive. Reluctantly, Lao Yue seeks out Hei Shan, Cui Ba’s bodyguard, to negotiate. When Cui Shi Qi hears that Lao Yue knows the jewelry’s hiding spot, she immediately sends men to dig it up.
Still from Episode 15 of The Story of Pearl Girl
Though Cui Shi Jiu monitors Cui Ba’s medication daily, believing him to remain in a coma, Cui Ba has actually regained consciousness. He instructed the maid preparing his medicine to switch the prescription. Pretending to remain unconscious, Cui Ba carefully observes the situation. Upon hearing that Cui Shi Qi has unearthed Yan Zi Jing’s hidden jewelry, he orders his men to release poisonous gas, incapacitating Duan Wu, Kang Ju, and Cui Shi Jiu before imprisoning them.
Duan Wu and Cui Shi Qi end up as slaves under Cui Ba. They are locked in a pitch-black tunnel, forced into grueling labor, mining and breaking stones. Before being captured, Duan Wu noticed Yan Zi Jing had disappeared. Now imprisoned, Duan Wu quietly discusses with Kang Ju, urging him to feign submission temporarily so they can locate Yan Zi Jing’s whereabouts.
