As a pearl maiden, Duanwu wants to sell her precious pearls at the highest possible price. To achieve this, she must ensure that both she and her pearls shine brilliantly among the crowd. Blending in with a group of dancers, she remains inconspicuous amidst numerous graceful beauties. Without prior rehearsal, Duanwu cannot perform the dance smoothly. Realizing she is beginning to make a fool of herself, she focuses on finding a solution. She notices a drummer in the band on one side.
Duanwu had previously observed a dancing woman who gracefully moved to the beat of the drums, her dance exceptionally beautiful and captivating. Inspired, Duanwu gracefully approaches the drummer, takes a small drum, and begins to play. Her dance is novel and elegant, refreshing to the audience, and she quickly stands out. The other women, recognizing they cannot compete, quietly withdraw.
After the dance, the pearl maiden begins selling her pearls. Duanwu meticulously plans to ensure her pearls fetch a high price. She even drips a drop of her own blood onto each pearl, aptly named “Blood Pearls.” These blood pearls are highly valuable, believed to ward off evil and bring good fortune, with each pearl representing a life.
Yan Zijian offers six million, but Duanwu kneels on the ground, refusing to hand over the pearls to Yan Zijian. She had previously made a blood oath with her supervisor: if she couldn’t sell the pearls for seven million, she would be beaten to death. To ensure that she and her good friends could safely leave the pearl market, she has no choice but to take this risky gamble.
Zhang Jinran overheard Duanwu’s conversation with her supervisor and saw the tears welling up in her eyes. Feeling sympathetic, he immediately agrees to buy the pearls for seven million. The crowd is abuzz with astonishment. Zhang Jinran instructs his subordinates to give the boss a gold leaf, and the deal is concluded.
Duanwu specifically comes to thank Zhang Jinran. He invites her to walk around with him. One is a noble young master, and the other a humble pearl slave. As they discuss their respective experiences, the differences are stark. Duanwu listens as Zhang Jinran describes the bustling Chang’an, encompassing all the world’s finest goods. She is captivated. Zhang Jinran also tells Duanwu about an ancient wishing tree in Chang’an. If one sincerely makes a wish and writes it on a wish tag to hang on the tree, it will come true. Duanwu has never heard of such a thing. Hearing that her greatest wish is “freedom,” Zhang Jinran is moved and helps her write her wish on a card and hang it on the tree, also blessing her: “May your heart be as clear as a mirror, and all your wishes come true.”
Yan Zijian secretly meets with Cui Wu. During the auction, Cui Wu obtained a gold leaf. Although he knows this item is priceless, he cannot sleep peacefully because he is unaware of Zhang Jinran’s true intentions.
Yan Zijian tells him that the person who bought the pearl is the righteous younger brother of Prince Ying, highly trusted by the officials, and has recently left the capital for the south, clearly carrying orders. Additionally, Prince Ying is in fierce conflict with Prince Tan. Given the current situation, Prince Ying has the best chance of winning. To protect himself, Cui Wu has no choice but to agree to sell all the pearls at a low price to Yan Zijian on the day of the auction.
Meanwhile, Duanwu and Lala are sent to Cui Wu’s room. Facing this villain, Duanwu remains unyielding, but Cui Wu has a knife. Fortunately, Mama arrives just in time. Cui Wu orders Mama to kill Duanwu, but unexpectedly, Mama ends his life instead.
With Cui Wu dead, Mama desperately tries to help Duanwu escape, but others relentlessly pursue them. Mama uses her own life to push Duanwu onto a boat. Before dying, she reveals to Duanwu that she is her mother and has been trying to rescue her all these years. Even in death, she finds peace.
Duanwu gains her freedom but loses her mother at the same time, plunging her into despair. The boat drifts aimlessly and eventually collides with a large ship. Fortunately, the people on the ship are Zhang Jinran, and Duanwu and her brother are saved.
