Luo Shu witnesses Han Muzhi’s impressive demeanor at the county academy and finds herself deeply admiring him. She recognizes Han Muzhi’s ambitious nature and worries that she might hinder his future prospects. Han Muzhi, on the other hand, seeks neither fame nor fortune but strives to act with a clear conscience.
Early in the morning, Captain Cai doesn’t see Luo Shu. Xu Wuzuo reveals that Luo Shu and Han Muzhi went on a date. Captain Cai is happy for them, but Xu Wuzuo harbors some concerns. Han Muzhi is betrothed to Liu Wan, the daughter of Liu Yiqing, and Xu worries that Han Muzhi might jeopardize his career for love. However, Captain Cai and Constable Cai believe that love is paramount.
After handling Zao Hua’s aftermath, Chen Meiqing returns to the county office and overhears Xu Wuzuo and others discussing, warning them not to interfere with Han Muzhi. Qi Menglin visits a restaurant for a meal and inadvertently hears the students praising Han Muzhi’s literary talents. Feeling envious, he leaves the meal unfinished and considers chatting with Xu Wuzuo and Captain Cai. From a distance, he sees Han Muzhi and Luo Shu returning affectionately and reluctantly departs.
Han Muzhi writes a letter to Liu Yiqing overnight, intending to break off his engagement with Liu Wan. Qi Menglin vows to study diligently from the next day, aiming to surpass Han Muzhi. He burns all his cherished books, but Lian Shu’s efforts to persuade him prove futile. Han Muzhi soon receives a reply from Liu Yiqing, stating that he will visit Linfen to inspect water projects and the case involving Eunuch Zhang and Qian Dayou. Liu Yiqing also plans to stay at the county office. Chen Meiqing senses that Liu Yiqing’s visit is ill-intentioned and worries for Han Muzhi.
Captain Cai inquires about Luo Shu and Han Muzhi’s date, but Luo Shu simply smiles and remains silent. Han Muzhi approaches Luo Shu to discuss Liu Yiqing’s inspection plans and decides to confront Liu Yiqing directly. Liu Yiqing arrives in Linfen with his daughter, Liu Wan, to set the wedding date with Han Muzhi.
Liu Yiqing praises Han Muzhi’s work but points out his shortcomings, advising him to maintain distance from Qi Menglin and imparting lessons on governance. Captain Cai brings Baozi to Qi Menglin, asking him to return and console Luo Shu. Liu Yiqing, along with Liu Wan, discusses setting the wedding date with Han Muzhi. Luo Shu feels deeply saddened, and Qi Menglin contemplates persuading her but deems it inappropriate.
Chen Meiqing notices Luo Shu’s distress and kindly advises her to take a walk to clear her mind. Liu Yiqing uses an excuse to leave, urging Liu Wan and Han Muzhi to finalize the wedding date quickly. Liu Wan asks Han Muzhi to petition for Luo Shu’s removal from her lowly status. Han Muzhi prefers not to explain much, stating that Luo Shu has assisted the county office in solving many cases. Liu Wan is suspicious, noticing the name “Lu Dotou” in Han Muzhi’s letters to Liu Yiqing and suspects a connection between Lu Dotou and Luo Shu. She sends the maid He Xiang to investigate.
Anticipating that Liu Wan will suspect Luo Shu, Han Muzhi warns her to be cautious. He Xiang discovers that there is indeed a Lu Dotou at the county office. Liu Wan decides to meet this person personally and goes to the kitchen to find Captain Cai. She encounters Luo Shu leaving and immediately recognizes her as a woman.
Liu Wan investigates Luo Shu’s background and quickly discovers that Luo Shu is the woman Han Muzhi intends to save. She sends someone to summon Luo Shu for negotiation. Chen Meiqing sees Liu Wan calling Luo Shu away and urgently reports to Han Muzhi, who fears that Luo Shu might be mistreated and rushes to intervene.
Liu Wan is aggressive, deliberately giving Luo Shu a handkerchief to expose her alias “Jinnang” from Mingkefang. Luo Shu accepts the handkerchief. Han Muzhi hurriedly arrives, pulls Luo Shu away, but Luo Shu doesn’t want to hinder Han Muzhi’s future. Han Muzhi wants to be a good official through his own merit, not relying on others. He promises to break off the engagement promptly and asks Luo Shu to wait for his good news.
Han Muzhi approaches Liu Wan to break off the engagement, but Liu Wan refuses steadfastly and presents a token to Han Muzhi. Luo Shu waits for the outcome of Han Muzhi’s negotiation. Seeing Liu Yiqing summon Han Muzhi, she feels anxious. Liu Wan sends He Xiang to deliver an invitation to Luo Shu, inviting her to watch a court gathering. Luo Shu wants to discuss matters with Han Muzhi, but Liu Yiqing is preoccupied with official business.
Luo Shu attends the court gathering as promised. Liu Wan deliberately reveals Luo Shu’s origins from Mingkefang in front of the elegant ladies and asks Luo Shu to play the pipa for entertainment. As Luo Shu performs, memories of her childhood hardships resurface. After her performance, Liu Wan requests everyone to choose a piece to play, leaving Luo Shu with no choice but to comply. Han Muzhi hears the news and rushes to the gathering.
