Episode 16 recap: Gu Qingqiao converted the forbidden area into a hot spring bathhouse.
Gu Qingqiao told Ruan Shiqiong that they had never actually kissed, and that she had only done it at the time to save him. Ruan Shiqiong said he would go explain it again, but Gu Qingqiao said there was no need to explain further. She would pretend to deliberately distance herself from Ruan Shiqiong, and when something new came up, everyone would forget about it. She was also puzzled that Ruan Shiqiong had no heartbeat, and he said it was because he was the greatest in the world.
Mantianzxing was rejected when she tried to send food to Ruan Shiqiong, and she was very sad. Gu Qingqiao found Mantianzxing and said she didn't want things to be this way. Mantianzxing said that Gu Qingqiao was special to the master, but the master couldn't remember their faces or names, and she herself was too weak, so how could the master like her. Gu Qingqiao told her the story of her and Duan Yu, saying that there was once a girl like her who gave up herself to please the person she liked, but in the end she only moved herself without being loved back. So now the first thing she needs to do is love herself. Mantianzxing asked if that person ended up liking her in the end, and Gu Qingqiao said it was still a work in progress.
Gu Qingqiao discovered someone in the kitchen, and it turned out to be Lu Zizheng, who was injured. She questioned why he didn't tell her he was injured, and Lu Zizheng said it wouldn't have done any good. Gu Qingqiao was very distressed that she couldn't do anything and hadn't noticed he was injured. Lu Zizheng comforted her, saying that it was more important that she found the sword and could live well.
Gu Qingqiao was saddened, and Ruan Shiqiong comforted her, saying she was doing well now and should not dwell on the past but look forward.
Shao Yi told Xiao Wu that he didn't know how many more days he could be her slave. Xiao Wu was very reluctant to part with him, and she said that it was unheard of for a master to follow a slave. Shao Yi suggested that he could be the master and Xiao Wu the slave, and they were flirting with each other when Duan Yu came and asked Shao Yi to help him obtain a sacred artifact from the Fire Phoenix Clan, but this must be kept secret from Mr. Qi. Duan Yu guessed that the sacred artifact might be related to Gu Qingqiao, and he pointed out that Shao Yi and Xiao Wu's social status was too different. Shao Yi argued that since Duan Yu could do it, he could too, and Duan Yu told him to be resolute in his decision.
After becoming the Grand Steward, Gu Qingqiao found that she had depleted the funds of West Ling and was facing a fiscal deficit, even running out of lamp oil soon. She came up with a plan to develop the hot springs in the forbidden areas to increase revenue, but her teacher Wang Tianshan immediately rejected it, forbidding her from engaging in commerce in West Ling. She then sought help from her senior brothers and sisters, who mobilized the disciples to support her hot springs project. The male disciples agreed enthusiastically, as they heard that all the beautiful women in the town would come to the hot springs. Ruan Shiqiong said he couldn't bathe in the hot springs alone anymore. When Gu Qingqiao went to persuade him, he readily agreed, believing that her decision was for the good of West Ling. The female disciples also supported the plan after their senior brother agreed, but only teacher Wang Tianshan and the eldest senior brother remained opposed, as Wang Tianshan was especially fond of Lu Zizheng. Someone suggested that they have Lu Zizheng persuade Wang Tianshan, but Gu Qingqiao doubted his effectiveness. The eldest senior sister said she would handle the eldest senior brother, and surprisingly, the next day, Wang Tianshan agreed to the hot springs plan and asked the eldest senior brother to be more open-minded. Gu Qingqiao realized that Lu Zizheng had helped convince Wang Tianshan. With everyone's concerted efforts, they finally transformed the forbidden area into a hot springs bathing center. On the opening day, the group took a group photo at the entrance of the bathing center.
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