Episode 1 recap: Mu Zhuo Hua eloped and traveled to the capital to take the imperial examination.
The Mu Residence was bustling with the sound of gongs and drums. It turned out that Lord Mu was preparing to marry his eighteenth concubine today. When the main wife came over, Mu Zhuo Hua quickly pretended to be engrossed in studying. After the main wife left, Mu Zhuo Hua hurriedly packed her belongings and left with Ju Li. Since today was the day for the Mu Residence to take a new concubine, the entire household was busy and there were fewer people paying attention to Mu Zhuo Hua's actions, allowing her to slip away unnoticed.
When Ju Li asked about Mu Zhuo Hua's plans, thinking that women were meant to get married, Mu Zhuo Hua said that as long as she achieved academic success, no one in her family would dare to pressure her. She could become a county magistrate herself, so why would she need to be a county magistrate's wife? Zhuang Wen Feng learned that Mu Zhuo Hua had eloped and became very angry, declaring that Mu Zhuo Hua couldn't escape from his grasp and ordering his subordinates to chase after her.
Mu Zhuo Hua and Ju Li discussed the Crown Prince, who had proposed reopening the Imperial Examination for women, allowing Mu Zhuo Hua to strive for academic success. On the way, Mu Zhuo Hua coincidentally encountered the Crown Prince's entourage and found it somewhat strange. Mu Zhuo Hua decided to take a gamble, driving the horse carriage straight towards them. The Crown Prince's guards were about to take action when a hand reached out from the carriage and stopped them, and the carriage sped away.
Ju Li was terrified by Mu Zhuo Hua's bold move, but Mu Zhuo Hua believed that the Crown Prince's men wouldn't harm innocent people. Moreover, the hand that appeared from the carriage was smooth and definitely didn't belong to a war god who had fought on the battlefield. Mu Zhuo Hua mentioned the Crown Prince's defeat at the Ju Ma River five years ago, and how he had become more low-profile in his actions. There must be something suspicious about his return to the capital this time.
Zhi Jian felt that Liu Yan didn't need to personally make the trip. He even had the steward and others stage a false appearance of his return to the capital. Liu Yan expressed that he didn't want unnecessary complications. Upon seeing Yuan Chengming's grave, Zhi Jian believed that the Battle of Juma River happened because of him, considering him a traitor to the nation. However, Liu Yan stated that he still didn't believe Yuan Chengming would betray him.
Mu Zhuo Hua rented a house in the Flower Lane area. The maidservant felt that if it weren't for Third Aunt, they wouldn't have thought of coming to this place to hide. Lu Da Niang waited for them at the entrance and reminded them to be cautious when going out. If anything happened, she would be living at the intersection and they could find her there.
Mu Zhuo Hua noticed that Lu Da Niang looked weak and presented her with a sachet he prepared. Lu Da Niang expressed her gratitude. The maidservant was worried because Third Aunt had previously forbidden Mu Zhuo Hua from revealing his medical skills. Mu Zhuo Hua explained that he needed to make money since he was now preparing for the imperial examination and had significant expenses, or else they wouldn't be able to sustain their livelihood.
Song Yun was a musician in the Little Qin Palace. She overheard Lu Da Niang mentioning that there was a doctor in the area, so she came for medical help. She had taken strong medicine during a previous abortion, which had harmed her body. She had been bleeding for a month, but others refused to treat her, so she came here. Mu Zhuo Hua didn't look down on her because of her courtesan status and prescribed medication for her.
One of Mu Zhuo Hua's subordinates brought news that Yuan Chengming's grave was a false tomb. They couldn't find his body. Yuan Chengming's daughter, who now went by the name Yun Xiang Yue after falling into the seedy world, had become the top courtesan in the Little Qin Palace.
Liu Yan received an invitation and went to Appreciating Flowers Hall in hopes of meeting Yun Xiang Yue. Song Yun approached Mu Zhuo Hua, hoping that he could come to the Little Qin Palace to treat someone. Mu Zhuo Hua agreed and accompanied Song Yun there. Mu Zhuo Hua examined Yun Xiang Yue but couldn't understand why she insisted on participating in the upcoming event despite her poor health. Yun Xiang Yue explained that becoming the top courtesan was her only chance.
Mu Zhuo Hua came out to watch Yun Xiang Yue's dance and saw Liu Yan presenting her with 4,500 golden flowers. He wondered who the gullible person was and where they came from.
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