Episode 4 recap: Mu Zhuo Hua resolves the marriage matter.
Liu Yan grabs Zhou Guan Shi and says that Zhou Guan Shi is still useful and needs to be kept for now. Mu Zhuo Hua brings Guo Ju Li to Wen Zheng Tower and hears people discussing the arrival of a talented scholar. They mention that Shen Jing Hong arrived in Dingjing only six days ago but has already won five consecutive matches. Mu Zhuo Hua reveals the name Rou Jia Gong Zhu, and the attendant leads her to her reserved seat.
The topic for the day is announced: "The Trouble of Raising a Tiger." The Crown Prince and Liu Yan are also present, and the Crown Prince is visibly unhappy to see his name included in the topic. Mu Zhuo Hua also senses that something is amiss with the topic, as it seems to imply Liu Yan's growing influence, but she wonders who came up with the question.
A scholar steps forward to answer and argues that since a tiger is a fierce beast, raising a tiger would be troublesome, and the tiger should be eliminated. Mu Zhuo Hua brings up Liu Yan and finds it suspicious that he acted strangely during the Battle of Juma River five years ago. Given Liu Yan's position, he had no need for personal gain, and he is a cautious person who knows a lot about Beiliang. It doesn't make sense for him to fall into an ambush. Mu Zhuo Hua suggests that after suffering heavy injuries in that battle, Liu Yan handed over half of his military power to the Crown Prince, leading some people to think that the Crown Prince was behind the incident.
Many people discuss Shen Jing Hong, believing that he probably didn't dare to come. However, Shen Jing Hong arrives on the scene and changes the character "huan" in the phrase "The Trouble of Raising a Tiger" to another character, emphasizing that with the Emperor's abilities, even a fierce beast can be controlled. These people lack the Emperor's capabilities and shouldn't be presumptuous in their assumptions about the Emperor. Mu Zhuo Hua initially wanted to submit her answer, but she decides against it, realizing that whoever set up this question must have some backing, and she doesn't want to get involved in this mess.
As Mu Zhuo Hua is about to leave, she sees Zhou Guan Shi with a group of people outside. She hesitates to go out, and coincidentally, Liu Yan is also about to come out. Mu Zhuo Hua pretends to lose her balance, and Liu Yan helps steady her, causing her to fall into his embrace. Liu Yan asks Mu Zhuo Hua why she didn't participate in the competition since she's here. Mu Zhuo Hua says she only wants to advance her career and make money, not get entangled in the turmoil.
Liu Yan asserts that Mu Zhuo Hua hasn't spoken a word of truth and points to the side where Zhi Jian is talking to Zhou Guan Shi, surprising Zhou Guan Shi. Mu Zhuo Hua presents her written answer, which states that it is better to let the tiger return to the mountains rather than raise it, as it can deter fierce beasts and wield power in all directions. Liu Yan instructs Zhi Jian to escort Mu Zhuo Hua and the others back.
Liu Yan visits Tan Lin's father and asks about Tan Lin's son, Xiao Hu. Tan Lin's father reveals that Xiao Hu caught a cold last month and has passed away. Liu Yan is shocked and asks why Tan Lin's father didn't come to him. Tan Lin's father says that Liu Yan promised to bring Tan Lin back but didn't fulfill his promise, so there was no point in seeking his help.
A maid reports to Rou Jia Gong Zhu about the situation at Jishan Hall, mentioning that they still need many teachers. Shen Jing Hong also arrives and applies to be a teacher. It turns out that Shen Jing Hong had a balanced family situation and received help from Jishan Hall in the past. The children are thrilled to see Rou Jia Gong Zhu. Zhi Jian escorts Mu Zhuo Hua and the others back and threatens them with his sword, warning them not to try to use Liu Yan for their own purposes, or else he will kill them.
Zhou Guan Shi finds Mu Zhuo Hua and she tells him that Liu Yan asked her to help him with something. She asks Zhou Guan Shi whether Liu Yan wants a mistress for his houzai (inner residence) or assistance in the court, believing that Zhou Guan Shi will know how to report this to his master. Mu Zhuo Hua instructs Guo Ju Li to give the five taels of silver she previously won to Zhou Guan Shi, trusting that Zhou Guan Shi will know how to convey the message to his master.
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