Episode 1 recap: Lin Ru Lan's love affair ended at the Yanyu Tower.
Seven years ago, inside the Yanyu Tower, the entire mansion was filled with joy at the prospect of seeing Mr. Wu. After a long absence, everyone eagerly anticipated his personally painted artwork. Lin Ru Lan (played by Hu Yi Xuan) was splitting silk threads, while Meng Wan (played by Wu Qian) was engaged in needlework. As they worked, Gao Cheng Cheng, a passing embroiderer, playfully nudged Meng Wan's arm, causing her embroidery to unravel, accompanied by mocking remarks. Unable to tolerate this, Lin Ru Lan stood up and chased after Gao Cheng Cheng, demanding an apology. However, Gao Cheng Cheng refused to back down until she was coerced by Mr. Wu himself.
Wu Lian (played by Qiao Zhen Yu) appeared before the public, seemingly adorned in a golden glow, standing beside the delighted Lin Ru Lan. Everyone gathered, eagerly awaiting his artwork. However, Ding Ru was conspicuously absent. Just as people began discussing this, a scream echoed from within the mansion.
Following the sound, everyone hurried to the backyard, where a woman claimed to have been drawing water from the well. However, when the bucket was lowered, a face floated to the surface. The fallen shoe of Ding Ru caught their attention. Chen Mo Mo, in an effort to calm everyone's nerves, drove everyone away. Lin Ru Lan recalled encountering Ding Ru crying secretly in the room the previous night, but she had refrained from entering and asking further, feeling somewhat guilty.
News of the embroiderer's death inside the Yanyu Tower quickly reached the provincial governor, Chen Zhi Yuan. The Yanyu Embroidery Tower, initially seeking a private resolution, was now being demanded by the deceased embroiderer's parents to report the incident to the authorities. Chen Zhi Yuan ordered Gao Chang Qing to visit the Duke's Mansion and discreetly inform Lady Ning Guo Gong about the situation. However, Lady Ning Guo Gong did not pay much attention to the deceased embroiderer, merely waving her hand and instructing Chen Zhi Fu to handle it himself.
Lin Ru Lan used Ding Ru's excuse to find Wu Lian and shyly played with her hair while facing Mr. Wu's teasing. Wu Lian urged Lin Ru Lan to practice embroidery diligently and promised to visit her in a while. Lin Ru Lan left with excitement and reluctance.
Lin Ru Lan secretly sneaked into Ding Ru's room and discovered something. Lin Ru Lan's family ran a medicinal shop, so she had some knowledge of pharmacology. After carefully examining the prescription, it seemed to be an abortion recipe. Lin Ru Lan informed Meng Wan about this matter. Meng Wan's hands trembled upon hearing the news, but Lin Ru Lan wasn't entirely certain. She gave the prescription to Meng Wan.
The next day, Gao Cheng Cheng was discussing Ding Ru's death with other embroidery girls, making callous remarks. Unable to bear it, Lin Ru Lan confronted Gao Cheng Cheng, and they argued. In the midst of the argument, Ding Ru's parents appeared in the courtyard. Kind-hearted Lin Ru Lan led them to Ding Ru's room to pack the last of her belongings. Before leaving, Ding Ru's mother grabbed Lin Ru Lan's hand and tearfully claimed her daughter was forced to death. Worried, Lin Ru Lan returned to Ding Ru's room to investigate, but Chen Mo Mo appeared and drove her away.
Wu Lian appeared in the embroidery room, instructing the embroidery girls on their stitching. He pointed out that Meng Wan's stitches were too dense. All the embroidery girls caught Mr. Wu's attention except for Lin Ru Lan. Late at night, Wu Lian pushed open the door to Meng Wan's chamber. Meng Wan trembled as she retreated, reminding Wu Lian to stay away from Lin Ru Lan. Wu Lian intimately pulled Meng Wan into his embrace and kissed her neck. This scene happened to be witnessed by Lin Ru Lan, who was at the door.
Unable to face it all, Lin Ru Lan ran back to her room in a frenzy, squatting on the floor, unable to sleep all night. She recalled Meng Wan's strange behaviors and felt a deep hatred.
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