Episode 15 recap: Qiqiao Festival, Sighing Under the Moon

Meng Wan found Wu Lian and asked him to annul his engagement with Lin Ru Lan. Wu Lian agreed, but on the condition that Meng Wan return all the embroidery skills she learned at the Yan Yu Embroidery House. Without hesitation, Meng Wan picked up the porcelain on Wu Lian's table and smashed it viciously against her own hand. She wanted to settle the score for Lin Ru Lan and reminded Wu Lian to keep his promise before leaving.

Seven years ago, Tian Xiao Ling knelt down to pray for Li Chun Feng's blessings. The news of Wu Lian taking Lin Ru Lan as a concubine spread widely, and the embroidery women discussed it with each other. However, Tian Xiao Ling didn't want to be involved in their discussions.

Meng Wan's aunt had responded and agreed to look at the marriage proposal. Meng Wan resisted her mother's desire to get married, but her mother didn't care. She only knew that after getting married, Meng Wan would have a worry-free life. Meng Wan threatened her mother, but her mother mocked her, believing that Meng Wan thought she could wander the world without getting married. Hearing those words, Meng Wan finally understood that her mother had intentionally faked illness to avoid her and had received a definite answer. Meng Wan left her meal, got up, and went to find Lin Ru Lan.

When she arrived at the Lin family's medicine shop, Meng Wan was stopped by Lin's mother at the door. Lin Ru Lan had been wanting to be alone these past few days and didn't want to see anyone, despite Meng Wan's pleas. Meng Wan, who was unwilling to give up, blocked Lin Lang at the door. Worried about her sister, Lin Lang eventually agreed to follow Meng Wan's arrangement. If they could return the betrothal gifts, the Wu family couldn't force them into the marriage. The only way to turn the tide was to find a way to return the betrothal gifts.

Meng Wan personally went to Wu Lian's room and stood in front of the plum blossom painting, waiting for Wu Lian's arrival. When she saw Wu Lian, Meng Wan immediately pointed out Ding Ru's death. However, Wu Lian insisted that Ding Ru had committed suicide by jumping into the well. Meng Wan threatened Wu Lian firmly, saying that she could go and tell Chen Zhi Fu herself that she saw Wu Lian push Ding Ru into the well. In the next moment, Meng Wan felt her breath being cut off. Wu Lian's large hand was squeezing her neck. In her dying moments, Wu Lian finally let go, and Meng Wan gasped for fresh air after being reborn.

Wu Lian turned around to wash his hands. He agreed to annul the engagement on the condition that Meng Wan return all the embroidery skills she learned at the Yan Yu Embroidery House. Before Wu Lian could finish speaking, Meng Wan immediately picked up the porcelain on Wu Lian's table and smashed it against her own hand. One hit... two hits... She wanted to settle the score for Lin Ru Lan. Blood dripped from Meng Wan's fingers onto the ground. As she turned to leave, she reminded Wu Lian to keep his promise. Wu Da Niang Zi, who was watching from a distance, witnessed everything but still couldn't understand why Lin Ru Lan refused to marry into the Wu family.

Lin Ru Lan requested permission from her mother to visit the embroidery house and retrieve her personal belongings from her chamber. Despite her mother's concerns and attempts to stop her, Lin Ru Lan couldn't be persuaded. She had Lin Lang follow her back to the Yan Yu Embroidery House. However, when they arrived at the embroidery house, they were stopped by the guards at the entrance. Even if Lin Ru Lan tried to force her way in, it was not allowed. It was only when Wu Da Niang Zi appeared and ordered the guards that Lin Ru Lan was finally allowed to enter the embroidery house.

Lin Ru Lan stood side by side with Wu Da Niang Zi. Without hesitation, Lin Ru Lan asked Wu Da Niang Zi if she would have nightmares at night, but Wu Da Niang Zi ignored her and left. Watching Lin Ru Lan return to the embroidery building, the embroiderers whispered behind her back. Lin Ru Lan looked at everything familiar inside the room and recalled the day she came out, full of longing and hope for everything. The unfinished embroidery pattern and the linen bedsheets shattered all the memories. Lin Ru Lan took out the hairpin she cherished from before the mirror. It was a gift personally given to her by Wu Lian, but now everything was different.

Lin Ru Lan brought some of Ding Ru's belongings, burned them, and threw them into the well. Tian Xiao Ling witnessed everything while packing her things, wanting to leave quietly. However, Lin Ru Lan recognized her and kindly reminded Tian Xiao Ling to leave this place. But Tian Xiao Ling, who didn't understand everything, admired the Yanyu Embroidery Building, which was unique in the world, and was unwilling to leave. She bid farewell to Lin Ru Lan and stayed behind.

Lin Lang was absent-minded all day. Finally, she mustered up the courage to propose returning the dowry to her mother. But things had come to this point, and Lin Ru Lan's reputation in Huaizhou Prefecture was completely ruined. No decent family would be willing to let her marry into their household. Now, the best option was the only one left. At least, she could live a peaceful life without causing trouble in the future. While discussing, Lin Ru Lan appeared at the door and took the initiative to propose marriage. Lin's mother hugged her daughter tightly, tears in her eyes.

Lin Ru Lan finally agreed to meet Meng Wan. At first glance, Lin Ru Lan noticed Meng Wan's injured hand. She comforted her and asked her to sit down. Seeing Lin Ru Lan suddenly change her mind, Meng Wan felt uneasy in her heart, but she could only respect her decision. Lin Ru Lan removed Meng Wan's gauze and personally applied medicine and bandaged her wound. Meng Wan anxiously reminded Lin Ru Lan to take care of herself.

On the other side, Wu Lian elegantly fed the fish, and Wu Da Niang Zi suggested tidying up the Wutong Garden. However, Wu Lian casually mentioned a deserted room in the backyard, and Wu Da Niang Zi did not dare to say more and left. Wu Lian picked up the fish that had fallen to the ground with his bare hands.

During the Qiqiao Festival, the streets and alleys were bustling. Tian Xiao Ling happily admired the rabbit lanterns. When she turned around and saw Lin Ru Lan, the two locked eyes. Tian Xiao Ling quickened her pace, and the two passed each other. Li Chun Feng stood side by side with Tian Xiao Ling and couldn't bear to see Lin Ru Lan misunderstood. Tian Xiao Ling understood clearly that Lin Ru Lan had no future.

On the bridge, Tian Xiao Ling shyly handed over the collection of Qiao Zhizhi's previous works that she had prepared in advance. Most of his works were lost, and they were hard to find in the market. Li Chun Feng's eyes lit up as he looked at the collection. Then, Tian Xiao Ling took Li Chun Feng to a clothing store and personally picked out a new outfit for him. Seeing that it was getting late, the two hurriedly bid farewell and left.

On the other side, Meng Wan put down her own lantern with blessings for Lin Ru Lan. As Lin Ru Lan wandered around, she bumped into Shen Mu and smiled, reassuring him not to worry. After a brief and subtle conversation, the two bid farewell. Lin Ru Lan approached Meng Wan, placed her empty lantern beside her, and watched the lanterns floating farther along the river. Both of them had their own thoughts. Before parting, Lin Ru Lan took out a letter and asked Meng Wan to give it to Shen Mu on the ninth day at the hour of Xu.

Li Chun Feng brought the rabbit that Tian Xiao Ling liked and arrived at the Yanyu Embroidery Building. The two smiled at each other. Although Tian Xiao Ling liked it very much, she entrusted it to Li Chun Feng to take good care of it because such items were not allowed in the embroidery building. Watching Tian Xiao Ling's receding figure, Li Chun Feng's heart stirred with waves of emotions.