Episode 21 recap: In adversity, there is a chance for survival, but it's another adversity.

Meng Wan expressed her gratitude to Lou Ming Zhang by offering tea instead of wine and apologized to him. Lou Ming Zhang, despite being busy with official duties and originally scheduled to report to the capital, had been delayed in Huaizhou Prefecture for several months. Since Wu Lian's escape from the court, he had been searching for witnesses and evidence, but encountered continuous setbacks, resulting in a lack of progress in the case. It even almost allowed Wu Lian to rise in the ranks and enter the official circles in the capital. However, Lou Ming Zhang did not blame them, but time was running out. He only had ten days left before he had to leave Huaizhou Prefecture.

San Niang, in her lifetime, had deviated from the conventional path and never cared about worldly etiquette. She lived a carefree and indulgent life, which Meng Wan felt inferior to. However, it was precisely that carefree and indulgent nature that came after being hurt countless times, leading to detachment and letting go. Perhaps, even San Niang, who lingered in the streets filled with fireworks and willows, also desired to live out the rest of her life peacefully. The group erected a memorial stone for San Niang in the outskirts, and in front of her memorial, they raised their cups and vowed to win this battle.

The embroidery convention, which should have been a splendid event, was reduced to ashes by a massive fire last night. Many embroidery merchants couldn't help but feel heartbroken for their carefully selected embroidered goods. Li Chun Feng and Liu Xin didn't miss the opportunity to add fuel to the fire and held a storytelling event, vividly describing how Wu Lian orchestrated the embroidery convention. Huang Jiao Jiao followed the topic and, speaking as a representative of the embroidery merchants, appealed to everyone that grievances have a cause and debts have a debtor. This embroidery convention was organized by Wu Lian, so if something goes wrong, he should be held accountable. The merchants were already full of grievances, and with someone taking the lead, they naturally responded and headed towards the Misty Rain Embroidery Tower.

Faced with everyone's condemnation, Wu Lian remained calm and claimed to be a victim of the fire last night. If they wanted to find the culprit, they should go to the Wen Embroidery Academy. Seeing that Wu Lian was trying to divert the blame and distance himself, Huang Jiao Jiao quickly stepped forward and questioned why this thief specifically targeted the Misty Rain Embroidery Tower for destruction. Could it be that it was for personal grievances and intentional revenge? Since it was a personal matter, Wu Lian naturally had to take responsibility. The merchants also joined in, threatening Wu Lian to provide a response quickly, or they would expose his secrets to the authorities. Helpless, Wu Lian could only promise to give them an answer within seven days.

Meng Wan expressed gratitude to Lou Ming Zhang for his assistance by offering tea instead of wine. Lou Ming Zhang straightforwardly stated that his actions were also aimed at maintaining the peace and tranquility of Huai Prefecture, and there was no need for thanks. Meng Wan then explained that the purpose of her visit today was to apologize. Lou Ming Zhang, burdened with official duties, had originally intended to return to the capital for a report, but he stayed in Huai Prefecture because of her. The case against Wu Lian had gone through twists and turns, making it difficult to obtain testimonies and evidence, thus delaying the progress of the case. It had nearly allowed Wu Lian to advance to the capital and enter the officialdom. Lou Ming Zhang consoled her, stating that the trial of the case was already complicated, especially since it involved an old case from seven years ago. However, the capital was pressing for progress, and Lou Ming Zhang couldn't stay for long, so he only gave Meng Wan a period of ten days.

In order to quickly find new witnesses, Meng Wan wrote four letters, instructing everyone to search for the recipients of the letters separately. Tian Xiao Ling was among these four people. Li Chun Feng declined to accept the letter from Meng Wan because this time he intended to personally write and persuade Tian Xiao Ling to come down from the mountain. Before setting off, Meng Wan informed Xu Zhiyang of everything, hoping to gain his forgiveness. Upon hearing about Meng Wan and Ru Lan's ordeal, Xu Zhiyang felt pain and regret in his heart. He tightly held Meng Wan's hand and urged her to let go of the past and live her remaining life peacefully in this courtyard. Meng Wan slowly withdrew her hand, and for the first time in seven years, she called his name. Xu Zhiyang's eyes were filled with tears, and he felt a sense of joy, but he could only watch Meng Wan's retreating figure from afar.

Meng Wan and Liu Xin arrived at Shili Lane and met with the elder brother of the Lin family. The elder brother of the Lin family had long lost the elegance and charm of his youth, leaving only the marks of time's erosion. Upon learning the purpose of Meng Wan's visit, the elder brother of the Lin family glanced at his wife and saw her nodding. He then turned around solemnly and agreed to testify for Ru Lan in court seven days later.

On the other hand, Wu Lian was not idle. He threatened Zhang Rong Er and accompanied him to the Zhang family, hoping to leverage the Zhang family's connections in the capital. The matriarch of the Zhang family was initially unwilling to see Wu Lian climb higher and higher and made various excuses to decline. However, Wu Lian had already made up his mind, even if it meant tearing his relationship with his mother-in-law. He revealed the past events, bluntly stating that Zhang Rong Er had been unfaithful shortly after their marriage, and if it weren't for his silence at the time, the Zhang family would have been drowned in gossip, and they wouldn't enjoy their current good reputation.