Episode 4 recap: Jiang Yunbai discovered that Jiang Li was being abused.
Xiang Qiao took advantage of Jiang Li, working diligently and ordering Yun Shuang to tend the flowers. Yun Shuang became increasingly jealous. Ji Shuran learned that Jiang Li was extravagant and wasteful, and told Madame Sun not to intervene, wanting to see Jiang Li embarrassed. Shen Yurong was advised by Jiang Yunbai regarding revising the imperial codes, and he personally came to express his gratitude. Ji Shuran personally brought pastries, wanting to invite Shen Yurong to Jiang Ruoyao's coming-of-age ceremony. As Shen Yurong was leaving, he noticed a familiar figure in Xue Fangfei, but was interrupted by Madame Sun.
By the time Xue Fangfei turned around, Shen Yurong had already left. Xue Fangfei continued to get close to Xiang Qiao, giving her bracelets and hairpins. When Xiang Qiao mentioned Shen Yurong, Xue Fangfei could hardly contain her emotions, almost collapsing.
Tong'er saw the situation was turning bad, and quickly pulled Xiang Qiao away. When Tong'er returned, Xue Fangfei shared her story with her. Tong'er learned of Xue Fangfei's identity and said she would continue to help her. Xue Fangfei wanted to use Jiang Ruoyao's coming-of-age ceremony to return a ceremony to Jiang Li, and also solidify her own identity as Jiang Li.
Tong'er intentionally went to pick chrysanthemums with Xiang Qiao and asked her about the best drying spot. Xiang Qiao mentioned the courtyard area, and Tong'er brought her there. Coincidentally, Jiang Yunbai was passing by, and Xiang Qiao wanted to take credit, but was scolded by Jiang Yunbai instead.
Seeing the dried chrysanthemums on the table, Jiang Yunbai was reminded of his late wife Ye Zhenzhen, who used to dry chrysanthemums for him to make tea. Jiang Yunbai asked about Jiang Li, and Tong'er took him to Fangfeiyuan, where Xue Fangfei was waiting with a prepared explanation. Jiang Yunbai stayed to have tea, and Xue Fangfei pretended to be startled and hid in the corner.
Jiang Yunbai saw that Jiang Li was in poor condition, and upon inquiring, learned that she had been severely beaten and abused in the Zhennvtang. He was very angry. Xue Fangfei took out her hand-embroidered work, saying she had been forced to sell it cheaply to make ends meet, which made Jiang Yunbai feel both pity and indignation.
After returning, Jiang Yunbai questioned Ji Shuran, who shifted the blame to the steward, claiming they had been embezzling and bullying Jiang Li. Seeing Jiang Li's injuries, Jiang Yunbai decided to let her participate in Jiang Ruoyao's coming-of-age ceremony, not wanting Jiang Li to feel dejected.
Ji Shu Ran wanted to stop Jiang Li again, worried that Jiang Li had never seen a big occasion and might be intimidated. Jiang Yun Bai was even more concerned that if it became known that Jiang Li had suffered in the Maiden's Hall, and she was not allowed to participate in the Jili ceremony, the Jiang family would be mocked for their lack of education. Ji Shu Ran had no choice but to make the arrangements. Ji Shu Ran had Madam Sun tidy up Xiang Qiao and Yun Shuang. Yun Shuang admitted that Xiang Qiao had taken bribes, and Xiang Qiao had no choice but to confess that she had only gained Jiang Li's trust.
Ji Shu Ran did not confiscate her rewards, but just warned them not to do it again. Afterward, Xiang Qiao gloated in front of Yun Shuang, making Yun Shuang unhappy, and the two started to quarrel. Jiang Yun and Lu Shi passed by Fangfei Garden, curious that Jiang Li had not come out, and recalled Jiang Li's good relationship with Jiang Jing Rui when she was young.
Lu Shi reminded Jiang Yun to pay more attention to his son's exams at the Imperial College. Tong Er was afraid when she saw a turtle in the courtyard, and Xue Fang Fei was about to throw it away, but was stopped by Jiang Jing Rui. Jiang Jing Rui found her serious demeanor a little strange, as he was used to Jiang Li calling him "Xiao Rui Rui". From Jiang Jing Rui, she learned about Jiang Ruo Yao and Zhou Yan Bang's situation, so she decided to go out to buy a gift for Jiang Ruo Yao and also let Tong Er redeem her jade pendant.
However, the jade pendant had already been snatched by Xiao Heng, who hinted that he wanted Jiang Li to come see him. Zhou Yan Bang was moved when he saw Jiang Li going out, while Jiang Ruo Yao felt jealous. When Xue Fang Fei was selecting gifts, she overheard someone praising Shen Yu Rong, saying he was outstanding in both name and character. Jiang Li couldn't hold back her emotions, almost being recognized by the shopkeeper, but Xue Fang Fei pretended not to know.
Xue Fang Fei went to see Xiao Heng about the jade pendant. Xiao Heng was still curious about her background and threatened her with the pendant. Xue Fang Fei's jade pendant was a family heirloom, and she had to get it back. Xiao Heng deliberately made things difficult for her, and she recalled how she had pawned the pendant to save the sick Shen Yu Rong, momentarily distracted.
Xiao Heng asked her about the ill-gotten gains from the young master Qin, and Xue Fang Fei denied it, but could guess the location of the hidden funds. The official indeed found the ill-gotten gains at the location. Xue Fang Fei got the jade pendant and wanted to leave, blurting out that Xiao Heng was brainless, but Xiao Heng was not angry and instead found Xue Fang Fei quite special.
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