Episode 1 recap: # Cui Xing Zhou Uses His Beauty as Bait to Lure Out the Snake
In the first episode, spring blooms burst with color by the roadside, and willow branches sway like a green velvet blanket. The town market is bustling, and a lavishly decorated carriage comes to a stop in front of a prominent family's home. The door opens, revealing a graceful woman with a light veil—she is Liu Mian Tang.
Her mysterious veil sparks curiosity and gossip among the neighbors, who only know that she has married Cui Jiu, a porcelain merchant from afar, leaving them in the dark about everything else.
After waking up, Liu Mian Tang finds her memory only extends as far back as her wedding to Cui Jiu, with everything else a blank slate. She vaguely remembers hearing the name "Cui Jiu" while in the bridal sedan, and then everything went black.
When she awakens, she meets a suave man adorned with a jade pendant who introduces himself as Cui Jiu. Naturally, she accepts him as her husband. However, his real name is Cui Xing Zhou. Despite his doubts, he goes along with this unexpected "wife."
Cui Xing Zhou appears to treat Liu Mian Tang with respect, but he harbors a hidden wariness. As a court official, he has been secretly investigating the treasonous Lu Wen, and he discovers that Liu Mian Tang is actually Lu Wen's beloved concubine. Initially planning to use her as bait, he is caught off guard when she loses her memory due to an injury.
One day, Cui Xing Zhou claims to be busy with official duties and attempts to leave. Liu Mian Tang, unaware of his intentions, kindly drapes a cloak she made for him over his shoulders. As she ties it, he instinctively grabs her arm to prevent any mishap.
He deliberately shows her the perfume he found on her but is met with a confused expression. Grateful, she insists he should be frugal and not spend so much on her.
Cui Xing Zhou ensures Liu Mian Tang is settled in a monitored environment, knowing that his investment in her is meant to draw out Lu Wen, the big fish.
Though in a strange setting, Liu Mian Tang gradually adapts to her new life, using her intelligence and beauty. Learning from neighbors that her "husband" is involved in the porcelain business, she decides to leverage her commercial skills to help Cui Xing Zhou.
Liu Mian Tang offers her dowry as startup capital and personally searches for suitable shops. During her quest, she demonstrates remarkable wisdom and strategy. When faced with inflated prices from unscrupulous merchants, she calmly opens a funeral supplies shop next door, causing the initially hot property to become undesirable due to its "unlucky" association, allowing her to purchase it at a bargain.
The maid praises Liu Mian Tang's efforts to Cui Xing Zhou, who feels a mix of admiration and caution. He respects her intelligence but remains wary of her motives. He instructs the maid to let Liu Mian Tang manage the shop, hoping she will inadvertently connect with Lu Wen's remnants, allowing him to capture the traitor.
As time passes, Liu Mian Tang finds her self-worth amidst her busy explorations, while Cui Xing Zhou quietly weaves a grand web, waiting for the moment to ensnare his target. Despite their hidden agendas, an unexpected bond begins to form between them in this unforeseen marriage.
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