Episode 1 recap: Luo Yi Ning Returns Home for Her Grandmother's Birthday
In the first episode, Luo Yi Ning, the eldest daughter of the Luo family, has finally grown into adulthood. With her grandmother’s sixtieth birthday approaching, she receives the news that she must return home in a hurry. On the way, her loyal maid quietly asks if this visit means she will be staying permanently, as it seems inappropriate for the legitimate daughter of the Luo family to always live away from home. However, Luo Yi Ning, who has been accustomed to freedom since childhood, has little attachment to the constraints of life in the family estate.
Especially after her mother’s passing, her stepmother took advantage of the situation to impose her will, even persuading her father to turn the courtyard where her mother lived into a pond. This painful memory fills Luo Yi Ning with bitterness. She vividly remembers as a child witnessing her mother's belongings being taken away, desperately wanting to protect the last remnants of her mother’s legacy, but feeling powerless to stop it.
Her stepmother went so far as to harm herself and blame Luo Yi Ning, claiming she caused the loss of her unborn child. In a fit of rage, her father, without understanding the full context, sent her away to the guest house. Grandmother, witnessing all this, felt deep sorrow but made the painful decision to ensure Luo Yi Ning’s safety.
Today is not only her grandmother’s sixtieth birthday but also the time for the marriage agreement made years ago between the Luo and Jiang families to come to fruition. Grandmother has summoned her father to discuss the marriage plans, only to discover that he wishes to marry off his illegitimate daughter, Yi Lian, to the Jiang family. Upon hearing this, Grandmother’s expression changes drastically as she insists that the legitimate daughter, Luo Yi Ning, should be married first. However, her father seems infatuated with his stepmother’s ideas and remains biased.
As Luo Yi Ning arrives at the estate, she is stopped by confused servants. Instead of getting angry, she calmly waits. Soon, the housekeeper arrives and leads her inside. Meanwhile, the Jiang family arrives to celebrate the birthday, bringing with them news of a broken engagement, which instantly makes the atmosphere awkward. As the women chat casually, the housekeeper announces Luo Yi Ning’s arrival. Everyone looks up to see her, radiating grace and beauty, like a fresh bloom.
Luo Yi Ning presents her carefully prepared birthday gift for her grandmother—a large paper cutout titled "Ma Gu Presents Longevity," rich in meaning, earning her much praise. She also gifts her father treasured paintings, each imbued with deep emotion and respect.
As night falls, the children excitedly play with fireworks. A maid quietly prepares a special firework for Luo Yi Ning. This moment is noticed by Luo Shen Yuan, who, out of kindness, warns her to be careful. However, when Yi Lian lights the firework and realizes it is dangerously unstable, she panics and tosses it near Madam Jiang’s feet. In a critical moment, Luo Yi Ning swiftly steps in, extinguishing the firework with her foot and averting a crisis.
Madam Jiang, startled, leaves in a hurry, and Luo Yi Ning's father scolds the children, also reprimanding Luo Shen Yuan, who should have been confined. Although Luo Yi Ning intended to speak up for him, she finds herself implicated and is punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall for the entire night. This night serves as both punishment and a lesson in growth for her.
She understands that the road ahead is long, and she must become stronger to protect herself and those around her.
Comments(Episode 1)