Believe in Love Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Believe in Love Synopsis
On a small island with a culinary civilization during the Jiayi years, Lu Yue'er, the owner of a noodle shop, has been oppressed by her stepmother since childhood, but still maintains a positive and optimistic attitude and treats others well.
She married Hua Yinan for family reasons and the pursuit by the young island owner, Hua Yinan.
But to her surprise, Hua Yinan, who has been pursuing Lu Yue'er persistently, actually has a strong purpose: his father's will is that Hua Yinan has to marry Lu Yue'er in order to inherit the island.
After Lu Yue'er learns that she is being used, she still chooses to believe in Hua Yinan and continues to live with him.
Finally, with the help of others, Hua Yinan finally knows that the person he loved is Lu Yue'er!
Believe in Love Recap
Episode 1 Recap
A thousand years ago, on Flower Island where humans and spirits coexisted, Lord Xuan, a dragon who had cultivated for a thousand years, battled with the mortal General Mu Yuan over the tree spirit Xiao Man. Mu Yuan was gravely wounded by Lord Xuan's sword, and Xiao Man, fearing his soul would perish, tearfully begged him to stop fighting.
Lord Xuan, furious, accused Mu Yuan of interfering with his destined union with Xiao Man, claiming they were meant to become immortals together. He vowed to extinguish Mu Yuan's soul, leaving him no chance to reincarnate. Mu Yuan defiantly refused to let Xiao Man fall into Lord Xuan's hands and lunged, pulling Lord Xuan with him off a cliff. Xiao Man, exerting all her strength, rescued Mu Yuan.
As Mu Yuan lay dying, he confessed his love, stating that meeting her was his greatest joy, and he had no regrets, even if his soul perished. Unwilling to see him vanish, Xiao Man made a solemn vow, sacrificing her immortal cultivation and transferring her Seven-leaf Peepul tree spirit to Mu Yuan to save his soul and grant him reincarnation.
As a result, she herself fell into the six paths of reincarnation, bringing their love in that lifetime to an end. A thousand years later, Flower Island flourished, renowned for its cuisine and attracting master chefs and visitors from all over. Xiao Man was reincarnated as Lu Yue'er, a small chef on the island. Born with a fragile heart, Lu Yue'er was emotionally insensitive and often regarded as a "heartless monster" by the islanders.
She remained unfazed, dedicating herself to warming people's hearts through her delicious food. Recently, however, she faced a persistent annoyance: the young island master, Hua Yinan, was relentlessly pursuing her. Du Ruo, Lu Yue'er's cousin, suspected Hua Yinan's intentions were not pure. He confronted Hua Yinan at Floral House, where he sarcastically noted Hua Yinan's enjoyment of spicy food, despite the old adage that liars lose their tongues in hell.
Du Ruo directly questioned Hua Yinan’s motives, reminding him that Lu Yue'er was dying and warning him to leave her alone. Hua Yinan, however, insisted he liked her and suggested that his pursuit might even bring her happiness and extend her life by a few days. During their argument, Lu Yue'er's friend, Xiao Yi, rushed in to inform Lu Yue'er about the confrontation.
Lu Yue'er, still with duck feathers on her face from her cooking, hurried to Floral House, arriving just as Hua Yinan confessed his feelings. She presented Hua Yinan with a duck as an apology for Du Ruo's behavior, then firmly grabbed Du Ruo by the ear to pull him away.
Before leaving, she unequivocally told Hua Yinan that she did not love him, stating she only liked Du Ruo, her father, and Xiao Yi, and advised him to abandon his affections for her. Hua Yinan's attendant later remarked that Lu Yue'er had rejected him 36 times in two months, yet Hua Yinan remained resolute, vowing to marry her.
Later, at the bustling Cloudy Moon Noodle Restaurant, Du Ruo asked Lu Yue'er to clarify the nature of her "liking" for him, wondering if it was different from her liking for Xiao Yi. Lu Yue'er lightheartedly admitted she liked Xiao Yi more because Xiao Yi never disturbed her while she cooked. She then expressed her bewilderment at Hua Yinan's pursuit, given her worsening heart condition and the islanders' perception of her as a dying monster.
Du Ruo quickly silenced her negative talk, sharing hopeful news that his father had heard of a shaman named Nan Ze, who could perform face and heart transplants, and they were actively seeking him. Lu Yue'er was elated, imagining a future where she could care for her father without his constant worry. Du Ruo, meanwhile, confessed his lack of enthusiasm for the upcoming Master Chef Competition, wishing only to remain by Lu Yue'er's side.
When Lu Yue'er returned home, she discovered her stepmother, Madam Gui Yun, attempting to marry her off to an elderly Tailor Chang, who was even older than her father. Lu Yue'er vehemently refused, mentioning her impending death and the burden it would place on him. Tailor Chang, upon learning of her condition and the family's lack of agreement, also backed out.
Madam Gui Yun then tried to haggle the "selling" price down to fifteen gold coins, but Lu Yue'er's father intervened, stating it was Lu Yue'er's decision. As Madam Gui Yun pressed Lu Yue'er, citing their need for money for her father's medicine, Hua Yinan dramatically arrived with a grand procession of betrothal gifts, proclaiming his intention to marry Lu Yue'er. Despite Madam Gui Yun's excitement, Lu Yue'er and her father again rejected Hua Yinan's proposal, frustrating him immensely.
Hua Yinan's insistence on marrying Lu Yue'er stemmed from his late father's will, which mandated that he must marry Lu Yue'er to rightfully inherit the title of Island Lord. Without this title, he could not deploy troops to defend the island from pirate attacks. Despite his initial reluctance to marry a "dying girl," Hua Yinan decided to comply with the will, resolving to marry Lu Yue'er and then prepare for her burial.
To force her hand, Hua Yinan instructed his men to pressure Madam Gui Yun, who had incurred significant gambling debts, and seize the Cloudy Moon Noodle Restaurant and the Lu family's property deeds as collateral. Now homeless, Lu Yue'er and her father moved in with Xiao Yi. Lu Yue'er stubbornly refused to seek Hua Yinan's help, instead setting up a food stall to earn money. Hua Yinan, observing her resolve, decided to watch how long she could endure.
That night, as Lu Yue'er and Xiao Yi were closing their stall, they were accosted by a group of pirates, who initially demanded money but then decided to kidnap the two "pretty girls." Lu Yue'er bravely threatened to die with them if they came closer, but just as the situation escalated, Hua Yinan appeared and swiftly apprehended the pirates. He then carried a weak-kneed Lu Yue'er away, silently acknowledging that the pirates' timely appearance had benefited his plan.
Lu Yue'er angrily accused him of spreading marriage rumors, but he dismissed her protests, telling her not to act tough and suggesting that "clingy girls are much cuter." He carried her to a safe place, finding her adorable when she was quiet. The next morning, Lu Yue'er awoke, unsure if being carried by Hua Yinan was a dream, which Xiao Yi confirmed as real. Xiao Yi then gave her a letter from Du Ruo.
In the letter, Du Ruo, now grounded by his father, informed Lu Yue'er that a man named Luo Zhen had witnessed a certain Gu Xin Zhu handing two title deeds to Hua Yinan, leading Du Ruo to suspect that Madam Gui Yun had been set up and that Hua Yinan was involved. He cautioned Lu Yue'er to be wary of him.
Realizing that Hua Yinan must have orchestrated the gambling debt and the pirate attack, Lu Yue'er decided to find the title deeds in Hua Mansion to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Hua Yinan's sister, Hua Yuman, encouraged Su Tang to spend more time with Hua Yinan to win his affection. Su Tang felt disheartened, believing Hua Yinan always ignored her.
Hua Yuman tried to reassure her, explaining that Hua Yinan ignored all women and was simply insensitive, but she believed he treated Su Tang better than others. She also mentioned the widespread rumor about Hua Yinan marrying Lu Yue'er. Later, Lu Yue'er, disguised as a servant, infiltrated Hua Mansion and entered Hua Yinan's study to search for the deeds. Hua Yinan discovered her there, causing her to jump in fright.
She quickly concocted a story, claiming she had come to thank him for saving her from the pirates the previous night, and promised to repay his kindness before attempting to leave. Hua Yinan, however, blocked her path, pinning her against the wall.
Episode 2 Recap
Lu Yue'er, disguised as a servant, was in Hua Yinan's study searching for the title deeds for the Cloudy Moon Noodle Restaurant and the Lu family's land. She found only deeds for a gambling house and drugstore, realizing what she needed wasn't there. She muttered to herself, wondering if Hua Yinan had tricked her. She quickly hid when Hua Yinan entered with Gu Xinzhu.
Gu Xinzhu reported that the captured pirates had confessed their plan to attack Flower Island from the three-sided cliffs, having sought to replenish tiger claws. Hua Yinan acknowledged he had anticipated this and secured the tiger claws, but still expressed concern about the pirates finding other methods and the urgency of deploying defense. After Gu Xinzhu left, Hua Yinan reviewed documents. Lu Yue'er accidentally knocked over a scroll, revealing her hiding spot.
She quickly fabricated a story, claiming she had come to thank him for saving her life. Hua Yinan, seeing through her excuse due to her disguise and unannounced presence, seized the opportunity. He cornered her, stating she didn't need to wait to repay his kindness. Lu Yue'er, feeling intimidated, threatened to harm herself by hitting her head against the books. Hua Yinan pressed her to admit her feelings for him.
She conceded her heart had pounded hard, but vehemently denied it was love, saying she couldn't communicate with him. Their tense interaction was interrupted by the arrival of Hua Yuman and Su Tang, prompting Hua Yinan to quickly conceal Lu Yue'er. Hua Yinan then opened the door to welcome his sister, Hua Yuman, and Su Tang.
He curtly questioned Su Tang about being away from her duties, but Hua Yuman chastised him, reminding him of Su Tang's father's past invaluable assistance to their family and urging him to treat Su Tang with more respect and care. Hua Yuman then announced she had brought Su Tang to discuss their marriage.
Hua Yinan, however, revealed that he himself had spread the rumors of his impending marriage and firmly declared that Lu Yue'er was the only woman he would marry. Enraged, Hua Yuman disparaged Lu Yue'er, calling her ill-fated, a "jinx," and unworthy of marrying into the Island Lord's Mansion. Unable to endure the insults any longer, Lu Yue'er emerged from her hiding spot.
She confronted Hua Yuman, clarifying that she had no intention of marrying Hua Yinan and that he was the one persistently pursuing her. She angrily told Hua Yuman to control her younger brother. Hua Yuman was so incensed by Lu Yue'er's words that she fainted. As Hua Yinan was escorting Lu Yue'er away from the mansion, Du Ruo, witnessing their departure, furiously chased after them, even borrowing a donkey.
The donkey startled Hua Yinan's carriage, causing it to swerve violently, and in the chaos, Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er accidentally kissed. Lu Yue'er, with her weak heart, felt her heart race, a sensation she found alarming, fearing it might signify her death. Hua Yinan, for his part, dramatically lamented the unexpected loss of his first kiss. Realizing that gentle persuasion was ineffective, Hua Yinan decided on a more forceful approach.
He took Lu Yue'er to an embroidery workshop, where she was given an elaborate makeover. While she changed, Hua Yinan rehearsed love poems. When Lu Yue'er emerged in her new attire, Hua Yinan was genuinely captivated, feeling a sincere emotional shift from his initial strategic interest. He suggested her rapid heartbeat during their accidental kiss indicated she had feelings for him. Lu Yue'er, recalling the sensation and curious if it was love, embraced him, but felt no accelerated heartbeat.
She pondered if only a kiss would elicit such a reaction. Sensing her thoughts, Hua Yinan embraced her again and leaned in to kiss her. Just as their lips were about to meet, Du Ruo arrived on his donkey, shouting and angrily pulling Lu Yue'er away, much to Hua Yinan's frustration. Later that day, Lu Yue'er cooked for a sulking Du Ruo.
She asked him if a fast heartbeat for someone meant liking them, explaining that her heart had raced when Hua Yinan's lips touched hers and his chest pressed against hers. Du Ruo, furious at Hua Yinan's actions, initially wanted to confront him but was restrained by Lu Yue'er. He then embraced her, hoping to evoke a similar reaction in her, but Lu Yue'er felt nothing. Disheartened, Du Ruo drank heavily, confessing his feelings for her before passing out.
As he was being carried away by servants, one of them handed Lu Yue'er a letter from Senior Master Du, Du Ruo's father. The letter informed her that Ghost Doctor Nan Ze (a renowned healer) was currently in the capital city but would be leaving after mid-July, with his next whereabouts unknown.
Master Du had arranged for her to leave the island by boat in five days, providing travel funds, with the strict instruction not to tell Du Ruo and to go alone. Lu Yue'er understood the implicit meaning of this clandestine arrangement. On a mountaintop, Lu Yue'er confided her inner thoughts to her mother's memorial, expressing her fear of death and her desire to understand why her heart had raced when she was with Hua Yinan.
Hua Yinan, who had been eavesdropping, appeared. He questioned her conflicting actions—getting close to him at the workshop yet leaving with Du Ruo—and her apparent indecisiveness. He then pulled her into a kiss, and in that instant, it was as if the souls of Mu Yuan and Xiao Man, from their past lives, had reappeared. To his own surprise, Hua Yinan shed tears, finding the reaction baffling. Lu Yue'er was confused, teasing him for crying like a girl.
Hua Yinan confessed that while his initial pursuit might have had other motivations, she had gradually "walked into my life, and now I'm starting to become a mess." He implored her not to reject his heart again. However, Lu Yue'er firmly rejected him, calling him "bossy, willful, arrogant, and selfish." She advised him, as Island Lord, to focus on the welfare of his people instead of persistently pursuing her.
She revealed her imminent departure in four days for treatment in the capital, acknowledging her uncertain fate, and asked him to stop bothering her. Afterward, Hua Yinan pondered whether his desire to marry Lu Yue'er was truly his own or merely a result of his father's command. Meanwhile, Lu Yue'er's father's condition worsened, and he coughed up blood. Her servant, Xiao Yi, searched the entire island for a doctor but found everyone unavailable, out on house calls. Xiao Yi then suggested seeking help from the doctor at the Island Lord's Mansion, leaving Lu Yue'er with a difficult decision.
Episode 3 Recap
Lu Yue'er sought out Hua Yinan for help with her ailing father. Hua Yinan, having heard rumors about a shaman named Nan Ze in the capital city who could replace hearts, immediately instructed Gu Xinzhu to investigate. He arranged for Lu Yue'er's father and the rest of her family to be brought to his mansion, where the family doctor treated her father. The doctor initially confirmed that the illness was not severe and could be managed with medicine.
Hua Yinan also sent people to redeem the title deeds for Lu's Mansion and the Cloudy Moon Noodle Restaurant. Hua Yinan offered for the Lu family to stay at his mansion. Although Lu Yue'er was hesitant, feeling she owed him too much, the doctor's subsequent warning that moving her father would disturb his Qi and blood circulation and endanger his life left her with no choice but to accept.
Her Second Mother and Yu Zhen, however, were thrilled by the luxurious accommodations. Lu Yue'er spent hours caring for her father, with Hua Yinan silently watching over her, his affection for her growing. When Lu Yue'er urged him to rest, Hua Yinan refused, teasing her playfully before taking her to the mansion's rooftop. There, he confessed his desire for her to lean on him, assuring her she wouldn't have to carry her burdens alone anymore.
Lu Yue'er questioned why Hua Yinan liked her, and when he playfully turned the question back, she explained her reasons for not accepting his affection. She felt unworthy, describing herself as a "monster" whom everyone avoided, contrasting it with his distinguished status as the island lord. She feared that if she were to marry him, her short life due to her illness would only bring him the cruel pain of loss, and she did not want to be a burden.
Hua Yinan was deeply touched by her thoughtful and considerate nature. Meanwhile, Lu Yue'er's Second Mother and Yu Zhen, attempting to "borrow" jewelry to recover gambling losses, were caught masked in Hua Yuman's room. Hua Yuman, furious, demanded they be imprisoned for at least three years. Hua Yinan intervened, taking responsibility by stating that if he had redeemed the family's title deeds sooner, they wouldn't have been in such a desperate situation, and urged his sister to forgive them.
Hua Yuman retorted, reminding him that Lu Yue'er had already rejected his proposal. Hua Yinan firmly declared that even if Lu Yue'er refused him, he would still protect her and allow no one to bully her, a statement that earned Lu Yue'er's newfound respect. As Lu Yue'er and her family prepared to leave, Hua Yinan presented her with the regained title deeds. Lu Yue'er, deeply moved, promised to repay him promptly.
News reached Su Tang that Lu Yue'er had spent the night at Hua Yinan's mansion. Her good mood vanished, and the premium jade pendant she had meticulously chosen for Hua Yinan shattered to the ground. She was so upset she canceled a planned visit to Hua Yuman. Hua Yinan tried to convince Lu Yue'er to stay on the island, expressing doubts about Nan Ze's ability to replace hearts and offering to gather all the island's skilled doctors to treat her.
Lu Yue'er sadly explained that she had seen every doctor on the island since childhood, and none could cure her condition. Gu Xinzhu's inquiries, however, confirmed that Nan Ze indeed had a strong reputation for heart replacement. Reluctantly, Hua Yinan agreed to let Lu Yue'er leave. As she prepared to depart, Gu Xinzhu expressed concern about pirate attacks, to which Hua Yinan declared he would defend the island with his life.
Hua Yinan pleaded with Lu Yue'er to return safely, a plea that led Gu Xinzhu to remark that Hua Yinan was clearly in love, an accusation Hua Yinan immediately denied. Du Ruo, having received a message, rushed to see Lu Yue'er off, but she had already departed. He learned from a captured islander that she had been kidnapped by pirates and immediately set out to rescue her.
Meanwhile, the pirate leader, Lei Fu, sent a message to Hua Yinan, informing him that both Lu Yue'er and Su Tang had been captured. Lei Fu demanded that Hua Yinan come alone, threatening to harm the hostages if he brought any forces. Despite Gu Xinzhu warning him that it was a trap, Hua Yinan, fearing Lei Fu would harm Lu Yue'er, decided to go by himself.
Lei Fu planned to use Hua Yinan's true fiancée to threaten him and keep the alleged 'fake fiancée' for his own pleasure, while selling the captured children for silver. In their captivity, Lu Yue'er comforted the frightened children by telling them stories about monsters who eat naughty, crying children to make them quiet. She then asked Su Tang for a sharp object to cut their ropes.
They managed to free themselves and release the children, but were discovered by the pirates before they could escape. Lei Fu, having learned from his men that Su Tang was not Hua Yinan's real fiancée and that a "monster" was rumored to be his intended, had ordered both women to be captured to ensure he had the correct hostage. Lu Yue'er also overheard him planning to seize Flower Island and rename it after himself.
After their escape attempt failed, Lu Yue'er and Su Tang were hung up and severely beaten by the pirates. Hua Yinan arrived alone at the pirates' hideout. Lei Fu, delighted to finally confront his long-standing enemy, made Hua Yinan play a cruel game: identify his real fiancée, promising to release her but kill the other. Hua Yinan fiercely defended Lu Yue'er, declaring his love and confirming her as his true fiancée.
Enraged, Lei Fu commanded his men to attack, aiming to kill Lu Yue'er first. Just as Hua Yinan was struck down while protecting Lu Yue'er, Du Ruo arrived. Lu Yue'er urged Du Ruo to save Su Tang first. Su Tang, refusing to leave without them, was eventually knocked unconscious by Du Ruo and carried to safety. As Lei Fu continued to attack Hua Yinan, Lu Yue'er threw herself over him, shielding him.
At that moment, a powerful flash of light erupted from a nearby tree, the manifestation of a tree spirit, incapacitating Lei Fu and his pirates, leaving Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er unharmed.
Episode 4 Recap
Lu Yue'er awakened in Hua Yinan's mansion, where he was diligently tending to her. She inquired about the pirates, and he assured her they had all been arrested. Hua Yinan expressed his profound gratitude for her selflessness the previous day, urging her not to risk her life for him again. Lu Yue'er explained that she felt an uncontrollable, mysterious force guiding her actions.
Hua Yinan, however, attributed their rescue to a sudden flash of white light, suggesting it might have been a divine blessing. He then confessed that he had not realized the depth of her affection, believing she merely liked him, but seeing her risk her life to save him revealed a much deeper love. He vowed that as long as he lived, he would never betray her. Later, Du Ruo noticed Dr. Liu acting furtively.
Upon questioning him, Du Ruo discovered that Hua Yinan had instructed Dr. Liu to add centipedes to Lu Yue'er's father's medicine. Misinterpreting this, Du Ruo rushed to inform Lu Yue'er, convinced that Hua Yinan was trying to harm her father. Lu Yue'er confronted Hua Yinan, who was in the process of proposing marriage to her father, and accused him of attempting murder, pointing to the centipede in the prescription.
Despite Hua Yinan's calm admission, Lu Yue'er, in a fit of anger, slapped him. Hua Yinan then summoned the mansion's physician, who clarified that the centipede was a guiding ingredient from an ancient medical text, intended to clear meridians and remove stasis, essentially "fighting poison with poison." The physician explained that the initial worsening of symptoms was a normal part of the healing process and that Lu Yue'er's father would recover fully with continued treatment.
Hua Yinan had deliberately used Dr. Liu to administer the medicine to prevent Lu's father from worrying about the unusual ingredient. Overwhelmed with guilt for her repeated misunderstandings and physical assault on Hua Yinan, Lu Yue'er was deeply remorseful. Hua Yinan then led Lu Yue'er to the seaside. She gently touched his face, asking if it still hurt, and sincerely apologized for her actions. Hua Yinan, understanding her distress, did not fault her.
Moved by his kindness and his actions, Lu Yue'er told him she had changed her mind. As a form of gratitude, she decided not to go to the capital for treatment, and instead declared her intention to marry him, asking if they were still going to get married. Overjoyed, Hua Yinan embraced her and spun her around in excitement. Meanwhile, in the capital, Song Yan returned from the wilderness and first paid his respects to the Empress Dowager.
She expressed regret for not protecting him from becoming a hostage after his mother had entrusted him to her care. Song Yan graciously reassured her, saying he understood and that his mother would too. Princess Qingyao, who had harbored a long-standing admiration for Song Yan, also arrived and was overjoyed to see him. She offered him some exquisite crab-apple pastries from Flower Island. After tasting them, Song Yan praised their quality and expressed a desire to visit Flower Island himself.
Princess Qingyao suggested they could attend the Flower Island Lord's upcoming succession ceremony together. The Empress Dowager, concerned about pirates, warned of the dangers of travel to the island, but Song Yan dismissed her worries, eager to visit and broaden his horizons while he had some free time. Back on Flower Island, Lu Yue'er prepared for her wedding, entrusting the Cloudy Moon Noodle Restaurant to Xiao Yi.
She confided in Xiao Yi that Hua Yinan was a responsible man who cherished his friends and family, and she trusted him to protect her loved ones if her illness proved fatal. She also explained that Du Ruo had informed her that Shaman Nan Ze, the only one who could help her, had already left the capital, making a trip there pointless.
A crowd of islanders soon gathered, expressing their immense gratitude to Lu Yue'er for saving their children from the pirates. Their perception of her had completely transformed; they now hailed her as a goddess and the guardian angel of Flower Island, rather than a monster. Hua Yinan, observing this, felt genuine happiness for her. Meanwhile, Hua Yinan visited his father's memorial. He confessed to his father that he initially resented the arranged marriage to Lu Yue'er.
However, after discovering she was Yun Wan Xi's daughter, he understood his father's deep affection for Yun Wan Xi, though he felt sorry for his own mother and shame for his father. Ultimately, he thanked his father for choosing a worthy spouse and vowed to cherish Lu Yue'er. Later that evening, Lu Yue'er had a heartfelt conversation with her father. He reminisced about his simple wedding to her mother, regretting that he couldn't give her a grand ceremony.
He described the old "bride-snatching" custom of the island, where hired men would pretend to abduct the bride to signify her popularity. He had wanted to do this for her mother, but she had wisely refused, fearing a real abduction. Lu Yue'er agreed with her mother, acknowledging the risk of a new bride actually being stolen away. She then affectionately told her father to take good care of himself, as she would be leaving home the next day.
That night was restless for both Du Ruo and Su Tang. Both were plagued by sleeplessness, grappling with the impending marriage of the person they secretly loved. Du Ruo looked at the wedding invitation with a heavy heart, while Su Tang also appeared to be lost in somber thoughts. The next day, the grand wedding of Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er took place.
During the ceremony, Hua Yinan secretly vowed to Lu Yue'er to make amends for his past deceptions and initial motives for marrying her, promising to dedicate his life to her. The ceremony proceeded with the traditional bows to Heaven and Earth, and to the God of Marriage. However, as the couple prepared for their final bow to each other, Du Ruo dramatically interrupted.
Dressed in a groom's outfit, he declared his love for Lu Yue'er, surprising the guests, who recognized him and concluded it was a theatrical performance of the old "bride-snatching" custom. Du Ruo passionately recited a poem about fate and love, reminding Lu Yue'er of their childhood vow by the sea. He confessed his long-held love for her, affirming that despite his reputation as a playboy, his feelings were sincere and deep.
The onlookers were touched by his heartfelt declaration, believing he was earnestly playing his role in the custom. Lu Yue'er, understanding his gesture, quietly thanked Du Ruo for being so thoughtful in upholding the tradition. In a symbolic act of refusal, as per the custom, she offered him a cup of tea. With Du Ruo's poignant "bride-snatching" attempt gracefully declined, the ceremony resumed.
Du Ruo watched, heartbroken, as Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er completed their third and final bow, officially becoming husband and wife. Later, in the bridal chamber, Lu Yue'er reflected on her new role, determining to fulfill her duties as Hua Yinan's wife. Hua Yinan tenderly embraced her, expressing his joy that she was finally married to him, and gently drew her into his arms, as their shared life together began.
Episode 5 Recap
Lu Yue'er and Hua Yinan were finally married, and Hua Yinan was eager to consummate their union. He initiated a kiss, which Lu Yue'er, despite her shyness, tentatively reciprocated. However, when it came to the crucial next step, Lu Yue'er hesitated, claiming she was on her monthly period. Hua Yinan, understanding her reluctance, assured her he would wait until she was ready and reluctantly gave up his excited thoughts.
To express his feelings, he presented her with an array of jewelry, including his mother's cherished Golden Phoenix hairpin. He explained its deep sentimental value, sharing how his mother's unhappy life and his own reserved nature had been impacted by her presence. He hoped the hairpin would serve as a reminder of him, but before he could finish, Lu Yue'er, ever carefree, had already fallen asleep.
The following morning, Hua Yinan brought Lu Yue'er to meet his elder sister, Hua Yuman, who was his only surviving elder since their parents' passing. Lu Yue'er offered tea to her sister-in-law. Hua Yuman immediately noticed that the valuable Golden Phoenix hairpin was no longer with Hua Yinan and realized he had given it to Lu Yue'er, acknowledging her significant position in his heart.
However, she quickly adopted a stern demeanor, stating that since Lu Yue'er had married into the Island Lord's Mansion, she needed a "transformation" and must adhere to the rules of the princess' mansion, as established by their mother, Princess Jia Ning. She instructed Nanny Jiang, who had served their mother since childhood, to teach Lu Yue'er the customs, warning her not to dishonor the mansion before outsiders.
Hua Yinan tried to intercede, explaining that he had already agreed that Lu Yue'er did not need to conform to these rules. Yet, Lu Yue'er, willing to be a "qualified wife," declared her readiness to learn, which slightly improved Hua Yuman's mood. Hua Yuman, having grown up in the Island Lord's Mansion, openly disdained common folk.
Lu Yue'er, disregarding proper etiquette, directly debated with her, prompting Hua Yuman to disparage Lu Yue'er's past of running a noodle restaurant and tell her to abandon her "vulgar habits." Lu Yue'er boldly retorted that being born wealthy did not grant one the right to look down on the poor. Hua Yinan also sided with Lu Yue'er. Incensed, Hua Yuman demanded Hua Yinan discipline his wife, to which he replied that his wife was strong-willed and he could not.
Feeling that the couple was ganging up on her, Hua Yuman furiously stormed out. With the marriage complete, fulfilling the Island Lord's last wishes, Elder Wu presented Hua Yinan with the Token of the Lord, officially recognizing him as the Lord of Flower Island and granting him command over all military forces on the island. Hua Yinan then requested his father's will.
Reading it, he discovered a surprising clause: from the date of marriage, all private funds of the Island Lord's Mansion were to be controlled solely by Lu Yue'er, requiring her signature for any of his own expenditures. Confused, Hua Yinan asked Elder Wu the meaning of this. Elder Wu explained that his father had included this clause to prevent Hua Yinan from regretting or repudiating the marriage.
Though Hua Yinan dismissed the idea of divorce as impossible, Hua Yinan worried that if Hua Yuman learned of this clause and investigated further, Lu Yue'er's true identity might be exposed, leading to more suffering for her. Elder Wu advised him to quickly regain financial control before Hua Yuman became aware of the will's contents. Separately, Song Yan, also known as Brother Yuan, frequently heard a voice calling "Xiao Man" in his mind.
When Man Hua arrived to see him, she heard him call out "Xiao Man" and, believing he was calling her, became delighted. Song Yan often found himself drawn to a particular painting of a tree and a beautiful woman, whom he affectionately called Xiao Man, despite not knowing why. He confided in his attendant about these recurring visions and the inexplicable connection he felt to the painting.
His attendant suggested that such vivid images might be the most impressive memories carried over from a past life. Meanwhile, Lu Yue'er, understanding that consummating their marriage was an inevitable experience, had the awareness to face it, but worried about intense pain. She decided to drink some alcohol to overcome her shyness and fear. She ended up heavily intoxicated, mistaking Hua Yinan for "cured meat" that needed to be heated.
She playfully chased him around and tried to kiss him, calling him "meat" and "flower," while Hua Yinan, baffled and helpless, eventually gave up and let her pass out. The next morning, Hua Yinan left a note for her to drink refreshing tea. Later, her friend Xiao Yi visited. Xiao Yi, despite Lu Yue'er's new status as "My Lady," insisted on calling her "Sister Yue'er." Xiao Yi admired the numerous pieces of jewelry Hua Yinan had gifted Lu Yue'er.
Lu Yue'er, recalling Xiao Yi's unwavering loyalty and help with her noodle restaurant when others feared and shunned her, generously offered her friend any piece she desired. Xiao Yi chose the exquisite Golden Phoenix hairpin, and Lu Yue'er, out of deep friendship and sisterly affection, gifted it to her. When Hua Yinan returned and discovered the Golden Phoenix hairpin was gone, he was furious, believing Lu Yue'er's feelings for him were not genuine.
He confronted Lu Yue'er, demanding to know how she could give away such a meaningful gift. Lu Yue'er, failing to grasp its significance, dismissed it as "just a hairpin" among many others and questioned why he was so angry. Hua Yinan, deeply hurt, asked if she truly loved him. Lu Yue'er candidly admitted she didn't understand "love" but deeply appreciated his care for her father.
When he pressed her about shielding him from danger, she reiterated that it was an "involuntary" action, and she had married him primarily to ensure he continued to care for her father. Her honest but hurtful admission left Hua Yinan devastated, and he stormed off.
Drowning his sorrows in alcohol, Hua Yinan was joined by Su Tang, who confessed her decade-long unrequited love for him and lamented how the love Lu Yue'er disregarded was the very thing she yearned for, but was out of her reach. Lu Yue'er, who had come looking for Hua Yinan, witnessed Su Tang comforting a drunken Hua Yinan.
Misinterpreting the scene, Lu Yue'er reflected that Su Tang and Hua Yinan had known each other for over ten years and would likely have been married if not for her. Feeling a strange tightness in her chest, she decided to use this to appease Hua Yinan.
The next day, she brought him specially made apology cakes, then directly suggested he take Su Tang as his concubine, or even elevate Su Tang to his main consort while she herself became a concubine, assuring him she wouldn't mind at all. Hua Yinan was enraged by her proposition, interpreting it as a blatant disregard for his feelings and a confirmation that she had "no heart." He called her "unreasonable" and "narrow-minded," then ordered her out.
Hua Yinan was so angry he ignored Lu Yue'er for several days. Later, Hua Yuman intercepted Lu Yue'er, chastising her for not having her assigned maidservants. Noticing the absence of the Golden Phoenix hairpin, Hua Yuman grew alarmed, emphatically stating that it was their mother's cherished heirloom and something Hua Yinan valued above all else. Lu Yue'er finally understood the true significance of the hairpin and the depth of her mistake, filled with profound regret.
She resolved to earnestly apologize to Hua Yinan, but a servant soon informed her that Hua Yinan would be sleeping in the wing room from now on and did not wish to be disturbed, having become even angrier after their recent conversation. This news solidified Lu Yue'er's realization of the gravity of her actions and Hua Yinan's continued withdrawal.
Episode 6 Recap
Hua Yinan spent a restless night, replaying the image of Lu Yue'er suggesting he take Su Tang as a concubine. Lu Yue'er, on the other hand, slept soundly. The next morning, Lu Yue'er was startled awake by Nanny Jiang, who was there to begin her training as the Island Lord's wife. The training was difficult for Lu Yue'er, including memorizing fifteen taboos for using chopsticks.
She lamented how hard it was to be the Island Lord's wife, but resolved to remember everything so she wouldn't disappoint Hua Yinan. Hua Yinan secretly watched Lu Yue'er's diligent efforts and was pleased. Lu Yue'er noticed Hua Yinan was avoiding her and consulted Xiao Yi, expressing confusion about her feelings. She felt safe around him, but when he ignored her, she felt empty and lonely. Seeing him with other women made her feel depressed and unhappy.
Xiao Yi concluded that Lu Yue'er had fallen for Hua Yinan and advised her to make amends by creating origami mandarin ducks, a local custom to express affection. On her way back to the Island Lord's Mansion, a gambler bumped into Lu Yue'er and called out her mother's name, Yun Wan Xi. When Lu Yue'er tried to question him, he denied knowing her mother and quickly fled, leaving Lu Yue'er puzzled.
Hua Yinan had gathered doctors to consult on Lu Yue'er's heart condition. They reported her condition was unprecedented and they could only offer medicine to strengthen her heart and prolong her life, not a full cure, which disheartened Hua Yinan. Later, Hua Yinan watched Lu Yue'er sleeping and vowed to protect her for the rest of his life, regardless of whether she loved him. She stirred, caught his hand in her sleep, and apologized for giving away his mother's hairpin.
Hua Yinan confessed he was upset not just about the hairpin but also about her apparent lack of feelings for him. He would wait until she truly loved him and sleep in the wing room until then. Lu Yue'er then showed him the pair of paper mandarin ducks she had folded, revealing her cut and blistered hands. Hua Yinan was touched by her dedication and asked her to call him "Husband."
The next morning, Nanny Jiang checked the bedsheets for signs of consummation at Hua Yuman's instruction. Finding none, Hua Yuman confronted Lu Yue'er, questioning if she had been with another man before marriage. Lu Yue'er denied it and explained that she and Hua Yinan had not consummated their marriage. Hua Yuman speculated that Lu Yue'er was too thin and fragile to interest Hua Yinan. Recalling Hua Yinan's promise to wait, Lu Yue'er couldn't reveal the true reason.
Hua Yuman instructed Nanny Jiang to teach Lu Yue'er how to make a nourishing lamb and ginseng soup, which was known to improve blood circulation and boost male virility. Lu Yue'er diligently learned the recipe, understanding the implications for carrying on the family line. Lu Yue'er prepared the soup and fed it to Hua Yinan, who playfully accused her of causing trouble but accepted her efforts and embraced her.
Su Tang arrived to deliver a report and felt a pang of discomfort at the intimate scene. Lu Yue'er also felt a familiar stuffiness in her chest when she noticed the interaction between Hua Yinan and Su Tang. Su Tang reported that the Imperial Court had praised their recent tribute dishes, acknowledging Hua Yinan's talent and rewarding the chefs and stewards involved. That night, Lu Yue'er dressed seductively and performed a clumsy dance for Hua Yinan.
He was surprised and asked who had taught her to be so enticing. Lu Yue'er confessed she was just trying to please him. Hua Yinan reassured her that she didn't need to try so hard and that she was the only one in his heart. As they grew closer, Lu Yue'er remembered her "main task" of bearing children. However, their intimate moment was interrupted when Hua Yinan suddenly had a nosebleed.
Panicked, Lu Yue'er screamed for a physician, alarming the entire mansion, including Hua Yuman. The physician diagnosed it as excessive internal heat. After Lu Yue'er left, Hua Yuman questioned Hua Yinan's sexual orientation, mentioning rumors of homosexuals in the Capital. Hua Yinan dismissed her speculations. Later, Hua Yinan tried to withdraw 10,000 taels from the bank to reward his soldiers but was refused by Master Wang.
He discovered that his late father's will stipulated that after Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er's marriage, all private funds would be managed by Lu Yue'er, requiring her signature for any withdrawals. To obtain her signature, Hua Yinan presented Lu Yue'er with premium snacks from Floral House, explaining its elaborate organizational structure, and revealed his intention to hand over all financial management of the Island Lord's Mansion to her. Lu Yue'er was astonished to see a bank note for 50,000 taels and quickly refused the daunting responsibility.
Episode 7 Recap
Hua Yinan felt a sense of relief when Lu Yue'er showed no suspicion about signing the bank note. He reasoned that by giving Hua Yuman a generous allowance, she would not investigate the household finances, thus preventing Lu Yue'er's true identity from being discovered for a while. He recalled Elder Wu's advice to reclaim financial control and have Lu Yue'er sign a property transfer agreement to make him the sole inheritor, but Hua Yinan ultimately tore up the agreement.
Lu Yue'er visited her father and once again encountered the man who had mistaken her for her late mother, Yun Wanxi. She spoke to him privately, and he revealed his old name was Dong Baoshan, now Dong Shuang Xi, adding that he was "dead already."
He explained that Lu Yue'er's mother had once shown him kindness and advised Lu Yue'er to always defer to Hua Yuman in the Island Lord's Mansion, especially to never mention her mother in front of Hua Yuman, as Hua Yuman harbored deep misunderstandings about her own mother's death, particularly in relation to Lu Yue'er's mother. Perplexed, Lu Yue'er questioned Hua Yinan, who vaguely dismissed Dong Shuang Xi as a mere street rogue whom his father had once helped.
Shortly after, Hua Yinan confronted Dong Shuang Xi, warning him to leave Floral Island and never return, reminding him how his past actions of helping Hua Yinan's father search for Yun Wanxi had caused his own mother much resentment. Hua Yuman, still troubled by the name Yun Wanxi, decided to visit her mother's ancestral hall and thought it would be an opportunity to introduce Lu Yue'er.
Hua Yinan, concerned about what Hua Yuman might say, decided to accompany them the next day to manage the situation. At the ancestral hall, before Hua Yuman could mention Yun Wanxi's name, Hua Yinan quickly intervened with a cough, successfully preventing Lu Yue'er from hearing her mother's name. After paying their respects, Lu Yue'er playfully requested Hua Yinan to cook something for her, assuming that as the owner of Floral House, he would be skilled in the kitchen.
Hua Yinan agreed, but proved to be completely inept, even botching scrambled eggs, turning them into fried eggshells. When he accidentally splashed oil into the stove, causing sparks to fly, Lu Yue'er instinctively stepped in front of him to shield him. She explained she didn't want him to get hurt. Touched by her selflessness, Hua Yinan insisted that she must never do such a thing again, emphasizing that she was the one who needed his protection.
Meanwhile, Hua Yuman learned from Mister Wang, the steward, who managed the accounts, that all financial withdrawals from the mansion now required Lu Yue'er's personal signature. Enraged, she immediately confronted Hua Yinan. He affirmed that it was his decision, believing Lu Yue'er was prudent and capable of managing the household's expenses. Hua Yuman accused Lu Yue'er of enchanting her brother, wondering how he could be so enamored.
At that moment, Lu Yue'er's stepmother and stepsister Yu Zhen arrived making a scene, demanding Hua Yinan help Yu Zhen find a suitable husband. Lu Yue'er's father reluctantly followed them. Hua Yuman scorned their audacity, making disparaging remarks about Yu Zhen's appearance and accusing Lu Yue'er of being a social climber just like them. Lu Yue'er's stepmother then brazenly requested Hua Yinan to give Yu Zhen a job at Floral House, hoping she would meet wealthy gentlemen there.
Hua Yinan, not wanting to put Lu Yue'er in a difficult position, agreed. Lu Yue'er was deeply hurt by Hua Yuman's harsh words and felt she was causing trouble for Hua Yinan. He quickly comforted her, explaining that Yu Zhen would only be given a menial job serving dishes and delivering meals, not a managerial position, which somewhat eased Lu Yue'er's distress.
In the imperial court, the Empress Dowager planned a marriage for Song Yan, with Princess Qingyao being the primary candidate. During a conversation, Princess Qingyao inadvertently touched upon Song Yan's mother's death, prompting the Empress Dowager to quickly interrupt her. Song Yan, observing the unusual reaction, later pressed Princess Qingyao for details.
Despite being warned by the Empress Dowager to keep silent, Princess Qingyao, moved by Song Yan's feigned sorrow and persistent questioning, confided what she had heard from her aunt: Yun Wanxi, a former imperial cook, was falsely accused of poisoning Song Yan's mother. The true culprit, she revealed, was Hua Jianshan. Hearing this, Song Yan's eyes widened in fury, and he vowed to seek justice for his mother.
Back on Floral Island, Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er prepared to welcome the new Food Bureau Minister. Lu Yue'er, feeling anxious, confessed her fear of embarrassing Hua Yinan as the Island Lord's wife if she didn't perform well. Hua Yinan gently reassured her. When the minister's carriage arrived, a prolonged silence ensued, irritating the waiting crowd. Finally, a voice from inside the carriage commanded Lu Yue'er to approach him. As the minister emerged, Lu Yue'er's face lit up with excitement; the imperial Food Bureau Minister was none other than Du Ruo.
Episode 8 Recap
Lu Yue'er and Hua Yinan welcomed Du Ruo to the mansion. Lu Yue'er appeared delighted by his return, but Hua Yinan harbored clear hostility, fueled by Du Ruo's past public declaration of love for Lu Yue'er and his attempt to snatch her during their wedding.
Hua Yinan questioned Du Ruo about giving up his prominent position as Royal Kitchen Chef in the capital to return to Flower Island, implying it was a strange decision for someone supposedly indifferent to fame and fortune. Du Ruo, now notably more steady and composed, responded that as a native of Flower Island, it was only natural for him to return and contribute to its prosperity.
He then addressed Lu Yue'er, asking if she agreed, to which she replied she was glad he was back. Throughout their tense interaction, Lu Yue'er tried to mediate between the two men. Later, she gently urged Hua Yinan not to be at odds with Du Ruo, explaining that Du Ruo's new role in Floral House would benefit the island by providing support at the royal court. Hua Yinan, with thinly veiled sarcasm, claimed he couldn't be happier.
Lu Yue'er then suggested that, according to tradition, the Food Bureau Minister should visit Floral House after meeting the Island Lord. However, Hua Yinan curtly dismissed the idea, stating that such trifles could be handled by servants, as he was the Island Lord. Du Ruo then sarcastically agreed that Hua Yinan was too busy for him and suggested Lu Yue'er accompany him instead.
When Lu Yue'er hesitantly asked Hua Yinan for permission, he angrily retorted that it was entirely up to her. After serving Du Ruo his favorite noodles in a restaurant, Lu Yue'er tried to reassure him about Hua Yinan's demeanor, describing her husband as serious and calm in front of outsiders, but sometimes childish and cute. Du Ruo then shared a significant discovery: while serving at court, he saw the roster of Floral House founders.
It listed Hua Jianshan, the late island lord, and a woman named Yun, whose name was conspicuously crossed out in red, a mark of criminal dismissal. He surmised that this Yun was likely Lu Yue'er's mother, Yun Wanxi, as she was the only woman on the island with that surname renowned for her cooking skills.
He also mentioned learning from Hua Jianshan's teacher, Cook Jin, that Hua Jianshan and Yun Wanxi were fellow students who grew up together and entered the palace. Lu Yue'er found this puzzling, as her father had told her her mother only began learning to cook after marrying him.
Du Ruo speculated that if Yun Wanxi and Hua Jianshan were indeed fellow students, and Hua Yinan was aware of their connection, he might have approached Lu Yue'er with ulterior motives, especially given how Hua Yinan had suddenly pursued her intensely after the late lord's passing. Lu Yue'er dismissed this as nonsense, unwilling to believe Hua Yinan could be involved. Meanwhile, Song Yan continued his own investigation into Yun Wanxi and his mother's poisoning.
He reflected on information that suggested Hua Jianshan was preparing for his wedding with Yun Wanxi on the night Lady Ning was poisoned. Hua Jianshan had secretly left the palace to buy wedding items and did not return as planned. Cook Jin, fearing punishment for Hua Jianshan, had lied about his early return. This meant Hua Jianshan couldn't have killed Song Yan's mother.
Song Yan realized that the Empress Dowager, who knew the full truth, had never named Hua Jianshan as the murderer, leading him to suspect she was deliberately concealing the identity of a high-status individual. Back at the mansion, Hua Yinan returned to find Lu Yue'er still out. He grew increasingly agitated, concerned about her reputation as a married woman spending so much time alone with another man.
He instructed a servant to tell Lu Yue'er to come to his study to admit her fault the moment she returned. Upon hearing of Hua Yinan's anger, Lu Yue'er, who had been contemplating finding a way to work at Floral House to uncover her mother's past, went to the study. Hua Yinan confronted her about being out for six hours with another man. Lu Yue'er insisted she and Du Ruo merely chatted and did nothing inappropriate.
Seeing his jealousy, she internally noted how cute he was, even when angry. She apologized sincerely, promising not to repeat her actions, and kissed him to appease him. She then shared a childhood anecdote about finding happiness and sweetness even without candy, reinforcing her affection. Hua Yinan, visibly flustered and blushing, admitted the kiss was sweet and his anger dissipated.
Feeling he was no longer upset, Lu Yue'er proposed joining the Floral House cook competition, explaining her desire to follow in her mother Yun Wanxi's footsteps and explore her story, having heard her mother was one of the founders. Hua Yinan vehemently refused, claiming Floral House had only one founder, his father Hua Jianshan, and accusing Lu Yue'er of wanting to join because of Du Ruo.
When Lu Yue'er insisted she would join regardless, Hua Yinan, enraged by her defiance, ordered his servants to confine her to the Island Lord's mansion, citing illness, and ensuring she could not leave. Lu Yue'er, feeling imprisoned, thought about Hua Yinan's volatile temper. Hua Yinan, after Lu Yue'er was taken away, pondered how she had learned about Yun Wanxi being a founder.
Later, Hua Yuman visited Lu Yue'er, pretending to offer comfort but primarily to have Lu Yue'er sign a document for withdrawing money. Hua Yuman remarked on how Hua Yinan had granted Lu Yue'er control over the household finances, something she clearly resented. Lu Yue'er signed without hesitation, remembering Hua Yinan's earlier promise to entrust her with such power.
As Hua Yuman was leaving, Lu Yue'er overheard her mentioning that it was the last day of the cook-qualification test at Floral House, where Hua Yinan would surely be present. Realizing this was her chance, Lu Yue'er became anxious. Determined to participate, Lu Yue'er disguised herself as a servant bringing food to Hua Yinan and managed to sneak out of the mansion past the guards. At the Floral House, she found the registration for the cook competition had closed.
After bribing an official, she was allowed to sign up under the pseudonym Li Yunyue, believing she needed to keep a low profile to avoid being recognized as the Island Lord's wife. She also overheard other contestants discussing how married women were often disqualified in the final interview round, as they were perceived as being distracted by family. Lu Yue'er successfully passed the initial three rounds, showcasing her excellent culinary skills.
When it was time for the final interview, she was shocked to see Hua Yinan, Du Ruo, and Su Tang among the examiners. To avoid being recognized, she attempted to feign facial paralysis and an inability to speak fluently, hoping to be overlooked. However, Hua Yinan, recognizing her voice and seeing through her act, stated that they did not recruit cooks with a "bad image," subtly pressuring her. Lu Yue'er then dropped her act, exclaiming she had "suddenly recovered."
Although Hua Yinan was clearly angry at her presence, he refrained from exposing her identity publicly. He then directly asked if she was married. Recalling the earlier gossip about disqualification, Lu Yue'er emphatically denied being married and claimed she had no husband. When Hua Yinan pressed her, she eventually lied, stating her husband had passed away because he "talked too much." Du Ruo, amused by her response, laughed.
Hua Yinan, outraged by her impudent remark, accused her of being irrational and rude, and tried to disqualify her and have her removed. However, Du Ruo intervened, questioning Steward Su (Hua Yinan's title as head of Floral House) whether they truly disqualified talented cooks merely for their conversational skills, effectively saving Lu Yue'er from immediate dismissal.
Episode 9 Recap
Su Tang, acting as a judge, attempted to disqualify Lu Yue'er—who was competing under the alias Li Yun Yue—from the Floral House cook selection, citing her as "irrational and rude" and "not suitable" due to her perceived lack of eloquence. Lu Yue'er tried to object, but Du Ruo intervened, arguing that judging cooks solely on their conversational skills would cause them to miss out on true talent. Hua Yinan remained silent, allowing the final test, themed "sweetness," to commence.
With her natural talent, Lu Yue'er skillfully prepared a delectable "honey lotus root cake in sauce," which was praised for its agreeable sweetness, crispy texture, and pleasing appearance. However, when asked for his opinion, Hua Yinan initially praised her cooking skills but then simply declared her "Failed," prompting Li Yun Yue to openly accuse him of doing it on purpose.
Du Ruo then threatened to hire Li Yun Yue as a female official to oversee food safety, asserting his authority from the Imperial Court. Faced with this, and filled with jealousy, Hua Yinan quickly changed his tune, suddenly recalling a "slow trace of sweetness" from her dish.
He praised Li Yun Yue as a "cooking prodigy" who should stay at Floral House as a cook to "maximize her potential," asking Du Ruo not to compete with him for her, to which Du Ruo agreed. Afterward, Li Yun Yue thanked Du Ruo for his help, but insisted they be discreet about their interactions. She explained that if Hua Yinan saw them together, he would get angry, calling him narrow-minded and scary when he was in a rage.
Du Ruo correctly inferred that Li Yun Yue's true purpose was to investigate her mother, Yun Wan Xi. Li Yun Yue affirmed she would handle the investigation herself and reminded Du Ruo to continue calling her Li Yun Yue to avoid exposing her real identity. She also mused that Hua Yinan's sarcastic remarks were even more frightening than his open anger. Upon returning to the Island Lord's mansion, Li Yun Yue immediately apologized to Hua Yinan, affectionately calling him "Husband."
She tried to explain her lie about being unmarried by claiming she heard Floral House didn't accept married women, a notion Hua Yinan quickly dismissed as nonsense. Hua Yinan, pretending to be angry, then pointedly asked if she was pleased with Du Ruo's offer to make her a female official, implying she'd spend her days and nights with him. Li Yun Yue vehemently denied this, assuring Hua Yinan she only joined Floral House to be with him.
Still angry, Hua Yinan threatened to punish the servants for allowing her to sneak out. Li Yun Yue interceded, asking him to punish her instead, taking full responsibility for her actions. Hua Yinan agreed she deserved punishment but stated he needed time to decide on its nature. Steward Dou then commenced training for the new assistant chefs, with Hua Yinan secretly observing due to his concern for Li Yun Yue. Steward Dou imposed strict rules.
He emphasized reporting everything only to him and warned them against entering Hua Yinan's workplace. Unbeknownst to Li Yun Yue, Hua Yinan had already instructed his servants to secretly monitor her every move. Li Yun Yue questioned the mandatory overnight stay, stating she needed to return home after work. Steward Dou, annoyed, called her troublesome and insisted all cooks must reside in Floral House.
At that moment, Du Ruo arrived and, citing Li Yun Yue's exceptional talent, granted her an exemption from the overnight stay, as long as her work was unaffected. Reluctantly, Steward Dou complied but assigned Li Yun Yue all the arduous tasks of sweeping the entire Floral House and washing all the vegetables.
Soon, gossip spread among the kitchen staff about Li Yun Yue and Du Ruo, with rumors claiming they were a couple, that he had brought her to Floral House, and even that they had a child together. Overhearing this, an enraged Hua Yinan stormed into the kitchen, publicly refuting any connection between Li Yun Yue and Du Ruo. He severely reprimanded the gossiping staff, threatening them with salary deductions and termination for spreading rumors.
Meanwhile, the kitchen staff buzzed about the impending arrival of Hua Yinan's notorious sister-in-law, Lu Yuzhen, dubbed "Tiger." They described her as a troublesome figure who frequently abused her status as the Island Lord's sister-in-law, skipping work, offending guests, and even clashed with Steward Su, who couldn't control her. Lu Yuzhen confronted Su Tang, demanding an advance on her next month's salary despite her poor attendance.
Su Tang refused, reminding Lu Yuzhen of her lack of work and stating she only kept her job out of respect for Hua Yinan. Lu Yuzhen retaliated with insults, claiming Hua Yinan married her sister because he disliked Su Tang, and threatened to have Su Tang fired, taunting her about being single.
Du Ruo arrived and intervened, scolding Lu Yuzhen for her public outburst and criticizing Su Tang for her inability to manage the staff, ordering her to write a self-criticism. While performing her assigned cleaning duties, Li Yun Yue discovered the Floral House Library. Recalling rumors that only high-ranking officials could enter, she decided to investigate. Inside, she found historical documents that only listed the late Lord as Floral House's sole founder, not her mother.
Hua Yinan, who had been secretly tracking Li Yun Yue, appeared in the library. Li Yun Yue was momentarily captivated by his serious demeanor, finding him unexpectedly handsome up close. Hua Yinan teasingly asked if she came to see him, which she denied, claiming she was searching for books. He then remarked on her boldness with him compared to her fear of being seen with Du Ruo.
Noticing a secluded inner room within the library, Li Yun Yue playfully persuaded Hua Yinan to take her inside. Hua Yinan hesitated, recalling a childhood memory of seeing his father cry over something in that very room and had avoided it since. He assured her not to worry when an old man, Elder Yan, entered, as he was nearly blind and deaf.
Hua Yinan reminisced about his father giving him "osmanthus-scented, goji berry crystal cakes" in that room as a child. Despite carrying a grudge against his seemingly distant father, the taste of those cakes had always brought him comfort. Li Yun Yue then discovered a hidden compartment revealing a book titled "Lu Family Recipes."
She realized these were her mother's recipes, confirming a connection between her mother and Floral House, and told Hua Yinan that her mother, Yun Wan Xi, was indeed one of the founders, just as she had always believed. Hua Yinan, seeing the recipe book belonging to Yun Wan Xi, finally understood his father's tears that day. Li Yun Yue noticed Hua Yinan's somber mood and asked what was troubling him.
He explained that the inner room brought back memories of his estranged relationship with his father, who he felt neglected him and his sister. Later, Li Yun Yue used the rediscovered recipe to bake osmanthus-scented, goji berry crystal cakes for Hua Yinan. He ate them, confirming it was indeed the exact taste from his childhood.
Li Yun Yue gently told him that the late Island Lord had not ignored him but had shown his love in his own quiet way, asserting that "unspoken love may be deeper." She concluded by confessing, "The late Lord loved you deeply. As I love you, too." Overwhelmed with joy, Hua Yinan tenderly responded, "Finally, I hear you say this."
Episode 10 Recap
Hua Yinan gently held Lu Yue'er in his arms on the bed, showering her with kisses. Lu Yue'er, though initially nervous, confessed she wasn't knowledgeable about such matters. Hua Yinan, trying to appear confident, reassured her that he would guide her, which Lu Yue'er playfully misinterpreted, asking if he was very skilled in these affairs. He quickly clarified that he only knew a little. As Hua Yinan leaned in to kiss her, Lu Yue'er slowly began to respond.
However, before they could proceed further, Lu Yue'er suddenly clutched her chest in pain and fainted. A terrified Hua Yinan immediately summoned the manor doctor. After examining her, the doctor gravely informed Hua Yinan that Lu Yue'er's time was limited and her pulse was extremely weak. He promised to do everything in his power to sustain her life but strictly warned Hua Yinan to refrain from any intimate activities, as it would worsen her condition.
Hua Yinan, heartbroken, watched over her all night, lamenting that just as Lu Yue'er had fallen in love with him, fate was cruelly snatching her away. He silently pleaded for her not to leave him, wishing for her to live well and be teased by him every day. The next morning, Lu Yue'er awoke, seemingly back to normal. She was startled to find Hua Yinan watching over her all night.
Remembering her faint, she anxiously asked if her old illness had resurfaced. Hua Yinan, concealing the truth, reassured her it was nothing serious, just overwork. Relieved, Lu Yue'er eagerly prepared to go to work at Floral House, worried about being late and causing trouble. Hua Yinan tried to persuade her to stay home and enjoy the day together, mentioning that Floral House wasn't very busy.
However, Lu Yue'er insisted on going, reminding him of their busy preparations for tribute dishes and her dedication to work. She quickly left, despite Hua Yinan calling after her. At Floral House, Steward Dou, believing Lu Yue'er had offended Hua Yinan by being close to Du Ruo, decided to side with Hua Yinan. He assigned Lu Yue'er a deluge of menial tasks, such as washing vegetables and rice, chopping wood, slicing fish, and buying ingredients, deliberately excluding her from cooking.
He thought, "Li Yun Yue, good luck on your own." Seeing Lu Yue'er overwhelmed with chores, Du Ruo mistakenly assumed Hua Yinan was behind it, trying to force her out of Floral House. He angrily confronted Hua Yinan, who was at the time meeting with several doctors to discuss Lu Yue'er's critical condition. The doctors were bickering over prescriptions, unable to reach a consensus. Du Ruo, hearing their heated debate, seemed to piece things together.
He demanded to know why Hua Yinan was tormenting Lu Yue'er, urging him to reveal her illness. Hua Yinan made him promise not to tell Lu Yue'er before finally divulging that her days were numbered. Unbeknownst to them, Lu Yue'er, having followed Du Ruo to prevent an argument between the two men, overheard Hua Yinan's devastating words, and her face fell with sorrow. Later, a despondent Du Ruo sought solace in alcohol.
Su Tang, passing by, joined him for a drink. Under the influence, Du Ruo confessed his love for Lu Yue'er, which had spanned thirteen years. He recalled thinking they were childhood sweethearts, only for Hua Yinan to intervene and win her affection. He questioned Su Tang, asking what made Hua Yinan so special that she loved him so deeply. Su Tang simply replied that everything about Hua Yinan was good.
Du Ruo then shared his own feelings for Lu Yue'er, recalling how she, despite her fears, always protected others when they were young. He spoke of his pity for her, how she would secretly grieve when bullied but always act strong in front of others. Now, he said, he just wanted her to live safely, happily, and well.
He then challenged Su Tang to explain her feelings for Hua Yinan, but she just reiterated, "Everything about him is good," which Du Ruo dismissed as romantic fantasy. Much later, Hua Yinan found Lu Yue'er still working. Heart-pained by her exhaustion, he learned of Steward Dou's deliberate mistreatment and vowed to fire him. Lu Yue'er, however, told him not to interfere with her work. Hua Yinan insisted on helping her, but she refused.
He then swept her into his arms, and they shared a tender kiss. This intimate moment was unfortunately witnessed by two kitchen staff members, Ying Rong and another cook, who were looking for food. They initially mistook the man for Minister Du, but upon closer inspection, they realized it was His Lordship. Shocked, they quickly scurried away.
The next day, Lu Yue'er urged Hua Yinan to go to Floral House ahead of her, fearing the swift spread of gossip if they were seen arriving together. She knew how quickly rumors circulated there. Indeed, the rumors had already begun. The two kitchen staff members from the previous night were openly discussing how they saw "Li Yun Yue" and His Lordship kissing, labeling her "shameless" and "seductive." They questioned why His Lordship, being married, would have an affair.
Lu Yue'er, hearing this from a distance, was disheartened. Hua Yinan, however, was unfazed. He frequently visited the back kitchen, openly engaging with Lu Yue'er and even helping her with her tasks, purposely displaying their closeness to assert his claim and counter the rumors about her and Du Ruo. Su Tang saw Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er's affectionate display and angrily turned away.
The other kitchen staff immediately began gossiping about Su Tang, discussing her long-standing affection for Hua Yinan and how her family's decline meant she relied on marrying him to restore their status. Du Ruo, overhearing their malicious whispers, stepped in and reprimanded them, punishing them with cleaning duties in the toilets. Su Tang was touched by his defense, and her perception of Du Ruo improved.
Meanwhile, Steward Dou, analyzing the situation between Lu Yue'er and Hua Yinan, sought to curry favor with the Island Lord's wife. He instructed his subordinates to keep a close watch on Lu Yue'er, intending to report her to the Lady. Steward Dou, unaware that "Li Yun Yue" was actually the Island Lord's wife, Lu Yue'er, then assigned her the arduous task of catching fish from the sea. Hua Yinan, hearing of this, went to the beach to find her.
There, he produced a letter from Steward Dou addressed to "Your Ladyship." Lu Yue'er read the letter, which detailed how Steward Dou had been diligently observing "Li Yun Yue" and His Lordship's growing closeness, and offered his assistance to "rid the obstacle." Lu Yue'er suddenly understood that Steward Dou's constant harassment was his misguided attempt to gain favor with her (as the Island Lord's wife) by diligently observing and reporting on 'Li Yun Yue's' (her own) closeness with Hua Yinan.
Hua Yinan found the situation amusing, but Lu Yue'er, still needing to complete her task, urged him to help her catch fish, reminding him that this was where they first met.
Episode 11 Recap
Lu Yue'er and Hua Yinan were at the beach collecting fish, where Lu Yue'er remarked to Hua Yinan that it was the place they first met. She then reminisced about that day when she and Du Ruo were gathering seaweed. She had spotted Hua Yinan drowning in the sea and pulled him ashore. As she prepared to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, Du Ruo intervened, pulling her away and taking over. Hua Yinan, finding the situation unbearable, quickly revived.
Later, Hua Yinan reflected privately that even their initial encounter had been his elaborate design to meet Lu Yue'er, a plan that Du Ruo unexpectedly disrupted. Later, Hua Yinan suddenly collapsed. Alarmed, Lu Yue'er immediately took him to the Island Lord's mansion. The physician examined him, assuring Lu Yue'er that it was merely a fever and he would soon recover.
His attendant then informed Lu Yue'er that Hua Yinan had been sleepless for several nights, tirelessly studying medical prescriptions with doctors to find a cure for her illness, which had led to his own exhaustion and collapse. Deeply worried, Lu Yue'er devoted herself to caring for Hua Yinan. Seeing him shiver intensely from the cold, she climbed into bed to warm him with her own body heat.
In his feverish state, Hua Yinan instinctively reached out to Lu Yue'er when he smelled her scent, drawing her close and kissing her, leading to their intimacy that night. Simultaneously, a previously withered peach tree outside burst into full bloom. The following morning, Hua Yinan awoke, his fever broken. He remembered his actions from the previous night and the physician's earlier warning against intimacy with Lu Yue'er, fearing it would worsen her delicate health.
Concerned, he anxiously searched for Lu Yue'er. She appeared, shyly responding to his call. Though relieved she seemed fine, Hua Yinan's primary concern remained her health. He reassured her that once he finished affairs at Floral House in a few days, they would embark on carefree travels together, exploring scenic places and savoring local cuisines. However, before he could finish speaking, Lu Yue'er suddenly fainted.
The physician was summoned again, only to report that Lu Yue'er had neither a heartbeat nor a pulse, and there was nothing more he could do, expressing his condolences to Hua Yinan for his loss. Overwhelmed, Hua Yinan ordered everyone out of the room. He stayed by Lu Yue'er's side, unable to accept her departure, blaming himself for her condition and grieving the carefree life they had planned.
Outside, Lu Yue'er's father, Xiao Yi, Du Ruo, and others mourned her death. Hua Yuman tried to console Hua Yinan, urging him to eat and allow Lu Yue'er to rest in peace, reminding him he had gone a full day and night without sleep. Ignoring all pleas, Hua Yinan tearfully confessed to Lu Yue'er that their initial acquaintance and his marriage proposal had been part of a scheme to gain control of the island's military power.
However, along the way, he had genuinely fallen deeply in love with her, which was why he had insisted on her traveling to the capital for treatment. As his tears fell onto her face and hand, Lu Yue’er’s eyes fluttered, showing a faint sign of life. The next day, Lu Yue'er awoke with a scream, recounting a terrifying nightmare where a woman identical to her was kissing Hua Yinan. Hua Yinan, overjoyed and relieved, immediately embraced her tightly.
Lu Yue'er's father, Xiao Yi, and others, who had been mourning, rushed in, ecstatic to see her alive. The physician confirmed that Lu Yue'er not only had returned to life but now had a strong pulse and normal heartbeat, declaring it a true miracle and predicting she would live a long life. Overjoyed, Hua Yinan ordered grand rewards for all the islanders and a celebration.
News of Lu Yue'er's miraculous recovery quickly spread across the island, with many islanders now believing her to be a "fairy." After a period of recovery, Lu Yue'er insisted on returning to work at Floral House. Unable to dissuade her, Hua Yinan instructed his attendant to tell Steward Dou not to assign her any arduous or dirty tasks.
Excited to be back, Lu Yue'er, who was working under the alias "Li Yun Yue," was pleased by the positive chatter among her colleagues regarding her return. Steward Dou, now overly solicitous, heaped compliments on her and assigned her the responsibility of cooking, making her feel that life had become vibrant once more. Lu Yue'er carefully prepared a special dish called "Tripe Shaped in Couple Ducks."
As Steward Dou was about to have it delivered to Hua Yinan, he encountered Hua Yuman. Seeing the dish, Hua Yuman became visibly alarmed. She immediately summoned Hua Yinan to a private chamber and revealed the dish’s significant history. She explained that "Tripe Shaped in Couple Ducks" was the signature dish of Yun Wan Xi, Lu Yue'er's mother, which had initially earned her a position as a royal chef.
After Yun Wan Xi's mysterious disappearance, the recipe for the dish was believed to be lost. Hua Yuman questioned the extraordinary coincidence of Lu Yue'er, or "Li Yun Yue" as she knew her, now knowing how to prepare this long-lost forbidden dish, suggesting a profound connection between Lu Yue'er and Yun Wan Xi.
Episode 12 Recap
Troubled, Hua Yinan gazed at Lu Yue'er sleeping beside him, recalling his sister Hua Yuman's grave words. Hua Yuman had confronted him, revealing her long-held suspicion that Yun Wanxi had a daughter the same age as Lu Yue'er. Hua Yinan confirmed that Lu Yue'er was indeed Yun Wanxi's daughter.
Hua Yuman, furious, questioned why he married the daughter of the woman who had caused their mother so much suffering and even put her in charge of the Island Lord's Mansion finances. Hua Yinan insisted that Lu Yue'er was now his wife and part of the Hua family, urging his sister to treat her normally.
Hua Yuman rejected this, reminding him of their mother's tragic fate due to Yun Wanxi's involvement with their parents' marriage, which left their mother depressed and ultimately led to her death. Hua Yinan acknowledged Yun Wanxi's role in their mother's misery but argued that Lu Yue'er had no connection to it. Hua Yuman, however, declared that Lu Yue'er, as Yun Wanxi's daughter, could not marry into the Hua family and demanded he divorce her.
Hua Yinan refused, leading Hua Yuman to threaten that she would make Lu Yue'er's life unbearable if he didn't comply. Hua Yinan vowed inwardly that he would not lose Lu Yue'er again. The next day, after Lu Yue'er was called away by Hua Yuman, Hua Yinan, growing anxious, rushed to Hua Yuman's room. She taunted him about his unusual display of agitation, stating that Lu Yue'er was merely in the kitchen making him pear juice.
Hua Yinan demanded to know what she had said to Lu Yue'er. Hua Yuman replied that she hadn't revealed anything yet but might in the future. She explained her determination to prevent him from repeating their father's mistakes and presented him with an ultimatum: either he convinces Lu Yue'er to sign a property transfer agreement, in which case Hua Yuman would keep silent about the marriage fraud, or she would expose the truth to Lu Yue'er, leading to their separation.
Hua Yinan reluctantly agreed to the former, making Hua Yuman promise not to reveal anything about the marriage fraud or Yun Wanxi. Hua Yuman accepted his terms, secretly planning that once the agreement was signed, she would still ensure their divorce. Meanwhile, Song Yan learned from his investigation that Princess Jia Ning, wife of Hua Jianshan, was the culprit behind his mother Consort Ning's poisoning, intensifying his resentment.
Princess Qingyao came to visit Song Yan, only to be coldly dismissed by him, telling her to go home as he had work. When she expressed her affection for him and mentioned the bracelet he had given her, Song Yan bluntly stated that she was merely a princess to him and that he had only used her to get information about his mother.
Heartbroken, Princess Qingyao asked if the girl he truly liked, the one in a painting, was named Xiao Man, before throwing the bracelet he had given her to the ground. The annual Spring Outing Day, a grand festival where men express love by giving Spring Outing bracelets, arrived. Many women proudly displayed their bracelets, but Lu Yue'er, having not received one from Hua Yinan, felt annoyed, lamenting Hua Yinan's forgetfulness of such an important day.
Steward Dou, after failing to give his bracelet to Lu Yuzhen, tried to offer one to Su Tang, making a snide comment about her long wait for a bracelet from her love interest. He then approached Lu Yue'er. Oblivious to her annoyance and heedless of her warnings, Steward Dou continued to harass her, claiming he wanted to be her man and care for her, despite her past relationships. Just then, Hua Yinan appeared.
Enraged by Steward Dou's disrespectful behavior towards Lu Yue'er, Hua Yinan had him flogged thirty times. He then pulled Lu Yue'er away, leaving the other staff to gossip about him abandoning his wife for Lu Yue'er. Su Tang sat alone, reflecting on her disappointment with Spring Outing Day, while Du Ruo, who found the festival boring and a mere commercial venture, approached her. He noticed her solitude and, despite claiming many girls were pursuing him, expressed his disinterest in them.
Su Tang's spirits lifted slightly upon seeing the wish lanterns, which she admitted were her favorite part of the festival. She confessed that despite wishing every year to marry the Island Lord, her wishes remained unfulfilled. Seeing her sadness, Du Ruo offered to show her other fun aspects of the Spring Outing Day beyond just wish lanterns. They then joined the bustling festival.
Du Ruo and Su Tang were quickly mistaken for a couple by a sugar figure vendor, a notion Su Tang swiftly denied. However, Du Ruo held her hand firmly and didn't let go. He then placed a Spring Outing bracelet on her wrist, claiming he only did so to prevent her from being embarrassed by not having one and causing him trouble.
Despite this, Su Tang, considering Du Ruo a viable partner, proposed they forget their past misfortunes and start a new romantic life with a pinky promise. Du Ruo hesitated but eventually joined her in the promise, only to immediately declare that he would seek out the most beautiful and extraordinary girl on the island, infuriating Su Tang, who then walked away in a huff. Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er arrived at the Spring Outing Festival.
Lu Yue'er dismissed concerns about gossip. Hua Yinan expressed his desire for her to accompany him to the festival every year, which she readily agreed to, without realizing his deeper concern for her well-being. Attracted by a stall selling "wish bamboo" where couples could write wishes and sign their names for them to come true, Lu Yue'er eagerly suggested they participate. Hua Yinan, remembering Hua Yuman's ultimatum, used this opportunity.
He wrote his message, and after Hua Yinan's chief guard, disguised as the vendor, instructed Lu Yue'er to sign her name next to his, she unknowingly signed the property transfer agreement disguised as a wish paper. Hua Yinan folded the paper and placed it into a bamboo lantern. When Lu Yue'er asked what he wrote, the vendor quickly interjected that wishes shouldn't be revealed.
Later, as they hung their lantern and wished for their written wishes to come true, Hua Yinan felt a pang of guilt. He promised to love Lu Yue'er wholeheartedly, and she, feeling truly content with his affection, reciprocated, leading to a tender kiss.
Alone later, Hua Yinan stared at the signed agreement, lamenting his deception of such a kind and trusting woman but resolving to use the rest of his life to protect and love her, believing this was the only way to keep them together.
Episode 13 Recap
Hua Yinan, feeling ashamed for deceiving Lu Yue'er, gave the signed property transfer agreement to Hua Yuman. He pleaded with her to keep her promise and not target Lu Yue'er, even if it was just for his sake. However, Hua Yuman was determined to separate them, believing that eventually, Hua Yinan would realize she was acting for his own good. She promised not to reveal anything about the will or Yun Wanxi to Lu Yue'er.
Du Ruo was resting in a pavilion when he accidentally bumped into Su Tang, who had just arrived. He quickly checked on her, their closeness causing her to blush. Su Tang made an excuse to leave, but Du Ruo, noticing her injury, brought her ice for her lip. Their interaction brought them closer. Later, while Hua Yinan was bathing, he asked Lu Yue'er to add hot water and scrub his back. Lu Yue'er, shyly, obliged.
Hua Yinan playfully pulled her into the tub, and they shared a bath, which embarrassed Lu Yue'er. As they slept that night, the Seven-Leaf Bodhi tree spirit within Hua Yinan returned to Lu Yue'er's body without their knowledge. Deprived of the spirit's protection, Hua Yinan immediately felt weaker. At the Delighted Dragon Inn, Song Yan's subordinate, Yu Feng, reported that Hua Yinan had married Lu Yue'er months ago.
Island gossip portrayed her as either a monster or a fairy, but all agreed Hua Yinan was extremely protective of her. Song Yan saw this as an opportunity to exploit her as Hua Yinan's weakness. He declared it was time to meet Hua Yinan and make him "pay for his evil mother's act" and "ruin the entire Hua family to avenge his mother's death."
Song Yan arrived on Flower Island and, accompanied by the Abbot of Blossom Temple, visited Floral House. Hua Yinan had Su Tang reserve a VIP room for them. Lu Yuzhen, eager to impress Song Yan, tried to flirt with him, but he ignored her. The Abbot ordered vegetarian dishes, including Kung Pao tofu. While Lu Yuzhen was taking the menu to the kitchen, one of Song Yan's men switched it without her noticing.
Lu Yuzhen gave the altered menu to Lu Yue'er, working in the kitchen as Li Yun Yue. Startled, Lu Yue'er pulled her aside, begging her not to reveal her true identity. Lu Yuzhen demanded hush money, and Lu Yue'er gave her all her savings, but Lu Yuzhen warned her that the payments would be monthly. When the dishes were served, Song Yan urged the Abbot to try the Kung Pao tofu.
The Abbot was horrified, declaring he had broken his vows by eating meat. Su Tang tasted it and confirmed it was Kung Pao chicken. She apologized and sent for Hua Yinan and the cook. Lu Yuzhen tried to hide the menu. Hua Yinan, learning that Lu Yue'er was involved, rushed to the scene.
Steward Dou suggested firing "Li Yun Yue," but Hua Yinan, seeing Lu Yuzhen hiding the menu, intervened, snatching the menu from her and claiming she had misremembered the order. He then fired Lu Yuzhen. Lu Yue'er offered to create a new vegetarian dish as an apology. Song Yan, feeling a strange sense of familiarity with her, agreed. Lu Yue'er created a dish resembling Braised Dongpo Pork made from wax gourd and lion's mane mushroom.
The Abbot and Song Yan were impressed. The Abbot praised it as the most wonderful food he had ever tasted. Hua Yinan offered to supply Blossom Temple with vegetarian food and host a vegetarian festival. With Song Yan's approval, the Abbot agreed. To Hua Yinan's surprise, Song Yan appointed "Li Yun Yue" (Lu Yue'er) as the Level 3 Director to oversee the special ascetic meal.
Back at the Delighted Dragon Inn, Yu Feng confirmed that Lu Yue'er was Yun Wanxi's daughter, the mortal enemy of Hua Yinan's mother, Princess Jia Ning. Song Yan revealed that he had swapped the menu and used Lu Yuzhen as a scapegoat. He explained that the purpose was to observe Hua Yinan and confirm Lu Yue'er's importance to him.
Song Yan decided to reveal Lu Yue'er's true parentage to her, believing it would deeply trouble Hua Yinan, demoralize him, and pave the way for his ultimate goal: the destruction of the Hua family to avenge his mother's death.
Episode 14 Recap
Lu Yue'er was burdened with the task of creating new vegetarian dishes for Blossom Temple and felt anxious about it. Hua Yinan tried to comfort his beloved bride, but he remained troubled by Song Yan's presence and the unsettling way he looked at Lu Yue'er. He asked Lu Yue'er if she knew Song Yan, to which she responded negatively, adding that given Song Yan's proximity to the Abbot, he was likely an important figure.
Hua Yinan continued to feel that something was amiss, remembering the neatly written food order Lu Yuzhen had provided, which was uncharacteristic of her usual messy handwriting. He wondered if his elder sister, Hua Yuman, was involved. Meanwhile, Hua Yuman remained determined to separate Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er, seeing Lu Yue'er as the daughter of an enemy. Despite her promise to Hua Yinan not to personally disclose the past, she decided to have others reveal the truth.
She set her sights on the Blossom Temple Abbot, knowing he was one of the few elders on the island aware of Floral House's history, and intended to use him to hint at Yun Wanxi's past to Lu Yue'er. Song Yan also planned to leverage Lu Yue'er to seek revenge against Hua Yinan. Hua Yinan's health was declining due to overwork, causing him to almost collapse and miss the vegetarian banquet.
Lu Yue'er, distracted by worry over her husband's absence, accidentally cut her hand while preparing the dishes. Her assistant, Du Ruo, insisted she get it bandaged, pointing out it would be improper to greet the Abbot with a bleeding hand. Lu Yue'er agreed, entrusting Steward Su to start serving the food in Room One while she recovered. At the same time, Lu Yuzhen and her mother plotted to elevate their status.
They disguised themselves as servers, and Lu Yuzhen hid in Room Two, intending to seduce Song Yan. Her mother planned to lure Song Yan there. Lu Yuzhen's mother intentionally bumped into Song Yan, spilling soup on him and suggesting he clean himself in Room Two. Song Yan, suspecting this was a prearranged move by his subordinate, Yu Feng, to get him away from the Abbot, agreed to go to Room Two.
Yu Feng then escorted Lu Yue'er to Room Two, where she was surprised to find Song Yan alone. She asked about the Abbot's whereabouts, but Song Yan expressed a strong feeling that they had met before, despite her inability to recall it. He then mentioned her "Fire Cubes" dish, claiming he had tasted it years ago, prepared by a chef named Yun Wanxi, who had trained under Cook Jin of the Royal Kitchens.
This revelation shocked Lu Yue'er, as Yun Wanxi was her mother. Eager to clear her mother's name, she pressed Song Yan for more information. He vaguely stated that Yun Wanxi had not committed a crime but had offended a powerful individual who subsequently framed her. Meanwhile, Lu Yuzhen, hearing someone enter Room Two, mistakenly thought it was Song Yan. Following her mother's advice to be "half-veiled and bewitching," she disrobed.
However, a piece of clothing covered her head, and she stumbled forward, embracing the Blossom Temple Abbot who had just walked into the room. The Abbot, startled by the encounter, repeatedly chanted "Amitabha" to extricate himself. Lu Yuzhen's scream drew everyone to Room Two, including Hua Yuman, Lu Yue'er, and Song Yan. Furious, Hua Yuman immediately ordered the servants to drag Lu Yuzhen and her mother out.
Using the scandalous incident as justification, Hua Yuman then declared that Li Yun Yue, as the manager of the vegetarian banquet, was dismissed from Floral House. Lu Yue'er, though dejected by the dismissal, began to pack her belongings, her mind still preoccupied with Song Yan's words about her mother. Steward Dou, witnessing her predicament, seized the opportunity to publicly insult her, accusing her of being a seductress who relied on powerful connections.
Hua Yinan, having arrived at the scene, overheard Steward Dou's scathing remarks. He swiftly kicked Steward Dou and then publicly announced that Li Yun Yue was his wife, Lu Yue'er, the Island Lord's wife. He demoted Steward Dou to a mere servant for his disrespectful behavior. This shocking revelation filled the onlookers with fear and regret for how they had previously treated Lu Yue'er.
Later, Song Yan encountered a mysterious Taoist priest named Nan Ze, who, with a quick glance, accurately diagnosed Song Yan's chronic headaches and offered him a powerful pill for a complete cure before disappearing. Song Yan realized he had met the renowned shaman Nan Ze. Meanwhile, an imperial edict from His Majesty ordering Song Yan's return to the capital prompted him to accelerate his plans concerning Hua Yinan.
On the fifteenth day of the month, Lu Yue'er visited a mountaintop to pray for her mother and seek justice. While praying, the golden phoenix hairpin, a cherished gift from Hua Yinan, fell into a crevice on the cliff edge. Panicked at the thought of losing it and Hua Yinan's potential anger, she attempted to retrieve it.
Song Yan, who was also at the cliff admiring a spiritual tree that appeared in his dreams and seeing Lu Yue'er resembling "Xiaoman" from his dreams, noticed her precarious position. Believing she was attempting to take her own life, he rushed to pull her back. Lu Yue'er, startled and mistaking his actions, slapped him, accusing him of being a "womanizer." Upon realizing it was Song Yan, she quickly apologized.
Song Yan retrieved the hairpin for her, which significantly softened her demeanor towards him. She seized the opportunity to press him again about the identity of the powerful person who framed her mother, Yun Wanxi. Song Yan, however, merely feigned forgetfulness, telling her he would need more time to recall the details before departing, leaving her frustrated.
Later, Song Yan sent a letter to Lu Yue'er, claiming to have remembered more about Yun Wanxi and inviting her to meet him at the Delighted Dragon Inn. Desperate for answers, Lu Yue'er immediately left, cutting short a planned spring picnic with Hua Yinan. Suspicious of her hurried departure to meet Song Yan, Hua Yinan decided to follow her, instructing his attendants to thoroughly investigate Song Yan's background. Yu Feng led Lu Yue'er to a secluded spot by the sea.
Song Yan reminded her of her vow to repay him for retrieving the hairpin and asked her to spend the day with him. After she reluctantly agreed and shared some snacks, Song Yan finally revealed the truth: the person who framed Yun Wanxi was Princess Jia Ning. This revelation devastated Lu Yue'er, as she realized she was married to the son of her mother's enemy.
Song Yan then recounted the full story: Yun Wanxi and Hua Jian Shan, Hua Yinan's father, were childhood sweethearts and highly esteemed chefs. Princess Jia Ning fell in love with Hua Jian Shan at a birthday party. When she discovered Yun Wanxi and Hua Jian Shan had secretly pledged their love and sought the Emperor's permission to establish Floral House, Princess Jia Ning poisoned a dish Yun Wanxi prepared for a concubine, thereby framing her.
Princess Jia Ning then cunningly intervened, pleading with His Majesty to save Yun Wanxi's life, and used this fabricated favor to secure her marriage to Hua Jian Shan. Song Yan concluded that Yun Wanxi likely died believing her own guilt, never knowing she had been a victim of Princess Jia Ning's elaborate scheme.
Episode 15 Recap
After returning from the Sand Bath Festival, Lu Yue'er seemed lost in thought. When Hua Yinan approached her, asking why she had returned so late and if anything had happened, she simply replied that she was tired and wished to rest, asking him to stop asking questions. Hua Yinan reminded her that the next day was his mother's death anniversary, and she should not forget to pay respects at the ancestral hall, to which Lu Yue'er agreed.
That night, as they lay together, both were preoccupied with their own thoughts. Hua Yinan wondered if Song Yan had said something to make Lu Yue'er so distant. Lu Yue'er, meanwhile, pondered if Hua Yinan knew the true nature of his mother.
The following day, during the prayers at the ancestral hall, Hua Yuman solemnly addressed her mother's spirit, vowing to cleanse the mansion of any impurities and maintain its peaceful state as it was in her mother's lifetime, a statement clearly aimed at Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er. Hua Yinan then prayed for a safe and undisturbed life for everyone in the mansion.
Lu Yue'er prayed silently, questioning Princess Jia Ning for framing her mother, and wondering how she could face her husband now. Gu Xinzhu brought news to Hua Yinan, reporting that the Abbot only knew Song Yan was a noble from the capital city but not his true identity. Hua Yinan suspected Song Yan was a person of considerable importance, deducing that Lu Yue'er's recent strange behavior was likely due to something Song Yan had told her.
He felt that Song Yan's visit might be specifically targeting both him and Lu Yue'er, especially recalling the incident where Lu Yu Zhen's notepad was replaced, which he now believed might have been Song Yan's doing rather than his sister's. Lu Yue'er was torn, acknowledging Hua Yinan's genuine affection for her. She reasoned that if he was unaware of his mother's actions, she had no reason to blame him.
However, keeping her mother's unjust framing a secret felt like a betrayal to her deceased mother. She felt it was unfair to her mother to marry the son of her enemy instead of seeking vengeance and clearing her name. Later, the money storehouse returned withdrawal bank notes that Lu Yue'er had signed. Confused, Lu Yue'er went to inquire in person.
She was informed that she no longer had the right to sign notes, as she had signed a "Property Transfer Agreement." This agreement stated that she, Lu Yue'er, willingly gave up her property in the Island Lord's Mansion and transferred it all to her husband, Hua Yinan. Seeing a heart-shaped signature on the document, Lu Yue'er remembered writing her name in a similar style on the Spring Outing Day when she released a bamboo lantern.
She was further perplexed, wondering when the mansion's property had become hers to transfer. The manager suggested she check the marriage certificate, as sometimes such details were recorded there. Upon returning to the mansion, Lu Yue'er immediately searched for the marriage certificate, but found no mention of property transfer. Beneath it, however, she discovered Hua Jian Shan's will.
Reading it, she learned that for Hua Yinan to succeed as Island Lord, he had to marry Lu Yue'er, and that all mansion property would be managed by her upon their marriage, with expenses requiring her signature and approval. This revelation crushed her, as she realized Hua Yinan's declarations of love and his persistent pursuit of her were merely to fulfill the will's conditions and secure his position, making all his past promises feel like a cruel deception.
Heartbroken and disoriented, Lu Yue'er wandered out of the mansion. A guard offered her an umbrella, noting it was about to rain, but she walked past him without a word, expressing a deep sadness and questioning if things would ever clear up again. Meanwhile, Hua Yuman was overjoyed to learn that Lu Yue'er had discovered the will.
She instructed a servant to give a cherished jade bracelet as a gift to Mister Wang's wife, believing her scheme had succeeded in driving Lu Yue'er away. Elsewhere, Su Tang had convinced Du Ruo to accompany her to buy gift boxes, but he bluntly stated that she only wanted to be alone with him. Annoyed, Su Tang turned to leave, just as it began to rain.
They took shelter under an overhang, and Su Tang, fiddling with her Spring Outing bracelet, was about to express her feelings to Du Ruo. However, Du Ruo spotted Lu Yue'er walking alone in the heavy rain and immediately ran to her, leaving a disheartened Su Tang behind. Du Ruo brought the distraught Lu Yue'er to Xiao Yi's noodle restaurant, her preferred place, as she insisted the mansion was no longer her home.
Song Yan soon arrived to check on her, entering her room uninvited. He apologized for previously telling her about her mother and Princess Jia Ning, which he claimed made him feel guilty. He then provocatively asked if her feelings for Hua Yinan still lingered now that she knew he was the son of her enemy. Lu Yue'er angrily told him to leave, stating it was none of his concern.
Hua Yinan, who was looking for Lu Yue'er, also arrived at the noodle restaurant and had a brief, knowing exchange with Song Yan. Inside, Lu Yue'er, still distressed from learning the truth, refused to return to the mansion with Hua Yinan, believing he had deceived her. While Hua Yinan respected her decision to stay, he warned her not to push him too far and to stay away from Song Yan.
At a cliff, Song Yan was deep in thought, feeling a stronger sense of emptiness despite finally finding a place he had dreamed of. Yu Feng, his attendant, questioned why Song Yan had wasted so much time on Lu Yue'er when he had chances to eliminate Hua Yinan. Suddenly, a waterspout appeared, and Nan Ze, the Shaman, emerged.
Nan Ze knelt before Song Yan, addressing him as "Master," and through his help, Song Yan recovered his past memories, revealing that Song Yan was the reincarnation of the Dragon King Xuan Wang. Nan Ze explained that when Xuan Wang's soul vanished, he had used his own spirit to preserve a trace of it, allowing Song Yan to reincarnate as a mortal, though without his spiritual power. Following this, Nan Ze's soul possessed Yu Feng's body.
Now fully aware that Lu Yue'er was Xiao Man reincarnated, Song Yan resolved to reclaim her. Later, Du Ruo and Su Tang, along with Xiao Yi, took Lu Yue'er out for some fun, visiting street performers and buying sugar figurines. Du Ruo and Su Tang shared lighthearted banter, and Lu Yue'er observed their growing affection with quiet happiness. Meanwhile, Hua Yinan, regretting his harshness towards Lu Yue'er, went searching for her, hoping to apologize.
He bought some green hairpins as a gift. He found Lu Yue'er, but despite his efforts to reconcile and present his gift (which Lu Yue'er noted were all green, symbolizing unfaithfulness), she continued to distance herself from him, refusing his apology and choosing to leave him in the crowd. As Lu Yue'er walked away, an unknown figure appeared behind her and knocked her unconscious.
Episode 16 Recap
Unconscious, Lu Yue'er was brought to the Delighted Dragon Inn. Song Yan struggled to remove the nesting doll she clutched, which greatly irritated him. Nan Ze informed Song Yan that extracting the Seven-leaf Peepul bloom from "Xiao Man" would restore Song Yan's spiritual power. Song Yan then spoke to the unconscious Lu Yue'er, promising to recover his own spiritual power before restoring her cultivation base so they could cultivate together once more.
However, Nan Ze soon discovered that the Seven-leaf Peepul in "Xiao Man's" body was incomplete. Song Yan realized that "Xiao Man" must have given the other half of her Seven-leaf Peepul to Mu Yuan. Nan Ze suggested examining Hua Yinan's spirit to locate the missing half and retrieve it, to which Song Yan agreed, though he instructed Nan Ze to let Lu Yue'er sleep a little longer before moving her.
Nan Ze then delivered Lu Yue'er to the Island Lord's Mansion. She awoke in a bed, disoriented, and was quickly approached by Hua Yinan, who explained she had fainted from heatstroke at the mansion's gate and apologized for not noticing her distress. When Hua Yinan tried to hold her, Lu Yue'er pushed him away, demanding to be released.
She expressed her profound disappointment, comparing him to the nesting doll he had given her, with each layer hiding another, making it impossible for her to see his true heart, which was full of deception and lies. Hua Yinan pleaded for an explanation, admitting his initial approach was strategic but insisting he had genuinely fallen in love with her. He asked her to believe him, acknowledging his guilt.
Lu Yue'er's heart shattered as she confronted him with his lies and the truth about Princess Jia Ning framing her mother. Hua Yinan’s silence, a painful admission of his inability to explain, deepened her despair. She then took out the Golden Feather Phoenix hairpin, announcing she was returning it. Hua Yinan refused to take back the love token, and in their struggle, it fell and broke into two pieces. Hua Yinan sighed that it was all destiny.
As Lu Yue'er turned to leave, he embraced her, begging her to stay, but she firmly pushed him away. Hua Yinan then coughed up blood and collapsed, prompting Lu Yue'er to cry out his name and rush back to his side. Hua Yuman rushed into the room, ranting about Lu Yue'er's supposed shamelessness, only to be told that Hua Yinan had collapsed.
The mansion physician examined Hua Yinan, gravely stating that his life was in danger due to a low pulse and barely perceptible heartbeats. Hua Yuman immediately recognized these as the same symptoms Lu Yue'er had previously experienced. Enraged, she accused Lu Yue'er of being a jinx who had infected Hua Yinan, and further insulted her, claiming she was just like her mother, who had shamelessly seduced her father and caused her mother's death.
Unable to tolerate the insults against her deceased mother, Lu Yue'er slapped Hua Yuman across the face. She retorted that Princess Jia Ning was the truly shameless one, having orchestrated everything, and expressed pity for Hua Yuman for having such an evil mother. Hua Yuman, furious at the insult to her mother, lunged at Lu Yue'er but was quickly restrained by Gu Xinzhu and a maid.
Despite her bitter feelings towards Hua Yinan, Lu Yue'er felt responsible for his illness and resolved to find a cure, believing that once he was well, they would be even. She sought out Song Yan at the Delighted Dragon Inn, hoping his connections from the capital could help her find Shaman Nan Ze. Song Yan became visibly jealous upon learning she sought help to save Hua Yinan.
He questioned why Hua Yinan was so important to "Xiao Man" even after his deception. Lu Yue'er corrected him, stating she was Lu Yue, and Song Yan apologized, though he still considered her actions foolish. Unable to obtain his help, Lu Yue'er left. Song Yan then instructed Nan Ze (who was in Yu Feng's body) to proceed with their plan, seeing Hua Yinan's illness as an opportunity and resentfully thinking that "Mu Yuan" always stood between him and "Xiao Man."
Later, Lu Yue'er heard enthusiastic shouts in the street about a miracle doctor who had cured a blind man and a hunchback. Realizing this must be Nan Ze, she approached him and desperately pleaded for his help to save Hua Yinan. Nan Ze agreed to come to the Island Lord's Mansion, but insisted on treating the patient alone, claiming it was Heaven's will that they met.
Despite Gu Xinzhu's protests, Lu Yue'er convinced him to trust the miracle doctor and dismiss everyone. After treating Hua Yinan, Nan Ze gave Lu Yue'er a pill, stating it could sustain Hua Yinan's life, though his condition was rare. When Lu Yue'er tried to ask for his whereabouts to thank him, Nan Ze said he was rootless and they would meet again if fate allowed. Upon being pressed for his name, he revealed he was known as Nan Ze.
Lu Yue'er, realizing she had found the shaman she was looking for, tried to stop him, but Nan Ze vanished before she could catch him. Gu Xinzhu found Hua Yinan too weak to take the pill. With no other option, Lu Yue'er administered the medicine to Hua Yinan mouth-to-mouth. He immediately regained consciousness, calling her name.
Lu Yue'er told him they were now even, asked him not to seek her again, and left after instructing Gu Xinzhu to care for him. Hua Yinan tried to follow, but Gu Xinzhu restrained him, explaining that Lu Yue'er had found Shaman Nan Ze to save his life, and his efforts would be in vain if he overexerted himself. Hua Yinan was surprised to hear Nan Ze's name and questioned his methods and appearance.
Gu Xinzhu described the doctor as an old, bearded, mysterious man who insisted on privacy during treatment. Hua Yinan found it suspicious that Lu Yue'er had found Nan Ze when he could not, deciding it was time to uncover the truth and ordered a search for Nan Ze. Meanwhile, Nan Ze reported back to Song Yan, confirming that the other half of "Xiao Man's" Seven-leaf Peepul was indeed inside Hua Yinan.
However, he had encountered an obstacle during extraction: while the two halves of the Seven-leaf Peepul should attract each other, they were instead repelling his spiritual power. He explained that the Seven-leaf Peepul could not be removed until the two halves merged, and the only way for this to happen was if "Miss Xiao Man" and Hua Yinan "consummated their love." Song Yan reacted with furious rejection to this proposition.
Hua Yinan and Gu Xinzhu continued their search for Nan Ze at the Delighted Dragon Inn, which was under surveillance. Instead of Nan Ze, they found Song Yan in one of the rooms. Hua Yinan, noticing Song Yan's feigned illness, sarcastically offered to send his own physician as repayment for Song Yan's "kindness" in repeatedly helping Lu Yue'er.
Song Yan dismissed his actions, claiming he only helped Lu Yue'er because she resembled an old friend whom he intended to "bring back" after hearing she had "fallen for the wrong one." Hua Yinan retorted that he was curious to meet this old friend, implying a veiled threat. After this tense exchange, Hua Yinan departed.
Song Yan then revealed to Nan Ze that he had planned to fake his illness to buy time, but given Hua Yinan's persistence, he would now proceed with Nan Ze's original suggestion regarding Lu Yue'er and Hua Yinan to unite the Seven-leaf Peepul, believing Hua Yinan was responsible for Lu Yue'er's disinterest in him.
Episode 17 Recap
While Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er faced ongoing turmoil, a different dynamic was developing between Du Ruo and Su Tang. Su Tang arrived at the Cloudy Moon Noodle Restaurant, claiming it was her day off and she was bored, insisting on helping for payment. Lu Yue'er immediately noticed the budding affection between Du Ruo and Su Tang, teasing Du Ruo that he had fallen in love.
Du Ruo nervously denied it, but secretly delighted at the prospect of a relationship with Su Tang, acknowledging that he now found her "quite nice," a stark contrast to his previous quarrels with her. Their lighthearted exchange was interrupted when Gu Xinzhu's servant rushed in from the Island Lord's Mansion, announcing that Hua Yinan had fainted again. Lu Yue'er, deeply concerned, immediately left for the mansion. She frantically searched for Shaman Nan Ze across the island.
When she finally found him, Nan Ze, aware of her urgency to save Hua Yinan, offered her a temporary pill. He then revealed the only permanent cure: Hua Yinan and Lu Yue'er must become "of one mind" through consummation, which he said would heal the disease by uniting its common root and source. This was part of Nan Ze's hidden agenda to facilitate the reconvening of the Seven-leaf Peepul.
Lu Yue'er hurried to the Island Lord's Mansion with the pill but was stopped at the gate by a guard who presented her with a divorce statement. Unfazed, knowing Hua Yinan was too ill to write such a document and believing he was sincere in his affection, Lu Yue'er surmised it was Hua Yuman's scheme. She handed the pill to the guard, instructing him to give it to Gu Xinzhu.
After she departed, Hua Yuman's maid emerged and took the pill from the guard. Recalling Nan Ze's words about the cure, Lu Yue'er resolved to save Hua Yinan. She asked Xiao Yi to deliver a message to Gu Xinzhu, requesting Hua Yinan meet her at the Spiritual Tree that night. Meanwhile, after taking the pill, Hua Yinan regained consciousness. Gu Xinzhu informed him that Hua Yuman's servant had brought the medicine, claiming she had sought it from famous doctors.
Hua Yinan was puzzled but quickly asked about Lu Yue'er. Gu Xinzhu then presented the divorce statement, which Hua Yinan believed to be from Lu Yue'er. Heartbroken, Hua Yinan concluded that Lu Yue'er had given up on him and that her invitation to meet at the Spiritual Tree was likely for a final farewell. When he arrived, Hua Yinan confessed his deep regret and pleaded with Lu Yue'er for another chance, vowing never to deceive her again.
Although Lu Yue'er silently urged herself not to believe his lies, her desire to save his life led her to kiss him. As they embraced under the Spiritual Tree, its branches bloomed with peach blossoms, and the Seven-leaf Peepul flowed back into Hua Yinan's body, its power restored. During this time, Nan Ze reported to Song Yan that their plan was succeeding, causing Song Yan considerable distress at the implications for Lu Yue'er.
Later, Xiao Yi observed that Lu Yue'er seemed distracted and worried, unlike her usual self. Giving Lu Yue'er a smiling doll from her childhood, Xiao Yi hoped it would bring her happiness. Soon after, Lu Yue'er suddenly vanished. A frantic Xiao Yi informed Hua Yinan, who immediately dispatched Gu Xinzhu and his men to search for her. Hua Yinan was then lured to a courtyard by Nan Ze, where masked assailants attacked him.
He easily subdued them, prompting Nan Ze to appear. Nan Ze demanded Hua Yinan's life, using a hostage resembling Lu Yue'er as leverage. Hua Yinan, however, instantly recognized it was not his wife, stating he could tell even the tiniest difference. Nan Ze then resorted to sorcery, suspending Hua Yinan in the air and preparing to extract the Seven-leaf Peepul. Fortunately, Gu Xinzhu arrived just in time with reinforcements, forcing Nan Ze to abandon his attempt and flee.
Lu Yue'er awoke to find herself by the Spiritual Tree, confronted by Song Yan. He revealed his true identity as Dragon Lord Xuan and claimed he had brought her there, asserting that she, like him and Nan Ze, was not a mortal like Hua Yinan.
Song Yan attempted to manipulate Lu Yue'er by reminding her of Princess Jia Ning's role in her mother's death and Hua Yinan's deceptions, urging her to abandon thoughts of Hua Yinan and join him to cultivate immortality. Lu Yue'er resisted, accusing him of sowing discord. Song Yan then declared that Nan Ze had killed Hua Yinan, turning him to ashes and locking his soul away from reincarnation.
Nan Ze appeared to confirm this, showing a jar containing what he claimed was Hua Yinan's soul. Devastated, Lu Yue'er pretended to agree to Song Yan's demands. She cunningly obtained the Wooden Cone from him, then stood at the edge of an abyss, threatening to jump. When Song Yan tried to stop her, Lu Yue'er declared she would not let him have what he wanted, lamenting her inability to avenge her mother and feeling responsible for Hua Yinan's death.
Just as Hua Yinan arrived, Lu Yue'er, despite his desperate pleas, plunged into the abyss. Hua Yinan could not reach her, crying out her name as she fell. Two years passed. Lu Yue'er's father and Du Ruo visited her memorial site, where they encountered Hua Yinan. Du Ruo commented on the futility of searching for Lu Yue'er's body in the vast sea, but Hua Yinan refused to give up hope.
He revealed that he believed a strange power had saved him in the past, leading him to think Lu Yue'er might also have been saved. He concluded that only a demon could have caused such events and specifically suspected Shaman Nan Ze, who had not been seen since Lu Yue'er's disappearance. Hua Yinan was now consumed by a burning hatred for Nan Ze, holding him directly responsible for Lu Yue'er's presumed death.
Episode 18 Recap
Still grieving two years after Lu Yue'er's disappearance, Hua Yinan found himself imagining her presence. He envisioned her approaching with a bowl of soup, only to realize it was Su Tang who had come to his study to discuss the Emperor's upcoming birthday banquet menu.
Hua Yinan apologized for his momentary delusion, then quickly dismissed Su Tang, instructing her to delegate minor tasks and confirming that he had approved her resignation letter, which she could submit to the court after the banquet. Meanwhile, Du Ruo, also preparing for his return to the capital, sought out Su Tang. She expressed her disappointment, feeling that with Lu Yue'er gone, there was no longer anyone worth staying for at Floral House, implying his departure was understandable.
Du Ruo clarified that his decision to resign from his official post and embark on a journey to explore the world's delicacies was a personal one, unrelated to Lu Yue'er. He attempted to confess something more, but Su Tang, wishing him safe travels, cut him short before he could finish. Later, as the island's residents gathered outside the Island Lord's Mansion to welcome the Emperor's advance envoy, Jiang Mama grew uneasy upon learning it was the Sixth Prince, Song Yan.
She recalled that as a child, Song Yan had been sent to the border as a hostage, a period that coincided with Princess Jia Ning's marriage to Flower Island. Without fully disclosing her deepest concerns about Song Yan's intentions, she cautioned Hua Yinan and Du Ruo to be wary, alluding to the Sixth Prince's past hardships. Hua Yinan, however, dismissed her worries, explaining that the strengthening Nanxiang State meant it was only natural for former hostages to return.
Upon Song Yan's arrival, Hua Yinan and the others were astonished to recognize him as the "Young Master Song" who had previously visited Flower Island. Despite his inner rage over Song Yan's deception, Hua Yinan, respecting Song Yan's status as a prince and imperial envoy, managed to suppress his anger and offer a formal welcome.
Inside the mansion, Song Yan read an imperial edict: citing Flower Island's unique environment and culinary reputation, the Emperor intended to hold his sixtieth birthday banquet there, entrusting Hua Yinan and Du Ruo with the preparations. Hua Yinan accepted the decree, then subtly questioned Song Yan about his abrupt departure from the island two years prior, asking which boat he had taken.
Song Yan skillfully evaded the direct question, stating he had left on a merchant ship due to an urgent summons from his father. He then feigned shock and offered condolences upon hearing of Lu Yue'er's death. Hua Yinan intended to host a welcoming banquet at the mansion, but Song Yan insisted they dine at Floral House, specifically requesting no special preparations, preferring to experience it as usual. As they approached Floral House, they encountered a commotion.
Onlookers gossiped about a self-proclaimed "Fairy Cook" from the capital, Tang Yingying, who had successfully challenged Floral House's head chefs and was now attempting to remove their plaque. Su Tang tried to prevent Tang Yingying from taking down the plaque, leading to a struggle. As Tang Yingying ascended a ladder, it was pushed, causing her to fall. Hua Yinan instinctively rushed forward and caught her. He was momentarily stunned, observing her eyes, which bore an uncanny resemblance to Lu Yue'er's.
Tang Yingying thanked him for saving her, expressing surprise that he was the Island Lord. Song Yan then introduced Tang Yingying, explaining she was a close friend with a passion for cooking, whose talent he admired, hence bringing her to Flower Island. He almost mentioned her resemblance to Lu Yue'er but caught himself. He added that Tang Yingying's teacher was Cook Jin, the same master who had taught Lu Yue'er's mother.
Tang Yingying, full of arrogance, declared Floral House's cuisine unworthy of the Emperor's banquet and challenged Du Ruo, the Master Chef. She proposed that if Du Ruo lost, he must publicly admit defeat and avoid her. Song Yan, feigning impartiality, ordered his attendant, Yu Feng, to whip Tang Yingying as punishment for causing a scene. However, Hua Yinan intervened, pleading for her to be spared.
Song Yan accepted Hua Yinan's plea, then instructed Tang Yingying to make amends, which she did with an air of reluctance. Despite this, she continued to disparage Floral House's reputation. Later, Hua Yinan and Du Ruo examined a dish of pagoda meat prepared by Tang Yingying during the competition. Its presentation and intricate knife skills were flawless, with eighteen layers of pork, surpassing Floral House's Chef Wang, who achieved fifteen.
Du Ruo noted that while the taste was strikingly similar to Lu Yue'er's cooking, there were subtle differences. Hua Yinan, convinced, believed Tang Yingying was indeed Lu Yue'er, attributing her enhanced skills to her inherent talent and two years of dedicated training. Du Ruo, however, pointed out that since both Lu Yue'er's mother and Tang Yingying were students of Cook Jin, a similar culinary style was plausible, yet he remained unsettled by the situation.
Hua Yuman was furious about the humiliation Floral House had suffered. Jiang Mama warned her that the incident was likely part of Song Yan's elaborate scheme, urging Hua Yuman and Hua Yinan to remain vigilant. Hua Yuman couldn't fathom Song Yan's motive, but Jiang Mama, weighed down by secrets concerning Princess Jia Ning, felt unable to reveal the past, fearing it would upset them, yet she worried deeply about Song Yan's true agenda.
In a private conversation, Song Yan commended Tang Yingying's performance, confirming that she had successfully drawn Hua Yinan's attention. He revealed that a "magic doctor" had painstakingly altered her face to perfectly mimic Lu Yue'er, making her indistinguishable from the real person, even if Lu Yue'er were to return. Tang Yingying admitted she had lost her memory of her original face during the perilous transformation but was grateful to have survived.
As a reward, Song Yan promised to make her his Prince's Consort once their plan was complete. Upon hearing this, Tang Yingying was suddenly overcome by intense heart pain. Song Yan quickly had Nan Ze administer a flower pill to alleviate her suffering. After Tang Yingying left to rest, Song Yan then privately discussed with Nan Ze, the "ghost doctor."
Song Yan pressed Nan Ze to complete the restoration of the Wooden Cone within seven days, rather than the projected month, because Tang Yingying's control pills were scarce. Nan Ze protested that accelerating the restoration would cost him his entire lifetime's cultivation, but Song Yan dismissed his concerns. His priority was to swiftly regain his own spirit powers and dragon body, which depended on Tang Yingying extracting the Seven-leaf Peepul from Hua Yinan.
Only then could he awaken his beloved "Xiao Man." Song Yan also muttered that he would enjoy tormenting them and settle all his past conflicts with Hua Yinan in this lifetime. He warned Nan Ze that if Tang Yingying escaped their control and Lu Yue'er's soul was regained before the Seven-leaf Peepul was retrieved, all their efforts would be in vain.
Episode 19 Recap
The steward at Floral House encouraged the staff to do their best for Song Yan's welcoming banquet and not to be disheartened by the recent competition loss. Du Ruo approached Su Tang, wanting to speak with her. Su Tang acknowledged she also wanted to talk, inviting him to start. However, they were interrupted by an announcement that the banquet was about to begin. Su Tang suggested it might not be the right moment and proposed they talk another time.
At the banquet, Song Yan noticed Hua Yinan's somber mood, understanding it stemmed from his grief over Lu Yue'er. Song Yan urged him to eat, then commented on his apparent boredom, stating that a banquet shouldn't be without entertainment, a segment he had specially arranged to further his plans. Tang Yingying, referred to as Fairy Cook, made a grand entrance. She announced her intention to dance as an apology for previously offending Floral House and Hua Yinan.
Her performance captivated Hua Yinan, and she specifically used a red silk to entice him. During her dance, Song Yan, seeing Hua Yinan mesmerized, used a hidden weapon to remove her veil, revealing a face identical to Lu Yue'er's. Overwhelmed, Hua Yinan rushed forward, embracing her and tearfully calling her his wife, Lu Yue'er.
Tang Yingying struggled against him, loudly protesting his behavior and demanding justice from Song Yan, denying she was Lu Yue'er or his wife and calling him a lecherous man. Song Yan stepped in, explaining that he had previously mentioned an old friend who remarkably resembled Lu Yue'er, and that person was Tang Yingying. He revealed he had brought her to Flower Island hoping she could meet Lady Hua, only to discover upon arrival that Lu Yue'er had passed away.
He claimed to have instructed Tang Yingying to remain veiled to spare Hua Yinan further grief. Hua Yinan, still in disbelief, questioned Tang Yingying directly, who firmly denied any connection to Lu Yue'er or him. With the situation seemingly resolved, Song Yan then departed with Tang Yingying and his retinue. After Song Yan's departure, Hua Yinan became suspicious, sensing an anomaly. He questioned the connection between Tang Yingying and Song Yan, recalling past events.
Determined to uncover the truth, he decided to verify Tang Yingying's identity by looking for a specific branch-shaped birthmark that Lu Yue'er had on her left shoulder. Du Ruo noted Su Tang's arrival, commenting that he could recognize her footsteps, implying her special place in his mind. Su Tang, aware of his concerns about Tang Yingying, confirmed her own suspicions regarding Fairy Cook's identity.
She then offered a plan to test Tang Yingying, explaining her willingness to help stemmed from knowing how important the matter was to Du Ruo. Tang Yingying expressed her confusion to Song Yan about his elaborate scheme, questioning why she couldn't have simply claimed to be Lu Yue'er at the banquet.
Song Yan explained that for Hua Yinan and others, Lu Yue'er's return was a miracle, and miracles that happen too easily seem unreal; it was better for them to uncover the "truth" themselves. He revealed that he had spent significant effort in changing her appearance to perfectly match Lu Yue'er's, ensuring that even the real Lu Yue'er would be hard to distinguish. Tang Yingying worried her acting might not convince the shrewd Hua Yinan.
Song Yan reassured her that Hua Yinan's weakness was his inability to accept Lu Yue'er's death, and her resemblance to Lu Yue'er, combined with subtle hints, would lead him to believe her. He further revealed that Nan Ze had sealed all her memories relating to Lu Yue'er, so she should trust the information she had been given and simply follow his instructions. As a reward for her cooperation, he promised to make her his concubine once their plan was complete.
Song Yan then offered her a flower. That night, Hua Yinan secretly entered Tang Yingying's room, intending to find the birthmark. Tang Yingying, who was merely feigning sleep, allowed him to approach. As he attempted to uncover her shoulder, she abruptly "woke up" and confronted him, accusing him of harassment. Hua Yinan, flustered, tried to explain his actions, but Tang Yingying rebuked him for his audacity, forcing him to apologize.
Tang Yingying stopped Hua Yinan from leaving, lamenting her lack of family and accusing him of bullying her. When Hua Yinan inquired about her background, she deliberately guided him to reveal she suffered from amnesia and only remembered the past two years. This immediately piqued Hua Yinan's interest, as it aligned with Lu Yue'er's disappearance.
She then recounted how, two years prior, she awoke in the Capital City's inn with no memory, having been rescued from the sea by merchant sailors while in a coma. With no money, she worked as a cook, where she was discovered by Cook Jin, who, recognizing her talent, took her as an apprentice and named her Tang Yingying.
He later introduced her to the Sixth Prince, and after honing her skills to defeat all capital cooks, she accompanied Song Yan to Flower Island. Hua Yinan realized this timeline perfectly matched Lu Yue'er's disappearance and was convinced she was his long-lost wife. He tried to comfort her by calling her "Yue'er," but she rejected the name, to which he agreed to call her Yingying for now. Tang Yingying internally noted that Hua Yinan seemed to believe her story.
Nanny Jiang, concerned for Hua Yinan and Hua Yuman's safety, attempted to disclose important information regarding events from two decades ago and the Hua family's conflict with Prince Yuan (Song Yan). However, before she could elaborate, Gu Xinzhu interrupted her, reporting that Hua Yuman had unexpectedly summoned the Lu family to the mansion. Hua Yinan immediately suspected Hua Yuman’s intentions were aimed at Tang Yingying and hurried to investigate.
Hua Yuman, acting on Su Tang's suggestion, gathered the Lu family at the mansion to test Tang Yingying. Tang Yingying, recognizing the family as Lu Yue'er's and subtly understanding the setup, maintained her composure and denied being Lu Yue'er, stating that Hua Yuman would explain her identity. Despite this, Lu Yue'er's father, overcome with longing, pleaded with Tang Yingying to pretend to be his daughter and play a round of mahjong.
Su Tang offered to teach Tang Yingying, and surprisingly, Tang Yingying consistently won, much to the exasperation of the others. When Hua Yinan arrived, Tang Yingying immediately feigned distress, claiming Hua Yuman had tricked her into staying and was detaining her by forcing her to play mahjong. Hua Yinan took Tang Yingying away from the mahjong game.
She then requested to use the kitchen and prepared Osmanthus-scented, goji berry crystal cakes, which Hua Yinan recognized as a dish deeply significant to him and Lu Yue'er. This further solidified his belief in her identity. As she watched him eat, Tang Yingying inwardly acknowledged the reliability of the information she had been given about Lu Yue'er. Shortly after, Tang Yingying was struck by another sudden illness, and the "withered branch" mark reappeared.
Hua Yinan, alarmed, quickly retrieved a pill from her cuff, which she instructed him to find, and helped her take it. After consuming the medicine, Tang Yingying assured him it was just her recurring stomachache, and Hua Yinan offered to take her to rest.
Episode 20 Recap
Hua Yinan carefully placed Tang Yingying in his room, telling her to rest while he went to find a family doctor. Once alone, Tang Yingying found the room strangely familiar but could not recall past events. Her gaze then fell upon an array of women's clothes, rouge, and jewelry, making her question Hua Yinan's sincerity in claiming to miss Lu Yue'er, concluding that his room must have hosted many women, implying he was unfaithful.
Meanwhile, Hua Yuman met with Song Yan to clarify her intentions regarding Tang Yingying. She explained that she had no desire to cause trouble but was struck by Tang Yingying’s uncanny resemblance to her late sister-in-law, Lu Yue'er. Song Yan revealed his intention to marry Tang Yingying after the Emperor’s birthday banquet and assured Hua Yuman that Hua Yinan would not create any misunderstanding, which pleased her.
When Song Yan offered a cup of sheep-milk tea, Nanny Jiang, Hua Yuman's elderly attendant, intervened, warning Hua Yuman not to drink it due to her recent poor sleep, which annoyed Song Yan. Hua Yuman explained that Nanny Jiang was her mother Princess Jia Ning's personal maid and was simply overly caring. Song Yan, recognizing Nanny Jiang's palace background, then mentioned that his own mother, Concubine Ning, and Princess Jia Ning were bosom friends.
This revelation made Nanny Jiang visibly nervous and she became flustered when Hua Yuman pressed her for details, claiming old age had made her forget. Noticing Nanny Jiang's profuse sweating and discomfort, Song Yan dismissed her and sent Nanzhe to escort her back to rest. He and Hua Yuman then shared a toast with the sheep-milk tea.
Shortly after, Hua Yinan returned with a doctor for Tang Yingying, but she insisted she was fine and dismissed the physician, much to Hua Yinan’s dismay. Not long after Tang Yingying left, Hua Yuman arrived to confront her brother. She admonished Hua Yinan for neglecting his sister and for his fixation on Tang Yingying, especially after learning that Song Yan intended to marry her.
Hua Yuman warned him not to compete with the Sixth Prince for a woman, but Hua Yinan was steadfast in his belief that Tang Yingying was Lu Yue'er and that he was Lu Yue'er's husband, vowing not to let Song Yan's plan succeed. Later, Nanzhe questioned Song Yan about his decision to openly declare his intent to marry Tang Yingying to Hua Yuman. He worried this might cause Hua Yinan to retreat, thus complicating their plans.
Song Yan, however, remained unconcerned, stating that if Hua Yinan was such a coward, he would not be a worthy opponent. The following day, both Hua Yinan and Song Yan arrived to escort Tang Yingying to Floral House for a dish tasting for the Emperor’s birthday banquet. Despite Hua Yinan’s presence, Tang Yingying chose to ride in Song Yan's carriage without hesitation, leaving Hua Yinan frustrated and determined to win her back someday.
During their carriage ride, Tang Yingying confirmed to Song Yan that Hua Yinan was now convinced she was Lu Yue'er. Song Yan instructed her to use this to her advantage and persuade Hua Yinan to let her cook for the banquet. He also gave her another mission: to find and steal a "Golden Phoenix bag" from a hidden niche in the library's inner garden, cautioning her not to ask about its contents.
At the tasting, Song Yan presented the dishes but pointed out the challenge of pleasing the diverse palates of the Emperor, Empress, and officials. When Hua Yinan and the head chef admitted it was impossible to satisfy everyone with a single dish, Tang Yingying stepped forward with an ingenious solution. She suggested preparing a variety of dipping sauces, allowing diners to customize the flavor of each dish to their preference.
Her idea was met with widespread praise for her culinary talent. Song Yan subtly guided Tang Yingying to express her desire to join the banquet team. Hua Yinan, eager to secure her, offered her an exceptional position as a special chef in Floral House, allowing her to cook for the birthday banquet without the usual assessment. However, he imposed a condition: she must commit to working at Floral House for two years after the banquet.
Despite Song Yan's implied disapproval, Tang Yingying readily agreed, secretly plotting that her promise would become irrelevant once Floral House and Hua Yinan were no longer in power after the banquet. After the tasting concluded, Song Yan and Hua Yinan exchanged veiled barbs, comparing Tang Yingying to a phoenix choosing her perch, their words reflecting their ongoing rivalry.
Later, Du Ruo confronted Hua Yinan, questioning his conviction that Tang Yingying was Lu Yue'er and whether he was simply transferring his affections. Hua Yinan adamantly declared that Tang Yingying was indeed Lu Yue'er.
He explained that he had confirmed her story: she had fallen into the sea two years prior, was rescued by merchant ship sailors, lost her memories, became Cook Jin’s apprentice, was named Tang Yingying, and eventually became the capital's top chef before being introduced to Song Yan.
Du Ruo was relieved that Lu Yue'er was alive, but still wary, pointing out that Tang Yingying, despite knowing the truth, chose to maintain her current identity, suggesting she did not wish to return to being Lu Yue'er. Hua Yinan, however, maintained that his love for her was unconditional. Hua Yinan then instructed Du Ruo to take Tang Yingying to the warehouse to select kitchenware.
In the warehouse, Tang Yingying instinctively chose a knife that had previously belonged to Lu Yue'er, feeling a strange familiarity with it. Du Ruo, aware of her amnesia and newfound identity, subtly told her he knew who she truly was. Tang Yingying, feigning ignorance, requested Du Ruo to show her around Floral House, claiming she couldn't remember the way.
Du Ruo provided her with a map, and Tang Yingying immediately noticed the library marked on it, specifically the "forbidden" inner garden. She learned from Du Ruo that the inner garden, once guarded by Elder Yan who passed away six months prior, now had its key held by Hua Yinan. Her mind immediately turned to Song Yan's mission to retrieve the Golden Phoenix bag from that very library. While Tang Yingying was later observed cooking, her mysterious illness suddenly recurred.
Hua Yinan rushed to her side, calling her "Yue'er," as Du Ruo pointed out strange shadows resembling withered tree branches appearing on her body. Hua Yinan was shocked by this distinct and alarming manifestation, as he had not clearly witnessed such specific symptoms before. Tang Yingying quickly took a pill and left, claiming it was merely an old stomachache. Puzzled by the new symptom, Hua Yinan picked up a pill she had dropped, intending to investigate its nature.
Episode 21 Recap
Hua Yinan and Du Ruo discussed Tang Yingying's recent illness, particularly the unsettling tree-like shadow that had appeared behind her during her seizure. They summoned the family physician, who expressed his disbelief, stating he had never encountered a disease that could alter a person's shadow. He suggested that such a phenomenon would imply Tang Yingying was not human. Hua Yinan then questioned the physician about the pill Tang Yingying had taken.
The physician identified it as an ordinary nourishing pill, not a remedy for stomachaches, which puzzled Hua Yinan, as Tang Yingying had recovered instantly after taking it. Determined to understand its effects, Hua Yinan, despite Du Ruo's strong reservations, ingested the pill himself. Although he felt an unusual sensation, the physician's subsequent examination found his pulse to be normal. Hua Yinan speculated that the pill's effects might be specific to Tang Yingying and wondered if her heart condition was relapsing.
He instructed the physician to keep the incident confidential. Tang Yingying, looking pale and weary, met with Song Yan to report on her progress. She informed him that she had learned the hidden room was within the inner courtyard of the library and planned to find a way to obtain the key from Hua Yinan. Song Yan cautioned her to be careful while impersonating Lu Yue'er. Concerned by her appearance, Song Yan asked about her well-being.
Tang Yingying explained that her condition had flared up painfully that afternoon, requiring her to take several pills for relief. Song Yan expressed regret for her suffering, but Tang Yingying reassured him, thanking him for developing the pills that kept her alive. Handing her more pills, Song Yan promised that he had found a cure for her and that she would be fully restored once their current endeavors were complete.
The following day, Hua Yinan waited for Tang Yingying after work and offered her a ride to his mansion. Tang Yingying accepted, secretly viewing this as an opportunity. In the carriage, both mulled over their hidden agendas. Hua Yinan debated how to persuade her to see a doctor, while Tang Yingying sought an excuse to visit his room. Tang Yingying broke the silence, recalling that a previous stomachache had led her to Hua Yinan's bedroom, which had triggered faint memories.
She then confessed that she already knew she was Lu Yue'er, despite her attempts to deny it, and expressed a willingness to accept her past. She believed that revisiting his bedroom, which Hua Yinan confirmed he had kept untouched, might help her recover more memories. Overjoyed, Hua Yinan readily agreed, passionately declaring that Lu Yue'er was his only love. Tang Yingying, moved by his devotion, felt a bittersweet pang, knowing she was not the real Lu Yue'er.
The carriage jolted, causing Tang Yingying to almost fall into Hua Yinan's arms, creating a moment of both familiarity and strangeness between them. Upon their arrival at the Island Lord's Mansion, Tang Yingying initially found nothing familiar in Hua Yinan's room. She noticed Lu Yue'er's clothes and, after confirming they were hers, decided to try them on, hoping to jog her memory.
As she dressed, Hua Yinan, overwhelmed by emotion and seeing her as his beloved Lu Yue'er, embraced her from behind, noting she had lost weight. Tang Yingying, startled, tried to pull away, but Hua Yinan held her gently, asking for a moment to just hug her, apologizing for his intense happiness.
In that embrace, Tang Yingying felt the depth of Hua Yinan's love for Lu Yue'er, yet she reminded herself that she was merely a stand-in and her true priority was Song Yan's mission. She then playfully sent Hua Yinan out of the room so she could finish dressing, warning him not to peek. Alone, Tang Yingying searched for the library key but found nothing. Instead, she discovered a beautiful, broken golden phoenix hairpin.
Pitying its state, she used a red thread to mend it. When Hua Yinan re-entered with the physician, he was deeply touched to see Tang Yingying wearing the repaired hairpin, interpreting it as a symbolic act of destiny, as Lu Yue'er had once angrily broken it. The physician introduced himself, but Tang Yingying, skeptical, doubted his ability to cure her amnesia, given that Song Yan's esteemed doctors had already failed.
Hua Yinan encouraged her, suggesting that different doctors might offer new hope. During the medical examination, Tang Yingying inwardly noted that her unique symptoms—the intense pain during seizures and the tree-like shadow—could not be detected by a pulse check. The physician, finding her pulse stable and normal, declared her to be in good health. When Tang Yingying inquired about her amnesia, the physician asked if it was caused by falling into the sea.
Tang Yingying reiterated Song Yan's explanation: an overdose of anesthesia during cosmetic surgery had damaged her brain. However, the physician suggested her memory loss seemed "more like damage caused by drugs," highlighting the rarity of such a condition. Tang Yingying feigned agreement, attributing it to an accidental overdose during her prolonged unconsciousness in the clinic. The physician acknowledged the possibility but emphasized its unusual coincidence.
Frustrated by the physician's inability to provide a clear timeline for memory recovery, Tang Yingying feigned anger, calling him a "terrible doctor," and stormed out. Gu Xinzhu attempted to stop her, addressing her as "Your Ladyship," but she sharply told him not to use that title as her memories were still lost. Internally, Tang Yingying briefly questioned if her amnesia was truly an accident or if Song Yan had manipulated her, though she quickly dismissed the thought.
Gu Xinzhu then approached her, urging her not to abandon Hua Yinan, stressing his profound love for her and encouraging her to give him a chance. Tang Yingying, though moved, felt bound by her circumstances and helpless. Later, Tang Yingying encountered Du Ruo, who explained he was at the mansion to report on the banquet's preparations since Hua Yinan was not at the Floral House. Tang Yingying noted his rare visits to the mansion.
Learning that he would be departing Flower Island after the birthday banquet, she presented him with a daisy, calling it a "small gift with best wishes" and thanking him for his kindness. When she asked if he knew the flower's meaning, Du Ruo correctly identified it as "unspeakable love." Tang Yingying then offered him some advice, encouraging him to bravely express his feelings rather than keeping them unspoken, warning that otherwise, his unsaid words would turn into lasting regrets.
Meanwhile, Nan Ze presented the fully repaired Wooden Cone to Song Yan, who was ecstatic. Nan Ze explained that he had used nearly all his spiritual power for the repair, with only enough remaining to maintain his human form, thus preventing him from creating more pills. Song Yan, understanding the urgency, instructed them to act swiftly and dismissed Nan Ze to rest.
Later, Hua Yuman informed Hua Yinan that she had found a letter from Nanny Jiang, stating that she had returned to her hometown due to age and illness. Hua Yuman found Nanny Jiang's sudden departure without a farewell strange, and Hua Yinan agreed to send her a pension. However, Hua Yinan also found the situation suspicious, recalling Nanny Jiang had wanted to tell him something important. He detected a strange fragrance on the letter, further deepening his doubts.
Unbeknownst to them, Song Yan's subordinate reported to him that Nanny Jiang had died during interrogation, but not before revealing that a confession was hidden in the library. Song Yan dismissed her death as inconsequential since the location was known, ordering the body to be discreetly disposed of, though he still pondered the confession's reliability.
Later, Gu Xinzhu reported to Hua Yinan that there were no records of Nanny Jiang leaving Flower Island by boat, and Song Yan showed no outwardly suspicious behavior. Still feeling uneasy, Hua Yinan instructed Gu Xinzhu to investigate Yu Feng, noting that he seemed to have changed significantly. Later, Tang Yingying entered Hua Yinan's study, feigning a visit to deliver coconut cake for him to taste as a potential birthday dessert for the Emperor.
Hua Yinan, who had been observing her covertly searching his room, made his presence known. Tang Yingying quickly offered the cake and attempted to leave, but Hua Yinan asked her to stay and eat with him, reminiscing about their shared meals. Tang Yingying maintained a professional distance, asserting that their past was now different. Hua Yinan, asserting his authority, insisted she stay. He then inquired about her work at the Floral House.
She replied that she mostly stayed in the kitchen but had received a map from Du Ruo to familiarize herself with the premises. Hua Yinan reassured her there was no need to rush, suggesting she would stay for at least two years, possibly longer. He then proposed that even if her memories were lost, their marital bond remained.
He offered her the position of his wife once more, promising her control over all the Island Lord's Mansion property and co-ownership of the Floral House. Tang Yingying, intrigued by the offer, asked for clarification: if she became his wife, would she truly be free to visit anywhere and do anything she wished? Hua Yinan confirmed it without hesitation.
Episode 22 Recap
Tang Yingying brought a coconut cake to Hua Yinan's study, pretending it was a sample for the Emperor's birthday. Hua Yinan persuaded her to stay and eat, recalling their past as husband and wife. He offered her co-ownership of Floral House and all his property if she would agree to be his wife again, showing her various seals, title deeds, and a set of keys.
Tang Yingying's eyes lit up, especially at the sight of the keys, prompting her to ask if she could access anywhere she wanted. Hua Yinan confirmed this, then deliberately pointed out two keys for the library, hinting it contained valuable, long-lost recipes. Despite her excitement, Tang Yingying feigned disinterest, stating that the position of Island Lord's wife should remain vacant for now, implying she wouldn't be corrupted by wealth.
Gu Xinzhu then arrived, informing Hua Yinan that Yu Feng had been captured and needed his immediate attention. Hua Yinan, feigning urgency, left the keys behind and encouraged Tang Yingying to finish the cake. His internal thoughts revealed his awareness that the library held a secret inner niche, known only to a select few, including himself. Seizing the opportunity, Tang Yingying took the keys and went to the library.
She navigated her way to the inner garden and, seemingly by chance, activated a hidden mechanism, revealing a secret chamber. Inside, she found a pouch and a recipe for "Flower Hot Pot," which she carefully memorized. Unbeknownst to her, this entire sequence of events was a deliberate setup by Hua Yinan. Hua Yinan interrogated Yu Feng, who under duress, revealed his true identity as Nanzhe, a demon doctor.
Nanzhe taunted Hua Yinan, stating that he wouldn't have been caught if he hadn't lost most of his spiritual power while repairing the Wooden Cone. Hua Yinan, recalling chasing Nanzhe two years prior, deduced his connection to Song Yan and suspected Song Yan was also a demon. He accused Nanzhe and his kind of causing Lu Yue'er's strange illness, implying they were responsible for her transformation into Tang Yingying.
Nanzhe denied harming her but ominously warned that if Lu Yue'er were to suffer misfortune, Hua Yinan would be the one to blame. Gu Xinzhu later informed Hua Yinan that Tang Yingying had delivered the pouch to Song Yan, just as Hua Yinan had anticipated. Hua Yinan believed Tang Yingying was merely being manipulated.
Song Yan, upon receiving the pouch from Tang Yingying, eagerly opened it, only to discover it contained a blank sheet of paper, revealing Hua Yinan had outwitted him. Hua Yinan had already found the real confession, a secret letter detailing how Ning Yu He, a criminal concubine and Song Yan's mother, had an affair with an imperial guard and gave birth to Song Yan. Princess Jia Ning had discovered this and the confession was written as evidence.
Hua Yinan realized his parents had hidden this document in the library's inner garden to keep the scandalous secret hidden. However, he now considered this old secret less important than the urgent task of recovering Lu Yue'er and confronting the growing threat posed by Song Yan. Tang Yingying left Song Yan's room feeling downcast. Song Yan, despite her failure, had a backup plan.
He told her she still had a chance to atone for her mistake by inviting Hua Yinan out, obtaining his heart blood using a special poison, and then bringing back the Wooden Cone. Tang Yingying expressed reluctance, saying she didn't believe Hua Yinan was a bad person. Song Yan became furious, scolding her and accusing her of being blinded by Hua Yinan's kindness.
He insisted that Hua Yinan only saw her as someone else, while he himself was her true benefactor, the only one who truly loved and cared for her. Tang Yingying, under his pressure and manipulation, reluctantly agreed to follow his orders. Hua Yinan received an invitation from Tang Yingying to admire the moon. Despite Gu Xinzhu's warnings that it might be a trap, Hua Yinan, deeply hoping to rekindle their connection, insisted on going.
Tang Yingying had prepared sago crystal cake and other dishes Hua Yinan enjoyed. He showed her tender care, placing his coat around her when the evening grew chilly, making her reflect on his deep affection for Lu Yue'er. Hua Yinan expressed his desire to make amends for past pains and asked if they could start anew, but Tang Yingying deflected, saying she merely invited him because the moon was beautiful.
Tang Yingying, struggling with her loyalty to Song Yan, offered Hua Yinan a toast, which she had secretly poisoned. Hua Yinan, aware of her deceit, asked if she truly wanted him to drink it. Despite his suspicion, he drank the wine. After a second cup, he feigned illness and collapsed. Tang Yingying took out the Wooden Cone but hesitated to strike.
Hua Yinan then revealed he was conscious, grabbed the Wooden Cone, and, to Tang Yingying's shock, plunged it into his own chest, telling her not to give up halfway. As his blood flowed and stained the cone, a water spirit pearl emerged, which Tang Yingying quickly collected into a porcelain bottle. Simultaneously, a burst of demonic energy was released and flew towards Song Yan.
In the aftermath, Hua Yinan, though injured by his own hand, instructed Gu Xinzhu to keep his condition a strict secret. Meanwhile, Nanzhe, having recovered some of his spiritual power, managed to escape from his confinement. Song Yan learned of Tang Yingying's failure to retrieve Hua Yinan's heart blood. Though initially displeased, Song Yan was not overly concerned, as he had anticipated this possibility and had a backup plan.
He instructed Tang Yingying to focus on preparing the main course for the upcoming Emperor's birthday banquet. Nanzhe later reported to Song Yan that he had secretly checked Tang Yingying's spiritual state and found no trace of the Seven-leaf Peepul, which was unexpected. Song Yan revealed he had intentionally arranged for Nanzhe to be captured to spread the information that only Hua Yinan's heart blood could save Lu Yue'er.
Since Hua Yinan had no reported injuries, Nanzhe suspected Tang Yingying had betrayed them by not taking Hua Yinan's heart blood. Song Yan, observing Tang Yingying's strange demeanor, ordered Nanzhe to monitor her closely. He also reiterated his backup plan: since he was still in a mortal state and Nanzhe's spiritual power was limited, they would use the Emperor's birthday banquet to orchestrate the downfall of the entire Hua family.
Back in the Floral House kitchen, Tang Yingying pondered what main dish to prepare that would impress the Emperor. Gu Xinzhu approached her to thank her on Hua Yinan's behalf for sparing his life the previous night. Tang Yingying cautioned him to be discreet, noting that Nanzhe was likely observing them. Gu Xinzhu mentioned that Hua Yinan had revealed the Emperor's fondness for stewed dishes.
This sparked an idea in Tang Yingying, who recalled the "Flower Hot Pot" recipe she had found in the library. She set about meticulously preparing the dish. Song Yan later visited the kitchen and was immediately captivated by the dish's aroma. After tasting it, he praised its incredible flavor, noting how the wine's aroma had fully integrated, leaving an amazing aftertaste. However, his expression darkened upon learning it was the "Flower Hot Pot" recipe, a secret from the Hua family.
He quickly composed himself, declared it Heaven's will that this dish should be used as the main course, and renamed it "A House of Happy Longevity." Song Yan then handed Tang Yingying a packet of poison, instructing her to add it to the dish during the banquet. He explained that once Eunuch Li discovered the poisoned dish, the entire Hua family would face execution. He promised to arrange a scapegoat and secure her release, but sternly warned her not to fail him again, professing his deep love for her. Tang Yingying reluctantly agreed.
Episode 23 Recap
Song Yan, still harboring deep resentment over the "Flower Island Warm Pot" that he believed caused his mother's wrongful death, sought to exact revenge on the Hua family. He decided to use the Emperor's upcoming birthday banquet as his opportunity, renaming the fated dish "A House of Happy Longevity." Before the banquet, he gathered people to taste the dish, and it was widely praised for its innovation and flavor, deemed suitable as the main course.
When Hua Yinan inquired about the dish's origin, Tang Yingying, the chef, vaguely attributed it to a veteran chef's guidance. Song Yan privately believed Hua Yinan would finally pay for past wrongs. Hua Yinan then asked Song Yan about the whereabouts of his personal guard, Yu Feng. Song Yan claimed Yu Feng had been bitten by a street dog a few days prior and was sent back to the Capital City for recovery.
Hua Yinan, however, challenged this, stating that Flower Island dogs are generally gentle and never attack without reason, implying that if Yu Feng was bitten, he likely deserved it. Hua Yuman, misunderstanding the subtle antagonism, suggested flogging the dog to death to appease the Sixth Prince. Meanwhile, Song Yan subtly warned Hua Yinan to be careful of those with ulterior motives, citing a reported incident of a thief prowling near Tang Yingying's chamber.
Nanze also informed Song Yan that Hua Yinan's spirit was powerful, leading to suspicion that the Seven-leaf Peepul might still be within him. As preparations for the Emperor's arrival intensified, Du Ruo found a moment of quiet reflection in the back garden, holding a daisy given to him by Tang Yingying. Su Tang noticed his solitude and approached with a drink, engaging him in conversation.
Du Ruo recalled Su Tang once sitting alone without the spring bracelet he had given her, looking pitiable. He asked her to return it, and though she initially reacted with annoyance, throwing it at him, he noted that she always carried it, implying her true feelings. Du Ruo then explained the daisy's meaning: "unspoken love," confessing his indecisiveness regarding certain matters. Su Tang asked if he truly intended to leave Flower Island after the banquet, to which he affirmed.
She then expressed her own weariness of Floral House and asked if she could join him. Du Ruo immediately invited her to come along, revealing he had been waiting for a chance to express his desire for her to accompany him. He even offered to change his plans if she wished to stay, but Su Tang readily agreed, deciding they would leave together.
Tang Yingying had prepared the "A House of Happy Longevity" dish, and it was ready for the next morning. However, defying Song Yan's orders, she replaced the poison he had given her with harmless digestive powder. After this, she wrote a letter to Hua Yinan and left it in his study. Seeing Hua Yinan reading through the door crack, her heart swelled with emotion. She did not enter, afraid of becoming lost in his affections, and left after knocking.
Unbeknownst to her, Nanze intercepted the letter before Hua Yinan could retrieve it. Nanze reported to Song Yan that Tang Yingying had betrayed him by substituting the poison with an inert powder, confirming that it was Nanze himself who had then placed the real poison in the dish. Song Yan, enraged after reading Tang Yingying's letter, confronted her.
In the letter, Tang Yingying confessed that she was not Lu Yue'er and did not wish to accept his love under false pretenses. She revealed that she had developed feelings for him during a moonlit drinking session and felt compelled to confess, warning him to be extremely careful at the upcoming birthday banquet. Song Yan accused her of betrayal, and she retorted that she knew she was being used. Song Yan then ordered his guards to take her away.
Nanze intervened, revealing that the Seven-leaf Peepul was within Tang Yingying's body and requesting to handle her himself. The next day, the Emperor arrived at Flower Island, and everyone gathered to welcome him. He expressed his appreciation for the island's beauty, its people, and its cuisine, particularly thanking Song Yan for his thoughtful preparations for the birthday banquet. He also noted his fondness for Du Ruo's cooking and asked him to prepare new dishes during his stay.
Amidst the greetings, Hua Yinan was quietly informed that Lady Yue'er (Tang Yingying) was missing, causing him concern. As the banquet commenced, Song Yan presented "A House of Happy Longevity," extolling it as a symbol of felicity and long life for the Emperor. The Emperor, delighted by the dish's aroma and trusting the Hua family, decided to skip the customary poison test and urged everyone to partake.
Seeing his plan about to fail, Song Yan, after a hurried whispered exchange with a subordinate, loudly intervened, declaring the dish was poisoned. He then ordered the arrest of Hua Yinan and Hua Yuman. Song Yan's subordinate claimed that Tang Yingying, the chef responsible for the dish and Hua Yinan's missing wife (Lu Yue'er), had poisoned it and fled to avoid punishment. Hua Yuman was visibly distressed, but Hua Yinan remained composed.
Meanwhile, Tang Yingying, far from having fled, was trapped and calling for release. An imperial physician examined the dish and confirmed it was free of poison. Hua Yinan then revealed that he had anticipated Song Yan's malicious intent. He explained that Song Yan had previously sent someone to steal a secret pouch from the library, and after Hua Yinan had read the confession hidden within, he fully understood Song Yan's plans.
Therefore, he had expected Song Yan to attempt to poison the dish and arranged for it to be watched. Once Song Yan's subordinate indeed poisoned "A House of Happy Longevity," Hua Yinan had it replaced with an untainted version, knowing Song Yan would expose himself at the banquet. Confronted with this evidence, Song Yan's subordinate dramatically stepped forward, claiming he acted alone to impress Song Yan by creating a situation where the Prince could "save" the Emperor.
He insisted Song Yan was entirely innocent and committed suicide to atone for his "sin." Du Ruo, however, suggested that such a grave crime could not be orchestrated by a single individual, implying a mastermind. The Emperor then turned to Song Yan, who denied prior knowledge of his subordinate's plan but admitted to misjudging his subordinate and accepted responsibility for the trouble caused. The Emperor then requested Hua Yinan to present the pouch containing the confession. During these events, Nanze had sealed Tang Yingying and successfully extracted the Seven-leaf Peepul from her body.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
Hua Yinan presented Concubine Ning's written confession to the Emperor, which exposed the full truth of past events. Seeing no way to conceal the truth further, Song Yan confessed, revealing that Princess Jia Ning, Hua Yinan's mother, had orchestrated a plot against Lu Yue'er's mother (Yun Wan Xi) and Concubine Song (Song Yan's mother).
Princess Jia Ning desired to marry Hua Jian Shan, so she implicated Song Yan's mother in framing Yun Wan Xi, which ultimately led to Song Yan's mother consuming poisoned "Flower Hot Pot." This gave Song Yan's mother a chronic, fatal illness, causing her to lose favor, be sent to the Cold Palace, and ultimately die alone.
Song Yan also bitterly recalled how Hua Yinan's mother, when he was a child, incited officials to send him to a remote foreign state as a hostage, causing him immense humiliation. He declared that he had returned for revenge, vowing to kill Hua Yinan and destroy the entire Floral House and Flower Island to pay for his mother's death and his own sacrifices. Hua Yinan vehemently denied his mother would commit such acts.
The Emperor, enraged, ordered guards to seize Song Yan and execute him. As the guards moved in, Nan Ze arrived, announcing that he had taken the aqua-spiritual bead from Tang Yingying and that it was now refined. Song Yan proclaimed it was a sign of divine favor and immediately implanted the bead, restoring his spiritual power. He transformed into a monstrous form, unleashing his power to injure the surrounding soldiers.
Song Yan then confronted Hua Yinan, but to his surprise, Hua Yinan also possessed spiritual power and could match him in strength, leaving Song Yan puzzled. Unwilling to endanger the Emperor and the other innocent people present, Hua Yinan moved away from Floral House, with Song Yan and Nan Ze in close pursuit. Hua Yinan led Song Yan to the spiritual tree, where their battle intensified.
Song Yan, despite having recovered his spiritual power, felt an inexplicable weakness, unable to fully exert his strength and overpower Hua Yinan as he expected. In a desperate move, Song Yan launched a powerful attack. Just as Hua Yinan was about to be struck, Xiao Man appeared and intervened, saving him. Her heartfelt cry of "Brother Xuan" in that moment revealed to Song Yan that Xiao Man had fully recovered her spiritual power.
Xiao Man pleaded with Song Yan to stop, urging him not to make bigger mistakes, but he refused, insisting on killing Hua Yinan to start anew. Hua Yinan then revealed the full extent of their plan to Song Yan. He explained that when Song Yan had tried to poison him using Tang Yingying, Xiao Man had already swallowed the real Seven-leaf Peepul, which restored her spiritual power and memories.
Realizing Song Yan's suspicious nature, they had orchestrated a deception: Xiao Man, as Lu Yue'er, intentionally raised Song Yan's suspicions so that he would believe the fake aqua-spiritual bead he took was genuine. Hua Yinan explained that the fake bead could only briefly unleash Song Yan's spiritual power, and the more power he used, the faster it would vanish.
Xiao Man, having given the real Seven-leaf Peepul to Hua Yinan, implored Song Yan to abandon his obsession, offering him a chance at salvation. However, Song Yan, lamenting that he had lost her again, remained defiant against his perceived destiny and snapped at Hua Yinan to shut his mouth. Refusing to accept defeat, Song Yan mustered his remaining strength for a final attack on Hua Yinan.
The attack backfired, causing Song Yan's hair to turn white as his spiritual power completely drained away. Nan Ze rushed to support his master, then angrily blamed Hua Yinan for Song Yan's fate and attacked him. Xiao Man stepped in to protect Hua Yinan and was injured. Enraged by this, Song Yan, with his last ounce of strength, struck Nan Ze down before collapsing himself from utter exhaustion. Xiao Man rushed to embrace him, apologizing for her actions.
Song Yan comforted her, saying that in another life, he wouldn't want to meet her again to avoid the repeated pain of love. Xiao Man cried, feeling a deep sense of indebtedness to him, as Song Yan ultimately transformed into a sea snake. Heartbroken, Xiao Man turned to Hua Yinan, declaring that even though she knew he was Mu Yuan reincarnated, she chose not to be with him, as he was not truly him.
She promised to return everything that belonged to him. She then removed the Seven-leaf Peepul from Hua Yinan's body and, detaching from Lu Yue'er's form, ascended to immortality. After these events, the story of Flower Island was told in two contrasting versions. A local storyteller recounted a tragic tale: the Emperor, furious at the chaos, punished the Hua family, degrading Hua Yinan and Hua Yuman to commoners and driving them from their home.
The Cloudy Moon Noodle Restaurant was shut down due to Xiao Yi's bad management, and Lu Yi Kuang, Lu Yue'er's father, was left uncared for as his second wife and stepdaughter Yuzhen abandoned him to marry a tailor. The storyteller concluded with Lu Yue'er dying at the spiritual tree, her life ending as a tragic legend.
However, a woman interrupted the storyteller, refuting his account as a falsification, and proceeded to tell the real, happy ending, later revealing her identity as the true Lu Yue'er. She explained that during the birthday banquet, her husband, Hua Yinan, had saved the Emperor's life, earning the Emperor's admiration. Upon learning of her mother's wrongful framing, the Emperor bestowed a new plaque upon the Cloudy Moon Noodle Restaurant.
Her father, Lu Yi Kuang, was recovering well from his illness and was lovingly cared for by his second wife and stepdaughter Yuzhen. Her sister, Hua Yuman, was happily reconciled with the family, enjoying a life filled with beautiful jewelry and clothes. Lu Yue'er also shared news that Du Ruo and Su Tang had married according to local customs in the western region, embarking on a carefree life traveling the world, which she found enviable.
Hua Yinan playfully reminded her that she had no need to envy others while with him, and Lu Yue'er happily expressed her wish for them to have children, much to Hua Yinan's playful teasing. Lu Yue'er and Hua Yinan later visited the spiritual tree, where she decided it was the perfect place to bury Song Yan's memory.
As they walked home for dinner, discussing Hua Yuman's cooking and their future, Hua Yinan continued to tease her about their future children, concluding that everyone, indeed, had found their happy ending.
