Choice Husband Episode 1 Recap
> Choice Husband Recap
In Lingzhou City, Shen Miao found herself at Yasong Pavilion, meeting Ma Tianbao for a matchmaking session arranged by Matchmaker Liu. Despite a veil covering her face, Master Ma was visibly pleased by her demeanor, especially after Matchmaker Liu praised Shen Miao's beauty, comparing it to "sinking fish and alighting geese."
Shen Miao, however, privately expressed her disappointment to Matchmaker Liu, finding Ma Tianbao too ugly and not an improvement over her previous suitors, Pei Yanzhen and Song Xiyuan, whom she described as "top quality." Matchmaker Liu scolded her, reminding Shen Miao that her "scandal" was widely known throughout Lingzhou City and that she was already "showing" a pregnancy.
Unfazed, Matchmaker Liu proceeded to highlight Shen Miao's prominent family background as the richest in the dynasty and spun an elaborate tale about Shen Miao's miraculous pregnancy, attributing it to a dream of the Child-giving Goddess, presenting it as a "two-for-one deal" for Ma Tianbao, a third-generation only son. Despite Shen Miao's attempts to object, Matchmaker Liu pressed for a quick wedding, suggesting they exchange marriage proposals immediately.
The session was dramatically interrupted by the arrival of Pei Yanzhen, the Magistrate of Lingzhou City. Thinking quickly, Shen Miao introduced him as her "distant uncle," a lie Pei Yanzhen smoothly played along with, even showing concern for her well-being by advising her against cold Longjing tea, hinting at her delicate condition. Before long, Song Xiyuan, accompanied by his attendant Tie Niu, also crashed the gathering, which had shifted to the Fuchun Parlor.
Matchmaker Liu, intimidated by the presence of two powerful figures, quickly made her escape. Song Xiyuan, not one to be outdone, declared himself Shen Miao's "ex-husband," further confusing Master Ma by hinting that Pei Yanzhen was once his "uncle" too. The chaotic scene escalated as Tie Niu's men surrounded the Fuchun Parlor.
Fed up, Shen Miao sternly reminded Pei Yanzhen and Song Xiyuan of their divorce papers, which explicitly stated they were "square" and should not interfere with her future marriage. She offered them money to leave her alone, and as her maid Lvying scattered coins to distract the crowd, Shen Miao seized the opportunity to make her escape. She mused on her complex history with her two ex-husbands, a story that began a year prior.
A year earlier, Shen Qian, Shen Miao's father and head of the prosperous Shen family, was facing a dire situation. With Shen Miao, now at marriageable age, the Shen family faced annihilation if she wasn't wed within a month. Although Shen Qian held disdain for "arrogant scholars" and preferred strong martial artists, his efforts to find a suitable husband under the guise of hiring a head of the armed escort were proving unsuccessful.
His "Aunt" expressed concern for Shen Miao's happiness, but Shen Qian revealed the grim reality of their predicament, emphasizing the family's impending doom. Amidst this, Pei Yanzhen arrived at the Shen Residence with numerous betrothal gifts, proclaiming a long-standing marriage contract and formally requesting Shen Miao's hand.
Shen Miao was intrigued by a martial artist she saw at the recruitment, but her younger brother, Shen Zai, reported the arrival of a "poor scholar" with a "pedantic" air, instantly disliking Pei Yanzhen. Shen Qian initially tried to dismiss Pei Yanzhen, claiming no knowledge of any contract and citing their merchant status as being beneath a distinguished official like him.
However, Constable Zhao, who accompanied Pei Yanzhen, openly mocked Shen Qian's thinly veiled attempt to find a son-in-law, warning that the public display of betrothal gifts made denial impossible. Shen Qian then tried to use his hired "good men" to force Pei Yanzhen out. Pei Yanzhen calmly reminded Shen Qian of his secret one-month deadline with the Emperor.
He recalled how Shen Qian, to prevent Shen Miao from being chosen as a royal concubine by the Empress Dowager after his philanthropic efforts in the north, had fabricated a story about Shen Miao being engaged and about to marry in a month. Pei Yanzhen then revealed his own predicament: he, too, had rejected a marriage proposal from Ninth Princess at the Qionglin Banquet, using the exact same excuse of a prior engagement.
He pointed out the danger of Shen Qian's "smart excuse," warning that if the Emperor discovered the lie, the Shen family would face the severe charge of "defrauding the emperor." He further pressed Shen Qian by highlighting the public scrutiny following the grand display of betrothal gifts, arguing that to reject them now would be to ruin the Shen family's reputation. Reluctantly, Shen Qian agreed to the marriage.
Shen Miao's "Aunt" found her, cautioning her to maintain a gentle image and hide her martial arts skills until after the wedding, reminding Shen Miao of her "sixteen years of maintaining an image." Shen Miao, confident her father would prioritize her happiness, was stunned when Constable Zhao congratulated Pei Yanzhen, realizing her father had indeed "sold her out." Meanwhile, Pei Yanzhen's subordinate, Zhan Yue, reported that Shen Miao secretly wished to marry a greenwood hero.
Pei Yanzhen explained his calculated move: the Emperor coveted the Shen family's wealth, and marrying Shen Miao was the simplest way to acquire it without her entering the palace. Knowing Shen Miao would rather die than enter the palace, Pei Yanzhen, a low-rank official, was her best option—a temporary marriage that could eventually be dissolved.
He assured Zhan Yue that Shen Miao would marry him to avoid the palace, having promised Shen Qian to resolve the fraud accusation and never to fail Shen Miao, despite his personal disinterest in love. Shen Qian expressed his deepest hope that Shen Miao would find a loyal partner to support her when the family inevitably faced decline. Shen Miao, however, questioned how he could be so certain Pei Yanzhen was that person.
She recalled a past confrontation with Pei Yanzhen where she challenged his worthiness as a "weak scholar," to which he made three solemn vows: to eat meals with her every day, never to take a concubine, and never to fail her. Shen Qian had then tried to convince Shen Miao that this marriage could "kill two birds with one stone"—both deceive the Emperor and potentially find her a good man.
But Shen Miao dismissed it as unrealistic, emphasizing that a good man was "something we can't ask for" and that her marriage to Pei Yanzhen, forced by him, was merely a "delaying tactic," with divorce being her minimum requirement. On her wedding day, as Lvying tearfully braided her hair with traditional blessings, Shen Miao remained unperturbed, confident she would secure a divorce shortly after marriage to prevent the Emperor from pursuing her.
She instructed Lvying to quickly pack all the extensive dowry for their eventual return to the Shen Residence. However, an unexpected turn of events occurred. The wedding procession was suddenly halted, and Lvying rushed back to report that it was not Shen Miao, but Pei Yanzhen, who had been kidnapped by Ninth Princess and her imperial guards. Shen Miao was elated, declaring it a "great joy" and that she wouldn't even need to ask for a divorce.
She hurried Lvying to pack everything, reasoning that since the wedding ceremony hadn't been completed, she wasn't truly married. Pei Yanzhen, meanwhile, faced Ninth Princess, who angrily confronted him for rejecting her proposal and secretly marrying another. She questioned why he preferred a "merchant's daughter" like Shen Miao over a royal princess. Pei Yanzhen maintained his composure, reminding her of their subordinate-superior relationship and requesting to be returned to his wife.
Enraged, Ninth Princess threatened to annihilate the entire Shen family if he continued to harbor thoughts of Shen Miao. Despite the dramatic abduction, Pei Yanzhen soon returned to the sedan chair. Shen Miao was initially frustrated for not having left sooner, but upon seeing Pei Yanzhen's handsome face, she was instantly captivated and found herself regretting not having taken a good look at him before.
Pei Yanzhen, seeing her preparing to leave, questioned if she was "looking down upon him" by abandoning the ceremony. Flustered, Shen Miao quickly suggested they return home to discuss everything, and Pei Yanzhen reassured her that he had returned safely.
