Ms. Cupid in Love Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Ms. Cupid in Love Synopsis
God of Yan Guang, Bo Yan, accidentally destroyed the red string in the immortal world, causing chaos in marriage in the human world.
Everyone was proud to be single and no longer got married, resulting in the matchmaker Shangguan Ya being on the verge of bankruptcy.
However, Bo Yan became Shangguan Ya’s Fiance by chance. They went from being incompatible CP to sweet lovers.
They were both business partners and sweet lovers, and eventually began a funny love story of immortal and mortal.
Ms. Cupid in Love Recap
Episode 1 Recap
In the Daduan Dynasty, a society that greatly values marriage, there is a prosperous city called Yueyang City. Legend holds that centuries ago, the God of Marriage, Li Fu, planted a Hongluan tree in the mountains behind the city, transforming Yueyang City into an auspicious place where good marriages are made. Couples who worshipped the Hongluan tree were said to live happily ever after. Over time, the Hongluan tree became immensely sacred to the people.
Meanwhile, in the Sky Palace, God Yan'guang, Bo Yan, pursued an evil spirit into the Marriage Palace of God Li Fu. The spirit was attempting to return to the human world to see his beloved. Ignoring Li Fu's warnings, Bo Yan mercilessly struck the evil spirit, scattering its soul. In the process, he also accidentally severed all the red threads of marriage held by Li Fu.
An exasperated Li Fu informed Bo Yan that one day in Heaven is equivalent to one year on Earth, and his actions would cause great chaos to human marriages. He declared that the Emperor of Heaven would banish Bo Yan to the mortal world to personally mend the red threads and experience a tragic romance. Bo Yan, seemingly indifferent, did not appear to be listening. One year later in Yueyang City, the sacred Hongluan tree had inexplicably withered and died.
Consequently, the city's marriage customs spiraled into disarray. People began to embrace singlehood with enthusiasm, and divorces became a common occurrence. Shops, including jewelry stores, taverns, and inns, even offered discounts to single individuals. Wan Yuanming, who operated "Ming's Reasoning" performance house, capitalized on this trend by establishing the Bachelor Club, actively recruiting members with the goal of dismantling marriages and transforming Yueyang City into a city of singles.
Shangguan Ya, the respected head of the "Top Matchmaker" family, lamented the dire state of her family business, which had once been the most prestigious matchmaking agency in Yueyang City, boasting a plaque granted by the Emperor. Determined to revive her family's reputation, Shangguan Ya invested her remaining resources to organize a marriage conference. Her goal was to provide opportunities for those seeking love and happiness.
During the assembly, participants, identified by red strings, engaged in various activities like ball-tossing and dice-rolling to find compatible partners. Shangguan Ya, hidden behind a statue of the God of Marriage, secretly guided matches by tossing "good" or "rotten" peach blossoms. Her servants, Hongdou and Lianli, expressed concern about the financial strain on her father, who often feigned illness when money was tight. Lianli, ever loyal, vowed to protect the event from any of Wan Yuanming's potential saboteurs.
The conference was proceeding smoothly until a man suddenly crashed through the roof, landing dramatically. Shangguan Ya, startled, locked eyes with him. Before she could react, the startled crowd discovered her hidden position behind the statue, accusing the Top Matchmaker of fraud and demanding refunds. Thinking quickly, Shangguan Ya grabbed the stranger and announced they were on a blind date, then fled the scene amidst the chaos. She suspected the man was a saboteur sent by Wan Yuanming.
The mysterious man was indeed Bo Yan, banished from the Sky Palace, but he had lost all memory of his past and promptly fainted on Shangguan Ya's shoulder. Shangguan Ya's father was deeply apprehensive of this unexpected guest, but her grandmother, charmed by Bo Yan's handsome looks, instantly took a liking to him. Furthermore, Bo Yan had easily subdued the family's servants, demonstrating his formidable strength. Shangguan Ya confronted Bo Yan, demanding compensation for the extensive damage.
When he claimed amnesia, she accused him of trying to evade his debts. To settle the dispute, Shangguan Ya dragged him to the county magistrate's office to see her friend, Jing, a constable. While observing the county magistrate, Bo Yan felt a strange sense of familiarity, recalling an image of himself standing behind the judicial bench. During a whispered conversation, Shangguan Ya explained the situation to Jing. Bo Yan, despite their low voices, overheard them.
Jing suggested imprisoning him due to his amnesia, though this meant Shangguan Ya would lose her money. To their surprise, Bo Yan then cited Article 72 of the Criminal Law, arguing that illegally imprisoning someone and causing severe injury carried a heavy penalty, implying that Shangguan Ya herself could be convicted for his memory loss. Shangguan Ya argued that his injury was self-inflicted, resulting from his fall through her roof.
Bo Yan retorted by asking why he had fallen specifically into her house. Jing, acknowledging that the situation could escalate into an unexplainable mess, advised Shangguan Ya to take Bo Yan home, hoping his memory would eventually return, especially given his seemingly wealthy attire. Back at the Top Matchmaker, Shangguan Ya assigned Bo Yan to the dirty woodshed, informing him that he would work to pay off his debts.
She insisted he would be at her constant command for all manner of tasks, from moving heavy objects to chopping wood and running errands, and that all her family members could instruct him. Despite the lowly assignment, Bo Yan's noble demeanor still commanded respect. The next day, Shangguan Ya instructed Bo Yan to repair the damaged roof, explaining that he needed to lay tiles one by one. Initially, Bo Yan refused, claiming such work was beneath him.
However, when Shangguan Ya pressed the issue, reminding him of his debt, he conceded. To everyone's astonishment, he simply extended his hand, and the roof tiles flew into place, quickly and perfectly repairing the damage. Later, during dinner, Shangguan Ya's grandmother showered Bo Yan with affection, serving him food more attentively than her own granddaughter.
When the roof began to leak again during a sudden downpour, Bo Yan casually used a valuable screen belonging to Shangguan Ya's frugal father to plug the hole, causing her father to nearly faint from outrage. While waiting for medicine to be prepared in the kitchen, Bo Yan noticed the withered Hongluan tree on the distant hill, finding it oddly familiar. When Shangguan Ya came to check on him, he inquired about the tree's purpose.
She explained its significance to Yueyang City's marriages and lamented its inexplicable death a year ago, attributing the resulting chaos to fate. Bo Yan, however, seemed unconvinced, suggesting it might not be predestined. As they walked back, Shangguan Ya was confronted by a "playboy" from the marriage conference, the very man to whom she had given a "rotten peach blossom." He and his thugs surrounded her.
Just as she was cornered, Bo Yan appeared, positioning himself protectively in front of her. He issued a stern warning to the attackers to cherish their lives before effortlessly dispatching them, ensuring Shangguan Ya's safety.
Episode 2 Recap
Bo Yan fought off the playboy and his thugs. One of the playboy's men asked why Bo Yan gave him an extra punch, to which Bo Yan replied, "Because you're ugly." Shangguan Ya, impressed by Bo Yan's strength, told him she didn't expect him to be so helpful. Bo Yan warned her not to wander around again. However, in the commotion, a group of vendors whose stalls were damaged demanded compensation from Shangguan Ya, claiming she broke their things.
They insisted she couldn't leave and forcibly took her purse. Shangguan Ya protested that they were taking too much, while the vendors argued it wasn't enough before running off. Shangguan Ya, frustrated by the situation, declared to Bo Yan that he would have to pay for all the damage. The chaos in Yueyang City's marriage scene had caught the attention of the imperial court. Xu Yunchuan, the imperial censor of the Hongluan Department, was specially dispatched to investigate thoroughly.
He was given three months to curb the chaos and support the matchmaking industry. Xu Yunchuan, as the Prime Minister's son, could have avoided this difficult task. However, he ordered his servant, Xi, to buy several large boxes of gifts. Xi questioned why Xu Yunchuan would volunteer for such a problematic mission, reminding him that as a first-ranked official's son, he wasn't allowed to leave the Capital without official approval.
Xu Yunchuan explained that this marriage chaos was the best opportunity for him to return to Yueyang City, where the girl he had been thinking about for over a decade resided. Xu Yunchuan, eager to see her, told Xi they needed to reach Yueyang City in three days. A messenger from Magistrate Lu delivered the news to Shangguan Ya, informing her that an imperial censor was on his way to Yueyang City, though the news hadn't been made public yet.
Shangguan Ya learned that her friend Jing was on a distant trip and wouldn't return for some time. Overwhelmed with anxiety, Shangguan Ya confided in her father, lamenting that the marriage chaos had been discovered and the imperial court was sending officials. She explained that the Top Matchmaker would be directly affected by the rectification efforts and urged her father to take it seriously.
Her father, however, remained unconcerned, even cheerfully suggesting they rename "Top Matchmaker" to "Top Divorce Agency" as a win-win solution, imagining slogans like "You'll be free and single in just one minute." Shangguan Ya vehemently opposed the idea, arguing that their agency had a century-long reputation and could not simply follow trends by becoming a divorce agency. Her father feigned chest pain to avoid the discussion, telling her to continue working while he went to rest.
Determined not to change her business, Shangguan Ya decided to enlist Bo Yan's help, calling for him to work as a laborer. Bo Yan entered and sarcastically asked if her father had never taught her to knock. Shangguan Ya retorted that it was her home, so why should she? She told him to come to the study, but he responded with an attitude, saying he would be there in a while.
Shangguan Ya insisted he hurry and waited for him in the hall. When he eventually showed up, she chided him for being late and for not helping with the mess. Bo Yan, with his aloof demeanor, asked what the mess had to do with him, stating he didn't create it. Shangguan Ya insisted that since he lived there, he should help clean up and called him noisy. As they argued, their clothes became disheveled.
Shangguan Ya grabbed Bo Yan's clothes and belt, refusing to give them back until he helped. Bo Yan, calling her unreasonable, demanded his clothes back, but Shangguan Ya held firm, declaring she wouldn't let him leave. Hearing Shangguan Ya's loud voice, her father came to investigate. Panicked, Shangguan Ya quickly dragged Bo Yan behind a bookshelf, urging him to squat down to avoid being seen and causing a misunderstanding.
Fortunately, her father, always looking for a good deal, only noticed Shangguan Ya's fallen purse. He picked up the full purse and decided to keep it for himself, happily leaving to buy braised pork balls. Both Shangguan Ya and Bo Yan breathed a sigh of relief, but their contentious relationship seemed to deepen with each encounter. Meanwhile, the servant Lian Li overheard members of the Bachelor Club at a restaurant secretly plotting how to counter the court's policy against singlehood.
Master Wan, the scholar, had invited shopkeepers to the Bachelor Club for a discussion to address the imperial censor's upcoming visit, which sought to suppress single people and support married couples. Shangguan Ya, upon hearing this, decided to disguise herself to infiltrate the meeting and gather information. However, her maid Hongdou, accompanying her in a similar disguise, was immediately recognized by a passerby, forcing Shangguan Ya to abandon her attempt and send Hongdou home.
As Shangguan Ya muttered about Hongdou's unreliability, a falling signboard nearly hit her. Fortunately, Bo Yan, who happened to be passing by, saved her. He revealed that he had spent the morning searching public notice boards for clues about his identity. Shangguan Ya reviewed the various posters he had collected, dismissing the possibility of him being a chef due to his obsession with cleanliness. Bo Yan countered that while memories fade, habits remain.
Shangguan Ya then jokingly suggested he might be a butcher, noting a "big nose" resemblance in a picture, while Bo Yan insisted his nose was "prominent." Despite the physical differences, Bo Yan acknowledged that the butcher's profession shared some similarities with his instincts, indicating he would pursue that lead. Unable to enter the Bachelor Club without an invitation, Shangguan Ya found Bo Yan, who used his qinggong to pull her onto the roof.
Shangguan Ya, however, misstepped and fell into a dog kennel below. She screamed for help, but Bo Yan refused to descend, stating he disliked "furry things." Attracted by the commotion, Wan Yuanming and other Bachelor Club members arrived. Wan Yuanming immediately began to mock Shangguan Ya, calling her unethical and unprincipled for holding secret matchmaking events and "leading people astray."
Shangguan Ya defended herself, arguing that promoting marriage was no different from his promotion of singlehood, as both were free choices. Wan Yuanming retorted that she was being unreasonable. He then highlighted her perceived hypocrisy, pointing out that she, a matchmaker who preached "love leading to marriage," had been single for twenty years. The Bachelor Club members joined in the ridicule, accusing her of being a hypocrite who couldn't even manage her own love life.
Incensed, Shangguan Ya returned home with a limp, angrily confronting Bo Yan for not rescuing her from the dog kennel. She called him cold-blooded, unsympathetic, inhuman, and someone who ate her family's food for nothing, vowing to make him pay. The next morning, Shangguan Ya declared to Bo Yan that since her establishment was merely a matchmaking agency, she had no right to keep him.
She expressed her extreme dissatisfaction with his recent actions and the losses he caused, telling him to leave. To her surprise, Bo Yan readily agreed, saying he would pack his things immediately. Just as he left, Lian Li rushed in to announce that Wan Yuanming had arrived with members of the Bachelor Club, causing trouble at the Top Matchmaker.
Wan Yuanming accused Shangguan Ya of being heinous and selfish for promoting marriage while remaining single herself, then presented a "Transfer of Ownership" agreement, demanding she sell the agency. Shangguan Ya refused, asserting that the Top Matchmaker had committed no crimes or illegal operations. She questioned his motives, suggesting he was after her family's property, which he dismissed.
Wan Yuanming argued that she lacked integrity, offering her a chance to either sign the agreement and leave Yueyang City, or change her ways and join the Bachelor Club to align her words with her actions. Shangguan Ya scoffed at his suggestion, declaring he could "dream on."
As the Bachelor Club members chanted for the Top Matchmaker to get out of Yueyang City, Shangguan Ya, in a moment of desperation, defiantly declared that she was not single and had already been betrothed. The members were shocked and skeptical, demanding to see her fiancé and the engagement contract. Just as things escalated, her father unexpectedly stepped forward, corroborating her claim. He proudly announced that his daughter, Shangguan Ya, had indeed been betrothed since childhood through an infant betrothal.
After a frantic search, he produced an old engagement contract. He then whispered to a shocked Shangguan Ya that the fiancé named on the contract, Chu Ye, was actually her cousin who had passed away when she was three. Publicly, her father explained that Chu Ye lived "a place far. . . far, so far away," which was why he had hesitated to let his daughter marry so far. Wan Yuanming, seeing through their attempt to buy time, was unconvinced.
He stated that enough time had passed for the engagement to become questionable. Capitalizing on their predicament, he issued an ultimatum: Shangguan Ya's fiancé, Chu Ye, must appear within three days to fulfill the marriage contract. If Chu Ye failed to appear, the Top Matchmaker would forfeit its ownership to the Bachelor Club, and the Shangguan family would be forced to leave Yueyang City entirely. Shangguan Ya was at a loss, wondering how they would resolve the issue.
Her father, however, was quick-witted and suggested they find someone to impersonate Chu Ye. Shangguan Ya was skeptical, asking where they could find such a person on short notice, especially since everyone in the city knew their family's background. Just then, her father spotted Bo Yan walking past their gate. Without hesitation, he declared, "That guy. He will be Chu Ye."
Episode 3 Recap
Shangguan's father, impressed by the amnesiac and distinguished Bo Yan, decided he was the perfect candidate to impersonate Chu Ye. He reasoned that a handsome "fiance" would elevate Shangguan Ya's taste, asking his daughter, "He's not ugly, is he? You can bring him out, right?" Shangguan Ya conceded, "He's acceptable," and her father concluded, "So we need to get a handsome man to prove you have great taste!"
The Shangguan family quickly changed their tune, treating Bo Yan as a "distinguished guest" and offering him high-quality Tieguanyin tea. However, Bo Yan revealed he had overheard their entire conversation and bluntly told them to "Get straight to the point." When Shangguan's father attempted to "inform" him that his name was Chu Ye, Bo Yan retorted, "How do you know that? I heard it."
He sarcastically questioned being called a "distinguished guest" while being kept in a woodshed, prompting Shangguan's father to immediately order Lian Li to prepare a deluxe room. Believing they could now influence him with favors, Shangguan Ya followed the principle of "offering something before stating a request," referencing the common saying, "there is no such thing as a free lunch." Bo Yan then made demands, describing his new room as "too plain" and in need of "some color."
He also specifically requested the kind of table he had used at the county magistrate's office. Despite Lian Li's surprise, Shangguan Ya insisted, "Buy it. We need his help. We'll buy it." Once his room was arranged to his liking, Shangguan Ya proudly announced, "You're my fiance, Chu Ye." Bo Yan immediately countered, "I didn't agree to that." When she complained about their efforts, he coolly stated, "You did that willingly.
I didn't force you," leaving Shangguan Ya furious but restrained by Lian Li, who reminded her, "You're no match for him." Shangguan Ya decided to try a "honey-trap" strategy, believing that "even heroes fall for the charm of a beautiful woman." She visited the House of Bliss to select beautiful performers, asking for "affordable ones" and then regretting not choosing cheaper, equally pretty girls. She even attempted to teach them the Sogdian Whirl herself, admitting, "Life is hard.
I have no choice." Unexpectedly, Shangguan's father arrived, eager to push Bo Yan and Shangguan Ya together. He locked them alone in a room, preventing the other performers from entering. Shangguan Ya, wearing a veil, tried to blend in with the dancers, but Bo Yan easily recognized her, dismissing the others and choosing only her. He teased her, critiquing her lack of strength as she massaged him.
When he pulled off her veil, Hongdou burst through the door, inadvertently pushing Bo Yan onto Shangguan Ya, resulting in an unexpected kiss. Bo Yan privately thought the incident was "overboard" and briefly considered agreeing to help. However, he then overheard Shangguan Ya telling Hongdou that while she was enduring it for now, she intended to "teach him a lesson" later. Hearing this, he promptly left. Shangguan Ya then attempted to discover his preferences, listing "flowers, birds, fish, and insects?
Antiques and paintings? Delicacies?" and promising Top Matchmaker would provide anything. Bo Yan simply stated, "I prefer silence." When Shangguan Ya pressed him, he retorted, "I don't know what I like, but I'm sure I don't like you." Hongdou then suggested that if his refusal stemmed from dislike, Shangguan Ya should "make him fall in love with you first."
The next morning, Shangguan Ya appeared with heavily made-up eyes and lips, which her father compared to being "stained with chicken blood." She presented Bo Yan with a homemade breakfast, and while he found it inwardly delicious, he outwardly maintained a cold demeanor, only commenting, "Not bad." Next, Shangguan Ya tried a "gaining his sympathy" tactic, using onions to produce tears. She dramatically lamented the impending ruin of Top Matchmaker and her father's "pitiful" fate, threatening to end her life.
Bo Yan remained unimpressed, telling her, "You won't commit suicide anyway," and even suggesting her death would bring him peace. Frustrated that he wouldn't even try to dissuade her, Shangguan Ya stopped her act. She finally gave up trying to coerce Bo Yan, even though he easily escaped after she locked him in his room.
Accepting that "We can't force someone to stay if he doesn't want to," she decided to face Wan Yuanming alone and instructed her staff to let Bo Yan leave. The next day, Wan Yuanming arrived at Top Matchmaker with his men, loudly demanding they close down. He accused Shangguan Ya of hypocrisy for matchmaking others while remaining single herself. As Wan Yuanming became aggressive, Shangguan's father, Lian Li, and Hongdou bravely stepped forward to protect her but were quickly overpowered.
Just as they were cornered, Bo Yan returned, unexpectedly intervening and single-handedly fending off Wan Yuanming's men. When Wan Yuanming demanded to know his identity, Shangguan's father, Lian Li, and Hongdou all declared, "He is Chu Ye!" and "He's our son-in-law!" cementing Bo Yan's supposed identity. Shangguan's father then proposed that Bo Yan stay permanently as Chu Ye to deter future harassment. Shangguan Ya, hesitant to force him, was interrupted by her grandmother, who comically wished for "babies soon."
To everyone's surprise, Bo Yan agreed to stay, but on three conditions: first, all prior debts between them must be canceled; second, Shangguan Ya must "stop being unreasonable" towards him; and third, she must help him discover his true identity. Shangguan Ya readily accepted. Later, Xu Yunchuan, delighted to finally arrive in Yueyang City, went directly to Top Matchmaker to find Shangguan Ya. As Bo Yan stepped out, Lian Li, ever vigilant for Wan Yuanming's spies, quickly called out, "Son-in-law! Come back early!" This greeting left Xu Yunchuan visibly startled.
Episode 4 Recap
Yueyang City buzzed with anticipation, adorned for the arrival of Imperial Censor Xu Yunchuan, a direct appointee of the Emperor. The County Magistrate, Lu Zhiyong, effusively offered greetings and flattering words. However, Xu Yunchuan's mind was preoccupied, replaying Lian Li’s earlier mention of a "son-in-law," and he worried that he might have missed his chance with Shangguan Ya once again. Noticing Xu Yunchuan's troubled expression, Lu Zhiyong subtly prompted Marshal Ouyang Jing.
Xu Yunchuan, recognizing Ouyang Jing and remembering her close friend Shangguan Ya, the proprietor of Top Matchmaker, instructed her to summon all matchmakers in the city to the county magistrate the following morning at 9 AM for a "reunion." He specifically emphasized that Shangguan Ya's fiancé should also attend. Ouyang Jing, misunderstanding Xu Yunchuan's true intent, suspected he aimed to intimidate Top Matchmaker.
She hurried to Shangguan Ya’s residence, warning her to prepare for a difficult encounter, especially since the Imperial Censor already knew about “Chu Ye.” Shangguan Ya, taking the news seriously, immediately sought out Bo Yan. She explained the situation and asked him to rehearse their story to present a convincing facade as an engaged couple. Bo Yan admitted that his returning memories seemed linked to her, but he expressed impatience with continually pretending.
Shangguan Ya insisted he needed to convey affection through his gaze, reminding him of the importance of their arrangement, particularly for his identity search. They practiced basic details like her favorite foods and when he "fell in love" with her, to which he coldly responded, "never." After Shangguan Ya underscored the grave consequences of deceiving the imperial censor, Bo Yan, though still seemingly detached, grudgingly agreed to cooperate.
The next morning, Shangguan Ya tried to get Bo Yan to wear a matching outfit to appear more like a couple. He initially refused, dismissing it as "troublesome" and protesting the "women's clothing" (despite it being men's wear). She eventually coerced him by threatening to repeat their all-night staring session. As they made their way to the county magistrate, Bo Yan continued to complain about the necessity of using affectionate nicknames, still finding it "troublesome."
At the county magistrate, Xu Yunchuan, seated formally, opened the proceedings with a stern rebuke. He addressed the Emperor's year-long concern over Yueyang City’s marriage crisis, condemning the prevailing cultural trend that glorified singlehood and shamed marriage. He admonished the assembled matchmakers for their "inaction" and for contributing to "the wrong trend." A spirited Shangguan Ya stepped forward, identifying herself as the proprietor of Top Matchmaker.
She defended her organization's efforts, explaining that they had recently hosted a marriage conference to actively address the marriage issues. Xu Yunchuan, changing his tone, praised her initiative and dedication, then subtly inquired about her marital status. Shangguan Ya, quickly pulling Bo Yan forward, declared him to be her fiancé. Xu Yunchuan, looking intently at Bo Yan, asked Shangguan Ya, "Would you mind replacing him?"
Seeing her confusion, he clarified, asking if she would consider "taking another approach to solve the marriage issues," and then asked for the results of her conference. Shangguan Ya admitted that the matchmaking had not been particularly successful, but Xu Yunchuan commended her resolve, stating, "Man proposes, God disposes. You don't have to feel ashamed."
However, the proceedings were interrupted by Wan Yuanming, who burst into the court, accusing Top Matchmaker of secretly holding a fraudulent marriage conference to "cheat people out of money." Shangguan Ya attempted to defend her sincerity, pointing to Bo Yan as a witness. Unfortunately, Bo Yan, in his effort to support her, inadvertently blurted out that Shangguan Ya had "hid under the statue" during the event, calling the action "very stupid."
Despite this slip-up, Xu Yunchuan dismissed Wan Yuanming’s accusations, skillfully turning his words around to imply that Wan Yuanming was questioning the Emperor’s wisdom. He then ordered Wan Yuanming to leave, threatening severe punishment for any future disturbances. Xu Yunchuan then announced new regulations: all teahouses and restaurants were to cease special discounts for single customers and instead offer "buy one get one half price" promotions for couples.
Furthermore, he instituted a system of fines for quarreling couples, starting at ten taels of silver and doubling for repeat offenses. Shangguan Ya voiced her objection to this harsh measure. Xu Yunchuan suggested she discuss her "better ideas" with him privately and mandated that she report to the county magistrate every three days.
Bo Yan observed Xu Yunchuan's "ulterior motives," but Shangguan Ya, oblivious to any deeper meaning, was merely pleased that the Imperial Censor was supporting Top Matchmaker and seemed to be an ally. Later, Xu Yunchuan reflected with sadness on Shangguan Ya's apparent failure to recognize him, reminiscing about a childhood memory where she had comforted his younger, chubbier self with a candy after he was disciplined by his grandfather.
Meanwhile, his subordinate reported on Wan Yuanming's activities, including his "Bachelor Club," and expressed suspicion about Shangguan Ya's fiancé, Bo Yan, whose sudden appearance in Yueyang City, despite a supposed engagement arranged before birth, was "too coincidental." Xu Yunchuan concluded that "there must be something wrong with them." Concurrently, Wan Yuanming, having learned of Xu Yunchuan's bachelor status, misinterpreted him as an advocate for singlehood.
Still determined to expose Shangguan Ya, he dispatched men to spy on Top Matchmaker that night. That evening, as Shangguan Ya diligently sorted through lists of marriageable individuals, Bo Yan, seated nearby, subtly noticed an intruder scaling the wall. He quickly feigned a moment of intimacy with Shangguan Ya, then discreetly used dates as projectiles to dislodge the spy from the wall.
Realizing what had happened, Shangguan Ya later told Bo Yan that she would go alone to report to Official Xu, fearing that his sharp insight could expose their fake engagement. Bo Yan simply responded with a cold, "Okay," and left, prompting Shangguan Ya to grumble about his temperament. The next day, Shangguan Ya arrived at the county magistrate to report.
Instead of discussing official matters, Xu Yunchuan presented her with candies he had specially brought from the capital, revealing his memory of her childhood fondness for them. He spoke cryptically about the pivotal moments of his life, linking them to her presence, but Shangguan Ya still failed to recognize him. He then produced an old candy wrapper, reminding her that she had given it to him ten years ago when he was disciplined by his grandfather in Qingliu Lane.
Despite her vague recollection of the area, Shangguan Ya remained unable to place him, even mistakenly guessing he might be various local merchants' sons. Seeing her complete lack of memory of his "chubby" past self, a visibly disappointed Xu Yunchuan simply stated, "Forget it then." Elsewhere, Li Fu descended to the human realm, inadvertently causing a minor disruption in a market.
When he attempted to return a dropped item, Ouyang Jing, disguised as a man, mistook him for a "scoundrel" harassing a woman and promptly apprehended him. Li Fu, in turn, insulted her appearance, commenting that she was "rough" for a woman. As Ouyang Jing prepared to deal with him, he was suddenly struck down by Bo Yan. Recognizing him despite his amnesia, Li Fu cried out, "Don't beat me. I am your brother, Li Fu. You don't remember me because you have lost your memory."
Episode 5 Recap
Ouyang Jing pursued Li Fu, who used his agility to escape. Chu Ye gave chase but halted to rescue Shangguan Ya from falling roof tiles. Shangguan Ya, reflecting on her past with Xu Yunchuan, then faced a new disturbance as a group of elderly women arrived at Top Matchmaker, causing a ruckus. The women individually complained that the matches arranged by Top Matchmaker soon resulted in conflicts, and they demanded that Shangguan Ya refund their money and compensate them.
Chu Ye attempted to drive them away, but Shangguan Ya, realizing they were deliberately causing trouble, understood that force wouldn't work and a clever strategy was needed. She instructed Lian Li and Hongdou to assist her and had Chu Ye help bring in a brazier. She then aggressively scattered chili powder into the brazier and poured in her father's prized aged wine. Overwhelmed by the chili smoke, the troublesome women quickly fled.
However, Shangguan Ya had to retrieve the suffocating brazier herself. Seeing her eyes streaming from the thick smoke, Chu Ye took her up to a high pavilion so she could catch her breath and recover. As Shangguan Ya used Chu Ye's sleeve to wipe her tears, he tried to push her face away with his hand. Yet, seeing her tear-filled eyes, he felt a momentary stir.
Shangguan Ya, puzzled, looked at the stars and confided in him about her late mother. She lamented not being a good matchmaker like her mother, and to her surprise, Chu Ye patted her shoulder, assuring her she was doing well. Master Shangguan, exasperated and carrying a wine jar, was intercepted by Shangguan Ya, Lian Li, and Hongdou, who protected Chu Ye. Shangguan Ya told her father that mutual support and bickering were the hallmarks of a true family.
Meanwhile, Li Fu, disguised as a man from the Western Regions, attempted to enter Top Matchmaker, but the lingering presence of the elderly women at the entrance scared him off. Fortunately, Xu Yunchuan arrived and dispersed the women, citing their gathering as a public disturbance. Shangguan Ya was baffled by the desk and screen Xu Yunchuan had brought, but he declared he would be overseeing Top Matchmaker from that day forward.
Under the pretense of making tea, Shangguan Ya found Chu Ye and playfully begged him for help, reminding him that their "act" had to continue even at home. Wan Yuanming, believing Xu Yunchuan's inaction against the Bachelor Club implied his tacit approval, defiantly rallied his members, vowing to eliminate Top Matchmaker. Late that night, Shangguan Ya snuck into Chu Ye's bedroom and instructed him to memorize the script she had written for their "affectionate" interactions.
Xu Yunchuan's true intention in coming was not the official business he claimed. He presented Shangguan Ya with precious jewels he had brought from the Capital, including a tridacna stone from the Byzantine Empire and pearls from Persia, symbolizing auspiciousness and elegance. Shangguan Ya, however, dared not accept them and quickly feigned a cough, signaling Chu Ye to bring her a cloak. Watching Shangguan Ya intimately link arms with Chu Ye and leave, Xu Yunchuan pouted, clearly displeased.
Shangguan Ya then took out nail polish and asked Chu Ye to apply it for her. Xu Yunchuan immediately noticed the handkerchief placed between their hands and directly questioned whether it was to avoid suspicion. Without a word, Chu Ye tore away the handkerchief, took Shangguan Ya's hand, and slowly continued applying the nail polish, even gently blowing on her nails, which further annoyed Xu Yunchuan. The elderly women were, of course, dispatched by Wan Yuanming.
Upon learning that Xu Yunchuan was at Top Matchmaker, Wan Yuanming assumed Shangguan Ya was actively pursuing him and began plotting another scheme. Master Shangguan observed Shangguan Ya's wariness of Xu Yunchuan but felt there was no reason to refuse if profit could be made. Grandmother Shangguan, who adored Chu Ye and disliked her son calling him an "outsider," announced that she would go for wontons the next day and bring her "precious grandson-in-law" along.
Shangguan Ya accompanied her grandmother and Chu Ye to eat wontons. She mentioned the upcoming Lantern Releasing Festival, which takes place before the Ghost Month, where river lanterns are released for deceased family members, and decided to buy one for her mother. Observing couples on the street, Shangguan Ya praised Xu Yunchuan's ability to quickly restore order to Yueyang City's chaotic marriage situation.
In response, Chu Ye directly put a wonton from his spoon into her mouth, and Grandmother Shangguan chuckled, calling it playful bickering. Xu Yunchuan, using the excuse of delivering fragrant pills and sachets to Chu Ye, discovered no signs of a woman's regular presence in his room, further confirming his suspicion about the falsity of their relationship. Shangguan Ya planned to buy Chu Ye three garments, utilizing a "buy two, get one free" offer, to fulfill her promise. She asked him to take Grandmother Shangguan home first, but on her way back, Shangguan Ya was ambushed and knocked unconscious.
Episode 6 Recap
Bo Yan was discarding a sachet on his bed when Li Fu suddenly appeared, binding him with a Deity Binding Rope. Li Fu explained that the rope was meant for deities and would tighten the more Bo Yan struggled. Bo Yan, having no memory of his divine origins, scoffed at the idea. To convince him, Li Fu performed an invisibility spell, but their celestial exchange was inadvertently witnessed by Reddou, who was startled by the sight.
Li Fu quickly took Bo Yan away, restoring his divine powers. Meanwhile, Shangguan Ya woke up in a daze, finding herself face to face with a smirking Scholar Wan. He eagerly presented a board detailing his "The Theory of Singleton," hoping to indoctrinate her. However, Shangguan Ya's sharp retorts were so compelling that even Scholar Wan's servants found themselves agreeing with her logic.
Furious, Scholar Wan tied up Shangguan Ya and placed her on a small boat with no paddles, leaving her to drift away. As Shangguan Ya cried out for help, a glowing necklace around her neck went unnoticed. It was then that Bo Yan, having just regained his powers, heard her desperate calls and swiftly appeared. After dealing with Scholar Wan and his associates, Bo Yan used his divine abilities to fly into the boat and rescue Shangguan Ya.
Mindful of Li Fu's warning against overtly displaying his powers in the human world, Bo Yan remained on the boat with Shangguan Ya as it continued to drift. Shangguan Ya, who had originally planned to release a river lantern for her mother, felt even more disheartened, blaming herself for not fulfilling her mother's expectations.
Bo Yan took a lantern from the boat's canopy, converting it into a makeshift river lantern, allowing Shangguan Ya to express her longing for her mother amidst the glowing night scene. She confided in Bo Yan about her mother's legacy as a renowned matchmaker and her own struggles to live up to it, feeling useless and a failure. Bo Yan, in turn, comforted her, assuring her she was doing well.
They made a pinky promise that the Love Matching Hall would be his home until he found his own family. On shore, an anxious Ouyang Jing, searching for the missing Shangguan Ya, spotted Li Fu strolling casually. Already suspicious, she grabbed him, accusing him of being involved in the disappearance. As a deity, Li Fu naturally possessed means to locate Bo Yan and Shangguan Ya.
He easily broke free from the constables, asserting that they would need his help to find the missing duo. While Li Fu subtly employed his divine powers to track them, Ouyang Jing, relying on her investigative experience, dragged him to the House of Bliss for a search. Finding nothing there, she then encountered Xu Yunchuan, who was also searching for Shangguan Ya. After a calm analysis, Xu Yunchuan quickly located Scholar Wan and demanded to inspect his account books.
Under interrogation, Scholar Wan confessed Shangguan Ya's whereabouts. As Ouyang Jing frantically rushed to the dock, she cautioned Li Fu, who was posing as Chu Ye's brother, not to mention Chu Ye in front of Xu Yunchuan, citing a secret between Chu Ye and Shangguan Ya.
On the boat, Shangguan Ya and Bo Yan watched as their vessel drifted further with the current, while the crowd on shore, including Ouyang Jing and Xu Yunchuan, bickered, unable to devise a rescue plan. Remembering Li Fu's instruction not to flaunt his powers, Bo Yan requested floating objects from the shore. Ouyang Jing, using her martial arts skills, kicked several wooden logs into the water.
Bo Yan then carried Shangguan Ya, gracefully stepping on the floating wood, and flew them to the shore. Xu Yunchuan informed Shangguan Ya that Scholar Wan had been arrested. He found Shangguan Ya's seemingly affectionate embrace of Bo Yan quite odd. Master Shangguan, worried about his daughter, was distraught to learn she had spent a night alone with Bo Yan, fearing for her reputation.
In truth, the deeply asleep Shangguan Ya had not only rested her head on Bo Yan's shoulder but also slipped her hand into his clothing, leaving him both exasperated and amused. Later, the famished Shangguan Ya emerged with a chicken leg, devouring it with an unladylike gusto that was comically shocking.
Master Shangguan confronted Bo Yan, telling him to keep quiet about the night and reminded him that he was not the "real" Chu Ye, implying they would both eventually marry others. Li Fu then explained Bo Yan's past: he was formerly God Yan'guang, banished by the Emperor of Heaven to the mortal realm to mend the chaotic love lines in Yueyang City, after which he would take over as the God of Marriage.
Li Fu clarified that deities lose their memories and powers upon banishment, though Bo Yan had been experiencing flashbacks. Li Fu had concocted a cover story for Bo Yan: a wealthy young master from Langzhou whose family had fallen on hard times, separated from his servant (Li Fu) while seeking relatives.
Master Shangguan initially wished for Bo Yan to leave, but due to the insistence of Shangguan Ya and her grandmother, Bo Yan agreed to stay, continuing to use the name Chu Ye. Li Fu further revealed that his own descent to the mortal realm was primarily to find Tong'er, the Emperor of Heaven's youngest daughter, who had come down specifically for Bo Yan.
Realizing Li Fu was using him as bait, Bo Yan sternly warned him not to cause any more trouble for the Love Matching Hall, demonstrating his growing protective instincts for Shangguan Ya's family. Later, Bo Yan was looking through Shangguan Ya's meticulously kept matchmaking notes, deeply impressed by her dedication. Shangguan Ya, however, seemed unaware of his appreciation, telling him not to intentionally get close to her.
She then playfully teased him, calling him a "dummy" and asserting he could never be a matchmaker. Slightly provoked, Bo Yan stepped forward to retort, but Shangguan Ya suddenly turned, accidentally kissing him on the cheek.
Episode 7 Recap
Shangguan Ya was flustered by the accidental kiss. Fortunately, Ouyang Jing arrived, informing her that Official Xu wanted her at the county magistrate's office. Shangguan Ya quickly left the awkward situation, but her relief was short-lived. Upon her arrival, Xu Yunchuan began to play the zither for her, though Shangguan Ya, having no musical appreciation, found herself growing drowsy.
Xu Yunchuan explained his plan to support Top Matchmaker by consolidating all of Yueyang City's matchmakers under its management, with government funding. Shangguan Ya was ecstatic, and soon, matchmakers from across the city arrived to register and receive their red tags. Chu Ye, observing Shangguan Ya and Xu Yunchuan's closeness, was clearly displeased.
When Xu Yunchuan suggested replacing Shangguan Ya's wilted potted plant, Chu Ye quickly interjected, insisting that several expensive jade corals were needed to properly adjust the feng shui. Shangguan Ya, however, did not care for such trivial things; her true desire was to revive the withered Hongluan tree.
Chu Ye later questioned Li Fu about the tree's origin, learning it grew from a fallen red string from the heavenly pool of fate and love, which then blessed Yueyang City with successful marriages. Li Fu revealed that Chu Ye himself had damaged this string of fate, causing the tree to wither and leading to the current marital chaos. Chu Ye, despite being a deity, found his attempts to revive the tree with divine power futile.
Li Fu sighed, reminding him that if it were so simple, the Emperor of Heaven would not have sent him to the mortal realm. Shangguan Ya diligently organized the registers of single men and women, hoping Chu Ye would help memorize them to ease Xu Yunchuan's workload. However, Chu Ye, still holding ill feelings towards Xu Yunchuan, refused, stating it was none of his business. As he coldly walked away, Shangguan Ya criticized him for his lack of responsibility.
Later, Xu Yunchuan used the pretense of designing new uniforms for all matchmakers to subtly assess Shangguan Ya and Chu Ye's relationship. Shangguan Ya nervously measured Chu Ye's waist, and it was evident their interactions were not those of a loving couple. Master Shangguan, irritated by Chu Ye's presence, directly summoned him. Xu Yunchuan, with his sharp perception, then revealed to Shangguan Ya that he knew her engagement to Chu Ye was a sham.
He explained that since Wan Yuanming was now imprisoned, she no longer needed to pretend and promised to protect her. Unable to deny the truth, Shangguan Ya confessed but continued to defend Chu Ye, asserting that despite his cold demeanor, he was not heartless. Xu Yunchuan countered by emphasizing the importance of rectifying the chaos of marriage and upholding Top Matchmaker, which sounded quite reasonable.
Master Shangguan eagerly suggested driving Chu Ye away, but Shangguan Ya intervened, offering Chu Ye a position as a clerk if he wished to remain. Chu Ye, hearing Shangguan Ya's affectionate use of "Official Xu," grew intensely jealous. Their heated argument escalated, culminating in Shangguan Ya tearing up their contract. Chu Ye then stormed off to Li Fu's residence to brood.
Worried about him, Shangguan Ya, despite her usual frugality, quickly packed some belongings and sent Hongdou with silver to Li Fu's place. Li Fu advised Chu Ye that while he could be a solitary figure in heaven, the mortal realm required him to embrace human warmth and integrate with others. Chu Ye acknowledged that Top Matchmaker was the best place to mend human relationships but felt he had no reason to return.
Li Fu, producing a large chest of gold bars obtained from the God of Fortune, suggested that Chu Ye find a compelling reason that aligned with Top Matchmaker's needs. The next day, Chu Ye and Li Fu arrived with the chest of gold, declaring their intention to invest in Top Matchmaker on the condition that Chu Ye be appointed the head manager.
Shangguan Ya was initially against it, but Master Shangguan, swayed by the vast amount of gold, readily agreed, even sending Lian Li to help Li Fu move his belongings into the residence. Shangguan Ya then gave Chu Ye a tour, explaining the various matchmaking tools such as the love lock and the bell of harmony. She demonstrated the traditional "fanning-leaving" ceremony for brides, captivating Chu Ye with her elegance.
She apologized for her harsh words the previous day, and Chu Ye, unfazed, accepted her apology, assuring her he bore no grudges. He reiterated their new partnership to work together and revitalize Top Matchmaker. Later, Xu Yunchuan, surprised to find Chu Ye still at the residence, listened as Shangguan Ya explained the situation. Despite the explanation, Xu Yunchuan found himself mesmerized by her charming presence.
Reminiscing about his childhood and how he used to throw gold pieces at her, Shangguan Ya finally realized that Xu Yunchuan was the "Little Fatty" from her past, joyfully declaring him her sworn brother. Xu Yunchuan then challenged Chu Ye, asserting his authority as the Imperial Censor to assess the qualifications of Top Matchmaker's head manager. He warned that if Chu Ye failed his assessment, he would be dismissed.
Chu Ye confidently accepted the challenge, though Li Fu cautioned him that matters of the heart were far more complex than they appeared. Recognizing the need for a solution, Chu Ye proposed establishing a "counseling room" to mediate couples' emotional problems on the spot. While Xu Yunchuan praised the innovative idea, Chu Ye's insistence on offering the service for free prompted Shangguan Ya to suggest collecting a symbolic payment from those seeking advice. Despite her concerns about Top Matchmaker's damaged reputation, they decided to spread the news and "give it a try."
Episode 8 Recap
The First Matchmaker posted advertisements for their "Counseling Room," but members of the Singleton Alliance intentionally vandalized the notices and spread rumors, claiming it was a scam. This led to no one registering.
A "Young Master" (Xu Yunchuan, based on his subsequent actions and rivalry with Bo Yan) was pleased, remarking that "Chu Ye" (Bo Yan) wasn't capable enough to handle the shop and that he would personally resolve the situation, hoping Shangguan Ya would then see him in a new light. Shangguan Ya, seeing the empty hall, decided they needed to go where people seeking marriage would naturally go.
Shangguan Ya and Bo Yan went to the Temple of Fate, where they found several zealous scholars attempting to smash the God of Marriage statue, believing it would affirm their ambition for the imperial examination and bring them luck. Shangguan Ya confronted them, arguing that such an illogical act was unnecessary to prove their commitment to their studies and questioned if they intended to remain single forever.
Despite Bo Yan's skepticism about the God of Marriage's power, Shangguan Ya insisted that as a matchmaker, she could not idly watch the statue be destroyed. In her attempt to stop them, she was injured when a hammer dropped by a student struck her foot. Bo Yan rushed to her aid, driving the students away and locking the statue away for protection. He then carried her back to the First Matchmaker's establishment.
As Bo Yan carried the injured Shangguan Ya back, Xu Yunchuan, who had arrived hoping to assist and impress Shangguan Ya, saw them. He questioned Bo Yan's closeness with Shangguan Ya and expressed concern for her injury, immediately sending for a physician. The physician confirmed that Shangguan Ya's injury was not severe, only requiring a few days of rest. Despite her father's suggestion to postpone the Counseling Room, Shangguan Ya adamantly refused to give up, determined to open it.
Later that night, Xu Yunchuan visited Magistrate Lu, who, flustered, pretended to be a diligent official. Xu Yunchuan requested that Magistrate Lu deploy constables to guard the First Matchmaker's establishment, preventing any further disruptions from the Singleton Alliance. With the security in place, the Counseling Room finally opened its doors to a steady stream of people seeking advice. Shangguan Ya, Bo Yan, Master Shangguan, and even Shangguan's elderly mother all participated, mediating and analyzing relationship issues and domestic squabbles.
The Counseling Room initially saw varied success. In one instance, Shangguan Ya effectively helped a woman break off an engagement with a polygamous fiancé. However, during a session with a couple, where the wife (Yan'er) mistakenly believed her husband was visiting brothels due to his secretive gift-buying, Bo Yan intervened. Despite Shangguan Ya's attempt to mediate, explaining that communication and understanding were key, Bo Yan harshly condemned the husband for lying, even if it was a "good-willed" lie.
He insisted on punishing the husband and threatened to send him to the magistrate's court. Outraged by Bo Yan's actions, Yan'er, eager to protect her husband, ordered her attendants to trash the First Matchmaker's establishment. This debacle left Master Shangguan furious, lamenting the destruction and the failure to resolve the conflict. Shangguan Ya confronted Bo Yan about his "wrong approach," leading to her being summoned to the county magistrate's office by her father due to the severity of the incident.
At the county magistrate's office, Magistrate Lu sternly admonished Master Shangguan, questioning why such a significant family business like the First Matchmaker was entrusted to an outsider (Bo Yan, also known as Chu Ye) who caused so much trouble. Shangguan Ya attempted to take responsibility for Bo Yan's actions, but Xu Yunchuan quickly offered a solution.
He proposed a system of incentives for couples in Yueyang City who chose to reconcile instead of divorcing, categorized by their occupation: scholars would receive more land, farmers an extra measure of rice monthly, craftsmen an additional ten wen monthly, and merchants a 10% tax reduction. While Shangguan Ya privately expressed her disagreement with this approach, Xu Yunchuan explained it was necessary to protect the First Matchmaker's damaged reputation and allow them time to recover, to which she reluctantly agreed.
Bo Yan arrived at the county magistrate's office to escort Shangguan Ya home. When Xu Yunchuan offered to send her back in his carriage, Bo Yan, clearly jealous, discreetly spooked the horse, causing it to run off and leaving only the carriage body. He then proudly led Shangguan Ya away. Later, while getting wontons, Bo Yan chastised Shangguan Ya for resting her injured foot improperly but then gently massaged it for her.
The vendor, witnessing their interaction, playfully assumed they were a loving couple, despite Shangguan Ya's insistence that Bo Yan was merely her "little brother." Back at the First Matchmaker, Bo Yan unveiled a rotating bookshelf he had secretly constructed to help organize and match singles, simplifying the matchmaking process. Impressed by his ingenuity and dedication, Shangguan Ya clapped him on the shoulder, affirming her belief that he would become a great matchmaker. Bo Yan, blushing shyly, quickly excused himself.
A young gentleman named Wen Congshan anxiously arrived at the First Matchmaker, distraught because his engagement to Miss Tan (Yuwan) was suddenly broken. He explained that Miss Tan had become increasingly upset and temperamental as their wedding date approached, asking him strange hypothetical questions about their future married life. After learning that she decided to break off the engagement over a seemingly normal comment he made, Shangguan Ya decided to speak with Miss Tan.
Miss Tan confessed to feeling pre-marital anxiety, citing the rising divorce rates and a hurtful comment from Wen Congshan about their future home being "his home," making her feel like an outsider. Wen Congshan, heartbroken, insisted he hadn't meant to upset her and that marrying her was his greatest fortune. Shangguan Ya explained to Wen Congshan that Miss Tan's anxiety stemmed from her deep love for him and insecurity about his feelings.
She advised him to use sincere expressions of love to alleviate Miss Tan's worries and restore her faith in their marriage. Wen Congshan, despite finding it "troublesome," declared his willingness to pay any amount to win Yuwan back, a statement that Bo Yan found vulgar. Shangguan Ya and Bo Yan discussed strategies to alleviate Miss Tan's anxieties. Shangguan Ya suggested that Wen Congshan list ten virtues of Miss Tan.
To demonstrate its efficacy, she spontaneously listed ten qualities of Bo Yan, including "handsome, rich, good in martial arts, loyal, clean, good memory, well-dressed, good voice, and generous" (noting she said "rich" twice). She then challenged Bo Yan to list her virtues, but he struggled, eventually quipping that she was "very noisy," much to her annoyance.
Next, Shangguan Ya proposed that Wen Congshan and Miss Tan engage in physical contact, explaining that "a woman will be attracted to a physically strong man." To illustrate, Bo Yan swiftly picked her up in a side embrace. The unexpected closeness caused Shangguan Ya's heart to pound, and she quickly retreated, touching her racing chest. Bo Yan later concluded that this method was "useless" and decided to find another approach.
Taking his role as the First Matchmaker's head seriously, Bo Yan crafted an elaborate romantic setting for Wen Congshan and Miss Tan. He created a mock pavilion and hid acrostic poems, including one saying "Yuwan, you are my love," within lanterns. Shangguan Ya was thoroughly impressed by his elegant and unexpected approach. While they were discussing his newfound literary talent, a wall separating their property from the adjacent one was suddenly torn down, revealing Xu Yunchuan strolling in casually.
He announced that he had purchased the neighboring house and removed the wall to facilitate easier interaction between their families. Master Shangguan, delighted at the prospect of closer ties with the imperial censor, readily agreed. The next morning, Xu Yunchuan joined them for breakfast, much to Bo Yan's visible annoyance. Li Fu, observing Bo Yan's sour mood, playfully teased him for acting like a child.
During breakfast, Master Shangguan offered Xu Yunchuan a seat that Bo Yan considered his own, further fueling Bo Yan's displeasure. Desperate to curry favor with Xu Yunchuan for a promotion, Magistrate Lu ordered Ouyang Jing to move into the Shangguan residence to closely monitor Xu Yunchuan. Ouyang Jing arrived with her luggage, claiming she was there to protect Shangguan Ya and Bo Yan from "outsiders," although her presence immediately stirred up conflict with Li Fu.
She and Li Fu fiercely argued over a room, each asserting their right to it. Ouyang Jing claimed prior residency, having lived in the room since she was a child, while Li Fu argued he had a right to it because he had paid rent. Ouyang Jing, despite Li Fu's valid claim, remained unyielding and declared the room hers.
Episode 9 Recap
Ouyang Jing led Li Fu to the woodshed, telling him, "Here it is." Li Fu questioned why she wanted him to live in the firewood shed. Ouyang Jing explained that it was a good place, being so close to the kitchen, making it convenient if he wanted to eat in the middle of the night.
She insisted, "Young Master Li, stay here," reminding him that even Young Master Chu had stayed there when he was new, so if a young master could reside there, surely a housekeeper could too. Ouyang Jing offered to go in and clean it up for him. Li Fu sighed, lamenting that when one lives under someone's roof, even a deity has to humble themselves.
Bo Yan reflected on how a man's confession could ease a girl's insecurity, wondering if future married life required similar ceremonial gestures. Shangguan Ya, however, believed such things were best left to time, emphasizing that marriage was about responsibility and mutual growth, not compromise. She then enthusiastically suggested to Young Master Wen and Miss Tan (Yuwan) that they play with the lantern riddles set up by Bo Yan and her. Young Master Wen urged Yuwan to try.
When Yuwan struggled to solve the riddles, Young Master Wen grew impatient, asking, "Why can't you solve these riddles? Why are you yelling?" Yuwan retorted that she didn't agree to come out just to fight, sensing his anger. Shangguan Ya noticed their argument. Bo Yan jumped in, remarking how easy the riddles were and that Yuwan couldn't solve them, which led to Yuwan accusing him of having a bad temper. Shangguan Ya intervened, asking Bo Yan what he had written.
He clarified that he merely changed the acrostic to riddles. Shangguan Ya blamed him, but he retorted it was her fault. Yuwan also chastised him for changing the acrostic they had agreed upon to riddles. Bo Yan defended his choice, saying acrostics were too boring and easy for Miss Tan. Shangguan Ya then mockingly asked if he thought she was stupid.
As the bickering escalated, Young Master Wen expressed his dismay, while Shangguan Ya also criticized Bo Yan for making things difficult for the "unromantic" Young Master Wen. Yuwan, however, was understanding, saying she didn't mind. Young Master Wen was relieved, fearing Bo Yan would ruin their night. Bo Yan then muttered to himself, surprised by Shangguan Ya's fierce temper despite her beauty, while Shangguan Ya confronted him about his remarks.
Young Master Wen and Yuwan, seeing the other two bicker, realized their own compatibility. Young Master Wen noted that Yuwan, though unromantic, never fought with him, and Yuwan observed that Young Master Wen, though sometimes wayward, was never pretentious. Bo Yan then advised Shangguan Ya that "to err is human" and that couples should be more forgiving, to which Shangguan Ya defiantly stated, "We are not husband and wife."
The argument between Bo Yan and Shangguan Ya, and the display of understanding between Young Master Wen and Yuwan, led to the latter two happily departing hand in hand. Shangguan Ya, still upset, walked away, with Bo Yan following her. She then remembered she had forgotten the lantern and turned back. As she tried to retrieve it from a height by climbing on a stool, she inevitably fell towards the river.
Bo Yan quickly pulled her back, but her hairpin broke during the struggle. Shangguan Ya angrily accused him, "Why do you keep opposing me today? Are you looking for a fight?" She lamented her broken hairpin and disheveled hair. Bo Yan, claiming he didn't do it on purpose, offered to help her. He picked up a bamboo stick and used it to tie up her hair. Later, on their way back, Bo Yan uncharacteristically bought a hair ornament for her.
Ouyang Jing later saw Shangguan Ya, asking "Ya, what happened?" When Bo Yan offered a hair ornament as compensation, Ouyang Jing confronted him, calling him "Chu Ye" and demanding to know what he had done to Ya. Bo Yan dismissed her, saying it was "none of your business." He then checked if Shangguan Ya was okay, and she replied she was fine.
Li Fu complained to Bo Yan about Ouyang Jing making him live in the woodshed, asserting he would complain to Shangguan Ya. Bo Yan warned him not to involve Shangguan Ya in their personal feud, leading Li Fu to realize it was pointless to talk to him. Li Fu then griped about the difficulties of being a deity without a good place to stay or good wine. Remembering Xu Yunchuan had brought wine, Li Fu asked where it was.
Bo Yan informed him it was in Master Shangguan's room, prompting Li Fu to rush off, exclaiming, "You should've told me earlier." Drawn by the fragrant smell of wine, Li Fu entered Master Shangguan's room, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the various fine wines displayed. Ouyang Jing, who had followed him, suspected him of ill intent and confronted him, accusing him of having "sticky fingers."
Li Fu denied it, claiming his fingers were clean, and tried to wake the drunken Master Shangguan. Ouyang Jing further pressed him, "What did you do to him?" Li Fu insisted he hadn't done anything and that Master Shangguan was simply drunk. As Ouyang Jing continued to question him, Li Fu, trying to escape, accidentally tripped and fell, landing in a kiss with Ouyang Jing.
Infuriated, Ouyang Jing called him a "scoundrel" while trying to salvage precious items that Li Fu had knocked over, leaving him free to leisurely depart. The next morning, Shangguan Ya wore her new hairpin, smiling shyly at Bo Yan. Young Master Wen, having reconciled with Yuwan, brought lavish gifts to express his gratitude and entrusted the Top Matchmaker with all his wedding arrangements. Shangguan Ya and Bo Yan accepted the task.
Young Master Wen specifically thanked "Mr. Chu" (Bo Yan) and Miss Shangguan for their help. As they began planning, Shangguan Ya meticulously described the wedding items needed: patterned felt carpets, fragrant but not overpowering flowers for the festooned carriage, and two rolls of silk. Bo Yan initially suggested using old goods from the storehouse to save money. However, Shangguan Ya insisted on buying new items, emphasizing that a wedding was a once-in-a-lifetime event requiring sincere effort.
She chastised him for his "perfunctory mindset" as the head of the Top Matchmaker. Bo Yan conceded. Later, looking at the extensive list, Bo Yan expressed surprise at the number of items. Shangguan Ya teased him about his reluctance to spend, despite his earlier agreement to buy new things. She complimented his handwriting, to which he remarked that it wasn't her first time seeing it.
Shangguan Ya called him "dull," and Bo Yan then reminded her that it was almost midnight and they should finish quickly and rest after a night of tireless preparations. The next morning, Shangguan Ya noticed Bo Yan had caught a cold after their late-night preparations. She quickly prepared ginger soup to ward off the chill. She asked him why he was up so early.
Bo Yan, initially reluctant to drink the medicine, gave in when Shangguan Ya insisted on feeding him, explaining that her mother used to feed her medicine that way when she was a child. He playfully told her it was not good, but then conceded it was. Later, Xu Yunchuan arrived, mentioning that a merchant team from Nanyue City was in Yueyang City with many unique items. He suggested he and Shangguan Ya go together to look for wedding supplies.
Bo Yan interjected that "Young Master Chu" (referring to himself) had caught a cold and should stay home to avoid worsening his condition. Shangguan Ya agreed, telling Bo Yan to rest while she and Xu Yunchuan went. Xu Yunchuan enthusiastically described the bearded merchants and the interesting things they would see. Bo Yan, unwilling to give up, dragged Li Fu along to the market.
Meanwhile, Xu Yunchuan enthusiastically accompanied Shangguan Ya, purchasing many items for the Top Matchmaker and insisting they be put on his tab. Shangguan Ya noted the aromatic street food and suggested they eat there, but Xu Yunchuan, finding the street food too oily, suggested they go to Lelaideng Restaurant instead. However, he quickly changed his mind when Shangguan Ya expressed her preference for the local vendors, even booking the entire area for them.
Shangguan Ya shared her snack with him, explaining that a bit of charcoal ash from firebox-cooked taro made it taste better. Later, finding the street food too greasy, Xu Yunchuan suggested they drink tea, offering a Nanyue specialty. As they enjoyed the tea, Shangguan Ya remarked on the sudden cold. Bo Yan then appeared, stating he felt their purchases lacked uniqueness.
Despite Xu Yunchuan's insistence that he and Shangguan Ya had everything under control and did not need his input, Bo Yan whisked Shangguan Ya away. Li Fu quickly stepped in, pulling Xu Yunchuan back to discuss the Nanyue tea, specifically identifying it as Pu'er, showcasing their seamless teamwork. Bo Yan, still showing concern for Shangguan Ya, demanded payment for the ginger soup, citing a local custom where patients pay caretakers to prevent the illness from spreading.
Shangguan Ya then showed Bo Yan a jade pendant, asking what he thought about giving it to Xu Yunchuan as a token of gratitude for his help with the Top Matchmaker. Bo Yan immediately objected, questioning why she needed to give him a gift and if a woman could casually give a jade pendant to a man. Shangguan Ya explained it was a gesture of courtesy between friends and that it didn't matter.
Bo Yan, however, insisted that the Top Matchmaker had already spent a lot, and there was no need to waste more money. Shangguan Ya, annoyed by his unreasonable temper, offered to make something herself to save money, but Bo Yan still refused. Exasperated, Shangguan Ya told him to let go of her, calling him irrational and petty, and suggested they shop separately.
As Shangguan Ya turned to leave, Bo Yan used his immortal powers to freeze the ground, causing her to slide towards the lake. He pulled her back, but at the crucial moment, Shangguan Ya covered her mouth, preventing their lips from touching. She commanded him to let go, and he released her, causing her to fall vertically into the lake. Xu Yunchuan arrived with medicine, only to see Bo Yan already sitting by Shangguan Ya's bedside, feeding her medicine.
Xu Yunchuan quietly left. Li Fu, trying to cheer up a disappointed Xu Yunchuan, ordered an array of dishes with names implying coupling, such as steamed flatfish, Fuqi Feipian, soy-braised mandarin ducks, and fried Bingdi lotus, hoping "the right dishes can make you feel better." He then shared a proverb about persistence in love. Meanwhile, news spread that the Wen and Tan families were getting married, with some villagers commenting about "another foolish couple."
Despite still being unwell, Shangguan Ya insisted on participating as a matchmaker in Young Master Wen and Miss Tan's wedding, stating that it was the first joyous event in Yueyang City that year and she had to be personally involved. Her father, Master Shangguan, worried she might faint. Xu Yunchuan also sent his subordinates to protect them from the Bachelor Club, which reassured Shangguan Ya.
Bo Yan, however, retorted that "people who are about to die are energetic too before death," causing Shangguan Ya to angrily tell him to talk properly on such a joyous day. After the wedding ceremony, Bo Yan suggested they leave, but Shangguan Ya insisted they stay until all the festivities were concluded, as they were the matchmakers. She claimed her good mood had cured her illness, marveling at the sight of the couple in phoenix coronet and wedding gown.
Later, at home, Bo Yan brought her more medicine, urging her to drink it despite her claims of recovery and her complaints about its bitterness. Shangguan Ya then teased Bo Yan, noting that he had started to show care for others, defining a relationship as built on small acts of kindness: medicine when sick, food when hungry, an umbrella in the rain, or a hug when cold, concluding that true love was about quiet, uneventful companionship rather than passionate romance.
Shangguan Ya's father, seeing her receiving thank-you gifts from Young Master Wen, urged her to consider her own marriage. He expressed his anxiety, pointing out that neighbors younger than him were already grandparents. He knew she was still waiting for her savior from long ago but feared that after so many years, he might already be married with children. He worried about her future if he were gone and she remained single.
Shangguan Ya, however, defiantly stated that her decision to wait was her own business. Frustrated by his "stubborn daughter," Master Shangguan watched as she left, still unwell, ignoring his pleas for her to return. Bo Yan, who had been listening from behind a screen, followed Shangguan Ya to the Marriage Tree. Shangguan Ya, holding the jade pendant her savior had given her, wondered why he hadn't returned and if he had forgotten her.
Puzzled by her own thoughts gravitating toward Bo Yan, she cried out that she would continue to wait for her benefactor. Meanwhile, Bo Yan secretly resolved to wait for her, thinking about how women are attracted to strong men.
Episode 10 Recap
Shangguan Ya fulfilled her promise to Chu Ye, making him qingtuan after Young Master Wen's matter was settled. They happily shared the qingtuan, teasing each other about its taste and playfully fighting over the last bite. Later, Shangguan Ya sat outside the Marriage Temple, struggling to get people to complete her questionnaire. However, the arrival of the handsome Xu Yunchuan instantly drew a crowd of admiring young women.
Shangguan Ya seized the opportunity, noting that even his mere presence could draw their attention, and successfully completed her survey. Xu Yunchuan then approached her, offering his help. Shangguan Ya expressed gratitude for his assistance. Frustrated in his romantic pursuit, Xu Yunchuan later dispatched his servant to spy on her from the neighboring residence.
Shangguan Ya then discussed her idea of holding a grand matchmaking event for the Double Seventh Festival with Chu Ye, but she was worried about the substantial costs. Chu Ye immediately offered to fund the entire event himself. However, Shangguan Ya suggested a collaborative approach, inviting various shop owners from the city to co-host, believing it would be a win-win situation by increasing their customer base through promotion during the festival.
Chu Ye supported her decision, while also discreetly driving away Xu Yunchuan's spying servant with a date. Upon hearing the servant's report, Xu Yunchuan began to form his own plans. The following day, Shangguan Ya went to meet with the shop owners but faced reluctance. Many sent only their clerks to politely refuse, citing recent business downturns and their concerns about Top Matchmaker's damaged reputation.
However, the next morning, before Top Matchmaker even opened, various shop owners arrived with gifts, eager to collaborate. They admitted that Xu Yunchuan had promised to help them secure "royal merchant" status if Shangguan Ya spoke favorably of them. Shangguan Ya thanked Xu Yunchuan for his intervention, but he brushed it off, stating his actions were for the people of Yueyang City. He hinted that if she truly wanted to thank him, she could do something for him.
Shangguan Ya then offered to find him a suitable partner at the upcoming festival. Chu Ye, having overheard their conversation, expressed his skepticism about Xu Yunchuan's seemingly selfless act. For the event venue, Xu Yunchuan offered a grand courtyard that was once bestowed by the Emperor to a duke. He boasted about its imperial craftsmanship. However, Chu Ye rejected it, deeming it too artificial, too far, and filled with valuable items that would incur excessive transportation costs and potential liabilities.
Chu Ye promised to find a solution within a day. He then used precious stones and antique bowls from Master Shangguan’s private collection to decorate Top Matchmaker, paving the path with cut gemstones and arranging ornate objects. Master Shangguan was distraught upon seeing his treasured possessions, including rocks he had refused to cut for their potential gems and antique bowls, ruined for decoration.
He cried out that his last remaining assets were gone after losing his daughter’s dowry in a previous marriage assembly. Both Chu Ye and Xu Yunchuan simultaneously declared their wealth, assuring Master Shangguan that money was not an issue, which gradually calmed him. Shangguan Ya, however, chose to use Chu Ye's funds over Xu Yunchuan's, stating it was a matter for Top Matchmaker. Shangguan Ya began making flyers for the event, which she titled "A Date at the Magpie Bridge."
Both Chu Ye and Xu Yunchuan eagerly volunteered to help distribute them, turning heads as they walked through the streets. Young women flocked to them, eager to receive the flyers. Observing the commotion, Ouyang Jing remarked that women nowadays might not be getting married because there were too few outstanding men. She also pondered why she wasn't lucky in love.
Xu Yunchuan, seeing Chu Ye's popularity, suggested an unconventional promotional idea: using Chu Ye's portrait as a poster displayed across the city. Shangguan Ya, ever the businesswoman, immediately agreed, promising Chu Ye a favor if he went along with it. Not wanting to be outdone, Xu Yunchuan also volunteered his own portrait, arguing that as an Imperial Censor, he commanded more authority. Thus, a competition began to determine whose portrait would be the "spokesperson" for the Double Seventh Festival event.
The artist hired to paint the portraits was known for his work on wanted criminal posters, making both Chu Ye and Xu Yunchuan look rather severe. Ouyang Jing had to request new, more flattering portraits. Xu Yunchuan struggled to gain votes, but his servant advised him that Shangguan Ya's vote was the most crucial. Chu Ye presented Shangguan Ya with a pre-ordered rouge from Xiudai Shop, teasing her.
Xu Yunchuan then gave her an amulet that had been with him since childhood, asking her to open it in her room. In her room, Shangguan Ya weighed her options, mentally listing Chu Ye's virtues against Xu Yunchuan's wealth. Despite repeatedly considering Xu Yunchuan's wealth, she ultimately voted for Chu Ye. As expected, Chu Ye won the competition with six votes to Xu Yunchuan's two.
Shangguan Ya carefully tidied up Chu Ye's appearance for the artist, an act that secretly pleased him. When Xu Yunchuan learned the results and saw that Shangguan Ya had returned his amulet, he was disheartened. Chu Ye then went to find Xu Yunchuan for tea, ostensibly to commiserate. The Double Seventh Festival event commenced, attracting many attendees.
A group from the Bachelor's Alliance arrived, intending to protest, but upon seeing the numerous beautiful young women, they quickly changed their minds and signed up for the matchmaking event. Later, Chu Ye led Shangguan Ya to a beautifully decorated tree, fulfilling her wish for a "shining tree." He explained how he used candles, lanterns, and mirrors to create the illusion of twinkling stars.
Shangguan Ya was delighted by the magical display, and as she ate sweet candies, her gaze towards Chu Ye softened and brightened. She playfully commented on his newfound ability to please girls, attributing it to the God of Marriage finally enlightening someone as "blunt" as him. They decided to pay their respects at the Marriage Temple the next day. Meanwhile, a beautiful woman with a curious gaze wandered through the bustling night market. She approached a closed shop, seemingly seeking information for the next day.
Episode 11 Recap
Tong Er arrived at a closed stall and, using her charm, persuaded the vendor, who was already preparing to leave, to make her some supper. Complaining about walking only one "li" that day, she expressed her exhaustion, mentioning she was looking for her husband. She described her husband as a somewhat cold, indifferent, and rude individual, but quickly added that he was incredibly handsome—the most handsome man in the entire city.
The vendor then pointed to a handsome portrait on the wall, and Tong Er's eyes lit up; it was indeed the "husband" she was searching for. Taking the portrait, Tong Er went to Top Matchmaker to find Bo Yan. Inside, a crowd of young women, each holding a number card, waited to see him.
Accustomed to special treatment, Tong Er refused to wait, imperiously threatening to use divine power to punish the "stupid mortals" if they did not produce her "Young Master Chu Ye" within a short time. Hongdou, the staff, calmly suggested Tong Er explore the garden while awaiting her turn, reassuring her that she would eventually meet Young Master Chu Ye. Meanwhile, Bo Yan, annoyed by the throng of admirers, tried to hide.
Shangguan Ya, frustrated by his reluctance, pulled him out, reminding him to act like a responsible head of Top Matchmaker. Just then, Xu Yunchuan arrived. The admiring girls, initially confused, quickly surrounded him. Seeing an opportunity, Shangguan Ya swiftly approached Xu Yunchuan. He then created a romantic shower of pink peach blossoms, which delighted Shangguan Ya. Bo Yan, unable to contain his jealousy, emerged from his hiding place and initiated a new competition with Xu Yunchuan.
The matchmaking games began with Shangguan's father announcing a "Love Ring Toss" game. Participants would toss rings to secure bottles with numbers, which corresponded to tokens in boxes. Two tokens would then be randomly paired. Li Fu and Ouyang Jing demonstrated the game, each skillfully tossing a ring. From their respective boxes, they retrieved mandarin duck figurines, which, to their dismay, formed a pair.
Ouyang Jing, finding the duck figurine ugly and unwilling to be paired with Li Fu, tossed her ring again. Next, the pitch-pot game commenced. Xu Yunchuan, confident in his abilities and aware that Bo Yan had never played before, skillfully landed several arrows into the pot. He then confidently declared his choice of Shangguan Ya to wear the traditional wedding attire with him. Bo Yan, not one to concede easily, stepped forward.
He also achieved a perfect score, much to everyone's surprise. When it was his turn to choose, he pointed directly at Xu Yunchuan, leading to a startling male-male pairing. Amidst the unfolding spectacle, Li Fu spotted Tong Er, who was watching from the back. He called out her name, and she immediately fled, calling him a "pest" and expressing her bad luck at encountering him.
As Li Fu pursued her, he overheard two men making disrespectful remarks about Ouyang Jing, calling her "rude" and saying no one would want to marry her. Enraged, Li Fu confronted the men, physically hurting them and demanding an apology. Though grateful for his intervention, Ouyang Jing, ever proud, claimed she could have handled them herself. Li Fu, accustomed to her fiery nature, simply shrugged and went off to see "a good show."
Since both Bo Yan and Xu Yunchuan demonstrated exceptional skill, Shangguan Ya declared them tied. She announced that they would both wear the traditional wedding attire for a commemorative portrait. As the two men, dressed in red wedding robes, stood side-by-side, Shangguan Ya was positioned uncomfortably between them. Annoyed by being squeezed, she eventually lost her temper and walked away, leaving the artist to paint a portrait of the two men together.
Later, Hongdou, noticing the clear affections of both Bo Yan and Xu Yunchuan for Shangguan Ya, suggested she choose one of them as a husband. Shangguan Ya, however, deflected, reiterating her long-standing attachment to the savior who had carried her on his back when she fainted ten years ago. Unbeknownst to her, one of Xu Yunchuan's servants overheard her description and immediately realized that Xu Yunchuan was that very savior.
The servant excitedly relayed this information to Xu Yunchuan, who was overjoyed, affirming that Shangguan Ya still remembered him. He eagerly planned to visit her the next morning, requesting a special outfit to dress up. That evening, Bo Yan approached Shangguan Ya, who was cleaning up fallen peach petals. He observed that "romance comes at a price" and then asked her to close her eyes. Using his divine power, he conjured numerous fireflies, creating a breathtaking display.
He then asked her which was more romantic: the flower petals or the fireflies. Visibly flustered, Shangguan Ya shyly excused herself and hurried to her room, where she found her heart beating uncontrollably fast. The revelation that Xu Yunchuan was Shangguan Ya's savior brought immense joy to everyone except Bo Yan and Shangguan Ya herself.
Shangguan's father and staff immediately began planning a celebratory wedding feast, and Xu Yunchuan enthusiastically ordered the best and most expensive hotpot dishes from Lelaideng Restaurant to be delivered to Top Matchmaker. He promised to join them as soon as he finished his duties at the county magistrate's office. When Xu Yunchuan finally arrived, Bo Yan, clearly having lost his appetite, decided to leave. As he walked past, a clumsy Lian Li accidentally bumped a table, spilling hotpot soup. Without hesitation, Bo Yan swiftly moved to shield Shangguan Ya, using his sleeve to protect her from the scalding liquid.
Episode 12 Recap
Shangguan Ya, concerned about Bo Yan's injury, approached him and apologized to "Young Master Chu," taking responsibility for the hotpot incident. She offered to get medicine and inspect his hand, but he assured her he was fine, stating he would simply go change his dirty clothes. Li Fu observed Bo Yan's obvious distress and teased him, pointing out that his annoyance wasn't directed at Xu Yunchuan but stemmed from his feelings for Shangguan Ya.
Li Fu declared that Bo Yan was in love with Shangguan Ya, explaining that he unconsciously desired to be with her and grew jealous when she was with other men. Bo Yan seemed to deny this, but Li Fu challenged him to feel his own heartbeat, suggesting it would flutter faster when Shangguan Ya was around, and even more so when she was with Xu Yunchuan.
Later, Shangguan Ya had a candid conversation with Xu Yunchuan, admitting that after much thought, she felt their romantic pursuit wasn't right. To her, he was still the "Little Fatty," the child who asked her for candies and her best friend. She found it difficult to imagine him as anything more, and struggled to see herself as the savior he had been waiting for. Xu Yunchuan understood her feelings and expressed his desire to care for her forever.
He reassured her not to rush a decision or an answer, hoping that with time and different interactions, her feelings might change as she recalled their shared memories. He then left, but her hesitation clearly pained him. Xu Yunchuan invited Shangguan Ya to revisit old places, hoping to rekindle their shared memories. To prevent their outing, Bo Yan orchestrated unusual weather, first claiming it would rain and warning Shangguan Ya against leaving the city.
When she decided to postpone, a sudden strong wind he created scattered the matchmaking documents. Xu Yunchuan arrived to help sort them out, but Bo Yan, feigning busyness, swiftly put the documents in order and dismissed him, reminding him that it was not a good day to go out. The next day, as Shangguan Ya prepared to meet Xu Yunchuan, a servant alerted her that Bo Yan was causing a commotion in the main hall.
She found Bo Yan airing out decades-old account books, claiming he was sorting them to prevent mildew, despite her protests that it was unnecessary. When she tried to leave, Bo Yan invoked an earlier promise she made at the Qiqiao Festival. Though she was reluctant to fulfill it, he shamelessly insisted she bring him along on her outing with Xu Yunchuan.
He then changed his demand, stating that if she didn't allow him to join, she wasn't allowed to go out at all. Seeing no other option, Shangguan Ya conceded, allowing him to accompany them. As the three rode in the carriage, Bo Yan tried to assert his closeness to Shangguan Ya at every opportunity, to Xu Yunchuan's barely suppressed irritation. When the carriage driver claimed the horse was frightened, Bo Yan dismissed it, implying the driver was simply incompetent.
In the countryside, Xu Yunchuan thoughtfully arranged a lavish picnic with Lelaideng Restaurant's signature dishes, hoping to rekindle their bond. Shangguan Ya was appreciative and hungry, eager to eat despite Bo Yan's cynical remarks about dining in a desolate place. Xu Yunchuan reminisced about his long search for her, expressing joy at finally finding her. As Shangguan Ya reached for a salted duck dish, Bo Yan subtly used his powers to spoil it, claiming it had gone bad.
When Shangguan Ya tasted it, she confirmed it was inedible, much to Xu Yunchuan's bewilderment, as he had personally overseen its preparation that morning. A second, unspoiled plate of duck was brought out, but Bo Yan immediately cast doubt on its freshness, despite it being from the same duck. Bo Yan continued to prevent Shangguan Ya from eating any of the dishes, reminding her of her important position as the head of Top Matchmaker and the consequences of getting sick.
He even offered her a plain bun instead of the gourmet food. When Xu Yunchuan attempted to serve her, Bo Yan aggressively intercepted his chopsticks with his own, leading to a childish argument between the two men. This repeated interference and their petty rivalry left Shangguan Ya utterly exasperated, demanding if she could finally eat in peace. On the return journey, Bo Yan continued to disrupt any attempt at conversation between Xu Yunchuan and Shangguan Ya.
Her patience finally snapped, and she abruptly requested the carriage to stop. After dismissing Xu Yunchuan, telling him she needed to discuss Top Matchmaker business with Bo Yan, Shangguan Ya angrily confronted Bo Yan. She accused him of constantly causing trouble, from bringing out ancient account books to sabotaging her picnic. She demanded to know why he delighted in making her life a mess.
She confessed that managing Top Matchmaker alone had been arduous, and she yearned for a partner, someone to rely on. She wanted to give Xu Yunchuan a chance, to see if a true match was possible, and she couldn't understand why Bo Yan was so determined to sabotage her happiness. Bo Yan, struggling to articulate his true feelings as a celestial being unfamiliar with human love, could only stammer a denial when Shangguan Ya demanded an explanation.
Frustrated and hurt by his inability to communicate, she angrily pulled away from him and declared that, from that day forward, she would refuse to speak to him about anything unrelated to Top Matchmaker business, before turning and walking away. As Bo Yan walked back alone, his celestial aura was detected by Tong Er, who was searching for him. Li Fu also spotted Tong Er in front of Top Matchmaker.
He confronted her, demanding she return with him, but she refused and threatened him with her powers. Fearing her abilities, Li Fu tried to warn onlookers and then, as she prepared to unleash her power, he urged them to flee. Tong Er then ran into the House of Bliss, but when Li Fu tried to follow, he was stopped by burly guards at the entrance and forcibly removed, as only women were permitted inside.
Li Fu, disheveled from his encounter, was about to recount the events to Bo Yan when Ouyang Jing arrived, looking distraught. She warned them that Yueyang City was unsafe due to a rapist who had assaulted several women, vowing to "skin him" if she caught him. Upon hearing this, Bo Yan immediately worried about Shangguan Ya, who had gone to meet clients and had not yet returned. He quickly mobilized everyone to split up and search for her.
After parting ways with a client, Shangguan Ya walked home on a dark street, acutely aware of a stalker. The assailant swiftly moved to attack her from behind, but she bit his hand and tried to escape, crying for help. Bo Yan, who was frantically searching the streets, heard her desperate cries and, in an urgent move, used his celestial teleportation powers to instantly reach her location, oblivious to the curious gaze of a street magician.
He arrived just in time to rescue Shangguan Ya from the assailant's grasp. Bo Yan swiftly brought the shaken Shangguan Ya back to the mansion, but her anger toward him remained. She even blamed him for her close call with the attacker, stating that if it weren't for him, she would not have encountered the thief. Later, Li Fu confronted Bo Yan, chastising his recent "childish and irrational" behavior and remarking that Shangguan Ya had made the right choice.
Bo Yan admitted his confusion, stating that despite living for tens of thousands of years, he had never experienced such emotions and didn't know how to react. Li Fu then offered profound advice: true love prioritizes the beloved's happiness above all else, rather than merely possessing them. Curious about the mortal realm, Tong Er wandered through the streets. Spotting Bo Yan ahead, who was seemingly making purchases, she hurried to catch up. Bo Yan, who had been frequently glancing behind him as he walked around a corner, turned with a satisfied smile upon hearing Tong Er call his name.
Episode 13 Recap
Li Fu, intent on bringing Tong Er back to the Sky Palace, restrained her with the Deity Binding Rope. Tong Er, who had just been joyfully calling out to Bo Yan (mistaking Li Fu for him), spotted Ouyang Jing and her bailiffs. She mischievously feigned ignorance, claiming she didn't know Li Fu and accusing him of being a "perv."
Li Fu tried to explain to Ouyang Jing, calling her "A Jing," but the straightforward bailiff, seeing a clear dispute, ordered both of them to be taken to the county magistrate's office. Inside the jail cell, Li Fu reproached Tong Er for her lies, which had ruined his reputation. Tong Er, however, was unfazed, enjoying the novelty of being in a prison cell.
She playfully suggested that Li Fu was only trying to stop her from meeting Bo Yan because he had a crush on her. When Ouyang Jing returned for questioning, Tong Er continued her antics, claiming Li Fu had been badmouthing Ouyang Jing and was now blackmailing Tong Er herself.
Exasperated by their conflicting stories and inability to give a clear account, Ouyang Jing decided to take them to the Top Matchmaker to confront Bo Yan (Chu Ye) directly, a decision Tong Er eagerly supported while Li Fu reluctantly followed. Meanwhile, at the Top Matchmaker, a tense cold war persisted between Shangguan Ya and Bo Yan. Lian Li encouraged Shangguan Ya to apologize, reminding her that Bo Yan had saved her life and that his discontent would harm their business.
Shangguan Ya, though, remained prideful, dismissing Bo Yan as "extremely annoying and a good-for-nothing." Unbeknownst to her, Bo Yan was meticulously cleaning the kitchen, reflecting on Li Fu’s advice that true love prioritized the other person's happiness over possession, leading him to question if he had indeed fallen for Shangguan Ya. Shangguan Ya noticed his clean kitchen and his injured hand, a subtle acknowledgment of his efforts.
Bo Yan, still hurt, curtly told her to get back to work, making Shangguan Ya realize the depth of his displeasure. Subsequently, Lian Li and Hongdou suggested a discreet way for Shangguan Ya to apologize: write her regrets on a kite and fly it in the courtyard. Shangguan Ya decided to follow her maids' advice and flew a kite in the courtyard. Predictably, it got stuck in a tree.
As she precariously climbed a ladder, she stumbled and fell, but Bo Yan, with remarkable speed, rushed forward and caught her. Her maids remarked on his agility. Bo Yan understood the kite was her silent apology, and seizing the moment, they reconciled. Their truce was short-lived, as Ouyang Jing arrived with Li Fu and an overly excited Tong Er. Tong Er immediately ran to Bo Yan, joyfully exclaiming she had finally found him and declared herself his cousin.
Bo Yan was bewildered, having no memory of such a relative. Unable to provide a proper explanation, Li Fu reluctantly confirmed Tong Er’s claim. Shangguan Ya’s maids, Lian Li and Hongdou, observed her evident displeasure, speculating on the romantic implications of a cousin-relationship. Shangguan Ya subtly tried to persuade Tong Er to stay elsewhere, but Tong Er, rejecting an inn, cleverly appealed to Bo Yan’s past affection and his responsibility to her father, should anything happen to her.
Li Fu, seeing no other option, supported Tong Er’s request to stay. Bo Yan implicitly agreed, much to Shangguan Ya’s silent frustration, who fumed at his lack of objection. Later, Ouyang Jing, pulling Shangguan Ya aside, advised her to allow Tong Er to stay. She reasoned that keeping an opponent close made it easier to monitor their actions. Shangguan Ya, though reluctant, agreed.
Tong Er then proceeded to redecorate her new room, claiming the old furniture was shabby and even brought what she claimed was Bo Yan's favorite painting. Shangguan Ya, observing from a distance, overheard Bo Yan and Li Fu discussing Tong Er, confirming that they had a past and fueling her jealousy.
Unbeknownst to her, she missed the crucial part of the conversation: Li Fu explained to Bo Yan that Tong Er was the Emperor of Heaven's daughter, whom Bo Yan had practically "watched grow up," revealing a surprising 7000-year age gap between them. Ouyang Jing, noticing Li Fu's partiality towards Tong Er, realized he was drawn to girls like her. Later, Ouyang Jing and a heartbroken Shangguan Ya consoled each other with drinks.
Shangguan Ya, intoxicated, complained about Bo Yan's cousin and his perceived indifference, admitting she was upset, attributing her feelings to spring's arrival making her "loathe seeing bad men." This prompted her to offer to find Ouyang Jing a "good man," presenting her with client profiles. Ouyang Jing chose a profile for a man named "Li Dazhuang," finding his name reassuring, and drunkenly promised to handle the matchmaking. The inebriated Ouyang Jing stumbled to Li Dazhuang's house.
The next morning, sobered up, she profusely apologized for her intrusion. However, Li Dazhuang and his mother scorned her, criticizing her "unwomanly" appearance and declaring her unsuitable for their son, who was the sole male descendant of their family for three generations. Later, Li Fu, who had been "passing by" and was concerned for Ouyang Jing's well-being, offered to help her.
That night, he and Ouyang Jing collaborated on a prank, tossing frogs into Li Dazhuang's house, resulting in a chaotic chase and leaving Ouyang Jing feeling vindicated. Meanwhile, Shangguan Ya, after getting drunk with Ouyang Jing, had a vivid dream where Tong Er usurped her position at the Top Matchmaker and took Bo Yan. Drunkenly, she confronted Bo Yan, accusing him of taking her "most precious thing," the plaque.
Bo Yan gently picked her up to carry her to her room, a moment observed by both Tong Er and Xu Yunchuan. In a semi-conscious state, Shangguan Ya found herself sharing a dream with Bo Yan, surrounded by flying kites. She confessed her true fears, revealing that the sight of Bo Yan cleaning the kitchen had triggered painful memories of her mother, who had meticulously cleaned their home just two days before her death.
This made Shangguan Ya deeply worried that Bo Yan, like her mother, might leave her, which was why she made the apology kite. She rationalized her confession by reminding herself that it was "just a dream." After ensuring Shangguan Ya was safely in her room, Bo Yan insisted on searching for the lost kite, despite Li Fu's skepticism. To Li Fu's surprise, they discovered the kite, bearing Shangguan Ya's apology, hanging on the Marriage Tree.
The next morning, Shangguan Ya woke up seemingly refreshed, though her maids teased her about her sweet dreams and a love-struck smile. However, their peace was shattered when Li Dazhuang and his mother stormed into the Top Matchmaker. They angrily accused Shangguan Ya of being a "heartless profiteer" for leaking client information, sending an "unwomanly" person (Ouyang Jing) for a blind date, and then retaliating with pranks. Li Dazhuang's mother, clutching a toad, vehemently demanded an explanation and declared they would take Ouyang Jing to the magistrate's office.
Episode 14 Recap
Bo Yan and Li Fu discussed the difficulties of human relationships. Li Fu, looking at a scroll of couples Bo Yan couldn't reconcile, joked that at this rate, it would take them ages to return to the heavenly realm, expressing his contentment with staying on Earth. He contrasted the suffering-free life of deities with the trials of human existence, suggesting that there is "always something more important than longevity."
He even proposed that Bo Yan make another mistake so they could remain in the mortal world forever, asking if Bo Yan was willing to give Shangguan Ya away. Bo Yan responded that he would never, but acknowledged it was ultimately up to her. He reiterated Li Fu's past advice that if one truly loves someone, they must make her happy, stating that he now believes this and will prioritize Shangguan Ya's happiness, leaving future matters for later.
Li Fu found Bo Yan's sentiment surprisingly sappy. Their conversation was cut short when Lian Li informed them that Shangguan Ya and Ouyang Jing had been taken to the Yamen by two troublemakers who had brought a large basket of toads. At the Yamen, both Shangguan Ya and Ouyang Jing offered to take responsibility. However, Li Fu stepped forward to protect Ouyang Jing, telling the Magistrate, "I will take responsibility for what I did.
This has nothing to do with Jing. I was the one who stood up for her." The Magistrate, without much deliberation, ordered Li Fu to be beaten twenty times. Just as Li Fu was dragged out, the plaintiff also demanded punishment for Top Matchmaker, accusing them of leaking customer information and providing poor matches for monetary gain. She cited laws requiring caning, fines, and even the removal of their signboard.
The Magistrate, reluctant to punish Shangguan Ya whom he had watched grow up, hesitated. Bo Yan then stepped forward, declaring, "I'm the person in charge of the Top Matchmaker. The leakage of customer information is due to my poor supervision. If you want to punish someone, just punish me." The Magistrate, finding this logical, ordered Bo Yan to receive twenty lashes. As Bo Yan was being caned, he reassured Li Fu that he would be fine.
Li Fu, however, realized that Bo Yan had used a celestial technique to transfer the pain to himself. He remarked, "Even God Yan'guang has to experience this," and joked that he suddenly didn't feel so much pain, understanding that whoever commits a wrongdoing should bear its consequences. Back at Top Matchmaker, Tong Er rushed to Bo Yan, feigning concern for his injuries.
Bo Yan took her aside and, using his powers, revealed her role in advising the mother and son to use toads as a scheme. He sternly warned her that while he would let it go this time due to her youth, he would not tolerate any future actions that harmed Top Matchmaker or Shangguan Ya. Tong Er, incensed by Bo Yan's favoritism towards Shangguan Ya, vowed to find a way to separate them.
Meanwhile, Shangguan Ya and Ouyang Jing discussed the heroic actions of the men in court. Ouyang Jing confessed that Li Fu's blunt but protective nature and his good looks charmed her. Shangguan Ya, in turn, admitted to Ouyang Jing, "Jing, I may have fallen in love with Bo Yan." Ouyang Jing was surprised, asking about Xu Yunchuan, Shangguan Ya's long-thought savior.
Shangguan Ya explained that while she still felt a flutter recalling her unidentified savior, her feelings for Xu Yunchuan were merely friendship; she felt no "heart-pounding" attraction to him. Shangguan Ya described this "heart-pounding" feeling as missing someone when they're absent, feeling it's never enough when they're present, getting angry when they're with other women, and feeling happy whenever she sees them.
Hearing this, Ouyang Jing realized she felt the same way about Li Fu and excitedly decided to go to him. Later, Ouyang Jing brought Li Fu some boiled pear with rock sugar. She then confessed, "I like you," reassuring him he didn't need to respond, she just wanted him to know.
Xu Yunchuan proposed using the Top Matchmaker's temporary closure to travel to neighboring counties to research local wedding customs and explore diverse local cultures, hoping to find solutions to the city's marriage problems. He presented a detailed proposal, outlining a quaint forest village, a bustling bridge town known for its God of River worship ceremony and delicious seafood, and the scenic Tai County. Shangguan Ya expressed interest in the bridge town and Tai County.
Xu Yunchuan attempted to exclude Bo Yan from the trip, citing his recent injuries and suggesting he remain at Top Matchmaker to recuperate. Tong Er enthusiastically volunteered to stay with Bo Yan. However, Shangguan Ya insisted that as the person in charge of Top Matchmaker, Bo Yan should go to experience the local customs. Tong Er, frustrated, retorted, but Bo Yan agreed to join, stating he was fine. Tong Er then declared she would go too.
During their travels in Tai County, Xu Yunchuan noted the striking differences in wedding customs despite its proximity to Yueyang City, and proudly mentioned sending local wedding items to Top Matchmaker. During a fishing excursion, Xu Yunchuan comically only managed to catch a blade of grass, while Bo Yan easily caught a large fish, teasing Xu Yunchuan about his lack of skill.
Later, during a drinking game, Xu Yunchuan drew a stick requiring him to arm wrestle with the person holding the red stick—Shangguan Ya. Despite promising to use only one finger, Xu Yunchuan was embarrassingly defeated by Shangguan Ya, thanks to Bo Yan's secret intervention. In the next round, Bo Yan drew a stick requiring him to drink cross-cupped wine with the person holding the blue stick—Shangguan Ya.
Xu Yunchuan immediately protested, declaring that only married couples drink cross-cupped wine and calling the game ridiculous. Annoyed by Shangguan Ya's continued closeness to Bo Yan, Tong Er plotted to teach her a lesson. She directed Shangguan Ya to a boat, claiming her bag was there. As Shangguan Ya retrieved it, Tong Er cast a spell and pushed the boat away, ensuring Shangguan Ya would drift away and her cries for help would be unheard by Bo Yan.
Later, Xu Yunchuan questioned Tong Er about Shangguan Ya's whereabouts. Tong Er admitted she had "sent her away" on a small boat, adding, "That would be her own bad luck" if anything happened. Xu Yunchuan expressed his dismay, asserting he would never harm Shangguan Ya, regardless of her feelings for him. Tong Er then revealed that Bo Yan was a deity and that mortal-god relationships were forbidden, implying they could never be together. Xu Yunchuan dismissed this as nonsense.
Furious, Bo Yan confronted Tong Er, demanding to know where Shangguan Ya was. Tong Er admitted she had put a barrier on the boat, making it impossible to find Shangguan Ya easily. Meanwhile, Shangguan Ya, adrift and terrified in the dark forest as a storm brewed, believed she was dreaming when Bo Yan appeared. He comforted her, carrying her to a cave to shelter from the rain.
Shangguan Ya recounted the strange events of the morning, how the boat had suddenly drifted, and her shouts for help went unanswered. She questioned Bo Yan about how he found her and where he got the sweet potatoes he brought. Bo Yan, unable to truthfully explain his divine abilities, skillfully dodged her questions, attributing the sweet potatoes to a roadside find, which Shangguan Ya found hard to believe given their rocky surroundings.
The next morning, Xu Yunchuan, who had been searching for Shangguan Ya all night, was stunned to see her walking with Bo Yan. He questioned how Bo Yan could have found her so quickly when there were no boats available the previous night, recalling Tong Er's earlier statement that Bo Yan was "not human."
Seeking to confirm Tong Er's assertion that Bo Yan was a deity, Xu Yunchuan recalled a book detailing how gods or demons would reveal their true forms when drunk. He believed this method could expose Bo Yan. He invited Bo Yan to his residence to discuss the ongoing marriage issues in Yueyang City, suggesting they talk over food and drinks. At his home, Xu Yunchuan offered Bo Yan a bottle of "Nu'er hong," claiming it was a fine wine.
His aide, however, had switched Xu Yunchuan's drink with water and given Bo Yan the city's strongest wine. Despite Bo Yan praising the wine, he quickly became incoherent after only a few cups, vomited on Xu Yunchuan, and passed out. Xu Yunchuan was surprised by his low alcohol tolerance, wondering if he wasn't a god after all. Inspired by her feelings, Ouyang Jing dressed in fine clothes and makeup to ask Li Fu out.
While initially impressed, Li Fu bluntly criticized her appearance, comparing her makeup to that of an opera singer and saying he preferred her usual look. He then made an excuse to leave for the Yamen, leaving a hurt Ouyang Jing behind and him regretfully holding the flowers he had bought for her. Having resolved her own feelings, Shangguan Ya decided to speak plainly with Xu Yunchuan.
She told Li Fu that she had made up her mind to tell Xu Yunchuan that despite his kindness and her gratitude, she now had someone else in her heart and saw them more as good friends than lovers. Li Fu supported her decision. As she entered Xu Yunchuan's room, she found a sleeping Bo Yan on the bed and Xu Yunchuan nearby, in the process of undressing, who, upon seeing her, immediately called out her name.
Episode 15 Recap
Following the events of the previous evening where Bo Yan was found intoxicated at Xu Yunchuan's mansion, Xu Yunchuan expressed his disappointment that Bo Yan's divine form had not been revealed. Upon Bo Yan waking, he immediately urged Xu Yunchuan to keep their drinking a secret, to which Xu Yunchuan readily agreed.
Xu Yunchuan then concocted a story about a couple seeking a divorce in the outskirts of Yueyang City, claiming they had been matched by the Top Matchmaker and that their situation contributed to the city's marital unrest. Despite Bo Yan's initial reluctance, Xu Yunchuan persuaded him to come along. Bo Yan, however, sensed Xu Yunchuan's strange behavior, questioning if he had been deliberately intoxicated and detained.
Xu Yunchuan scoffed at the accusation, asking what he would gain from such a scheme. Xu Yunchuan's servant, Ah Xi, feigned being lost and led them into a forest where a group of black-clad men lay in wait. The plan was for the men to identify Xu Yunchuan by his fan, demand money, and force his companion, Bo Yan, to fight. However, the scheme went awry when Xu Yunchuan kindly gave his fan to Bo Yan due to the heat.
The attackers correctly demanded money from the new fan-holder, Bo Yan, but when Xu Yunchuan stepped in, they mistakenly attacked him. Bo Yan effortlessly dispatched the attackers. As a sword flew menacingly towards Xu Yunchuan, Bo Yan swiftly intervened, using his divine powers to save him. Xu Yunchuan, astonished, demanded to know Bo Yan's true identity.
Bo Yan then confirmed that Tong'er had already revealed his divine nature to Xu Yunchuan, pleading with him to keep this secret from Shangguan Ya. Later, Li Fu and Bo Yan shared a somber drink, commiserating over the forbidden nature of love between gods and mortals, acknowledging that such unions always end tragically due to strict heavenly rules. Meanwhile, Shangguan Ya met with Xu Yunchuan and confessed her burgeoning feelings for Bo Yan, whom she knew as Chu Ye.
She clarified that while she appreciated Xu Yunchuan saving her in the past, her feelings for him were purely platonic, a friendship developed over a lifetime. Xu Yunchuan, recognizing the impossibility of her love with Bo Yan due to his divine identity, anxiously tried to deter her, but Shangguan Ya remained resolute. Despite his anxieties, Xu Yunchuan upheld his promise not to reveal Bo Yan's true identity.
Shangguan Ya then produced a circular stone pendant, intending to return it to Xu Yunchuan, believing he was her savior and had given it to her. However, Xu Yunchuan did not recognize the pendant, explaining that she was already wearing it when he found her unconscious. This revelation deeply confused Shangguan Ya, making her question who her true savior was. While Bo Yan silently reveled in Shangguan Ya's heartfelt confession, a jealous Tong'er, who was with him, became enraged.
She forcefully embraced Bo Yan, but he coldly pushed her away, explicitly stating that he had never loved her and never would, telling her to give up. Shangguan Ya, witnessing this painful rejection, was heartbroken. Further enraged, Tong'er used her powers to secretly steal the protective stone pendant from Shangguan Ya's neck. The following morning, Hongdou discovered Shangguan Ya lying on the floor, deathly pale and unconscious.
Li Fu, arriving on the scene, immediately recognized the ominous signs of a soul departure. He quickly drew Bo Yan aside, explaining that Shangguan Ya's soul appeared to have vanished entirely from the three realms, a baffling occurrence as even a deity like Bo Yan should have sensed such an event. Xu Yunchuan, suspecting Tong'er, confronted her, but she vehemently denied any involvement. Li Fu, while acknowledging Tong'er's capricious nature, supported her, stating she wasn't truly malicious.
He then departed for the Nine Heavens to procure an elixir. While Shangguan Ya's family sought help from mortal doctors, Bo Yan privately poured out his heart to the unconscious Shangguan Ya, vowing to pay any price for her recovery. Li Fu soon returned from the Nine Heavens with a celestial elixir, but its effect was limited; it could only keep Shangguan Ya alive, not restore her soul, making her a living dead.
Xu Yunchuan, frustrated and desperate, confronted Bo Yan, stating that Bo Yan's divine presence had only brought harm to Shangguan Ya, especially with Tong'er's relentless pursuit. He argued that Bo Yan, aware of the perils of a deity-mortal romance, was incapable of protecting Shangguan Ya and should leave her. While Bo Yan promised to solve the issue with Tong'er, his priority was saving Shangguan Ya.
Li Fu then revealed that the only true cure was the Soul Flower, found in the mythical Secret Realm. Tong'er, overhearing, claimed to know its location but imposed a condition: after retrieving the flower, Bo Yan must spend seven days alone with her. After confirming once more that Tong'er denied harming Shangguan Ya, Bo Yan reluctantly agreed to the bargain to save Shangguan Ya's life. Tong'er then provided him with a means to reach the Secret Realm.
Following Tong'er's instructions, Bo Yan journeyed through dense cloud-shrouded mists to reach the Secret Realm. Inside, he found himself in an illusion, a vivid recreation of the Top Matchmaker, where Shangguan Ya greeted him warmly. She described a peaceful future together, away from worldly concerns. Bo Yan, though wishing it were real, recognized the illusion.
When she spoke of a future that ignored her promise to her mother, he gently broke the enchantment, revealing that his heart belonged to Shangguan Ya, but not the illusory one. Confronted by a Tree Fairy, Bo Yan learned that the Soul Tree, which bore the vital Soul Flower, would not bloom for another thousand years. Desperate, he was told there was one alternative: to sacrifice his own cultivation and soul to the tree to force an early bloom.
Without hesitation, Bo Yan subjected himself to the painful lashes of the Soul Tree's vines, pouring all his divine power into it. The Tree Fairy questioned if a mere mortal was worth such a sacrifice, but Bo Yan declared his unwavering love, asserting that for the woman he loved, everything was worth it. Through this ordeal, the once proud God Yan'guang, who had scorned the three realms, finally comprehended the profound truth of "all beings are equal in love."
Episode 16 Recap
Suffering from severe injuries, Chu Ye transferred the Soul flower into Shangguan Ya's body. Li Fu rescued Chu Ye, explaining that his own mana was insufficient to heal him and that Chu Ye needed to find a secluded place to recover his primordial spirit, otherwise he would lose his life. Chu Ye was reluctant to leave, stating that Ya was still unconscious.
However, Xu Yunchuan strongly urged him to go, arguing that Ya would be devastated to see him in such a condition and that his divine presence would only bring her endless trouble and ruin her life. As Shangguan Ya began to stir and softly called out "Chu Ye," Xu Yunchuan encouraged Chu Ye to leave, assuring him he would inform Master Shangguan of Ya's awakening.
Just as Chu Ye departed, Tong Er appeared and reminded him it was time to fulfill his promise. Upon fully regaining consciousness, Shangguan Ya immediately asked for Chu Ye, only for Xu Yunchuan to tell her that Chu Ye, Li Fu, and Tong Er had already moved out. He insisted that Chu Ye had left without a word, implying Tong Er was more important to him and that he would not return.
Ya, heartbroken and unable to recall what truly happened, felt a profound sense of loss. Meanwhile, Xu Yunchuan reassured Ya's father that Chu Ye's departure was for the best, as Tong Er would never make things easy for Ya if he stayed. Ya continued her desperate search for Chu Ye, expressing to Ouyang Jing her deep sadness and a feeling of something missing without him.
She reflected that no matter how deep her love, she would always be secondary to Chu Ye's childhood sweetheart. Exhausted, Ya collapsed and was found by Xu Yunchuan, who brought her home and lovingly prepared medicinal soup. Ya felt burdened by his unwavering care, but Xu Yunchuan encouraged her to move on from Chu Ye, insisting she deserved someone by her side and not to plan on living alone.
In a cave formed by concentrated spiritual energy, Chu Ye focused on his recuperation. Li Fu warned him against forcing his recovery, but Chu Ye couldn't stop worrying about Ya. Li Fu reassured him that the Soul flower would keep her stable, and her prolonged sleep was a normal side effect. Elsewhere, Tong Er admired a stone pendant around her neck, which she believed contained Chu Ye's Soul-locking Power.
She gleefully stated that if she wore it for seven days, Chu Ye would inevitably fall in love with her, just as he had supposedly fallen for Shangguan Ya when Ya possessed it. Later that night, a distraught Shangguan Ya confided in Ouyang Jing about Chu Ye's disappearance. Ouyang Jing, equally frustrated by Li Fu's sudden departure, resolved to find them.
She staked out a tavern where Li Fu was known to enjoy pear wine, eventually spotting and following him to Qiyun Cottage. There, she overheard Tong Er excitedly telling Li Fu about her plans to win Chu Ye back, convinced that his affections for Shangguan Ya were merely a bewitchment. She boasted of her thousands of years long connection with Chu Ye and warned Li Fu not to side with the mortal woman.
Startled, Ouyang Jing cried out, revealing herself, and an annoyed Tong Er retorted. Li Fu quickly sent Tong Er away and confessed his and Chu Ye's divine identities to Ouyang Jing, explaining that the human-god divide was why he had previously rejected her. He asked her to keep their secret from Ya, believing Chu Ye should explain himself when he recovered. Ouyang Jing, understanding, agreed to keep the confidence.
The next day, Ouyang Jing reluctantly led Shangguan Ya to Qiyun Cottage. Ya insisted on entering alone. Inside, Chu Ye was diligently cultivating, but his efforts caused him to cough up blood. Tong Er rushed to tend to him, but upon hearing Ya's footsteps, she quickly embraced Chu Ye intimately, using her magic to immobilize him. Ya, witnessing the scene, was overwhelmed with anger and heartbreak. Chu Ye, trapped by Tong Er's spell, could only watch as Ya stormed off.
Ya later confided in Ouyang Jing, lamenting that she had thought Chu Ye was coerced into leaving, only to find him "acting all lovey-dovey" with Tong Er. She felt betrayed and unappreciated, contrasting her care for him at Top Matchmaker with his current behavior. Ouyang Jing then admitted that she had discovered something had been going on between Chu Ye and Tong Er even before Chu Ye lost his memory.
Back at Top Matchmaker, Ya furiously chopped firewood, declaring her intention to break off all ties with Chu Ye and Tong Er and "make them pay." Ouyang Jing, though knowing the full truth, could only support her. Together, they returned to Qiyun Cottage. When Chu Ye saw Ya, he immediately approached her, asking about her well-being. Disarmed by his concern, Ya's anger dissipated. When Ya confronted them about their closed-door meeting, Chu Ye denied anything improper, promising to explain later.
He then offered to show Ya around the area, sending Tong Er away when she tried to join. While Chu Ye and Ya took their walk, Ouyang Jing continued to chase after Li Fu, eventually faking a sprained ankle. When Li Fu came to check on her, she pulled him into a passionate kiss, declaring that regardless of his divine status, he was her chosen husband in the mortal world, and she would take responsibility for him.
Later, as Chu Ye cooked a fish for Ya, Tong Er reappeared, demanding the first portion, reminding him of their past. Chu Ye, however, gave it to Ya. Ya, still hoping for a reconciliation, asked Chu Ye to return to Top Matchmaker, promising to care for him. Chu Ye regretfully stated he could not leave yet due to an agreement. Tong Er interjected, hinting at many secrets between her and Chu Ye that Ya was not privy to.
Unable to comprehend or accept his vague explanation, Ya grew angry again and departed, warning Chu Ye that if he didn't return in a few days, she would turn his room into a pigsty. After Ya left, Tong Er confronted Chu Ye, warning him that if he used such delaying tactics to avoid fulfilling their seven-day agreement, she would revoke their pact.
Episode 17 Recap
Shangguan Ya was still furious with Bo Yan. Ouyang Jing urged her not to stay upset with Bo Yan, suggesting that he might not return at all. Shangguan Ya defiantly declared that if he dared not return, he should never come back. Seeing her distress, Xu Yunchuan offered to take her somewhere fun to cheer her up, but she initially refused. Ouyang Jing encouraged her to go, saying it would stop her from overthinking at home.
At a puppet show, after watching the tragic tale of "The Butterfly Lovers," Xu Yunchuan tried to console Shangguan Ya by saying the protagonists eventually turned into butterflies and found eternal love. However, Shangguan Ya expressed profound sympathy for Young Master Ma, questioning why childhood sweethearts should always win against those who come later. She asserted that love isn't about who arrives first and that a bold pursuer could still win a heart.
She herself would persevere in love, believing that in time, her good qualities would be recognized. Xu Yunchuan, hearing this, wondered if Shangguan Ya was subtly encouraging him to continue his pursuit, feeling a renewed sense of hope. Meanwhile, Bo Yan's injuries were severe. Li Fu announced he would seek elixirs and help from other deities, warning Bo Yan to control his temper while he was gone, as he didn't want to return to a dead body.
Bo Yan claimed he knew what to do, but Li Fu, exasperated, reiterated his caution against reckless actions. Tong Er, in an attempt to rekindle their past, transformed Bo Yan’s room with flower petals, reminiscent of his palace in the Sky Palace. Bo Yan, however, was clearly annoyed, remarking on the mess and ordering her to clean it. Tong Er reminded him they only had two days left in their agreement.
Frustrated by Bo Yan's coldness, she questioned the effectiveness of the stone pendant around her neck, wondering if it held any real power to make Bo Yan love her, and resolved to find another way if it proved useless. Later, Shangguan Ya, still worried about Bo Yan, went to his small courtyard with a food box. Two burly men spotted her alone and attempted to rob her. Shangguan Ya threw the food box and fled, screaming for help.
Her cries reached Bo Yan, who, despite his severe injuries, appeared and drove the thugs away. Weakened, he had to lean on Shangguan Ya for support as they returned to his room. Shangguan Ya rushed to get medicine for him, but Bo Yan stopped her, claiming Li Fu was already out looking for a physician and he would recover in a few days.
She pressed him for details about his injuries, expressing deep concern and urging him not to be reckless. She then asked him to come home with her, as she worried about him alone. Bo Yan promised he would return in two days, with Li Fu, by the morning of the day after tomorrow. Shangguan Ya agreed to wait for him at home.
Still reeling from his unrequited love, Xu Yunchuan, influenced by Shangguan Ya's earlier words at the puppet show, decided to take drastic action. He confided in his servant Xi that Shangguan Ya's comments about brave successors had given him hope. He then declared his intention to present a betrothal letter to Shangguan Ya, aiming for a swift marriage proposal that would bypass royal interference. Xi expressed admiration for his courage but also cautioned against rashness.
Xu Yunchuan then presented a betrothal letter to Shangguan Ya. She refused to accept it, but he insisted she didn't have to promise anything immediately, only to exchange letters so the Emperor wouldn't arrange his marriage. Shangguan Ya gently told him she believed he would find love in the future. Xu Yunchuan, however, reminded her of her earlier words about Young Master Ma and pursuing love boldly, believing she had been hinting at him.
Shangguan Ya clarified that she was talking to herself and feared Bo Yan would misunderstand if they continued discussing the matter, especially since he was returning. She then promptly left. Heartbroken, Xu Yunchuan drank alone all day, questioning why Shangguan Ya chose Bo Yan over him and if deities had enchanted her. His servant, Xi, tried to console him, but Xu Yunchuan was desperate to find a way to make Shangguan Ya love him.
Unbeknownst to them, Tong Er, also unsuccessful in her attempts to win Bo Yan, was similarly desperate. Both Xu Yunchuan and Tong Er separately overheard a storyteller recounting the legend of Love-locking Mountain: a place where if a man and woman destined by the Hongluan Star and Tianxi Star simultaneously locked a love lock, they would be fated to be together forever.
Tong Er, believing this could make Bo Yan acknowledge her as his chosen one and sever his ties to Shangguan Ya, decided to try it. Xu Yunchuan, also convinced by the legend that he, as the imperial censor of the Hongluan Department, and Shangguan Ya, a Tianxi matchmaker, were meant to be, refused to give up on her. Back at Top Matchmaker, Shangguan Ya prepared for Bo Yan's return.
Her maids noted her improved mood and her preparations for his arrival. However, when Bo Yan didn't appear by noon as promised, Shangguan Ya's anxiety grew, fearing he had been delayed by Tong Er again. Xu Yunchuan found her distraught and, echoing his servant Xi's cynical view that men's promises were unreliable, convinced her to go out and clear her mind.
Just as Bo Yan was about to leave his temporary residence to return to Top Matchmaker, Tong Er intercepted him. She insisted he accompany her to one last place before she would return to the Sky Palace. Bo Yan reluctantly agreed. Both pairs—Bo Yan and Tong Er, and Shangguan Ya and Xu Yunchuan—found themselves climbing Love-locking Mountain.
Tong Er had persuaded Bo Yan by pointing out the mountain's spiritual energy might aid his recovery, while Xu Yunchuan had vowed to Shangguan Ya that he would always protect her as a friend. At the summit, Shangguan Ya was stunned to see Bo Yan and Tong Er together, with Tong Er holding two love locks. She confronted Bo Yan, accusing him of lying about returning to Top Matchmaker. Tong Er, in turn, questioned Shangguan Ya's presence with Xu Yunchuan.
Xu Yunchuan then revealed his own love lock, announcing they were also there to secure their destinies. Shangguan Ya denied this, but Xu Yunchuan insisted that if they hadn't arrived, Bo Yan and Tong Er would have already locked their fates. Unable to tolerate the absurd situation, Bo Yan snatched Shangguan Ya's love lock from Xu Yunchuan's hand. Taking Shangguan Ya's hand, he walked to the stone railing of Love-locking Mountain and forcefully smashed the lock against it.
Tong Er's obsession turned to rage. She declared that if she couldn't have Bo Yan, no one would. With a powerful shove, she sent Bo Yan and Shangguan Ya hurtling towards the cliff edge. As the mortal Shangguan Ya fell, Bo Yan plunged after her without hesitation.
In that moment, Shangguan Ya looked at Bo Yan reaching out to her and was flooded with memories of her childhood, realizing that he was the one who had saved her from a similar fall years ago, and that the stone pendant was indeed made from his original spirit. Sensing the danger, the pendant on Tong Er's neck broke free and formed a protective shield around Bo Yan and Shangguan Ya, bringing them back to safety.
Enraged, Bo Yan confronted Tong Er. Just then, Li Fu arrived, warning Bo Yan to calm down, revealing that Tong Er was the daughter of the Emperor of Heaven. Tong Er, leveraging her divine status, dared Bo Yan to harm her, challenging him to face her father's wrath. Shangguan Ya, despite Tong Er's actions, intervened, preventing Bo Yan from further harming her, stating that she was fine.
However, she firmly declared that she wanted nothing more to do with Tong Er. Tong Er, her pride wounded, scornfully stated that Bo Yan, a god who had fallen for a mortal, was no longer worthy of her. She announced her return to Heaven, leaving them to their fate. Fearing the Emperor of Heaven would discover their unauthorized mortal affairs, Li Fu quickly intercepted Tong Er.
He blackmailed her into keeping their secret, reminding her of the consequences for a deity who causes trouble. Tong Er reluctantly agreed, eager to witness the "unhappy ending" of Bo Yan and Shangguan Ya's relationship. Heartbroken, Xu Yunchuan left Love-locking Mountain, lamenting his failure. Shangguan Ya and Bo Yan discussed his celestial origins and his role in the chaos of marriage in Yueyang City, which he took responsibility for.
Shangguan Ya forgave him for his "accident," acknowledging his earlier rescue and how his spirit pendant had saved her ten years ago. Now aware of his true identity, Shangguan Ya playfully demanded that since he was a deity, he should fly her around instead of walking. Back home, Ouyang Jing confronted Shangguan Ya, who revealed she knew about both Bo Yan and Li Fu being deities and expressed frustration at being the last to find out.
Shangguan Ya and Ouyang Jing, excited by their boyfriends' divine powers, then demanded a taste of celestial life. Bo Yan admitted he couldn't return to the Sky Palace yet due to his exile. So, he and Li Fu took Shangguan Ya and Ouyang Jing on a magnificent journey, flying over the capital, where they, wearing masks, happily enjoyed the bustling lantern festival and released river lanterns, delighting in their new experiences.
Episode 18 Recap
After an evening of revelry and drinks in a tavern, a tipsy Ouyang Jing let slip that she and Li Fu were already engaged. Li Fu quickly denied it, while Shangguan Ya and Chu Ye simply smiled. With Ouyang Jing and Li Fu having drunk themselves into a stupor, Shangguan Ya and Chu Ye stepped out onto a pavilion, finding a moment of tranquil joy in their peaceful lives together. Meanwhile, a lovelorn Xu Yunchuan sought solace in alcohol.
His servant, A Xi, encouraged him, pointing out that moping around only gave Chu Ye more time with Shangguan Ya. Realizing the futility of his self-pity, Xu Yunchuan resolved to take action. He approached Shangguan Ya, suggesting that Bo Yan's identity as a deity made a stable relationship with her inherently difficult.
Shangguan Ya, frowning, acknowledged his point but then blurted out that Bo Yan hadn't even formally confessed his feelings to her, making their current ambiguous relationship far from stable. Xu Yunchuan, misinterpreting her words, thought she was agreeing with him and still had a chance. His servant, observing this, sarcastically lauded Xu Yunchuan for trying to "matchmake the two of them." Ouyang Jing, in her straightforward manner, told Shangguan Ya to simply confess her feelings.
But the proud Shangguan Ya refused to be the one to declare her love first; her plan was to offer hints. The Top Matchmaker then posted a notice announcing a "half-price for a friend" matchmaking event. Shangguan Ya used this opportunity to quiz Chu Ye on the traditional steps from courtship to marriage, hoping to subtly probe the progression of their own relationship.
However, Chu Ye, effortlessly reciting the entire process, remained oblivious to her hints, believing she was merely testing his matchmaking skills. Undeterred, Shangguan Ya invited Chu Ye to see an opera depicting Cui Yingying's heartfelt confession. Yet again, Chu Ye missed the point, instead analyzing how the protagonist, Scholar Zhang, would need a highly eloquent matchmaker to win over Madame Cui, thinking Shangguan Ya was trying to further refine his professional abilities.
Rolling her eyes and suppressing her frustration, Shangguan Ya decided to try one more time. She picked up a roadside flower, whose vendor explained it symbolized "eternal togetherness" for confessions, and presented it to Chu Ye. To her dismay, Chu Ye, ever practical, refused to buy it, explaining that he was saving his money to buy her candied fruit. He then asked if she was angry, and she, denying it, questioned why she should be.
He speculated that her anger stemmed from the chaos of marriage in Yueyang City, which he claimed to be working diligently to fix. Ouyang Jing, still pondering Shangguan Ya's "confession theory" and the importance of a formal declaration, burst into the room where Li Fu was sleeping. She climbed onto him, demanding to know when he would propose, as she had been waiting for days.
Li Fu, startled, tried to sidestep the question, reminding her of their "engagement in the grove." Ouyang Jing adamantly declared him "my man in life and my deity in death," vowing to be responsible for him until the end. Li Fu, trying to defer, cited the overwhelming busyness of the Top Matchmaker, suggesting they put the matter on hold. Meanwhile, Bo Yan, vexed by his inability to please Shangguan Ya, encountered a dejected Ouyang Jing drinking alone.
Ouyang Jing complained that despite her clear expressions of affection, Li Fu continued to evade her, leaving her confused about his intentions. Bo Yan, also seeking insight into Shangguan Ya’s feelings, proposed an alliance: Ouyang Jing would help him understand Shangguan Ya, and he would help her decipher Li Fu. They sealed their pact with a drink. Later, Bo Yan entered the main hall and noticed the statue of the God of Marriage unusually alert.
Using his divine power, he pulled Li Fu out from inside the statue. Li Fu explained he was hiding from Ouyang Jing, describing her as a "real pest." He confessed his fear that her attraction was merely an "impulse" and that she might regret their deity-mortal romance if she ever found her true destined match. Such relationships, he emphasized, required extreme caution. Bo Yan relayed Li Fu's concerns to Ouyang Jing, who, with her typical boldness, wasted no time.
She promptly arrived with betrothal gifts and a marriage certificate, transforming her room into a bridal chamber. Bo Yan, having been convinced by Ouyang Jing to lure Li Fu, tricked him into going to her room. Ouyang Jing then pushed him onto the bed. The next morning, a bewildered Li Fu awoke, realizing their relationship had irrevocably progressed.
Accepting his fate, the former God of Marriage resigned himself to embarking on a passionate romance, later telling Bo Yan that he was "impressed by A Jing." Bo Yan jokingly claimed credit for being his matchmaker. Chu Ye finally understood that Shangguan Ya's various actions were all subtle attempts to elicit a formal confession from him.
Around this time, Shangguan Ya's father, observing Chu Ye handing a large bag of silver to a woman and then sneaking out, immediately alerted his daughter, fearing Chu Ye was becoming "bold." Shangguan Ya, full of suspicion, discreetly followed Chu Ye to a lantern shop. Lian Li and Hongdou also noticed Chu Ye's "weird" behavior lately, commenting on the "dozens of beautiful women" who visited him daily, suggesting even a "hardened heart" might soften.
Ouyang Jing then breathlessly informed Shangguan Ya that Chu Ye had gone to the Marriage Temple with a woman. Shangguan Ya rushed to the Marriage Temple, ready for a confrontation, but instead found a breathtaking sight: countless red candles arranged in a giant heart shape. Chu Ye gently embraced her and soared with her onto the rooftop, just as countless lovers across Yueyang City began to light and release their wish lanterns into the night sky.
Shangguan Ya, her heart swelling with understanding, realized that Chu Ye's recent "suspicious" activities had been efforts to enlist the entire city's help in orchestrating this magnificent and public declaration of love. As they stood amidst the shimmering sea of lanterns, the two soulmates shared a tender kiss. Now deeply in love, Chu Ye and Shangguan Ya dedicated themselves to resolving the marital discord in Yueyang City.
Shangguan Ya organized a special gathering for well-educated young women from influential families who were seeking good matches. Bo Yan, now openly by her side as her fiancé, attended, setting an inspiring example for the attendees. When Shangguan Ya mentioned that she had made up her advice on showing affection through action, Bo Yan responded, "Well, aren't we trying it now?"
The event culminated in a "Conveying Love with Poems, Expressing Thoughts with Paintings" session, where the "eight talents" of Yueyang City joined the women, celebrating the new spirit of finding love and understanding.
Episode 19 Recap
Chu Ye, deeply enamored with Shangguan Ya, found himself constantly gazing at their portraits, yet a nagging concern persisted: if human marriages couldn't end well, their own union might eventually dissolve. The pressing matter at hand was to revive the Hongluan Tree, the source of marital harmony. Believing his divine powers could replicate his success in growing soul flowers, Chu Ye attempted to resuscitate the tree using his celestial magic.
However, his efforts backfired, causing the tree's branches to shatter and fall, aggravating an already dire situation. The devastation of the Hongluan Tree ignited public fury in Yueyang City, with citizens blaming the Top Matchmaker. A large, vocal crowd, led by Miss Li, the daughter of Duke Li, gathered at the Top Matchmaker's doors. Duke Li, protective of his daughter, demanded answers from the county magistrate, elevating the crisis to a serious public and private affair.
To quell the unrest and shield Shangguan Ya, Chu Ye volunteered to be taken into custody. He assured Shangguan Ya that his arrest was merely a gesture to placate the populace and Duke Li, whose influence with the young emperor commanded respect. To keep Shangguan Ya safe, Xu Yunchuan arranged for her family to stay at his residence.
Shangguan Ya, however, chose to lodge at the county magistrate's office with Ouyang Jing, her true intention being to scour the county annals for a way to restore the Hongluan Tree. The task proved daunting, as the annual records were inconsistent and incomplete. Xu Yunchuan, moved by Shangguan Ya's unwavering devotion to Chu Ye and reflecting on Chu Ye’s magnificent public declaration of love, gracefully accepted his unrequited feelings.
He offered to assist Shangguan Ya in her laborious research, stressing the urgency of resolving the marriage chaos. Li Fu visited Chu Ye in jail, informing him about the situation at the Top Matchmaker. Overhearing of Xu Yunchuan’s involvement, Chu Ye, in a fit of jealousy, used his divine essence to subtly pull Shangguan Ya away from Xu Yunchuan.
Shangguan Ya chided him for his possessiveness, clarifying that her relationship with Xu Yunchuan was purely platonic, and advised Chu Ye to apologize to him later. She then revealed her discovery: reviving the Hongluan Tree required "the best soil, the best fertilizer, and the best gardener." Shangguan Ya assigned Xu Yunchuan to find the ideal gardener, leveraging his official standing.
Through a rigged drawing of lots, she and Chu Ye were tasked with procuring "the best soil" from under the divine tree in the illusory land, while Li Fu and Ouyang Jing were dispatched to find "the best fertilizer," which they determined to be horse manure. Li Fu and Ouyang Jing's attempt to collect horse manure at a local farm resulted in chaos as they inadvertently released the horses.
The irate farm manager accused them of theft and demanded the return of all his horses within two days, threatening to report them to the authorities. Meanwhile, Chu Ye and Shangguan Ya ventured into the illusory realm. Chu Ye warned her of the perilous fog that created hallucinations based on one's fears and vulnerabilities, giving her a protective pill. Shangguan Ya, resolute, refused to let him face the danger alone, vowing not to leave without the sacred soil.
Inside the illusion, both were ensnared by its tricks. Shangguan Ya saw a bleeding Chu Ye, who claimed to be the real one. However, the true Chu Ye, discerningly revealed the other figure to be an illusion. Shangguan Ya, remembering the real Chu Ye's reluctance to voice his sacrifices, recognized the deception. Breaking free, she experienced a vision of Chu Ye suffering grievous wounds while gathering soul flowers for her, a poignant revelation of his deep, unspoken love and suffering.
Back in Yueyang City, Xu Yunchuan struggled to find a suitable gardener, even increasing the reward. After many unqualified applicants, a scholar named Zhuge Kuang presented himself. Zhuge Kuang, an eloquent flatterer, heaped praise upon Xu Yunchuan, calling him a man of "deep fortune" and "great ambition and courage," a true "blessing for the people." Despite being cautioned against flattery, Zhuge Kuang maintained his sincerity, insisting that Xu Yunchuan was too astute to be deceived.
Impressed, Xu Yunchuan hired Zhuge Kuang and treated him with high regard. With Shangguan Ya and Chu Ye returning with the special soil and Li Fu and Ouyang Jing delivering the horse manure, Zhuge Kuang examined the materials. He confidently declared his ability to heal the Hongluan Tree but requested two days to prepare and select an auspicious time. Chu Ye, however, harbored a sense of unease, finding Zhuge Kuang "strange."
The crowds at the Top Matchmaker's door still clamored for a resolution. Li Fu and Shangguan Ya realized that Chu Ye's public appearance would only worsen matters, especially with Duke Li scrutinizing the situation. Chu Ye suggested using his divine powers to disguise himself, but Li Fu argued against it, citing the risks of using celestial magic when dealing with mortals. Instead, Shangguan Ya, with Li Fu's help, applied makeup to Chu Ye, transforming him into a woman.
Reluctantly, Chu Ye closed his eyes and accepted his feminine disguise, recognizing it as a necessary step for the sake of the Top Matchmaker and to finally end the chaos of marriage.
Episode 20 Recap
Ah Xi, fearing that Xu Yunchuan would discover the fraud he had brought in, Zhuge Kuang, decided to eliminate him before the matter escalated. Just as he was about to act, a group of black-clad individuals snuck into Zhuge Kuang's room, bagged him, and carried him away. Ah Xi was relieved that someone else had taken care of it. However, this incident troubled Xu Yunchuan, who immediately suspected the Bachelor Club was behind it.
Meanwhile, Ouyang Jing discovered a wooden token dropped by the kidnappers, which belonged to a music house. Seeing Bo Yan, who was disguised as a woman, Shangguan Ya decided to take him along to the music house to find Zhuge Kuang. At the music house, Bo Yan's beautiful appearance attracted the attention of the lecherous Young Master Guan, who began to harass him. Annoyed, Bo Yan retaliated, almost exposing his true identity.
Observing from a distance, Xu Yunchuan learned that Young Master Guan had business dealings with Wan Yuanming and had exploited his "single" status to deceive many women, becoming the leader of the Bachelor Club members after its dissolution. To facilitate the investigation, Xu Yunchuan intervened, claiming that Bo Yan was his cousin who had a low voice due to a throat illness. He then cunningly suggested that Bo Yan, for Shangguan Ya's sake, "seduce" Young Master Guan to gather information.
Though reluctant, Bo Yan agreed, reminded by Shangguan Ya of their mission to save the Hongluan tree and the Top Matchmaker, and her feelings for him. Bo Yan then easily knocked out Young Master Guan and his subordinate, who was involved in Zhuge Kuang's abduction. It was revealed that Zhuge Kuang was quite content at the music house, drinking and eating.
He was a swindler who had already taken money from the county magistrate and was now trying to extort double the amount from the Bachelor Club members to "not save" the Hongluan tree. Once his kidnappers were subdued and he was 'rescued' by Xu Yunchuan's party, Zhuge Kuang dramatically changed his tune, crying and claiming to be a victim, expressing profound gratitude to Xu Yunchuan for his "rescue."
The next day, Zhuge Kuang poured his so-called "regeneration water" at the base of the Hongluan tree, proclaiming its power to revive all things. After much deliberation, Ah Xi confessed to Xu Yunchuan that Zhuge Kuang was a fraud he had brought in simply to fill a quota. Enraged, Xu Yunchuan quickly moved to rectify the situation. Xu Yunchuan promptly summoned two genuine gardening masters.
They confirmed that the tree's roots were dead, incapable of absorbing nutrients, and the supposed "regeneration water" was merely Tieguanyin tea. To spare Shangguan Ya from disappointment and offer hope to the people of Yueyang City, Xu Yunchuan persuaded the two experts to discreetly graft fake green sprouts onto the tree's branches, framing it as a "well-intentioned lie" to restore faith in marriage. The news of the Hongluan Tree sprouting invigorated Yueyang City.
Shangguan Ya was overjoyed, feeling she had finally fulfilled her mother's long-held wish. Xu Yunchuan then publicly announced measures to protect the tree and encouraged citizens to make wishes, while Shangguan Ya celebrated with Bo Yan and Li Fu. However, a troubling vision plagued Bo Yan in the Secret Realm. He saw Shangguan Ya smiling tearfully before dissolving into starlight.
The tree fairy appeared, stating that every effect has a cause, leaving Bo Yan to fear this was the inevitable outcome of their love, a union of human and deity. Li Fu tried to console him, reminding him that the Secret Realm was a place where illusion and reality intertwined, and that he should focus on completing their current tasks for Shangguan Ya. Determined to cherish his time with Shangguan Ya, Bo Yan became exceptionally devoted.
He woke up early to prepare breakfast for the Shangguan family, carefully looking after Shangguan Ya's father and grandmother. He even brought expensive gifts to appease the often-greedy Master Shangguan and lovingly made qingtuan specifically for Shangguan Ya, hoping to create lasting memories. This act sparked an idea in Shangguan Ya, who realized that every couple cherished meaningful moments and objects.
She proposed organizing an exhibition called the "Museum of Love" to collect these tokens and their accompanying stories, believing it would inspire more people and rekindle hope for love in the city. Bo Yan, ever eager to support her, immediately offered to repurpose the bookshelves from the study for the exhibition. As Shangguan Ya grew tired, Bo Yan continued working tirelessly overnight with Li Fu to set up the exhibition hall.
Li Fu grumbled about Bo Yan forgetting his friend now that he was in a relationship, but Bo Yan insisted that some tasks required physical effort for precise adjustment. Meanwhile, Xu Yunchuan was also toiling day and night for Yueyang City's welfare. Ah Xi reported that Zhuge Kuang's whereabouts remained unknown. Xu Yunchuan instructed him to conduct a secret investigation instead of notifying other magistrates, to avoid exposing the deception regarding the Hongluan Tree.
He then presented new policies, demanding the immediate closure of all divorce agencies within the city and promoting matchmaking by offering rewards to new matchmakers and half-price deals for couples at various establishments, while also stipulating that single individuals should not be neglected. Violators of these policies would face severe penalties.
Episode 21 Recap
Chu Ye and Li Fu worked through the night to set up the exhibition hall for the Museum of Love. Shangguan Ya then went into the streets to gather love tokens. She announced to the residents of Yueyang City that they were collecting tokens of love, promising one wen and an additional small gift for submissions within three days.
Master Shangguan contributed a worn-out scrubbing board, explaining it was what her mother was using to wash clothes by the river when he first met her. He gifted it to Ya, saying it might be useful, and Ya gratefully accepted it, intending to cherish it after the exhibition. During the collection, Chu Ye complained about the smell of a slow-boiled soup stock, a unique love token from the Wuji Stinky Tofu shop owners.
Ya and Chu Ye's attention was drawn to a pair of jade Ruyi. Upon reading the accompanying letter, Ya understood the story: a couple was separated five years prior. The man was from out of town, and the woman's family opposed her marrying far away, while the man's mother considered his moving to Yueyang as becoming a live-in son-in-law. Ya expressed frustration with elders interfering in love. She revealed that both individuals later married unhappily and divorced.
The man was passing through Yueyang on business and was soon to leave, unaware of the woman's divorce. Determined to reunite them, Ya decided to display the Ruyi in the most prominent spot, convinced they would come because no one would forget the regret of not being able to be with the first person they fell in love with.
Chu Ye expressed his fortune at being her first love, and when Ya questioned if he'd ever liked anyone in his 10,000 years in heaven, he claimed he was a loner who didn't understand love until meeting her. Ya joked about his "deca-millennium" of being single.
While showing visitors around the newly opened Museum of Love, she also shared a touching story about a pigeon that delivered letters for a separated couple for over a year, leading to their reunion, after which the owner crafted a memorial for it. Xu Yunchuan also came to see the exhibition.
He approached Ya, stating he understood everything, thinking that Ya's detailed stories, especially the one about her and Chu Ye, were a subtle way to explain his "defeat" in love while protecting his pride. His subordinate, seeing Xu Yunchuan emotional, pointed out he was crying, which Yunchuan denied, blaming sand in his eyes.
His subordinate suggested that coming to the museum was only adding stress, but Xu Yunchuan insisted Ya was treating him as a true friend by opening the museum and collecting stories to help him understand the "things beyond our control" and "unrequited love" in the world.
Meanwhile, the owners of the jade Ruyi were among the visitors; they silently reunited and held hands, a sight that deeply moved Shangguan Ya and Chu Ye, with Chu Ye remarking that "no words are needed at this moment. The exchange is in the silence." Inspired by others, Ouyang Jing realized Li Fu had never given her a love token. While their shared pear wine marked their agreement to marry, she longed for a more personal gift.
She confronted him, noting that Chu Ye had given Ya many presents while she had none. Li Fu tried to deflect by mentioning the pear wine, but Jing insisted that was merely a marriage agreement, not a love token. She pressed him, stating that if he didn't agree to find a token, it would be "too late."
Li Fu was hesitant to share their "embarrassing" story publicly, emphasizing that a love token should be a memory shared solely between them, to which Jing agreed, adding it should embody her characteristics. Li Fu suggested they go shopping, and Jing excitedly agreed. While out, Jing caught Li Fu looking at another girl and accused him. He denied it, claiming he was imagining her in women's clothes for the first time and offered to buy her an outfit and accessories.
Jing, however, rejected the idea of casual wear, pointing to the grand phoenix wedding robe at the Top Matchmaker and fearing she'd be outshone. They dismissed a sugar figure as a temporary item, as a gift should be kept forever. Eventually, hungry, they settled on a hotchpotch platter, which came with free sour plum soup for couples. Jing then gave Li Fu a pig's tail as a token, symbolizing her unwavering commitment to follow him wherever he went.
Li Fu reciprocated with a pig's ear, promising to always heed her call. Jing further suggested a pig's foot to represent them facing "all ups and downs together," which Li Fu accepted. They decided to bring the pig's ear back to the museum as their real love token. Shangguan Ya observed that love in Yueyang City was flourishing.
She excitedly told Chu Ye that eight couples had reunited and fifteen had submitted matchmaking notes, and she planned to report the good news to Xu Yunchuan the next day, hoping he'd be pleased about the Imperial Censor's success. Chu Ye suggested Xu Yunchuan should thank the Hongluan Tree, then quickly acknowledged Xu Yunchuan had saved it. He grew jealous, telling Ya not to mention Xu Yunchuan so often.
As Chu Ye leaned in to kiss Ya, Master Shangguan unexpectedly entered, complaining about a gust of wind, interrupting their tender moment. Chu Ye quickly bid farewell and left. Master Shangguan confronted Ya, suspecting she was hiding something. Unconvinced by her denial, he explained his theory: a man's sudden change in behavior is either for money or a person, and since Chu Ye had "invested all his money," he must be after her. Ya dismissed this as blabbering.
Master Shangguan then expressed his opinion that Xu Yunchuan was more suitable for her than Chu Ye, given his court connections, which would benefit the Top Matchmaker. Despite believing Chu Ye was "inferior in many ways" to Xu Yunchuan, he declared he would "make an exception" and allow Chu Ye to marry into their family if he was willing.
Ya firmly stated that a future with Xu Yunchuan was impossible and urged her father to stop trying to set them up before leaving. Master Shangguan, left alone, mused that his daughter was beginning to act like "Chu Ye from before." Xu Yunchuan invited Shangguan Ya to his residence, specifically requesting to see her alone.
His subordinate, Ah Xi, entrusted Ya with a peace amulet for Xu Yunchuan, explaining he had been troubled lately and Ah Xi was too timid to deliver it himself. Ya accepted. Upon her arrival, Xu Yunchuan presented her with a gift, acknowledging her sentiment that "a couple should have something that has sentimental value." He then showed her a "Museum of Heartbreak" he had created, with walls adorned with paintings depicting moments of their acquaintance.
Ya understood he hadn't truly moved on. Xu Yunchuan explained that he created the museum to "wrap their story up nicely" since they couldn't be together. Ya apologized, but he stopped her, admitting his feelings were "all my own wishful thinking" and that he had "come to a realization."
He announced he had established a "love security fund" in Yueyang City to encourage lovers to bravely pursue their feelings, offering rewards for those who marry, calling it the "last thing" he could do for Yueyang's marriages and the Top Matchmaker. Ya then presented the peace amulet, clarifying it was their collective wish for him to find happiness and a more suitable match.
Xu Yunchuan mused that "when you truly love someone, there is no need for any exchanges of benefits. No need for too many words either. As long as you're by her side, and she's by your side, that's good enough," indicating his acceptance. As celebrations filled the streets, a grafted branch from the Hongluan Tree unexpectedly fell.
Only household staff witnessed it, but hanging from the branch was Shangguan Ya and Chu Ye's prayer ribbon, inscribed with their wish to be together forever. Not wanting Ya's hopes to be dashed, Xu Yunchuan instructed Ah Xi to return the ribbon to her, fabricating a story about it being blown off by a strong wind, and strictly cautioned him against saying anything more.
He also ordered all marriage activities to be temporarily moved to the Marriage Temple, citing the God of Marriage's approaching birthday, to prevent the fake tree from being discovered. When Ah Xi delivered the ribbon and explained the "windy" situation, Ya noted it hadn't been windy, and Ah Xi awkwardly attributed it to the tree's fragile, newly revived state.
Ya wondered if the fallen ribbon was "heaven's will," interpreting it as a sign that Chu Ye, being a deity, would soon have to return to heaven with Li Fu now that Yueyang City's marital situation had normalized. She feared their love would then fade. Ouyang Jing, overhearing Ya's worries, advised her not to overthink things and only to worry once the marriages were fully restored, calling her current concerns "unnecessary stress."
Ouyang Jing was also filled with apprehension about separation. In the magistrate court, as two guards commented on her foul mood and how only Li Fu could handle her, she doted on Li Fu by refilling his water and peeling an orange for him, her actions driven by an unspoken fear that he, too, would one day depart.
After noting that "the chaos of marriage seems to be on the mend," she directly asked Li Fu when he would return to heaven. Meanwhile, Shangguan Ya subtly tried to gauge Chu Ye's feelings by asking him whether heaven or the mortal world was better. Chu Ye, oblivious to her underlying concern, gave a factual reply that each had its own strengths. Ya pressed further, asking if heavenly women or mortal women were prettier.
Chu Ye responded that logically, heavenly women like Chang'e and the Seven Fairies were prettier, but then pointed to Ya, implying she was the most beautiful. Ya, however, was frustrated by his straightforward answers. Shangguan Ya's frustration left Chu Ye unsure how to handle her. He sought advice from Li Fu, who, drawing on his "deca-millennium of experience," explained that Ya was upset because Chu Ye's answers were perfunctory and lacked earnestness.
Using a shopping analogy, he instructed Chu Ye to clearly state his opinion on whether heaven or the mortal world was better, then list specific pros and cons for each, and conclude with detail. Meanwhile, Ouyang Jing told Ya her question was pointless, as anyone would know fairies are prettier. Ya tried to explain her underlying worry about Chu Ye returning to heaven.
Jing, however, dismissed her concerns as "digging yourself into a hole," bluntly stating that once he was gone, she wouldn't know even if he found "a dozen mesmerizing fairies," and advised Ya to "be happy while you can." Encouraged by Jing, Ya approached the room to talk to Chu Ye. However, she overheard Chu Ye and Li Fu's detailed analysis.
They concluded that heaven was indeed better, listing benefits like equality and no sickness or death, and the drawbacks of the mortal world like poverty and pain. Li Fu even added that "the deities in heaven are much more good-looking than humans," a point Chu Ye readily agreed with. Enraged, Ya slammed the door and stormed off, leaving Chu Ye baffled as to why Li Fu's advice had failed.
Heartbroken and crying, Shangguan Ya lashed out at the God of Marriage statue with offerings, lamenting, "Stupid deity! Stupid Chu Ye! I'm so mad!" In the street, Li Fu, who was with Chu Ye, suddenly cried out in pain, claiming someone hit him, which Chu Ye dismissed. However, Chu Ye then distinctly heard Ya's distant cries. Ya continued to rail against Chu Ye, wondering why he had bothered with her in the mortal world if heaven was so wonderful.
She listed heaven's perfections—beautiful, magical, immortal women, freedom from sickness, pain, and reincarnation—and concluded that the human world was "not good at all," urging him to return to heaven. She expressed intense frustration, crying that the wish she made had fallen off and lamenting being stuck in the human world, questioning if it was "heaven's will." Hearing her distress, Chu Ye turned and walked towards her with his hands behind his back.
Episode 22 Recap
A sudden thunderclap and downpour trap Shangguan Ya in a temple, preventing her departure. Overwhelmed, she sobs, lamenting her wish falling apart and feeling ensnared by fate. She blames Bo Yan, wishing he had returned to the heavenly realm sooner to spare her the pain of their potential separation. She fears being left alone, unable to see or hear from him, and accuses him of being hard-hearted. Bo Yan, who has been listening from behind, approaches and embraces her.
She initially struggles against him, asking him to release her and questioning his presence. Bo Yan reassures her, explaining that he now has the answer to her previous query: despite the perfections of heaven and the imperfections of the human world, the human world holds her, a unique treasure heaven lacks. Shangguan Ya, still worried about their different lifespans, reminds him that he could find other beautiful, immortal Shangguan Yas in heaven.
She longs for a simple, mortal love, to know his whereabouts if they were apart, or to grow old together, but she doubts its possibility given his divine nature. She concludes that had she known the pain of eventual loss, she would have preferred never to start. Bo Yan firmly declares that she will never lose him.
He vows to stay by her side regardless of whether the marriage chaos is resolved or if he retains his deity status, stating that without her, everything else is meaningless. Witnessing Bo Yan and Shangguan Ya's emotional reunion, Li Fu reflects on his own relationship with Ouyang Jing. He recalls her earlier questioning about his return to heaven and optimistically assumes she is reluctant for him to leave.
He muses that even direct women can become hesitant in love and imagines Ouyang Jing secretly crying and wondering about his sincerity and willingness to stay. He decides that if she were to beg him, he would consider remaining in the human world and resolves to go comfort her. Meanwhile, Shangguan Ya asks Ouyang Jing for a significant amount of money. She explains it's for Bo Yan's upcoming birthday, which she believes coincides with the God of Marriage's birthday.
She plans a surprise celebration, including limited-edition clothes and shoes. Li Fu, eavesdropping, fumes to himself about Bo Yan usurping his birthday even before fully taking over his divine position. He vows to clarify the misunderstanding. Ouyang Jing later confronts Li Fu, who is still lingering outside her room, but her brief questions about his well-being offer no clear indication of her feelings, leaving Li Fu perplexed. Shangguan Ya diligently prepares for what she believes is Bo Yan's birthday.
Bo Yan, having been vaguely informed of "birthday preparations," decides he should also prepare a gift for Shangguan Ya. He discusses gift ideas with Li Fu, intending to enlist the God of Fortune to buy gifts for Shangguan Ya. Li Fu attempts to subtly hint that it's "his" birthday, but Bo Yan dismisses his suggestions, remaining focused on finding gifts for Shangguan Ya. Bo Yan, along with the God of Fortune, takes Shangguan Ya shopping at the night market.
The God of Fortune, observing Bo Yan's newfound devotion, is amused by how the once cold God Yan'guang has become a doting follower. As Shangguan Ya picks out several items, the God of Fortune offers Bo Yan advice on how to genuinely compliment a woman's choices. Bo Yan eagerly buys all the selected items, instructing them to be sent to the Top Matchmaker and leaving a generous tip. The God of Fortune notes that Bo Yan now truly understands love.
Ouyang Jing, unable to find Li Fu, asks Bo Yan about his whereabouts. It is then that the group collectively realizes the birthday Shangguan Ya had been planning was actually Li Fu's. Feeling overlooked, Li Fu wanders off, lamenting that no one remembers his special day. Ouyang Jing intercepts the despondent and slightly inebriated Li Fu, pulling him inside. He is surprised by a heartwarming party, where the Shangguan family and Bo Yan light fireworks and wish him "Happy Birthday."
Overwhelmed, Li Fu expresses that the greatest joy in the human world has been finding such loving and loyal friends. Later, as several couples gather at the Hongluan tree to pray, a cluster of fake branches unexpectedly falls, exposing the fraud. The enraged citizens swarm the Top Matchmaker agency, accusing Shangguan Ya's family of deceiving them for personal gain.
An energetic young man confronts Shangguan Ya, detailing how his girlfriend, Xiang, fainted upon learning the tree was a fake and is now despondent, believing true love itself to be a sham. Shangguan Ya tries to explain that the Top Matchmaker also just learned of the deception and has never profited from matchmaking, even using her own dowry for marriage assemblies.
She pleads for time to investigate and promised justice, but the crowd remains agitated, chanting "Matchmaking is useless, let's enjoy being single!" The protest escalates into chaos, with people pushing and hitting others. Concurrently, another group petitions Xu Yunchuan at the county magistrate's office, demanding the Top Matchmaker be shut down. Xu Yunchuan recognizes the leader of the protest but prioritizes going to the Top Matchmaker to protect Shangguan Ya.
At the Top Matchmaker, Shangguan Ya is pushed to the ground and sustains minor injuries. Xu Yunchuan quickly intervenes, dispatching his guards to control the crowd. Bo Yan rushes to Shangguan Ya's side, deeply concerned. Xu Yunchuan confesses that he was responsible for faking the Hongluan tree, explaining he acted out of a desire to restore the public's faith in love after realizing the original tree couldn't be saved, but admits he misjudged the severe consequences.
Shangguan Ya, understanding his good intentions, forgives him. However, Bo Yan is furious, scolding Xu Yunchuan for causing Shangguan Ya's injuries and the damage to the Top Matchmaker, demanding he leave. Xu Yunchuan challenges Bo Yan's right to speak when Shangguan Ya has already forgiven him. During their argument, Xi reports that the Hongluan tree incident has led many to believe Yueyang City is an ill-fated place for marriage, resulting in a surge of divorce demands.
The escalating marriage chaos reaches the capital, greatly displeasing the Emperor. Xu Yunchuan is informed that unless the situation is resolved, the matchmaking industry will be abolished, and he will face severe punishment, including losing his official post. Under immense pressure, Xu Yunchuan decides to implement drastic measures. He issues a decree offering rewards for marriage, imposing severe penalties for divorce, and ordering a 30-day jail sentence for anyone causing disruption.
Despite his aide's concerns about public unrest, Xu Yunchuan insists on immediate enforcement. The agitated public erupts in further protests, viewing the decree as unjust coercion. Xu Yunchuan, resolute, orders the arrest of the main agitators. Shangguan Ya, however, is deeply troubled by these harsh methods. Bo Yan, realizing Xu Yunchuan's severe orders are a desperate attempt to protect Shangguan Ya and the matchmaking industry, feigns an excuse to leave Li Fu and heads to Xu Yunchuan's office.
Li Fu, unaware of Bo Yan's true motives, questions his sudden interest in Xu Yunchuan. Meanwhile, Shangguan Ya learns from Ouyang Jing that Xu Yunchuan's drastic actions are likely driven by political pressure. Deciding to appeal to him with reason and emotion, she also sets off for his office, instructing Ouyang Jing not to inform Bo Yan to avoid jealousy.
At his office, Xu Yunchuan drafts a memorial to the Emperor, arguing against the abolition of the matchmaking industry, emphasizing the long-standing nature of the issue, and cautioning against hasty measures that could cause greater instability. His aide points out that Xu Yunchuan is risking his career to defend the industry, to which Xu Yunchuan replies that his official position is trivial compared to protecting Shangguan Ya.
Bo Yan then enters, confronting Xu Yunchuan and demanding he retract the harsh order. Bo Yan, admitting his own responsibility for the marriage chaos, argues that severe punishment will only cause suffering. Xu Yunchuan retorts, questioning Bo Yan's inability to resolve the chaos despite being a deity and accusing him of merely stirring up trouble. Their argument escalates, with Bo Yan vowing to force the retraction, and Xu Yunchuan accusing him of incompetence and prioritizing "someone else's fiancée."
As their heated exchange culminates, Shangguan Ya knocks and enters, stating she came to inquire about the new strict orders. Bo Yan quickly hides behind a screen, eager to hear her approach. Li Fu walks briskly down a street, his hands behind his back. He glances up at a bridge where an elegantly dressed woman stands. After a slight shake of his head, he quickens his pace and walks toward her.
Episode 23 Recap
Shangguan Ya confronted Xu Yunchuan regarding the harsh punishments imposed on Yueyang City residents. She argued that such severe penalties would only breed resentment and do nothing to resolve the marriage chaos. Xu Yunchuan acknowledged her point but explained the immense pressure he faced from the Emperor, who was "furious" with the city's current state and had given him only a month to find a solution.
Shangguan Ya, realizing he was acting out of desperation for his "political career," challenged him but then softened her stance. She offered to take on the responsibility herself, asking for ten days to resolve the situation without anyone being punished. If she failed, she accepted any consequences. She then left. Li Fu, having brought Bo Yan to a room, found Tong Er already there.
Tong Er, no longer holding onto her obsession with Bo Yan, revealed the true method to save the Hongluan tree: nine pairs of true love couples must marry under the tree and bury a lock of their hair beneath it. Upon learning this good news, Shangguan Ya was initially overjoyed, but her mood soured when she discovered Bo Yan met with Tong Er.
Bo Yan then calmly pointed out that Shangguan Ya herself secretly visited Xu Yunchuan, leading to a playful spat between the two lovers. As Top Matchmaker began its intensive search for diverse couples, Li Fu listened to the many stories of lovers who faced various obstacles, feeling a deep sadness. Bo Yan, noticing Li Fu's somber mood, assumed he was reluctant to part ways with Ouyang Jing.
However, Li Fu confided in Bo Yan a crucial piece of information Tong Er had shared: once the marriage chaos was resolved, Bo Yan would return to the Celestial Realm to assume his role as the God of Marriage, and all memories of him in the mortal world, including Shangguan Ya's, would be completely erased. "
Everything that's happened will be gone with the wind," Li Fu warned him, asking if Bo Yan truly believed he could remain unaffected by such a fate. Torn between his feelings and his duty, Bo Yan hesitated to reveal the painful truth to Shangguan Ya, especially seeing her unwavering enthusiasm for finding the couples. Shangguan Ya, with her characteristic determination, successfully recruited many couples, even convincing Lian Li and Hongdou to marry, thus contributing a pair of "childhood sweethearts."
With only one "most impossible" couple left to find, Shangguan Ya's grandmother, recognizing Bo Yan's celestial origins, subtly suggested that a union between a god and a mortal, like Bo Yan and Shangguan Ya, would truly be the most impossible match. Excited by this revelation, Shangguan Ya eagerly pulled Bo Yan to the Hongluan tree and proposed marriage. However, Bo Yan, with a serious and firm expression, refused, telling her he could not agree to marry her.
Shangguan Ya was deeply disappointed, having believed their profound love would naturally lead to this union. Despite her heartbreak, she remained resolute, determined to marry Bo Yan for the sake of saving the Hongluan tree and ensuring the happiness of Yueyang City's residents, as well as their own. Driven by this resolve, Shangguan Ya attempted a daring maneuver, discreetly adding a potent sleeping powder to Bo Yan's drink, hoping to secure their marriage.
Yet, Bo Yan, perceptive as ever, detected her ploy and subtly swapped their cups. He then gently carried the unconscious Shangguan Ya back to her room, leaving Li Fu to witness the scene with a sigh of resignation. Shangguan Ya's father meticulously sorted through Top Matchmaker's belongings, lamenting that if the Hongluan tree could not be saved and the marriage chaos persisted, Top Matchmaker would be dissolved, and their imperial-granted residence would be lost.
Bo Yan observed, picking up a love lock, and seeing Shangguan Ya's childhood notes on matchmaking, realizing her lifelong dream to "be the world's best matchmaker" and "help to bring true loves together." He looked at the many wedding items, contemplating his own desire to remain with Shangguan Ya. Li Fu, seeing Bo Yan's internal struggle, reminded him of the beauty of mortal love, emphasizing that even a short life is wonderful with love.
Meanwhile, Ouyang Jing, relentless in her questioning, finally extracted the truth from Li Fu regarding Bo Yan's reluctance to marry. Overhearing this revelation, Shangguan Ya was overwhelmed with tears. Unbeknownst to Shangguan Ya, Bo Yan transformed the garden into a romantic setting, preparing a heartfelt marriage proposal. He was determined to leave no regrets, even knowing that if the chaos of marriage was resolved, Shangguan Ya would forget all about him.
When Shangguan Ya arrived, she fought back her tears and, with a brave smile, told Bo Yan that if she ever had to choose between her beloved matchmaking agency and him, she would choose him. She acknowledged that their future might not be perfect and could be filled with regrets, but she embraced him in that moment, asserting that she had no regrets about loving him. Bo Yan echoed her sentiment, vowing he had no regrets either.
Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
Shangguan Ya and Chu Ye sat together, reminiscing about their romance. Shangguan Ya confessed that she had long been preoccupied with the thought of the man who saved her in childhood, believing she must repay his kindness by marrying him, a notion she acquired from watching too many plays. However, when she mistakenly thought Yunchuan was her savior, she realized she couldn't marry him because she truly loved Chu Ye.
Her love for Chu Ye was pure, not stemming from him being her savior or his identity. Chu Ye, in turn, admitted he was jealous of Yunchuan being too close to her, realizing later that this feeling was love and he was afraid she would fall for someone else. They both affirmed their belief that they were destined to be together. Meanwhile, Master Shangguan put on a stern facade, grumbling about Chu Ye wanting to marry his daughter.
He reluctantly gave his consent, commenting that he had long been prepared for his daughter to marry. Alone, he confided in his late wife's portrait, excitedly sharing the news that their daughter was getting married. He wondered whether he should dress grandly or grimly to intimidate the "brat" who was marrying his daughter. He proudly showcased his years of savings, explaining that his frugality was so his daughter could marry in style and never be bullied.
His joy quickly turned to sorrow as he tearfully acknowledged that he would be left alone once his daughter married, expressing how much he missed his wife. The staff at Top Matchmaker bustled with activity, decorating the hall with red silks and preparing multiple sets of wedding attire. Among the preparations, they noted that the wedding attire belonged to Young Master Chu and he would look splendid in it.
Shangguan Ya, finding Chu Ye, asked why he hadn't tried on his wedding outfit, to which he replied he would wear it on their wedding day. Shangguan Ya then reflected, asking if this was all there was to their journey. Chu Ye reminded her that she used to be alone. Shangguan Ya responded that she never felt lonely then, but now, the thought of missing him made her feel incredibly alone, yet she still wished to cherish those thoughts.
A staff member remarked how sentimental they were, noting they were getting married tomorrow, yet it felt like they were parting ways. That evening, during the last dinner before Shangguan Ya’s wedding, well-wishers offered their blessings. Ouyang Jing raised a toast to Shangguan Ya and Chu Ye, wishing them happiness and hoping they would forever remember this beautiful moment. She also extended her wishes for happiness to Li Fu and herself.
Shangguan Ya, in turn, toasted her grandmother and father, wishing them good health and longevity. Master Shangguan toasted the couple, wishing them everlasting happiness and many children. Shangguan Ya's grandmother presented her with a jade bracelet as a wedding gift. She then gave Chu Ye her late husband's jade thumb ring, wishing the couple happiness forever. Later, when wine ran out, Ouyang Jing went to the kitchen, followed by Li Fu.
Shangguan Ya, clutching the bracelet, ran outside, looking up at the sky and questioning why such unfairness was dealt to them. Later that night, Chu Ye quietly approached Shangguan Ya's bedside and gently whispered, "Ya, I love you." Outside, Li Fu inquired if Chu Ye was still worried. Chu Ye confirmed, realizing that as he was about to leave, there were still so many things he couldn't let go of.
Li Fu then informed Chu Ye that he would not be returning to heaven, choosing to remain in the mortal realm with Ouyang Jing, unwilling to part ways with her. They exchanged farewells, wishing each other to take care. On the wedding day, several couples gathered around the Hongluan tree, devoutly bowing. They cut strands of their hair, bound them together, and buried them beneath the tree. As they did so, a vibrant red glow emanated around the Hongluan tree.
Chu Ye and Shangguan Ya, dressed in their wedding finery, rode on horseback and were led in a joyous procession to the Hongluan tree. As they stood before the tree, Shangguan Ya held Chu Ye's hand, wishing time would slow down, lamenting that they hadn't had enough time to truly love each other. She expressed her desire to wake up and sleep with him, to cook him countless delicious meals, and to share every detail of her life with him.
She gently reminded him that upon his return to heaven, he would again be Master Bo Yan and urged him not to forget her. Chu Ye solemnly promised he wouldn't, assuring her that wherever he was, he would always be her husband, Chu Ye. Shangguan Ya, with equal conviction, declared that wherever she was, she would be his wife, Shangguan Ya.
Despite their deep reluctance, they performed the ritual, cutting strands of their hair and ceremoniously burying them in the soil. Hand in hand, they watched as the Hongluan tree, bathed in a fiery red light, burst forth with renewed vitality. As dawn broke, Chu Ye’s arm began to dissipate. He tenderly caressed Shangguan Ya's face.
Weeping, Shangguan Ya cried out, "Don't," trying to hold onto him, but he gradually vanished, leaving her with only a single red flower that drifted down from the Hongluan tree. She clutched the flower and closed her eyes. Suddenly, Shangguan Ya awoke in her bed, clutching the red flower and noticing inexplicable tears streaming down her face. She realized she had experienced a long and sorrowful dream.
Her maid entered, urging her to rise, mentioning the bustling queue of people outside seeking matches from the Top Matchmaker. She noted that business had been unusually good recently. Three years later, Top Matchmaker was thriving, celebrating its prosperous business with firecrackers. Shangguan Ya publicly announced that all future profits from their branch would be dedicated to charity—distributing porridge, caring for the widowed, assisting the poor, and establishing free schools—to reciprocate the support and trust of Yueyang City's residents.
At that moment, a flash of light streaked across the sky, and a large hole was violently punched through the roof of the Top Matchmaker building. A man with an ethereal presence descended from the sky, dusting himself off. He turned to Shangguan Ya, stating, "I'm Chu Ye. I'll pay for all the losses here."
