Episode 5 delivers emotional chaos and layered deception as Jiang Taohua demands a real wedding, only to find herself entangled in palace rivalries and political traps on her big day.
💥 1. Taohua Demands Respect
At last, Jiang Taohua confronts Shen Zaiye about her status. She married without a proper ceremony, and the court whispers call her cheap and unworthy. But instead of swallowing the shame, she boldly insists on a proper wedding — and even threatens death if she’s not treated with dignity.
Zaiye, ever cold and calculating, downplays her need for recognition. But Madam Meng — his official wife — surprises everyone by supporting Taohua and offering to host the ceremony. It's an unexpected gesture of sisterhood in a world driven by rivalry.
🍤 2. Prawns and Power Plays
One of the most unexpectedly emotional scenes involves prawns. Taohua refuses to eat them — not because she dislikes the taste, but because as a child, she vowed to only eat prawns peeled by the one she loves, like her father once did for her mother.
In a quiet yet deeply symbolic gesture, Zaiye peels the prawns. And later — cooks them himself.
This simple act speaks volumes. He claims it's part of their ruse to deceive others, but it reveals an uncomfortable truth: somewhere between duty and danger, a strange tenderness is growing.
🧨 3. Qingying Returns Like a Firecracker
Enter Miss Qingying, Shen Zaiye’s unpredictable younger sister. She storms into the estate, aggressive and loud, immediately challenging Taohua. Her words sting:
“You look frail. How did you manage to charm my brother?”
Qingying is chaotic, brash, and a wildcard. But her hostility also distracts from the deeper threats forming around Taohua. Even Zaiye remarks that Qingying’s recklessness may ironically help shield Taohua from subtler enemies.
🖼️ 4. The Painting Plot Intensifies
While the wedding banquet buzzes, the real story unfolds in shadows. Madam Meng still holds the scroll that might be the legendary Sunlight over a Thousand Peaks, and she plots to pass it to Prince Changjue during the ceremony.
Yet she fears the Chancellor is watching her — and he is. Surveillance, both visible and hidden, permeates every room of the Shen residence. The scroll isn’t just a painting; it’s a weapon in a greater political war.
🐍 5. Banquet of Barbs and Backstabbing
As the wedding commences, the palace fills with key players:
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Prince Wuxia arrives to show support for Taohua.
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Prince Wuhen brings lavish gifts — perhaps as a signal of alliance.
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Prince Wuyin, the wildest of them, crashes the ceremony with Northern music and outlandish behavior.
Taohua, dressed in bridal red, remains composed under immense pressure. But the politics boil under the surface: whispers, sidelong glances, veiled insults. Everyone seems to have an agenda, and every gift might be a trap.
⚔️ 6. Feminine Rivalry, Martial Ferocity
Qingying picks a fight — not with words, but with weapons. She challenges Qingtai, Taohua’s martial maid, to a sparring match and nearly exposes her identity. Taohua cleverly fakes an injury to divert attention, asking Zaiye to carry her away in front of everyone — turning humiliation into spectacle.
Zaiye, exasperated but protective, orders Qingying to be confined for three days. But it’s clear: Qingying is not done stirring chaos.
💃 7. Dance of Distractions
Prince Wuyin provides more than music — he causes an intentional disruption with dancers and wild behavior. Under the cover of festivity, Madam Meng prepares to smuggle out the painting.
Meanwhile, Zaiye warns Taohua:
“You only get one chance. If you fail… I won’t forgive you.”
She answers with steel in her voice:
“My life is on the line. I won’t treat it lightly.”
We see again that this is not a love story. It’s a war — and today’s battlefield is a wedding banquet.
💬 Overall Impressions
Episode 5 is beautifully layered. At surface, it’s about a long-awaited wedding. But every line, every movement, is tactical. From cultural conflicts and gender dynamics, to symbolic food and veiled threats, this is a banquet of schemes.
Taohua, once pushed into silence, now demands visibility. Zaiye remains a sphinx — powerful, unreadable, but possibly vulnerable. Their chemistry burns quietly, like coals under silk.
Qingying’s arrival injects kinetic energy and comic relief, but don’t let it fool you — the palace is more dangerous than ever.