In Episode 7, Jiang Taohua dives deeper into the world of deception and gambling, wagering everything — even herself — to rescue Qingtai and expose a royal conspiracy.
🎲 1. Taohua Strikes a Deal
The episode opens with Taohua and Shen Zaiye assessing the aftermath of their first infiltration into the Jinyin Gambling House. Her composure impresses Zaiye, but she isn’t just being brave — she’s calculating.
She proposes a plan:
-
Map the layout of the gambling house.
-
Use herself as a decoy to distract the owner — the heir.
-
Buy time for Zaiye to raid the treasury for evidence.
But there’s a cost: her loyalty to Qingtai.
“She’s not just a maid — she’s family.”
🎮 2. Training to Win or Die
Zaiye trains Taohua in the intricate dice game of Chupu. Every throw is a test — not just of skill, but of psychology. She learns:
-
How to mask her expressions.
-
How to calculate odds like a seasoned gambler.
-
How to emulate greed in her gaze — the one thing she lacks.
He warns her:
“The heir is paranoid and ruthless. A single mistake and we lose everything.”
Their closeness grows in tension. It’s less romantic and more strategic intimacy — allies in a dangerous game.
🚤 3. Back into the Lion’s Den
This time, they return to the gambling house posing as wealthy merchants. The house has changed its location and entrance again, proving its slippery, elusive nature.
Zaiye briefs Taohua:
-
She must win repeatedly to attract the heir.
-
When the heir challenges her, it will create a distraction.
-
During that window, he will raid the vault.
💰 4. The Games Begin
Taohua performs spectacularly — eight consecutive wins, riling the gamblers and impressing the crowd. Her skill and nerve are razor-sharp, yet behind her smile is pure tension.
She finally challenges the heir directly. Their battle of dice becomes the episode’s centerpiece:
-
Psychology vs. Probability
-
Charm vs. Paranoia
-
Distraction vs. Exposure
Every roll is high-stakes. And when she loses on purpose, he takes the bait — wagering his jade pendant, a critical clue to the conspiracy.
🧠 5. A Duel of Minds and Greed
The heir’s suspicion grows. His words are seductive and sinister:
“You're the kind of woman who gambles with everything.”
Taohua counters with a higher stake:
“I bet… myself. 500,000 taels of gold.”
The room goes silent. No one has ever made such a wager — and no one dares to stop her.
This is not about gold. It’s about control, defiance, and sacrifice. She’s giving Zaiye every minute she can.
🔍 6. Meanwhile: A Rescue Mission
In the shadows, Zhan Lu searches for Qingtai inside the gambling house's prison levels. Guards are everywhere. The staff begins checking prisoners’ arms, looking for a blossom tattoo — Taohua’s identifier.
Time is running out.
They briefly reunite — just long enough for Qingtai to insist:
“Our fates are tied. You must escape. Save yourself.”
This small scene is devastating — a reminder of the found family theme at the heart of the show.
🧨 7. The Heir Exposed — and All Hell Breaks Loose
Just as Taohua wins the impossible roll and claims the jade pendant, the heir’s men catch wind of the treasury break-in. He pieces it together:
“They’re working together.”
Chaos erupts.
-
Guards rush in.
-
Zaiye's cover is blown.
-
Taohua must flee.
Yet she’s not just running. She’s buying time, drawing attention, letting Zaiye escape with what he needs.
💎 8. The Real Stakes Revealed
In the closing scenes, Taohua is cornered — no more chips, no more time, no more backup. But she still doesn’t break.
Zaiye arrives just in time, not as a savior, but as a co-conspirator. They vanish into the shadows of the night, leaving behind a scandal, a ransacked vault, and a political powder keg ready to explode.
💬 Overall Impressions
Episode 7 is a thrilling blend of espionage, tension, and performance. It expands the show's world by exposing the rot of aristocratic wealth and the fragility of power built on greed.
The gambling sequences are not filler — they’re psychological duels, each move exposing character dynamics. Taohua and Zaiye are no longer at odds; they are co-strategists, pushing each other to survive and win.
There’s no room for romance here — but every stare, every breath, every bet holds layers of trust and manipulation.