Broken Pear

Wen Lisheng, the daughter of a corrupt county magistrate in Yiguan County, dies from poisoned wine after her fiancé's family is destroyed by the rebel Xie Xiaonan, who eventually usurps the throne. She awakens reborn in her youth, three years before her tragic fate, finding herself in the body of her younger self during the sixth year of Jianning. Her childhood friend Shen Jiaqing bursts in with news that they have captured the heir of Jing'an Marquis, a man Wen Lisheng recognizes as the future emperor. Panic sets in as she realizes her past self had conspired with Shen Jiaqing to ambush Xie Xiaonan, an act that previously led to severe consequences for her family. She rushes to the bamboo hut where the captive is held, only to discover through a window crack that the bound man is not the real Xie Xiaonan, but an imposter dragged from the marquis's carriage.

Before Wen Lisheng can process this relief, the real Xie Xiaonan appears outside, dressed in white robes with a lazy, noble demeanor that contrasts sharply with the ruthless tyrant she remembers. He questions Shen Jiaqing about the kidnapping, displaying a cold intelligence that frightens Wen Lisheng. She attempts to flee but is intercepted by Qiao Ling, Xie Xiaonan's trusted attendant, who accepts a bribe of silver notes only to reveal it was a test. Wen Lisheng is forced back to face Xie Xiaonan, who demands an explanation for their actions. She fabricates a story claiming they were protecting him from bandits and mistakenly took the wrong person, while simultaneously praising the real heir's virtue to flatter him. Xie Xiaonan, amused by her audacity, accepts her explanation but orders her and Shen Jiaqing to be tied to trees as punishment for their interference, warning them that their troubles are far from over.

Wen Lisheng returns home to face her father, Wen Puchang, who scolds her for skipping academy lessons but reveals he has arranged for her to attend a welcome banquet for Xie Xiaonan. At the banquet held at the Mei family's Old Tree Hall, Wen Lisheng observes Xie Xiaonan from a distance, noting his ability to mask his true nature behind a polite, scholarly smile. She avoids him, seeking refuge in a quiet pavilion where she falls asleep. A sudden rainstorm triggers a landslide that blocks the mountain road, trapping all guests at the estate for the night. While wandering to find shelter, Wen Lisheng is chased by a large black dog belonging to Madam Mei, which had been pursuing a thief in blue robes. In her panic, she hides inside a large ceramic vat.

While concealed in the vat, Wen Lisheng witnesses Xie Xiaonan rejecting the advances of Zhuang Ying, a local noblewoman who had boasted of a childhood connection with him. Xie Xiaonan's gaze briefly sweeps toward her hiding spot, causing Wen Lisheng to freeze in terror. When she attempts to leave the vat, Xie Xiaonan emerges from the shadows and drags her out, confronting her directly. Her father arrives moments later, and Wen Lisheng plays the role of a frightened victim, claiming the dog chased her. Xie Xiaonan accepts this narrative, allowing her to escape further scrutiny. Later that night, Wen Lisheng encounters the thief in blue robes again and recognizes the cloud-patterned hem. During a struggle, she manages to snatch a purple jade pendant from his person, which bears the character for "Xie." She assumes he is a common thief who stole from the marquis, unaware that the man is Xie Xiaonan himself in disguise.

The confrontation escalates as Xie Xiaonan demands the jade back, leading to a physical struggle in which Wen Lisheng headbutts him. Just as he overpowers her, both are ambushed by an unknown attacker using a numbing needle, causing them to collapse unconscious. They awaken together in a dark, semi-underground room, bound and weakened by the drug. Wen Lisheng continues to treat him as a common criminal, refusing to return the jade until she can deliver it to the real Xie Xiaonan. As they argue, the door opens to reveal a woman from the Mei family and two attendants, signaling that their capture was not accidental but part of a larger scheme involving the local martial sects and the corrupt officialdom of Yiguan County.