The Marquis was browsing women portraits and taken a liking to none. He was then shown a caricature of the lead’s wedding day. He discovered he has been duped into believing CY is ugly and sickly that he called off the arrange marriage with CY. XY was looking through his late brother’s possessions when CY approached him with goodwill tea. He believed she was up to no good after the dungeon incident with her suddenly changed in attitude. He asked CY to put his brother’s possessions on the shelf and she found an invoice for some expensive cosmetics and began to cheekily question XY about it. The invoice was dated a day before the brother met with his mishap and they speculated that they may be able to uncover the truth by finding out who the receiver was. XY felt generous and allowed CY to leave the house for shopping, giving her money. In the streets they saw the caricature as well and lamented that such gossip spread like wildfire. She bought sugared candy to coax XC who was mad at her not leaving with him at the dungeon. The Marquis was in the same Courtesan House as XC and spotted CY. When CY and XC met she explained that she couldn’t leave with him as both of them will be imprisoned for going against the Emperor’s will. She had in her mind to escape and go on a trip with XC and planned to do so by escaping while pretending to fetch XY’s aunt. The Marquis eavesdropped and learned of their plans and schemes to hijack. XC sends CY back and vows that this is the last time she is coming back to Xue’s Mansion. The following day, CY packed so much stuff as if she is leaving forever. XY sensed something amiss but still sees her off and instructed his servant to take care of CY. XY’s aunt knew that CY is coming and vowed to make things difficult for her. During the journey, CY pretended to answer the call of nature but was captured by the Marquis. TY discovered that CY has been abducted and asked the servants to report back home. XY at that time was practicing his swordplay and had a bad feeling. His master likened him to NN earlier when he received news of the abduction and rushed off. CY thought she had been abducted by bandits and the Marquis identified himself and his intentions. CY was afraid that the Marquis would expose XC and get him into trouble and pretended to flatter him to get in his good books and buy time. She was released from the restraints but fearing the Marquis’ intention to quickly consummate their wedding (that never happened), she tried to escape but was still captured.