The Lady in Butcher’s House > Episode 1
Set in the picturesque and bustling Yunlai Town, nestled in the southern waters of the Yangtze River, our story unfolds. Known for its enduring prosperity, the town’s serene waters and vibrant markets hide a brewing storm of emotions, traditions, and unexpected encounters.
Xu Qingjia, a refined scholar with a gentle demeanor, arrives in Yunlai Town, searching for the Hu family’s butcher shop. Little does he know, chaos awaits him.
At the butcher shop, a group of unruly bullies is causing trouble, demanding protection money and scaring away customers. The shop owner, Hu Jiao, a bold and fearless woman, decides enough is enough. In a dramatic act of defiance, she intimidates the bullies by nonchalantly shaving off the tops of their heads while mincing pork. Her unorthodox methods succeed, restoring order to the shop... until Xu Qingjia arrives.
Xu Qingjia formally introduces himself to Hu Jiao and declares his purpose: to fulfill the marriage contract arranged by their late parents. This unexpected announcement throws Hu Jiao into turmoil. She has no interest in marrying a man she sees as weak and scholarly, a far cry from the qualities she admires.
Xu Qingjia hails from a family of scholars, his father having been an esteemed official. By contrast, Hu Jiao’s father, despite his scholarly ambitions, failed his exams and turned to business, building a successful butcher shop empire with his wife’s resilience and intelligence. Tragically, Hu Jiao’s mother passed away from overwork, leaving a lasting bitterness in her daughter’s heart toward scholars, whom she views as ineffectual.
Complicating matters, Xu Qingjia had been absent for seven years, pursuing his studies and achieving the highest rank in the imperial exams. During his absence, the Hu family endured ridicule and hardship, further souring Hu Jiao’s opinion of him. Now, despite his success, she wants to sever the marriage agreement.
Undeterred by Hu Jiao’s disdain, Xu Qingjia takes responsibility for his prolonged absence. He humbly apologizes to her father, explaining that he had tried to maintain contact but his letters never arrived. His sincerity begins to win over some members of the Hu family, including Hu Jiao’s brother, Hu Houfu, and sister-in-law.
However, Hu Jiao remains firm in her resolve. Her frustration reaches its peak when Xu Qingjia whispers something to her father, prompting an immediate change of heart. Outraged and feeling cornered, Hu Jiao flees to her best friend, Lin Cui, to vent her frustrations. She confesses that her ideal husband is Lin Cui’s muscular and hardworking brother, Brother A-Niu, much to Lin Cui’s shock and dismay.
Determined to end the engagement, Hu Jiao hatches a bold plan. She kidnaps Xu Qingjia the next day, dragging him into the forest and demanding he break off the marriage. The plan goes awry when she accidentally loses his cherished silver hairpin, leaving Xu Qingjia visibly distressed.
Later, at a grand reception banquet hosted by the Hu family, Xu Qingjia struggles to enjoy the festivities, his mind preoccupied with the lost hairpin. Seizing the moment, Hu Jiao publicly challenges Xu Qingjia’s worthiness as a member of the Hu family, turning the event into a spectacle.
What begins as an engagement of convenience evolves into a battle of wits, hearts, and values. Xu Qingjia’s perseverance and Hu Jiao’s fiery independence set the stage for a story filled with humor, conflict, and unexpected romance.
Will Xu Qingjia’s sincerity and dedication win Hu Jiao over? Or will her determination to defy tradition lead them down separate paths? Stay tuned as this spirited tale of love and redemption unfolds in the coming episodes.
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