Tigers Sniff the Rose episode 1 recap: A broken axle on Caimei Ridge

In short

Returning from rites for her late mother, Princess Mu Wanyao is stranded in the Lingnan hills and takes over scholar Yan Shang's home for the night. A misunderstanding ends in a slap, and Yan Shang comes face to face with his family's enemy.

What happens in episode 1

In the 21st year of the Yingxiang era, Mu Wanyao, Princess Danyang, is traveling through Lingnan after paying respects to her late mother when her carriage axle snaps on Caimei Ridge. A young scholar, Yan Shang, comes out with a torch and offers her party shelter at his family's house.

Her guards treat the house like an inn and toss the family's belongings outside, while Yan Shang keeps his relatives calm. He passes out after a single cup of lychee wine. A lantern full of fireflies reminds the princess of her mother.

When rain ruins a rouge box that once belonged to her mother, she punishes a servant by cutting off his topknot. Yan Shang misreads what is happening, steps in, and gets slapped.

Liu Wenji lets slip that the princess is being searched for, so Yan Shang goes to the county office to report where she is. There the one-eyed captain Zhang Renjing lashes him across the face with a whip, and Yan Shang recognizes him as the man his family has a blood debt with.

Why it matters

It sets up the power gap between the two leads and Yan Shang's private grudge against Zhang Renjing, which drives his plan in episodes 6 and 7.

Based on the episode synopsis, summarized in our own words: TVmao (电视猫) episode synopses Baidu Baike: cast, crew, 追剧日历 and overseas release