Episode 3 of "The Scandal of Chun-hwa" kicks off with Hwa-ri sharing her inaugural night with Choi Hwan, yet her resolve to discover her perfect spouse remains unwavering, with Choi Hwan still very much in the running. Meanwhile, the women gather to dissect the attributes of an ideal husband, casting envious glances at Ji-won, who has already bagged herself such a catch.
Elsewhere in the narrative, Crown Princess In-jeong's repeated attempts to conceive an heir prove futile, prompting Lee Seung’s mother and Concubine Kim’s kin to pressure the crown prince into taking a concubine, thus ensuring the continuation of the royal line.
Concurrently, Hwa-ri’s half-sister, Hwa-jin, finds herself inspired by Hwa-ri’s steadfast determination to select her own life partner. However, their mother has already orchestrated a politically strategic match for Hwa-jin, throwing a wrench into her sisterly aspirations. Meanwhile, Choi Hwan continues his relentless pursuit to win Hwa-ri’s affections, undeterred by her apparent ambivalence.
Later in the episode, Hwa-ri’s aunt pays a visit to the palace, where a revealing conversation takes place. It transpires that she and the crown princess are contemporaries and long-standing friends, sharing not only an age but a bond forged over time. When inquired about her happiness, her aunt’s response is a matter-of-fact affirmation, tinged with an air of quiet contentment.
Meanwhile, Hwa-jin nurtures deep feelings for Jang-won and, spurred on by Hwa-ri's encouragement, musters the courage to bare her heart. However, fate plays a cruel trick as her love letter inadvertently winds up in the hands of her half-brother, plunging her into an excruciatingly awkward predicament.
Later, the household is abuzz with excitement as Hwa-ri's brother ties the knot with Ji-won. Anticipating a night filled with drama, the servants sneakily tiptoe around to catch a glimpse of the consummation—only to be met with anticlimactic disappointment as nothing noteworthy transpires, leaving them deflated and empty-handed.
Tragedy looms large when Hwa-ri receives the heart-wrenching news of her aunt's sudden demise. The court becomes polarized, with some officials denouncing her husband, the prince consort, for his immorality, reminding everyone that a prince consort is forbidden from taking a concubine. Others rally to his defense, invoking his noble status and urging the king to show leniency. But the truth soon unfolds: Hwa-ri's aunt was callously deserted by her in-laws, and her husband had betrayed her with infidelity.
Enraged, Hwa-ri takes drastic action, ringing the grievance bell—a bold gesture traditionally reserved for the common folk—to demand justice with unwavering resolve. The episode concludes on this powerful, poignant note.
