Resumen, trama, sinopsis de An Oriental Odyssey

Sinopsis de An Oriental Odyssey

In Luoyang of the Tang Dynasty, Ye Yuan’an, the daughter of the Minister of Household Affairs, is a good fighter. In a case, she mistakenly befriends the brave constable Zhao Lanzhi.

They work together to solve cases and get to know each other. Yuanan rescues a mysterious man with amnesia, Mu Le, from the market and takes him as her servant. It is unexpected that Mu Le gradually develops a love for her.

In many cases, they work closely together to solve strange cases and foil the conspiracy of the State Master Tengyo who tries to seize the most precious nine-star rosary.

The princess Ming Hui, a disciple of Tianqiao, falls in love with Lan Zhi and uses Yuan An’s life to coerce him into marriage. Yuan An feels doubly lost and says that she will marry Mu Le in a fit of pique, but is misunderstood by Mu Le.

When Mu Le is sad, he finds out that he is a foreign prince in distress, so he steals the nine-star rosary and returns to his country to take revenge.

Yuan An, Zhao Lanzhi, and Ming Hui track and find Mu Le, they joined hands to put down the scourge, and they also found their true love.

Resúmenes de An Oriental Odyssey

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• 12
• 13
• 14
• 15
• 16
• 17
• 18
• 19
• 20
• 21
• 22
• 23
• 24
• 25
• 26
• 27
• 28
• 29
• 30
• 31
• 32
• 33
• 34
• 35
• 36
• 37
• 38
• 39
• 40
• 41
• 42
• 43
• 44
• 45
• 46
• 47
• 48
• 49
• 50

The Age of Mythology concluded with the Mother Goddess Nuwa molding humanity from dirt and bestowing upon them the wisdom to survive. Humanity was then divided into Nine Tribes, each with unique talents, to oversee the world. However, this division led to an endless war, fueled by mankind's insatiable desires.

Nuwa, pitying all living creatures, sealed these desires and the superpowers of the Nine Tribes into crystal stones, remnants from when she patched the sky, transforming them into Nine Divine Beads. This act brought about a temporary peace, but the future remained uncertain. Years later, in Chang'an, after Master Tang Sanzang passed away, he left behind a string of these Nine Divine Beads, intricately carved with the ancient magical arts of the Nine Tribes.

His two attendant disciples, Tian Qiao and Tian Shu, vied for possession of the beads, which tragically led to a massive fire at Ci'en Temple, causing countless casualties among their fellow monks. During the chaos, the nine beads scattered. Tian Qiao, who successfully protected Master Sanzang's relics and offered strategic advice that led to a major victory for the Tang army, was bestowed the title of State Preceptor. Unbeknownst to others, a single bead on Tian Qiao's wrist-rosary subtly glowed.

Meanwhile, Tian Shu was branded a prime fugitive for attempting to seize the beads and betraying his master. Nineteen years later, under the co-rule of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu, the prosperous Tang Dynasty flourished in Chang'an. In the serene outskirts, a masked man and his subordinates discovered a young, unconscious boy. The boy, suffering from amnesia, possessed immense strength and was subsequently captured by the mysterious man.

The man then brought the boy onto a merchant ship to discuss smuggling with the boat owner, Shen Da. Coincidentally, Zhao Lanzhi, a highly skilled constable from Luoyang, boarded the same ship with his team to investigate smuggling. He ordered his men to capture the suspects alive. The amnesiac boy, despite his memory loss, engaged in a powerful struggle with Zhao Lanzhi.

Zhao Lanzhi pursued the masked man into the ship's cabin, but the man managed to escape with the boy. Simultaneously, Shen Da, the boat owner, seized the opportunity to jump overboard and flee. A search of the ship confirmed Zhao Lanzhi's suspicions, revealing a stash of smuggled opium. Zhao Lanzhi explained to his subordinate that during his service as a garrison guard in Annan, he had witnessed military medics exchange grain with local tribes for opium to alleviate soldiers' pain.

He noted that while a small amount of opium could relieve pain, a larger dose would induce hallucinations and could be lethal. He emphasized that it should never be freely distributed, as it could ruin the country and its people. Zhao Lanzhi had initially suspected the ship's true purpose during a daytime inspection, noticing its unusually high draft, suggesting it wasn't laden with rice.

His suspicion was confirmed by the xanthine marks on Shen Da’s hands, which resembled those of people from the Annan tribes. His subordinate then mentioned the beautiful courtesan Ru Yue, who had recently died, prompting Zhao Lanzhi to reflect on the numerous untold stories hidden within the bustling city of Chang'an. Ye Yuanan, the spirited and righteous daughter of the Assistant Minister of Finance, found joy in solving mysteries and often ventured out disguised as a man.

One day, while strolling through the streets, she encountered a raggedly dressed boy. Out of kindness, she offered him food, but a group of men intervened, beating the boy. Ye Yuanan, unable to tolerate the cruelty and suspecting the boy was not truly their slave, publicly defended him, demanding proof of ownership. At that moment, a frenzied horse bolted through the street.

The boy bravely rushed forward, while Zhao Lanzhi also arrived, preventing Ye Yuanan from being struck by the horse. The boy was subsequently recaptured by his tormentors, but not before glancing back at Ye Yuanan – he was the same amnesiac boy Zhao Lanzhi had encountered on the ship. Later, Ye Yuanan's servant, Shi Tou, sought her help because his beloved, Duan Xiaoyu, was in trouble.

Duan Xiaoyu, a former maid to the deceased courtesan Ru Yue, had been found wearing Ru Yue's bracelet after her mistress's death and was accused of murdering Ru Yue for money. The authorities swiftly tried the case, condemning Duan Xiaoyu to death. Unable to ignore Shi Tou's pleas, Ye Yuanan secretly infiltrated the prison at night.

Using a unique spider named Shu Shu, she ingeniously rescued Duan Xiaoyu from her cell, with other inmates witnessing the miraculous escape and fearing it was a ghost. Ye Yuanan successfully freed Duan Xiaoyu, but they were pursued by Zhao Lanzhi. They narrowly escaped capture by hiding underwater. Ye Yuanan then entrusted Duan Xiaoyu to Shi Tou, both of whom expressed profound gratitude for her life-saving intervention.

Rushing back home without changing her night clothes, Ye Yuanan was confronted by her half-brother, Ye Yuanning, who questioned whether she was hiding someone in the mansion, having heard noises in the cellar. Ye Yuanan, dismissive of him, grabbed his throat and warned him against speaking carelessly. Her stepmother intervened, expressing her frustration about living with Ye Yuanan after she left. Zhao Lanzhi tasked his subordinate, Xiaohu, with investigating Duan Xiaoyu's social connections.

Upon learning that Duan Xiaoyu had a beloved, Shi Tou, working at the Ye Mansion, Zhao Lanzhi immediately led a team there. Both Zhao Lanzhi and Ye Yuanan were surprised to see each other. Zhao Lanzhi, through keen observation, deduced that Ye Yuanan, despite her masculine attire, was a woman. Stating his purpose, Zhao Lanzhi requested to question Shi Tou. Knowing that Zhao Lanzhi would not give up, Ye Yuanan reluctantly called Shi Tou out.

Shi Tou claimed complete ignorance regarding the prison break. Ye Yuanan, attempting to defend him, inadvertently revealed Duan Xiaoyu’s name, confirming to Zhao Lanzhi that she possessed insider information. Zhao Lanzhi then deliberately emphasized the gravity of aiding a death-row inmate, stating it was a severe crime. Shi Tou, terrified by Zhao Lanzhi's words, decided that very night to flee with Duan Xiaoyu. Ye Yuanan, seeing their desperation, reluctantly agreed to help them escape.

However, Zhao Lanzhi and Xiaohu were already waiting on the boat, apprehending Duan Xiaoyu and Shi Tou. Duan Xiaoyu, unwilling to implicate Shi Tou further and believing she faced inevitable death, dramatically leaped into the river to commit suicide. Ye Yuanan promptly intervened, saving her. Recognizing Zhao Lanzhi's integrity, Duan Xiaoyu then confessed that the coral bracelet was indeed a gift from Ru Yue and that she believed Ru Yue's death was suspicious.

Duan Xiaoyu revealed that a certain gentleman frequently visited Ru Yue, always dressed in informal clothes to avoid recognition. Ru Yue would always send Duan Xiaoyu away when he came. Once, Duan Xiaoyu overheard Ru Yue tell him, "Dear, let's find a date, and marry in the next life." Duan Xiaoyu explained that Ru Yue, despite being a popular courtesan from a fallen rich family, maintained her principles, selling only her talent and never her body.

Her room was off-limits to everyone except for performances and this mysterious man. Duan Xiaoyu lamented that no one in court had believed her story. Ye Yuanan implored Zhao Lanzhi to grant them time to uncover the truth, confident that she would solve the mystery.

Ye Yuanan pleaded with Zhao Lanzhi for time to thoroughly investigate the case involving Duan Xiaoyu, a former maid of the courtesan Ru Yue. Duan Xiaoyu, seeing Zhao Lanzhi as a man of integrity, agreed to reveal all she knew, expressing gratitude that someone was finally listening to her after being silenced in court by the colluding brothel-keeper and others at Qianduan Brothel.

She recounted that before her death, Ru Yue's life at Qianduan Brothel had become difficult; she was no longer a prominent courtesan, suffering from a strange illness that left her paranoid and in low spirits. The brothel-keeper confined Ru Yue to her room, forcing her to accept clients. One night, Ru Yue, with disheveled hair, frantically rushed into the kitchen, telling Duan Xiaoyu there was something strange in her room.

Duan Xiaoyu witnessed a dark shadow and called the brothel-keeper, but upon their return, only Ru Yue was seen lying quietly. The brothel-keeper, angry at the commotion, dismissed Duan Xiaoyu's claims as madness and threatened to force her to accept clients if she came upstairs again.

Ye Yuanan, asserting that she would help anyone suffering injustice, even a stranger, convinced Zhao Lanzhi to grant her three days to find evidence to prove Duan Xiaoyu's innocence, adding that if she failed, he could execute all three of them. She then introduced herself as Ye Yuanan from the Mansion of Assistant Minister of Finance and asked Zhao Lanzhi to take her to a specific location to begin their investigation.

Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi went to the mortuary, where Ye Yuanan, unfamiliar with official terms, referred to a corpse as a "dried fish." She insisted on examining Ru Yue's body, despite being told the case was closed and the body already buried. The coroner described Ru Yue's body as curled up with singed hair and blistered skin, indicating exposure to high temperatures.

However, her body showed no scorching, no actual burn marks, and no ashes in her nasal cavity, leading the coroner to conclude that she looked burned to death but hadn't actually touched fire, suggesting a supernatural cause. Ye Yuanan deduced that the county administrator had hastily closed the case and sentenced a suspect with flimsy evidence because his performance review was imminent. Both Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi dismissed the idea of supernatural involvement.

The coroner then presented a strange silver snake sculpture that Ru Yue had been clutching tightly when her body was brought in. Zhao Lanzhi recognized that such a unique item might be found at the Ghost Market, known for its rare foreign goods. That night, Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi ventured to the Ghost Market. Ye Yuanan found the market, filled with bizarre and disturbing sights, quite overwhelming.

They witnessed a slave auction where people were betting on the gender of an unborn child, with the seller threatening to cut open the pregnant woman's belly to prove the child's gender if a buyer doubted him. Ye Yuanan, horrified, intervened. Soon after, an amnesiac youth was brought out, beaten, and displayed for sale. Ye Yuanan recognized him as the person who had saved her on the street previously.

Moved by compassion, she purchased him, despite Zhao Lanzhi's skepticism about her ability to control him. When the youth's chains were removed, he immediately escaped, running away from his new master. During their time at the market, Zhao Lanzhi confronted a masked man, whose multiple identities he suspected were hidden by his mask. A brief fight ensued, but the masked man managed to escape after Zhao Lanzhi tore off his sleeve, revealing no tattoo.

Zhao Lanzhi and Ye Yuanan fended off the masked man's henchmen and fled the scene. Afterward, Ye Yuanan expressed disappointment that they hadn't learned more about the silver snake, to which Zhao Lanzhi reminded her of their three-day deadline. Meanwhile, Princess Ming Hui visited Ci'en Temple, where she met with Pei Xianya, her betrothed. She recalled being smitten by his archery skills the first time she saw him at Duke Zheng's Mansion.

She acknowledged that their families' previous political strife had prevented them from interacting earlier, but with misunderstandings now resolved and their engagement settled, she felt comfortable meeting him privately. Ming Hui confessed her deep love and admiration for his talents, assuring him that even if her royal brother and sister-in-law disapproved, she was determined to marry only him. She expressed a subtle concern, hinting at her sister-in-law's unhappiness after discovering her royal brother loved another woman after their marriage.

Pei Xianya solemnly swore his fidelity, with the immortals as his witnesses, asserting he would never betray her. Ming Hui, trusting his devotion to Buddha and believing he possessed the legendary Nine Divine Beads, accepted his words without question. Pei Xianya, however, appeared surprised and denied having the legendary Nine Divine Beads, questioning who could have told her such a thing, stating he was merely an ordinary man.

Back at the mansion, Ye Yuanning, Ye Yuanan's younger brother, secretly snuck into Ye Yuanan's cellar, hoping to find evidence of her misdeeds to expose to their father. Instead, he found only spiders and rats, causing him to panic. He accidentally knocked over a candle, nearly setting himself ablaze, and ran out screaming for help, with his eyebrows singed.

Ye Yuanan, upon discovering his unauthorized entry, playfully chastised him by stepping on his face while pretending to put out the fire. Later, Zhao Lanzhi faced the county magistrate, who was furious that Zhao Lanzhi had released the criminals. Zhao Lanzhi calmly explained that the suspects' whereabouts were under his control and he could re-arrest them at any time.

He reasoned that the case was complex and suggested that a public outcry before the Ministry of Personnel's upcoming assessment of officials' work performance would be detrimental to the magistrate. Zhao Lanzhi promised to intensify his investigation to quickly find the mastermind behind the opium case. During interrogation, the boatman Shen Da, who had been arrested for smuggling, confessed that his transactions were with an iron-masked man on a ship, whose true identity he did not know.

He further revealed that they would conclude their deals by drinking at Qianduan Brothel, where the masked man seemed to be a frequent patron familiar with the girls. Ye Yuanan later sought out her mentor in her cellar, recounting the details of Ru Yue's death: how Ye Yuanning's eyebrows had been burned off, yet Ru Yue, supposedly burned, showed no actual burn marks.

She explained the coroner's observation that Ru Yue's body was curled and blistered from high heat, but without direct fire contact, leading him to attribute it to supernatural forces. Her mentor, dismissing the supernatural explanation, suggested that a person could die from illusion, citing an old case of a sword maker whose apprentice died from the psychological torment of simulated bleeding. Her mentor concluded that there are two ways to kill someone: physical torture or spiritual torment.

He posited that inducing terrifying hallucinations, causing extreme mental stimulation, could lead to death if the body could no longer cope. Ye Yuanan quickly surmised that drugs could be used to create such illusions. Following this lead, Ye Yuanan disguised herself and ventured to Qianduan Brothel, intending to investigate Ru Yue's room. Coincidentally, Zhao Lanzhi also arrived, pursuing the masked man from Shen Da's boat.

As Ye Yuanan searched Ru Yue's sealed room, a brothel worker reported suspicious activity to the madam, who, fearing rumors of ghosts, ordered incense to be lit in the room to ward off mosquitoes. Ye Yuanan narrowly avoided exposure when Zhao Lanzhi, also secretly investigating the room, pulled her into an embrace to hide them from the madam and her worker.

Inside, Ye Yuanan discovered a silver snake incense burner, the base of which matched the sculpture found with Ru Yue's body. She speculated that the incense burned in the room might be the cause of Ru Yue's death, reasoning that if only Ru Yue died while everyone else ate and drank the same, then the air she breathed must have been problematic.

As they continued their investigation, the amnesiac youth suddenly entered Ru Yue's room, engaged in a brief skirmish with Zhao Lanzhi, then escaped through the window, with both Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi pursuing him. Shortly after, the iron-masked man appeared and instructed the brothel madam to clean up the room, implying that Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi had seen something important. Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi followed the amnesiac youth's trail, which led them to an incense shop.

A painting at the shop's entrance prominently displayed a silver snake identical to the object found with Ru Yue. Inside, after some initial reluctance from the staff, the owner allowed them in upon seeing the silver snake. He tried to deceive them, claiming the item was out of stock, but Zhao Lanzhi, grabbing him, demanded answers.

The owner confessed that the silver snake was a specially designed incense burner for "opium," a wild herb sourced from the Tangmo Barbaric Tribe outside Annan City. He explained that wild opium itself could cause hallucinations, but a refined powder derived from it was much more potent, capable of paralyzing nerves and inducing illusions, from euphoric frenzy to death, when inhaled. Ye Yuanan recognized this as confirmation of her mentor's theory.

As Zhao Lanzhi demanded the account book, the shop owner, identified as Master Li, attempted to flee when he heard his name called from outside. He had already ordered his men to surround Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi, and as the situation grew dire for them, the amnesiac youth descended from above, swiftly grabbing Ye Yuanan and carrying her away, leaving Zhao Lanzhi to face Master Li's henchmen alone.

Zhao Lanzhi pursued Master Li, who was eventually captured with the assistance of Constable Jiang Ren. The boatman Shen Da, present at the scene, identified Li as his contact in the opium trade. Noticing an injury on Li's hand, Zhao Lanzhi ordered a doctor to treat him. In prison, Zhao Lanzhi orchestrated a ruse: he had a masked guard pretend to poison Li's medicine. Frightened, Li immediately broke, offering to confess everything.

He revealed that over five hundred opium transactions occurred daily in Luoyang, many of which were seemingly approved by authorities. They used the pretext of procuring foreign drugs for military supplies, with at least two hundred secret deals happening daily under this guise. All transactions, goods checks, and contacts were handled at Qianduan Brothel by Li and Madam Zhang, with new customers paying a ten-gold-ingot "entrance fee."

Li explained Qianduan Brothel's advantages: it facilitated money laundering by blending opium smuggling revenues with legitimate accounts and its girls helped attract clients. Furthermore, the brothel operated from a boat that cruised the river nightly, providing an ideal cover for secretly transporting opium. Zhao Lanzhi deduced there was a chief plotter behind Li, questioning if it was the iron-masked man he had fought on Shen Da's boat.

Li confirmed Zhao Lanzhi's suspicion, stating the masked man was his superior, the same person who had tried to poison him earlier. However, he admitted he had never seen the man's real face. Li recounted that he was supposed to deliver goods to Shen Da but suffered a stomachache, leading the chief plotter to handle the delivery himself, which resulted in Shen Da's arrest.

Li was then sent to Annan to hide, where his subordinate brought the amnesiac youth to him. The youth, by taming a startled horse, inadvertently exposed his identity and drew Zhao Lanzhi's attention. The chief plotter, deeming the youth a liability, ordered Li to kill him. However, Li, recognizing the youth's extraordinary qualities, decided to sell him at the Ghost Market for money, but Zhao Lanzhi appeared there too.

Li explained that he returned to the fragrance shop due to his opium addiction, unable to go back to Qianduan Brothel because his superior was looking for him.

Li then questioned how a mere head constable like Zhao Lanzhi could be managing such a large-scale operation, prompting Zhao Lanzhi to realize that such an extensive, seemingly authorized opium smuggling operation, disguised as military medical supply procurement, could only be orchestrated by a high-ranking official or a member of the Imperial court.

The merchant arrogantly told Zhao Lanzhi that he was merely a small constable, and the opium trade involved the interests of many court officials; Zhao Lanzhi alone could not overthrow it. Ye Yuanan brought the boy back home. She tried to get close to him, saying she would give him many delicious things and make him recognize her as his master. The boy was unruly, running and jumping around the courtyard. Upon seeing this, Duan Xiaoyu was very scared.

She told Ye Yuanan that the boy was none other than the shadowy figure that appeared in Ruyue's room back then. Lord Pei and his wife prepared many lavish betrothal gifts. He told Young Master Pei that marrying into the Prince Yu's household was equivalent to an alliance between two nations, and told him to treat Princess Ming Hui well.

Jiang Ren reminisced about old times with Zhao Lanzhi, lamenting that after all these years, he still ended up as a house slave for a wealthy family. It turned out Jiang Ren was Princess Ming Hui's horse attendant. Because he was a third-generation house slave, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape his lowly status.

Back then, Jiang Ren, Zhao Lanzhi, and Young Master Pei all went to the battlefield to join the army; the three of them called each other brothers. Hearing that Princess Ming Hui was going to marry Young Master Pei, Zhao Lanzhi asked about him. Back when Young Master Pei was injured on the battlefield, Jiang Ren gave him opium, and unexpectedly, he later became addicted. Jiang Ren recalled seeing Young Master Pei after they returned.

At that time, Young Master Pei was kicked out by a shop owner for demanding opium due to his addiction, and the two of them had an argument. Jiang Ren reassured Zhao Lanzhi, saying that when he accompanied Princess Ming Hui to see Young Master Pei, he found Young Master Pei's complexion had improved significantly, and he should be fine now. Ye Yuanan had someone give the boy a good wash and changed him into new clothes.

As a result, everyone discovered that the boy was actually very handsome; he had just been disheveled before. Ye Yuanan accidentally revealed a silver snake statue. The boy saw it and didn't speak, but indicated he could lead her to a clue. The madam worried that the transaction would be exposed and wanted to pack up and escape, but was stopped by a masked man who told her to do one last thing.

The boy led Ye Yuanan to Qianduan Pavilion. Ye Yuanan was generous, trying to join the club with fake gold bars, but was discovered by the madam and kicked out. Zhao Lanzhi also went to Qianduan Pavilion, but he used real gold and offered five times the price for the madam to sell the opium to him. The madam was swayed by the profit and agreed to show Zhao Lanzhi the goods. The madam led Zhao Lanzhi to the transaction.

On the other side, the boy also secretly led Ye Yuanan into Qianduan Pavilion and took her into a secret passage. Zhao Lanzhi went to a dark cellar and, as instructed by the madam, entered the warehouse. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan, guided by the boy, actually encountered Ye Yuanan and others. Zhao Lanzhi realized he had been tricked, but was locked up by the madam.

The madam told everyone that she had been waiting for them for a long time, and also said the mastermind behind the opium trade was Young Master Pei. She then activated a device and blew up the cellar. Seeing that water was flooding in, everyone still couldn't open the cellar door. In desperation, the boy's arm emitted a golden glow. Using his special abilities, he smashed open an exit, and everyone managed to escape.

The madam wanted to escape by boat but fell into the water. Zhao Lanzhi saved the madam and told her to come back with him. Ye Yuanan thought Zhao Lanzhi had gone back for something, and ignoring the boy's obstruction, wanted to rush back to save people, but coincidentally encountered Zhao Lanzhi bringing the madam. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan discovered that the boy could actually speak. Zhao Lanzhi reported to the Empress about Young Master Pei's involvement in the case.

The Empress was furious and ordered Zhao Lanzhi to apprehend Young Master Pei. Meanwhile, Young Master Pei dreamed of Ruyue, covered in blood, and woke up in fright, only relaxing when he found the Nine-Star Heavenly Pearl was still by his bedside. Princess Ming Hui's sister-in-law told her about Young Master Pei's incident, and that the cancellation of the engagement was now a settled matter. Zhao Lanzhi rushed to Ye Yuanan's residence to take Duan Xiaoyu away.

Zhao Lanzhi stated that Duan Xiaoyu had still not been cleared of the charge of murdering Ruyue, but said that he would continue the investigation. Duan Xiaoyu trusted Zhao Lanzhi's character, and she voluntarily requested to return to the yamen.

Upon Zhao Lanzhi's return to the Luoyang Administration Court, his superior greeted him with unusual warmth, congratulating him on recently solving two significant cases. He mentioned that the Empress had personally called Zhao Lanzhi back to Luoyang after his commendable contributions in Annan, indicating that after a probation period, Zhao Lanzhi was destined for the Court of Judicature and Revision, where he would gain direct authority to address the Empress.

The superior expressed a slight disapproval that Zhao Lanzhi had not informed him earlier about the Empress's order for Pei Xianya's arrest, deeming it "unfriendly." Zhao Lanzhi apologized, explaining the complexity of the opium case. The superior then urged Zhao Lanzhi to remember him upon his promotion, to which Zhao Lanzhi responded that as officials serving the Emperor and Empress, they should work together.

He then instructed Zhao Lanzhi to collaborate with the Three Judicial Ministries to ensure justice in Pei Xianya's trial for drug trafficking, manufacturing, and the murder of Ru Yue. During the trial, Madam Zhang, the procuress of Qianduan Brothel, was interrogated regarding her role in smuggling opium under Pei Xianya's orders and Ru Yue's death. Pleading for mercy, she confessed to being merely a facilitator, with all revenue going to Young Lord Pei.

She revealed that Pei Xianya and Ru Yue had been a couple, but Ru Yue was unaware of the opium smuggling. Upon Pei Xianya's engagement to Princess Minghui, he sought to abandon Ru Yue. When Ru Yue discovered the opium trafficking, Pei Xianya decided to murder her. Pei Xianya vehemently denied these accusations.

Next, Liu Er, the fragrance store owner, testified that Pei Xianya, suffering from old wounds, relied on opium for pain relief, a claim Pei Xianya also dismissed as fabricated. Liu Er described the opium provided by Pei Xianya as exceptionally potent, capable of inducing "hell-like illusions" and "killing people without detection." The coroner confirmed Ru Yue's death was consistent with the effects of such opium.

Despite Pei Xianya's persistent denials, the court acknowledged the presence of witnesses and material evidence, deciding to reconvene the public trial on a later date after further review. Duan Xiaoyu was declared innocent and immediately released, while Pei Xianya was remanded back to prison. Ye Yuanan brought Duan Xiaoyu back to the Ye Mansion, where Shi Tou gratefully prostrated himself, calling Ye Yuanan their "another parent" for saving Xiaoyu's life.

Ye Yuanan then noticed the mute boy casually sleeping in the daytime and playfully scolded him, though Shi Tou quickly explained he had been helping to feed the horses. Observing the boy's habit of happily sleeping on wooden logs, Ye Yuanan decided to give him a name: "Mu Le," meaning "wooden and cheerful." She asked him to call her "Miss," but he refused. Shi Tou tried to enforce the proper address, but Ye Yuanan simply chuckled.

Mu Le was playing with a scorpion he had caught. Finding the scorpion intriguing, Ye Yuanan took it to play, only to be stung and let out a sharp scream. Later, Minghui secretly visited Pei Xianya in his prison cell. Xianya expressed surprise at her presence, noting that even his parents were denied visits, especially since the Empress herself was aware of his case. Minghui revealed that her brother, Prince Yu, had canceled their engagement, but she dismissed its significance.

She firmly declared her belief that he hadn't smuggled opium, citing his prominent family background as reason enough to avoid such risks. Her true purpose, she explained, was to ascertain if he was involved in Ru Yue's death, as it would determine if she had misjudged the man she loved. Xianya confessed to a past relationship with Ru Yue, recalling how he had once saved her from harassment at the brothel.

However, he insisted that after he and Minghui fell in love, he had ended things with Ru Yue, and therefore, Ru Yue's death had nothing to do with him. Minghui believed his explanation, convinced he was being framed, and vowed to secure his release. During Pei Xianya's resumed public trial, Minghui dramatically arrived, interrupting the proceedings.

She asserted that her presence was not to impede justice but to defend her betrothed, whom she described as a "good man" who had never broken the law. She openly accused Madam Zhang and Liu Er of conspiring to frame Xianya. Minghui logically argued that the "iron-masked man," who was so careful to conceal his identity during trade, would never be foolish enough to write his true name in Liu Er's ledger.

Regarding Ru Yue's death, Minghui contended that Xianya had no motive, as they shared a loving relationship, and he had promised to help Ru Yue leave the brothel after his wedding, a plan Minghui herself had approved. She declared passionately that she could not stand by and watch her beloved be wronged, stating that if she did not act to save him, it would be as if she herself had killed him.

She then directly challenged Zhao Lanzhi, identifying him as the Empress's Censorate constable, to present any further evidence against Xianya. Her compelling arguments swayed the court, leading to Pei Xianya's acquittal. The Empress, upon hearing of Minghui's display in court, expressed admiration for her "strong decisiveness and imposing manner." However, she lamented that Minghui's status as a girl meant she would eventually marry and thus could not be directly utilized by the Empress.

When asked if Minghui's actions had disrupted his plan, Zhao Lanzhi replied that, on the contrary, she had "provided help." A report then came, revealing the Emperor's headache had returned, and he was again relying on the State Preceptor's pills. The Empress scoffed, angered that the State Preceptor's concoction was deemed effective where even imperial physicians failed.

Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan's stepmother informed her that Minghui had shown great "affection and faith" for Pei Xianya, despite his questionable character, and that their wedding was set for three days later. Enraged by this news, Ye Yuanan abruptly stormed out. Pei Xianya secretly met with Minghui, referring to their previous conversation about the Nine Divine Beads. He admitted he had "luckily obtained one bead" but had not disclosed it until now because he hadn't fully trusted her.

Now, convinced of her unwavering devotion, he presented the Divine Bead as a "love token" to signify his feelings. Minghui successfully acquired the bead, expressing satisfaction that her "hard work paid off." Her internal monologue revealed her true objective: to obtain the Divine Bead, not to marry Xianya, as she pondered whether she would "really marry Xianya." In another part of the Prince Yu Mansion, Minghui and Jiang Ren were practicing sword and flute.

Jiang Ren commented on Minghui's distracted state. Minghui then told him that she would be married in two days, implying that their shared moments of sword dancing to the tune of a flute would cease. Jiang Ren embraced her, attempting to dissuade her from marrying Xianya, whom he deemed "immoral" and "not faithful" due to his past affair with Ru Yue. Minghui, however, sharply reminded him of his slave status and challenged what he could offer her.

Jiang Ren's mind drifted back to his military days with Pei Xianya and Zhao Lanzhi, where they had pledged to attend each other's weddings, and he recalled how Minghui had never looked down on him despite his position as a stable boy. Zhao Lanzhi visited Pei Xianya, who appeared gravely ill. Xianya confessed that his "incurable disease" could only be alleviated by opium, and that this debilitated state was his true self.

He admitted he was dying and would not survive until his wedding day, expressing guilt towards Minghui. He then confided in Zhao Lanzhi about Jiang Ren, noting how he "stays by her side," accepting slavery, and concluding that Jiang Ren "loves the Princess." Xianya pondered what he should do. He also recalled an encounter with Jiang Ren at Qianduan Brothel, where Jiang Ren had pretended not to know him, despite their past as "brothers in arms."

Zhao Lanzhi found this suspicious, considering Jiang Ren's odd behavior and Pei Xianya's statement that he himself had no need to be involved in the opium trade, which implied Jiang Ren's potential involvement in the drug business. Xianya simply mused that Qianduan Brothel was a place "without ranks. No rules. Just like paradise." Pei Xianya, in his drugged state, further revealed his past with Ru Yue, stating he wished to die as she had.

He recounted Ru Yue giving him the Divine Bead, promising it would end his pain. Indeed, his health improved dramatically, making him stronger than a soldier, and he no longer sought death. However, Ru Yue herself became addicted to drugs and rapidly deteriorated. He recalled her desperate pleas to be taken away from the brothel, fearing for her life, and her accusations of his ingratitude. Unable to endure her "dark kind of life," Ru Yue committed suicide by burning opium.

Xianya grimly reflected on his "ignoble existence" while she died, calling it "retribution." At the stables, Shi Tou marveled to Uncle Xia about Mu Le's uncanny ability to soothe horses. Ye Yuanning, Ye Yuanan's younger brother, demanded to ride Da Hong, Mu Le's horse. Mu Le ignored him. When Ye Yuanning tried to strike Mu Le, Shi Tou intervened, reminding him that Mu Le only listened to Ye Yuanan and advising him not to dirty his fine clothes.

Shi Tou then instructed Mu Le to prepare a carriage, as Miss Ye Yuanan would attend a wedding that day instead of riding a horse. Mu Le waited outside the mansion. Ye Yuanan emerged, transformed in elegant female attire, leaving Mu Le completely entranced. She handed him a waist tag inscribed with "Mu Le," explaining she had chosen a surname for him that was better than "wood." Mu Le, delighted, asked her name and where her waist tag was.

She smiled, revealing her name was Yuanan, and that masters did not wear waist tags. Mu Le repeatedly called out "Yuanan," prompting Shi Tou to scold him for disrespecting his master. Ye Yuanan, however, dismissed it, saying, "One who does not know is not guilty," and told them to depart. Meanwhile, the Prince Yu Mansion was abuzz with preparations for the wedding, adorned with festive red candles.

Jiang Ren observed the decorations with a melancholic gaze, recalling a past conversation about red candles attracting heavenly blessings for a happy marriage, and wistfully wondered when he would find his own "great match." At the wedding banquet, Ye Yuanan, still in her dress, greeted Zhao Lanzhi. He playfully remarked on her attire and questioned her presence, noting that Pei Xianya had been a criminal just days ago.

Zhao Lanzhi responded that Xianya was still his "brother in arms" and he couldn't miss his wedding, but Ye Yuanan stated she felt "this case is not yet over." Pei Xianya and Minghui then appeared in their wedding robes. As they performed the traditional bows, Pei Xianya suffered a hallucination, seeing Minghui as Ru Yue. He called out Ru Yue's name, apologizing for letting her down and asking for forgiveness, questioning if she had come for vengeance.

Minghui was horrified, trying to tell him she was Minghui. Witnessing Minghui's public humiliation, Jiang Ren stepped forward, intent on killing Xianya. Zhao Lanzhi, sensing something was gravely wrong, intervened and engaged Jiang Ren in a fierce fight.

Zhao Lanzhi confronted Jiang Ren, accusing him of orchestrating the drug trafficking, framing Xianya, and even murdering Ru Yue. Jiang Ren boldly admitted his involvement, explaining he killed Ru Yue because she witnessed his illicit dealings. Ming Hui, still loyal to Jiang Ren, offered herself as a hostage to help him escape. However, Jiang Ren refused, knocked her unconscious, and declared, "Princess, this is the last thing I can do for you."

He then fought fiercely but was eventually killed by Zhao Lanzhi. Before dying, Jiang Ren released a potent opium-infused fragrance into the air, stating, "No one can escape." The guests, including Xianya, quickly fell victim to the hallucinatory effects. Xianya, already weakened by prolonged opium addiction, saw Ru Yue in a vivid hallucination and tragically died.

Zhao Lanzhi realized that the red candles contained this "wild opium" that causes "hell-like illusions" and "can kill people without detection," confirming how Ru Yue must have died. As the wedding guests succumbed to the powerful hallucinogen, Mu Le quickly reacted by dousing the red candles, thereby ending the widespread hallucination. Later, Ming Hui regained consciousness. Her brother, Prince Yu, explained that Jiang Ren had replaced the wedding candles with hallucinogen-laced ones, intending to poison everyone.

He praised Ye Yuanan's servant, Mu Le, for his quick thinking which saved everyone's lives. When Ming Hui asked about Jiang Ren, she was told that he had been killed by Officer Zhao on the spot. Ming Hui then realized with heartbreak that Jiang Ren had knocked her out to spare her, intending for her to be the sole survivor while he eliminated everyone else. She thanked Zhao Lanzhi and Ye Yuanan, promising to return their kindness.

Ye Yuanan questioned Zhao Lanzhi about when he first suspected Jiang Ren. Zhao Lanzhi revealed his suspicions began at the fragrance market, finding Jiang Ren's demeanor "too fishy." He explained that when all evidence points strongly to one person, like Xianya, it's often a diversion. He and Xianya had collaborated to set a trap at the wedding to expose Jiang Ren, though they hadn't anticipated the poisoned candles.

Zhao Lanzhi lamented Xianya's death, attributing it to his poor health from prolonged opium addiction. Ye Yuanan showed little sympathy for Xianya, calling him a "heart-breaker." Zhao Lanzhi then praised Mu Le's loyalty and capability, urging Ye Yuanan to investigate his background before he came to Qianduan Brothel, suggesting Mu Le might have "untold stories," a notion Ye Yuanan dismissed as he appeared to be just a strong, diligent man from a poor family.

Ye Yuanan also wondered what would have happened at Xianya's court trial if Ming Hui hadn't intervened. Zhao Lanzhi clarified that he would have saved Xianya at the last moment anyway, as the case had inherent ambiguities. However, Ming Hui's appearance forced Jiang Ren to reveal himself and demonstrated her sincerity towards Xianya. Ye Yuanan observed that upon waking, Ming Hui's first concern was Jiang Ren, not Xianya, a point Zhao Lanzhi dismissed as irrelevant.

After the tumultuous events, Ye Yuanan prepared for Shi Tou and Xiaoyu's new life. She gave Xiaoyu jewelry and Shi Tou travel funds along with his contract of bondage, releasing him from servitude, considering them wedding gifts. Both Shi Tou and Xiaoyu expressed immense gratitude, thanking her for saving them and allowing them to be together. Ye Yuanan, seeing Mu Le hiding, encouraged him to work diligently with Uncle Xia once Shi Tou left, promising to treat him well.

Mu Le, in turn, simply asked her "Don't beat me," revealing his humble desire for kind treatment. Ye Yuanan reassured him she was "the best master in the world" and would never do such a thing. Later, she visited the senior she was harboring, presenting him with a silver snake, and teasingly questioned if he had been involved in similar murders given his knowledge of the case, to which he playfully retorted, "Guess all you want!"

Ming Hui presented the Nine Divine Bead she acquired from Xianya to her master, the Honored State Preceptor, who was overjoyed to confirm its authenticity. He praised her intelligence and bravery, acknowledging that her act of using herself as bait was crucial in obtaining the bead from Xianya. He also noted that Jiang Ren, despite his devotion to her, had almost disrupted his plans.

Ming Hui, mourning Jiang Ren's death, vowed revenge against Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi, but the State Preceptor dismissed them as unimportant, redirecting her focus to finding the remaining six Divine Beads. When Ming Hui pressed him to reveal the beads' secrets, he momentarily choked her, accusing her of bargaining. He then promised to teach her "whatever you want to learn" if she helped him find the rest of the Divine Beads, urging her to maintain her composure.

To assist her, the State Preceptor introduced Huo Yang, a skilled martial artist comparable to Ming Hui, to replace the deceased Jiang Ren by her side. Zhao Lanzhi reported to a high official that the opium trafficking case at Qianduan Brothel was thoroughly investigated, exonerating Prince Yu's Mansion and confirming Jiang Ren's private actions. He received commendation and a promise of reward for his success.

Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan's stepmother excitedly informed her of an arranged blind date with a handsome and accomplished gentleman. Unwilling to marry, Ye Yuanan sought help from Chen Tianshu in the cellar, asking him for a lifelike human skin mask to make herself appear incredibly ugly. Chen Tianshu, engrossed in his medicinal experiments, agreed. During the date, Ye Yuanan, wearing the mask, mistakenly accosted another man, causing a comical misunderstanding, before realizing her actual date was Zhao Lanzhi.

Upon seeing him, she removed her mask, identifying herself. Zhao Lanzhi recognized the mask's exquisite craftsmanship, identifying the notorious "evil monk Chen Tianshu" as the only person capable of making such a high-quality one. He then recounted Chen Tianshu's past, accusing him of murdering his co-disciples and stealing Divine Beads immediately after Master Sanzang's death, warning Ye Yuanan not to be led astray by such a "cunning and fierce man."

Offended by Zhao Lanzhi's accusations and realizing he was her intended suitor, Ye Yuanan angrily accused him of trickery and declared that she would inform her family of her disinterest in him before storming off. Ye Yuanan's stepmother inquired about her blind date with Zhao Lanzhi, extolling his noble lineage and connections. Ye Yuanan, annoyed, told her not to interfere. She then confronted the senior in the cellar, directly calling him "Chen Tianshu."

He acknowledged the name, inviting her to ask any questions. Ye Yuanan asked if he committed "that terrible crime," explaining her desire to be a heroine, not an accomplice to a criminal. Chen Tianshu pondered his past, questioning why he would betray Master Sanzang, who treated him like a son, yet he ended up a wanted criminal while his senior Tianqiao became the State Preceptor. He concluded that "who is good and who's bad, sometimes it's hard to tell."

He explained he only possessed two Divine Beads because his master only gave him two, clarifying their spiritual significance. Ye Yuanan, convinced by his sincerity, believed he wasn't a bad person, reasoning that a truly evil individual wouldn't be in such a desperate situation. Later that night, Ye Yuanan reflected that Zhao Lanzhi was quite good-looking but found his arrogance and self-righteousness irritating. The next day, Ye Yuanan took Mu Le out to a lively street.

Mu Le discreetly held her sleeve, and they happily shared food. Back at the mansion, Mu Le was tasked by the steward to deliver a food box to the cellar door, with strict instructions not to enter. However, drawn by animal sounds, Mu Le's curiosity led him inside. Chen Tianshu discovered him and, after a brief confrontation, cleverly claimed to be a doctor.

He convinced Mu Le to stick out his tongue for a diagnosis, tricking him into consuming a potent medicine. Mu Le soon suffered chaotic side effects, causing commotion in the courtyard with smoke emanating from his mouth.

Ye Yuanning, upset that Mu Le did not obey him, orchestrated a plan to frame him. He personally lured Mu Le to an area where maids were bathing, instructing him to watch for thieves through a hole while he supposedly went for help. In reality, it was a setup to make Mu Le appear as a pervert. Soon, maids came chasing Mu Le, shouting about a peeper and calling him a "rascal."

Mu Le, denying any wrongdoing, quickly hid behind Ye Yuanan, who had just arrived. Ye Yuanan's stepmother then appeared, questioning why Ye Yuanan's "horse slave" was causing trouble. She implied Mu Le was a thief, noting that valuable items like calligraphy scrolls, paintings, and porcelain objects had gone missing since his arrival. She declared he couldn't stay and should be punished and thrown out.

Ye Yuanan tried to defend Mu Le, asking for evidence, but her stepmother dismissed it, citing the missing items and the maids' accusations as proof. Ye Yuanan, with no other choice to calm the public's anger, had to punish Mu Le publicly. She insisted that since she brought Mu Le into the household, she would be the one to punish him. She ordered Mu Le to kneel, hesitant to strike him.

Her stepmother, however, forcefully grabbed Ye Yuanan's hand to hit Mu Le. After the punishment, Ye Yuanan attempted to settle the matter, but her stepmother remained unyielding, arguing that house rules must be maintained and couldn't be broken for a servant. She declared that if Mu Le were let off, all other servants would become unruly, making it impossible to manage the household. Ultimately, she ordered Mu Le to be thrown out.

Heartbroken, Mu Le murmured, "You hit me," as he was forcibly escorted out by other servants. Seeing Mu Le expelled, Ye Yuanning was pleased and rewarded his subordinate for a job well done. Later, Ye Yuanan felt despondent about Mu Le's departure, questioning why he would steal calligraphy and paintings.

Meanwhile, Huo Yang, acting as a middleman who covertly presided over all exotic item transactions in the ghost market, escorted Ming Hui to Luotian Cave to search for a Nine Divine Bead. At the market, a man identified as Master Xue presented a Nine Divine Bead for sale, demanding a thousand taels of gold. The exorbitant price was met with ridicule from the crowd, who deemed a single bead worthless.

However, Master Xue stated that the Divine Bead was a holy article, served to Buddha, and could not be forcibly taken without his willingness to sell. Ming Hui, recognizing the bead's significance, approached Master Xue privately. She expressed her desire to purchase it, but Xue, confused as to why she hadn't bid earlier, refused to sell it outright. He instead proposed that if she completed a favor for him, he would give her the bead for free.

Having been cast out, Mu Le wandered the streets. During a moment of exhaustion, he dreamt of a woman who resembled Ye Yuanan. He then displayed extraordinary strength by accidentally breaking a vendor's handcart. A man named Ni Gu, witnessing Mu Le's power, approached him and offered him a place to stay, suggesting they become "carefree brothers." Ni Gu then tricked Mu Le into stealing a roasted chicken from a vendor, claiming the owner owed him wages.

As the vendor chased Mu Le through the streets, Ni Gu seized the opportunity to steal the vendor's money. When Mu Le realized Ni Gu had stolen money, he insisted on returning it. Ni Gu, however, cunningly manipulated Mu Le, convincing him that the vendor was an evil man who owed money to many laborers, and therefore, stealing from him was an act of "helping others vent their anger." Mu Le, being naive, believed Ni Gu's deception.

Ni Gu then took Mu Le to a brothel, where Zhao Lanzhi was coincidentally investigating a case. Zhao Lanzhi was pursuing a lead on a man selling stolen goods from tomb raiders. He confronted the seller, identified as Master Zhou, demanding a "violet gold tripod." Realizing he was exposed, Master Zhou attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended by Zhao Lanzhi, who revealed that the tripod was disguised as an "earthen gourd."

As Zhao Lanzhi was making the arrest, Mu Le, visibly flustered, dashed out of one of the brothel rooms, surprising Zhao Lanzhi. Elsewhere, Lord Ye attempted to present a memorial seeking a reduction in forced labor taxes for citizens of thirteen counties. However, Lord Sima promptly sidetracked him, prioritizing discussions on extravagant gifts and celebrations for the Empress's upcoming birthday, advising Lord Ye to postpone his memorial. Later, while Ye Yuanan was out, a young boy stole her wallet.

She pursued him, accidentally pushing him down. Master Xue intervened, making the child return the wallet to Ye Yuanan, but then demanded that Ye Yuanan apologize for hurting the defenseless boy. The situation was diffused by Zhao Lanzhi, who gave the child money for his sick mother, but also warned the boy against stealing again.

Zhao Lanzhi explained to Ye Yuanan that Master Xue was the manager for refugees who had fled forced labor in the south and were struggling to survive, prompting Ye Yuanan to reflect on her own behavior. Zhao Lanzhi then informed Ye Yuanan that he had seen Mu Le at the brothel, suggesting Mu Le seemed more terrified than malicious, implying he was scared by the women and eager to leave.

This conversation made Ye Yuanan begin to doubt whether she had truly wronged Mu Le. Further clarity came when Tianshu inadvertently revealed to Ye Yuanan that he had given Mu Le a "kidney-tonifying formula" for a drug test, which made living beings "lustful." Enraged by this revelation, Ye Yuanan confronted Ye Yuanning, accusing him of orchestrating the frame-up against Mu Le.

Her father intervened, reprimanding Ye Yuanan for bullying her brother, but she retorted that Ye Yuanning was far more capable in employing evil schemes. Upset, Ye Yuanan stormed off. Ye Yuanan eventually found Mu Le being chased and beaten by the roasted chicken vendor and others on the street. She intervened, protecting him and earnestly apologizing, explaining that she had punished those who had wronged him.

She tried to convince him to return home, but Mu Le, still hurt by her striking him, simply stated, "You beat me," and refused to go back with her. Ni Gu, finding Mu Le again, attempted to trick him into helping collect more "debts," but Mu Le, now wary, accused him of lying. Meanwhile, a severe rainstorm caused flooding in the Imperial Library. While most books and paintings were salvaged, a critical painting was discovered missing during inventory.

Eunuch Li, fearing severe repercussions from the palace, ordered the news to be kept strictly confidential. He then privately sought out Zhao Lanzhi, revealing that the Empress's most beloved painting, "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree," had vanished just four days before her birthday, imploring Zhao Lanzhi to investigate.

A high-ranking eunuch, Li Gonggong, urgently informed Zhao Lanzhi that the Empress's most cherished painting, "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree," had been lost from the Imperial Library. The painting was of immense personal value to the Empress, who had kept it by her side since before entering the palace. Li Gonggong stressed the gravity of the situation, stating that the lives of everyone in the Imperial Library depended on Zhao Lanzhi's success in recovering it.

Zhao Lanzhi deduced that due to the palace's stringent security, the theft was likely an inside job. A subordinate then recalled that a minor eunuch named Cao Yi had taken leave five days prior and had not returned as expected. Zhao Lanzhi identified Cao Yi as a crucial lead, vowing to track down the missing eunuch and the painting. To further his investigation, Zhao Lanzhi approached a coroner, inquiring about any unusual deaths.

The coroner confirmed receiving the body of a eunuch the previous night. Upon examining Cao Yi's portrait, it was determined that the deceased was indeed Cao Yi. Mu Le had been found at the scene of the death and was subsequently arrested by the constables as the murderer. Zhao Lanzhi sent Mu Le's waist tag to Ye Yuanan, who outwardly appeared indifferent but secretly devised a plan.

She intentionally committed a petty crime, stealing an officer's horse, to ensure she would be imprisoned alongside Mu Le. Inside the prison, Ye Yuanan was deeply distressed to see Mu Le suffering from severe beatings. She engineered their escape by feigning a sudden illness, causing a distraction, and then knocking out the unsuspecting guards. Disguised in guard uniforms, they fled the prison.

En route, they encountered Zhao Lanzhi, who recognized their true identities but deliberately allowed them to pass, realizing their involvement could unveil more truths. Ye Yuanan pressed Mu Le for the full story, and he vehemently denied the murder, claiming he had been tricked by a man named Ni Gu. Mu Le recounted how Ni Gu had coerced him into stealing money from Cao Yi, falsely asserting that the funds rightfully belonged to Ni Gu's family.

During the intrusion, Ni Gu unexpectedly stabbed Cao Yi, then snatched a money bag and escaped, leaving Mu Le behind. Unbeknownst to Ye Yuanan and Mu Le, Zhao Lanzhi had been following them, having intentionally let them escape from prison in hopes that Mu Le would expose the full truth. Now armed with Ni Gu's name, Ye Yuanan, disguised as a young master, visited a brothel and questioned the madam about Ni Gu's favorite courtesan, Chun Hua.

The madam revealed that Chun Hua had recently been bought out by her lover and suffered from chronic headaches, requiring her to visit the Herbal Hall at the eastern end of town for medicine at the beginning and middle of each month. Following this lead, Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi tracked down Ni Gu and Chun Hua.

Upon learning of Ni Gu's criminal actions, Chun Hua voluntarily surrendered all of Ni Gu's money, but the valuable painting was nowhere to be found. Under intense interrogation from Zhao Lanzhi, Ni Gu finally confessed that he had thrown the painting away at a casino. Meanwhile, Princess Ming Hui visited the tomb of her late servant, Jiang Ren, vowing to avenge him by eliminating Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi.

It was revealed that Ming Hui had orchestrated the theft of the "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree" painting by bribing Cao Yi, intending to exchange it with a man named Mr. Xue for the Nine Divine Beads. The State Preceptor, aware of Ming Hui's visit to Jiang Ren's tomb, cautioned her against allowing personal vendettas to jeopardize their larger, more important objectives.

Back at the Ye residence, Ye Yuanan returned Mu Le's waist tag and sincerely apologized for her previous actions, promising that no one in the household would ever bully him again. Believing that Mu Le's recent troubles stemmed from Tian Shu giving him an experimental medicine, Ye Yuanan reprimanded Tian Shu.

Concurrently, the coroner provided Zhao Lanzhi with crucial new information: Cao Yi had already died from a precise throat wound before Ni Gu's abdominal stab, suggesting that the latter wound was inflicted post-mortem. The coroner also indicated that more than one person had been present at the crime scene.

Zhao Lanzhi concluded that the true murderer was after the "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree" painting and was likely someone Cao Yi knew, enabling them to launch a surprise attack so successfully. It came to light that Ye Yuanning, Ye Yuanan's brother, had accumulated significant gambling debts and had been secretly selling family valuables to cover them, which was why Mu Le had been wrongly accused of theft.

Ye Yuanning attempted to use a fake mutton-fat jade bottle to pay off his debts to a man named Huo Yang at the Luotian Cave. Huo Yang, recognizing it as a forgery, immediately smashed the fake and held Ye Yuanning captive. Ye Yuanning's subordinate rushed to inform Ye Yuanan. Connecting this incident with her stepmother's complaints about missing household items, Ye Yuanan finally understood the full extent of her brother's deceit and Mu Le's innocence.

Ye Yuanan and Mu Le set off for Luotian Cave to rescue Ye Yuanning. They soon lost their way by a river. As they pondered their next move, a veiled Princess Ming Hui appeared, informing them that only a familiar guide could safely lead them into Luotian Cave. Ming Hui inquired what valuables Ye Yuanan had brought. With no alternative, Ye Yuanan reluctantly produced a short sword, a precious heirloom that Emperor Gaozu had bestowed upon her grandfather.

Ming Hui briefly held the sword before returning it, allowing Ye Yuanan to proceed. At Luotian Cave, however, Huo Yang declared that since the "Ghost Market" had now opened, Ye Yuanan must publicly sell the sword to secure Ye Yuanning's release.

Ye Yuanan agreed, hoping to save her brother, but as she attempted to present the revered blade to the crowd, it was revealed that Ming Hui had already tampered with it, replacing the precious sword with a piece of wood.

Ye Yuanan publicly presented the short sword bestowed by Emperor Gaozu, only to discover it had been swapped for a piece of wood. She immediately realized this was Princess Ming Hui's doing. As a consequence of disrupting the event, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le were seized by guards. Princess Ming Hui, however, was not satisfied. She instructed her men to signal Zhou Lixian, the fence whom Zhao Lanzhi had previously arrested, to bring Zhao Lanzhi to Luotian Cave.

Meanwhile, Zhao Lanzhi, under pressure to retrieve the Empress's beloved painting, "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree," which was vital for her upcoming birthday, received a confession from Zhou Lixian. Zhou Lixian revealed that Luotian Cave was where stolen treasures were disposed of, and despite warning Zhao Lanzhi that it was a deadly place difficult to find, he agreed to guide him as a chance to atone for his crimes.

Upon arrival at the river near Luotian Cave, Zhao Lanzhi and his men were ambushed by Huo Yang's subordinates. Zhao Lanzhi ordered his men to retreat with the wounded, instructing them to besiege Luotian Cave if he didn't return by the next day. He then followed Zhou Lixian into the cave through an underwater entrance. Inside Luotian Cave, Zhao Lanzhi was immediately surrounded by Huo Yang and his men.

Huo Yang mockingly acknowledged Zhao Lanzhi's presence, expressing admiration for his ability to penetrate the cave. Zhao Lanzhi confessed he was there for a painting. Huo Yang, confirming he possessed "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree," invited Zhao Lanzhi further in, revealing it would be auctioned that night. The cave was bustling with wealthy individuals, enjoying performances. Huo Yang then had Zhao Lanzhi escorted to the stage, announcing his identity as the Head Constable of Luoyang Administrative Court.

To everyone's surprise, Huo Yang then brought Ye Yuanan, Ye Yuanning, and Mu Le onto the stage, branding them as grave robbers who had committed various crimes. He offered Zhao Lanzhi the painting if he would execute the three, claiming it would uphold justice. Zhao Lanzhi was stunned to see Ye Yuanan and her companions. Ye Yuanan, seeing Zhao Lanzhi, expressed her shock, explaining she had come to rescue her brother but became trapped.

As Zhao Lanzhi hesitated, Huo Yang, declaring Zhao Lanzhi had missed his chance, ordered all four, including Zhao Lanzhi, to be locked in an iron cage and submerged into a deep pool, presenting it as a grand performance for the audience. The onlookers, unaware of the gravity, treated it as part of the show. In a desperate moment, Mu Le's extraordinary strength manifested again; he broke open the iron cage with his bare hands, allowing them to escape the water.

To ensure the others' escape, Zhao Lanzhi helped them get away but was himself pulled back into the water. Meanwhile, Master Xue had obtained the painting. He, however, refused to hand over the Divine Bead he promised Ming Hui in exchange, instead instructing her to return the painting to the Empress. Ming Hui suspected a deeper connection between Master Xue and the Empress but, determined to acquire the Divine Bead, agreed to his terms.

Ignoring her own safety, Ming Hui plunged into the pool to rescue the unconscious Zhao Lanzhi, knowing she needed him to return the painting. She performed artificial respiration to revive him, eventually bringing him back to consciousness. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan, concerned for Zhao Lanzhi's fate, wanted to go back to save him. Mu Le, fearing for her life, forcefully knocked her unconscious. Mu Le then brought Ye Yuanan and Ye Yuanning back to the Ye residence.

Ye Yuanning's stepmother, seeing his injuries, immediately assumed Ye Yuanan was responsible and threatened to report her to their father. Ye Yuanning tried to explain that it wasn't Ye Yuanan's fault but was too ashamed to confess his gambling debts and how his sister was trying to help him. The stepmother, misinterpreting his words, became convinced Ye Yuanan had hired thugs to bully him. Back at Ming Hui's home on Jinyun Mountain, Zhao Lanzhi awoke.

Ming Hui, wearing a veil, explained she had saved him from the monster fish pool. She openly admitted to being a frequenter of Luotian Cave, dealing in treasures obtained through grave robbing. She explained her philosophy on destiny and subtly probed Zhao Lanzhi about his purpose there. Zhao Lanzhi revealed he sought the Empress's painting, "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree," which was to be auctioned that day.

Ming Hui offered to help him return to Luotian Cave, sensing his strong sense of responsibility. Alone, Ming Hui wrestled with her conscience, lamenting that she couldn't avenge Jiang Ren by killing Zhao Lanzhi due to her need for the Divine Bead. After waking up, Ye Yuanan, despite her injuries, urged Tianshu to devise a plan to rescue Zhao Lanzhi. She passionately declared that even if only bones remained, she would retrieve them and avenge him.

Tianshu, unable to dissuade her, suggested setting a massive fire at the entrances and exits of the mountain cave to flush out the inhabitants. He promised to provide the necessary kerosene, sulfur, and masks. Mu Le insisted on accompanying Ye Yuanan, reassuring her that his wounds no longer hurt. Tianshu, impressed by Mu Le's rapid healing, equipped them with explosives, kerosene, masks, and a special tool to cross cliffs.

On their way, Ye Yuanan's stepmother confronted them, still believing Ye Yuanan had harmed Ye Yuanning and was now fleeing with a "slave." Ye Yuanan quickly explained that a man had sacrificed himself to save her, and she had to retrieve his body and seek revenge. Meanwhile, Li Gonggong, worried sick, reiterated to his subordinates that failure to retrieve the painting before the Empress's birthday banquet that night would result in their doom.

Zhao Lanzhi, accompanying Ming Hui, successfully re-entered Luotian Cave and witnessed the auction for "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree" in progress. Ming Hui, to Zhao Lanzhi's surprise, bid a thousand taels of gold, demonstrating her immense wealth. At the same time, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le, using the special equipment provided by Tianshu, flew over the river and infiltrated Luotian Cave. They began setting fires, causing widespread panic and disrupting the painting's transaction.

In the ensuing chaos, Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi reunited. Zhao Lanzhi, taking Ming Hui with him, moved towards an exit. Huo Yang, noticing their escape, exchanged a knowing glance with Ming Hui, and then attacked Mu Le. Mu Le, however, gravely injured Huo Yang, allowing the "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree" painting to fall into Zhao Lanzhi's hands. As the cave was on the verge of exploding from the fires, everyone managed to escape.

Outside, Ming Hui demanded the painting back, stating it belonged to the Empress and she would ensure its return. She then swiftly departed, reminding Zhao Lanzhi that he owed her. Zhao Lanzhi confirmed to Ye Yuanan that the "veiled maiden" had indeed saved him from the pool. Ye Yuanan, still suspicious, expressed her anger at the veiled woman for stealing her sword earlier and believed she fled out of guilt. Zhao Lanzhi dismissed her concerns, focusing on the fact that Ye Yuanan had bravely returned for him.

The Empress's birthday banquet commenced, where her close advisor, Meiniang, was commended for her help in governing the country. The State Preceptor arrived, presenting his meticulously refined "Moonlight Elixir" as a birthday wish for the Empress's eternal youth and the Tang Dynasty's prosperity. The Empress thanked him and encouraged everyone to enjoy the festivities. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan's stepmother urged Mr. Ye to greet General Liu and his wife, who had recently returned victoriously.

However, the couple disregarded Mr. Ye, causing him embarrassment. Ye Yuanan's brother, Yuanning, questioned why his father was ignored, prompting the stepmother to defend Yuanning while disparaging Ye Yuanan. Later, feeling tired, the Empress retired from the banquet early. She instructed her maid to bury the State Preceptor's elixir under Emperor Taizong's laurel tree, stating she never dared to accept his kindness.

The Empress then reminisced with her maid about her youthful days at sixteen, a time free from national concerns, fear of poison, or jealousy over her husband's affections. She asked for her beloved painting, "Beneath the Shade of the Banana Tree," which she hadn't seen in days. Eunuch Li, fearing the truth would be exposed, was preparing to confess when Zhao Lanzhi timely delivered the painting.

Eunuch Li, though noting the paper's color seemed different, dismissed it as his aging eyesight due to the Empress's impatience. As the Empress gazed at the painting, she recalled young Xue Han, who had drawn it for her, promising to wait for her under a banana tree if she ever felt lonely. She pondered his current whereabouts and well-being.

Later that night, the lights flickered, and the serene painting dramatically transformed into a horrifying scene of refugees displaced from the thirteen counties. Enraged, the Empress ordered Eunuch Li, whom she called Li Cheng, to be flogged one hundred times for what she perceived as a painting swap. She then summoned Zhao Lanzhi, accusing him of exchanging her painting.

Zhao Lanzhi clarified that the painting had not been swapped but rather had another layer painted over the original using a special ink, made from East China Sea sea turtle saliva, that glows red in darkness. This added layer depicted the tragic plight of refugees from the southern thirteen counties, forced from their homes due to water conservancy projects.

He explained that while the Empress valued long-term stability, local officials prioritized immediate profits, neglecting the people's welfare, resulting in many refugees gathering in Luoyang. The Empress understood that Xue Han had used the painting to alert her to the situation. Recognizing the urgency, she instructed Zhao Lanzhi to make preparations for her to visit a certain place. Ye Yuanan, curious about Mu Le's suddenly enhanced abilities, playfully attacked him while he was feeding horses.

She questioned his past and how he became so strong, but Mu Le only reported getting headaches when trying to remember. Ye Yuanan then tested him, asking who treated him best, whose orders he obeyed, and who she was to him. Mu Le affirmed she was the one who treated him best and whose orders he would obey. She then declared, "I am your master!"

She pressed him about whether anyone had given him medicine or taught him martial arts, but Mu Le denied it all. She then asked why he could suddenly defeat Huo Yang, whom he had previously lost to. Mu Le explained that Huo Yang's moves, which once seemed quick, now appeared slow, allowing him to counter them. Ye Yuanan, though skeptical, was amazed by his sudden power. She tried to probe his past again, but he developed a headache, preventing recall.

Concerned for his recovery, Ye Yuanan insisted on checking his injuries, playfully pinning him onto a table. This scene was unfortunately witnessed by Mr. Ye and Ye Yuanan's stepmother. The stepmother accused Ye Yuanan of flirting with a servant, while Mr. Ye, misunderstanding the situation, called Mu Le a "bastard" and accused him of trying to rape his mistress, attempting to strike him with a wooden stick. Ye Yuanan quickly intervened, declaring that only she could hit her servant.

When Mr. Ye redirected his anger towards Ye Yuanan, Mu Le intervened by breaking Mr. Ye's stick, further infuriating him. Defiantly, Ye Yuanan stated that if the family could not tolerate Mu Le, she would leave with him. She also reminded her father that Mu Le had saved his son Yuanning's life and warned that no one would save him if he caused trouble again. With that, Ye Yuanan stormed out of the house with Mu Le.

After leaving the Ye manor, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le found themselves penniless and hungry. They spotted a flaky pastry vendor, and Mu Le successfully begged for a pastry, followed by Ye Yuanan, who also received one after some persistence. Realizing they couldn't return home, Ye Yuanan decided to seek help from Zhao Lanzhi. They found him arranging a carriage, preparing to escort the Empress to the banana tree orchard.

Ye Yuanan, unaware of the carriage's passenger, first asked Zhao Lanzhi for money, which he promptly gave her, then insisted he take her and Mu Le along to play. The Empress, hearing the commotion outside, invited Ye Yuanan into her carriage. Zhao Lanzhi quickly and quietly informed Ye Yuanan that the passenger was the Empress and cautioned her to be respectful. Inside, the Empress was charmed by Ye Yuanan's spirited demeanor. She asked if Ye Yuanan liked Zhao Lanzhi.

Despite Ye Yuanan's shy denial, the Empress, recalling her own youth, smiled knowingly and remarked that Zhao Lanzhi was indeed a good man. As they approached the banana tree orchard, the Empress told Zhao Lanzhi to remain behind, as she wished to walk the rest of the way alone. In the tranquil banana tree orchard, the Empress finally met Xue Han. Recognizing him, she was shocked to see his blinded eye and urgently inquired what had happened.

Xue Han, with a bitter smile, recounted how he was injured when imperial soldiers forcibly relocated villagers for water conservancy projects. He had attempted to intervene but was wounded, losing an eye, and subsequently, like countless others, became a refugee, eventually making his way to Chang'an. The Empress expressed disbelief, stating she had explicitly ordered proper relocation, realizing Xue Han intended to seek justice for himself and the displaced.

Sensing an impending threat, Mu Le, with his heightened senses, detected the distinct smells of metal, medicinal materials, tar, stones, and a large number of people. Zhao Lanzhi confirmed the presence of many. Xue Han then confronted the Empress, reminding her of their shared past before she ascended to power, and revealed his true intention was to seek justice for the refugees and himself.

He produced a pot of "blood wine," demanding she drink it and swear to be kind to all the world's people. The Empress hesitated, suspecting it was poisoned, but Xue Han, mocking her lack of courage, drank a portion himself, declaring that as an ordinary man, he didn't have the right to drink with the Empress but demonstrated its apparent safety. Convinced, the Empress reached for the wine, but Zhao Lanzhi swiftly intervened, knocking the pot away.

The spilled liquid emitted a noxious black gas. At that moment, Xue Han summoned the hidden refugees, who emerged from the banana grove, eager to exact revenge on the Empress. Zhao Lanzhi, Ye Yuanan, and Mu Le immediately sprang into action to protect the Empress, urging her to escape. Amidst the chaos, Xue Han was stabbed and suffered excessive blood loss. From the shadows, Ming Hui emerged.

She had been following Xue Han, demanding the Nine-Star Divine Bead in exchange for her assistance. Xue Han, however, refused to disclose its location, challenging her to find it. Ming Hui, frustrated by his deception, finally discovered the Divine Bead hidden within his blinded eye. Zhao Lanzhi later reported to the Empress that Xue Han's body had been found, surmising that he likely succumbed to excessive blood loss after being rescued by his allies.

Despite Xue Han's actions, the Empress acknowledged their past friendship and ordered Zhao Lanzhi to ensure he received a proper burial. Regarding the gathered refugees, she declared they were "not rebels, but at most, just homeless people forced by circumstances," instructing Zhao Lanzhi to provide them with money to help them establish new livelihoods.

Subsequently, the Empress convened her ministers, quoting Emperor Taizong's proverb that "people are water and the Emperor is a boat; water can carry a boat and capsize a boat," and challenged them on their role. When they claimed to be bridges between the Emperor and the people, she confronted them directly about the displaced refugees from the thirteen counties, accusing them of deceiving their superior and oppressing the populace. She then displayed the transformed painting as undeniable evidence of their misdeeds.

After returning to the palace, the Empress dismissed Sima Jun, the Minister of Finance, for his inefficiency and negligence of duty. She then promoted Ye Fucheng to the position of Minister of Finance, citing his past efforts to help the people by filing a petition, which had been withdrawn. She tasked him with the resettlement of refugees in the thirteen southern counties.

Later, when they were alone, the Empress revealed to Minister Ye that his promotion was due to his good daughter, Ye Yuanan. She summoned Yuanan, who had been hiding nearby, and praised her as a sensible and brave girl who had saved her life. The Empress chided Minister Ye for driving Yuan'an away, leaving her homeless, and ordered him to take her home immediately.

After Minister Ye left, the Empress had a private conversation with Ye Yuanan, reminding her that it was normal for someone her age to fall for someone. She advised Yuan'an to be bold, not timid, and to seize the chance to find happiness, lest she end up like the Empress herself, full of regrets. Due to the Empress's praise, Minister Ye Fucheng's attitude towards Ye Yuanan dramatically shifted.

He became extremely doting, even allowing her to keep a snake, claiming it was auspicious and encouraging her to acquire more. When his wife, Yuan'an's stepmother, suggested holding a party to celebrate his promotion, he insisted on consulting Yuan'an first. His wife became deeply jealous, accusing him of snobbery for doting on Yuan'an after once driving her from the house.

She reminded him of her own status as Madam and their son, Yuanning, but Minister Ye angrily rebuffed her, telling her to discipline Yuanning instead. Meanwhile, the State Preceptor had successfully collected four Nine Divine Beads. He thanked Princess Minghui for bringing the latest one, which she obtained from Xue Xiansheng.

However, his gratitude quickly turned to fury as he condemned her method, revealing that Luotian Cave had been burned, Huo Yang badly injured, and he had suffered a great loss due to her actions. He accused her of using the mission to settle a personal grudge, sternly warning her that she would lose her life without knowing how if she mixed personal desires with her duties again.

Minghui attempted to explain that Zhao Lanzhi and Ye Yuanan's interference forced her hand, but the State Preceptor ignored her excuses. To demonstrate the beads' power and guide her next move, he used the four collected Divine Beads to reveal the location of the fifth. He then dispatched Minghui to retrieve it, leaving the injured Huo Yang to recover.

Mu Le's special abilities continued to grow; his martial arts prowess increased significantly, and he even defeated Tian Shu at chess in their very first game. Tian Shu was bewildered and frustrated, noting Mu Le's rapid healing, his newfound ability to perceive opponents' moves in slow motion, and his sudden mastery over martial arts. He suspected that Ye Yuanan had brought a monster back from the Ghost Market.

Tian Shu then suggested using a new pill he had developed to make Mu Le confess his true nature, but Yuan'an firmly rejected the idea. She fiercely protected Mu Le, declaring that she would shield him regardless of whether he was a monster, and chastised Tian Shu for his scheming. Shortly after, Zhao Lanzhi visited Ye Yuanan.

Yuan'an was visibly upset, accusing him of being ungrateful and aloof, especially after she had assisted him in major cases like those at Qianduan Brothel and Luotian Cave, and the Empress's portrait. Zhao Lanzhi explained his apparent distance was to protect her, emphasizing that solving cases was not a game but a dangerous endeavor, like 'licking blood off a blade,' and he worried about her safety given the threats they faced.

He told her that while she participated for fun, he did so out of duty. Despite her initial annoyance at his lecture, Yuan'an softened when Zhao Lanzhi presented her with a small pine tree, remarking that delicate flowers suited her more than cold weapons. Ye Yuanan was delighted with the gift. From a distance, Mu Le observed their interaction, his face filled with visible sadness at Yuan'an's happiness with Zhao Lanzhi.

Back at the mansion, Ye Yuanan observed her maids discussing flower arrangements, some meant for their lovers. Feeling a blush, she asked them to teach her the art, implicitly for Zhao Lanzhi. The maids, recognizing her newfound interest, teased her good-naturedly, remarking on her sudden shift from martial arts to maidenly pursuits. They recommended she seek instruction from an expert at the Lingdang Garden House in the city's western district. Ye Yuanan decided to go, taking Mu Le with her.

Upon arrival, she gave him some money, instructing him to wander around, buy snacks, and avoid talking to strangers, as the class was exclusively for girls. While Yuan'an began her lesson on the principles of color matching in flower arrangement, Mu Le explored the streets. He soon stumbled upon a stall displaying various masks.

The sight of these masks inexplicably terrified him, triggering a memory of Ye Yuanan and Tian Shu discussing his rapid healing and Tian Shu's question about whether she had brought back a monster. A profound sense of fear and self-doubt washed over Mu Le as he pondered if he truly was a monster. Still troubled by his self-doubt, Mu Le wandered aimlessly, muttering "Who am I?"

His thoughts were interrupted when he instinctively saved a woman from being hit by a runaway cart. The woman, impressed by his gallantry, immediately showed great interest in him, attempting to flirt and ask his name. Remembering Ye Yuanan's warning about talking to strangers, Mu Le tried to disengage and leave. However, the woman's persistent maid followed him closely. Seizing an opportunity, the maid deftly stole a wooden token from Mu Le.

Immediately after, the woman accused Mu Le of breaking her earring during the commotion. When Mu Le offered money as compensation, she rejected it, claiming the custom-made tassel earring from Mengjinyuan was irreplaceable with mere cash and required half a month of skilled craftsmanship to produce. Unable to escape, Mu Le reluctantly agreed to meet her at the same spot in three days to provide a new earring.

The woman, confident that with his wooden token she knew where to find him, let him go. Following the State Preceptor's instructions, Princess Minghui traveled to the Nanjing Prince's Mansion, believed to house the fifth Nine Divine Bead. She found Prince Nanjing gravely ill and unconscious, with only his granddaughter, Shui Yue, as his remaining relative, his wife and son having passed away in an accident. Shui Yue herself was currently out of the mansion.

Minghui, feigning concern, offered herbal medicine for the Prince and then fabricated a story about having left a childhood book in the study, requesting the housekeeper to allow her access. Despite the housekeeper's initial reluctance due to the Prince's condition and Shui Yue's absence, Minghui's insistence and her promise to bear any consequences swayed him. Inside the study, Minghui meticulously searched, noticing peculiar pharmaceutical drawings and diagrams despite there being no doctors or pharmacists residing in the mansion.

After her search, she made her excuses and departed. Coincidentally, Shui Yue returned to the mansion, revealing herself to be the same elegant woman who had encountered and tricked Mu Le earlier that day. She expressed surprise at Minghui's visit, initially not remembering her, but the housekeeper reminded her of their shared childhood before Shui Yue had become reclusive after a past dog bite.

Looking pale, Shui Yue soon retired to her room, where she worriedly inspected a dwindling supply of her personal medicine, wondering what she would do when it ran out. Meanwhile, Mu Le, needing money to fulfill his promise to Shui Yue, went around the household attempting to borrow from various servants, including Uncle Xia, who could only offer a small sum.

He then approached Tian Shu, who was hiding, and Tian Shu, aware of Ye Yuanan's wealth, suggested Mu Le ask her directly. Mu Le, seeing Ye Yuanan deeply engrossed in her flower arranging, initially hesitated to disturb her. However, Yuan'an noticed him lingering outside and called him in. He awkwardly requested to borrow money, and without hesitation, she handed him a substantial amount.

She sternly warned him against using the money for any 'bad things,' even jokingly threatening to beat him to death if he did. Later, an aunt informed Ye Yuanan that Mu Le had been borrowing money from others in the household. The aunt speculated that Mu Le might have fallen for a girl and worried he was being cheated, which piqued Yuan'an's suspicion. Elsewhere in Chang'an, a series of disturbing murders began.

A woman's body was discovered with her face gruesomely cut off. Zhao Lanzhi and his team investigated the scene. A witness came forward, recounting a chilling encounter where a black-clad woman, whom he described as having 'no face,' attempted to 'borrow something' from another woman, implying it was her face, just before the victim was found.

A witness told Zhao Lanzhi that the perpetrator of the recent murders was like a ghost wearing a cape, claiming they saw a faceless figure. Meanwhile, Shuiyue used the faces of the murdered women to maintain her own beauty. Mu Le arrived at the agreed meeting spot, but Shuiyue, observing from a distance, chose not to appear, instructing her maid that patience was key and she wanted to keep him waiting longer.

Mu Le, left with no alternative, waited throughout the afternoon in the pouring rain, clad in a straw cape. Ye Yuanan, struggling with flower arrangement, sought help from the Bellflower Room owner. The owner, noting Ye Yuanan's lack of talent in such "girlish stuff," reluctantly agreed to help her create a beautiful arrangement. Ye Yuanan then presented the flower arrangement to Zhao Lanzhi.

She inquired about the unusual murder case, but Zhao Lanzhi, citing his duty, refused to divulge any details, simply telling her it was time to go home. Later, Shuiyue arrived at the Ye Mansion, claiming she had gone to their meeting spot and only saw a man in a raincoat, implying Mu Le had not kept his word.

Mu Le, in turn, presented her with earrings he had bought with borrowed money, but Shuiyue scoffed at their value, comparing them to her own expensive Mengjinyuan earrings. She held onto Mu Le, threatening to report his behavior to Ye Yuanan, when Ye Yuanan herself appeared. Shuiyue explained to Ye Yuanan that she had seen Mu Le skillfully feeding horses in the market and had come to ask for advice.

Sensing Ye Yuanan was secretly in love, Shuiyue offered to teach her how to apply makeup, transforming Ye Yuanan into a beautiful lady. Pleased with the result, Ye Yuanan invited Shuiyue to visit more often. As Shuiyue departed, Mu Le secretly entered her carriage, demanding to know what she had told Ye Yuanan. Shuiyue, realizing Mu Le's affection for Ye Yuanan, cruelly pointed out the vast difference in their social statuses, insisting that their relationship would never succeed.

Back at her own mansion, Shuiyue encountered Princess Ming Hui. Their exchange was outwardly polite, but both harbored ulterior motives. Shuiyue grew suspicious of Ming Hui's frequent visits and instructed her steward, Old Wang, to prevent the princess from wandering freely around the estate when she was not present. Ming Hui, meanwhile, reflected on her childhood memories of Shuiyue, recalling that Shuiyue's eyes had been blue due to her foreign mother.

The stark contrast with Shuiyue's current black eyes left Ming Hui puzzled, wondering if eye color could change over time. Determined to assist Zhao Lanzhi in catching the murderer, Ye Yuanan dressed up beautifully and ventured out late at night. Unbeknownst to her, Zhao Lanzhi had deployed male constables in women's attire to act as bait for the face-cutting killer. A rogue attempted to accost one of the disguised constables and then turned his attention to Ye Yuanan.

Zhao Lanzhi intervened, apprehending the rogue. He then chastised Ye Yuanan for recklessly endangering herself, reminding her of his responsibility to her father if anything happened to her. Ye Yuanan, believing Zhao Lanzhi’s concern stemmed only from his fear of facing Minister Ye, tearfully argued with him, feeling he treated her no differently than her own father. In her sorrow, Ye Yuanan took out her mother's keepsake, only to discover it had been broken during her scuffle with the rogue.

Her grief intensified, and Mu Le quickly moved to comfort her. As Zhao Lanzhi and his men continued their investigation, realizing the earlier arrested rogue was not the true culprit, another woman, a courtesan named Cui Lian from Tingyin Pavilion, was brutally murdered, her face also removed by the killer. This horrifying development enraged Zhao Lanzhi and his team, prompting him to issue a city-wide order for all young women to stay home at night for their safety.

Seizing an opportunity to manipulate Mu Le and Ye Yuanan, Shuiyue deliberately drove a wedge between them. She challenged Mu Le to a bet, asserting that Ye Yuanan regarded him no differently than any other servant and would readily give him away if asked. Shuiyue then falsely confided in Ye Yuanan, claiming that she and Mu Le were secretly engaged and that Mu Le had even presented her with precious earrings as a token of their love.

Remembering Mu Le's recent request for money, Ye Yuanan sadly believed Shuiyue's tale. In front of a heartbroken Mu Le, she formally relinquished his service, telling him he was now free to be with Shuiyue. Mu Le, unable to utter a word, silently left with Shuiyue. Meanwhile, Princess Ming Hui, having gained access to Shuiyue's room, discovered a small bottle of medicinal pills, deepening her suspicions about Shuiyue.

Back at her mansion, Shuiyue welcomed Mu Le, declaring him the new master of her household and attempting to kiss him. As Mu Le recoiled, he noticed that Shuiyue’s facial features seemed to shift, a strange displacement. Alarmed, Shuiyue realized her face was becoming unstable and rushed to find her medicine, only to discover the bottle was missing. Recalling Ming Hui's persistent visits, Shuiyue grew furious, convinced that Ming Hui had stolen her precious pills.

Zhao Lanzhi approached Ye Yuanan to offer his apologies, explaining that his previous anger stemmed from excessive worry for her safety. He remarked that she seemed to have changed, appearing more ladylike than her former bold self, and he preferred her new demeanor, as she no longer caused him as much concern. Ming Hui, observing their interaction from a distance, felt an inexplicable displeasure.

Later, Ye Yuanan attended a gathering of esteemed young ladies from Luoyang City, where Madam Guo announced a flower arrangement competition, promising a prized orchid to the winner. Zhao Lanzhi, believing Ye Yuanan herself had created the beautiful flower arrangement she previously gave him, encouraged her to participate, despite her reluctance. Ming Hui, seeing the chance to contend with Ye Yuanan, deliberately joined the competition.

She subtly implied that Ye Yuanan, known for her martial arts skills, might not excel in flower arrangement. Ye Yuanan, stung by the insinuation, took up the challenge. As anticipated, Ye Yuanan's arrangement was far from elegant; one lady even remarked it looked like a "rooster with messy hair," though Ye Yuanan insisted it was a "peacock flaunting its tail." Ultimately, Princess Ming Hui's skillful creation secured her the top-class orchid.

Several noble ladies then openly mocked Ye Yuanan for her lack of refinement, assuming she couldn't hear them. Ye Yuanan, overhearing their insults and their disdainful comments about her association with Officer Zhao, decided she could not tolerate it any longer and confronted them, threatening them with her pet spider. Ming Hui, witnessing the scene, quickly dispatched a servant to fetch Zhao Lanzhi, fabricating a message that Ye Yuanan urgently wished to speak with him.

When Zhao Lanzhi arrived, the ladies feigned distress, claiming Ye Yuanan was about to harm them. Zhao Lanzhi, misunderstanding the situation, harshly reprimanded Ye Yuanan, accusing her of being reckless and disappointing him. Feeling deeply hurt, Ye Yuanan stormed off. Afterward, Zhao Lanzhi regretted his words and secretly retrieved Ye Yuanan's unique flower arrangement, realizing it truly depicted a peacock. Zhao Lanzhi saw Princess Ming Hui off, experiencing a vague sense of déjà vu.

As Ming Hui rode away in her carriage, she remembered saving Zhao Lanzhi from a pond in the past and how she had slowly developed feelings for him. Suddenly, her carriage shook violently. Zhao Lanzhi, hearing the commotion, rushed over, but Ming Hui quickly dismissed his concerns, attributing the shaking to her restless sleep after drinking too much wine. Once alone, Ming Hui confronted Shuiyue, who had been hiding in the carriage.

Ming Hui immediately recognized her by her distinctive blue eyes, revealing that she was indeed Shuiyue. However, this revelation deepened Ming Hui's confusion, as she wondered who the "Shuiyue" at Prince Nanjing's mansion truly was if the real one was before her. Meanwhile, at Prince Nanjing's manor, the "Shuiyue" residing there, who was actually Xiaoke, despaired as her borrowed face began to deteriorate without the essential medicinal pills.

Believing it to be her last chance, she carefully applied makeup, hoping to preserve her most beautiful appearance for Mu Le. Mu Le, who had been observing her suspicious behavior, was discovered and brought into her room. Xiaoke then tearfully revealed her true identity to him, reminding him that she was the "Xiaoke" he had known in the slave shack.

They reminisced about their time as slaves, recalling how Mu Le would repeatedly murmur "Huole de tuotuo," and how Xiaoke, despite being a fellow slave, had shown him kindness by sharing her meager food and attempting to help him escape. Their escape attempt was foiled, and the real Shuiyue purchased Xiaoke, saying she needed a "little sister" with a similar build to play a "fun game" of disguise. Shuiyue pampered Xiaoke, fattening her up and fairing her skin.

One day, after giving Xiaoke a flower tea, Shuiyue drugged her and, using her dark arts, swapped their faces. The real Shuiyue, now in Xiaoke's body, revealed her true motive: to escape an arranged marriage arranged by her uncle and aunt, whom she intended to eliminate. She had planned to use Xiaoke, in Shuiyue's body, as a scapegoat. Shuiyue warned Xiaoke that the swapped face would distort without her special pills from Lingdang Garden House.

Xiaoke, recounting these events to Mu Le, confessed that she went aboard the marriage ship with Shuiyue's uncle and aunt, but, anticipating treachery, she was prepared. When the real Shuiyue set the ship ablaze, Xiaoke managed to escape and confronted Shuiyue, who was watching the inferno from a distance. Unable to reclaim her own face, Xiaoke, in a moment of madness and desperation, chose to disfigure Shuiyue's face, refusing to let her escape justice.

Xiaoke expressed profound regret for her actions, lamenting the "retribution" she now faced. Mu Le then inquired about the recent face-slicing murders in Luoyang. Xiaoke vehemently denied any involvement, asserting she knew the real Shuiyue was behind them. She revealed that the real Shuiyue had once returned to confront her, but Xiaoke had driven her away by threatening to further damage her disfigured face.

Desperate, Xiaoke pleaded with Mu Le to steal a specific secret pill from Lingdang Garden House, the same place where the real Shuiyue had originally obtained her potent concoctions. Meanwhile, the real Shuiyue, discussing her plight with Ming Hui, was mocked for her failure to secure a new identity or suitable faces, despite her murderous spree. Ming Hui then produced a small bottle of pills she had stolen from Xiaoke's room, confirming their importance for facial fusion.

They deduced that Xiaoke, now without the critical medicine, would inevitably seek replenishment at Lingdang Garden House. Recognizing this as an opportunity, they conspired to set a trap. That evening, Ye Yuanan, having decided to give up on flower arranging, was at Lingdang Garden House, conversing with the owner, when the owner was suddenly stabbed and abducted. Ye Yuanan immediately pursued the assailant.

Zhao Lanzhi was later informed by his subordinate about the kidnapping at Lingdang Garden House and the theft of special medicinal pills. His subordinate explained that the pills, regulated by the government, were created by the owner's great-grandfather, a former gardener for Emperor Taizong, and had the miraculous ability to merge skin and flesh. He recalled witnessing the owner use these pills years ago to save a young Shuiyue whose face had been severely mutilated by a dog.

The subordinate also mentioned seeing crow feathers in the backyard, similar to evidence found in previous cases, leading to speculation about a connection. Zhao Lanzhi concluded that if the kidnapper targeted these specific pills, the owner of Lingdang Garden House must still be alive, and vowed to find her. He was also informed that Ye Yuanan had been seen at the flower house earlier that evening.

Ye Yuanan, having secretly followed Mu Le to the Lingdang Garden House, discovered him giving medicine to Xiaoke, whose face had now been restored. Ye Yuanan confronted them, demanding to know what they were doing and what Xiaoke had swallowed. Xiaoke, calling Mu Le "Tuotuo," desperately urged him to kill Ye Yuanan to protect her secrets.

Ye Yuanan challenged Xiaoke's authority over Mu Le, questioned if he was at the flower house to find medicine for Xiaoke, and demanded to know Miss Lingdang's whereabouts, realizing she was missing. As Mu Le hesitated, Xiaoke, reaffirming his promise to do anything for her, again commanded him to kill Ye Yuanan. Ye Yuanan corrected Xiaoke, stating his name was Mu Le.

During the commotion, Xiaoke forced a pill into Ye Yuanan's mouth, revealing it was a poison that would cause her to freeze to death within thirty minutes without an antidote. Mu Le frantically demanded the antidote for Ye Yuanan, but Xiaoke, expressing her jealousy and asking if Ye Yuanan was more important than her, refused. Instead, Xiaoke offered Mu Le another pill, claiming it was poison, and promised the antidote for Ye Yuanan if he swallowed it.

Despite Ye Yuanan's warning that Xiaoke was lying, Mu Le took the pill without hesitation and again demanded the antidote. Angered by his actions, Xiaoke exclaimed that Ye Yuanan didn't deserve such sacrifice. Xiaoke then reneged on her promise and locked Ye Yuanan and Mu Le together, stating that only after one of them died would she release the other.

As both suffered from the poisons, Ye Yuanan declared she was no coward and would never trade Mu Le's life for her own, choosing to live or die together, a sentiment Mu Le echoed. Finally, Xiaoke, softened by her feelings for Mu Le, threw them the antidote. After the ordeal, Xiaoke expressed her desire for death, feeling exposed now that Ye Yuanan knew her secrets.

Ye Yuanan, though initially angry, realized Xiaoke wasn't entirely bad, noting that she saved them at the last minute. Mu Le confirmed that Xiaoke was not the true Shuiyue but a "pitiful girl." Mu Le and Xiaoke then explained the truth to Ye Yuanan, who understood that the real Shuiyue was also at the Lingdang Garden House that night and had kidnapped Miss Lingdang to gain control of the "drug-maker."

Xiaoke, distraught that her current supply of medicine would run out and ruin her face, worried about what to do. Ye Yuanan warned her about the poisoned room they were in. Returning to the Lingdang Garden House, they found a crow feather. Xiaoke recognized the smell of decomposing bodies and stated, 'I know where she is.' Following the clues to a grave site, they were confronted by the real Shuiyue, who expressed surprise they found her.

Shuiyue mocked Xiaoke and her companions, then directly accused Xiaoke of being the culprit. Xiaoke denied it, but Shuiyue countered that words were meaningless without evidence, inviting them to follow her for the "truth." As they followed, a trap, set with the help of Princess Minghui, ensnared Ye Yuanan and her companions. Shuiyue noted that Mu Le was a difficult opponent. After capturing them, Shuiyue drugged Xiaoke and successfully switched faces, reclaiming her original appearance.

She revealed to Princess Minghui that she learned this "skin-switching" technique from the ancient scriptures inscribed on a Divine Bead that her grandfather had given her as a child. Minghui, witnessing the ingenious magic, realized why the State Preceptor was so keen on collecting all nine Divine Beads, believing that with them, one could become invincible. Shuiyue, now back in her own skin, intended to kill Ye Yuanan, Mu Le, and Xiaoke to eliminate witnesses.

However, Minghui suggested a cunning plan: framing Xiaoke as the primary culprit and Ye Yuanan and Mu Le as her accomplices, allowing Shuiyue to return to Prince Nanjing Mansion and live as her true self. Minghui reminded Shuiyue that they already had a witness to implicate Xiaoke. Miss Lingdang, who had been abducted by Shuiyue, was found imprisoned in the secret room where Ye Yuanan and the others were held.

Meanwhile, Zhao Lanzhi, following the trail of raven feathers, located a suspicious grave site on the outskirts. An officer pointed out an oddity about the grave, and Zhao Lanzhi, remembering that crows were out of season in Luoyang, recognized the significance of their guide. He activated a mechanism on the tombstone, revealing a secret room where Miss Lingdang, disoriented and in shock, was arguing with the faceless Xiaoke, whom she mistakenly believed was her attacker.

Zhao Lanzhi immediately ordered the capture of Xiaoke and Mu Le, despite Ye Yuanan's protests that they were innocent. Miss Lingdang was taken to a doctor for treatment. In court, Xiaoke vehemently denied the accusations, pointing out that she was a lady from a prince's manor and questioning why she would commit such crimes, while the faceless woman (herself) had every reason to do so. However, without evidence, her claims were dismissed.

A beggar was brought in as a witness, who unequivocally identified the faceless Xiaoke as the killer he had seen. Based on this eyewitness testimony and the circumstantial evidence, the Magistrate declared Xiaoke guilty of killing and skinning people and sentenced her to death by execution in two days. Xiaoke cried out that she was framed by Lady Shuiyue, but her pleas were ignored as she was taken to prison.

Princess Minghui orchestrated the spread of rumors throughout the city, stating that the captured "skinless monster" was not alone, but had two accomplices: Minister Ye's daughter, Ye Yuanan, and her slave. This incited public outrage, with citizens demanding severe punishment for all three and accusing officials of shielding their own. Minghui confirmed her role in spreading these rumors with her informant. Confronting Shuiyue, Minghui pressed her about her deep grudge against Ye Yuanan and demanded the Divine Bead.

Shuiyue, however, insisted on waiting until all witnesses were dead before handing it over. Just then, news arrived that the old Prince Nanjing had passed away. Shuiyue immediately rushed home, leaving Minghui to coldly remark that Shuiyue's good days were clearly over. Zhao Lanzhi visited Ye Yuanan in prison, explaining that all evidence pointed to Xiaoke, who was sentenced to death, and that Ye Yuanan and Mu Le were accused as accomplices, facing public calls for severe punishment.

Ye Yuanan questioned if Zhao Lanzhi also believed her guilty, but he asserted that his personal opinion didn't matter in the face of evidence like the skins found at the scene and Miss Lingdang's testimony. He urged Ye Yuanan to admit her mistakes, promising her freedom if she learned her lesson.

However, when Ye Yuanan asked about Mu Le and Xiaoke, Zhao Lanzhi explained that Mu Le's footprints at Lingdang Garden House and the witness identification of Xiaoke were undeniable evidence, meaning only Ye Yuanan could be released. Refusing to abandon her companions, Ye Yuanan chose to remain. Later, she reconciled with Mu Le, explaining that her past actions of trying to make him leave were meant to fulfill his wishes.

That night, Mu Le suffered a nightmare, mumbling "Huole de tuotuo" in his sleep. Ye Yuanan soothed him by singing a lullaby, recalling her mother used to sing the same to her. Ye Yuanan also lamented her situation, reflecting on how her mother would be vexed to see her in prison. In court, an official presented a memorial impeaching Minister Ye, accusing his daughter, Ye Yuanan, as an accomplice in the skinning case.

Minister Ye defended himself, admitting he might have been too lax but emphasizing that Ye Yuanan was not yet found guilty and he knew nothing of the crimes. The Empress, however, dismissed the accusations, publicly stating that Ye Yuanan's status as a suspect would not implicate her father, allowing Minister Ye to continue his duties. Later, Minister Ye, concerned for his daughter, wished to bring her food and clothes to prison.

His stepmother intervened, warning him against risking his official position further and offering to visit Ye Yuanan on his behalf. Minister Ye, seeing Zhao Lanzhi arrive for a visit, reluctantly agreed. The stepmother then revealed her true malicious intent to a servant, stating she had no leisure to visit Ye Yuanan and hoped she would starve in prison.

Meanwhile, Tian Shu, noticing Ye Yuanan and Mu Le's prolonged absence, inquired with the housekeeper and learned they were imprisoned, accused as accomplices in the skinning case. Though initially making a jest, Tian Shu quickly showed concern, realizing that more than food was needed. He then had the housekeeper deliver some of his ingenious escape tools to Ye Yuanan in prison, disguised as gifts from "the man in the basement."

Xiaoke, in her prison cell, regretted her past actions, lamenting her fate and how she had dragged Mu Le and Ye Yuanan into her mess. Soon after, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le, utilizing the escape tools provided by Tian Shu, broke out of prison. They then rescued Xiaoke, and the three fled to a river. Ye Yuanan, fearing her family would be incriminated by her escape, urged Mu Le to take Xiaoke and leave.

However, Mu Le declared his unwavering loyalty to Ye Yuanan, stating he would not live without her, and jumped into the water to return. Seeing his resolve, Xiaoke also insisted on not leaving without them. Xiaoke then proclaimed her innocence, refusing to plead guilty to crimes she didn't commit, and asserted that Miss Shuiyue of Prince Nanjing Mansion was the true murderer. Mu Le agreed, determined to make Shuiyue pay.

Ye Yuanan, recognizing that Shuiyue had powerful allies, suggested they seek expert help themselves. They went to Tian Shu, who was astonished to see Xiaoke's condition, confirming the existence of the legendary skin-switching technique. Tian Shu explained that he had heard of such a foreign method, inspired by snakes, but never truly believed it until now.

Despite his initial fascination, Tian Shu stated he could not help them directly, as Shuiyue had reclaimed her skin, making it nearly impossible to apprehend her unless she attempted another skin-switching ritual, which would be their only chance to catch her in the act.

Zhao Lanzhi inspected the imperial prison, finding the lock cut and the cells empty where Ye Yuanan and her companions had been held. He sighed, wondering what he could do to make Ye Yuanan behave. Later, Zhao Lanzhi went to Prince Nanjing's manor to offer his condolences following the Prince's passing. Shuiyue greeted him, and as she directed a servant to take him to rest, Zhao Lanzhi noticed her blue eyes.

On the way, he encountered a young boy rushing past. He recognized the boy as Ye Yuanan in disguise and told the servant to inform Shuiyue he had urgent business at his office and had to leave. Shuiyue, observing the declining state of her manor, lamented that with her grandfather gone and unable to inherit his title, few friends came to pay respects, and her funds were dwindling. Zhao Lanzhi pursued Ye Yuanan to a tea house.

He confronted her, asking why she had returned after escaping. Ye Yuanan explained she was back to catch the murderer and asked for his help, confident that Shuiyue would eventually expose herself. Zhao Lanzhi urged Ye Yuanan to go home and let him handle the case. Zhao Lanzhi unconsciously held Ye Yuanan's hand. As Ye Yuanan was distracted, Zhao Lanzhi took the opportunity to hold her hostage, demanding she reveal Xiao Ke's whereabouts. Soon after, Xiao Ke was publicly executed.

From a distance, Princess Minghui watched, appearing pleased. Back at the dilapidated manor, Shuiyue furiously rebuked her servants for stealing sacrificial offerings and ordered them to be cast out. The servants, who had not been paid in a long time, retorted that they had to live and left the manor. Princess Minghui arrived at the manor, noting that the mourning hall for Prince Nanjing had been removed before seven days had passed.

Shuiyue explained that performing the proper rites required money, and her grandfather had left her nothing; the mansion was now a mere skeleton, difficult to manage. Minghui revealed that Xiao Ke had been executed, and Ye Yuanan and her servant were imprisoned, meaning Shuiyue was no longer threatened. Minghui then demanded the Divine Bead from Shuiyue. Shuiyue led her to a room and showed her the bead but refused to hand it over.

She explained that such beads could only be bestowed, not forcibly taken, and if she died, the bead would be masterless. Shuiyue declared she was tired of being powerless and wanted Minghui to help her find a powerful and influential woman whose identity she could assume. Minghui, surprised that Shuiyue wished to change skins again so soon after regaining her own, revealed that the Empress planned to marry Princess Qi'an off to Kang Kingdom for an alliance.

Minghui proposed recommending Shuiyue as an escort for Princess Qi'an, which would allow Shuiyue to take Princess Qi'an's skin, gaining a higher status and greater power. Shuiyue, delighted by the prospect, promised to give Minghui the Divine Bead once the plan was successfully executed, though Minghui warned her not to play any more tricks.

Meanwhile, the State Preceptor expressed his disapproval of Princess Qi'an's marriage alliance with Kang Kingdom to the Empress, arguing that it was a small nation and they should instead conquer it. The Empress rebuked him, asserting that peace and stability were far superior to war and misery, and that her decision was final. The Emperor, suffering a headache, took pills provided by the State Preceptor. Princess Minghui, sensing the State Preceptor's frustration with the Empress's decision, proposed a plan.

She claimed it would ruin the marriage alliance, sow discord between Great Tang and Kang State, secure the fifth Divine Bead, and eliminate all witnesses, killing two birds with one stone. The State Preceptor approved, assigning his assistant Huo Yang to help Princess Minghui. As Princess Qi'an's marriage procession departed, the Empress instructed Shuiyue, whom Minghui had recommended as an escort, to ensure the Princess’s well-being.

Once inside the carriage, Princess Qi'an, feeling bored, invited Shuiyue to join her and chat. Inside the carriage, Princess Qi'an offered to show Shuiyue some magic tricks she learned from commoners, making a pigeon appear. Shuiyue then lit some incense, creating a sedative effect. Shuiyue proposed a "changing skins" game, demonstrating the skin-changing art on herself, causing Princess Qi'an to realize Shuiyue intended to take her skin. Suddenly, Zhao Lanzhi appeared.

Ye Yuanan, who had been masquerading as Princess Qi'an with a human-skin mask, revealed her true identity. She reminded Shuiyue that the Empress had approved this ruse to expose the real culprit. Realizing she had fallen into a trap, Shuiyue tried to escape. Princess Minghui, observing the chaos from a distance, worried that Shuiyue might reveal her involvement if captured. She ordered her hidden assassins to attack, determined to retrieve Shuiyue and the fifth Divine Bead.

During the ambush, Mu Le, in a burst of power, single-handedly eliminated all the assassins, saving Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi. Minghui caught up to the fleeing Shuiyue, who pleaded for help. Minghui demanded the Divine Bead. Shuiyue reluctantly presented the bead, but just as Minghui reached for it, Shuiyue launched a surprise attack, accusing Minghui of using her and intending to take Minghui's skin to become Princess Minghui from Prince Yu Mansion.

At that moment, Huo Yang arrived and fatally stabbed Shuiyue. The Empress, astonished by the existence of skin-changing magic, commended Zhao Lanzhi for successfully solving the case and enforcing the law. She promoted him to Director of Justice (Sizhi) of the Court of Judicature and Revision. The Empress then urged Ye Yuanan to forgive Zhao Lanzhi, acknowledging that the case was unusual and Zhao Lanzhi had simply believed in evidence.

Ye Yuanan formally forgave him, though she still spoke to him curtly. Ye Yuanan then informed the Empress that Shuiyue likely had accomplices, pointing out how they had known the secret marriage route and sought an audience before being lured into the palace. However, the Empress stated that since all the assassins were dead, the investigation could not proceed further.

She then revealed that while the staged marriage was a ploy, Kang Kingdom’s request for a marriage alliance was real, but Princess Qi'an refused to marry a foreigner, leaving her at a loss. Ye Yuanan suggested that Xiao Ke could take Princess Qi'an's place. Xiao Ke, now preparing for her journey, expressed her gratitude to Ye Yuanan and Mu Le for saving her, looking forward to a stable life as a Tang princess in Kang Kingdom.

Before leaving, Xiao Ke secretly told Mu Le that Ye Yuanan harbored feelings for him, even if Ye Yuanan herself didn't realize it, reminding him that she wouldn't have risked her life to save him otherwise. Xiao Ke urged Mu Le not to let Ye Yuanan down. Mu Le vowed to always remember Ye Yuanan's kindness and never disappoint her.

Xiao Ke also warned Mu Le that Zhao Lanzhi was a formidable rival, as she had noticed his affection for Ye Yuanan. Zhao Lanzhi later reflected to Ye Yuanan that Shuiyue's case had made him realize the importance of being true to oneself. He declared that if Ye Yuanan didn't cause trouble or fight, she wouldn't be the Ye Yuanan he admired, and so he would let her be herself.

He then proposed that Mu Le, with his impressive martial arts skills, join the army. Ye Yuanan declined, explaining that Mu Le was wild by nature and only listened to her, which would surely lead to trouble in the military. Zhao Lanzhi then asked Ye Yuanan if she had any suspicions regarding Shuiyue's accomplice.

Ye Yuanan revealed that Xiao Ke had mentioned someone frequently visiting Prince Nanjing's mansion before her pills went missing, and that she vaguely recalled seeing someone resembling Princess Minghui before she fell unconscious. While she suspected Minghui, she couldn't be certain. Ye Yuanan also noted the Empress's reluctance to pursue the matter further.

Zhao Lanzhi confirmed this, explaining that Princess Minghui was the State Preceptor's disciple, and the complex, mutually restrictive relationship between the Empress and the State Preceptor meant the Empress had her own reasons for not digging deeper. Later, Zhao Lanzhi went to visit Jiang Ren's tomb on his friend's birthday. He noted the tomb was well-kept, implying frequent visitors. Princess Minghui then appeared, expressing surprise to see him there.

Zhao Lanzhi explained that Jiang Ren had been a good friend and fellow soldier years ago. Minghui, however, retorted sarcastically that she only knew Zhao Lanzhi had killed him. Zhao Lanzhi defended his actions, stating that the situation had been critical, and he had to kill Jiang Ren to save others. Minghui accused him of feigning regret, asserting that he secretly desired to eliminate his friend.

Princess Minghui confronted Zhao Lanzhi at Jiang Ren's tomb, taunting him for his role in Jiang Ren's death. Zhao Lanzhi silently endured her reproaches, understanding it was natural for her to blame him given Jiang Ren was her childhood friend. He maintained that he was merely upholding the law and did not regret capturing criminals. He then pressed Princess Minghui about her connection to Shuiyue.

Princess Minghui admitted to knowing Shuiyue since childhood and helping her out of sisterly affection, claiming she was unaware of Shuiyue's murderous actions and was misled by her. She offered herself for arrest if Zhao Lanzhi suspected her. As Princess Minghui rode away, her horse suddenly became spooked. Fearing that Zhao Lanzhi, who was right behind her, would discover her martial arts skills, she deliberately refrained from using them to regain control.

Seeing her in danger, Zhao Lanzhi rushed to her aid, catching her in his arms. The unexpected embrace stirred a familiar feeling in Zhao Lanzhi, reminding him of a masked woman he had encountered previously in Luotiandong. He began to suspect Princess Minghui might be the same mysterious woman. Before he could question her further, a servant interrupted, announcing that the State Preceptor wished to see her, prompting Princess Minghui to quickly excuse herself.

Princess Minghui reported to the State Preceptor, presenting him with the fifth Divine Bead. However, the State Preceptor chastised her for her lack of progress, noting that she had fallen into traps, failed to destroy the marriage alliance, and nearly implicated herself.

He acknowledged her struggle against formidable opponents like the martial artist Mu Le, the shrewd Ye Yuanan (daughter of the Minister of Finance), and the "vicious and crafty" Zhao Lanzhi, whom he suspected was already growing suspicious of her. Eager to prove herself, Princess Minghui vowed to eliminate Zhao Lanzhi. She then inquired about the differing markings on the Divine Beads she had recovered.

The State Preceptor explained that eight of the nine Divine Beads were inscribed with secret spells, some bearing a "bulging yang seal" for great magical power, and others a "depressed yin seal" containing mysterious and strange ancient tribal magic. He clarified that if the yin seal on a bead was broken, the techniques could be learned and used even without possessing the bead itself.

This revelation caused Princess Minghui to realize how Xiaoke had been able to perform the skin-changing technique without Shuiyue's Divine Bead. The State Preceptor then revealed the location of the next Divine Bead to Princess Minghui. Ye Yuanan and Mu Le celebrated their recent victory with Tianshu. Mu Le, however, had no recollection of defeating the assassins.

He questioned Tianshu about "Huole de Tuotuo," a name that seemed to resonate with Tianshu, though he remained evasive, stating an old friend used to say that name to him. Ye Yuanan expressed regret that Shuiyue's sudden death and Xiaoke's departure prevented Tianshu from researching the skin-changing technique. Tianshu vaguely recalled his master mentioning such "sorcery." After Tianshu became thoroughly intoxicated, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le decided to leave.

Ye Yuanan told Mu Le that she sincerely remembered both kindness and malice, returning his wooden token and admonishing him not to lose it again. She also promised to treat him well in the future. When Mu Le asked if she would send him away once more, Ye Yuanan sidestepped the question, instead offering to help him investigate "Huole de Tuotuo," since he had recently saved her life.

Although Mu Le initially insisted it was his own business, Ye Yuanan insisted on helping him. As they talked, petals blew around them, and Mu Le tenderly removed one from Ye Yuanan's hair. Meanwhile, a now sober Tianshu had a sudden realization: the skin-changing sorcery was a secret contained within the Divine Beads.

He recalled a past conversation with his late Master Xuanzang, who had explained that the Divine Beads, containing extraordinary ancient tribal techniques, were not destroyed because the techniques themselves were neutral, and it was the user's intent that determined good or evil; thus, the knowledge should be preserved. Recognizing that a Divine Bead had surfaced in Luoyang, Tianshu understood that a confrontation with the State Preceptor, whom he called Senior Tian Qiao, was imminent.

Axiu and her son, Huan'er, were living a meager life, with Huan'er frequently bullied for not having a father. One day, Axiu overheard a public announcement that Lord Ye Fucheng had been appointed Minister of Finance. The news stunned her, as she recalled him being a mere "petty official" when she worked as a puppeteer in the palace, and she remembered having given him a puppet that she later took back.

Huan'er, sensing his mother's emotional reaction, asked if Lord Ye was his father, but Axiu quickly denied it, also telling him he was originally a young master from a wealthy family. Weary of his impoverished life and the bullying, Huan'er resolved to run away to Luoyang to find his father, leaving a heartfelt letter for Axiu. In his letter, he asserted his birthright as a "Young Master" and vowed to return for her once he found his father.

Ye Yuanning, Ye Yuanan's brother, cunningly persuaded his sister to lend him money for gambling, fabricating a story about dire consequences if he couldn't pay his debts, such as losing fingers or drowning himself. Though skeptical, Ye Yuanan reluctantly gave him the money, with a wry comment that his potential demise was not her responsibility. At a bustling casino, Ye Yuanning was indeed gambling and winning.

Huan'er, also present and penniless, seized an opportunity to steal Ye Yuanning's silver and a jade dice. He was promptly caught, severely beaten by the gamblers, and thrown out, vowing to exact revenge once he became a "Young Master." Meanwhile, Mu Le enjoyed a storyteller's performance, generously tipping him. The storyteller, grateful, read Mu Le's palm, predicting a wealthy future. Mu Le then inquired about "Huole de Tuotuo," but the storyteller could offer no information.

Later, a desperate and starving Huan'er attempted to snatch a rice cake from a child. Mu Le, witnessing the incident, intervened, admonishing Huan'er and making him return the food, then bought the crying child a new rice cake. Huan'er's struggles continued, leaving him homeless and competing with stray dogs for food. Despite the hardship, he remained determined to find his father.

He sought work at a restaurant and was tricked by a waiter into serving "Deer Milk Cheese" to "Madam Ye" and her distinguished guests, under the false pretense that the server could partake. Entering the private room where Madam Ye was proudly showcasing the Empress-awarded delicacy, Huan'er sampled the cheese and, to everyone's horror, declared it tasteless and unappetizing, contrasting with the other guests' praise. Enraged, Madam Ye had him severely beaten and thrown out of the restaurant.

Still clinging to his dream of a life of luxury, Huan'er later accepted a coat from an old beggar, promising to repay him. He defiantly declared that he was a "Young Master" and that his father was "Minister Ye of Finance." The beggar, amused, sarcastically suggested he wait at the palace gate the next morning, kneel, and loudly proclaim himself Minister Ye's son. Huan'er took this advice seriously.

Meanwhile, Lord Ye Fucheng received commendation from the Empress for his successful handling of flood refugees, yet he felt isolated in the imperial court, surrounded by powerful factions. He mused about his family, wishing for another son, and his thoughts drifted to his past with Axiu (Xiao Xiu).

He recalled her telling him she was pregnant and her subsequent expulsion from the palace under accusations of "wicked sorcery," at which point she had returned a puppet she had made for him. He wondered about Axiu's fate and the child. The following day, Huan'er, following the beggar's instruction, intercepted Lord Ye's carriage. As the guards tried to clear him away, Huan'er cried out "Father!" and presented Lord Ye with the puppet.

He explained that it was a "love token" between Lord Ye and his mother, which she had taken back when she left. Lord Ye recognized the puppet, confirming it as the keepsake from Axiu, the palace's most skilled puppeteer.

Ah Xiu's son, Huange, stood before Minister Ye, presenting a puppet figure that his mother, Xiu, had made as a love token for Minister Ye. He recounted how Xiu had taken it back with her when she left, setting up a street-side stall to cultivate silkworms and make puppets for a living, enduring great hardship.

Huange explained that Xiu had discouraged him from seeking his father in Luoyang, believing she shouldn't disturb Minister Ye's harmonious family as he was now the Minister of Finance. Overcome with emotion, Minister Ye shed tears, acknowledging the puppet figure as their love token and lamenting Xiu's long-standing misunderstanding of him. He embraced Huange, seeing Xiu's resemblance in him, and declared him his son, promising to take him home to acknowledge his family and ancestors. Huange thanked his father.

As they journeyed back, Huange ordered the carriage to stop. He asked Minister Ye for some change and then arrogantly tossed the money to an old beggar he had encountered before, telling the man he had found his father. Meanwhile, Mu Le diligently fed the horses, still pondering the identity of "Hot Toto."

He confided in Ye Yuanan that he felt he had understood horse emotions for a long time but couldn't recall who taught him, speculating it might be related to his true identity. Ye Yuanan dismissed his concerns, assuring him that he was not bullied or mistreated in their manor. When Mu Le wondered what his life would be like if he was born into a decent family, Ye Yuanan was distracted by news of a new summer robe.

She later advised Mu Le to stay away from Huange whenever possible, not out of fear for him, but out of concern for Minister Ye, who was too old to be easily irritated. Princess Minghui visited her aunt, Madam Guo, who was also Xuelan's mother, at the General's mansion. Xuelan, who was soon to be married, greeted Minghui, who teased her about her sharp tongue.

Minghui then discreetly inquired about a specific bead, the Nine-Star Heavenly Bead, asking if Madam Guo had seen it in the mansion. Madam Guo claimed to have no impression of it and dismissed the idea of General Guo hiding anything from her, asserting her control over all household affairs, down to "a grain of rice." Minghui stressed the bead's importance for her, and Madam Guo promised to find it if it was indeed in the mansion.

Minghui then offered words of comfort, reassuring Madam Guo about General Guo's "extraordinary fidelity" over the years, despite his occasional "love affairs," and Xuelan's secure marriage to the son of State Duke Zheng. She also pledged her unwavering support should Madam Guo ever need it. As Zhao Lanzhi arrived to visit General Guo, he encountered Princess Minghui, Madam Guo, and Xuelan.

Minghui immediately subjected him to sarcasm, calling him a "renowned figure" and a "favored subject of the Empress," implying he was beyond criticism or praise. Zhao Lanzhi, sensing her long-standing misunderstanding of him, excused himself from General Guo, stating his intention to resolve the issue with Minghui immediately. He then pursued Minghui as she departed in her carriage. Minghui ordered her attendants to speed up and lose him, but Zhao Lanzhi quickly caught up on horseback.

He directly confronted her, asking if she was the masked girl who had saved him from the deep pool in Luotian Cave. Minghui feigned ignorance of the deep pool but then inadvertently said that both Zhao Lanzhi and "silly Ye Yuanan" should have died in it, revealing her knowledge of Ye Yuanan's presence there. Zhao Lanzhi pointed out her slip, confirming his suspicion. Minghui quickly tried to backtrack, but it was too late.

Zhao Lanzhi then acknowledged that he owed her a debt for the death of her servant Jiang Ren and for saving his life, promising to repay her when the chance arose. However, he warned her that he would not hesitate to punish her if he found any evidence of illegal practices. Minghui silently vowed that the outcome of their rivalry remained uncertain. News of Minister Ye bringing his eldest son home spread like wildfire among the servants.

When Minister Ye arrived with Huange, he was met with chaos. Madam Ye, Ye Yuanning, and Mu Le immediately confronted Huange. Madam Ye angrily accused him of drinking her deer milk cheese, while Ye Yuanning claimed Huange had stolen money from him and grabbed his chest. Mu Le, recognizing Huange as the boy he had previously disciplined for bullying children, was also furious.

Minister Ye intervened, introducing Huange as his son, the eldest brother of Ye Yuanan and Ye Yuanning, and "the eldest son of our family." Madam Ye was so shocked that she claimed to have a stomachache. The family rejected Huange's status, with Madam Ye insisting that Ye Yuanning was the only son. Even Ye Yuanan expressed her difficulty in accepting a new elder brother. Mu Le reiterated that a boy who bullied children could not be their brother.

The entire household demanded an interrogation, convinced Huange was a liar. Minister Ye, enraged by their refusal to accept Huange, defended his new son, calling his existing family "ignorant and incompetent." He asserted his authority in the house, declaring that he had the final say. Seeing the escalating tension, Huange offered to leave but insisted on proving his lineage. He proposed a blood-drop test between himself and Minister Ye in front of everyone.

During the blood test, Huange's blood miraculously blended with Minister Ye's. Unbeknownst to the family, Huange had prepared for this by applying castor oil to his hand, a trick that would make "even a cat's blood blend with a dog's blood." Minister Ye, convinced by the test, was overjoyed and embraced Huange, reaffirming him as his biological son and the "Eldest Young Master."

To compensate for his absence and to provide him with training, Minister Ye appointed Huange as the mansion's bookkeeper and promised to secure him an official post in the Imperial court. Madam Ye and Ye Yuanning protested vehemently, but Minister Ye was firm in his decision, silencing them.

Soon after, Huange, now in charge of the accounts, proposed deducting from the masters' monthly pocket money to cover the cost of necessary repairs for the mansion's gate and main building, justifying it as a fairer solution than embezzling from servants' salaries. Minister Ye approved his suggestion. Ye Yuanning was furious when he discovered his pocket money for the month had been significantly reduced. He confronted Huange, demanding the rest of his allowance.

Huange smugly refused, threatening to break Ye Yuanning's finger if he dared to punch him again. He taunted Ye Yuanning about his excessive spending, which he accurately deduced was for gambling, and threatened to expose him to their father. Huange then grabbed Ye Yuanning's hand and forced him to call him "Eldest Brother" before letting go. Huange later reflected that Ye Yuanning was "not qualified to compete with him."

Madam Ye hosted some friends at the mansion, but Huange instructed the servants to serve cheap watermelons instead of the palace-bestowed fruits. When Madam Ye confronted him, he calmly explained that watermelon was good for health and the special fruits were reserved for Minister Ye. He then began to expose her fraudulent accounting practices, citing specific instances of inflated expenses for gifts, such as Lord Zhou's mother's seventieth birthday and a grandaunt's banquet.

He revealed that the previous accountant kept a separate book to distance himself from her misdeeds, suggesting she had a private coffer. Faced with this undeniable evidence, Madam Ye was forced to dismiss her guests and yield to Huange, who smugly announced "the Eldest Son of the family is taking my leave now." Feeling triumphant, Huange set his sights on Mu Le. He demanded that Mu Le bring him a superior horse to ride.

Mu Le, initially reluctant, remembered Ye Yuanan's advice to avoid conflict with Huange for Minister Ye's sake. He released Huange and allowed him to ride Ye Yuanan's horse. Huange, full of self-importance, galloped off but soon fell from the horse. Both Ye Yuanning and Madam Ye, humiliated and frustrated by Huange's tyranny, turned to Ye Yuanan for help.

Ye Yuanning complained about the drastic reduction in his pocket money, while Madam Ye pleaded with Yuanan, who "has a say with the Empress," to discipline Huange for disrespecting her. Ye Yuanan, however, advised them to accept Huange as their father had, to stop calling him a bastard, and to manage with the money he allocated. She subtly hinted at Ye Yuanning's habit of "stealing things here and selling them."

Reminding them that a blood test had confirmed Huange's identity, she warned that further resistance would only "extremely anger" their father. She suggested a compromise. Madam Ye lamented that Ye Yuanan was "not of one mind with us," yet she also acknowledged that no one else seemed capable of handling the troublesome Huange. She then noticed Ye Yuanan emerging from the basement. Elsewhere, Zhao Lanzhi was investigating a case at a brothel when he spotted Huange reveling.

When the brothel workers warned Huange that the officials were from the Court of Justice and Revision and might arrest him, Huange arrogantly dismissed them. He boasted that they were "just salaried men" and his father, "Finance Minister Ye," was the one who approved their wages.

While drinking heavily, Huan Ge loudly proclaimed himself Minister Ye's eldest son in front of Zhao Lanzhi. His subordinates dismissed Huan Ge as another charlatan, but Zhao Lanzhi observed that Huan Ge bore a striking resemblance to someone, though he could not recall who. The next morning, Huan Ge returned to Ye Mansion with a pounding headache and discovered his money pouch was missing, realizing one of the brothel girls had taken it.

Deciding that the girls were too pretty to complain about, he resolved to find more money by stealing from his home. Ye Yuanning and his mother secretly watched as Huan Ge searched for valuables. After Huan Ge was caught with some gold, he initially denied it but then offered to return any money he had previously deducted.

Ye Yuanning, feigning helpfulness, suggested that there was something even better in the basement of the back garden, where Ye Yuanan stored many rewards from the Empress. He insinuated that Ye Yuanan was selfish for keeping them all to herself. Proudly asserting his status as the eldest son, Huan Ge immediately decided to raid the basement. Inside the basement, Tian Shu grew anxious as Huan Ge ordered his men to break down the door.

Ye Yuanning and his mother delighted in the thought of the ensuing chaos between Huan Ge and Ye Yuanan. The guards hesitated, explaining that the basement contained Ye Yuanan's personal belongings, which even Minister Ye and his wife did not question. Huan Ge, however, declared himself in charge and insisted on discovering what Ye Yuanan was hiding. As he prepared to force entry, Mu Le intervened, blocking his path.

Huan Ge, enraged, called Mu Le a "slave" and tried to push past him, but Mu Le struck him down. Just then, Ye Yuanan arrived. She confronted Huan Ge about insulting Mu Le, whom she fiercely protected, and attempting to enter her private quarters. Huan Ge, now submissive, repeatedly apologized and promised not to repeat his actions. Minister Ye Fucheng arrived, stopping Ye Yuanan from further punishing Huan Ge.

Huan Ge immediately started crying and complaining to Minister Ye about the beating. Minister Ye chastised Ye Yuanan, reminding her that Huan Ge, unlike her, had not lived a happy and comfortable life. Despite this, Huan Ge, emboldened by Minister Ye's presence, again demanded entry to the basement. Ye Yuanan adamantly refused, leading to a public argument.

Minister Ye, caught in the middle, quickly defused the situation by telling Huan Ge that the basement contained nothing precious and then led him away, promising to discuss the matter later. After they left, Minister Ye's wife and Ye Yuanning appeared, intentionally stirring Ye Yuanan's resentment against Huan Ge.

Minister Ye's wife voiced her suspicions that Huan Ge was not Minister Ye's son, pointing out that his appearance and personality differed greatly from her husband's, suggesting he might resemble his real father. She reminded Ye Yuanan that it was Huan Ge who initially proposed the blood paternity test, and his background remained highly suspect.

Following Ye Yuanning's suggestion, Ye Yuanan decided to investigate Huan Ge's mother, a palace puppeteer named Xiao Xiu, to uncover the truth and gain grounds to expel him. Fed up with Huan Ge's antics, Ye Yuanan agreed to take action. Ye Yuanan then sought out Zhao Lanzhi, who jokingly congratulated her on gaining an elder brother.

Ye Yuanan explained the turmoil Huan Ge had caused in her family and asked Zhao Lanzhi to investigate Xiao Xiu's past, promising a substantial reward. When Zhao Lanzhi inquired about the "great bonus," Ye Yuanan playfully offered to teach him a new way to roll his eyes. Zhao Lanzhi accepted the task.

Zhao Lanzhi visited the palace's puppeteer department, but the eunuch in charge found no record of a puppeteer named Xiu or Xiao Xiu from eighteen years prior, explaining that such individuals either received imperial grace, died in the palace, or were executed for grave crimes. At that moment, a blind woman named Ling (Sister Ling) entered, asking the eunuch for some fragrance. Zhao Lanzhi, observing Ling's heightened senses, realized she might hold the key.

Ling, lamenting her fate of living and dying blind in the palace, contrasted her situation with "that person" who had left for a happy life. Zhao Lanzhi correctly guessed she was referring to Xiu. Ling confirmed it was Xiu, describing her as exceptionally beautiful and the most outstanding young puppeteer, skilled in all aspects, from sewing to silkworm breeding and puppet-making.

She recalled Xiu creating a pair of puppets for "the one in my heart" and her first encounter with Minister Ye Fucheng, who proposed marriage. Xiu, however, refused him because she had fallen in love with another man, a brave and valiant imperial general named Guo Xiaotian. Xiu often secretly visited General Guo. Ling continued, explaining the complicated situation: Minister Ye Fucheng and General Guo were best friends.

General Guo had once accompanied Minister Ye Fucheng for his confession to Xiu, and Guo himself tried to persuade Xiu to accept Minister Ye Fucheng's proposal, which deeply saddened her. Xiu had reluctantly given Minister Ye Fucheng an elaborately made puppet as a "love token." However, Xiu later realized that General Guo had pushed her towards his friend because he was about to depart for war.

Before his departure, Xiu confronted General Guo, professing her love for him and spending a night with him. She told him that the puppet given to Minister Ye Fucheng was merely an object, but her heart belonged only to General Guo. Afterward, Xiu retrieved the puppet she had given Minister Ye Fucheng, ending his hopes but leaving him trapped in longing.

Ling revealed that Xiu and General Guo's affair was eventually exposed, leading to her expulsion from the palace, though the scandal was intentionally not recorded. However, Xiu's expulsion was also due to an accusation of "malicious witchcraft" involving poisonous voodoo dolls. Ling confessed that she herself, Xiu's supposed best friend, had taken money from General Guo's wife and framed Xiu, using her knowledge of Xiu's affairs.

Xiu, facing a death sentence, was miraculously saved by a general amnesty due to a joyous occasion in the palace that year. She swore to live for her unborn child. Ling concluded that both Minister Ye Fucheng and General Guo had gone on to achieve high ranks, married into renowned families, and lived prosperous lives. She confirmed that Minister Ye Fucheng was not Huan Ge's father, but General Guo was the military officer Xiu truly loved.

Ling then muttered to herself, believing she was responsible for Xiu's pathetic life, hoping Xiu was living well after leaving the palace. Zhao Lanzhi, after silently listening, reported his findings to Ye Yuanan, concluding that Huan Ge was General Guo's son. Ye Yuanan was delighted, confirming her suspicions that Huan Ge was not her elder brother. Zhao Lanzhi cautioned her that this matter concerned a noble bloodline and urged her not to reveal anything without concrete evidence.

As they spoke, Minister Ye's wife, who had been listening nearby, overheard their conversation. Ye Yuanan, still fuming about Huan Ge's plans to replace her family's lotus pond with water chestnuts, expressed her strong desire to expel him. Zhao Lanzhi then visited General Guo. When other officials requested an archery demonstration, Zhao Lanzhi noticed General Guo's old war wounds bothering him and stepped in to perform on his behalf, displaying impressive archery skills.

Later, he discreetly asked General Guo if his old wounds were recurring, which General Guo confirmed, attributing it to a poorly treated poisoned arrow from a past war. General Guo lamented his lack of heirs beyond his daughter, Xuelan, worrying about who would support his family after his passing.

Zhao Lanzhi then subtly mentioned encountering a man in the marketplace who bore a resemblance to General Guo and whose mother was a former palace puppeteer named Xiao Xiu, implying he might be General Guo's son. General Guo was visibly shaken by the mention of Xiao Xiu, lost in memories of Xiu telling him she was pregnant and his guilt over not returning for her, believing she had died after her expulsion. He retrieved a small doll and held it.

Just then, General Guo's wife entered, and he quickly hid the doll. After General Guo left the room, his wife secretly retrieved the "old and shabby" doll from his box, suspecting it belonged to an old lover. Inside the doll, she discovered a bead, later known as a Nine-Star Heavenly Bead.

Madame Guo, while examining a doll, discovered a Nine-Star Celestial Bead hidden within it. She immediately recognized it as the bead Princess Minghui had been searching for and carefully concealed it back in its original spot. General Guo, guided by Zhao Lanzhi, arrived at a tavern where Minister Ye, Ye Yuanan, and Huan Ge were present. Minister Ye immediately understood Huan Ge was General Guo's son, but was bewildered why Huan Ge had previously claimed kinship with him.

Ye Yuanan then clarified that Huan Ge was indeed General Guo’s son, born to the puppeteer Xiu. Minister Ye expressed his deep disappointment, realizing he had been deceived, especially recalling the faked blood kinship test. Huan Ge confessed that he had applied castor oil to his hand to ensure his blood would mix with anyone's, a tactic he used to protect himself from "evil plots" by Ye Yuanan and Ye Yuanning.

Feeling betrayed, Minister Ye told General Guo to take Huan Ge and then left with Ye Yuanan. Huan Ge quickly shifted his allegiance, now calling General Guo "Father" and presenting a puppet, which General Guo recognized as a love token he had shared with Xiu. General Guo was deeply moved by Huan Ge's story of suffering while searching for his father and promised to officially recognize him. Ye Yuanan, before departing with her father, congratulated General Guo and Huan Ge.

As they left, Zhao Lanzhi advised Ye Yuanan to instruct her horsekeeper to drive slowly due to the wet and windy weather. Huan Ge, eager to join his new father, asked when he would be brought to the mansion. General Guo explained that he first needed to inform his wife to avoid family turmoil, referencing the recent chaos at Minister Ye's household.

He then requested Zhao Lanzhi to care for Huan Ge for a few days, promising to arrange a grand welcome into the family and even request an official rank from the Empress Dowager for Huan Ge. Zhao Lanzhi agreed to the task. As Huan Ge followed Zhao Lanzhi, he felt a sting but dismissed it as a mosquito bite.

On the carriage ride to the inn, Huan Ge acted arrogantly towards Zhao Lanzhi, recalling their previous encounter and boasting about his father's high official position. He then commented on Ye Yuanan's beauty, noting they were no longer related, and expressed his desire to have her. Zhao Lanzhi, incensed by Huan Ge's disrespectful words, tied him to a tree during a heavy downpour, intending to leave him there to calm down.

However, after walking away, Zhao Lanzhi heard a loud noise. Rushing back, he discovered Huan Ge dead, struck by lightning. Zhao Lanzhi was horrified, understanding the grave implications of this tragedy and collapsing to the ground in fear. Meanwhile, General Guo confessed his past relationship with a palace puppeteer to Madame Guo. Although initially resigned to the revelation of his son, Madame Guo agreed to let Huan Ge enter the household.

Just as General Guo was expressing his excitement, a subordinate delivered the devastating news of Huan Ge's death and Zhao Lanzhi's negligence. General Guo was heartbroken and collapsed. Upon hearing of Huan Ge's death, Minister Ye was troubled. Madame Ye seized the opportunity to speak highly of Ye Yuanning, persuading Minister Ye to secure a promising future for their son. Both Ye Yuanning and his mother were ecstatic.

Ye Yuanan, learning of Zhao Lanzhi's arrest for manslaughter, rushed out, followed by Mu Le. In prison, General Guo confronted Zhao Lanzhi, angrily accusing him of causing his son's death after helping him find him, and vowed to make him pay with his life. Princess Minghui arrived at the prison, reveling in Zhao Lanzhi's predicament. She mockingly reminded him of his past resolve to arrest wrongdoers.

Zhao Lanzhi calmly reaffirmed his commitment to justice, even if he were to be released. Minghui then taunted him further, predicting that Ye Yuanan, his "remarkable" friend, would soon come to rescue him. Minghui privately hoped that if Ye Yuanan attempted a prison break, it would mean the death penalty for both of them, rather than Zhao Lanzhi merely facing exile for manslaughter. Zhao Lanzhi, agitated, defended Ye Yuanan, telling Minghui not to involve her in her taunts.

Amused by his deep affection for Ye Yuanan, Minghui departed. Moments later, Ye Yuanan did indeed arrive, using special equipment to bypass the prison defenses, intent on freeing Zhao Lanzhi. Zhao Lanzhi, however, refused to leave, asserting that as an imperial officer, he could not abscond from his crime, even if it was unintentional. He admonished Ye Yuanan for disrespecting the law and urged her to leave immediately.

Upset and chastised, Ye Yuanan stormed out and vented her frustration on Mu Le, who attempted to console her. Mu Le explained that Zhao Lanzhi’s decision was honorable, preserving his reputation, and advised Ye Yuanan to return home and rest. In the imperial court, the Empress Dowager convened her ministers to discuss Zhao Lanzhi's case. She viewed Huan Ge's death as an accident, believing Zhao Lanzhi would not intentionally harm the son of a general he had helped.

The ministers echoed her sentiment, praising Zhao Lanzhi's integrity. General Guo, however, insisted on strict adherence to the law, citing a past emperor who punished himself for even accidentally spilling rice. He argued that Zhao Lanzhi, a law enforcer, must be held accountable for taking a life, regardless of intent. Convinced by General Guo's argument, the Empress Dowager decided not to intervene further, leaving the judgment to the Luoyang county court.

Public notices were posted across the city announcing Zhao Lanzhi's sentencing for manslaughter. In Chang'an, Xiu saw the notice and believed Zhao Lanzhi deserved his punishment for her son's death. Princess Minghui, noticing Xiu among the crowd, instructed her servant to discreetly follow her. General Guo, still grief-stricken and having vomited blood, was too distraught to care about his daughter Xuelan's wedding preparations.

Madame Guo, subtly prompted by Minghui, suggested inviting Xiu to live in their mansion, promising to treat her as a sister. Moved by his wife's apparent magnanimity, General Guo agreed and tasked Minghui with bringing Xiu to the household. Minghui, feigning concern, requested a token to authenticate her mission. General Guo gave her the puppet, the very love token he had shared with Xiu. Madame Guo encouraged this, stating he wouldn't need it once Xiu was living with them.

Minghui, now in possession of the puppet and the Nine-Star Celestial Bead hidden within, was secretly pleased, reflecting on her success in securing the item and preventing Huan Ge from entering the family. For Minghui and Madame Guo, the suggestion of bringing Xiu was merely a ploy to obtain the doll, and Minghui was confident that a few carefully chosen words to Xiu would ensure she would be too occupied with other matters to cause trouble for them.

In the suburbs, Xiu was mourning Huan Ge at his grave, burning paper money. Princess Minghui appeared, holding the puppet, and claimed General Guo wished for Xiu to join him at the mansion. Xiu, unmoved by the token, declared that the love symbolized by the puppet had long faded, and now that her son was also gone, she saw no reason to meet General Guo.

Minghui then deviously informed Xiu that Zhao Lanzhi was not the sole person responsible for Huan Ge's death; Ye Yuanan also bore some responsibility, skillfully inciting Xiu to seek revenge against Ye Yuanan.

A Xiu mourned her son, Huange, at his grave. Princess Minghui approached her, holding a doll, and revealed that Zhao Lanzhi, who was in prison, was not the only one responsible for Huange's death. She cunningly accused Ye Yuanan, the daughter of Minister of Finance Ye Fucheng, of conspiring with Zhao Lanzhi out of envy to murder Huange. Distraught by the news, A Xiu, who did not recognize Minghui at first, tearfully vowed to seek revenge.

Minghui, claiming to know the truth and Ye Yuanan, promised to lead A Xiu to her. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan was deeply distressed by Zhao Lanzhi's imprisonment and his refusal to escape. She refused to eat, despite her maid's pleas. Mu Le, observing her sadness, entered her room to share his suspicion that Huange's death was too convenient, suggesting Zhao Lanzhi might have been framed.

Ye Yuanan, however, dismissed his speculation, telling him not to speak of things he wasn't certain of. When Mu Le then expressed concern that she would starve herself to death before Zhao Lanzhi, she finally asked for porridge. Later, her maid commented on Mu Le's attractiveness, prompting Ye Yuanan to declare, "He is mine," before sending the maid away. Concerned about Ye Yuanan's well-being, the maid and nanny went to the market, where they found A Xiu selling lifelike dolls.

The nanny recalled Ye Yuanan’s fondness for a childhood doll that had gone missing and suggested buying a new one to lift her spirits. The maid purchased a doll from A Xiu. Back home, Ye Yuanan initially refused food, but upon receiving the doll, which reminded her of her deceased mother, she finally agreed to eat and rest. That night, as Ye Yuanan slept with the doll, she heard her deceased mother's voice calling her name.

She experienced a vivid hallucination of her mother, who claimed to have been wrongfully murdered by Ye Yuanning's mother, the current Madam Ye, and urged Ye Yuanan to avenge her. Possessed, Ye Yuanan armed herself with a dagger and burst into Lord Ye and Madam Ye's room, accusing them of her mother's death and attempting to kill Madam Ye. Mu Le quickly intervened, struggling to restrain Ye Yuanan, who was frantically shouting her desire for revenge.

Lord Ye and Ye Yuanning also tried to help subdue her. After Ye Yuanan collapsed, a doctor was summoned. The doctor concluded that she was not seriously ill, perhaps suffering from a cold or shock from nightmares, and prescribed sedatives. Despite this, Lord Ye remained uneasy and insisted the doctor stay overnight. Later that night, Ye Yuanan experienced another violent fit, throwing the medicine and vehemently accusing her father of conspiring with Madam Ye to murder her mother.

The terrified doctor fled, advising Lord Ye to seek an exorcist. Mu Le immediately went to Prince Yu Manor to confront Princess Minghui, accusing her of involvement and demanding an antidote. Minghui, with a smirk, mocked him, stating that if she truly wished Ye Yuanan harm, she would already be dead. She then cryptically hinted that someone else desired Ye Yuanan's death even more than she did.

Meanwhile, the State Preceptor praised Minghui for successfully dealing with both Zhao Lanzhi, now imprisoned, and Ye Yuanan, who was on the verge of death. Minghui, fearful of his suspicion, quickly reassured him of her unwavering loyalty and explained that she merely seized the opportunity to eliminate their common enemies. The State Preceptor cautioned her to remain vigilant. Convinced Ye Yuanan was possessed, Madam Ye brought in a powerful, albeit blind, Taoist Priest Wuji.

The priest immediately began to "purify" the estate, smashing bamboo and a precious fake mountain, claiming they harbored evil spirits and demanded a hefty sum of money from Lord Ye, who reluctantly paid. In Ye Yuanan's room, the priest placed a talisman on her forehead and declared a strong demonic aura. He discovered the doll under her bed, stating it had possessed her soul and was the source of her affliction, then ordered it to be burned.

To prepare for the exorcism, the priest instructed his disciples to bind Ye Yuanan. Mu Le protested, but Lord Ye, desperate to save his daughter, harshly ordered him to stand aside. During the ritual, Ye Yuanan screamed and struggled violently. Her pulse suddenly vanished, alarming everyone. However, Ye Yuanan abruptly opened her eyes, mocked the priest for his "abilities," and revealed she had been feigning possession. She then exposed him as a fake Taoist priest, pulling his beard.

The humiliated priest and his disciples quickly fled, declaring Ye Yuanan severely possessed and incurable, and advised the family to prepare for her funeral. After the exorcist fled, Mu Le desperately sought help from Chen Tianshu, who had been hiding in the basement. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanning and Madam Ye also headed to the basement, hoping to discover what Ye Yuanan had been concealing, only to be surprised by Chen Tianshu and Mu Le emerging.

Chen Tianshu revealed himself to Lord Ye as the man Ye Yuanan had hidden. Lord Ye, desperate to save his daughter, implored Chen Tianshu to help. Chen Tianshu examined Ye Yuanan and announced she had contracted a contagious plague, warning that the entire household would soon go mad. He prescribed a strict quarantine, a three-day fast for the household (except for bitter coptis water), and the spreading of lime throughout the mansion.

For Ye Yuanan, he instructed that fire basins be placed around her for three days, with her body covered in linen. If she survived this ordeal, she would recover. He also stipulated that a servant must stay with her, feeding her and ensuring the fires never went out, despite the intense heat and risk of infection. Lord Ye initially offered to stay, but Madam Ye quickly dissuaded him, citing his importance as a court official.

Mu Le immediately volunteered, declaring he was not afraid and believed Ye Yuanan would do the same for him, a sentiment echoed by Ye Yuanning and Madam Ye, who swiftly pushed the arduous task onto Mu Le. Chen Tianshu, impressed by Mu Le's loyalty, accepted his offer and gave him further instructions. Mu Le tirelessly cared for Ye Yuanan.

When she eventually awoke, she mistook him for her deceased mother, tearfully embracing him and lamenting her unhappiness, feeling neglected by everyone. Mu Le gently assured her he would stay by her side and, at her request, sang her a lullaby, cherishing these moments with her. Meanwhile, outside the mansion, A Xiu observed the lime spread and learned of Ye Yuanan's severe illness. She rejoiced, believing Ye Yuanan would soon die and join Huange in death.

Later, Lord Ye thanked Chen Tianshu and asked for his name. Chen Tianshu, citing his reclusive nature, cryptically advised Lord Ye that knowing his name would not be beneficial. He then demonstrated his extraordinary intellect by effortlessly improving Lord Ye's design for water irrigation vehicles. Despite the continuous candlelight in her room, Ye Yuanan's condition deteriorated.

Mu Le secretly went to the prison to inform Zhao Lanzhi of Ye Yuanan's worsening state, clarifying that she wasn't truly sick but appeared to be under someone's mind control. Zhao Lanzhi immediately suspected A Xiu, recalling that she, Huange's mother, was a skilled puppeteer once expelled from the palace for practicing sorcery. He urged Mu Le to return and protect Ye Yuanan, keeping A Xiu away from her.

Upon returning, Mu Le was shocked to find Ye Yuanan perched on the ceiling beam. When offered food, she refused it, stating she was hungry but would only eat mulberry leaves, a peculiar demand that further alarmed Mu Le.

A servant was instructed to bring mulberry leaves to Ye Yuanan, as per her demands. Tian Shu found it very amusing when he heard Ye Yuanan wanted to eat mulberry leaves. Ye Yuanan happily consumed the mulberry leaves, having no recollection of Mu Le. She asked him who he was, to which Mu Le jokingly offered, "It doesn't matter who I am. Yesterday, you called me "mother".

If you would like to call me that again today, I'm fine with it." Ye Yuanan retorted, "Stop joking! You're a man and you dare say that you're my mother?" Mu Le quickly clarified, "Of course not." Mu Le then urged her to remember him, saying, "Look at who I am," and began recounting their shared history. Ye Yuanan mused, "I think I might know you. And we're somewhat close to each other. But I can't remember it."

Mu Le then recounted their shared history, reminding her of their "good relationship" and how she had treated him well. He recalled how she saved him from human traders, provided him with food and clothes, protected him, and even saved his life on multiple occasions. He reminded her of a time she got him out of prison, tricked him onto a boat, and refused to leave herself, explaining, "You said you didn't want to get your family into trouble."

Ye Yuanan, surprised, asked, "I'm that nice?" Mu Le affirmed, "Yuan'an, you're the nicest person I've ever seen." Ye Yuanan was very happy after hearing Mu Le's words, realizing she used to be so good. Suddenly, Ye Yuanan's condition worsened, and she began scratching uncontrollably, complaining, "It itches badly." Mu Le urged her not to scratch and, despite her pleas of "Let me go. It itches badly!" , he had to tie her hands to prevent her from harming herself.

He reassured her, "You must bear it. Bear it. It'll be alright. Trust me. Old Master said, after two days, it'll all be alright!" When Ye Yuanan woke again, she called out for water. As Mu Le tended to her, she mistakenly addressed him as "Lanzhi," believing him to be Zhao Lanzhi. Mu Le, heartbroken, played along. Ye Yuanan expressed her relief that he was "finally out," confident that the Empress would prove his innocence.

She then scolded him, still assuming he was Zhao Lanzhi, for being mean to her and yelling at her when she tried to save him. She spoke of his high moral standards, saying, "I know you have your moral standard. You treat your principles and the law as being the most important. But for me, your life is the most important." Mu Le, maintaining the facade, asked, "My life matters that much?" to which Ye Yuanan replied, "Of course.

What do you still have without life? Silly you." Unable to bear the pretense any longer, Mu Le changed the subject, asking, "Well, let me ask you about one person. Do you remember him?" When Ye Yuanan asked "Who is it?" , Mu Le reluctantly said, "Mu Le." Ye Yuanan seemed surprised, asking, "Why are you mentioning him?" Mu Le, probing for her true feelings, asked, "If Mu Le dies, is his life important to you?"

Ye Yuanan grew concerned, asking, "Did he offend you? Why do you say this? You shouldn't suppose like that." Mu Le pressed on, "Do you care about him?" Ye Yuanan responded, "Of course." She then elaborated on her affection for him, saying, "I like hanging out together with him. I like to see it when he feeds the horse. I like it when he eats. I love to make fun of him." Mu Le directly asked, "Do you like him?"

Ye Yuanan playfully replied, "My secret." When he pressed again, "So, do you like him?" , she avoided the question by saying, "I'm tired. I'm going to sleep." Mu Le, with a heavy heart, wished her, "Have a good rest. After you wake up, everything will be good." After three arduous days, Ye Yuanan finally woke up, complaining about the heat, "It's too hot. Hot." Mu Le encouraged her to "Please bear it. You'll be good soon."

Eventually, she fully recovered, declaring, "I'm hungry. I want fish and pork." Mu Le, overjoyed, asked her to recognize him. " You're Mu Le. What's up? You don't know yourself?" she replied, proving her memory was restored. Mu Le was relieved, confirming, "You really have recovered. That's great." Her father arrived, equally relieved, but Ye Yuanan noticed everyone looked unwell. Her father explained, "We've drunk coptis water for three days. How can we look good?"

Mu Le confirmed to Tian Shu that "Eighty-one silkworms came out of her ears," just as Tian Shu had predicted. Tian Shu explained that "Someone deliberately planted these silkworms that can control your mind into your body," adding that they could also induce hallucinations. He clarified that the silkworms feared fire, which was why they had "broiled" her for three days to expel them. Ye Yuanan wondered, "How did they enter my body?"

She recalled that a Taoist priest had found a doll in her room, which Momo Zhang had bought from the street, and she had placed it by her bed before losing her memory. Tian Shu concluded, "It should be that thing then." Ye Yuanan, realizing she was targeted, asked, "Someone is scheming against me? But I did nothing. Why harm me? Who is it?" Mu Le recounted his visit to Zhao Lanzhi in prison while she was ill.

Zhao Lanzhi had recalled that Xiu, Huange's mother, was a renowned palace puppeteer who was later expelled for witchcraft. Tian Shu concurred, "That's right. A doll and silkworms, it might indeed be the doing of Xiu." Ye Yuanan was puzzled, "But why? Could she think that her son was killed by Zhao Lanzhi and I, so she came for revenge?" She reasoned that "Huange's death has nothing to do with me.

Zhao Lanzhi also didn't directly kill him," and felt that Xiu must have been used by someone. Ye Yuanan implored Tian Shu, "Shu Shu, help me to to save one more person. Please. Zhao Lanzhi. He was surely framed by someone. There must be something hiding behind Huange's death." Tian Shu agreed, saying, "Well, since I'm out now, I can spare you more time. Let's go look at the body. Let's go."

Ye Yuanan reassured her father, "Rest assured, Father," as they departed. Meanwhile, Xiu, who had been expecting Ye Yuanan's death, noted the absence of funeral sounds at the Ye Mansion. Upon seeing Ye Yuanan leave, she was astonished, exclaiming, "Impossible. How come she's still alive? Absolutely impossible." Driven by curiosity and a thirst for answers, Xiu secretly followed Ye Yuanan, Mu Le, and Tian Shu to Huange's grave. At the grave, they exhumed Huange's coffin.

Tian Shu noted, "The body is not rotted badly. The coroner even did some handling." Ye Yuanan recounted how Zhao Lanzhi had tied Huange to a tree, after which he was struck by lightning. Tian Shu pointed out the anomaly: "Something is wrong. You said Lanzhi was close to him. Based on what you said, with Zhao Lanzhi having a sabre with him, he should be the one struck by lightning, and not this lad.

Then it means that someone lured the lightning to him on purpose." Upon closer examination, Tian Shu discovered a substance in Huange's neck. He identified it as "tinstone," which, though "not poison, but more toxic than poison," is known to attract lightning. He deduced that "Someone ground it into a needle shape and shot it into his body. That's why it lured lightning toward him and he got struck to death."

Tian Shu added that the tinstone turns to powder when heated, making the killer "so smart. Double gain. But compared to me, he's still a bit short." Convinced of Zhao Lanzhi's innocence, Ye Yuanan declared, "Then it proves Zhao Lanzhi is innocent! I'll go save him!" Mu Le stopped her, pointing out, "We haven't found the killer, so how could you go save him? Who believes you?"

Tian Shu, exasperated, called her "obtuse," and Ye Yuanan conceded that with such "little clues, who would believe me?" Tian Shu prompted her to "Think carefully. This lad just came to Luoyang city and he isn't really some bad criminal. Why then would a fatal disaster befall him? In short, who would his life be a threat to? And who benefits if he dies?" Ye Yuanan quickly made the connection, stating, "He came to Luoyang to find his father.

He just got reunited with General Guo. It must have something to do with the House of General Guo." Tian Shu suggested, "Today is the wedding ceremony of General Guo's daughter. Want to go there?" Before they could proceed, Xiu, who had been secretly listening, revealed herself, saying, "Wait. Let me see him." Mu Le asked her identity, and she replied, "I'm his mother."

Addressing Ye Yuanan, Xiu confessed, "I was the one who placed those silkworms into the puppet, sent it to you, and let them go into your body. I never expected that you're this fortunate and was able to survive it." Ye Yuanan, shocked, could only utter "You. . ." She then quickly explained, "I can understand you. But. . . but I didn't kill your son. It has nothing to do with us. But don't worry.

We're going to General Guo's place now and help you find the killer." Xiu, now wishing to join them, requested, "Wait. I want to go with you." At General Guo's mansion, his daughter's wedding was underway. However, the General was somber, distraught by Huange's death and Xiu's refusal to meet him. His wife, Madam Guo, confronted him, "Husband. Today is the most important day in our daughter's life. You're going to send her away with such a look?"

General Guo expressed his despair, asking how he could "Laugh and joke?" when Xiu refused to see him despite Princess Minghui's efforts to invite her. Madam Guo, frustrated, left to greet guests. Their daughter, Xuelan, worried, asked her mother, "Mother, what is wrong with Father lately? Is he angry with me?" Madam Guo reassured her that "Nothing happened.

It has nothing to do with you," urging her to marry well and promising, "If you ever encounter anything disadvantageous to you, you have me and your Sister Minghui to fix it for you." Ye Yuanan, Mu Le, Tian Shu, and Xiu arrived at General Guo's mansion, realizing they needed invitations to enter. Tian Shu suggested, "Four people would attract attention. We have to act separately. We can enter from the back door or climb over the wall.

See you later." While climbing a wall, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le inadvertently landed close to each other, causing Ye Yuanan's heart to flutter. General Guo, alone with his thoughts, gazed at the puppet stage. A servant informed him that his daughter, Xuelan, had requested a puppet play from the Chang'an puppeteer group. Xiu, watching from afar, felt a sense of destiny, remarking, "I can do this. It's God's will."

She then approached General Guo, who initially did not recognize her. Xiu hinted, "Do I look quite familiar? Like an old friend?" She lamented, "Nineteen years have gone past. We haven't seen each other for a long time. You've forgotten all those happy moments we spent together." General Guo finally recognized her, calling out "Xiu." She acknowledged her changed appearance, saying, "I've turned old and ugly. I don't blame you." He confirmed her identity, to which Xiu replied, "Yes.

It's me. I'm Xiu. Xiaotian, after so many years, we finally met." General Guo asked why she had come, given her previous refusals to meet him. Xiu explained, "Our son was killed. I'm dispirited. I came here because. . . Isn't today your daughter's wedding day? My best skill is performing puppet plays. Let me bring some happiness to your manor." Just then, a servant announced the arrival of an important guest.

General Guo told Xiu, "Xiu, I have to greet the guests. Wait for me here. I have so much to tell you. Talk to you later." As he departed, Xiu seized the moment to covertly implant a mind-controlling silkworm into his ear, now fully consumed by her desire for revenge. The Empress graced the wedding with her presence, and General Guo informed her that a puppet play was scheduled, which she eagerly anticipated.

During a private moment, the Empress offered words of encouragement to General Guo, acknowledging his grief but urging him not to remain "depressed for a long time for your son's death," reminding him of his duty as a "loyal and capable general." Xiu, performing as a puppeteer, manipulated a puppet to narrate Huange's tragic story, lamenting, "My poor Huange. At such a young age. . . It was unfair! Unfair!"

General Guo, visibly disturbed, tried to stop her, exclaiming, "You crazy old woman! Leave." Ye Yuanan emerged from the shadows and appealed to the Empress, stating, "Your Highness, the death of General Guo's son is fishy. The killer may be here tonight. So we hope that you may give us justice and find out who the killer is."

Madam Guo immediately interjected, protesting that the wedding was "not some judiciary court" and such an investigation would ruin her daughter's special day. The Empress, agreeing that the occasion was unsuitable for an inquiry, declared her intention to leave, saying, "I'm tired. I don't want to watch anymore. Back to the palace." As the Empress prepared to depart, Xiu, using the implanted silkworm, caused General Guo to fall into a trance, shouting, "Please stay for a moment, everyone.

This matter must be clearly explained right now." He began to speak in Huange's voice, pointing at Ye Yuanan and accusing, "It was Zhao Lanzhi. It must be Zhao Lanzhi who killed me." Ye Yuanan countered, explaining, "That night, Zhao Lanzhi only tied you to the tree. You were killed by the lightning. So everyone thought he killed you by accident. But we've checked your body. Inside your neck, there was a needle made of tinstone.

That needle attracted the lightning which killed you. Hence, Zhao Lanzhi didn't accidentally kill you. Someone did it on purpose." The possessed General Guo then lamented his miserable death while his "father" celebrated his daughter's wedding, before grabbing Xuelan, his bride-to-be, and threatening her. Seeing her daughter's life in peril, Madam Guo, distraught, confessed, "It was I. It was I who had Huange killed!" She revealed that she initially suspected her husband was dwelling on his past affair.

Her fears were confirmed when Madam Ye warned her about Huange's true identity, saying, "If the result of the investigation of Zhao Lanzhi is true, that boy is really General Guo's son. Then you must be careful." Madam Guo then secretly followed General Guo and witnessed his tearful reunion with Huange at Daming Restaurant. Consumed by fear of losing her status, she resolved, "I can never allow the General to take him back home.

Even if he brings him here, I'll eliminate the grass from its roots." She concluded her confession by stating, "If so, it's better to just take action early. This way, I won't be implicated," confirming her premeditated murder of Huange.

Madam Guo, who had previously sought Minghui's help to kill Huange, publicly confessed to the murder. She knew that while she instigated the plot, it was Huo Yang who ultimately killed Huange using tinstone and lightning, and Minghui (her niece and a disciple of the State Preceptor) had been hesitant. To protect Minghui from implication and, more importantly, to safeguard her daughter Xue Lan from potential retaliation by the State Preceptor, Madam Guo chose to bear all the blame.

She claimed her actions were a desperate act to protect Xue Lan from a perceived threat to her inheritance. Madam Guo bid a final farewell to General Guo, affirming her unwavering love for him, and then tragically committed suicide by biting her tongue. In the chaotic aftermath, A Xiu, enraged by what she perceived as Minghui's deceit in blaming Ye Yuanan for Huange's death, confronted the Princess.

Before Minghui could react, Huo Yang swiftly intervened, stabbing and killing A Xiu to silence her permanently. General Guo, seemingly freed from the silkworm's influence, was devastated by A Xiu's death. Cradling her lifeless body, he expressed profound remorse, recalling his long-held desire to marry her.

Overwhelmed with grief and a desire for vengeance for both A Xiu and his son, Huange, General Guo vowed to make everyone present, including the Empress, pay with their lives to accompany them in death. General Guo then underwent a horrifying transformation, sprouting monstrous wings and becoming a creature of immense power, resembling a giant moth. He lashed out indiscriminately, slaughtering numerous imperial guards who attempted to protect the Empress.

As chaos erupted and fear paralyzed most, only Mu Le, drawing on his considerable strength, dared to confront the mutated General Guo. Tian Shu, appearing suddenly, explained to Mu Le that the sorcery had caused General Guo to transform into a fierce moth, and the true general was beyond saving. Their only option was to destroy the creature, and Tian Shu revealed its weakness: fire. The enraged General Guo, after killing Huo Yang, seized Ye Yuanan.

In a desperate move, Mu Le quickly created a fire, and the moth-like General Guo, drawn to the flames, met a fiery end, bringing the rampage to a close. Mu Le immediately rushed to Ye Yuanan's side to check on her well-being. After the ordeal, the Empress, still reeling from General Guo's grotesque transformation, sought an explanation. Ye Yuanan clarified that he had become a moth and died by flying into the fire.

Seizing the moment, she earnestly pleaded for Zhao Lanzhi's release from prison, asserting his innocence. Impressed by Ye Yuanan's unwavering concern for Zhao Lanzhi, even in her own state of distress, the Empress granted her request. While imprisoned, Zhao Lanzhi had shown kindness by offering his water to an elderly cellmate. Grateful, the old man shared a secret: in three days, Old Master Zhang, the proprietor of a renowned jewelry shop in Luoyang City, would celebrate his birthday.

He advised Zhao Lanzhi that if he wished to apprehend members of Huodu Hill, that would be the place to watch. As Zhao Lanzhi pondered the veracity of this information, knowing he was powerless from his cell, Ye Yuanan arrived with an imperial edict, securing his release and clearing him of all charges. Zhao Lanzhi, accompanied by Ye Yuanan, then met with the Empress.

The Empress acknowledged Zhao Lanzhi's suffering and cleared his name, attributing his exoneration largely to Ye Yuanan's relentless investigation, remarking that he owed her a significant debt. The Empress then expressed her distress over General Guo's death, lamenting the loss of a capable general and the ongoing problem of bandit suppression in Huodu Hill. Zhao Lanzhi promptly volunteered to lead the campaign.

Pleased with his initiative, the Empress appointed him to replace General Guo, leading the army's elite forces to eradicate the Huodu Hill bandits. She saw this as an opportunity to address the immediate crisis and for Zhao Lanzhi to rebuild his prestige. Meanwhile, Minghui reported the events at General Guo's mansion to the State Preceptor, expressing her frustration over Huo Yang's death and her perceived incompetence in handling Ye Yuanan.

Despite the setbacks, she confirmed that the Nine-Star Divine Bead had been successfully acquired. The State Preceptor offered her "holy water" to calm her. He then revealed that Madam Guo's suicide was not merely to protect Minghui, but a shrewd move to prevent their names from being implicated and thus safeguarding her daughter, Xue Lan, from the State Preceptor's wrath.

He praised Madam Guo's intelligence and, in a critical assessment, noted that Ye Yuanan's cunning surpassed Minghui's, chastising Minghui for underestimating her opponent. To defend herself, Minghui claimed that Ye Yuanan had the assistance of a powerful master, describing an old man who fearlessly instructed Mu Le on how to defeat the transformed General Guo. She recounted his calm demeanor and astute strategy in the face of danger.

The State Preceptor, recognizing the description, mused that his junior brother, Tian Shu, might have returned and was now aiding Ye Yuanan. He advised Minghui to be more cautious of Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi, emphasizing that finding the remaining Divine Beads was paramount. Using his mystical powers, the State Preceptor then located the next Nine-Star Divine Bead at the residence of Old Master Zhang, the wealthiest man in Luoyang.

Zhao Lanzhi warmly thanked Ye Yuanan for her crucial role in his release. Ye Yuanan, however, insisted that Mu Le also deserved credit, proposing a celebratory dinner for the three of them. She then approached Mu Le, inviting him to join, but he reacted with a scowl, flatly stating his dislike for Zhao Lanzhi. Exasperated by his stubbornness, Ye Yuanan commented on his increasingly strange temper, warning him that she might start to hate him.

Angered by her words, Mu Le stormed off. Despite his refusal, Mu Le secretly followed Ye Yuanan to Zhao Lanzhi's celebration at the tavern, where he overheard a conversation between Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi. Zhao Lanzhi reiterated his belief in Mu Le's strength and suggested recruiting him into the army, arguing that it would offer him a bright future beyond being a mere domestic servant. Ye Yuanan agreed to consider it. Overhearing this, Mu Le was heartbroken.

He recalled how passionately Ye Yuanan had worked to secure Zhao Lanzhi's release, confirming his painful realization that her affections lay with Zhao Lanzhi. Retreating to drink alone, Mu Le was joined by a mysterious, brazen old man who shared his food and wine. The old man, observing a local bully harassing a woman, provocatively asked Mu Le if there was anything he desired to do but dared not.

The old man then dramatically kissed the woman and killed the bully before bidding farewell to Mu Le. Heavily intoxicated, Mu Le eventually passed out in the stable. Ye Yuanan found him there, furious that he had skipped dinner to secretly drink, and scolded him for his increasingly unruly behavior. Looking at Ye Yuanan, and recalling the old man's words about acting on his deepest desires, Mu Le impulsively embraced and kissed her.

Ye Yuanan, enraged by his audacity, pushed him away and angrily declared that he would no longer be a servant in her household. Instead, she ordered him to report to Zhao Lanzhi's army the following day, believing military discipline would be good for him. Mu Le was deeply saddened, feeling as though Ye Yuanan was casting him aside once more, yet he had no choice but to obey.

The next day, Ye Yuanan personally escorted Mu Le to the military camp, asking Zhao Lanzhi to take him under his wing and instill discipline. Zhao Lanzhi assigned Mu Le to the Boot Camp for fundamental training. Ye Yuanan, despite her earlier frustration, expressed concern for Mu Le's well-being, specifically warning Zhao Lanzhi not to send him to dangerous areas on the battlefield.

Zhao Lanzhi, noticing her evident protectiveness, pointed out her excessive concern for a domestic servant, leaving Ye Yuanan feeling awkward and defensive. Zhao Lanzhi observed the new recruits' training and was notably impressed by Mu Le's exceptional skills and formidable strength in the drills. However, Mu Le's outstanding performance quickly drew the resentment of Li Bao, a Deputy Commandant in the Boot Camp, who felt overshadowed.

Li Bao complained to his older brother, Li Vice-Commander, a senior figure in the barracks, asking for help to "deal with" Mu Le. Li Vice-Commander advised Li Bao to use his authority as Deputy Commandant to discipline Mu Le, not only to curb his competitive spirit but also to eventually win him over and recruit him as a subordinate for their own future advantage. Li Bao agreed to carry out this plan.

Mu Le's exceptional skills aroused jealousy among his fellow soldiers. At the military camp, Deputy Commandant Li Bao demanded Mu Le fetch hot water to wash his feet, lecturing him about military rules and respecting officers. Mu Le refused to comply, instead splashing the water directly onto Li Bao, igniting a fight. One of Zhao Lanzhi's confidants merely observed the altercation, but Zhao Lanzhi's subordinate thought it was common new recruit training and did not intervene.

Meanwhile, Uncle Xia expressed his concern to Ye Yuanan, fearing that Mu Le’s honest nature would lead to him being bullied in the camp. Ye Yuanan, however, believed Mu Le needed to toughen up and reassured Uncle Xia that she had given him twenty taels of silver to help him get by. Elsewhere, Princess Minghui, cloaked and masked, infiltrated Zhang Manor in search of the Nine-Star Heavenly Bead.

She observed Zhang presenting the bead to a man named He Zhun, who he credited with saving his family's lives. Minghui confronted He Zhun, demanding the bead. During their struggle, He Zhun pulled off her mask, immediately captivated by her beauty. As Zhao Lanzhi and his soldiers were heard approaching, He Zhun swiftly fled, instructing Minghui to meet him at White Lotus Tavern the following night if she still desired the bead.

Zhao Lanzhi intercepted Minghui, revealing he knew her identity as Princess Minghui. She accused him of ambushing her, but he clarified that his target was the bandits, and her presence was an unexpected discovery. He questioned her late-night activities and her association with the bandit, suggesting she had profound, perhaps sorrowful, reasons for repeatedly risking her life.

He offered his assistance if she confided in him, but Minghui sharply told him to leave her alone, threatening him if he continued to follow. Back at the military camp, Li Bao provoked Mu Le into another fight. Deputy Commander Li arrived and ordered Mu Le to receive twenty lashes. Zhao Lanzhi intervened, asserting that a private duel involved two people, and therefore both Mu Le and Li Bao should be punished.

Despite Deputy Commander Li's protests that Li Bao was already injured and Mu Le initiated the conflict, Zhao Lanzhi ruled that both would receive demerits, reserving any lashing for future offenses, and ordered Mu Le released. Feeling frustrated by Zhao Lanzhi's perceived bias, Deputy Commander Li instructed Li Bao to devise a more discreet scheme. Li Bao then orchestrated a staged theft, with a soldier claiming his money was missing. Li Bao suggested searching everyone's packages.

Mu Le vehemently denied the accusation and resisted having his bag searched, fighting off several soldiers. Deputy Commander Li then arrived, feigning righteousness, and forcibly searched Mu Le's bag, discovering the twenty taels of silver. Mu Le was promptly tied up.

Prior to her arrival at the camp, Tianxu, Ye Yuanan’s alchemist, had attempted to make her taste a new pill, complaining that he required a living human for his drug trials and that she had sent Mu Le away without his consultation. Ye Yuanan angrily threw the pill away. Upon visiting Mu Le at the military camp, Ye Yuanan explained to Zhao Lanzhi that she was there to deliver clothes from her nanny and inquire about Mu Le's well-being.

She quickly learned of Mu Le’s predicament and rushed to find him tied to a horse, about to be dragged as punishment for the alleged theft. Outraged, she demanded his immediate release. Deputy Commander Li claimed Mu Le had stolen money and assaulted his men, presenting the twenty taels found in Mu Le's bag as undeniable evidence. Ye Yuanan asked Mu Le, who steadfastly denied the theft, and she believed him.

Dismissing Deputy Commander Li’s logic, Ye Yuanan revealed that she had marked the money she gave Mu Le. She then requested a basin of water with alkali and publicly demonstrated that the silver turned blue, explaining that she had coated it with camel-thorn oil, thus proving Mu Le's innocence. Zhao Lanzhi ordered Mu Le untied.

He then admonished the soldiers, acknowledging that new recruits typically faced hardships but condemned their act of tying Mu Le to a horse as an attempt to kill him, not merely to teach him a lesson. He reminded them that the very soldier they bullied today could be the one who carries them back from a battlefield, gravely injured.

Ye Yuanan gave Mu Le the clothes from Nanny Zhang, but Mu Le responded ungratefully, telling her to thank the nanny instead. When Ye Yuanan pressed him, he expressed his anger, asking what he should thank her for—being sent to the military camp only to be bullied and framed. She realized the depth of his resentment. Later, Zhao Lanzhi found Mu Le aggressively attacking a scarecrow, venting his frustration.

Zhao Lanzhi questioned Mu Le about his recent troubles and his disrespect towards Ye Yuanan. Mu Le admitted his anger was directed at Zhao Lanzhi, whom he saw as a romantic rival for Ye Yuanan. Zhao Lanzhi acknowledged that Mu Le had once saved his life and that he did not forget that debt. He then shared a story about a high-born lady who eloped with her servant, only to endure a difficult and impoverished life.

He asked Mu Le if he truly desired such a fate for Ye Yuanan, emphasizing that genuine love meant providing the best possible life. Zhao Lanzhi advised Mu Le, as a man, to pursue his ambitions and focus on his military training and duties as his soldier, rather than being confined by romantic fantasies. Mu Le seemed to accept his counsel, standing up respectfully.

Princess Minghui awoke in a fright from a dream where the National Master killed her for failing to retrieve the Nine-Star Heavenly Bead. She proceeded to White Lotus Tavern, where she confronted He Zhun. He Zhun identified himself as a bandit from Huodu Hill and clarified that Zhang had gifted him the bead for saving his family's lives, not that he ever promised to give it to her at the tavern.

He demanded she accompany him if she wished to possess the bead. Minghui refused, calling him an "arrogant devil." He Zhun reiterated that she must either go with him now or leave a message for him at a hunter's cave on Huodu Hill, promising he would come for her. Just then, Zhao Lanzhi arrived, revealing he had been tracking bandits from Huodu Hill on the Empress's command and had seen Minghui allow He Zhun to escape previously.

He admitted to having someone watch Prince Yu's Mansion, confirming he had followed her. Minghui, realizing she could not let Zhao Lanzhi capture He Zhun or discover the truth about the Divine Beads, helped He Zhun escape. Zhao Lanzhi pursued He Zhun. To create a diversion and allow He Zhun to get away, Minghui suddenly kissed Zhao Lanzhi, asking him not to push her away and confessing her exhaustion.

Zhao Lanzhi was momentarily surprised, recalling a similar kiss from a masked woman who had saved his life. He then pushed her away, sternly questioning her relationship with the bandit and her willingness to risk her life, warning her of severe repercussions. Minghui, feeling overwhelmed, stated it was late and she wished to go home, instructing him to return with a search warrant if he had more questions. She then collapsed, unconscious.

Zhao Lanzhi carried the unconscious Princess Minghui to a bamboo hut. In her sleep, she had nightmares, repeatedly calling out "Jiang Ren" and urging someone to flee from pursuers. When she regained consciousness, Zhao Lanzhi informed her of her fainting spell and his decision to bring her there. He then sternly reprimanded her for disrupting his manhunt and allowing the Huodu Hill bandit to escape, warning that her actions could lead to a death sentence for colluding with criminals.

Minghui deflected his criticism by accusing him of molesting an unmarried princess, momentarily silencing him. Zhao Lanzhi then asked her about her dream of Jiang Ren. She explained it was the same recurring dream: Jiang Ren died because of him. Zhao Lanzhi acknowledged that arresting Jiang Ren was his duty and he did not regret it, but he still missed Jiang Ren as a rare friend. He offered to help Minghui, but she scoffed at his suggestion, calling him conceited.

Unfazed, Zhao Lanzhi advised her that she lived her own life, and if she felt powerless to change her circumstances, it was only due to her lack of courage. He shared his own past: his father had been wrongly accused of treason and executed, and his family exiled. Despite everyone's expectation that he would follow a path of wickedness, he chose to become a good man, believing it was the only way to avoid being manipulated.

He rose through the ranks to become an officer, solved crimes, maintained order, and eventually succeeded in exonerating his father. He explained that he brought her to the bamboo house to symbolize resilience, like bamboo that stands strong against storms. He told her to rest, as her people would soon arrive to take her home, and he had official duties to attend to. He pointedly warned her not to attempt to stop him from conducting his official business or catching criminals again.

Zhao Lanzhi sternly informed Princess Ming Hui that no one could prevent him from carrying out his official duties or arresting those he sought. He stated that he would overlook what happened last night but warned her there would not be a next time, implying severe consequences if she interfered again. He Zhun, a bandit from Huodu Hill, had sought refuge with his uncle, but his uncle, fearing for his own life, reported him to the authorities.

As a result, He Zhun was captured by Zhao Lanzhi's forces. He Zhun confronted his uncle, who justified his betrayal by saying He Zhun had been a bandit since he was young and his own life would have been forfeit if he hadn't reported him. Observing He Zhun's fighting prowess, Zhao Lanzhi deduced that He Zhun was at least a commander, if not the leader, of Huodu Hill.

Zhao Lanzhi attempted to coerce He Zhun into revealing a safe path up the mountain, but He Zhun defiantly refused, stating he was not afraid of death. Zhao Lanzhi decided to give He Zhun time to reconsider, planning to besiege the hill the next day, confident that with a guide, the difficult task of taking Huodu Hill would be easier. Ye Yuanan came to see Zhao Lanzhi off.

She wished him a safe trip and successive victories, then specifically requested that he bring Mu Le back safely. Zhao Lanzhi acknowledged her request. Zhao Lanzhi led his forces to Huodu Hill and demanded the bandits surrender to the Tang Empire. The bandits refused, leading to a fierce battle where they deployed tactics like "flying sand and rolling stones," inflicting heavy casualties on Zhao Lanzhi's troops.

Seeing his men suffering, the bandits suddenly discovered the captured He Zhun in a cage. He Zhun was the leader of Huodu Hill, so the bandits immediately recognized him as their "Big Brother" and halted their assault, allowing Zhao Lanzhi and his soldiers to retreat. Zhao Lanzhi discerned He Zhun's true identity as the leader of Huodu Hill.

He then tried to persuade He Zhun to cooperate, explaining that he had blockaded the hill and was waiting for He Zhun's brothers to come to his rescue, which would lead them into traps. He Zhun, however, continued to deny his leadership, despite Zhao Lanzhi's clear evidence. Zhao Lanzhi ordered his men to keep a close watch on He Zhun. Deputy Commandant Li Long discussed his concerns with Li Bao.

Li Long noted Zhao Lanzhi's rigorous military command and worried that if Zhao Lanzhi successfully conquered Huodu Mountain, his position would be solidified, making it even harder for Li Long to achieve promotion and wealth. Knowing Li Bao's consistent desire to eliminate Mu Le, Li Long proposed a "two birds with one stone" plan that would implicate both Zhao Lanzhi and Mu Le.

Li Bao deliberately assigned Mu Le the task of delivering poisoned food to He Zhun, intending to kill He Zhun and thus thwart Zhao Lanzhi's plan to pacify Huodu Hill using the bandit leader, while simultaneously eliminating Mu Le. Mu Le initially resisted the order but eventually complied. Upon delivering the meal, Mu Le recognized He Zhun as the "Big Brother" he had met previously at a restaurant, where He Zhun had helped him. He Zhun also recognized Mu Le.

When a rat consumed the food and instantly died, they realized it was poisoned. He Zhun deduced that Zhao Lanzhi wouldn't want him dead yet, implying the poison was aimed at Mu Le as well, orchestrated by Li Long. Realizing the plot, He Zhun decided to work with Mu Le to fake his death and expose Li Long and Li Bao.

Li Long and Li Bao, believing He Zhun was dead, gloated and feigned leniency towards Mu Le, telling him to flee. However, as Mu Le turned to leave, they attempted to ambush him. He Zhun, who had faked his death, emerged from the cage and intervened, saving Mu Le by killing Li Long. Enraged, Mu Le confronted Li Bao, demanding to know why he repeatedly tried to kill him. He Zhun then killed Li Bao.

He Zhun informed Mu Le that the deaths of the two brothers would be pinned on him, leaving him with no choice but to join the Huodu Mountain bandits. With no other options and having been framed by the Li brothers, Mu Le fled with He Zhun that night. As they made their escape, a mysterious white-robed figure, appearing almost otherworldly, silently observed Mu Le from high up on Huodu Hill.

He Zhun encouraged Mu Le, telling him they would soon reach his stronghold on the mountain. News reached Zhao Lanzhi that He Zhun and Mu Le had escaped. Upon discovering the bodies of Li Long and Li Bao, he initiated an investigation. Guards informed him that Deputy Commandant Li Long had dismissed them from their post guarding He Zhun the previous night, claiming he would take over.

Another soldier reported that Li Long had called Mu Le out of the barracks before the incident. Zhao Lanzhi was perplexed, noting that if Mu Le poisoned the food, it made no sense for Li Long and Li Bao to be dead. Xiaohu suggested Mu Le might have fought and killed the brothers, then fled with He Zhun. Zhao Lanzhi, however, cautioned against jumping to conclusions before a thorough investigation.

Despite the setback of losing He Zhun as bait, he prioritized the ongoing siege of Huodu Mountain, instructing his men to locate the bandits' dwelling place along the river. To prove his courage and loyalty, He Zhun presented Mu Le with a perilous test: jumping into a turbulent mountain river from a cliff. Mu Le leaped without hesitation, successfully making it to the other side.

Impressed, He Zhun embraced Mu Le, declaring that he had passed the "dragon gate" and was now a true bandit, free like them. He Zhun introduced his other brothers, Fei Ying and Di Long, and appointed Mu Le as the fourth leader of Huodu Hill. Later, Mu Le sat on the mountain, whistling and reflecting on his past with Ye Yuanan, worried that she would be disappointed if she learned he had become a bandit.

He Zhun led Mu Le to confront Zhao Lanzhi's approaching forces. Zhao Lanzhi was visibly shocked to see Mu Le fighting alongside the bandits. He Zhun taunted Zhao Lanzhi, revealing Mu Le was now his "Fourth Little Brother" and urging Zhao Lanzhi to surrender. Both sides refused, and a fierce battle ensued. During the fighting, He Zhun was severely wounded while protecting Mu Le.

Witnessing the turn of events, Zhao Lanzhi tried to appeal to Mu Le, assuring him that he believed Mu Le was framed by Li Long and Li Bao and was innocent. He offered Mu Le a chance to return to the army, promising a pardon and promotion to lieutenant if he brought He Zhun with him. However, He Zhun urged Mu Le not to trust Zhao Lanzhi, reminding him of how he had been treated.

Mu Le, no longer trusting Zhao Lanzhi, declared that he didn't seek promotion but equal treatment, accusing Zhao Lanzhi of failing to recognize and utilize talent and attributing his current path to the pressure from Zhao Lanzhi's soldiers. He asserted that despite being a bandit, he would not go against his conscience.

Zhao Lanzhi, reminding Mu Le of his promise to Ye Yuanan, warned him against making a decision he would regret, stating he didn't want to return Mu Le's dead body to her. Mu Le, carrying the injured He Zhun, turned to leave. As Mu Le tried to retreat with He Zhun, Zhao Lanzhi, left with no other choice, ordered his soldiers to fire arrows. Caught under heavy attack, Mu Le's latent supernatural abilities suddenly erupted.

His eyes glowed yellow, red scales appeared on his body, and he deflected the barrage of arrows, then ruthlessly attacked Zhao Lanzhi's soldiers, causing significant casualties. His terrifying transformation led many to believe he was a monster. Back at her residence, Ye Yuanan felt an intense unease, her right eyelid twitching incessantly. Convinced that something terrible had happened to Mu Le, she hastily left for the military camp, driven by a premonition and a recent dream about him.

Ye Yuanan rushed to the military camp, desperately asking Zhao Lanzhi about Mu Le. Before Zhao Lanzhi could respond, Xiaohu interjected, accusing Mu Le of being a monster. Xiaohu claimed Mu Le had red scales all over his body and was impervious to arrows, stating he was clearly not human. He further asserted that Mu Le, despite Zhao Lanzhi's kindness, had betrayed them, joining the bandits as their vanguard and injuring many soldiers.

Ye Yuanan vehemently denied these accusations, calling Xiaohu a liar. To convince her, Xiaohu led her outside to see the numerous injured soldiers, claiming Mu Le was responsible for their wounds. Zhao Lanzhi spoke to Ye Yuanan, reminding her of past incidents that pointed to Mu Le's unusual nature. He recalled the time she disguised herself as Princess Qi'an to capture Shuiyue, when they were suddenly saved from assassins by Mu Le's inexplicable actions.

Zhao Lanzhi then recounted the recent battle, describing the shocking scene when Mu Le, refusing to surrender and under arrow fire, displayed his supernatural powers. He admitted that he had previously observed Mu Le's extraordinary strength, jumping ability, and martial arts skills, noting that Mu Le's behavior defied normal explanation and suggesting he possessed supernatural power, which Mu Le himself seemed to forget afterward. Zhao Lanzhi asserted that Mu Le's displayed abilities confirmed he was not a normal human.

He grimly stated that if Mu Le truly was a monster, he would have no choice but to eliminate him, just like any other bandit. Ye Yuanan became furious, vehemently declaring that Mu Le was "hers" and no one would harm him. She proposed going to Huodu Hill herself to bring Mu Le back, confident that he would listen to her.

Zhao Lanzhi challenged her deep concern for Mu Le, questioning why, among all her servants, she cared so uniquely for him, even coming to the military camp. Ye Yuanan retorted by reminding him of Mu Le's numerous acts of bravery, saving both her and Zhao Lanzhi on multiple occasions, and questioned why he couldn't see this. Seeing her unwavering resolve, Zhao Lanzhi agreed to let her accompany his troops during an attack on the bandit's main camp that night.

News of Mu Le's transformation not only terrified the imperial soldiers but also caused panic among the Huodu Hill bandits. Some of He Zhun's men expressed their fear, calling Mu Le a monster and suggesting they kill him before he could harm them. He Zhun, however, fiercely defended Mu Le, reminding them that Mu Le had saved them and considered them brothers. He argued that if thousands of arrows couldn't harm Mu Le, they stood no chance against him.

Despite their lingering fear, He Zhun admonished his men, insisting they stop calling Mu Le a monster. He declared that even if Mu Le was a monster, he was a loyal and affectionate one, and they needed to treat him as a brother and rely on his strength. He ordered them to find Mu Le and to hide their fear.

He Zhun recalled Mu Le's recent transformation, where Mu Le's eyes had glowed yellow and he had exhibited extraordinary strength, leading many to fear him as a monster. However, He Zhun saw Mu Le's power as a great asset, believing that if harnessed, it could make them invincible against Zhao Lanzhi and the imperial army. He Zhun went to find Mu Le and brought him back to the mountain stronghold.

Mu Le was relieved that the bandits did not reject him for his unique appearance and became even more loyal to the Huodu Mountain community. He toasted his new brothers, declaring that despite his strange appearance, he understood right from wrong and would remember their kindness forever. He pledged his loyalty, vowing to be shattered like a glass if he broke his word.

Mu Le then offered strategic advice, cautioning his fellow bandits that despite their recent victory, it was precisely the time when Zhao Lanzhi would plan a counterattack, as their enemies would likely be celebrating and lowering their guard. He stressed that Zhao Lanzhi, though brave, was brilliant and not reckless. Inquired if there was another path up the mountain other than the one they had blocked, He Zhun confirmed there was.

Mu Le immediately led his men to set an ambush along that route, where they soon encountered Zhao Lanzhi's forces. During the skirmish, Mu Le pursued a fleeing soldier who, to his surprise, turned out to be Ye Yuanan. She had ridden swiftly to the military camp after dreaming of his death, only to be told he had become a bandit. Confronting him, Ye Yuanan angrily questioned why he had turned into a bandit and killed people.

Mu Le countered, asking if the soldiers in the army had ever treated him as a brother. When Ye Yuanan tried to hit him, Mu Le stopped her, expressing concern that she would hurt her hands. He then declared his freedom as a bandit, claiming he loved his new life. Ye Yuanan insisted he return to the military camp with her, but Mu Le refused, pushing her hand away.

He confessed that he didn't want to go back precisely because of her, specifically because he didn't want to see Zhao Lanzhi due to her. He then brought up the night he had kissed her, asking if she had told Zhao Lanzhi. Ye Yuanan, with complex emotions, denied it, claiming she had almost forgotten about it. Mu Le did not believe her, asserting she was pretending to be muddled.

He expressed that while he might be less than a feather in her eyes, she was his everything. He added that he could endure anyone else bullying, hitting, or cursing him, but her hurting his heart made him feel like the entire world was lost. Moved by his words, Ye Yuanan pleaded with him to return to the military camp, offering to explain everything to Zhao Lanzhi. However, Mu Le cried and fled, declaring he would never go back.

Dejected, Ye Yuanan returned to the military camp and informed Zhao Lanzhi that Mu Le refused to come back. Zhao Lanzhi was furious, stating that Mu Le was "looking for his own death." Meanwhile, Mu Le drowned his sorrows in drink, confessing to He Zhun that he was in love with Ye Yuanan. He Zhun, empathizing with Mu Le's heartbreak, shared that he too had fallen for a beautiful girl whose name he didn't even know.

He was confident, however, that she would seek him out because he possessed something she desperately wanted. The State Preceptor, concerned about the search for the Nine-Star Heavenly Bead, questioned Ming Hui. She reported that Zhang Dahu had given the bead to He Zhun, his rescuer, at Huodu Mountain. Upon learning that Zhao Lanzhi was currently tasked with suppressing the bandits there, the State Preceptor deduced that Zhao Lanzhi was likely facing a tough battle.

He instructed Ming Hui to go and assist Zhao Lanzhi, promising to request a reward for her from the Emperor and Empress. However, he then clarified his true intent, explaining that Zhao Lanzhi, being a confidant of the Empress, was a potential threat, and commanded Ming Hui to eliminate him after she retrieved the Divine Bead.

While Zhao Lanzhi was fretting over a shortage of army provisions, Ming Hui arrived with a cart full of food, ostensibly sent by her brother but personally delivered by her. She deliberately mentioned to Ye Yuanan how Zhao Lanzhi had cared for her in a bamboo hut, causing Ye Yuanan to bristle with jealousy. Ye Yuanan, suspecting Ming Hui's ill intentions and disliking her "hypocritical face," challenged her to a martial arts match.

Zhao Lanzhi intervened, forbidding any private fights in the military camp and urging them to resolve their differences in Luoyang. He later explained to Ye Yuanan that he found Ming Hui suspicious and mysterious, and after probing her multiple times, he felt she harbored a secret, possibly connected to national affairs, which prevented him from acting rashly.

Though Ye Yuanan remained unconvinced, Zhao Lanzhi acknowledged that Ming Hui had solved their immediate food crisis and planned to send her back to Luoyang. However, Ming Hui proposed a deal with Zhao Lanzhi. She claimed that He Zhun had taken something of hers, and if Zhao Lanzhi did not interfere with her reclaiming it, she would help him defeat the bandits on Huodu Mountain.

Mu Le experienced another nightmare, dreaming of "fish scales" and wondering if it was his homeland and why he had left it. He discussed the army's ongoing siege with his fellow bandits, expressing concern about their dwindling food supplies and the need to quickly repel the enemy. Just then, a horse was startled, and Mu Le witnessed a young girl calm it with a remarkable ease.

When the girl turned, Mu Le felt a strange sense of familiarity, as if he had seen her in his dreams. Learning her name was Zhenzhen and that He Zhun had rescued her from the woods half a year ago, badly injured and barely alive, Mu Le approached her. He discovered he could understand her horse-whispering, and noted their similar experiences of amnesia, with him even forgetting his own name.

Zhenzhen seemed startled by his words, and a white-clad figure, seen before, briefly appeared and gazed at her. After Mu Le left, Zhenzhen whispered "Huole de Tuotuo" to herself as she watched him go, a white-clad man again appearing momentarily before her. Later, Mu Le sought He Zhun to discuss strategies for withdrawing the enemy.

But He Zhun, having received a letter containing a bead flower and a mushroom-shaped canopy from Ming Hui, excitedly rushed off to meet her, interpreting the items as a message for a romantic rendezvous. He Zhun found Ming Hui in a decorated cave. After some flirtatious banter, Ming Hui offered him wine. As He Zhun drank, the wine took effect, leaving him feeling drunk. Suddenly, Zhao Lanzhi and his soldiers appeared, arresting He Zhun.

He Zhun, realizing he'd been betrayed, accused Ming Hui of setting a trap. Zhao Lanzhi, believing he had captured the bandit leader, prepared to lead his men to conquer Huodu Mountain. However, this was a double-cross: Ming Hui had conspired with He Zhun, informing him of Zhao Lanzhi's plans beforehand in exchange for the Nine-Star Heavenly Bead. He Zhun's men then ambushed Zhao Lanzhi, turning the tables and capturing him.

He Zhun, enraged, was about to kill Zhao Lanzhi to avenge his fallen brothers, but Ming Hui intervened, advising him to keep Zhao Lanzhi alive as leverage for negotiations with the Imperial court. Pleased with Ming Hui's crucial assistance, He Zhun willingly gave her the Nine-Star Heavenly Bead. However, as Ming Hui prepared to leave, He Zhun changed his mind. Admiring her cleverness and beauty, he seized her, demanding she return to Huodu Mountain to become his wife.

Ming Hui adamantly refused, even threatening suicide with a candle holder. He Zhun, though initially forceful, paused when he suspected she had a lover. Unable to compel her, he ordered his men to imprison her. Thus, both Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui found themselves in the same prison cell. Seeing Zhao Lanzhi, whom she had used as bait, Ming Hui felt a pang of guilt but maintained a defiant facade.

Zhao Lanzhi, observing her, continued to probe, asking about the item she so desperately sought from the bandits, its connection to Jiang Ren and her past actions, and the identity of the powerful individual supporting and coercing her. Ming Hui, scoffing at his interrogation in their dire situation, warned him that the person behind her was someone he, the entire Imperial court, and even the Empress, could not afford to provoke.

In prison, Princess Minghui taunted Zhao Lanzhi, stating that her backer was so powerful even the Empress couldn't afford to offend him. Zhao Lanzhi immediately deduced it was State Preceptor Tian Qiao. Minghui confirmed his guess but mocked him, asserting there was nothing he could do. Zhao Lanzhi declared his immediate goal was to escape, which Minghui deemed impossible.

Soon after, signal flares appeared outside, and Zhao Lanzhi proudly informed Minghui that he had anticipated her unreliability and had planned all along, using her to locate the bandits' lair. The government army launched an assault on the mountain lair, and Ye Yuanan successfully rescued Zhao Lanzhi. Zhao Lanzhi revealed his plan to Minghui, stating her betrayal had inadvertently helped him locate the lair.

He then ordered Ye Yuanan to protect Minghui, despite Ye Yuanan's visible disdain and desire to harm her. Zhao Lanzhi captured the bandit leader, He Zhun. Defeated, He Zhun, lamenting his ruined wedding day, declared his intention for Minghui to join him in death, and drew a knife, attempting to kill her. Zhao Lanzhi bravely intercepted the knife, taking a poisoned hit himself.

Seeing Zhao Lanzhi wounded, an enraged Ye Yuanan immediately killed He Zhun and then lashed out at Minghui, blaming her for Zhao Lanzhi's injury. Upon returning to the military camp, Zhao Lanzhi, Ye Yuanan, and their troops discovered it had been brutally attacked. Many soldiers lay dead or wounded, including Zhao Lanzhi's trusted subordinate, Xiaohu, who was fatally injured. With his last breath, Xiaohu revealed that Mu Le was responsible for the assault.

Overwhelmed by grief and rage, Zhao Lanzhi swore to avenge Xiaohu's death. Meanwhile, Mu Le, returning to his own lair, was devastated by the sight of the massacred bandits, including his "Big Brother," and vowed revenge against Zhao Lanzhi, letting one soldier go to deliver this message. A doctor informed Zhao Lanzhi that the dart wound contained a potent viper venom.

Although most of the poison had been removed, some remained, and due to scarce medical supplies, he advised Zhao Lanzhi to return to Luoyang for complete recovery. However, Zhao Lanzhi adamantly refused, insisting he would not leave until all bandits were eradicated. Ye Yuanan tried to persuade him, suggesting they could return after he had recovered, but Zhao Lanzhi accused her of defending Mu Le and demanded to know her true feelings for him.

Ye Yuanan dismissed his suspicions, stating that Mu Le was merely a servant who had betrayed her, and her concern was solely for Zhao Lanzhi's well-being. Princess Minghui, held captive in the military camp, refused to eat or drink. With Zhao Lanzhi incapacitated, Ye Yuanan took charge and confronted Minghui. She harshly chastised Minghui for colluding with the bandits, reminding her that Zhao Lanzhi had spared her life.

When Minghui inquired about Zhao Lanzhi's injuries, Ye Yuanan sarcastically retorted that he wouldn't dare die before her. Ye Yuanan then physically forced food upon Minghui, reminding her that the soldiers had saved it. Minghui defiantly threatened to have Ye Yuanan and her family killed once she returned to Luoyang.

Unfazed, Ye Yuanan listed Minghui's past misdeeds and warned her that, far from the capital and with Zhao Lanzhi injured, she was free of scruples and couldn't guarantee what she might do if provoked. Despite the humiliation, Minghui remained defiant, vowing that Ye Yuanan would pay for her actions. After the attack, Mu Le encountered Zhenzhen at the bandit lair. Zhenzhen questioned why he remained when he had no strong ties to the Huodu Mountain bandits and they had disbanded.

Mu Le explained that although he wasn't from there, the bandits had treated him with kindness and respect, unlike those who had previously mistreated him. Now that these kind people were dead, he felt a deep need for revenge against those responsible. He clarified that he didn't intend to fight the entire army, but rather to take one specific life, a task he felt he could manage alone. Concerned for Ye Yuanan, Tian Shu secretly arrived at the military camp.

Despite Ye Yuanan's initial scolding about the danger of Zhao Lanzhi capturing him, Tian Shu insisted he had come to help, having foreseen her troubles. Moved by Ye Yuanan's tears over Mu Le's betrayal and Zhao Lanzhi's illness, Tian Shu promised to cure Zhao Lanzhi first.

He then entered Zhao Lanzhi's tent, despite Zhao Lanzhi's disdain for his presence, and astutely diagnosed the severity of his condition, including the internal pain and a black line on his arm that, if it reached his palm, would indicate imminent death. Ye Yuanan, seeing the line had already reached Zhao Lanzhi's wrist, grew frantic.

Tian Shu revealed the poison was from a "Bijin Snake" unique to Huodu Mountain and could be cured by transfusing blood from a local villager who had survived a bite from the same snake. Zhao Lanzhi agreed, and Tian Shu quickly administered the cure. However, Tian Shu issued a strict warning: Zhao Lanzhi was not to use martial arts or internal force for several months, or his life would be in grave danger.

Soon after, a soldier, spared by Mu Le, returned to the camp with a challenge from Mu Le: a bloody battle would ensue in three days. Enraged and determined to avenge Xiaohu, Zhao Lanzhi declared he would await Mu Le and take his life, regardless of whether he was human or monster.

Ye Yuanan, having been instrumental in saving Zhao Lanzhi's life, asked for one favor in return: that she be allowed to handle Mu Le when he arrived, keeping Zhao Lanzhi out of the conflict. Zhao Lanzhi accused her of defending Mu Le despite his destructive actions and threats. Ye Yuanan asserted that as Mu Le was her servant, she would take responsibility for his misdeeds and ensure he was brought to justice without either of them getting hurt.

She reminded Zhao Lanzhi of Tian Shu's warning about not fighting and called him narrow-minded for only seeing her concern for Mu Le, not her concern for him. Unable to fight himself, Zhao Lanzhi reluctantly agreed to her terms but warned that he would never forgive her if she allowed Mu Le to escape. Ye Yuanan pressed Tian Shu for a strategy to handle Mu Le.

Tian Shu, noting Mu Le's childlike innocence and stubborn single-mindedness in wanting to kill Zhao Lanzhi, whispered a plan to Ye Yuanan, who found it excellent. Following this, Mu Le attempted to infiltrate the military camp but fell into Ye Yuanan's trap. She confronted him about his actions, reminding him of his past role and questioning his intentions.

Ye Yuanan then offered Mu Le three chances to challenge Zhao Lanzhi within three days, with each capture by her reducing one opportunity. Having caught him once, she stated he only had two chances left, and if she caught him a third time, he would have to return home with her. Later, Mu Le was caught a second time by Ye Yuanan, with Tian Shu's help, leveraging Mu Le's reluctance to harm her, despite Zhao Lanzhi's attempt to intervene.

Mu Le accused her of trickery, but Ye Yuanan retorted that deception was fair in war and pointed out his reluctance to harm her. Mu Le, now with only one chance left, vowed not to miss it. Disheartened by his repeated captures, Mu Le sat by the lake. Zhenzhen observed that he was inherently kind-hearted and incapable of true villainy, suggesting he had come to Huodu Mountain by accident, driven only by anger over past humiliations.

Mu Le insisted he still had one chance left and would not miss it, declaring he would rather die than fail. Zhenzhen silently agreed that death might be preferable to living a life of such misery. Ye Yuanan consulted Tian Shu again, expressing her worry about capturing Mu Le a third time, fearing he wouldn't be tricked again and might become uncontrollable in a "crazy fit."

She affirmed that she would not allow Zhao Lanzhi to kill Mu Le, nor vice versa, and if execution were necessary, she would carry it out herself. She mentioned an incident where Mu Le, in a transformed state, developed strange scales and became powerful enough to deflect arrows. Tian Shu found this intriguing and reassured her that Mu Le was not like General Guo, who lost his humanity under a spell.

He pointed out that Mu Le's deflected arrows were headless, indicating he had no intention to kill, and thus Ye Yuanan shouldn't worry about him being a monster. Confident in Mu Le's nature, Ye Yuanan then received two new methods from Tian Shu to deal with him. Meanwhile, Princess Minghui managed to sneak out of her confinement. She secretly observed Tian Shu in the camp, recognizing him from General Guo's residence.

Her curiosity was piqued when she noticed he was wearing two Nine Divine Beads, prompting questions about how he acquired them and his true identity. Later, Zhao Lanzhi visited Minghui, offering her military rations and explaining that most of the bandits were eradicated. Minghui, however, remained defiant, asserting that once they returned to Luoyang, he wouldn't be able to imprison her. She then asked about his wounds, and Zhao Lanzhi informed her that he had largely recovered thanks to a "master," whose identity and background he did not disclose.

Confined in a wooden cage, Princess Ming Hui was urged by Zhao Lanzhi to consider how she would explain her actions upon their return. She asserted that she didn't regret her deeds, stating that everyone acts with intentions, reasons, and difficulties, but she thanked Zhao Lanzhi for shielding her from a poisoned dart, a kindness she would never forget. Later, Princess Ming Hui inquired with Zhao Lanzhi about Chen Tianshu, which immediately aroused Zhao Lanzhi's suspicions.

Observing Chen Tianshu teaching Ye Yuanan, Zhao Lanzhi noted his sophisticated martial arts movements, realizing he was no ordinary traveling doctor as Ye Yuanan had claimed. He further suspected that Chen Tianshu was the mysterious expert who had consistently aided Ye Yuanan. To prevent Mu Le from appearing, Ye Yuanan ordered strict defenses. Meanwhile, Chen Tianshu instructed Ye Yuanan that the only way to deal with someone of Mu Le’s strength was to stab him directly in the heart.

He explained that by estimating Mu Le’s height and arm length, his heart would be located three centimeters beneath his sternum. Ye Yuanan, horrified by such a ruthless method, questioned why he would teach her something so vicious, especially since Mu Le had treated her well. Chen Tianshu responded that he knew she lacked the heart to kill Mu Le, even with the knowledge, but encouraged her to learn it anyway, suggesting it might be useful later.

He further demonstrated how to inflict a death blow from the back, targeting two finger-widths below the left shoulder blade. Later, Mu Le launched an attack on Zhao Lanzhi’s military camp, using a feint to draw attention away from his true target. Ye Yuanan, upon hearing the commotion, had ordered a capture, but it wasn't Mu Le they caught.

Mu Le broke through the defenses, confronting Zhao Lanzhi and demanding a one-on-one fight to avenge He Zhun, whom Zhao Lanzhi had killed. Zhao Lanzhi, having lost his martial arts skills, was no match for Mu Le. Mu Le asserted that the bandits of Huodu Mountain were chivalrous, only robbing corrupt merchants and killing wicked tyrants.

Mu Le denied killing Li Long, Li Bao, or Xiaohu, stating he merely set fire to the barracks to force Zhao Lanzhi to retreat sooner, not understanding why Zhao Lanzhi had to annihilate his brothers. Zhao Lanzhi countered that their actions were illegal and that outlaws, like law-breaking merchants and local hooligans, must face legal punishment. He chastised Mu Le for ignoring Ye Yuanan’s repeated attempts to persuade him to change his ways.

As Mu Le prepared to strike Zhao Lanzhi, Ye Yuanan rushed forward to protect him. Recalling Chen Tianshu’s lesson, she used the handle of her dagger to point at the precise location of Mu Le's heart, asking him if he conceded. She declared that if she had used the blade, his heart would have been pierced, and he would have lost. She urged him to return with her.

Meanwhile, Princess Ming Hui was eavesdropping on soldiers who discussed Zhao Lanzhi’s contingency plan to use rolling rocks if Ye Yuanan failed to subdue Mu Le. She heard a signal was given to cancel the rock attack as Ye Yuanan had succeeded. The mysterious white-clothed man also witnessed this, appearing pensive. However, Princess Ming Hui deliberately cut the ropes, causing the large rocks to fall.

As the rocks cascaded down towards the camp, endangering Ye Yuanan, Mu Le bravely pushed her out of the way, taking the full impact himself and sustaining severe injuries. Ye Yuanan furiously confronted Zhao Lanzhi, accusing him of breaking his promise. Zhao Lanzhi admitted preparing the rocks but insisted he had ordered the attack to be called off. Unconvinced, Ye Yuanan tearfully pleaded with Chen Tianshu to save Mu Le.

Chen Tianshu regretfully stated that Mu Le's meridians were shattered and internal organs ruptured; even gods couldn't save him. Overwhelmed with grief and anger at Zhao Lanzhi for indirectly causing Mu Le's condition, Ye Yuanan spent the night cradling Mu Le. The following day, as the army prepared to return to Luoyang, a dying Mu Le briefly regained consciousness.

He pulled out a bamboo flute he had made for Ye Yuanan when she was sick, intending to give it to her if they ever parted ways. He asked her not to cry, promising he would be heartbroken, and made her swear that if he died, she would only mourn for three days before returning to her carefree self. Just then, Zhenzhen arrived and administered a mysterious pill, reviving Mu Le.

Upon waking, Mu Le expressed to Ye Yuanan that he couldn't die so meaninglessly and resolved to leave to discover his true identity. Ye Yuanan, heartbroken, asked if they would ever meet again, but Mu Le, without a word, turned and walked away. Ye Yuanan cried out that she had never regarded him as a slave. Chen Tianshu tried to console Ye Yuanan, advising her not to cling to emotions, as all feelings eventually fade.

Ye Yuanan remained silent, instead playing the bamboo flute Mu Le had given her. Zhao Lanzhi was lauded for eradicating the bandits of Huodu Mountain and promoted to Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicature and Revision. He attempted to bring Princess Ming Hui back to the Court of Judicature and Revision for questioning, but State Preceptor Tian Qiao's disciples intercepted them, taking her away.

Princess Ming Hui presented a Nine Divine Bead to the State Preceptor, who, displeased with her performance, threatened to kill her for exposing herself. To save her life, Princess Ming Hui revealed that she had seen two more Divine Beads on Chen Tianshu, the same person she encountered when General Guo became a "moth darting into fire" and again at Huodu Mountain, noting they were on his wrist.

This information prompted the State Preceptor to save her, confirming his suspicion that it was his ruthless junior fellow apprentice, Chen Tianshu, who, after their master’s passing, had betrayed fellow disciples to hoard the Divine Beads.

The State Preceptor, feigning benevolence, gave Ming Hui medicine and reminded her of his leniency towards her family, mentioning how he interceded on behalf of her brother, who had smuggled a golden Buddha statue, to coerce her continued loyalty in retrieving the remaining Divine Beads from Chen Tianshu. Back at the Ye mansion, everyone wondered why Mu Le hadn't returned, but Ye Yuanan simply stated he had left.

While bathing, Ye Yuanan reflected on her memories with Mu Le, particularly a forceful kiss, experiencing a complex mix of emotions. Simultaneously, Mu Le reminisced about his first meeting with Ye Yuanan, both deeply missing each other. As Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicature and Revision, Zhao Lanzhi reported to the Empress about recent cases. He expressed his suspicion that the State Preceptor was behind them, including a third, secret force that interfered with the Huodu Mountain bandit eradication.

Despite her known animosity with the State Preceptor, the Empress surprisingly defended him, ordering Zhao Lanzhi to cease his investigation due to lack of concrete evidence and the State Preceptor's high status. As she departed, the Empress instructed Zhao Lanzhi to deliver her prized dendrobium orchids from the Imperial garden to Ye Yuanan, commenting that dendrobiums grow in valleys, are difficult to obtain, and have mysterious origins, implying a hidden meaning.

The palace eunuch clarified that the Empress rarely gifted flowers, and each plant in her garden carried symbolism, leading Zhao Lanzhi to surmise that the Empress believed Ye Yuanan harbored secrets. When Zhao Lanzhi arrived at the Ye mansion with the orchids, he saw Chen Tianshu and asked Minister Ye about him.

Minister Ye, flustered and wishing to avoid trouble, awkwardly claimed Chen Tianshu was a distant relative who knew some medical skills, attempting to cover for Ye Yuanan’s earlier description of him as a "Jianghu traveling doctor." Ye Yuanan, upon greeting Zhao Lanzhi, congratulated him on his promotion and awards, remarking that as acquaintances, she wished him well, which left Zhao Lanzhi feeling that their shared experiences meant little to her.

Zhao Lanzhi arrived at the Ye Mansion to deliver dendrobium orchids, a gift from the Empress. Seeing an old man there, he inquired about him. Minister Ye, fearing repercussions, lied that the man was a distant relative. Zhao Lanzhi then spoke with Ye Yuanan, who was cold towards him due to Mu Le's death. She openly expressed regret for ever knowing him, stating, "He's dead. I buried him," when he asked about Mu Le.

Zhao Lanzhi defended himself, insisting he never ordered rocks to be released and did not attack Mu Le sneakily from behind. He reminded Ye Yuanan to be careful as Tianshu's matter could bring trouble, adding, "you can play tricks. But you can never disregard the law." Ye Yuanan, angered by his detached, business-like attitude, retorted that he was "the law" and despised his lack of feeling. She declared that after he left, they should not see each other again.

At his office, Zhao Lanzhi reviewed old case files, including documents about the Ci'en Temple massacre and an imperial arrest warrant. He was shocked to realize that the portrait of the wanted criminal, Chen Tianshu, was none other than the old man at the Ye Mansion. He recalled trying to pursue Chen Tianshu in Annan years ago but he had escaped.

Zhao Lanzhi, realizing Ye Yuanan had hidden a wanted criminal and caused trouble for him, vowed to arrest Chen Tianshu. Meanwhile, Minister Ye also began to suspect the old man's true identity and urged Ye Yuanan to send him away to avoid implicating the Ye Mansion, but she refused to abandon someone who had helped them. Later, the Emperor suffered a severe headache after a nightmare where Chen Tianshu attacked him.

The Empress, after realizing she had disposed of the State Preceptor's elixirs, urgently summoned him. The State Preceptor arrived and performed treatments, then connected the Emperor's dream to the Ci'en Temple massacre nineteen years prior, claiming it was a warning from heaven and earth that Chen Tianshu must be arrested to appease the dead. Convinced, the Emperor ordered Chen Tianshu's immediate arrest.

The State Preceptor then had Princess Minghui reveal that Chen Tianshu was hiding at Minister of Finance Ye Fucheng's mansion, specifically with his daughter, Ye Yuanan, and recommended Zhao Lanzhi to lead the search. Despite the Empress's initial desire to speak for Ye Yuanan, the Emperor insisted, and she ultimately issued a decree for Zhao Lanzhi to search the Ye Mansion that very night for Chen Tianshu and arrest anyone found to be harboring him.

Zhao Lanzhi arrived at the Ye Mansion with his troops in the middle of the night. Minister Ye and his family were terrified. Ye Yuanan feigned ignorance, claiming she had never heard of Chen Tianshu. Zhao Lanzhi urged her to cooperate, promising to seek leniency from the Empress. An initial search of the mansion yielded nothing, but a soldier reported something suspicious in the basement of the back garden. Zhao Lanzhi remembered Ye Yuanan's basement and ordered a search.

Ye Yuanan opened the basement, which only contained a few monkeys, startling the soldiers. Zhao Lanzhi, knowing she was hiding him, repeatedly demanded to know where Chen Tianshu was, but Ye Yuanan continued to act innocent, even offering him breakfast. Unable to find the suspect, Zhao Lanzhi and his men left, with Zhao Lanzhi stating he would report to the Empress that no one was found, dispelling her doubts.

After Zhao Lanzhi's departure, Minister Ye pressed Ye Yuanan, knowing she hadn't sent Chen Tianshu away. Ye Yuanan revealed that Chen Tianshu had been disguised as a family servant, standing in plain sight during the search. Realizing the danger, Minister Ye insisted Chen Tianshu leave immediately. Tianshu, understanding the trouble he was causing, agreed to depart, thanking Ye Yuanan for her kindness.

Ye Yuanan then arranged for a decoy carriage to divert the guards and personally escorted the disguised Tianshu out of the city. By a river leading out of Luoyang, she provided him with official documents and money, advising him to go to Wanxing Temple outside Luoyang if he had no other place to stay, mentioning her good relationship with the temple master. Tianshu, touched, expressed his wish to have a disciple like her, lamenting he hadn't had one.

Suddenly, Zhao Lanzhi appeared, intent on arresting Tianshu. Ye Yuanan immediately blocked him, feigning injury and persistent pleas for him to let Tianshu go. Tianshu then calmly addressed Zhao Lanzhi, asserting he was unfairly judged nineteen years ago and that there was no fairness in the world. Ye Yuanan's pleas eventually wore Zhao Lanzhi down. He relented, stating he would pretend he hadn't seen Tianshu, acknowledging the debt he owed her.

Tianshu, without waiting for a boat, used his martial arts to fly across the lake and escape. Ye Yuanan expressed concern about how Zhao Lanzhi would report this to the Empress, and he confirmed he would lie, claiming he found no one at the Ye Mansion, acknowledging it was a "crime of deceiving the Emperor." Unbeknownst to them, Princess Minghui had secretly witnessed the entire encounter.

Zhao Lanzhi reported to the Empress that he had found no trace of Chen Tianshu at the Ye Mansion, leading the Empress to believe Ye Yuanan had been wrongly accused and consider dropping the case. However, Princess Minghui arrived and contradicted Zhao Lanzhi's report, claiming he was "a step too late." She stated that her subordinate saw a carriage leaving the Ye Mansion after midnight, suggesting Ye Yuanan had helped Chen Tianshu escape.

Zhao Lanzhi then confronted Minghui, questioning her motives for framing Ye Yuanan. Minghui dismissed him, accusing him of not handling things fairly and of having released the suspect, calling it a "crime of deceiving the Emperor," implying she saw Zhao Lanzhi let Tianshu go. Minghui insisted that Ye Yuanan knew Chen Tianshu's whereabouts and recommended she be imprisoned at the Ministry of Penalty and interrogated with torture. Despite the Empress's initial doubts, Minghui guaranteed her information with her life.

The Empress then ordered Minghui to handle the case. Minghui subsequently arrived at the Ye Mansion, announcing her imperial order to arrest Ye Yuanan for harboring Chen Tianshu. Ye Yuanan, recognizing Minghui's malicious intent, defiantly challenged her to try and capture her. A fight ensued, but Ye Yuanan was outmatched and captured. As Ye Yuanan was led away to the Ministry of Penalty prison, Minister Ye fainted from shock.

He pleaded with Minghui not to torture his daughter, but Minghui coldly warned him to worry about himself if Ye Yuanan was found guilty. Zhao Lanzhi tried to visit Ye Yuanan in prison but was denied entry without an official document. He then found Minghui inside, attempting to torture Ye Yuanan with a branding iron, eager to get revenge for past humiliations.

Zhao Lanzhi begged Minghui to spare Ye Yuanan, reminding her that he had once taken a poisonous dart for her at Huodu Mountain. Minghui dismissed his plea, stating he "was willing" to take the dart, so she owed him nothing and advised him not to mix official business with personal favors. In desperation, Zhao Lanzhi knelt before Minghui, begging her to give Ye Yuanan a way out.

Enraged, Minghui demanded to know, "What's so good about her, worthy enough for you to do this?" Zhao Lanzhi simply replied, "In other people's eyes, she may not be good enough. But she's Yuan'an."

Zhao Lanzhi implored Princess Ming Hui to release Ye Yuanan, reminding the Princess that he had once taken a poisoned blade for her. Despite this, he knelt before Ming Hui, begging for Ye Yuanan's freedom. Ming Hui was incensed, demanding to know what made Ye Yuanan so worthy of such a sacrifice from him. Zhao Lanzhi explained that while Ye Yuanan might have no merits in the eyes of others, she was simply herself.

Ming Hui retorted that Ye Yuanan was "insane," as were her servant and the old monk she harbored, suggesting Zhao Lanzhi had been "infected" by her as well. She declared that she was acting on a decree, and with the Emperor, Empress, and State Preceptor involved, she could not simply release Ye Yuanan.

She added that she would not let Ye Yuanan off even if Zhao Lanzhi killed himself, asking how he expected the State Preceptor to release Ye Yuanan without Chen Tianshu being caught. Zhao Lanzhi clarified that he only asked her not to torture Ye Yuanan, emphasizing that torture might prevent Ye Yuanan from revealing Chen Tianshu's whereabouts. Ming Hui then asked how he could possibly repay such a significant favor.

Zhao Lanzhi promised that he, Zhao Lanzhi, would do anything she asked in the future. Satisfied, Ming Hui agreed to temporarily not torture Ye Yuanan, making him swear to uphold his promise. Afterward, Zhao Lanzhi untied Ye Yuanan. When she asked what he had said to Ming Hui, he lied, assuring her he had not begged in a servile manner. He then asked if she truly refused to disclose Chen Tianshu's location, to which Ye Yuanan maintained she knew nothing.

Zhao Lanzhi then declared he would go to the Empress to beg for her release. Before leaving, he asked if risking her life for others was truly worthwhile, and Ye Yuanan replied, "If I don't fight for what I think is right, then who will fight for me?" Unbeknownst to them, Ming Hui overheard their conversation and felt a pang of envy, believing she would cherish such devotion far more than Ye Yuanan.

Zhao Lanzhi proceeded to kneel before the Empress's palace for a full day and night, but she refused to see him. An eunuch advised him to stop, explaining that the Emperor's headache had returned, making the matter too sensitive for the Empress to decide alone.

The eunuch further relayed that the State Preceptor had made it clear the case would not be closed until the perpetrator of the Ci'en Temple case from nineteen years ago was apprehended and the Emperor's "inner demons" were resolved. Just then, the State Preceptor arrived in his carriage, likely on his way to treat the Emperor's headache. Zhao Lanzhi courageously blocked the carriage, identifying himself as Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicature and Revision.

He accused State Preceptor of being connected to various past cases, including Qianduan Brothel's opium smuggling, Luotian Cave's cultural relic trade, the theft of the Empress's painting, Prince Nanjing's granddaughter Shui Yue's sorcery, and General Guo's transformation and communication with bandits, all of which implicated Princess Ming Hui. Zhao Lanzhi offered a deal: if State Preceptor would release Ye Yuanan, he would cease all investigations into those sealed cases.

State Preceptor was enraged by this bargaining and retaliated by severely injuring Zhao Lanzhi. The Empress finally emerged, but only to usher State Preceptor into the Emperor's chambers to attend to his pain, effectively saving Zhao Lanzhi's life. State Preceptor, in his thoughts, dismissed Zhao Lanzhi as insignificant, boasting that he would rule the world once he collected all Nine Divine Beads, rendering even the Empress powerless.

He also mentally noted that he would deal with Ming Hui later for disobeying his order to kill Zhao Lanzhi. Zhao Lanzhi, still on the ground, pleaded with the Empress to release Ye Yuanan, reminding her that Ye Yuanan had saved her life. The Empress acknowledged Ye Yuanan's past kindness in the banana tree forest and General Guo's Mansion but stated that these deeds could not justify abandoning the arrest of a highly wanted criminal or ignoring the Emperor's health.

She concluded that Ye Yuanan could not be released until the case was resolved. Meanwhile, Mu Le was in the West Market, inquiring about his origins when a flower vendor mentioned flowers from a place called Suoluo, a name that resonated with Mu Le as both familiar and strange. Later, he saw a wanted poster for Monk Tianshu, confirming his survival, and learned that Ye Yuanan had been arrested for harboring him.

Remembering Ye Yuanan's casual remark about throwing Chen Tianshu into Wanxing Temple, Mu Le immediately headed there. He requested lodging from a young Taoist, who initially refused due to temple rules, suggesting a nearby cave. However, after seeing Mu Le's seemingly bulging bag, the young Taoist changed his mind and allowed him to stay the night, provided he left early in the morning.

During dinner, the other Taoists, noting the temple's meager provisions, made it clear they would not share their food with Mu Le. Mu Le then opened his bag, revealing an array of meat dishes, tantalizing the hungry Taoists. He deliberately described each succulent dish in detail, further provoking their hunger. Eventually, he offered to share, and the Taoists eagerly joined him, even producing liquor to drink with the feast.

In their drunken revelry, one Taoist casually mentioned that their "master" (referring to Chen Tianshu in disguise) had only been accepted into the temple a few days prior, and it was because of a name he mentioned. Mu Le quickly inquired if the name was "Ye Yuanan," which the Taoist confirmed. Realizing the truth, Mu Le angrily confronted the disguised Taoist, ripping off his human skin mask to reveal Chen Tianshu.

Mu Le chastised Chen Tianshu for enjoying himself while Ye Yuanan suffered in jail because of him and demanded he come along. Chen Tianshu resisted, claiming he was framed nineteen years ago by his senior brother, Tian Qiao, and that Ye Yuanan had willingly covered for him. Mu Le rejected this, stating, "She's willing but I'm unwilling! . . . Her life is the most important thing for me."

Mu Le then used a drugged liquor and meat to subdue Chen Tianshu, having taken an antidote himself, and prepared to take him to exchange for Ye Yuanan. Zhao Lanzhi, without food or drink, continued his vigil, kneeling before the Empress's palace. The Empress, moved by Zhao Lanzhi's unwavering dedication, visited the Emperor, who was still suffering from severe headaches.

She informed him about Zhao Lanzhi's three-day and three-night vigil, pleading for Ye Yuanan's release, and suggested there might be a deeper, "queer" truth behind the matter. The Emperor, reasoning that Ye Yuanan would have confessed if she knew Chen Tianshu's whereabouts after three days in jail, decided to release her. However, the Emperor then expressed worry that his headaches might be incurable.

State Preceptor quickly intervened, urging the Emperor not to give up hope and offering to personally interrogate Ye Yuanan to uncover Chen Tianshu's location, thereby resolving the Emperor's "inner demons." After State Preceptor departed, the Empress noticed a peculiar scent from the incense by the Emperor's bed and summoned an Imperial Physician to investigate. Meanwhile, Uncle Xia visited Ye Yuanan in jail, bringing her food and a soft sword, urging her to find a way to escape.

Ye Yuanan mused on the heavy guards, recognizing that escaping alone would be difficult, but decided she would rather fight than simply await her fate. Shortly after, several boys arrived to escort Ye Yuanan to State Preceptor's palace for interrogation. Princess Ming Hui attempted to block them, asserting Ye Yuanan was her prisoner under the Empress's orders. The boys scoffed at Ming Hui's inefficiency and accused her of possibly harboring "unfaithful intentions."

Ming Hui denied this, pleading for more time to uncover the truth and for State Preceptor's trust. The boys attacked Ming Hui, breaking one of her fingers, and delivered a chilling message from State Preceptor: she was ordered to kill Zhao Lanzhi. At his palace, State Preceptor greeted Ye Yuanan, complimenting her martial prowess, chivalry, intelligence, kindness, and loyalty, noting her past act of saving the Empress.

Ye Yuanan, however, dismissed these as mere hearsay and reiterated that she had no knowledge of Chen Tianshu's whereabouts. State Preceptor then offered to take her as his disciple, promising to teach her all his skills, including healing, divination, machine crafting, and weapon manufacturing, assuring her she would become the "top master of martial arts." He also offered her unlimited wealth and a future as a high-ranking official.

Ye Yuanan questioned this grand offer by bringing up Ming Hui's broken finger, asking why a disciple would be treated so harshly. State Preceptor explained that Ming Hui was disobedient and less clever, deserving punishment for wasting his time, and assured Ye Yuanan she would be treated differently. Still, Ye Yuanan refused to divulge any information. Seeing that persuasion failed, State Preceptor had Ye Yuanan's family brought into the hall, using their lives to coerce her.

He promised her father a high government position and a promising future for her brother if she cooperated. In a desperate act, Ye Yuanan drew the soft sword from Uncle Xia and lunged at State Preceptor, but her blade had no effect on him. Just as State Preceptor was about to strike Ye Yuanan, Mu Le burst in with a bound Chen Tianshu, saving her.

Ye Yuanan asked why he had come, and Mu Le simply replied that he could not leave her in danger. State Preceptor, addressing Chen Tianshu as "Junior Sect Brother," expressed surprise at their reunion, remarking on Ye Yuanan's efforts to protect Tianshu, only for him to end up back in his hands. Meanwhile, the Imperial Physician reported to the Empress that the Emperor's bedside incense contained a high dosage of St. John's Wort and rosemary.

While initially believed to prevent depression, long-term use of such a mixture could damage the liver and kidneys, disturb sleep, and even cause hallucinations. The Empress dismissed the physician, ordering him to keep this information strictly confidential. Later, she visited the Emperor, who felt much better and inquired if the medicine he had taken was State Preceptor's new concoction. The Empress clarified it was from the Imperial Academy of Medicine.

The Emperor expressed surprise, noting that State Preceptor usually treated him, and questioned why the Academy suddenly had a cure. The Empress subtly hinted that a medicine's effect depends on the doctor's heart, asking if a doctor's medicine would change if his heart changed. When the Emperor asked for clarification, the Empress promised a thorough investigation before reporting the full truth to him.

Zhao Lanzhi knelt persistently outside the Empress's chamber, close to collapsing. Princess Ming Hui, having been ordered by the State Preceptor to kill Zhao Lanzhi, found herself hesitating. She remembered their shared past, but also felt a surge of anger and hatred for him kneeling so persistently for Ye Yuanan. As her resolve wavered, the Empress emerged and told Zhao Lanzhi to rise and accompany her to the State Preceptor's palace. Zhao Lanzhi dutifully obeyed.

Inside the State Preceptor's palace, State Preceptor Tian Qiao greeted Chen Tianshu, noting how much he had aged compared to himself. Tian Qiao revealed that he had collected seven of the Divine Beads and now needed the two from Chen Tianshu to complete the set. Chen Tianshu handed them over.

He then publicly exposed Tian Qiao, stating that after decoding only one incantation from the Divine Beads, Tian Qiao had used its secret arts to become the State Preceptor and forge countless deadly weapons for the Tang Dynasty. Chen Tianshu further revealed that nineteen years ago, Tian Qiao had even used a technique from the beads to murder their fellow apprentices just to obtain them.

Tian Qiao denied these accusations, calling Chen Tianshu a wanted criminal, but Chen Tianshu asserted that the two Divine Beads he'd just handed over were not truly Tian Qiao's unless he willingly gave them. He demanded the full truth about the nineteen-year-old incident, stating that it was time to reveal the truth Tian Qiao had concealed for so long.

Tian Qiao, believing himself untouchable, confessed to massacring their sect members for the Divine Beads and fabricating the story to frame Chen Tianshu. Unbeknownst to him, the Empress had arrived and overheard his entire confession. The Empress then stepped forward, questioning Tian Qiao about the hallucinogenic drug found in the censer beside the Emperor's bed. She also expressed her desire to witness the power of the Nine Divine Beads, which the late Emperor claimed could grant control over the world.

To Tian Qiao's shock, she revealed that his confession had also uncovered him as the true murderer behind the heinous Ci'en Temple crime nineteen years ago. Tian Qiao brazenly admitted to all the other mysterious cases as well – the Qianduan Brothel, the Luotian Cave, the Prince Nanjing's wife incident, General Guo's death, and the turmoil of Huodu Mountain.

He confessed that all his schemes were driven by his ambition to collect the Nine Divine Beads and gain power over the world. Unfazed by their knowledge, Tian Qiao declared that everyone present would die and began to wield the Divine Beads' magic against them. As the others struggled, Chen Tianshu quickly instructed Ye Yuanan, reminding her of a lethal striking point: two finger-widths below the left scapula.

Following his guidance, Ye Yuanan attacked Tian Qiao from behind, severely wounding him. Tian Qiao, bleeding and shocked, used a secret art to escape, leaving the Divine Beads behind. Chen Tianshu, seeing the beads recovered, was relieved, feeling he had finally fulfilled the wishes of his master. Tian Qiao fled to the outskirts, where he encountered Ming Hui. Desperate, he pleaded with her to save him, promising to teach her all his knowledge. However, Ming Hui saw through his manipulation.

She reminded him how she had risked her life multiple times to retrieve the Divine Beads for him, only to receive blame instead of praise. She also recalled his threats against her family and his order to kill Zhao Lanzhi. She declared that Zhao Lanzhi, her enemy, had treated her better than Tian Qiao ever had, and he did not deserve to be called her master.

Tian Qiao, with his dying breath, still attempted to absorb her essence to heal himself, but Ming Hui recognized his treacherous intent. She refused to give him her hand and mercilessly killed him. Back at the palace, Mu Le returned, explaining to Ye Yuanan that he couldn't stay away as long as she was there. Zhao Lanzhi, upset, confronted Ye Yuanan, accusing her of lying about Mu Le's death. Ye Yuanan retorted, leading to an argument.

The Empress interjected, scolding them and reminding Ye Yuanan that Zhao Lanzhi had knelt for three days and three nights for her, making a simple thank you appropriate. Chen Tianshu presented the recovered Divine Beads to the Empress. Ye Yuanan, still worried, noted that even with his heart wounded, Tian Qiao possessed great magical power. At that moment, Ming Hui arrived, presenting Tian Qiao's head as proof of his death.

The Empress then revealed that Ming Hui had been her spy all along, deployed to Tian Qiao's side years ago to uncover his schemes and retrieve the Divine Beads, acting on the late Emperor's legend about the beads. She praised Ming Hui for her instrumental role in their victory. Holding the Divine Beads, the Empress gazed into them, envisioning herself as the ruler of the world. Chen Tianshu cautioned her against becoming bewitched by illusions, warning of potential disaster.

The Empress dismissed his concern, saying they would decode any unknown secrets. She officially cleared Chen Tianshu's name and, as a reward, appointed him as the new State Preceptor, tasking him with deciphering the Divine Beads' secrets to aid the Great Tang Dynasty in ruling the world. The Ye family, having survived their ordeal, celebrated their new beginning with a grand banquet.

Ye Yuanan's stepmother and Ye Yuanning were uncharacteristically kind, expressing their love and promising to care for her and find her a good husband. Ye Yuanan, believing much of the credit belonged to Mu Le, prepared to toast him publicly. However, Zhao Lanzhi's arrival interrupted her. Ye Yuanan feigned indifference towards Zhao Lanzhi, though her father teased her, suggesting she secretly cared for him despite her tough exterior.

Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi engaged in a lively finger-guessing drinking game, laughing and enjoying themselves. Seeing this, Mu Le became disheartened and quietly left the feast. Uncle Xia followed Mu Le, finding him outside drinking alone. He acknowledged Mu Le's feelings for Ye Yuanan but reminded him of their stark social differences.

As servants, their duty was to serve, and while Ye Yuanan appreciated his devotion, her marriage was arranged by her parents, and she was destined to marry Zhao Lanzhi. Mu Le insisted that he liked Ye Yuanan and believed she liked him in return, asserting that mutual affection should be enough. Uncle Xia, however, reiterated that their unequal social status made his feelings futile and that he would ultimately achieve nothing. Mu Le silently accepted his words, lost in thought.

Zhao Lanzhi offered a drink to Mu Le, thanking him for his crucial help in defeating State Preceptor Tianqiao and suggesting they let go of past grievances. However, Mu Le ignored him and declined, stating he didn't deserve it. Ye Yuanan intervened, admonishing Mu Le for his disrespect and urging him to make peace over a drink. She then apologized to Zhao Lanzhi for Mu Le's stubbornness, asking him not to take it to heart.

Ye Yuanan then inquired if Zhao Lanzhi truly knelt for three days and three nights for her, to which he responded by asking if she wouldn't do the same for him. He then directly asked if he was the person she cared for the most. When Ye Yuanan hesitated and asked why he was asking, Zhao Lanzhi asserted that Mu Le was the one she cared for most.

Ye Yuanan denied it, explaining that as Mu Le was a former servant of the Ye Mansion who had saved her multiple times, it was only natural for her to be kind to him. She then turned the question back, asking Zhao Lanzhi what her place was in his heart. Zhao Lanzhi, visibly nervous, took her hand and stammeringly conveyed his feelings for her. Feeling a bit awkward, Ye Yuanan pulled her hand away and asked him to leave first.

Mu Le, having overheard Ye Yuanan and Zhao Lanzhi's conversation, saw Zhao Lanzhi depart. Ye Yuanan then pondered the Empress's recent awards, deciding to give Mu Le his share. When she approached him, Mu Le expressed that he didn't care about money; he cared about her. He then embraced her, questioning why Zhao Lanzhi was allowed to hold her hand but he wasn't.

Ye Yuanan, shocked, pushed him away and retorted that she didn't owe him anything for bringing Tianshu back or saving her life, as he had done all those things willingly. She stated that while she treated him well because he was a member of the Ye family and kind to her, it didn't give him license to act presumptuously towards her. Mu Le apologized and left, clearly hurt.

Later, Nanny reminded Ye Yuanan that despite her frustration with Mu Le's ambitious and difficult nature, he was still of slave status and, as a wanted criminal from Huodu Mountain, faced severe limitations in life. Recognizing this, Ye Yuanan resolved to make proper arrangements for him, despite her personal feelings. Ming Hui awoke feeling wonderfully free, having not slept so soundly in a long time without the pressure of schemes or the Divine Beads.

Her family later discussed the numerous marriage proposals she had received from prominent families. Ming Hui, however, dismissed these suitors, noting that after the incident with Xianya, many had called her a "bane" and no one had dared to propose then. She correctly perceived these new proposals as attempts to curry favor now that her trusted status with the Empress was known.

While her brother urged her to find a caring husband, Ming Hui stated she already had someone in mind. Meanwhile, the Empress officially appointed Tianshu as the new State Preceptor of the Tang Empire, thanking him and urging him to swiftly decode the secrets of the Nine Divine Beads to help achieve world unification. Zhao Lanzhi was also honored with five years' official salary.

Ye Yuanan was promoted to Director of Registration, and Princess Minghui to Director of Communications, both within the General Palace Service, receiving fifth-rank official status and five years' salary. State Preceptor Tianshu declined the Empress's celebratory banquet, citing his deep focus on decoding the secrets of the Nine Divine Beads in the Futu Pagoda. The Empress, though displeased, allowed it, recognizing his critical mission for the empire's unification.

She then summoned Ye Yuanan and Princess Minghui, expressing her fondness for them and offering to grant them one unfulfilled wish each. Ye Yuanan, seizing the opportunity, requested that the Empress remove Mu Le's slave identity and pardon him for his past actions as a bandit from Huodu Mountain, acknowledging his loyalty and significant contributions to defeating State Preceptor Tianqiao. The Empress readily agreed to her request.

However, when it was Ming Hui's turn, she boldly declared her wish to have Zhao Lanzhi as her husband, stunning the Empress and visibly upsetting Ye Yuanan. The Empress, suspecting Ming Hui was merely competing with Ye Yuanan, dismissed Ye Yuanan to speak privately with Ming Hui.

She tried to dissuade Ming Hui, pointing out Zhao Lanzhi and Ye Yuanan's deep mutual affection and willingness to sacrifice their lives for each other, and questioned why Ming Hui would choose him when there were many other eligible men. Ming Hui, however, asserted that her desire for Zhao Lanzhi was genuine, admiring his upright and brave character, and insisted he was the only man she wanted.

The Empress, still hesitant about forcing a marriage without love, ultimately stated she would grant the marriage only if Zhao Lanzhi himself came to her and expressed his willingness to marry Ming Hui. Later, a distressed Ye Yuanan confronted Zhao Lanzhi, accusing him of having a "filthy, ambiguous relationship" and an "affair" with Princess Minghui, having learned of Ming Hui's request for a marriage decree.

Zhao Lanzhi vehemently denied her accusations, clarifying that before the truth of the Tianqiao case emerged, Minghui was an adversary to both of them. He promised to go to Prince Yu's Mansion the next day to clarify matters with Minghui and resolve all old scores. The following day, Zhao Lanzhi visited Minghui.

He started by attempting to apologize for any past wrongs on his and Ye Yuanan's part, asking Minghui to consider his request to retract her marriage proposal as a matter of maintaining proper professional boundaries. Minghui, however, was furious. She questioned his right to apologize for Ye Yuanan and accused him of seeing everything Ye Yuanan did as "cute" and "adorable."

She reminded him of specific instances where she had witnessed his subtle affections for Ye Yuanan, such as picking up discarded flowers and gently touching her hair. Minghui then definitively stated that Ye Yuanan was not joking, and she truly did ask the Empress for their marriage because she "must have what Ye Yuanan has" and wanted nothing but him. Zhao Lanzhi reiterated his refusal, calling her demand "ridiculous."

Minghui then reminded him of a past agreement made in prison, where to save Ye Yuanan from torture, Zhao Lanzhi had promised to grant Minghui "anything" she desired, a promise that resulted in Tianqiao breaking one of Minghui's fingers. She warned him that a debt must be repaid. Zhao Lanzhi acknowledged the debt, offering to give his life if needed, but adamantly refused to marry her.

Minghui then issued a chilling warning, comparing his debt to a gambler's, implying that if she let him go today, he would return in a few days, and his "interest may get doubled." A jubilant Ye Yuanan rushed to Mu Le with the Imperial edict, announcing that the Empress had granted her wish to remove his slave identity and pardon his past as a bandit, freeing him to pursue his own path.

Mu Le, however, was indifferent, throwing the edict aside and accusing Ye Yuanan of acting only to clear the way for her marriage to Zhao Lanzhi, stating he would uncover his own identity. Ye Yuanan, angered by his ingratitude, began to retrieve the discarded edict from the ground, but in her confusion, she mistakenly picked up a carrot, believing it to be the decree, and admonished Mu Le about the importance of enshrining it.

Mu Le, witnessing her strange behavior, grew worried. Her family quickly summoned a doctor, who, despite finding no significant illness from her pulse, attributed her sudden visual impairment to overwork and stress, prescribing medicine for stimulation and improved eyesight. However, her condition worsened, and she began to lose her sense of taste and struggle with other perceptions, such as mistaking her younger sister, Yuanning, for a child.

When Zhao Lanzhi arrived to visit, he asked if she had eaten anything unusual or met anyone specific. Unable to speak clearly, Ye Yuanan wrote down "Minghui" and then "fight." Zhao Lanzhi immediately recalled seeing Minghui's bleeding hand during their earlier confrontation at Prince Yu's Mansion and her cryptic warning about his "debt" doubling if he didn't comply, instantly realizing Minghui's involvement in Ye Yuanan's mysterious illness.

Ming Hui, meanwhile, played the zither, reveling in her triumph and confidently expecting Zhao Lanzhi to soon come to her. She recalled an earlier conversation with the former State Preceptor, where she had requested a potent poison. He had provided her with a colorless, tasteless, and undetectable substance, explaining that it wouldn't kill immediately but would gradually strip the victim of their five senses, forcing them to contemplate becoming a servant or ending up a corpse at her feet.

Driven by urgency and fury, Zhao Lanzhi stormed into Prince Yu's Mansion, brushing past guards and a hesitant Prince Yu, exclaiming that "someone is dying," and intent on confronting Ming Hui.

Zhao Lanzhi angrily forced his way into Prince Yu's Mansion to confront Ming Hui, demanding an antidote. Ming Hui, unfazed by his intrusion, allowed him to stay. She smugly told him that a gambler must pay their debts, implying Ye Yuanan's impending fate. Zhao Lanzhi questioned why Ye Yuanan couldn't see, taste, or speak. Ming Hui confirmed that within two days, all of Ye Yuanan's senses would disappear, leading to her death from breathing paralysis.

Zhao Lanzhi immediately accused her, and Ming Hui brazenly admitted to poisoning Ye Yuanan. Ming Hui explained that she had challenged Ye Yuanan to a martial arts contest in the forest. The rule was that the winner would drink a cup of wine and the loser would never bother Zhao Lanzhi again. Ye Yuanan won and drank the wine, unaware that Ming Hui had already poisoned it.

Ming Hui stated that while she wouldn't bother Zhao Lanzhi, she would ensure he came to her. She detailed the poison, a concoction of thirteen lethal toxins designed to slowly strip away all five senses, leaving the victim unable to see, hear, talk, or move, eventually leading to death from organ failure. Zhao Lanzhi condemned her viciousness, but Ming Hui remained defiant, telling him he only had two days left. Desperate, Zhao Lanzhi begged for the antidote.

Ming Hui dismissed his plea, stating that saving Ye Yuanan and their relationship were entirely separate matters, and demanded that Zhao Lanzhi must ask the Empress for a marriage edict, treating her with the same devotion he showed Ye Yuanan. Suddenly, Mu Le burst in and fiercely grabbed Ming Hui by the neck, demanding the antidote. Zhao Lanzhi intervened, explaining that killing Ming Hui would prevent them from getting the antidote, thereby dooming Ye Yuanan.

Mu Le reluctantly released his grip. Ming Hui then reiterated her demand for a marriage edict and taunted Zhao Lanzhi by revealing that when the Empress granted wishes, her wish was for him, while Ye Yuanan had asked for Mu Le. She called Zhao Lanzhi foolish for loving someone who loved another. Stunned by this revelation, Zhao Lanzhi was furious and left Prince Yu's Mansion, but knew he had no other choice given Ye Yuanan's critical condition.

Ye Yuanan's condition worsened dramatically, leaving her in a coma, having lost all her senses. Minister Ye was beside himself with worry. Zhao Lanzhi requested a moment alone with the unconscious Ye Yuanan. He spoke to her softly, recalling their first blind date at the tea house. He remembered how he knew she was his intended, but she remained oblivious to his identity.

He regretted his lack of persistence then, wishing he had clarified things when the matchmaker suggested she disliked him, believing they would have ample time together. He lamented not marrying her the moment they first met. Realizing the poison was taking full effect and he could wait no longer, he apologized to Ye Yuanan for the painful decision he was about to make. Zhao Lanzhi then went before the Empress and requested to marry Princess Ming Hui.

The Empress, acknowledging Ming Hui's success in manipulating the situation, issued an Imperial edict granting their marriage, declaring them a perfect match and setting the wedding for two days hence. Upon this, Ming Hui, ecstatic, immediately gave Zhao Lanzhi the antidote. She then instructed her brother and sister-in-law to make swift preparations for the wedding at Prince Yu's Mansion. Zhao Lanzhi quickly administered the antidote to Ye Yuanan, and she soon regained consciousness.

Still disoriented, Ye Yuanan wanted to confront Ming Hui, believing her actions were a cruel joke. Zhao Lanzhi stopped her, claiming Ming Hui was just kidding and that he had successfully retrieved the antidote. Ye Yuanan, however, felt betrayed by his defense of Ming Hui, questioning why he always found fault with her instead of the princess. To push her away and spare her further pain, Zhao Lanzhi adopted a harsh tone.

He coldly accused her of asking the Empress for Mu Le's freedom and forgiveness for his crimes at Huodu Mountain, implying she cared more for Mu Le than for him. Ye Yuanan countered that their relationship didn't require a special imperial wish and that she would naturally ask for other things. She was bewildered by his sudden, uncharacteristic aggression.

Zhao Lanzhi, continuing his act, declared he was a court official, not her horse slave, criticizing her manners and rudely telling her to "get lost." Heartbroken by Ye Yuanan's sadness, Mu Le confronted Zhao Lanzhi. He urged Zhao Lanzhi to tell Ye Yuanan the truth: that he was coerced by Ming Hui and agreed to the marriage to save Ye Yuanan's life. Mu Le even offered to help them elope if it meant Ye Yuanan's happiness.

Zhao Lanzhi explained his true intentions to Mu Le. He deliberately provoked Ye Yuanan with harsh words to make her let go of their feelings and leave him. He emphasized that as the Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicature and Revision, he could not defy an Imperial edict.

He expressed envy for Mu Le's freedom from such constraints and noted how excessively well Ye Yuanan treated Mu Le, even suggesting that in her heart, Mu Le was more important than he was. Finally, Zhao Lanzhi entrusted Ye Yuanan's care to Mu Le. Back at the Ye Mansion, Ye Yuanan discussed with her nanny about men being neurotic, especially Zhao Lanzhi, who had become irritable and defensive of Ming Hui after delivering the antidote.

She wondered if he disliked her appearance after her poisoning, but still hoped he would visit her that day. Meanwhile, Minister Ye learned from his colleagues about the Empress's granted marriage between Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui, expressing his shock and disappointment that his favored prospective son-in-law was marrying someone else, with the wedding scheduled for the very next day. That night, Ye Yuanan had a nightmare where she was with Zhao Lanzhi, but her face transformed into Ming Hui's.

Startled, she awoke and immediately asked Mu Le to prepare a horse so she could confront Zhao Lanzhi. Despite Mu Le and her family's attempts to stop her, Ye Yuanan insisted on leaving. At the Court of Judicature and Revision, an official informed her that it was Zhao Lanzhi's wedding day to Princess Ming Hui, granted by the Empress. Ye Yuanan was stunned.

Mu Le, who had followed her, arrived, and she angrily confronted him for knowing and not telling her. Zhao Lanzhi's wedding to Ming Hui was already underway at Prince Yu's Mansion. Tian Shu was among the guests and, noticing Zhao Lanzhi's lack of joy, attempted to console him, even admitting he had always expected Ye Yuanan to be the bride. Zhao Lanzhi merely stated that the situation was irreversible and brushed off Tian Shu's subtle comfort.

Just as the auspicious moment arrived for the ceremony to conclude, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le burst into the wedding. Ming Hui glared at their unwelcome arrival. Ye Yuanan confronted Zhao Lanzhi, accusing him of not inviting her to his important day, especially after all they had shared. Zhao Lanzhi coldly claimed he hadn't invited her due to her recent illness, not wanting her to feel worn out.

Ye Yuanan retorted that her health was insignificant compared to his wedding and questioned if he simply didn't want to see her. Zhao Lanzhi, maintaining his cold demeanor, declared that he and Ming Hui loved each other, and their marriage was by Imperial edict. He told Ye Yuanan that their fate had ended and they could not be together. He advised her to leave if she wasn't there to drink a toast.

Ye Yuanan pressed him, questioning if Ming Hui had threatened him. Ming Hui then stepped forward, ordering her guards to surround Ye Yuanan. She boldly stated she would do anything for Zhao Lanzhi and warned Ye Yuanan that disrupting an Empress-granted marriage would result in her dying in vain. Zhao Lanzhi reiterated his dismissal, telling Ye Yuanan to leave and denying any coercion from Ming Hui.

Heartbroken and devastated, Ye Yuanan left with Mu Le, riding her horse to a riverside cliff as heavy rain poured down. Mu Le tried to comfort her, innocently suggesting she could also get married to spite Zhao Lanzhi. He explained marriage as treating someone wholeheartedly and never letting them be sad. Unexpectedly, Tian Shu appeared and supported Mu Le's idea, urging Ye Yuanan to marry Mu Le and live a happier life than Zhao Lanzhi as the ultimate revenge.

Overwhelmed by anger and despair, Ye Yuanan agreed. Tian Shu then officiated an impromptu wedding for them in the wilderness. They bowed to heaven and earth, and to Tian Shu, before bowing to each other. Mu Le poured out his heart, promising to always like Ye Yuanan and ensure she never felt sad. Ye Yuanan, in turn, admitted her affection for Mu Le. Tian Shu then playfully ushered them into a nearby cave, declaring it their bridal chamber.

On the night of their wedding, Zhao Lanzhi stumbled into the room, heavily intoxicated. Princess Ming Hui cautiously asked if he knew who she was, urging him not to mistake her for Ye Yuanan. Zhao Lanzhi, however, scoffed, assuring her that he recognized Princess Ming Hui and would not make such an error. Ming Hui then offered to help him rest, but Zhao Lanzhi pushed her away.

He cynically remarked that he was too honored to be served by a princess and openly confessed his deep distrust of her, stating that he would always suspect her motives and schemes. He declared that he could not consummate their marriage and demanded they live as a nominal couple, never interfering in each other's lives.

Enraged, Ming Hui condemned his audacity to dismiss a marriage decreed by the Empress and defiantly swore that she would never let him go, proclaiming that any hope he harbored for reuniting with Ye Yuanan was futile. She vowed that she had acquired him and would keep him, asserting that this was their inescapable destiny.

After Zhao Lanzhi drifted into a drunken sleep, Ming Hui tenderly caressed his head, whispering possessively that he was hers forever and would never be allowed to leave. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan and Mu Le were in a cave. Mu Le diligently prepared a bed of straw for Ye Yuanan, urging her to rest. Still fuming, Ye Yuanan bitterly complained about the hard ground and then snapped at Mu Le, asking who had told him to fuss over her.

She clarified that if he hadn't agreed to marry her, she would be comfortably asleep in her own bed at home. She then bit his arm fiercely, telling him he did not deserve her kindness and should abandon her.

Mu Le's heart shattered as he realized Ye Yuanan's declarations of affection were disingenuous, her marriage to him was merely an act to spite Zhao Lanzhi, and her true love, the source of all her joy and sorrow, was still Zhao Lanzhi. Overwhelmed with despair, Mu Le acknowledged that he understood her true feelings.

With a heavy heart, he advised Ye Yuanan to take good care of herself and then walked out of the cave without a backward glance, regretting that he had ever returned to see her. Ye Yuanan, left alone, immediately felt a pang of regret and apologized in a pained whisper. Observing Mu Le's anguish from a distance, Zhenzhen and a mysterious figure on Huodu Mountain concluded that the opportune moment had arrived.

Zhenzhen soon approached Mu Le, revealing that she had been waiting for him since their last separation. After thanking her for saving his life, Mu Le asked what he could do for her. Zhenzhen informed him of her intention to take him back to his homeland, the Kingdom of Suoluo, and then asked if he had ever heard the phrase "Huole De Tuotuo." Mu Le confirmed he knew the phrase but was unaware of its meaning.

Zhenzhen then recounted the extraordinary occurrences he had experienced since losing his memory, describing his superhuman strength and speed, his rapid mastery of combat skills without formal training, and his miraculously self-healing wounds. She explained that he frequently saw visions of another self – a seasoned, invincible warrior, not a slave – which explained his remarkable bravery against countless soldiers on Huodu Mountain.

Zhenzhen then knelt before Mu Le, proclaiming that he was Prince Ying of Suoluo and she was his devoted servant. She revealed that he had traveled to the Tang State on a mission, suffered a severe injury on Huodu Mountain, and forgotten his identity. She also added that she had brought him back to life with a pill.

She then offered him a blue pill, explaining that it would restore his memories as Prince Ying but would also erase all recollections of his time in the Tang State, including the woman who had broken his heart. Without hesitation, Mu Le consumed the pill, instantly recovering his former identity. Prince Ying then commanded Zhenzhen to rise, reminding her that she was not just his servant but a fellow warrior.

Zhenzhen then asked if he now recalled the meaning of "Huole De Tuotuo," to which Prince Ying responded with chilling clarity, "Yes, of course I remember it." Prince Ying, accompanied by Zhenzhen, then stormed Tian Shu's private chambers in the Futu Pagoda. He confronted Tian Shu, who guarded the Nine Star Divine Beads, declaring that he was merely reclaiming what rightfully belonged to them.

Tian Shu resisted, challenging Prince Ying to defeat him and warning that the beads would be useless if not willingly given. However, Zhenzhen held a dagger to Tian Shu's throat, forcing him to surrender the beads in exchange for his life. After they left, Tian Shu quickly dispatched his disciples to inform the Empress of the theft. Furious at the news, the Empress summoned Zhao Lanzhi, Ming Hui, and Ye Yuanan to the palace.

Ye Yuanan, who had been found and escorted from the cave by Palace Guards, was bewildered, unaware of any wrongdoing. Tian Shu, attempting to feign illness by wearing a mask, spun a convoluted tale about drinking snake wine and suffering a rash. The Empress, however, was not amused and sternly ordered him to remove the mask.

After a brief theatrical display, Tian Shu removed it to reveal a perfectly normal face, humorously attributing his miraculous recovery to the Empress's divine power. Growing impatient, the Empress pressed him for the truth about the stolen Divine Beads, eventually threatening to execute him. When Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui arrived, the Empress commanded Zhao Lanzhi to kill Tian Shu on the spot.

Tian Shu quickly intervened, asserting that his death would forever seal the knowledge of who stole the beads. The Empress then had Ye Yuanan brought before her and, using her as leverage, ordered Zhao Lanzhi to hold a sword to Ye Yuanan's neck. Under duress, Tian Shu finally confessed that it was Mu Le who had stolen the Nine Star Divine Beads with Zhenzhen.

He admitted his inability to stop Mu Le, attributing Mu Le's power to the protection of the Divine Beads themselves. The Empress, still skeptical, pressed for confirmation, which Tian Shu emphatically provided. She then ordered her guards to search the Ye Mansion for Mu Le. However, the search yielded no results, further fueling the Empress's suspicion that Ye Yuanan and Mu Le had conspired in the theft.

Ye Yuanan vehemently denied the accusations, insisting that Mu Le, merely a horse servant loyal to her, would never commit such a crime and didn't even know what the Divine Beads were for. Unconvinced, the Empress once again ordered Zhao Lanzhi to execute Ye Yuanan. This time, Tian Shu desperately intervened, reasoning that killing Ye Yuanan would make it impossible to retrieve the Divine Beads, as Mu Le only obeyed her.

Zhao Lanzhi echoed Tian Shu's plea, urging the Empress to reconsider. Accepting their logic, the Empress issued a grim ultimatum: everyone present, including Zhao Lanzhi, Ming Hui, Tian Shu, and their respective families and clans, had seven days to recover the Nine Star Divine Beads, or they would all face death. With their lives intertwined, the group had no choice but to cooperate. Zhao Lanzhi immediately launched a city-wide manhunt, arresting antique dealers and jewelers on suspicion.

Meanwhile, a distraught Ye Yuanan wandered the streets, desperately calling out for Mu Le, begging him to return, apologize to the Empress, and clear his name. However, Mu Le was nowhere to be found, and despite all efforts, the search for the missing Divine Beads yielded no results after several days.

Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui detained all the jewelers and antique dealers in the city, but none of them knew anything about the Nine Divine Beads. Ming Hui grew impatient, reminding Zhao Lanzhi that only three days remained and everyone would face death if the beads weren't found. She urged him to resort to torture to extract information, brushing aside his concerns about legal propriety. Under immense pressure, Zhao Lanzhi reluctantly agreed.

Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan sat alone at a restaurant, eating a chicken leg and reminiscing about her time with Mu Le. The memories brought her immense pain, as she struggled to comprehend that Mu Le had truly abandoned her. Ming Hui discovered Ye Yuanan there and angrily confronted her, calling her a "calamity star" and criticizing her for wallowing in self-pity while others were frantically searching for the beads.

Ye Yuanan retorted that she had been tricked and betrayed, calling herself "stupid." When Ye Yuanan refused to join the search, stating she was tired and not afraid of death, Ming Hui slapped her. Ming Hui declared she was trying to "wake up" Ye Yuanan, chastising her as a "trouble-maker and good-for-nothing" who caused problems and then expected others to clean up her mess.

Ming Hui passionately urged Ye Yuanan to channel her anger over Mu Le's deception into action, reminding her that if the Nine Divine Beads weren't found, everyone, including Ming Hui and Zhao Lanzhi, would perish. Ming Hui's words finally resonated with Ye Yuanan, stirring her resolve to find Mu Le and make him regret his actions. Zhao Lanzhi, Ming Hui, and Ye Yuanan then went to the prison to interrogate Li Gui, the slave trader who had sold Mu Le.

Li Gui, recognizing Ye Yuanan from her past disguise, recalled picking up Mu Le outside the Annan Region. With Ming Hui’s menacing presence and Zhao Lanzhi's offer of leniency, Li Gui remembered the exact location: a dangerous road in the southwest area of Annan Region, often used for smuggling opium. He recounted finding a disoriented and speechless Mu Le along that road. Zhao Lanzhi then asked where the other end of that road led.

Li Gui mentioned "Xiuluo or Tuoluo Kingdom," which Zhao Lanzhi corrected to "Suoluo Kingdom," explaining his prior experience working on the Annan borders. Ye Yuanan suddenly recalled Mu Le often muttering the phrase "Huole De Tuotuo." Zhao Lanzhi immediately dispatched officers with a note bearing these words to inquire among the Suoluo people in the city. A Suoluo merchant named Ling Xi recognized the phrase and revealed that "Huole De Tuotuo" translated to "Nine Divine Beads."

Ling Xi was brought before Zhao Lanzhi, Ming Hui, and Ye Yuanan. He initially denied knowing the person in Mu Le’s portrait. However, when Ye Yuanan threatened to roast his prized blue bat, Ling Xi confessed. He revealed that the Emperor and Empress of Suoluo had two sons, Eldest Prince Heng and Second Prince Ying, and the man in the portrait resembled Prince Ying. Ye Yuanan was stunned to hear Mu Le was a prince.

Zhao Lanzhi immediately concluded that Prince Ying had sinister intentions, disguising himself as a servant merely to steal the Nine Divine Beads. Ye Yuanan, still in disbelief that a commoner would know a prince, questioned Ling Xi. Ling Xi explained that as a merchant specializing in reselling servants, he occasionally visited the palace with high-ranking clients and had seen Prince Ying there.

Zhao Lanzhi reported Mu Le's true identity as Prince Ying of Suoluo to the Empress, detailing his cunning plan to disguise himself as a servant to steal the Nine Divine Beads. The Empress was enraged, intending to send an army to Suoluo, but Zhao Lanzhi urged caution, citing the suffering of civilians, Suoluo's fierce people, and the lack of concrete evidence that the theft was royally sanctioned.

He volunteered to go to Suoluo secretly to retrieve the beads, and Ming Hui also offered to accompany him. However, Ye Yuanan insisted that the task belonged to her since Mu Le had deceived her personally. Despite the Empress's initial concern about Ye Yuanan's relationship with Mu Le, Ye Yuanan declared their bond irreparable and asserted herself as the most suitable person to reclaim the beads.

The Empress then ordered Ye Yuanan, Zhao Lanzhi, and Ming Hui to go together and recover the beads within a month. Yet, Ye Yuanan pleaded to go alone, reasoning that if she died, it wouldn't be too late to send others. She only requested to see her father before departing. The Empress granted her wish, while Ming Hui privately scoffed at Ye Yuanan's audacity, believing it to be a suicide mission. Ye Yuanan visited her father in prison.

She tearfully apologized for the hardship her family was enduring and promised to return as soon as she retrieved the Nine Divine Beads so they could be reunited. Her father expressed worry and self-blame, urging her to take care of herself. Afterward, Zhao Lanzhi pulled Ye Yuanan aside, proposing an alternative plan: she should leave Luoyang with Ling Xi as instructed, but instead of going to Suoluo, she should wait at a courier station a hundred "li" away.

He would then bring her father, mother, and brother there, allowing them all to escape. Zhao Lanzhi believed the mission to Suoluo was impossible and wanted her to seize this chance to flee. Ye Yuanan was surprised by his willingness to break the law, but she refused his offer, declaring her firm resolve to not only save her family and retrieve the beads but also to confront Mu Le face-to-face about his deception.

She told Zhao Lanzhi that if he truly cared, he should prepare a bottle of good wine for her farewell. In Suoluo Kingdom, the King lay gravely ill. General Bokai, fearing the kingdom would be without a ruler, urged the council to immediately release Prince Heng from his pagoda imprisonment to inherit the throne. However, Queen Tuoyue fiercely opposed this, reminding everyone that Prince Heng was a sinner whom the King himself had confined.

She argued that Prince Heng was not the only heir and that they should await Prince Ying's return. General Bokai, accusing her of having ambitions for power, dismissed Prince Ying as possibly dead, given his prolonged absence. Just as General Bokai ordered his soldiers to forcibly bring Prince Heng to the palace, Prince Ying dramatically reappeared, thwarting the general's plans.

Prince Ying immediately presented the Nine Divine Beads to Master Fale, urging him to use their power to heal the ailing King. The mystical energy of the beads successfully restored the King's health, drawing cheers from the court and leaving General Bokai utterly defeated. From his imprisonment, Prince Heng observed a shining star, realizing that Prince Ying had returned.

Queen Tuoyue tearfully embraced Prince Ying, relieved at his safe return and grateful for him bringing back the Divine Beads, which saved both the King and the kingdom. Noticing a wound on his arm, she asked who had hurt him, to which Prince Ying coldly responded that he had forgotten "all the things and people in Tang." The next day, Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui came to see Ye Yuanan off.

Zhao Lanzhi cautioned her about the dangerous and unpredictable journey to Suoluo, while Ming Hui bluntly reminded her that many lives depended on her returning with the Divine Beads. Tianshu also appeared, heavily disguised, to bid her farewell. He warned her that Suoluo was a land of hot weather, noxious insects, and widespread witchcraft, advising her to always be cautious and avoid rash actions. He then presented her with three brocade pouches, labeled "Sky," "Earth," and "People."

The "Sky" and "Earth" pouches were to be opened when she was trapped or had run out of ideas, while the "People" pouch could only be opened after she retrieved the Nine Divine Beads. Ye Yuanan, though initially impatient, promised to follow his instructions. Zhao Lanzhi, fulfilling her request, brought a partially eaten chicken leg as a farewell gift, offering it to help her acclimatize.

Ye Yuanan gratefully accepted his care, reiterated her determination, and asked him to look after her family before finally departing. After Ye Yuanan left, Tianshu mused to Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui that Ye Yuanan was a lucky, brave, and intelligent girl who would surely return safely. He then casually mentioned that he never imagined such a situation would arise so quickly after Ye Yuanan and Mu Le got married and entered their bridal chamber.

Zhao Lanzhi was utterly shocked, asking when they had married. Tianshu revealed it was the very night Zhao Lanzhi himself had married, and he had even served as a witness. Ming Hui, though amused by the irony, wondered if Ye Yuanan would be able to deal ruthlessly with the "Divine Beads thief" given their past connection. Tianshu assured her not to worry, hinting at a trump card if Ye Yuanan faltered.

Ye Yuanan and Ling Xi began their journey to Suoluo. Ye Yuanan, being commanding and impatient, infuriated Ling Xi, who secretly plotted to get rid of her. He suggested they stop at a hostel for a rest, ostensibly for the horses. At the "Bamboo Forest Inn," the innkeeper, who knew Ling Xi, mistook Ye Yuanan for a female slave he intended to sell, commenting on her good looks and potential profit.

Ling Xi, claiming Ye Yuanan was a distant relative, ordered food and two rooms. While they drank, Ling Xi toasted Ye Yuanan, praising her as a heroine, before excusing himself. Ye Yuanan, who had been drugged, soon feigned unconsciousness. Ling Xi then conspired with the innkeeper to sell Ye Yuanan to local bandits for a profit. However, as they celebrated, the treacherous innkeeper also drugged Ling Xi, leaving him unconscious as well.

After the innkeeper's men locked Ye Yuanan in the woodshed, she seized the opportunity to escape. Meanwhile, the innkeeper confronted Ling Xi, accusing him of selling her a fake jadeite ring at an exorbitant price and demanding repayment. Ling Xi defended himself, claiming it was merely a trade custom. Ye Yuanan then exposed the innkeeper's tricks, revealing how she had discerned the inn's nefarious schemes, including details about a drugged wine pitcher and the suspicious circumstances of the donkeys outside.

She pointed out that the donkeys, of different species, likely belonged to previous travelers who were either murdered or abducted, an observation supported by clothes of various styles, unsuitable for the inn's waiter, hanging nearby. As Ling Xi frantically pleaded for Ye Yuanan's help, reminding her that he was her only guide to Suoluo, Ye Yuanan drove away the innkeeper and her waiter. Immediately, the two donkeys transformed into people who bowed gratefully to Ye Yuanan before departing.

Ling Xi explained that the inn was located near Suoluo, where many practiced witchcraft, and the donkeys were actually merchants trapped by the innkeeper's magic, now freed by Ye Yuanan's actions. Ye Yuanan then sternly warned Ling Xi to behave, or he would face severe consequences. Prince Ying visited his older brother, Prince Heng, who was confined in a pagoda.

Prince Ying expressed his understanding of Prince Heng's predicament but urged him to repent for his past mistakes, promising to intercede with their Royal Father and Queen for his release. Prince Heng, however, was bitter and sarcastic, noting Prince Ying's heroic return contrasted with his own imprisonment.

He sarcastically congratulated Prince Ying on retrieving the Nine Divine Beads and asked about the King's recovery, but when Prince Ying couldn't offer a timeline for his release and reiterated the need for repentance, Prince Heng grew angry. He accused Prince Ying of mocking him and dismissed his sympathy. A disappointed Prince Ying lamented that his brother was no longer the man he once knew.

After Prince Ying departed, Prince Heng murmured that his younger brother was also no longer the same, and he used a paper crane to send a message to General Bokai, plotting against Prince Ying. In the court, the Queen announced that by the King's decree, Prince Ying was to be conferred as Regent and entrusted with the Divine Beads, in recognition of his service in retrieving them and aiding the King's recovery. The officials offered their congratulations.

General Bokai, a staunch supporter of Prince Heng, then stepped forward, urging Prince Ying to launch a military campaign against Champa, which had been harassing Suoluo's borders. Prince Ying, however, disagreed, citing his father's teaching not to initiate war unless absolutely necessary, and proposed sending envoys for negotiation instead. General Bokai persisted, advocating for the use of the Divine Beads' power to help Suoluo conquer the world.

Prince Ying questioned if Bokai truly understood the immense power of the beads and the potential consequences of activating them. Undeterred, General Bokai audaciously questioned the authenticity of the Divine Beads Prince Ying had brought back. Zhenzhen, enraged by Bokai's disrespect, slapped him. As General Bokai prepared to retaliate, Prince Ying swiftly intervened, stopping him.

Prince Ying declared that the Divine Beads were for curing his father's illness, not for invading other nations or conquering the world, and warned that anyone attempting to use them for war would not be easily forgiven. General Bokai, though furious, was forced to accept and depart, secretly vowing to make Prince Ying activate the beads someday. Prince Ying then privately cautioned Zhenzhen about her temper, reminding her of General Bokai's long service and his role as their former teacher.

He acknowledged Bokai's wicked ambition and assured Zhenzhen he would be on guard against him. Later, while tidying his belt, Prince Ying discovered a wooden token inscribed with the name "Mu Le." He showed it to Zhenzhen, who confirmed he had brought it from Tang. Prince Ying, having no memory of the name, asked if she knew who Mu Le was.

Zhenzhen, appearing evasive, claimed ignorance and offered to dispose of the token, but Prince Ying refused, left to ponder the identity of "Mu Le." Ye Yuanan and Ling Xi continued their journey towards Suoluo. One morning, Ye Yuanan awoke to find Ling Xi gone. He returned shortly, explaining he had been collecting insects for his pet blue bat. He also presented a soup he had made from wild mushrooms and mice.

Ye Yuanan, having almost consumed the soup but catching sight of its contents just in time, grew suspicious and refused to drink it. Ling Xi, however, confidently asserted its safety, claiming it was his homeland and he knew what was edible, then consumed it all himself. Later, Ling Xi suddenly began to foam at the mouth and collapsed, poisoned. Panicked, Ye Yuanan recalled Tianshu's advice that bamboo leaves could cure poison.

She quickly found and crushed some, forcing the juice down Ling Xi's throat, saving his life. As it was late and Ling Xi was still weak, they decided to rest there for the night. That night, Ye Yuanan was disturbed by a nightmare about Mu Le and the Divine Beads. She awoke to find Ling Xi holding a knife. Frightened, she demanded to know his intentions.

Ling Xi explained that although he had vomited most of the poison, he feared residual toxins. He intended to get a few drops of his blue bat's blood, which he claimed could cure any illness, as a precaution. The next morning, Ling Xi knelt before Ye Yuanan, explaining a Suoluo tradition: a life saved three times becomes bound to the savior. He declared Ye Yuanan his master, vowing to serve her.

Ye Yuanan countered that she had only saved him twice—at the inn and from the poison. Ling Xi clarified that returning his blue bat in jail counted as the third time, as his life depended on it. Remembering Prince Ying's betrayal (as Mu Le), Ye Yuanan expressed her disinclination to have another slave. Ling Xi, however, remained resolute, pledging his loyalty and promising to help Ye Yuanan seek revenge against her enemies, even if it was the Prince of Suoluo.

Ye Yuanan, surprised by his fervor, challenged him to prove his commitment. Meanwhile, Zhao Lanzhi remained in his room, consumed by regret over not having accompanied Ye Yuanan. He yearned for her, wishing he had defied imperial orders and promises to be with her, believing it would have prevented many tribulations. Ming Hui, observing his melancholic state, brought him soup.

She gently told him that while she wouldn't force him to love her, he shouldn't torture himself, especially since her title had been stripped by the Empress. Shortly after, Ming Hui's sister-in-law arrived, expressing concern over her troubled marriage and Zhao Lanzhi's demotion. She revealed that the Emperor planned to intercede with the Empress to restore their family's titles.

Given that Ming Hui had found the Divine Beads, while Ye Yuanan and her slave were blamed for their loss, and Zhao Lanzhi was negligent, her sister-in-law urged Ming Hui to divorce him for her own protection and to secure the family's standing. After much internal struggle and a reminder of Zhao Lanzhi's unreciprocated feelings, Ming Hui reluctantly agreed to sever ties with him.

The Emperor presented the Empress with a rare painting from Fusang, a birthday gift from his late father. He recounted the painting's story: a samurai who lost his master's precious sword was forgiven by his tolerant master, and later repaid this kindness by saving his master in battle. The Emperor used this anecdote to subtly urge the Empress to show tolerance, particularly towards Prince Yu's family.

He highlighted the Old Prince Yu's great contributions to the country alongside the late Emperor Taizong, who had always advised leniency towards ministers. The Empress, understanding his underlying plea, agreed to handle the matter properly. However, as the Empress departed, she deliberately glanced back at the painting, revealing she had other plans in mind.

The Empress summoned the members of Prince Yu Mansion to Zhenguan Hall, reminding them that she had made it clear that if the Divine Beads were not found, everyone would die. She expressed surprise that they managed to convince the Emperor to ask for leniency on their behalf. Prince Yu quickly reported that the loss of the beads had nothing to do with them, asserting that the Divine Beads were lost due to Zhao Lanzhi's negligence.

He claimed that while Zhao Lanzhi and Minghui were married in name, they were strangers in reality, and asked the Empress to do justice for Minghui, indicating their desire to dissociate from Zhao Lanzhi. The Empress understood their intention to seek favor for the Prince Yu Mansion but not for Zhao Lanzhi. She then questioned Minghui directly. Minghui's brother urged her to detail Zhao Lanzhi's cruel indifference.

Minghui confirmed her brother's words, admitting that since their marriage, they had never performed any marital deeds and were like strangers. The Empress recalled Minghui's past determination to marry Zhao Lanzhi and asked if she now regretted it and wished to leave him. Minghui confessed her mistake, acknowledging her naivety in thinking marriage alone would bring happiness and admitting that she should have followed the Empress's advice.

Impressed that the proud Princess Minghui admitted her error, and considering the Emperor's intervention, the Empress announced that the noble titles of the House of Prince Yu and Princess Minghui would be restored. However, Minghui immediately refused to reclaim her title and earnestly pleaded with the Empress to pardon Zhao Lanzhi and reinstate him to the Court of Judicature and Revision. Her brother was shocked, calling her insane.

The Empress was angered by Minghui treating the palace as a place for childish play, but agreed that reinstating Zhao Lanzhi was not impossible. As a condition, she ordered Minghui to stand in the freezing Xuanwu Pond for six hours. Minghui's brother pleaded for mercy, citing the pond's year-round icy water, but Minghui bravely accepted the punishment. The Empress dismissed them, telling Minghui she was on her own.

Prince Yu, frustrated, confronted Zhao Lanzhi, demanding to know what spell he had cast on Minghui, mentioning her sudden change of heart after initially agreeing to their family's plan. Zhao Lanzhi was confused, unaware of Minghui's sacrifice. Meanwhile, palace maids by the Xuanwu Pond remarked on the freezing water and Minghui's touching display of love for Zhao Lanzhi, enduring the punishment on his behalf. Zhao Lanzhi, now informed, rushed to the pond and found Minghui.

He urged her to leave, stating he would rather remain unemployed than have her sacrifice her health. Minghui insisted it was her choice, claiming the Empress wanted her to cool down, and the chill might "damp down her affection" towards him. Seeing he couldn't persuade her, Zhao Lanzhi joined Minghui in the icy water, choosing to suffer with her.

The Emperor witnessed their shared ordeal and, feeling his age, reminisced to the Empress about their own past, recalling how he once braved a chilly February rain just to keep an appointment to see her, noting that only true love possessed such magical power. The Empress retorted that Minghui refused to listen to her advice that lasting romance requires equal affection and had married the wrong man, implying Minghui needed to learn her lesson alone.

The Emperor, however, advised the Empress that finding the Divine Beads was a matter of fate and karma, and practicing good deeds and forgiving wrongdoers might aid their recovery. Moved by his words, the Empress finally relented. The Empress immediately issued an order for Minghui and Zhao Lanzhi to return home. Minghui's title was restored, and Zhao Lanzhi was reinstated to the Court of Judicature and Revision, assisting in case investigations under close watch.

Upon hearing the news, Minghui, weak from the cold, collapsed. A doctor diagnosed her with cold current stagnation, a wind-cold attacking her heart, and prescribed warming medicine. Zhao Lanzhi cared for Minghui, offering her pear cream candy to lessen the bitterness of her medicine, a practice his mother used when he was a child. Minghui, however, gently rejected his kindness, saying she wasn't worth it.

Zhao Lanzhi, prompted by Minghui's brother, asked her why she suddenly changed her mind and sacrificed for him. Minghui replied that she simply did whatever pleased her. Zhao Lanzhi then opened up, admitting he didn't dare disobey the Empress's marriage order but also couldn't pretend their situation was fine. He questioned why, despite his coldness, she would risk her life to ask for his pardon.

Minghui confessed her selfishness and unscrupulousness, but also revealed herself as an ordinary girl who cared about certain things and people—first her family, and now him. She acknowledged his affection for Ye Yuanan and Yuanan's loyalty but asserted she could do everything Ye Yuanan did for him, and more. Zhao Lanzhi admitted he believed her efforts but disliked her methods.

He lamented that they could have been close friends, but too much had happened, creating a gap between them that even marriage couldn't bridge. Minghui, feeling pathetic that the only man she desired didn't love her, decided to let him go. She declared there was no point in swallowing her pride to please him and wished for him to be free.

She then asked him to leave, claiming a headache, and Zhao Lanzhi departed without looking back, leaving a tearful Minghui alone. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan and Lingxi arrived in Suoluo. Ye Yuanan, seeing the tight security around the royal palace, wondered how to enter. Lingxi assured her that with him, she would easily enter and see "Prince Ying, who she misses so much." Ye Yuanan vehemently corrected him, stating she longed to kill Mu Le.

Prince Ying, while bathing, felt a persistent pain in his left arm, unable to recall how he got the wound. He dismissed the maids, stating he could dress himself. Queen Tuo Yue, arriving, chided the maids for being unruly and sent them away, then personally tended to Prince Ying. She noted his significant changes since his return and wondered what he experienced in the Tang Kingdom that made him less princely.

Zhenzhen revealed that Prince Ying had been taken in by an official's family and served as a slave, specifically a horse boy. Shocked and heartbroken, Queen Tuo Yue immediately ordered Zhenzhen to replace all the "unruly" maids with clever new ones, inadvertently creating an opportunity for Ye Yuanan. Lingxi leveraged a past favor from Eunuch Yingwa, a palace official in charge of maid and eunuch recruitment, to arrange Ye Yuanan's entry.

Ye Yuanan was to replace Miss Nana, Lord Shiwag's daughter, as palace maid, as Lord Shiwag was reluctant for his own daughter to serve in that capacity. Lingxi eased Ye Yuanan's concerns about getting caught, calling it a "win-win" situation. However, Lingxi worried about Ye Yuanan's lack of skills, as palace maids needed to be well-trained and talented, not just well-behaved. During the maid selection process, Ye Yuanan was first sent to the embroidery workshop.

Her embroidery was abysmal, but Eunuch Yingwa, having been bribed, secretly swapped it with a beautiful piece. When the Chief Steward admired the swapped embroidery, Ye Yuanan confidently claimed it as her own, stating her dedication to becoming a royal maiden. Next came the dancing assessment, where Ye Yuanan's performance was comically bad, drawing laughter. Fortunately, Lingxi had anticipated this and taught her some magic tricks. Ye Yuanan then presented her tricks, impressing the Chief Steward.

She cleverly argued that while other maidens could dance, she was the only one with unique tricks that could also please a master. Convinced, the Chief Steward included Ye Yuanan in the list of selected maids. Just as Ye Yuanan was celebrating her success, Zhenzhen arrived to inspect the new recruits. Zhenzhen found Ye Yuanan vaguely familiar, recalling "the girl on Huodu Mountain," but ultimately dismissed the resemblance, not realizing Ye Yuanan would be in Suoluo.

Ye Yuanan, as Nana, was successfully admitted but was quickly assigned to the linen room to learn laundry, with the palace official informing her that Prince Ying was not easily accessible.

To get close to Prince Ying, Ye Yuanan set out for Suoluo's palace. As palace security was strict, Ling Xi offered to help her enter safely and meet Prince Ying. Ye Yuanan, however, claimed her only desire was to kill Prince Ying. Ling Xi then bribed a palace steward to facilitate Ye Yuanan's entry under the identity of Nana, Lord Shiwag's daughter, as palace rules required daughters of nobles to serve as maids.

Lord Shiwag, sympathetic to Nana, agreed to the plan. Despite lacking talent, Ye Yuanan performed poorly during the maid selection. Ling Xi had pre-emptively arranged for her subpar embroidery to be swapped, winning the supervisor's approval. Her dancing was equally clumsy, but Ling Xi had also taught her a magic trick, which, combined with Ye Yuanan's quick wit, charmed the supervisor enough to include her in the list of maids, despite her lack of traditional talents.

Just as Ye Yuanan was successfully added to the candidate list, Zhenzhen arrived unexpectedly, startling Ye Yuanan. Although Zhenzhen found Ye Yuanan's face familiar, she didn't suspect her true identity, believing Nana merely resembled Ye Yuanan. Ye Yuanan successfully entered the palace as Nana, but the steward informed her that she had to start with basic tasks, and meeting Prince Ying would not be easy, much to Ye Yuanan's frustration.

After entering the palace as a new maid, Ye Yuanan noticed a brilliant light emanating from the King's chambers. Other palace maids explained that this was the light of the Nine Divine Beads, which Prince Ying had brought back from Tang to treat the ailing King. His Majesty, who had been on the verge of death, showed immediate improvement and was now recovering daily. The maids lauded Prince Ying as Suoluo's hero and predicted his rightful ascension to the throne.

However, Ye Yuanan inwardly scoffed, thinking a "thief who cheated others" hardly deserved the throne. Prince Ying himself was later seen with his father, who cautioned him not to be enchanted by the powerful beads. While in the palace, Ye Yuanan stumbled upon the wooden waist tag bearing the name "Mu Le," which she had given him. Just then, Prince Ying and Zhenzhen entered the room.

Prince Ying immediately realized his waist tag was missing and Zhenzhen offered to send people to search for it. To avoid detection, Ye Yuanan quickly threw the tag from her hiding spot. Prince Ying spotted it on the floor, seemingly relieved, and showed no suspicion of anyone else being in the room.

When Zhenzhen asked about the tag's significance, Prince Ying explained it was merely an object he brought from Tang, but he felt an inexplicable familiarity with the name "Mu Le." Ye Yuanan later sought out Ling Xi, recounting that Prince Ying couldn't recall that "Mu Le" was his own name on the tag she had given him.

Ling Xi concluded that Prince Ying must have lost his memory, making it impossible for him to remember Ye Yuanan or return the Divine Beads. Ye Yuanan lamented her initial plan to give Mu Le a "fierce beating" after retrieving the beads, admitting everything had now become complicated. Ling Xi suggested that if they could arrange a meeting between Ye Yuanan and Prince Ying, he might regain his memory.

Meanwhile, General Bokai, a supporter of the imprisoned Prince Heng, convened with Prince Heng's men. General Bokai expressed his disdain for Prince Ying, who had monopolized governing power. He revealed that Prince Ying had refused to use the Divine Beads to wage war on Champa, calling it a waste of a natural treasure.

Concluding that they could not stand idly by, General Bokai asserted that Prince Ying must be eliminated to utilize the Divine Beads, and tasked two assassins with the mission. Ling Xi's bribed contact, Ying Wa, arranged for Ye Yuanan to serve wine to Prince Ying and Empress Tuoyue in the royal garden, instructing her to perform well, as she had been "deliberately replaced" for this task.

As Ye Yuanan carried the wine, she accidentally tripped, spilling some wine onto a nearby mango. The mango immediately turned black, confirming her suspicion that the wine was poisoned. Realizing it was the eunuch who had been "examining" the wine, she rushed to confront him. She found him with a wasp tattoo on his hand. When she accused him of poisoning the wine, he initially denied it but confessed under threat.

He then attacked her, declaring he would rather fight than be humiliated. In the ensuing struggle, Ye Yuanan splashed the poisoned wine onto his face. He accidentally ingested some, succumbed to the poison, and died. To prevent exposure, Ye Yuanan threw his body into a nearby lake. Unaware of the first assassin's fate, General Bokai grew suspicious when "Wasp" failed to report back for two days, fearing he had been caught.

He dispatched another assassin to the palace to kill Prince Ying. While Ye Yuanan was assisting Ying Wa with preparing offerings, she learned about various exotic fruits, including a "durian," which she found particularly smelly. Ying Wa instructed her to deliver a fruit basket to Prince Ying. Ye Yuanan soon spotted the second assassin and fought with him, using a salak fruit and other items to knock the assailant unconscious.

Prince Ying, hearing the commotion, emerged from his chambers and saw Ye Yuanan next to the unconscious assassin. Prince Ying demanded to know who she was. Ye Yuanan, mistakenly believing he was merely pretending not to know her, lashed out at him, hitting and berating him for being "disobedient." Prince Ying, having no memory of her, was bewildered by her aggression and ordered Zhenzhen to arrest and interrogate her.

Fearing exposure, Ying Wa attempted to flee and was intercepted by Ling Xi. Ying Wa complained bitterly about Ye Yuanan being a troublemaker and having attempted to assassinate Prince Ying. Ling Xi, however, advised him against running, warning that if Ye Yuanan confessed, he would be apprehended regardless of where he went.

Knowing Zhenzhen's cruel methods, Ling Xi provided Ying Wa with "blue bat spit" to give to Ye Yuanan, claiming it was a "cure-all medicine" that would prevent her from confessing. In the dungeon, Zhenzhen interrogated Ye Yuanan, who maintained she was Nana and that she was merely protecting Prince Ying. Zhenzhen, convinced Ye Yuanan was a Tang spy, forced her to ingest an "ambrosia beetle," warning it would consume her internal organs if she didn't tell the truth.

Ye Yuanan fainted, surprising Zhenzhen, who remarked that no one had ever withstood her beetle's torture and wondered if Ye Yuanan had been telling the truth. After Zhenzhen left, Ye Yuanan opened her eyes, relieved that Ling Xi's medicine had worked. She realized she couldn't passively await her fate. Desperate, Ye Yuanan sent a guard to relay two words to Prince Ying: "Mu Le." Upon hearing the name, Prince Ying immediately went to the dungeon.

Ye Yuanan then experienced severe abdominal pain due to the "gu" poison's effects, prompting Prince Ying, feeling compassion, to carry her out of prison and back to the palace for treatment. Zhenzhen, who harbored feelings for Prince Ying, was disheartened to learn he had taken Ye Yuanan to the palace, but felt powerless to intervene. In the palace, Prince Ying informed Ye Yuanan that her stomach had been burned, and though the medicine was bitter, it would cure her.

He then pressed her for the truth, disregarding whatever she might have told Zhenzhen. He demanded to know her true identity, how she knew him, the meaning of "Mu Le" on the wooden tag, and what had transpired between them.

Ye Yuanan, in her mind, imagined herself flying into a rage, revealing her identity as Ye Yuanan, accusing him of being Mu Le, the name she gave him, and branding him a thief for stealing the Divine Beads, which led to her family's imprisonment. In her imagined fury, she kicked and choked him, while he imagined himself calling for guards to "tear this nut apart." However, Ye Yuanan's thoughts quickly returned to reality.

She reminded herself that if Prince Ying truly had no memory, he wouldn't believe her wild accusations. Recognizing he was now a prince, not her former horse slave, and that anger could lead to her death, she decided to be cautious. When Prince Ying pressed her again, she calmly claimed to be Nana, Lord Shiwag's daughter, and that "Mu Le" was her nickname, explaining her mother was from Tang.

She then concocted a romantic tale: they met at a Water Lantern Festival, she fell in love at first sight, they traveled together, and he promised to be with her always. As a token of her affection, she gave him the wooden tag before he left for Tang. She concluded her story by saying he had stolen her heart.

Though Prince Ying found her story "moving," he still couldn't recall any of the events she described and sensed she was lying. Nevertheless, acknowledging she had saved him, he allowed her to stay as his personal maid-in-waiting, intending to keep her close and observe her intentions. Ye Yuanan, believing him still easily fooled, was secretly amused by her success. Despite her success, Ye Yuanan's palace life proved challenging.

She was constantly bullied by other palace maids, forced to do heavy labor, and given only flower petals to eat. Unbeknownst to her, this treatment was orchestrated by Prince Ying, who aimed to push her and force her to reveal her true motives. Ye Yuanan endured the arduous tasks, feeling deeply wronged. While sadly washing clothes, a steward ordered her to smile, demanding gratitude and respect for her master.

Ye Yuanan, disguised as Nana, was put to work in the palace, doing numerous chores assigned by Prince Ying. The other palace maids were openly hostile towards her, even demanding she smile while washing clothes, which infuriated Nana. However, she endured the hardship, determined to stay and retrieve the Nine Stars Heavenly Beads. Lingxi secretly visited Nana, bringing her food.

Nana complained bitterly about her treatment in the Suoluo palace, feeling both tortured and enslaved, and still disgusted by whatever she was made to drink previously. Lingxi, with a smirk, revealed it was blue bat saliva. Nana was repulsed and expressed her desire to immediately get her belongings and return home, wishing she could strangle Mu Le. Lingxi, however, advised Nana not to let Prince Ying off easily, reminding her of the suffering he caused.

He suggested she should torture Prince Ying slowly, finding amusement in the process. Nana not only worked all day without food but was also denied sleep at night, forced by the palace rules to work an overnight shift. Realizing she couldn't sleep, Nana decided to use the opportunity to search Prince Ying's chambers for the Heavenly Beads. Her search inadvertently led her to Prince Ying's bathing area, where she found him taking a bath.

While bathing, Prince Ying experienced fleeting memories of his life in Chang'an but still couldn't recall Ye Yuanan. He then noticed Nana's suspicious presence. Convinced she was lying about her purpose, he demanded the truth. Nana offered a vague excuse, attempting to flee, but Prince Ying quickly threw her into the water. Soaked and furious, Nana retaliated by snatching away the cloth he was wrapped in, just as other palace maids arrived to serve Prince Ying.

The maids were astonished, leading to immediate speculation about an affair between Prince Ying and Nana. Word of Nana's supposed affair with Prince Ying spread like wildfire throughout the palace. The maids who had previously tormented Nana, fearing her potential rise to power and subsequent revenge, abruptly changed their attitude, becoming exceptionally polite and accommodating. Nana found this sudden shift in their behavior amusing, noting that snobbery truly knew no bounds, regardless of where one was.

Meanwhile, Empress Tuoyue, frustrated that her precious wuli flower had never bloomed, decided to send it to Prince Ying. She hoped this seemingly impossible task—the flower was said to bloom only at midnight when the moon was at its zenith, requiring three drops of rootless water (rain)—would occupy him and redirect his focus. Prince Ying, noticing the strange looks and whispers from everyone in the palace, suspected Nana was behind the rumors. Angry, he confronted her, though she feigned innocence.

He challenged her to make the wuli flower bloom by nightfall, stating that if she succeeded, she could remain in the palace, but if not, she would be expelled immediately. Nana pointed out the absurdity of the task, as a clear night (when the moon is at its zenith) meant no rain, and thus no "rootless water." Despite the impossible odds, Prince Ying's challenge spurred her to accept.

Later that night, as Nana waited in the courtyard with the wuli flower, complaining about the task and the thundering but rainless sky, Prince Heng was performing a magical ritual in a pagoda. He implored his "dear blue bat" to use its powerful magic to protect his dearest friend. At the same moment, Prince Ying, startled by the thunder, collapsed. Nana rushed to his chamber and saw a reddish glow on his arm, momentarily transforming.

She wondered if Zhao Lanzhi's previous warning about Prince Ying being a monster was true. The arm quickly reverted to normal, leaving her to ponder the strangeness of Suoluo. Nana helped Prince Ying to bed. He woke feeling as if he had been burned. To soothe him, Nana sang a lullaby, the same one she used to sing to her "horse servant" who was afraid of thunder.

Prince Ying remarked that the song sounded familiar and asked who taught it to her and if she had sung it to anyone else. Nana explained her mother taught it and she sang it to her horse servant, whom she now claimed to despise for lying and stealing, wishing to strangle him. Prince Ying, however, sensed no hatred in her words, only longing.

He then suggested, "you have him right here," sensing her deep connection despite her denials and questioning why she would sing a lullaby to a mere servant if she truly didn't care for him, or why his "careless words" about the horse servant stirred such emotion in her. Nana angrily denied his claims, threatening to strangle him if he continued to talk foolishly.

Nana then noticed that the bite mark on Prince Ying's arm, which she herself had inflicted, had not healed, despite his body's usual rapid recovery. As she thought of the past, tears welled up and fell onto the wuli flower. To her astonishment, the flower immediately bloomed. She realized that "rootless water" wasn't necessarily rain but could also be tears, and wondered if her tears were also why the scar hadn't healed.

Nana declared she had completed his challenge and was ready to sleep, but Prince Ying asked her to stay and finish the song. Meanwhile, Empress Tuoyue visited Prince Heng in the pagoda. She questioned his actions, reminding him that his recklessness had nearly cost their father his life. Prince Heng, unrepentant, accused his parents of favoritism towards Prince Ying and believed they would grant Prince Ying both the Nine Stars Heavenly Beads and the throne.

He questioned why his desires were always deemed wrong and provocatively asked his mother if a "monster" could inherit the throne of Suoluo, startling her. The next morning, Prince Ying woke to find Nana asleep beside him. He told her he had dreamed of her, that they knew each other and were friends, and asked her to stay in the palace as his friend.

Nana, knowing Prince Ying never lied, decided to test him, stating that he would lie for her. She then deliberately shattered the blooming wuli flower and stomped on the petals, fully aware of the consequences. News of Nana spending the night in Prince Ying's chambers and being seen hugging him quickly reached Empress Tuoyue via a palace official. Enraged, she confronted Prince Ying.

She spoke of her and the King's long struggle to have children, eventually receiving "a seed from an eminent monk" that unexpectedly resulted in twin princes, Prince Ying and Prince Heng. She lamented their differing fates—one a hero, the other a prisoner—and suggested Prince Heng had been led astray by "bad companions." She advised Prince Ying to be "more cautious in choosing friends." She then asked about the wuli flower, but he offered no immediate explanation.

Empress Tuoyue expressed her satisfaction with Prince A Ying, acknowledging him as an honest person who never lies. She then inquired about the wuli flower she had given him. A Ying, to protect Ye Yuanan, falsely claimed responsibility for shattering the precious wuli flower, apologizing and offering to be punished. The Empress dismissed it as a minor matter. Ye Yuanan was very happy to see A Ying lie for her.

After the Empress departed, A Ying confronted Ye Yuanan, reminding her that he lied for her sake. He pressed her to reveal her true identity, to which Ye Yuanan confidently replied that she was Shiwag Nana. Empress Tuoyue, realizing A Ying's change was due to Ye Yuanan, met with Zhenzhen, asserting that Ye Yuanan could not remain in Prince A Ying's palace and entrusted Zhenzhen with two tasks.

As Ye Yuanan performed her duties, conflicting emotions swelled within her; she pondered revenge against A Ying, yet recalled his recent lie to protect her and his earlier assessment that she didn't truly hate Mu Le. Summoned by a palace supervisor, Ye Yuanan was led to Zhenzhen, who accused her of enchanting Prince A Ying and had her knocked unconscious and captured under Empress Tuoyue's command.

When a panicked supervisor informed A Ying of Ye Yuanan's abduction and imminent execution by drowning, he rushed to her rescue. A Ying confronted Zhenzhen as she was about to throw Ye Yuanan into the river. He publicly declared that he had called Ye Yuanan to his chamber and that they were in love, stating that Zhenzhen could not harm her. Zhenzhen, heartbroken that A Ying still favored Ye Yuanan despite his amnesia, was forced to release her.

Following the rescue, a defiant Ye Yuanan told A Ying she would rather die than be saved by his lie, refusing his protection. To expose Ye Yuanan's deception, Empress Tuoyue summoned Lord Shiwag, who confessed that the "Nana" currently in the palace was an impostor. His real daughter had refused to participate in the selection, so he arranged for another girl to take her place.

Empress Tuoyue then confronted A Ying, explaining she ordered Zhenzhen to kill the girl because of her deceitful identity. A Ying was perplexed, arguing that Ye Yuanan had not harmed him. The Empress accused Ye Yuanan of violating palace rules, enchanting A Ying, and coercing him into lying about the wuli flower.

She feared Ye Yuanan had ulterior motives in approaching him, stressing that her concern was A Ying being manipulated, not the flower itself, and believing Ye Yuanan's presence was related to A Ying's experiences in Chang'an. A Ying admitted he had felt confused since bringing back the Divine Beads and had forgotten his past, but he felt an inexplicable connection to Ye Yuanan, believing she might help him regain his memories of his time in the Tang Empire.

He implored his mother to cease tormenting Ye Yuanan. Empress Tuoyue, understanding A Ying's sentiments, allowed him to keep Ye Yuanan, but warned that Ye Yuanan's persistence made her a potentially dangerous person, possibly seeking the Divine Beads. A Ying acknowledged her suspicion about the Divine Beads, and then deliberately called Ye Yuanan to his side, giving her opportunities to get closer to the Nine Divine Beads.

Back in his palace, A Ying informed Ye Yuanan that he had resolved the issues with his Royal Mother, and she and Zhenzhen would no longer trouble her. He wanted Ye Yuanan to stay in his palace, free from work or servitude, simply to chat with him and be his friend. Ye Yuanan saw this as an opportunity to get closer to the Divine Beads, silently hoping Mu Le would not blame her for her deception.

Meanwhile, Princess Ming Hui, distraught over Zhao Lanzhi, played a melancholic farewell song, sharing its story of unrequited love with her maid, Bing. Bing, saddened by her own love interest Changtai's debilitating injury at the frontier, confessed her wish to bring him back and care for him, despite his condition. Ming Hui initially scolded Bing for her foolishness. Later, Ming Hui cooked a meal for Zhao Lanzhi, asserting her desire to keep him regardless of Ye Yuanan.

However, after witnessing Bing's devotion and reflecting on her own situation, Ming Hui realized her folly in trying to force Zhao Lanzhi to stay. Recognizing that love cannot be coerced, Ming Hui prepared a divorce agreement, signed it, and presented it to Zhao Lanzhi, wishing for an amicable separation. Zhao Lanzhi, confirming Ming Hui's sincerity about the divorce, cut his finger to add his handprint to the agreement, explaining he wanted her to have a better future.

However, Ming Hui, heartbroken, tried to take the divorce agreement back. Zhao Lanzhi reminded her that since she had agreed to let go, she should not go back on her word. Ming Hui tearfully recounted her achievements in acquiring the Divine Beads, explaining how she had painstakingly found each one and convinced their owners to willingly give them to her, yet she could not win Zhao Lanzhi's heart.

She confessed that obtaining Zhao Lanzhi's affection was harder than acquiring the Divine Beads. Ming Hui's words about needing the owners' permission to truly possess the Divine Beads sparked a sudden realization in Zhao Lanzhi: if State Preceptor Tianshu had been unwilling to part with the Divine Beads, how could Mu Le have taken them that night he stole them?

Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan, now elevated to a high-ranking palace maid and relieved of her duties, used her newfound freedom to search A Ying's chamber for the Divine Beads. A Ying caught her, and when she falsely claimed to be looking for her earrings, he pointed out they were already in her ears, indicating he knew she was searching for something else. A Ying invited Ye Yuanan for a stroll by the river, and they rode horses.

Ye Yuanan, surprised by A Ying's horse-whispering ability, mentioned that a former servant (Mu Le) had taught her a few phrases. A Ying revealed that the words she had spoken meant, "listen to me and I'll give you carrots later." He explained that in Suoluo Kingdom, all cavalrymen must master horse language, as horses are crucial companions in battle, often offering the last chance for survival.

Noticing Ye Yuanan's lingering pain from betrayal, A Ying suggested they visit a nearby temple to pray. There, Ye Yuanan secretly wished for the servant to return what he stole, while A Ying wished for his valued friend to be sincere and truthful with him. Ye Yuanan then directly asked A Ying about the Nine Divine Beads he brought back from Tang, confirming Empress Tuoyue's suspicion that she was seeking the beads.

A Ying proceeded to tell her the story of the Divine Beads: how they were ancient treasures, products of the Nine Clans' wisdom, capable of both granting wishes and causing disasters. After a great war, they were sealed in a holy lake by ancient gods before resurfacing in Suoluo Kingdom. A hundred years ago, a Suoluo Queen gave birth to two princes – one pure and kind, the other ambitious.

The ambitious elder prince killed his younger brother in an attempt to seize the Divine Beads. Unable to find them, he angrily burned the pagoda that once enshrined them, went mad, and died. Unbeknownst to him, the younger prince had anticipated his brother's greed and had entrusted the Divine Beads to a traveling monk from Tianzhu (the Indian subcontinent).

However, the same covetousness for the beads arose in Tianzhu, leading the monk to eventually give them to the young Tang monk, Master Sanzang, who brought them to the Tang Empire. Separately, Tianshu recounted the Divine Beads' history to Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui, explaining how he and Tian Qiao, once like brothers, became enemies over the beads, causing a catastrophe in Buddhism. Zhao Lanzhi inquired why Tianshu had given the Divine Beads to Mu Le.

Tianshu revealed that upon hearing Mu Le speak "Huole De Tuotuo" at the Ye Mansion, he understood Mu Le's identity and true purpose in coming to Great Tang. He believed that all things come full circle and that it was fitting for Mu Le to return the Divine Beads, which were originally Suoluo's national treasure, to their homeland.

Back with Ye Yuanan, A Ying explained that he had brought the Divine Beads back to Suoluo because a terrible incident had almost claimed his father's life. He used the Divine Beads to heal his father periodically and intended to seal them away permanently after his father's full recovery, ensuring they would never again be used to cause suffering.

Prince Ying revealed to Ye Yuanan that his Royal Father was gravely ill, necessitating his journey to Great Tang to retrieve the Nine Divine Beads. He explained that after each healing session for his father, he would seal the beads to prevent anyone from misusing their power to threaten the world. Ye Yuanan, though understanding his predicament, still longed to reclaim the Divine Beads to rescue her imprisoned family.

Prince Ying, having shared his secret, questioned Ye Yuanan if she was concealing anything from him, but she merely replied that she was just a maid servant with no secrets. Later, Ye Yuanan secretly followed Prince Ying, watching him take the Divine Beads to treat the King. After Prince Ying completed the treatment and stored the beads, Ye Yuanan attempted to retrieve them, only to find the box empty and realize she had been tricked.

Queen Tuoyue and her soldiers then appeared, accusing Ye Yuanan of infiltrating the palace to steal the Divine Beads. Prince Ying expressed his deep disappointment, telling Ye Yuanan that he had almost come to trust her, even considering her his best friend, and had given her a chance to be truthful in front of Buddha.

However, she had disappointed him by refusing to reveal her true intentions, confirming his Royal Mother's suspicion that she only approached him to steal the Divine Beads. In a fit of anger, Ye Yuanan confessed she was not Nana and dramatically revealed her true identity as Ye Yuanan, stating that Prince Ying had once been her stable boy, Mu Le, in Chang'an, and had taken the Divine Beads from her.

She claimed her arduous journey from Great Tang was to retrieve the beads and save her family. When Prince Ying demanded proof, Ye Yuanan recalled the wooden waist tag bearing the name "Mu Le" that she had given him after purchasing him in the Ghost Market, explaining she named him because he was quiet but smiled beautifully. Queen Tuoyue then asked Zhenzhen to confirm Ye Yuanan's claims, but Zhenzhen stated she had no knowledge of these events.

Prince Ying, recalling some past events but unwilling to believe or remember them, reiterated that the Divine Beads were originally Suoluo's treasure, and while he retrieved them for his father, his experiences in Tang were lost to him, making them "meaningless." Queen Tuoyue then asked Prince Ying how he planned to deal with Ye Yuanan, who had undermined his reputation. Prince Ying declared that for attempting to steal the Divine Beads alone, she deserved to be beheaded.

As Prince Ying raised his sword, Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui suddenly appeared and rescued Ye Yuanan. Ye Yuanan, surprised by their presence, learned from Zhao Lanzhi that Tianshu had predicted her danger, prompting him to seek permission from the Empress to come to her aid. Ming Hui also came, confessing her concern for Zhao Lanzhi.

A flashback showed Zhao Lanzhi volunteering to go to Suoluo to retrieve the Divine Beads and rescue Ye Yuanan, intending to go alone to shield Ming Hui from any potential blame. However, Ming Hui, recognizing his subtle attempt to free her from their marriage, volunteered to accompany him, telling him his story was "quite touching." Ye Yuanan, still puzzled by their swift arrival given her days-long journey, was reminded by Zhao Lanzhi of State Preceptor Tianshu.

Tianshu then materialized, explaining that he had found a magical "teleportation umbrella" among Tian Qiao's possessions, which allowed him to transport them all to Suoluo. He jokingly asked Ye Yuanan to take off his mask, but claimed he was practicing a secret martial art that prevented him from being exposed to light. With Ye Yuanan now a wanted criminal, the group sought refuge at Lingxi's dwelling.

Lingxi, observing Tianshu closely, remarked that he couldn't feel his breathing or heartbeat, wondering if Tianshu was a "great master." Tianshu explained he was practicing "dormancy skill," or "turtle breath skill." Zhao Lanzhi then questioned Ye Yuanan why Mu Le would try to kill her after their marriage, to which Ye Yuanan sadly replied that he had forgotten everything that happened in Tang.

She explained that the man who tried to kill her was Prince Ying of Suoluo, and she was merely a "thief" attempting to steal the Divine Beads. Ming Hui, skeptical, sarcastically suggested Ye Yuanan had too easily cleared his name and that she expected him to "obediently present the Divine Beads." Ye Yuanan retorted that while she appreciated being saved, Ming Hui had no right to ridicule her, and vowed that their ties were severed and she would be ruthless.

Tianshu intervened, calming the argument, and lamented that he hadn't killed Prince Ying when he had the chance while collecting the Divine Beads for Tianqiao. When someone suggested it was impossible to get the Divine Beads now, Tianshu revealed he knew a "time-traveling" skill that could send them all back to the past, though it would consume a lot of his energy. He clarified he was helping because their families were being held hostage by the Empress.

Ming Hui again expressed doubt that Ye Yuanan could bring herself to kill Prince Ying. Ye Yuanan insisted, "My ties with Mu Le have been severed. I surely will kill him." Tianshu then explained his magic's mechanics: two hours in their present equated to one day in the past, and they must say "dao" three times to return. He also warned them to avoid "irrelevant" people in the past. Tianshu performed the spell, sending all three back in time.

However, they materialized directly in front of Prince Ying amidst a barrage of arrows, forcing them to immediately utter "dao" three times to return. Tianshu apologized, admitting he sent them "too near" in time and that his power was limited. He declared he could only send one person further back. Ye Yuanan volunteered, reaffirming her resolve: "My ties with Mu Le have been severed. I surely will kill him." Ye Yuanan was then transported to a bustling street in Suoluo.

Hungry, she snatched a roast chicken from a vendor. When he demanded payment, she hit him, knocking him unconscious. Officers arrived to arrest her. Just then, Prince Ying appeared on horseback. He questioned Ye Yuanan's origins. She stated she was from the "Tang Empire" and had "traveled far" and was "so hungry." Prince Ying remarked that Tang was a "good place" and that he had always wanted to visit Luoyang.

Realizing Tianshu had sent her back before Prince Ying's journey to Tang, Ye Yuanan, believing his visit to Tang would doom everything, attempted to assassinate him with a dagger, but was swiftly stopped by onlookers. Prince Ying, bewildered by her murderous intent, nonetheless found her "quite pretty" and thought she "can be useful." He ordered his men to take her away.

Prince Ying tied Ye Yuanan to a tree, instructing her to act as bait for an approaching friend, telling her to "talk to him" and "act accordingly." Ye Yuanan, recalling her past as his master, reluctantly agreed. When the friend arrived, Ye Yuanan feigned tears, fabricating a story about her father trying to marry her off to an "old and ugly" eighty-year-old man.

Flattered by her compliment on his "good looks," the friend promised to untie her if she would go with him. She agreed, but as he was untying her, she cunningly asked him to find her "headdress" in a specific spot. This diverted his attention, allowing Prince Ying's guards to apprehend him. The friend, realizing he had been defrauded and used as "bait," was enraged. He transformed into a deer and escaped, inadvertently carrying Ye Yuanan with him.

Ye Yuanan soon woke up in a cave filled with other abducted girls. The monster, still fuming, confronted her, calling her "two-faced" and "evil," and attempted to force her into marriage. Ye Yuanan refused, causing the monster to fly into a rage and storm out of the cave. The other girls then informed Ye Yuanan that the monster was named Xiao Nan, responsible for kidnapping girls in the city. Shortly after, Mu Le, wearing a large bird-like contraption, arrived at the cave.

A Ying, utilizing a flying device, scoured the mountains. The captive girls, upon seeing the peculiar "big bird," excitedly called out to him. A Ying quickly landed and retrieved a tracking device from Ye Yuanan, revealing it was something he had placed on her. Ye Yuanan felt relieved, realizing he had not abandoned her.

The girls then complained about their captor, Xiao Nan, who believed he was handsome and forced them to marry him, a fate they all abhorred due to his monstrous nature. As Xiao Nan approached, Ye Yuanan sprained her ankle while trying to escape. A Ying was forced to carry her.

Secretly, Ye Yuanan considered assassinating A Ying at this moment to prevent him from ever going to Tang and stealing the Nine-Star Heavenly Pearl, believing this act would safeguard her family. However, before she could execute her plan, Xiao Nan reappeared and recaptured everyone. Ye Yuanan, thinking quickly, urged A Ying to escape and gather help. Xiao Nan, feeling betrayed by the girls' attempts to flee despite his "kindness," expressed his anger.

Ye Yuanan, perceiving he wasn't truly evil and hadn't harmed anyone, encouraged him to reveal his troubles. Xiao Nan confessed his love for a woman named Lian, whose parents rejected him due to his monstrous identity. Ye Yuanan shrewdly advised Xiao Nan to release the girls, suggesting they would spread word of his good nature, thus convincing Lian's parents to approve their marriage. Easily swayed, Xiao Nan immediately set the girls free.

As Ye Yuanan tried to leave, Xiao Nan stopped her, now convinced she was the only one who truly understood him, and proposed marriage to her. A Ying then returned, fighting Xiao Nan. Ye Yuanan intervened, stopping A Ying from killing Xiao Nan, asserting that he was not malicious but merely driven to despair because he was so upset. A Ying agreed and brought Xiao Nan back to the palace.

Upon their return, A Ying met his elder brother, A Heng, who questioned his recent excursions. A Ying mentioned encountering "someone weird and crafty" and learning from them, to which A Heng warned him to be cautious with friends outside the palace. Soon after, the King summoned both princes. With his birthday approaching, the King inquired about their recent accomplishments.

A Heng spoke of studying musical tunes, while A Ying admitted to practicing horseback riding and archery but having no gift ready. The King, pleased with A Ying's healthy physique, then presented them each with an exotic Wuli flower seed from overseas, challenging them to cultivate the most beautiful bloom for his celebration. Passing the Imperial Library, A Ying voiced his curiosity about its perpetually locked and heavily guarded top floor, suspecting it housed magic books.

A Heng sternly reminded him that magic was forbidden in Suoluo and that the top floor contained the most powerful black magic, warning him against any curiosity to avoid the King's punishment. Unbeknownst to A Heng, Lingxi secretly cast a spell on A Heng's Wuli flower seed to ensure it would sprout. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan, still intent on sabotaging A Ying, poured boiling water on his Wuli flower seed.

Later, Xiao Nan fully revealed his past to A Ying and Ye Yuanan: he was once a human herb collector. While on the mountain, he witnessed A Heng and Lingxi practicing magic. He was discovered by Lingxi and cursed with a transfiguration spell. He didn't transform immediately but did so later when Lian's parents violently rejected him. Since then, he would turn into a deer whenever he felt danger or strong emotions.

A Ying promised to help Xiao Nan find the transfiguration spell and break the curse, pondering how such magic was still practiced in Suoluo when all black magic books were sealed, and if the original spellcaster remained a threat. Later, Lingxi, having used magic to make A Heng's flower sprout, presented it to him. A Heng, convinced Lingxi hadn't used magic to make it bloom, happily took the flower to the King.

That night, A Ying planned to infiltrate the Imperial Library to find the transfiguration spell. Ye Yuanan insisted on accompanying him, despite A Ying’s warning that entering the forbidden top floor was a capital offense for anyone other than a prince. As they met, both dressed in black, A Ying complimented Ye Yuanan's appearance, feeling an unexpected attraction to her.

Inside the Library, while A Ying searched for the spell, Ye Yuanan repeatedly attempted to ambush him, still driven by her mission to kill him. However, A Ying's spell-locating incantations inadvertently foiled her attempts. Realizing it wasn't the opportune moment, Ye Yuanan abandoned her plan. Suddenly, Lingxi entered the Library.

A Ying and Ye Yuanan quickly hid in a bookshelf, inadvertently kissing, a moment that evoked strong emotions in Ye Yuanan, bringing tears to her eyes as she grappled with her developing feelings for A Ying. During their concealment, they fortuitously discovered the transfiguration spell book. Grateful, Xiao Nan used his magic to make A Ying's Wuli flower seed sprout and bloom.

Ye Yuanan jokingly took credit for its blooming, unaware that A Ying knew she had poured boiling water on it, though he remained silent. Eager to break his curse, Xiao Nan used the transfiguration spell they had found. The spell backfired, causing Xiao Nan to transform back into a deer, which then dashed into the King's chambers. The King immediately ordered the "deer monster" killed. A Ying intervened, stopping the guards from harming the King or Xiao Nan.

He quickly grabbed a knife and severed one of the deer's horns, which instantly reverted Xiao Nan to human form. A Ying explained Xiao Nan's situation to the King. The King was enraged, not only by the "monster" in the palace but also by A Ying's illicit entry into the forbidden top floor of the Imperial Library to obtain black magic, a clear violation of Suoluo law. A Ying defended his actions, appealing to his father's teaching of kindness, stating he could not ignore a citizen harmed by unknown magic.

The King severely reprimanded Prince Ying for trespassing into the restricted Imperial Library and using forbidden magic. Prince Ying admitted his mistake but earnestly pleaded for Xiao Nan, reminding his Royal Father of the importance of compassion towards their subjects. Since Xiao Nan, a citizen, was harmed by unknown magic, Prince Ying felt obliged to help. Taking into account that it was his birthday, the King decided to pardon Prince Ying and let the matter of the forbidden magic pass.

The King then requested both Prince Ying and Prince Heng to present the Wuli flowers they had been tasked to grow. As they brought their flowers forward, Prince Ying honestly confessed that his flower was not grown by him but by Xiao Nan, who had used a spell because the seed was shriveled and ugly. He humbly requested the King's forgiveness for his actions and the lie.

In contrast, Prince Heng insisted that his beautiful flower was cultivated solely through his own patience and care. Disappointed, the King declared that only one of his sons had told the truth and asked Empress Tuoyue to reveal the winner. The Empress announced Prince Ying as the victor, explaining that the seeds given to both princes were actually baked and incapable of sprouting, designed to test their honesty.

Prince Heng, flustered, quickly offered an apology, claiming he was merely eager to present a fine birthday gift. The King sternly rebuked Prince Heng for his deceit and reminded him of the teachings against using magic for personal gain. He then commended Prince Ying for his truthfulness, expressing that he would rather believe Prince Ying's actions were driven purely by a desire to help Xiao Nan.

As a birthday favor, the King promised to invite a High Priest to lift Xiao Nan's transfiguration curse. Back in his chambers, Prince Heng blamed Lingxi for using magic to grow his flower, fearing that this incident would only increase the King and Queen's favoritism towards Prince Ying. He worried that Prince Ying's succession to the throne was now inevitable.

Lingxi, incensed, suggested that Prince Heng could become crown prince if Prince Ying were eliminated, and impulsively decided to kill him. Prince Heng stopped her, cautioning that such a drastic act would expose her using a transfiguration spell to turn a man into a deer. Lingxi then confessed that she had deliberately planted the fake transfiguration spell book, hoping to drive Xiao Nan mad, out of frustration with Prince Ying constantly overshadowing Prince Heng.

However, Prince Heng declared that Lingxi's life was more valuable to him than the throne and forbade her from taking any further action. With his transfiguration curse lifted, Xiao Nan was joyful and planned to live peacefully with Xiao Lian. The couple thanked Prince Ying, who redirected their gratitude towards Ye Yuanan. Ye Yuanan then secretly whispered to Xiao Nan about her origins from the future.

Prince Ying, curious about their hushed conversation, confronted Ye Yuanan, but she refused to tell him, even playfully threatening to kill him. Prince Ying, unfazed, handed her a dagger, inviting her to do so, knowing she couldn't.

Ye Yuanan questioned Prince Ying about the mysterious person who had planted the fake spell book in the Imperial Library and how it nearly killed Xiao Nan, but Prince Ying, satisfied that Xiao Nan had recovered and the King had dropped the matter, saw no need to investigate further.

Ye Yuanan then predicted that he would not become Emperor but would serve as a horse groom for a girl in the Tang Dynasty, to which he cheekily suggested she should be his maid instead. As Xiao Nan and Xiao Lian invited them for a drink, Lingxi, hidden nearby, ambushed Prince Ying. Xiao Nan bravely intervened, taking a fatal blow for Prince Ying, and died with a grateful smile, relieved to be freed from his monstrous form.

Ye Yuanan retaliated by shooting an arrow at Lingxi. She and Prince Ying pursued the wounded attacker on horseback, but Lingxi used a hidden weapon against Ye Yuanan's horse, causing it to swerve. Ye Yuanan shouted "Dao! Dao! Dao!" (meaning "turn back" to the horse), which Tian Shu misinterpreted as a signal to return, using his Reverse Time magic to summon her back. Upon her abrupt return, Ye Yuanan was furious, scolding Tian Shu for misinterpreting her words.

She desperately demanded to be sent back, but Tian Shu claimed he was too exhausted. Ming Hui quickly deduced that Ye Yuanan had failed to eliminate Prince Ying (Mu Le) and was desperate to return. Ye Yuanan admitted her failure and again insisted on being sent back. Zhao Lanzhi attempted to offer his help, suggesting he could kill Prince Ying, but Ye Yuanan adamantly refused, declaring it her responsibility.

Ming Hui then accused Ye Yuanan of being ungrateful and jeopardizing Zhao Lanzhi's life, as well as many others whose lives were controlled by the Empress, by her reluctance to complete the mission. After the heated argument, Tian Shu stated he could only send one person back due to his depleted power. Ye Yuanan stepped forward, accepting the task. Zhao Lanzhi gravely reminded her that this was her last opportunity to eliminate Prince Ying.

Tian Shu warned Ye Yuanan that she would be sent back a few days prior to her previous departure and advised her to be cautious. Meanwhile, Lingxi, impressed by Tian Shu's power, asked him to teach her the Reverse Time magic to correct her past regrets. Tian Shu, removing his hood, revealed that they were similar, and while Lingxi recognized his profound insight, he refused her request to teach her the magic or undo her spell.

He explained that everything has its own fate, and true freedom comes from letting go of the past. Lingxi questioned why he sent Ye Yuanan back if that was the case. Tian Shu replied that Ye Yuanan could only release her present burdens by understanding her past. Ming Hui suspected that she and Zhao Lanzhi had been deceived by Tian Shu. Zhao Lanzhi expressed deep concern for Ye Yuanan, leading Ming Hui to accuse him of caring only for her.

Ming Hui believed Ye Yuanan was incapable of killing Prince Ying (Mu Le) due to her affection for him, suggesting that she would have to reveal the truth about Tian Shu to persuade her. Tian Shu then confessed that during his struggle with Prince Ying for the Nine Divine Beads, the immense power of the beads caused him to lose his physical body, leaving him as merely a spirit, vulnerable to sunlight.

He assured them that he could regain his true form if the Nine Divine Beads were recovered, but this depended on Ye Yuanan's choices. Ming Hui was furious, arguing that Prince Ying had stolen the beads and killed the State Preceptor, yet Tian Shu seemed indifferent.

Tian Shu, however, asserted that Ye Yuanan, Prince Ying, and the Nine Divine Beads were all connected by destiny, and their path involved specific "tribulations," a concept that confused both Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui. Ye Yuanan awoke by a river in Suoluo, where a woman named Dan Zhu approached her. When Ye Yuanan refused to engage, Dan Zhu magically immobilized her, claiming her as a slave.

Annoyed but powerless, Ye Yuanan was forced to accompany Dan Zhu to the market. Dan Zhu, unfamiliar with such places, was amused by Tang Dynasty cosmetics, liberally applying them to her face. When it was time to pay, Dan Zhu magically transformed leaves into money to settle the bill. At a restaurant, Dan Zhu became enraged when other patrons commented on Ye Yuanan's beauty, believing Ye Yuanan to be prettier.

In a fit of jealousy, Dan Zhu attacked Ye Yuanan, throwing her from an upper floor. Prince Ying, riding past, happened to catch Ye Yuanan as she fell. Seeing him, Ye Yuanan panicked and immediately hid under a table inside the restaurant. Prince Ying inquired about Ye Yuanan at the restaurant, describing her appearance to Dan Zhu, who was instantly captivated by his handsomeness.

Prince Ying explained he had been searching for a friend who had mysteriously disappeared and told Dan Zhu to inform the girl that he would wait for her at the spot where she had vanished. After Prince Ying left, Dan Zhu confronted a hiding Ye Yuanan, sensing her feelings for him despite Ye Yuanan's protests of hatred. Dan Zhu, admitting her own attraction to Prince Ying, asked Ye Yuanan to help her win him over.

Ye Yuanan reluctantly agreed, on the condition that Dan Zhu would release her from the spell. Dan Zhu then attempted to flirt with Prince Ying by the river, trying some peculiar advice given by Ye Yuanan. However, Prince Ying saw through Ye Yuanan's hiding spot behind a tree, revealing he knew she was the one from the restaurant and that he had witnessed her strange disappearances and reappearances, especially after Xiao Nan's death.

Moved by Prince Ying's sincerity and reluctant to part ways, Ye Yuanan decided to join him in investigating Xiao Nan's death, and also asked to bring Dan Zhu along. Prince Ying agreed and brought them both to the palace. Prince Ying cautioned Ye Yuanan and Dan Zhu to be careful while roaming the grounds, mentioning an upcoming celebration where his Royal Father would meet the people.

He explained that the celebration commemorated the sealing of a mischievous red dragon in Lucang River by a high priest long ago. This dragon would attempt to break free every Mid-Autumn Festival, leading the people to hold a festive celebration to keep it at bay. Ye Yuanan recalled Zhao Lanzhi's previous mention of Prince Ying (Mu Le) transforming into a red dragon monster on Huodu Mountain and wondered about a potential connection.

Dan Zhu, further smitten by Prince Ying's royal status, enthusiastically believed her centuries of waiting for him were justified. Ye Yuanan, however, tried to temper Dan Zhu's excitement, observing Prince Ying's apparent lack of interest in her and warning her against becoming too deeply involved to avoid future heartbreak.

Ye Yuanan attempted to dissuade Dan Zhu from her affections for Prince Ying, suggesting that he did not return her feelings and that she should detach herself to avoid future heartache. Dan Zhu, distressed, explained that it was her first time away from home and she was too nervous to speak to Prince Ying, begging Ye Yuanan to help bring them together.

Ye Yuanan, finding Dan Zhu a bit naive, advised her to be more direct, saying she should express her feelings openly and genuinely to move Prince Ying. Later, Ye Yuanan and Prince Ying secretly went to the Imperial Library, searching for clues. Ye Yuanan's curiosity was piqued by a mysterious box, but Prince Ying quickly stopped her from opening it.

He explained that the box contained ancient records with spells to break the red dragon's seal, enchanted by the eminent monks of Suoluo. Chanting these spells would immediately summon the red dragon. Given that the Red Dragon Sacrifice was scheduled for the following day, he urged caution. However, when Prince Ying turned away, Ye Yuanan mischievously opened the box, only to discover that the ancient records were missing.

Dan Zhu, still hopeful, approached Ye Yuanan again, asking if she genuinely liked Prince Ying. She declared that if Ye Yuanan did, she would back off. Ye Yuanan, though, stubbornly denied any feelings for him, claiming she disliked him, which pleased Dan Zhu. Bolstered by Ye Yuanan's earlier advice to be open, Dan Zhu approached Prince Ying. She removed her outer garment and used a magical spell to bind him, intending to kiss him.

Ye Yuanan, witnessing this, rushed forward to intervene. In the ensuing struggle, Dan Zhu accidentally kissed Ye Yuanan. Angered and feeling betrayed, Dan Zhu called them both bad people. Ye Yuanan then publicly declared her love for Prince Ying. Prince Ying, surprised and delighted, embraced Ye Yuanan, confessing his mutual affection. Hurt and feeling lied to, Dan Zhu retreated to the garden to cry alone. Ling Xi appeared, observing her and remarking that her tears wouldn't change anything.

He revealed that he knew she had emerged from the water and needed to return before daybreak. Dan Zhu, confused, recognized Ling Xi as the person who had released her from the Lucang River. Ling Xi, noting her as a "silly girl," then gravely wounded her with a magical dagger. Dan Zhu's body began to dissipate, transforming into a swarm of fireflies. With her last bit of strength, she called out to Ye Yuanan.

Ye Yuanan and Prince Ying, drawn by her fading calls, rushed to the imperial garden and found Dan Zhu mortally wounded. She told them she had been stabbed and was dying, unable to return to the Lucang River before dawn. With those words, she passed away. The following day, the palace held the Red Dragon Sacrifice ceremony. The public murmured about Prince Heng's absence, noting that Prince Ying was the only one accompanying the King.

They speculated that the King favored Prince Ying and that Prince Heng's association with disreputable individuals had already displeased the King. Suddenly, the sky thundered, and the red dragon appeared, its seal having been broken due to Dan Zhu's inability to return. The enraged dragon attacked the populace, causing widespread panic. Prince Ying bravely confronted the red dragon alone to protect the people.

He managed to kill the beast but suffered severe wounds and collapsed, seemingly dying in Ye Yuanan's arms. He thanked her for being by his side and said he was truly dying. Ye Yuanan tearfully kissed his forehead as his hand fell lifelessly. However, as the red dragon's blood flowed across the floor and touched Prince Ying's body, his hand twitched slightly, indicating a miraculous revival.

The King praised Prince Ying for his actions, acknowledging him as the hero of Suoluo, and asked if he had anticipated the disaster. Prince Ying confirmed he had known, recounting Dan Zhu's dying words. She had revealed she was a magical tree spirit, cultivated for a thousand years, originally living in the water and guarding the red dragon's prison cave.

She stated that someone had killed her, preventing her return before daybreak, which was clearly intended to release the red dragon. Dan Zhu had then requested Prince Ying to kiss her forehead, ensuring she could protect him forever. After hearing Prince Ying's full account, and realizing that only Prince Ying had been present at the ceremony to combat the dragon, the King grew suspicious of Prince Heng's absence.

The King confronted Prince Heng about his absence from the ceremony, but Prince Heng claimed he had been drunk the night before and had overslept. The King then gripped Prince Heng's hand and discovered a black mark, indicating he had touched the black magic spell book in the Imperial Library. Enraged, the King accused Prince Heng of breaking the red dragon's seal and bringing disaster to the Suoluo Kingdom. Ling Xi swiftly stepped forward, confessing to the crime.

He explained that he had snuck into the Imperial Library out of curiosity to steal the black magic spell book. Prince Heng, in attempting to stop him, had been affected by the book's curse, resulting in the black mark on his hand. Ling Xi, who had always been fascinated by magic, admitted to being unable to resist investigating the legendary red dragon seal. He took full responsibility for the grave trouble caused, asserting that Prince Heng was innocent.

The King believed Ling Xi's story. He sentenced Prince Heng to confinement within his palace, warning him to reflect on his actions, and ordered Ling Xi's eyes to be gouged out as punishment. Prince Heng vehemently defended Ling Xi, declaring that if the King was determined to harm Ling Xi, he would have to kill Prince Heng first. To de-escalate the tense standoff, Ling Xi self-mutilated, gouging out his own eyes.

Prince Heng tenderly cared for the now blind Ling Xi, blaming himself for his friend's suffering. Ling Xi, however, expressed no regret, recalling how their paths had first crossed when he saved an injured Prince Heng. Ling Xi was once a kind apprentice doctor. He gained public recognition after successfully treating a patient, Na Ji, using an ingenious method involving syrup and white wine to lure poisonous ants out of his ear, while his master had proposed a risky craniotomy.

This success unfortunately made his master jealous. His master later drugged Ling Xi, tied him up in the forest, and cut his arm to use his blood as bait to capture powerful blue bats, the final ingredient for his medicine. Fortunately, Prince Heng, who was hunting nearby, arrived in time and rescued Ling Xi. During the rescue, Ling Xi was injured by a blue bat, an incident that caused a significant change in his body.

Ling Xi’s master drugged him, intending to use him as bait to capture a blue bat. Prince Aheng arrived just in time, chastising the master for his cruel methods and saving Ling Xi. After being injured by the blue bat, Ling Xi’s body underwent a profound transformation, granting him powerful water magic. He used this newfound ability to defeat his master and even compel the blue bat to recognize him as its owner.

Aheng, witnessing Ling Xi's magic, recognized a kindred spirit. Ling Xi explained he had learned his magic from rare books, not his master, which allowed him to uncover his master's true nature. Aheng, delighted, asked Ling Xi to teach him these arts, and the two became sworn brothers, with Ling Xi agreeing to accompany Aheng. Aheng brought Ling Xi to the royal palace's Imperial Library, where Ling Xi was thrilled to discover many ancient, lost magic arts.

They often practiced dark magic in secret. Ling Xi expressed deep gratitude for Aheng's friendship and support, finding his greatest happiness in helping Aheng achieve his desires. Meanwhile, Ye Yuanan, also known as Nana, wrestled with the moral dilemma of how to assassinate Prince Aying. She found herself conflicted, reflecting on the difficulty of the task, especially after spending so much time with him. She realized she needed to find a quick solution.

As she pondered, Prince Aying appeared, noticed her distraction, and embraced her. They danced amidst falling flower petals, and for a fleeting moment, Nana was reminded of her past with Mu Le, feeling as though she was in a dream. Later, Empress Tuoyue commended Prince Aying for his heroic act of slaying the red dragon, saving both the King and the state of Suoluo, and asked what reward he desired.

Aying humbly replied that he was content with his parents' love but had one unfulfilled wish: to marry Nana, a brave, loyal woman he had met outside the palace who had fought alongside him. The Empress, overjoyed that her son had found love, immediately consented. Empress Tuoyue then discussed Aying’s impending marriage with the King, acknowledging his preference for Aying as successor and noting that Aying was almost eighteen, making it time for him to marry.

The King had no objections to Nana's humble origins, recalling that Suoluo’s progenitor was a common blacksmith. His only concern was whether Nana possessed the character to help Aying become a wise ruler. The King instructed the Empress to meet Nana and assess her virtues, also suggesting the marriage could serve to divert attention from recent rumors surrounding Prince Aheng.

Later, a nervous Aying informed Nana that his mother wished to meet her, emphasizing that refusing a royal decree was punishable by death. Nana reluctantly agreed, but accidentally touched a poisonous crepe myrtle flower, causing her face to swell and itch. She was forced to wear a veil when she presented herself to Empress Tuoyue. Upon meeting Nana, Empress Tuoyue was pleased with her, despite the veil.

She formally announced the King's decree of marriage between Nana and Prince Aying as a reward for her courage. Nana was startled, internally lamenting that she was again being forced to marry the prince she intended to kill. She initially refused, claiming she was too young for marriage. The Empress became enraged, reminding Nana that the marriage was a royal command and threatening to banish her from the palace permanently if she refused.

Fearing she would lose the opportunity to carry out her mission if exiled, Nana quickly changed her stance. She declared her sincere prayer for Aying to be with his beloved. When the Empress pressed her further, revealing that Aying himself had pleaded for the marriage, Nana tearfully proclaimed her deep love for him, regardless of his identity—be it prince, servant, hero, or thief—believing their fate was intertwined.

Satisfied, Empress Tuoyue ordered preparations for Nana to be the most beautiful bride for Aying’s eighteenth birthday. On their wedding night, Nana, though beautifully adorned, felt immense apprehension. Aying was overjoyed to see his bride, but Nana privately reaffirmed her intent to kill him. As Aying embraced her, he discovered a hidden dagger. Heartbroken, he confronted her, demanding to know why she married him if she harbored such animosity.

Nana, seeing no other option, confessed her purpose: she was there to kill him, believing that only through his death could others live. Aying was devastated. He handed the dagger to Nana, challenging her to strike him down, convinced she couldn’t do it. Faced with the depth of his love, Nana found herself unable to deliver the fatal blow. Aying, confessing his fear that she would leave him again, pleaded for her to stay.

But Nana, unable to respond, insisted it was better they never meet again. With a heavy heart, Aying kept one of Nana’s accessories as a keepsake and allowed her to leave the palace. Distraught by her inability to kill Aying, Ye Yuanan felt staying was pointless and decided to summon Tianshu to transport her back so they could formulate a new plan. As she prepared, Prince Aheng ambushed and captured her.

She awoke to find herself caged, confronted by Aheng, who, filled with rage and self-pity over his divergent fate from Aying, forced her to look at the now-blind Ling Xi, whose eyes had been gouged out. Aheng threatened to gouge out Nana's eyes and transplant them to Ling Xi, vowing Aying would regret opposing him. Soon after, chaos erupted across the palace and city as many servants and commoners were found dead, their eyes gouged out.

Rumors spread that the King had blinded himself to cultivate immortality, bringing disaster upon the land. Empress Tuoyue, noting the bizarre coincidence between Ling Xi’s blinding and these new incidents, suspected Aheng's involvement and dispatched Prince Aying to check on him. Prince Aying visited Aheng with good intentions, but Aheng made no effort to conceal his malevolence. He sarcastically acknowledged Aying’s visit and bitterly remarked on Aying’s imminent succession, fearing he would become Aying’s captive.

Aying confronted Aheng about the palace murders and gouged eyes, suspecting him. Aheng initially feigned innocence, claiming his confinement made such acts impossible, but then hinted that a wizard capable of dark magic could be responsible, effectively admitting his guilt. He then accused Aying of being delighted, suggesting the King had forced Ling Xi to blind himself while granting Aying a glorious marriage. Horrified by Aheng’s continued use of dark magic, Aying threatened to report him to the King.

Defiantly, Aheng produced one of Nana's earrings, confirming her captivity, and demanded Aying meet him alone that night to save her. To protect Nana, Aying lied to Empress Tuoyue, claiming Aheng was earnestly repenting. Later that night, Aying arrived at Aheng's residence, finding Nana suspended from ropes. Recognizing the trap, Nana urged Aying to flee, but he refused to leave her. Ling Xi, present with Aheng, encouraged Aheng to kill both Aying and Nana to secure the throne.

Aheng, reveling in Aying's desperation, began cutting the ropes. Aying desperately clung to them to prevent Nana’s fall. As Aying strained to hold the ropes, Aheng launched a dark magic attack, severely wounding him. Despite his grievous injuries, Aying refused to release Nana. When she finally fell, he used his own body to cushion her impact, further worsening his wounds.

Just as Aheng and Ling Xi moved to finish them off, the King arrived, furious at Aheng's treasonous acts and his continued association with Ling Xi. The King accused Aheng of threatening Aying with Nana and declared his intent to kill Ling Xi to resolve the matter once and for all. However, Ling Xi preemptively struck the King with powerful dark magic.

In a desperate act to shield the King, Nana (Ye Yuanan) bravely intercepted the attack, sustaining critical injuries and collapsing unconscious. The King also suffered severe wounds. Witnessing Nana and the King gravely injured and unconscious, Prince Aying erupted in a furious rage. The power of the red dragon within him surged, transforming him into the fiery beast. He then carried the unconscious Nana and the injured King away from the burning palace chamber.

Ling Xi urged a terrified Aheng to flee, choosing to remain behind in the inferno. Nana, regaining a flicker of consciousness, realized that Aying's transformation validated Zhao Lanzhi's earlier words: his blood had merged with the red dragon's during the offering ceremony, leaving its power within him. Aying, feeling an overwhelming, burning fury, implicitly confirmed this connection.

Prince Ying transformed back into his human form from the red dragon, gently placing Ye Yuanan on the ground. Witnessing this, Ye Yuanan recalled Zhao Lanzhi's words and realized that during the offering ceremony, the red dragon's blood had merged with Prince Ying, possibly leaving its essence within him. She urged Prince Ying to keep this secret and to control his emotions, calming his fury to prevent any further transformations. Shortly after, Prince Aheng, injured, stumbled out of the palace.

Ye Yuanan, seeing him, raised a dagger to kill him, but Prince Ying intervened, reminding her that Aheng was his elder brother. Prince Ying then instructed the guards to take both his father and brother back to the palace for treatment. Later, the royal physician informed Queen Tuoyue that the King was in a coma due to severe heart and lung injuries, and medicine could only stabilize his condition temporarily.

Prince Ying brought Prince Aheng before Queen Tuoyue, who angrily reprimanded Aheng for his actions against the King. Prince Aheng retorted, claiming that in their eyes, Prince Ying was always right while everything he did was wrong. He then suggested a solution: finding the Nine Divine Beads, a long-lost national treasure rumored to possess the power to bring the dead back to life. However, these beads were believed to be in the distant Tang Empire.

Prince Ying immediately volunteered to travel to the Tang Empire to retrieve the beads for his father. Queen Tuoyue agreed, acknowledging his filial piety, and sentenced Prince Aheng to confinement in the pagoda to repent for his grave crimes. From outside the chamber, Ye Yuanan overheard the conversation.

Realizing that Prince Ying was still destined for the Tang Empire, and that the Nine Divine Beads would inevitably be stolen again, she decided she must stop him, even if it meant taking his life. Prince Ying intended to depart for the Tang Empire quietly, but Ye Yuanan intercepted him, insisting on accompanying him. She reminded him of their past adventures together and argued that as someone from the Tang Empire, she was the most suitable companion.

Though reluctant due to the perilous journey ahead, Prince Ying eventually agreed to her company. As they traveled through a forest, Ye Yuanan attempted to ambush Prince Ying, but unexpectedly fell into a swamp. Prince Ying quickly rescued her from the mud, but in doing so, he accidentally became stuck himself.

Ye Yuanan tried to help him, shouting "Dao," which meant "sword" in her mind, but Tianshu, who was observing from afar, misinterpreted her shouts as a command to return, and promptly transported her back to the modern era. Upon Ye Yuanan's unexpected return, Minghui criticized her for failing to complete her mission, remarking that she had been sent back so many times yet couldn't kill Prince Ying (Mu Le).

Zhao Lanzhi, frustrated, questioned whether Ye Yuanan genuinely couldn't kill him or simply didn't have the heart to. He angrily declared an end to the plan relying on Ye Yuanan, proposing that he and Minghui would directly infiltrate the palace, kill Mu Le, and retrieve the Nine Divine Beads themselves. He lambasted Ye Yuanan for her childishness, always threatening to kill Mu Le but never following through, reminding her that their families' lives depended on her success.

Ye Yuanan then revealed that Mu Le's blood had merged with the Red Dragon's, explaining his extraordinary powers observed in the Tang Empire. Minghui expressed concern that even their combined strength might not be enough against him, especially with the palace's stringent security. At that moment, Lingxi stepped forward with a suggestion. He recounted the legend of the Red Dragon in Suoluo, which was said to cause disturbances every full moon.

He theorized that on the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, the palace would be heavily focused on containing Prince Ying's red dragon powers, thus neglecting other areas. This, he argued, would be the opportune moment to steal the Nine Divine Beads. Minghui, though acknowledging the plan's ingenuity, was suspicious of Lingxi's motives as a Suoluo native. Lingxi clarified that Ye Yuanan had saved his life multiple times, and according to Suoluo customs, he was bound to repay her kindness.

Zhao Lanzhi decided to proceed with Lingxi's plan, intending to go to the palace with Minghui that very night. Ye Yuanan protested, wanting to join them, but Zhao Lanzhi insisted she and Tianshu stay behind. He explained that the palace was too heavily guarded for a large group and instructed Ye Yuanan that, should he and Minghui fail, she must then retrieve the Nine Divine Beads to save their families.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Prince Ying was tormented by a sudden, intense headache, experiencing fleeting memories of people and events from both the Tang Empire and Suoluo, yet unable to grasp them fully. Queen Tuoyue, attributing his discomfort to exhaustion from searching for "the thief" (Ye Yuanan), ordered Zhenzhen to escort him back to his chambers to rest. Later, outside the palace, Zhao Lanzhi asked Minghui if she regretted coming to Suoluo with him.

Minghui playfully responded that any regrets she had would date back to the moment she married him. She then questioned Zhao Lanzhi about his decision to leave Ye Yuanan behind, asking if he feared she would jeopardize their plan or if he was simply worried about her safety. Minghui reminisced about Jiang Ren, a servant whom she considered more sincere than anyone else.

She confessed that seeing Ye Yuanan's repeated inability to harm Mu Le made her understand why Jiang Ren had so willingly sacrificed himself for her: it was true love that made one selfless. Minghui then emotionally declared her own profound love for Zhao Lanzhi, asserting her willingness to make any sacrifice for him, even defying the Empress, because he was more important than anyone else in her heart. Meanwhile, Tianshu caught Ye Yuanan attempting to sneak out.

She feigned an intention to buy wine and food, but Tianshu saw through her, knowing she planned to find Zhao Lanzhi. He reminded her that she was a wanted criminal, and her entry into the palace would only endanger Zhao Lanzhi further. Ye Yuanan expressed guilt over not having retrieved the Nine Divine Beads, but Tianshu absolved her, stating he was the one who had given them to Mu Le in the first place.

He firmly instructed her to stay put. That night, Zhao Lanzhi and Minghui successfully infiltrated the palace to search for the Nine Divine Beads. However, they were soon discovered, surrounded, and brought before Queen Tuoyue. In his chambers, Prince Ying perceived Ye Yuanan's silhouette and pursued it, only to be stopped by guards who reminded him of the Empress's strict orders against leaving his room.

On the ground, he found a wooden token belonging to Mu Le, a relic from his time as a slave. Zhao Lanzhi and Minghui pleaded their case before Queen Tuoyue, asserting that the Nine Divine Beads originally belonged to the Tang Empire, while Queen Tuoyue maintained they were Suoluo's national treasure. Unmoved by their arguments, Queen Tuoyue ordered their imprisonment. Just as they were being led away, Tianshu dramatically appeared, interceding on their behalf.

He reminded Queen Tuoyue of a "good karma" they shared nineteen years ago. A flashback revealed that Queen Tuoyue, once publicly ridiculed for being childless, had encountered Tianshu, then a beggar. He had given her a mysterious "seed" to swallow, promising her a child within ten lunar months. True to his word, she later gave birth to two princes, Aheng and Prince Ying.

Recognizing Tianshu as her benefactor, Queen Tuoyue's demeanor instantly shifted, and she treated Tianshu, Zhao Lanzhi, and Minghui with newfound respect. Suddenly, Zhenzhen burst in, reporting that Prince Ying had disappeared, causing Queen Tuoyue great distress. Tianshu calmly assured her he would find Prince Ying, stating that as the cause of these events, he should also be the one to end them. He then departed, taking Zhao Lanzhi and Minghui with him.

Prince Ying, having followed the illusory figure, arrived at a mountain cliff, where he encountered Ye Yuanan. Both were astonished to see each other, realizing they had been deliberately lured there. Ye Yuanan recalled a previous conversation with Tianshu, where she had requested his help in removing the Red Dragon's blood from Mu Le's body after Tianshu recovered his own physical form and retrieved the Nine Divine Beads.

Tianshu had explained that the red dragon monster had used its blood as a medium to inject its soul into Mu Le, making him a host, and that a different method would be needed to eradicate the dragon's soul entirely. Now, at the cliff, Prince Ying understood that someone had impersonated Ye Yuanan to lure him to this spot. Ye Yuanan, realizing it was the full moon, urged Tianshu to act quickly to save Prince Ying.

As Zhenzhen and her soldiers arrived, arrows were fired, causing Ye Yuanan to fall off the cliff. Prince Ying, in a desperate attempt to save her, transformed into the red dragon and caught her. The soldiers, terrified, scattered, screaming that Prince Ying was a monster. Ye Yuanan pleaded with Prince Ying not to harm his own soldiers, but he was unresponsive. Tianshu explained that the surrounding mandragora flowers, known for disturbing people's minds, were preventing Prince Ying from controlling himself.

He realized that they had all been led into a trap designed to make Prince Ying commit unforgivable crimes. Tianshu declared that the only way to save Prince Ying was to draw the red dragon's soul out of his body. Tianshu sacrificed himself, using his own body as a medium to seal the red dragon's soul within an underwater cave.

Ye Yuanan, remembering Prince Ying's tale of a Grand Master who sealed a red dragon in the Lucang River, was heartbroken by Tianshu's sacrifice. In the aftermath of the red dragon's rampage, Prince Ying, Zhao Lanzhi, Minghui, and Tianshu were all missing. Ye Yuanan desperately searched for them. Zhenzhen's search party later discovered an unconscious Prince Ying by the water, but no one else.

Zhenzhen discovered the unconscious Prince Ying by the water, but no one else. She quickly had him carried back to the palace. Ye Yuanan overheard Zhenzhen's subordinates mention Prince Ying had been taken away, realizing she was now completely alone and feeling profound sadness. Unable to find the bodies of Zhao Lanzhi and others, she made cenotaphs for them. As she wandered aimlessly, weighed down by her injuries, Ling Xi suddenly appeared.

He sent a blue bat to bite Ye Yuanan's arm, telling her, "The blue bat of mine has special power. Let it help you." Before Ye Yuanan lost consciousness, Ling Xi reassured her that his bat's blood had miraculous effects. When Ye Yuanan awoke, she found all her injuries had indeed healed. General Bokai received a report that Prince Ying had been found and was recovering in the palace.

Seeing this as an opportune moment to seize the Divine Beads, General Bokai stormed into the King's chamber where monks were using the beads to heal the King. He brushed aside the guards and confronted the King, first feigning a report about military matters concerning the King of Champa, who was, as he claimed, emboldened by the Tang Empire to harass their borders.

General Bokai then expressed doubt about the Divine Beads, pointing out that the King's prolonged illness, despite their use, suggested they might be fake and the supposed healing signs were merely tricks. He grabbed one of the Divine Beads, and a vision of him dominating the entire Suoluo kingdom flashed through his mind. Prince Ying and Empress Tuoyue quickly arrived at the scene, witnessing General Bokai holding a Divine Bead.

Empress Tuoyue, firmly stating that the Divine Beads were exclusively for the King's medical treatment, immediately severed the arm General Bokai had used to touch the bead. She declared that this was the consequence of unauthorized handling of the Divine Beads, and while his life was spared in consideration of his past loyalty to the King, she warned that there would be no leniency if he repeated such an act.

Prince Ying then announced to all that no one was permitted to use the Nine Divine Beads for any purpose other than his royal father's cure, cautioning that anyone harboring inappropriate thoughts about them would suffer the same fate as General Bokai. Prince Ying subsequently ordered that posters bearing Ye Yuanan's image be put up across the city, initiating a widespread search for her. Ye Yuanan, upon seeing these posters, was furious.

She believed Prince Ying, her Mu Le, was a "bastard" for looking for her and resolved to take the Divine Beads back from him once she was prepared. Later, while eating at a food stall, Ye Yuanan found the coconut and pilaf to have a foul, fishy taste, but the owner insisted they were fresh and delicious. When the owner demanded payment, Ye Yuanan, having no money, pushed him away, accidentally injuring him.

As she saw his blood, an uncontrollable, ravenous urge seized her, and she instinctively sucked the blood from his wound. The horrified onlookers branded her a "vampire." Fleeing, Ye Yuanan noticed her eyes had turned red, just like Ling Xi's blue bats. She realized Ling Xi had indeed harmed her, transforming her into a blood-sucking monster. Ye Yuanan sought refuge in a dilapidated temple. Two robbers stumbled upon her, and seeing her weak, attempted to assault her.

As they pulled at her, a burst of latent power erupted from Ye Yuanan, knocking them to the ground. Ling Xi then appeared, smugly telling Ye Yuanan that he was responsible for everything. He further told her she should be grateful he used his rare blue bat's blood to change hers, granting her powers she'd never experienced before. He urged her to drink the robbers' blood while it was still warm, assuring her it would alleviate her coldness and hunger.

Ye Yuanan, resisting the monstrous urge, angrily confronted Ling Xi, reminding him she had saved his life three times and asking why he would harm her. Ling Xi coldly dismissed her, stating that her life was not his to be indebted to and calling her naive. He also revealed that it was he who had lured Mu Le with the name tag to the cliff.

Ling Xi then further taunted her, explaining that he wasn't solely targeting her, but that all of them – Ye Yuanan, the masked monk Tianshu, and the couple from Tang (Zhao Lanzhi and Minghui) – were merely minor pieces in a much larger plan. When Ye Yuanan threatened to kill him, Ling Xi dared her to survive first, emphasizing that she would starve if she did not drink the blood.

He then sent his blue bats to drain the two robbers' blood, killing them. That night, as a storm raged, Ye Yuanan's body underwent a shocking transformation: she grew blue wings and was found sleeping upside down in the temple like a bat. Prince Ying continued his search for "Nana" (Ye Yuanan) and, by chance, heard villagers discussing a "vampire."

The stall owner, who still bore a wound from Ye Yuanan, recognized her from Prince Ying's portrait and confirmed that "Nana" was the vampire he had personally witnessed sucking blood. Convinced that Nana was the monster, Prince Ying decided to join the villagers and a Daoist priest to capture her. They converged on the dilapidated temple.

Ye Yuanan, now resembling a blue bat-like creature, was resting in the temple when she heard them approaching and used her new abilities to flee. Prince Ying, confronting her in her transformed state, asked, "Are you a person or a monster?" His question deeply wounded Ye Yuanan. She escaped to a river, where she saw her monstrous reflection, complete with blue bat wings and blue hands, filling her with terror.

A young girl, who had previously encountered Ye Yuanan, tried to defend her, believing Ye Yuanan did not wish to harm her, but the villagers dismissed her. Prince Ying, realizing the "big furry monster" was Ye Yuanan, poisoned by the blue bat, publicly vowed to capture her alive. Prince Ying devised a trap, disguising himself as an injured villager.

Drawn by the scent of blood, Ye Yuanan approached, rationalizing that if the villager were already dead, drinking his blood wouldn't be murder. However, the "dead" villager, Prince Ying, suddenly moved, and Ye Yuanan was ensnared in a net by the villagers. Prince Ying intended to take her away, but the family of the two robbers, whose bodies had been found in the temple, angrily demanded her execution for their deaths.

Amidst the villagers' cries for "a life for a life," Ye Yuanan quickly opened a brocade pouch Tianshu had given her. Inside, she found Tianshu's instructions: "Believe in love, Yuan'an. When you two are at war, kiss him mouth to mouth." Initially enraged by the bizarre advice, Ye Yuanan, seeing Prince Ying momentarily distracted, swiftly kissed him. The kiss triggered a flood of memories for Prince Ying. He remembered everything, recognizing her and exclaiming, "I remember! I remember everything! Yuan'an. You're Yuan'an! I am Mu Le. Your Mu Le!"

Following the kiss, Mu Le suddenly embraced Ye Yuanan, proclaiming he remembered everything. He confirmed her identity as Yuan'an and his as Mu Le. He tried to explain to the villagers that Ye Yuanan was a human, not a monster, but they were consumed by fear and called for her death. Unable to reason with them, Ye Yuanan used her newly grown wings to carry Mu Le away from the mob.

They landed in a secluded area where Mu Le apologized profusely, saying he would never forget her again. He explained that a medicine had restored his Suoluo memories but erased his time in Tang and all memories of her. Ye Yuanan, however, was full of bitterness. She declared her hatred for him and demanded the return of the Nine Divine Beads.

Mu Le sensed her hesitation to truly harm him, but Ye Yuanan reminded him of the pain he had caused, listing Tianshu, Minghui, Zhao Lanzhi, her father, mother, and Yuanning. She questioned how a simple apology could compensate for such loss. Mu Le admitted he could never repay his debt to her but refused to give her the Divine Beads.

He revealed that the Tang Empress harbored ambitions to use the beads to conquer the world, and he would rather die than allow that. Ye Yuanan retorted that she cared nothing for who ruled the world; her only concern was the safety of her loved ones. Mu Le chastised her for being willful, which only angered Ye Yuanan further, as she bitterly reflected on her past decision to rescue him from the Ghost Market.

Mu Le offered his life as compensation, but Ye Yuanan could not bring herself to kill him. Instead, she pushed him away, declaring their bond broken and that they would be enemies if they ever met again, before flying off, leaving Mu Le distraught. Meanwhile, Lingxi, carrying Prince Heng's arrow badge, sought out General Bokai.

Bokai initially doubted Lingxi's claim of being a trusted aide to Prince Heng, but Lingxi removed a face mask, revealing his true identity and securing Bokai's trust. Lingxi then told Bokai he had heard about the General's arm being severed by Empress Tuoyue and offered a solution: a magical blue bat whose blood possessed regenerative powers could restore his limb. Bokai, eager to regain his arm, immediately agreed to Lingxi's condition, which was to be revealed later.

Lingxi played a melodic tune on his flute, drawing Ye Yuanan out of hiding, where she was promptly captured by General Bokai's soldiers. Lingxi then delivered the captured Ye Yuanan. After Bokai drank her blood, he was astonished as his severed arm miraculously regenerated, appearing even more flexible than before. Elated by his restored limb, Bokai was reminded by Lingxi of his promise: to share this "magical creature" with all the wounded soldiers.

Lingxi explained to a caged Ye Yuanan that her blood's regenerative properties would heal all disabled soldiers, allowing them to recover just like Bokai. Ye Yuanan, horrified, asked why Lingxi hated her so much, to which he replied that his true aim was to torture her, thereby inflicting suffering worse than death on someone he truly despised. Mu Le, meanwhile, desperately searched for Ye Yuanan.

Zhenzhen, observing his fervent search, realized that while he had recovered his memories from the Tang Empire and of Ye Yuanan, he still had no recollection of his life before then. She reported to Empress Tuoyue that the "fake maid," Ye Yuanan, had been transformed into a monster and that Prince Ying was scandalously pursuing her.

Outraged by this behavior, Empress Tuoyue ordered Zhenzhen to have Prince Ying brought back to the palace at once, seeing his pursuit of a monster as an affront to his royal status. In his dreams, Mu Le repeatedly called out "Yuan'an" and "Nana," deeply distressing Empress Tuoyue. She reminded him of his noble status and an arranged marriage to a girl also named Nana, who had disappeared when he went to Tang.

Mu Le passionately defended his devotion to Ye Yuanan, explaining that while he was a respected prince in Suoluo, he had been a bullied servant in Tang, and Ye Yuanan was his savior. He emphasized their marriage and her tireless journey to find him, vowing not to disappoint her. Soon after, General Bokai arrived for an audience, much to Empress Tuoyue's surprise, as his severed arm had miraculously regrown.

Bokai proudly displayed his new arm, claiming to have discovered a "cure-all" that not only restored severed limbs but also granted youth and immortality. He expressed his desire to share this marvel with the Empress, Prince Ying, and all the kingdom's wounded soldiers, inviting them to a feast at the army camp.

Mu Le initially intended to decline the invitation, but Bokai then subtly revealed that he knew Mu Le was searching for someone, presenting an item that belonged to Ye Yuanan. Seeing this, Mu Le changed his mind and agreed to attend. The next day, both Prince Ying and Empress Tuoyue attended General Bokai's feast in the army camp. Bokai proudly announced to the assembled soldiers that his "magical method" could restore their disabled limbs and empower the healthy.

To the shock of Mu Le, Bokai then ordered the "magical creature" to be brought forth, revealing a terrified Ye Yuanan confined within a cage. Bokai recounted how her blood had restored his arm, hailing her as a divine gift to Suoluo. He declared his intention to slaughter her and distribute her blood among the soldiers as a feast to protect the kingdom. The soldiers erupted in cheers, demanding her death.

Mu Le, horrified, instantly rose and furiously forbade anyone from touching her. He fought against the surging soldiers who clamored for Ye Yuanan's blood, as they believed it would grant them regeneration and immortality. Ye Yuanan, from within the cage, told him she didn't need saving, but Mu Le vowed to protect her, attempting to open her cage. Lingxi, observing the chaos from a distance, undoubtedly found satisfaction in the unfolding drama.

General Bokai seized the opportunity to incite the wounded soldiers, arguing to Empress Tuoyue that Prince Ying was unfairly obstructing their chance at recovery for the sake of a mere monster. He then directly addressed the soldiers, denouncing Prince Ying as unworthy of his title for betraying his comrades for a creature. The crowd turned against Mu Le, chanting for the death of both the "blue bat" and Prince Ying.

Inside her cage, a tearful Ye Yuanan pleaded with Mu Le to surrender her, revealing that the entire setup was a trap designed to force his hand. She asserted that even without retrieving the Nine Divine Beads, his regained memory made her perilous journey worthwhile. Empress Tuoyue also urged Mu Le to relinquish the "monster," reminding him of his princely duties and warning that his defiance could spark a civil uprising, hinting at a past incident involving his brother.

Mu Le, however, adamantly refused, declaring he could not lose Ye Yuanan again, even as he tried to reason with the soldiers, appealing to their humanity against becoming "blood-sucking monsters." As the enraged soldiers closed in, Empress Tuoyue frantically urged Mu Le to surrender Ye Yuanan to save their own lives. Cornered, Mu Le had no choice but to activate the Nine Divine Beads.

General Bokai, witnessing the beads' power, lunged to seize them but was instantly consumed and killed by their immense force. The Divine Beads then unleashed a wave of healing energy, restoring all the injured soldiers' limbs and healing Ye Yuanan, returning her to her human form. Mu Le, overjoyed, quickly freed her. Later, in the palace, Empress Tuoyue gave Mu Le an ultimatum: kill the "witch" Ye Yuanan.

Mu Le defiantly refused, explaining that Ye Yuanan was his savior, not a witch, and his only wife, bound by marriage in both Tang and Suoluo. Empress Tuoyue dismissed their marriage, accusing him of breaking his own rules by using the Divine Beads for Ye Yuanan, thus disqualifying him from being Regent or controlling the beads, and demanded he hand them over. Mu Le, accepting his punishment for misusing the beads, declared that he wanted nothing else but Ye Yuanan, and willingly relinquished the Nine Divine Beads to his mother.

Empress Tuoyue, heartbroken, condemned Prince Ying for his obsession with beauty and recent blunders after he willingly handed her the Nine Divine Beads. She ordered him imprisoned and his scapulae nailed, a process that would strip him of all powers, and commanded that Ye Yuanan be dragged out to endure the scorching sun of Suoluo.

Prince Ying pleaded with his Royal Mother to spare Ye Yuanan, offering to bear all consequences himself, but Empress Tuoyue chastised him, asserting that royal rules had no exceptions. Later, in the dungeon, Zhenzhen came to nail Prince Ying's scapulae. She asked if he regretted his actions, but he defiantly replied, "I won't regret it." As he was flogged, Zhenzhen watched, filled with deep guilt for having lied to him.

Zhenzhen reflected on her past, recalling how Prince Ying had once rescued her from robbers trying to steal money meant for her father's medicine, even giving her additional funds. Upon returning home, she found that Lingxi had saved her critically ill father, making her deeply indebted to him. Shortly after, she saw a palace notice announcing a warrior selection, with the winner earning the right to serve Prince Ying.

Despite being a girl, Zhenzhen boldly cut her hair, disguised herself as a man, and secretly participated in the competition, believing she could be an exception. She trained martial arts day and night, impressing many with her skill. During the final round, her true gender was exposed by an opponent, leading to calls for her arrest. However, Prince Ying intervened, stating that the palace selected warriors based on talent.

He acknowledged her impressive performance in defeating many candidates, which proved her strength, and allowed her to stay in the palace. From that day on, Zhenzhen served Prince Ying, eventually rising to her current position. The news of Prince Ying using the Nine Divine Beads to kill General Bokai spread rapidly throughout Suoluo, causing widespread panic among soldiers and citizens alike.

The Prime Minister and numerous officials sought an audience with the King and Empress Tuoyue, expressing their anxiety and demanding a solution. They argued that Prince Ying had lost the people's trust and, despite Prince Heng's past transgressions being a secret, Prince Ying's actions were publicly known. They urged the King to release Prince Heng from the pagoda to serve as Regent, believing this was the only way to quell public unrest and restore order.

Reluctantly, the King agreed to their request. Empress Tuoyue personally went to the pagoda to release Prince Heng, conveying his Royal Father's order. Prince Heng expressed profound gratitude to both his Royal Father and Royal Mother, claiming that his time in confinement had led him to realize his mistakes and that he intended to turn over a new leaf, dedicating himself to the prosperity of the kingdom. Empress Tuoyue, skeptical, questioned his sincerity, then brought him to the King.

The King, acknowledging that Prince Heng was only released due to Prince Ying's grave error, then showed Prince Heng the Nine Divine Beads, inviting him to touch them, as a test of his ambition. Prince Heng, controlling his inner desires, returned the Beads, stating that he no longer sought magic or power but only wished to ease his father's burdens.

The King, surprised that Prince Heng had resisted the temptation that would typically reveal a greedy man, discussed the matter with Empress Tuoyue. He decided to appoint Prince Heng as temporary Regent to pacify the people, though he felt Prince Heng should be tested further before being entrusted with the Divine Beads permanently.

Upon his appointment as Regent, Prince Heng immediately sought to gain public favor by issuing decrees, including a general amnesty and distributing rice and flour to every family. The citizens praised his benevolence, contrasting it with Prince Ying's perceived violence and selfishness, and expressed hopes for Prince Heng to rule Suoluo. Empress Tuoyue acknowledged Prince Heng's efforts to win the people's hearts and his plan to recuperate the kingdom and end wars, which greatly pleased her.

She then sought his opinion on how to deal with Prince Ying and the "temptress" who incited him. Prince Heng suggested seeing them first. In the dungeon, Prince Ying greeted his brother, expressing happiness at his release and marveling at how their fortunes had reversed so quickly. Prince Heng scornfully stated that Prince Ying's troubles were self-inflicted due to his misuse of the Divine Beads and killing a meritorious official.

Prince Ying adamantly defended Ye Yuanan, insisting she was not a temptress. When Prince Heng pressed him to admit his crimes to save his life, Prince Ying maintained that he had done nothing wrong against his brother, parents, or the kingdom. Angered, Prince Heng left the dungeon. Prince Heng then approached Ye Yuanan, who was still enduring the scorching sun. Ye Yuanan, concerned for Prince Ying, asked about Mu Le.

Prince Heng, feigning ignorance of the name Mu Le, coldly reminded her that he was Prince Ying, the Prince of Suoluo, not some slave. Ye Yuanan, however, insisted on calling him Mu Le, explaining she was Ye Yuanan, daughter of the Tang Empire's Minister of Finance, and that Mu Le, who once lived with her family, had stolen the Nine Divine Beads, prompting her journey to Suoluo.

Prince Heng, sensing her affection, declared that countless people would die for Prince Ying and that Ye Yuanan was not unique. He then triumphantly informed her that Prince Ying was suffering terribly in prison precisely because of her, before ordering her unbound and taken to see him. In the dungeon, Ye Yuanan was heartbroken to see Prince Ying (whom she called Mu Le) battered and bruised from torture.

Prince Heng revealed that Prince Ying's wounds would heal, only for him to endure the same agony repeatedly each day, all because he had misused the Divine Beads for Ye Yuanan. Overcome with guilt, Ye Yuanan blamed herself, but Prince Heng affirmed, "This is all your fault." Prince Heng presented Ye Yuanan with a cruel choice: take the Divine Beads and Prince Ying would die, or leave the Beads and Ye Yuanan would die.

Ye Yuanan asked to speak with Prince Ying one last time, a request Prince Heng granted. Ye Yuanan gently woke Prince Ying, who, seeing her, thought he was dreaming and wished he would never wake up from such a beautiful illusion. Ye Yuanan, distraught by his suffering, confessed her regret at having bought him in the Ghost Market, believing that if they hadn't met, Zhao Lanzhi and Tianshu might still be alive, and she wouldn't be imprisoned in Suoluo.

Prince Ying, however, declared that falling in love with her was the happiest time of his life, and the one thing he did not regret. He urged her to return safely, seeing it as a way to honor his promise to Master Tianshu. Ye Yuanan, tearfully expressed her sorrow for the people who would die if she didn't retrieve the Divine Beads.

Despite his pain, Prince Ying reassured her, saying he would never regret anything he did for her, accepting his suffering as his karma. Empress Tuoyue, observing their heartfelt exchange, was deeply moved by their profound love for each other. Prince Heng again presented the Nine Divine Beads, demanding Ye Yuanan choose between Prince Ying and the Beads.

Ye Yuanan, in a furious display, chose Prince Ying and hurled the Nine Divine Beads to the ground, reminding Prince Heng of his promise to spare Prince Ying's life in exchange for hers. Prince Heng then brought the Divine Beads to Empress Tuoyue, subtly pleading for his younger brother.

He argued that while Prince Ying's actions were unlawful, they were committed under duress, and suggested that banishment from Suoluo and forfeiture of his position would be sufficient punishment, rather than the death penalty. Empress Tuoyue was touched by Prince Heng's apparent compassion for his brother, acknowledging their deep love and her inability to abandon either of her sons. She accepted Prince Heng's suggestion and entrusted him with the final decision regarding Prince Ying's fate.

Empress Tuoyue, after confirming Prince Ying's unwavering love for Ye Yuanan and his willingness to sacrifice everything for her, granted his wish. However, while he was spared the death penalty, she decreed that his punishment was unavoidable. All his martial skills, being from Suoluo, could not be taken to another land, and thus the nails in his scapulae would remain, rendering him powerless. He was no longer a Prince of Suoluo and was forever banished from the kingdom.

Prince Ying accepted the punishment willingly, thanking his Royal Mother. As Prince Ying and Ye Yuanan prepared to depart, Prince Heng met with his brother, informing him that to appease the populace, he would publicly announce that Prince Ying was imprisoned forever in the dungeon. He then encouraged his brother to cherish Ye Yuanan, as finding true love was rare. Rescued from their ordeal, Ye Yuanan and Prince Ying decided to return to Great Tang for a peaceful life.

Before leaving Suoluo, Ye Yuanan took Prince Ying to pay respects at the memorial for Tianshu and others. Prince Ying, filled with remorse for his past actions while he had amnesia, asked Ye Yuanan if she hated him. Ye Yuanan reassured him that Tianshu would not hate him, so neither would she. She urged him to live their remaining days well to honor those who had sacrificed for them.

Later, Empress Tuoyue inquired if the King remembered Prince Heng and Prince Ying as boys. The King recalled Prince Heng's early, uncontrolled use of magic, from burning a futon to turning his master into stone or guards into mice, and even incinerating an entire forest during a hunt. He reiterated how this led him to forbid magic throughout the kingdom and secure all magic books.

The Empress admitted her worry about Prince Heng, acknowledging that while magic itself wasn't evil, unchecked human greed was terrifying. She noted that Prince Heng had seemingly put aside his violent tendencies and forgiven his brother. She then asked the King if he had truly forgiven Prince Heng and if he was now willing to entrust him with the Divine Beads. The King simply replied, "Just go."

Empress Tuoyue summoned Prince Heng late at night, explaining that despite his release from the pagoda, she and the King still harbored doubts about his ambition. She recounted how they tested him with the Divine Beads, which he passed by controlling his greed, and how his benevolent treatment of Prince Ying finally eased their concerns, making them ready to entrust him with the Divine Beads and the kingdom.

She then handed him the beads and mentioned she had a secret to share. Before she could, a sound from his room startled her. Empress Tuoyue confronted Ling Xi, whom she had believed to be dead, referring to him as a "monster." Prince Heng attempted to dismiss Ling Xi as merely an old friend, but Empress Tuoyue realized the depth of Prince Heng's deception and his continuing alliance with Ling Xi, declaring her intent to inform the King.

Before she could leave, Ling Xi fatally stabbed her. Prince Heng then expressed his weariness of his parents' constant tests and his indifference to his mother's secret, wishing it to be buried with her. Ling Xi and Prince Heng celebrated their triumph, with Ling Xi attributing his solid physical form to his "blue bat."

They reminisced about their past alliance: Ling Xi had encouraged Prince Heng's desire for the throne, having even previously attempted to kill Prince Ying with the Red Dragon, an act Prince Heng had prevented. Ling Xi had once gouged out his own eyes, and Prince Heng later restored his sight.

Ling Xi reminded Prince Heng how he had advised feigning injury to the King, knowing Prince Ying would venture to the Tang Empire to find the Nine Divine Beads to save his father. Ling Xi noted that with the Divine Beads, Prince Heng now controlled the King's fate and had eliminated Empress Tuoyue, whose death could be blamed on Prince Ying. Prince Heng acknowledged Ling Xi's pivotal role and offered him "power beyond all other people."

As they proceeded to check the Divine Beads, they discovered one was missing. Ling Xi immediately dispatched Zhenzhen to apprehend Prince Ying and Ye Yuanan, suspecting Prince Ying's involvement with the missing bead. Meanwhile, Prince Ying and Ye Yuanan had stopped at an inn, discussing their impending journey to the Tang Empire. Officers arrived, carrying portraits resembling the two, and announced a palace murder committed by a male and female fugitive.

Prince Ying initially dismissed the news, but Ye Yuanan used her martial arts to deter the suspicious officers. She then reaffirmed her love for him, regardless of his identity as Mu Le or Prince Ying, asserting that his status did not matter. They shared a drink that Prince Ying declared to be "marriage wine," and he playfully insisted she call him "husband." As they were about to share a moment, a disturbance outside prompted Prince Ying to investigate.

He stepped out only to find himself surrounded by soldiers, while Zhenzhen held Ye Yuanan captive. Zhenzhen confronted Prince Ying, accusing him of colluding with Ye Yuanan to steal the Divine Beads, escaping prison, and murdering Empress Tuoyue. She added that he stole one of the Divine Beads and replaced it with a fake, committing "unforgivable crimes." She warned him that with his scapulae nailed, resistance was futile, urging him to surrender.

Prince Ying, realizing they had been "trapped by Heng," declared he wanted to confront his brother. Unexpectedly, Zhenzhen turned on her own men, killing them, and then implored Prince Ying and Ye Yuanan to escape to Chang'an. Prince Ying, already aware of his mother's death and determined to find her killer, refused to leave, and Ye Yuanan vowed to stay by his side.

Seeing their resolve, Zhenzhen confirmed that Prince Heng was the true killer, who, with the Divine Beads, had framed Prince Ying to trap him forever. Prince Ying expressed disbelief that his brother could murder their mother for power. Zhenzhen asked if he truly knew Prince Heng, revealing that "A man called Ling Xi is always with him."

Zhenzhen tearfully explained Ling Xi's sinister plan: Ling Xi had once threatened her ailing father, giving him a medicine that could either heal or poison him, forcing Zhenzhen into compliance. Ling Xi had ordered her to assist Prince Ying in finding the Divine Beads and then kill him before he could return to Suoluo. Zhenzhen recounted her reluctance to betray Prince Ying, whom she had happily reunited with after an injury on Huodu Mountain.

She described how Ling Xi, concerned by her silence, tracked her to the Tang Empire. There, Ling Xi discovered Prince Ying, now amnesiac and serving as a horse slave, and also learned that Princess Minghui was actively collecting the Divine Beads. Ling Xi had manipulated the situation, intending for Zhenzhen to give Prince Ying a memory-restoring medicine once all the Divine Beads were collected, thus enabling Prince Heng to easily acquire them.

Prince Ying now understood Ling Xi's grand scheme and asked Zhenzhen why she spared him despite orders to kill him. Zhenzhen explained that Ling Xi, upon realizing Prince Ying's love for Ye Yuanan, altered his plan to inflict greater suffering by making them "hurt each other, torture each other." Ye Yuanan deduced that Ling Xi intended for Prince Ying to regain his memories, but erase the memories about her, forcing them into mutual torment.

Zhenzhen expressed deep remorse for her past betrayals, apologizing to Prince Ying and asserting that she would rather have died than betray him, to which Prince Ying offered his understanding. To demonstrate her loyalty, Zhenzhen removed the scapular nails from Prince Ying, instantly restoring his martial arts abilities, explaining that she was the one who placed them.

Prince Ying, now empowered, declared Prince Heng a traitor who colluded with an evil man, forced him into exile, stole the Divine Beads, and murdered his mother. He vowed to return to Suoluo to confront his brother, asking about the missing Divine Bead. Ye Yuanan surprised him by revealing she had secretly kept one, initially as a memento, but now it served a greater purpose.

As more of Ling Xi's men attacked, Zhenzhen bravely intercepted a dagger meant for Prince Ying, fulfilling her wish to repay his past kindness before dying with a serene smile. Prince Ying, heartbroken, buried Zhenzhen. At her tomb, he confided in Ye Yuanan that despite his royal birth, he never yearned for the throne, only wishing for a simple life with her. However, with Suoluo in peril, he felt compelled to return and demand answers from his older brother.

Prince Ying, also known as Mu Le, told Ye Yuanan that he had initially wished to return to the Tang Empire with her and live an ordinary life. However, with Suoluo in great turmoil, he felt he had to stay and confront his older brother, Aheng, to get an explanation. He urged Ye Yuanan to return to Tang first, suggesting they would meet again if fate allowed.

Ye Yuanan adamantly refused, reminding him that she had just found him and he had just regained his memories. She asked if he had grown tired of her, which he denied. She then vowed never to leave him again, asserting that their meeting and marriage were destiny. Ying conceded, promising they would never be separated again. Meanwhile, Ling Xi expressed his anger over Zhenzhen's death and her act of removing the scapulae nails to restore Ying's martial arts.

Prince Aheng, however, calmly reassured Ling Xi, highlighting that they possessed eight of the nine Divine Beads. Ling Xi agreed, remarking that they should wait for Ying to return, as he would surely bring the last bead with him. Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui found the streets bustling with people, and upon inquiring, learned that everyone was heading to Empress Tuoyue's funeral.

By the sacred river, Ying secretly mourned his mother, vowing that her body and soul would flow peacefully with the river. He promised to rule Suoluo well, protect its citizens, and find her murderer to bring her comfort. He also vowed to bring Aheng, his brother, back to the path of righteousness. However, some citizens recognized Ying and, having been misled by Aheng's accusations, began to denounce him as his mother's killer.

Ye Yuanan stepped forward to defend Ying, asking why a murderer would openly stand there. Ying then urged Aheng to repent and declared his intention to tell everyone the truth. Aheng, in turn, accused Ying of misusing the Divine Beads and killing their merciful mother. Ying countered, pointing out that Aheng now had what he wanted—the Divine Beads and the Suoluo Kingdom—and had become its Regent.

Aheng proudly proclaimed that with the Divine Beads, he would be the ruler of the entire world. Ye Yuanan scorned Aheng for his open laughter and celebration while their mother had just died. Ying condemned Aheng for conspiring with wicked individuals, using sinister tricks, and especially for murdering their kind mother. He declared that neither he nor the people of Suoluo would ever forgive him. Enraged, Aheng ordered his guards to kill them immediately.

Ying questioned how Aheng could bear to kill him, especially with their mother's blood still on his hands. Many citizens spoke up for Ying, noting his kind nature and questioning Aheng's accusations. Taking advantage of the public's sentiment, Ying swiftly took Aheng hostage. Ying demanded to know why Aheng killed their mother and why power and the Divine Beads held more weight than her life.

Aheng defiantly admitted to the murder, explaining his resentment for growing up in Ying's shadow, constantly subjected to his parents' tests while Ying enjoyed favoritism. He recalled how his best friend was forced to gouge out his eyes because of their father, and he himself was imprisoned in a pagoda. Aheng declared his need for power and the Divine Beads, stating that no one, not Ying, nor their parents, could stop him.

Ying called his brother insane, which Aheng confirmed, mentioning his tireless efforts to drive Ying away. Ying then asked if Aheng regretted his actions for the Divine Beads. Aheng replied that his only regret was his carelessness in letting Ye Yuanan steal one of the Divine Beads. He then demanded that Ye Yuanan return the bead to him. The missing Divine Bead was forcefully drawn from Ye Yuanan's possession and merged with the eight beads Aheng held.

Suddenly, Ling Xi removed his human skin mask, revealing his true face to Ye Yuanan, who was shocked to realize that the two Ling Xis she knew were the same person. Ye Yuanan attacked Ling Xi with her sword, but it passed directly through him, making her question whether he was human or ghost. Aheng boasted that he would kill Ying, conquer Suoluo, and then the entire world using the Divine Beads.

He planned to rewrite history, depicting Ying as an evil murderer who colluded with a woman from Tang and was eventually executed. However, a young child in the crowd bravely shouted that Aheng was lying and was the true villain. An enraged Aheng ordered the child killed, but before his command could be carried out, Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui dramatically appeared, rescuing Ying and Ye Yuanan.

Ling Xi advised Aheng against pursuing them, reminding him that he now possessed the Divine Beads and was revered as the "Emperor of the World." Aheng acknowledged Ling Xi's indispensable help in regaining the Divine Beads and, with renewed confidence, ordered his soldiers to begin training for an imminent war against the Tang Empire, eager for the revival of Suoluo Kingdom. Ye Yuanan was surprised to find Zhao Lanzhi and Ming Hui alive.

Zhao Lanzhi explained that after their near-death encounter in the Green River, where they had fallen after fighting the demon dragon, he realized the depth of Ming Hui's love for him and felt ashamed for his past indifference. They had hidden among the people after hearing about the upheaval in the palace and the Divine Beads, waiting for a signal flare to come to their rescue.

Zhao Lanzhi also mentioned that the Empress's deadline for recovering the Divine Beads was approaching, and failure could lead to war between the two kingdoms. Ming Hui pledged to stay with him until the end. Meanwhile, Aheng visited the King. The King, already heartbroken by Empress Tuoyue's death, immediately suspected Aheng, who admitted his crime. The King, in despair, asked Aheng why he didn't kill him as well.

Ling Xi arrived, reporting that he had deciphered the special weapon forging methods encoded in the Divine Beads, and that Suoluo's craftsmen were working day and night to produce them. He added that the recruitment notice had been issued, ensuring Aheng's wish to conquer the world would soon materialize. Aheng laughed triumphantly, telling his father that the first thing he would witness was their war against the Tang Empire. The King wept tears of profound regret.

Ying later discussed Aheng's actions with his companions, noting that with Ling Xi's assistance, retrieving the Divine Beads would be exceedingly difficult. The group concluded that to retrieve the Divine Beads, they must first eliminate Ling Xi. Ye Yuanan described Ling Xi as seemingly invulnerable, like a ghost. However, Ming Hui, drawing upon her experiences with her master Tian Qiao, dismissed the idea of Ling Xi being a mere ghost.

She proposed that Ling Xi was an expert of the "Soul-Splitting Spell," a peculiar magic that allows one's soul to separate from the body. She recalled how Tian Qiao had once investigated an Arabian warlock in Chang'an City who used such a spell, allowing swords to pass through his body. Ming Hui explained that to defeat someone wielding this spell, one must locate and destroy their true, physical body.

Ying remembered the Imperial Library and speculated that Aheng might have hidden Ling Xi's true body on its top floor, where spell books were secretly stored. They all agreed to infiltrate the Imperial Library for clues. Outside the palace, Aheng enforced martial law across Suoluo, conscripting young men from every household, causing widespread suffering and resentment among the populace. Night after night, Aheng used the Divine Beads to train his army into an invincible force.

Despite this, Aheng worried about having insufficient troops for the invasion of the Tang Empire. Ling Xi dismissed his fears, asserting that the Divine Beads possessed boundless power to create formidable weapons and orchestrate perfect military deployments, guaranteeing victory regardless of the enemy's numbers. Aheng, delighted, promised Ling Xi half the world once he conquered it, but Ling Xi declined, stating his only desire was to remain Aheng's most loyal friend.

That night, Ying and his group secretly entered the Imperial Library. General Su Ya, who was on patrol and a supporter of Ying, recognized them. Instead of apprehending them, he urged Ying to hurry and save the King and the people of Suoluo from disaster. Inside, Ye Yuanan noted that the library's layout had changed since her last visit.

In a hidden room, they discovered a mysterious parchment but no sign of Ling Xi's body, realizing the room was too small to conceal a person. Before they could further investigate, Aheng and his men arrived, forcing them to make a hasty escape. During their flight, Zhao Lanzhi heroically shielded Ying from an incoming arrow, suffering an injury to his arm. Ming Hui, visibly upset, berated Zhao Lanzhi for protecting Ying, calling the people of Suoluo "monsters" and "troublemakers."

Ye Yuanan immediately retorted, defending Ying and questioning Ming Hui's insult. Zhao Lanzhi tried to de-escalate the argument, but Ming Hui, angered by his perceived defense of Ye Yuanan, stormed off. Back at the palace, Aheng, upon discovering the intrusion into the Imperial Library, flew into a rage. However, finding the mysterious parchment still secure, he calmed down and harshly punished the guards for their negligence.

Ling Xi reassured Aheng that since the Divine Beads only obeyed him, the intruders could not have achieved anything significant. Meanwhile, a distraught Ming Hui was confronted by a figure claiming to be Zhao Lanzhi. He expressed worry for her and denied taking Ye Yuanan's side. Ming Hui then privately asked him if he still harbored feelings for Ye Yuanan.

He denied it again, assuring her that she was his wife, more beautiful than Ye Yuanan, and that he had only her in his heart after she traveled so far from Tang to be with him. Ming Hui expressed her desire to return to the Tang Empire, not wanting to die alongside Ye Yuanan. The imposter "Zhao Lanzhi" readily agreed, stating that their mission was too difficult and dangerous.

He suggested they abandon it and return to Tang to live out the rest of their lives together, emphasizing that he and Ye Yuanan had no relationship. As Ming Hui was touched by his words, he suddenly stabbed her with a dagger. Ming Hui immediately realized he was not the real Zhao Lanzhi, explaining that the true Zhao Lanzhi would never speak ill of Ye Yuanan or abandon a mission.

She revealed that she was prepared and the dagger had only wounded her hand. The fake Zhao Lanzhi then revealed himself to be an "inner devil" within a "Confusing Enchantment of the Nine Divine Beads," stating that the only way to break the enchantment was to defeat him. Just in time, the real Zhao Lanzhi appeared, killed the imposter, and rescued Ming Hui. Elsewhere, Ying reflected on their fruitless search in the Imperial Library.

He mused that Ming Hui's theory about Ling Xi hiding his true body there via the Soul-Splitting Spell might be incorrect, as they found nothing but bronze mirrors. However, he concluded that Aheng's extreme fury over their intrusion into the library suggested there was indeed a significant secret hidden within that they had yet to uncover. Ying then heard a distant sound and, instructing Ye Yuanan to wait, went to investigate. In the palace, Ling Xi confidently assured Aheng that no matter how capable Ying was, he would not survive the enchantment created by the Divine Beads.

Ye Yuanan found herself trapped in a dense fog, calling out for Mu Le. When a figure emerged from the mist, she was relieved, thinking it was him. However, his demeanor quickly turned cold as he accused her of still harboring feelings for Zhao Lanzhi, calling her a two-faced, wanton woman. He threatened to kill her for justice and then attacked her. Just as she reeled from the blow, another Mu Le appeared.

Initially, Ye Yuanan angrily confronted this new Mu Le, accusing him of hitting her. But then, the fake Mu Le reappeared, leaving Ye Yuanan utterly bewildered by the sight of two identical men, both claiming to be the true Mu Le. To discern the real Mu Le, Ye Yuanan remembered his peculiar somatoplasm which allows his wounds to heal quickly. She asked both to cut themselves, and to her surprise, both wounds healed instantly.

She then recalled a past incident in Dà Táng when, in a moment of distress, her tears had caused an unhealing wound on Mu Le's arm. Taking her sword, she dampened it with her tears and used it to cut both Mu Les.

The fake Mu Le tried to sway her with sentimental words about living and dying together, while the real Mu Le urged her to live a good life, even if he were to die, asking her to be him, to see, do, and taste all the things he never had the chance to. Moved by his selfless words, Ye Yuanan identified the true Mu Le and swiftly eliminated the imposter.

Soon after, Mu Le, Ye Yuanan, Zhao Lanzhi, and Minghui successfully escaped the Nine Divine Beads Confusing Enchantment. Finding Zhao Lanzhi and Minghui severely injured, Mu Le cut himself and used his red dragon blood to heal their wounds. Minghui, touched by Mu Le's selfless act despite their past animosity, genuinely apologized for her previous words. The group then forged a new understanding, vowing to fight as true allies against Prince Heng.

Meanwhile, in Dà Táng, the Empress received news that Suoluo had amassed a formidable army of one hundred thousand, relying on the Divine Beads, to attack Dà Táng. Enraged, she blamed Ye Yuanan and her companions for failing to retrieve the Divine Beads and ordered the families of Ye Yuanan, Minghui, Zhao Lanzhi, and State Preceptor Tianshu to be brought before her.

Upon learning that Prince Yu's family was ill and Tianshu had already gone to Suoluo, the Empress, impatient with their perceived failure, declared that all the families would be executed in three days. Mu Le and Ye Yuanan infiltrated Prince Heng's palace. Mu Le confronted Heng, revealing that Ling Xi was not a real person but an illusion created by Heng using a Soul-Splitting Spell.

Mu Le explained that Ling Xi had died in a fire after selflessly gouging out his eyes for Heng. Heng, unable to accept Ling Xi's death, used the forbidden spell to create a spiritual manifestation of him. Ye Yuanan, recalling that the Ling Xi who brought her from Dà Táng had flesh and blood, deduced that the blue bat must have been responsible for giving the soul a physical form.

Despite Ling Xi's fervent denial, Mu Le presented evidence from the Imperial Library, including a parchment scroll, bronze mirrors, and silk paintings, showing Heng practicing the Soul-Splitting Spell alone after Ling Xi's death. Unable to withstand the truth, the illusory Ling Xi slowly dissipated, merging back into Heng, leaving him as a single entity. Enraged by Mu Le's revelations, Heng unleashed the full power of the Divine Beads against him.

Though thrown from the city wall, Mu Le's unique constitution protected him, and he declared he would not die until Heng's ambition was shattered. Mu Le reminded Heng that they were both "seeds" born from Tianshu's power of the Divine Beads, inextricably linked. He asserted that only by destroying the Divine Beads could their endless conflict and all the chaos finally end.

Zhao Lanzhi, overhearing this, realized with alarm that destroying the Divine Beads would mean the demise of both Heng and Mu Le. As Mu Le fiercely countered Heng with his red dragon power, Ye Yuanan opened the last brocade pouch given to her by Tianshu. Inside, she found Tianshu's final words and a spell to destroy the Nine Divine Beads.

Tianshu's message explained his deep research into the Divine Beads, revealing their immense power to bring disaster to the mortal world. He entrusted Ye Yuanan with the grave task of destroying them. Witnessing Mu Le and the others struggling against Heng's overwhelming power, Ye Yuanan, with a heavy heart, recited the incantation, destroying the Nine Divine Beads. As the Divine Beads shattered, Mu Le's form began to fade before Ye Yuanan's eyes.

She desperately clung to him, refusing to let him go, but Mu Le gently told her that meeting her in this life was enough. He urged her to live well and promised to accompany her in the next life before dissolving into a radiant light. Ye Yuanan was left heartbroken, overwhelmed by the cruel fate that had taken both Tianshu and now Mu Le from her.

Back in Dà Táng, as the Empress prepared to execute the families, Ye Yuanan, Zhao Lanzhi, and Minghui miraculously returned. Ye Yuanan presented the Empress with the single remaining Divine Bead and somberly informed her of the deaths of Tianshu and Mu Le. The Empress, furious at their failure to retrieve all nine Divine Beads, ordered the immediate execution of Ye Yuanan, Zhao Lanzhi, Minghui, and their families.

Ye Yuanan urgently interceded, pleading with the Empress to look into the Divine Bead to witness the true consequences of possessing it. The Empress peered into the bead and saw a terrifying illusion: she ruled the world as Emperor, but at a terrible cost, ultimately losing everything and witnessing her own daughter's suicide.

Horrified by this vision, the Empress, shaken to her core, vowed to abandon her obsession with the Divine Beads, declaring that no one should ever seek them again. Later, Zhao Lanzhi expressed relief at their narrow escape, but Ye Yuanan quietly revealed that the Empress's terrifying vision was an illusion meticulously crafted by Tianshu before his death, ensuring that his plans unfolded as predicted.

Zhao Lanzhi and Minghui invited Ye Yuanan to their mansion for a celebratory drink, but Ye Yuanan, still lost in grief for Mu Le, declined. She returned to her long-abandoned home, her mind filled with cherished memories of Mu Le. Suddenly, she heard a voice calling her name. She looked up, and there, before her, stood Mu Le, smiling and waving. Overcome with joy, Ye Yuanan ran towards him without hesitation.