Good Bye, My Princess Recap, Plot, Synopsis

> Good Bye, My Princess

Good Bye, My Princess Synopsis

Qu Xiaofeng, the ninth princess of Xizhou, went with her father to the capital to meet the Emperor of the Li dynasty. She accidentally met Li Chengyin, the prince and they were mistakenly involved in a crisis and became friends in trouble.

Many years later, Li Chengyin approached Xiaofeng because of a marriage. They met but did not recognize each other, but they were attracted by each other’s kindness and justice and fell in love.

The good times did not last long, Li Chengyin’s henchmen killed the tribe of Xiaofeng’s mother, Xiaofeng could not bear it and jumped down the legendary forgetting river with the intention of forgetting love, Li Chengyin also jumped down with her.

When they met again, they had forgotten each other and everything related to each other. They started a marriage.

But the conflict reeled them back together, and they fell in love again.

After a great disaster, Xiao Feng restored memory, she was in a dilemma between love and hate, and Li Chengyin was also suffering because of her hatred.

Eventually, Xiao Feng put aside her hatred, hoping that Li Chengyin can keep the world peaceful.

Xiaofeng remembered when Li Chengyin jumped down the forgetful river after herself without any fear, the last thing Xiaofeng asked was to let Li Chengyin promise to live well, after the words Xiaofeng killed herself with her sword, they wrote a song of true love together.

Good Bye, My Princess Recap

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Episode 1 Recap

In the 23rd year of Tientong's reign, King Qu Wencheng of Xi State, alongside his consort Princess Mingyuan, a political alliance princess from the Li Empire, formally requested a political marriage with the Li Empire. At this same time, the Li Empire faced political turmoil. Crown Prince Li Chengji, having exposed corruption in the civil service examinations, directly confronted the Emperor, arguing that he was neglecting imperial laws to shield corrupt officials.

Enraged, the Emperor ordered Li Chengji to depart immediately for Xi State to propose marriage, then proceed to the Western Border Protectorate General Office, forbidding his return until he had earned military merit. As Li Chengji prepared for his journey, which he viewed as an exile, the Fifth Prince, Li Chengyin, requested to accompany him. Empress Zhang Meiniang interceded, arguing that Li Chengyin was too young and acting emotionally.

The Second Prince, Li Chengye, also known as Prince Xuande, appeared to support Li Chengyin, noting his deep affection for his brother, but cautioned that the borderlands were harsh. Upon hearing Li Chengyin's firm decision to train in the border regions, the Emperor assented.

Before their departure, Li Chengji warned his younger brother about the dangers and urged him to reconsider, but Li Chengyin insisted on accompanying him, citing Li Chengji's kindness and a preference for the freedom of the frontier over the constant reprimands from the Empress in the palace. Meanwhile, in Xi State, the Ninth Princess, Xiaofeng, was enjoying a spirited horse race when she almost fell from her horse. Her master, Gu Jian, swiftly intervened, saving her.

Later, Xiaofeng playfully gifted Gu Jian a silk ball, a marriage proposal in Central Plains tradition, and asked if he would marry her; he affectionately called her a silly girl. Xiaofeng then learned of her impending marriage to a prince from the Li Empire. King Qu Wencheng was already making extensive preparations for her dowry, but Xiaofeng pleaded with her mother, Queen Ashinayun, not to send her away.

Infuriated by her defiance, the King ordered guards to confine Xiaofeng to her chambers. Desperate, Xiaofeng begged Gu Jian to take her away. Gu Jian regretfully refused, stating he could only do so if she were not the direct lineal princess of Xi State. Heartbroken, Xiaofeng accused him of breaking his promises and vowed to thwart any Central Plains prince who dared to marry her.

In the Li Empire, Consort Mingyuan received news that the Fifth Prince and Crown Prince had reached Tiegen Mountain, three days' journey from Yanzhi City. She informed Chai Mu, the leader of the Submerged Dragon Envoys, of her unease and asked him to meet the princes. As Li Chengji and Li Chengyin traveled, they were ambushed by assassins, and Li Chengji was tragically killed by Danchi assailants.

In Xi State, Queen Ashinayun, believing Mingyuan had orchestrated the marriage, ordered her trusted aide, A'Du, to assassinate Mingyuan. However, Gu Jian intervened, explaining to A'Du that to protect Mingyuan from further plots, Xiaofeng must leave, thereby removing the cause of the Queen's animosity. He then approached Xiaofeng, offering to take her away. She agreed, and Gu Jian instructed her to wait for him at Parting Sand Dunes, promising to join her in three days.

Meanwhile, Pei Zhao, son of the High Xiaoqi General, arrived at the scene of the assassination. Stunned by the carnage, he sealed the area and sent an urgent report to the capital. At Parting Sand Dunes, Xiaofeng waited anxiously for Gu Jian. Instead, she discovered a badly wounded Li Chengyin. Out of kindness, she decided to save him, tying him to a tree for her safety while he was unconscious.

Upon regaining consciousness, Li Chengyin was hostile, suspecting she was sent to kill him. Xiaofeng, annoyed, leveraged his need for water to make him agree to three conditions for his release. Li Chengyin eventually claimed to be a merchant from the Li Empire who had been robbed. Believing his story, Xiaofeng released him, promising to help him get revenge and boasting that her master, Gu Jian, was the most powerful man in the world.

She then tried to use her signal arrow to summon him, only to realize she had lost it. Soon after, they witnessed the Danchi King's grandson, Yimoyan, with a large group of captives and goods that Li Chengyin recognized as his brother's. Yimoyan then met with Gao Xian, the Protectorate General of the Western Border.

Their conversation revealed an illicit agreement where Yimoyan would raid the border for plunder while Gao Xian gained military merits, a practice known as "raising bandits to enhance one's own standing." Gao Xian, however, abruptly informed Yimoyan their cooperation was suspended. After Gao Xian left, Yimoyan sensed someone hiding nearby. Xiaofeng revealed herself, addressing Yimoyan as her cousin. After a brief exchange, she promised to return to Xi State and he departed.

Xiaofeng then returned to find Li Chengyin gone, leaving behind a cloth scrap with the words, "See you in three days." Alone, Li Chengyin encountered Chai Mu, who escorted him to the Western Border Protectorate General Office at Consort Mingyuan's request. Meanwhile, Gu Jian found a wandering Xiaofeng and apologized for his delay. As they prepared to leave, the King's soldiers surrounded them, pleading for the princess's return to save their own lives, forcing Gu Jian to concede.

In the Li Empire, the Emperor was informed of Li Chengji's assassination by Danchi people and vowed revenge, unaware that his Second Prince, Li Chengye, had orchestrated the attack. Furious that Li Chengyin had survived, Li Chengye ordered his men to lie in wait at the Western Border Protectorate General Office and kill his brother on sight. At the office, Li Chengyin was met by Pei Zhao and introduced to General Gao Xian.

Gao Xian feigned concern, but Li Chengyin remained guarded, remembering the General's collusion with Yimoyan. Back in the Xi State palace, King Qu Wencheng admonished Gu Jian but tasked him with guarding Xiaofeng. When the King tried to strike his defiant daughter, Queen Ashinayun intervened. The King confined Xiaofeng to the palace until her wedding day.

As the family argued, an attendant rushed in with news: ambassadors from both the Li Empire and the Shuobo State were in the deliberation hall, each proposing marriage to the Ninth Princess. The Queen was shocked by the unexpected dual proposals.

Episode 2 Recap

Elder Prince Zhong, a royal family member of the Li Empire, reported to the Emperor that the Danchi people were warmongers who had audaciously assassinated the Crown Prince, urging a swift, head-on strike to avoid future trouble. Right Prime Minister Gao Yuming, however, questioned Danchi's motives, suggesting there must be an underlying reason for an act that would bring harm and no benefit to their own state.

Angered, the Emperor commanded Li Chengye to immediately lead soldiers to the Protectorate General Office of the Western Border to thoroughly investigate the Crown Prince's assassination. He then ordered Li Chengyin to lead an envoy to Xi State, emphasizing the critical importance of marrying the Xi State princess into the Eastern Palace to ensure stability and peace, even after the Crown Prince's death.

Li Chengyin, the Fifth Prince of the Li Empire, arrived in Xi State and, as ordered by his imperial father, presented a marriage alliance letter to King Qu Wencheng. The King expressed his long-cherished wish for a marriage alliance and lasting good relations between their two nations, following the example of Princess Mingyuan.

Just as discussions were proceeding, Prince Lidun, nephew of the Shuobo King, burst into the State Affairs Hall, loudly complaining about being kept waiting for seven days and questioning Xi State's hospitality. Xi State's eldest prince, Qu Tianze, suggested Li Chengyin step aside while the state affairs were handled. Li Chengyin, however, used the opportunity to request a visit to his Aunt Mingyuan, having heard she was unwell. King Qu Wencheng readily agreed, sending a servant to accompany him.

In the State Affairs Hall, Gao Xian, representing the Li Empire, argued that their marriage alliance letter was presented first, establishing a "first come, first served" policy. Prince Lidun countered, asserting that sincerity was paramount and offered ten years of tribute as a betrothal gift from Shuobo State for the Ninth Princess. At that moment, a maidservant, claiming to be the Ninth Princess's personal maid A'Du, entered to test the envoys' sincerity.

She presented what she called "the blood of the five evils," describing it as a potent brew distilled from red bats, poisonous lizards, blood toads, vipers, and centipedes. She challenged the envoys to drink it to prove their courage and sincerity. Both Gao Xian and Prince Lidun refused, accusing her of attempting murder or being cowardly.

The maid then scoffed at their timidity, drank the cup herself, and revealed it was merely thick grape juice, declaring that the Ninth Princess could not marry a coward. Infuriated, Prince Lidun and Gao Xian complained to King Qu Wencheng. The King ordered the maid to be dragged away and locked up, then apologized to the envoys, promising a decision on the marriage alliance in three days.

Later, in her room, Xiaofeng was revealed to be the Ninth Princess and the one who had disguised herself. She examined a cloth strip left by Li Chengyin, recognizing only a few characters that she guessed meant "meet in three days," and worried about his injuries. Meanwhile, Li Chengyin visited Princess Mingyuan, who welcomed him warmly, noting his resemblance to his mother.

Mingyuan led him to a secret room where Chai Mu was waiting and revealed a long-hidden truth: his mother, Gu Yuyao, was from a noble family. His uncle, General Gu Ruhui, was framed by the then Left Prime Minister Gao Yuming, who falsely accused him of colluding with the enemy and attempting revolt. The Emperor ordered Gao to investigate, but Gao falsified the royal decree, leading an army to massacre the entire Gu family.

On that same night, Li Chengyin was born. The Empress, barren and jealous of Consort Gu's favor with the Emperor, felt her position threatened. She feigned sisterly affection while secretly adding slow-acting poison to Consort Gu's medicine. Upon discovering the scheme, Consort Gu, knowing her death was inevitable, pleaded with the Emperor to entrust Li Chengyin to the Empress to safeguard his life.

This revelation, along with a flashback to his childhood, caused Li Chengyin immense grief and anger, realizing he had spent years unknowingly treating his mother's killer as his own. He swore to avenge his mother and the Gu family. Mingyuan then revealed that Chai Mu had saved the last remaining bloodline of the Gu clan—Gu Jian, General Gu Ruhui's only son, and thus Li Chengyin's cousin. Gu Jian acknowledged their kinship.

Concurrently, Heshi, a foremost warrior of Danchi, reported to Khan Tömür, the Danchi King, that the Central Plains had dispatched troops to the border. Khan Tömür ordered Yi Moyan to lead 30,000 elite soldiers to establish a camp a hundred miles from the Protectorate General Office of the Western Border and observe the situation. In the Protectorate General Office, Li Chengye, now addressed as Prince Xuande, met with Li Chengyin.

Li Yan, Elder Prince Zhong's son, was also present, reporting that the Crown Prince's coffin had been sent back to the capital. Tasked by Li Chengye to recount the assassination as the sole survivor, Li Chengyin described highly skilled assassins in Danchi clothing. He confirmed that the weapons and wounds matched those used by the Danchi army. General Gao Xian expressed doubts, pointing out that Danchi had no clear motive for the assassination.

Li Yan countered by reminding him of Danchi's recent looting of Haizhou City. Later, in a private meeting, Gao Xian suggested to Li Chengye that if they could definitively link the assassination to Danchi, it would provide justification to attack and destroy them, earning great military merit for Li Chengye. Gao Xian revealed that Danchi's weak point was Khan Tömür's royal tent, a core location that was mobile and hard to find. Finding it would enable a decisive blow.

Li Chengye promised Gao Xian a generous reward if he succeeded. Li Chengyin decided to volunteer for the perilous mission of finding the royal tent. Chai Mu, concerned for his safety, instructed Gu Jian to protect him, viewing the mission as an opportunity for Li Chengyin to secure the position of Crown Prince. Chai Mu then proposed recruiting Xiaofeng, the Ninth Princess of Xi State and Khan Tömür's granddaughter, believing her help would be a significant advantage.

Gu Jian vehemently opposed using Xiaofeng, arguing that it would put her in an impossible position when the Central Plains attacked Danchi. Chai Mu sternly reminded Gu Jian of his duty as the sole Gu heir to avenge his family, questioning if he would betray their memory for a woman. He instructed Gu Jian, as Xiaofeng's trusted teacher, to introduce her to Li Chengyin and persuade her to lead them to Khan Tömür's tent.

Meanwhile, Xiaofeng found her teacher, Gu Jian, and proposed they feign an engagement to get her out of the political marriage. Gu Jian refused. Upset, Xiaofeng accused him of looking down on her. He explained that he felt unworthy, burdened by a mission of revenge and unwilling to drag her into his world of hatred. Gu Jian then told Xiaofeng he had found the best man in the world for her. Though skeptical, she followed him and came face to face with Li Chengyin. They both recognized each other instantly, exclaiming, "It's you!"

Episode 3 Recap

Surprised to see Li Chengyin again, Xiaofeng excitedly asked what was written on the cloth he had left for her. He avoided the question, instead inquiring about her identity. Xiaofeng proudly declared herself the Ninth Princess of Xi State, daughter of the Xi State King, whose mother was the daughter of the Danchi Khan, and who was the granddaughter of the renowned Khan Tömür.

Li Chengyin, introducing himself as Gu Xiaowu from the Central Plains, claimed to be the son of a tea plantation owner and cunningly remarked that if she were to harm him, Xi State would lose its supply of fine tea. He feigned surprise that the "best woman" Gu Jian had spoken of was indeed the Ninth Princess, prompting Xiaofeng to call him a "slick-talking rogue." Unbeknownst to Xiaofeng, Gu Jian was listening nearby, shaking his head in resignation.

Li Chengyin promised to help Xiaofeng avoid a distant marriage to the Central Plains if she could read the characters on the cloth. Frustrated by her illiteracy in Central Plains writing, Xiaofeng returned to the palace. With the deadline for the marriage alliance fast approaching, Xiaofeng's mother, the Queen, decided to send her to Danchi to hide, trusting Khan Tömür to protect her.

Delighted, Xiaofeng asked if her teacher, Gu Jian, could accompany her, stating her unwavering trust in him to always protect her. The Queen, though initially hesitant about people from the Central Plains, ultimately consented to Xiaofeng's heartfelt plea. The following day, General Gao and Prince Lidun inquired about the Ninth Princess's marriage alliance. Suddenly, a servant announced that Consort Ming Yuan's condition had worsened. The king, Qu Wencheng, rushed to her side, finding Ming Yuan on her deathbed.

Ming Yuan expressed her final wish to be buried at Sky Span Mountain and to see peace at the border. Qu Wencheng, heartbroken, promised to fulfill her desires before she peacefully passed away. Due to Ming Yuan's passing, a palace decree announced a 49-day mourning period, during which weddings were forbidden, thus postponing the Ninth Princess's marriage.

Meanwhile, Gu Jian introduced Li Chengyin, whom he called his distant cousin Gu Xiaowu, a tea trader familiar with the Western Border, as an additional escort for their journey to Danchi. Xiaofeng, initially skeptical of Gu Xiaowu's weak appearance, was quickly won over by his playful banter. During their journey, Xiaofeng expressed her sorrow over Ming Yuan's death, sharing her desire to live freely with someone she loves, unlike Ming Yuan who lived isolated in a foreign land.

Sensing Xiaofeng's affection for Gu Jian, Li Chengyin offered to test Gu Jian's feelings for her in exchange for access to the rare treasures in Khan Tömür's tent. Xiaofeng, naive to his true intentions, agreed to help him obtain an item or two, but would not allow him into the tent himself. Later, Li Chengyin orchestrated a scene where Xiaofeng fed him while observing Gu Jian's reactions, but he reported that Gu Jian showed no interest.

Li Chengyin's attendant, Pei Zhao, warned him not to be distracted by playing with Xiaofeng. Li Chengyin, however, insisted that gaining Xiaofeng's trust was crucial for their mission to find Khan Tömür's tent. Still seeking validation, Xiaofeng pressed Gu Xiaowu about Gu Jian's thoughts. Gu Xiaowu lied, claiming Gu Jian had said Xiaofeng was "capricious and loved to fool around, not gentle or pretty," unlike Central Plains girls.

Devastated, Xiaofeng confronted Gu Jian, who affirmed his affection for her as his disciple but unequivocally stated he had no other romantic feelings, feigning a tease about his own lack of humor. Heartbroken, Xiaofeng ran away in tears. Separately, Batuer, a Danchi warrior, was captured by Pei Zhao and brought before Prince Lidun and General Gao.

Prince Lidun accused Batuer of participating in the massacre of Haizhou City and using it as a cover to assassinate the Li Empire's Crown Prince, an act he suggested was orchestrated by Khan Tömür. Batuer vehemently denied killing the Crown Prince, admitting only to the city massacre. He defiantly declared his disdain for Central Plains people, vowing that the Danchi cavalry would one day flatten the Li Empire. Enraged, Prince Lidun ordered Batuer to be imprisoned for interrogation.

As the journey continued, Xiaofeng and Li Chengyin had a playful dispute at a river, causing their horses to run off. Gu Jian observed them from a distance with a complex expression. Suddenly, Shuobo General Yuange and his men surrounded them, demanding Xiaofeng, claiming she was a runaway slave. Li Chengyin attempted to mislead them by asserting they were tea merchants, but Xiaofeng defiantly revealed her identity and scorned the Shuobo King's trickery. A fierce fight ensued.

Gu Jian bravely stayed behind to fend off the Shuobo soldiers, instructing Li Chengyin to take Xiaofeng and meet at Gongyue City. As Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng fled, they heard the approach of more soldiers and were forced to jump into a lake. Xiaofeng, unable to swim, struggled until Li Chengyin gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Upon surfacing, a disoriented Xiaofeng angrily accused him of kissing her, while Li Chengyin retorted that he was merely giving her air and had no desire to kiss a woman whose heart belonged to another. Back in Xi State, Qu Wencheng discovered Xiaofeng's disappearance. The Queen confessed that she had sent Xiaofeng to Danchi for her safety, asserting her priority as a mother over her role as Queen.

Qu Wencheng was enraged, furious that she had risked their daughter's life and pushed him to a desperate path, given the impending war between the Li Empire and Danchi. He immediately issued a decree, activating the spy network and offering a reward of one hundred gold ingots for the Ninth Princess's return. Xiaofeng and Li Chengyin eventually reached Gongyue City. Without money due to their lost belongings, they were unable to stay at an inn.

To their shock, they discovered wanted posters plastered around the city, bearing Xiaofeng's image with a paltry reward of one hundred gold ingots, which Xiaofeng found insulting. They found refuge in a dilapidated house, where Li Chengyin realized his highly important jade pendant was missing. Xiaofeng, oblivious to its true significance, was confused by his intense distress. Meanwhile, having been brutally tortured, Batuer was brought before Prince Lidun again.

He remained defiant, continuing to deny Danchi's involvement in the Crown Prince's death. With the interrogation yielding no confession, General Gao suggested that Batuer be sent to Shangjing for the Emperor's judgment, a proposal Prince Lidun accepted. Back at their hiding place, Xiaofeng, suspecting Li Chengyin's jade pendant had fallen into the lake during their escape, decided to go back and retrieve it herself. Unable to swim well, she soon struggled and lost consciousness in the water.

Episode 4 Recap

After Li Chengyin rescued Xiaofeng from the water, where she had been searching for his lost jade pendant, they rested by a lake. Xiaofeng reflected on her life as the Ninth Princess of Xi State, wishing she weren't a princess so she could avoid a political marriage to the Li Empire and instead marry someone she truly loved.

She openly admired her teacher, Gu Jian, describing him as an upright and heroic figure who was always there for her, though she lamented that a relationship with him was now impossible. To forget her sorrows, she wished she could jump into the mythical River of Oblivion in Sky Span Mountain, a legendary place whose waters were said to erase all feelings of love and grief.

Li Chengyin playfully dismissed her melancholy, joking that he was the best man in the world. Xiaofeng brushed off his remark, still worried about Gu Jian, but Li Chengyin reassured her of his cousin's formidable martial skills. General Gao Xian assigned Colonel Pei Zhao to patrol the desert with 2,000 soldiers, citing recent bandit activity. After Pei Zhao departed, Gao Xian was secretly given a portrait of Batuer, hinting at a hidden agenda.

Elsewhere, Second Prince Li Chengye instructed his trusted general, Li Yan, to escort the captured Batuer to the capital. Worried about the emperor discovering their scheme, Li Yan expressed hesitation, but Li Chengye stressed that the plan was crucial for his bid to become Crown Prince and insisted Li Yan personally oversee the journey to avoid suspicion. Following orders, Li Yan arranged for an imposter, a soldier named Leng Kun, to take the real Batuer's place.

Li Yan assured Leng Kun that his family had been taken care of and instructed him to completely abandon his old identity. While Xiaofeng waited in a ruined house in Gongyue City, Li Chengyin found and met with Gu Jian. When they returned, Xiaofeng was gone. Li Chengyin recalled hearing a signal arrow and guessed Xiaofeng might have mistaken it for Gu Jian's and gone to investigate.

Gu Jian immediately recognized it as a Shuobo trap and ordered his men to search. Xiaofeng had indeed been lured out and was being pursued by Shuobo cavalry. She was rescued by Heshi, a Danchi warrior, who confronted the Shuobo soldiers and warned them they were in Danchi territory. The Shuobo arrogantly claimed they were pursuing a runaway "slave." Realizing they were outnumbered, Heshi urged Xiaofeng to ride north to Khan Tida'er's encampment for reinforcements.

When she resisted, Heshi insisted it was for her own safety, as he needed all his men to fight, and sent her on her way before engaging the Shuobo forces in a fierce battle. In the imperial court, Empress Zhang expressed her concern to Right Minister Gao Yuming that Prince Xuande (Li Chengye) would gain the Emperor's favor for capturing the Crown Prince's alleged assassin, jeopardizing Li Chengyin's own ambitions.

Gao Yuming countered that Danchi's guilt was not yet proven and the Emperor's primary concern was the marriage alliance with Xi State. He suggested that if Li Chengyin could win the Ninth Princess's affection during his trip, his chances of becoming Crown Prince would greatly improve. The Empress agreed but worried that Li Chengyin's proud nature made him ill-suited to charm women. Exhausted, Xiaofeng eventually collapsed from her horse.

Li Chengyin and Gu Jian found her and brought her to safety. Gu Jian departed to seek help, leaving Li Chengyin to tend to her alone. Consequently, when Xiaofeng awoke, she only saw Li Chengyin. She urged him that they needed to get reinforcements for Heshi.

While she suggested the distant camp of Khan Tida'er, Li Chengyin argued it was more logical to seek help from the nearby Western Border Protectorate General Office, as it was their duty to maintain regional stability. Xiaofeng agreed, prioritizing Heshi's rescue. Meanwhile, Gu Jian reached Colonel Pei Zhao, explained the situation with the Shuobo attack, and requested aid.

Pei Zhao agreed but revealed that the Protectorate's camp had recently been moved due to expanding quicksand, a fact Gu Jian worried Li Chengyin wouldn't know. Gu Jian also asked Pei Zhao to keep Li Chengyin’s true identity as the Fifth Prince a secret from Xiaofeng. As Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng journeyed through the scorching desert, suffering from heat and thirst, Li Chengyin thought he saw water and rushed toward it, only to fall into a quicksand pit.

Xiaofeng threw him a rope and desperately tried to pull him out, her hands bleeding from the effort. As he continued to sink, Li Chengyin, using his alias Gu Xiaowu, urged her to let go to save herself, but she adamantly refused, declaring that they would face their fate together. Realizing he was doomed, Li Chengyin confessed that he had been using her from the very beginning. Devastated, Xiaofeng pleaded with him not to abandon her. With his final words, Li Chengyin told her she must live on before the quicksand completely submerged him, leaving her to watch in horror.

Episode 5 Recap

As Li Chengyin was on the verge of being swallowed by quicksand, Gu Jian arrived just in time to pull him back from the brink of death. Meanwhile, Prince Xuande, Li Yan, successfully brought the impostor Batuer back to the Li Empire. In the court, many ministers argued that the Danchi people had assassinated the Crown Prince and should be quelled promptly. Prime Minister Gao's second son, Gao Kun, voiced a differing opinion, leading to a heated debate.

Ultimately, the Emperor decided to have Batuer escorted to the Court of Judicial Review for his personal interrogation. Li Chengyin, Gu Jian, and Xiaofeng arrived at Pei Zhao's military camp. While carefully maintaining Li Chengyin's cover identity as a tea merchant, Pei Zhao was approached by a woman named A'Du. Introducing herself as the sister of Danchi General Heshi, A'Du pleaded for help, explaining her brother was trapped by Shuobo soldiers.

Xiaofeng joined the plea, and Pei Zhao, without revealing Li Chengyin's true status, agreed and ordered his men to depart. Afterward, Xiaofeng told Gu Jian she now believed he was right about "Gu Xiaowu" being a good person. Later, Li Chengyin met with Pei Zhao, who informed him that an assassin named Batuer had confessed to the Danchi being behind the Crown Prince's murder.

Li Chengyin then consulted his uncle, Gao Yuming, who explained that the assassin's identity was merely a pretext; the crucial factor was the Emperor's desire for war, which he secretly confirmed was the case. Soon after, Heshi was in a fierce battle with Shuobo soldiers. Just as his situation grew dire, Pei Zhao and the relief forces arrived, forcing the Shuobo army to retreat.

Xiaofeng joyfully reunited with Heshi and introduced him to Pei Zhao, Gu Jian, and "Gu Xiaowu" (Li Chengyin). She praised the tea merchant's bravery and intelligence, which had been crucial in finding Heshi. Heshi expressed his profound gratitude to them all. That night, as the Danchi people celebrated around a bonfire, Li Chengyin told Xiaofeng a story about a young prince from the Zixu Kingdom.

He recounted how the prince, after discovering his adoptive mother killed his birth mother, sought justice by aiming to become the heir. This path, however, forced him to deceive a treasured friend. Li Chengyin concluded by saying the prince hoped his friend would forgive him once it was all over. Moved, Xiaofeng assured him that such a pitiful prince would surely be forgiven. At the Court of Judicial Review, the Emperor personally questioned the captured assassin.

When "Batuer" confirmed he acted on Khan Tömür's orders, the Emperor, without further inquiry, sentenced him to immediate execution. Later, Prime Minister Gao explained to his son, Gao Kun, that the Emperor knew Batuer was likely a decoy, but since he had already decided on war with Danchi, the incident served as a convenient pretext. With the rescue complete, Heshi prepared to take Xiaofeng to Khan Tömür's royal tent. Xiaofeng insisted Li Chengyin accompany them.

Heshi was reluctant, citing the Khan's rules against strangers. Seeing the predicament, Gu Jian tactfully took his leave. After Xiaofeng's persistent pleading, Heshi allowed Li Chengyin to join, on the condition that he be blindfolded to keep the tent's location secret. As they journeyed, the blindfolded Li Chengyin diligently memorized the route by focusing on sounds and sensations. Upon arriving, A'Du eagerly greeted the returning Xiaofeng and Heshi.

Li Chengyin removed his blindfold, and Xiaofeng formally introduced him to A'Du as her friend. Suddenly, Xiaofeng noticed Shuobo people present and became angry. Her cousin, Yimoyan, explained they had come to propose marriage, but Khan Tömür had refused to see them. At that moment, Tömür was hosting a martial arts competition, offering a sacred war helmet to anyone who could defeat him. Though elderly, he proved to be an invincible warrior.

Xiaofeng rushed over and happily embraced her grandfather, Khan Tömür. She eagerly introduced Li Chengyin, explaining how he had saved her multiple times. As a reward, Tömür offered Li Chengyin a five-colored glazed gem. Yimoyan then teased Xiaofeng about her feelings for Li Chengyin, causing Tömür's expression to turn serious.

He stated his disdain for the deceitful people of the Central Plains and declared that only the hero who could slay the white-eyed wolf king of Sky Span Mountain would be worthy of marrying his granddaughter.

Episode 6 Recap

Unable to sleep, Xiaofeng led Gu Xiaowu to a beautiful, hidden oasis, the warmest place in Danchi where flowers bloomed year-round. Enchanted by the sight of fireflies, she excitedly asked him to fulfill the first of his three promises by catching a hundred of them. Gu Xiaowu readily agreed, swiftly gathering the fireflies and releasing them in a glowing cloud that swirled around them like shooting stars. In the romantic moment, Gu Xiaowu kissed her.

He later expressed concern about her grandfather, Khan Tömür's, dislike for people from the Central Plains, but Xiaofeng assured him that Tömür would eventually grow to like him. The next day, a Danchi local warned Gu Xiaowu that he didn't belong there and should leave. Gu Xiaowu later explained to Xiaofeng that he had been searching for Batuer, a tea buyer who was recently captured by the Western Border Protectorate General Office.

Concerned about Gu Xiaowu in the cold, Xiaofeng brought him clothes. When she helped him, revealing her feet, he playfully noted that in the Central Plains, a girl’s feet are only to be seen by her husband. In response, Xiaofeng reiterated her grandfather's declaration: she would marry whoever could kill the legendary white-eyed wolf king.

When she asked if he would do it for her, Gu Xiaowu, referencing the fact he had seen her feet, promised he would and told her to wait for him. Sensing Khan Tömür's wish for him to leave, Gu Xiaowu prepared to depart. He entrusted Heshi with a gift for Xiaofeng before leaving for Shuobo. When Xiaofeng later rushed to find him, Heshi informed her that he was long gone and gave her the present.

Identifying himself as the Fifth Prince of the Li Empire, Li Chengyin met with the Shuobo King to propose a military alliance against Danchi. The King was initially suspicious, but his nephew, Yuanke, recognized Li Chengyin from Xi State, confirming his identity. Li Chengyin explained that Danchi's aggression was a long-standing problem and offered Shuobo control over the resource-rich Glacier Road as a reward for their cooperation.

A Shuobo minister supported the alliance, noting that Danchi's hostility had increased since the death of the Queen, who was Tömür's daughter. Despite this, the Shuobo King remained hesitant, fearing Danchi's military might. Disappointed by the king’s cowardice, Li Chengyin departed, only to be intercepted by the King’s ambitious uncle, Prince Lidun. Lidun proposed a secret alliance, offering 100,000 troops to help defeat Danchi in exchange for Li Chengyin’s support in his bid to seize the Shuobo throne.

Back at the Western Border Protectorate General Office, Li Chengyin, now addressed by his royal title, impressed General Gao and Pei Zhao by meticulously drawing a map of the Danchi camp from memory, despite having been blindfolded. He explained to his second brother, Li Chengye, that he had to leave Danchi due to Tömür’s suspicion and revealed his unauthorized but successful mission to secure 100,000 troops from Shuobo. Though initially displeased, Li Chengye commended his brother's initiative.

He scheduled the attack for one month later but ordered Li Chengyin to remain at the Protectorate General Office, away from the front lines. Unwilling to be sidelined, Li Chengyin privately arranged with Pei Zhao and Sir Chai to join Pei Zhao’s Light Cavalry. He affirmed his intention to take Xiaofeng away from Danchi before the war, prompting a somber Sir Chai to remark that by their actions, they were already hurting her.

Meanwhile, Xiaofeng waited anxiously for Gu Xiaowu's return. A'Du teased her, suggesting the hero who kills the wolf king might be her master Gu Jian, but Xiaofeng insisted she was waiting for Gu Xiaowu. As days passed, she began to doubt that a simple tea merchant could succeed in such a perilous quest. Her doubts were seemingly confirmed when a warrior presented a slain wolf to Khan Tömür, claiming the reward of marrying Xiaofeng.

However, Xiaofeng quickly exposed the fur as a dye-job, and the imposter was punished. The Danchi people began to believe that killing the wolf king was an impossible legend. Elsewhere, Li Chengyin and Pei Zhao overheard patrons in a tavern discussing the market for fake wolf pelts and the many warriors heading into the mountains. Remembering Xiaofeng's promise, Li Chengyin’s resolve hardened, and he instructed Pei Zhao to assemble a team to hunt the real wolf king.

Back in Danchi, as Xiaofeng fretted over Gu Xiaowu's long absence, a commotion erupted. A'Du announced that another person had claimed to have killed the wolf king. Skeptical, Xiaofeng went to investigate, only to see Gu Xiaowu standing victorious before the crowd with the corpse of the real, formidable white-eyed wolf king.

Episode 7 Recap

Li Chengyin arrived at Danchi with the slain white-eyed wolf king. Xiaofeng was overjoyed, and Khan Tömür, upon inspecting the wolf’s distinctive white eye, acknowledged it was indeed the genuine creature. As Xiaofeng celebrated Li Chengyin’s feat, she noticed a deep injury on his leg and immediately insisted on calling a doctor.

Khan Tömür, having publicly declared he would grant the killer of the wolf king any wish, affirmed he would keep his word: if Li Chengyin was willing to stay in Danchi, he would permit his marriage to Xiaofeng. However, Yi Moyan expressed strong skepticism, questioning how a mere tea merchant could accomplish such a dangerous task and suggesting further tests, to which Khan Tömür agreed.

A doctor was summoned for Li Chengyin’s leg wound, which Heshi observed was so deep it suggested a fierce, life-or-death struggle. Li Chengyin downplayed the injury, but a distressed Xiaofeng insisted on staying by his side. Later, at a celebratory feast, Xiaofeng tried to stop Li Chengyin from drinking alcohol due to his injury, prompting her cousin to tease her for being so protective.

The mood shifted when Yi Moyan proposed a martial arts competition between Li Chengyin and Heshi, Danchi’s foremost warrior, to test his skills. Heshi pointed out that a fight would be unfair given Li Chengyin's injured leg, a sentiment Xiaofeng echoed. Li Chengyin instead suggested an archery contest. His initial idea was to shoot moving targets, but Xiaofeng protested against using slaves, stating that they were people, not objects for sport.

Li Chengyin then proposed they shoot bats on the glacier instead. During the contest, Khan Tömür deliberately gave Li Chengyin an exceptionally heavy bow, doubting the seemingly frail scholar could even draw it. Despite the challenge, Li Chengyin displayed remarkable archery skills. Heshi eventually conceded defeat, impressed by Li Chengyin's performance. Li Chengyin humbly attributed his speed to the powerful bow and insisted that Heshi remained Danchi's greatest warrior.

When Khan Tömür offered him any reward, Li Chengyin declared that nothing was more precious than Xiaofeng and asked for her hand in marriage. Khan Tömür beckoned Li Chengyin into his tent for a private discussion, instructing a worried Xiaofeng to wait outside. Inside, Tömür surprised Li Chengyin by drawing a sword on him. Tömür revealed that he recognized Li Chengyin’s unique "Five Beads Continuous Arrows" technique and demanded to know his relationship with Gu Ruhui.

After a failed attempt to feign ignorance, Li Chengyin admitted his true identity: he was a surviving descendant of the Gu family, which had been framed and exterminated twenty years prior. He had been living in disguise as a tea merchant ever since. Fearing he would bring trouble to Danchi, Li Chengyin offered to leave. However, Tömür boldly declared his lack of fear towards the Feng Empire and reminded Li Chengyin of his public promise.

He then revealed his deep bond with Gu Ruhui, calling him both a sworn enemy and a life-and-death friend. He invited Li Chengyin to stay and join forces against their common enemy, promising that Danchi would help avenge the Gu family. Li Chengyin gratefully accepted, addressing Tömür as "Grandfather." Emerging from the tent, Khan Tömür officially announced Li Chengyin as his grandson-in-law to the jubilant crowd.

That evening, amidst the lively celebrations, Xiaofeng pulled Li Chengyin away to a quiet spot under the stars. They discussed Danchi’s simple wedding custom of exchanging waistbands, after which Li Chengyin taught her the Central Plains ritual of bowing to Heaven and Earth and to their parents. They practiced the bows and formally addressed each other as "husband" and "wife" for the first time.

Li Chengyin worried about being able to provide for her, but Xiaofeng reassured him that being with him was all that mattered. He then proposed they travel together to the Western Border and the Jiangnan region, and she eagerly agreed. Before they parted, Li Chengyin returned an amulet she had given him, explaining it had saved his life during the wolf hunt.

He then made a promise not to betray her; she light-heartedly threatened that if he ever did, she would drink the water of the River of Oblivion to forget him forever. The next day, the couple approached Khan Tömür to announce their travel plans, but he informed them that he had already sent out invitations for their grand wedding in seven days. Their journey would have to wait. Just then, A’Du announced that Xiaofeng’s teacher, Gu Jian, had arrived.

Xiaofeng rushed to greet him, but Gu Jian immediately forbade her marriage to Li Chengyin and tried to take her back to Xi State by force. Li Chengyin intervened, stopping him. In a private conversation, Gu Jian questioned why Li Chengyin was lingering, arguing their mission to locate the Danchi camp was complete and his presence was only hurting Xiaofeng.

Li Chengyin countered that marrying Xiaofeng was the only legitimate way to take her away and that his feelings for her were sincere. He declared that Xiaofeng was his wife, not an object, and that no one could take her from him. Defeated, Gu Jian apologized to Xiaofeng for his rashness and promised that, as her teacher, he would always be there if she ever needed him.

Episode 8 Recap

An envoy from Khan Tömür arrived to inform Qu Wencheng, the King of the Western State, that his daughter, Xiaofeng, was to be married in Danchi. Qu Wencheng was furious, lamenting that he, her own father, was the last to learn of her impending wedding. Soon after, Duke An, an envoy from the Li Empire, arrived to confront Qu Wencheng.

Duke An angrily accused him of deceiving both the envoy and the Li Emperor by secretly arranging the princess's marriage in Danchi, stating that such an act jeopardized the alliance between their two countries and was a grave offense. Acknowledging his fault, Qu Wencheng repeatedly apologized, claiming Xiaofeng had run away to Danchi on her own. He then desperately tried to appease Duke An by offering two other princesses of marriageable age for the political alliance.

Duke An, however, reiterated that the Emperor specifically sought a direct-line princess and vowed to report the entire situation to the Emperor, leaving Qu Wencheng to nervously await the imperial decree. Meanwhile, Xiaofeng, unaware of the looming danger, was deeply in love with Gu Xiaowu. She teased him about being jealous of her master, Gu Jian, and earnestly confessed that he was the only one in her heart.

They exchanged lighthearted jokes, solidifying their mutual affection and her complete trust in him. Elsewhere, the Empress, Zhang Meiniang, expressed her concern to her uncle, Gao Xian, that Prince Xuande was steadily gaining power. She worried that if Prince Xuande were to monopolize all military achievements, it would significantly jeopardize Li Chengyin's prospects for succession. Gao Xian, however, appeared less concerned, assuring her that Li Chengyin was not incapable, but merely chose not to contend for power aggressively.

Zhang Meiniang then reminded her uncle to urge his son to provide more support for Li Chengyin at the Western Border Protectorate. At the Protectorate, Prince Xuande received the Li Emperor's decree for war against Danchi. He learned that Li Chengyin, currently absent while eradicating desert bandits, was to marry Xiaofeng in two days.

Recognizing this as a golden opportunity, Prince Xuande decided to launch the attack on the wedding day, when the entire Danchi tribe would be present and least prepared. He instructed his general, Li Yan, to relay the plan and stressed the ultimate objective: to present Khan Tömür's head to the Emperor. Meanwhile, Sir Chai, one of Li Chengyin's own men, discussed separate tactical arrangements.

He revealed a secret map provided by Li Chengyin that showed two direct routes to the Danchi royal tent, aiming to secure significant military honor for the Fifth Prince during the campaign. As the wedding day arrived, Xiaofeng and Gu Xiaowu walked a path adorned with footprints and pebbles, symbolizing their shared journey. The Danchi people were immersed in joyous celebration, their defenses significantly relaxed for the grand occasion.

As the newlyweds celebrated, a chilling report broke the festive atmosphere: the Shuobo army was advancing from the east. Khan Tömür, confident in Danchi's strength with over a hundred thousand troops and tens of thousands of cavalry, dismissed the threat, ordering the Lilu King of the Left to lead 30,000 cavalry to confront them.

Unbeknownst to him, this was part of a larger trap set by Prince Xuande, whose forces would coordinate with Shuobo to first attack the Eastern Camp, drawing out Danchi's main forces and leaving the Western Camp vulnerable. A second report soon confirmed that both camps were under attack, with enemy forces now moving towards the royal tent.

Amidst the chaos, Gu Xiaowu was covertly approached by his subordinate, Hu Xiao, who confirmed that Prince Xuande had launched the attack ahead of schedule and informed him of Pei Zhao's location. With this intelligence, Gu Xiaowu understood the day of battle had arrived. Gu Xiaowu bravely volunteered to lead the vanguard, requesting 30,000 cavalry from Khan Tömür. Though the Khan had reservations, Heshi vouched for Gu Xiaowu’s tactical prowess.

Convinced, Khan Tömür granted permission and ordered Yi Moyan to accompany his new brother-in-law. Xiaofeng voiced her fears for Gu Xiaowu’s safety, but her grandfather calmly reassured her that Shuobo's forces were no match for Danchi's elite army and that reinforcements were nearby. Just before deploying, Gu Xiaowu secretly instructed a subordinate to poison Danchi's warhorses.

As Gu Xiaowu rode with Heshi and Yi Moyan towards the approaching armies, he suddenly spurred his horse, galloping directly towards Pei Zhao and the enemy lines. To Heshi and Yi Moyan's utter shock, Gu Xiaowu entered the enemy ranks without resistance. He accepted a helmet from Pei Zhao and donned the Li Empire’s battle armor. It was at this devastating moment that they realized the horrifying truth: Gu Xiaowu was a spy.

A scout reported that Danchi had fallen into a devastating ambush: a massive coalition of 300,000 Li Empire and Shuobo soldiers had been concealed behind the vanguard. Simultaneously, Danchi’s warhorses, having been poisoned, collapsed, rendering their cavalry defenseless against the overwhelming enemy charge and leading to immense casualties. Enraged and pale, Khan Tömür understood a spy had orchestrated this betrayal. He ordered all remaining Danchi warriors to don their armor and fight to the last.

With tears streaming down her face, Xiaofeng helped her grandfather arm himself, comprehending the doom that had befallen her people. On the battlefield, the devastation was complete; Heshi and Yi Moyan were killed, and the land of Danchi was ravaged, all a direct consequence of Li Chengyin’s calculated treachery.

Episode 9 Recap

Inside the royal tent, Khan Tömür received a desperate report that General Yi Moyan and General Heshi had both fallen in battle. Devastated, Khan Tömür knew the Danchi people faced imminent doom. Outside, the Li Empire army, led by Li Chengyin, stormed the Danchi base camp. A soldier, acting on Khan Tömür's orders, attempted to escort Xiaofeng to safety, but she resisted and was forcibly restrained.

Xiaofeng could only listen in anguish to the sounds of battle, tears streaming down her face. As the last Danchi soldiers fell, Li Chengyin, now clad in Li Empire armor, entered Khan Tömür's tent to persuade him to surrender. However, the proud Khan refused to yield, choosing death over submission. He pleaded with Li Chengyin to spare the lives of his one hundred thousand Danchi citizens in exchange for his own. Li Chengyin agreed to the terms.

Khan Tömür then walked out of the tent and knelt. Li Chengyin raised his sword, and the Khan fell. At that moment, Xiaofeng broke free from her restraints and rushed out, witnessing Li Chengyin kill her grandfather. Overwhelmed by grief and fury, she collapsed. Li Chengyin stayed by Xiaofeng's side. When she awoke, she instinctively embraced him, weeping. However, a flash of memory brought the horrific truth into focus: Li Chengyin was the one who had killed her grandfather.

Her emotions shattered, and she screamed in agony. Li Chengyin stood helpless as Xiaofeng rose, trembling, realizing with dawning horror that she had unknowingly led the wolf into the fold, dooming her people. Overcome with rage, Xiaofeng seized a sword and stabbed Li Chengyin, seeking vengeance. The non-fatal wound reflected the war between her love and hatred. Soldiers rushed in to disarm her as Li Chengyin admitted he had wronged her.

Afterward, his advisor, Sir Chai, informed him that Xiaofeng’s loyal maidservant, A'Du, had been captured. To prevent further violence, Sir Chai ordered that a muscle-relaxing powder be added to Xiaofeng’s tea and all sharp objects be removed from her tent, instructing his men to ensure her safety. The following day, Gu Jian burst into the camp and carried Xiaofeng away. Li Chengyin immediately pursued them, leading to a tense standoff.

Sir Chai intervened, addressing Gu Jian as his godson and urging him to stand down. Li Chengyin ultimately relented, instructing his soldiers to follow them from a distance to protect them but not to capture them. Gu Jian took Xiaofeng to a mountaintop where A'Du was waiting. There, he revealed the devastating truth: her beloved "Gu Xiaowu" was actually Li Chengyin, the Fifth Prince of the Li Empire and Gu Jian's own cousin.

Xiaofeng accused Gu Jian of conspiring in the deception all along. Gu Jian pleaded that his mission was separate from his genuine feelings for her and begged her not to leave him. Overwhelmed by the betrayal and the blood of her people, Xiaofeng declared their bond irrevocably broken. Meanwhile, General Li Yan, a loyal subordinate to the Second Prince Li Chengye, lay severely wounded.

Concerned for his general, Li Chengye arranged for him to be transported back to the capital for urgent medical treatment. Elsewhere, General Gao Xian received a letter from his father, Gao Yuming, urging him to help Li Chengyin secure the political marriage with the Ninth Princess. Gao Xian understood this would significantly boost Li Chengyin's chances in the struggle for the throne and decided to cooperate with his father's scheme.

Xiaofeng and A'Du managed to evade Gu Jian and arrived back at the Xi State royal palace, only to find it eerily deserted. Inside, Xiaofeng found her father, the King, slumped on his throne. Just then, Gao Xian entered with his retinue, pressing the King to finalize the marriage and send Xiaofeng to the Li capital. Xiaofeng asked where her mother was.

The King, in despair, revealed that Gao Xian and his men had forced the Queen to commit suicide within the palace to avoid humiliation, even demanding to see her body afterward. He urged Xiaofeng to flee, calling them her mother's murderers.

Episode 10 Recap

The scene opens with General Gao Xian pressing the King of Xi State, Qu Wencheng, to finalize the political marriage for his daughter, Xiaofeng. Qu Wencheng, powerless, urges Xiaofeng to escape, a futile attempt for which Xiaofeng blames herself.

Accusing the king of rebellion, Gao Xian threatens Xiaofeng: if she agrees to the marriage, he will report to the Li Emperor that the King of Xi State is mentally unstable, thus sparing him from official repercussions and allowing him to retain his title. Gazing at him with hatred, Xiaofeng accuses Gao Xian of being responsible for her mother's death. Gao Xian dismisses her accusation and has her escorted to her palace.

There, a new maid informs Xiaofeng that her mother, the Queen, has been buried in the royal tomb. Her father has been suffering from alternating periods of lucidity and madness ever since. Xiaofeng remarks that she prefers her father to remain confused, as it seems more peaceful for him. Annoyed by the constant surveillance, Xiaofeng receives a hidden letter from a maid who previously served her mother.

The letter, from her father, warns her that Gao Xian is not the genuine marriage envoy and harbors malicious intentions. It instructs her to find the true envoy, Duke An, and declare her willingness to marry the Li Empire's Crown Prince as the only way to ensure her safety. After deep contemplation, Xiaofeng resolves to genuinely marry into the Li Empire, rejecting A'Du's suggestion to flee.

She explains that escape is pointless, as Li Chengyin would relentlessly pursue her and threaten her family. She believes marrying into the Li Empire is the only way to protect her father and the people of Xi State, especially after Li Chengyin allied with Shuobo to destroy Danchi. Meanwhile, Duke An expresses his outrage upon learning that Gao Xian has imprisoned Xiaofeng, driven the King to madness, and provoked the Queen into taking her own life.

Xiaofeng creates a diversion, allowing A'Du to slip out and meet Duke An. He then facilitates the escape, arranging for Xiaofeng and A'Du to be disguised and hidden among a changing guard shift, while another maid, Dimo, takes their place. As Duke An's caravan departs with Xiaofeng, it is ambushed by Gao Xian and his soldiers. Gao Xian falsely accuses Duke An of palace robbery to justify a search.

Despite Duke An's protests, Gao Xian asserts his authority, revealing he knows Xiaofeng is with them. Xiaofeng emerges and confirms her intention to marry the Crown Prince, urging Duke An to take her to the Emperor. However, Gao Xian insists her departure requires a grand ceremony and demands her return.

When Duke An defiantly refuses, Gao Xian orders his subordinate, Yuan Tong, to write a fraudulent report claiming the entire envoy troupe, including Duke An, was massacred by sand bandits with no survivors. Shortly thereafter, Li Chengyin receives an imperial decree to return to the capital.

Before he leaves, Gao Xian presents a bound Xiaofeng to him as a "great gift," revealing that his father and the Empress have instructed him to arrange the marriage to bolster Li Chengyin's position in the struggle for the throne. Li Chengyin confronts Xiaofeng, who vehemently accuses him of orchestrating the deaths of her grandfather and mother and driving her father mad.

She declares she would marry anyone, even the lowest slave, who would help her kill him, refusing to marry him despite her agreement to the political union. When an infuriated Li Chengyin threatens her, Xiaofeng challenges him to kill her, vowing to exact revenge for Danchi if she lives to become the Crown Prince's consort.

Gu Jian enters, explaining that the Crown Prince is dead and all their actions were to secure the position for Li Chengyin, making her planned revenge futile. Seeing them together, Xiaofeng scoffs at having been played for a fool. Recalling Gu Xiaowu's promises, she demands that Li Chengyin kill Gu Jian, wanting him to suffer the guilt of killing a loved one as she has.

Li Chengyin refuses, taking all the blame and insisting Gu Jian was only trying to protect her. Xiaofeng sarcastically remarks on their deep bond before dismissing them. Following the confrontation, Gu Jian expresses his regrets to Li Chengyin. As they step away, A'Du seizes the opportunity to help Xiaofeng escape. Guards quickly discover their absence and give chase. Li Chengyin orders his men to recapture her but to ensure she is not harmed.

As Xiaofeng and A'Du flee, they are nearly caught, but Gu Jian appears, kills their pursuers, and urges them to run. When he catches up to them, A'Du attacks him, calling him a traitor for his role in Danchi's destruction. Burdened by guilt, Gu Jian offers no resistance. Deeply disillusioned, Xiaofeng throws the whistle he once gave her off the cliff. Seeing her hatred, Gu Jian allows A'Du to strike him, sending him falling into the chasm below.

A'Du, though injured, pulls Xiaofeng along as Li Chengyin closes in. Their path leads them to a cliff above the fabled River of Oblivion. As Xiaofeng edges toward the precipice, a frantic Li Chengyin pleads with her to stop. Lost in despair, Xiaofeng recalls a time when Gu Xiaowu promised to catch a hundred fireflies for her.

Li Chengyin desperately promises her a good life and the safety of Xi State if she returns, then threatens to have the entire state buried with her if she jumps. A'Du retorts that destroying Xi State would destabilize the Li Empire's borders. With a final declaration that she wishes to forget "Gu Xiaowu" and all her suffering for eternity, Xiaofeng plunges into the river. Without hesitation, Li Chengyin leaps in after her, vowing to forget with her.

Episode 11 Recap

Having survived the leap into the River of Oblivion, both Xiaofeng and Li Chengyin awoke with their painful memories erased. A'Du also survived but was left mute after being poisoned by bandits. Accompanied by A'Du, Xiaofeng eventually journeyed to the Central Plains, destined to become the crown princess consort of the Li Empire. However, with the Crown Prince yet to be determined, Xiaofeng remained unaware of her future husband's identity.

One day, the Seventh Princess Yongning and Eighth Princess Luoxi visited Xiaofeng, and the three joyfully played a card game. Xiaofeng, having forgotten all about Li Chengyin, genuinely believed herself to be the carefree Ninth Princess of Xi State. The Grand Empress Dowager, fond of her future granddaughter-in-law, treated Xiaofeng with great kindness. She personally selected Yongniang, a capable palace official, to be Xiaofeng's chief lady-in-waiting.

Although Xiaofeng had lost her memory, she still missed her family and penned a heartfelt letter to her parents, asking A'Du to deliver it to a relay station. A'Du, burdened by the devastating truth of Danchi's destruction and the Western Queen's demise, secretly kept the letter, unable to tell Xiaofeng what had truly happened. The Grand Empress Dowager also tasked Directress Fang of the Ceremonial Service Office with instructing Xiaofeng in palace etiquette.

Directress Fang, a stickler for rules, insisted the princess study dull classical texts. Having grown up uninhibited, Xiaofeng found the rigid lessons unbearable. When Directress Fang attempted to discipline A'Du for drawing a knife within the palace, Xiaofeng intervened, agreeing to comply with the lessons and memorize the "Lessons for Women" to spare her loyal maid from punishment. Meanwhile, Li Chengyin encountered Zhao Sese, the daughter of General of the Second Rank Zhao Jingyu, at the East Market.

Li Chengyin was clearly smitten with her, expressing his admiration and promising to give her a gift from the upcoming imperial hunt. Zhao Sese's maid revealed that her mistress had been waiting for him, and Sese openly expressed her fondness. Upon Li Chengyin's return to the palace, his mother, Zhang Meiniang, cautioned him against a close relationship with Zhao Sese.

She pointed out that while Zhao Jingyu held a title, he lacked true power, and the association would not benefit Li Chengyin's prospects. Li Chengyin, however, dismissed her concerns, stating he had known Sese since childhood. Directress Fang continued to instruct Xiaofeng, this time on proper dining etiquette. When the Grand Empress Dowager inquired about Xiaofeng's progress, Directress Fang implied her inability to teach the mischievous princess and attempted to resign from the task.

The Grand Empress Dowager, however, insisted she continue, emphasizing Xiaofeng's pitiable state due to her memory loss and being far from home. She then secretly instructed Yongniang to never disclose to Xiaofeng the true fate of Danchi or her mother's death. Separately, Chai Mu met with Li Chengyin, advising him to bide his time to contend with the Second Prince, Li Chengye.

Chai Mu explained that Li Chengye had strong backing from loyal ministers and the Emperor's trust, while the powerful influence of Prime Minister Gao, who supported Li Chengyin, made the Emperor wary of granting him the Crown Prince title. Concurrently, Zhao Jingyu advised his daughter, Zhao Sese, to pursue Li Chengye, whom he believed was the most likely candidate for Crown Prince. Zhao Sese, however, reaffirmed her preference for Li Chengyin, a sentiment echoed by her brother, Zhao Shixuan.

During a royal hunting event, Xiaofeng declined an offer to hunt with a general and instead rode off alone. While in the woods, she stumbled upon Li Chengyin. When he stated his father was the Emperor, Xiaofeng sarcastically countered that her father was a tea merchant. Their playful banter continued until he introduced himself with the name he once used, "Gu Xiaowu from the Central Plains."

Upon hearing the name, Xiaofeng repeated "Xiaowu," just before he stated his true identity as "Li Chengyin, the Fifth Prince of the Li Empire." The sudden rush of fragmented memories caused Xiaofeng to experience agonizing chest pain, and she fainted. Li Chengyin quickly brought her back to camp, where an imperial physician determined she had only been startled. Later, Directress Fang resumed teaching Xiaofeng the formal husband-and-wife bowing ritual.

Xiaofeng accidentally bumped heads with Directress Fang, causing her nose to bleed. Yongniang intervened, suggesting Directress Fang rest while she taught Xiaofeng calligraphy instead. Yongniang taught Xiaofeng how to write the character for "home." As Xiaofeng wrote, reminiscing about her parents, A'Du began to weep, overwhelmed by traumatic memories of Danchi's destruction. Xiaofeng, mistaking A'Du's tears for homesickness, tenderly held her hand and comforted her.

Episode 12 Recap

Li Chengyin presented calming incense from the Western Border to the Grand Empress Dowager, who had been experiencing restless sleep. During their conversation, the Grand Empress Dowager spoke of her beloved daughter, Ming Yuan, who had been appearing in her dreams, longing for her former home. As Li Chengyin prepared to leave, Xiaofeng and A'Du seized the opportunity to hide behind his carriage, successfully slipping out of the palace. The vibrant market captivated Xiaofeng and A'Du.

Their curiosity led them to the Mi Luo Drinking House, where they met the charismatic owner, Mi Luo, who was secretly a spy from West Zhou. Mi Luo proudly touted Shangjing City's three treasures: the fragrant incense of the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the beautiful women of the Singing Jade Brothel, and the exquisite wine of her own establishment. Meanwhile, Li Chengyin shared a private moment with Zhao Sese, who harbored a deep affection for him.

She recited a poem expressing her longing and revealed a minor injury on her hand, explaining she had been diligently practicing horse riding with her brother's guidance, hoping to one day ride alongside Li Chengyin. Across from Mi Luo's tavern stood the Singing Jade Brothel, the capital's most renowned pleasure house. Gao Zhen, Prime Minister Gao's third son, was a frequent patron who often flew into rages whenever he couldn't see his favored courtesan, Miss Mingyue.

In the imperial court, ministers pressed the Emperor to designate a new heir, citing unrest in the Western Border following the war with Danchi. The Emperor sought the counsel of Yu Ming, the Empress's maternal uncle. Though privately inclined to support his nephew, Li Chengyin, Yu Ming understood the Emperor’s suspicious nature. He strategically recommended the second prince, Xuande Chengye, as the most suitable heir, citing his seniority, military achievements, and virtuous character.

This feigned impartiality pleased the Emperor, who believed Yu Ming to be a loyal and unbiased official. Consequently, the Emperor officially named Prince Xuande Chengye as the new Crown Prince and declared that his marriage to Xiaofeng would take place one hundred days later. In the palace, Directress Fang continued to teach Xiaofeng imperial etiquette. In a mischievous prank, Xiaofeng and A'Du served the Directress vinegar instead of tea.

Amidst the chaos, news arrived that Prince Xuande Chengye had been named Crown Prince and their wedding was set. Xiaofeng was shocked and filled with despair, confessing to A'Du her discomfort with marrying a man she barely knew and her weariness of the Li Empire's restrictive rules. Later, a lady-in-waiting brought snacks from the Grand Empress Dowager and warned of thieves in the palace, mentioning that guards had spotted a "white shadow" on the roof.

Restless, Xiaofeng gazed out her window and saw a white-clad figure perched in a distant tree. Startled, Xiaofeng watched as the figure, who was Gu Jian, swiftly entered her room. Not recognizing him, she cried out for help. In a crucial moment, A'Du, recalling their past, intervened to save Gu Jian from the guards. Gu Jian was shocked to discover that Xiaofeng had lost her memory and A'Du could no longer speak.

Later, Pei Zhao informed Li Chengyin and Chai Mu of the intrusion, speculating that Gu Jian had returned. Soon after, Gu Jian sought out Pei Zhao and learned the truth: Xiaofeng and Li Chengyin had both jumped into the River of Oblivion, resulting in their shared amnesia. Pei Zhao also revealed that A'Du's inability to speak was her own choice. Deeply unsettled, Gu Jian asked Pei Zhao to keep his presence a secret.

Li Chengyin met with his advisors to plan his next moves. Chai Mu urged him to proactively secure his position and not become a pawn, suggesting a strategic alliance with Prime Minister Gao. In a separate meeting, his maternal uncle, Yu Ming, cautioned that with the Crown Prince now designated, Li Chengyin must maintain a low profile to accumulate strength discreetly.

Yu Ming also alerted him to a suspicious matter involving Li Yan’s request for funds to repair bronze statues at the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas, urging an investigation. Meanwhile, the Emperor sought a candidate to be conferred as the North Subduing Marquis and govern Danchi. Li Chengyin recommended General Gao Xian, but his half-brother, Li Yan, countered by suggesting Li Chengyin himself.

Understanding that leaving the capital would end his prospects for the throne, Li Chengyin politely declined, proposing instead to compile a comprehensive "Western Border Annals" to assist the court in its governance of the region. The Emperor, impressed by this initiative, approved the project. Prime Minister Gao viewed Li Chengyin's refusal of the military post as a calculated "retreat to advance" strategy, acknowledging his opponent's cunning.

During a stroll, Li Chengyin and Crown Prince Chengye discussed the slow progress of the Western Border Annals due to incomplete records. Xiaofeng, who had just been complaining to Yongniang about the restrictive palace life, happened upon them. Overhearing the mention of the Western Border, she eagerly offered to help with the project. Citing her homesickness and her unique knowledge of Xi State's extensive archives, she argued she could help fill the gaps in the records.

Prince Chengye initially hesitated, deeming it improper for the future Crown Princess Consort. However, after Li Chengyin voiced his support for her participation, Prince Chengye relented and agreed to seek the Emperor's permission. Xiaofeng was ecstatic at the prospect.

Episode 13 Recap

Xiaofeng, accompanied by Princess Yongning and Princess Luoxi, observed the imperial princes engaging in a traditional Li Empire custom known as the winding stream party. Luoxi explained that after the Spring Bathing ritual, participants sit by a river, placing wine glasses upstream to float down. Whoever a glass stops in front of must drink and improvise a poem. Xiaofeng, finding poetry daunting, initially refused, but upon learning that the penalty was merely a drink, her spirits lifted.

The imperial princes and princesses then took their seats. While the Crown Prince Li Chengye, the Fifth Prince Li Chengyin, and Zhao Sese effortlessly composed elegant poems, Xiaofeng’s spontaneous, rhyming verses amused everyone. Feeling embarrassed, Xiaofeng was comforted by Yongning, who reminded her it was just a game. Zhao Sese also offered words of encouragement, though Yongning's demeanor towards her remained cool.

Later, Yongniang, Xiaofeng’s loyal maidservant, reminded A'Du of the importance of always prioritizing the Ninth Princess's interests, especially given Xiaofeng's status as the future Crown Princess consort, cautioning that any misstep could implicate her mistress. Next, the princesses moved to an archery competition. Having grown up on horseback, Xiaofeng easily won. As the loser, Zhao Sese was tasked with retrieving arrows from the lake by boat. Intrigued by the boat, which she had never seen before, Xiaofeng impulsively jumped aboard.

The boat immediately tilted, sending both Xiaofeng and Zhao Sese into the water. Li Chengyin witnessed the scene and immediately plunged into the water, instinctively swimming towards Xiaofeng and bringing her to shore. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince, Li Chengye, came to Zhao Sese's aid. Both women were unharmed, though Zhao Sese appeared visibly upset. Later, a confused Xiaofeng asked A'Du why Li Chengyin had saved her instead of Zhao Sese.

Elsewhere, Li Chengyin discussed the incident with Pei Zhao, expressing confusion over why his first instinct was to save Xiaofeng, noting that he also experienced a strange headache whenever he saw her. A physician examined Li Chengyin, attributing his recurrent fever to an unhealed internal injury sustained while pursuing Danchi troops in the northern plains. Zhao Sese arrived at Li Chengyin's residence with medicine.

He apologized to her for his actions at the lake, but Sese graciously accepted his explanation, understanding that saving the Crown Prince's official fiancée was a politically safe choice that would prevent any scandalous rumors about their own relationship. Soon after, Xiaofeng visited Li Chengyin to thank him for saving her. As she approached, he inexplicably experienced a sharp pain in his chest and a throbbing headache, nearly falling from a ladder.

Startled, Xiaofeng quickly left, leaving both of them bewildered. Xiaofeng and A'Du later ventured out of the palace to acquire the best grape wine from Mi Luo’s drinking house for a medicinal concoction. Pei Zhao, noticing their departure, secretly dispatched a trusted follower to watch over them. Concurrently, Li Chengyin met with his strategist Chai Mu, revealing that his petition to compile the Western Border annals was a ruse to obtain a special badge allowing access to various departmental records.

He intended to scrutinize documents related to the Crown Prince, hoping to uncover misconduct, starting with Li Yan, who had controversially moved from Assistant Minister of War to a less prestigious but potentially lucrative position within the Ministry of Revenue. While strolling through the streets, Xiaofeng realized A'Du was gone. Suddenly, Gu Jian appeared and introduced himself, but Xiaofeng had no recollection of him.

Gu Jian claimed they were once lovers who had planned to elope, but a twist of fate, compounded by a head injury Xiaofeng sustained in a bandit attack, caused her to forget him. He explained that after searching for half a year, he had finally found her. Reluctantly, Xiaofeng agreed to let Gu Jian accompany her to buy the wine on the condition that he help her find A'Du afterward.

They arrived at Mi Luo Drinking House to find Mi Luo distressed. She explained that two young lords, Gao Zhen and Zhao Shixuan, were causing a ruckus at the Singing Jade Brothel, fighting over the renowned courtesan, Miss Mingyue, leaving no one to deliver her wine. Xiaofeng volunteered to take the delivery, with Gu Jian by her side. At the brothel, they encountered the famous Mingyue, and Gu Jian was stunned to recognize her.

After Xiaofeng chastised the two lords for their boorish behavior, Mingyue calmed the situation. Later, she privately reunited with Gu Jian, revealing her true identity as Yan'er, but insisted on being called Mingyue, as she no longer felt worthy of her former name. Xiaofeng, overhearing their conversation, expressed her sympathy and questioned why Mingyue remained in such a place.

That night, Gu Jian met with Chai Mu, reporting that he had seen Yan'er, now known as Mingyue, working as a courtesan. Chai Mu was shocked to learn she was alive. Gu Jian clarified that he had not revealed Chai Mu's existence to Mingyue. Meanwhile, Xiaofeng, using the procured wine, brewed a cold-dispelling medicine with aged ginger, which she personally delivered to Li Chengyin. He insisted his cold had healed, but Xiaofeng urged him to try the concoction.

As she spoke, Li Chengyin again suffered a severe headache and chest pain. Xiaofeng then offered to be his friend and asked what he desired as a thank-you gift for saving her life twice. Still reeling from his symptoms, Li Chengyin stated he needed more time to consider his request, and Xiaofeng left him to rest.

Episode 14 Recap

Gu Jian, a young lord, drank heavily at the Mi Luo Drinking House, refusing to leave even after closing time. Mi Luo tried to inquire about his troubles and offered to listen, but Gu Jian only continued to drink, saying he had no home. The next day, Xiaofeng visited the Grand Empress Dowager, where Yongning and Luoxi were also present. The Grand Empress Dowager presented various precious tributary gifts for them to choose from.

While Yongning and Luoxi selected elegant ornaments, Xiaofeng, much to the Grand Empress Dowager's amusement, chose only food, explaining that other items would just gather dust or be lost. She declared her preference for going out to play. When Luoxi mentioned an upcoming cuju match at the Forbidden Park involving sons of the royal family and high officials, Xiaofeng's eyes lit up.

She excitedly shared that she was skilled at cuju from her homeland, the great plains, where annual competitions were held. Although the Grand Empress Dowager forbade her from playing, she allowed Xiaofeng, Yongning, and Luoxi to attend the match as spectators. The cuju match soon began, with the seating arrangements hastily rearranged to accommodate the imperial ladies.

Among the players were Gao Zhen, the youngest son of Prime Minister Gao Yuming, and Zhao Shixuan, the son of General Zhao Jingyu and Zhao Sese's brother. Luoxi explained that while Gao Zhen was a strong player, Zhao Shixuan's team, handpicked from General Zhao’s elite Shuoyang Army, was superior. Xiaofeng worried aloud that Gao Zhen and Zhao Shixuan might fight because of their known rivalry over Mingyue, a top courtesan.

During the game, Gao Zhen intentionally kicked Zhao Shixuan, causing him to collapse in pain. Zhao Sese immediately rushed to her brother's side, accusing Gao Zhen of deliberately injuring him. However, Li Chengyin, Prince Yi, interjected, claiming it was merely an accidental injury common in cuju. Despite Zhao Sese's anger, Zhao Shixuan told her to drop the matter. Xiaofeng's earlier remark about the conflict was noted by the Crown Prince.

Later, Li Yan informed the Crown Prince that the feud between Gao Zhen and Zhao Shixuan over Mingyue was indeed common knowledge. The Crown Prince then turned to more pressing matters, noting that Li Chengyin had been feigning illness and secluding himself. The Crown Prince found Prince Yi's motives increasingly inscrutable, suspecting his courtship of Zhao Sese was a strategic move to ally with the Zhao family.

If the Zhao family and Prime Minister Gao both backed Prince Yi, it would be a development that had to be prevented. The Crown Prince recalled that General Zhao had repeatedly sought to offer his daughter to him as a second-rank consort. Shortly after, the Crown Prince received a gift from Zhao Sese, expressing her gratitude for his thoughtfulness and promising future repayment. Meanwhile, Empress Zhang Meiniang instructed Xiaofeng to recite "Lessons for Women."

When Xiaofeng struggled, the Empress, frustrated, demoted Directress Fang two ranks and reduced her monthly wage. Xiaofeng felt guilty and apologized, but Directress Fang found Xiaofeng's unrestrained nature to be a welcome breath of fresh air. Soon after, a palace servant reported that Prince Yi was lovesick, having been feigning illness because Zhao Sese, angered by his siding with Gao Zhen, refused to see him. Infuriated by the rumor, the Empress summoned Zhao Sese.

Hearing this, Xiaofeng rushed to warn Prince Yi. When Zhao Sese arrived, the Empress sternly reprimanded her, reminding her of womanly virtues and revealing that Prince Yi’s future consort was already decided—the granddaughter of Duke Wei. Heartbroken, Zhao Sese encountered Prince Yi and tearfully told him she would never bother him again. The Crown Prince, aware of General Zhao's prior intentions, met with him late at night to solidify their alliance.

Zhao Jingyu assured him that his daughter now recognized the Crown Prince as the ideal partner and that the Zhao family would have no further dealings with the Gao family. The next day in court, the Crown Prince recommended Zhao Jingyu for the position of North Subduing Marquis. The Emperor agreed, appointing him to assume the post in three days. Elsewhere, Xiaofeng accompanied Li Chengyin to revise local chronicles but grew restless.

Prince Yi curtly told her to remain quiet, asserting that revising state annals was "men's work." Xiaofeng vehemently rejected these restrictive customs. Frustrated, she followed him outside and started a playful snowball fight. In another part of the city, Prime Minister Gao Yuming furiously chastised his son, Gao Zhen, for ruining his plans by inadvertently driving the Zhao family into the Crown Prince's camp.

Later, a spy reported to the Crown Prince that Prince Yi and Zhao Sese had seen General Zhao Jingyu off at a pavilion outside the capital. It was then revealed that the entire sequence of events—Zhao Shixuan's injury, Zhao Sese's feigned anger, her refusal to see Prince Yi, and her letter to the Crown Prince—was a meticulous scheme orchestrated by Li Chengyin to deceive the Crown Prince.

Prince Yi had already gained Zhao Jingyu's trust, convincing him and Sese to stage the elaborate act to make the Crown Prince believe the Zhao family had genuinely shifted their loyalty to him. At the farewell, General Zhao entrusted his daughter's well-being to Prince Yi. Sese, in turn, worried that her brother might still resent Prince Yi for the staged injury, but made him promise that if he found a new love, he would not abandon her family.

Prince Yi gave her a jade pendant, explaining that if his plans failed, she could use it to seek protection from the Crown Prince, and Sese swore her unwavering loyalty. Realizing he had been cunningly manipulated and used as a pawn, the Crown Prince erupted in a furious rage.

Episode 15 Recap

Prime Minister Gao Yuming sought an audience with Empress Zhang, who initially refused to see him, suspecting he was there to question the recent incident concerning the conferment of the North Subduing Marquis. Although her maid suggested she feign absence, Zhang knew she couldn't evade him forever. She had already suspected Li Chengyin's involvement, noting that Zhao Sese's genuine affection for Li Chengyin seemed inconsistent with the Zhao family's sudden alignment with the Crown Prince.

When meeting with Gao Yuming, Zhang tried to protect Li Chengyin by claiming he was too innocent for such schemes. However, Gao Yuming revealed that his spies had witnessed Li Chengyin and Miss Zhao escorting Zhao Jingyu out of the capital, confirming it was a staged performance. He pointed out that Li Chengyin, if truly simple-minded, could not have achieved such great merits in Danchi nor strategized so effectively in court.

Gao Yuming suggested that Li Chengyin's transformation was likely due to the guidance of an expert. Zhang deflected, saying Gao Yuming himself was Li Chengyin's only mentor. Concerned, Gao Yuming warned that Li Chengyin was beginning to act independently of her, and Zhang assured him she would keep a closer watch on her nephew. Meanwhile, Gu Jian was at Mi Luo's tavern, where he had accumulated a large debt from eating and drinking for free.

Mi Luo, the tavern owner, complained about his outstanding balance and threatened to stop serving him. Later, Mi Luo introduced Gu Jian to Mingyue, a courtesan from the Singing Jade Brothel. Gu Jian and Mingyue bonded over their shared experience of having no homeland. Mingyue recounted her tragic past: she and her mother were captured and buried alive, but her father never came to their rescue.

She barely escaped, was saved by foreign merchants, learned to sing and dance, and eventually returned to the capital as a courtesan to seek revenge. Gu Jian encouraged her to live on, assuring her that the wicked would eventually face retribution. Unbeknownst to Mingyue, her father, Chai Mu, was watching from afar. He later confessed to Gu Jian that he couldn't acknowledge Mingyue because he was a wanted fugitive and didn't want to endanger her.

He explained that on the day she was captured, he had to save Gu Jian, a choice he did not regret as some sacrifices are necessary for a greater cause. Chai Mu reminded Gu Jian of their families' blood feud, urging him to remain focused on their mission. Li Chengyin was reviewing scrolls from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War when Xiaofeng arrived.

He showed her a newly drawn map of Xi State, and as she looked at it, she felt an inexplicable familiarity, asking him if they had known each other for a long time. Later, Xiaofeng was caught gambling with palace maids, having won a substantial amount of their allowance. Her attendant, Yongniang, scolded her for behavior unbecoming of her status. That evening, while examining her winnings, Xiaofeng noticed the copper coins were inconsistent in size and thickness.

She questioned Yongniang, who suggested it was likely a craftsman's error, but Xiaofeng remained suspicious. Not long after, Li Chengyin visited Xiaofeng, teasing her for hiding in the Grand Literature Library. Xiaofeng excitedly shared her "great discovery" about the varying copper coins, calling it a sign of poor craftsmanship. Recognizing the serious implications, Li Chengyin feigned disinterest, snatched the coins, and dismissed the matter as trivial.

He then secretly informed Chai Mu and Pei Zhao, suspecting the thinner coins were counterfeits. They deduced that since most of the empire's copper was used for Buddha statues, and the supervisor for the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas was Elder Prince Zhong's son, Li Yan, the Crown Prince was likely involved in embezzling copper to mint counterfeit currency. They concluded that to prevent a royal cover-up, the Emperor himself must order the investigation.

The next day, Li Chengyin sent Xiaofeng a Kongming lock puzzle. Initially annoyed, Xiaofeng accepted the challenge after being told that Li Chengyin believed she was intelligent enough to solve it. Later, while working on the Annals of the Western Border, she and Li Chengyin disagreed over the accuracy of the records and took their dispute to the Emperor and Grand Empress Dowager.

During the argument, Li Chengyin cleverly provoked Xiaofeng by boasting of the Li Empire's superior craftsmanship, prompting her to bring up the inconsistent copper coins as a counterpoint to draw the Emperor's attention. However, with no coins on hand, Xiaofeng couldn't prove her claim. Subtly challenged by Li Chengyin, she vowed to find evidence. Ignoring lavish gifts sent by the Crown Prince, Xiaofeng's mind was set on collecting coins.

She and A'Du slipped out of the palace and encountered Gu Jian. When pawn shops refused to accept her royal-issued golden cup, Gu Jian broke it into smaller pieces of gold, which they successfully exchanged for a large quantity of copper coins. After returning Xiaofeng to the palace, Gu Jian used some of the gold to pay off his debt at Mi Luo's tavern. Upon her return, Xiaofeng presented the coins to the Emperor and Grand Empress Dowager.

She explained that out of a thousand coins collected from the market, six hundred were thinner and more crudely made than the four hundred official ones. Li Chengyin corroborated her claim, adding that he had heard rumors of counterfeit coins and was alarmed by the quantity she had found. He warned that if the counterfeit currency was so prevalent, it could destabilize the court, and noted that its high quality suggested it was not from an ordinary workshop. Recognizing the severity of the issue, the Emperor ordered Li Chengyin to investigate discreetly. Eager to uncover the truth, Xiaofeng volunteered to assist, and the Emperor granted her permission.

Episode 16 Recap

As Li Chengyin is tasked with investigating the counterfeit coin case with Xiaofeng, they walk through the bustling streets of the capital. Xiaofeng openly expresses her envy for Li Chengyin and Zhao Sese, believing they truly share mutual affection. Li Chengyin, in turn, speaks favorably of the Crown Prince, but Xiaofeng’s spirits dampen, as her only destiny is to marry him.

Li Chengyin then leads Xiaofeng to the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas, suggesting they seek help from Buddha regarding their stagnant investigation. Xiaofeng draws an ominous fortune stick, and the temple's master advises them that while their destinies are intertwined across three lives, nothing should be forced. Li Chengyin dismisses the master's words, not believing in predestined relationships.

Inside, Li Chengyin explains that all of the empire's copper, aside from that used for official currency, is allocated for casting Buddha statues. Xiaofeng points out the discrepancy: with so many counterfeit coins in circulation, there couldn't possibly be enough copper for the statues. When the temple's supervisor, Li Yan, approaches them, a bored Xiaofeng casually taps a nearby Buddha statue, which emits a muffled sound. Li Yan's expression changes to one of panic.

Alarmed, Xiaofeng withdraws her hand and leaves with Li Chengyin. Outside, Xiaofeng shares her theory with Li Chengyin: the statues must be made of other materials and merely plated with copper, saving the precious metal for counterfeit coins. Meanwhile, Li Yan reports Xiaofeng’s actions to his superior, the Crown Prince, Li Chengye. Alarmed, the Crown Prince immediately orders the counterfeit coin operation at Tongchang to be shut down and for Li Yan to lay low.

When Li Chengyin delays reporting their findings, an impatient Xiaofeng scales a palace wall to find him, twisting her ankle in the process. Li Chengyin carries Xiaofeng into a room and carefully massages her injured ankle. He explains that the sound from the statue is not conclusive evidence and reporting it without proof would be slander. Xiaofeng tries to go to the Emperor herself, but Li Chengyin restrains her.

As she watches him, a familiar scene of him tending to her foot flashes in her mind, bringing tears to her eyes. Defying Yongniang's advice to rest, Xiaofeng slips out of the palace, intending to ask her friend Milo for help. Instead, she finds Gu Jian waiting for her. He gives her a signal arrow, promising to appear whenever she launches it.

To prevent her from involving Milo, Gu Jian takes her to a workshop where they confirm her suspicions: the statues are made of clay and only plated with copper. Unable to keep the secret, Xiaofeng complains to the Grand Empress Dowager about Li Chengyin concealing the truth. Later, Li Chengyin is summoned by the Emperor, who calmly inquires about the case's progress. Li Chengyin claims to have no leads, but Xiaofeng interjects, revealing the deception of the fake Buddha statues. Enraged, the Emperor orders both Li Yan and the Crown Prince to be summoned, leaving Xiaofeng bewildered as to how the Crown Prince is involved.

Episode 17 Recap

When the Emperor summoned the Crown Prince, Li Yan entered alongside him. Ninth Princess Xiaofeng immediately identified Li Yan as the suspicious man from the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas, recalling his panicked reaction when she knocked on a statue. Li Yan feigned innocence, claiming he was merely supervising the statues as ordered and that the copper was allocated by the Ministry of Revenue.

Xiaofeng countered, stating that she and Prince Yi, Li Chengyin, had checked the Ministry of Revenue's records and discovered that the amount of copper circulating in the market far exceeded the empire's annual production, implying Li Yan's source was illicit. After Li Yan accused them of illegally inspecting his ministry's accounts, Xiaofeng clarified she had found the information while researching local gazetteers.

Li Yan then knelt before the Emperor, pleading innocence and feigning confusion as to why he was being targeted. The Crown Prince, Li Chengye, defended his confidant, Li Yan, asserting that Xiaofeng's accusation was unreliable. Xiaofeng insisted on opening the statue to reveal the truth, but Li Yan vehemently opposed it, citing the sanctity of the blessed idols. Unfazed, Xiaofeng proposed a clever alternative: weighing the statue.

A solid copper statue's weight would match the Ministry's records, while a mud-filled fake would be significantly lighter. Impressed, the Emperor agreed and ordered General Ceng Xian to seal the temple with the Shenwu Army for an official investigation the next day. The following day, a massive Buddha statue was transported by elephant to be weighed on a boat, a spectacle that drew a large crowd. To Xiaofeng’s shock, the statue's weight matched the official records perfectly.

She insisted the statue had been swapped overnight, as she had personally seen workers applying copper paint to a mud sculpture. Li Yan, who had stood vigil at the temple, declared a swap was impossible and mocked her for backing out of her claim. The Crown Prince patronizingly dismissed the issue, stating Xiaofeng wasn't a military person and her pledge shouldn't be taken seriously.

In contrast, Prince Yi Li Chengyin, seeing Xiaofeng’s distress, requested that the Emperor investigate a second statue. However, the Emperor, concerned with royal dignity, declared the matter closed. As they left, Xiaofeng thanked Li Chengyin for his support. He acknowledged that he had involved her and advised her to let the matter rest. Later, Chai Mu admonished Li Chengyin for his rashness in publicly defending Xiaofeng, warning that it could alienate the powerful Prime Minister Gao and weaken their position.

That night, Li Chengyin visited Prime Minister Gao Yuming to apologize for his impulsiveness, admitting he had disrupted the plan Gao and Empress Zhang had arranged for him. Gao advised him to learn from the experience. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince and Li Yan celebrated their narrow escape. Li Chengye thanked Li Yan's father for orchestrating the overnight swap of the statue.

Furious that Prince Yi knew their secrets, Li Yan suggested killing him but was rebuked by his father for the reckless idea. Li Chengye agreed a more subtle approach, befitting the capital's ways, was needed. Later, Zhao Sese visited Li Chengyin in the snow, concerned about the day's events and his association with Xiaofeng. He reassured her they were only investigating a case together, and their mutual affection was well-known, which assuaged her fears.

The next day, Princess Yongning and Princess Luoxi brought Xiaofeng to the hot springs. They accidentally entered the men's bathing area, where they found General Pei Zhao and Li Chengyin. A flustered Luoxi stumbled into Pei Zhao, who quickly escorted her away, while Xiaofeng was left face-to-face with a submerged Li Chengyin. She chided him for not looking away, but her presence triggered a sharp headache and confusing flashes of memory in him.

He wondered aloud if she was his nemesis. Xiaofeng retorted sarcastically, thanking him for the fact they didn't have to marry and noting his good fortune in having the gentle Lady Zhao. Later, at the Imperial Villa, Li Yan was found whipping Li Chengyin's servant, Chan'er, claiming she had startled the Crown Prince's horse. Li Chengyin intervened to protect his servant, but Li Yan insinuated Chan'er was his master's lover.

The Crown Prince arrived and insisted on taking Chan'er for punishment, claiming she had been disrespectful. Unwilling to openly clash with his brother, Li Chengyin relented, pleading only that the Crown Prince spare her life. That evening, the Crown Prince invited Xiaofeng, Yongning, and Luoxi to dinner. Seeing Xiaofeng enjoy the silver ear snow pear soup, he offered her his own bowl, which she gratefully accepted and drank. Moments later, she collapsed from poison.

The Emperor arrived at the sealed-off villa, enraged. The imperial physician reported that Xiaofeng was severely poisoned with an unknown substance and would die within three days without an antidote. The head steward, Lu Pingzhang, reported the day's arrivals and noted that Li Chengyin had left early with Pei Zhao. When the Emperor demanded to know why, Li Yan eagerly recounted the confrontation over Chan'er, implying Li Chengyin was on the verge of fighting both him and the Crown Prince.

The investigation revealed that while the kitchen was secure, it was Li Chengyin's servant, Chan'er, who had taken the tray with the poisoned soup and delivered it directly to Xiaofeng. Furthermore, when apprehended, Chan'er was caught dumping a suspicious pouch into a pond.

Episode 18 Recap

Following an incident where Ninth Princess Xiaofeng was poisoned, Li Yan publicly accused Chan'er, a maidservant from Prince Yu's household, of attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince. The poisoned soup was originally intended for the Crown Prince, who confirmed he had given it to Xiaofeng. Li Yan then accused Prince Yu, Li Chengyin, of being the mastermind behind the plot.

In a calculated display of magnanimity, the Crown Prince, Li Chengye, defended his fifth brother, asserting that Prince Yu would never commit such a treacherous act. Nevertheless, the Emperor ordered Ceng Xian to lead troops to seal and search Prince Yu's manor, and to inform Prime Minister Gao of the situation. At the Court of Judicial Review, Chan'er endured brutal torture but initially claimed sole responsibility, citing personal resentment against the Crown Prince for a past punishment.

This was part of a ruse; internally, she resolved to withstand the torture for three days before confessing, believing this would make her testimony more credible. As a secret agent of the Crown Prince, she felt it was an honor to serve him and was confident her family would be cared for after her death. Meanwhile, Zhao Sese tried to visit the besieged Prince Yu, but her brother, Zhao Shixuan, forcefully stopped her.

He warned that with the Shenwu Army surrounding the manor, any involvement from their family could lead to ruin. As Xiaofeng's condition worsened, her maid A'Du recalled seeing Chan'er speaking privately with the Crown Prince, Li Chengye, realizing he was the true culprit. She went to the Eastern Palace to beg him for the antidote.

However, the Crown Prince and Li Yan mockingly dismissed her, with the Crown Prince tauntingly telling her that since Prince Yu was the accused poisoner, she should seek the antidote from him. With soldiers discovering planted evidence—a vial of poison—in Prince Yu's study, the case against him seemed sealed. Seeing the Crown Prince's cruel indifference, a desperate A'Du sought help from Gu Jian.

He identified the poison as "Blood Thorns," a rare toxin from the Western Regions, for which it was too late to concoct an antidote. Instead, he opted to use his internal energy to expel the poison from Xiaofeng's body. After instructing A'Du to guard the door, Gu Jian undertook the arduous process, eventually saving Xiaofeng's life. As A'Du escorted a weakened Gu Jian out, she saw him cough up blood and instinctively called his name, revealing she was not mute.

Gu Jian was stunned. A'Du tearfully explained that feigning muteness was the only way she could remain by Xiaofeng's side and protect the secrets of her forgotten past. With no other family, Xiaofeng was everything to her.

A flashback revealed the extent of Gu Jian's own frailty; a doctor had previously warned him that injuries sustained from a fall from a cliff had left his body as fragile as a bottle of poison, and that any significant exertion of his internal energy could prove fatal. Healing Xiaofeng had drained him, leaving him profoundly weak. In the imperial court, Ceng Xian reported that Chan'er had confessed, implicating Prince Yu in the plot to kill the Crown Prince.

The Emperor ordered Prince Yu's arrest. Prime Minister Gao and other officials defended Prince Yu, citing his kind nature and questioning the validity of a coerced confession. Li Yan countered their pleas, raising suspicion about Prince Yu by reminding the court that when he and the late Crown Prince Li Chengji went to the Western Border, only Prince Yu returned alive.

The current Crown Prince, Li Chengye, strategically intervened, "defending" Prince Yu to appear benevolent while simultaneously allowing the accusation to hang in the air. The Emperor then punished Li Yan for his outburst. During a private interrogation, the Emperor pressured Prince Yu to confess, citing the "irrefutable evidence." Prince Yu staunchly denied the charges, arguing the evidence was suspiciously convenient and that he would never use his own maid for such a plot.

The Emperor then questioned him about the death of the former Crown Prince, Li Chengji. Stunned by the accusation, Prince Yu realized the depth of the conspiracy against him and asked his father who truly benefited from these events. He then had a vision of his deceased brother, who warned him that in the palace, truth is irrelevant and allies are fickle in the face of power. News arrived that Xiaofeng had awakened.

The Emperor visited her, but no one could explain her miraculous recovery, as A'Du remained silent. Later, a eunuch reported to the Emperor that A'Du had knelt at the Eastern Palace all night, hinting at a connection. Meanwhile, Prince Yu's mother, Zhang Meiniang, pleaded with the Emperor for her son's safety. The Emperor reassured her that he would not be too harsh, given that many ministers had already spoken in Prince Yu's defense.

Episode 19 Recap

Following Chai Mu's investigation, it was discovered that Li Yan had audaciously established a copper coin forging workshop near the practice arena of the Tongchang Suwei Army, the private guards of Elder Prince Zhong. This explained why their earlier search in the city yielded nothing. However, as Li Yan and the Crown Prince had already closed the workshop, Chai Mu devised a plan to inform the Emperor: he arranged for commoners to discover the illicit coins near the arena.

An Imperial Censor subsequently reported this strange discovery, noting that the coins subtly differed from government-issued ones. The Emperor immediately recognized the connection to Elder Prince Zhong's private forces and grew deeply suspicious. Meanwhile, Xiaofeng had awakened and was determined to visit Li Chengyin, who was imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review for allegedly poisoning her. She firmly believed in his innocence and felt compelled to question him personally.

However, security was stringent, with even the Empress having been denied a visit. In desperation, Xiaofeng used the signal whistle Gu Jian had given her, recalling his promise to appear whenever she needed him. Gu Jian arrived, acknowledging that the whistle was not intended for such a request, but nonetheless agreed to help. He then led her into the Celestial Prison, where royal relatives were temporarily held, while he stood guard outside.

Inside, Xiaofeng brought Li Chengyin warm snacks, a gesture that deeply moved him. She expressed her belief that he had been framed, pointing out the suspicious timing of their troubles immediately following their investigation of the Crown Prince and Li Yan. Xiaofeng offered to intercede with the Emperor on his behalf, but Li Chengyin declined, urging her to prioritize her own recovery.

He admitted his own rashness and eagerness to gain leverage against the Crown Prince had led him to use her to expose the fake copper coins, thus implicating her in the dangerous affair. Xiaofeng, however, blamed herself for acting carelessly and inadvertently alerting their enemies. Li Chengyin then warned her about the dangers of the inner palace, emphasizing that she must protect herself now that he could not be by her side.

Upset that he seemed resigned to his fate, Xiaofeng left her cloak with him before discreetly slipping away. The Emperor praised the Crown Prince, Li Chengye, for his recent improvements in reviewing memorials. He then broached the topic of Xiaofeng's poisoning, noting Li Chengye's silence on the matter. Li Chengye feigned disbelief that his "Fifth Brother," Li Chengyin, would commit such an act.

When the Emperor pointed out that Li Chengye was the intended target, the Crown Prince magnanimously declared that he would not blame his younger brother and asked for a lighter sentence. The Emperor commended his broad-mindedness, but then, with a subtle shift in tone, inquired about the death of the previous Crown Prince, Li Chengji. A visibly uneasy Li Chengye deflected, dismissing any renewed suspicion as insubordinate since the case was officially closed and attributed to the Danchi people.

He concluded by stating that Li Chengji's spirit would not wish to see his brothers fighting. The Emperor’s investigators discovered that Chan'er's impoverished family had suddenly moved into a luxurious mansion, suggesting a secret benefactor. Knowing that no lie could withstand three days of torture, the Emperor personally interrogated Chan'er. He cruelly informed her that the Crown Prince had broken his promise and murdered her entire family, leaving their bodies in the wilderness.

In her frantic grief, Chan'er confessed the Crown Prince’s role, crying out that he had promised to keep her family safe. Having extracted the truth, the Emperor ordered Chan'er’s execution. He then publicly announced Li Chengyin’s sentence: his death penalty was commuted, but he was to be banished to Qian Province for life, never to return to the capital. Distraught by the sentence, Li Chengyin's mother, Zhang Meiniang, tearfully embraced him, urging him never to give up hope.

Later that night, she secretly met her uncle, Gao Yuming, pleading with him to save her son and prevent the Crown Prince from ascending the throne. Gao Yuming, a shrewd strategist, agreed, believing that helping Li Chengyin now would ensure his obedience in the future.

He suspected that if the Crown Prince and his faction were truly guilty in the death of the previous Crown Prince Li Chengji, they would try to destroy evidence, especially with the case being brought up again. He deduced their first move would be to destroy the records of Batuer, the alleged assassin. Acting quickly, Gao Yuming retrieved Batuer's file from the Court of Judicial Review, finding only a portrait and a few vague notes, which he found highly suspicious.

Li Chengyin met with his maternal grand-uncle, Gao Yuming, expressing his profound gratitude and pledging his future obedience if he could remain in the capital. Gao Yuming showed him Batuer’s portrait from the sparse file, explaining his suspicion about Batuer's true role in Li Chengji's death and Li Yan's involvement in escorting the supposed assassin. Li Chengyin recalled his father's earlier interrogation which had implicated him in his elder brother's death, confirming the Emperor's underlying doubts.

At Li Chengyin's suggestion, Gao Yuming instructed him to write to his maternal cousin-uncle, Gao Xian—who was involved in the original questioning at the Western Border—and order him to personally deliver all Batuer-related documents to the capital, protecting them at all costs. News quickly reached the Crown Prince, Li Chengye, that Gao Xian was heading to the capital, reportedly splitting his entourage into nine masked groups to evade detection.

Li Chengye ordered elite soldiers to guard all nine city gates, vowing to execute Gao Xian for treason if he attempted to enter without an imperial decree. Meanwhile, Pei Zhao asked Gu Jian to persuade A'Du to provide a credible testimony about Batuer. Pei Zhao explained that evidence from the Gao family would lack credibility due to their ties to Li Chengyin, and only a neutral witness like A'Du could convince the Emperor of Li Chengye's schemes.

Gu Jian attempted to persuade A'Du by highlighting the grave danger Xiaofeng would face if Li Chengyin was not saved, but A'Du remained resistant. Despite the heavy security, Gao Xian successfully reached Li Chengyin and delivered the crucial documents. He impressed upon Li Chengyin the great risk he had taken, urging him to remember the Gao family's sacrifice.

Just as they were exchanging the documents, assassins sent by Li Chengye ambushed them, having tracked them down by intercepting a courier's dispatch. Fortunately, Gu Jian and Pei Zhao appeared unexpectedly, joining forces to help Li Chengyin and Gao Xian fight off the attackers and escape.

Episode 20 Recap

After Gu Jian and Pei Zhao helped him fight through a wave of assassins, a blood-stained Li Chengyin returned to the imperial palace. He presented the Emperor with a scroll and portrait retrieved by Gao Xian, revealing the true appearance of Batuer. Upon seeing it, the Emperor realized he had been deceived by the Crown Prince, Li Chengye, about Batuer's identity. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince and his confidant, Li Yan, sensed their imminent downfall.

Recognizing they were cornered, they knew their only recourse was a desperate gamble. Li Yan offered to take full responsibility for swapping the real Batuer with a fake, but the Crown Prince dismissed the idea, explaining that their close association meant they would fall together. With the title of Crown Prince seemingly lost, they resolved to seize the throne itself. To confirm the truth, the Emperor summoned A'Du and asked her to identify Batuer from ten portraits.

A'Du immediately pointed to the correct one, causing the Emperor to close his eyes in despair as the full extent of his son's treacherous ambition became clear. Determined to play their final hand, the Crown Prince and Li Yan led their forces in a rebellion. The Crown Prince demanded the palace gates be opened, claiming he had an urgent matter for the Emperor. When the guards requested an imperial decree, he forcefully commanded them to open the doors.

Unbeknownst to them, the Emperor had anticipated their move. Calmly, he sat in the hall practicing calligraphy, waiting for the Crown Prince to walk into his trap. As Li Chengye stormed in, believing victory was his, imperial guards swarmed from all sides, under orders to capture the Crown Prince alive and execute his followers. Realizing his cause was lost, Li Chengye fought back furiously, declaring that no one was qualified to capture him.

During the chaos, imperial guards struck Li Yan. Enraged to see his trusted ally wounded, the Crown Prince intensified his desperate attack. Knowing he would not survive, Li Yan impaled himself on the Crown Prince's sword, unwilling to die by anyone else's hand. With his dying breath, Li Yan whispered that in their next life, they should never again be born as brothers in the imperial family. Staring at the lifeless Li Yan, the Crown Prince became unhinged.

He railed against his father, accusing him of teaching him to be a ruthless winner only to obstruct and destroy his ambitions. He questioned if he was merely a tool and if he had ever truly been considered a son. From a distance, Li Chengyin watched coldly, urging his second brother to stop the insurgency. The Crown Prince retorted that their very existence was an insurgency.

Soon, the rebellious forces were vanquished, and the wounded Crown Prince was apprehended and taken to the Court of Judicial Review to await his sentence. At the Court of Judicial Review, the Emperor confronted the Crown Prince, reciting a mournful poem. He accused his son of daring to raise an insurrection, but the Crown Prince defiantly declared that if he had succeeded, he would have killed whomever he pleased.

The Emperor listed his crimes: diverting copper meant for Buddha statues to secretly cast illegal coins, disturbing state governance, and committing fratricide. The Crown Prince blamed the Emperor for everything, accusing him of favoritism towards the first Crown Prince, forcing a rivalry, and then allowing Li Chengyin and even the Crown Princess Consort to investigate him, making him feel he was never truly acknowledged.

The Emperor revealed he had always known about the Crown Prince's involvement in his brother's death yet still appointed him, admitting his partiality was "towards" Li Chengye, as he couldn't bear to lose another son. The Crown Prince scornfully warned him about Li Chengyin, alleging he was just as scheming and backed by the Gao clan, whom the Emperor detested.

The Emperor, with profound sadness, confessed that if not for his son's paranoia, the throne would have eventually been his, as he was the son he had most wanted to appoint. Hearing this, the Crown Prince could only utter "Imperial Father" in dawning regret. With Li Yan dead, his father, Elder Prince Zhong, pleaded with the Grand Empress Dowager to save his clan from implication. He offered his own life in exchange for his family's survival.

Later, the Grand Empress Dowager appeared in court. She requested that the Emperor strip Elder Prince Zhong of his hereditary title, confiscate his assets, and ban his clan from holding office for generations. The Emperor agreed. Regarding the Crown Prince, the Emperor declared that Li Chengye, who attempted patricide and usurpation, and was guilty of assassinating the former Crown Prince, embezzling, and poisoning the Xi State princess, could not be tolerated.

However, as his son, he would be granted an intact corpse. The Emperor sentenced him to death by a cup of poisoned wine and decreed he be buried outside the ancestral tomb.

Episode 21 Recap

Unnamed officials discuss the Grand Empress Dowager's decisive intervention regarding the Prince Zhong family. They note that while Prince Li Yan and the Crown Prince's crimes could have led to the complete annihilation of their clan, the Grand Empress Dowager, in just three statements, merely stripped them of their official positions, sparing all lives. This outcome is compared to a parent publicly disciplining a child to prevent further external retribution.

In a private conversation, Gao Yuming expresses his perplexity and bitterness that the Emperor chose to spare the Prince Zhong family but showed no mercy to his own son, Li Chengye. His son, Kun'er, remarks that Li Chengye’s death is cause for celebration, but Gao Yuming clarifies that he is merely lamenting the Emperor's ruthless heart. Later, the Emperor visits the Grand Empress Dowager, urging her not to fret over her health.

However, she is deeply distressed, tearfully questioning why he could be so heartless towards his own kin. The Emperor defends his actions, stating that Li Chengye should have anticipated the consequences when he first embarked on his path. He asserts that a severe punishment was necessary to make an example, preventing future imperial princes from rebelling and attempting to overthrow their father, thus ensuring the stability of the Li Empire.

The Grand Empress Dowager retorts that she understands the brutality of power struggles but believes the Emperor's "survival of the fittest" philosophy, which allowed fierce competition among his sons, is what led Li Chengye to his fate, claiming the Emperor was responsible for spoiling and teaching him such ways. The Emperor denies fault, blaming Li Chengye's prejudiced heart and deviation from the righteous conduct expected of a sovereign.

The Grand Empress Dowager presses on, pointing out that the Emperor himself gave Li Chengye power and insists he should have chosen a mild-mannered imperial prince to avert such a tragedy. The Emperor concludes the tense discussion by urging her to rest, emphasizing the distinct realms of the inner palace and the imperial court. Afterward, Chai Mu finds Li Chengyin brooding.

Li Chengyin reveals his deep remorse, admitting he never intended to force his second brother into rebellion or cause his death. He reflects that the Crown Prince position held little significance to him before his journey to Xi State, yet it has since caused immense bloodshed. Chai Mu initially remarks that the rebellion stemmed from Li Chengye's own stubborn personality. However, Li Chengyin remains inconsolable over Xiaofeng's near-fatal involvement.

In response, Chai Mu asserts that Li Chengyin's soft heart, particularly his partnership with the Ninth Princess to investigate a case and his defense of her, exposed his weakness to Li Chengye, thereby endangering Xiaofeng. Chai Mu warns him that he will face far more formidable enemies and advises him to become merciless, stressing that only with a heart as unyielding as stone can he become impenetrable and effectively protect those he cherishes.

In her chambers, Xiaofeng refuses to eat, still shaken by the recent violence. She questions Yongniang whether every person who becomes Crown Prince must rise by stepping on the blood of others. Later, Xiaofeng confides in A'Du, speculating that with the Crown Prince gone, she might not have to marry. Delighted by this possibility, she decides to write a letter to her father, requesting to be brought back to Xi State.

The Emperor later convenes his imperial princes for a game of Go. He observes Prince Yun's overly cautious play and Prince Rong's aggressive but shortsighted approach. When asked to contribute, Li Chengyin humbly declines, but when pressed, he quickly assesses the "bent four in the corner" situation, declaring the game unwinnable. After the princes depart, the Emperor asks his attendant, Cao Ji, for his assessment.

Cao Ji praises Li Chengyin's balanced strategy, noting that he had the opportunity to save the game but chose not to, demonstrating his intelligence and foresight. The Emperor concurs, recognizing Li Chengyin's potential to shoulder great responsibilities, but adds that it remains to be seen if he possesses the ambition to compete for the throne. Subsequently, Li Chengyin decides to visit Xiaofeng, despite having an engagement with Zhao Sese.

He finds Xiaofeng and casually mentions he was merely passing by after leaving the Grand Literature Library, a detail Xiaofeng points out is geographically inaccurate. Li Chengyin then tells her that he may not be able to visit the palace as often in the future. Xiaofeng attempts to return a complex "kongming lock" to him, stating her dislike for such intricate things.

Li Chengyin declines to take it back, comparing the Eastern Palace's deceptive simplicity and inherent complexity to the lock. He advises her to protect herself and never to trust others easily within its treacherous confines. Xiaofeng, with a hint of suspicion, asks if that warning extends to him as well. Later, Xiaofeng visits Empress Zhang, who shows her a fox stole sent as a congratulatory gift from Xi State for her marriage.

When Xiaofeng questions this, pointing out the Crown Prince was dethroned, the Empress clarifies that she is destined to be the Crown Princess Consort of the Li Empire, regardless of who the next Crown Prince may be, and instructs her to simply await her marriage. Distraught, Xiaofeng insists that she only wants to return home. That evening, Xiaofeng seeks solace at the Mi Luo Drinking House.

She tearfully confides in Mi Luo and Gu Jian, likening herself to a fox stole being repeatedly gifted from one place to another and lamenting her lack of agency over her own fate. She expresses her deep yearning for her parents and her desire to remain on the grassland instead of being forced into marriage. Meanwhile, Yongniang, discovering Xiaofeng's departure, dispatches Pei Zhao to find her.

Pei Zhao goes to Mi Luo Drinking House, where Mi Luo demands he drink a jug of his potent "Fall in Half a Jug" wine before she will answer. After Pei Zhao complies and becomes visibly drunk, Mi Luo deceptively claims Xiaofeng was not there. As a disoriented Pei Zhao leaves, Mi Luo mutters that Xiaofeng was indeed there and was taken by Gu Jian, whom she trusts to keep her safe.

Moments later, Pei Zhao encounters Li Chengyin, who is on his way to meet Zhao Sese. Pei Zhao informs him of Xiaofeng's disappearance, and Li Chengyin abandons his appointment to join the search. They soon find Gu Jian carrying a heavily intoxicated Xiaofeng. Li Chengyin moves to take her, thanking Gu Jian. As Li Chengyin attempts to leave with Xiaofeng, Gu Jian confronts him, declaring that no one can take her.

He asserts that Li Chengyin has already achieved his goals and Xiaofeng no longer wishes to remain, flatly stating that he cannot take her. However, Li Chengyin successfully brings Xiaofeng back to her residence. There, the still-intoxicated Xiaofeng clings to him, demanding not to be left alone and asking for water, calling him by his name, Li Chengyin.

He scolds her for getting so drunk and tells her that the palace is her home, but Xiaofeng tearfully denies this, asserting that Xi State is her true home. She laments that she is treated like a fragile object on display, ultimately interchangeable and uncared for. Li Chengyin reassures her, promising to care for and protect her. However, Xiaofeng, in her drunken haze, pointedly tells him, "You're Li Chengyin. You belong to Zhao Sese."

Episode 22 Recap

Xiaofeng awoke from her drunken stupor, staring blankly and unable to recall how she had returned to the palace. She assumed General Pei Zhao had carried her back, a detail confirmed by her maid, who added that Pei Zhao had found her in the Imperial Buttery. Xiaofeng inquired if anyone else had been there, but her maid affirmed it was only the general.

Meanwhile, Li Chengyin searched through items brought from the Western Border, hoping to find a gift for Xiaofeng to ease her homesickness. He stumbled upon a wolf tooth pendant, which triggered a frightening vision of the white-eyed wolf king. Startled, he tossed the pendant aside just as Zhao Sese arrived to check on him after their missed appointment. Finding the pendant unique, Sese asked for it. Li Chengyin agreed and personally helped her put it on.

Sese was delighted, noting it was the first gift he had ever given her. Elsewhere, Mingyue went to a tavern looking for Gu Jian and found him with Chai Mu. Recognizing Chai Mu as her long-lost father, a tearful Mingyue embraced him in a heartfelt reunion. Later, Yongning and Luoxi found Xiaofeng and told her it was "People's Day," a festive occasion for poetry and ribbon-cutting. During their playful banter, they accidentally bumped into General Pei Zhao.

Knowing Luoxi had a crush on him, Xiaofeng mischievously gave Luoxi's handkerchief to the general, leaving Luoxi blushing. While heading out to bury a new jar of wine under a plum blossom tree, Xiaofeng encountered Li Chengyin. He teased her about her wine habit, reminding her of the recent incident in the Imperial Buttery. Confused, Xiaofeng recalled seeing him the previous night and wondered if it had been a dream.

Flustered, she hurried away but then spotted a familiar wolf tooth pendant on Zhao Sese's neck. Xiaofeng asked to see it, but Sese protectively covered it and refused. Mingyue later confronted Chai Mu about their family's massacre twenty years prior. She learned that Chai Mu, after escaping capture, had chosen to save the Gu family first, which led to his own family members being buried alive.

Heartbroken and feeling abandoned, Mingyue accused her father of forsaking his wife and child before storming out. Wracked with guilt, Chai Mu could only watch her leave. The Empress summoned Prince Rong's mother to her chambers, angered that Prince Rong had discussed the issue of powerful maternal relatives with the Emperor. She listed the corrupt deeds of his mother's family, reminding her that the Emperor favored Rong precisely because he lacked such backing.

Threatening him with a fate worse than the late Crown Prince's, the Empress terrified Rong's mother into submission. When Rong learned of his mother's humiliation, he furiously vowed retaliation, but his mother stopped him, fearing the Empress's power. She convinced him their only safe option was to request a fiefdom far from the capital. Prince Rong relented, and the Emperor granted him the Shu Region.

Still curious about the pendant, Xiaofeng secretly left the palace and followed Zhao Sese, only to run into Li Chengyin meeting her. Xiaofeng quickly claimed she was out to browse clothing shops with Sese. At a store, Xiaofeng lured Sese into a changing area under the pretense of trying on a dress. Once inside, she directly asked to see the wolf tooth pendant.

Sese feigned ignorance, claiming she couldn't remember wearing such an item, and quickly made her excuses to leave. Back in the palace, Xiaofeng had a vivid, fragmented dream of making a promise with a man in the Western Regions, who vowed to never betray her. The memory was so confusing that she awoke with a gasp, questioning who it was she was supposed to forget.

She was roused by Yongning and Luoxi, who had come to take her to see the lanterns for the festival. On their way out, they met Li Chengyin and Pei Zhao. Yongning quietly explained to Xiaofeng that Li Chengyin was the most likely candidate to become the new Crown Prince, meaning Xiaofeng would soon be his bride, and that she was trying to help them cultivate their relationship.

Episode 23 Recap

On the evening of the Spring Lantern Festival, the capital city of Shangjing was brightly illuminated. Mingyue, burdened with worries, sat alone playing her zither. Gu Jian, unwilling to see her so melancholic, invited her to wander the streets, affirming their friendship regardless of past events. He asked her to accompany him, as he had been in Shangjing for a long time but had yet to experience its bustling markets.

Meanwhile, Yongning and Luoxi were enjoying the lantern market with Xiaofeng when they encountered Li Chengyin and Pei Zhao. Yongning, seizing the opportunity, deliberately pulled Luoxi along with Pei Zhao, claiming Luoxi wanted to visit Weipin Pavilion and instructing Pei Zhao to escort them. Before leaving, Yongning playfully told Li Chengyin to take good care of Xiaofeng.

Alone with her, Li Chengyin looked at Xiaofeng's red outfit and remarked that while he previously disliked the color, she looked exceptionally radiant in it. Xiaofeng wanted a sugar figurine from a street vendor, but both she and Li Chengyin had forgotten to bring money. With a clever idea, they decided to perform in the crowded market. Li Chengyin's sword movements were powerful and swift, while Xiaofeng enthusiastically beat a gong and cheered, creating a lively spectacle.

Having gathered enough coins, Li Chengyin excitedly pulled Xiaofeng to buy the sugar figurines, and her heart swelled with joy. At the stall, Xiaofeng happily bought two figurines. However, a passerby bumped into her, causing one to shatter. As she bent to pick up the pieces, she was stunned to see Li Chengyin nearby, laughing and talking with Zhao Sese. Overwhelmed with disappointment, Xiaofeng silently departed alone. Li Chengyin, speaking distractedly with Zhao Sese, kept searching for Xiaofeng.

Noticing his absentmindedness, Zhao Sese tearfully expressed her understanding that he was determined to become Crown Prince and that Xiaofeng would be his consort. Pleading for no official title, she only asked to be kept in his heart. Soon after, Xiaofeng found Yongning and Luoxi. Yongning comforted her, assuring her that Zhao Sese's gentle act couldn't last forever and Li Chengyin would eventually see Xiaofeng's true worth.

Yongning, who had just bought rouge made from rare safflower petals from Xiaofeng's homeland, tried to cheer her up by recounting how the state guesthouse was filled with envoys from various countries, all there to celebrate Xiaofeng's upcoming wedding—an honor Zhao Sese would never have. Xiaofeng's eyes lit up, realizing she might see people from Xi State. She wanted to go immediately, but Yongning cautioned against it.

Xiaofeng then voiced her deep concern that none of her letters to Xi State had been answered, leaving her to wonder if her father would even attend her wedding. Later, Gu Jian quietly visited Xiaofeng. He reminisced about an incident in Xi State when she had furiously run away after seeing him in a hairpin store with another man.

Gu Jian explained that he had been buying a gift for her, and he worried she might be upset after seeing him with Mingyue earlier. However, Xiaofeng claimed to have no memory of the past events he described, stating she did not remember him. Li Chengyin discussed the struggle for the Crown Prince position with Chai Mu, noting the Fourth Prince as his only remaining rival. Li Chengyin decided to remain passive, believing that any anxious moves would reveal weakness.

Aware he could not contend, the Fourth Prince requested the Emperor's permission to recuperate in Jiangnan, which was granted. The Emperor then tested Li Chengyin's wisdom with a medicated tea, using it as a political metaphor. Li Chengyin's insightful answer, advocating for a gradual approach to solving deep-rooted national problems, greatly impressed his father. An imperial edict was proclaimed, invoking historical precedents to praise Li Chengyin's merit and righteousness.

The edict formally named him Crown Prince and ordered the Ministry of Rites to arrange a grand ceremony. Soon after, in the late spring of the twenty-fourth year of Tientong, Li Chengyin was officially conferred the title, granted the crown and seals, and moved into the Eastern Palace.

A new administration was established for him, with key appointments including Li Shiqing as Junior Preceptor, Zhao Jingyu as Junior Guardian, and Pei Zhao as the Commander of the Crown Prince's Palace Guards. As Li Chengyin stepped into the Eastern Palace, he involuntarily thought of his late brothers, Li Chengji and Li Chengye, recognizing he was now the third Crown Prince to occupy it. That night, Xiaofeng stood alone, aware that with Li Chengyin's ascension, her marriage was imminent.

Gu Jian appeared and firmly asked if she was willing to marry Li Chengyin. He stated that if she was not, he would take her back to Xi State that very night.

Episode 24 Recap

Gu Jian visits Xiaofeng, knowing her wedding is imminent. He offers to help her escape to Xi State that very night if she is unwilling to marry, or to stay by her side if she wishes to remain. Outside, A'Du confronts Gu Jian, questioning his intentions. He explains his desire to take Xiaofeng to a place free from suffering, as he considers the palace and Li Chengyin too dangerous.

A'Du reminds him that he, too, is someone Xiaofeng has forgotten and should not be close to. Gu Jian sorrowfully agrees, fearing his presence might cause her to remember her painful past, making him a "sinner" in her life once more. A'Du asserts that as long as Xiaofeng can live happily, forgetting her past, any place is fine, and she vows to protect her. The next morning, Li Chengyin visits Xiaofeng and she congratulates him on becoming the Crown Prince.

When he presents her with intricate gifts, she remarks that she dislikes such complicated things. Recalling a drunken night when she lamented wanting to return to Xi State because no one truly cared for her in the Li Empire, she realizes it was Li Chengyin, not Pei Zhao, who escorted her back. Li Chengyin promises to handle all complex matters for her from now on.

When Xiaofeng asks if he is asking her to stay, he simply affirms that he is. Later, Xiaofeng goes to the Court of State Ceremonials to meet the envoys from Xi State. After being initially denied entry, General Pei Zhao intervenes and grants her access. She meets Lahemeng, her father's envoy, and eagerly asks about her parents. He reassures her they are well but becomes evasive when she asks about the Danchi envoy and her grandfather, Khan Tömür.

Lahemeng claims the previous envoy retired and that he has not seen any Danchi representatives. Sensing his unease, Xiaofeng presses him, but he avoids her questions and quickly leaves. Meanwhile, Li Chengyin celebrates his investiture as Crown Prince with his mother, Empress Zhang, and his maternal uncle, Gao Yuming. He thanks them for their support and seizes the moment to ask for permission to marry Zhao Sese.

The Empress strongly objects, reminding him that his marriage to Xiaofeng is a matter of state. However, Gao Yuming proposes a solution: marry Xiaofeng as the Crown Princess Consort and Zhao Sese as a concubine of the second rank. Li Chengyin worries this would be unfair to Sese, but his mother retorts that if Sese is unwilling, she can be married off to a dissolute nobleman.

Seeing his mother relent, Li Chengyin is overjoyed, and she advises him that he can still favor Sese after both marriages are complete. Pei Zhao discreetly warns Lahemeng to remain silent about Danchi for the good of everyone involved. Driven by suspicion, Xiaofeng goes to the North Subduing Marquis's manor after seeing goods being delivered from Danchi. She is told the Marquis is not home, as he is currently governing Danchi.

Zhao Sese then appears, revealing the manor is her home and her father is the Marquis. She cruelly informs Xiaofeng that Danchi was eliminated half a year ago by Li Chengyin's forces, and her father was appointed by the Emperor to rule the territory in place of the former Khan. Devastated, Xiaofeng asks about her grandfather, and Sese callously suggests he likely died in battle.

A maid notes that palace staff were forbidden from telling Xiaofeng, but Sese dismisses the rule, claiming she is merely speaking the truth. Overwhelmed with grief and rage, Xiaofeng storms into the Eastern Palace and confronts Li Chengyin, who confirms he led the attack that annihilated Danchi and killed her grandfather. Screaming that she hates him, Xiaofeng tries to attack him.

Li Chengyin restrains her, explaining that while Khan Tömür was her grandfather, he was also an enemy of the Li Empire, and the war between their nations was a complex political reality. Xiaofeng furiously accuses him of using the Danchi people's deaths to secure the title of Crown Prince and eliminate his rival, Li Chengye. After violently flipping a table, she declares she will return to Xi State and cancel the marriage.

Li Chengyin coldly counters that her father already knew of Danchi's fate when he sent her for the political marriage, and that the alliance is critical for Xi State's survival. He stresses that their marriage contract binds their two nations, not just them as individuals. Heartbroken, Xiaofeng confronts A'Du, asking if she also knew she was being sent to marry her grandfather's killer. She tearfully accuses A'Du of deceiving her and pushing her into a "fire pit."

In despair, A'Du draws a dagger to kill herself, but Xiaofeng stops her, and the two embrace in tears. Xiaofeng apologizes, realizing A'Du has also been suffering in silence, unable to return home. Pei Zhao reports Xiaofeng's discovery to Li Chengyin, who worries how he will face her with their wedding just days away. A'Du secretly seeks out Gu Jian, pleading with him to help Xiaofeng escape the marriage, insisting she cannot marry her family's enemy.

Though Gu Jian hesitates, citing the political ramifications for Xi State, A'Du persuades him by appealing to his desire for Xiaofeng's happiness. He agrees and writes a note with an escape plan. However, Xiaofeng's attendant, Yongniang, sees the note. Fearing a scandal and wishing to protect Xiaofeng from punishment, she reports the escape plan to the Grand Empress Dowager, who orders Yongniang to watch Xiaofeng at all times.

When Xiaofeng attempts to flee, she is caught and brought before the Grand Empress Dowager. Kneeling and in tears, she begs to be released, proclaiming she hates Li Chengyin and cannot marry him. The Grand Empress Dowager takes her to the ancestral hall, pointing to the tablet of General Li Renmu, whose great-granddaughter, Consort Mingyuan, had treated Xiaofeng like her own daughter. She reveals that Li Renmu was killed by Xiaofeng's own great-grandfather.

She reminds Xiaofeng that Mingyuan, at a similar age, was sent to Xi State in a political marriage, where she set aside personal hatred for the sake of peace. The Grand Empress Dowager admonishes Xiaofeng for her selfishness, urging her to honor her mission and Consort Mingyuan's sacrifice. Pointing to the memorial candles, she explains they burn for peace and stability. Tearfully, Xiaofeng understands.

The Grand Empress Dowager advises her that if she must hate someone, it should be the Emperor or herself, not the Crown Prince. When Xiaofeng whispers that she misses her home, the old woman gently tells her, "This is your home now."

Episode 25 Recap

On the spring of the twenty-fourth year of Tiantong, the Crown Prince Li Chengyin married Princess Qu Xiaofeng of Xi State, who was conferred as Crown Princess. On the same day, Zhao Sese, daughter of the North Subduing Marquis, was conferred as Lady of Excellence.

The entire Li Dynasty rejoiced, and the grand wedding ceremony saw Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng bowing to Heaven and Earth, to the high altar, and to each other, sealing their union with nuptial wine amidst the congratulations of court officials. Despite the joyous occasion, Xiaofeng’s face held no smile, bearing no memory of having once bowed to this same man when he was known as Gu Xiaowu. Simultaneously, Zhao Sese arrived at Qingluan Palace.

Her maid remarked on the less festive atmosphere, noting it was only cheerful due to the Crown Princess’s wedding, and lamented that the Empress had deliberately insisted on Zhao Sese’s marriage taking place on this day to remind her of her place. Zhao Sese, however, remained unfazed, declaring that as long as Li Chengyin’s heart belonged solely to her, the title of Crown Princess held little importance. Meanwhile, Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng entered the bridal chamber.

As Li Chengyin approached, Xiaofeng subtly drew a dagger, prompting him to turn and leave without a word. At the Mi Luo Drinking House, Gu Jian sat lost in thought. He asked Mi Luo if she had ever loved anyone, to which Mi Luo replied that loving someone was too tiring and tormenting. Gu Jian agreed, his eyes filled with sorrow.

He confessed that he once believed he would find Xiaofeng and give her happiness in a next life, but now realized that even if life were to restart, the outcome would remain unchanged: she would still be by Li Chengyin’s side. He worried that Xiaofeng would eventually recall their shared past, a memory he knew would be devastating for her.

He understood that he could not give her happiness, even if he were to take her away, realizing that for some things, there is only one chance to choose, and a single missed moment could mean an eternity of regret. Having been rebuffed by Xiaofeng, Li Chengyin sought solace in drink, becoming completely intoxicated.

He stumbled towards Qingluan Palace to find Zhao Sese, who was pleased by his arrival, believing his presence in her quarters on his wedding night indicated his true affections lay with her. Xiaofeng, on the other hand, stood alone in the desolate night, gazing at the moon, her heart aching with longing for her distant homeland.

Unbeknownst to her, Pei Zhao stood in the shadows nearby, playing a melancholy tune on his flute, his solitary figure adding to the somber scene. The next morning, Li Chengyin departed Qingluan Palace at dawn to accompany Xiaofeng to pay their respects to the Empress. Having spent a sleepless night exposed to the cold, Xiaofeng, suffering from a high fever and a weakened state, collapsed during the ceremony. The Empress immediately inquired about Xiaofeng's condition.

Li Chengyin casually stated he had been at Qingluan Palace all night and was unaware of how Xiaofeng had fallen ill. Angered by his blatant disregard for propriety on his wedding night, the Empress accused Zhao Sese of bewitching the Crown Prince. She decreed that Zhao Sese be confined to Qingluan Palace for half a month, forbidding any visitors, including Li Chengyin.

He attempted to defend Zhao Sese, but the Empress’s stern warning of a harsher punishment compelled him to back down and accept his error. Later, Xiaofeng remained unconscious in her chambers. Li Chengyin quietly sat by her bed and covered her with a blanket. Suddenly, Xiaofeng awakened, swiftly pulling out a dagger and cutting his hand. Li Chengyin concealed his injury and angrily accused her of faking her illness to secure Zhao Sese’s punishment.

Overwhelmed by rage, he commanded the Palace Pharmaceutical Service not to treat Xiaofeng and warned that anyone who dared to bring an imperial physician to her would face severe consequences. Meanwhile, Zhao Sese calmly received the Empress’s decree of confinement. Her maid, Jin'er, complained about the injustice, noting Li Chengyin himself had initiated the visit.

Zhao Sese, however, reaffirmed her perspective, asserting that the Empress's attempts to suppress her would only deepen Li Chengyin’s affection, and his care was all she truly desired within the Eastern Palace.

Episode 26 Recap

Following the wedding, Crown Princess Xiaofeng falls gravely ill. General Pei Zhao reports her deteriorating condition to Crown Prince Li Chengyin, who confesses he is aware of her illness. He explains that to appease the punished Zhao Sese, he must feign anger and publicly neglect Xiaofeng. He secretly instructs Pei Zhao to procure high-quality medicine from his own stores and have it delivered to Xiaofeng through Yongniang, the Great-Grandmother’s trusted servant.

He also orders Pei Zhao to investigate the Eastern Palace to identify spies working for the Empress and Prime Minister Gao. Pei Zhao later meets with his mentor, Chai Mu. Pei Zhao explains that the Empress and Prime Minister Gao want Li Chengyin to be a Crown Prince absorbed in romance, making him easier to manipulate, a pretense Li Chengyin is using to hide his true ambitions and plan his strategy.

Chai Mu confirms he has already ordered Gu Jian to summon all Submerged Dragon Envoys to the capital, placed spies in the Gao and Ye manors, and replaced most of the Eastern Palace guards with their own men, leaving some of the original staff to avoid arousing suspicion. They discuss Fang Shiqing, one of the Crown Prince's preceptors, whom Pei Zhao confirms is Gao's man and that Li Chengyin intends to use him in a ruse.

Chai Mu expresses concern over Li Chengyin’s changing attitude towards Xiaofeng, warning Pei Zhao that the Crown Prince’s position is still precarious and urging him to report any unusual developments. Xiaofeng, deeply homesick, refuses all medicine from Yongniang and A'Du. Gu Jian arrives with her favorite lamb ribs and grape wine, lifting her spirits. She confides in him her longing for Xi State and worries why her father has not replied to her letters.

Moved by her loneliness, Gu Jian secretly visits Li Chengyin. He explains that Xiaofeng, still unaware of her mother's death, feels isolated. He asks Li Chengyin to send her some tribute items from Xi State along with a forged letter from her father to comfort her. Li Chengyin agrees and tasks Pei Zhao with the delivery, strictly warning him to keep the Crown Prince's involvement a secret.

Receiving the letter and gifts, Xiaofeng is overjoyed and relieved, her homesickness temporarily eased. To further his political schemes, Li Chengyin feigns incompetence during court discussions with his preceptors. When the Empress visits, he complains about the tedious lectures of Junior Preceptor Li Shiqing, making himself appear overwhelmed. The Empress advises him to consult Prime Minister Gao for guidance.

Later, Fang Shiqing reports to Prime Minister Gao, boasting that the Crown Prince now favors him over the other preceptors and has even begun relying on him to "guess" exam topics, earning rewards from the Emperor. Despite this, Gao remains wary, suspecting Li Chengyin's ineptitude is an act and still troubled by the Danchi incident, wondering who is secretly aiding the Crown Prince. General Pei Zhao accompanies Xiaofeng to a memorial temple.

He explains that Li Chengyin ordered its construction to honor her grandfather, Tömür, as a hero. However, following Li Chengyin's secret instructions, when Xiaofeng asks if he had sent them, Pei Zhao lies and claims the visit was his own idea. Inside, upon seeing Tömür's armor, Xiaofeng collapses in tears.

Pei Zhao consoles her, explaining that the war between their nations has a long history and that such conflicts, not solely controlled by the Crown Prince, bring suffering to both sides. Xiaofeng acknowledges the tragedy of war but laments her cruel fate, torn between her grandfather's death and her marriage to the man who led the army against him. Once Zhao Sese's house arrest is lifted, Li Chengyin immediately visits her, fueling palace gossip.

The servants note his attention to Zhao Sese contrasts sharply with his neglect of the still-recovering Xiaofeng. When Yongniang tries to silence them, Xiaofeng calmly stops her. She explains that her sadness was once rooted in her inability to return home, but she has resolved to live cheerfully in the capital. Feeling restless, Xiaofeng and A'Du sneak out to the Mi Luo Drinking House, meeting Gu Jian and Mi Luo.

Xiaofeng, explaining her past aloofness was due to amnesia, expresses her gratitude for Gu Jian's care and asks to become sworn siblings. Gu Jian playfully deflects, suggesting a master-student relationship would be more appropriate to avoid rumors. He makes a solemn promise: as her master, he will be her closest protector after her parents, willing to stand against the world for her. Moved, Xiaofeng formally accepts him as her master. As they celebrate, a tipsy Gu Jian tells Mi Luo that their strange harmony exists because they have known each other for two lifetimes.

Episode 27 Recap

Overwhelmed by alcohol after leaving the Mi Luo Drinking House, Xiaofeng was escorted back to the palace by Gu Jian and A'Du. As she was led away, Xiaofeng mumbled that she already had a master. Meanwhile, the Emperor was informed that since Li Chengyin's return to the capital, he had been frequently meeting with a mysterious figure named Chai Mu.

The report detailed that Chai Mu's organization, the Submerged Dragon Envoys, a Jianghu group previously active in the Western Border, had now secretly entered Shangjing. It was also speculated that Chai Mu might have had a connection to the late Consort Mingyuan. Alarmed by this information, the Emperor ordered a thorough and confidential investigation into Chai Mu's background and intentions, emphasizing the need to find him.

That evening, as it was the anniversary of her mother's death, Chai Mu sought out his daughter, Mingyue, hoping they could commemorate it together. However, Mingyue's demeanor was cold. She informed him that she had already erected a cenotaph for her mother and did not want "irrelevant people" to disturb her. Chai Mu expressed his understanding of her resentment and asked for more time, promising to take her away once his affairs were settled.

Mingyue sternly replied that some things, once broken, could never be mended, and she no longer wished to see him. As Chai Mu left the Singing Jade Brothel, he was ambushed by Shenwu Army soldiers. Recognizing their hostile intent, Chai Mu fought back, but just as the situation grew dire, Gu Jian intervened, helping Chai Mu escape back into the brothel. Soon after, the Shenwu Army stormed the brothel.

Upon searching Mingyue's room, the commander discovered fresh bloodstains, making Mingyue a suspect. Despite her protests, she was arrested. Hidden on the roof, Gu Jian and a distraught Chai Mu watched helplessly as Mingyue was taken away. Gu Jian reassured the worried father that Mingyue was intelligent and would know how to handle the situation. Blindfolded, Mingyue was taken to a grand hall where the Emperor, posing as the Governor of the Capital, was waiting.

He explained that his men were apprehending a court fugitive and sought her cooperation. Mingyue calmly identified herself as a courtesan from the Singing Jade Brothel and, feigning illness, denied having received any guests that day. When questioned about the blood, she concocted a story about two masked strangers who had burst into her room.

She claimed one, who spoke with a Western Border accent, gave her silver and threatened her to keep playing her pipa regardless of any commotion outside. Claiming ignorance of their fugitive status, she thanked the "officer" for his timely rescue. Impressed by her composure and watertight story, the Emperor complimented her eloquence and, noticing her pipa, requested a song. Mingyue complied, playing "Liuyao" with such exquisite skill that it deeply moved him.

He praised her performance and offered her gold, which Mingyue gracefully refused, stating she wouldn't play for material gain. Intrigued, the Emperor promised to visit her at the Singing Jade Brothel to hear her play again, and had Commander Ceng Xian escort her out. Realizing his presence in Shangjing was too dangerous, Chai Mu decided to go into hiding outside the capital.

He entrusted Gu Jian with full command of the Submerged Dragon Envoys, anointing him the new "young master" and establishing a new secret signal for communication. Later, Gu Jian secretly met with Mingyue to inform her of Chai Mu's departure. Reflecting on her interrogation, Mingyue deduced that her interrogator was not the Governor of the Capital, but the Emperor himself.

To mend the strained relationship between Xiaofeng and Li Chengyin, Yongniang suggested that Xiaofeng visit Zhao Sese as a gesture of goodwill. Xiaofeng initially refused, stating she only wanted to live for herself, not to please Li Chengyin or his beloved. However, Yongniang's heartfelt plea and remorse for failing the Grand Empress Dowager eventually swayed Xiaofeng. She decided to present Zhao Sese with a rare, aged grape wine from Xi State.

Her visit was obstructed by Li Chengyin, who accused Xiaofeng of malicious intent, recalling past incidents. Their argument escalated into a scuffle, during which the wine bottle shattered and both Xiaofeng and Zhao Sese fell. Instinctively, Li Chengyin first reached out to help Xiaofeng, which an embarrassed and jealous Sese witnessed.

Noticing Sese had cut her hand on the broken glass, Li Chengyin immediately turned his attention to her, carefully bandaging the wound while blaming Xiaofeng, whom he ordered to leave. Angered and hurt, Xiaofeng stormed out. At the Mi Luo Drinking House, Pei Zhao found Gu Jian washing dishes to repay a wine debt. Pei Zhao suggested that the tension between Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng was an act and that the Crown Prince still cared for her.

Gu Jian countered that caring was different from knowing how to care, expressing concern over how Li Chengyin's actions continually hurt Xiaofeng. Later, Li Chengyin brought Xiaofeng and Zhao Sese to visit Empress Zhang. Their bickering resumed until the Emperor arrived to discuss the upcoming Bathing the Buddha Festival. He announced that Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng would represent the royal family in receiving foreign envoys. The Empress, already prepared, presented the ceremonial outfits for the occasion.

Xiaofeng admired her dress, recalling a similar one the late Consort Mingyuan had owned. That evening, at the Empress's request, Li Chengyin went to instruct Xiaofeng on the festival's etiquette. Xiaofeng cut him off, finding it hypocritical for a "cold-blooded killer" like him to feign mercy before Buddha. She declared her civility towards him was only because he had built a memorial temple for her grandfather and adamantly refused to attend the festival with him.

Sensing Li Chengyin wanted her to give the ceremonial outfit to Zhao Sese, Xiaofeng defiantly stated she wouldn't go, promising to feign illness so Sese wouldn't be implicated. Annoyed, Li Chengyin took the outfit and left.

Episode 28 Recap

Following a bitter argument, Xiaofeng handed all her custom-made Bathing the Buddha Festival attire to Li Chengyin, telling him to give it to Zhao Sese. Although Li Chengyin hadn't intended for their conflict to escalate this far, he impulsively took the garments and delivered them to Zhao Sese. That evening, Xiaofeng, looking at her reflection, resolved not to attend the festival. She planned to feign a relapse of an old illness if the Emperor and Empress questioned her absence.

Yongniang tried to dissuade her, but Xiaofeng was adamant, stating she preferred to yield the opportunity to Zhao Sese to avoid constant disputes with Li Chengyin. On the day of the Bathing the Buddha Festival, Zhao Sese accompanied Li Chengyin while Xiaofeng remained in her palace, officially citing illness. In reality, she was confiding in A'Du about strange, vivid memories that had been troubling her.

While the imperial physician dismissed them as nightmares, Xiaofeng felt they were too real, unlike the Empress's stories about encountering desert bandits, of which she had no recollection. She felt certain she had forgotten something profoundly important and was determined to remember it. Knowing Xiaofeng was bored, Gu Jian took her and A'Du to the bustling temple fair. Xiaofeng, intrigued by a Persian sorceress offering fortune-telling, eagerly approached, with Gu Jian following.

The sorceress dramatically proclaimed that Xiaofeng and Gu Jian shared a bond across two lifetimes, both fated to end tragically, and urged them to separate. Xiaofeng dismissed it as a scam and left to find A'Du. Gu Jian, however, stayed behind to hear more. The sorceress told him that he carried a heavy burden of sin and was destined to suffer the agony of a thousand arrows piercing his heart.

Gu Jian smiled, acknowledging the truth in her prediction of his suffering. He affirmed, however, that he had no intention of dying and was resolved to live a long life, as he would gladly endure any pain for Xiaofeng's happiness. Later, as people bought turtles to release into the river for good fortune, Xiaofeng and A'Du discovered that unscrupulous merchants were secretly recapturing the released turtles to resell them.

Incensed, Xiaofeng publicly confronted the merchants, using a white cloth she had tied to one of the turtles as proof to expose their deceit. Enraged, the merchants and their accomplices chased Xiaofeng and A'Du through the crowded market. After a frantic chase, the two managed to fight off their pursuers. As Xiaofeng was triumphantly gloating, Pei Zhao arrived with guards to apprehend the merchants.

Xiaofeng was surprised to see him, but Pei Zhao awkwardly gestured toward the city's Vermilion Bird Tower, revealing that the Emperor and Empress were observing the festivities from above. Mortified, Xiaofeng had no choice but to follow Pei Zhao back to the palace. Upon their return, an irate Empress demanded an explanation. Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng immediately fell into a heated argument, each blaming the other.

Li Chengyin accused Xiaofeng of feigning illness to embarrass him, while Xiaofeng retorted that he had taken her ceremonial dress for another woman. Their bickering only deepened the Empress's displeasure. Ultimately, the Empress concluded that Zhao Sese had bewitched Li Chengyin, causing Xiaofeng to act out of grievance.

When Li Chengyin tried to defend Zhao Sese, the Empress grew angrier and punished Zhao Sese by confining her to Qingluan Hall to kneel and recite Buddhist scriptures for a month, twelve hours each day. Unable to protest, a seething Zhao Sese accepted the punishment. After the others departed, the Empress, Zhang Meiniang, gravely warned Li Chengyin against doting exclusively on Zhao Sese, reminding him that Xiaofeng was the legitimate Crown Princess Consort.

Li Chengyin gave a perfunctory agreement, but the Empress sensed he was no longer as pliable as before, fearing she was losing her influence over him. Feeling guilty for getting Zhao Sese punished, Li Chengyin visited her in Qingluan Hall. Moved by his deep affection and concern, Zhao Sese wept, feeling her suffering was worthwhile. Later, Li Chengyin confided in Pei Zhao, expressing regret for implicating Zhao Sese.

He then revealed his new plan: to stage a public confrontation at Xiaofeng's residence, Bearing Graces Hall. He intended to act like a tyrant and bully Xiaofeng, ensuring everyone would believe he was entirely at fault. This way, any future mistakes Xiaofeng made would be blamed on his mistreatment, thereby protecting her. With a cold expression, Li Chengyin stormed into Bearing Graces Hall, demanding justice for Zhao Sese.

In a calculated fit of rage, he forbade anyone in the Eastern Palace from speaking to the Crown Princess Consort, threatening to have the tongues of any disobedient servant cut out before reassigning them to hard labor.

Episode 29 Recap

Gao Yuming received news that Li Chengyin had attended the Bathing the Buddha Festival with Zhao Sese, leaving Xiaofeng behind. He expressed concern that Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng might only be pretending to be at odds, and that Li Chengyin could be secretly using a man named Chai Mu to secure an alliance with Xi State, which would make him much harder to control. His youngest daughter, Ruyi, arrived with a bowl of ginseng broth.

Gao Yuming praised Ruyi's sensibility, stating that only a man destined to rule the world would be worthy of her. Xiaofeng noticed that everyone in the Eastern Palace was avoiding her. Yongniang explained that Li Chengyin had issued an order forbidding anyone from speaking with the Crown Princess Consort, with punishments for disobedience including having their tongues plucked out and exile. Fearing Xiaofeng would be bored, Princess Yongning brought Princess Luoxi to visit.

The three secretly planned to sneak out of the palace that evening to celebrate Luoxi's birthday at a friend's wine house in the East Market. Meanwhile, the Empress was enraged by Li Chengyin's decree concerning Xiaofeng and shattered a bowl of soup in her fury. Her maid, Xuniang, felt nauseous from the smell and began to vomit. A subsequent examination ordered by the suspicious Empress revealed Xuniang was pregnant.

Infuriated by the scandal, the Empress commanded her guards to cane Xuniang to death. In desperation, Xuniang confessed that the child's father was Zhang Can, a Yulin Guard. When Xiaofeng and A'Du tried to leave the Eastern Palace, the guards, bound by the decree, could only physically block them. General Pei Zhao arrived and resolved the standoff. Later, Pei Zhao questioned Li Chengyin about the order.

Li Chengyin explained that the Empress was closely watching Xiaofeng, intending to use her against Zhao Sese. By silencing the palace staff, he hoped to prevent Xiaofeng from being provoked into saying something that could cause trouble. He then instructed Pei Zhao to have his men secretly follow and protect Xiaofeng. While shopping in the market, Xiaofeng and A'Du realized they were being followed. They split up to shake their pursuers, who then surrounded A'Du.

Gu Jian arrived just in time to fend them off, telling A'Du to rejoin Xiaofeng at a nearby medical clinic and then for them both to proceed to the Mi Luo Drinking House. Xiaofeng had gone to the clinic hoping to find a cure for her memory loss, which she believed stemmed from a past head injury. The doctor found no signs of head trauma but noted a significant amount of "cold qi" in her body.

As Xiaofeng left, A'Du caught up and relayed Gu Jian's instructions to wait for him at the Mi Luo Drinking House. At the drinking house, Xiaofeng drank, troubled by a vague feeling that something was unresolved in her heart, though she could not recall what. Mi Luo, the proprietor, advised her to let go of what she couldn't remember, as many things are fated. Xiaofeng then arranged to reserve the entire establishment that evening for Luoxi's birthday party.

Later, a group of boisterous Yulin Guards, led by Zhang Can, burst in and rudely demanded a change of music. Disgusted by their behavior, Xiaofeng openly criticized them. This angered the guards, who pursued her and A'Du into the market. The confrontation was stopped by the timely arrival of Pei Zhao and his soldiers. Pei Zhao reprimanded Zhang Can for causing a public disturbance and ordered him and his men to return to their barracks to face punishment.

Xiaofeng visited the Weipin Pavilion to select a gift for Luoxi, choosing a rare malachite stone, which symbolizes peace and prosperity. She also had a second stone engraved for Zhao Sese, whose birthday was the next day. That evening, Pei Zhao reluctantly escorted Princesses Luoxi and Yongning to the Mi Luo Drinking House at Xiaofeng's request.

Though initially hesitant due to palace rules, he was convinced by Luoxi's heartfelt plea for a genuine birthday celebration and her promise to return before midnight. Xiaofeng presented the malachite stone to a delighted Luoxi. The girls celebrated joyfully, sampling numerous wines. Yongning became very intoxicated, playfully pretending to be a bunny and a bird. Luoxi, emboldened by the alcohol, recited romantic poems to a flustered Pei Zhao, who struggled to respond to her advances.

Upon their late return to the palace, Yongniang reminded Xiaofeng to send a gift for Zhao Sese's birthday. Xiaofeng assured her a gift was ready and asked Yongniang to wake her in the morning. The next day, Xiaofeng overslept. Taking matters into her own hands, Yongniang ordered the Imperial Buttery to prepare a bowl of longevity noodles and sent them to Zhao Sese as a gift from the Crown Princess Consort.

Although Zhao Sese's maid was suspicious, Zhao Sese insisted on eating them. Shortly after, an enraged Li Chengyin stormed into Xiaofeng's residence, accusing her of harming Zhao Sese, who was now suffering from severe vomiting and diarrhea. Xiaofeng was bewildered by the accusation and denied any involvement. Terrified, Yongniang confessed to sending the noodles on her own initiative but swore she had not tampered with them. Dismissing Yongniang's plea to be punished by death, Xiaofeng insisted that if they had done nothing wrong, they were not to blame for Zhao Sese's illness.

Episode 30 Recap

After the longevity noodles incident, Li Chengyin deduced that Yongniang, who once served the Grand Empress Dowager, would not commit such a dishonorable act. He suspected Zhao Sese had orchestrated the incident herself to frame the Crown Princess Consort. Meanwhile, Zhang Meiniang and her maid discussed the matter, concluding that Zhao Sese had staged the entire event.

The maid noted that Li Chengyin had foolishly believed Zhao's act, causing a scene at the Crown Princess Consort's palace and even threatening to depose her. Acknowledging that Zhao Sese was a nuisance and that Li Chengyin's favoritism blinded him, Zhang Meiniang began to devise a plan. Feeling sympathy for Zhao Sese and believing Li Chengyin was being unreasonable, Xiaofeng decided to visit her.

Despite her friends Luoxi and Yongning's warnings not to get involved, Xiaofeng insisted, asserting that Xi State women are always forthright. At Zhao Sese's palace, she found Zhao looking frail and presented her with a malachite stone necklace from Xi State. Feigning gratitude, Zhao Sese then showed Xiaofeng a wolf fang pendant, claiming it was a love token from Li Chengyin. Xiaofeng immediately recognized it as her own, a gift from her grandfather.

Unable to reclaim it, she left, while Zhao Sese privately vowed to uncover the history between Xiaofeng and Li Chengyin. To thank Pei Zhao for his help, Xiaofeng crafted a traditional Xi State talisman for him. When she presented the good luck charm, Pei Zhao was hesitant to accept, citing his duty and their differing statuses. Xiaofeng insisted, viewing him as a friend. Just then, Li Chengyin arrived.

Xiaofeng confronted him about the wolf fang, explaining it was a battle trophy from her grandfather. Li Chengyin casually explained that he found it among items brought back from the Western Border and gave it to Zhao Sese because she liked it, unaware it was Xiaofeng's. Annoyed by his dismissal, Xiaofeng demanded its return, but Li Chengyin merely stated he would handle it before departing.

Later, Pei Zhao informed Gu Jian about the confrontation over the wolf fang, worried it could trigger painful memories for both Xiaofeng and Li Chengyin. Gu Jian revealed that Xiaofeng had been acting strangely, avoiding him and visiting a physician, likely trying to regain her lost memories. To stop them from investigating further, Gu Jian concocted a story for Pei Zhao to tell.

Pei Zhao then approached Li Chengyin, falsely claiming he had found the wolf fang outside a campsite on their return from the Western Border, mistook it for one of Li Chengyin's Danchi trophies, and placed it among his belongings. Li Chengyin accepted the explanation and told Pei Zhao he would speak to Xiaofeng himself. Subsequently, Pei Zhao learned from Wannian County that two individuals posing as Imperial Guards were involved in a legal dispute.

Upon hearing one was named "Zhou Xi," a name reminiscent of Xiaofeng's home state (Xi Zhou), he rushed to the county court. There, he found Xiaofeng and A'Du, disguised as men, being accused by a man of pushing his son into the river. Xiaofeng insisted she had rescued the children after they fell in. The muddled county magistrate, hearing Xiaofeng admit she couldn't swim, illogically concluded her rescue attempt was proof of guilt.

Pei Zhao intervened and questioned the children separately, exposing contradictions in their stories. The children confessed their father had instructed them to feign drowning to extort money from their rescuer. After being exonerated, Xiaofeng rebuked the magistrate for his poor judgment, which she argued would discourage people from doing good deeds. She then thanked Pei Zhao, telling him he was a true friend and that the treacherous ways of the capital were unlike the straightforwardness of Xi State.

Meanwhile, the Emperor, frustrated by the fruitless search for Chai Mu, visited the Mingyu Brothel to see Mingyue. Captivated by her beauty and her address of him as a "bosom friend," he shared drinks with her. After the Emperor left, Gu Jian checked on Mingyue, who revealed she had something important to tell the Crown Prince and asked Gu Jian to arrange a meeting.

Episode 31 Recap

Upon returning to the palace with A'Du, Xiaofeng was met by an enraged Li Chengyin, who had been waiting for four hours. Feeling guilty, Xiaofeng offered a quiet apology as Li Chengyin dismissed Yongniang and others, insisting on a private conversation. Li Chengyin chastised Xiaofeng for causing chaos every time she left the palace, noting that even General Pei Zhao, who held significant responsibilities, was constantly preoccupied with her escapades.

Xiaofeng retorted that it was Li Chengyin who had assigned Pei Zhao to follow her, thereby hindering his official duties. Li Chengyin countered that if she did not sneak out, he would not need to have someone follow her. He then addressed her previous inquiry about the wolf tooth, explaining he found it outside his tent while returning from the Western Border.

Unsure of its owner, he brought it back and later gifted it to Zhao Sese because she liked it. He assured Xiaofeng he would find a suitable opportunity to retrieve it and return it to her. During the imperial court session, Gao Kun, the Minister of Revenue, reported that the remnants of the Danchi army had fled southwest to Shuobo State, taking refuge in the western valley of Yanzhi Mountain. He detailed their frequent raids, which terrorized the region.

Far Subduing Generalissimo Gao Xian had requested a western expedition to eliminate these rebels and prevent future threats, seeking twenty-five million kilograms of food supplies and one million taels of silver for military payroll. Zhao Shixuan, whose father, the North Subduing Marquis, was in charge of Danchi, immediately argued that the funds should be allocated to the Zhao family, as it was their responsibility to capture the Danchi remnants.

Gao Kun countered that the Western Border Protectorate General Office had always maintained border stability, making General Gao Xian the appropriate leader for the expedition. Zhao Shixuan accused the Gao brothers of colluding to embezzle treasury funds under the guise of military expenses. Gao Kun vehemently denied any private gain, asserting that every transaction was meticulously recorded. The Crown Prince intervened, appealing to the Emperor for a decision.

Prime Minister Gao then offered his perspective, advocating for a balance between General Gao Xian's firm approach and General Zhao's conciliatory strategy to ensure the Danchi people's loyalty and maintain peace. After consideration, the Emperor instructed Gao Kun to prepare a detailed and accurate memorial, ensuring both the Western Border Protectorate's needs were met and the State Treasury remained robust.

After the court session, Zhao Shixuan discretely informed Li Chengyin that the Danchi remnants were mostly old, weak, women, and children, and a hundred-thousand-men army was unnecessary. He suspected Far Subduing Generalissimo Gao Xian of either embezzling funds or secretly amassing an army, warning of his nefarious intentions. Li Chengyin acknowledged the concern but stressed the need for concrete evidence. Zhao Shixuan pledged his full commitment to the investigation if given the word.

Shortly after, Gu Jian introduced Chen Yan, also known as Mingyue, to Li Chengyin. Chen Yan expressed her desire to help Li Chengyin topple the Gao family and redress the grievances of both the Gu and Chen families. She revealed that she had already met the Emperor twice and had begun to gain his trust, believing that with his support, their case could be redressed swiftly.

Gu Jian expressed concern for Mingyue's safety, knowing she was a lady without martial arts training, but Mingyue insisted, driven by a desire to settle the score for her mother and clan whom Prime Minister Gao had killed. Li Chengyin, although initially hesitant, recognized her unwavering determination. He later admitted to Gu Jian that he agreed to Mingyue's proposal partly out of self-interest, hoping to quickly topple Prime Minister Gao.

He argued that allowing Mingyue to act independently would pose greater risks, whereas operating with his oversight would offer her more safety. Gu Jian retorted that they had no other choice, as Prime Minister Gao was already suspicious of them, and the truth about Sir Chai would inevitably be uncovered, endangering them all. Meanwhile, Zhao Sese, who had been put on house arrest and punished to kneel and read scriptures, was comforted by her maid.

The maid lamented the Empress's bias, but Sese maintained that only the Crown Prince's trust mattered to her, despite the Empress forbidding his daily visits to her hall. Elsewhere, Xiaofeng yearned for her family, noting she had only received one letter from her father since her marriage a year ago, and none from her mother. She hoped to one day return to Xi State.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Princess Yongning and Princess Luoxi, who informed her of an upcoming royal family banquet aimed at fostering interaction among royal and prominent families, and subtly, to find husbands for eligible princesses. Xiaofeng groaned at the prospect of seeing Li Chengyin again, while Yongning and Luoxi teased her, remarking that Li Chengyin had become more lively and "human-like" since marrying her. Xiaofeng, however, attributed his change to Zhao Sese.

The princesses also commented on General Pei Zhao's unwavering focus, even in the presence of beauties, playfully teasing Xiaofeng about her sentiments towards him. At the palace banquet, Li Chengyin caught Xiaofeng trying to wander off and directed her back to her seat, urging her to eat. Xiaofeng pointed to a crab on the table, curious about the "big bug." Li Chengyin identified it as a crab.

Zhao Sese, joining them, recited a poem about crabs and wine, then asked if Xiaofeng disliked crabs. Li Chengyin remarked that a "barbaric girl" like Xiaofeng had probably never seen one. Xiaofeng retorted that Sese had likely never seen the red deer and antelopes of her Western Border, acknowledging the differences in regional produce. Li Chengyin then offered the crab to Sese.

However, he quickly retrieved it, reminding Sese that her delicate health, particularly after previously consuming longevity noodles, made cold crab meat unsuitable for her. He then gave the peeled crab to Xiaofeng, who delightedly ate it, much to Zhao Sese's visible displeasure. The banquet continued with a performance by Gao Ruyi, Prime Minister Gao's only daughter, who captivated the Emperor with her exquisite "Raiment of Rainbows and Feathers" dance.

The Emperor praised her beauty and graceful movements, delighting in her performance. Later, back in Chengen Hall, Xiaofeng secretly brought some of the leftover crab for A'Du and Yongniang, insisting they try the delicious royal delicacy despite their protests about their humble status. Yongniang, observing Li Chengyin's earlier actions, commented that he still cared for Xiaofeng, helping her with the crab and saving her from ridicule.

She advised Xiaofeng to be kinder to the Crown Prince, though Xiaofeng wondered if he truly helped her or if he still harbored resentment. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gao's son visited Empress Zhang Meiniang, presenting her with a "Bodhisattva holding a baby statue," which he claimed was crafted by skilled artisans over half a year and blessed for eighty-one days, making it highly efficacious.

He subtly hinted at his father's desire for the Empress to arrange Gao Ruyi's formal service to the Emperor soon. Empress Zhang Meiniang acknowledged Ruyi's charm but feigned indifference, stating that with so many beauties in the palace, winning the Emperor's favor was no easy feat. Prime Minister Gao's son reiterated his father's plea for her assistance, promising the Gao family's gratitude if Ruyi secured the Emperor's favor. Empress Zhang Meiniang eventually assented, promising to make the arrangements.

Once he departed, she expressed her fury, perceiving the gift as a demand for a "debt collection." Her maid tried to reassure her, noting Gao Ruyi's seemingly frail physique and the unlikelihood of her conceiving. However, Empress Zhang Meiniang, familiar with the inner palace's schemes, worried that even without a true pregnancy, a child could be faked, and a daughter could be passed off as a son.

Her greatest concern was Li Chengyin's growing estrangement from her and the looming threat that Prime Minister Gao would support Gao Ruyi's potential son, endangering her own position as Empress. She concluded that she desperately needed an obedient imperial prince and hinted at a dangerous move involving Xu Niang's hidden pregnancy with Zhang Can's child.

Episode 32 Recap

Upon receiving an invitation from the Empress, Zhang Meiniang, to dine at Clean and Peaceful Palace, Li Chengyin casually inquired of his attendant, Shi'en, about the best ways to please women. Shi'en, known for his good rapport with the palace's female servants, advised that women invariably cherish beautiful things such as pretty clothes, unique accessories, and rouge.

He initially speculated whether Li Chengyin aimed to please Lady Zhao Sese or the Crown Princess Consort, but Li Chengyin quickly dismissed his musings and urged him to get to the point. Shi'en then suggested Weipin Pavilion as the most renowned establishment for such items in the capital. Meanwhile, Xiaofeng, disguised as a man, had once again slipped out of the palace, only to find Li Chengyin following her.

He chided her for habitually causing trouble, referencing a past incident at Wannian County Court. Unfazed, Xiaofeng retorted that her outings were for "eliminating the corrupt and evil," citing instances where she and A'Du had apprehended swindlers and chased thieves. She explained that she maintained her disguise to protect Li Chengyin’s reputation, as it would be unbecoming for the Crown Princess Consort to be seen fighting in the streets.

Li Chengyin then led her to Weipin Pavilion, where he claimed to be ordering a dress for Zhao Sese and asked Xiaofeng for her measurements, asserting that their statures were similar. Though reluctant, Xiaofeng complied. As they left, Xiaofeng spotted Gu Jian and Mi Luo on the street but deliberately feigned ignorance, concerned about Li Chengyin’s reaction to her being acquainted with a notorious fugitive. Mi Luo, observing Xiaofeng’s unusual behavior, questioned Gu Jian about the man she was with.

At Mi Luo Drinking House, A'Du, waiting for Xiaofeng, found Gu Jian in the courtyard coughing up blood. Gu Jian admitted he had sustained severe internal injuries from falling off a cliff and had not fully recovered, brushing aside A'Du's fear that it was from the wound she had once inflicted. He confessed that his physical pain was nothing compared to the guilt he felt as an accomplice in the massacre of Xiaofeng's clan.

He expressed his terror of her regaining her memories and hating him, acknowledging that he and A'Du shared a burden of unforgettable pain. Shortly after, Xiaofeng arrived and recounted Li Chengyin's perplexing actions to Mi Luo and A'Du. She was confused why he always prioritized saving her in emergencies—once when both she and Zhao Sese fell into water, and again when they nearly slipped—despite his apparent preference for Zhao Sese.

Mi Luo suggested that a person's first reaction reveals their true affections, implying Li Chengyin cared more for Xiaofeng. That evening, Li Chengyin went to dine with Zhang Meiniang. After he complained about Xiaofeng's unruly nature, Zhang Meiniang offered him a new pear blossom wine, which was drugged. She then sent a pregnant lady-in-waiting, Xuniang, to his bed, intending to pass off the unborn child as Li Chengyin’s, thus giving Zhang Meiniang a new prince to control.

Li Chengyin, feigning deep intoxication, appeared to fall asleep. Xuniang, following instructions, undressed and lay beside him. As she reached to unfasten his clothes, Li Chengyin abruptly seized her wrist, demanding to know who she was and threatening her life if she spoke of the night’s events. Elsewhere, Zhao Sese grew increasingly insecure, consumed by the fear that Li Chengyin had developed feelings for Xiaofeng.

She reminisced about their first encounter when, as a child, he had found her after she was tricked and abandoned by other princesses, carrying her on his back to safety. Though she clung to the belief they were destined to be together, her fears persisted. Meanwhile, a restless Xiaofeng, troubled by Li Chengyin’s enigmatic behavior, found Pei Zhao on night duty.

She confided her confusion, and Pei Zhao cautiously suggested that while Li Chengyin cared for her, he did not yet know how to be a good husband and needed time. Unbeknownst to them, Zhao Sese's maid, Jin'er, observed their conversation and reported it to her mistress, suggesting they could use this private meeting to frame Xiaofeng and turn Li Chengyin against her. The next morning, Li Chengyin calmly breakfasted with Zhang Meiniang.

He admitted to having "favored" Xuniang but attributed it to drunkenness, emphatically stating that Zhao Sese was the only woman in his heart and he worried about her reaction. He insisted that Zhang Meiniang first comfort Zhao Sese before sending Xuniang to his palace. Angered by his defiance, Zhang Meiniang was placated by Pei Zhao, who suggested a slight delay was inconsequential, and she begrudgingly accepted.

Later, Li Chengyin met privately with Pei Zhao and revealed he had anticipated Zhang Meiniang’s scheme. He had only feigned intoxication and had never touched Xuniang, playing along to see the full extent of her plan. Suspecting a deeper motive, he instructed Pei Zhao to investigate why Zhang Meiniang had specifically chosen Xuniang.

Episode 33 Recap

Gu Jian provided Mingyue with meticulously gathered details about Pure Consort Gu's life and habits, sourced from an old lady-in-waiting who had served the consort. When Mingyue next met the Emperor, she feigned shared interests by serving him dishes such as Azure Dragon Lying on the Snow, Hidden Needle in Snow, Buddha's Hand and the Goddess of Mercy Lotus, and Fallen Leaf Lute Shrimp, claiming they were hometown recipes her mother often made.

She also remarked that the Fallen Leaf Lute Shrimp was best paired with mulberry wine, a detail that resonated deeply with the Emperor. Mingyue’s actions evoked a mix of sad and happy memories for the Emperor. Moved by her sincerity, he revealed his true identity as the reigning Emperor of the Li Empire and declared her a gift from the heavens. Meanwhile, Li Chengyin had Pei Zhao investigate Xuniang.

Pei Zhao reported that Xuniang had no significant background after five years as a lady-in-waiting, but had recently grown close to Zhang Can, a lazy subordinate of his who was also a distant cousin of the Empress. Afterward, Li Chengyin visited Qingluan Hall to give Zhao Sese a water-blue dress, remarking on how lovely she looked in that color. Overjoyed, Zhao Sese quickly changed into it.

However, Li Chengyin then brought up the wolf tooth pendant he had given her, explaining it actually belonged to Xiaofeng, a gift from her grandfather who had killed a wolf king. He added that the wolf tooth was considered an unlucky object. Though displeased, Zhao Sese feigned generosity and agreed to return the pendant. To appease her, Li Chengyin presented her with an exquisite jade pendant that complemented her new dress.

Elsewhere, Gao Yuming worried about his daughter Ruyi’s future, as she had been in the palace for over a month without having served the Emperor. He expressed strategic concerns to his son that the Crown Prince might become too independent from the Gao family, emphasizing their need for Ruyi to bear a prince to secure their lineage. His son reassured him that Empress Zhang Meiniang had secretly arranged for Ruyi’s investiture within days.

However, when the Emperor later asked Empress Zhang Meiniang about visiting Ruyi, she demurred, citing Ruyi’s youth and delicate health. That evening, defying the Empress, the Emperor privately visited Ruyi at Splendor and Happiness Palace Hall. When Empress Zhang Meiniang was informed, she became furious, feeling that Ruyi had overstepped her bounds. On Li Chengyin's birthday, he, Zhao Sese, and Xiaofeng went to pay respects to Empress Zhang Meiniang.

Zhao Sese presented him with intricately embroidered scenery, while Xiaofeng straightforwardly gifted him one hundred gold ingots, which amused Li Chengyin. In return, Li Chengyin gave Xiaofeng a custom-made riding outfit from Weipin Pavilion, a delightful surprise that made her sense his growing affection. He also presented a separate set of gifts to Zhao Sese. Empress Zhang Meiniang then announced her own special gift, calling in Xuniang and revealing she was pregnant with Li Chengyin’s first imperial grandchild.

The news stunned Xiaofeng, while Zhao Sese broke down in tears, earning a sharp rebuke from the Empress. The Empress chastised Sese for crying during a joyful occasion and advised her to be more magnanimous, as the Crown Prince would have many women. Li Chengyin tried to intervene, stating he should have been consulted and suggesting they delay Xuniang's official promotion until after the child's birth. The Empress, however, promoted Xuniang to the rank of Baolin.

Recognizing Zhao Sese would not tolerate Xuniang in the Eastern Palace, the Empress declared Xuniang would reside in her Clean and Peaceful Palace. As Zhao Sese was escorted away, she returned to her own palace distraught, smashing objects and lamenting that Li Chengyin had broken his promise of exclusive devotion. When Li Chengyin arrived, he found Zhao Sese weeping uncontrollably.

He attempted to explain by falsely claiming he had been drunk at the Empress’s palace and that the affair was her arrangement. Zhao Sese refused to be comforted, bemoaning her fate of being unable to please the Empress, lacking the status of the Crown Princess Consort, and now being surpassed even by a maid carrying an imperial grandchild. Frustrated by her accusations, Li Chengyin declared he would not explain further and left.

In despair, Zhao Sese smashed the jade pendant he had just given her, a token her maid called their pledge of love, and collapsed sobbing. Later, Empress Zhang Meiniang summoned Xiaofeng, admonishing her for failing to manage Zhao Sese's public jealousy. Xiaofeng defended Sese, pointing out the cruelty of Li Chengyin's betrayal despite his proclaimed affection. The Empress dismissed this and declared her intention for Xiaofeng to raise Xuniang’s child after its birth, a palace custom.

Xiaofeng objected, calling it cruel to separate an infant from its mother, but the Empress corrected her that it was established protocol. She also reprimanded Yongniang for failing to educate Xiaofeng on palace rules. Meanwhile, rumors spread through the palace. Servants questioned why the Empress would choose an ordinary maid like Xuniang for the Crown Prince, deeming the situation suspicious.

The gossip then shifted to Xiaofeng and Pei Zhao, with whispers that they had known each other in Xi State and that she had even made him a protective wristband. The rumors escalated to claims that they frequently met late at night. The eunuch Shi'en overheard these whispers and tried to silence them, but they eventually reached Li Chengyin, who became visibly enraged upon hearing that the Crown Princess Consort and General Pei were "very close."

Episode 34 Recap

Spurred by rumors of Xiaofeng's closeness with Pei Zhao, Li Chengyin arrived at Xiaofeng's Bearing Graces Hall late at night, declaring he was there to sleep with her. A'Du tried to intervene, but Yongniang, delighted, overruled her, instructing servants to prepare for the Crown Prince's first overnight stay and assist Xiaofeng with bathing. Once alone, Xiaofeng revealed that she had agreed to the Empress's proposal to raise Xuniang's child as her own.

Li Chengyin immediately chastised her, accusing her of being selfish and using the child to secure her position. Xiaofeng retorted, showing she knew he was not the Empress's biological son and that his own mother had left him when he was young.

She assured him she would not separate Xuniang from her child, then pointed out that he was the one who got Xuniang pregnant while drunk before refusing to bring her into the Eastern Palace due to her low status. She pressed him, asking if he genuinely liked Xuniang. Ignoring her question, Li Chengyin asked if she wasn't angry that he, her husband, had a child with another woman.

Xiaofeng calmly stated that it was normal for Central Plains men to have multiple wives, so she couldn't control who he married or had children with. Confessing she disliked Xuniang and knew Li Chengyin preferred Zhao Sese, she suggested he go to Sese's chambers instead. Li Chengyin insisted on staying, asserting his right as Crown Prince. When Xiaofeng threatened to sleep with A'Du, he trapped her on the bed, warning that A'Du would be punished if she interfered.

As they lay under separate blankets, Li Chengyin, sensing someone outside, deliberately pulled the blanket from Xiaofeng and falsely claimed Zhao Sese had persuaded him to come. Fed up, Xiaofeng went to the window for air and was startled to see Gu Jian standing in a tree, watching her with a mournful, protective gaze. She quickly closed the window, and Li Chengyin urged her back to bed, assuring her he had sent the guards away and they were alone.

Elsewhere, Gu Jian and Pei Zhao shared drinks. Pei Zhao urged Gu Jian to let go of his past sorrows, but Gu Jian retorted that if Pei Zhao had truly moved on, he wouldn't show such guilt and care towards Xiaofeng. Gu Jian emphasized that for both of them, Xiaofeng's safety was paramount. The next morning, Li Chengyin instructed Pei Zhao to investigate the servants of Bearing Graces Hall, suspecting a maid had been spying on them.

When Pei Zhao noted his poor complexion, Li Chengyin boasted that it was the best sleep he'd had in over a year. Meanwhile, a maid informed Zhao Sese that the Crown Prince had stayed overnight at Xiaofeng's, though they had argued. Privately upset that Li Chengyin was still angry with her for breaking a jade pendant, Sese followed her maid's advice to visit Xiaofeng to appear magnanimous.

She also instructed her maid to have Ying'er keep a close eye on Bearing Graces Hall. Zhao Sese arrived with gifts, calling Xiaofeng "Older Sister" despite being older, a gesture Yongniang explained was meant to foster closeness. To pass the time, Xiaofeng suggested they play a card game. During the game, Sese remarked on Xiaofeng's unique Xi State boots and provocatively asked why she wouldn't give a pair to Li Chengyin, subtly mentioning his overnight stay. Annoyed, Xiaofeng refused.

Sese then asked when Xiaofeng planned to bring Xuniang into the Eastern Palace. Yongniang intervened, explaining that Xuniang was under the Empress's care and could not be moved without her summons. After Sese left, Yongniang cautioned Xiaofeng to be wary of her, and Xiaofeng agreed, finding Sese's sudden concern for Xuniang suspicious. Li Chengyin learned of Sese's visit and her questions about Xuniang. Pei Zhao then reported that the eavesdropper was a maid named Ying'er, who worked for the Empress.

Li Chengyin decided to leave her in place to avoid alerting the Empress, whom he suspected had noticed his recent attention to Xiaofeng. Pei Zhao also informed him that the Emperor was now frequently visiting Mingyue, staying until daybreak. Concerned, Xiaofeng visited Mingyue, who appeared lovesick and confided that she had met a "godlike" man who treated her exceptionally well, promising to introduce him to Xiaofeng, who was unaware this was the Emperor.

Separately, Gu Jian orchestrated a plan at the Gao family's gambling house, a new meeting spot chosen due to spies at Mi Luo Drinking House. His target was Zhang Can, a Yulin Guard and a distant cousin of the Empress. By first letting Zhang Can win, they got him addicted, and he soon lost over ten thousand taels. Gu Jian was satisfied, patiently "fishing for a big fish."

Zhao Sese visited Xiaofeng again, presenting her with a hand-sewn scented pouch with a fragrance she and Li Chengyin both favored. Just then, a distraught Li Chengyin rushed in, questioning why Sese was there and asking if Xiaofeng had troubled her. He snatched the pouch, called Xiaofeng a "savage" who couldn't appreciate it, and ordered Sese to leave with him. As they left, Xiaofeng furiously banned him from her hall forever.

Later, Li Chengyin's harshness was revealed to be a ruse; he was afraid Sese was trying to harm Xiaofeng. He promised Sese he would visit her the next night, then discreetly gave the pouch to his confidant, Shi'en, to be investigated for poison. Alone, Xiaofeng reflected on Sese's beauty and Li Chengyin's affection for her, lamenting that she was an unwanted obstacle between them and now understood his fear that she would harm Sese.

She admitted to A'Du that she wasn't jealous, only envious that someone cared for Sese so deeply. Overcome with homesickness, she described her longing for Xi State's vast grasslands, the sound of the wind, and the sweet, low-hanging stars, a stark contrast to the cold, confining Eastern Palace.

Episode 35 Recap

Gu Jian reported to Li Chengyin that the child Xuniang was carrying was indeed Zhang Can's. Zhang Can, the Empress's distant cousin and a member of the Yuilin Palace Guards, was known for his illicit activities outside the palace, including rampant gambling and involvement in several murder cases. Xuniang, having originally disliked him, became pregnant after he forced himself upon her. Gu Jian then revealed his detailed plan to sow discord between Prime Minister Gao Yuming and the Empress.

He had placed an agent, Tao Jian, in Gao Zhen's inner circle, gaining intimate knowledge of Gao Zhen's illegal gambling house. The plan was to let Zhang Can incur massive debts there. When Zhang Can became desperate, another agent, Hu Xiao, would advise him to report Gao Zhen's unregistered and untaxed gambling house to the authorities. This would enrage Gao Zhen, prompting him to retaliate.

The critical part of the scheme was to ensure Gao Zhen fled the capital immediately after the incident, preventing any communication between the Empress and the Gao family. This would make Zhang Can's death appear as a mere dispute between gamblers, creating a major rift between Empress Zhang and Prime Minister Gao. Later, Li Chengyin accompanied the Emperor on a visit to Empress Zhang.

Suddenly, the Lady of Pei State, the Empress's mother, arrived in a frantic state with another relative, Madam Zhang. Madam Zhang tearfully implored the Emperor and Empress for justice, explaining that her son, Zhang Can, had been found in the river with his body covered in wounds, clearly beaten to death, despite the official ruling of accidental drowning while intoxicated. Madam Zhang revealed that her son had worked for the Empress, urging her not to abandon him.

Seeing an opportunity, Li Chengyin promptly volunteered to investigate the case, a task the Emperor assigned to him. After the Emperor and Li Chengyin departed, Empress Zhang admonished her mother for her rashness. She expressed deep suspicion about the timing of the Emperor's visit, feeling the incident was too coincidental to be simple. She instructed her mother to monitor the situation closely.

Elsewhere, the Emperor also harbored doubts, confiding in his servant Cao Ji that he believed someone had orchestrated the event. That evening, Li Chengyin, while dining with Zhao Sese, feigned distress over his inexperience and the difficulty of finding officials willing to help with the case. Unaware of his intentions, Zhao Sese kindly recommended her elder brother, Zhao Shixuan, a suggestion Li Chengyin eagerly accepted. Zhao Shixuan, who had a long-standing animosity with Gao Zhen, quickly uncovered evidence implicating him.

Believing Li Chengyin was allied with Prime Minister Gao Yuming and would protect Gao Zhen, Zhao Shixuan decided to act independently. He instructed his subordinates to keep their findings secret from both the Gao family and the Crown Prince, planning to present the evidence directly to the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice. By claiming urgency, he intended to bypass Li Chengyin and prevent him from interfering on Gao Zhen's behalf.

Unbeknownst to Zhao Shixuan, this entire maneuver played perfectly into Li Chengyin's calculated scheme to use him as a spearhead against the Gao family. On the night of the Double Seven Festival, Li Chengyin insisted on taking Xiaofeng out. He found her and playfully threatened to report her to the Empress and Grand Empress Dowager if she didn't come with him. Despite initial reluctance, they rented a boat and ventured onto a lake.

Xiaofeng splashed water at Li Chengyin and sang a song, which he teasingly criticized. When Xiaofeng attempted to row, she accidentally dropped the oar into the water. Stranded, they spent the rest of the night using their hands to paddle the boat back to shore, returning to the palace at dawn. Upon their return, Pei Zhao reported Zhao Shixuan's progress to Li Chengyin, detailing how Zhao Shixuan had gathered evidence and was preparing to arrest Gao Zhen.

Li Chengyin simply smiled, content that Zhao Shixuan's actions would create a conflict from which he could remain detached. Meanwhile, concerned that Li Chengyin might have caught a chill, Zhao Sese went to the kitchen to prepare ginger soup for him. There, she overheard servants preparing ginger soup on Li Chengyin's orders, but specifically for the Crown Princess, Xiaofeng. Realizing Li Chengyin had lied about being with her brother and had spent the night with Xiaofeng, Zhao Sese left heartbroken.

Soon after, Zhao Shixuan's men apprehended Gao Zhen and brought him back to the capital. At court, Prime Minister Gao, enraged by his son's arrest, confronted the ministers. They presented their findings: Gao Zhen had established an illegal gambling house and, seeking revenge after Zhang Can reported it, had murdered Zhang Can and disposed of the body in the river before fleeing.

Li Chengyin, feigning shock, publicly reprimanded Zhao Shixuan for acting without his knowledge, convincing the court of his own innocence. Faced with overwhelming evidence and the Emperor's impartiality, Prime Minister Gao made the painful decision to sacrifice his son to safeguard the family's standing, even offering to have the family's assets inspected. The Emperor declined, refusing to punish the entire family for one man's crimes.

After court, Li Chengyin offered a false apology to Prime Minister Gao, who sarcastically complimented the Crown Prince on his capable subordinates. Elsewhere, Empress Zhang was stunned to learn Gao Zhen was the murderer. At his residence, Prime Minister Gao instructed his other son to audit the gambling house accounts, surrender all profits to the treasury, and cover any deficits with their own assets.

Meanwhile, Gu Jian privately advised Mingyue to withdraw from her dangerous association with the Emperor, whom he deemed untrustworthy. Mingyue questioned his motives and asserted that if she were to leave her life, it would be with a man who truly loved her.

Episode 36 Recap

Following the court session where Gao Zhen was implicated in Zhang Can's murder, an enraged Empress Zhang confronted Li Chengyin in her palace, questioning why he hadn't informed her and Prime Minister Gao Yuming sooner, which could have allowed them to devise a plan. Li Chengyin feigned ignorance, insisting he was unaware of Gao Zhen's involvement before Zhao Shixuan, in collusion with the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice, publicly announced the matter.

He advised the Empress to distance herself from the affair. The Empress was furious, realizing that Li Chengyin's actions had effectively forced Prime Minister Gao to sacrifice his own son, which would surely make the Prime Minister resent them. Li Chengyin acknowledged his mistake and offered to explain things to Prime Minister Gao, but the Empress called him foolish, forbidding it for fear the Emperor would discover Li Chengyin's intention to get close to the Gao family.

After Li Chengyin departed, the Empress confessed to her maid, Rongshuang, that she felt at fault because she had secretly placed Zhang Can in the Eastern Palace without her uncle, Prime Minister Gao's, knowledge. Deciding to take the risk herself, she sent Rongshuang to request an audience with Prime Minister Gao, but the manor staff refused entry, claiming the master was not home. Feeling indebted to the Gao family, Empress Zhang dispatched Rongshuang to the prison to see Gao Zhen.

However, the guards, citing the Emperor's strict orders, denied her entry. At that moment, Li Chengyin arrived, as he was overseeing the case. He assured Rongshuang that he could freely enter the prison and volunteered to relay the Empress's message. Inside, Li Chengyin found a disheveled and despairing Gao Zhen. Feigning helplessness, Li Chengyin explained that with the case under the jurisdiction of the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice, he had no power to intervene.

He subtly shifted the blame, stating that the severity of the case hinged on the Empress, as the victim was her clansman, and reminded Gao Zhen that his own position as Crown Prince depended entirely on his mother. Gao Zhen urged Li Chengyin to have Prime Minister Gao persuade the Empress, but Li Chengyin claimed the two were avoiding contact to dispel suspicion.

Nevertheless, he promised to put in a good word for Gao Zhen, giving him a sliver of false hope. During the imperial court session, with Prime Minister Gao absent due to feigned illness, his eldest son, Gao Kun, accepted Gao Zhen's guilt on the family's behalf and did not request leniency. However, several other officials pleaded for a lighter sentence.

The Emperor, mindful of Prime Minister Gao's standing, ultimately sentenced Gao Zhen to forty strokes of the rod and exile to Ya Province, sparing his life. Upon hearing the news, Prime Minister Gao was relieved his son's life was preserved and planned to bring him back when the situation calmed down. As Gao Zhen was being led away in restraints, he bitterly cursed Empress Zhang for her perceived ingratitude. Outside the capital, Assistant Minister Zhao Shixuan confronted and taunted him.

Enraged, Gao Zhen boasted of his father's immense power and vowed to return. Observing Gao Zhen's ambition, Zhao Shixuan hardened his expression and secretly instructed his subordinate to arrange for Gao Zhen to have a fatal "accident" on the treacherous road to exile. Meanwhile, Xiaofeng, who had caught a severe cold on Qixi night, refused to take her bitter medicine.

Li Chengyin appeared and gently coaxed her, offering to drink the medicine with her every day and reminding her that the imperial doctor had advised her to regulate her body for future childbearing. He then personally fed her the medicine, a tender moment that prompted Yongniang to remark that they were increasingly like a true married couple. Later, devastating news reached Prime Minister Gao: his son, Gao Zhen, had perished after encountering wild beasts on the way to Ya Province.

Overwhelmed by shock and grief, the Prime Minister collapsed. Li Chengyin also received the news and immediately suspected Zhao Shixuan's involvement. He decided to feign ignorance, instructing his men to send gifts to Qingluan Hall, Zhao Sese's residence, as a subtle acknowledgment. Burdened by guilt, Empress Zhang again tried to apologize to the gravely ill Prime Minister Gao, who refused to see her, holding her responsible for his son's fate.

Elsewhere, Gao Kun visited his sister, Consort Ruyi, hoping she would soon conceive an heir to comfort their grieving father. Ruyi tearfully revealed that the Emperor rarely visited his consorts anymore, instead frequently going to the Singing Jade Brothel to see a courtesan named Mingyue. She asked Gao Kun to investigate the woman. Separately, the Empress urged Li Chengyin to sever ties with Zhao Sese, especially given the Gao family's tragedy.

Li Chengyin vehemently refused, declaring he would always protect "his woman" and would not repeat his father's mistake of being unable to protect the one he loved, a statement which deeply alarmed the Empress. The Empress's persistence at the Gao Manor finally paid off. Prime Minister Gao granted her an audience and, seizing the opportunity, brought up Xuniang, revealing his belief that the child she was carrying was not Li Chengyin's.

He instructed the Empress to handle the matter swiftly and discreetly. Feeling indebted, she agreed. Soon after, Xuniang suffered a miscarriage, reportedly from ingesting abortifacients. The Empress launched an investigation, and a palace maid confessed to being bribed by Crown Princess Xiaofeng. Xiaofeng vehemently denied the accusation but had no proof. Li Chengyin deferred to his mother's judgment. However, further investigation revealed the confessing maid had ties to the Zhao family and was found with official silver, implicating Zhao Sese.

The Empress, infuriated, concluded Sese had orchestrated a plot to eliminate Xuniang's child and frame Xiaofeng. As she threatened to have Sese executed, Li Chengyin pleaded for her innocence. Xiaofeng then courageously interceded, pleading with the Empress to spare Sese, stating that Li Chengyin genuinely loved her and would be miserable without her. Convinced, the Empress demoted Sese to a commoner and confined her for three months, while promoting Xuniang to the rank of Baolin.

As Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng left the Empress's palace, he turned and slapped Xiaofeng across the face, furiously accusing her of masterminding the entire scheme. Stunned, Xiaofeng slapped him back with equal force.

Episode 37 Recap

Emerging from the Empress’s palace after their plea for Zhao Sese, Li Chengyin harshly slapped Xiaofeng. She immediately slapped him back, leading to a heated argument. Li Chengyin accused her of being a wicked woman, claiming she had masterminded the plot to harm Xuniang's child and frame Sese. He asserted that Xiaofeng constantly feigned innocence before the Empress while secretly reporting his coldness towards her.

Believing she acted out of jealousy, he deemed her more venomous than a snake for separating him from Sese and warned that he would never forgive her if anything happened to Sese. Xiaofeng vehemently denied his accusations, asking if he intended to depose her and stating her indifference to the title of Crown Princess Consort.

She proudly declared that the men of Xi State were valiant heroes, unlike a "useless" man like him who was better at reciting poems than riding a horse. She concluded that in Xi State, no one would desire a man like Li Chengyin. His face grim, Li Chengyin left without another word.

Back in his palace, Li Chengyin confided in Pei Zhao that his harshness towards Xiaofeng, including striking her, was not out of genuine anger but a desperate attempt to protect her from the palace's treacherous intrigues. He hoped that by creating a rift between them, she would be safe, noting that even his affection for Sese had led to her downfall. He lamented that their shattered relationship, paradoxically, might be a blessing for Xiaofeng.

Still, Li Chengyin expressed concern for the devoted Sese and instructed Pei Zhao to secretly send her medicine and supplies, asking him to console her and explain his difficult position. Li Chengyin then bemoaned his powerlessness as Crown Prince, unable to protect those he cared for. Meanwhile, a maid reported the public confrontation to Zhang Meiniang. Gao Ruyi praised Zhang Meiniang’s scheme as "hitting two birds with one stone."

Pleased, Zhang Meiniang entrusted Gao Ruyi with gifts for her own uncle, while Gao Ruyi remarked that the news would surely help her father, Gao Yuming, recover faster. Later, Xiaofeng visited Xuniang, who had lost her child. Xuniang lay weak and heartbroken in bed. Xiaofeng comforted her, urging her to take care of herself and offering to provide anything she needed.

A servant mentioned that the Empress was preparing to officially promote Xuniang to the rank of Baolin (Lady of Precious Bevy) and reiterated the importance of rest for a future pregnancy. Elsewhere, Chai Mu met with Gu Jian, expressing satisfaction that Gu Jian had helped the Crown Prince depose Gao Zhen. When Chai Mu inquired about Mingyue, he grew concerned. He later secretly met with Mingyue, announcing his plan to take her away from the capital.

Mingyue resisted, convinced the Emperor would find her and driven by a desire for revenge against the Gao family for the massacre of her family, the Chens. She felt she could only truly be her mother's daughter, not just Mingyue of the Singing Jade Brothel, after avenging the innocent souls of her family. Chai Mu dismissed revenge as a man's task, not wanting her to follow his own painful 20-year path.

Desperate to protect her, he asked if, given another chance, he should have saved the Gu family or rescued her and her mother. Mingyue implied he already knew the answer. Chai Mu conceded that he would have saved his wife and daughter, lamenting that it was too late. Mingyue then invited him to her mother's memorial tomb, explaining she was too young at the time to claim the body and could only erect a nameless tombstone.

Chai Mu sadly recalled buying a jade hairpin for his wife on the day of the tragedy, which he never had the chance to give her. Mingyue wept, relieved that her father had finally returned. As night fell, Xiaofeng climbed onto the palace roof for solitude, only to find Gu Jian already there. He explained he had heard of the trouble and was worried about her.

Xiaofeng nonchalantly mentioned that Li Chengyin had hit her, but she had hit him back so hard her own hand went numb. Seeing her unhappiness in the Eastern Palace, which he likened to a "prison," Gu Jian offered to take her away. Xiaofeng playfully dismissed him, but Gu Jian insisted, revealing a long-forgotten memory from Xi State.

He recounted a sword-fighting wager they made for their future: if he lost, he would be her husband, and if she lost, she would marry him. He claimed she had bested him, snatching his sword away. He also recalled them writing her name, "Qu Xiaofeng," before the wind blew the paper away. Xiaofeng, remembering none of it, dismissed his story as a joke.

Gu Jian swore he was telling the truth, recalling their "promise of a lifetime" made on the fifteenth of July, when she was to wait for him on a sand dune so they could run away together. When she asked why he never came, he apologized, explaining that something urgent had come up and she was already gone by the time he arrived.

Seeing her continued disbelief, Gu Jian concluded that she was unwilling to leave because she had fallen in love with Li Chengyin again. In Qingluan Hall, Senior Lady-in-Waiting Rongshuang, on the Empress's orders, dismissed all of Zhao Sese's servants except for Jin'er. The shock caused Sese to faint. Enraged upon hearing the news, Li Chengyin stormed into the Empress's palace, demanding to know why she continued to persecute Sese, who had already been demoted.

The Empress rebuked him for his insolence. Li Chengyin pleaded for the ban on Sese’s quarters to be lifted so he could see her, but the Empress threatened to expel Sese from the palace entirely. In defiance, Li Chengyin vowed to kneel outside until she relented, and the Empress coldly left him to it. Yongniang later informed Xiaofeng that Li Chengyin had knelt all day and fainted.

Xiaofeng was initially indifferent, but relented when Yongniang revealed he had been feverish for days and no one dared approach him. Imperial Physician Wang diagnosed Li Chengyin's high fever as a result of an old leg wound aggravated by prolonged kneeling, compounded by emotional distress. Li Chengyin questioned the physician about memory loss, and was told it could result from trauma but that memories could return over time.

Determined to remember, Li Chengyin was tormented by flashes of fighting the wolf king and refused all medicine, ordering everyone out. A maid informed Xiaofeng of his refusal to take medicine, speculating he was childishly protesting against the Empress. Xiaofeng went to his bedside and, with A'Du's help, forced him to swallow the medicine. Meanwhile, a sick Zhao Sese tearfully pleaded with Jin'er to tell Li Chengyin she was ill and had been framed by Xiaofeng. Later that night, Xiaofeng awoke to find her body numb, as the still-feverish Li Chengyin was tightly gripping her hand in his sleep.

Episode 38 Recap

The following morning, a restless Xiaofeng urgently called for Yongniang, only for Li Chengyin to suddenly open his eyes and laugh at her predicament. Embarrassed and angry, Xiaofeng’s shouting brought A'Du rushing in with a dagger drawn. Li Chengyin, however, remained unfazed and continued to smile mischievously. Infuriated, Xiaofeng pounced on Li Chengyin and began hitting him.

Yongniang, understanding the playful nature of their fight, wisely led the other maids out and pulled A'Du away, explaining that the couple was having a private moment. Inside, Li Chengyin playfully promised not to reveal what had happened if Xiaofeng would kiss him. Left with no choice, she did. In that instant, memories of his first encounter with a stunning, red-clad Xiaofeng in the Western Regions flooded Li Chengyin's mind.

The surge of memories brought on an intense headache, and, feeling weak, he told Xiaofeng she could leave. Later, he sent her a mandarin duck silk ribbon as a replacement for her torn one, causing Xiaofeng to blush with a mix of anger and embarrassment. She furiously declared that the ribbon was no different from a "white silk sash"—a symbol of a death sentence—as it was part of what she saw as Li Chengyin's trap.

Palace maids began to gossip that the Crown Prince had finally had a change of heart, attributing it to Zhao Sese's downfall. Mistaking the gossip for truth, Zhang Meiniang reprimanded Xiaofeng for what she assumed was inappropriate intimacy while Li Chengyin was still ill. She lectured Xiaofeng on a wife's proper conduct, emphasizing her duty as a role model for the realm.

When Xiaofeng’s protests were dismissed, Zhang Meiniang punished her by ordering her to copy "Lessons for Women" twenty times. Meanwhile, Li Chengyin sent extra dishes to the confined Zhao Sese. She desperately wished to see him, but the guards, citing the Empress's strict orders and reminding her of her demotion to a commoner, refused to let her leave. Feeling suffocated, Xiaofeng secretly slipped out of the palace to a wine shop, with Pei Zhao accompanying her as an escort.

She asked the owner, Mi Luo, about Gu Jian’s whereabouts, but Mi Luo hadn't seen him recently. As rain began to fall, Pei Zhao played the hichiriki. Xiaofeng admired the beautiful, misty scenery of Shangjing, acknowledging its prosperity but confessing it could never compare to her beloved Xizhou.

She lamented the pain of arranged marriages and advised Pei Zhao to marry someone he truly loved, though he admitted that as a royal descendant, he had no control over his own marriage. As Pei Zhao escorted Xiaofeng back, a jealous Li Chengyin saw them together. He confronted Xiaofeng, accusing her of improper behavior and questioning her reputation.

Xiaofeng angrily retorted that he had no right to judge her, proclaiming that men from Xizhou were far superior and that she would never have married him if not for the political alliance. She then stormed off, vowing never to see him again. Following their argument, Li Chengyin subtly suggested to the Emperor that Princess Luoxi had long harbored feelings for Pei Zhao.

At the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, Xiaofeng, still upset with Li Chengyin, deliberately sat apart from him with Yongning and Luoxi. During the celebration, the Emperor announced the marriage between Princess Luoxi and Pei Zhao. Luoxi was overjoyed, while Pei Zhao, though visibly subdued, accepted the imperial decree. After the banquet, a disheartened Pei Zhao went drinking with Gu Jian.

Observing his unhappiness, Xiaofeng kindly advised Luoxi to ascertain Pei Zhao’s true feelings, warning that his reserved nature could lead to a lifetime of sorrow in a one-sided marriage. Yongning disagreed, insisting that feelings could be cultivated over time. Luoxi became visibly upset, feeling that her friends doubted Pei Zhao could ever genuinely love her. Later, when the Grand Empress Dowager offered Xiaofeng some nourishing porridge, she took a bite and was suddenly overcome with nausea.

Episode 39 Recap

Upon consuming some food, Xiaofeng experienced a sudden bout of nausea, leading the Grand Empress Dowager to joyfully assume she was with child. However, an imperial physician clarified that Xiaofeng was merely suffering from a stomach ailment, having ingested thick deer porridge while her stomach was exposed to cold. This news dashed the Grand Empress Dowager's hopes. Deeply anxious about the lack of an heir, especially since Li Chengyin was already twenty, she abruptly left for the Eastern Palace.

Upon arrival, the Grand Empress Dowager confirmed that Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng had completed their pre-ceremonial bathing rituals. She then issued a stern decree: Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng were to be locked within the main bedchamber, with no one permitted to release them without her explicit command. Soon after, the Empress arrived, inquiring why they were locked away.

The Grand Empress Dowager bluntly stated her desire for a great-great-grandchild, arguing that the importance of an heir superseded the upcoming Yuanchen Grand Ceremony. When the Empress hesitated, the Grand Empress Dowager challenged her authority, prompting the Empress to concede and assure her that she would manage the Emperor’s reaction. Inside the locked chamber, food was delivered. Li Chengyin quickly devoured the porridge, leaving none for Xiaofeng.

Shortly after, he began to sweat profusely, and Xiaofeng realized the food had been drugged. As the aphrodisiac took effect, Li Chengyin lost control and embraced Xiaofeng. Distraught, Xiaofeng desperately pleaded with him to remember Zhao Sese and remain faithful to her. When her pleas failed, she struck Li Chengyin and knocked him unconscious, ensuring they passed the night without incident.

The following morning, as Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng lay side by side, the Grand Empress Dowager burst into the chamber. Interpreting their state as a sign of a successful union, she declared that she had seen nothing and departed, much to Xiaofeng’s embarrassment. News of the confinement and the drugged porridge quickly reached Zhao Sese through her maid.

Deeply insecure, Zhao Sese lamented that despite Li Chengyin’s affection, she was merely a concubine and resolved that only by becoming the true mistress of the Eastern Palace could she secure her position. Later, the Empress attempted to visit but found the chamber still locked. Noticing Li Chengyin's clothes left outside, she ordered them taken to her palace, instructing that he retrieve them from her personally.

In doing so, she obtained a jade pendant she found with his garments, a significant keepsake from his birth mother. Back in their chamber, Xiaofeng proposed a plan for their escape: Li Chengyin should feign illness, leveraging his recent incomplete recovery. Xiaofeng then cried out for help, claiming the Crown Prince had fainted. An imperial physician reported to the Grand Empress Dowager that Li Chengyin was merely suffering from weakness and prescribed rest.

Satisfied, the Grand Empress Dowager ordered Li Chengyin to recover and granted Xiaofeng her freedom. Upon his release, Li Chengyin learned the Empress had his jade pendant and went to her palace to retrieve it. The Empress questioned its origin, and Li Chengyin fabricated a story, claiming it was a gift from his Aunt Mingyuan. Feigning belief, the Empress advised him to keep it safe. After Li Chengyin departed, she immediately summoned General Pei, her suspicions now fully aroused.

That night, Li Chengyin met with Chai Mu and Gu Jian to discuss his concerns about the Empress. As they spoke, they detected an eavesdropper outside and realized it was a spy sent by the Empress. Seizing the opportunity, Li Chengyin deliberately declared his intention to expose the Empress for murdering his birth mother, knowing his words would be reported back. The spy promptly relayed this to the Empress, who was devastated.

Believing Li Chengyin intended to betray her, she was consumed with regret and fear that the Emperor would discover her crime. The Empress’s situation worsened when she learned that Lady Gao Ruyi was pregnant, a development that threatened to strip her of all advantages. The Emperor, pleased by the news, even requested the Empress oversee Gao Ruyi’s care.

Alone with her maid, Rongshuang, the Empress broke down, fearing the powerful Gao family would now abandon her and Li Chengyin would expose her, leading to her deposition or death. Overwhelmed, Li Chengyin began drinking heavily and locked himself in his chamber. Alarmed, his attendant Shi'en sought out Xiaofeng for help. She found Li Chengyin drunk and agitated. He angrily demanded she leave, insisting he wanted to be alone. Xiaofeng expressed her concern, urging him to confide in her. He insisted she stay away for two days, promising an explanation later. Before she could press him further, assassins suddenly burst into the chamber.

Episode 40 Recap

As Xiaofeng arrives to see Li Chengyin, she overhears him dismissing someone, telling them to leave and not return for two days. When she questions him, their conversation is cut short as an assassin lunges forward. Li Chengyin instinctively shields Xiaofeng, taking a deep stab wound to his chest. Horrified, Xiaofeng cries for A'Du, who gives chase, while Shi'en is sent to summon an imperial physician.

Despite his injury, Li Chengyin orders the palace guard to secure his chambers and search for the attacker. He then teases a distraught Xiaofeng about her tears, asking if she is afraid of becoming a young widow. Xiaofeng, terrified, forbids him from dying and urges him to hold on. The Emperor arrives and is furious to learn the wound is life-threatening. He threatens the imperial physician, demanding he save Li Chengyin.

Meanwhile, Pei Zhao reports that A'Du was found unconscious and gravely injured, having been overpowered by the assassin. At Xiaofeng's plea, the Emperor orders doctors to treat A'Du. However, Imperial Physician Wang delivers a grim prognosis: A'Du's internal organs are shattered, and her injuries are likely fatal. Overcome with guilt, Xiaofeng weeps by A'Du's side, blaming herself for letting A'Du pursue the attacker. The Emperor orders a palace-wide lockdown.

Pei Zhao comforts a grief-stricken Xiaofeng, noting that despite their frequent arguments, she clearly cares for Li Chengyin, who, as she reveals, was injured while protecting her. Xiaofeng keeps a vigil by Li Chengyin's bedside for three days as he lies unconscious. When Shi'en urges her to rest, Li Chengyin stirs, weakly calling for his mother. Thinking he means the Empress, Xiaofeng has her summoned.

The Empress arrives, visibly distressed, and takes his hand as he continues to murmur "Imperial Mother," her conscience weighing on her. Just then, Yongniang rushes in with news that A'Du is fading and may not survive the night. Desperate, Xiaofeng seeks out Gu Jian, who has been waiting nearby out of concern. She begs him to save A'Du. Gu Jian hesitates, knowing the profound personal cost; using his vital energy would hasten his own death.

Despite the danger to himself, he relents and saves A'Du. Imperial Physician Wang is stunned to find A'Du's energy channels cleared and declares she will recover. Grateful, Xiaofeng then asks Gu Jian to also save Li Chengyin. Gu Jian refuses, stating his internal energy cannot heal an external wound. He gives her a potent medicine instead, saying Li Chengyin's survival now depends on his own fortune. After leaving, Gu Jian collapses and is rushed by Pei Zhao to Mingyue's residence.

His life force is nearly depleted. Mingyue questions his sacrifice, but Gu Jian expresses contentment, stating his purpose is to clear his family's name and ensure Xiaofeng's happiness. Once A'Du recovers enough to speak, she is questioned by the Head of the Court of Judicial Review, Wang Shu. She identifies the assassin as Rongshuang, the Empress's lady-in-waiting. The Emperor orders Rongshuang's immediate arrest.

The Empress vehemently protests, but Wang Shu challenges her, asserting that the Crown Prince would not orchestrate an attack on his own life. The Emperor confines the Empress to her palace. Hearing this, her father, Gao Yuming, decides to abandon her as a "worthless chess piece," shifting his support to his other daughter, the pregnant Consort Ruyi.

Back in Li Chengyin's chambers, the physicians report that his fever persists and his body is too weak for the potent medicine Gu Jian provided. Refusing to give up, Xiaofeng takes the medicine from them, declaring she will bear all consequences, and personally administers it to him. Vowing to die with him if he perishes, she realizes he might want to see Zhao Sese. Hearing Sese pleading outside, Xiaofeng allows her in. Sese tearfully begs Li Chengyin to wake up.

Later that night, alone with him, Xiaofeng holds his hand and confesses her true feelings. She admits she was happy when he became Crown Prince, but her feelings turned to hatred after he attacked Danchi. She had wanted to kill him on their wedding night but couldn't, hating herself for her hesitation and for the faint affection she felt for him.

Pleading for him to wake up, she shares a childhood secret about how she struggled to learn his name, reminding him of all the history between them as she fears becoming a widow.

Episode 41 Recap

Li Chengyin lay unconscious, and Xiaofeng sat by his bed, holding his hand tightly. She murmured that the people of the Central Plains were particular about naming children and wondered about the meaning of "Chengyin." Just then, Li Chengyin opened his eyes. With a hoarse yet gentle voice, he explained that the character "Yin" was used because the dynasty's founder was originally from Yin State, a place from which the imperial line rose.

Xiaofeng's eyes widened in surprise, then filled with tears of joy as she excitedly called for an imperial physician. The next morning, Li Chengyin awoke to find Zhao Sese by his side. It was Xiaofeng who had arranged for Zhao Sese to stay and keep him company. Soon after, the Emperor arrived. He informed Li Chengyin that A'Du had identified Rongshuang, a close servant of the Empress, as the assassin.

Enduring his pain, Li Chengyin took out his personal jade pendant, the other half of which had been given to him by Mingyuan. He revealed to the Emperor that Mingyuan had told him on her deathbed that the Empress was responsible for his biological mother's death. The Emperor, enraged, went to the imperial prison to interrogate Rongshuang. When Rongshuang learned Li Chengyin had regained consciousness, she was terrified, knowing her deception could no longer be maintained.

She initially claimed innocence, then falsely confessed that she intended to kill the Crown Princess Consort, whom she accused of being barbaric and disrespectful. However, the Emperor pressed her, asking if the Empress had instigated her. Rongshuang insisted the Empress was not involved, urging the Emperor to believe his wife of thirty years. Not long after, the Emperor arrived at Zhang Meiniang’s palace, demanding to know if she had poisoned his beloved Pure Consort.

Zhang Meiniang vehemently denied it, but the Emperor was convinced she was a ruthless woman and refused to hear her pleas. He accused her of being a poisonous snake by his side and of trying to kill Li Chengyin after killing his mother. He then declared that he had always believed her ploys were for self-preservation, but never imagined she was so deranged as to try to kill her own adopted son.

Despite her denials and claims of love for Chengyin, the Emperor scornfully dismissed her pleas. He then told her that for the sake of their thirty years of marriage, he would spare her life but would abolish her empress title, a decree he would announce the next day. Zhang Meiniang desperately pleaded, pointing out that the Chancellery would not promulgate the edict quickly and her uncle, Prime Minister Gao, would not remain indifferent.

The Emperor coldly retorted that Prime Minister Gao would now side with Lady of Handsome Fairness Gao, who was pregnant and would soon be made Noble Consort, rather than his niece who had not given birth to a prince. He condemned Zhang Meiniang for harming his beloved woman and his son, stating that she had brought this upon herself and was now abandoned by her relatives and even her palace maids who had been caned to death.

The Emperor gave her two choices: either her palace would be sealed, and she would be imprisoned for life with only deaf and mute servants, or she could choose another fate. Zhang Meiniang then knelt, tearfully asking if, in all their years together, he had ever truly loved her, even for a moment, knowing his heart belonged to Pure Consort Gu. The Emperor coldly stated she knew the answer in her heart and then left her alone in the palace.

A decree was issued, formally stripping Empress Zhang of her title for resentment, disrupting the harem, and failing to nurture other children. She was to be confined to a side palace, never to leave until her death. That evening, under a bleak moonlight, Li Chengyin stood outside Zhang Meiniang’s palace. The former mother and son were separated by a large door.

Zhang Meiniang spoke of her years of raising him and her affections, saying she had placed all her heart and expectations on him, truly wanting him to become a wise ruler. Li Chengyin calmly acknowledged her care but stated that the love and happiness she provided should have come from his biological mother, whose life she took. He expressed his deep regret that she had tried to assassinate him, wishing she had truly treated him as her son.

He felt he was merely a pawn in her schemes to secure her own position and retain the Emperor's affection, and that his life meant nothing to her. Li Chengyin then knelt outside the palace and bowed three times, telling her that with the stab she inflicted, he had returned half a life to her, and they were now cleared of all debts. He declared that their bond as mother and son was now severed.

Zhang Meiniang wept hysterically, calling out to him, acknowledging her selfish reasons for wronging his mother but insisting she had truly loved him as her own son for many years. Realizing she had lost everything, she despaired and used a silk sash to end her life. When the Emperor learned of Zhang Meiniang’s death, he showed no sadness. Instead, he went to the former residence of Pure Consort Gu and lingered there. Meanwhile, Li Chengyin cried sorrowfully.

Xiaofeng did not allow his servants to disturb him, understanding he needed to grieve alone. With Zhang Meiniang’s downfall, Zhao Sese was reinstated as a Related Lady of Excellence. She was overjoyed, believing that nothing could now stand in the way of her and Li Chengyin's love, unaware that Li Chengyin's heart belonged to someone else. Li Chengyin visited A'Du, bringing a lingzhi mushroom, a gift from the Emperor, which was highly effective for internal injuries.

He took the opportunity to speak with Xiaofeng, acknowledging that he owed A'Du half his life because of her injuries. A'Du conveyed her thanks and forgiveness. However, Xiaofeng consistently evaded his affections, leaving Li Chengyin bewildered as to what she was escaping. Xiaofeng candidly explained that their connection, forged through extraordinary shared experiences like crossing a shaky bridge, where hearts raced and hands held, was not true love.

She admitted that while she was the Crown Princess Consort, he loved someone else. She emphasized that as the Crown Prince, he could have numerous consorts in the future, but she desired a unique and exclusive love, something he could not provide. The Grand Empress Dowager summoned Xiaofeng and Zhao Sese, instructing them to support Li Chengyin in his duties.

She announced that Luoxi's wedding was on the ninth day of the next month and tasked Xiaofeng, as the mistress of the Eastern Palace and a friend of Luoxi, with assisting Consort Hui in organizing a lively but not extravagant wedding. Luoxi and Pei Zhao’s wedding soon took place. That night, Yongning and Xiaofeng stood on the city wall, conversing. Yongning expressed her unwillingness to let Luoxi go, noting that she was the only unmarried princess left.

She admitted to being both envious and not envious of Luoxi, envious of marrying her beloved, but unsure of their future happiness, as Pei Zhao's feelings did not seem as deep as Luoxi's. Xiaofeng reassured her, suggesting that perhaps seeing her beloved daily was the greatest happiness.

Yongning sighed, lamenting that royal princesses, despite their luxuries, had no control over their marriages, and she herself had never known love, wondering about her own destiny of marrying far away for a political alliance. Xiaofeng later visited Lady of Precious Bevy Xu. Lady of Precious Bevy Xu honestly told Xiaofeng that Li Chengyin did not care for her and her own heart was not in the palace.

Meanwhile, Zhao Sese, upon learning of Xiaofeng's visit to Lady of Precious Bevy Xu, mistakenly believed Xiaofeng was trying to ally with her to suppress her, and she harbored resentment. Unbeknownst to her, Li Chengyin had already decided to send Lady of Precious Bevy Xu out of the palace to live an ordinary life.

However, trouble arose when a peach wood talisman, an item of witchcraft with Zhao Sese's birth specifics written on it, was discovered under Lady of Precious Bevy Xu's bed. This was a grave offense. Li Chengyin commanded that Lady of Precious Bevy Xu be confined and demoted to a commoner. Xiaofeng, who pleaded for Lady of Precious Bevy Xu, was ordered to confine herself to her residence to reflect on her actions.

When Yongniang first informed Xiaofeng, she dismissed it as a minor matter, but Yongniang cautioned her that witchcraft was forbidden and could lead to execution. Xiaofeng suggested letting Li Chengyin handle it to avoid alarming the Emperor, believing it was likely a prank and that Lady of Precious Bevy Xu was innocent. Li Chengyin arrived and accused Lady of Precious Bevy Xu of daring to cross the line and harm someone he loved, despite his pity for her situation.

Xiaofeng defended Lady of Precious Bevy Xu, insisting the matter was not yet investigated and offering to involve the Emperor and the Court of Judicial Review if Li Chengyin refused to investigate. Li Chengyin, dismissing her, declared Lady of Precious Bevy Xu's demotion and confinement to the Serene Reflection Hall. He then confined Xiaofeng to Bearing Graces Hall for half a month, prohibiting her from leaving.

Episode 42 Recap

Following Li Chengyin's punishment for the witchcraft incident, he demoted Lady Xu to a commoner and confined her to Serene Reflection Palace. He also confined Crown Princess Consort Xiaofeng to her residence for half a month, forbidding her from leaving. Enraged, Xiaofeng accused him of being unjust. Later, Li Chengyin confided to Shi'en that he knew Zhao Sese was the true culprit.

He explained that given Xiaofeng's naive personality, he had to punish her to protect her from Zhao Sese's vicious schemes. Though his affection for Zhao Sese had vanished, he still felt a sense of responsibility and planned to address her wrongdoings later. Meanwhile, Gao Yuming acquired some of Mingyue's childhood clothes from the Singing Jade Brothel madam, which contained a blood inscription.

Gao Yuming recognized the date mentioned, the 18th of the first month, as the death anniversary of Gu Ruhui. The character "Zheng" in the inscription led him to connect it to the rebel remnant Chen Zheng. Deducing that Mingyue was Chen Zheng's long-lost daughter, Gao Yuming grew deeply suspicious, concluding that she had deliberately approached the emperor with a premeditated plan for revenge against him. This was, in fact, a trap laid by Li Chengyin and Chai Mu.

Anticipating that the cautious Gao Yuming would rather kill an innocent than let a potential threat live, they planned to stage an assassination attempt on Mingyue during the emperor's visit to the brothel. Their goal was to make the emperor believe Gao Yuming had ordered the attack to eliminate an obstacle for his daughter, Gao Ruyi, and to bury the truth about the Chen family's massacre, thereby directing all suspicion onto him.

Elsewhere, Zhao Sese was shocked to learn that Lady Xu had committed suicide, insisting she never intended for her to die. Li Chengyin informed Xiaofeng that Lady Xu had taken her own life and left a confession taking full responsibility for the peach wood charm incident. Believing Li Chengyin to be cold-hearted, especially after seeing him seemingly smile, a furious Xiaofeng slapped him.

In truth, Li Chengyin had secretly arranged for Shi'en to escort Lady Xu safely out of the palace with money to start a new life. Before leaving, Lady Xu gave Shi'en a handkerchief for Xiaofeng, so she would know she was safe and not blame Li Chengyin. Concurrently, Chai Mu tasked Gu Jian with the "assassination," as only his skill could make the attack look real without fatally wounding Mingyue.

Gu Jian expressed concern for Mingyue's life, questioning Chai Mu if revenge was worth more than his own daughter's safety. Mingyue then appeared, declaring her unwavering willingness to make any sacrifice for their cause. After Li Chengyin gave Xiaofeng the handkerchief, proving Lady Xu was safe, her anger subsided. She then playfully bargained with her wolf fang, convincing Li Chengyin to take her to the Singing Jade Brothel.

There, they learned Mingyue was entertaining a mysterious and generous new patron, possibly a royal relative. Undeterred, Xiaofeng barged into Mingyue's chamber, only to find the emperor. She quickly explained she considered Mingyue a sister and had brought Li Chengyin to meet "the most beautiful woman in the world." Later, as Xiaofeng privately asked Mingyue if she was truly happy, Li Chengyin pulled her aside, scolding her for her bluntness.

As they bickered, fireworks lit up the sky, captivating them both. Nearby, the emperor embraced Mingyue, vowing to keep her by his side forever. Amidst this, Gu Jian launched the planned attack. The original plan was for Gu Jian to feign injuring Mingyue and take the emperor hostage, allowing Li Chengyin to heroically offer himself as a replacement. However, Xiaofeng unexpectedly stepped forward, offering herself as the hostage.

She argued that as the Princess of Xi, her death would trigger a war, guaranteeing the assassin's safe escape. To Li Chengyin's fury, Gu Jian abandoned the plan, seized Xiaofeng, and vanished. Enraged, Li Chengyin vowed to kill Gu Jian if Xiaofeng was harmed and ordered a city-wide search. The emperor, commending Xiaofeng's courage, ordered immediate medical care for the severely injured Mingyue. Suspecting Gao Yuming of orchestrating the assassination, the emperor tasked Li Chengyin with leading the investigation.

Li Chengyin then confronted Chai Mu, demanding to know why Gu Jian betrayed their plan. Despite Chai Mu's assurances, Li Chengyin declared that if Gu Jian did not return Xiaofeng safely within twenty-four hours, he would become his sworn enemy.

Episode 43 Recap

Following the abduction, the masked man, Gu Jian, took Xiaofeng to a house in the outskirts and gave her food. While eating, Xiaofeng boasted of her powerful connections, including her father the King of Xi State, her father-in-law the Emperor, and her husband, Crown Prince Li Chengyin, warning the kidnapper of the severe consequences.

She then pretended to soften, asking him to deliver a personal item to Li Chengyin as her dying wish, but it was a ruse to use a hidden substance on him. Gu Jian, anticipating her move, overpowered her and threw her into a nearby lake, diving in to rescue her only after she began to sink. His goal was not to harm her but to shock her into remembering their shared past. In the palace, the kidnapping caused widespread turmoil.

A frantic Li Chengyin questioned A'Du about the history between Xiaofeng and Gu Jian. Gao Yuming was perplexed as to who had preempted his own assassination plot against Mingyue, ordering his sister, Imperial Consort Gao, to monitor the Emperor and Mingyue closely. Pei Zhao returned home to a concerned Luoxi, but remained cold and distant towards her.

While Yongniang prayed for Xiaofeng's safe return, Zhao Sese attempted to visit Li Chengyin but was turned away by Shi'en, leaving her furious at the blatant rejection. After Gu Jian pulled Xiaofeng from the water, she awoke from a nightmare. He offered her ginger soup, and she seized the opportunity to rip off his mask, recognizing him as the assassin from the palace. She angrily accused him of using her as part of a grand conspiracy to assassinate the Emperor.

Gu Jian denied it, insisting he only ever wanted to protect her and that Li Chengyin was the one who truly meant her harm. He described the Crown Prince as a cunning, manipulative man unfit for her, but Xiaofeng was left confused. At the same time, an enraged Li Chengyin confronted Chai Mu, demanding to know what secrets Chai Mu and Gu Jian were hiding about their connection to Xiaofeng.

When Xiaofeng refused to believe his warnings, Gu Jian produced a whistling arrow, trying to jog her memory of their time in Xi State, where he would always come to her aid whenever she used it. The attempt backfired; Xiaofeng was struck by a severe headache and fainted, leaving Gu Jian in a panic. Meanwhile, Mingyue’s condition stabilized under the Emperor's devoted care. He declared his intention to formally marry her and make her an imperial consort.

This only strengthened Gao Yuming’s resolve to eliminate her, deciding to wait until the Emperor’s affection waned before striking. Imperial Consort Gao visited Mingyue, bringing a tonic with ill intent, but a wary Emperor dismissed her and warned Mingyue not to consume food from anyone else. Gu Jian risked returning to the capital for supplies, where A'Du spotted and chased him, but he escaped.

Meanwhile, Li Chengyin reported to the Emperor that a ruffian named Sun Er, a distant nephew of a steward in Prime Minister Gao’s manor, had been inquiring about Mingyue. This immediately made the Emperor suspect Gao Yuming's involvement. Believing the assassin was no ordinary criminal, the Emperor then voiced his suspicion that Xiaofeng herself might be connected to her kidnapper.

Li Chengyin fiercely defended her as too simple-minded for such a plot, but the Emperor, unconvinced, ordered a city-wide manhunt to capture the assassin alive. Returning to the safe house, Gu Jian discovered that Xiaofeng was gone. She had fled and gotten lost in the surrounding forest. In her delirium, she saw a vision of a man who called himself Gu Xiaowu. When she asked if they knew each other, the vision replied, "Of course. I am your Gu Xiaowu," stirring a flicker of a forgotten memory.

Episode 44 Recap

After Xiaofeng collapsed from exhaustion and became lost in the forest, Gu Jian brought her back to a secluded wooden house. In her dazed state, Xiaofeng dreamt of a man named Gu Xiaowu. She could not clearly see his face, but the emotional connection she felt for him was profound. Xiaofeng woke up with a start, crying out Gu Xiaowu's name. Gu Jian quickly offered her medicine, but she refused to engage with him.

Undeterred, Gu Jian went outside to catch fireflies, knowing they were her favorite, to lift her spirits. He reminded her of a time in Xi State when she had sneaked out at night, gotten lost, and held a firefly in her palm as her only companion. Seeing his sincere efforts and his knowledge of her past, Xiaofeng began to trust him as a friend. She asked him to take her back to the palace once she had fully recovered.

Meanwhile, Pei Zhao reported his investigation findings to the Emperor and Li Chengyin. He confirmed that Prime Minister Gao had indeed instructed a man named Sun Er to investigate Mingyue's background. Sun Er had confessed that Prime Minister Gao had obtained Mingyue's childhood clothes, which contained a hidden blood poem. Upon seeing the poem, Prime Minister Gao was greatly surprised, realizing Mingyue was Chen Zheng's daughter. Li Chengyin feigned ignorance, asking about Chen Zheng's identity.

The Emperor explained that Chen Zheng was the only son of Chen Shiqian, the former Emperor's Shenwu Army Commander, who had died on the battlefield. Chen Zheng had been raised by the Gu family, close family friends of Chen Shiqian, and was as close as a brother to Gu Ruhui. He was skilled in martial arts, loyal, and often by the Emperor's side until he was implicated in the Gu family's rebellion case and died over twenty years ago.

Pei Zhao then speculated that Prime Minister Gao's eagerness to eliminate Mingyue suggested there might be deeper secrets concerning the Gu family's rebellion. The Emperor's suspicion grew, and he ordered further investigation. He also questioned Li Chengyin's own perception of the assassination attempt, asking if the assassin was targeting Mingyue or the Emperor himself. Elsewhere, Prime Minister Gao, discovering Sun Er had disappeared, ordered his men to find and eliminate him to prevent him from speaking further.

However, Li Chengyin had already anticipated this move and orchestrated Sun Er's demise by having him drugged, leaving him helpless when Gao's assassins arrived. Sun Er was subsequently killed, pleading that they had the wrong person. Prime Minister Gao felt uneasy, despite his son's assurances that the matter was settled. He confessed his confusion to his son, noting Mingyue's unknown past, the assassin's mysterious appearance and disappearance, and the Crown Prince's feigned lack of progress.

Prime Minister Gao expressed a sense of foreboding, fearing a storm approaching without warning. Li Chengyin soon visited Prime Minister Gao, deliberately feigning a lack of progress in the investigation. Prime Minister Gao, offering advice, suggested that the person who took the Crown Princess Consort might be from Xi State or Danchi, seeking revenge against the Central Plains. Li Chengyin lauded his insight.

Prime Minister Gao then offered Li Chengyin walnut cookies, reminding him that they were his favorite treat when he was a child. Separately, the Emperor visited Mingyue in her residence. She candidly revealed that her family had suffered a tragedy when she was very young. She recounted hiding and witnessing men with swords kill her parents, and her mother's dying words about a complex, endless cycle of vengeance.

Mingyue expressed her wish to forget the past and simply live a peaceful life. The Emperor encouraged her to remain as she was when he first met her. Gu Jian prepared an elaborate meal for Xiaofeng, but she had no appetite and reiterated her desire to return to the palace. Gu Jian refused, accusing her of harboring suspicions and heartbreak towards Li Chengyin, a charge Xiaofeng vehemently denied.

He pressed further, reminding her of Li Chengyin's role in the annihilation of her grandfather's tribe. Gu Jian declared that he would take her back to Xi State, asserting that the Eastern Palace was not her place and Li Chengyin was not the one she should love. As Xiaofeng wept in distress, Yulin Palace Guards, who had been searching for her, discovered the wooden house. Xiaofeng, who could have left with them, hesitated.

Curious about the past Gu Jian had mentioned, she made a choice and fired the whistle arrow from Xi State into the sky. He had once promised this arrow would summon him in times of danger. The signal created chaos, and the guards, mistaking Gu Jian for an assassin, moved to apprehend him, allowing Gu Jian to escape with Xiaofeng. Once they were safe, Xiaofeng confronted Gu Jian, asking if he was Gu Xiaowu. He did not deny it.

He explained that after the Danchi battle, where many died and she was severely injured, they were separated. By the time he found her again, she had already become the Crown Princess Consort. Believing him to be her lost love, a distraught Xiaofeng lamented that she had forgotten her most beloved person and married someone else. Gu Jian blamed himself for not holding onto her.

Xiaofeng affirmed that she had finally remembered her beloved Gu Xiaowu and vowed never to forget him again. Meanwhile, upon learning that Xiaofeng seemed unwilling to return, an enraged Li Chengyin commanded his men to tie her up and bring her back if she resisted again. Gu Jian continued to deceive Xiaofeng by recounting stories of their supposed past, telling her that their "accidental" meeting in Shangjing was actually him waiting for her.

Xiaofeng, leaning contentedly on his shoulder, fully believed him to be her Gu Xiaowu. Separately, Zhao Sese eagerly awaited Li Chengyin's visit, but he turned away at her door and instead went to see the Grand Empress Dowager. The Grand Empress Dowager teased him about Zhao Sese before speaking affectionately of Xiaofeng. She revealed that Xiaofeng had made her a Ruyi cake, which, though bitter, made her heart feel sweet.

The Grand Empress Dowager praised Xiaofeng as a good girl, unlike others in the palace, and noted that Xiaofeng loved Li Chengyin for who he was, not for his title. Under the moonlight, Gu Jian and Xiaofeng shared wine. Xiaofeng reflected on how different Shangjing was from Xi State. Despite her initial naiveté, she found comfort in the kindness of people like Yongning, Mi Luo, Luoxi, Mingyue, Pei Zhao, and Yongniang, feeling fortunate.

She then asked Gu Jian to return to Xi State with her. As she drifted off to sleep, Gu Jian had an internal monologue. He acknowledged that most of his memories of her were from Shangjing, making him question whether he now saw her more as the Ninth Princess of Xi State or the Crown Princess Consort of Li Empire. Her presence felt both familiar and strange.

He mused that perhaps this life had never truly belonged to him, and it was time for them to wake up and leave. He then silently pledged to always stay by her side.

Episode 45 Recap

The Grand Empress Dowager continuously lit incense, praying for Xiaofeng's safe return. She knew that both Li Chengyin and Xiaofeng were good children, but their inability to express their true feelings had caused their prolonged estrangement, and she wished she could help them. Meanwhile, Chai Mu, disguised as an imperial physician, visited his daughter Mingyue. He revealed his goal was not personal gain but to rid the court of corrupt officials like Gao Yuming for the good of the dynasty.

He urged Mingyue to leave the dangerous palace, but she was resolute. Believing the Emperor had developed feelings for her, she saw this as her sole chance to help achieve their goal and avenge the Chen family. As Chai Mu prepared to depart, the Emperor arrived unexpectedly. Chai Mu quickly knelt, terrified of being recognized, but his low bow prevented his discovery.

Later, Mingyue assured her father she understood the risks and that love was insignificant compared to the Emperor's other priorities. She refused to be left out, insisting on facing the danger with him from her position in the palace. Li Chengyin sought out his retired Grand Preceptor, revealing a grave injustice: years ago, seven scholars, cheated by corrupt imperial examiners, committed suicide in despair.

They left a letter written in blood naming the officials responsible, all of whom were now Gao Yuming's allies. Li Chengyin declared his intent to reopen the case, not only for his mother and to fulfill his late brother's quest for justice, but also to expose Gao Yuming's corrupt network to the Emperor. The Grand Preceptor, moved by Li Chengyin's ambition, handed over the long-hidden blood letter.

To set his plan in motion, Li Chengyin anonymously sent the letter to Xi Qingzhuo, the upright Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He also arranged for his brother to secretly escort the Grand Preceptor out of Shangjing to protect him from Gao Yuming's retaliation. Distraught by Li Chengyin's absence, Zhao Sese tried to coax information from A'Du, offering her clothes and snacks. A'Du remained unresponsive and startled Zhao Sese by drawing a target and wielding her dagger.

Xiaofeng expressed her desire to rescue A'Du from the Eastern Palace so they could return to Xi State together. Gu Jian hesitated, explaining that the Eastern Palace's defenses were now much tighter, making an attempt exceedingly risky. An angry Xiaofeng accused him of breaking his promises. Gu Jian maintained that returning was a trap, especially for Xiaofeng, who would be imprisoned as the Crown Princess Consort.

When Xiaofeng insisted she wouldn't leave A'Du behind, Gu Jian relented and secretly took her back to the palace's vicinity. They overheard Li Chengyin playing a sorrowful tune on his xiao, clearly yearning for Xiaofeng. Her eyes welled up as memories of him flooded her mind. After Li Chengyin departed, Xiaofeng and Gu Jian slipped into Cheng'en Hall and reunited with A'Du.

Xiaofeng joyfully told A'Du that she had found Gu Xiaowu, pointing to Gu Jian, which left A'Du staring at him in stunned disbelief. Once they reached safety, A'Du silently questioned Gu Jian. He confessed that he felt despicable for the deception, yet allowed himself to believe it was real. He then revealed to A'Du that he had severe internal injuries and only six months left to live, a condition unrelated to saving Xiaofeng.

He lamented that if he could just take Xiaofeng away and have her love him wholeheartedly, even for a moment, he would die without regret, content to lie to himself this one time. In the imperial court, Xi Qingzhuo bravely presented the blood letter and a petition, directly accusing Gao Yuming of corruption. Gao vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing the letter as a forgery and noting the case had been closed by the late Crown Prince.

Gao's allies knelt in his defense, but the displeased Emperor ordered a full investigation and assigned it to Li Chengyin. Feigning preoccupation with the crises of the assassin and Xiaofeng's disappearance, Li Chengyin declined. He instead recommended Minister Zong Hwan of the Ministry of Justice, whom he claimed was more experienced. The Emperor agreed. After the assembly, officials gossiped that with Zong Hwan—a known protégé of Gao Yuming—in charge, the case would be a mere formality.

To ensure this, Gao sent Zong Hwan a pointed gift: a piece of calligraphy. The inscription spoke of the rarity of true confidants and referenced Bingzhou, a clear reminder to Zong Hwan of Gao's patronage and the debt he owed. Zong Hwan understood the message perfectly. However, the mention of "Bingzhou" provoked a cold, knowing smile, hinting at a hidden history. Meanwhile, Xiaofeng and Gu Jian settled into a simple, happy life in the wilderness. While trying to catch fish in a stream, Xiaofeng happily remarked that they would have to wait for A'Du to return with sweet potatoes for their meal.

Episode 46 Recap

Xiaofeng shared with A'Du her profound sense of fortune, believing she had only A'Du as family in the Central Plains until she found Gu Xiaowu again. She expressed deep gratitude to heaven for allowing her to rediscover and remember him, feeling she could ask for nothing more.

Observing the night sky, she noted that even with so many stars, they weren't as bright as those in Xi State, and voiced her happiness by repeatedly saying Gu Xiaowu's name, anticipating her imminent return to Xi State. Elsewhere, Li Chengyin confided in Pei Zhao, questioning if Xiaofeng was taken or if she deliberately left.

Despite Pei Zhao's assurance of Xiaofeng's safety and his observation that her stubborn nature sometimes inadvertently helped them, Li Chengyin confessed his desire for her to remain carefree, not embroiled in their affairs. He wished for her to stay in the Eastern Palace, always there to bicker and argue with him, and wondered aloud if she disliked Shangjing and yearned for Xi State.

As the Shangyuan Festival approached, Xiaofeng expressed a desire to stay for the festivities, particularly to enjoy a grand meal at Mi Luo's Drinking House. Gu Jian, while concerned about their prolonged stay, conceded to her wish, reasoning that the large crowds during the festival could offer better cover for their escape through the Bearing the Heaven Gate. He probed Xiaofeng, asking if she still harbored feelings for Li Chengyin.

Xiaofeng vehemently denied it, asserting that since she believes he is Gu Xiaowu, she cannot allow anyone else in her heart. When Gu Jian hypothetically asked, "What if I wasn't Gu Xiaowu?" , Xiaofeng insisted he was, citing his resemblance to the man in her dreams and the distinct scent of Xi State about him. She didn't want a hasty, undignified departure, wishing instead for a proper farewell to Shangjing.

Gu Jian agreed to leave right after the festival, vowing to remain by her side forever. Meanwhile, Gao Yuming's son reported a breakthrough: the Grand Tutor they sought had committed suicide, his body recently discovered. Gao Yuming suspected the man knew they were coming, reinforcing his belief that a powerful figure was orchestrating a deliberate scheme against them.

He instructed his son to write to Gao Xian, suggesting that only he could resolve the matter by winning favor with the Emperor. Concurrently, Gao Xian secured 20,000 taels from undistributed military salaries, hinting at a new scheme now that Danchi was eliminated. He then dispatched a secret message to the Shuobo King, inviting him for a drink. Soon, Zhao Jingyu received alarming news: the Shuobo Tribe had swiftly conquered three cities, overwhelming the Western Border Protectorate General Office.

Puzzled by Gao Xian's actions, Zhao Jingyu opted for caution, ordering his army to hold position and await instructions from Shangjing. The Emperor received Gao Xian's urgent memorial, blaming sandstorms and a lack of rations for the military setback. Enraged by the belated report, the Emperor questioned Gao Xian's competence. Gao Yuming knelt and publicly sought severe punishment for his son, admitting his own failure as a father and as Head of the Cabinet.

However, Pei Zhao intervened, highlighting Gao Xian's extensive border warfare experience and assuring the Emperor that with additional supplies, victory was achievable. The Emperor, acknowledging Gao Yuming's loyalty, promoted Gao Xian to Far Subduing Generalissimo and granted the requested supplies. Later, in private, the Emperor expressed his frustration to Mingyue, feeling like a figurehead unable to control his empire. Mingyue reassured him of his divine right as the Son of Heaven, whose position could not be swayed.

Elsewhere, Xi Qingzhuo confronted Zong Huan about the stalled investigation into the imperial civil examinee case. Zong Huan explained that the Emperor had implicitly halted the inquiry due to the urgent situation in the northwest, which necessitated reliance on Prime Minister Gao. Zong Huan asserted that he was merely biding his time, unwilling to recklessly jeopardize the last hope for exonerating the innocent scholars. Relieved, Xi Qingzhuo realized Zong Huan was not aligned with the Gao family.

Zong Huan then requested Xi Qingzhuo to compile a list of names and send it via a trusted aide, enabling him to dispatch agents to Bingzhou for a thorough investigation. Li Chengyin informed Chai Mu of his suspicion that Gu Jian would use the Shangyuan Festival's crowds to flee with Xiaofeng. He detailed his strategy: heavy troops would guard all city gates, especially the Bearing the Heaven Gate, the sole route back to Xi State.

He tasked Pei Zhao with handling Gu Jian, ensuring he did not fall into others' hands, while Li Chengyin himself would retrieve Xiaofeng. He declared his resolve not to tolerate Gu Jian's continued recklessness, hinting at extraordinary measures if necessary.

Li Chengyin also sent a secret message to Zhao Jingyu via Chai Mu, instructing him to investigate the connection between Gao Xian and Shuobo, sensing that Gao Xian's long-running scheme of "nurturing bandits" to gain military power was coming to a head. Li Chengyin then reported to the Emperor on the lack of progress in finding Xiaofeng. The Emperor ordered the Court of Judicial Review to re-interrogate all major criminals in Celestial Prison to reassert imperial authority.

When asked who should accompany him to the city tower for the festival, the Emperor suggested Zhao Sese, to placate the powerful Zhao family. Yongniang, deeply loyal to Xiaofeng, brought a dress for Zhao Sese to wear. She pointedly remarked that the auspicious gown, originally custom-made for the Crown Princess, must be returned to Bearing Graces Hall afterward.

Zhao Sese dismissed it as "just a piece of clothing" and suggested Yongniang's "rules" were better suited for those from the Western Border who lack etiquette. Yongniang stoically maintained her duty and left. Zhao Sese then complained about the gown's aged appearance and ill-fitting waistline, demanding immediate alterations. Later that evening, Pei Zhao sat drinking alone at Mi Luo's Drinking House, somber over Xiaofeng's disappearance.

He lamented that the Feather Forest Guards had searched the city without success and shared his quiet hope that Xiaofeng could find true peace by leaving Shangjing. Unbeknownst to him, Xiaofeng, Gu Jian, and A'Du soon entered the same establishment. Xiaofeng confided in Mi Luo, declaring her intention to return home to Xi State and bid a final farewell to Shangjing.

She affirmed her resolve to return to her own world, free from the sorrows of Shangjing and the Eastern Palace, and cheerfully stated she would continue to drink and joke, having found the most important person to her. She raised a toast to Mi Luo, unaware that Pei Zhao was just rooms away, and they missed their chance encounter. As the Lantern Festival celebrations reached their peak, Li Chengyin, accompanied by Zhao Sese, ascended the city tower.

He placed a decorative hairpin on Zhao Sese, a traditional festive gesture. From the bustling crowd below, Xiaofeng, dressed in men's clothing, also received a hairpin from Gu Jian but decided to keep it rather than wear it. She then gazed up at the tower, her expression tinged with melancholy, as she saw Li Chengyin standing tall against the night sky.

Onlookers in the crowd, mistaking the couple for the Emperor and Noble Consort Mingyue, murmured about the Noble Consort performing the Empress's ceremonial duties and how her official appointment seemed imminent. Xiaofeng, with Gu Jian and A'Du, melted back into the joyous throng, a silent observer of the life she was about to leave behind.

Episode 47 Recap

On the Shangyuan Festival, in the twenty-sixth year of Tiantong, the streets of Shangjing buzzed with excitement. From a high city tower, Li Chengyin and the Emperor observed the celebration, with fireworks lighting up the sky as golden money was scattered among the grateful crowd, symbolizing imperial grace. Below, Xiaofeng watched the fireworks, finding them beautiful for the first time, despite previously considering the display a wasteful expenditure of resources.

She reflected on her current situation, realizing she had been living a lie in Shangjing and loving a "liar." Overwhelmed, she urgently asked Gu Jian to take her back to Xi State. As Gu Jian hurried Xiaofeng through the throngs, Li Chengyin spotted them. He immediately appealed to the Emperor to seal the city gates and apprehend the assassin. The Emperor hesitated, fearing that such an action on the festival day would cause panic.

Undeterred, Li Chengyin devised a plan, discreetly starting a fire in the city. As the flames spread and panic ensued, he urged the Emperor and Noble Consort Gao to return to the palace for safety, creating an excuse for himself to rush into the chaos. Zhao Sese attempted to stop Li Chengyin, but he brushed her aside, his focus entirely on finding Xiaofeng. The streets became a scene of pandemonium.

Xiaofeng and Gu Jian were separated in the rush, with Chai Mu pulling Gu Jian away. Li Chengyin plunged into the inferno, eventually locating Xiaofeng. However, while trying to save a young girl, Xiaofeng was struck on the head by falling debris and lost consciousness. While unconscious, she miraculously regained all her lost memories. She awoke screaming, drenched in sweat, gazing at Li Chengyin with terror and repeatedly crying out "Gu Xiaowu."

She then screamed for her grandfather and became frantic, demanding Li Chengyin leave her alone. Confused, Li Chengyin tried to comfort her, but her emotional state worsened, and she quickly fainted again. Meanwhile, Zhao Sese expressed her bitter resentment, lamenting Xiaofeng’s return. An imperial physician attended to Xiaofeng, confirming her head injury was minor but acknowledging her trauma.

When the Emperor arrived to question her about the assassin, Xiaofeng provided vague answers, claiming the assassin wore a mask and never spoke, and that she couldn't identify the places where they hid. The Emperor, suspicious but unable to press further, left. Later, he discussed the inexplicable audacity of the assassin, who targeted the highly guarded Vermilion Bird Gate, and resolved to uncover the mastermind.

Chai Mu confronted Gu Jian, criticizing his actions, but Gu Jian, completely disillusioned, confessed that he had become a liar and a murderer. He declared he had fulfilled his obligations and wished to be freed from his duties, expressing that nothing truly belonged to him.

Back in her chambers, Xiaofeng tearfully confided in A'Du, revealing that she had remembered everything: the whistling arrow, her teacher, the white-eyed wolf king, the war in Danchi, her father's tears, her grandfather's blood, and the bone-chilling waters of the River of Oblivion. A'Du, no longer able to conceal the truth, spoke aloud, confessing she had been pretending to be mute.

She explained that she had made a solemn vow to the gods to remain by Xiaofeng's side and protect her from the brutal memories. Devastated, Xiaofeng cried out in anguish, questioning why she was made to remember after having forgotten. Enraged, Li Chengyin sought out Gu Jian, and the two men engaged in a fierce fight. Gu Jian defiantly declared his intention to take Xiaofeng away.

Li Chengyin returned to the Eastern Palace and confronted Xiaofeng, demanding to know why she was avoiding him. Xiaofeng vehemently rejected him, declaring her hatred and desire to leave. In her distress, she fainted again, repeatedly murmuring "Gu Xiaowu." Li Chengyin overheard her and was deeply unsettled. Once Xiaofeng regained consciousness, Li Chengyin confronted her about "Gu Xiaowu."

Tears streaming down her face, Xiaofeng steadfastly affirmed that Gu Xiaowu was the man she loved most in the world and the only one she would ever love. Misinterpreting her words, Li Chengyin concluded that Gu Jian was "Gu Xiaowu." Blinded by jealousy, he confronted Gu Jian again. To provoke him, Gu Jian falsely claimed that he and Xiaofeng were childhood sweethearts who had planned to elope. The lie cemented Li Chengyin's murderous rage. Later that night, he visited Mingyue, advising her that they should not be seen together too often due to spies, before grimly stating his decision: Gu Jian must die.

Episode 48 Recap

Following his discovery of Xiaofeng's affections for a man he believes is Gu Jian, a furious Li Chengyin seeks out Chai Mu to announce his intention to kill Gu Jian. Chai Mu is horrified, pleading with Li Chengyin by reminding him that they both share the blood of the Gu family.

Li Chengyin coldly refutes this, stating that only Li family blood flows through him and that if it weren't for sentiment, he would have no reason to kill Gu Jian, calling this notification a final act of brotherly affection. Though Chai Mu begs the future emperor not to stoop to such levels, Li Chengyin declares that the throne is "piercingly cold," and one must be colder still to sit on it.

This exchange is secretly witnessed by one of Gao Yuming's subordinates, who rushes to report it. Meanwhile, the Emperor visits Mingyue and is overjoyed to learn of her pregnancy. When she asks to leave the palace to shield their child from court intrigue, he reassures her that no one would dare harm his child and promises to grant her an official title so she can give birth within the palace.

News of the pregnancy devastates Gao Ruyi, who, after her own difficult path to conception, fears being supplanted. She rages against Mingyue, wondering what "vixen or monster" could conceive so quickly and lamenting that the Emperor will now surely favor Mingyue's child over hers. At the Eastern Palace, Li Chengyin orders Pei Zhao to mobilize three hundred Yuilin Guards, setting ambushes throughout the palace.

He commands that the security should appear lax on the outside but be airtight within, a trap clearly set for Gu Jian. Later, Mingyue visits a despondent Xiaofeng, who has grown thin from not eating. Xiaofeng recalls a previous conversation, asking Mingyue again if she can truly be happy with the Emperor. Mingyue confesses that love isn't enough and that she, too, feels anxious and desires a stable home.

When Mingyue advises Xiaofeng to try and understand Li Chengyin's burdens, Xiaofeng counters with a piercing question: would Mingyue forgive the Emperor if he were the one who murdered her family? Gu Jian goes to see Chai Mu, who urges him to flee the capital forever, reminding him that Xiaofeng is the Crown Princess and can never be his.

Gu Jian remains resolute, asserting that some things are "more important than life" and that if Xiaofeng can remember their past after jumping into the River of Oblivion, he cannot forget either. Chai Mu, in a final plea, offers Gu Jian a bowl of water to drink as if it were from the River of Oblivion, to forget everything, but Gu Jian refuses. Knowing Li Chengyin plans to kill him, he bids his foster father a final farewell.

At the same time, Gao Yuming's investigation reveals that Chai Mu is the long-lost Chen Zheng, the mastermind secretly aiding Li Chengyin, and he resolves to act immediately. After Li Chengyin dismisses Pei Zhao's attempt to intervene, he confronts Xiaofeng. Her continued pining for "Gu Xiaowu" ignites his rage and jealousy.

Consumed by his mistaken belief that Gu Xiaowu is Gu Jian, Li Chengyin takes out a whistling arrow in front of Xiaofeng, a signal he knows will summon his rival. As he predicted, Gu Jian appears. Xiaofeng desperately warns him of the ambush, but Gu Jian refuses to flee, vowing not to break his promise to her again.

Li Chengyin orders his archers to fire, and in the chaos, A'Du is wounded, causing both her and Xiaofeng to fall from the roof. Gu Jian catches Xiaofeng before rushing to save a gravely injured A'Du. As Gu Jian attempts to escape with A'Du, Li Chengyin has Xiaofeng dragged to the top of the city wall to force her to watch.

Xiaofeng begs him to stop the archers, but Li Chengyin, now consumed by bloodlust, grabs her head and makes her witness the onslaught. He relentlessly commands his men to fire volley after volley. Gu Jian shields A'Du with his own body until he is riddled with so many arrows he resembles a hedgehog. Only then does Li Chengyin call a halt to the attack. Utterly distraught, Xiaofeng scrambles down from the wall and rushes to Gu Jian's side.

In his final moments, he gives her a faint smile. Weeping, Xiaofeng puts on the hairpin he once bought for her. Gu Jian weakly raises a hand to touch her hair, but his strength fails, and he dies. Xiaofeng stays with his body, crying through the night. The next morning, Li Chengyin coldly approaches and asks if she is truly so heartbroken.

Staring at him with pure hatred, Xiaofeng confirms her sorrow, declaring that her "Gu Xiaowu is dead" and that Li Chengyin "killed him with his own hands." Enraged and still clinging to his misconception, Li Chengyin accepts her hatred, deciding it is better than being ignored.

Episode 49 Recap

In the Western State, wind and sand swirled as Zhao Jingyu interrogated a former subordinate of Yi Moyan. This man had been hiding in mountain caves since being saved by refugees after Yi Moyan's army was annihilated. Zhao Jingyu offered him a quick death if he revealed the details of the conspiracy between Danchi and Gao Xian.

He proclaimed that he, the new ruler of Danchi, had brought prosperity to the land in just two years, with vegetation recovering and livestock flourishing, making cooperation with him a wise choice, not a betrayal. Meanwhile, Noble Consort Gao Ruyi complained to her father, Gao Yuming, frustrated that the Emperor was so infatuated with Mingyue, a woman of lowly brothel origins. Gao Yuming calmly advised his daughter to be more tolerant, emphasizing that their situation was precarious.

He suggested she visit the Grand Empress Dowager frequently, as this would provide opportunities to meet the Emperor, and also cautioned her to send more intelligent servants to observe Mingyue. Zhao Jingyu met with the Shuobo King, accusing General Gao Xian of colluding with foreign tribes by feigning defeat to gain more military power and supplies—an ancient strategy for border generals to amass influence.

Zhao Jingyu warned the Shuobo King that Gao Yuming was now facing enemies from all sides, the Emperor's trust in him was waning, and investigations were underway. Claiming the Shuobo King was Gao Yuming's last resort, Zhao Jingyu offered conclusive evidence of Gao Xian's past collusion with Danchi, urging the king to consider Danchi's tragic fate and choose his allies wisely.

Later, Mingyue played the zither for the Grand Empress Dowager, who remarked that Mingyue reminded her of someone and understood why the Emperor cherished her, especially since Mingyue had saved his life. The Grand Empress Dowager, deeming Mingyue a clever woman, advised her to act with propriety. She then gifted Mingyue a copy of "Lessons for Women" and instructed her to copy it three times daily. News of this delighted Noble Consort Gao Ruyi, who wished the punishment were harsher.

However, when Gao Ruyi attempted to visit the Grand Empress Dowager herself, she was turned away, told that the Grand Empress Dowager was resting. Xiaofeng sat by the bed of the gravely injured and unconscious A'Du, lamenting that she was to blame for the deaths of her Danchi clan and Gu Jian because she had fallen in love with Gu Xiaowu. She wished she had never regained her memories, believing the gods were punishing her.

Refusing to eat or drink, she maintained a desperate vigil. Li Chengyin arrived and urged her to rest, warning she would not survive if she continued. When she refused the porridge he brought, he threatened to have A'Du removed from the palace. In a frenzy, Xiaofeng drank it all. Pained to see her state, Li Chengyin reiterated his threat to remove A'Du if Xiaofeng missed another meal.

In the imperial court, Xi Qingzhuo and Zong Hwan discussed their investigation in Bingzhou, which had proceeded so smoothly it seemed orchestrated to blame Prime Minister Gao. Zong Hwan hesitated to be a "chess piece" in a political storm, but Xi Qingzhuo reminded him that all officials were integral to the court's stability. Convinced, Zong Hwan vowed to see the case through.

Later, Gao Kun reported to his father, Gao Yuming, that the leader of the self-immolated scholars was an old xiucai from Bingzhou—Zong Hwan's first teacher. This confirmed Gao Yuming's fear that Zong Hwan had betrayed him. A servant then reported that the Emperor, though furious, had only summoned the Crown Prince. Noble Consort Gao Ruyi brought desserts to the Emperor and tried to intercede for her father. The Emperor dismissed her, telling her not to interfere in political affairs.

When she persisted, citing her father's loyalty and mentioning her unborn child, the Emperor grew angry. He harshly reminded her that he had deliberately prevented the Empress from having children and warned that if she wanted her child to live, she must know her place. Anxious, Gao Yuming instructed his son, Gao Kun, to deliver a letter to his elder brother and then flee Shangjing immediately.

Gao Yuming explained that the Crown Prince and Chen Zheng had been plotting against him for a long time. Just then, Chief Eunuch Cao Ji arrived, announcing that Noble Consort Gao Ruyi was gravely ill and the Emperor required the Prime Minister's presence. Knowing it was a trap, Gao Yuming complied, hoping it would buy his son time to escape. Cao Ji led Gao Yuming to the Grand Literature Library, where the Emperor was waiting.

The Emperor confronted him, revealing he had long known about Gao Yuming's feigned illness. He listed his crimes: colluding with the Empress and Noble Consort to amass power, allowing his son to conspire with enemies at the border, and orchestrating the civil examination cheating scandal. Gao Yuming admitted his guilt but denied sending assassins to kill Mingyue, claiming he and his daughter were framed. He asserted that incidents involving Mingyue were orchestrated to target him.

As his final revelation, he declared that Chen Zheng and Mingyue were secretly working for the Crown Prince. Shocked, the Emperor listened as Gao Yuming accepted his fate, making a final plea to spare Gao Ruyi's life for the sake of her unborn child before being taken away. Meanwhile, Gao Kun, having had a change of heart, turned back to retrieve his family.

He found his wife frantically searching for a hairpin, and before they could leave, the Yuilin Palace Guards surrounded them, ending any chance of escape. As large snowflakes began to fall, A'Du finally woke up. Xiaofeng was overjoyed. A'Du apologized for worrying her, and Xiaofeng replied that A'Du was all she had left. Xiaofeng explained that the first snow in the Western State is for honoring departed souls, helping them find rebirth.

At A'Du's suggestion, they performed the ritual for Gu Jian. As they chanted, Xiaofeng felt his spirit depart, finally at peace. A'Du then said it was time to return to the Western State, but Xiaofeng, with a resolute look, declared she had one last thing to do: kill Li Chengyin.

Episode 50 Recap

The Imperial Court, acting on the Emperor's decree, brought severe punishment upon the Gao family. The official decree enumerated the crimes of Gao Yuming, including factionalism, falsely accusing the innocent, and corruption in imperial examinations. His son, Gao Xian, was accused of fostering bandits for personal gain, embezzling military funds, and deceiving the Emperor, actions that had destabilized the court and led to countless unjust deaths.

The decree declared the Gao clan's crimes warranted annihilation, ordering immediate executions for its members and exile for their associates. However, citing Gao Ruyi's inherently good nature and his past affection for her as his wife, the Emperor commuted her death sentence. She was stripped of her title, demoted to a commoner, and banished to the Cold Palace. Furthermore, the decree posthumously exonerated Gu Ruhui, whose case was revealed to be the result of Gao Yuming's deception.

The Emperor expressed deep regret for the loss of his loyal minister, granted Gu Ruhui the title of Duke Zhong of the State, and ordered his burial in the Cemetery for Patriotism and Filial Piety. Immediately following the decree, Gao Ruyi was presented with a bowl of "fetus-stabilizing medicine," which she recognized as a cruel means to end her pregnancy. Despite her desperate refusal, she was forced to drink it, lamenting the Emperor's cruelty.

Far away, Gao Xian was still unaware of his family's downfall. He received a secret report dispatched by his father long ago, warning him of impending calamity and urging him to flee. Shocked, Gao Xian ordered his troops to prepare to leave the border and escape to Xizhou, despite his general's concerns that the Protectorate General Office was no longer a safe haven.

At the memorial tomb of the Gu family, Li Chengyin solemnly declared that he had fulfilled his vow to avenge his mother and the Gu family. He noted that his uncle, Gu Ruhui, was not only exonerated but also posthumously named Duke Zhong of the State and granted a state burial—a clear sign that the Emperor had never forgotten his sentiment for the Gu family.

Chai Mu reflected that his own dedication was motivated by his unwavering belief in the Emperor's trust in him and Gu Ruhui. Li Chengyin urged Chai Mu to reveal his true identity to the Emperor, but Chai Mu insisted on retiring into obscurity, his wish fulfilled with Gao Yuming's elimination. He recalled helplessly watching the Emperor be manipulated by treacherous officials, unable to protect even his most trusted subjects.

Accepting Chai Mu's decision, Li Chengyin agreed to relay a message to Mingyue, advising her to be cautious. Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Li Chengyin joyfully embraced Xiaofeng, declaring that everything was finally over and he no longer had to pretend. He passionately expressed his love, promising to forget the past if she would do the same so they could start anew. In response, Xiaofeng plunged a dagger into his chest.

Wounded and heartbroken, Li Chengyin questioned her hatred, asking if forgetting Gu Xiaowu was truly so difficult. Sobbing, Xiaofeng confessed that she hated herself for being unable to forget him. In his despair, Li Chengyin thrust the dagger back into her hand, daring her to kill him, but she could not strike again. As A'Du rushed in, Li Chengyin stumbled away, crying out for Xiaofeng not to leave him.

That night, Zhao Sese, who was watching over a feverish Li Chengyin, was devastated to hear him repeatedly call out Xiaofeng's name in his sleep. The next day, Xiaofeng confided in A'Du, feeling tormented by her inability to harm Li Chengyin despite knowing his true identity and wondering if they could ever escape. Just then, Zhao Sese entered, offering to help them flee.

She confessed her profound love for Li Chengyin, a love that began when he was just the lonely Fifth Prince. She lamented that since Xiaofeng's arrival, he had changed and no longer loved her. Despite Xiaofeng stabbing him, he still treated her better than he ever treated Zhao Sese and called her name in his dreams. When Xiaofeng admitted she had never loved Li Chengyin, Zhao Sese's resolve hardened.

Stating that every scar on Li Chengyin's body was a wound on her own heart, she declared that Xiaofeng must leave. Zhao Sese promised to have a carriage waiting at the East Corner Gate the following morning. In his prison cell, a disheveled Gao Yuming was startled by the tolling of funeral bells. Li Chengyin arrived, informing him that the bells tolled for Noble Consort Gao, who had died from excessive bleeding after a miscarriage.

Offering a tray of walnut cakes, Li Chengyin asked Gao Yuming why he, having no apparent grievance with the Gu family, had relentlessly pursued their destruction. Gao Yuming mocked Li Chengyin as a mere puppet, hinting that the Gao family lacked the power to overthrow the Gu clan alone, implying a greater, unseen hand at play. Meanwhile, during his journey, Chai Mu was intercepted by the Emperor, who addressed him by his true name, Chen Zheng.

The Emperor acknowledged that Gao Yuming's downfall was a positive outcome and invited Chai Mu for a drink, reminiscing about their past camaraderie. When the Emperor suggested he reclaim his identity, Chai Mu ominously stated that Chen Zheng had died twenty years ago and the current Chai Mu would also soon disappear forever. They shared a final drink. The Emperor then met with Mingyue.

When he asserted he had no regrets for his actions, even if it meant losing everyone he loved, Mingyue questioned him. He explained a twisted philosophy: it is better to lose loved ones than to have them used as threats. He promised to spare her father, but Mingyue, wise to men's deceptions, tearfully rejected his attempts to reconcile, cried out that she hated him, and took her own life with a dagger.

The Emperor, startled awake from a nightmare of his beloved Pure Consort Shu stabbing him, discovered Mingyue's bleeding body. Overcome with shock and grief, he suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed and unable to speak. Li Chengyin later visited his incapacitated father, reflecting on how the Emperor's pursuit of power had made him a cold and distant parent.

He observed the irony that his all-powerful father was ultimately defeated not by a mighty foe, but by a woman's love and sorrow. With everyone he loved or who loved him gone, Li Chengyin recognized he was becoming just as ruthless and promised his father that he would be a good emperor. True to her word, Zhao Sese led Xiaofeng and A'Du in a carriage away from the Eastern Palace.

She urged Xiaofeng to forget everyone, stating her help was not for Xiaofeng's sake, but to remove the barrier between herself and Li Chengyin. After they parted, Xiaofeng admitted to A'Du a fleeting envy for Zhao Sese's ability to love someone so wholeheartedly, even as she herself, having seen Li Chengyin's true nature, was resolved to return to Xizhou. Meanwhile, General Pei Zhao encountered his relative, Luoxi, in a carriage.

Luoxi gave a flimsy excuse that she was visiting him after praying for the Emperor at Jade Spring Temple. Pei Zhao recalled that Zhao Sese had also claimed to be going to the temple. His suspicions were aroused when Luoxi mentioned the temple gates were already closed, realizing Zhao Sese had lied to him to create a diversion for Xiaofeng's escape. He immediately ordered his horse and set off in pursuit.

Episode 51 Recap

Pei Zhao brought Xiaofeng back to the Eastern Palace, and Li Chengyin immediately confronted Zhao Sese, accusing her of arranging Xiaofeng's escape. Zhao Sese admitted it, claiming she acted to ease his burdens, as she believed Xiaofeng was unworthy of his affection. Enraged, Li Chengyin saw through her schemes and told her such an act was a capital offense. Xiaofeng interjected, falsely claiming she had begged Zhao Sese for help and asking that she be punished instead.

Li Chengyin silenced her, scolding her for her naivety. Zhao Sese then declared that Xiaofeng had never loved him, confessing her indifference and preference for escaping. Li Chengyin retorted that even if Xiaofeng didn't love him, his heart belonged solely to her. When Zhao Sese asked about her own place in his life, he coldly revealed she had only ever been a tool.

Devastated, Zhao Sese realized her long-held love was a cruel deception, recounting her devotion since their first meeting. She acknowledged her defeat, not to Qu Xiaofeng, but to her own all-consuming love for him. As a heartbroken Zhao Sese departed, Xiaofeng remarked with pity that Li Chengyin had just lost the person who loved him most.

Later that evening, as snow fell, Yongniang found Xiaofeng, reminiscing about her arrival at the palace, her childhood illness, and her feverish calls for "shanzi," the Xi State word for mother. Yongniang urged her to be less willful, a promise Xiaofeng readily made as Yongniang’s hands reminded her of her own mother's. Nearby, Li Chengyin played a sorrowful tune, and Xiaofeng approached him. He confessed that while he could betray anyone else, he never wanted to betray her.

Xiaofeng retorted that he was unworthy of love, citing his cruelty toward Zhao Sese and asserting that power, not love, was his true desire. Li Chengyin insisted Xiaofeng was his only wish, but she questioned his sincerity after his past betrayals and asked if he would kill her if she threatened his throne. He evaded, then refused when she asked if he would abandon his power to die with her.

Believing only her death would convince him, Xiaofeng expressed her anguish that she wasn't the one in his heart. Then, in a stunning turn, she kissed him and confessed her heart had always held him. Overjoyed, he begged her to repeat it. She affirmed her feelings, then said she was saying goodbye to "her Gu Xiaowu." As he rejoiced, the powerful sedative she had applied to her lips took effect, and he collapsed, unconscious.

A'Du appeared, confirming their plan had worked. Dressed in black, Xiaofeng and A'Du prepared to slip out of the Eastern Palace but were met by Yongniang, who was waiting with a lantern. Fearing Yongniang would raise an alarm, A'Du incapacitated her with an acupuncture point lock. Unable to speak, Yongniang looked at Xiaofeng with reluctance and gestured toward the ground, where she had dropped a bag of golden leaves.

Tears welled in Xiaofeng's eyes, realizing Yongniang had come to help her escape. She tearfully embraced Yongniang in farewell. Xiaofeng decided it was safer for Yongniang to be found incapacitated, apologizing for leaving her in the cold.

They reached Mi Luo's Drinking House, where Mi Luo outlined the escape plan: they would blend in with a Goryeo merchant caravan leaving the next morning through the heavily guarded West Gate, operating on the principle that the most obvious route would be the least suspected. The next morning, Li Chengyin awoke to find Xiaofeng gone. He furiously ordered Pei Zhao to seal all city gates, search everyone leaving, and post Xiaofeng's portrait everywhere.

During his search, Pei Zhao visited Mi Luo's tavern. Mi Luo, sensing Pei Zhao's conflicted feelings, confirmed Xiaofeng had been there but had already left. Meanwhile, Xiaofeng and A'Du passed through the gate with the caravan. Once outside, the merchants extorted them for more money, and Xiaofeng reluctantly paid them off with a golden leaf. Fearing capture, Xiaofeng and A'Du abandoned the caravan and continued toward Xi State alone, spotting "wanted" posters along the way.

Despite A'Du's suggestion to find another route, Xiaofeng insisted on pushing through the Jade Pass, accepting that death was a possibility. At the pass, they found Pei Zhao on guard. Hearing him play his hichiriki, Xiaofeng approached. Pei Zhao urged her to return, warning that Li Chengyin would pursue her to Xi State and escalate the conflict. Xiaofeng, however, declared her intent to live for herself.

She confronted Pei Zhao, reminding him that three years ago, he tried to help Gu Xiaowu stop her from jumping into the River of Oblivion, and now he was helping Li Chengyin bring her back—making it clear she knew he remembered everything. Appealing to him as a friend, Xiaofeng asked him to let her pass. Visibly conflicted, Pei Zhao ordered the gate opened. Just then, Li Chengyin arrived, frantically ordering the gate closed.

A'Du charged through, but Xiaofeng was trapped inside. In despair, Xiaofeng scaled the high city wall. Below, Li Chengyin desperately pleaded for her to come down. She retorted that his heart was colder than hers. He begged her to admit she had loved him, even a little, but she insisted she had only ever loved Gu Xiaowu, who was now dead.

Confused, Li Chengyin asked why she fled if she didn't love him, noting her coldness began even before Gu Xiaowu died. Xiaofeng expressed envy for his ability to forget, lamenting that she remembered what she wished to forget. She asked what he had forgotten, but before he could understand, she declared she was forgiving him and releasing them both from their shared fate. As Li Chengyin screamed in confusion, Xiaofeng leapt from the wall.

Pei Zhao and other guards restrained a frantic Li Chengyin from following. As Xiaofeng plummeted, his lost memories flooded back: meeting her as Gu Xiaowu, catching fireflies for her, their wedding, and her vow to forget him forever. Overwhelmed by the truth, Li Chengyin screamed, coughed up blood, and collapsed. Far below, A'Du galloped into position and caught Xiaofeng, and the two rode away.

Episode 52 (Ending) Recap

Li Chengyin finally awoke after seven days and seven nights in a coma, remembering his identity as Gu Xiaowu. His first thoughts were of Xiaofeng, desperately calling out for her, even proclaiming, "Gu Xiaowu is here, I am here!" Pei Zhao, his trusted general, then reported urgent military news: Gao Xian had colluded with King Qu Tianze of Xi State and launched a rebellion. Meanwhile, Gao Xian was indeed conspiring with King Qu Tianze.

Qu Tianze admitted that a direct confrontation with the Li Empire would be risky, suggesting an alliance with the Danchi King for a greater chance of success, although convincing the stubborn Danchi ruler would be challenging. Despite the risks, Qu Tianze declared that Xi State would never retreat.

Gao Xian, focused on winning, offered to handle Zhao Jingyu and then proposed using the Ninth Princess, Xiaofeng, as a crucial bargaining chip, citing Li Chengyin's deep feelings for her, evident in his actions that drove Zhao Jingyu's daughter to insanity. However, Qu Tianze vehemently rejected this idea, seeing no difference from his own father's act of sending Xiaofeng for a marriage alliance.

He proudly stated that the men of Xi State were fearless warriors who would never let a woman shield them from danger, and that their fight against the Li Empire was to reclaim their dignity and prove they were not cowards to be manipulated.

Gao Xian, seemingly impressed, subtly tried to sway Qu Tianze by implying the Li Empire's military strength was superficial and their reasons for peace were merely pretense, urging Qu Tianze to look beyond short-term gains for a promising future. Qu Tianze rallied his soldiers, declaring that the day to seek vengeance had arrived, vowing to make the Central Plains emperor taste their formidable power.

Xiaofeng, hearing of the impending war, rushed to her brother, pleading with him not to initiate conflict with the Li Empire, as they hadn't provoked Xi State. Qu Tianze stood firm, stating that the arrow had already left the bow. He insisted his actions were not provocation but a necessary step to restore Xi State's lost dignity, a long-held dream shared by all Xi State men.

He questioned why Xiaofeng had returned, suggesting it was due to hatred and suffering, and promised to get justice for her. Xiaofeng, however, denied returning for those reasons, expressing her deep confusion and the sense that her return was part of a greater, perhaps pre-ordained, destiny. Gao Xian then sought out Zhao Jingyu, attempting to secure his support. Zhao Jingyu initially questioned the wisdom of risking an alliance, given the vast disparity in military power.

Gao Xian countered by emphasizing their combined familiarity with the northwestern terrain and ample reinforcements, making it difficult for Li Chengyin to win. He proposed they persevere until peace negotiations could be called, at which point they would demand independent statehood, allowing them to rule as carefree kings. Gao Xian also played on Zhao Jingyu's personal grievances, reminding him of his daughter's suffering at the hands of Li Chengyin. Ultimately, Zhao Jingyu agreed, pledging 30,000 Danchi iron cavalry as reinforcement.

Unbeknownst to Gao Xian, Zhao Jingyu had his own cunning agenda. He confided to his subordinate that he had to feign agreement to prevent the desperate Gao Xian from turning on him. He believed that by joining Gao Xian, he would complicate the Li Empire's efforts to suppress the rebellion, prompting the imperial court to offer him generous terms and military support to secure his allegiance.

With the former Prime Minister Gao already toppled, Zhao Jingyu envisioned returning to the Central Plains with glorious achievements, becoming peerless in the imperial court. He even noted that even if his daughter had gone mad, she would still become Empress once Li Chengyin ascended the throne, solidifying his family's position. As news of the impending war spread, the people of Xi State began to flee their homes, fearing the Central Plains emperor would annihilate their clans.

Xiaofeng watched the mass exodus with profound sadness, lamenting that her parents were no longer there to welcome her back. She recalled Pei Zhao's warning that her return would transform her personal affairs into a state-level conflict. She questioned whether she had made a mistake, feeling she had inadvertently brought suffering upon the innocent people of Xi State, and wished she had endured more, dreading a fate similar to Danchi's annihilation.

A'Du comforted her, assuring her it was not her fault and that her brother's decision to fight was his way of living for Xi State. A'Du reminded Xiaofeng that she had already made a choice at Jade Gate Pass to let go of Li Chengyin and Gu Xiaowu. She urged Xiaofeng to live for Xi State and its peace, not to be consumed by personal love or hate.

Xiaofeng, accepting A'Du's wisdom, affirmed her resolve to live for the tranquility of her people. Both women, now bound by a shared purpose, declared they would have no regrets, even if it meant their lives. Li Chengyin, as Crown Prince, immediately issued a decree conferring Zhao Jingyu as Protectorate Generalissimo to assist in pacifying the revolt. He also prepared to lead the army, while the Emperor remained gravely ill and immobile.

Li Chengyin received wishes for triumph and a victorious return. That night, Gao Xian's general urged him to rest after three sleepless days. As Gao Xian finally lay down, A'Du, who had been hiding beneath his bed, thrust a long sword through the bed frame, fatally stabbing him. In his dying moments, Gao Xian retaliated, stabbing blindly beneath the bed, striking and killing A'Du. Thus, A'Du avenged her brother Heshi, but sacrificed her own life in the process.

The following morning, Xiaofeng realized A'Du was missing. Soon after, news arrived of Gao Xian's assassination. A wave of dread washed over Xiaofeng, and she rushed with Qu Tianze to Gao Xian's camp, where they discovered A'Du's lifeless body. Xiaofeng collapsed, cradling A'Du and weeping uncontrollably. On the battlefield, as the Li Empire's army, led by Li Chengyin, stood poised against Qu Tianze's Xi State forces, Xiaofeng, clad in white, bravely charged forward to stand between the two armies.

She declared Gao Xian's death, proclaiming that the traitor had met his deserved end. She appealed directly to the Central Plains soldiers, asking if they truly wished to fight their own countrymen for Gao Xian's selfish greed, reminding them of the senseless loss of life. When Qu Tianze urged her to stop, she warned both him and Li Chengyin not to approach, threatening to join A'Du in death if they moved.

She implored her brother to cease the conflict, revealing Gao Xian's scheme and highlighting the futility of sacrificing countless Xi State lives for one man's avarice. She evoked the horrific annihilation of Danchi, begging him not to let Xi State suffer the same fate.

She questioned why prosperity and happiness couldn't be sustained and why peace couldn't be achieved through allegiance, arguing that their father's compromises were acts of true kingly dignity, enduring personal pain for the happiness of their people. She then specifically implored Li Chengyin to grant her two final wishes for lasting peace in Xi State: first, that the Central Plains cavalry would never set foot in Xi State, and second, that he would live well.

Then, turning to Li Chengyin, she called him "Gu Xiaowu," asking if he remembered. She confessed that he was the only one she had ever truly loved. Despite his lies, betrayal, and the murder of her loved ones, she admitted she could never bring herself to kill him, and despite countless attempts, she could not hate him. Declaring that the past was gone, she stated her only desire now was to live and die for the people of Xi State.

If he still understood her and wished to compensate her, she urged him to stop the battle. As the Ninth Princess of Xi State, her marriage to the Li Empire was for generations of peace. If they fought now, she would have failed her father, Consort Mingyuan, the Grand Empress Dowager, and the countless people of Xi State. She concluded that regardless of which side she stood on, it would be a betrayal.

Therefore, if her life could awaken her brother and the Crown Prince, bringing true peace and happiness to Xi State, she would have no regrets. With those words, Xiaofeng drew her long knife. As Li Chengyin cried out in horror, flashbacks of their past, from their carefree days of catching fireflies and his promises, to their moments of love and profound heartbreak, flashed before his eyes. In his arms, Xiaofeng smiled tragically, finally confessing that she had always loved him.

With a final, heartbreaking whisper, Xiaofeng said, "Li Chengyin, I forgive you. I forgive all our happiness, debts, wild hopes, and despair." She then plunged the long knife into herself, her form falling into the vast desert. Li Chengyin rushed to her, desperate to reach her. He held her in his arms, screaming her name in anguish as she breathed her last.

Qu Tianze gently took Xiaofeng's body from his grasp, leaving Li Chengyin to cry out in an agony that could not bring her back. Many years passed. Li Chengyin, now an old man, had abdicated his throne to the eldest son of his Third Royal Brother, marking a rare peaceful transfer of power in the Li Empire. He was now the Retired Emperor. Pei Zhao, also aged with white hair, found him.

Pei Zhao expressed concern for Li Chengyin, who had been melancholic and focused on state affairs for years, but Li Chengyin dismissed his worries, stating he had a more important task: to find Xiaofeng in Xi State. Despite Pei Zhao's insistence that Xiaofeng had passed away many years ago, and that green grass now covered her tomb in Xi State, Li Chengyin refused to believe it.

He was convinced she was alive, hiding somewhere to punish him, confident that she was the most brilliant woman in the world who had simply tricked them all. Pei Zhao pleaded with him to forget the heavy memories, but Li Chengyin looked into the distance, pondering the River of Oblivion, whose waters were said to bring forgetfulness, and wondered where it could be found. Li Chengyin embarked on a solitary journey into the vast desert.

The harsh winds and shifting sands etched further lines onto his aged face, yet his steps never faltered. He was determined to find the young woman in red, the one who had been the fragrant essence of his youth, the love of his entire life. The narrative reflected on the tragic fate of the fox from the story he once told Xiaofeng, a fox that was never able to wait for its girl.