Eternal Love of the Fox resumo, enredo, sinopse

Sinopse de Eternal Love of the Fox

Huo Zhongren, the chief clerk of Muxi City, mysteriously disappears within the palace. His daughter, Huo Xiangjiu, disguises herself as a palace maid to search for him, only to discover that Feng Mochen, the emperor’s most powerful and favored minister, is in fact a thousand-year-old fox spirit. By a twist of fate, the two even end up swapping souls.

Meanwhile, bizarre and inexplicable incidents keep occurring within the palace. Are they caused by other supernatural beings, or is there a mortal stirring up trouble? With their own hidden motives, Huo Xiangjiu and Feng Mochen join forces to solve one incredible mystery after another, creating a series of laugh-out-loud adventures, all while uncovering secrets that have been buried for a thousand years.

Resumos de Eternal Love of the Fox

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In the bustling market of Bronze County, where humans and spirits often cross paths, Registrar Huo Zhongren was known for his benevolent heart. During a stroll, he encountered a crowd gathered around a "rare treasure"—a small creature that had survived the tribulations of demon cultivation. Refusing to let the helpless being be slaughtered for a feast, Huo stripped off his own outer robe to wrap and shield the creature, smuggling it away to safety.

Later, Huo’s daughter, Huo Xiangjiu, went searching for her father and stumbled into a dark, eerie chamber. Inside, a mysterious old man claimed that the nine-tailed fox locked in a massive iron cage could transform into anything its master desired. Desperate to find her father, Xiangjiu watched as the man ordered the fox to take Huo Zhongren’s form. When the creature refused to obey, the man lashed it mercilessly.

Seeing the fox bleeding, Xiangjiu rushed forward to stop the whip, only for the beast to erupt in a frenzy, shattering the cage and using its nine massive tails to protect her. Xiangjiu eventually jolted awake, finding herself perched in a tree within the royal palace. Her close friend, Le Ning, urged her to come down, realizing she had been sleepwalking again.

Xiangjiu lamented that she still hadn't found her father, who had disappeared after entering the palace to lodge a formal complaint with the Sovereign. She was convinced that the "Ganquan Register", a record of all palace visitors, held the key to his location. However, the register was kept deep within Fucang Palace, the domain of the powerful and enigmatic Lord Feng Mochen. Life as a lowly maid was difficult under the thumb of the strict Lady Zhao.

The supervisor was relentless, constantly berating the girls and comparing them to Bai Yu, a former servant who had supposedly been promoted to Attendant for making even the palace toilets smell like a garden. During one of Lady Zhao’s tirades, the eccentric Bai Yu literally dropped from the sky, having traveled via the palace's "air route." As a favorite of Chief Steward Sun, he was a man no one dared to offend.

Xiangjiu tried to slip away, but Bai Yu recognized her immediately as his childhood playmate and betrothed from Bronze County. Though Xiangjiu was surprised to see the son of a "conman" mystic serving as a eunuch, Bai Yu whispered a secret to her: he had used connections to keep his "parts" intact and was only there to hunt the fox demon. Xiangjiu, focused on her mission, feigned an emergency to escape his incessant chatter.

Meanwhile, the palace was in an uproar. The Sovereign, who suffered from a recurring condition of appearing dead, had once again lost his breath. While officials like Lord Gongsun and Prince Fuying plotted to seize the throne, Feng Mochen arrived at Ganquan Palace. Despite the Prince’s protests, Feng Mochen entered the Sovereign’s chambers alone. Using his own spiritual energy, he managed to stabilize the ruler.

The Sovereign warned Feng that he must find his "ferryman" to ascend to immortality before the court’s political vultures moved against him. Xiangjiu finally managed to infiltrate the opulent Fucang Palace. Momentarily distracted by rare red coral trees and delicacies, she quickly refocused and began scouring the shelves for the "Ganquan Register". She found the book and flipped to the entries for May—the month her father arrived—only to discover that two crucial pages had been torn out.

Before she could process this, the doors swung open and Feng Mochen marched in. Panicked, Xiangjiu tried to flee but was cornered. In her haste, she nearly fell from an upper balcony, only for Feng Mochen to leap forward and catch her in his arms. As their eyes met, Xiangjiu realized with a shock that this man was the same nine-tailed fox from her memories. In that instant, a surge of mystical energy passed between them, and their souls swapped places, leaving them trapped in each other's bodies.

Following a mystical encounter at Fucang Palace, the supreme cultivation master Feng Mochen and the palace maid Huo Xiangjiu find themselves trapped in each other's bodies. While Huo Xiangjiu is initially startled by her new muscular, male physique, Feng Mochen maintains a cold composure despite being relegated to the form of a lowly servant. They quickly realize their predicament is complicated: Huo now commands Feng’s vast spiritual powers, while Feng is left with her mortal frailty.

Feng sternly warns her that reckless use of his techniques without mental discipline could be fatal. Huo Xiangjiu uses her newfound status to investigate the disappearance of her father, Huo Zhongren, who vanished two years ago after a meeting with the Emperor. She discovers that two critical pages from the Ganquan Register—the record of imperial audiences—have been torn out. Suspecting a cover-up, she notices a unique fragrance lingering on the book’s spine.

Feng Mochen explains that such scents are exclusive to high-ranking nobles. To identify the culprit, Huo insists on attending the royal family banquet, despite Feng’s concerns that her lack of decorum will expose them. Meanwhile, a lethal conspiracy unfolds within the Eastern Palace. Resenting Feng Mochen for repeatedly saving the ailing Emperor’s life, the Crown Prince (Shi Zi) plots to eliminate him.

Aided by Lord Gongsun Wugui, he prepares a devastating cocktail of poisons, including Death Powder and Heart-Severing Grass, certain that no one can survive the mixture. Elsewhere, Attendant Bai Yu prepares for the banquet. After being caught stealing fruit by the arrogant Princess Ningshuang, he narrowly escapes punishment by using extravagant flattery, comparing her archery skills to those of the legendary Hou Yi. At the banquet, Huo Xiangjiu’s attempt to mimic Feng Mochen’s dignity fails spectacularly.

Her exaggerated bows to the Emperor leave the real Feng Mochen deeply embarrassed. To facilitate her search for the mystery scent, she inventively claims to be practicing "Scent Divination," a technique to predict fate through smell. As she toasts the guests, she carefully sniffs the Crown Prince, the Princess Consort Song Lian, and Gongsun Wugui’s son, Gongsun Hao.

She is startled to find that Song Lian and Gongsun Hao carry the exact same distinct aroma, leading her to suspect a clandestine affair. The night takes a dangerous turn when Huo Xiangjiu consumes the poisoned wine intended for the Master. Due to their spiritual connection, both she and Feng Mochen feel the agonizing effects of the toxins simultaneously. As Huo (in Feng's body) requests to leave early, the Emperor instructs Bai Yu to escort her.

Bai Yu, who has been betrothed to Huo Xiangjiu since childhood, is consumed by jealousy, believing Lord Feng has bewitched his "Little Xiangjiu." Unaware that his fiancée’s soul is the one suffering within the body before him, Bai Yu invokes the ancestral power of the Bronze Bai Clan, calling upon heavenly thunder to settle a thousand-year feud and destroy Feng Mochen once and for all.

Believing Lord Feng Mochen has been eliminated by poisoned wine, the Crown Prince begins celebrating his impending succession. Taking advantage of the festive mood, Gongsun Wugui requests a royal marriage between his son, Gongsun Hao, and the haughty Princess Ningshuang. The Prince warns that his sister is spoiled and difficult, but Wugui is confident he can make her submissive. In the shadows of the palace, Gongsun Hao confronts the Crown Princess, Song Lian.

Their conversation reveals a past romance, but Song Lian coldly maintains that their bond died the moment she entered the royal family, telling him they must both move on. The soul exchange between Feng Mochen and Huo Xiangjiu leads to chaotic and comedic results. Because their spirits and physical sensations are intertwined, Feng Mochen suffers through everything Xiangjiu experiences.

When Xiangjiu (in Feng’s body) wakes up starving and devours a massive feast, Feng Mochen (in Xiangjiu’s body) is forced to mirror her gluttony, eventually plunging his head into a rice bucket to the shock of his attendants. While Feng Mochen suffers as a servant, Xiangjiu is delighted by his powerful physique, admiring her new chest muscles in the mirror and obsessively grooming his nine fox tails with wax and green paint to keep them looking divine.

In the laundry bureau, Feng Mochen (in Xiangjiu’s body) tries to assert his usual dominance, but Lady Zhao assumes the girl has lost her mind and prepares to whip her for her arrogance. Bai Yu, a palace official who gained fame for his legendary toilet-scrubbing skills, steps in to protect his fiancée. Feng Mochen eventually pulls Bai Yu aside and proves his identity by reciting the long, failed history of the Bai clan’s attempts to assassinate him over thirty generations.

A horrified Bai Yu realizes that his attempts to vanquish a "demon" the night before were actually directed at his own fiancée. As they search for a way to reverse the spell, Xiangjiu focuses on her primary goal: finding her father. He was a dedicated registrar who disappeared two years ago while attempting to report the crimes of a corrupt local magistrate and Young Master Gao.

Feng Mochen, moved by her story, agrees to help and seals the promise with a pinky swear. To keep her safe and well-fed, he arranges for her to become his official food taster, ensuring she can eat to her heart's content while staying under his protection. Bai Yu attempts the Spirit-Detachment Technique to return them to their original bodies, but his skills are clumsy and the spell fails.

Using her sharp sense of smell, Xiangjiu (as Feng) follows a fragrance from the missing pages of the Ganquan Register to Ningshuang Palace. However, her attempt to sniff out the truth leads to a misunderstanding; she mistakes Lady Li for the Princess and tries to use her masculine charms and "muscles" to get her way, leading Princess Ningshuang to believe that Lord Feng is shamelessly flirting with the palace ladies.

Huo Xiangjiu, currently inhabiting Feng Mochen’s body, felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. Having detected a scent on Princess Ningshuang that perfectly matched the missing pages of the Ganquan Register, she was certain the Princess was involved. However, approaching a royal of such high standing was no easy task.

When the Princess questioned his unexpected presence at Ningshuang Palace, even mockingly asking if he was there to seduce a certain Madam Chen, Xiangjiu could only offer a clumsy excuse about passing by before making a quick exit, realizing she needed a better plan to get the truth. Meanwhile, Feng Mochen was suffering a far more humiliating fate within Xiangjiu’s weak, mortal frame.

At the Laundry Bureau, Supervisor Zhao decided to punish the girl she knew by the nickname "Xiao Yao Ji" (One Bam) for her recent perceived insolence. Zhao ordered her lackeys, Qing Yi Se and Da San Yuan, to force-feed "Xiangjiu" buckets of fiery dried chili peppers. Despite Feng Mochen’s internal fury, he lacked the physical strength to resist as he was pinned down.

Even as Le Ning, a girl from Sichuan, tried to intervene by offering to eat the peppers herself, Supervisor Zhao heartlessly dismissed her. Forced to swallow the peppers, Feng Mochen’s eyes stung with tears of physical agony. Relief only came when Xiangjiu, in the Lord's body, arrived at the Laundry Bureau. Enraged to see her own body being mistreated, Xiangjiu beat Supervisor Zhao mercilessly while the other maids, terrified by the Lord’s authority, could only plead for mercy.

In the Eastern Palace, the atmosphere was lethal. Prince Fuying was livid over the failed assassination of Feng Mochen. He ruthlessly executed several people to emphasize the cost of failure to Gongsun Wugui. Trembling before the Prince, Gongsun begged for his life, citing his years of service. Prince Fuying, unmoved by "hard work" that produced no results, reminded Gongsun of his commoner origins to keep him humble.

To ensure absolute control, the Prince ordered Gongsun’s only son to be brought into the palace as a guard, effectively taking the young man hostage and ending Gongsun's hopes of a royal marriage for him. Forced into submission, Gongsun pledged absolute loyalty. The Prince then turned his attention to the new maid by the Lord's side, deciding to personally bribe her to act as his spy.

Even the Prince's wife was harshly dismissed when she tried to interrupt their cold-blooded planning. As night fell, Xiangjiu was abruptly awakened by a terrifying sight. A spirit named Xiao Ru appeared before her, though she initially mistook the figure for a ghost. No matter how much Xiangjiu ran, the spirit followed. Xiao Ru claimed she had a lingering obsession and sought Lord Feng’s help to resolve it, though she could no longer remember the details of her own past.

Xiangjiu realized that Xiao Ru had been a maid like her and had helped her in the past. Moved by this, Xiangjiu’s sympathetic nature took over. Despite Feng Mochen’s cold warning that meddling would only delay the search for her father, Xiangjiu insisted that humans are strong because they understand love and mutual aid. She promised the spirit her full support, leaving Feng Mochen to sigh at her impulsive kindness.

The two shared a quiet moment in Fucang Palace, where Xiangjiu complained about the lack of a proper bed. Feng Mochen explained that he slept on thousand-year-old ice to suppress the innate fire from his cultivation, a concept entirely foreign to Xiangjiu. As they discussed the nature of love, Xiangjiu mused that finding a love that lasts a single lifetime would be a miracle. Feng Mochen questioned if love for every lifetime wouldn't be better.

Though they remained trapped in the wrong bodies, a strange bond began to form. Their predicament finally saw a turning point when Bai Yu arrived, having mastered the soul-swapping technique. His initial entry was chaotic; seeing the Lord and Xiangjiu together, he mistakenly slapped Feng Mochen, only to realize his error when he heard Xiangjiu’s voice coming from the Lord's mouth. The ritual itself was a comedy of errors.

Bai Yu’s first attempts accidentally swapped Xiangjiu into his own body and himself into Feng Mochen’s. After several dizzying rounds of swapping spirits between the three of them, Bai Yu finally managed to return Xiangjiu and Feng Mochen to their original forms. Overjoyed to be back in her own skin, Xiangjiu immediately hurried back to the Laundry Bureau. However, Xiangjiu’s freedom was short-lived. No sooner had she returned than she was intercepted by Prince Fuying’s men.

Citing the Prince’s direct orders, the guards gave her no choice but to follow them to the Eastern Palace. Xiangjiu realized that her return to her own body had brought a new set of dangers, as she was now the primary target of the Prince’s dark schemes.

Having been forcibly brought to the Prince's residence, Huo Xiangjiu paid her respects to the Prince. Recognizing his high status and her inability to defy him, she tried to stall, but to no avail. The Prince inquired about her tenure serving His Grace, Feng Mochen, noting Feng Mochen's strictness and offering his protection should she ever suffer grievances. Huo Xiangjiu, in turn, praised the Prince's renowned kindness and benevolence.

The Prince then mused that girls are meant to be cherished and asked if she desired happiness, implying he could provide it. Huo Xiangjiu tried to deflect by suggesting the Princess Consort must be living a blissful life, but the Prince, stating he wanted to ease his longing since first seeing her at a family banquet, revealed he had specifically summoned her to him. Huo Xiangjiu attempted to leave, citing her duties to Feng Mochen.

The Prince, however, asked if she would be willing to move to the Eastern Palace. She replied that she would, provided Feng Mochen permitted it. This enraged the Prince, who felt she was implying Feng Mochen held a higher authority than him. He declared he would keep her there, challenging Feng Mochen to stop him, and began to forcefully pull her towards the bed.

At that moment, the Princess Consort Song Lian arrived and pleaded with the Prince to cease his unseemly behavior in the Eastern Palace, warning of the Emperor's displeasure should the rumors reach his ears. The Prince, who never took Song Lian seriously, dismissed her concerns and mercilessly whipped her on the spot, insisting that nothing within the Eastern Palace would reach the Emperor. When she pressed the issue, he harshly commanded her to leave.

Huo Xiangjiu quickly intervened, ostensibly pulling the Princess Consort away to "teach her a lesson" for her insolence, thus saving her from further abuse. Once they were alone, Huo Xiangjiu apologized for her rude intervention. The Princess Consort reassured her, explaining that she understood Huo Xiangjiu, as a respectable maiden, would face a difficult future if the Prince continued to pursue her. She urged Huo Xiangjiu to escape the palace immediately and offered her a valuable bracelet for travel expenses.

Despite Huo Xiangjiu's initial reluctance to accept such a precious gift, the Princess Consort insisted, telling her to use the back gate to leave the Eastern Palace and then formulate her plans. Deeply moved, Huo Xiangjiu thanked her, promising to repay her kindness if the opportunity arose, before making her escape. However, the Prince intercepted Huo Xiangjiu just as she was about to leave the Eastern Palace.

He mockingly questioned why she was so quick to discard the "blessing" of his favor. Huo Xiangjiu tried to offer an excuse to return later, but the Prince demanded her service immediately. As the Prince attempted to force her back, Feng Mochen, sensing Huo Xiangjiu's danger, remotely channeled his powers to her. Empowered, Huo Xiangjiu fought back fiercely, stunning the Prince and his guard. The Prince, now even more intrigued, vowed to possess her.

Huo Xiangjiu, channeling Feng Mochen's power, scorned his supposed benevolence and ordered him to be dealt with. The ensuing altercation resulted in the Prince being thoroughly beaten. Soon, rumors spread throughout the palace that the Prince had been thrashed by a woman and was now "completely useless" for the rest of his life. Hearing these whispers, Huo Xiangjiu realized she needed to find a safe place to hide.

Meanwhile, the injured Prince, who was being humorously referred to as 'Third Uncle' by his nephew, continued his search. He and his nephew even attempted to infiltrate the Emperor's sleeping quarters in Ganquan Palace, only to be caught by an elder official, referred to as the 'Old Ancestor'. The Old Ancestor, angered by their late-night intrusion and their weak excuse of searching for an 'assassin', forced them to repeatedly 'jump' (as if searching for the said assassin).

Later that night, as Huo Xiangjiu cautiously emerged from her hiding place, famished, she spotted a small dog with an assortment of fruits nearby and decided to take some. Suddenly, a figure wearing a terrifying mask attacked her. Just as she was in peril, Feng Mochen appeared, quickly dispatching the masked assailant. He then took Huo Xiangjiu to his own mansion, Fucang Palace.

Inside, Huo Xiangjiu questioned Feng Mochen about the masked figure and her earlier "hallucinations" of a talking dog. Feng Mochen confirmed the presence of other evil entities in the palace, noting the attacker's strength. He also revealed his non-human nature to Huo Xiangjiu. Discovering that Feng Mochen was headed back to Fucang Palace, Huo Xiangjiu expressed relief, realizing she could accompany him.

She mentioned her pressing concern for Qiaoru, the flower spirit, and voiced apprehension about the Prince coming after her for having beaten him. Feng Mochen dismissed the Prince as insignificant. Back at Fucang Palace, Huo Xiangjiu reminded Feng Mochen of her promise to the flower spirit to help uncover her past, which required finding her former identity as "Qiaoru" from the palace rosters.

Feng Mochen, hearing her readily agree to help the flower spirit despite not knowing the specifics, let out a sigh. They began sifting through hundreds of names in the vast palace staff register, looking for any containing "Ru." Huo Xiangjiu, overwhelmed by the task, complained about having to search alone, to which Feng Mochen retorted that she was the one who promised. During their search, they found names like Han Yuru and Xiao Rusi.

Huo Xiangjiu, finding herself inexplicably thinking of Feng Mochen's face, wondered about the reason. Feng Mochen, observing her efforts, commented that the flower spirit would soon fade away, making their task pointless. Huo Xiangjiu, however, countered that no good deed is truly trivial, as "trivial matters" are often just others' difficulties that one hasn't personally experienced. Meanwhile, two maids, Le Ning and Mao Jin, discussed Huo Xiangjiu.

Le Ning spoke of how Huo Xiangjiu had saved her from being sold into a brothel in Muxi City, praising her loyalty. Mao Jin revealed that Huo Xiangjiu was destined to help Feng Mochen "transcend and ascend." Mao Jin, loyal to Feng Mochen, was given a list by him to cross-reference and find any missing maids with "Ru" in their names.

Nursing his wounds, the Prince plotted with the Princess Consort, suggesting they frame Huo Xiangjiu as an assassin to mitigate the scandal. He dismissed the Princess Consort's attempts to defend Huo Xiangjiu. Suddenly, the Princess Consort's brother, Song Yicheng, from a humble background, burst in under the guise of reporting their father's passing on his wedding night.

Song Yicheng then pleaded with the Prince to grant him an official post, claiming it was their father's dying wish and professing his undying loyalty. Impressed by Song Yicheng's fervent declaration, the Prince agreed to keep him by his side. Feng Mochen later learned from Mao Jin that only Xin Qiaoru from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau was unaccounted for on the palace roster, suggesting a possible connection between Qiaoru's death and that department.

As night fell, the Prince, fueled by revenge, issued a "Prince's order" to capture Huo Xiangjiu as an assassin, threatening death to anyone who disobeyed. With Song Yicheng and a large contingent of guards, he marched towards Feng Mochen's residence to demand Huo Xiangjiu's handover. Feng Mochen, hearing the approaching soldiers, quickly covered Huo Xiangjiu's mouth to silence her growing fear as the Prince arrived at his gates.

The Crown Prince, Fuying Jun, barges into Fucang Palace with an armed escort, accusing Huo Xiangjiu of being a social climber who tried to seduce him and then attempted assassination when rebuked. Feng Mochen remains unfazed, eventually exposing the Prince's lies by repeating the exact flirtatious words the Prince had used to harass Xiangjiu earlier. Cornered by the truth, the Prince tries to dismiss the incident as a misunderstanding.

Feng Mochen insists on an apology, and with his backing, Xiangjiu presents a bucket of filthy slop, suggesting the Prince drink it to resolve the "misunderstanding." Just as the Prince erupts in anger, the Emperor arrives. To cover their tracks, Feng Mochen and Xiangjiu claim they were simply playing a high-stakes game where the loser had to drink the slop. The Emperor, believing his son to be a man of integrity, insists the Prince honor the bet.

Under his father's gaze, the Prince is forced to humiliate himself by drinking the filth, while Xiangjiu mockingly suggests she should be the one to drink it instead to save his "noble" reputation. After the Prince leaves, Xiangjiu kneels before the Emperor to report that the Prince frequently abuses the Princess Consort, Song Lian. She argues that as both the sovereign and a father-in-law, the Emperor cannot remain a bystander to such cruelty.

Though the Emperor notes that the Princess Consort has never complained, he becomes suspicious of the Prince’s behavior and promises to investigate. Meanwhile, Feng Mochen’s servant warns him that his heavenly tribulation is approaching. He suggests that since Xiangjiu has appeared, she may be the key to his immortal ascension, and warns Feng Mochen not to get too emotionally attached. Xiangjiu and Feng Mochen soon uncover the tragic truth about Ru (Xin Qiaoru) at the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau.

Director Zhou and the maids Xiang Dong and Xiang Ling had framed Ru for ruining a princess's dress, leading to her exile in the Cold Palace. There, Ru's only companion was a loyal dog named Xiaofu. The cruel maids eventually cornered her, demanding she hang herself to prove her devotion, promising to spare the dog if she did. Ru sacrificed her life for her only friend.

Xiangjiu and Feng Mochen confront the culprits at the site of the suicide, where Xiangjiu forces them to face their own cowardice and lack of loyalty compared to a "beast." By bringing Xiaofu to Ru’s spirit, Xiangjiu helps her find peace, and Ru transforms into a small flower. Feng Mochen reflects on how Ru, a flower spirit, met her end because of her emotions, wondering if Xiangjiu is the tribulation that will lead him to ascend or fall.

Back at the Eastern Palace, the Prince learns that his mother noticed the Princess Consort looked haggard, which he views as a personal insult to his reputation. He prepares to lash her with a whip, but Chief Steward Sun arrives with an oral decree from the Emperor. The decree grants the Princess Consort a "Decree of Favor," declaring that any harm done to her will be treated as an attack on the Emperor himself.

With this newfound protection, the Princess Consort tearfully requests a formal divorce from the Prince. Later, as Xiangjiu and Feng Mochen talk, she admits to feeling a strange, deep sense of familiarity with him. During their conversation, a lingering shadow of Ru appears. She reveals to Xiangjiu that two years ago—at the time of her father's disappearance—she saw a suspicious man dressed as a eunuch. She warns Xiangjiu that this man entered a terrifying, forbidden area of the palace that she must never visit.

Following the resolution of Qiaoru’s lingering spirit, Huo Xiangjiu remained troubled by the flower spirit’s final revelation: years ago, Qiaoru had witnessed Xiangjiu’s father, Huo Zhongren, entering a place of absolute terror. Determined to find him, Xiangjiu sought help from Feng Mochen, whose high-ranking position gave him intimate knowledge of the palace’s secrets.

To ensure his cooperation, she played on his trauma; having previously swapped souls with him, she knew that the sight of a cage caused him to black out in fear. When she playfully threatened to find one, a panicked Feng Mochen lunged to stop her, leading to an accidental kiss. The physical contact triggered a surge of dormant memories in Xiangjiu’s mind.

She saw vivid flashes of past lives where Feng Mochen had saved her repeatedly, suggesting their fates had been intertwined for three lifetimes. Disturbed yet curious, Xiangjiu slipped into Mochen’s bedchamber that night while he slept, hoping to trigger more memories. When he woke to find her leaning over him, she forced another close encounter to replicate the earlier "spark."

The proximity caused Mochen’s heart to race so violently that even his cold-ice bed seemed to sizzle with heat, forcing him to pull her away to regain his composure. To investigate her father’s disappearance, Xiangjiu set her sights on Ningshuang Palace, a place rumored to be haunted. She orchestrated a chance encounter by observing Princess Ningshuang and her beloved nanny, Madam Chen. When the hemp rope on Madam Chen’s exercise equipment snapped, Xiangjiu rushed forward to catch her.

Leveraging her practical knowledge, Xiangjiu advised them that soaking ropes in palm oil would prevent rot and increase durability. Her quick wit impressed Madam Chen, who convinced the temperamental Princess Ningshuang to hire Xiangjiu, despite the Princess’s usual policy of never taking on new staff. Once inside, Xiangjiu noted the palace's eerie atmosphere, where the weather would turn gloomy without warning.

The senior maid, Ms. Xiang, warned her of the Princess’s ruthless nature—mentioning a maid who was nearly beaten to death just for passing gas—and the terrifying ghosts said to haunt the grounds. Xiangjiu also learned of the deep-seated resentment between Ningshuang and her birth mother, the Old Madam of Kunning Palace, who had nearly died giving birth to the Princess and had refused to see her ever since.

During her first night, Xiangjiu crossed paths with Attendant Bai, who had sneaked into the palace looking for her. When caught by the Princess, Bai was forced to feign a sleepwalking disorder—claiming he was wandering toward a temple to pray for a child—to escape punishment. Meanwhile, Feng Mochen was enduring his heavenly tribulations. As a fox spirit seeking to break the cycle of samsara and become an immortal, he had to survive successive strikes of divine lightning.

A mysterious memory reminded him that these tribulations occurred at halved intervals—from a thousand years down to mere months—and would only cease when he found his "ferryman," the destined person to guide his ascension. Mao Jin, his loyal attendant, watched in worry as Mochen grew increasingly frail, suggesting that Xiangjiu was the very ferryman he needed. When Xiangjiu later visited Mochen, she found him weakened and wrapped in blankets. Noticing his flushed face, she worried he was ill.

To hide his lightning injuries, Mochen claimed his attendant Mao Jin was the one who was sick, lying that the man had contracted rabies and was prone to barking at people. Despite the humor of the lie, the mood turned somber when Mochen later walked Xiangjiu back to Ningshuang Palace in the rain.

He explained that once a cultivator becomes a celestial being, they are bound by the laws of the higher realm and can never return to the mortal world. This revelation left Xiangjiu heavy-hearted, wondering if finding his "ferryman" would mean losing him to the heavens forever.

As a sudden rain begins to fall, Feng Mochen finds Xiangjiu walking alone, lost in somber reflection. He quickly moves to shield her with an umbrella, claiming he is only doing so because he fears she might catch a cold. Still dwelling on the mysterious memories triggered by their recent proximity, Xiangjiu asks if he is truly intent on ascending to heaven.

She wonders aloud if there is nothing in the mortal world worth his attachment—not even the simple joy of human delicacies. Looking into her eyes and seeing his own reflection in her gaze, Feng Mochen finds his resolve weakening. He agrees that the Heavenly Court likely lacks good food and decides that, for the sake of these earthly comforts, he is no longer in a hurry to leave. Meanwhile, Mao Jin continues to pursue Le Ning with clumsy devotion.

Hearing that Le Ning’s superior has caught a cold, he rushes to the pharmacy to prepare medicine to ensure Le Ning stays healthy, finding immense joy in simply watching her enjoy the food he brings. During one visit, Le Ning shows him a pair of gloves she has just finished knitting for Xiangjiu. Mistakenly believing they are a gift for him, Mao Jin is ecstatic.

Even though they are far too small for his hands, he remains undeterred, insisting he can stretch them out to fit. Touched by his earnestness, Le Ning decides to let him keep them. When Mao Jin returns, he is shocked to hear that Feng Mochen no longer plans to ascend.

Having witnessed the thousands of years of cultivation his master has endured, Mao Jin is pained by the idea of him giving up when he is so close to standing alongside the Lord Howling Celestial Dog at the Southern Heavenly Gate. He warns Feng Mochen that the time between his heavenly tribulations is shrinking—moving from months to mere days—and that the pain will soon become a daily burden. However, Feng Mochen remains disinterested in celestial rank.

Despite the looming agony, he is determined to stay for Xiangjiu’s sake, prompting Mao Jin to reaffirm his own loyalty as a faithful companion. In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess remain trapped in a bitter, cold marriage. While the Princess desires a divorce, the City Lord refuses to allow the scandal to tarnish the royal family’s reputation. Back in Princess Ningshuang’s quarters, Xiangjiu and her fellow maids prepare bathwater.

To pass the time, one maid shares a secret treasure: a collection of illustrations featuring handsome men left behind by a former Emperor. Xiangjiu finds herself entranced by the drawings before Madam Chen arrives to scold them. Though she sends the girls away with a lecture on discipline, Madam Chen cannot resist sneakily admiring the pictures herself once she is alone.

The lightheartedness is short-lived, however, as an eerie wind suddenly blows through the chamber, turning the bathwater a terrifying, blood-red color and leaving the maids in a panic. The following day, while serving fruit, Xiangjiu mutters to herself about how she wishes Feng Mochen were there to investigate. To her delight, he appears, having transformed himself into a butterfly.

Feng Mochen reveals that he had been guarding the room from the outside the previous night and saw nothing enter or leave, leading them to conclude that the source of the haunting must be hidden inside the Princess's chambers. When Xiangjiu carries the tray into the room, Madam Chen spots the butterfly and strikes it down. Horrified, Xiangjiu bursts into tears, covering her reaction by telling a tragic story of lovers who turned into butterflies.

Princess Ningshuang remains suspicious, recalling having seen Xiangjiu with Feng Mochen at a previous banquet. Sensing the tension, Xiangjiu offers to help the Princess reconcile with her mother, the Old Madam, who has rejected Ningshuang since birth. In the Imperial Kitchen, the guard Bai Yu catches Mao Jin and Le Ning illicitly tasting food. His attitude shifts from anger to excessive politeness the moment he learns Le Ning is Xiangjiu’s close friend.

Hoping to get closer to Xiangjiu, he prepares a box of delicate snacks for her. However, his journey is interrupted by Princess Ningshuang, who mocks his claim that the food is for the Emperor and insists on sharing the treats among her maids. Fortunately, this allowes Xiangjiu to enjoy the snacks Bai Yu made for her.

Later, while Ningshuang is waiting for an audience with the Old Madam, she is confronted by Gongsun Hao, the Captain of the Eastern Palace Guard. He attempts to arrest Xiangjiu, claiming she is a wanted criminal who offended the Crown Prince. Ningshuang refuses to back down, fiercely protecting her maid and threatening to slaughter everyone in the Eastern Palace if they dare lay a hand on her people. Despite this, Ningshuang’s distrust of Xiangjiu remains.

After the guards leave, she confronts Xiangjiu about her ties to Feng Mochen and her constant lies. When the Princess attacks, Xiangjiu instinctively uses martial arts to defend herself, proving she has been hiding her true nature. Tired of the deception, Ningshuang banishes Xiangjiu from her palace, warning her that if she ever returns, not even Feng Mochen will be able to protect her.

Huo Xiangjiu, deeply anxious about finding her father and worried about being expelled from Ningshuang Palace by Princess Ningshuang, found herself distraught on a rooftop late one night. Feng Mochen appeared, bringing her some pastries. He noted that she skipped meals and worried about her stomach, warning her that her internal organs might rise up to settle accounts with her.

Huo Xiangjiu dismissed his concern, stating that she was too busy to eat and what she truly feared was losing her chance to stay in Ningshuang Palace, as she had finally found a lead in her search that she couldn't afford to lose. Seeking a new approach, Huo Xiangjiu playfully asked Feng Mochen if he found her beautiful and if he would consider marrying her. Taken aback, Feng Mochen questioned her sudden inquiry.

She explained that if they were to marry, her father would also become his father, and he would surely exert all his effort to help find him. She further suggested leveraging his connections to the celestial realm, hoping to find powerful divine beings who might provide clues. Feng Mochen was amused, reminding her that true immortals do not concern themselves with worldly possessions or financial transactions, unlike the profiteers who exploit their names.

Realizing there were no "back doors" to the celestial realm, Huo Xiangjiu despaired about how to proceed. Feng Mochen then asked if she still wished to remain in Ningshuang Palace, hinting that the most powerful magic lies in the human heart. Understanding Huo Xiangjiu's determination to stay, Feng Mochen devised a plan. He took Huo Xiangjiu to meet the Emperor. Given Feng Mochen's history of saving the Emperor's life multiple times, the Emperor held him in high regard.

During their audience, Huo Xiangjiu respectfully introduced herself as Huo Xiangjiu. The Emperor recalled meeting her before and confirmed she was close to Feng Mochen, stating that anyone close to His Grace was welcome. He offered her an All-Inclusive Tonic Soup, insisting she sit with him. Huo Xiangjiu humbly expressed her gratitude, mentioning her father had taught her to be gentle, virtuous, well-educated, and courteous.

The Emperor remarked on her grace, contrasting it with his daughter, Princess Ningshuang, who gave him headaches with her fiery temper and constant swordplay. Feng Mochen seized the opportunity, suggesting Huo Xiangjiu be appointed to Ningshuang Palace to teach Princess Ningshuang etiquette. Huo Xiangjiu feigned reluctance, claiming she wouldn't dare teach a princess, but the Emperor found the idea appealing.

Although he acknowledged Ningshuang's stubbornness and warned Huo Xiangjiu of potential difficulties, Huo Xiangjiu expressed her gratitude and promised to teach the Princess well. An imperial decree was promptly issued, formally appointing Huo Xiangjiu as the Mentor to Princess Ningshuang, with a long list of honorable titles. The decree explicitly stated that Princess Ningshuang must mend her unruly ways and would not be granted an audience with the Emperor until she had reformed.

Princess Ningshuang, despite her objections, had no choice but to accept the imperial order. Huo Xiangjiu, now holding the title of Mentor, confronted Princess Ningshuang, boldly asserting her authority. She openly challenged Ningshuang's tyrannical rule, citing an instance where a maid was beaten for a simple fart.

Huo Xiangjiu declared that from now on, everyone in Ningshuang Palace was free to fart as they pleased, under her authority, adding that she would uncover any secrets held within the palace to find her father. News of Huo Xiangjiu's appointment reached Crown Prince Fuying, who was discussing Princess Ningshuang's unruly behavior with one of his attendants.

The attendant exaggerated Ningshuang's insults towards the Crown Prince and brazenly suggested marrying Ningshuang "to him" to keep her in line, later even proposing marrying Huo Xiangjiu as well. The Crown Prince dismissed the idea, expressing frustration that Feng Mochen was already a problem, and now Huo Xiangjiu was another. However, Attendant Lü, a trusted advisor, intervened, remarking that perhaps it wasn't a bad thing.

He believed that Feng Mochen and Huo Xiangjiu shared an unusual relationship, and controlling Huo Xiangjiu could be the key to controlling Feng Mochen's weakness. Attendant Lü also revealed that it was Huo Xiangjiu who reported to the Emperor about the Crown Prince's wife, which led to Steward Sun's visit to the Eastern Palace regarding the Princess Consort matter.

Meanwhile, the Emperor was displeased to learn about the potential divorce between Crown Prince Fuying and his wife, fearing it would damage the royal family's reputation. At the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince and his wife shared a strained relationship. The Crown Prince sternly warned his wife against pursuing a divorce, emphasizing that his father would not approve.

He was about to physically confront her, but his wife quickly reminded him that an imperial decree protected her, implying that striking her would be defying the Emperor himself. The Crown Prince reluctantly withdrew his hand. His wife then coldly told him not to approach her again and asked if he intended for her to spend the rest of her life like this.

The Crown Prince retorted that it was his business, warning her that he was not as simple as she thought, and her innocence made her unfit for their current situation. He threatened that if "he" found out, her entire family would perish. Despite his threats, his wife subtly reminded him of his lingering care. Later, the Crown Prince tried to reconcile with his wife, presenting her with a pearl necklace from Lord Gongsun.

He insisted on putting it on her, admiring her beauty and reminiscing about how enchanted he was when they first met. He questioned why they were even considering divorce when they could be a loving couple. He admitted his past actions were inconsiderate, including his handling of Huo Xiangjiu. He told his wife that Huo Xiangjiu was now at Ningshuang Palace and suggested she visit her to offer his apologies. His wife agreed.

As he tried to initiate intimacy, she firmly refused, to which he sternly reminded her to be grateful. Back at Ningshuang Palace, Feng Mochen correctly anticipated that Huo Xiangjiu's new life as a mentor would be challenging. He dispatched his subordinate, Mao Jin, to deliver an array of comforts to her.

Mao Jin arrived with an abundance of delicious food, skilled masseurs, and even blueprints for a new "Huoxiang Palace" twice the size of Ningshuang Palace, to be built next door, personally designed by Feng Mochen to ensure Huo Xiangjiu's comfort. Princess Ningshuang scoffed, suggesting Huo Xiangjiu might as well take over the entire Ningshuang Palace.

Mao Jin explained that Ningshuang Palace was too small for Huo Xiangjiu, prompting Huo Xiangjiu to protest that the extravagant plans were wasteful and instructed Mao Jin to return everything except the food. Mao Jin worried about facing Feng Mochen's wrath, but Huo Xiangjiu confidently declared she would handle Feng Mochen if he dared to scold Mao Jin. Princess Ningshuang, watching this display, remarked on Huo Xiangjiu's audacity.

Soon after Mao Jin left, Le Ning arrived with Bai Yu, bringing more food from Chief Steward Sun for the Emperor. Huo Xiangjiu was surprised to see Le Ning with another food box, having just received a table full of food. As Le Ning explained her errand, Princess Ningshuang noticed Bai Yu and the food box. Recognizing the box from a previous encounter, she glared at Bai Yu.

Bai Yu, a usually refined gentleman unaccustomed to conflict, cried out for Feng Mochen to save him and fled as Princess Ningshuang, known for her aggressive and weapon-wielding nature, pursued him. Bai Yu desperately tried to lose her, even briefly attempting to engage a turtle in conversation about cultivating immortality. Princess Ningshuang continued her relentless chase, calling out Bai Yu's name. The chase led them to the Floating Storage Hall, where a breathless Bai Yu sought refuge.

Feng Mochen, observing their dramatic entrance, quickly grasped the situation. Princess Ningshuang demanded to know why Bai Yu had entered her palace that night. Bai Yu confessed he had been looking for Huo Xiangjiu, acting on Feng Mochen's instructions. Princess Ningshuang realized Feng Mochen, Bai Yu, and Huo Xiangjiu were working together, all seeking something in her palace. Feng Mochen didn't elaborate on Huo Xiangjiu's full reasons for staying, instead implying that Princess Ningshuang needn't pry further.

He suggested it was enough for all three of them to achieve their respective goals, reminding Princess Ningshuang that Huo Xiangjiu had promised to help her mend her strained relationship with her mother. Princess Ningshuang, not foolish, accepted the arrangement, thinking that an extra person in Ningshuang Palace was no harm, and if Huo Xiangjiu could indeed help with her mother, it would be wonderful—plus, she would get to see Bai Yu more often.

Later that night, Le Ning found Huo Xiangjiu leaving her room and asked where she was going. Huo Xiangjiu told her to go back to sleep, promising to return shortly. Huo Xiangjiu secretly went out, wondering if she would encounter "that guy." To her surprise, Bai Yu appeared, having waited for her. Huo Xiangjiu called him "Yu" and asked why he was there.

Bai Yu, in turn, questioned her motives for insisting on staying in Ningshuang Palace, despite knowing Princess Ningshuang's temper. Huo Xiangjiu admitted she suspected her father's disappearance was linked to someone in the palace. She explained that the "Ganquan Register" carried Princess Ningshuang's scent, and an evil spirit was lurking in Ningshuang Palace, leading her to believe the two were connected. She was determined to find the entity, believing it held all the answers.

Bai Yu assured her that with his help, they would catch the spirit and find her father, whom he referred to as his "Father-in-law." Huo Xiangjiu playfully told him to stop calling her father his "father-in-law." Bai Yu reminded her of their childhood betrothal, asserting their marriage was inevitable. Just then, Feng Mochen appeared, jokingly calling Bai Yu a "wily fox" and warning Huo Xiangjiu not to listen to his nonsense. Bai Yu retorted, calling Feng Mochen the same.

Huo Xiangjiu, annoyed, ended the conversation, telling them she was going to the latrine and for them to stay put. Bai Yu offered to accompany her, but she refused. As Huo Xiangjiu left, Feng Mochen threatened to skin Bai Yu alive, while Bai Yu muttered about hoping not to run into Princess Ningshuang.

Huo Xiangjiu, covered in talismans to ward off evil spirits, stealthily searched Ningshuang Palace late one night for clues. Her presence was soon detected, and guards began to shout about an assassin in the courtyard. Before they could apprehend her, Feng Mochen skillfully used an invisibility spell to whisk Huo Xiangjiu away from their pursuit. The guards, believing the assassin was "that damn girl" they'd been seeking, were eager to earn merit by eliminating her.

Hearing the commotion, Princess Ningshuang opened her door. Learning of an assassin, she immediately suspected Huo Xiangjiu and confronted her with a sword. Huo Xiangjiu feigned having been asleep all night, but Ningshuang noticed tell-tale flower petals in her hair, confirming her nocturnal outing. Seeing no further need for pretense, Huo Xiangjiu directly asked Ningshuang if she knew about the two missing pages from the Ganquan Register, which were torn from the Floating Azure Hall.

Relieved that this was the root of the matter, Ningshuang agreed to reveal the contents of the pages if Huo Xiangjiu could help mend the strained relationship between herself and her mother. Buoyed by Ningshuang's promise, Huo Xiangjiu sought out Feng Mochen for assistance with invisibility. Feng Mochen explained he had imbued talismans with an invisibility spell, which, when placed on the back of her head, would make her unseen by anyone, though it would drain her vital energy.

Dismissing his concerns for her, Huo Xiangjiu eagerly accepted, asserting her youth and good health. To test the talismans, Huo Xiangjiu strolled through the royal palace, where she spotted her former superior, Lady Zhao (Zhao Siwei), being assisted by her staff towards the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace. Lady Zhao was muttering curses about Huo Xiangjiu, clearly plotting something, prompting Huo Xiangjiu to follow and uncover her intentions.

Lady Zhao met with the Crown Prince, claiming to possess a significant secret about Huo Xiangjiu that would utterly surprise him. The Crown Prince, impressed by her assured demeanor, beckoned her closer to speak. Realizing Lady Zhao intended to frame her, Huo Xiangjiu, still invisible, subtly pinched Lady Zhao's backside. Lady Zhao, unable to see Huo Xiangjiu, misinterpreted the gesture as the Crown Prince’s affection. She became flirtatious and insolent.

The Crown Prince, recalling his previous misconduct with Huo Xiangjiu, mistakenly believed Lady Zhao was aware of it and was attempting to leverage the information to claim credit. Enraged, he ordered her to be thrown out and threatened to break her legs if she ever dared to return to the Eastern Palace. Petrified, Lady Zhao fled, never again to plot mischief there. Huo Xiangjiu commented that Lady Zhao had received her just deserts.

Afterwards, the Crown Prince instructed Gongsun Wugui to investigate Huo Xiangjiu's background, likely to understand her connections and protect his secret. Having confirmed the reliability of the invisibility talismans, Huo Xiangjiu journeyed to Kunning Palace, the residence of Ningshuang’s mother, also referred to as the Old Madam. The moment she saw the Old Madam, Huo Xiangjiu recognized her as the shadowy figure she had previously glimpsed in Ningshuang Palace.

She deduced that the Old Madam, meticulously disguised and cautious, must have been visiting her daughter out of deep yearning. At that moment, the Old Madam was meeting with Madam Chen, Ningshuang's wet nurse, to inquire about her daughter's well-being. Madam Chen recounted Ningshuang's disappointment at not being allowed to see her mother. The Old Madam sighed, revealing the painful truth: while no parent truly abandons their child, every encounter with Ningshuang brought misfortune upon her.

She confessed that she was "a jinx" to Ningshuang, causing minor injuries or severe illness, and that she was the "evil spirit" people in Ningshuang Palace had seen, which was why she could only secretly observe Ningshuang from afar at night. When Huo Xiangjiu cautiously brought up the "outhouse" incident, the Old Madam, embarrassed, admitted she had experienced sudden abdominal pain that night while watching Ningshuang.

Reassured by the Old Madam's genuine love, Huo Xiangjiu pledged to help her and Princess Ningshuang reunite. Later, Huo Xiangjiu consulted Feng Mochen to discuss whether an evil spirit was indeed at play in Ningshuang Palace. Feng Mochen explained the ancient "Theory of the Five Elements' Cycles," which emphasized mutual generation and restriction, but conceded that the predicament between the Old Madam and Princess Ningshuang was exceptionally peculiar.

Huo Xiangjiu reiterated the Old Madam's detailed account of Ningshuang suffering accidents whenever they met, drawing a connection to the previous incident of the blood-red bathtub. Feng Mochen agreed that Ningshuang Palace might indeed be haunted and proposed a plan to lure out the "evil spirit." That night, Huo Xiangjiu approached Princess Ningshuang, informing her that her mother was waiting. Ningshuang was skeptical, having been turned away countless times before.

Huo Xiangjiu, however, swore on her life, certain of the Old Madam's profound love for her daughter. To ensure Ningshuang's safety, Huo Xiangjiu arranged a grand procession, including a palanquin provided by Lord Feng (Feng Mochen), and brought both Feng Mochen and Bai Yu, two individuals with extraordinary spiritual power, to accompany them. Ningshuang, surprised by the elaborate display, mused about receiving Lord Feng's personal escort.

Feng Mochen clarified his presence was for Huo Xiangjiu, then proceeded to praise her as interesting, cute, pretty, kind-hearted, just, helpful, resourceful, and persevering. Ningshuang, finding the excessive accolades nauseating, urged them to depart swiftly. As they arrived at Kunning Palace, a strong medicinal scent hit Ningshuang the moment she stepped out of the palanquin, causing her an excruciating headache and making her clutch her head in pain. The Old Madam's words about being a jinx echoed ominously in her mind.

Bai Yu was summoned to Ningshuang Palace to assess its geomancy, but despite extensive searching with his compass, he found no anomalies. Meanwhile, reports reached the Old Madam that Princess Ningshuang had once again fallen ill, diagnosed as heatstroke, after attempting to visit her. Overcome with tears, the Old Madam resigned herself to foregoing seeing her daughter, believing Ningshuang's health and happiness were paramount, even if it meant a lifetime apart.

Soon after, Ningshuang Palace received a solemn decree from the Old Madam, explicitly forbidding Princess Ningshuang from approaching Kunning Palace. Any transgression would be treated as an act of assassination. Princess Ningshuang was devastated by her mother's decree. Although aware of her childhood abandonment, she yearned for a reunion, only to face continuous rejection. Huo Xiangjiu attempted to explain that the situation was not as Ningshuang perceived, but Ningshuang, desperate for answers, impulsively stormed into Kunning Palace.

Upon seeing her daughter, the Old Madam frantically waved her away. Mistaking this for another rejection, Ningshuang tearfully clutched her mother's hand, questioning her harshness. With tears welling in her own eyes, the Old Madam longed to explain but feared that Ningshuang's prolonged presence would bring calamity. In despair and confusion, Ningshuang produced a pre-prepared dagger from her sleeve, resolved to end her life if her mother truly wished her gone.

Her mother desperately tried to wrest the dagger away, inadvertently stabbing herself in the chest. Horrified by the sight of blood, Ningshuang watched as her mother, now strangely relieved, held her hand and smiled, affirming that a mother's greatest wish is her child's safety and well-being, even if it costs her own life. Overwhelmed with guilt for nearly killing her mother, Ningshuang found solace only in her nurse, Madam Chen. Elsewhere, Huo Xiangjiu and Feng Mochen had been diligently investigating.

During an earlier search of Ningshuang Palace for clues about the mysterious incidents (including Princess Ningshuang's previous sudden headache and red bathwater), Bai Yu, using his compass, found no evidence of an evil spirit. However, Feng Mochen, also present, sensed a highly cultivated entity that could deceive them. Bai Yu had initially joked that Princess Ningshuang might just be suffering from ordinary heatstroke.

The Old Madam, reflecting on Ningshuang's repeated illnesses and the latest heatstroke incident, had expressed resignation, stating that fate was predetermined and could not be changed. Yet, she still wished for Ningshuang to live a happy life, even if she could never see her again. This conversation occurred before the decree was issued. Huo Xiangjiu vehemently disagreed with the idea of fate, insisting that destiny could be rewritten and that great stories were born from struggles against unhappy destinies.

Feng Mochen surprisingly agreed, stating that destiny could be rewritten, to Bai Yu's bewilderment. Their investigation led them to old palace records detailing Princess Ningshuang's health. After Ningshuang's fourth illness post-birth, the Old Madam, having exhausted other options, had invited a sorcerer named Sorcerer Yu to perform rituals. There were no further records of his activities, but Bai Yu discovered his entry and exit in the palace gate guards' register, showing he stayed for two days.

It was after this visit that the Old Madam had expelled Princess Ningshuang from Kunning Palace. Feng Mochen deduced that Sorcerer Yu must have been the one who told the Old Madam about their supposedly clashing destinies, making him the key to the mystery. Despite Bai Yu's concerns about finding a man from twenty years ago whom they didn't know, Feng Mochen suggested seeking out Chief Steward Sun, who had served His Majesty since childhood and would surely know.

Feng Mochen dispatched Bai Yu and Mao Jin immediately, instructing Mao Jin to invoke Feng Mochen's name if Chief Steward Sun proved difficult. While they were gone, Huo Xiangjiu wanted to join, but Feng Mochen urged her to rest. Bai Yu later returned, confirming that Chief Steward Sun had verified Sorcerer Yu's visit and his pronouncement about the clashing destinies. Chief Steward Sun also mentioned that Sorcerer Yu was recommended by an old nanny.

He had even received a talisman of protection from Sorcerer Yu, which he had worn for years. Feng Mochen identified a second scent on the talisman, different from Chief Steward Sun's, indicating another person's involvement. Bai Yu confidently asserted he could track the sorcerer down using this scent. With the evidence in hand, Huo Xiangjiu and Feng Mochen confronted Ningshuang and her nurse, Madam Chen. Huo Xiangjiu introduced Sorcerer Yu as the "accomplice" responsible for the mother-daughter separation.

Sorcerer Yu, kneeling, confessed that Ningshuang's mother had not abandoned her due to an inauspicious birth omen. Instead, Ningshuang's frequent illnesses after birth had prompted her mother to seek his magical rites. He admitted to telling the Old Madam that she and Ningshuang were fated to clash, and that her proximity would bring continuous misfortunes and endanger Ningshuang's life. He desperately begged for mercy.

Huo Xiangjiu declared that while Sorcerer Yu was culpable, the true orchestrator, Madam Chen, was even more so. Madam Chen vehemently denied any wrongdoing, but Huo Xiangjiu presented palace records confirming that Madam Chen, then a senior maid, had recommended her own cousin, Sorcerer Yu, a known good-for-nothing, to perform the rituals. It was Madam Chen who instructed her cousin to fabricate the story of clashing destinies.

Feng Mochen then presented medicinal herbs found in Madam Chen's room, which imperial physicians confirmed could cause symptoms identical to Ningshuang's sudden illnesses. Huo Xiangjiu then produced a bottle of red liquid, explaining it was used to turn Ningshuang's bathwater bloody, a deception only Madam Chen could have carried out.

When Madam Chen continued to deny the accusations and claimed Sorcerer Yu was framing her due to gambling debts, Feng Mochen revealed a letter written by Madam Chen to her cousin. In the letter, Madam Chen, who had been childless while serving the Old Madam for years, explicitly detailed her plan to "seize the princess" and share in the resulting glory and riches. Caught red-handed, Madam Chen exclaimed that she had told her cousin to burn all the letters.

Feng Mochen calmly presented the letter, confirming Madam Chen's guilt. Madam Chen, in a last desperate attempt, pleaded with Ningshuang, reminding her of their close bond, but Huo Xiangjiu countered that Madam Chen's affection was a "thief's love," while Ningshuang's birth mother's love was true—a love that prioritized the child's well-being above all else, even if it meant hiding in the shadows and being viewed as an evil spirit, echoing the Old Madam's decree.

Ningshuang, now understanding the full extent of the manipulation, sadly told Madam Chen that they were both "accomplices in misery" and must atone. She declared her atonement would be to honor her birth mother for the rest of her life, while Madam Chen's atonement would be to experience her mother's pain for the rest of hers.

Madam Chen desperately begged for forgiveness as guards took her away, reminding Ningshuang of their past tender moments, but Ningshuang stated she had no right to forgive her. After Madam Chen was imprisoned, Ningshuang visited her recovering mother. Her mother, still in pain, initially tried to push Ningshuang away, fearing danger would befall her. But Ningshuang reassured her.

With tears of joy, the Old Madam said it was the first time in twenty years she had been able to look at her daughter so closely, and Ningshuang promised she could do so every day. They shared a peaceful moment, with the Old Madam offering Ningshuang her favorite fruit and Ningshuang lamenting her own lack of knowledge about her mother. The Old Madam reassured her that they had plenty of time.

Playfully, the Old Madam teased Ningshuang about not being as beautiful as her. Ningshuang, boasting of her beauty, wondered why Heaven placed her in the palace, claiming her looks would cause chaos in the common world, to which her mother playfully chided her for men's lack of discernment. When her mother then suggested arranging a marriage, Ningshuang objected, wishing to stay by her mother's side every day, a sentiment her mother happily accepted.

Ningshuang reflected on how parents feel their children's emotions doubly. Huo Xiangjiu, listening to this, expressed sadness over her own mother, whose face she could barely recall. Ningshuang comforted her, saying her mother must have been intelligent, lovely, beautiful, kind, brave, and righteous, as mothers leave their mark on their children, and Ningshuang saw her in Huo Xiangjiu. As Ningshuang had promised, she then acknowledged Feng Mochen as her Mentor.

Huo Xiangjiu reminded Ningshuang of the other promise: the content of the two torn pages from the Ganquan Register. Huo Xiangjiu revealed her urgent need to know, explaining that her father, Huo Zhongren, the Registrar of Bronze County, had mysteriously vanished in the palace two years prior after entering to lodge an imperial complaint. She had confirmed that the missing pages from the register corresponded precisely to the time her father secretly sought an audience with His Majesty.

Ningshuang asked why Huo Xiangjiu believed these pages related to her. Huo Xiangjiu pressed her for the truth. Ningshuang, after a pause, asked Huo Xiangjiu to promise to remain calm, regardless of what she was about to disclose.

Following their reconciliation, Huo Xiangjiu pressed Princess Ningshuang about the two missing pages from the Ganquan Register. Ningshuang confessed she actually knew nothing about the pages' content; her earlier statement was merely a delaying tactic to enlist Xiangjiu's help in reconciling with her mother. Xiangjiu was upset, emphasizing the matter's importance, but Ningshuang promised a thorough investigation if it was linked to her palace. She also questioned why Xiangjiu suspected her of tearing the pages.

Feng Mochen's subordinate attested to his keen sense of smell, recalling how they tracked Sorcerer Yu, a claim Feng Mochen affirmed by stating no scent could escape their noses, which he found "as easy as winking." Later, as Ningshuang was called to Kunning Palace, Feng Mochen intercepted a servant, noting a scent on her that resembled the Ganquan Register.

The servant denied ever visiting Fucang Palace, Feng Mochen’s residence, and he observed this particular scent was absent from other servants in Ningshuang Palace. This detail eventually helped Ningshuang realize the source of the scent. She recalled cultivating five datura plants in her palace, a rare privilege granted by her father, as datura is usually forbidden due to its toxicity. Typically tended by Ms. Xiang, these flowers explained why Ningshuang and Ms. Xiang carried the distinctive aroma.

Xiangjiu pointed out that only four plants remained, with one having gone missing two years ago, a timeline that coincided with her father’s disappearance. Although Ningshuang had previously tried to investigate the theft without success, Feng Mochen explained that the abundance of other flowers had since masked the thief's scent. He also noted that a mysterious individual in the palace had actively impeded their inquiries.

Xiangjiu speculated that locating the flower thief could lead them to her father and the mysterious person. Feng Mochen proposed that if the datura was still being cultivated within the palace, they only needed to identify anyone, other than Ningshuang and Ms. Xiang, who carried its unique fragrance. To express her gratitude, Princess Ningshuang hosted a banquet. Princess Consort Song Lian also attended, bearing fine fabrics as a gesture from Prince Fuying, celebrating Ningshuang’s reunion with her mother.

Initially, Ningshuang, disdainful of Song Lian's association with the Eastern Palace, intended to exclude her. However, Xiangjiu intervened, reminding Ningshuang that Song Lian had previously helped both her mother and Xiangjiu herself, urging her not to harbor resentment and citing the wisdom, "It's hard to stay mad at someone who's smiling." Feng Mochen then extended an invitation, acknowledging Song Lian as Xiangjiu’s friend.

With Ningshuang’s reluctant agreement, Song Lian joined them, and Ningshuang instructed a servant to inform Prince Fuying that his Princess Consort was drinking freely with them. Feng Mochen, observing Song Lian, gently advised her to drink in moderation, for "cultivating leisurely moods" rather than overindulgence. Princess Ningshuang, surprised, remarked that it was rare to see Feng Mochen so considerate towards any woman other than Xiangjiu. During the banquet, they engaged in a lively drinking game.

Teams were formed, and participants took turns performing actions for the opposing team to replicate. The girls, including Ningshuang, Xiangjiu, Song Lian, and Ms. Xiang, formed one team, while Feng Mochen, Bai Yu, and Mao Jin formed the other. Ningshuang, to heighten the challenge, replaced the modest wine cups with large wine jars for penalties.

As the game progressed, Mao Jin, in a drunken state, began to taunt Feng Mochen, calling him a "mad dog" and accusing him of only favoring Xiangjiu, leading to Mao Jin's own "fall from favor." Feng Mochen, however, affectionately defended Mao Jin as his "good brother," declaring them "kindred spirits." In another round, Mao Jin executed an "awkward move" that no one could replicate, yet Feng Mochen attributed it to "instinct."

At one point, Feng Mochen asked Song Lian her name and, upon hearing "Song Lian," gently advised her, "You must be like the lotus flower and love yourself well. If we don't even love ourselves, who will love us?" As the night wore on, a heavily intoxicated Xiangjiu mistook a tall ladder for a giant sugarcane, attempting to climb and "eat it from the top." Feng Mochen swiftly intervened, flying to prevent her from falling.

With a rosy flush on her cheeks, Xiangjiu gazed earnestly at Feng Mochen and asked if they had met before, remarking on the profound sense of familiarity she always felt. Feng Mochen remained silent, but in his mind, a storm of memories stirred. He had indeed known Xiangjiu long ago, though at that time, he was merely a little white fox.

Young Xiangjiu, known then as Qinghua, doted on the little fox, sharing her food, even chicken feet intended for guests like Master Li, and playing with it daily. Their time together radiated such warmth that even the sunlight seemed to carry a sweet aroma, making them the most important beings in each other's lives. This idyll continued until Xiangjiu grew into a graceful young woman.

One day, with tears falling, she sadly informed the little fox that her father had arranged her marriage to Landlord Li's son, a man from a distant place. Though unwilling, she could not defy her father and feared she would no longer be able to play with the fox. She told the fox, "If only you were human, how good that would be. Then you could take me away."

She warned it not to follow her, fearing it would be beaten to death. Feng Mochen, as the little white fox, was heartbroken. Later, his master helped him transform into human form, finally giving him a chance to approach Xiangjiu in this new guise. Meanwhile, Princess Consort Song Lian, also heavily influenced by alcohol, encountered Gongsun Hao on her way back. Gongsun Hao confronted her, questioning when she would stop deceiving herself.

Song Lian, in despair, revealed that her marriage to Prince Fuying was not by choice, but because he had "forcibly taken" her, leaving her no option but to become his Princess Consort without the possibility of divorce. Later, Prince Fuying, having learned of Song Lian's friendship with Xiangjiu, ordered her to bring Xiangjiu to the Eastern Palace to be "used" by them.

Song Lian defiantly refused, asserting that Xiangjiu was her friend and she would kill him if he harmed her. Enraged, Prince Fuying plunged her head into a lotus pond, attempting to drown her. He taunted her, accusing her of cowardice beneath her benevolent exterior, of seeking his father's favor by mimicking His Grace, and claiming she used benevolence to hide cowardice and viciousness to hide weakness.

Just as Song Lian was on the brink of death, Prince Fuying pulled her out, confessing his fear that her death would cost him his father's "favor." He chillingly declared his intention to make her witness how he would "trample them underfoot." Song Lian, gasping for air, vividly recalled Feng Mochen’s earlier words, urging her to "love yourself well," for "if we don't even love ourselves, who will love us?"

Later that night, as Xiangjiu slept soundly, a swirling black mist emanated from her body, attempting to consume her. This entity formed a shadowy figure and ominously declared to Feng Mochen, "So it's you. You've caused me such misery. We finally meet." Feng Mochen immediately appeared, apprehending the mist, and sternly commanded it to "Stay away from her!" The entity, however, defiantly retorted, "Feng Mochen, you should know I'm not afraid of you."

Early in the morning, Attendant Gao found himself in a difficult position when Gongsun Wugui insisted on waking the Crown Prince, who was still asleep after a late night. The previous night, Princess Consort had been drinking with Princess Ningshuang and Huo Xiangjiu at Ningshuang Palace. Upon her return, she had a heated quarrel with the Crown Prince, enduring a beating that led her to contemplate killing him with a dagger before ultimately relenting.

Later, the Crown Prince mockingly commented on the effectiveness of his beating. Gongsun Wugui, despite Attendant Gao's warnings about the Crown Prince's notorious temper, stressed the urgency of his report, claiming it concerned the Crown Prince's safety. Upon waking the Crown Prince, Gongsun Wugui revealed that Huo Xiangjiu was the daughter of Huo Zhongren, the registrar of Bronze County.

The Crown Prince mentioned that his son had caused significant trouble in Bronze County, seizing properties and abducting women, but Attendant Gao defended him, arguing that the accumulated wealth was used to curry favor with civil and military officials to oppose other princes, with no personal gain. Gongsun Wugui clarified that Huo Xiangjiu's true purpose was to search for her father, Huo Zhongren, who had vanished without a trace after entering the palace.

Attendant Gao suggested Gongsun Wugui might be responsible, but Gongsun Wugui vehemently denied harming a court official. The Crown Prince stated that while he might resort to violence to eliminate opponents if his father, the Emperor, were deceased, he had to be more restrained while the Emperor was still alive. Gongsun Wugui emphasized that Huo Xiangjiu posed a greater threat than her missing father, especially with Feng Mochen's backing and Princess Ningshuang as her close friend.

He concluded that Huo Xiangjiu "cannot be kept alive." Although the Crown Prince initially aimed to win Huo Xiangjiu over, he now believed she had to be eliminated. He asserted that "trust is the best weapon" and planned to use Princess Consort, who had recently gained the trust of Huo Xiangjiu and her allies, as his instrument. Meanwhile, Bai Yu awoke in Ningshuang Palace next to Princess Ningshuang, startled. He tried to quietly escape, but Princess Ningshuang caught him.

She accused him of taking liberties with her, which he denied, claiming to be a eunuch. Princess Ningshuang revealed she knew he was not a eunuch, making his presence in the palace a grave offense. She gave him two options: death or castration. Bai Yu, desperate to live, quickly chose a "third option" of becoming her loyal subordinate. Princess Ningshuang declared his life was now hers, demanding his absolute obedience.

Bai Yu attempted to negotiate, citing his role in reconciling the princess with the Old Madam, but she dismissed it. When he questioned why she chose him, she simply stated, "Because you're fair-skinned." As he left, Bai Yu cursed Princess Ningshuang, calling her a "vicious woman," but saw an opportunity in Huo Xiangjiu's friendship with the princess to potentially aid him. Huo Xiangjiu, experiencing severe stomach pain, found some relief when Feng Mochen held her hand.

He explained that hands connect to one's energy base and fingers correspond to the Five Elements, and when fingers interlace, a union of these elements occurs, bringing renewed vigor. Later, Huo Xiangjiu had a vivid dream where she was a nine-tailed fox, presenting her mother with many fox "daughters-in-law" who would bear "fox grandchildren." The unusual dream led her to wonder about her connection with Feng Mochen, whom she instinctively felt she knew.

Feng Mochen had earlier expressed concern to his subordinate, revealing that he had seen the Stomach Spirit, which was coming for Huo Xiangjiu and put her life in danger. This encounter echoed a previous night when a mass of black mist, later revealed to be the Stomach Spirit, had emerged from Huo Xiangjiu while she slept, attempting to consume her before Feng Mochen intervened.

On payday at the Laundry Bureau, Lady Zhao, known for habitually docking the maids' wages, deducted three taels from Le Ning's salary for being three days late. Le Ning tearfully sought help from Huo Xiangjiu. When Huo Xiangjiu arrived, Lady Zhao immediately became obsequious, showering her with flattery and referencing her elevated status as "Mentor" and her favor with Lord Feng, Princess Ningshuang, and even Princess Consort.

Lady Zhao promptly returned Le Ning's deducted salary and even offered Huo Xiangjiu five taels for only half a month's work, acknowledging her efficiency. She then offered to keep both Huo Xiangjiu and Le Ning on the payroll of the Imperial Servants Bureau without requiring them to work, a proposal that thrilled Le Ning. However, Huo Xiangjiu refused to accept this selective generosity.

She demanded that Lady Zhao return all previously withheld wages to "all" the maids and ensure fair pay and working conditions moving forward. Lady Zhao adamantly refused, dismissing the other maids as mere servants. The argument escalated, with Lady Zhao accusing Huo Xiangjiu of seducing Lord Feng to gain power. A physical altercation broke out between Huo Xiangjiu, Le Ning, and Lady Zhao.

Hearing the commotion and learning that Huo Xiangjiu was fighting for their rights, other maids rushed in to join the brawl, supporting Huo Xiangjiu. Le Ning initially found it hard to grasp Huo Xiangjiu's stance, seeing the offer of unearned money as a good deal. But Huo Xiangjiu passionately explained that gaining benefits by subverting fairness ultimately harms everyone, stressing that fairness protects all. Later, Feng Mochen gently tended to Huo Xiangjiu, who was suffering from intense stomach pain.

He laid out a strict regimen for her: regular medicine, a specific diet for three meals a day, bedtime before 9 p. m. , and avoidance of overeating, anger, or sadness. Huo Xiangjiu resisted, feeling these restrictions would rob her of her humanity. Feng Mochen gravely informed her that she had no choice, as she faced a life-threatening illness. He then manifested her Stomach Spirit, which shockingly resembled Huo Xiangjiu but appeared weak and unwell. Feng Mochen explained that this spirit "was" her stomach, and its current "failing" state meant that when it completely shut down, her own life would end.

The Stomach Spirit lamenting to Huo Xiangjiu about her poor eating habits, emphasizing how her irregular meals, especially skipping breakfast and then overeating at night, caused it immense suffering and had severely damaged her health. Lord Feng quickly intervened, calming the Stomach Spirit and giving Huo Xiangjiu medicine.

He then sternly instructed her to adhere to a strict regimen for recovery, including regular meals prepared by him, going to bed by 9 PM (Hai Shi), and avoiding any emotional distress, physical exhaustion, or anything harmful to her body. Fearing her impending death, Huo Xiangjiu reluctantly agreed, stating she would sleep immediately. While resting, Huo Xiangjiu reflected on her difficult past in the Xiguan Bureau (Imperial Servants Bureau).

She recalled working tirelessly until late at night, often forced into overtime by Lady Zhao, who also withheld their wages and provided only expired or spoiled leftovers from the Imperial Kitchen. The constant hunger and the feeling that her life was not her own, even her desire to read novels for a mere half-hour, still weighed heavily on her. With her newfound influence, she resolved to help her former colleagues.

Lord Feng, sensing her distress, assured her that he would handle the matter, stating that anything concerning her was never trivial to him. He then summoned Lady Zhao, ordering her to return all withheld wages to the palace maids and forbid any further forced overtime, urging her to show compassion for her subordinates.

Lady Zhao, however, refused to comply, arguing that she was merely upholding long-standing palace rules and that Lord Feng was being misled by Huo Xiangjiu, whom she disrespectfully deemed unworthy. She even subtly threatened that his interference could have serious consequences beyond the Xiguan Bureau. Annoyed by her arrogant defiance, Lord Feng warned her once more, which Lady Zhao, after initially trying to talk her way out, reluctantly agreed to follow.

Still seething, Lady Zhao secretly instigated other bureau directors against Huo Xiangjiu, spreading rumors and exaggerating the situation to rally them. She gloated about Lord Feng being "overwhelmed" and believed that by turning other powerful figures against Huo Xiangjiu, she would ensure the girl's demise. Soon after, a commotion erupted outside Huo Xiangjiu’s residence as agitated officials and palace staff, influenced by Lady Zhao’s machinations, demanded to see Huo Xiangjiu and Lord Feng.

Huo Xiangjiu attempted to get up and confront them, but Lord Feng instantly appeared, preventing her from exerting herself. He reiterated his instructions for her health and transported her to the serene Illusory Flower Woods, a tranquil illusion realm, away from the palace's turmoil. He promised to handle the external situation himself, jokingly enduring Huo Xiangjiu’s jibe about him nagging like an old man before departing.

Immersed in the beauty of the Illusory Flower Woods, Huo Xiangjiu found herself drawn to a small flower. As she gazed at it, vivid visions of her past life flooded her mind. She saw herself as a young, unfortunate girl whose mother had died, leaving her with an abusive father. Upon reaching adulthood, her father married her off to a cruel family for a bride price, disregarding her feelings.

In this new home, her mother-in-law constantly abused her for not bearing children, locking her in a cold cellar without food and subjecting her to severe beatings. During this dire time, a kind Little White Fox was her only comfort, often sneaking her steamed buns and other food, risking its own safety to protect her. Despite her lingering hope that her husband, Landlord Li’s son, would eventually save her, she eventually fell gravely ill.

Her in-laws neglected her, refusing to summon a doctor, and she died a solitary, cold death in the cellar, even as her husband remarried and celebrated. Upon waking from the vision, Huo Xiangjiu realized that the devoted Little White Fox from her past life was none other than Feng Mochen. Returning from the illusion, Lord Feng, utterly fed up with Lady Zhao’s relentless cruelty and lack of repentance, dragged her soul into purgatory.

He revealed to her that she had been Huo Xiangjiu’s abusive mother-in-law in a previous life and, despite the passage of a thousand years, still possessed a heart utterly devoid of conscience. To make her truly understand the suffering she had inflicted, Lord Feng forced Lady Zhao to experience her own past brutality through the eyes of Huo Xiangjiu.

Trapped in the body of her past victim, Lady Zhao endured the severe beatings and torture she herself had once meted out, screaming for mercy and begging Lord Feng for forgiveness. When she finally woke up from the torment, Lady Zhao was left utterly disoriented and traumatized, cowering fearfully in a corner, continuously begging her "Mother" not to hit her, repeating that she was wrong. Separately, some palace maids gossiped about Huo Xiangjiu's condition.

One inadvertently revealed that Huo Xiangjiu was "about to die," a remark overheard by Le Ning. Later, Lord Feng returned to Huo Xiangjiu, who immediately asked if he was indeed the Little White Fox. He confirmed it, explaining that she was his "ferryman," the destined person who would help him ascend to immortality after a thousand years of cultivation. He further revealed that her ability to remember her past life meant her own life was nearing its end.

Initially, Huo Xiangjiu, realizing she held control over his ascension, playfully told him he must obey her if he ever wanted to become an immortal. However, when Lord Feng reminded her of her impending death, she asserted that he wouldn't let her die because her survival was crucial for his own ascension. She even suggested he could forsake his divine path and remain in the mortal world, echoing his past words to her about the beauty of human life.

Lord Feng countered that he had cultivated for a millennium with the goal of ascension and couldn't abandon his ambition for worldly pleasures. Huo Xiangjiu then clarified that her immediate priority was for him to save her life, promising to discuss his ascension later. Torn between his desire to stay with her and his millennia-long aspiration, Lord Feng asked what she truly wanted, and her answer was simple: she wanted him to save her.

Meanwhile, Song Lian, the Princess Consort, came to visit Huo Xiangjiu. Huo Xiangjiu expressed gratitude for Song Lian's successful intervention in diffusing the situation with the unruly bureau directors. Song Lian remarked on Lord Feng's deep concern for Huo Xiangjiu, evident from him personally fetching her medicine. Song Lian then subtly suggested that a marriage between Huo Xiangjiu and Lord Feng would be a wonderful outcome, stating that "if you could marry Lord Feng, that would be wonderful."

Prince Fuying, who viewed Huo Xiangjiu as an eyesore and a persistent nuisance, tasked his Princess Consort, Song Lian, with delivering a box of pastries. He subtly suggested that her compliance would grant her some freedom outside the palace for a few days. Song Lian, who had long suffered under Prince Fuying's abuse and had previously considered ending his life herself, realized that merely killing him wouldn't secure her future.

Instead, she sought to "borrow a knife to kill," knowing that Lord Feng's influence was paramount. She intended to use Xiangjiu, who was desperately searching for her father, as that knife. If Xiangjiu were to discover Prince Fuying's connection to her father’s disappearance, Song Lian believed Xiangjiu would relentlessly pursue justice against the Prince, thereby eliminating him and securing Song Lian's own freedom. Song Lian indeed visited Xiangjiu.

On her journey back, escorted by Gongsun Hao, she was questioned about the pastries. Gongsun Hao wondered if she had delivered poisoned treats, sacrificing Xiangjiu's life for her own escape. Song Lian dismissed the notion, explaining that Prince Fuying would never dare to poison Lord Feng’s beloved, as it would be akin to "digging his own grave" and incur Lord Feng's wrath. She believed the gesture was merely a test of her loyalty.

Gongsun Hao expressed surprise at her ability to discern Prince Fuying's true intentions. Song Lian then revealed that Xiangjiu had entered the palace to find her missing father. If Xiangjiu were to discover Prince Fuying's connection to her father’s death, she would relentlessly pursue justice. When Gongsun Hao doubted Xiangjiu's ability to challenge Prince Fuying alone, Song Lian reminded him that Lord Feng stood firmly behind her.

Feng Mochen offered Xiangjiu medicine and encouraged her to rest, but she found sleep elusive. She requested a cultivation story, and Feng Mochen recounted the tale of a grateful white fox, saved by a kind girl named Qinghua. The fox spent centuries cultivating to become human and reunite with Qinghua, only to find her transformed into a formidable general. Meanwhile, Bai Yu, upon hearing of Xiangjiu's illness, rushed to her.

Seeing her frail and pale, he asked Feng Mochen what had happened and learned it was her Stomach Spirit acting up. Bai Yu summoned the Stomach Spirit, which defiantly boasted that even Feng Mochen couldn't control it and threatened to drag Xiangjiu to the underworld, accusing her of ruining its form. Bai Yu threatened to summon other organ spirits to constrain it. Xiangjiu's internal organ spirits—her kidneys, liver, pancreas, and heart—appeared, looking disfigured and weak.

Each lamented her neglect: frequent late nights, irregular meals, uncontrolled anger, and consumption of unhealthy foods. Xiangjiu herself explained that after her father's disappearance, she tirelessly worked to help the poor in Bronze County, leaving her no time for self-care. She expressed profound regret, admitting her youthful belief that illness and death were distant concerns. Apologizing to her internal organs, she vowed to lead a healthy life, managing her diet and emotions, and avoiding late nights, pleading for another chance.

Princess Ningshuang, who often summoned Bai Yu for entertainment, found him in an uncharacteristically solemn mood. He spoke passionately about the hardships of people like him, contrasting their relentless struggle with her pampered life, comparing them to swifts that fly until they die. When Princess Ningshuang pressed him, Bai Yu revealed Xiangjiu's severe illness. Concerned, Princess Ningshuang immediately arranged for precious gifts from the royal palace, including ginseng, deer antler, lingzhi mushrooms, and red coral, to be sent to Xiangjiu.

Feng Mochen, meanwhile, devotedly prepared exquisite seasonal dishes for Xiangjiu's every meal. After eating, he would gently guide her through exercises to aid digestion and uplift her spirits. He showed her a "Purple Health-Restoring Flame," symbolizing her certain recovery and continued healthy life. This period of meticulous care from Feng Mochen brought Xiangjiu some of her happiest moments. He also reassured her that she should prioritize her recovery, as her father would be delighted to see her healthy again.

As Princess Consort Song Lian returned from Fucang Palace, she was secretly followed by Prince Fuying's concubine, who later reported to Prince Fuying that Song Lian had delivered the pastries and Xiangjiu had eaten them. The concubine also maliciously claimed to have seen Song Lian and Gongsun Hao conversing while maintaining a suspicious distance, implying improper behavior. Upon entering the Eastern Palace, Song Lian confronted the concubine, striking her several times for fabricating stories.

The concubine ran to Prince Fuying for justice, but he sided with Song Lian, dismissing the concubine and asserting his wife's right to discipline her. With Xiangjiu having docilely eaten the pastries, Prince Fuying now found Song Lian trustworthy. Feigning distress, Song Lian complained that Xiangjiu had slighted her, deeming her a "female figurehead with no real power" when she couldn't help with a secret matter.

She reluctantly divulged that Xiangjiu had sought her assistance in finding her missing father, Huo Zhongren, making her swear an oath of secrecy. With a show of remorse, Song Lian then lamented that Xiangjiu had eaten the supposedly "poisoned pastries" and might not live to see her father. Prince Fuying, fooled by her feigned loyalty, believed she had become a devoted wife.

After gaining Prince Fuying's renewed trust, Song Lian brought up Xiangjiu's urgent search for her father, suggesting that providing her with clues would earn Xiangjiu's gratitude and, by extension, Lord Feng's favor. Prince Fuying found this a clever approach. Later, Gongsun Hao questioned Song Lian about her actions, noting that if Xiangjiu were to learn of Prince Fuying's involvement in her father's disappearance, she would be put in danger.

Song Lian explained her cunning strategy: if Xiangjiu remained ignorant, Prince Fuying would be in the "dark" and Xiangjiu in the "light," making Xiangjiu vulnerable. However, if Xiangjiu knew the truth but Prince Fuying did not know that she knew, then Xiangjiu would be in the "dark" and Prince Fuying in the "light," making him vulnerable. She stated that the one in the "light" is in peril, while the one in the "dark" is safe.

Gongsun Hao urged her to flee, but Song Lian refused, insisting they could not be truly safe until Prince Fuying was overthrown. Prince Fuying then conferred with Gongsun Hao, acknowledging that given his known animosity towards Xiangjiu, her death would immediately implicate him. He decided that instead of outright killing her, they should "help" her, but in a way that would lead her astray.

By guiding her "in a misleading direction," she would only stray further from the truth and eventually reach a dead end from which she could never escape. Gongsun Hao questioned the need for such elaborate schemes, stating that they were not responsible for her father's death. However, Prince Fuying chillingly retorted that his concern was whether it "might" have been one of their own men. Regardless, his priority was to avoid implication.

He instructed Gongsun Hao to "arrange a father for her," implying a fabricated identity or story to mislead Xiangjiu. Xiangjiu, meanwhile, felt useless and guilty, burdened by her father's prolonged absence and her own illness. Feng Mochen consoled her, reminding her of her many accomplishments: saving Qiaoru, reuniting Princess Ningshuang with her mother, securing fair wages and positions for the maids in the Imperial Servants Bureau, and ending compulsory overtime.

He acknowledged that only her father's situation remained unresolved, prompting her to wonder aloud about his whereabouts. Later, Feng Mochen received a report about his agents (referred to as "dogs") who had been strategically placed within the palace, exposed to datura flowers, and were operating under the supervision of Lord Howling Celestial Dog. Feng Mochen advised caution, given the sensitive nature of their operations within the palace. He then returned to Xiangjiu, urging her to cast aside her worries and prioritize her recovery, assuring her that her father would be overjoyed to see her healthy.

When Huo Xiangjiu struggled with sleeplessness, she would often ask Feng Mochen to recount stories from the past. Feng Mochen then shared his memories, beginning with his arduous journey to become human. It took him five hundred years of dedicated cultivation. He recalled awakening by a reef, overjoyed to find himself in human form. His Master, while impressed by his rapid transformation, cautioned him that five centuries had passed, making the search for Huo Xiangjiu's reincarnation incredibly difficult.

He noted that Feng Mochen, having just become human, hadn't yet learned to speak, but assured him that his talent would soon allow him to master human speech. The Master also chided Feng Mochen for being naked, deeming it indecent, and urged him to get dressed. Ignoring the warnings, Feng Mochen eagerly set out to find Huo Xiangjiu.

In his initial ignorance of human customs, he wandered the streets unclothed, but soon learned to wear clothes and utter a few human words. He endured a harsh, itinerant life, eating fruits and drinking dew, meticulously scrutinizing every person he met. Countless miles were walked and countless faces seen, yet none were the one he sought.

One day, as Feng Mochen wearily walked a forest path, the rapid hoofbeats of a horse approached from behind, almost trampling him before the rider reined in. Feng Mochen looked up and recognized the valiant female general on horseback as the one he had been searching for. His gaze fixed on her, unable to blink. He tried to explain himself, but Hua Xi, then known as General Hua Xi, misunderstood his inarticulate sounds.

Her subordinate joked that Feng Mochen must have fallen for the General, reminding 'her' (perceiving Feng Mochen as female) that the General was also a woman and thus couldn't marry 'her'. Thinking he was trying to extort money, Hua Xi initially suspected he wanted five, then ten taels of silver for an alleged injury. She offered him one tael and ordered him to leave.

When he remained, feigning a sudden illness, Hua Xi, though suspecting a scam, felt a pang of compassion, worrying he might be left to the wild beasts in the wilderness. She sent her subordinates ahead to report to the capital, intending to follow after checking on him. Discovering Feng Mochen was mute, Hua Xi apologized and offered to take him to the city for treatment.

It was then that her warhorse, sensing his true form, bolted away, revealing him to be a fox spirit. With the horse gone, Hua Xi and Feng Mochen had to walk home. When Hua Xi grew too tired to continue, Feng Mochen knelt and carried her on his back the rest of the way.

During their walk, Hua Xi questioned him about his constant smiling and lack of bathing, deducing he was likely an orphan due to the ongoing war between Muxi and Xuanyue States. She offered him a place in her household, promising him sustenance and shelter, but insisted he take a bath first. As they approached a bathing spot, Hua Xi discovered Feng Mochen was a man, not a woman as she had assumed.

She angrily called him a scoundrel for deceiving her. Back at her residence, her family, grateful for Feng Mochen carrying her home, agreed to let him stay. Hua Xi showed him to the best guest room and, finding he had no name, bestowed upon him the name Feng Mochen. She then gave him an incense burner, explaining it would make him smell fragrant with her favorite sandalwood scent, and showed him how to use it.

Their tranquil life was soon shattered by an imperial decree. The Emperor, recognizing General Hua Xi's decade of distinguished service and numerous merits, and concerned about her unmarried status at the prime of her life, decreed a marriage alliance with the Crown Prince to become his consort, celebrating the boundless imperial grace. Hua Xi was dismayed but knew defying the decree was a grave crime that would endanger her entire family.

Her father urgently pressed her to accept, reminding her of the severe consequences of defiance. Reluctantly, she accepted the imperial betrothal. Soon after, urgent news arrived from the border: the Xuanyue City Lord had personally led his troops in an attack. Hua Xi saw this as an opportunity. She reasoned that if she could capture the Xuanyue City Lord alive and achieve a feat of extraordinary glory, she could petition the Emperor to rescind the marriage decree.

She prepared to depart immediately. Feng Mochen pleaded to join her, but Hua Xi, concerned for his safety on the battlefield and unwilling to be distracted by protecting him, insisted he stay at home and await her triumphant return. She rode off, leaving Feng Mochen behind. He rushed back to his room to retrieve the incense burner she had given him, then set out in pursuit. Feng Mochen journeyed for five days and nights, enduring further hardships.

During his journey, he was ambushed by Bai Chi, a third-generation heir of the Bronze Bai Clan, a lineage of demon slayers. Bai Chi recognized Feng Mochen as a young fox demon who had just learned human form and couldn't yet speak. He declared his clan's duty to vanquish demons, asserting that "humans and demons are fated to walk separate paths," and tried to kill Feng Mochen.

However, Feng Mochen, through cunning, managed to defeat Bai Chi, who, with his dying breath, cursed Feng Mochen as a "cruel and cunning nine-tailed fox" and commanded his descendants to seek vengeance. Finally, Feng Mochen reached Xuanyue City, which had just suffered a brutal battle. Amidst piles of corpses, he frantically searched, growing increasingly desperate. He ultimately found Hua Xi at the city gate, clinging to her halberd, her face scarred by an enemy's blade.

She mumbled that she had killed the Xuanyue City Lord and hoped the Emperor would now revoke the marriage decree, before falling unconscious in Feng Mochen's arms. Feng Mochen carried Hua Xi to his Master, begging him to save her. To resurrect her, Feng Mochen sacrificed his five hundred years of cultivation. The Master questioned his decision, reminding him that her fated lifespan had ended and he could simply wait for her next incarnation, thus saving his own cultivation.

However, the Master understood that Feng Mochen's "fear stems from love" and "sorrow stems from love," and that to be "free of sorrow and fear," one must detach from love. To spare Hua Xi the pain of longing, Feng Mochen further implored his Master to erase all her memories of him. After her recovery and memory wipe, Huo Xiangjiu (her name in the present) was preparing for her wedding.

She admired a little fox demon who came to see her off, feeling a strange familiarity despite not recognizing him. She confided that she felt like she had forgotten many things. Her father hurried her to get ready, as the Crown Prince was coming to fetch her. Despite her father's dismissal, she continued to feel drawn to the fox, sensing something deeply familiar.

Around this time, Huo Xiangjiu also conversed with her Stomach Spirit, who appeared revitalized and radiant, thanking Huo Xiangjiu for taking better care of herself. The Stomach Spirit reported that the other organ spirits, including the Heart Spirit and Spleen Spirit, were also doing well and could now move freely, even dancing together. Huo Xiangjiu was relieved to hear she was no longer dying.

The Stomach Spirit advised her to cherish her life, reminding her that others cared for her more than she knew. It then spoke cryptically about "three begets all things," "change comes with seven," and the preciousness of a "love connection in one lifetime," cautioning against clinging too tightly if lost, as sometimes a loss merely paves the way for a new connection. It concluded by expressing a hope that they would "never have to meet again."

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince's machinations were still in motion. His subordinates confirmed that everything he had instructed had been arranged, and Huo Xiangjiu would soon find her father—a fabricated scenario. They remarked that it was too easy on her, as she was a "fated to die" person, but at least it saved them the trouble of dealing with her themselves, concluding that "those who are fated to die cannot escape their end."

While bringing soup to Prince Fuying, Princess Consort Song Lian overheard him discussing his plan to kill Huo Xiangjiu and stage it as a suicide, framing it as an act of filial piety. Gongsun Hao confirmed that everything was arranged. Prince Fuying, realizing Song Lian had been eavesdropping, confined her to her room, instructing her maid Yuan Xiang to stay with her at all times, under the pretense of keeping her from falling ill in the chilly weather.

Soon after, news spread throughout the palace that a habitual thief, Zhang Jia, had been caught in the Eastern Palace. Under severe interrogation, Zhang Jia confessed to having beaten an elderly palace servant to death two years prior. As the victim had secretly entered the palace and possessed no official identity, his death had gone unnoticed until now. Prince Fuying sent Gongsun Hao to inform Huo Xiangjiu of these developments.

Feng Mochen observed Gongsun Hao attempting to tell Huo Xiangjiu something urgent about Princess Consort Song Lian's life and death. That night, Huo Xiangjiu was restless with the newfound lead about her father. Feng Mochen comforted her, urging her to rest as her health was just improving, and promised that Mao Jin would investigate. Concerned she might secretly try to leave, he stayed by her side.

The next morning, Huo Xiangjiu persuaded Feng Mochen to accompany her to the Eastern Palace. There, Prince Fuying presented the bloodied Zhang Jia. Feng Mochen took over the interrogation, warning Zhang Jia that for every lie, he would lose a limb, and observed Zhang Jia's fearful glances towards Prince Fuying.

Zhang Jia then confessed that two years ago, while stealing in Ganquan Palace, he encountered an unfamiliar, thin, approximately 50-year-old man and killed him to silence him, throwing his body into a well in the Imperial Garden. Huo Xiangjiu, recognizing the description of her father, broke down in tears and anxiously wanted to search for the body.

Feng Mochen restrained her, assuring her that Mao Jin and Le Ning were already sent to the Imperial Garden, and explained that the well connected to the city's moat and then to the river, making finding the body impossible after so much time.

Feng Mochen also pointed out that Prince Fuying seemed anxious during Zhang Jia's interrogation, suggesting that this whole confession was arranged to mislead Huo Xiangjiu, implying Prince Fuying knew the truth about her father and wanted her to stop investigating. Huo Xiangjiu deduced that Prince Fuying was involved in her father's death and intended to confront him. Meanwhile, Princess Consort Song Lian, still confined, heard of Huo Xiangjiu's arrival and desperately sought a way to convey information.

Claiming an earlier promise, she subtly instructed Yuan Xiang to deliver a purple-gold hairpin to Huo Xiangjiu via Gao Wei. Upon receiving the hairpin, Huo Xiangjiu was puzzled, as she had never expressed a liking for it. Le Ning noted that "purple-gold" (zǐjīn) sounded like "suicide" (zìjìn), leading Huo Xiangjiu to realize the hairpin was a warning from Song Lian, indicating that someone intended to force her to commit suicide.

Realizing Song Lian held crucial clues but was under strict watch, Feng Mochen suggested using an intermediary to get her out. Huo Xiangjiu discussed her findings with Bai Yu, who was initially unaware of Song Lian's identity. She recounted how Song Lian, a commoner, was forced to marry Prince Fuying after saving the Emperor from a hunting accident. Feng Mochen added that Song Lian had also suffered a miscarriage, suggesting further complications with Prince Fuying.

Huo Xiangjiu then pleaded with Princess Ningshuang to help her see Song Lian. Princess Ningshuang, still resentful over Bai Yu's past perceived slight against her when Huo Xiangjiu was ill, demanded he first plead with her to "pay it back." Bai Yu, aiming to please Ningshuang for Huo Xiangjiu's sake, offered a theatrical apology, philosophically arguing that noble birth and being pampered did not preclude compassion, unlike humble origins leading to theft.

Ningshuang, finding his words "deep," decided to spare him and announced her intention to visit Song Lian at the Eastern Palace, dismissing Feng Mochen's warning that her sudden visit might arouse Prince Fuying's suspicion. Princess Ningshuang then playfully asked Bai Yu if he would ever like her, to which he bluntly replied "No," prompting her to declare, "I'll teach you slowly."

Earlier, Song Lian's brother, Song Yicheng, a guard for Prince Fuying, was advised by Gongsun Hao not to cause trouble for his sister, given her sacrifices for him. Song Yicheng, however, cynically argued that marriage always involved suffering, so it was better to marry into power for financial compensation. He even boasted that he was a more suitable match for Princess Ningshuang than Gongsun Hao, claiming they were of "equal standing."

Observing Song Yicheng, Princess Ningshuang orchestrated a fake encounter, inviting him into her carriage. As he entered, Ningshuang feigned assault, screaming for help. Her guards immediately seized and bound Song Yicheng, taking him to Ningshuang Palace. News of Song Yicheng harassing Princess Ningshuang quickly reached Prince Fuying.

Infuriated by Song Yicheng's recklessness and Princess Ningshuang's notorious temper, Prince Fuying learned that Ningshuang threatened to cripple Song Yicheng, present him before the Emperor, and accuse the Eastern Palace of poor governance if Prince Fuying did not personally apologize. Cleverly, Prince Fuying decided to send Princess Consort Song Lian to resolve the matter, stating it was her brother and she should handle it, while still ordering Yuan Xiang to accompany her at all times.

This forced Prince Fuying to lift Song Lian's confinement. Upon seeing his sister, Song Yicheng, battered, pleaded with Lian to save him, claiming he was the sole heir of the Song family and that Princess Ningshuang threatened to castrate him. As Song Lian entered Princess Ningshuang's private chambers, Yuan Xiang attempted to follow but was stopped by Ningshuang's maid, who warned her against disrespect in Ningshuang Palace.

Separately, Prince Fuying confided in Gongsun Hao, reiterating his desire for Gongsun Hao to "stain his hands with blood" to ensure his loyalty and control. He then revealed the true motive for Huo Xiangjiu's planned death: her father's death was directly tied to Gongsun Hao's own father.

Prince Fuying privately instructed Gongsun Hao to assassinate Huo Xiangjiu, making it clear that the safety of Gongsun Hao's own father was dependent on the task. Caught in an agonizing dilemma, Gongsun Hao felt Prince Fuying was forcing him to stain his hands with blood, a burden his weak nature resisted.

He contemplated begging Prince Fuying to assign someone else, yet the paramount importance of his parents’ well-being left him no choice but to devise a plan to execute the order. Meanwhile, Prince Fuying had ordered his maid, Yuan Xiang, to closely monitor Song Lian. However, Princess Ningshuang had preemptively instructed her own attendants to bar Yuan Xiang from eavesdropping. Princess Ningshuang’s clever maids successfully kept Yuan Xiang away from the princess’s room, despite Yuan Xiang’s persistent pleas.

Thwarted, Yuan Xiang secretly went to the back door, where Feng Mochen and Mao Jin were also present in Ningshuang Palace. Observing Yuan Xiang's relentless meddling, Feng Mochen subtly employed a "ghost wall" trick. Yuan Xiang, desperately needing to use the latrine, found herself trapped in an endless loop, repeatedly emerging from one latrine only to find herself in another, always returning to her starting point, much to her bewildered frustration.

Mao Jin remarked that Feng Mochen was teaching Yuan Xiang a much-needed lesson. As Feng Mochen watched Yuan Xiang’s futile attempts to escape, Mao Jin reminded him that his own tribulation was approaching, with its cycle soon shortening to a mere 15 days, rapidly nearing a daily tribulation. Mao Jin urged Feng Mochen to ascend to immortality. Feng Mochen then inquired about Mao Jin's impending first tribulation in 1,000 years, due in about ten days.

Mao Jin admitted his fear but vowed not to disgrace Lord Howling Celestial Dog, who had endured similar trials. Feng Mochen offered to dissolve Mao Jin's tribulation if the pain became unbearable, but Mao Jin refused, unwilling to let his millennium of cultivation dissipate. Mao Jin then pressed Feng Mochen about his own ascent, noting his ferryman, Huo Xiangjiu, was right before him, and asking if their few lifetimes together weren't enough.

Feng Mochen asserted his own plans and playfully compared their long companionship. He tested Mao Jin by asking him to choose between himself and Le Ning, and then between himself and Huo Xiangjiu, to which Mao Jin unhesitatingly chose Huo Xiangjiu, much to Feng Mochen's feigned dismay.

Ultimately, Feng Mochen instructed Mao Jin to stay close to Huo Xiangjiu during her tribulation the following day to ensure her safety, a task Mao Jin readily promised to fulfill, vowing to protect "Master's precious one." Inside Princess Ningshuang's room, Huo Xiangjiu was already waiting. Song Lian greeted her, expressing relief that she was safe. Huo Xiangjiu inquired if Prince Fuying was connected to her father's disappearance.

Song Lian wasn't certain but recalled hearing Prince Fuying and Gongsun Hao mention Huo Xiangjiu's father, suggesting his entry into the palace was related to them. Huo Xiangjiu explained that her father, serving as the registrar in Bronze County, had repeatedly attempted to apprehend Young Master Gao for abducting women and acting like a tyrant. However, the county magistrate always ordered his release.

This prompted her father to go to the palace to file an accusation, and it was during that visit that he vanished. Song Lian clarified that Prince Fuying and Gongsun Hao seemed only concerned with stopping Huo Xiangjiu's investigation, and appeared unaware of the actual disappearance. Princess Ningshuang speculated that Prince Fuying was the more suspicious one, given his greater freedom of movement within the palace compared to Gongsun Hao, an outside official.

Princess Ningshuang found Song Lian to be a refined and sensible woman and couldn't understand why she would be involved with a rogue like Prince Fuying. Song Lian then revealed the shameful acts Prince Fuying had committed against her, leading both Princess Ningshuang and Huo Xiangjiu to sympathize deeply with her. Princess Ningshuang declared that only a beast would protect a man who abused women, clearly condemning Prince Fuying. She then asked why Song Lian married him.

Song Lian explained that she had once rescued His Majesty from a riverbank, and it was through His Majesty that she met her beloved. However, her father and brother later confined her, and to prevent news of his disgraceful actions from reaching His Majesty, Prince Fuying agreed to marry her. Soon after, Song Lian discovered she was pregnant.

She expressed her current regret, stating she didn't want her child to be born into such an environment or to have a father like Prince Fuying. She now desperately wished to escape, not just for herself but for her unborn child. She revealed that her true beloved was Gongsun Hao, who had recently sought Princess Ningshuang's help to protect Song Lian from Prince Fuying.

Princess Ningshuang, seeing Song Lian's plight, supported her decision to leave and suggested they pursue a divorce, emphasizing that a blameless person should leave openly and honorably, not in hiding. Song Lian, however, was concerned that Yuan Xiang, Prince Fuying's personal maid, was constantly monitoring her every move. Princess Ningshuang reassured her that she would handle Yuan Xiang. After much struggle, Yuan Xiang finally managed to escape the "ghost wall" illusion.

Huo Xiangjiu, having anticipated her path, was waiting and gave Yuan Xiang a luminous pearl hairpin. Yuan Xiang, a mere maid who had never seen such a magnificent luminous pearl, was ecstatic and immediately put it on. When Song Lian returned, she informed Prince Fuying that Princess Ningshuang had subjected her to menial tasks as a form of humiliation, and she had not seen Yuan Xiang after Princess Ningshuang's anger subsided.

Yuan Xiang arrived much later, and Prince Fuying questioned her activities at Ningshuang Palace. Yuan Xiang truthfully reported that she was delayed in the latrine. However, Prince Fuying noticed the luminous pearl hairpin conspicuously placed on her head, realizing it was not the one she wore earlier. Yuan Xiang explained that she had encountered Huo Xiangjiu, who had given it to her as a greeting gift for the Princess Consort.

Infuriated by this obvious sign that Yuan Xiang had accepted favors from others, Prince Fuying angrily commanded her to swallow the luminous pearl. Having been forced to consume the luminous pearl, Yuan Xiang appeared before Song Lian with blood at the corners of her mouth, yet remarkably unrepentant. Song Lian, seeing her distress and recognizing her unyielding greed, gave her several pieces of her own jewelry.

She advised Yuan Xiang to offer these as a return gift to the Fucang Palace, suggesting that the Fucang Palace, known for its valuable treasures and generous master, would surely send an even more precious gift in return, especially since they valued dignity. Yuan Xiang, still lamenting the loss of her luminous pearl, was thrilled at the prospect of receiving a more extravagant gift. She eagerly took many items from Song Lian and set off for the Fucang Palace.

Feng Mochen, fully prepared, reclined alluringly on a daybed, his toned physique on display, as he leisurely drank from a glowing jade pot. Yuan Xiang, utterly unaccustomed to such a sight, trembled with excitement as Feng Mochen gazed at her with sleepy, inviting eyes.

She presented the jewelry she had brought from Song Lian as a return gift to him, acknowledging it was far less valuable than the luminous pearl hairpin given by Huo Xiangjiu, but merely a token of her gratitude and respect. Feng Mochen, pleased with her display of etiquette, praised her understanding of propriety. He then produced an even larger luminous pearl, asking if she liked it. Overjoyed, Yuan Xiang eagerly accepted.

This colossal luminous pearl, larger than half of Yuan Xiang's head, was unlike any treasure she had ever seen. Tears welled up in her eyes from sheer excitement, and she scrambled to Feng Mochen's side, eagerly allowing him to adorn her with the precious hairpin. Feng Mochen declared it "a precious hairpin for a beautiful lady," despite Huo Xiangjiu's disgusted remarks from her hidden vantage point about his theatrics and Yuan Xiang's appearance.

Feng Mochen lavished Yuan Xiang with compliments, praising her intelligence, her fair skin, her bright eyes and white teeth, and her graceful demeanor, making Yuan Xiang feel as though she were floating on clouds. When Feng Mochen feigned regret that the Fucang Palace lacked such a beautiful maid, Yuan Xiang immediately pledged her loyalty, offering to stay and serve him.

Seeing that Yuan Xiang had taken the bait, Feng Mochen revealed his "quirk": he desired her undivided service and disliked the lingering presence of former masters, comparing them to ex-lovers who were "better dead than alive." He clarified that he didn't wish her to harm Song Lian, but rather to find a way to drive her out of the palace, ensuring Yuan Xiang would not be tempted to reminisce about her old master.

He promised that once Song Lian was gone, he would transfer Yuan Xiang to the Fucang Palace. Yuan Xiang, accustomed to Prince Fuying's ruthless methods, readily agreed, even suggesting that killing Song Lian would be a quicker solution. Feng Mochen, however, quickly forbade such an act, stating he didn't want her fair hands stained with blood. He assured her he would reveal the next steps when the time was right, sending Yuan Xiang away with a renewed sense of purpose.

Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Huo Xiangjiu observed Feng Mochen's overly charming and alluring "seduction" of Yuan Xiang. Her heart simmered with jealousy, feeling as though it had been steeped in a vat of vinegar. Despite having orchestrated this "beauty trap" herself, she could only glare and silently caution him against "overacting."

She later confronted him, sarcastically questioning if his exaggerated performance was truly necessary, accusing him of being a "soul-snatching envoy," particularly annoyed by his act of personally adorning Yuan Xiang with the hairpin and praising her appearance. When Feng Mochen challenged her to teach him how to properly seduce, she retorted that she had no experience, never having seduced anyone herself.

The day before Feng Mochen was to embark on his tribulation, he reminded Mao Jin to stay close to Le Ning without fail, and then carefully tucked Le Ning into bed. Meanwhile, Prince Fuying had just received news that Feng Mochen would be leaving the palace on business the following day, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to strike against Le Ning.

He also believed the operation was in his father's best interests, as Le Ning could potentially jeopardize his father's position, which he sought to prevent. The next morning, Mao Jin prepared breakfast for Le Ning. He then heard Le Ning seemingly call for him and rushed to find her. Unbeknownst to them, Gongsun Hao was already on his way to Fucang Palace.

Song Yicheng, recently expelled from the Eastern Palace, noticed Gongsun Hao carrying a sword with a determined look and decided to secretly follow him, hoping to redeem himself. In Fucang Palace, Le Ning was alone. Gongsun Hao attacked her directly, strangling her with a rope. Le Ning struggled desperately, calling out Feng Mochen’s name. At that moment, Feng Mochen was undergoing a lightning tribulation, each strike causing him unfathomable pain, as if his muscles and bones were being torn apart.

Despite his severe injuries, he heard Le Ning’s cries for help. Disregarding his own agony, he quickly appeared by Le Ning’s side, injured Gongsun Hao, and carried the nearly unconscious Le Ning away. Song Yicheng, who had been secretly observing from outside the door, was terrified to see Feng Mochen appear so suddenly, and then both he and Le Ning vanished in a puff of smoke. Convinced he had witnessed a demon, Song Yicheng screamed in fright.

Believing Feng Mochen was no longer in Fucang Palace and that Gongsun Hao would soon eliminate Le Ning, Prince Fuying prepared to seize the opportunity to usurp the Emperor. Dressed in formal attire, he entered the royal palace. The Emperor, pleased by Prince Fuying's visit, encouraged him to maintain a pure heart and act with integrity.

Prince Fuying expressed his envy of Lord Feng, who handled all of the Emperor’s affairs and to whom the Emperor confided his deepest thoughts, admitting he didn't know what he had to do to replace Feng Mochen in the Emperor's heart. The Emperor responded by saying that in this world, knowing one's place and being content with what one has are the two greatest challenges.

Prince Fuying claimed to understand, resigning himself to the idea that he could never replace Lord Feng. Just as Prince Fuying was about to pull out a dagger he had hidden, a palace servant rushed in with alarming news. The servant reported that Prince Fuying's brother-in-law, Song Yicheng, was screaming in the palace, claiming that he had seen Lord Feng in Fucang Palace in the form of a demon.

With his chance gone, Prince Fuying quickly concealed the dagger in his sleeve. Feng Mochen transported Le Ning into an illusion. Once she regained her senses, Le Ning was horrified to see Feng Mochen covered in blood, her eyes reddening with tears. She immediately knelt and recited prayers. Feng Mochen, weakened from the lightning tribulation, heard her prayers, which triggered a memory of Le Ning's second lifetime.

In that past life, to save Le Ning, Feng Mochen had sacrificed 500 years of his cultivation to his Master, reverting to his original form. To see her again, he cultivated for another 500 years to regain human form and search for her. When he finally found Le Ning in this lifetime, she (then named Yaoqing) was already married to Cao Yuan and living a simple life as a mortal at the foot of a mountain.

Her husband, Cao Yuan, was kind and devoted to her, and they lived harmoniously. Feng Mochen, under the pretense of looking for someone, stayed with them, assisting with daily chores. He felt a pang of sadness seeing Yaoqing speak warmly with her husband, but all he wished was for her happiness. Soon after, Cao Yuan accidentally slipped and fell off a cliff. Yaoqing was left alone to raise their son, vowing never to remarry.

To avoid impropriety, Feng Mochen built a house next door and silently watched over Yaoqing and her son, always maintaining a respectful distance, until her son grew up. As her son prepared to travel to the capital for the imperial exam, Yaoqing asked Feng Mochen to accompany him, bowing deeply to thank him for his years of selfless dedication.

She explained that her son was pure-hearted, like his father Cao Yuan, and she feared he would encounter trouble alone in the capital. She also shared that she would not accompany him because their home was where Cao Yuan lived, and she feared he would be lonely if she left. She also felt she would be a burden.

She asked Feng Mochen to also stay by her son's side if he passed the exam, to ensure he became an upstanding official. Feng Mochen agreed. Her son later achieved success, becoming a righteous official known as Cao Fair and Just, though he regretted not being able to fulfill his filial duties to his mother. As Yaoqing lay dying in her old age, Feng Mochen returned to her side.

She noted that he remained as youthful and handsome as when she first met him. She expressed her deep gratitude for his continuous help during her most difficult times and for being there to bid her farewell at her life's end, and she affectionately called him a "jokester" for his earlier confession of love.

Mao Jin hurriedly arrived in the illusion, reporting with fear that he had fallen victim to Prince Fuying's "lure the tiger out of its mountain lair" tactic. He also recounted encountering a "ghost wall" illusion in the palace, describing the magic as extremely powerful, which suggested the presence of another cultivator operating there. Le Ning then recalled similar strange occurrences in the Cold Palace, wondering if they were facing humans or demons.

Bai Yu, having heard the unsettling rumors about Feng Mochen, rushed to Fucang Palace to find him, but the room was empty. Princess Ningshuang, also having heard the whispers, arrived and questioned Bai Yu, asking if he, too, was a demon. She pressed him to swear an oath to prove his innocence. Bai Yu firmly denied being a demon and insisted that Feng Mochen was not one either, nearly convincing Princess Ningshuang.

However, just moments later, Feng Mochen appeared with Huo Xiangjiu and Mao Jin. Princess Ningshuang’s eyes widened. Feng Mochen, without concealing anything, openly admitted he was not human. When Princess Ningshuang demanded to see his true form, Feng Mochen revealed a fluffy, massive fox tail.

Much to everyone's surprise, Princess Ningshuang was not frightened at all; instead, she adored the tail and excitedly told Huo Xiangjiu how fortunate she was to be able to "pet a cat" every day, despite Huo Xiangjiu clarifying he was a fox. Bai Yu, still wary, warned Princess Ningshuang that demons were treacherous and mentioned his ancestor died at Feng Mochen's hands, urging her not to lower her guard.

Princess Ningshuang, however, remained unfazed, reasoning that Feng Mochen had been prolonging her father's life for years, indicating he possessed a kind heart. With this revelation, Princess Ningshuang became a close ally, now privy to their secret. Meanwhile, the City Lord received reports that Feng Mochen was a demon. Though skeptical, he felt compelled to investigate, especially since the Crown Prince was relentlessly pursuing the matter. The City Lord summoned Feng Mochen to the court. Huo Xiangjiu accompanied Feng Mochen.

The Crown Prince had already brought a man who called himself a sorcerer, claiming he could verify Feng Mochen's true nature. Huo Xiangjiu and Feng Mochen had prior knowledge of this sorcerer, hearing that he possessed a powerful Universe Ring that could force any demon within its confines to reveal its original form.

Princess Ningshuang, having learned that the ring's power could be nullified if a person of extreme yin stood inside it, realized that the Crown Prince possessed such a constitution, and together with Huo Xiangjiu, they devised a plan. At the imperial court, presided over by the City Lord, Princess Ningshuang promptly reported that she, too, had personally witnessed the Crown Prince being a demon.

She recounted going to the Eastern Palace to visit him and seeing him with a large tail, just as Song Yicheng had claimed about Feng Mochen. The Crown Prince scoffed, stating she never visited his palace. Princess Ningshuang then revealed that Song Yicheng, the Crown Prince's brother-in-law, had made improper advances towards her days prior. She had him captured, but the Crown Princess intervened and took him away, promising an explanation that never came.

Princess Ningshuang had gone to the Eastern Palace seeking an answer. Upon learning that the witness claiming Feng Mochen was a demon had previously disrespected the Princess, the City Lord was furious and immediately ordered Song Yicheng to be imprisoned and castrated. Huo Xiangjiu then proposed that both Feng Mochen and the Crown Prince enter the Universe Ring together to clear their names, suggesting that because demons could possess human bodies, the Crown Prince should also be tested.

The City Lord agreed. When Feng Mochen and the Crown Prince stood in the Universe Ring unharmed, the City Lord swiftly declared Feng Mochen was not a demon. Huo Xiangjiu further exposed the sorcerer’s trickery as mere street magic. She called Mao Jin forward, covered his head with a cloth, and upon uncovering him, Mao Jin had seemingly transformed into a small dog. The onlookers concluded that the sorcerer was merely performing illusions.

Feng Mochen then promptly drove the sorcerer away, warning the Crown Prince against bringing such charlatans into the palace again. This ordeal was finally resolved. Later, back at Fucang Palace, with Huo Xiangjiu out of earshot, Bai Yu confronted Feng Mochen about his injuries. He learned that Feng Mochen's tribulation cycle had dramatically shortened, and expressed deep sorrow for Huo Xiangjiu.

Bai Yu now understood Huo Xiangjiu's profound feelings for Feng Mochen and worried about the immense pain she would endure if Feng Mochen were to ascend and leave her behind. Mao Jin then revealed that Huo Xiangjiu was Feng Mochen's 'du zhe' (guide/catalyst for ascension), and suggested that she help him ascend to immortality. Feng Mochen, too, understood her potential suffering. He confided in Bai Yu, revealing his deep yearning for Huo Xiangjiu.

He spoke of his internal conflict, torn between seeking her out and fearing he wouldn't be able to let go of their connection, and his reluctance to ascend despite his cultivation. He admitted that after seeing her in this lifetime, his desire to be with her had grown to the point where he wanted to stay, even if it meant enduring daily tribulations. He questioned if his desire to stay by her side was selfish.

Bai Yu urged him to either make Huo Xiangjiu hate him or let her help him ascend before her feelings for him deepened, emphasizing that it was the only way to spare her greater pain. Following this conversation, Feng Mochen attempted to distance himself from Huo Xiangjiu, acting dismissive when she brought him medicine. However, Huo Xiangjiu remained unfazed, showing unwavering patience and understanding towards him. Meanwhile, Song Yicheng, now in prison, requested the jailer to summon Gongsun Wugui.

Initially, Gongsun Wugui mocked Song Yicheng's predicament, but his demeanor changed when Song Yicheng revealed he held leverage. Song Yicheng had overheard Huo Xiangjiu telling Gongsun Hao that she had devised a plan to help the Crown Princess secretly leave the palace and asked Gongsun Hao to ensure her well-being. Gongsun Wugui knew that his son, Gongsun Hao, was having an affair with the Crown Princess, and if the Crown Prince discovered it, the consequences would be dire.

Song Yicheng blackmailed Gongsun Wugui, demanding his release, or he would expose the affair to the Crown Prince. He also reminded Gongsun Wugui of their past collaboration in orchestrating the Crown Princess's encounter with the Crown Prince, highlighting that if the Crown Princess successfully eloped with Gongsun Hao, all their hopes for wealth and status would be lost.

Feng Mochen confronted Gongsun Hao to settle a past grievance where Gongsun Hao had tried to harm Xiangjiu. Feng Mochen kicked Gongsun Hao to the ground. Gongsun Hao knelt and pleaded for forgiveness, acknowledging his foolishness and admitting he was led astray by Prince Fuying. He revealed that Prince Fuying's schemes were often carried out by a trusted aide named Gao Wei. Feng Mochen warned Gongsun Hao that if Xiangjiu were ever harmed again, he would destroy him completely.

Gongsun Hao then asked Feng Mochen if he could truly help Song Lian escape her suffering. Feng Mochen promised that Xiangjiu's pledge was his own, clarifying that Xiangjiu's help was for Song Lian and had nothing to do with Gongsun Hao. Meanwhile, Yuan Xiang, a palace servant, was in a panic after hearing that Princess Consort Song Lian was pregnant, fearing she would no longer be able to leave the Eastern Palace for Fucang Palace.

Xiangjiu, through Mao Jin, delivered a package of powder to Yuan Xiang, instructing her to find an opportunity to put its contents into Song Lian's tea. Mao Jin also implied that this was Feng Mochen's way of helping Yuan Xiang after her previous mistreatment of Song Lian and the potential consequences of Song Lian giving birth.

Prince Fuying, now aware of Song Lian's pregnancy, began to show a rare moment of restraint, urging her to take care of herself for the sake of their child. However, Song Lian, feeling trapped and miserable, retorted that her life would have been happy with her beloved if not for him. Angered by her defiance, Prince Fuying began to choke her. At that critical moment, the Emperor arrived.

Song Lian, seizing the opportunity, dramatically claimed that Prince Fuying was forcing her to drink the stabilizing ginseng soup, and when she refused, he beat her. She then deliberately spilled the soup, which immediately began bubbling, revealing a toxic reaction that suggested it was poisoned. Prince Fuying tried to deflect blame onto Yuan Xiang, who fearfully denied any involvement.

The Emperor, furious at his son's cruelty and alleged attempt to harm his own unborn child, had Prince Fuying confined to the Cold Palace to reflect on his actions, explicitly forbidding him from returning to the Eastern Palace without his permission. Alone with the Emperor, Song Lian reiterated her desire for a divorce. The Emperor initially resisted, citing the shame of a divorce and now the presence of an heir.

Song Lian challenged his hypocrisy, pointing out that he had castrated her brother, Song Yicheng, for merely harassing Princess Ningshuang, a punishment he vowed would have been much worse if Ningshuang had been defiled. Yet, when his own son raped her, he forced her into marriage.

She argued that her virtues had become the "source of her misfortune" and demanded her freedom, stating she would leave the palace openly and righteously the next day, challenging him to stop her if he believed he was in the right. Later, Yuan Xiang, fearing for her own life after the poisoned tea incident, sought help from Feng Mochen.

Feng Mochen questioned her on two matters: the disappearance of Xiangjiu's father, and the theft of datura from Ningshuang Palace, linking the latter to Song Lian's past miscarriage, as datura can induce miscarriage and its disappearance from Ningshuang Palace (the only place it's grown) coincided with the timing. Yuan Xiang denied any knowledge of the father's whereabouts, claiming Prince Fuying suspected Lord Gongsun, and feigned ignorance about datura.

Feng Mochen, however, revealed to Xiangjiu that he was merely testing Yuan Xiang, implying he didn't necessarily believe her or disbelieve her completely. Yuan Xiang then awkwardly offered herself to Feng Mochen, but he instead sent her off with Mao Jin to bathe a dog named Xiaofu. Separately, Le Ning expressed her fear of Feng Mochen and Mao Jin after learning they were demons.

Princess Ningshuang and Xiangjiu tried to reassure her, explaining that not all demons are harmful and some humans are far more terrifying. Ningshuang humorously tried to set up Le Ning with Mao Jin, but Le Ning confessed her affection for Attendant Bai Yu instead. Reflecting on her own relationship with Feng Mochen, Xiangjiu felt his sudden coldness, which Feng Mochen explained was his usual demeanor.

However, in an earlier conversation with Bai Yu, Feng Mochen had admitted to deliberately distancing himself from Xiangjiu to spare her the pain of his impending disappearance due to a shortened life cycle, despite her unwavering kindness. The next day, as Song Lian, Xiangjiu, and Princess Ningshuang attempted to leave the palace in Ningshuang's palanquin, they were stopped by guards who demanded the Emperor's token.

Princess Ningshuang was ready to force her way out, but the Emperor, after a conversation with Feng Mochen where Feng Mochen reminded him of his past righteousness, decided to let Song Lian go. He sent a message to Song Lian through his chief steward, conveying simply, "May the rest of your life be well." Outside the palace, Song Lian was reunited with Gongsun Hao, who expressed gratitude to Xiangjiu for her help and vowed not to repeat past mistakes.

However, their joy was short-lived when Gongsun Hao's father, Lord Gongsun Weigui, appeared. Enraged that his son was abandoning a promising marriage to Princess Ningshuang and their family's hard-won status, Lord Gongsun confronted them. He recounted how their family had risen from humble beginnings to their current position and accused Song Lian of seducing his son.

He then chillingly revealed that he was the one who drugged Prince Fuying, orchestrating Song Lian's rape to sever her ties with Gongsun Hao and prevent their union, also revealing that Song Lian's brother had brought Prince Fuying to her door. Upon hearing his father's confession, Gongsun Hao, wounded and despairing, unexpectedly plunged a dagger into his own abdomen. As he lay bleeding, Le Ning rushed to get a doctor.

Song Lian, distressed by the situation and unwilling to further implicate Gongsun Hao, decided to return to the palace. Observing these events, Feng Mochen remarked on the strangeness of Song Lian always ending up back in the palace, suggesting that someone was manipulating events to keep her there. Shortly after, Mao Jin, after a thorough search of the Eastern Palace garden at Feng Mochen's instruction, discovered a withered datura plant.

They determined it was not a transplanted mature flower but had grown naturally from a dropped seed, indicating accidental planting and lack of care. Mao Jin then sensed a strange smell beneath the soil and dug, uncovering clothes belonging to Xiangjiu's father. Feng Mochen then smelled another scent on the clothes, identifying it as Gongsun Hao's. Later that night, Gongsun Hao, injured but with a sinister grin, confronted his father, Gongsun Weigui.

He revealed his true ambition: the child Song Lian was carrying was his, not Prince Fuying's. He meticulously detailed his plan to exploit the situation, ensuring his child, a supposed royal heir, would eventually ascend the position of City Lord, thus elevating the Gongsun family to ultimate power in his generation.

He proudly stated that his planned "failed suicide attempt" and his father's anticipated "self-sacrifice" (implied through the father's actions and Gongsun Hao's manipulation) would ensure Song Lian, out of guilt, would raise their child to become the City Lord. He declared that he had learned the lesson of ruthlessness, "each generation must be more ruthless than the last," perfectly, having been taught by his father.

Gongsun Hao, embodying his father's ruthlessness but despising his indecisiveness, revealed the depths of his calculated plot to his father, Gongsun Wugui. He confessed that he had orchestrated the Princess Consort's earlier miscarriage because she was carrying Prince Fuying's child, stating, "How could she carry someone else's child?" He detailed his grand scheme for the Gongsun family's ascension, explaining that allowing Princess Consort to marry Prince Fuying, despite her violation, was essential for his child to eventually inherit the throne.

After recounting how his staged suicide would make the kind-hearted Princess Consort feel immense guilt, prompting her to raise their child to become Emperor, thus bringing the Gongsun family to its pinnacle, Gongsun Hao proclaimed to his father, "You've always taught me that each generation must be crueler than the last. I. . . did it." With chilling resolve, he then personally killed his own father, a patricide that was witnessed by Feng Mochen.

Feng Mochen confronted Gongsun Hao, accusing him of being more vicious than expected, even using demon magic and arrogantly disregarding proper entrances. Gongsun Hao scoffed at the idea of his patricide being exposed, asking, "Who would ever believe it?" He revealed his extensive knowledge of Feng Mochen's identity as a Nine-Tailed Fox and the divine rule that if a cultivating demon kills recklessly, its power would be completely dissipated, its body and soul perishing.

While Feng Mochen acknowledged he couldn't kill Gongsun Hao without facing destruction, he threatened to ruin him. Feng Mochen then realized Gongsun Hao's connection to the Bai Clan of Bronze County's magic, hinting at Gongsun Hao's own mastery. Gongsun Hao merely taunted Feng Mochen with his surprise. He proposed a "deal": if Feng Mochen refrained from meddling in his "family matters" with Princess Consort, Huo Xiangjiu would remain safe after Feng Mochen ascended to immortality.

Feng Mochen countered that Gongsun Hao had dragged them into this mess. Gongsun Hao reiterated his ambition, explaining that if Prince Fuying fell, his son wouldn't inherit the throne. He then brazenly admitted to lying to Princess Consort about taking her away, claiming it was necessary to secure her affection and trust. Feng Mochen called Gongsun Hao despicable, a compliment Gongsun Hao proudly accepted. Feng Mochen then pressed for the whereabouts of Huo Xiangjiu's father, suspecting Gongsun Hao's obstruction.

Gongsun Hao chillingly revealed his full treachery: he had obtained datura from Princess Ningshuang and put it in Princess Consort's teacup to cause a miscarriage when she was pregnant with Prince Fuying's child. Huo Xiangjiu's father had unfortunately witnessed this act and also seen Gongsun Hao meeting secretly with Princess Consort, leading to his murder.

Gongsun Hao admitted to tearing pages from the Ganquan Register to hide any record of Huo Xiangjiu's father meeting the Emperor and explained that the buried datura seeds had grown, revealing the location of the bloodstained garments. He refused to disclose the body's location, explaining his calculation: Huo Xiangjiu had a fiery temper, and learning the truth would lead her to seek revenge, resulting in her brutal death—a consequence he was prepared to exploit to keep Feng Mochen at bay.

Daring Feng Mochen to kill him and face destruction, Gongsun Hao added that his death would immediately lead to Huo Xiangjiu's murder, concluding with a taunt: "You're a fox, I'm human. What makes you think you can fight me? Huo Xiangjiu really is a good card. I must hold on to this card tight." Feng Mochen, enraged but bound by the threat to Huo Xiangjiu, was forced to retreat. Huo Xiangjiu, clutching her father's bloodstained garments, wept inconsolably.

Princess Consort, upon seeing the clothes, vaguely remembered a similar garment and recalled encountering an old man two years prior while secretly meeting Gongsun Hao. At the time, Gongsun Hao had assured her he had safely sent the man out of the palace. Distraught by the possibility that Gongsun Hao had lied, especially after Huo Xiangjiu revealed the clothes belonged to her father, Princess Consort promised to help find him.

However, Huo Xiangjiu despaired, lamenting that Princess Consort would believe Gongsun Hao no matter what. Princess Consort then made a shocking confession: the child she was carrying was, in fact, Gongsun Hao's, conceived during a drunken night at Ningshuang Palace. This profound revelation prompted Huo Xiangjiu to propose a plan to test Gongsun Hao's true nature, and Princess Consort reluctantly agreed.

Princess Consort and Huo Xiangjiu confronted Gongsun Hao, with Huo Xiangjiu presenting the bloodstained garments, asserting one belonged to her father and one to Gongsun Hao. Gongsun Hao initially denied recognizing them. When Princess Consort reminded him of the old man who witnessed their secret meeting two years ago, Gongsun Hao affirmed he had sent him out of the palace with money, feigning surprise when told the man was Huo Xiangjiu's father.

He maintained his innocence and fabricated a story, claiming his own father had just committed "suicide" after discovering his plans to elope with Princess Consort. Gongsun Hao emotionally manipulated Princess Consort, suggesting his father's death was her fault and expressing heartbreak that she would doubt his love. Unconvinced, Huo Xiangjiu furiously demanded to know her father's whereabouts. When Gongsun Hao continued to deny any knowledge, Huo Xiangjiu desperately threatened Princess Consort with a dagger.

Gongsun Hao, initially disbelieving, grew concerned for the child, stating to Princess Consort, "You and the child are one and the same. By caring for the child, am I not caring for you as well?" He then roughly pushed Huo Xiangjiu away, but Feng Mochen, who had just arrived, quickly caught her. Feng Mochen, having witnessed enough of Gongsun Hao's manipulative charade and with Huo Xiangjiu pleading for the truth, disregarded Gongsun Hao's warnings and revealed everything to Princess Consort.

He exposed Gongsun Hao as the killer of Huo Xiangjiu's father. He further detailed how Gongsun Hao had deliberately orchestrated Princess Consort's violation and subsequent marriage to Prince Fuying to position his own child for the throne. When Princess Consort had become pregnant with Prince Fuying's child, Gongsun Hao had poisoned her tea with datura to induce a miscarriage. Huo Xiangjiu's father had witnessed these heinous acts, sealing his own fate.

Feng Mochen added that Gongsun Hao had even staged his own father's "suicide" to evoke Princess Consort's guilt and further his agenda. Princess Consort, horrified, called Gongsun Hao a monster. A distraught Huo Xiangjiu screamed at Feng Mochen for not killing Gongsun Hao, overwhelmed by the loss of her entire family. Gongsun Hao frantically attempted to discredit Feng Mochen, labeling him a cunning fox.

Princess Consort, now fully seeing through Gongsun Hao's facade, confronted him, asking if he had always intended to use her. Gongsun Hao attempted to justify his actions as love and sacrifice for their future, claiming his suffering was greater than hers. However, Princess Consort understood the depth of his betrayal. She acknowledged his "suffering" with bitter irony and, with a sudden, tragic motion, stabbed herself with a dagger.

With her dying breath, she condemned him, declaring, "You killed your own child with your own hands. You'll never get what you want." As Princess Consort lay dead, Feng Mochen swiftly escaped with a devastated Huo Xiangjiu. In the immediate aftermath, Gongsun Hao shamelessly lied, shouting for guards and framing Feng Mochen and Huo Xiangjiu for Princess Consort's murder.

Prince Fuying, distraught by the loss of another child, was manipulated by Gongsun Hao into believing Feng Mochen and Huo Xiangjiu were responsible for "ending his bloodline" and also killed his father. Prince Fuying, along with a guard, expressed conviction that Feng Mochen was a fox demon who had "bewitched His Majesty," announcing that half of the imperial guards were now under their control and vowing to usher in a new, prosperous era.

Elsewhere, Princess Consort's brother, lamenting the death of his sister and the loss of his wealth, also fell for Gongsun Hao's lies and swore to "kill your entire family" in revenge against Huo Xiangjiu. Meanwhile, at Ganquan Palace, the Emperor was informed of Princess Consort's death. He was filled with remorse, admitting his own selfishness in forcing her marriage rather than granting her freedom.

When Gongsun Hao and Prince Fuying's guards intruded, claiming to "protect His Majesty" from Feng Mochen and Huo Xiangjiu, the Emperor grew suspicious. He demanded to see Prince Fuying and Gongsun Hao's father. Gongsun Hao evaded, claiming Prince Fuying was busy apprehending the culprits and falsely stating Feng Mochen had also killed his father. The Emperor, connecting the dots that Gongsun Hao was the sole witness to both Gongsun Wugui's and Princess Consort's deaths, grimly realized, "I've misjudged.

Gongsun Hao, you are the one who's truly ruthless." Feng Mochen led Huo Xiangjiu to the illusory Flower Woods, a barrier realm he created, where she wished to bury her father. Bai Yu, recognizing Gongsun Hao's use of Bai Clan of Bronze County magic, identified him as a former, disgraced disciple of his father, calling him a "disgrace to our clan" and vowing revenge for Huo Xiangjiu's father.

Shortly after, Gongsun Hao confronted Bai Yu, attempting to coerce him into revealing the incantation to Feng Mochen's barrier. Gongsun Hao offered Bai Yu a deal: help eliminate Feng Mochen, and he would deliver Huo Xiangjiu safely to Bai Yu, promising that once Gongsun Hao held power, he would posthumously confer the title of Imperial Advisor on Bai Yu's father, thus bringing glory to the Bai Clan of Bronze County.

Inside the barrier, a despairing Huo Xiangjiu questioned Feng Mochen's belief that "good deeds would bring good fortune," citing her father's tragic death while the villains thrived. She argued for selfishness and indifference. Feng Mochen, however, reassured her. He acknowledged the existence of good people suffering and evil people prospering but emphasized these were exceptions, not the rule.

He affirmed that helping those in need requires immense courage and firmly stated, "As long as sunlight still shines upon this vast land for even one day, the Way of Heaven will never stand on the side of evil." Huo Xiangjiu, grasping for hope, asked if the Way of Heaven truly stood with them. Feng Mochen vowed to prove to her that "evil people never come to a good end" and that her and her father's beliefs in justice were always right.

Bai Yu, having previously confronted Gongsun Hao and recognized his own inferiority, ventured into Feng Mochen’s illusion realm. He urged Feng Mochen to swiftly depart with Huo Xiangjiu, reminding him that Huo Xiangjiu was his designated ferryman, and failure to ascend would result in endless torment. However, observing Huo Xiangjiu’s distress, Feng Mochen decided it was not the moment to flee. He asserted his determination to eliminate Gongsun Hao, who he deemed a menace.

Bai Yu cautioned Feng Mochen about Gongsun Hao's formidable power, which surpassed even his own father's, and the existing warrant for Huo Xiangjiu's arrest, but Feng Mochen remained resolute, believing the outcome of a struggle was unknown until attempted. Simultaneously, Bai Yu met with Gongsun Hao, relaying information about Feng Mochen’s impending tribulation, a time when Feng Mochen would be at his weakest.

Skeptical of Bai Yu's intentions, Gongsun Hao demanded Feng Mochen's barrier incantation as a token of allegiance, which Bai Yu provided, hoping it would safeguard Huo Xiangjiu. Meanwhile, Mao Jin discovered that Le Ning was his fated ferryman. He had long pondered when he would encounter the person destined to help him ascend to immortality, and their serendipitous meeting filled him with joy, as his own first tribulation was fast approaching.

Le Ning, after Mao Jin revealed Feng Mochen's imminent and painful tribulation, initially agreed to ferry Feng Mochen. However, Feng Mochen interrupted, insisting that Mao Jin should prioritize his own ascent. Feng Mochen explained that his own ability to concentrate would be hindered by having more people he cared about remaining in the mortal realm.

He then delivered his final command as Mao Jin’s master, expressing gratitude for centuries of loyal companionship and urging Mao Jin to fulfill his dream of guarding the South Heavenly Gate. Before his rescue attempt, Feng Mochen also visited the City Lord, a sagacious ruler who had preemptively drafted an abdication edict due to the escalating power of Prince Fuying and Gongsun Hao. The City Lord confirmed his intention to publicly disavow the edict when it was proclaimed.

Recognizing Feng Mochen’s monumental task, the City Lord encouraged him to proceed, assuring him that if Feng Mochen could purge the court of evil influences, he would reclaim his throne. The City Lord also expressed his deep appreciation for Feng Mochen's unwavering support through countless hardships. As Feng Mochen ventured to rescue Huo Xiangjiu, Gongsun Hao sprung his trap. Using the barrier incantation he had obtained, Gongsun Hao infiltrated Feng Mochen's illusion realm and abducted Huo Xiangjiu.

When Feng Mochen confronted him, Gongsun Hao, using Huo Xiangjiu as a hostage, cruelly forced Feng Mochen to crawl into a formidable black iron cage—a place Feng Mochen had once feared. To spare Huo Xiangjiu from further harm, Feng Mochen endured the humiliation, entering the cage. With Le Ning's assistance, Mao Jin successfully completed his ascension. As they parted ways, both were overcome with emotion, their eyes welling with tears.

At the morning court, Prince Fuying, encouraged by Gongsun Hao, attempted to compel the City Lord to publicly read the abdication edict. To legitimize his takeover, Gongsun Hao presented Feng Mochen in the black iron cage, falsely claiming he had captured a Nine-Tailed Fox demon destined to undergo its tribulation that very day. When the covering was removed, the ministers were bewildered to see Lord Feng confined within.

Gongsun Hao then expounded on the nature of tribulations, describing them as Heaven's punishment for demons who cultivate human emotions and defy the natural order, enduring relentless lightning strikes and scorching flames. He asserted that this particular Nine-Tailed Fox's tribulation cycle had become a daily ordeal, a rare event occurring only "once in a thousand years." As thunder boomed overhead, Feng Mochen in the cage writhed in excruciating pain with each strike, appearing as if pierced by a thousand arrows.

The startled ministers, recognizing their Lord but intimidated by Gongsun Hao's authority, dared not speak out. Huo Xiangjiu, witnessing Feng Mochen's agony, finally understood that his suffering was due to his emotional attachment to the mortal world, and that he had silently borne immense burdens to protect her. Gongsun Hao, enjoying his cruel spectacle, ordered Feng Mochen's cage to be hoisted atop the city gate, ensuring the daily torment was visible to all.

As he mockingly placed his hand on the cage, gloating over Feng Mochen’s lightning-scarred body, Bai Yu seized the opportune moment. Working as part of a secret plan with Feng Mochen to "set things right," Bai Yu performed a powerful soul-exchange technique, swapping Feng Mochen's and Gongsun Hao's physical bodies and spirits. Now trapped in the cage, the real Gongsun Hao, in Feng Mochen's body, furiously condemned Bai Yu's perceived betrayal.

Bai Yu retorted that he chose to live differently from his father, refusing to be defined by his past. Now inhabiting Gongsun Hao's body, Feng Mochen dramatically announced his presence to the bewildered court. He confiscated the edict Prince Fuying intended to use for abdication, and instead proclaimed an "Edict to Depose the Prince."

The edict condemned Prince Fuying as a man of hidden cruelty, unfilial to his gravely ill father, abusive towards his wife (the late Princess Consort Song Lian), and guilty of treasonous plotting. It declared him unfit for leadership and, out of a merciful consideration for their father-son bond, sentenced him to end his own life. As Prince Fuying was apprehended, he desperately tried to blame Gongsun Hao (now in the cage).

The City Lord, having observed the unfolding events and finally seeing the truth, gravely reminded his son of his earlier advice on knowing one's place and self-governance, regretting that Prince Fuying had squandered his chances. Next, Feng Mochen (in Gongsun Hao's body) stunned the court by confessing to Gongsun Hao's true crimes: the murder of his own father, Gongsun Wugui, and the Princess Consort Song Lian, as well as misleading Prince Fuying and sowing chaos in the court.

He offered to atone with his life. Amidst the pandemonium of the horrified ministers, Feng Mochen (in Gongsun Hao's body) calmly proceeded to release Huo Xiangjiu from the cage. The court erupted in chaos, with officials making various excuses to flee the scene, while Gongsun Hao (in Feng Mochen's body), still trapped, furiously declared that he and Feng Mochen would die together.

With Feng Mochen and Gongsun Hao's bodies swapped, Gongsun Hao, now inhabiting Feng Mochen's form, stubbornly held a knife to Huoxiangjiu's neck. He cruelly asked if she knew what her father had said before he died. Her father, in his last moments, had pleaded with Gongsun Hao to inform the City Lord about the tyrannical Young Master Gao and the corrupt magistrate in Bronze County, hoping for justice for the people.

Huoxiangjiu, tears streaming down her face, realized her father's selflessness. Gongsun Hao, who had always indulged in wickedness, could not comprehend such genuine kindness. Huoxiangjiu retorted that her father sought peace of mind and the ability to sleep soundly, a concept a venal person like Gongsun Hao would never understand. She asserted that one should never mock those who help others in need, as the world required more people like her father and fewer like Gongsun Hao.

Unmoved, Gongsun Hao simply stated he was "almost moved." Huoxiangjiu then desperately begged him to reveal where her father's body was buried. He chillingly responded by asking if she had heard of "corpse-dissolving liquid," confirming there was nothing left of her father's remains. Overwhelmed by anger and hatred, Huoxiangjiu lunged at Gongsun Hao, intending to kill him. Feng Mochen, whose soul was now in Gongsun Hao's body, swiftly intervened to prevent her from taking such a risk.

Enraged, Feng Mochen broke free from his confinement, determined to personally eliminate Gongsun Hao. Gongsun Hao, in Feng Mochen's original body, taunted him, reminding Feng Mochen that as a cultivator, taking a life would lead to the complete destruction of his body and soul. He further claimed that such a fate did not apply to "mortals" like himself, who could simply put down their butcher's knife and attain Buddhahood.

Suddenly, Mao Jin, who was on the verge of ascending and had sensed his master's peril, appeared. Rushing to Feng Mochen's aid, Mao Jin sacrificed himself by killing Gongsun Hao, suffering a devastating backlash that caused him to collapse. Feng Mochen held his dying companion, as Mao Jin, with a smile, reaffirmed his identity as a "loyal dog." Feng Mochen, his eyes red with grief, recalled Mao Jin's dream of guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate with Lord Howling Celestial Dog.

Mao Jin, in his final breaths, gently corrected him, saying, "You're. . . my Southern Heavenly Gate," suggesting Feng Mochen himself was the master he truly wished to protect. Before passing, Mao Jin also conveyed to Bai Yu that Feng Mochen had never killed Bai Yu's ancestors, dispelling a long-held grudge. Feng Mochen tenderly called Mao Jin his family. After the demise of Prince Fuying and Gongsun Hao, the City Lord diligently governed, bringing peace to the realm.

Le Ning stepped into Mao Jin's role, preparing Feng Mochen's daily meals. Feng Mochen, still in Gongsun Hao's body, offered comfort to Le Ning, reminding her that "every meeting is a prelude to a parting." He speculated that Mao Jin was peaceful when he left and would want his friends and family to live in peace and happiness. Le Ning expressed her sorrow, lamenting the suddenness of the parting and wishing she had cherished their final moments more.

Feng Mochen advised her that partings often come unexpectedly, emphasizing the importance of cherishing worthy individuals. Before Le Ning departed, Feng Mochen entrusted Huoxiangjiu to her care. Le Ning promised to look after Huoxiangjiu, whom she considered a sister. Feng Mochen then subtly revealed his ancient knowledge by asking Le Ning if her family name was Cao, even knowing about an ancestor named Cao Yuan, a detail he admitted to having gleaned from her family tree.

He then requested to dine alone. Huoxiangjiu, having witnessed Feng Mochen's suffering, knew that his continued presence in the mortal world would subject him to daily tribulations. Realizing the immense pain he endured, she resolved to help him ascend, despite her reluctance to let him go. To sever his attachments to the human realm, she decided to stage a feigned romance with Bai Yu.

She confronted Feng Mochen, who had chosen not to ascend, and pretended to be uninterested in a future with a fox, claiming she never intended to spend her life with him and found him frightening. Feng Mochen argued that enduring tribulations wasn't so painful and questioned why a love spanning "every lifetime" wouldn't be the "greatest blessing in the world," something he only dared to dream of.

Huoxiangjiu maintained her act, stating that "love that lasts a lifetime" was already rare enough and that they should view each other as mere "passersby." When Le Ning announced that food was ready, Huoxiangjiu, in a theatrical display, chided Bai Yu for his disheveled attire and playfully demanded he carry her, all to convince Feng Mochen that she had moved on. Later, Ningshuang sought out Bai Yu, having overheard his declaration of love for Huoxiangjiu.

Bai Yu confessed his lifelong affection for Huoxiangjiu and his confusion as to why she never reciprocated. Ningshuang, recognizing that Bai Yu's past attempts to win her favor were merely a means to gain her help with Huoxiangjiu, decided to release her own unrequited feelings. She concluded that love was but one "limb" of life; its loss was painful but not fatal. Offering a broader life philosophy to Bai Yu, she encouraged embracing love boldly and parting without regret.

Ningshuang then bid farewell to Bai Yu, stating their paths should diverge. Knowing their time together was precious and limited, Huoxiangjiu joined Feng Mochen for a meal, leaning against him. She prompted him to recount the stories of his six previous lives with her, insisting he tell them all. He described their first meeting thousands of years ago when he was a little white fox, captured by a hunter but cared for by his kind daughter.

In subsequent lives, he watched over her son, only to return to find her aged. He recalled another life where she was an uneducated but clever girl who, despite inheriting a city lord's position, fell in love with an enemy city lord and found happiness together with his secret help.

He recounted a life where she was a noble princess, sacrificing her own happiness by agreeing to a political marriage for the sake of her people, with Feng Mochen serving as the escorting envoy. As he spoke, Huoxiangjiu was moved to tears. Thunder rumbled, signaling the impending tribulation. Huoxiangjiu, seeing Feng Mochen's renewed suffering, urged him to focus so she could help him ascend.

Feng Mochen, however, distracted, confessed that he had tried to avoid their seventh meeting, fearing he wouldn't be able to leave her again, but when he saw her, he couldn't let go. Huoxiangjiu, ignoring his words, began to chant a powerful incantation for his ascension. Huoxiangjiu's previous six lives also gathered to assist Feng Mochen in his ascension.

As Feng Mochen's past lives flashed before him, including memories of Huoxiangjiu (as a young girl) freeing him from a cage and wishing he were human, then naming him "Feng Mochen," and a divine being later exchanging his 500 years of cultivation for her life while erasing her memories of him. Other lives showed her exhausting her cultivation to become human, and a dream of living a simple mortal life with her.

Huoxiangjiu cried out his name as the tribulation intensified, passionately chanting for his ascension. He, in turn, remembered her words about "love that lasts every lifetime" being the greatest blessing. With the combined power of their deep love and the assistance of her previous lives, she helped him ascend. Feng Mochen, having protected Huoxiangjiu through seven lifetimes, now ascended, freeing him from further suffering and fulfilling their destiny. He ascended with a smile on his face.

Upon reaching the celestial realm, Feng Mochen defied the divine beings. He stated that his cultivation was never for immortality, and in his eyes, immortals were utterly worthless. The immortals, enraged by his insolence, accused him of taking the immortal realm as "child's play" and showing "no respect for the higher immortals."

Feng Mochen retorted that since they cared nothing for mortal suffering—when the weak were bullied, the sick suffered, parents lost children, and the evil oppressed the good—they were indeed "utterly worthless." The immortals deemed him unworthy of joining their ranks. Feng Mochen agreed, stating he desired only to be an "ordinary person," spending a short human life of a few decades with his beloved, which would bring him contentment.

The immortals challenged him, telling him that if he truly wished to be human, he must descend into Avici Hell, where he would endure continuous tribulation for hundreds or thousands of years until he could become human again. Without hesitation, Feng Mochen accepted, walking into Avici Hell, willing to suffer for the chance to truly meet and love Huoxiangjiu as a human.

Many years later, in the modern world, Feng Mochen's journey culminated in a joyful reunion with Huoxiangjiu, Bai Yu, Le Ning, and Mao Jin, as they completed their cycles of reincarnation. They met as children, growing up together through elementary and middle school. One day, Feng Mochen, dressed as a nine-tailed fox for a school play, teased Huoxiangjiu about fairy tales being lies.

She questioned why he would play a nine-tailed fox if he didn't believe in them, to which he playfully replied, "To make them believe I'm still a child." Later, Le Ning and Huoxiangjiu went to deliver food to a dog named Mao, to the annoyance of a boy named Mao Jin, who complained they kept naming the dog after him. Their happy, intertwined lives, continuing through generations, finally found their fulfillment in the modern age.