Young Blood Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Young Blood Synopsis
During the Qingli period, the Northern Song Dynasty, in order to avoid war and maintain peace and stability among various ethnic groups, trained young spies under the name of the "Secret Court ".
After a rigorous selection and vetting process, six youths - the intelligent Yuan Zhongxin, the beautiful and clever Zhao Jian, the never-killing Xiaojing, the never-lying Wang Kuan, the unsociable Xue Ying, and the cheerful Wei Yanei - formed the "Seventh Team of Secret Court ".
After a series of dangerous missions related, the once young and ignorant youths grow up and unite with each other, using their passion and loyalty to defend peace and eliminate the disasters of the Song Dynasty.
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Young Blood Recap
Episode 1 Recap
During the Qingli era of the Song Dynasty, the Song empire was locked in a prolonged and relentless conflict with the Kingdom of Xia and the Liao Dynasty. In the early years of this era, Xia troops launched an invasion, prompting the Song Frontier Army to valiantly defend their homeland. A critical turning point in this war was the Battle of Qichuan Village, where the Song Frontier Army was ambushed by Xia forces and suffered a devastating defeat.
Despite the valiant efforts of soldiers like Yuan Boqi, hailed as a God of War of the Frontier Army, who fought to the death to inspire morale and protect the country, individual bravery could not stem the tide of battle. The Song army was almost entirely annihilated at Qichuan Village.
Following this catastrophic loss, Song and Xia agreed to a truce, but the profound suspicion and animosity born from the battle continued to fester in the shadows, finally erupting two years later in Kaifeng. In Kaifeng, Liang Zhu, an officer of the Xuanwu Army under the Palace Division, was tasked with arresting Yuan Boqi.
Liang Zhu accused Yuan Boqi of involvement in Minister Fan's unauthorized alteration of the peace negotiation document two years prior, a crime now exposed, given that Yuan Boqi was a general under Minister Fan. Liang Zhu, having heard of Yuan Boqi's exceptional swordsmanship at Qichuan Village, challenged him to demonstrate it publicly, but Yuan Boqi refused, stating his skills were irrelevant to the current situation.
Liang Zhu pressed on, questioning how Yuan Boqi alone survived the Qichuan Village disaster where the entire army was wiped out, suggesting that Xia troops might have intentionally spared him. Yuan Boqi merely attributed his survival to luck. Seeing Yuan Boqi's unyielding demeanor, Liang Zhu ordered him confined to his residence. Simultaneously, Liang Zhu sought out Yuan Boqi's younger brother, Yuan Zhongxin, at the Imperial College.
Yuan Zhongxin, known for his mischievous nature, attempted to deny his identity, but the upright scholar Wang Kuan, his roommate, promptly identified him to Liang Zhu. Liang Zhu took Yuan Zhongxin to Yuan Boqi’s mansion, but Wang Kuan was barred from entering, despite following them. Inside, Yuan Zhongxin was shocked to see his brother Yuan Boqi bruised and battered, yet he maintained his usual carefree attitude.
Liang Zhu accused Yuan Boqi of treason and urged Yuan Zhongxin to disclose the real reason for his brother's survival at Qichuan. Yuan Zhongxin, however, feigned estrangement from Yuan Boqi, claiming they had always been at odds. He offered to provide false testimony, even fabricate evidence of collaboration with Liao or Xia, if Liang Zhu would help him imprison Yuan Boqi for life, thus allowing Yuan Zhongxin to inherit the Yuan family's wealth.
Disgusted by Yuan Zhongxin's apparent avarice and lack of familial loyalty, Liang Zhu dismissed him from the mansion. Upon returning to the Imperial College, Yuan Zhongxin was informed by Officer Zhang that he had been expelled, fearing he would bring trouble to the institution.
Wang Kuan, known for his integrity, argued against the injustice, pointing out that Yuan Zhongxin had committed no actual offense and that the expulsion was solely due to his brother’s connection to Minister Fan, whose reforms had failed. Officer Zhang remained resolute, stating it was a superior’s order from the Ministry of Rites. Yuan Zhongxin, bag in hand, resolved to rescue Yuan Boqi.
Wang Kuan, moved by the injustice, decided to assist him, proclaiming that his lifelong pursuit of integrity compelled him to act against wrongdoing. Later, in the streets, Yuan Zhongxin and Wang Kuan encountered a mysterious woman who left Yuan Zhongxin an invitation to "Ecstasy Gate" on Nanxie Street, promising to help him rescue his brother. The next day, they visited the address, finding a dilapidated building. However, as night fell, the place was miraculously transformed into a vibrant establishment.
The invitation was addressed only to Yuan Zhongxin, so Wang Kuan was refused entry at the gate. Resourceful, Wang Kuan scaled a wall into the backyard, where he met a melancholic dancer named Jing, who was distressed about her upcoming performance. Wang Kuan offered her encouraging advice, and in return, Jing directed him to the main banquet hall.
Wang Kuan found Yuan Zhongxin already at the feast, joined by Wei Yanei, the notorious scion of Grand Commandant Wei Zhuoran and one of Kaifeng's four great dandies. Wei Yanei recognized Wang Kuan and expressed his surprise at finding such a "sanctimonious" scholar in a brothel. Wang Kuan gravely explained he was there for Yuan Zhongxin. Soon after, Jing performed her dance. Following her performance, Jing approached Yuan Zhongxin to invite him upstairs.
Wei Yanei insisted on accompanying them, and Wang Kuan also decided to join the group heading up. Meanwhile, back at the Yuan residence, Liang Zhu continued to pressure Yuan Boqi to take up a sword and fight him. Yuan Boqi steadfastly refused to draw his weapon. Liang Zhu then spoke of his own younger brother, Liang Xun. Yuan Boqi, who remembered Liang Xun from Qichuan Village, was surprised to learn of their relationship.
Liang Zhu, recalling the horrific death of Liang Xun and the nine thousand other soldiers, refused to believe Yuan Boqi could have survived Qichuan Village through sheer luck alone. He was convinced Yuan Boqi was a traitor and, driven by a thirst for revenge for Liang Xun's death, vowed to personally kill Yuan Boqi.
Episode 2 Recap
After Xiao Jing led Yuan Zhongxin upstairs at the Ecstasy Gate brothel and left, a beautiful woman entered the room. She immediately addressed Yuan Zhongxin, mentioning the injustice suffered by Yuan Boqi, and stated that she had come for him, though she was surprised to find Wang Kuan and Wei Yanei also present. Wei Yanei, captivated by her beauty, began to flirt aggressively.
However, the woman quickly turned the tables, locking the three men in the room and releasing a knockout smoke, causing them to lose consciousness. They later awoke in a deserted temple. Yuan Zhongxin immediately tried to escape but found that all possible exits, including the back door and the roof, were heavily guarded. Meanwhile, Wei Yanei, still fixated on the "beauty," wondered where she and his guards had gone, assuming they had been kidnapped by bandits.
The woman then reappeared, confirming that the guards were under her command and that she and her men were secret agents from the Liao Dynasty. She told Yuan Zhongxin that Liao appreciated talent and offered to help him rescue Yuan Boqi if they pledged allegiance to Liao, promising them marquis titles. Wei Yanei vehemently refused to betray his country, vowing to kill them all.
Yuan Zhongxin pulled Wei Yanei aside, explaining to him and Wang Kuan that he intended to feign surrender. Given only a joss stick's time to decide, Yuan Zhongxin reasoned that Liao agents needed their high status for military intelligence. Therefore, they would need to return them to Kaifeng, at which point they could escape and report the Liao agents to the authorities.
Wang Kuan, known for his integrity, initially expressed hesitation about lying, but Yuan Zhongxin instructed him to remain silent and trust his plan. When the time was up, Yuan Zhongxin informed the woman that they had agreed to her terms, but insisted that Yuan Boqi must be rescued first. The woman revealed that the means to save him was already at hand.
She explained that the imperial guards who arrested Yuan Boqi were under the command of Wei Yanei's father, the Grand Commandant. Therefore, Wei Yanei's presence would be instrumental in intimidating the guards to release Yuan Boqi. However, still suspicious of Yuan Zhongxin's loyalty, she presented another challenge. She handed him a knife and ordered him to kill Wang Kuan, calling it an "oath of the outlaw."
Yuan Zhongxin took the knife, feigned a strike at Wang Kuan, and then quickly used the opportunity to seize Zhao Jian as a hostage. Shocked, Zhao Jian accused him of being heartless and asked if he had truly killed his friend for this. Yuan Zhongxin clarified that Wang Kuan was unharmed; the blood was his own, from a cut he inflicted on his palm, and Wang Kuan had simply played along.
During this exchange, Yuan Zhongxin learned her name was Zhao Jian. Unexpectedly, Wang Kuan disarmed Yuan Zhongxin and then revealed Zhao Jian's true identity: she was not from Liao, but a loyal descendant of the Zhao family and, in his eyes, his fiancée. He explained that their families had a childhood betrothal, which his father later broke due to the Zhao family's decline, but he still considered the engagement valid.
Yuan Zhongxin confronted Zhao Jian, asking why she had impersonated a Liao agent. Zhao Jian explained that her actions were a test of his character and loyalty. She revealed that Liao's secret agents would indeed seek him out, likely due to his brother Yuan Boqi. She explained that Song's intelligence network in Liao had been completely wiped out, and the Liao Emperor was personally overseeing the infiltration of many agents into Kaifeng.
Yuan Zhongxin was the bait they needed to capture these agents. If he cooperated, Yuan Boqi would be released. Yuan Zhongxin, seizing the opportunity, agreed to help, but demanded not only Yuan Boqi's release but also a payment of fifty thousand taels. Though initially outraged by the large sum, Zhao Jian reluctantly agreed, recognizing the critical importance of the mission. Meanwhile, a prominent Liao agent known as Mr. Han successfully entered Kaifeng.
After confirming Yuan Zhongxin's presence at Ecstasy Gate through an informant in a candied fruit shop, Mr. Han decided to proceed there himself. Back at Ecstasy Gate, Zhao Jian informed Wang Kuan and Wei Yanei that while they were free to leave, Yuan Zhongxin was required to stay with her and act as a loving couple, even living together as a cover. Yuan Zhongxin expressed concern about how Wang Kuan, his upright friend, would react to this charade.
However, Wang Kuan, emphasizing that "those who accomplish big things don't trip over little trifles," declared his understanding for the sake of state affairs, though he still maintained that his engagement to Zhao Jian remained valid. As Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian left Ecstasy Gate, publicly displaying affection as a new couple, they were discreetly followed by Mr. Han.
Wang Kuan, shrewdly realizing that Zhao Jian would not truly let him or Wei Yanei go freely due to the sensitive nature of the mission, decided to remain at the brothel, waiting for Xiao Jing. His intuition was correct, as moments after Wei Yanei stepped outside Ecstasy Gate, he was immediately intercepted and captured by a formidable young man, who easily overpowered Wei Yanei's guards.
Episode 3 Recap
Jing blindfolded Wang Kuan, and they prepared to leave Huanmen by cart. After realizing she had not tied the horse and almost lost it, Jing ensured Wang Kuan was properly blindfolded before they rode off. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian arrived at Tao's Hotel, where they planned to stay. Inside their single room, Zhao Jian immediately demanded Yuan Zhongxin release her hand. Yuan Zhongxin, however, flippantly complimented her beauty, claiming a false pretense of lovers was becoming real.
Zhao Jian pressed for details on their mission, asking if the hotel was filled with his people. Yuan Zhongxin confirmed that all the staff were imperial guards, assuring her that no Liao secret agent would dare step inside. Zhao Jian, heavily armed with hidden crossbows, set strict rules: Yuan Zhongxin was forbidden from approaching her at night and had to sleep fully clothed. She warned that she might "accidentally" kill him in her sleep, claiming to know his past deeds.
Yuan Zhongxin retorted playfully, but acknowledged her deep distrust. The following morning, Yuan Zhongxin argued that Mr. Han, the Liao agent, would not fall for the obvious ambush at the hotel due to the excessive number of hidden imperial guards. He suggested reducing the visible ambushes and going out more frequently to lower Mr. Han's guard and give him a chance to approach.
Zhao Jian, however, confidently believed their precise deployment was undetectable by the Liao agents, but ultimately agreed to go out to lure the agent. At the same time, Xue Ying, a strong young man, apprehended Wei Yanei. Wei Yanei repeatedly questioned his captor and his location, but Xue Ying remained silent, only holding his knife, refusing to let Wei Yanei move.
Frustrated, Wei Yanei dared Xue Ying to kill him, then angrily threw an object after his fingertip was cut by the knife. Xue Ying remained impassive and still. Later, Jing gently escorted Wang Kuan into the same room, expressing surprise at Xue Ying's bleeding forehead. With their task complete, Jing and Xue Ying departed, leaving Wang Kuan and Wei Yanei behind. Once alone, Wei Yanei questioned Wang Kuan about his arrival, feeling unjustly treated compared to Wang Kuan's gentle escort.
He complained about Xue Ying hurting him. Wang Kuan dismissed his injury as merely broken skin and seemed unconcerned, which further angered Wei Yanei, who brought up the enmity between their fathers. Wang Kuan, however, claimed he didn't care about their fathers' feud. Wei Yanei then suggested they try to escape. Suddenly, an elder, Lu Guannian, emerged from behind a bookshelf. He revealed he knew Wei Yanei's father, Grand Commandant Wei Zhuoran.
Lu Guannian then challenged them to identify their location, promising their freedom if they succeeded. Wei Yanei, having been blindfolded, declared it impossible. Wang Kuan, however, had mentally tracked their journey, detailing the streets and landmarks they passed, correctly identifying their location as the Imperial Palace, specifically Chongwen Academy. He further impressed Lu Guannian by deducing the exact academy through the presence of rare and unique texts, like Zhang Sui's Dayan Calendar drafts and Sun Simiao's Medical Science Teachings.
Lu Guannian introduced himself as the temporary head of the Secret Repository. He explained that the Privy Council and Central Secretariat were establishing a unique college, named Secret Repository, to recruit exceptional young people from across the state. He elaborated on the rising threats from the Northern Liao and Xia, stating that the Secret Repository's mission was to covertly eliminate dangers and bring stability to the Song Dynasty.
Wang Kuan, deeply moved, agreed to join immediately, willingly sacrificing his future official career and his position at the Imperial College to serve the state. Wei Yanei, upon learning the academy was co-educational, excitedly decided to join as well. Lu Guannian confirmed that Jing, who escorted Wang Kuan, was a member, and also confirmed Zhao Jian's membership. Responding to Wang Kuan's inquiry, Lu Guannian explained that Yuan Zhongxin's potential enrollment remained controversial due to his private contacts.
Lu Guannian also advised Zhao Jian to listen to Yuan Zhongxin's words upon his return, neither believing him too much nor doubting him too much, and to base her plans on his. As they walked through the bustling streets, Zhao Jian reiterated the importance of staying together for security and instructed Yuan Zhongxin to invite any contact back to the hotel.
Yuan Zhongxin, however, found an opportunity to shake off Zhao Jian, then used a large character poster, writing "I'm here," to signal his presence. Mr. Han, the Liao secret agent, appeared, recognizing Yuan Zhongxin's deliberate act. Yuan Zhongxin led Mr. Han through Kaifeng, introducing various local delicacies and the city's vibrant culture, eventually guiding him to a more secluded area at Zhoubei Market. Here, Yuan Zhongxin revealed Zhao Jian's plan to capture Mr. Han at the hotel.
Mr. Han then offered to help Yuan Zhongxin save his brother, Yuan Boqi, if Yuan Zhongxin persuaded him to defect to Liao. Yuan Zhongxin refused this, instead proposing a different deal: he would not capture Mr. Han, but instead, for ten thousand guan, he would bring Zhao Jian to Mr. Han the next day for capture.
Yuan Zhongxin argued that Zhao Jian, a young woman who commanded imperial guards, must possess significant intelligence vital to Liao, and even suggested how he could avoid implication by providing scapegoats to the Song court. Despite Mr. Han's initial hesitation and concerns about the cost and potential trap, Yuan Zhongxin's persuasive arguments about mutually beneficial cooperation and his ability to save his brother and provide intelligence in the future swayed him. Mr. Han agreed to the deal.
Later, Yuan Zhongxin met with an old man, revealing that the full scheme involved a total of sixty thousand guan. He offered the old man a fifty-fifty split, but the old man, asserting his indispensability, demanded all sixty thousand guan for himself. Meanwhile, Zhao Jian reported back to Lu Guannian at the Secret Repository, informing him of Yuan Zhongxin's "escape" during their outing. She expressed concern that he might flee Kaifeng.
Lu Guannian, however, was unfazed, believing Yuan Zhongxin's obstinate nature meant he wouldn't truly run away yet. He wanted to observe Yuan Zhongxin's actions. Yuan Zhongxin returned to the hotel, bringing food for Zhao Jian. He claimed he had tried to leave Kaifeng but was stalked by someone he believed to be the Liao agent, forcing him to return for safety.
Zhao Jian, remembering Lu Guannian's advice to listen but not fully trust Yuan Zhongxin, agreed to accompany him again the next day to discern his true intentions. The following day, Yuan Zhongxin took Zhao Jian back to the Zhoubei Market, the agreed-upon meeting place with Mr. Han. As planned, Yuan Zhongxin drugged Zhao Jian, and Mr. Han appeared, confirming her unconscious state. Mr. Han then paid Yuan Zhongxin ten thousand guan and handed over a land deed.
Zhao Jian soon awoke, furious, and accused Yuan Zhongxin of betraying the Song Dynasty. Yuan Zhongxin, enraged by her accusation, attempted to stab her, but Mr. Han intervened, restraining him. Unbeknownst to them, Wang Kuan and Wei Yanei, accompanied by Xue Ying, were brought to Zhoubei Market. Jing informed Wang Kuan that Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin's disappearance was to lure the enemy, and Lu Guannian had tasked their Seventh Chamber with finding them.
The Secret Repository academy was divided into ten chambers, and the five of them—Wang Kuan, Wei Yanei, Xue Ying, Jing, and Zhao Jian—were all members of the Seventh Chamber. Suddenly, Mr. Han received news that their market operations were sealed by imperial guards, and all his people were arrested. He immediately suspected Yuan Zhongxin of double-crossing him. Zhao Jian, seizing the moment, demanded Mr. Han kill Yuan Zhongxin, promising her full cooperation and intelligence in return.
Yuan Zhongxin, with a defiant shrug, suggested he could instead kill Mr. Han and reconcile with Zhao Jian. At that tense moment, a knocking sound was heard at the door, and when Mr. Han's subordinate opened it, he was shocked to find a puppet standing outside.
Episode 4 Recap
Wang Kuan and his companions grew suspicious that the street performers at Zhoubei Fair might be Liao agents, prompting them to investigate the government archives for their origins. Pei Jing, a member of Secret Repository, reported back to Wang Kuan, Xue Ying, and Wei Yanei that imperial guards had blocked off the fair after their departure, indicating Song forces were not forewarned about the disappearances there.
She explained that Secret Repository, despite its name, was an academy without real power, and Dean Lu Guannian expected their Section 7 to handle the investigation independently. Wang Kuan, therefore, decided to examine the archives. Leveraging his identity as the son of the Grand Commandant, Wei Yanei easily obtained the necessary records from the Kaifeng Government Office.
After reviewing them, Wang Kuan was surprised to discover that the performers were not Liao people, leading him to conclude that a third faction was likely operating in Kaifeng. Meanwhile, Han, who had been observing a puppet that mysteriously appeared on the street, moved it indoors, noting it was unoperated yet had clearly moved on its own. He recognized it as one of the puppets from the fair and found the situation strange.
As he prepared to move to a new location, a knock sounded at his door. A street performer from the fair arrived, begging for money. With Han and his subordinates distracted, Yuan Zhongxin seized the opportunity to escape with Zhao Jian. With the assistance of the other performers, they then captured Han, who offered no resistance, stating he couldn't win against so many people.
With Han bound, Zhao Jian turned her attention to Yuan Zhongxin, holding him at knifepoint and demanding to know his true intentions. Yuan Zhongxin falsely confessed he was an imperial guard who had used her as bait to lure out Liao agents, apologizing for the deception. When Zhao Jian questioned why she was unaware of imperial guard involvement, Yuan Zhongxin explained that different troops often operated independently to claim credit.
Trusting him for the moment, Zhao Jian asked to meet his superior. Yuan Zhongxin led her to the old puppet master. When she questioned the old man about the imperial guards, she quickly realized Yuan Zhongxin had tricked her. Before she could react, Yuan Zhongxin knocked her unconscious. He then accepted a land deed and money from the old performer as payment for handing over Zhao Jian. Later, Wang Kuan's group located the residence of the performers.
Yuan Zhongxin emerged, announcing that he had captured both a Liao agent (the old puppet master) and Zhao Jian. He then demanded 50,000 guan of copper coins and the release of his brother, Yuan Boqi, in exchange for them. Xue Ying immediately drew his sword and held it to Yuan Zhongxin's neck, demanding Zhao Jian's immediate release. Yuan Zhongxin, unperturbed, challenged them to kill him if they dared, but warned that Zhao Jian would never be found if he died.
Pei Jing returned to Secret Repository to consult Lu Guannian. Dean Lu decided that saving lives was more important than money and agreed to Yuan Zhongxin's terms. Pei Jing returned with the first installment: 10,000 guan of copper coins, arriving in over two hundred carts. Yuan Zhongxin, however, insisted on the full amount and Yuan Boqi's release before handing over the captives. Yuan Zhongxin then ordered the carts to proceed with him.
As they moved through the market, he suddenly broke free from his restraints, fired a signal flare, and incited the surrounding populace to loot the copper coins. In the ensuing chaos, he escaped, with Xue Ying in hot pursuit. Wang Kuan explained that Yuan Zhongxin, hailing from a martial arts family, possessed formidable fighting and evasion skills, second only to his brother, Yuan Boqi, and thus, Xue Ying might not be able to defeat or catch him.
Indeed, after a long chase, Xue Ying admitted that Yuan Zhongxin's escape abilities were superior. Meanwhile, the puppet master's subordinates realized Yuan Zhongxin had betrayed their earlier agreement, complaining that they only received 1,000 guan of the money and that Yuan Zhongxin had not joined them as promised. Yuan Zhongxin eventually found Han, intending to hand him over to the imperial guards.
However, Han revealed he was a far more skilled martial artist and had deliberately allowed himself to be captured, having come to Kaifeng specifically to be caught by Yuan Zhongxin. Han, not wishing to harm Yuan Zhongxin, inquired about the puppet performers, whom Yuan Zhongxin confirmed were seasoned criminals involved in various illicit trades. Realizing that Yuan Zhongxin couldn't deliver the promised 50,000 guan, Han offered to surrender himself to the authorities, allowing Yuan Zhongxin to take credit.
Yuan Zhongxin then wrote a note to Wang Kuan, informing him of Han's whereabouts. When Wang Kuan's group found Han, he revealed his true identity as Han Duanzhang, from the Northern Court's Grand Ti Yin Directorate, not a common agent. He stated his true purpose was to meet the Song Emperor. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin, still holding Zhao Jian, prepared to take her out of the city, intending to exchange her for Yuan Boqi.
Zhao Jian, however, revealed she had anticipated his entire plan. She deduced that Yuan Zhongxin never truly wanted to join Secret Repository, fearing that the court would use him as leverage against his brother. His plan was to create a reputation for himself as a disreputable individual by ransoming a supposed Liao agent for money, then use Zhao Jian to secure Yuan Boqi's release, and finally escape Kaifeng with his brother to live in seclusion.
Impressed by her astuteness, Yuan Zhongxin was shocked when Zhao Jian revealed she had already diverted their carriage towards Secret Repository, leaving him with no other option but to join. As Zhao Jian prepared to take him back, Yuan Zhongxin mentioned a secret code at a "Fragrance Shop," trying to lead them there. Zhao Jian, however, saw through his attempt to find a back exit and escape.
Yuan Zhongxin confessed his strong aversion to joining Secret Repository, threatening to commit suicide if forced. Wang Kuan, seeing through his friend's bluff, called him out. In a final act of defiance, Yuan Zhongxin leaped into a nearby well.
Episode 5 Recap
Yuan Zhongxin plunged into a well to escape. Wang Kuan, Zhao Jian, and Xue Ying arrived at the river, with Wang Kuan explaining that the well connected to an underground river. Given Yuan Zhongxin's familiarity with water, he must have fled through the river. Having spent days interacting with Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian understood his habits. She sought out Old Thief, the leader of all rogues in Kaifeng who had secretly been working for the Secret Repository.
Zhao Jian instructed Old Thief to mobilize his men to guard the city gates, preventing Yuan Zhongxin from escaping Kaifeng. Zhao Jian deduced that beyond the 50,000 strings of cash, the only person Yuan Zhongxin truly cared about was Yuan Boqi, leading her to believe Yuan Zhongxin would head for the Yuan mansion. Meanwhile, at the Yuan mansion, Liang Zhu continued to torment Yuan Boqi, pressing a sword against his neck and demanding he draw his own.
Yuan Boqi remained stoic, refusing to comply. Liang Zhu expressed his bitter hatred, questioning why it wasn't Yuan Boqi who had died in Qichuan Village. Yuan Boqi, in turn, silently pondered why he hadn't been the one to die. Suddenly, Yuan Zhongxin, disguised as a patrol soldier, arrived and lured Liang Zhu away with a false report of identity checks at the gate. Yuan Zhongxin then rescued the severely injured Yuan Boqi, planning to smuggle him out of Kaifeng.
Yuan Zhongxin had prepared a vegetable cart, hiding Yuan Boqi inside and disguising himself as a vendor. However, Liang Zhu, noticing a vegetable cart leaving the city in the late afternoon (an unusual time for a full cart), realized the deception and pursued them. Zhao Jian's group was also lying in wait, having anticipated Yuan Zhongxin's move. Zhao Jian's group intercepted the cart. Yuan Boqi emerged, and Liang Zhu swiftly arrived with imperial guards.
Zhao Jian, asserting the authority of the Privy Council, attempted to protect the Yuan brothers, but Liang Zhu disregarded her, stepping forward to fight Xue Ying, intent on apprehending both Yuan Zhongxin and Yuan Boqi. Amidst the ensuing struggle, Yuan Zhongxin managed to slip away with Yuan Boqi. Zhao Jian decided not to intervene further, stating her plan to let Liang Zhu capture the brothers first, then request Lu Guannian to reclaim Yuan Zhongxin for the Secret Repository.
She confidently stated that Liang Zhu, being the top imperial guard, would surely catch the injured Yuan Boqi. As they fled, Yuan Boqi, weakened by his injuries, insisted that Yuan Zhongxin leave him and escape alone to avoid being implicated. Yuan Zhongxin vehemently refused to abandon his brother, leading to an argument as Liang Zhu and his men closed in. Aware of Liang Zhu's powerful influence, Yuan Boqi knelt, pleading for his brother's release.
Liang Zhu, however, demanded Yuan Boqi kowtow. Unable to watch his brother suffer such humiliation, Yuan Zhongxin lunged at Liang Zhu but was quickly overpowered and severely wounded, collapsing to his knees. Yuan Boqi instructed his brother to expel the clotted blood from his chest. Wei Yanei and Xiao Jing then tried to intervene. Wei Yanei attempted to leverage his father, Grand Commandant Wei, but Liang Zhu dismissed his claims of authority without a military order.
Xiao Jing invoked the Secret Repository's name and Lu Guannian, but Liang Zhu asserted that a mere "repository" had no power to command him. As Liang Zhu ordered his men to break Yuan Zhongxin's leg, Yuan Boqi, enraged, sprang forward to protect his brother, engaging Liang Zhu in a fierce duel. Despite his injuries, Yuan Boqi fought with exceptional skill, proving to be Liang Zhu's equal, and ultimately knocked him unconscious.
Yuan Boqi had no intention of leaving Kaifeng himself, but his only concern was Yuan Zhongxin. He resolved to personally escort his younger brother out of the city. Yuan Zhongxin questioned his brother's decision, to which Yuan Boqi vaguely referenced the battle of Qichuan Village two years prior, urging Yuan Zhongxin to go far and take care of himself.
As they neared the city gate, Grand Commandant Wei arrived with his imperial guards, intending to arrest the Yuan brothers for assaulting an imperial officer. Just then, Lu Guannian appeared, presenting the Privy Council's military token. In Lord Fan's name, he commanded Grand Commandant Wei to release them, announcing that Lord Fan had volunteered for border patrol and Yuan Boqi would follow him to serve at the border. He reiterated his hope that Yuan Zhongxin would take good care.
Later, Lu Guannian spoke with Yuan Zhongxin, explaining that he was exceptionally suited for the Secret Repository and that losing him would be a great misfortune. He offered Yuan Zhongxin a year to decide, promising complete freedom to leave afterward if he wished. Yuan Zhongxin agreed to join. Lu Guannian then assigned Yuan Zhongxin his first task: to find the entrance to the Secret Repository, as "those who enter Secret Repository must make a living out of nowhere."
While Yuan Zhongxin searched, Zhao Jian unexpectedly appeared, warning him that the Secret Repository was a gathering of "mountain monsters and wild spirits," and once inside, there was no escaping. After she left, Yuan Zhongxin, by observing the wind direction, located a secret door that served as the entrance. Upon entering, he found Zhao Jian, who led him further inside.
She warned him that he could choose any chamber except the Seventh Chamber, to which Yuan Zhongxin readily agreed, assuring her he had no desire to share a room with her. Yuan Zhongxin then met Lu Guannian, who expressed surprise that Yuan Zhongxin had directly found the "secret door," as most new recruits, like Wang Kuan through "word puzzles" or Wei Yanei who tried to "smash the wall" (but was stopped by Lu Guannian), found it through indirect means.
Xiao Jing, Lu Guannian noted, had a special situation and required no such assessment. Despite Yuan Zhongxin's protests, Lu Guannian firmly assigned him to the Seventh Chamber, explaining that the primary mission of the Secret Repository was to maintain peace and stability. He then led Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian to the Seventh Chamber's courtyard, informing them that all their future provisions and expenses would be their own responsibility.
Episode 6 Recap
Yuan Boqi decided to follow Mr. Fan as he took up the post of frontier inspector. Meanwhile, Lu Guannian formally recruited Yuan Zhongxin into Secret Repository. Lu Guannian introduced himself, noting that while Zhao Jian considered Yuan Zhongxin unsuitable, he believed the opposite, even suggesting Yuan Zhongxin would be a menace if not brought into the organization.
He acknowledged Yuan Zhongxin's difficult family circumstances with his mother's early death and brother's posting to the border, proposing that if Yuan Zhongxin excelled in Secret Repository, he could help his brother in future troubles. Lu Guannian offered Yuan Zhongxin a one-year commitment, after which he would be free to leave. Yuan Zhongxin felt he had no other choice but to accept.
Lu Guannian gave Yuan Zhongxin his first mission: to find the Secret Repository entrance independently, stating that true members should find a way even where there seems to be none. While Yuan Zhongxin searched, Zhao Jian appeared, warning him that Secret Repository members were all eccentrics and that once inside, escape would be impossible. Yuan Zhongxin eventually discovered a hidden entrance by observing the wind direction. Upon entering, he again encountered Zhao Jian, who showed him around.
She explicitly told him he could join any section but Section 7 with her, a condition Yuan Zhongxin readily agreed to, wanting to avoid her company. Meeting Lu Guannian, Yuan Zhongxin's direct entry via the hidden door surprised the Dean. Lu Guannian explained that few found that specific entrance, most following other clues.
Wang Kuan, for example, had solved a written puzzle, while Xue Ying followed a trail from a unique horseshoe to a smithy and then to the Secret Repository, a feat requiring an unusual background. Wei Yanei, however, tried to violently smash his way in, requiring Lu Guannian to personally intervene and lead him inside. Jing, due to her special background, was exempted from any entrance test.
Despite Yuan Zhongxin's protests, Lu Guannian firmly assigned him to Section 7, emphasizing that Secret Repository's top priority was maintaining peace and stability. Lu Guannian then brought Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, and Jing to their Section 7 courtyard, informing them that they would be responsible for their own food and clothing, and instructed everyone to gather in the lecture hall later. The Section 7 students assembled in the lecture hall.
Yuan Zhongxin, still referring to Jing as the "dancing girl," questioned her identity and how she entered Secret Repository without a test. Lu Guannian explained that Jing was special and not subjected to the usual assessment. He revealed that Jing was an adherent of the ancient Bohai clan, which was destroyed by the Qidan people, scattering its members. She was now a loyal Song citizen who had contributed to the imperial court, earning her special permission to join.
Yuan Zhongxin then keenly observed Xue Ying and deduced he was a militia soldier, a fact Lu Guannian confirmed. Yuan Zhongxin proudly detailed his reasoning, explaining that Imperial Guards and garrison soldiers typically had face tattoos, which Xue Ying lacked, and his wrapped hands suggested he was either from the newly formed Xuanyi Army or a militia, both of whom had hand tattoos.
Lu Guannian acknowledged Yuan Zhongxin’s intelligence but pointed out that Zhao Jian had undoubtedly noticed these details too but chose not to reveal them, respecting Xue Ying's privacy. Yuan Zhongxin, however, simply stated he wasn't there to make friends. Suddenly, Jing cried for help, entering the lecture hall with a disoriented Wei Yanei on her back. Exhausted, she explained she found him in this strange state, as if he had encountered a ghost.
Zhao Jian immediately noticed a light red tint and a lychee fragrance on Wei Yanei's hand, which Wang Kuan identified as coming from a perfume sachet. Zhao Jian quickly deduced that Wei Yanei had met Fu Qingyu of Section 3. When Yuan Zhongxin asked about Fu Qingyu's reputation, Zhao Jian revealed that Fu Qingyu was considered Secret Repository's most beautiful person, possessing unique beauty despite being a man who wore women's clothes.
Yuan Zhongxin exclaimed at the revelation, concluding that this startling encounter had left Wei Yanei in a state of shock, his mind wandering. In his dazed state, Wei Yanei muttered that both Zhao Jian and Jing were men, causing Jing to vehemently deny it. Zhao Jian clarified that while disguising one's appearance was easy, changing one's voice was not, and Fu Qingyu still retained a male voice, unlike hers and Jing’s.
Yuan Zhongxin, finding humor in the situation, jokingly suggested they remove their clothes so he could verify their gender. Lu Guannian then announced an important mission for Section 7, for which they would undergo five days of intensive training from three teachers in tracing, martial arts, and secret intelligence. Before training began, they needed to elect a section chief to lead them. The position would be decided by a vote among the members. The competition for section chief quickly ensued.
Wei Yanei attempted to bribe Yuan Zhongxin, explaining that given his own prominent identity, he couldn't be subservient to others. He promised to pay Yuan Zhongxin for his vote, adding that as chief, he could protect Yuan Zhongxin from Xue Ying. Yuan Zhongxin, ever pragmatic, asked for a price.
Meanwhile, Zhao Jian approached Jing, emphasizing the gravity of the section chief's role and advocating for unity between them as the only two women in Section 7 to prevent a man from taking the lead. When Jing asked if Zhao Jian wanted the position, Zhao Jian confirmed it. Jing suggested Wang Kuan and Xue Ying might support them, noting Wang Kuan's generous nature.
Zhao Jian, however, dismissed Wang Kuan's character as irrelevant, mentioning that their engagement had been abolished and she had no intention of marrying. She passionately argued that women shouldn't live dependent on men but should instead strive to contribute to the nation's stability like men. Jing, in turn, confessed that her father had arranged for her to join Secret Repository. Later, Zhao Jian secured Xue Ying's support by promising him significant credit for the upcoming mission if she became chief.
Xue Ying agreed to help her. The next day, the election took place with Zhao Jian, Wei Yanei, and Wang Kuan standing as candidates. As students voiced their support, Jing unexpectedly cast her vote for Wang Kuan. It was revealed that the previous night, Wang Kuan had approached Jing, highlighting the ongoing friction between Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin.
He argued that if either of them became section chief, their personal conflict would hinder the section's effectiveness, suggesting that only he or Jing should lead to avoid such infighting. Jing agreed to vote for him if she chose not to be chief herself. With the votes tallied, Zhao Jian, Wei Yanei, and Wang Kuan each received an equal number of votes, resulting in a three-way tie.
Unable to appoint a section chief through this method, Lu Guannian declared that the final decision would be made by the three teachers over the next five days of training, who would evaluate all members and select the most suitable individual to lead Section 7. The first class, "Secret News of the Underworld," was taught by Old Thief, who briefly covered face tattooing before sending the students to the courtyard for tracing lessons.
Instructor Yue, a former Xin'an Army officer, awaited them. His first challenge required the six students to physically touch him within the courtyard. Instructor Yue proved incredibly swift and elusive; even with four students attempting to catch him, he evaded their grasp. Yuan Zhongxin tried an unconventional tactic, scattering sand to see if it would touch Instructor Yue, but not a single grain adhered to him. Skeptical, Zhao Jian demanded Instructor Yue allow her to check him directly.
He agreed, and Zhao Jian, using both hands, easily made contact with him, winning the challenge. Following this, Instructor Yue and Old Thief began training the students separately. During their training, Yuan Zhongxin discovered that Xue Ying was illiterate. That evening, while conversing with Wang Kuan, Yuan Zhongxin mockingly discussed Xue Ying’s inability to read. Unbeknownst to them, Xue Ying overheard Yuan Zhongxin's taunts from behind.
Enraged, he stepped forward and with a single, furious strike of his knife, split the apple in Yuan Zhongxin's hand in two. Liang Zhu, tasked by Lu Guannian to instruct Section 7 in martial arts, arrived. Lu Guannian had found Liang Zhu in a drunken stupor and, in recruiting him, had given him free rein on teaching methods for Yuan Zhongxin, with the sole condition that Yuan Zhongxin should neither die nor be permanently disabled.
Liang Zhu gave a brief introduction before immediately diving into practical combat training, challenging Yuan Zhongxin to a one-on-one spar. Using the guise of instruction, Liang Zhu brutally beat Yuan Zhongxin, leaving him severely injured. Wang Kuan intervened, asserting that sparring with such a vast skill disparity was meaningless. Accepting Wang Kuan's point, Liang Zhu then decided the section members should spar among themselves. He specifically singled out the heavily injured Yuan Zhongxin to fight Xue Ying.
Xue Ying displayed immense power and ruthlessness. Yuan Zhongxin's initial defensive approach was ill-suited, and his attempts at counter-attacking were consistently a step too slow. Xue Ying repeatedly overwhelmed him, knocking him to the ground, leading Liang Zhu to declare Yuan Zhongxin's defeat was absolute. Yuan Zhongxin was knocked unconscious by Xue Ying. He later awoke to find Zhao Jian by his side, who told him he had been unconscious for a day and a night.
Zhao Jian admitted she was there against her will, fulfilling Lu Guannian's orders, as he hoped they would reconcile their differences for future cooperation in dangerous missions. As they talked, Zhao Jian explained her profound motivation for being in Secret Repository: she desired to live her own life, and Secret Repository was the only institution that allowed women to pursue such an education. She vowed to do anything to remain there and asked Yuan Zhongxin not to impede her path.
Episode 7 Recap
Following Dean Lu Guannian's orders, Zhao Jian was assigned to personally attend to Yuan Zhongxin, ensuring he remained within her sight. Yuan Zhongxin, however, sought to evade her constant presence and asked Wei Yanei to help him to the latrine. On their way, Yuan Zhongxin inquired if Wei Yanei still aspired to be the section chief. Wei Yanei acknowledged that with the new rules for selecting the chief, decided by the teachers, he lacked the ability to attain the position.
He pointed out that Old Thief favored Zhao Jian, Instructor Yue often praised Wang Kuan, and Liang Zhu preferred Xue Ying but would likely choose Wang Kuan in the end. Yuan Zhongxin, however, had a scheme in mind and claimed he could help Wei Yanei secure the leadership role.
He elaborated that if Wei Yanei simply told Liang Zhu he disliked Yuan Zhongxin, Liang Zhu would ensure Wei Yanei became chief, hoping Yuan Zhongxin would suffer more during training under Wei Yanei's command. Wei Yanei found the plan surprisingly simple and agreed to try. Meanwhile, Xue Ying was practicing his swordplay in the courtyard when Wang Kuan approached him. Wang Kuan volunteered to help Xue Ying understand the lessons taught by Old Thief, particularly the details about criminal tattoos.
Xue Ying expressed his gratitude, but Wang Kuan clarified that Yuan Zhongxin was the one he should truly thank. Wang Kuan explained that Yuan Zhongxin had noticed Xue Ying's struggle with reading. While Yuan Zhongxin had appeared to mock Xue Ying when first revealing this, Wang Kuan clarified that Yuan Zhongxin had actually confided in him specifically, knowing Wang Kuan's willingness to help others, and implying Yuan Zhongxin's true intention was to prompt Wang Kuan to assist Xue Ying.
Wang Kuan assured Xue Ying that Yuan Zhongxin was not a malicious person. Troubled by this revelation, Xue Ying spent a restless night. Eventually, he woke Yuan Zhongxin in front of their peers and offered a sincere apology, acknowledging his previous misunderstanding and Yuan Zhongxin's true intentions. Yuan Zhongxin feigned ignorance, attributing Xue Ying's actions to sleepwalking. After five days of lessons, the time came for the three teachers to choose the section chief.
To Zhao Jian's astonishment, all three teachers—Old Thief, Instructor Yue, and Liang Zhu—unanimously recommended Wei Yanei. Wei Yanei and Yuan Zhongxin exchanged subtle glances, confirming their pre-arranged plan had succeeded. With Wei Yanei's appointment as section chief, Dean Lu Guannian announced the team's first official mission. A Liao Dynasty spy had died in a prison camp, and a secret document was missing. Their task was to infiltrate the camp and retrieve the document.
Citing Yuan Zhongxin's injuries, Wei Yanei proposed that Yuan Zhongxin be excused from the mission. Dean Lu Guannian agreed, instructing Yuan Zhongxin to remain in the Secret Repository to recover, with Zhao Jian assigned to care for him. The others were to undergo fake facial tattooing to disguise themselves as criminals and gain entry into the prison camp. Later, Zhao Jian confronted Yuan Zhongxin, immediately seeing through his elaborate plan.
She accused him of making Wei Yanei section chief, knowing he was unsuitable, all as part of his scheme. Yuan Zhongxin candidly admitted that his efforts to promote Wei Yanei and feign severe injury were calculated to avoid the perilous prison camp assignment, stating that he could easily influence Wei Yanei as chief. He questioned why the court would send them, posing as criminals, into such a dangerous place instead of deploying imperial guards.
Yuan Zhongxin, who believed in steering clear of trouble, paused when Zhao Jian asked what would happen if they never returned. He confidently asserted that with Wang Kuan and Zhao Jian among the group, they would undoubtedly be fine. Wang Kuan, Xue Ying, Wei Yanei, and Xiao Jing, disguised as prisoners, proceeded to the prison camp in search of the secret document. However, their true identities were soon discovered by the camp warden, who advised them to leave.
Wang Kuan insisted they would only stay for three days if the mission went smoothly. Back at the Secret Repository, Dean Lu Guannian informed Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin that Wang Kuan's group had gone missing. He urged them to enter the prison camp to rescue their comrades and complete the mission. Yuan Zhongxin, seeking a complete understanding of the situation, pressed for more details about the secret document.
Yielding to their persistence, Dean Lu Guannian led them into a hidden room. Within the secret room, a man named Mr. Han was imprisoned. Mr. Han revealed that he was the source who informed them the secret document was in the prison camp. He explained that the document was a list of Song Dynasty crossbow technicians. Given the variety of Song crossbows, the crossbow academy was a primary target for Liao spies.
A Liao spy, attempting to smuggle this list out of the city, inadvertently clashed with Wei Yanei and was subsequently sent to the prison camp. The spy later died in the camp, but the document vanished. Mr. Han warned that multiple Liao spies had already infiltrated the prison camp, and if the list fell into Liao hands, it would be a catastrophic disaster for the Song Dynasty. Zhao Jian questioned Mr. Han's motivation for helping them.
Mr. Han disclosed that the Liao Dynasty's government was divided into Northern and Southern courts. The missing document pertained to the Southern court's operations. By assisting the Song Dynasty, he aimed to undermine the Southern court, paving the way for the rise of his own Northern court. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian agreed to enter the prison camp to find the document and rescue Wang Kuan's group.
Yuan Zhongxin seized the opportunity to request that Zhao Jian share a cell with him, ostensibly to prevent her from causing trouble. Upon entering the camp, Yuan Zhongxin inquired about the missing group, but the warden claimed ignorance, and no other prisoners had seen them. Zhao Jian found the warden's denial suspicious, but Yuan Zhongxin, familiar with such places, cautioned that no one in a prison camp could be trusted.
Inside their cell, Yuan Zhongxin skillfully scattered insect repellent, clearing the room of pests, a meticulousness that surprised Zhao Jian. However, Yuan Zhongxin's roguish demeanor soon provoked Zhao Jian, leading to a physical altercation between them in the cell. Leveraging his street smarts from years of mingling in the jianghu, Yuan Zhongxin, with Zhao Jian, successfully earned the trust of the prisoner leader. They were subsequently assigned to be supervised by Ding Er.
That night, Ding Er approached Yuan Zhongxin, unlocking their cell with a key and inviting Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian for a talk. As they walked, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian noticed the peculiar emptiness of the prison cells at night. Combined with Ding Er, a supposed fugitive, possessing cell keys, they suspected something deeply amiss.
Episode 8 Recap
Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian settled into their cell in the prison camp. Yuan, ever practical, sprinkled insecticide to rid their dark, damp quarters of bugs, a detail that surprised Zhao. He admitted his main goal was to locate Wang Kuan and the others, planning to leave once they were found, and expressed disinterest in the crossbow technicians' list. Zhao, however, declared her intention to find the list herself.
She then questioned Yuan about the inconsistencies in the warden's account of Wang Kuan's disappearance, suggesting either the prisoners or the warden were lying, and reiterated that in this place, no one could be trusted. Yuan, busy with the insecticide, seemed to ignore her questions. Their bickering escalated, with Yuan making a crude remark about their shared cell and Zhao calling him a scoundrel.
Their noisy argument attracted the attention of a guard, who sternly told them to stop their "internal conflicts." Later that night, Ding Er arrived at their cell and unlocked the door with a key, much to Yuan and Zhao’s suspicion. As they followed him through the eerily empty prison camp, they questioned the absence of guards and how a prisoner like Ding Er possessed keys.
Ding Er led them through the kitchen and into a hidden vegetable cellar, which turned out to be the entrance to a large underground cave. Inside, numerous prisoners were gathered. A prisoner, identified as the Preacher, addressed Yuan directly. He spoke passionately about their shared fate as criminals, marked by tattoos and trapped by the rigid social hierarchy of the Song Dynasty that perpetuated poverty and greed.
He challenged Yuan to consider whether he wanted his children to suffer the same humble life. Yuan affirmed his desire to change his fate. The Preacher explained that to join their cause and ultimately escape the prison camp under the leadership of a "great preacher," Yuan must pass a test: steal a guard's weapon. Yuan demonstrated his existing skills by revealing that he had already subtly taken Ding Er's cell key.
Impressed, the Preacher suggested that if Yuan succeeded in stealing a weapon, he might even be granted an audience with the Great Preacher himself. The next day, Yuan sought out the warden, proposing to "steal" some crossbows as a means to gain the prisoners' trust and get closer to the Preacher. Initially resistant, the warden conceded after Zhao Jian invoked Lu Guannian’s authority. Yuan then gave the arsenal key to the Preacher.
The sight of half an arsenal of crossbows greatly pleased the Preacher, who then decided to personally meet Yuan. The prisoners, having secretly dug through a cellar, respectfully brought forth their "Great Preacher." Yuan and Zhao were stunned to discover it was Wei Yanei. Junior Wei, equally surprised, recognized them and quickly dismissed all the other prisoners to speak with Zhao alone.
He recounted his ordeal: his identity had been exposed upon his arrival, and the other prisoners had conspiratorially kept him captive, elevating him to the position of "Great Preacher" purely to use him as a decoy and sacrifice during their planned escape. He desperately urged Yuan and Zhao to rescue him, adding that he had no idea of Wang Kuan's whereabouts, only knowing that he and the others had disappeared after entering the mine cave.
Meanwhile, Ding Er took Yuan aside, and the Preacher revealed the prisoners' scheme to use Junior Wei. He urged Yuan to be pragmatic about the situation. Yuan feigned astonishment, then clapped his hands in delight, seeing an opportunity to exploit Junior Wei's predicament for his own advantage. Ding Er was bewildered by Yuan’s reasoning but felt deeply sympathetic towards Zhao Jian. Later, back in their shared cell, Zhao recounted Junior Wei's story to Yuan.
She insisted on investigating the mine cave alone, but Yuan firmly opposed the idea. He argued that the prison break was imminent, and they should prioritize reporting to Lu Guannian at the Secret Cabinet and rescuing Junior Wei before investigating the cave. If they both ventured into the dangerous cave and got trapped, there would be no one left to resolve the larger mission. Yuan adamantly refused to let Zhao risk herself alone.
Zhao, sensing his concern, asked if he cared about her safety, but Yuan quickly denied it. Zhao then told him that she intended to remain unmarried for life and hoped he would not fall in love with her. The following morning, Yuan went to speak with the warden about the previous night's developments. Separately, Ding Er approached Zhao, expressing his pity for her situation. Perceiving Ding Er's underlying decency, Zhao encouraged him, calling him a good person despite his apparent despair about life outside the prison camp.
Episode 9 Recap
Zhao Jian spoke with Ding Er, who revealed his personal history. His own father had sent him to the prison camp, leading him to believe he had no future outside its walls and no desire to leave. Zhao Jian urged him to choose resistance, recounting a time she herself defied her father’s command to marry, choosing her own path to achieve her aspirations. Ding Er was astonished by her story.
Zhao Jian continued, emphasizing that while his father gave him life, he could not dictate his destiny. Ding Er’s life should be his own to forge, and he should not abandon himself to despair. Ding Er reflected on her words, understanding that he must walk his own way. Ding Er had also previously informed Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian that many soldiers were in league with the prisoners, allowing them to move freely at night.
Earlier, Yuan Zhongxin had learned that Wei Yanei was the "Great Preacher," being used as a shield by the prisoners. Wei Yanei had also revealed that Wang Kuan and others had gone into the mining cave and disappeared. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian discussed this. Yuan Zhongxin firmly refused to let Zhao Jian enter the dangerous cave alone, arguing that they should first report to Lu Guannian and rescue Wei Yanei, as entering rashly could trap them.
Zhao Jian playfully warned Yuan Zhongxin not to fall in love with her, as she was determined never to marry. Later, Yuan Zhongxin approached the Warden to discuss their plan to escape the camp, specifically by stealing crossbows to gain prisoner trust. The Warden, however, was reluctant to involve Lu Guannian and preferred to call upon external soldiers. Yuan Zhongxin was surprised by the Warden’s unusual earnestness.
The Warden then confided that he believed someone was stalking him, revealing that a hair he carefully placed in his office door crack had been disturbed, and someone had infiltrated his residence. Nothing was stolen, which made him even more uneasy, fearing the prisoners intended to kill him. Yuan Zhongxin agreed that the Warden posed the greatest threat to a prison break.
Deciding against involving outside forces for now, Yuan Zhongxin chose instead to return to the quarry to subdue the prisoner leader himself and prevent chaos. After her talk with Ding Er, Zhao Jian ventured alone into the mountain cave. There, she heard beautiful "xun" music. Wang Kuan suddenly appeared, stopping her from going further. He secretly told Zhao Jian that he and the others had followed a clue into the cave, but were captured by a mysterious person.
He had just managed to slip out. Wang Kuan could not leave because Xue Ying and Xiao Jing were still trapped inside; if he left, the mysterious person would kill them. He gave Zhao Jian a valuable silk handkerchief as a clue and urged her to leave. Upon returning to the quarry, Yuan Zhongxin could not find Zhao Jian. Shortly after, imperial guards suddenly appeared, forcing everyone back to their cells.
Not long after, the former Warden was found dead, and the Deputy Warden temporarily assumed command. The Deputy Warden immediately summoned Yuan Zhongxin and, suspicious of the previous Warden's sudden death, interrogated him. Yuan Zhongxin skillfully claimed Zhao Jian was helping in the mess hall. When the Deputy Warden took him there and found no sign of her, his suspicions resurfaced, and he ordered a search of the quarry and cells. Fortunately, Zhao Jian had already returned to their cell.
There, she and Yuan Zhongxin staged a dramatic quarrel, effectively dispelling the Deputy Warden's doubts. Once the Deputy Warden left, Yuan Zhongxin informed Zhao Jian of the Warden’s murder and the camp’s recent upheaval. Zhao Jian then shared her own findings from her mountain cave visit: she had heard a woman humming and a distinct rustling sound. She also reiterated that Wang Kuan had given her a valuable silk handkerchief as a clue.
Both agreed it was unlikely to be a "mountain ghost" and speculated that the activities in the cave were connected to a woman. Meanwhile, the old thief, who was monitoring the prison camp, discovered the late Warden's body being taken to the medical hall and transported it to the Secret Bureau.
With the prison camp’s situation unclear and the cause of death unknown, Lu Guannian, concerned for the safety of the Seven Palaces members, decided to hold off on sending troops, waiting for a more opportune moment, trusting Yuan Zhongxin's intelligence. Later, a prisoner named 'Preacher' led Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian to a meeting with Wei Yanei. To their surprise, the Deputy Warden was also present, confirming his complicity with the prisoners in plotting the escape.
The Deputy Warden, impressed by Yuan Zhongxin’s intelligence, appointed him and Zhao Jian as envoys to negotiate with the individual inside the cave. Entering the cave, Yuan Zhongxin sprinkled insect repellent powder, holding Zhao Jian's hand tightly as they proceeded. They heard loud insect noises, leading Yuan Zhongxin to deduce that someone was using medicine to control insects within the cave. Deep inside, they encountered a man who guided them further, where a woman appeared.
Yuan Zhongxin conveyed the escape plan: a joint breakout in three days, with the 'Great Preacher' (Wei Yanei) taking responsibility for all consequences. However, the woman demanded that the 'Great Preacher' (Wei Yanei) personally enter the cave for a detailed discussion. As Yuan Zhongxin hesitated, the cave dwellers prepared to attack. At that moment, Yuan Zhongxin recognized the woman as Su Xingqiao, a boat foreman from Bian Shui Canal whom he and the old thief had met before.
He wondered why she was imprisoned in the camp. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian then split up. Yuan Zhongxin emerged from the cave, falsely claiming Zhao Jian was being held captive. He reported Su Xingqiao's demand to the Deputy Warden, who, overjoyed, immediately ordered Wei Yanei to enter the cave for negotiations. Meanwhile, Zhao Jian secretly infiltrated the former Warden’s tent to search for information regarding Su Xingqiao's date of imprisonment.
Episode 10 Recap
Wei Yanei, planning his own escape, secretly knocked out the Preacher. Yuan Zhongxin, realizing this rash action would expose their true identities, promptly knocked out Wei Yanei as well, making it appear as though the Preacher had retaliated, thus preserving Wei Yanei's cover. The Deputy Warden, having temporarily assumed command after the warden's sudden death, summoned Yuan Zhongxin to his office.
He questioned Yuan Zhongxin, suspecting him of involvement in the late warden's demise, as Yuan Zhongxin was the last person to have met him. Yuan Zhongxin skillfully fabricated a story, claiming the warden had appointed him an informer to investigate the theft of crossbows, given his status as a newcomer. The Deputy Warden found this plausible, but then pressed Yuan Zhongxin about his wife, Zhao Jian, who had inexplicably vanished.
Yuan Zhongxin first guessed she might be in the kitchen, then the quarry, then finally, his cell. After being taken to the kitchen and quarry, where Zhao Jian was not found, the Deputy Warden brought Yuan Zhongxin to his cell, threatening to kill him if Zhao Jian wasn't there. Luckily, Zhao Jian had returned.
They staged a dramatic argument, with Zhao Jian claiming she had gone into the cave alone to look for Yuan Zhongxin, fearing the Mountain Ghost had taken him. She threatened to kill herself with a sword due to Yuan Zhongxin's accusations of infidelity. This act convinced the Deputy Warden of their innocence, and he left, instructing Yuan Zhongxin to continue his informer duties.
Once alone, Yuan Zhongxin informed Zhao Jian that the warden had been killed, not died of acute disease, and the Deputy Warden was testing them. He suspected foul play within the prison. Zhao Jian shared her findings from the cave, mentioning a woman singing and a strange rustling sound. She also presented a clue from Wang Kuan: an expensive girdle from a well-known embroidery shop. They deduced that the "Mountain Ghost" was likely a woman.
Consulting the prisoner records, they found that Su Xingqiao, the head of the Bian River boatmen, was recorded as "deceased by accident" three months prior. Coincidentally, a Liao agent named Feng Zhu, also a boatman, was recorded as "deceased by illness" two months prior. Suspecting that Feng Zhu might still be alive, just like Su Xingqiao, Yuan Zhongxin tasked Zhao Jian with digging up his grave in the back camp to verify.
While Zhao Jian was digging Feng Zhu's grave, Ding Er approached her. He expressed his suspicion that she and Yuan Zhongxin were not a genuine couple, citing their lack of intimacy. Zhao Jian denied it, attributing it to a quarrel. Ding Er, however, remained unconvinced and surprisingly offered to help her dig. After confirming Feng Zhu was indeed dead and had been beaten to death, Zhao Jian prepared to leave. Ding Er stopped her, promising to keep her secret.
He thanked her deeply for her past words, which had "pulled him up from the water" and helped him find his path. He offered to repay her by "dealing with her father." Wary of his intentions, Zhao Jian kicked him and warned him to stay away. Later, the Deputy Warden held a meeting with prisoners, including the now recovered Wei Yanei (still acting as the Preacher), to discuss their breakout plan.
The Deputy Warden revealed the outer camp was heavily guarded, and he intended to use the cave dwellers, specifically the boatmen, as a sacrificial first wave, with the Preacher responsible for finalizing the arrangements. Subsequently, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian were sent into the cave as messengers to negotiate with Su Xingqiao's group. They observed a strange rustling sound.
Yuan Zhongxin speculated it was caused by someone using insecticide to control insects, and Zhao Jian confirmed this, explaining that manipulating insects was an ancient skill, and few still possessed it. They eventually met Su Xingqiao, whom Yuan Zhongxin recognized as the "Dragon King of Bian River." He proposed a joint breakout in three days, with the Preacher taking responsibility for the consequences. Su Xingqiao, however, demanded that the Preacher come in person for further discussion.
Yuan Zhongxin then left the cave, fabricating a story for the Deputy Warden that Zhao Jian was being held hostage by Su Xingqiao to ensure cooperation. The Deputy Warden, pleased, ordered Wei Yanei (acting as the Preacher) to go into the cave that night. Meanwhile, Zhao Jian returned to the warden's office to gather more information. That night, Wei Yanei, disguised as the Preacher, led a group of prisoners into the cave to meet Su Xingqiao and her people.
They agreed to the breakout plan for the following day. To ensure their compliance, Su Xingqiao took Wei Yanei hostage. As the Deputy Warden's group prepared to leave, Yuan Zhongxin suddenly demanded that Su Xingqiao release Zhao Jian. This was a pre-arranged signal. Taking advantage of the situation, Su Xingqiao's people seized Yuan Zhongxin. Elsewhere in the cave, Zhao Jian found Wang Kuan and his companions.
She attempted to rescue them, but Su Xingqiao's forces, having anticipated this, quickly captured them, suspecting them of being Liao spies. After the Deputy Warden departed, Su Xingqiao interrogated Yuan Zhongxin. She revealed a secret message, surprised by his apparent allegiance to Liao. Yuan Zhongxin explained that taking Wei Yanei hostage was his idea, conveyed to her earlier via a hidden note. He then asked her to release him, stating he understood her motivations.
Yuan Zhongxin recounted Su Xingqiao's story: she was framed for salt smuggling by the Liao agent Feng Zhu, who later entered the prison camp. Driven by hatred, she had beaten Feng Zhu to death and then established herself in the cave, using the "Mountain Ghost" legend to identify and eliminate other Liao agents. While Yuan Zhongxin admired her actions, Su Xingqiao remained suspicious of him. To prove his true loyalty, Yuan Zhongxin burned the secret message and informed her that he would prevent the prisoners from escaping the next day.
Episode 11 Recap
Ding Er approached Zhao Jian, thanking her for her past advice to always keep moving forward, which he confessed had pulled him out of a metaphorical struggle, relieving the immense pressure from his father. He offered to help her deal with her own father as a way to repay her. Wary, Zhao Jian asked if he had ever killed anyone. Ding Er responded that his father had sent him to the prison camp.
Zhao Jian dismissed his offer and told him to leave her alone, but Ding Er assured her he would keep their interactions a secret, though he still wondered about her relationship with Yuan Zhongxin. After the Preacher was knocked unconscious, Wei Yanei expressed concern to Yuan Zhongxin that the Preacher would suspect him upon waking, as they were the only two in the cellar. Yuan Zhongxin reassured him, suggesting Wei Yanei feign ignorance.
He then asked Wei Yanei to check the Preacher's pulse, confirming it was stable, as part of a plan to deflect suspicion from both of them. Zhao Jian later confirmed to Yuan Zhongxin that the body she had exhumed was indeed the Liao secret agent. She noted that he had new fractures in his bones, indicating he had been beaten to death.
Yuan Zhongxin questioned the pattern of recent deaths among new prisoners, observing that they were all Bian River boatmen imprisoned three months prior with Su Xingqiao. While he suspected a connection, he decided to defer a conclusion until they could question Su Xingqiao directly. Zhao Jian expressed concern about Ding Er, noting his dangerous nature and that he was no ordinary prisoner.
Yuan Zhongxin agreed to prioritize the immediate crisis in the camp and then have Lu Guannian investigate Ding Er's background. Ding Er confronted Yuan Zhongxin, openly expressing his interest in Zhao Jian. He offered Yuan Zhongxin anything he desired in exchange for her. Yuan Zhongxin firmly rejected the offer, stating he needed nothing and would never give Zhao Jian to him. Ding Er told Yuan Zhongxin to think about it, promising to ask again when they next met.
In the prison camp, the Preacher and Deputy Warden discussed being knocked unconscious the previous afternoon. The Deputy Warden planned to launch their rebellion the next day, concerned about increasing patrols by camp guards. The Preacher confirmed their plan: Su Xingqiao's group would act as a vanguard, fighting the imperial guards and clearing a path for the Preacher's group to rush out, using them as sacrifices.
Meanwhile, Su Xingqiao's group, including Zhao Jian, Wang Kuan, and Xue Ying, prepared to move. Xue Ying, still recovering from a poisonous insect bite, struggled but insisted he could walk. Yuan Zhongxin, having already incapacitated two guards at the cave entrance, assured them the path was clear. Inside the cave, Su Xingqiao confronted Yuan Zhongxin, Wang Kuan, and Zhao Jian, accusing them of being Liao agents.
She identified a unique fragrance from a sachet one of them carried, which she recognized from her encounters with Liao spies. Yuan Zhongxin quickly clarified their purpose: they were investigating Liao secret agents, not working for them. He revealed his knowledge of Su Xingqiao's past, explaining she was betrayed by the Liao agent Feng Zhu, whom she subsequently killed after he was imprisoned in the same camp.
Su Xingqiao then hid in the cave, using the "Mountain Ghost" legend to identify and eliminate other Liao agents seeking Feng Zhu's secret letter. Yuan Zhongxin further detailed how the Bian River boatmen, led by Su Xingqiao, profited from illicitly processing dried shrimps using "dirty things" to make them appear fresh, a secret trade in which Feng Zhu was involved. This network also allowed Feng Zhu to collect addresses of crossbow technicians.
To demonstrate his allegiance to Song and his intent to thwart the Liao agents' plans, Yuan Zhongxin burned the secret letter in front of Su Xingqiao. He also revealed that detaining Wei Yanei as a hostage was his suggestion, part of his larger strategy. Yuan Zhongxin then stated his intention to prevent the prisoners from escaping the camp the following day. The next morning, as Su Xingqiao's group emerged, the Preacher expected them to engage the imperial guards first.
However, Yuan Zhongxin led his companions in lighting signal fires to summon aid from the outer Song army, explaining to Zhao Jian that their true objective was to ask for help, not to escape. They attempted to explain their intentions to the bewildered imperial guards, but their words were disregarded, and fighting ensued. The Preacher's group, realizing they had been tricked, found their weapons were useless, a trick Yuan Zhongxin had played.
Facing a desperate fight, the Preacher declared it a battle for survival. Amidst the chaos, Ding Er appeared before Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian, showcasing his impressive martial arts skills. He confirmed he had orchestrated the entire jailbreak as the head of the Xia secret agent network in Kaifeng, a mission given by his father to subtly destabilize Song from within by spreading discontent among the populace.
He elaborated on his father's strategy: slowly eroding Song's foundation over decades by making the poor lose hope in their own state and look towards Xia. Zhao Jian pointed out the inefficiency of this method due to slow information transport, but Ding Er acknowledged that it could become a potent threat if communication methods ever improved.
Inspired by Zhao Jian's past advice, Ding Er decided to abandon his current mission, return to Xia, and build his power there, promising to return for Zhao Jian later. Before his departure, he once again asked Yuan Zhongxin what price he would demand for Zhao Jian. Yuan Zhongxin unequivocally rejected the offer, declaring he would never give her up. Zhao Jian, overhearing Yuan Zhongxin's refusal, looked at him in surprise.
With a final display of his abilities, Ding Er escaped the prison camp. The Preacher, realizing the true nature of their predicament and that his co-conspirators were mere sacrifices for Ding Er's escape, killed the Deputy Warden and then took his own life. The prison camp incident was brought to a close, with all the escaped prisoners apprehended. Su Xingqiao and her group were credited for their contributions, leading to a reduction in their sentences.
Lu Guannian expressed surprise at the presence of both Liao and Xia secret agents within the camp. Zhao Jian reiterated her concern about Ding Er's long-term strategy of psychological subversion, contrasting it with the Privy Council's dismissal of it as trivial due to the slow pace of information exchange. She warned of the greater danger such methods could pose in an era of more convenient communication, a threat more complex than direct military conflict.
That night, Zhao Jian directly asked Yuan Zhongxin why he refused to give her to Ding Er. Yuan Zhongxin did not answer directly, feeling an inexplicable emotion, and even got lost on his way back to the dorm. Following the resolution, Lu Guannian individually interviewed the members of the Seven Chambers regarding their performance during the prison camp mission.
Xiao Jing praised Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin as the top achievers, while naming herself and Wei Yanei as the least capable. Xue Ying also named Zhao Jian as the top achiever and Wei Yanei as the most inept. Conversely, Wei Yanei lauded Yuan Zhongxin but singled out Xue Ying as the most inept. Wang Kuan, however, refrained from naming anyone as the worst, asserting that each member possessed unique strengths.
Yuan Zhongxin ultimately gave the highest credit to Zhao Jian. Dissatisfied with the overall handling of the prison camp situation, the Privy Council demanded that one member of the Seven Chambers be removed. Lu Guannian informed the group that Wei Yanei and Xue Ying were tied for the lowest performance, tasking them with choosing who among them should leave the Secret Cabinet.
Wei Yanei, valuing camaraderie, refused to make the choice, but Xue Ying argued that Wei Yanei should be the one to leave due to his perceived detachment during the recent events. This sparked Wei Yanei's anger, and he moved to physically confront Xue Ying, but Yuan Zhongxin intervened, insisting that given their collective achievements, no member of the Seven Chambers should be dismissed.
To demonstrate the group's merit, Yuan Zhongxin led Lu Guannian and the Seven Chambers to a hidden Liao secret agent stronghold that Zhao Jian had already infiltrated. They successfully raided the location, capturing all the Liao agents. Yuan Zhongxin explained that he had long been aware of Su Xingqiao's indirect connection to the Liao network. Su Xingqiao, in her quest for vengeance, had killed a Liao agent and, through interrogating other agents, uncovered the location of this very stronghold.
She also possessed an additional secret document. Zhao Jian retrieved this crucial second document from Su Xingqiao. This successful operation served as sufficient merit for the Seven Chambers, allowing Wei Yanei to retain his position within the Secret Cabinet. However, he was required to relinquish his role as chief, which was then passed to Zhao Jian.
As Wei Yanei prepared to return home, Lu Guannian advised him on the paramount importance of secrecy within the Secret Cabinet, emphasizing that those who operate in the shadows must be adept at concealing their identities and that, in such a world, complete trust even among allies is a luxury.
Back at the Grand Marshal's Residence, Wei Yanei's father, Wei Zhuoran, expressed profound disappointment in his son, lamenting his perceived lack of ability and tendency to cause trouble, believing Wei Yanei would eventually squander the family fortune. Stung by his father's words, Wei Yanei secretly vowed to achieve something significant to earn his father's respect. That night, Wang Kuan approached Xue Ying, who was feigning sleep, and offered words of comfort.
Wang Kuan understood that Lu Guannian's intention was to teach them the importance of suspicion and survival in a treacherous environment. Yuan Zhongxin admitted that trust was a complex matter. Wang Kuan observed the growing understanding and seamless teamwork between Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian, noting how different it was from before. Yuan Zhongxin, visibly flustered, quickly denied Wang Kuan's observation. The following day, Wei Yanei returned to the Secret Cabinet.
Xue Ying intercepted him, offering to be his emotional punching bag to vent his frustrations. Wei Yanei demanded to know why Xue Ying had wanted him to leave. Xue Ying explained that his own continued presence in the Secret Cabinet was a necessity. To reveal his reason, Xue Ying took Wei Yanei to a noodle shop, where he introduced the elderly shopkeeper as his birth parent.
Episode 12 Recap
Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian discussed Ding Er, who had returned to Xia, with Zhao Jian speculating that he might become a formidable adversary in the future. Later, Lu Guannian called each member of Section 7 individually to discuss their performance during the prison camp incident. Xiao Jing felt that Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin made the most contributions, while Wei Yanei made the fewest, apart from herself.
Xue Ying agreed that Zhao Jian was the most instrumental and Wei Yanei the least. Wei Yanei, in turn, named Yuan Zhongxin as the top contributor but shockingly chose Xue Ying as the one with the fewest contributions, accusing him of failing to protect Wang Kuan or Xiao Jing despite his strength. Wang Kuan, however, refused to single out anyone, stating that everyone made mistakes due to lack of experience, not incompetence.
Yuan Zhongxin, when his turn came, also credited Zhao Jian with the most contributions. Lu Guannian then gathered everyone and informed them that the Privy Council was displeased with the prison camp incident, requiring one member to be expelled. With both Xue Ying and Wei Yanei having received two votes each as the "least contributive," Lu Guannian instructed them to decide among themselves who would leave.
Wei Yanei, true to his character, argued that neither of them should leave, but Xue Ying insisted that Wei Yanei, having done nothing in the outer camp, should be the one to go. An angry Wei Yanei was about to confront Xue Ying when Yuan Zhongxin intervened, asserting that Section 7 had other merits that could compensate for their errors, preventing anyone from being expelled.
Yuan Zhongxin then led Lu Guannian and the rest of Section 7 to the Hengxin Dyehouse, which Yuan Zhongxin revealed to be a secret stronghold for Liao agents. Zhao Jian was already inside, having infiltrated earlier. They stormed the place, apprehending all the agents. Yuan Zhongxin explained that he had suspected Ms. Su, a boatwoman, of being involved with Liao agents.
He noticed a loophole in her story about using "dirty things" to freshen dried shrimp, as there were many boatmen who could supply such materials, making her alleged connection to Feng Zhu, a stool cleaner, suspicious. He further elaborated that Wang Kuan had found Ms. Su's girdle in Feng Zhu’s cell, confirming a close relationship.
Yuan Zhongxin deduced that Ms. Su had likely discovered Feng Zhu's Liao identity and then killed him for the secret letter containing a list of crossbow technicians to sell for profit. Ms. Su, whose family was ruined by the emperor, had become the "Dragon King of water transport" as a way to profit from the turmoil.
Zhao Jian had been secretly monitoring Ms. Su since the prison camp, leading them to the stronghold when Ms. Su thought it was safe enough to conduct her trade. Their successful capture of the Liao agents was deemed a significant contribution, nullifying the need to expel anyone. Wei Yanei was allowed to remain in the Secret Repository but was stripped of his section chief position, which was then given to Zhao Jian.
Lu Guannian reminded them about the importance of secrecy regarding their identities and missions, even from their own families, and explained that the exercise of choosing who to expel was to teach them that in their line of work, absolute trust in anyone, even those closest, was a luxury they couldn't afford. Wei Yanei returned home, where his father, Grand Commandant Wei Zhuoran, expressed disappointment and scolded him, calling him useless.
Wei Yanei, feeling disrespected, secretly vowed to accomplish something extraordinary to earn his father’s admiration. Later that night, Wang Kuan tried to comfort a seemingly asleep Xue Ying, commenting on how Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian had developed good teamwork, which Yuan Zhongxin quickly denied when he overheard. The next morning, Xue Ying approached Wei Yanei, offering to be a punching bag for Wei Yanei's anger.
Wei Yanei, still upset, demanded to know why Xue Ying had voted for him to be expelled. Xue Ying explained that his family were military households from Hebei, and his father was a timid soldier. Members of military households could not leave their garrisons from birth. The only reason his parents were in Kaifeng, running a noodle soup shop, was because Lu Guannian had agreed to remove their military status if Xue Ying joined the Secret Repository.
If Xue Ying were expelled, his family would be forced back to their desolate military post, condemning future generations to the same fate. He pleaded with Wei Yanei to understand why he had to stay. While they were at Xue Ying’s parents' noodle shop, a local thug tried to extort protection money from Xue Ying's parents.
Seeing them being bullied and his father's cowardly subservience, Wei Yanei, remembering Xue Ying’s story and his own vow to prove himself, intervened and scared off the thug. He then shared a bowl of noodle soup with Xue Ying, declaring their previous grudges settled over the shared meal. A new mission was then assigned to Section 7 by Lu Guannian. A gifted technician named Chen Gong from the Crossbow Workshop was being targeted by both Liao and Xia.
Due to security concerns, the Privy Council decided to move Chen Gong to a private mansion in the east of the city, where loyal Imperial Guards would protect him. Section 7's task was to secretly extract Chen Gong from the highly guarded workshop and deliver him to the mansion without revealing their Secret Repository identities. Yuan Zhongxin was initially reluctant but was compelled to join by Zhao Jian.
Section 7 devised a plan: Wang Kuan and Xiao Jing would prepare the mansion, while Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian would retrieve Chen Gong from the workshop. Xue Ying and Wei Yanei would wait outside with a carriage for the pickup. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian successfully gained entry to the workshop by posing as Chen Gong's relatives, using a forged pass. They discreetly escorted Chen Gong over a wall, then brazenly exited through the main gate.
Chen Gong entered the waiting carriage. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian instructed Xue Ying and Wei Yanei to return to the Secret Repository. However, Wei Yanei, eager to claim credit, secretly followed the carriage. Midway, the carriage was ambushed by mysterious assailants. While Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian fought off the attackers, Chen Gong seized the opportunity to escape. Observing from afar, Wei Yanei and Xue Ying intercepted the fleeing Chen Gong.
Xue Ying intended to take him to the designated mansion, but Wei Yanei, still thinking of a way to maximize his personal glory, pulled Chen Gong in a different direction. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian returned to the mansion empty-handed. Zhao Jian wanted to report Chen Gong's disappearance to Lu Guannian immediately, but Yuan Zhongxin, suspecting a traitor within the Secret Repository since only their group knew the details, suggested finding Chen Gong first.
Meanwhile, Wei Yanei led Chen Gong and Xue Ying to Xue Ying's parents' noodle shop, where he promptly knocked Chen Gong unconscious. Wei Yanei revealed his audacious plan to Xue Ying: to hide Chen Gong until everyone else had given up searching, then present him, ensuring undeniable credit for themselves. News of Chen Gong's disappearance soon reached Lu Guannian, who was furious at Section 7's deception.
He ordered them to find Chen Gong immediately, emphasizing that the entire Imperial Army was already searching. Lu Guannian stressed the critical importance of Chen Gong, who possessed incomplete designs for the "Wheelbarrow Cannon." If these fell into the hands of Liao or Xia, the Song Dynasty would be gravely imperiled, thus, if Chen Gong were found captured by the enemy, he was to be killed without hesitation.
Xue Ying, alarmed by the escalating situation, urged Wei Yanei to turn Chen Gong in. Wei Yanei, however, refused, arguing that doing so now would be an admission of hiding Chen Gong, leading to punishment instead of reward. He insisted they wait a few more days. Zhao Jian then called a meeting for Section 7. She and Yuan Zhongxin outlined search areas and assigned tasks.
She sent Wei Yanei home to subtly extract information from his father, Wei Zhuoran, about the Imperial Guards' search progress. Wei Yanei then requested that Xue Ying be assigned to search the southern part of the city, where his parents' noodle shop was located.
Episode 13 Recap
The Secret Repository's 7th Chamber was tasked by Dean Lu Guannian with relocating Chen Gong, a genius crossbow technician sought by Liao and Xia, from the Crossbow Workshop to a protected mansion in the east of the city. The plan involved Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian covertly escorting Chen Gong out of the workshop while disguised as relatives, with Xue Ying and Wei Yanei waiting with a carriage outside.
Although Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian successfully extracted Chen Gong, Wei Yanei, seeking to claim credit, secretly followed the carriage with Xue Ying, despite being instructed to return. During the transfer, the carriage was ambushed by mysterious attackers attempting to kill Chen Gong. In the ensuing chaos, Chen Gong escaped. Wei Yanei and Xue Ying, observing from a distance, intercepted the fleeing Chen Gong.
While Xue Ying initially intended to take him to the designated mansion, Wei Yanei redirected them, taking Chen Gong to Xue Ying's family noodle shop. There, Wei Yanei discreetly knocked Chen Gong unconscious and outlined his plan to Xue Ying: they would hide Chen Gong privately for a period, only revealing him when everyone else had despaired of finding him, thereby claiming significant credit. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian returned empty-handed to the mansion.
Zhao Jian wished to immediately report Chen Gong's disappearance to Dean Lu Guannian, but Yuan Zhongxin, suspecting a traitor within the Secret Repository due to the ambush, decided to locate Chen Gong first before making a report. Wei Yanei returned home to gather information, but his father, Wei Zhuoran, had already discerned his intentions.
Wei Zhuoran knew about Wei Yanei joining the Secret Repository and revealed he planned for his son to gain experience there for a few years before transferring him to the Privy Council for a legitimate position. Wei Yanei, attempting to be caring, brought his father fruit and asked about his work, noting a detailed map of Kaifeng on the desk.
Wei Zhuoran candidly stated that the Imperial Guards were searching for the Crossbow Workshop technician, the very one Wei Yanei's section had lost. Surprised his father knew about his section, Wei Yanei was further chided by Wei Zhuoran for his past failures, including the prison camp incident where Yuan Zhongxin had to create a loophole for him. His father expressed a desire for Wei Yanei to accumulate experience and secure a stable job.
Despite his father's skepticism, Wei Yanei insisted he could find Chen Gong. Meanwhile, Lu Guannian, having been informed of Chen Gong's disappearance, confronted the 7th Chamber members. He was furious about their attempt to conceal the truth. Lu Guannian stressed the critical importance of Chen Gong’s unfinished cannon design, emphasizing that if it fell into the hands of Liao or Xia, it would pose a grave danger to the Song state.
He ordered an immediate, all-out search for Chen Gong and voiced suspicions that a high-ranking traitor might have leaked information about the transfer, leading to the ambush. Following this, Zhao Jian convened a meeting for the 7th Chamber. Wei Yanei, demonstrating an unexpected insight, deduced that Chen Gong must still be within the city walls because Dean Lu had ordered a city-wide lockdown immediately after his disappearance.
Yuan Zhongxin proposed a strategic search, suggesting they focus on newly-opened shops and bustling streets where a stranger could blend in more easily, rather than temples, hotels, or brothels, which the Imperial Guards would already be scrutinizing. They divided the city into search regions. Wei Yanei was assigned the task of discreetly gathering intelligence from his father, while Xue Ying was given responsibility for the southern region, where his family's noodle shop was located.
At the noodle shop, Wei Yanei instructed Xue Ying on how to treat Chen Gong. He told Xue Ying to be kind and persuasive, urging him to finish the cannon drawing so they could claim credit. Xue Ying awkwardly attempted to smile at Chen Gong as Wei Yanei had demonstrated, much to Chen Gong's discomfort.
Chen Gong complained about feeling sleepy and getting headaches every time he ate the noodles, hinting they were drugged, but Xue Ying dismissed it as a dream. When asked about the scars on his arms, Chen Gong claimed they were from a gambling game where contestants scratched themselves for money.
Xue Ying suggested turning Chen Gong over to the authorities, but Wei Yanei vehemently argued against it, citing the pervasive threat of Xia and Liao spies and the likelihood of traitors within the Imperial Guards. He convinced Chen Gong to remain in hiding to complete the drawing, promising to fulfill any request as long as it didn't involve leaving the shop.
Chen Gong then requested to watch dancing, and Wei Yanei, eager to please, offered to arrange for dancing girls to come to the shop, a suggestion Xue Ying immediately rejected. Wei Yanei later reassured Xue Ying that his father's search efforts were concentrated elsewhere, ensuring their temporary safety at the noodle shop. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian arrived at Chen Gong's room in the Crossbow Workshop, disguised as his relatives.
They were surprised to find Wang Kuan already there, having gained entry using a fake Imperial Guard token that Yuan Zhongxin had incidentally created for a false pass previously. A brief argument ensued over Yuan Zhongxin's fabrication and Wang Kuan's pragmatic use of it. They questioned the gatekeeper, who confirmed Chen Gong was a dissolute gambler with no friends, and that Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian, posing as his relatives, had been his only recent visitors.
Inside, Wang Kuan discovered Chen Gong's gambling instructions and an "Erotica" book. Yuan Zhongxin then found a half-arrowhead hidden under Chen Gong's pillow. Wang Kuan meticulously examined it, noting its smooth, fondled surface and layers of dried blood, concluding it had been used to injure or kill someone. They surmised that finding the victim would be key to uncovering Chen Gong's secrets. Later, Wang Kuan met with Xiao Jing.
He asked her to retrace her exact steps from the day Chen Gong disappeared, believing she might have unknowingly been manipulated or questioned. After she recounted her movements, Wang Kuan found no anomalies, reinforcing his unwavering trust in her, regardless of her Bohai heritage. Zhao Jian subsequently reported to Yuan Zhongxin that she had seen Wei Yanei touching Xue Ying's face and Xue Ying smiling in response.
Though she was too far away to overhear their conversation, she found their behavior extremely peculiar. Yuan Zhongxin advised they act as if nothing was amiss and discreetly observe Wei Yanei and Xue Ying. Acting on a clue, Yuan Zhongxin found a bodice from Xiuxiang Tower in Chen Gong's room and decided to investigate there. Wang Kuan had other responsibilities and did not accompany them. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian went undercover to Xiuxiang Tower.
There, they spotted two suspicious men, whom Yuan Zhongxin identified as foreign spies. While staking out the spies, they unexpectedly saw Wei Yanei at the tower, seemingly seeking pleasure. Yuan Zhongxin found Wei Yanei's presence highly suspicious and instructed Zhao Jian to follow him, while Yuan Zhongxin continued to monitor the spies. The spies were also clearly searching for Chen Gong.
They noticed that several entertainers known to associate with Chen Gong remained quiet, but a different, unknown entertainer was called out by one of the men. The spy leader recognized this as a critical lead and traced it back to the noodle shop. That night, the spies descended upon the noodle shop, intending to kill everyone inside if Chen Gong was not there. Inside, Xue Ying suddenly sensed people lurking outside.
Meanwhile, Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin were positioned on the rooftop above. Both suspected that Xue Ying and Wei Yanei were concealing something, especially given their connection to the noodle shop. They decided to remain hidden and observe the unfolding situation before taking any action.
Episode 14 Recap
Xue Ying, Wei Yanei, and Chen Gong were inside the noodle soup shop, while Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin watched from the rooftop. Secret agents had arrived to search for Chen Gong. Chen Gong, fearing that Imperial Guards might inform his father, wanted to stay hidden. Xue Ying engaged the secret agents and urged Wei Yanei to take Chen Gong to safety.
However, Wei Yanei insisted that Xue Ying stall for time with the agents while he went to rescue Xue Ying's parents, declaring that friendship was more important than any achievement. Xue Ying applauded his devotion. Meanwhile, the secret agent leader realized their informants, the dancing girls from Xiuxiang House, had been used to mislead them; Wei Yanei had arranged for them to come to the noodle shop, a place Chen Gong would not frequent for entertainment.
The leader ordered his agents to kill everyone if Chen Gong wasn't found. Unexpectedly, Xue Ying's parents were already controlled by the secret agent leader, who threatened Xue Ying's parents' lives, demanding Chen Gong in exchange for their release. He quickly dismissed it as a joke and attacked Xue Ying's father. Surprisingly, Xue Ying's father, who had always appeared cowardly, revealed extraordinary martial arts skills, quickly neutralizing all the secret agents. Wei Yanei was stunned by the display.
Xue Ying's father then noticed Yuan Zhongxin, who had also joined the fight, and was about to attack him, but Xue Ying intervened, stopping him. Yuan Zhongxin noted the difficulty of disposing of bodies in Kaifeng, unlike in Hebei, to which Xue Ying's father suggested burying them with flour outside the city. Xue Ying introduced Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, and Wei Yanei as his friends to his parents.
His mother expressed her joy that Xue Ying had made so many friends in Kaifeng, a contrast to his solitary time in Hebei. Yuan Zhongxin praised Xue Ying's father's combat skills, prompting Xue Ying to confront his father about his long-held secret. His father explained that he never truly lied, only withheld the truth. He recounted how Xue Ying's mother had four elder brothers who were scouts, all perishing in battle against enemy cavalry.
As a general's personal guard, skilled in assassination, he avenged them by sneaking out of the army, poisoning horses, setting fires, and ambushing the cavalry, ultimately killing their general. On the general's body, he found a birth announcement for his son, born on the same day as Xue Ying.
This profound moment transformed him, leading him to conceal his abilities and live a "cowardly" life, wishing only for Xue Ying to grow up peacefully, far from the dangers of becoming a soldier. Deeply moved, Xue Ying reconciled with his parents. They insisted that Xue Ying leave the city with his friends and offered to take the blame if the bodies of the agents were discovered, urging him to pretend they were not his parents to protect his future.
Wei Yanei assured Xue Ying that having his parents by his side was the most important thing. Xue Ying admitted he still felt a mix of anger and understanding towards his father's actions. Wei Yanei recounted the events to Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian. Zhao Jian confronted Chen Gong, who was restrained, asking why he specifically requested dancing girls from Xiuxiang House, a place he frequented, despite knowing he was being pursued.
Chen Gong complimented her appearance but evaded a direct answer, stating it was "hard to explain" but admitting his familiarity with the place. He confirmed he knew assassins were after him. Zhao Jian clarified that the assassins intended to "capture" him, not kill him, because his crossbow drawing was incomplete. She suspected Chen Gong might have deliberately chosen Xiuxiang House to facilitate his capture.
Acting on her suspicions, Zhao Jian ordered Chen Gong to prepare to move out and locked him in the room to prevent him from overhearing their next discussion. Wei Yanei protested, fearing it would undermine the trust they had painstakingly built with Chen Gong. Zhao Jian reiterated her belief that either Chen Gong or the Imperial Guards were compromised, and the noodle shop was no longer a safe haven.
To investigate her suspicions, Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, and Wei Yanei devised a plan to expose an internal mole within the Imperial Guards. However, Wei Yanei inadvertently caused a blunder during the operation, allowing the mole to escape. With Chen Gong's predicament known to all in Section 7, Yuan Zhongxin received intelligence from the Old Thief that Lu Guannian had no genuine intention of finding Chen Gong, a fact everyone found unsettling.
Despite Lu Guannian's order for all Mimige personnel to remain within the academy, Yuan Zhongxin decided they must bring Chen Gong inside and conceal him there, especially since Zhao Jian wanted to maintain control over him. After their initial attempts to smuggle Chen Gong into Mimige failed, Zhao Jian revealed the existence of a secret, alternative entrance. She demanded Yuan Zhongxin agree to three conditions, which he accepted.
Zhao Jian then disclosed that this entrance was a "girls' exclusive secret passage" accessible only through the female bathhouse. Wei Yanei enthusiastically volunteered to escort Chen Gong, but his offer was immediately rejected due to his obvious motives. Consequently, Yuan Zhongxin and Chen Gong disguised themselves as women. Zhao Jian guided them through the secret passage and into the bustling female bathhouse.
Their disguise, however, was not flawless; Yuan Zhongxin was recognized as a man by one of the women, causing immediate chaos. Zhao Jian swiftly capitalized on the confusion, seizing the moment to quickly lead Chen Gong back to the safety of Section 7.
Episode 15 Recap
Zhao Jian handed Chen Gong over to Jing, instructing Jing to take him back to the Secret Repository while she returned to the bathhouse to rescue Yuan Zhongxin. Upon her return, however, Zhao Jian found Yuan Zhongxin comfortably chatting with the girls of the Secret Repository. Seeing this, she left him to his own devices and returned to Section 7.
Yuan Zhongxin, still in his disheveled female disguise, managed to resolve the situation by falsely claiming that he and Zhao Jian were on a date. He safely returned to Section 7, where his appearance prompted the other members to burst into laughter. Afterward, Yuan Zhongxin, Wang Kuan, and Zhao Jian discussed Chen Gong's situation. They decided to have Chen Gong draw the blueprints for the wheeled cannons.
Their reasoning was that even if something were to happen to Chen Gong later, they would at least possess the valuable drawing. Keeping Chen Gong's presence in Section 7 a secret was paramount. As the group headed to the main hall for class, Zhao Jian expressed concern about leaving Chen Gong alone in the girls' courtyard, but Yuan Zhongxin reassured her. During class, the members passed notes, which eventually reached Wang Kuan.
As the section leader, Wang Kuan confiscated the note, refusing to participate in their games. However, the others persisted, throwing more notes at him. Instructor Yue discovered their antics, dismissing Wang Kuan early and ordering the rest of them to clean the courtyard before they could leave. While cleaning, they wondered where Wang Kuan had put their note. Yuan Zhongxin later revealed that Wang Kuan had held onto the note, protecting their secret.
He explained that Wang Kuan had indeed helped them by hiding the important note from the instructor. The Privy Council had grown suspicious about Chen Gong's disappearance and ordered a thorough investigation of all institutions in Kaifeng, including the Secret Repository. This directive came from Grand Commandant Wei Zhuoran. After deliberation, the Section 7 members decided that Wei Yanei should take responsibility for Chen Gong.
They reasoned that since it was Wei Yanei's father who issued the order causing them so much trouble, it was fitting for Wei Yanei to handle Chen Gong. Returning to the Section 7 courtyard, the group was horrified to find it utterly wrecked by Chen Gong. Furious, they collectively beat him. Chen Gong, startled, asked if this was their base.
He realized that the academy, with its yards, bathrooms, and dormitories, resembled his Crossbow Workshop, implying it was a secure location. He was told he wouldn't be free until he completed the wheeled cannon drawing. Later, Lu Guannian summoned Wang Kuan, mentioning that Section 7 had a mix of good and bad students and advised Wang Kuan to be more observant and supervise the members closely.
A surprise inspection was conducted at the Secret Repository, led by Liu Sheng, a senior student from Section 5 who was known to be at odds with Section 7 members but had a soft spot for Zhao Jian. Yuan Zhongxin planned to hide Chen Gong under a bed board and sent Zhao Jian and Jing to distract Liu Sheng outside. After successfully hiding Chen Gong, the Section 7 members opened their door for Liu Sheng.
Liu Sheng and Wei Yanei quickly got into an argument, prompting Xue Ying to defend Wei Yanei and demand an apology from Liu Sheng. Liu Sheng, being a Secret Repository member, refused to apologize, and Xue Ying was powerless to stop his arrogant behavior. After searching both the boys' and girls' dormitories, Liu Sheng discovered a large box inside Section 7's room. He found the box suspicious, but Zhao Jian quickly claimed it was hers.
Liu Sheng ordered the box opened, only to find it filled with Zhao Jian's personal undergarments and sweat towels. After Liu Sheng left, Yuan Zhongxin revealed that Chen Gong had been hidden inside the box all along. Embarrassed and indignant, Zhao Jian took her belongings, allowing Chen Gong to emerge. Lu Guannian assembled all Section 7 members, informing them that their mission to escort the crossbow technician had failed and that the Imperial Guards would interrogate them about the details.
He stressed that they must present themselves as ordinary Secret Repository students to the Imperial Guards. After their interrogation, Yuan Zhongxin believed it was merely a test, and that one of the three officials who questioned them was the traitor they had previously encountered. Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin were the first to finish their questioning.
Zhao Jian reminded Yuan Zhongxin of the three conditions he had agreed to earlier and demanded that he return to the Secret Repository immediately to steal Wang Kuan's small wooden box, which contained her birth details. She promised to find a way to stall Wang Kuan. As they left the government office, Zhao Jian deliberately damaged their carriage, forcing the group to walk back. This gave her a chance to briefly detain Wang Kuan.
Meanwhile, Chen Gong, still intent on escaping the Secret Repository, once again disguised himself in female attire and returned to the bathhouse exit. However, he was recognized by the girls there and subjected to a severe beating.
Episode 16 Recap
Lu Guannian summoned Wang Kuan, informing him that the ongoing closed learning period was intended to keep the students from the complicated case of Chen Gong, whose whereabouts remained a mystery and whose actions implicated many. He instructed Wang Kuan to remain within the Secret Repository, await orders, and report immediately if any of his section members secretly left the premises, thus tasking Wang Kuan with supervising his peers.
Shortly after, a surprise dormitory inspection was announced, led by Liu Sheng from Section 5, known for his animosity towards Section 7 members, with the exception of Zhao Jian. Anticipating his arrival, Yuan Zhongxin initially planned to hide Chen Gong under a bed, then let Zhao Jian and Xiao Jing block Liu Sheng outside. Upon Liu Sheng's arrival at the men's dorm, he immediately targeted Wei Yanei, ridiculing his background and calling him a "loser."
Xue Ying defended Wei Yanei, demanding an apology, but Liu Sheng, asserting his authority, refused to back down. As he continued his inspection, Liu Sheng found a suspicious large box. Zhao Jian promptly claimed it was hers. Despite her claim, Liu Sheng insisted on opening the box, revealing it contained Zhao Jian's underwear and sweat towels. After this discovery, Liu Sheng announced his intent to inspect the girls' room next and warned of more unscheduled inspections.
Once Liu Sheng had departed, Yuan Zhongxin revealed that Chen Gong had been hidden inside the box. Zhao Jian, embarrassed, retrieved her underwear and sweat towels, allowing Chen Gong to emerge. Wang Kuan then revealed that Lu Guannian had specifically tasked him with monitoring the team, confirming their suspicion that their superior already doubted them due to their past conduct. They also discussed the mole they had previously encountered, anticipating further actions from them.
Chen Gong, visibly battered, returned to Qizhai. He met Yuan Zhongxin, who was there to retrieve a small wooden box that belonged to Zhao Jian. Yuan Zhongxin mocked Chen Gong, then hid him in a wardrobe. While Yuan Zhongxin was distracted, Chen Gong secretly took the "birth chart" (生辰帖) from that wooden box.
Chen Gong had just failed his attempt to escape through the secret tunnel disguised as a woman, where he was caught and beaten by vigilant female students guarding the passage. At that moment, the indignant girls arrived at Qizhai, still pursuing the "peeping tom." To shield Chen Gong from further detection and harm, Yuan Zhongxin quickly donned Chen Gong's female disguise and allowed himself to be mistaken for the culprit. The girls viciously attacked Yuan Zhongxin.
Afterwards, they confronted Zhao Jian, ordering her to "control her man" and threatening to report him to Dean Lu if such incidents recurred. Zhao Jian later questioned Yuan Zhongxin about his injuries, to which he explained that he deliberately took the blame to prevent the girls from conducting a more thorough search that might have exposed Chen Gong. Yuan Zhongxin admonished Chen Gong for wasting time on futile escape attempts instead of focusing on drawing the crucial blueprint.
Still sore from his beating, Chen Gong defiantly refused to cooperate. However, Jing approached Chen Gong with kindness, offering to prepare him some food. Chen Gong expressed a craving for steamed buns from a specific shop, but Jing informed him that the academy was under lockdown, making it impossible to procure anything from outside. Yuan Zhongxin later spoke with Jing in the kitchen, subtly inquiring about Chen Gong's dietary requests.
Learning of Chen Gong's specific longing for steamed buns, Yuan Zhongxin recalled discovering uneaten, dried steamed buns in Chen Gong's room at the Crossbow Workshop. He advised Jing to feign ignorance about this detail, suspecting that Chen Gong's desire for the buns held a deeper, more significant meaning. During an interrogation by the Imperial Guards, Zhao Jian reminded Yuan Zhongxin of three promises he had made to her.
She immediately demanded that he return to the Secret Repository to steal a small wooden box from Wang Kuan's room, which she believed contained her birth chart. Zhao Jian pledged to create a distraction to delay Wang Kuan. To ensure Yuan Zhongxin had adequate time, Zhao Jian deliberately disabled their carriage outside the yamen, forcing everyone to walk back and giving her an opportunity to briefly hold up Wang Kuan.
Yuan Zhongxin successfully retrieved the box and handed it to Zhao Jian, cautioning her to deny any knowledge of it if questioned. Later, Wang Kuan confronted Yuan Zhongxin about his missing box, but Yuan Zhongxin refused to admit taking it. Upon receiving the box, Zhao Jian discovered it was empty, infuriating her with Yuan Zhongxin's apparent deception. Chen Gong, having finally come to terms with his situation, completed the intricate Car-Mounted Cannon blueprint.
He proudly proclaimed it his life's work and invention, expressing his unwavering belief that this drawing would make invaluable contributions to the Song dynasty on the battlefield. Wang Kuan was perplexed by Chen Gong's sudden willingness to complete the drawing. Yuan Zhongxin intercepted Chen Gong, who was once again attempting to leave the Secret Repository.
He convinced Chen Gong that he was the only one who had seen the Imperial Guard mole and could identify him, and that they should go together to the Privy Council. As the group hurriedly tried to secure Chen Gong, they unexpectedly encountered Lu Guannian, who appeared to be fully aware of their entire situation. Instead of reprimanding them, Lu Guannian demanded they devise a plan.
The team unanimously agreed with Zhao Jian's proposal: they would first safely deliver Chen Gong to the Privy Council, then investigate to uncover the identity of the Imperial Guard mole to atone for their previous failures. Lu Guannian approved their plan, expressing confidence in their cunning, and stated he would await them at the Privy Council. The Qizhai members then secretly began escorting Chen Gong to the Privy Council.
Following their strategic plan, Zhao Jian deliberately leaked a false route—via Yulin Lane—to the Imperial Guards. Ma Duwei, after reviewing the leaked route, decided to deploy his troops to Yulin Lane. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin informed Chen Gong that their actual route would be through Yanqing Temple, not Yulin Lane.
This deception served as a calculated test: if the Imperial Guards appeared at Yulin Lane, it would confirm the presence of a mole within their ranks; if they converged on Yanqing Temple, it would suggest Chen Gong himself was compromised. At Yulin Lane, Zhao Jian, Wei Yanei, and Xue Ying lay in wait. They soon spotted Ma Duwei leading Imperial Guards into the alley. Wei Yanei immediately recalled that Ma Duwei had conspicuously avoided him during the previous day's interrogation.
Seeking answers, Zhao Jian's group confronted Ma Duwei, directly questioning his evasive behavior from the day before. Ma Duwei offered a smooth, dismissive response. Zhao Jian then openly suggested that Ma Duwei was there searching for Chen Gong, revealing to a surprised Ma Duwei that she was the one who had intentionally tipped off the Imperial Guards. At Yanqing Temple, Yuan Zhongxin's observations led him to confirm Chen Gong's loyalty.
He presented Chen Gong with a row of dried, uneaten steamed buns that had been found hidden in Chen Gong's room at the Crossbow Workshop. Recalling Chen Gong's recent request for shop-bought steamed buns, Yuan Zhongxin deduced that Chen Gong’s attachment to the buns stemmed from his concern for the person who made or sold them. To solidify his hypothesis, Yuan Zhongxin brought Chen Gong to a spot across from a steamed bun shop. Chen Gong's evident discomfort and reluctance to look at the shop’s female owner further validated Yuan Zhongxin's theory.
Episode 17 Recap
Wei Yanei recalled seeing Captain Ma at his father Wei Zhuoran's study door. Captain Ma had given money to Wei Zhuoran the day before Chen Gong was to be transported. Zhao Jian speculated that Captain Ma was attempting to secure the task of escorting Chen Gong to learn the route and prepare an ambush, thus identifying him as a potential traitor. However, lacking concrete evidence, they decided against apprehending him immediately.
As Captain Ma started to leave, Zhao Jian noticed his injured right foot, an injury Yuan Zhongxin had inflicted on the Imperial Guard spy. Captain Ma denied any injury from Yuan Zhongxin. Zhao Jian then declared that Chen Gong was in their custody and that he would not be able to catch him.
Yuan Zhongxin, threatening the steamed bun shop owner's life, prompted Chen Gong to confess in desperation that the owner was his younger sister, whom he had avoided for years because she hated him. He explained that he had accidentally killed her husband with a crossbow during an experiment at home. Unable to compensate her, he left his savings and pursued a career as a crossbow technician, earning money to secretly support her.
Yuan Zhongxin realized that a half-arrowhead Chen Gong possessed was from the same incident that killed his brother-in-law. Knowing Chen Gong would soon be heavily guarded at the Privy Council and unable to see his sister, Yuan Zhongxin devised a plan to deliver Chen Gong's savings to her. He purchased a large quantity of steamed buns, giving the shop owner an excessive sum of money while implying a fictitious dispute between "masters" over property.
He also subtly threatened her shop if she refused the money. This ploy ensured she accepted the funds without realizing their true origin. Although Yuan Zhongxin encouraged Chen Gong to speak with his sister, Chen Gong declined, stating she would not want to see him. Meanwhile, Captain Ma, having received Zhao Jian's deliberately leaked information about Chen Gong's supposed location, assembled a small force to raid the Secret Repository students' residence.
He believed the students, who were officially just cataloging books, would pose no threat. He led his men through a hidden passage, only to discover his soldiers mysteriously vanishing one by one, until he was left alone. Zhao Jian, who had anticipated his arrival, learned that Captain Ma had stumbled into the territory of Dugu of Section 3, known for digging tunnels and creating illusions, and Gu Guanyin of Section 2, famed for her extraordinary strength.
Even Xue Ying had previously suffered a severe defeat against Gu Guanyin, leading Zhao Jian to conclude that Captain Ma was in grave trouble. Captain Ma and his remaining men were captured by the Secret Repository students and brought before Lu Guannian. From Captain Ma, Lu Guannian learned about Chen Gong's presence, understanding that Section 7 had intentionally divulged this information. He confronted the Section 7 members, asking why they had hidden such a serious matter from him.
Zhao Jian admitted she had deliberately lured Captain Ma to the Secret Repository. She explained that Captain Ma's unauthorized attempt to apprehend Chen Gong indicated he was acting privately, rather than under official orders from higher-ranking Imperial Guard officers who would know better than to provoke the Secret Repository. Zhao Jian argued that using the entire academy as bait was a worthwhile price if it exposed a traitor.
Lu Guannian, though displeased with Zhao Jian's unilateral decision-making, asked about Chen Gong's whereabouts, as the Privy Council had not received any news. Zhao Jian informed him that Chen Gong was already at the Privy Council, but Wang Kuan had used his father's connections to secure a discreet, unused courtyard there. Yuan Zhongxin wished to keep Chen Gong isolated to further test him, suspecting that if the Imperial Guards were compromised, Chen Gong might also be involved.
Lu Guannian found Yuan Zhongxin's method absurd, but Zhao Jian supported the caution, stressing the need to guard against all possibilities. Yuan Zhongxin and his group successfully delivered Chen Gong to the Privy Council. As they parted ways, Chen Gong discreetly handed Zhao Jian's marriage proposal card to Yuan Zhongxin, calling it a "gift for helping my sister," while also requesting his arrowhead back, which he wished to keep.
Yuan Zhongxin settled Chen Gong in a secluded courtyard, then he and Wang Kuan observed him from different vantage points, eager to see if Chen Gong would make any suspicious moves. Chen Gong, however, remained completely inactive. Later, as Yuan Zhongxin's group prepared to leave the Privy Council, Yuan Zhongxin attempted to return Zhao Jian's marriage proposal card to Wang Kuan.
But Wang Kuan, perceiving Yuan Zhongxin's nascent feelings for Zhao Jian, suggested he hold onto it for now, encouraging him to acknowledge his emotions before deciding the card's ultimate fate. With the immediate concern of Chen Gong settled, Zhao Jian remained focused on Captain Ma's case. Wang Kuan considered the troubling possibility that Captain Ma was not an isolated incident and that corruption might extend to higher echelons within the Imperial Guards.
Throughout the day, Yuan Zhongxin was noticeably distracted, pondering how to deal with Zhao Jian's marriage proposal card. He sought out the old thief at his puppet stall, who, discerning Yuan Zhongxin's unspoken affection for Zhao Jian and noting his newfound friendships, expressed his genuine happiness for him. Later, Yuan Zhongxin joined the rest of Section 7 at a soup noodle shop to celebrate the Winter Festival. During the celebration, Zhao Jian called Yuan Zhongxin aside for a private conversation.
Episode 18 Recap
Confronted by Dean Lu Guannian after their unauthorized use of the Secret Repository as bait to expose Ma Shan, the Seventh Chamber students defended their audacious plan, believing it was justified to uncover a traitor. Dean Lu, visibly frustrated by their actions and the lack of official reports regarding Chen Gong's arrival at the Privy Council, demanded to know Chen Gong's whereabouts.
Zhao Jian informed him that Chen Gong had already been placed in a secluded yard within the Privy Council, a move orchestrated by Yuan Zhongxin to test his loyalty, with Wang Kuan having secured the location using his father's connections. Wang Kuan, Wei Yanei, and Xue Ying, monitoring Chen Gong, discussed their plan to observe if he would use the kitchen—a bustling area—to send any covert messages, suspecting he might be a traitor.
During a moment of introspection, Wei Yanei confessed to Wang Kuan about feeling like the most useless member of Section 7. Wang Kuan reassured him, highlighting Wei Yanei's pure and trusting nature as a valuable asset. Wei Yanei then confided that Yuan Zhongxin had been keeping a secret from Wang Kuan. This secret involved Chen Gong, who, when being settled into his secluded yard within the Privy Council, had passed Zhao Jian's marriage proposal document to Yuan Zhongxin.
After leaving Chen Gong and observing him for a period, Yuan Zhongxin returned the document to Wang Kuan. Wang Kuan, discerning Yuan Zhongxin's burgeoning feelings for Zhao Jian, advised him to set aside formalities and listen to his heart, ultimately leaving the marriage proposal in Yuan Zhongxin's possession. Dean Lu later declared the Ma Shan/Chen Gong matter temporarily concluded, scolding the students for their daring but acknowledging that their experiences had matured them.
Despite this, Zhao Jian, along with Wang Kuan, remained fixated on Ma Shan's unpunished status, reasserting her belief to Yuan Zhongxin that a high-ranking Imperial Guard was a traitor. Yuan Zhongxin, burdened by these events and his complicated feelings regarding Zhao Jian's marriage proposal, sought solace at a puppet master's stall. The old puppet master, noticing Yuan Zhongxin's internal turmoil and new emotional attachments, offered him quiet encouragement.
Later, while celebrating the Winter Solstice at the noodle soup shop with the rest of Section 7, a slightly inebriated Zhao Jian pulled Yuan Zhongxin aside. She reiterated her and Wang Kuan's deep suspicions about the unaddressed issues surrounding Ma Shan and the potential high-level traitor within the Imperial Guards. Fearing for Chen Gong's safety even within the Privy Council, she insisted they must visit him to ascertain if any senior Imperial Guard officials had attempted to contact him.
Yuan Zhongxin, though reluctant and acknowledging they would be disobeying orders, eventually yielded to her persistence, agreeing that they would go alone to avoid drawing attention. Upon their arrival at the Privy Council, Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin registered to see Chen Gong, who expressed surprise at their visit given the heavy guard surrounding him. Zhao Jian conveyed their concerns about a powerful traitor in the Imperial Guards, citing Ma Shan's inexplicably unpunished return as evidence.
She specifically warned Chen Gong to refuse any visits from high-ranking Imperial Guards and to immediately report such attempts to Privy Council officials, despite his insistence that the Privy Council was the nation's safest place. Chen Gong, touched by their care, bid them a somber farewell, stating his fear that they might not meet again. Yuan Zhongxin tried to reassure him of a future reunion, but Chen Gong maintained his grave tone.
Shortly after Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin departed, a mysterious individual entered Chen Gong's chambers. Chen Gong was assassinated, his body discovered by guards who immediately raised an alarm about intruders. Meanwhile, as Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian were on the streets, they were ambushed by Imperial Guards, who pursued them relentlessly with crossbows.
In a moment of extreme danger, Zhao Jian bravely intercepted an arrow aimed at Yuan Zhongxin, taking the wound herself and explaining that she could rely on him for support if injured, but not vice-versa. Noticing her injury and developing fever, Yuan Zhongxin attempted to lead her back to Xue Ying's noodle soup shop, only to find it surrounded by Imperial Guards.
Zhao Jian quickly realized that the leak about their safe house must have originated from the Secret Repository, potentially even from Dean Lu Guannian, making it impossible for them to return. At the same time, Wei Yanei, Wang Kuan, and Xue Ying were apprehended by Imperial Guards. Wei Yanei indignantly questioned their capture. Wang Kuan deduced that Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian were embroiled in a grave crisis, realizing the situation was severe enough to bypass even Dean Lu's authority.
He speculated that the information leak regarding their safe house could have come from the Dean himself, intensifying his concern. Despite Xue Ying's attempts to reassure him of Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian's resourcefulness, Wang Kuan grew increasingly worried by their complete lack of communication, fearing the worst for his friends. Yuan Zhongxin brought the wounded Zhao Jian to Lisheng Pharmacy. He quickly incapacitated the staff to treat her discreetly, preparing and feeding her the bitter medicine, promising sweets later.
When he proceeded to extract the arrow, Zhao Jian, in pain, bit his arm. Yuan Zhongxin endured it stoically, remarking that the arrow was unusually crafted. Their banter, filled with concern and playful remarks about becoming "a couple of robbers," highlighted their deepening bond. Despite their perilous situation, they remained baffled as to why the Imperial Guards were hunting them for assassination, especially considering they had just left Chen Gong whom they believed to be safe within the Privy Council.
Yuan Zhongxin discreetly paid for the medicine before they left. The Imperial Guards escorted Wei Yanei, Wang Kuan, and Xue Ying to the Privy Council to view Chen Gong's body. Wang Kuan, examining the corpse, noted that Chen Gong had been killed by a single, clean cut to the throat, with no signs of a struggle.
Wei Zhuoran, Wei Yanei's father, pointedly accused Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian of the murder, citing the visitor log which showed them as the last individuals to see Chen Gong before his death. Wei Yanei vehemently defended his friends, arguing that an external assassin could not have possibly breached the Privy Council's stringent security.
Wei Zhuoran, however, dismissed his son's reasoning, showcasing the extensive and doubled patrols, and insisted that with such robust defenses, only someone who had been granted entry could be the perpetrator. He concluded that Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian had murdered Chen Gong to steal the missing wheeled crossbow schematics, urging his son to persuade them to surrender if found. Yuan Zhongxin covertly sent a message via Xue Ying's father.
Following this, Wang Kuan, Wei Yanei, and Xue Ying, now released from Imperial Guard custody, met Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian in a secluded forest. It was there that Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian finally learned of Chen Gong's murder and their status as prime suspects. During their discussion, Zhao Jian suddenly collapsed. Yuan Zhongxin and Wang Kuan quickly checked her pulse, realizing she had been poisoned.
Yuan Zhongxin produced the arrow that had struck Zhao Jian, which Wei Yanei recognized as a "Blue Feather Corroding Bone Arrow," a specialized weapon used exclusively by the Black Armored Guards. He grimly informed them that without an antidote within twelve hours, Zhao Jian would surely die. The antidote was in Wei Zhuoran's possession, but approaching him directly would inevitably alert the Imperial Guards to Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian's whereabouts, endangering them further.
After careful consideration, Wei Yanei devised a risky plan to seek out Deputy Commander Liu within the Imperial Guards and trick him into providing the antidote without alerting his father. Putting his plan into action, Wei Yanei went to the Imperial Guards and, embodying his usual image as a frivolous young master, skillfully deceived Deputy Commander Liu into releasing the antidote. He then secretly delivered the antidote to Xiaojing, who met with Wang Kuan. As Xiaojing and Wang Kuan prepared to rush to Zhao Jian's aid, Wang Kuan detected that they were being discreetly followed.
Episode 19 Recap
Wang Kuan and Xiao Jing, realizing they were being followed, skillfully evaded their pursuer, leaving Xue Ying to confront the mysterious individual. During their skirmish, Xue Ying discovered that the person bore the distinctive mark of the Xia people. Meanwhile, Zhao Jian's condition worsened as the poison spread throughout her body. She grew suspicious, reasoning that the Imperial Guards, tasked with capturing them alive, would never use poisoned arrows.
Wang Kuan and Xiao Jing soon returned, carrying what they believed to be the antidote. Zhao Jian immediately took the medicine. Outside, Wang Kuan and Yuan Zhongxin spoke about the arranged marriage between Wang Kuan and Zhao Jian. Wang Kuan promised Yuan Zhongxin that as soon as the current crisis was resolved, he would break off the engagement. Yuan Zhongxin, however, remained outwardly stubborn, refusing to admit his true feelings for Zhao Jian.
The Xia spy, apprehended by Xue Ying, was brought back for interrogation. Yuan Zhongxin questioned him and learned he was a low-ranking soldier from Xia's Wuzu Army, previously stationed outside the Grand Commandant's Mansion. He admitted to following Wei Yanei in an attempt to uncover the whereabouts of the wheeled cannon drawing. The spy further revealed that Xia indeed had a collaborator within the Imperial Guards, a high-ranking general who had leaked Chen Gong's transport route.
Zhao Jian, upon hearing this, deduced that Chen Gong could not have been killed by the Xia people; if they had, they would have already secured the drawing. Yuan Zhongxin also extracted information that the spy received orders at a specific tavern. They planned to ambush the Xia operatives at Yun's Tavern on Liu Street the following afternoon.
Initially, they considered handing the spy over to Dean Lu, but to their shock, the spy suddenly committed suicide by impaling himself on Xue Ying's blade, abruptly severing their direct lead. Despite taking the initial antidote, Zhao Jian showed no improvement, leading Wang Kuan to realize the medicine was fake. With Zhao Jian's time rapidly running out, Wang Kuan, in desperation, decided to return home to seek a genuine antidote.
At his family mansion, Wang Kuan knelt, pleading with his father for the medicine. His father, however, demanded that Wang Kuan unilaterally annul his engagement to Zhao Jian. Reluctantly, to save Zhao Jian's life, Wang Kuan agreed to write a divorce letter. But even after his concession, the Imperial Guards refused to provide the antidote, forcing Wang Kuan to return empty-handed. With only an hour left for Zhao Jian, Yuan Zhongxin grew frantic and argued with Wang Kuan.
Seeing their despair, Wei Yanei resolved to take a dangerous path: he would go home and plead with his father, Wei Zhuoran, for the antidote. At the Wei family mansion, Wei Yanei passionately begged his father. Wei Zhuoran relented but set a condition: Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin must be delivered to the Imperial Guard's prison.
Wang Kuan and Xiao Jing argued that Zhao Jian's life was paramount, but Wei Yanei dramatically produced a blue-feather bone-corrosion arrow and stabbed himself, compelling his father to hand over the life-saving medicine. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin built a brazier, holding the increasingly weak Zhao Jian to warm her. Believing she wouldn't survive, Zhao Jian asked Yuan Zhongxin to look after the other members of Section 7—Xiao Jing, Wei Yanei, and Xue Ying.
She confided that despite her vow to live a free life, Yuan Zhongxin's presence had been an unexpected turn, and she had fallen in love with him. As Zhao Jian lost consciousness, Yuan Zhongxin, unaware that she could no longer hear him, confessed his own love for her. Just then, Xiao Jing burst in with the true antidote, saving Zhao Jian's life.
Upon waking, Zhao Jian was out of danger, but the memory of her confession caused her to avert her gaze, unable to meet Yuan Zhongxin's eyes. Wang Kuan and Wei Yanei had not returned, prompting Yuan Zhongxin to question Xiao Jing about the antidote's origin. Her hesitant answers revealed that something had gone terribly wrong. Back at the Wei family mansion, Wei Yanei was confined to his room, and Wang Kuan was also imprisoned by Wei Zhuoran.
Wei Yanei appealed to his father to release Wang Kuan, but Wei Zhuoran stated that he had already sent Xiao Jing with the antidote and now demanded Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin in exchange for Wang Kuan's freedom. Wei Zhuoran claimed that Wei Yanei's self-poisoning was a test to see what Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian would sacrifice for him. Yuan Zhongxin instructed Xiao Jing to care for Zhao Jian while he ventured alone to rescue Wang Kuan.
Zhao Jian, trusting Yuan Zhongxin's capabilities, did not stop him, though she vowed to risk her own life to save him if he were captured. Yuan Zhongxin arrived at the Wei Mansion, thanked Wei Zhuoran for the antidote, and offered his own life in exchange for Wang Kuan's release. Wei Zhuoran agreed to free both Wang Kuan and Yuan Zhongxin, but with one condition: from that day forward, Wei Yanei must sever all ties with Section 7.
Yuan Zhongxin immediately accepted. He embraced Wei Yanei tightly, secretly conveying that he would wait for him outside the mansion the next day, emphasizing that Section 7 would face all fortunes and misfortunes together. After their emotional farewell, Yuan Zhongxin left the Wei Mansion. With Wang Kuan safely rescued, Yuan Zhongxin finalized their plans for the next day.
Xiao Jing, Wang Kuan, and Xue Ying were tasked with investigating the Xia spy situation at Yun's Tavern, while Yuan Zhongxin would wait outside the Wei Mansion to meet Wei Yanei. The following day, as Wang Kuan's group headed to the tavern, Zhao Jian accompanied Yuan Zhongxin to the Wei Mansion's outskirts, knowing that his true objective extended beyond rescuing Wei Yanei; he also sought to uncover the truth behind Chen Gong's death.
Episode 20 Recap
Zhao Jian awoke, her pulse steady and temperature lowered, confirming the antidote was genuine. She remarked on her survival, to which Yuan Zhongxin responded that even fate dared not take her life. As she recovered, Zhao Jian recalled her confession to Yuan Zhongxin the previous night, where she'd expressed a newfound affection for him, an "accident" to her lifelong vow of freedom. Wishing to clarify their relationship, she repeatedly asked Yuan Zhongxin what she had said while near death.
Yuan Zhongxin, however, skillfully dodged her questions, attributing fabricated praises to her and even claiming she "told on Junior Wei secretly." Frustrated, Zhao Jian directly asked about "their relationship." Yuan Zhongxin simply stated they were "colleagues." Disappointed, Zhao Jian told him to forget everything she'd said, treating it as a dream, and reiterated her ambition to achieve prominence in the Secret Repository, adding pointedly that she would "never marry" him.
Meanwhile, Jing informed Zhao Jian that Wei Yanei had obtained the antidote from his father, Wei Zhuoran, and Zhao Jian expressed concern for Wang Kuan's whereabouts, sensing trouble. Indeed, Wei Yanei was confined, demanding release. When Wei Zhuoran appeared, Wei Yanei pleaded for Wang Kuan's freedom. Wei Zhuoran countered that Wang Kuan had contacted suspects privately, justifying his arrest.
He revealed he had allowed Jing to take the antidote but insisted on detaining one person in exchange for Wang Kuan's release, specifically demanding Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian. Wei Yanei, frustrated, offered himself up alongside Wang Kuan. Wei Zhuoran, however, was determined to see how far Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian would go for Wei Yanei. Yuan Zhongxin arrived at Wei Mansion, requesting to collect Wang Kuan.
After a series of sharp exchanges with Wei Zhuoran, Yuan Zhongxin confirmed Zhao Jian’s recovery and then offered himself in exchange for Wang Kuan’s freedom. Wei Yanei was astonished by Yuan Zhongxin’s actions. Wei Zhuoran agreed to release both Wang Kuan and Yuan Zhongxin, but on one condition: Wei Yanei must sever all ties with Section 7 and its members. Yuan Zhongxin accepted without hesitation.
As he embraced Wei Yanei, he secretly conveyed that Section 7 was a united front, and they would face all fortunes and misfortunes together. With Wang Kuan now free, Yuan Zhongxin left the mansion. Later, Yuan Zhongxin explained their purpose for hiding in Wei Mansion to Wei Yanei and Zhao Jian: to investigate Chen Gong's death, which they believed was connected to a high-ranking official within the imperial guards due to the Privy Council's strict security.
They used Wei Yanei's identity to gain access and observe officials. Wei Yanei warned them to be cautious of his father. A servant then reported Wei Zhuoran's imminent arrival, causing a scramble to avoid detection. Concurrently, Wang Kuan, Xue Ying, and Jing were investigating Yun's Tavern from a nearby teahouse. Xue Ying reported that Yunniang, the tavern owner, appeared to be a reputable Kaifeng native, unlikely to be a secret agent.
However, Yunniang later confessed that she and Xifeng Yun were indeed Xia agents. Wang Kuan considered two possibilities for Yunniang: either she was unknowingly used by Xia agents, or she had been coerced, preferring the former. They had discerned that the Xia agents used a specific communication method involving the tavern door and a jar visible from the teahouse across the street. Following this lead, Wang Kuan and Xue Ying captured Xifeng Yun from the teahouse.
Xue Ying administered a fast-acting poison to Xifeng Yun, preventing him from committing suicide by biting his tongue. From Xifeng Yun's reaction, Wang Kuan deduced that the seller of the wheeled cannon drawing had appeared in Kaifeng, offering a high price, and it was likely Lieutenant Liu, or a larger mastermind behind him. Wang Kuan proceeded to interrogate Xifeng Yun, revealing his knowledge of Xifeng Yun's esteemed clan history and its current subjugation by the Tuoba clan in Xia.
He cleverly played on Xifeng Yun's pride and loyalty to his clan, arguing that Song could covertly support the Xifeng clan to overthrow the Tuoba regime, thereby offering an opportunity for the Xifeng clan's revival. Under Wang Kuan's persuasion, Xifeng Yun agreed to cooperate with Song and become a Song agent, returning to Xia to revive his clan. With Lu Guannian's support, Wang Kuan provided Xifeng Yun with a travel permit and funds, promising Song's backing for his mission.
Xifeng Yun requested to take Yunniang with him, and Wang Kuan agreed, asking them to reveal the identity of the Song traitor. Xifeng Yun, being cautious, stipulated that he would disclose all the truth only after he was safely escorted out of the city, to which Wang Kuan readily agreed. Back at a safe house, Wang Kuan discussed his suspicions with Jing and Xue Ying.
He pointed out that Ma Shan, an imperial guard captain they had previously captured, and Liu, the black-armor guard who provided the false antidote, were both Wei Zhuoran's trusted subordinates. This suggested that if there was a mastermind, it was likely Wei Zhuoran himself. He also noted Xifeng Yun's reaction when Liu was mentioned, further strengthening his theory.
Wang Kuan emphasized that they must not reveal their suspicions to Wei Yanei, as it would complicate their relationship if his father proved to be the culprit. Jing expressed concern about Wei Yanei's well-being if his father was indeed the traitor. In Wei Mansion's study, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian found evidence of financial irregularities, specifically large, unexplained money transfers by Wei Zhuoran that had nearly depleted his funds.
The next day, Wei Yanei delivered snacks to Wang Kuan as instructed by Yuan Zhongxin. Wang Kuan discovered a hidden note within the pastries, detailing Wei Zhuoran's recent suspicious money transfers, indicating he was nearly penniless. Wang Kuan reasoned that if Wei Zhuoran was short on money, selling the wheeled cannon drawing would provide a clear motive for Chen Gong's death and the theft of the plans.
Unbeknownst to Wang Kuan's group, Wei Yanei had overheard their conversation about suspecting his father. He confronted Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian, questioning why they had hidden their true intentions from him. Yuan Zhongxin admitted that based on their current findings, Wei Zhuoran was the primary suspect, and they had no choice but to investigate him. They asked for Wei Yanei's help to quickly uncover the truth and clear his father's name.
Wei Yanei agreed to assist them but vowed to use his own methods to investigate. He declared that if his father was proven to be a traitor, he would prioritize righteousness over familial loyalty and then commit suicide. Zhao Jian, hearing his grim promise, worried that Wei Yanei might actually take his life if his father turned out to be guilty. Separately, Wei Yanei encountered Ma Shan at an inn and was surprised that Ma Shan had not been imprisoned.
When Wei Yanei questioned him, Ma Shan revealed that Wei Zhuoran had lost a significant amount of money in investments in Yan Yun Sixteen Prefectures, leading to the Wei family's financial struggles. Wei Yanei was shocked to learn of his family's poverty. He also inquired about Lieutenant Liu, only to be told by Ma Shan that Liu was dead, with the cause of death unknown.
Later, Yuan Zhongxin brought up Ma Shan's case with Zhao Jian, where he was supposedly imprisoned but merely transferred, hinting at further complexities within the imperial guards that they needed to investigate.
Episode 21 Recap
Xifeng Yun received a gate pass and money from Wang Kuan, who, with Lu Guannian's support, encouraged him to sneak into Xia and live peacefully, secretly supported by Song, with the hope of revitalizing the Xifeng clan. Xifeng Yun insisted on taking Yunniang with him, a condition Wang Kuan agreed to. Once safely outside the city, where there were no soldiers or guards, Xifeng Yun fulfilled his promise.
He revealed that Section Seven of the Secret Repository was merely a scapegoat in the Chen Gong affair. The actual wheeled cannon drawing was in the possession of a high-ranking official within Song's imperial guards, and a face-to-face transaction with the Xia army's Wuzu Army was scheduled for the following day at the Mountain Temple in the western suburb. Xifeng Yun did not know the official's name but confirmed his personal presence was guaranteed.
He then provided the code words for the meeting: "Knock heavily three times and knock gently twice. Redeem a thirty-year vow. Burn incense and worship the god." As Xifeng Yun prepared to leave with Yunniang, Liu Sheng suddenly appeared and shot him dead, right in front of Wang Kuan. Wang Kuan, who had persuaded Xifeng Yun to cooperate with Song, asked "Why?" Liu Sheng stated he was merely following orders from the Secret Repository.
Enraged, Wang Kuan confronted Lu Guannian at the Secret Repository. He expressed his dismay over Xifeng Yun's death, emphasizing his broken promise and Xifeng Yun's hopes. Lu Guannian, however, coldly reminded Wang Kuan, "Once a secret agent, always a secret agent," and asserted that the Secret Repository "handles affairs for results, not for the friendship." He believed that if Xifeng Yun and Yunniang were alive, others (presumably Secret Repository agents) would die.
Lu Guannian then pivoted to the practical, asking Wang Kuan for details about Xifeng Yun's message, the traitor's identity, and his plans for action, as well as how the Secret Repository could cooperate. Meanwhile, at Wei Mansion, Wei Yanei questioned his father, Wei Zhuoran, in their carriage, using a quote from Sun Zi to imply that generals should not betray their nation. Later, during a banquet, Wei Yanei again pressed Wei Zhuoran, asking if their family was short of money.
Wei Zhuoran confirmed their financial difficulties, but dismissed it, saying money comes and goes. Wei Yanei then directly accused his father of planning to sell the cannon drawing to Xia and killing Chen Gong. Wei Zhuoran did not deny the accusations but told his son it was "none of your business" and that whatever he did was "for you."
Distraught, Wei Yanei drew a knife, vowing to kill his father and then himself to "wash away the humiliation," but he could not bring himself to do it. Wei Zhuoran then ordered his black-armored guards to seize Wei Yanei. However, Yuan Zhongxin and Xue Ying, who had been observing, intervened to protect Wei Yanei. Wei Zhuoran revealed he knew they were disguised as servants in his mansion, having allowed them to stay to observe their intentions.
He accused them of crimes, but offered to spare their lives "for my son's sake" if they would work for him. Yuan Zhongxin immediately agreed, claiming long-standing admiration and willingness to serve. Wei Zhuoran suggested a loyalty test: killing Lu Guannian. Yuan Zhongxin readily accepted, saying he had hated Lu Guannian for a long time. However, Yuan Zhongxin stalled by feigning religious devotion, which bought time for Zhao Jian to appear.
Zhao Jian arrived, revealing she had retrieved an account book detailing Wei Zhuoran's bribery. To demonstrate their "sincerity," she dramatically burned the book in front of him. Yuan Zhongxin then argued that without evidence, their accusations of treason against a high-ranking official like Wei Zhuoran would be dismissed, and they, as nobodies, would be punished. The true leverage, he explained, was Wei Yanei's suicidal loyalty.
Yuan Zhongxin proposed that Wei Zhuoran expel Section Seven from the city on false charges of homicide, then heavily guard the city gates to prevent their return. This would remove any perceived threat from them without harming his son or creating further scandal. Wei Zhuoran agreed.
As Yuan Zhongxin's group made their escape, Wei Yanei, fearing his father would still send pursuers, dramatically threatened to stab himself if any of Wei Zhuoran's men dared to follow them for ten minutes, giving Section Seven a crucial head start. Wei Zhuoran, unwilling to harm his son, ordered his guards to stand down. Outside the city, Zhao Jian acknowledged that while they hadn't "brought off" Wei Yanei, they confirmed Wei Zhuoran wouldn't hurt his son.
She also noted Wei Zhuoran was unaware Xifeng Yun had already revealed his plans. Their main advantage was knowing the location of the trade. Wang Kuan had already informed Lu Guannian that the trade would occur at the Mountain Temple. With Section Seven unable to return to the city, Zhao Jian decided they should head to the Mountain Temple themselves to assist.
Yuan Zhongxin questioned the necessity, but Zhao Jian, as the section chief, insisted, stating it was a matter of great importance and they couldn't neglect their responsibility. She reassured him that Lu Guannian would send troops, and they would merely be observing. Meanwhile, back in Kaifeng, Wei Zhuoran issued orders to his black-armored guards to block all four city gates the next day, under the guise of an imperial guard's investigation into a murderer.
He specifically instructed them to prevent any of Lu Guannian's men from leaving the city, declaring that his grand plan was nearing success and no one would be allowed to disrupt it. The next day, Yuan Zhongxin's group arrived at the Mountain Temple, noting three Xia army secret sentries outside. Yuan Zhongxin suggested using Xifeng Yun's code words to infiltrate, rather than risking exposure by directly eliminating the sentries.
Xiao Jing volunteered to pose as Yunniang, arguing that she was the safest choice since Xifeng Yun had likely kept Yunniang's identity highly confidential. Yuan Zhongxin agreed, instructing Xiao Jing to control the situation inside, as Lu Guannian's absence suggested something had gone wrong, and the deal must now be handled by Section Seven. Xiao Jing successfully used the code words to gain entry.
Although initially challenged by an agent who claimed to know the "real" Yunniang, Xiao Jing maintained her composure, and the agent admitted he had lied to test her. She then informed the agents that "Song troops are coming to catch you," which confused them, as they expected Wei Zhuoran for a deal. Amidst their debate, Xiao Jing secretly replaced the burning incense with a knockout drug, causing all the agents inside to collapse.
Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, and the others then entered, comforting a crying and visibly shaken Xiao Jing, praising her bravery and success. After Yuan Zhongxin discreetly hid the unconscious Xia agents, Zhao Jian briefed the team on their revised mission: they were to disguise themselves as the Xia agents, meet Wei Zhuoran, obtain the real wheeled cannon drawing, and then capture him to face justice.
Zhao Jian emphasized the extreme danger, highlighting the elite black-armored guards protecting Wei Zhuoran and their own status as wanted fugitives, which rendered all official channels useless. She stressed the importance of meticulous planning, maximizing their potential, and mutual trust, stating, "Because now we only have one another." As Wei Zhuoran and his troops arrived at the Mountain Temple for the transaction, Lu Guannian was noticeably absent.
Yuan Zhongxin's group suspected trouble on Lu Guannian's end and realized they were on their own. Their suspicions were confirmed in Kaifeng, where imperial guards had indeed stopped Lu Guannian from exiting the city. Fortunately, Wei Yanei unexpectedly appeared with an imperial guard's order, which allowed Lu Guannian to proceed. Back at the Mountain Temple, Wei Zhuoran hesitated to hand over the drawing, growing suspicious of the masked "Xia agents."
Yuan Zhongxin removed his mask, declaring the area surrounded and demanding Wei Zhuoran's surrender. Wei Zhuoran scoffed and unleashed his black-armored guards. Xue Ying swiftly engaged Wei Zhuoran, disarming him and seizing the drawing, which he handed to Yuan Zhongxin. The team attempted to escape through the back courtyard, but it too was heavily ambushed by black-armored guards. In the ensuing struggle, the drawing fell back into Wei Zhuoran's hands, and Yuan Zhongxin's group was captured.
Wei Zhuoran then delivered the drawing to his trusted Xia army contacts, allowing them to depart Kaifeng. Just as Wei Zhuoran's plan seemed to succeed, Lu Guannian arrived with his troops, surrounding the Mountain Temple and urging Wei Zhuoran to surrender. Although Ma Shan attempted to fight their way out, Wei Zhuoran ordered his men to lay down their weapons and surrendered. He then noticed the military order in Wei Yanei's hand, realizing his son had stolen it to allow Lu Guannian's forces to pass.
Episode 22 Recap
Wei Yanei knelt before Wei Zhuoran, offering an apology but expressing no regret for his actions. He admitted to being an undutiful son but maintained that he had been loyal to the Song Dynasty. Wei Zhuoran gently comforted his weeping son, showing no signs of blame. As Wei Zhuoran was imprisoned, Wei Yanei remained steadfastly by his side.
Wei Zhuoran, aware that a death sentence was inevitable for him, urged his son to live a peaceful life and continue the Wei family line. Overcome with grief, Wei Yanei produced a knife, intending to take his own life. Fortunately, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian arrived just in time to stop him. Seeing Wei Yanei's desperation, Wei Zhuoran revealed that he would not truly die, thus there was no need for his son to contemplate suicide.
At that moment, Lu Guannian arrived and corroborated Wei Zhuoran's statement, explaining that the wheeled cannon drawing was fake. He admitted that his apparent obstruction at the city gate had been a deliberate act to help Wei Zhuoran sell the counterfeit drawing. However, Wei Yanei's unexpected theft of the military order had complicated their carefully orchestrated plan, forcing them to continue the charade.
This entire operation was a highly guarded secret, but fearing Wei Yanei would genuinely harm himself, Lu Guannian had obtained an imperial edict to disclose the truth. Wei Zhuoran then elaborated that the wheeled cannon scheme was a trap. While a cannon could indeed be constructed from the drawing, it possessed a fatal flaw: it would collapse after more than three uses.
If the Xia military were to mass-produce these defective cannons, it would not only be a colossal waste of resources but also demoralize their troops on the battlefield, providing the Song Dynasty with a crucial opportunity for a counterattack. Emperor Song had masterminded this elaborate deception to ensure the fake drawing reached the Xia.
All high-ranking officials were privy to the plan, including Chen Gong, who had chosen to commit suicide to ensure the drawing's delivery to the Xia, believing his sacrifice would avert a future invasion by the Xia. Even Deputy Commander Liu was revealed to be a Xia spy, which explained why Wei Zhuoran had eliminated him. With the Xia agents now in possession of the drawing, Wei Zhuoran's public death sentence was merely a cover.
In reality, he would live in exile in Lingnan under a new identity, forbidden to return to Kaifeng as long as the Xia were attempting to build the wheeled cannons. As father and son prepared for their separation, Wei Zhuoran expressed his pride in Wei Yanei's maturation, promising to remain proud of him even from afar. Wei Yanei, in turn, vowed to achieve great things, determined not to disappoint his father.
A month later, with Wei Zhuoran publicly declared executed and the Wei family property confiscated, Wei Yanei stood outside his former home, reminiscing about his father. He and Xue Ying scaled the wall into the mansion, where they uncovered a hidden stash of silver notes and gold. Wei Yanei confided in Xue Ying that his father's supposed corruption and bribery had all been a performance to align with the Emperor's grand scheme.
The lavish lifestyle Wei Yanei had enjoyed was funded by his father selling off family assets. However, the money they just found was Wei Yanei's own earnings, revealing that he was not as much of a spendthrift as he had appeared to be. Soon after, Lu Guannian assigned Section 7 a new mission. For the upcoming Empress's birthday, the group was to pose as a performing troupe and reside in the courier hostel.
Their task was to discreetly observe all activities within the premises. During the ongoing truce between Song and Liao, a Liao delegation, led by Princess Yunni, the cousin of Prince Yun'an, was scheduled to arrive and offer artistic performances as a gesture of goodwill. Wei Yanei was immediately taken by Princess Yunni's beauty. However, Zhao Jian noticed something unusual about one of the Liao envoy's carriages and decided to investigate further.
The Liao delegation maintained strict security within their private courtyard, making it inaccessible to outsiders. Knowing that Xiao Jing shared a close friendship with Princess Yunni, Zhao Jian proposed that Xiao Jing approach Yunni. Bound by a promise to Wang Kuan not to involve Xiao Jing in dangerous tasks, Zhao Jian reluctantly asked Wei Yanei to discuss it with Wang Kuan. Wang Kuan, prioritizing Xiao Jing's well-being, initially refused. However, Xiao Jing overheard their conversation and, eager to help Zhao Jian and protect Yunni from any potential harm, volunteered for the mission herself.
Episode 23 Recap
A mysterious assassin infiltrated the Liao delegation's compound. The fake Princess Yunni, who had taken the real Yunni captive, had anticipated such an intrusion. Her guards captured the assassin, who then committed suicide using a poisonous needle. After the body was identified as unknown, the fake Yunni ordered it hidden. Later, Jing, Zhao Jian, and Wei Yanei arrived to visit. Jing, delighted to see her old friend, quickly realized the woman greeting them was not the real Yunni.
Zhao Jian, avoiding alarming the imposter, explained their presence by claiming Wei Yanei was smitten with the "princess." While talking, Zhao Jian noticed a suspicious locked room from which a noise could be heard and subtly probed about it, which the fake Yunni dismissed as a "rat problem." Suspicious of the trio, the fake Yunni ordered her guards to follow them. After they left, the fake Yunni entered the locked room, confirming the real Yunni was indeed held captive there.
The Seventh Chamber gathered to discuss the fake Princess Yunni. Wei Yanei, inspired by his father's recent sacrifice for their country, expressed his resolve to act heroically, despite initially complaining about Zhao Jian's prank. Wang Kuan suspected the fake princess was involved in something serious, attributing the situation to a dereliction of duty by the Court of State Ceremonials.
Yuan Zhongxin argued that their earlier visit had alerted the imposters, and if they didn't investigate the locked room that night, the crucial captive would likely be gone by morning. The team agreed to conduct a night investigation and inform Dean Lu the next day. To create a diversion, Yuan Zhongxin cunningly manipulated Guard Tian, an innocent and patriotic hostel guard, into believing the Liao delegation had stolen his dog, a vital part of their performance for the Empress's birthday.
Guard Tian, incensed by this perceived act of sabotage against Song, vowed to retrieve the "stolen" dog, enabling Yuan Zhongxin's plan to gain entry to the Liao compound. As Guard Tian stormed into the Liao compound, loudly calling for his "dog," the fake Yunni confronted him. As her guards seized Guard Tian, Wang Kuan and Xue Ying, disguised as masked assassins, created a diversion, drawing most of the Liao guards away.
Wei Yanei further distracted the fake Yunni with an overly dramatic display of concern for her safety. Capitalizing on the chaos, Yuan Zhongxin entered the locked room, where he found a woman who claimed to have lost her memory and didn't know her identity. Noticing she had been treated gently, restrained with silk on a cushioned chair, Yuan Zhongxin decided to take her with him. They escaped over a back fence.
However, once outside, the woman, mistrusting Yuan Zhongxin, unexpectedly hit him and fled on her own. Her sudden action and Yuan Zhongxin's fall alerted the fake Yunni. Yuan Zhongxin quickly fabricated another story, claiming he, too, was looking for his dog. The fake Yunni, now aware of the real Yunni's disappearance, was furious. She believed the two masked assassins were the most suspicious parties and suspected they had taken the princess.
She instructed her guards to secretly search for Yunni while maintaining a facade of normalcy. Meanwhile, the rest of the Seventh Chamber learned about Yunni's escape. While Zhao Jian outwardly claimed not to be worried about Yuan Zhongxin, Wei Yanei insightfully remarked on her true, hidden concern for him. Yuan Zhongxin enlisted the help of a local information broker to locate Yunni, describing her as a quick-witted girl, not from Kaifeng, alone, and likely in a crowded, curfew-exempt area.
His contact located her at a casino, where she was displaying exceptional gambling skills, consistently beating experienced bankers. Yuan Zhongxin stepped in to gamble against her. Initially, he showcased superior skill, quickly causing her to lose all her money. Yuan Zhongxin then challenged her to a final high-stakes game: if he won, she would "belong" to him; if she won, all the money on the table would be hers. They agreed that "whatever means" were permissible to win.
Yunni, confident in her abilities, cheated by stealing Yuan Zhongxin's dice and won, then quickly fled with her winnings, instructing casino thugs to hold Yuan Zhongxin. Zhao Jian arrived shortly after. Yuan Zhongxin revealed to her that he had deliberately lost. He suspected Yunni's amnesia claim was false and wanted to observe her actions to understand her true intentions, particularly why she needed money so urgently after escaping.
He explained that by letting her "outsmart" him, he gained insight into her character, noting that she presumed she could beat him with tricks. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian covertly followed Yunni to what they knew was a now-defunct Liao spy den. Realizing Yunni was unaware of its status, and already knowing the liaison code, they decided to impersonate Liao agents.
While following, Yuan Zhongxin commented on Yunni's beauty, sparking a subtle jealous retort from Zhao Jian about his previous bet to "win her." Zhao Jian, acting as an agent, met Yunni, who was cautious and insisted they talk on the street. Yunni offered Zhao Jian a substantial reward to eliminate the Liao performing troupe at the courier hostel, asserting that the princess traveling with them was an imposter and she was the real Princess Yunni, Prince Yun'an's sister.
She proved her identity by revealing a former secret agent code known only to royalty. When Zhao Jian pressed for more details about the fake princess's identity and motives, Yunni grew suspicious, sensing Zhao Jian was not a genuine Liao agent. As Yunni attempted to flee, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian apprehended her. Yunni then tearfully accused Yuan Zhongxin of harassing her, which ignited Zhao Jian's jealousy, prompting her to punch Yuan Zhongxin.
To verify Yunni's identity, Yuan Zhongxin brought Jing to meet her. Jing and Yunni were overjoyed to reunite, embracing each other warmly, while Liao delegation members secretly continued their search for Yunni. Yunni confided in Jing, claiming that her captors were Liao people who had accompanied her to Song for the dance performance. She alleged they had kidnapped her as part of a plot to usurp power and assassinate their lord, intending to use her to threaten Prince Yun'an.
However, Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, and Wang Kuan found Yunni's story fraught with inconsistencies and questioned its veracity, deciding they must investigate further to ascertain the truth before fully trusting her words.
Episode 24 Recap
The fake Princess Yun Ni ordered her men to closely monitor the performing troupe and track all their movements as she continued her search for the real princess. Her guards reported that they had thoroughly checked all locations that did not require a pass, including hotels and restaurants, but found no trace of the missing royal.
Puzzled, the fake Princess Yun Ni questioned how the princess could remain unseen when she would certainly require food and rest, wondering if assassins had indeed taken her. Unaware of the assassins' identities, and with time running short, she reiterated her command for her men to keep watching the troupe and investigate any suspicious areas. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin and Xue Ying transported a large box towards the hostel.
As they approached, Wei Yanei greeted them, playing along for any onlookers by jokingly asking if Yuan Zhongxin had found his dog yet. The Liao guards, however, intercepted them, demanding to open the box. When Xue Ying and Yuan Zhongxin refused, a fight broke out. The commotion attracted the fake Princess Yun Ni. Just as she approached to investigate, Wei Yanei theatrically struck the box, causing a guqin to fall out.
He immediately began lamenting, proclaiming it to be the precious Duyou guqin from a former dynasty. The fake Princess Yun Ni recognized the name, expressing surprise as she had heard it was destroyed. Yuan Zhongxin, playing his role, claimed he had found it as a surprise for the Empress, which was now potentially ruined by the guards. Seeing the drama, the fake Princess Yun Ni apologized for her guards' recklessness.
Wang Kuan then appeared, calming Wei Yanei and assuring everyone that the Duyou guqin was fine. With the ruse successful, Yuan Zhongxin managed to bring the real Princess Yun Ni, who had been hidden inside the box, into the hostel. Inside the hostel, Princess Yun Ni, disguised in men's clothes, asked Xiaojing how she knew the members of the performing troupe.
Xiaojing explained that her long-standing love for singing and dancing naturally led her to know such people, without revealing any details about the Seven Sages. While Xiaojing went to prepare blankets, Princess Yun Ni began secretly searching the room. Yuan Zhongxin confronted her, correctly deducing that she was looking for items that could prove their identities.
He sternly warned her not to harm Xiaojing, stating his help was for two reasons: Xiaojing's well-being and the peaceful relations between Song and Liao. Princess Yun Ni affirmed she would never hurt a friend and challenged Yuan Zhongxin to another gambling game. After losing several rounds, Princess Yun Ni feigned admiration and offered to become his student, serving him a cup of tea as a gesture of respect. Yuan Zhongxin, however, knew the tea was poisoned.
Having already taken an antidote, he secretly added a knockout drug to Princess Yun Ni's tea. As the drug began to take effect, Princess Yun Ni spotted Zhao Jian walking past the door. Seizing the opportunity, she deliberately embraced a bewildered Yuan Zhongxin, dramatically declaring her intention to take him to Liao as her husband. After Zhao Jian had left, Princess Yun Ni revealed she had seen her and made the declaration intentionally, knowing of Yuan Zhongxin's affections.
Distraught, Yuan Zhongxin rushed out to find Zhao Jian. Zhao Jian, visibly upset, confided in Wang Kuan about her recent strange behavior around Yuan Zhongxin. Wang Kuan pointed out that she was simply jealous. Zhao Jian admitted it but expressed disdain for the feeling, reaffirming her vow to live for herself and not be an appendage to anyone. She declared her decision to overcome her emotions and view Yuan Zhongxin solely as a colleague.
After Zhao Jian departed, Yuan Zhongxin emerged from hiding, having overheard their conversation. He told Wang Kuan that since Zhao Jian considered them merely partners, he would treat her the same way. Wang Kuan sighed, observing that even the cleverest people have their moments of foolishness. It was revealed that someone at the casino had leaked Princess Yun Ni’s location, but the Seven Sages had already anticipated this and formulated a plan.
Wei Yanei followed the plan by allowing himself to be captured by the fake princess, who then demanded an exchange for the real princess. That night, the fake Princess Yun Ni brought Wei Yanei for the exchange. However, the Liao guards suddenly collapsed, having been drugged by Wei Yanei during his capture. With the trap sprung, Xue Ying secured the real Princess Yun Ni while the others surrounded the fake one.
Zhao Jian demanded to know the fake Princess Yun Ni's true purpose in Kaifeng, but she remained defiant, refusing to speak even under threat of torture at Dali Temple. The group returned to the hostel, only to discover that the real Princess Yun Ni had knocked Xiaojing unconscious and escaped. After reviving Xiaojing, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian told her the princess had been lying. Yuan Zhongxin then went to the captive fake princess and released her.
He fabricated a story, claiming his group were mercenaries hired by the real princess for a large sum. Now that their client had fled, they had no reason to be involved. He deliberately revealed Wei Yanei's high-status background, making them seem like valuable and knowledgeable locals who were not Song agents. Convinced, the fake princess hired them to find the real princess, revealing that her life was in imminent danger from Liao's Dark Soldier Department.
Episode 25 Recap
The fake Yun Ni offered Yuan Zhongxin and his companions a substantial commission to swiftly locate and protect Yun Ni. She revealed that Yun Ni was being hunted by the Liao Secret Agent Department, explaining that their strongholds in Kaifeng had been eliminated and new agents dispatched with the primary mission of assassinating Princess Yunni.
Yuan Zhongxin attempted to uncover the true motives behind Yun Ni's predicament and the Secret Agent Department's pursuit, but the fake Yun Ni remained tight-lipped, only stressing the urgency of finding Yun Ni. Meanwhile, a group of Liao Secret Agent Department agents, noting fresh scratches at their meeting point, speculated that a colleague might still be alive. They reaffirmed their top priority in Kaifeng: to kill Princess Yunni, citing her disloyalty and a desire for revenge for their dismantled department.
They resolved to infiltrate the courier hostel to carry out the assassination. However, upon arrival, they found the hostel mostly deserted, as everyone was out searching for Yun Ni, with only Jing left behind. Realizing their earlier assassination attempt might have tipped off their target, the agents decided to subtly surround the hostel. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian reported to Lu Guannian about the missing Liao dance troupe.
Lu Guannian advised them to approach the troupe under the guise of a performing group, stressing the importance of maintaining peace and not disrupting the upcoming Empress's birthday banquet. Yuan Zhongxin questioned Lu Guannian about the Liao agents' unusual directive to kill their own princess. Lu Guannian then took them to consult Han Duanzhang, who was confined in a secret chamber.
Han Duanzhang mused that his past actions—selling intelligence on the Liao Secret Agent Department in Kaifeng to Song—might have indirectly led to Yun Ni's current danger. He explained he had arranged for all incriminating evidence to point to Prince Yun'an as a scapegoat to deflect suspicion from himself. Han Duanzhang admitted he didn't know the exact reason for Yun Ni's targeting, suggesting they might intend to eliminate both her and Prince Yun'an.
He then instructed Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian to check the eighth alley from east to west on Nanxie Street, where Liao agents would leave coded messages for communication if their stronghold was compromised, and provided Yuan Zhongxin with a codebook to decipher them. Following the lead, the Liao Secret Agent Department agents deciphered a message from the Nanxie Street alley directing them to a teahouse. Despite their caution about a potential trap, they proceeded.
Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian also found and decoded the same message, leading them to the teahouse. There, they discovered Yun Ni. As Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian tried to approach her, Yun Ni, aiming to create a distraction for her escape, falsely accused Yuan Zhongxin's group of selling girls to brothels. Amidst the confusion, a hidden Liao assassin, Mr. Huo, shot an arrow at Yun Ni.
Yuan Zhongxin courageously positioned himself to shield her, resulting in both of them being struck by the same arrow. Zhao Jian, arriving on the scene, was visibly distressed and deeply concerned for Yuan Zhongxin's condition. Mr. Huo later confronted his agents who had fled the teahouse, chastising them for their impulsiveness and inquiring about Yuan Zhongxin's identity. Yuan Zhongxin, though wounded, assured them the arrow had not pierced his heart.
Overwhelmed with worry and a twinge of jealousy, Zhao Jian prepared to remove the arrow that had impaled both Yuan Zhongxin and Yun Ni. She explained that she had to saw the arrow shaft between them to minimize blood loss before extraction. However, the sight of Yuan Zhongxin's wound caused her to panic, rendering her unable to perform the delicate procedure. Xiaohua, the fake Yun Ni, rushed in, sword drawn, deeply concerned for Yun Ni's well-being.
Yun Ni, however, assured her that Yuan Zhongxin's group meant no harm and that she trusted them. She ordered Xiaohua to put down her weapon and leave, stating that her distress would only hinder the process. Outside, Wei Yanei questioned Xiaohua, who then revealed her past actions: she had knowingly impersonated Yun Ni, ready to take a fatal blow on her behalf, demonstrating her profound loyalty. Zhao Jian, eventually overcoming her initial panic, successfully removed the arrow.
Yun Ni decided to return to the hostel to recover from her injury. Zhao Jian urged her to cancel her performance at the Empress's upcoming birthday banquet, but Yun Ni adamantly refused. She explained that the success of the dance was crucial for her family's standing in Liao and that she had already committed too much to turn back. Back in the room, Zhao Jian meticulously tended to Yuan Zhongxin's wound.
Wei Yanei, observing their attentive interaction, remarked that they resembled his parents and playfully suggested they should marry soon. Zhao Jian vehemently denied any romantic feelings between herself and Yuan Zhongxin, but he, clearly amused, continued to playfully tease her about her reaction. At the hostel, Yun Ni questioned Xiaohua, who confirmed that the assassins were indeed from the Liao Secret Agent Department.
Yun Ni expressed her bewilderment, wondering why they would try to kill her in Kaifeng rather than in Liao, especially since her brother, Prince Yun'an, had already been captured. When Xiaohua suggested seeking assistance from Song, Yun Ni dismissed Yuan Zhongxin and his companions as merely a "folk performing troupe" incapable of offering significant aid. Shortly after, Jing came to visit.
To protect Jing and push her away from the impending danger, Yun Ni spoke harshly, denying their friendship, claiming she never liked Jing, and ordering her to leave. Once Jing had departed, Yun Ni's stoic facade crumbled, revealing her profound sadness. She then instructed Xiaohua and her other attendants to leave Kaifeng immediately, declaring that she would perform the dance alone and wished to distance herself from Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian to prevent them from being implicated.
Yun Ni then unveiled the true, perilous objective of her performance: to assassinate the Song Empress. Despite the certainty of death, Xiaohua and the other attendants declared their unwavering loyalty, vowing to dance and die alongside her. Yun Ni recounted her original plan to have the Secret Agent Department safely send her companions away, acknowledging that it was no longer feasible. They resolved to face their shared fate together.
Heartbroken by Yun Ni's cruel words, Jing was comforted by Wang Kuan, who suggested that Yun Ni might not have been speaking from her heart. Jing then confided a long-held secret to Wang Kuan: she was a descendant of the Bohai royal family, a lineage tragically decimated by Liao.
She had been sent to Liao by Lu Guannian, under the guise of an art exchange, with the mission to find and potentially establish contact with Bohai survivors who resented Liao rule, in an effort to benefit Song. However, her efforts had only led her to Yun Ni. Feeling inferior to her talented companions in Section 7, Jing expressed her determination to improve and prove herself worthy of their trust and Wang Kuan's care.
Yuan Zhongxin, still recovering from his wound, instructed Tian Hu to increase security at the courier hostel in preparation for the Empress's upcoming birthday banquet, citing his own assassination attempt as justification. Unbeknownst to them, Mr. Huo, the Liao Secret Agent Department leader, was indeed planning to infiltrate the hostel disguised as a performing troupe to make another attempt on Yun Ni's life.
Yuan Zhongxin, anticipating this move, had already advised Tian Hu to instruct all hostel occupants to remain indoors. Recognizing that his injured state would make an immediate departure from the hostel too dangerous, Yuan Zhongxin decided on a daring strategy: he would use himself as bait to lure out the Liao assassins.
Episode 26 Recap
Yuan Zhongxin was deeply preoccupied with Princess Yun Ni’s situation, which stirred a pang of jealousy in Zhao Jian. Zhao Jian confronted him, remarking on his recent injury. Yuan Zhongxin then meticulously analyzed the suspicious circumstances surrounding the princess. He found it odd that Liao’s Dark Soldiers would attempt to assassinate Princess Yun Ni in Kaifeng rather than in Liao. Furthermore, Princess Yun Ni, despite being gravely wounded, insisted on performing a dance.
Yuan Zhongxin concluded that everyone involved seemed to be withholding the truth. He specifically mentioned Princess Yun Ni, Xiaohua, Han Duanzhang, and even Dean Lu Guannian, feeling that Lu Guannian and Han Duanzhang shared a peculiar understanding. He wondered if Lu Guannian would truly let go of their previous entanglements, given his typically cautious nature. Meanwhile, Wang Kuan brought Xiaojing before Lu Guannian, confronting him about Xiaojing's past mission.
Wang Kuan revealed that Lu Guannian had sent Xiaojing to Liao to establish contact with Bohai survivors, effectively putting her life at grave risk without disclosing the full danger. Xiaojing confirmed she had told Wang Kuan the truth because he was always honest with them, and she would feel guilty lying to him.
Wang Kuan emphasized that the Secret Repository hadn't even been established at the time, arguing that Lu Guannian had failed to warn her of the perils and should apologize. Lu Guannian defended his actions, stating that Xiaojing returned safely and that her potential success in contacting Bohai survivors would have benefited their nation. Wang Kuan countered that the nation is made up of individuals, and a life should not be sacrificed unscrupulously, even for the nation.
He firmly stated that Xiaojing, whether a Bohai survivor or not, was a Song resident and a trusted partner in Section 7. When Lu Guannian sarcastically asked if he should apologize, Wang Kuan dismissed it, knowing that true remorse wouldn't lead to such a question. He then promised Xiaojing that with him, she would never have to risk her life again. After Wang Kuan and Xiaojing departed, Han Duanzhang emerged from the shadows.
He admitted that he had previously underestimated Wang Kuan, believing only Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin were noteworthy. Lu Guannian explained his smile, saying that such passionate young men like Wang Kuan and Yuan Zhongxin offered hope for their nation. Han Duanzhang agreed, but added that he and Lu Guannian were from a bygone era, destined to be forgotten. They lingered on, only finding peace in death once their grand plan succeeded.
Later, Xiaojing, deeply moved by Wang Kuan's unwavering support, thanked him, confessing that no one had ever shown such anger on her behalf. Wang Kuan reiterated his vow to protect her. Overwhelmed, Xiaojing embraced him tightly, a gesture that surprised Wang Kuan, though he didn't push her away. Embarrassed, Xiaojing quickly ran off, leaving a bag of candies in Wang Kuan's hand.
Although Wang Kuan didn't usually eat sweets, he carefully hid them when Wei Yanei tried to snatch them at the hostel. As Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian left the hostel, Yuan Zhongxin spun a tale to Tian Hu, a guard at the hostel, about rival troupes trying to injure him before the Empress's birthday banquet. He subtly suggested that security should be increased to prevent further incidents. Elder Huo, having received news of their departure, had his men observe them.
Seeing them leave seemingly unguarded, he concluded it wasn't a trap and decided to capture them, with orders not to kill them, as he intended to use them to infiltrate the now heavily guarded hostel. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian, feigning distress, allowed themselves to be "captured." In the carriage, they pretended to be a married couple to gain Elder Huo's trust; during a jolt, they were thrown against each other and accidentally kissed.
Elder Huo demanded they take him into the hostel. Yuan Zhongxin cleverly suggested that Elder Huo could pose as his "remote, brain-damaged nephew." Despite Elder Huo's initial skepticism about playing such a role due to his age, he ultimately agreed. Upon returning to the hostel, Yuan Zhongxin introduced Elder Huo to Tian Hu as his "silly nephew," and Tian Hu, believing the story, allowed them entry.
Inside the hostel, Elder Huo insisted that Yuan Zhongxin take him to the Liao mission. However, Yuan Zhongxin explained that Princess Yun Ni refused to see anyone, including him. With his captives seemingly useless, Elder Huo threatened to kill them. Zhao Jian intervened, warning Elder Huo that killing them within the hostel would only heighten security.
She proposed a plan: since Princess Yun Ni was also injured, she would need a doctor, and Elder Huo could impersonate one to gain access to her quarters. They then led Elder Huo to their own room to await an opportunity. Meanwhile, Wang Kuan, Xue Ying, and Wei Yanei, who were waiting in their courtyard, were abruptly ordered to leave the hostel by men carrying a transfer order from the Ministry of War.
Xue Ying noted the guards weren't wearing armor, but Wang Kuan concluded that the order couldn't be fake and that the person requesting their presence must be influential. Just as Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian brought Elder Huo back to their courtyard, they found it empty except for Xiaohua, who frantically informed them that Princess Yun Ni had disappeared again and begged for their help.
To deal with Elder Huo, Yuan Zhongxin asked Tian Hu to take his "silly nephew" back to the room and watch him. He and Zhao Jian then left with Xiaohua to search for the princess. Elsewhere, Princess Yun Ni met secretly with Han Duanzhang. She asked about her brother, Yun An, and Han Duanzhang assured her he was fine.
Han Duanzhang then laid out his true plan: he intended for Yun Ni to assassinate the Song Empress during the birthday banquet, thereby framing her clan for the crime. This would force Song to demand the "murderer" from Liao. He explained he wouldn't kill Yun An because a dead body wouldn't serve his purpose. His ultimate goal was to ignite a war between Liao and Song, allowing Liao to expand its territory south.
To solidify his manipulation, he presented Yun Ni with a letter from Yun An. The letter, however, explicitly warned Yun Ni not to obey Han Duanzhang and to protect herself. Han Duanzhang knew this would only make her more resolute to sacrifice herself for her brother. He assured her that all arrangements for the dance were complete, and she would not be inspected.
When Yun Ni asked if her dance troupe members would be spared, Han Duanzhang vaguely promised to "try." After getting rid of Xiaohua, Yuan Zhongxin confided in Zhao Jian that the disappearance of Wang Kuan's group was highly suspicious, and they needed to find them. First, however, they had to find Princess Yun Ni. Yuan Zhongxin enlisted the help of local beggars, who directed them to a specific yard.
However, upon entering, Yuan Zhongxin realized they had been deliberately misled into a deserted place. He found it perplexing to be outwitted in a city he knew intimately. Soon after, they spotted Princess Yun Ni in a different location. She dismissively claimed she was merely taking a stroll and, citing their differing social statuses, advised them not to meet again.
As they walked away, Yuan Zhongxin expressed his unease, wondering if someone had helped Princess Yun Ni throw them off her trail. Zhao Jian, noticing his thoughtful frown, teased him about being hurt by Princess Yun Ni's comments on social status. Yuan Zhongxin quickly denied it, playfully affirming his commitment to Zhao Jian. Later, Lu Guannian confirmed to Han Duanzhang that he was the one who had arranged for Yuan Zhongxin to be led astray with false information.
Han Duanzhang acknowledged Yuan Zhongxin’s astuteness and provocatively asked Lu Guannian how his students would react if they ever learned the truth about him. Lu Guannian curtly dismissed the question, to which Han Duanzhang responded with a cynical laugh, stating he would be pleased if Lu Guannian ever faced danger. Meanwhile, Tian Hu returned to the room where Elder Huo was supposed to be kept, only to discover that the "silly nephew" had escaped.
Episode 27 Recap
Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian arrived at the inn looking for Huo Yuguang, only to find he had already escaped through a broken window. Zhao Jian quickly realized that Yuan Zhongxin had intentionally allowed Huo Yuguang to flee, a fact Yuan Zhongxin didn't deny. He explained that he had already mobilized the local ruffians to watch the hostel, anticipating Huo Yuguang’s escape as a way to track his movements.
Meanwhile, Wang Kuan and his companions were escorted to a heavily guarded courtyard. There, they encountered a venerable old man. Wang Kuan was astonished to discover that this man was his former teacher, Lv Jian, who served as a Grand Commandant. Lv Jian demonstrated his deep knowledge of each of their identities and backgrounds, engaging them in heartfelt conversations. Even Wei Yanei and the others were impressed by Lv Jian's stature and wisdom.
Lv Jian, who had been closely monitoring the Secret Repository, revealed his intent to disband it. He clarified that the fault wasn't with the Secret Repository itself, but with Lu Guannian, whose unscrupulous methods he feared would corrupt future generations of officials, endangering the Song dynasty. Lv Jian also disclosed that a group of Liao secret agents had entered Kaifeng for the Empress's upcoming birthday banquet, yet Lu Guannian remained inactive, which Lv Jian found suspicious.
Therefore, he tasked Seven Section with secretly investigating the Liao spies, believing them to be trustworthy due to their frequent disagreements with Lu Guannian's methods. He assured them that if his suspicions about Lu Guannian proved unfounded, he would personally apologize. Huo Yuguang, who had managed to escape, was pursued by assassins. When Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian arrived at the scene, Huo Yuguang had already fled again.
Examining the arrows found at the guest house, they determined the weapons were from the Song military. During his escape, Huo Yuguang encountered Han Duanzhang and expressed surprise that he hadn't been captured. Han Duanzhang then shot Huo Yuguang with arrows. Huo Yuguang plunged into the water, and Han Duanzhang ordered his men to retrieve the body, continuing to shoot arrows into the water. Unbeknownst to Han Duanzhang, Huo Yuguang was secretly rescued by Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian.
Seriously injured, Huo Yuguang revealed that Han Duanzhang was his pursuer and the true mastermind behind framing the Secret Agent Department. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian were shocked by this revelation, but Huo Yuguang soon fell unconscious. Back at the courier hostel, Wang Kuan and the others discovered an unconscious stranger in their room. A note left by Zhao Jian identified the man as the Liao secret agent who had attempted to assassinate Princess Yun Ni.
Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian had separately gone to confront Lu Guannian, demanding to see Han Duanzhang. To their surprise, they found Han Duanzhang confined in a secret room within Lu Guannian's residence. Having been disturbed, Han Duanzhang suspected Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian of having found Huo Yuguang and urged Lu Guannian to eliminate them. However, Lu Guannian vehemently refused to harm his students.
Upon returning to the hostel, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian relayed the astonishing events to Wang Kuan's group, admitting their growing suspicions about Lu Guannian. Wei Yanei then shared details of their meeting with Lv Jian, who also harbored doubts about Lu Guannian. Zhao Jian, fearing Yun Ni's assassination attempt was part of a larger plot connected to the Empress's birthday banquet, expressed her desire to uncover the full truth.
Yuan Zhongxin suggested that understanding Huo Yuguang's motive for targeting Yun Ni might lead them to the core of the mystery. When Huo Yuguang regained consciousness, he revealed the full extent of the conspiracy to Seven Section. He explained that due to civil unrest in Liao and the disappearance of Prince Yun'an, Princess Yun Ni was being coerced into assassinating the Song Empress during the birthday banquet.
His own mission to Song was to kill Yun Ni, not out of malice, but to prevent her assassination attempt, which would inevitably spark a war between Song and Liao. Since Yun Ni was a Liao princess, her death in Kaifeng would provoke an unavoidable conflict. With Yun Ni's forced participation in the dance ceremony already confirmed, Yuan Zhongxin devised a plan to disrupt the assassination without resorting to violence.
He instructed Wei Yanei to employ a "honey trap" on Xiaohua, Yun Ni's close attendant, to ascertain the exact details of the assassination plot. Following the plan, Wei Yanei approached Xiaohua, presenting the severely wounded Huo Yuguang as a "betrothal gift" to propose marriage. He then requested to speak with Xiaohua alone, leaving Huo Yuguang with Princess Yun Ni.
Huo Yuguang directly confronted Yun Ni, informing her that he knew about Prince Yun'an's capture and her forced involvement in the assassination. He reiterated that his mission was to prevent her from assassinating the Song Empress, thereby averting war. He further revealed that Han Duanzhang was the one who had previously attempted to kill him and was also responsible for capturing Prince Yun'an.
Recognizing Han Duanzhang's insidious ambition, Huo Yuguang urged Yun Ni to cooperate with them and cancel the assassination. However, Yun Ni, facing the ultimatum that Prince Yun'an would be killed if she failed to assassinate the Empress within two days, felt she had no choice but to proceed. Xiaohua, despite being a servant, shared a deep sisterly bond with Princess Yun Ni. She confided in Wei Yanei about their close relationship and implored him to help save Yun Ni's life.
Through Xiaohua, Wei Yanei learned the intricate assassination plan: the hats worn by the dancers during the performance had hidden sachets filled with potent poison powder behind their long tassels. At a predetermined moment during the dance, they would remove these sachets and sprinkle the poison onto the Song Empress.
To avert war while ensuring Yun Ni's safety, Wei Yanei instructed Xiaohua that the dance must proceed as planned, but the assassination could be thwarted by secretly replacing the poison powder with harmless perfume. He emphasized the importance of keeping Yun Ni from discovering the switch. With Xiaohua's assistance, the exchange was successfully carried out. Wei Yanei reminded Xiaohua to maintain a facade of normalcy to prevent Yun Ni from noticing the alteration. Though the assassination was foiled and Yun Ni's life saved, Xiaohua remained deeply concerned for the safety of Prince Yun'an.
Episode 28 Recap
Upon Wei Yanei's departure from Xiaohua's room, Yun Ni revealed to Xiaohua that she had already overheard their conversation and was fully aware of Yuan Zhongxin and his companions' plans. She instructed Xiaohua to feign compliance to mislead them. Yun Ni explained that the hat tassel assassination attempt was merely a diversion, a "gecko cutting off its tail," as her true method of assassination was entirely different.
She clarified that Han Duanzhang had forced her into this act, and she was willing to sacrifice her life to save Prince Yun'an, showing no regard for her own safety. On the day of the Empress's birthday banquet, Yun Ni and Xiaohua prepared to leave the courier hostel. Inside their carriage, Yun Ni placed a sleeping incense in the censer.
She confessed to Xiaohua that she had already notified the Court of State Ceremonials that her performance would be a solo dance. Yun Ni intended to perform this final solo dance alone, ensuring Xiaohua and the others would survive. Meanwhile, backstage at the banquet, Jing, disguised as Princess Yun Ni, was incredibly nervous. Wang Kuan approached her to offer reassurance and encouragement, hoping she would successfully complete the dance.
He told her not to worry about being recognized, as other Liao people would not be present at the Empress's birthday banquet, and praised her two days of practice. Yun Ni awoke in the carriage, bewildered as to why she had fallen asleep despite taking an antidote. She quickly realized the carriage was not heading to the imperial palace. Yuan Zhongxin then appeared behind her, apologizing.
He revealed that Zhao Jian had suspected the hat tassel assassination was a ruse all along. Therefore, they had secretly replaced the incense in Yun Ni's carriage, executing a strategy of "removing the firewood from under the cauldron" and "substituting one thing for another" to prevent her from reaching the banquet. Wei Yanei's connections among the imperial guards allowed them to arrange the swap. Now that the birthday banquet had concluded, Yun Ni had no remaining options.
She wept in shock and despair. Yuan Zhongxin apologized again, explaining they were unable to save Prince Yun'an, but they had to prevent the conflict between Liao and Song. He intended to send Yun Ni back to the hostel, suggesting that if she returned to Liao promptly, Prince Yun'an might still have a slim chance of survival.
Even if Prince Yun'an were to meet an unfortunate end, Yuan Zhongxin urged Yun Ni to live, avenge her brother, and find a way to defeat Han Duanzhang. Later, Lu Guannian questioned Zhao Jian about Seven-Pillars' private mobilization of the imperial guards and Jing's impersonation of the Liao princess. She revealed they had caught Huo Yuguang, who had implicated Han Duanzhang in the assassination plot. Lu Guannian dismissed the claim, stating Han Duanzhang was imprisoned.
Zhao Jian, however, found Lu Guannian's calm reaction to the assassination's failure unsettling, suspecting that everything was within his expectations. She also found it suspicious that the Court of State Ceremonials staff who had met Yun Ni were suddenly transferred from the banquet. Zhao Jian openly expressed her suspicions of Lu Guannian, who vehemently denied any collusion and asserted that all his actions were for the good of the Song Dynasty.
Separately, Han Duanzhang, speaking with Lu Guannian, also found the students' actions "extraordinary" and sensed a powerful figure was secretly aiding them. Meanwhile, Wei Yanei and Jing met with Lu Jian. They informed him about Jing's impersonation of the princess. Wei Yanei explained they hadn't sought Lu Guannian's help, implying a lack of trust. Lu Jian, impressed by their "stunning idea," agreed to help cover up the impersonation with the Court of State Ceremonials.
He then instructed them to keep a close watch on Yun Ni until she left for Liao, ensuring no further incidents occurred. Yun Ni was preparing to return to Liao. Yuan Zhongxin released Huo Yuguang, tasking him with accompanying Yun Ni back to Liao. Huo Yuguang understood Yuan Zhongxin's intention was to prevent Yun Ni from harming herself within Song territory. He agreed to report Han Duanzhang's conspiratorial actions upon their return.
Inspired by Yuan Zhongxin's words, Yun Ni also resolved to live and seek revenge for Prince Yun'an if he were truly dead. Unbeknownst to them, Han Duanzhang sent a secret message to Liao, ordering the disposition of Prince Yun'an. He told Lu Guannian that the failure of the assassination was anticipated and marked the beginning of his "second move." He warned Lu Guannian that if Seven-Pillars interfered again, he would personally eliminate them.
As Yun Ni, Xiaohua, Huo Yuguang, Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, Jing, and Wei Yanei departed, they stopped for the night at an inn. Yuan Zhongxin instructed the imperial guard, Tian Hu, to keep a close watch on Huo Yuguang, revealing his true identity as a Liao secret agent who could not be allowed to escape. Later that night, Yuan Zhongxin found Zhao Jian and reported the arrival of a new group of people and imperial guards.
They soon recognized Liu Sheng from Section 5. Liu Sheng ordered everyone to return to their rooms, announcing he would conduct a search. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian, immediately suspicious that Liu Sheng's presence was connected to Lu Guannian, decided Zhao Jian would check on Yun Ni and Jing while Yuan Zhongxin went to find Huo Yuguang, fearing for their safety. Yuan Zhongxin entered Huo Yuguang's room to find both Huo Yuguang and Tian Hu murdered.
Liu Sheng arrived on the scene and immediately accused Yuan Zhongxin. Simultaneously, a guard reported that Yun Ni and Xiaohua had fled. Liu Sheng swiftly dispatched his men to pursue them. Shortly after, Liu Sheng returned with Yun Ni and Xiaohua, once again pointing the finger at Yuan Zhongxin as the killer.
Liu Sheng declared that due to the murders, Yun Ni could not return to Liao as planned but would be taken to Kaifeng for questioning, along with Yuan Zhongxin, who he intended to interrogate thoroughly for the murders. Yun Ni later informed Zhao Jian that she and Xiaohua had witnessed Liu Sheng killing Huo Yuguang and Tian Hu.
They had fled in fear, believing Liu Sheng was an agent of Han Duanzhang, sent to ensure Yun Ni did not return to Liao and would be killed. Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin discussed this new development, realizing that if Liu Sheng was not acting on Han Duanzhang's orders, he must be working for Lu Guannian. Zhao Jian decided she and Jing would remain with Yun Ni to protect her.
As Liu Sheng attempted to arrest Yuan Zhongxin, Wang Kuan intervened, arguing that only the Dali Temple could determine Yuan Zhongxin's guilt, not Liu Sheng. Though Liu Sheng was forced to back down, he still kept Yuan Zhongxin under detention, muttering that Yuan Zhongxin was unfit for the Secret Repository. Yuan Zhongxin understood that resisting would only further implicate him.
Episode 29 Recap
After Yuan Zhongxin was detained at the inn, Liu Sheng interrogated him about the murders of Huo Yuguang and Guard Tian Hu. Liu Sheng presented a knife with Yuan Zhongxin's name carved on it as evidence. Yuan Zhongxin vehemently denied the accusation, highlighting the absurdity of a murderer leaving such a clear clue. Liu Sheng conceded that he didn't believe Yuan Zhongxin was foolish enough for such a blatant act.
He explained that he had arrested Yuan Zhongxin primarily to protect him from the enraged guards, who were furious about Tian Hu's death. Liu Sheng announced his intention to take Yuan Zhongxin back to Kaifeng, promising to uncover the true killer there. He challenged Yuan Zhongxin to flee if he was guilty, but Yuan Zhongxin vowed not to.
Later, Yuan Zhongxin managed to speak with Yun Ni, who confided that she had witnessed Liu Sheng killing Huo Yuguang and believed Liu Sheng was an agent of Han Duanzhang, thus implicating Yuan Zhongxin in a larger conspiracy. Yuan Zhongxin relayed this information to his Section 7 comrades, emphasizing the need to protect Yun Ni. Zhao Jian then visited Yun Ni and Xiaohua to verify their account.
Yun Ni maintained that Liu Sheng was the murderer but expressed reluctance to testify immediately, fearing retaliation while Liu Sheng still held power. Zhao Jian advised them to wait until their return to Kaifeng to make a formal accusation. When pressed for details, Xiaohua admitted that neither she nor Yun Ni had actually seen Liu Sheng commit the murders; they had only seen him exit Huo Yuguang's room and then peered in from the doorway, seeing two bodies.
They claimed they feared entering lest they be implicated. Zhao Jian instructed them to stick to their story and prepare to testify against Liu Sheng in Kaifeng. The following morning, as Zhao Jian, Wei Yanei, and Xiao Jing prepared to leave with Liu Sheng's convoy, news arrived that Yuan Zhongxin had fled. Liu Sheng, who had previously only suspected Yuan Zhongxin, now declared his flight an admission of guilt.
He ordered his imperial guards to hunt Yuan Zhongxin down, authorizing the use of lethal force if he resisted or if anyone interfered. Traveling back to Kaifeng in their cart, Wei Yanei questioned why they weren't pursuing Yuan Zhongxin. Zhao Jian calmly asserted that Yuan Zhongxin likely had his own reasons for leaving and would eventually return to them. Back in Kaifeng, Yun Ni was held at the courier hostel.
There, she publicly denounced Liu Sheng as the real murderer of Huo Yuguang and Guard Tian Hu, stating she and Xiaohua had witnessed it. Given the testimony of a Liao princess, Liu Sheng was promptly arrested. However, the imperial guards continued their pursuit of Yuan Zhongxin, as new reports suggested he was responsible for the deaths of another group of guards, making him a primary suspect. The members of Section 7 discussed the perplexing situation.
Wang Kuan observed that while Yun Ni’s testimony implicated Liu Sheng, it wasn't conclusive proof, and Yuan Zhongxin’s position had worsened. Zhao Jian decided to consult Lu Guannian to ascertain Liu Sheng’s place of detention and speak with him. She instructed Wang Kuan to search for Yuan Zhongxin within the city, while Wei Yanei and Xiao Jing were to remain at the hostel to guard Yun Ni and await Yuan Zhongxin.
Zhao Jian met with Lu Guannian, who unexpectedly informed her that Han Duanzhang had escaped, prompting a widespread search. Lu Guannian granted Zhao Jian permission to see Liu Sheng but questioned her about Yuan Zhongxin's whereabouts, which Zhao Jian claimed ignorance of. Meanwhile, Wang Kuan found Yuan Zhongxin at an old gambling den outside the city. Yuan Zhongxin clarified that he hadn't escaped but had been released by Yun Ni.
He recounted Yun Ni’s reasoning: he could only help her if he escaped, as the Liao-Song crisis remained unresolved, and she promised to reveal everything later. Yuan Zhongxin also confirmed he had not killed the imperial guards found dead. He asked Wang Kuan to get an update on Liu Sheng from Zhao Jian. Wang Kuan, however, sensed Yuan Zhongxin was still being evasive.
Yuan Zhongxin confessed that he deliberately kept Wei Yanei and Xiao Jing in the dark due to the severe implications of helping a Liao princess escape, suggesting possible involvement from Lu Guannian and wanting to shield his friends from what he considered a "personal interest" investigation. He reiterated that if he had to involve anyone, it would be Wang Kuan.
Upon Wang Kuan’s return to the hostel, Zhao Jian handed him Lu Guannian’s token, asking him to visit Liu Sheng in her place. She explained that Lu Guannian had ordered her to immediately join the hunt for Han Duanzhang, preventing her from further involvement in Liu Sheng’s case. Since Wang Kuan was now aware of the situation, Zhao Jian divulged the full details of Yuan Zhongxin’s scheme. After Yun Ni had "released" Yuan Zhongxin, he hadn't fled the inn immediately.
Instead, he gathered Zhao Jian and Liu Sheng, pointing out the inconsistencies in Yun Ni and Xiaohua’s testimony, particularly their impossible claim of seeing Tian Hu’s body from the doorway. Yuan Zhongxin posited that since Yun Ni and Xiaohua had released him, they couldn't be the murderers, but were likely part of a larger plan. He proposed playing along with Yun Ni's orchestrated accusation of Liu Sheng.
Imprisoned, Liu Sheng could then observe who would try to further incriminate him, thereby revealing the true mastermind. Both Liu Sheng and Zhao Jian, despite their initial differences, agreed to this risky plan, prioritizing the nation's interests over personal grievances. Zhao Jian instructed Wang Kuan to first help Yun Ni escape, then proceed to the Ministry of Punishments to question Liu Sheng. Wang Kuan proceeded to the hostel to help Yun Ni and Xiaohua escape.
Yun Ni requested Yuan Zhongxin meet them at the hostel gate in an hour, promising a full explanation then. Yuan Zhongxin and Wang Kuan successfully escorted Yun Ni and Xiaohua to a discreet, hidden house. While Yuan Zhongxin conversed with Yun Ni inside, Xiaohua and Wang Kuan went outside to fetch water. Wang Kuan momentarily left to find a rope for the well, and then a scream was heard.
Yuan Zhongxin and Yun Ni rushed out to find Xiaohua fatally stabbed. A distraught Yun Ni immediately accused Wang Kuan, attempting to attack him. Wang Kuan, in shock, defended himself, explaining he had only stepped away for a moment and had not seen the assailant. Yuan Zhongxin intervened, knocking Yun Ni unconscious to quell her emotional outburst. Trusting Wang Kuan’s innocence, Yuan Zhongxin theorized that Xiaohua was the specific target, questioning her importance in the larger plot.
He then directed Wang Kuan to go to the Ministry of Punishments to question Liu Sheng, hoping to uncover the true killer, while he remained to handle the scene and Yun Ni. Arriving at the prison, Wang Kuan presented Lu Guannian’s token to the guard and was allowed to enter Liu Sheng’s cell alone. Inside, he discovered Liu Sheng dead, his sternum brutally broken.
When questioned, the guard confirmed that both imperial guards and officials from the Ministry of Punishments had previously visited Liu Sheng but refused to disclose the last visitor or details about his food and water, stating those responsibilities fell to the Ministry of Punishments. As Wang Kuan exited, another official from the Ministry of Punishments arrived with his own token, also intending to see Liu Sheng. Wang Kuan identified himself as being from the Secret Repository, which surprised the official. Seemingly unaware of Liu Sheng's death, the official warned Wang Kuan not to meddle in the case, asserting it was outside the Secret Repository's jurisdiction.
Episode 30 Recap
Wang Kuan visited Liu Sheng in prison, using a special token that granted him sole access to the cell. There, he discovered Liu Sheng dead, his sternum completely shattered. The news quickly reached Lu Guannian, who was informed that Wang Kuan from Secret Repository was the murderer. Lu Guannian immediately ordered Section 7 to apprehend Wang Kuan.
Zhao Jian, refusing to believe the accusation, wanted to search for Wang Kuan, but Lu Guannian forbade her, insisting she remain at the Secret Repository to continue the investigation into Han Duanzhang. He stated that Wang Kuan was a member of Section 7, and others could handle his capture. At the hostel, Wei Yanei, Xue Ying, and Xiaojing were deeply troubled by the accusations against Wang Kuan. Imperial guards then reported that Princess Yun Ni had also vanished.
With Yuan Zhongxin already accused of killing imperial guards, Wang Kuan suspected of Liu Sheng's murder, and the princess missing, Wei Yanei decided they must prioritize finding Wang Kuan and Yuan Zhongxin first, temporarily setting aside the princess's disappearance. He was confident that the princess's disappearance was a separate matter. Wang Kuan met with Yuan Zhongxin and delivered the shocking news of Liu Sheng's death.
He explained that Yun Ni believed he killed Xiaohua, and now the Ministry of Punishments considered him Liu Sheng's murderer, leaving him accused on two fronts. Yuan Zhongxin acknowledged the urgency of finding the true killer to clear Wang Kuan's name, as mere words would not suffice. Wang Kuan took it upon himself to investigate, instructing Yuan Zhongxin to look after Yun Ni in the meantime.
Soon after, Yun Ni regained consciousness and, still distraught, vehemently accused Wang Kuan of Xiaohua's murder. Yuan Zhongxin tried to reassure her, urging her to believe that Wang Kuan was not a cruel man and promising to find the killer. However, Yun Ni, overwhelmed by grief and suspicion, declared she wouldn't trust anyone, even suggesting Yuan Zhongxin was Wang Kuan’s accomplice.
Meanwhile, students from Section 5, upon learning of Liu Sheng's death and Wang Kuan's alleged involvement, stormed out of the Secret Repository. They delivered an ultimatum to Section 7, demanding Wang Kuan be handed over to them for justice. The students of Section 5 were known to be formidable, and if Wang Kuan fell into their hands, his fate would be sealed.
Across the city, Lu Guannian and the imperial guards intensified their search for Wang Kuan, deploying forces to all major establishments and city gates, but to no avail. That night, Yun Ni attempted to slip away, but Yuan Zhongxin intercepted her. He implored her to disclose everything she knew, hoping that by piecing together their information, they could identify Xiaohua's real killer. Yun Ni remained defiant, accusing Yuan Zhongxin and Wang Kuan of being accomplices.
Yuan Zhongxin pressed her, asking why he would kill Xiaohua when he chose to see Yun Ni and try to help her. He then asked Yun Ni her true reason for secretly returning to Liao. After some persuasion, Yun Ni revealed her purpose: she did not want to enter into a peace-making marriage. Yuan Zhongxin deduced that she was aware of the impending marriage even before an official edict arrived at the hostel, implying someone had informed her.
He further reasoned that this same individual had likely instigated her to falsely accuse Liu Sheng of murder to divert Secret Repository’s investigation. Given Yun Ni and Xiaohua knew Tian Hu was dead without entering the room, Yuan Zhongxin concluded that the person behind everything, and the killer of Tian Hu, Huo Yuguang, and Liu Sheng, was Han Duanzhang. Yun Ni was astonished by Yuan Zhongxin's deductions. She then confessed that her brother, Prince Yun'an, was not dead.
She had received a letter from him via carrier pigeon, instructing her to cooperate with Han Duanzhang for the peace-making marriage with Song. At that moment, Xiaojing arrived, looking for Wang Kuan and surprised to find Yun Ni there. Xiaojing presented a note from Section 5. Recognizing the danger, Yuan Zhongxin quickly instructed Xiaojing to take Yun Ni and escape through the back window, telling her to decide their destination and not make any sound.
Shortly after Xiaojing and Yun Ni left, Di Jiang from Section 5 appeared. Di Jiang, who shared a deep bond with Liu Sheng, viewed him as a brother, mentor, and the person who led him out of darkness. Furious, he confronted Yuan Zhongxin, demanding Wang Kuan.
Yuan Zhongxin, realizing the note from Section 5 was a ruse to track them, stated that the letter was superfluous if they truly wanted to kill Wang Kuan, implying it was a trick to get Section 7 members to lead them to Wang Kuan. He pointed out Di Jiang had followed the wrong person. Outmatched in combat, Yuan Zhongxin used a clever tactic to escape Di Jiang's grasp.
Meanwhile, Zhao Jian had followed Lu Guannian and discovered him in a secret meeting with Han Duanzhang. Hidden from view, she overheard Han Duanzhang admit to killing Huo Yuguang because he knew too much, Tian Hu for guarding the room, and Liu Sheng to distract Section 7 and prevent them from interfering with their "great cause."
Lu Guannian, incensed that Han Duanzhang had killed his student Liu Sheng, lunged at him, but Han Duanzhang warned that killing him would jeopardize their greater plan. Lu Guannian suppressed his anger, vowing to kill Han Duanzhang once their grand design was complete, and warned him to stay away from his students. After the exchange, Zhao Jian was discovered and restrained by Lu Guannian's men.
Han Duanzhang suggested killing her to prevent her from exposing their secret, but Lu Guannian refused to kill his own student, instead confining her to a secret room. Zhao Jian, chained to a wall, demanded to know about this "great event." Lu Guannian explained his ambition to sow internal strife in Liao, leading to its eventual decline and fall, promising to release her once this objective was achieved.
He reasoned that some people were too short-sighted to get their hands dirty for the sake of the Song Dynasty's benefit, so he had to act covertly. Zhao Jian questioned how many lives, including those of Tian Hu and Liu Sheng, would be sacrificed for his so-called greater good. Xiaojing and Yun Ni, now on the run, didn't know where to go.
Wang Kuan suddenly appeared, knocking out the still-furious Yun Ni when she tried to attack him again, explaining that he only rendered her unconscious. He led them to a dilapidated, reportedly haunted house for shelter. Wang Kuan expressed concern for Yuan Zhongxin, having deduced that the person he had encountered was Di Jiang, a formidable member of Section 5. The next morning, as Yun Ni awoke, Wang Kuan reiterated that he did not kill Xiaohua.
He explained he had been hiding near the previous house, observing, after Yun Ni's initial accusation, hoping to find the real killer. He and Yuan Zhongxin suspected the killer knew where they were staying. Elsewhere, Yuan Zhongxin went to the designated meeting spot with Zhao Jian but found no secret code, signaling that something had gone wrong with her.
Wang Kuan, back at the haunted house, sent Xiaojing to check for their agreed-upon code with Yuan Zhongxin, but she found nothing. Wang Kuan surmised that Yuan Zhongxin, caught between Di Jiang and the real killer, had used the opportunity to escape and disappear in Kaifeng, trusting Wang Kuan to take care of Yun Ni, and hoping the killer's next move to find Yun Ni would reveal their identity. Wang Kuan was still deeply worried about Yuan Zhongxin's safety.
Episode 31 Recap
As part of a plan conceived with Yuan Zhongxin to lure Dean Lu Guannian from his office, Wei Yanei and Xue Ying rushed to see him. Feigning panic, they informed him that Section 5 had sent a letter threatening Wang Kuan’s life to avenge Liu Sheng, and that both the letter and Jing had gone missing. They claimed to suspect Section 5 had taken Jing and that Di Jiang was involved.
They urged Lu Guannian to accompany them to Section 5, arguing that a search warrant alone wouldn't suffice. The ruse worked, and Lu Guannian agreed to go, leaving his office unguarded. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin, disguised as Di Jiang, had already infiltrated the Secret Repository and located Zhao Jian, who was imprisoned in a secret room. Initially mistaking him for the real Di Jiang, Zhao Jian offered to reveal Wang Kuan’s whereabouts if he would unlock her.
Yuan Zhongxin then removed his mask, revealing his true identity. He explained that he had used the Di Jiang disguise to gain entry after realizing Zhao Jian was in trouble when she didn't send a coded message. Zhao Jian, while relieved, told him that the lock was no ordinary one and likely required a key. She then revealed the full extent of Lu Guannian and Han Duanzhang’s treacherous plan.
Their primary goal was to create civil strife in Liao, which would give Song an opportunity to intervene. Their initial plan, using Princess Yun Ni to assassinate the Song Empress, had failed. Now, they were on a backup plan: arranging a political marriage between Yun Ni and a Song royal. Han Duanzhang had manipulated Yun Ni’s brother, Prince Yun’an, into agreeing to the marriage without the Liao King’s permission.
They predicted that when the Liao King discovered this insubordination, he would attack Prince Yun’an, sparking the civil war they desired. Zhao Jian cautioned Yuan Zhongxin against taking the risk of stealing the key directly from Lu Guannian, fearing it would alert him to their efforts and put them in greater danger. After leaving Zhao Jian, Yuan Zhongxin met with Wei Yanei and Xue Ying.
He tasked Xue Ying with leaving a coded message for Wang Kuan to meet them behind the hostel that night. For Wei Yanei, he assigned the seemingly impossible mission of "getting" the key from Lu Guannian, clarifying that he didn't mean stealing it directly. Yuan Zhongxin's plan involved exploiting Dean Lu Guannian's connections. Wei Yanei, using his familial ties, arranged for Commandant Lv Jian to invite Lu Guannian to his mansion for a private meeting.
Upon arrival at Lv Jian’s residence, Lu Guannian was required to relinquish all weapons for security, including a small key. Wei Yanei successfully intercepted the key during this process. Separated from the main group, Wang Kuan, Jing, and Yun Ni were in hiding. Yun Ni continued to accuse Wang Kuan of killing Xiaohua, refusing to believe his protestations of innocence, but Wang Kuan calmly reiterated his belief that the real killer would soon be found.
Wang Kuan expressed concern for Yuan Zhongxin, but maintained confidence in his ability to evade capture, knowing no one else knew of their secret hideout. Jing, following Wang Kuan’s earlier instruction, had searched for Yuan Zhongxin’s coded messages, finding none. However, she later found the code Xue Ying left, confirming the rendezvous for that night. Unbeknownst to them, the real Di Jiang was still actively searching for Wang Kuan.
Han Duanzhang, encountering Di Jiang, convinced him that aimlessly wandering the streets wouldn't lead to Wang Kuan. After some initial caution from Di Jiang, who asked Han Duanzhang to remove his mask as a precaution against impersonators, Han Duanzhang proposed that they track members of Section 7, knowing they wouldn't abandon their friends. They soon spotted Jing and followed her back to Wang Kuan and Yun Ni’s hiding place.
When Di Jiang attacked Wang Kuan, Jing bravely stepped in front of Wang Kuan to protect him. Fearing for Jing's life, Wang Kuan urged her to leave. In a surprising turn, Jing grabbed Yun Ni and held her hostage, threatening to kill the princess if Di Jiang harmed Wang Kuan. Yun Ni, bewildered, protested, but Jing calmly explained that Han Duanzhang needed her alive, giving them leverage.
Recognizing Yun Ni's critical role in his larger scheme, Han Duanzhang immediately intervened, stopping Di Jiang from further action. He allowed Wang Kuan, Jing, and Yun Ni to escape. With the key in hand, Yuan Zhongxin returned to Zhao Jian’s cell. He found her surprisingly relaxed, eating a tangerine. He playfully chided her for her nonchalant attitude, given the efforts made to save her.
After a brief banter where Zhao Jian feigned contentment with her imprisonment, she admitted she was just teasing him. Yuan Zhongxin then used the key to free her. Once released, Zhao Jian discussed Lu Guannian and Han Duanzhang's conspiracy further, emphasizing the need to inform Yun Ni of Han Duanzhang’s true intentions. Yuan Zhongxin revealed he had paid "Old Thief" a substantial sum (Wei Yanei's money, as Zhao Jian quickly deduced) to gather information, expecting to hear from him soon.
Meanwhile, Dean Lu Guannian was still engaged in a long and philosophical conversation with Commandant Lv Jian. Lv Jian, appearing frail and reflecting on his life, subtly criticized Lu Guannian's transformation, lamenting that he had lost his youthful idealism and morality by "lingering too long in darkness."
Lv Jian argued that those young people who still believed in justice, like the members of Section 7, represented the true hope for Song, and that Lu Guannian, as their Dean, should protect that idealism. Lu Guannian, however, steadfastly defended his ruthless methods as necessary for the future of their country. As Lu Guannian later returned to his office, he discovered that the key to Zhao Jian's secret room was missing.
Wang Kuan, Jing, and Yun Ni were on the run again, but were still being pursued by Han Duanzhang's hooligans. Wang Kuan proposed that Jing take Yun Ni and separate from him to increase their chances of escape, as he was their primary target. Jing refused to leave him, but eventually agreed to take Yun Ni to meet Yuan Zhongxin and the others. She decided they should head for the hostel, believing Yuan Zhongxin would be there, and instructed Yun Ni to hide outside while she went in.
Episode 32 Recap
Jing successfully led Wang Kuan and Yun Ni away. Yun Ni was astonished by Jing's newfound bravery for the one she loved, yet she harbored resentment towards Wang Kuan over Xiaohua's death. Wang Kuan reiterated that he was not Xiaohua's killer. Aware that Di Jiang was relentlessly pursuing him, Wang Kuan urged Jing to take Yun Ni to Yuan Zhongxin, arranging to meet them later behind the hostel.
He had detected "hooligans" tracking him, and believed that if the three continued together, they would all be captured. Prioritizing their safety, Jing reluctantly complied, but secretly worried Wang Kuan wouldn't survive until evening. She discreetly knocked out Yun Ni, hid her in a secluded spot, and rushed to the hostel to find Yuan Zhongxin for help. Meanwhile, Wang Kuan encountered Han Duanzhang and Di Jiang on the street.
Han Duanzhang ordered Di Jiang to first ascertain Yun Ni's whereabouts, then eliminate Wang Kuan. Just as Di Jiang was about to act, Lu Guannian, accompanied by Old Thief, appeared. Lu Guannian intervened, commanding Di Jiang to return to Secret Repository, asserting that Wang Kuan was not Liu Sheng's killer. Di Jiang, though defiant and declaring he was no longer a student, was outmatched by Lu Guannian's forces. Lu Guannian protected Wang Kuan and took him back to Secret Repository.
Shortly after, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian arrived at the scene, having been alerted to Wang Kuan's danger. They realized they were too late and Wang Kuan had been taken, unsure if it was by Lu Guannian or Di Jiang. At Secret Repository, Lu Guannian questioned Wang Kuan about Yun Ni. Knowing Lu Guannian’s collaboration with Han Duanzhang, Wang Kuan refused to cooperate, simply stating he didn't know her location.
Lu Guannian then revealed his entire plan to Wang Kuan, claiming it was all for the benefit of Song, despite working with Han Duanzhang. Wang Kuan challenged this, asserting that Song was not ready for war and that such a plan would only benefit Han Duanzhang and plunge Song into a premature conflict with Liao, especially with Yuan Hao of Xia eyeing their borders. He advocated for a strategy of cultural assimilation over military aggression.
Wang Kuan’s arguments struck a chord with Lu Guannian, who admitted that his actions were inadvertently dragging Song into war. Realizing his grave miscalculation, Lu Guannian decided to prevent the marriage document from entering the capital by meeting Yuan Zhongxin. However, before they could leave Secret Repository, they were intercepted by officials from the Ministry of Military, who had received orders to restrict Lu Guannian's movement, signifying a broader conspiracy at play.
Wang Kuan acknowledged that now only Section 7 could halt the document's arrival. Elsewhere, Yuan Zhongxin had already learned from Old Thief that he had sold Wang Kuan's location to Lu Guannian. Old Thief, wary of the unfolding situation, sought out Yuan Zhongxin to understand the full scope of events involving Lu Guannian and Han Duanzhang. Yuan Zhongxin, withholding nothing, revealed Lu Guannian's plan to Old Thief. Led by Jing, they found Yun Ni in her hiding spot.
Yun Ni, furious and confused, cursed them all. After untying her, Yuan Zhongxin, in front of Yun Ni and Old Thief, detailed Lu Guannian and Han Duanzhang's scheme for a proxy war between Song and Liao, which amounted to treason. Old Thief was baffled that Han Duanzhang, seemingly a Liao official, would betray his own country. Zhao Jian then unveiled Han Duanzhang's true identity: he was not a Liao native but a Bohai survivor, much like Jing.
The real Han Duanzhang had died thirteen years prior during the Liaoyang mutiny. The man posing as Han Duanzhang was, in fact, Da Yanlin's son, who had assumed the identity of Han Shaoxun's unacknowledged son to escape death and exact revenge on Liao for killing his father and family. Han Duanzhang’s ambition extended beyond mere civil strife in Liao; he desired Song to join the conflict, creating even greater chaos.
Yuan Zhongxin further suggested to Yun Ni that Han Duanzhang was the one who murdered Xiaohua. He explained that Xiaohua's death was a calculated move to prevent Yun Ni and Xiaohua from returning to Liao, thereby ensuring Yun Ni remained in Kaifeng until the marriage document arrived, forcing Song into the conflict. Yun Ni questioned how Han Duanzhang could have known her and Xiaohua's movements.
Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian clarified that Han Duanzhang had many accomplices among high-ranking Song officials, not just Lu Guannian, citing the ease with which he could frame Wang Kuan for Liu Sheng's death in the Ministry of Punishments. Convinced, Yun Ni agreed that their only recourse was to stop the marriage document from entering the capital. Wei Yanei quickly arranged for army horses. As they rode to intercept the document, Han Duanzhang ambushed them, holding Wei Yanei captive.
He threatened to kill Wei Yanei if they didn't cease their pursuit. Han Duanzhang openly admitted to killing Xiaohua, explaining it was necessary to keep Yun Ni in Kaifeng and ignite the larger conflict. Jing confronted him, reminding him of their shared Bohai heritage and the suffering war would bring. Han Duanzhang, however, dismissed her, stating his loyalty was now to Song and that his hatred for Liao fueled his desire for revenge, regardless of the cost in lives.
Yun Ni, horrified, threatened to expose his plot to Liao, but Han Duanzhang remained unperturbed, knowing that with the marriage document's arrival, the truth would not matter. The document entered the city while they were stalled. Han Duanzhang, having achieved his immediate objective, released Wei Yanei and walked away, declaring his disdain for his past identity and embracing the name Han Duanzhang as a symbol of his revenge.
Back in Secret Repository, Lu Guannian was also released, realizing the inevitability of the situation. The marriage edict had arrived in the capital, making Yun Ni's marriage to a Song prince a certainty. Yuan Zhongxin's group informed Yun Ni of this, and she, understanding the gravity of the situation, confessed her regret for misunderstanding Wang Kuan. She accepted the edict, but before she officially departed for the wedding preparations, she expressed her profound sadness at leaving her homeland.
Then, as she was being led away, Yun Ni discreetly retrieved a hidden knife and took her own life. Her suicide, occurring after her acceptance of the edict, was a final act of self-sacrifice. She clarified that her death was due to her overwhelming sorrow, not defiance, ensuring that neither Song nor her brother could be blamed, thus preventing the very war Han Duanzhang sought to ignite.
In the aftermath, Old Thief realized the profound wisdom of Yun Ni's act, confirming that her death had indeed eliminated the primary catalyst for war between Song and Yun An's faction in Liao. Jing was heartbroken, mourning Yun Ni and reflecting on promises of showing her Kaifeng that would now never be fulfilled. Yuan Zhongxin emphasized that Yun Ni's sacrifice had only bought them time.
Zhao Jian agreed, noting that the underlying threat of Song's own war hawks, who had colluded with Han Duanzhang, remained. She then deduced that the leak regarding Wei Yanei's secret visit to Lu Jian's mansion pointed to Lu Jian's own servants as the collaborators. Old Thief, acknowledging his own oversight, worried about the growing power of his subordinates.
Yuan Zhongxin challenged Old Thief's vision for Secret Repository, advocating for an institution that not only protected Song but also actively prevented unnecessary wars and curbed dangerous ambitions. Impressed and enlightened, Old Thief agreed to rectify his inner circle and proposed the closure of Secret Repository, urging the students to forge their own paths, free from intrigue.
Episode 33 Recap
Yun Ni bid farewell to Xiao Jing and her companions. She went alone to the guesthouse to receive the imperial decree, voluntarily agreeing to marry into the Song dynasty. However, she was determined that her marriage should not become the catalyst for a war between Song and Liao. For the sake of her people and her brother, Yun Ni took her own life within Song territory. Yuan Zhongxin and Xiao Jing arrived too late, witnessing her death.
By accepting the decree before her death, Yun Ni ensured her demise was not an act against Song. Her sacrifice brought an end to a potential devastating war, thwarted the schemes of Lu Guannian and Han Duanzhang, and benefited the people of both nations. Although Yun Ni’s death temporarily averted war, the seeds of conflict remained. Yuan Zhongxin recalled that Han Duanzhang had apprehended Wei Yanei outside Grand Commandant Lv's residence, indicating an accomplice within Lv's household.
He informed Grand Commandant Lv of this, who, despite his age, understood the implications. Lv promised Yuan Zhongxin he would swiftly deal with the spy and confirmed his intent to report to the Emperor to disband the Secret Repository, believing that once disbanded, they could pursue their true desires, free from a life of intrigue and darkness.
Han Duanzhang, upon hearing of Yun Ni's death, remarked that while her death offered temporary relief, it wouldn't change the larger picture; her brother, Prince Yun An, would still rise in rebellion once he returned to Liao. Suddenly, Di Jiang attacked Han Duanzhang from behind, confronting him about Liu Sheng's murder. Han Duanzhang admitted to killing Liu Sheng, stating that he and Section 7 had caused too much trouble. A fierce battle ensued between Han Duanzhang and Di Jiang.
Both were skilled, but Han Duanzhang's cunning prevailed. He killed Di Jiang, though he was gravely wounded in the process. Lu Guannian arrived with his troops and was deeply pained to see Di Jiang's lifeless body. Han Duanzhang, still seeking to escape, urged Lu Guannian to consider the overall situation and allow him to return to Liao, arguing that killing him would not help. However, having lost multiple students to Han Duanzhang's schemes, Lu Guannian refused to tolerate it further.
He personally apprehended Han Duanzhang and executed him. In his dying moments, Han Duanzhang questioned why Lu Guannian would kill him for the sake of a few students, lamenting that he had died in Song territory without avenging his family. Lu Guannian showed no sympathy for Han Duanzhang, instead approaching Di Jiang's body to apologize for his death.
Back at the Secret Repository, Lu Guannian agreed with Grand Commandant Lv's proposal to disband the Secret Repository, reasoning that the deaths of Liu Sheng and Di Jiang suggested that without the institution or his involvement, they might have lived longer. He expressed that young men should live in the sunlight, not be entangled in darkness. He informed the Section 7 members that they were now free to pursue their true desires, unburdened by intrigue.
Lu Guannian personally brought Wang Kuan to Section 7 and delivered news to Xue Ying: his parents were no longer soldiers and could safely run their noodle shop in Kaifeng without worry. As the Section 7 members bid farewell to Lu Guannian, Yuan Zhongxin mused about their impending separation. Zhao Jian, however, affirmed that while the Secret Repository might be disbanded, Section 7 would remain.
She reminded them that their shared belief in protecting Song and preventing wars would bind them together, no matter how long or far apart they were. Yuan Zhongxin agreed, and the group concluded that Section 7’s mission would continue. Three months later, Wang Kuan returned to his family with Xiao Jing. Meanwhile, Xue Ying, Wei Yanei, and Yuan Zhongxin remained in Kaifeng.
Wei Yanei had attempted to run a noodle shop featuring dancing girls, but it proved to be a financial disaster. Wei Yanei shared the contents of a letter from Wang Kuan: his father disapproved of Wang Kuan marrying Xiao Jing, a Bohai survivor. In defiance, Wang Kuan had taken Xiao Jing to Binzhou to stay with Zhao Jian and cancel his previous engagement, intending to marry Xiao Jing. However, upon arrival, they discovered Binzhou city in an uproar.
Prince Zhao, Zhao Jian's father, was gravely ill, and Zhao Jian was holding a public selection for a husband to ease his mind. Yuan Zhongxin was visibly stunned by the news but stubbornly denied any personal feelings for Zhao Jian, insisting he didn't miss her. Wei Yanei, acting as a friend, urged Yuan Zhongxin to join him and Xue Ying on a trip to Binzhou to see Zhao Jian.
Initially hesitant, Yuan Zhongxin was eventually persuaded by Wei Yanei to accompany them, ostensibly out of courtesy for a friend. Upon their arrival in Binzhou, the Section 7 members found a long line of men at Prince Zhao's mansion, all hoping to participate in the husband selection. After being told to wait in line like everyone else, Wei Yanei, through some inquiries, learned that Zhao Jian had already chosen a suitor.
Xiao Jing later revealed to them that Zhao Jian had chosen Wang Kuan. Inside Zhao's residence, Zhao Jian explained the situation: her selection of Wang Kuan was merely a temporary expedient to comfort her ailing father, who did not trust her and would not cease the selection process until she was married. Wang Kuan had secretly given her a written marriage proposal to aid in this charade.
She planned to explain everything to her father and apologize to Wang Kuan once the situation was resolved. Zhao Jian confirmed her father's illness was genuine, as three independent doctors had given the same diagnosis. She mentioned that she had sent letters to famous doctors for help. Zhao Jian then revealed another pressing matter: Yuan Boqi had come to Binzhou, promoted by a Mr. Fan to train new recruits.
Liang Zhu had also arrived in Binzhou about half a month prior, constantly monitoring Yuan Boqi's home, believing Yuan Boqi had killed his younger brother and seeking revenge. However, a few days ago, Liang Zhu had suddenly disappeared, causing Zhao Jian great unease and prompting her to send the letter. Yuan Zhongxin dismissed Liang Zhu as a threat, considering his brother stronger and now a general. Zhao Jian, however, feared that Liang Zhu might be manipulated or have secret allies.
Though Yuan Zhongxin tried to brush it off as a "family matter" and told his friends not to get involved, the others insisted on helping their former instructor. Wang Kuan was already observing Liang Zhu's last known whereabouts. The group decided to split up to search the Old Market for Liang Zhu. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian were paired together. As they searched, Yuan Zhongxin asked Zhao Jian about her impending marriage, feigning indifference and offering to prepare a gift.
Zhao Jian thanked him and then pointedly asked if he had anything else to say. Yuan Zhongxin, still unable to express his true feelings, made a flippant remark about her gaining weight, leaving Zhao Jian disappointed. They then spotted a suspicious man and pursued him. Yuan Zhongxin engaged in a fight with the man, getting his hand cut while protecting a child. Zhao Jian immediately bandaged his wound. The suspicious man, who appeared to be a former soldier, escaped.
Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian decided to take the rescued child to find his parents. Meanwhile, Wang Kuan reported that he had observed some vendors in the Old Market who were former soldiers, acting furtively and consorting with suspicious individuals, suggesting something was amiss. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian then witnessed a large brawl erupting between Song and Xia vendors. Zhao Jian worried about the severe repercussions for her father if the conflict escalated.
Yuan Zhongxin intervened, attempting to mediate and suggesting that the incidents might be orchestrated rather than accidental. Captain Qin Wuya, a respected figure in the Wuwei Army responsible for defending business in Binzhou, arrived and managed to defuse the situation, offering to compensate for the damages. Both Song and Xia vendors agreed to stand down. Qin Wuya hinted that someone might be stirring up trouble.
Afterward, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian discussed the suspicious soldier and the conflict, noting the connection to rumors that the government favored Xia people, leading to local unrest. They understood that the father of the child they saved was Qin Wuya, who managed all businessmen in Binzhou. They decided to investigate both Liang Zhu's disappearance and this potential conspiracy. Yuan Boqi later met with Yuan Zhongxin, dismissing Liang Zhu's perceived threat.
He believed Liang Zhu's open surveillance was a form of challenge, and if he intended harm, he would have acted already, suggesting Yuan Zhongxin was overthinking due to his time in the Secret Repository. Yuan Zhongxin handed him a recommendation letter from the Minister of Revenue. Despite Yuan Boqi’s reassurances, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian were committed to investigating both Liang Zhu and the troublemakers in the Old Market, upholding the core mission of Section 7.
Episode 34 Recap
A conflict arose in Binzhou between Song and Xia merchants, who quickly gathered their respective forces, on the verge of a violent confrontation. Recognizing that such an incident would implicate Zhao Jian's father, a local official, Yuan Zhongxin stepped forward to mediate the dispute on behalf of Prince Zhao and Zhao Jian. He was joined by Qin Wuya, a general of the Wuyi Army responsible for Binzhou's commerce and the father of a child Yuan Zhongxin had recently saved.
Known for his amiable and generous nature, Qin Wuya commanded enough respect for both sides to agree to disperse their men and pursue peaceful trade. Afterward, the members of the Seven Chambers gathered. Both Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian sensed something amiss with the merchant conflict. The group discussed their suspicions about the old market soldier incident and Liang Zhu’s disappearance. They resolved to investigate both matters to prevent potential conflict between Song and Xia.
Later, Yuan Zhongxin and Jing visited Yuan Boqi. After a brief reunion, Yuan Boqi presented Yuan Zhongxin with a document related to the Yuan family, explaining it was an offer for a stable post in the Ministry of Revenue.
He stressed that the path of the Secret Repository was dangerous and, as his elder brother, he wished for Yuan Zhongxin to lead a "safe and normal life," not a life of wealth, a sentiment he claimed was "your mother's last wish." Yuan Zhongxin, however, harbored deep resentment towards the Yuan family for their past neglect, especially during his mother's death.
He accused Yuan Boqi of acting behind the family's back and scoffed, asking if he was expected to "accept everything that you don’t want." Yuan Zhongxin rejected the offer, asserting he would decide his own life and declaring, "Stay out of this!" Following the tense exchange, Zhao Jian comforted Yuan Zhongxin, urging him to understand his brother's good intentions, even if his methods were misguided, much like her own father's concern for her future.
Yuan Zhongxin acknowledged Yuan Boqi’s lifelong protection, remarking that since he was little, his brother "has been punched greatly just to protect me." But he now felt grown enough to reciprocate: "I can also protect him and I can be his shelter." He resolved to take whatever steps necessary to deal with Liang Zhu for his brother's sake. Meanwhile, Wei Yanei, Xue Ying, and Jing found the mysterious soldier from the old market.
Wei Yanei, ever the opportunist, excitedly discussed his grand plans to establish "exchange agencies" to facilitate trade for Xia businessmen, aiming to "control the whole market" and become "a tycoon in Binzhou." Xue Ying, however, urged him to "stop talking" and "keep looking for Liang Zhu." The trio followed the soldier, discovering his hideout was elaborately booby-trapped with "poisonous powders" and "antibugging strings," suggesting the occupants were no ordinary people.
Though the soldier eventually escaped, Liang Zhu’s sudden appearance at the same location led Wei Yanei, Xue Ying, and Jing to suspect him as an accomplice. Wei Yanei worried Liang Zhu was gathering allies against Yuan Boqi, but Xue Ying pointed out the logical inconsistencies. Zhao Jian forewarned that trouble was likely to erupt with Yuan Boqi's upcoming appointment as Deputy Commander. Yuan Zhongxin decided to implement a plan to lure out Liang Zhu.
The next day, Yuan Zhongxin set a trap, feigning his own kidnapping to draw Yuan Boqi to a desolate tea shop. Yuan Zhongxin explained to his brother that he knew Yuan Boqi "wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t 'kidnapped'." Liang Zhu, who had been secretly monitoring Yuan Boqi, followed him to the location. Liang Zhu confronted Yuan Boqi, mistakenly believing he was meeting with Xia agents, and declared, "I’m killing you today!"
In the ensuing struggle, Liang Zhu injured Xue Ying, who was hidden nearby. Mistaking Xue Ying for a Xia agent, Liang Zhu accused Yuan Boqi of being in collusion with Xia. Yuan Zhongxin and his team quickly clarified the misunderstanding, explaining they were there to protect Yuan Boqi. Liang Zhu revealed he was in Binzhou to "spy on" Yuan Boqi, suspecting him of having "traded secretly with Xia to keep yourself alive" in the past.
He further explained that his recent disappearance was due to his pursuit of "deserters," who turned out to be Xia spies he had tracked to their now-abandoned hideout. Realizing his error, Liang Zhu was angered by Yuan Zhongxin's suspicions and challenged him. As they argued, an arrow flew from the woods towards Liang Zhu. Yuan Boqi instinctively shielded Liang Zhu, taking the arrow in his place.
Zhao Jian immediately recognized the fleeing assassin’s eyes, identifying him as "the soldier in Old Market." Liang Zhu, surprised by Yuan Boqi’s protective act, asked why he was saved. Yuan Boqi dismissively replied, "Just by chance. Don’t care too much." Liang Zhu, though grateful, remained suspicious of Yuan Boqi’s past connections with Xia, warning, "If you’re a traitor, I’ll kill you." Yuan Boqi simply responded, "I’ll be waiting," before Liang Zhu departed.
After the encounter, Yuan Boqi left to meet the newly arrived Commander Zhou. Commander Zhou, an old acquaintance of Lu Guannian, conveyed a message to Yuan Zhongxin from Dean Lu: the situation with the "newly organized army in Binzhou mattered a lot," and Yuan Zhongxin was urged "not to make troubles." Yuan Zhongxin scoffed at this, declaring, "I’m not a firecracker that booms!"
Commander Zhou recounted Lu Guannian’s description of Yuan Zhongxin as a "wild monkey," too "crafty to trust," to which Yuan Zhongxin retorted, "He’ll be an old monkey then!" Later, Yuan Boqi expressed his relief to Yuan Zhongxin, observing that his younger brother, who once exhibited "defense and alienation" in his eyes, now displayed "trust" among his friends. He warmly congratulated Yuan Zhongxin on "finally have friends."
Yuan Zhongxin then visited Zhao Jian, who informed him that Jing was observing her various suitors while Wang Kuan and Xue Ying continued to search for the mysterious soldier. Yuan Zhongxin tentatively asked Zhao Jian if she was "really getting married." She confirmed she had to comply due to her father’s severe illness, doing so only to "relieve" him. Yuan Zhongxin stammered, attempting to offer help, "Shall I… shall I help you with that?"
but was interrupted by Jing announcing the arrival of Lin Mosheng, the suitor approved by Prince Zhao. Expecting a handsome man, Yuan Zhongxin was surprised by Lin Mosheng's plain appearance. Zhao Jian explained that Lin Mosheng, as the "president of Binzhou Chamber of Commerce," was considered "young and promising" by her father due to his role in managing the upcoming Xia royal family caravan. Unbeknownst to Yuan Zhongxin, Prince Zhao had him "kidnapped" within his own mansion to speak privately.
Yuan Zhongxin, deducing he was still within the Prince’s estate, accused him of orchestrating the abduction. Prince Zhao feigned anger about Yuan Zhongxin's relationship with his daughter but then confessed his deeper paternal worries. He spoke of his fear that Zhao Jian would die "alone" without experiencing "the most common and most precious happiness" of true love and companionship.
He revealed that he had intentionally introduced Lin Mosheng, whom he described as having "exactly the same temper and wisdom as you," to see if Zhao Jian would accept him, as a test of her true feelings for Yuan Zhongxin. Prince Zhao then admitted his "actual" reason for summoning Yuan Zhongxin: he had discovered that Lin Mosheng was a morally corrupt individual with "a dozen concubines." Directly confronting Yuan Zhongxin, Prince Zhao asked, "Zhao Jian likes you. What about you?"
He explained that Zhao Jian "never laughed in Binzhou" until Yuan Zhongxin arrived, and her rare smiles were "Because of you!" Prince Zhao implored him to speak truthfully: "Do you like my daughter? And would you like to marry her?" After a long pause, Yuan Zhongxin finally confessed, "I… I like her."
Pleased, Prince Zhao then laid out his conditions for marriage: Yuan Zhongxin must live in the Zhao mansion, never hinder Zhao Jian's dreams, and take primary responsibility for childcare. Overwhelmed by the demands, Yuan Zhongxin responded, "I can’t marry her."
Episode 35 Recap
Yuan Zhongxin questioned why Prince Zhao would approve of Lin Mosheng. Xiaojing explained that despite his unappealing appearance, Lin Mosheng was the esteemed president of Binzhou's Chamber of Commerce, considered both young and accomplished. When Zhao Jian met Prince Zhao and Lin Mosheng alone, Lin Mosheng presented her with an expensive golden hairpin. Despite her strong dislike for him, Zhao Jian reluctantly accepted Prince Zhao’s suggestion to accompany Lin Mosheng for a flower viewing.
From outside, Xiaojing wondered why Yuan Zhongxin didn’t intervene, unaware of Yuan Zhongxin’s affection for Zhao Jian and his personal belief that he was not worthy of her. During their outing, Lin Mosheng made unwanted physical advances toward Zhao Jian. However, Zhao Jian’s formidable martial arts skills swiftly put an end to his attempts, leaving him battered on the ground.
Lin Mosheng had even arranged for an ambush of guards, but Zhao Jian easily dispatched them all before giving him a thorough beating. Yuan Zhongxin soon found himself restrained by Prince Zhao's household staff. The Prince confronted Yuan Zhongxin, explaining his actions. Worried for Zhao Jian’s future after he is gone, he had been desperate to find her a husband.
Knowing she fancied Yuan Zhongxin, whom he deemed unsuitable, he chose Lin Mosheng hoping to divert her affections, but was disappointed by both Lin’s character and Zhao Jian’s complete rejection of him. The Prince admitted that he had orchestrated the letter from Wang Kuan and Xiaojing to summon Yuan Zhongxin, having noticed how much happier Zhao Jian had been since his arrival. He then pressed Yuan Zhongxin to be truthful about his feelings.
Yuan Zhongxin confessed his affection for Zhao Jian, which pleased Prince Zhao. He then laid out terms for marriage, including Yuan Zhongxin residing in his mansion and not restricting Zhao Jian’s ambitions. Yuan Zhongxin, however, stated he could not marry her. The Prince attempted to negotiate, even suggesting their child could bear the Zhao surname, but Yuan Zhongxin remained firm, explaining that he felt Zhao Jian was out of his league.
Prince Zhao dismissed this as inferiority due to Yuan Zhongxin's background, but Yuan Zhongxin clarified that his reluctance stemmed from a fear that marrying her could endanger her life. A shocked Prince Zhao questioned if Yuan Zhongxin was planning a rebellion, to which Yuan Zhongxin insisted his reasons were complex and confidential. He promised to return for Zhao Jian after settling his affairs, should she still be unmarried, though he admitted he didn't know how long that would take.
Zhao Jian, who had been listening from outside the room, then entered. Feigning ignorance of their conversation, she asked what they were discussing. Yuan Zhongxin quickly deflected, claiming they were merely discussing the weather, and asked why she had returned so soon from her flower viewing. Zhao Jian then revealed she had beaten Lin Mosheng, explaining his malicious behavior. A servant arrived with a letter from Lin Mosheng.
The Prince, enraged, read that Lin Mosheng intended to participate in the upcoming engagement civil examination to win Zhao Jian’s hand. Prince Zhao explained that he had established this examination for worthy suitors to compete for Zhao Jian’s hand, but he was furious that Lin Mosheng, despite his recent misdeeds, dared to participate. Zhao Jian explained that Lin Mosheng was threatening to spread rumors damaging her reputation if he was denied the opportunity.
She proposed letting him compete, confident that his incompetence would ensure his failure, thus discrediting him. The next day, during the engagement examination, Lin Mosheng attempted to cheat by having a network of scholars in the backyard relay answers through a bribed servant. Xiaojing, observing this, promptly exposed his scheme, leading to his immediate disqualification. Yuan Zhongxin, who also participated, completed all his answers.
When Prince Zhao declared Yuan Zhongxin the winner based on his perfect score and urged him to marry Zhao Jian, she intervened. Zhao Jian unexpectedly disqualified Yuan Zhongxin, revealing that the answers he submitted were actually hers, secretly provided to him by Prince Zhao. She explained she had deliberately included errors to ensure her father would not simply marry her off against her will. Prince Zhao, surprised by her cunning, was left to ponder her true motives.
Later, Yuan Zhongxin confronted Zhao Jian, articulating his understanding that her true motive for sabotaging the marriage process was to maintain her father’s will to live by giving him a reason to worry about her future. Zhao Jian confirmed his deduction, expressing surprise at his perceptiveness. Yuan Zhongxin suggested this was not a sustainable long-term solution.
Zhao Jian then playfully challenged Yuan Zhongxin to consider marrying her as a "try" to see her father's reaction, but Yuan Zhongxin quickly refused, still constrained by his unrevealed personal difficulties. Yuan Zhongxin was later attacked by Lin Mosheng's henchmen, who admitted Lin Mosheng had ordered the assault. The furious Prince Zhao vowed to kill Lin Mosheng, but Yuan Zhongxin suggested they discreetly beat him to teach him a lesson.
Before they could act, Zhao Jian arrived with shocking news: Lin Mosheng and all his guards had been found dead, seemingly by bladed weapons. At the Lin mansion, they found everyone killed by a single, precise strike to the throat. Imperial guards then presented Liang Zhu as the murderer. Liang Zhu explained that after his previous attack, he had been tracking the mysterious military personnel.
He found them at the Lin mansion, already in the act of killing Lin Mosheng and his guards. He then engaged and killed the two military personnel himself. Yuan Zhongxin inspected the bodies of the two "military personnel" and discovered hidden poisons, realizing they were not ordinary soldiers but secret agents. Zhao Jian noted that one of Lin Mosheng’s guards was missing, suggesting he might hold crucial information about the murders. The Seven Sages gathered to discuss the escalating situation.
Wang Kuan revealed that numerous beggars and rogues in the market had also been found dead, all killed with the same single-strike method, leading them to suspect a connection to Lin Mosheng's death. Believing the secret agents' ultimate target might be Prince Zhao's mansion, Wang Kuan instructed Yuan Zhongxin to remain and guard Zhao Jian.
Back at the mansion, Yuan Zhongxin learned that someone had once again torn down the marriage recruitment notice, passed the examination, and left a mysterious sand table as a gift for Zhao Jian. Zhao Jian was clearly fascinated by this gift and the anonymous sender, which stirred a sense of jealousy in Yuan Zhongxin. Later, Prince Zhao once more pressed Yuan Zhongxin to marry Zhao Jian, emphasizing that he would cancel any other engagements if Yuan Zhongxin agreed.
Yuan Zhongxin, however, steadfastly refused, reiterating his conviction that marrying her would inevitably lead to her death. He acknowledged that if Zhao Jian eventually found another suitable partner, it would simply be his destiny. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian pursued multiple lines of inquiry into the murders. They investigated Lin Mosheng’s mansion, finding his account books filled with routine market reports, indicating his legitimate business dealings but offering no immediate insight into why he was targeted.
They also sought information on the missing guard from the leader of the local beggar community, a young boy. Zhao Jian discovered that Yuan Zhongxin had previously paid the boy to secretly report on her activities. The boy informed them that the missing guard, named Li Zhen, was seen heading to the eastern region, likely to acquire false identification to flee Binzhou.
During their investigation, Xue Ying reported a startling connection: the same beggar leader had entered the Wuwei Army camp using a military token. Following up on the lead from the boy, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian visited a master of false documents. They coerced the master into revealing that Li Zhen had indeed procured a false pass and family register under the name "Lu Fei" a short while ago.
Episode 36 Recap
Wang Kuan and Wei Yanei went to Lin's mansion to investigate Lin Mosheng's connections with the city's rogues. They discovered that the deceased rogues had all been on Lin Mosheng's payroll. While staking out, they spotted a mysterious military man and intentionally let him go so Xue Ying could discreetly track him. Xue Ying followed the military man out of the city, only to be surprised when the man used a token to gain entry into the Wuwei Army camp.
The military man's conversation with an accomplice revealed his "escape" was a staged event, part of a larger, unseen plan. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian sought out a beggar named Xiao Wu in Binzhou, asking him to help locate Li Zhen, the surviving Lin family guard. After their meeting, Zhao Jian returned to her residence to analyze a sand table. Prince Zhao once again asked Yuan Zhongxin if he was willing to marry Zhao Jian.
Yuan Zhongxin's answer remained unchanged, disappointing Prince Zhao, who felt that if Yuan Zhongxin wouldn't fight for Zhao Jian, she couldn't wait for him forever. Later, Xiao Wu arrived at the Prince's mansion with news of Li Zhen's whereabouts. Zhao Jian recognized Xiao Wu from previous encounters. Under Zhao Jian's enticement, Xiao Wu confessed that Yuan Zhongxin had already secretly hired him to report Zhao Jian's every move.
This revelation about Yuan Zhongxin's obvious affection brought a smile to Zhao Jian's face. Xiao Wu reported that Li Zhen was in the east of the city. As Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian went to find him, they encountered one of the secret agents involved in Lin Mosheng's murder. Realizing his cover was blown, the secret agent committed suicide by poison right in front of them.
Yuan Zhongxin had noted a discrepancy in the secret agent's writing habits (the agent wrote with his right hand, but the room was set up for a left-hander), suggesting he was an impostor. Before taking the poison, the secret agent hinted that a powerful, tricky mastermind, highly familiar with Binzhou, was behind Yuan Zhongxin's group's quick discovery of his location. Zhao Jian confirmed the secret agent couldn't be saved, stating, "He has poisons in his mouth. We can’t save him.
. . Those people are definitely not normal gangsters. They are secret agents." With the secret agent dead, they turned to Li Zhen. Li Zhen recognized Zhao Jian from Lin Mosheng's marriage proposals and Yuan Zhongxin from an earlier beating he endured under Lin Mosheng's orders.
Li Zhen claimed to know nothing about the assassination or why he was being pursued, stating he had merely used the chaos of the attack to escape and intended to flee Binzhou to avoid further trouble. Skeptical, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian decided to bring Li Zhen back to Prince Zhao's mansion for further interrogation. Yuan Zhongxin then met with Wang Kuan, Wei Yanei, and Xue Ying. Yuan Zhongxin mentioned the account book the deceased secret agent was looking for.
Wei Yanei produced a book, but Yuan Zhongxin found nothing unusual in it. Wang Kuan, however, revealed that the person tracked by Xue Ying had disappeared into the Wuwei Army camp, suggesting a military connection. Wang Kuan also found that the rogues Lin Mosheng had hired were monitoring the military camp, especially a general or someone monopolizing the supply routes. He disclosed that all rogues sent to monitor Captain Qin Wuya had died violently.
Wang Kuan's intuition suggested Qin Wuya was connected to the secret agents, perhaps even the mastermind. Yuan Zhongxin was surprised, questioning if Qin Wuya would truly risk his own son if he were the orchestrator. They concluded that Li Zhen likely held the remaining answers. Yuan Zhongxin took the account book, intending to question Li Zhen, while Wang Kuan planned to continue investigating the camp.
At Prince Zhao's mansion, the gentleman who passed the literary test and sent Zhao Jian the sand table arrived with betrothal gifts. Zhao Jian was surprised to find it was Ding Er, whom she had encountered in the prison camp. Ding Er greeted her, repeatedly calling her "my wife," which infuriated Yuan Zhongxin. Yuan Zhongxin confronted and beat Ding Er, then, with Zhao Jian's help, tied him up.
Zhao Jian warned Yuan Zhongxin to be wary, describing Ding Er as scheming and deceptive, and firmly stated she would never marry him. Suddenly, Captain Qin Wuya arrived with soldiers, ordering them to stop. He revealed Ding Er's true identity: Miqin Mubei, the chief of Xia's Right Garrison, warning that harming him could bring catastrophe to Binzhou.
Prince Zhao was horrified that his marriage invitation had attracted such a high-ranking Xia general and immediately prepared to send a memorial to the imperial court, reaffirming his loyalty to the Song dynasty. Qin Wuya clarified that Miqin Mubei was in Binzhou to escort Xia's imperial merchants and he intervened to prevent a diplomatic incident.
Miqin Mubei then brazenly told Zhao Jian that upon his return to Xia, he would petition the Song emperor for a marriage decree, ensuring she would become his wife. He dismissively told Yuan Zhongxin to be silent. Just then, Yuan Boqi arrived.
Zhao Jian, noticing Yuan Boqi's simmering rage, explained to Yuan Zhongxin that Miqin Mubei was the general who led the Xia army in the Battle of Qichuan village, where nine thousand Song soldiers died—a deep trauma for Yuan Boqi. Miqin Mubei, in a deliberate provocation, challenged Yuan Zhongxin to choose between stopping his brother or letting him seek revenge.
Yuan Zhongxin intervened, telling Yuan Boqi that killing Miqin Mubei would reignite war between Song and Xia and lead to more bloodshed. Zhao Jian also urged Yuan Boqi not to fall into Miqin Mubei's trap. Though torn by his grief, Yuan Boqi reluctantly put down his sword, but told Yuan Zhongxin, "You don’t understand."
As Yuan Zhongxin followed his brother, Yuan Boqi recounted how a scout sacrificed his life to save him in the battle, leaving him feeling his life no longer belonged to him. He explained that he chose not to kill Miqin Mubei to prevent further wars, but also confessed his profound despair, questioning the meaning of his own existence.
Yuan Zhongxin encouraged him to live well for those who died, and Yuan Boqi promised not to kill Ding Er for the time being. Shortly after Yuan Boqi's departure, news reached Prince Zhao's mansion that Instructor Liang had attacked Miqin Mubei at a hotel in retaliation for his brother's death and had been arrested by the Wuwei Army. Miqin Mubei sustained only a flesh wound. Authorities, fearing for the ongoing peace talks, ordered Instructor Liang's severe punishment for treason.
Zhao Jian decided to go to the hotel to plead with Miqin Mubei for Instructor Liang's release, believing it was the only way to save him. Yuan Zhongxin offered to accompany her, but Zhao Jian refused, fearing his presence might further provoke Miqin Mubei, whom she suspected might be linked to Qin Wuya. She urged Yuan Zhongxin to focus on interrogating Li Zhen and investigating Qin Wuya.
Wang Kuan, concerned for Zhao Jian's safety, questioned Yuan Zhongxin's seeming indifference to Miqin Mubei's marriage proposal, reminding him of their mutual affection and how a proposal from Yuan Zhongxin could easily resolve the situation. Yuan Zhongxin, however, confessed that marrying Zhao Jian would put her life in danger, though he refused to elaborate further. Meanwhile, Wei Yanei and Xue Ying reported minimal progress on their camp investigation, cautious not to alert their targets.
Wang Kuan, ever the caretaker, offered them mung bean soup. He lamented the delay of his own marriage to Xiao Jing, but she reassured him that their shared commitment to the Secret Repository's mission came first. During his interrogation of Li Zhen, Yuan Zhongxin pressed him on why he alone survived the Lin family massacre and why he hadn't reported it, implying Li Zhen's direct involvement. Li Zhen repeatedly denied any knowledge.
When Li Zhen invoked Song law against illegal detention, Yuan Zhongxin sarcastically apologized and threatened to release him onto the streets, knowing his pursuers were still active. Despite being tied up and mocked, Li Zhen tried to maintain his dignity, daring Yuan Zhongxin to do his worst. At the hotel, Zhao Jian observed Prince Mozang publicly humiliate Miqin Mubei by splashing tea on him and calling him names, a power play that Miqin Mubei silently endured.
Zhao Jian commented on his unusual restraint, and Miqin Mubei acknowledged Prince Mozang's current influence and his own need to tolerate it. Zhao Jian then asked what it would take for him to release Instructor Liang. Miqin Mubei challenged her to a sand table game—the "final phase of sand table" they had discussed before—with Instructor Liang's freedom as the prize. The rules were simple: Zhao Jian's troops were besieged, and she had to break through.
Zhao Jian first chose a mountain road, noting its ruggedness, but Miqin Mubei pointed out that in winter, with dry conditions and prevailing northwest winds, fire attacks would be devastating. Zhao Jian then chose a waterway, believing horses could traverse the frozen lake. Miqin Mubei then revealed his trap: he had already sent people to spread salt in the waterway to accelerate the ice melt.
By the time her troops reached the center of the lake, the ice would melt, cutting off their retreat and leaving them vulnerable. Zhao Jian realized Miqin Mubei had skillfully manipulated her into choosing his desired trap. Miqin Mubei coolly stated that she had chosen her path herself, and Zhao Jian, defeated, conceded.
Episode 37 Recap
Yuan Boqi painfully recalled the Qichuan Village battle of years past. He had escaped from a pile of corpses, saved by scouts who shielded him from arrows with their own bodies, never uttering a sound even in death. Now, Yuan Boqi lived not for himself, but for the nine thousand heroic souls lost. He had not killed Miqin Mubei earlier, not out of fear, but because he wished to prevent another tragedy where innocent people would suffer and die.
Yuan Zhongxin, hearing his elder brother speak of the past for the first time, understood the profound pain Yuan Boqi carried and encouraged him to live well. Liang Zhu learned of Miqin Mubei's arrival in Song territory and intended to assassinate him outside the guesthouse to avenge his brother. Despite his injuries, Miqin Mubei captured Liang Zhu. Since Miqin Mubei was a Xia general, Liang Zhu’s assassination attempt would be deemed treason.
Zhao Jian received this news and decided to negotiate with Miqin Mubei, hoping for a chance to save Liang Zhu if he conceded. The guesthouse was guarded by imperial soldiers. Yuan Zhongxin, aware of Zhao Jian’s intent to meet Miqin Mubei, did not insist on accompanying her. Instead, he chose to first interrogate Li Zhen.
Xiao Jing, confused by Yuan Zhongxin’s reluctance to follow Zhao Jian, pointed out that their mutual affection was obvious and that Miqin Mubei clearly harbored intentions toward Zhao Jian. She believed if Yuan Zhongxin actively pursued Zhao Jian, Miqin Mubei would pose no threat. Yuan Zhongxin, however, harbored reservations, telling Xiao Jing that marrying Zhao Jian would only bring her harm. Wang Kuan, Xue Ying, and Wei Yanei returned to the Zhao Mansion.
Xiao Jing worried that Miqin Mubei might request an imperial decree to marry Zhao Jian. Wang Kuan explained Miqin Mubei's current predicament: power struggles in the Xia court were fierce, with Miqin Mubei being a confidant of Crown Prince Ning Lingge, while his father served Yuan Hao, who was Ning Lingge's rival. Miqin Mubei was in a precarious position himself and could not simply request a marriage decree for Zhao Jian.
They decided to prioritize investigating any possible collusion between Miqin Mubei and the secret agents in Binzhou city. At the guesthouse, Mozang Baoli, a confidant of Yuan Hao, deliberately humiliated Miqin Mubei, who endured it silently. Zhao Jian arrived to ask for Liang Zhu's release. Miqin Mubei challenged Zhao Jian to a sand table battle, promising to grant her wish if she won.
Miqin Mubei, a young general with deep strategic insight and expertise in military formations, was impressed by Zhao Jian's intelligent and capable mind. He agreed to release Liang Zhu. Miqin Mubei then offered Zhao Jian a bright future in Xia, where he served Crown Prince Ning Lingge, and asked her to return with him to assist him. Zhao Jian unequivocally stated that even if the Secret Repository disbanded, she would remain a Song citizen and would never serve Xia.
As she left, Zhao Jian unexpectedly saw Wei Yanei cordially conversing with Mozang Baoli in the guesthouse courtyard. She confronted Wei Yanei, who claimed he was conducting business with Mozang Baoli under the guise of his father, Wei Zhuoran's, influence. Wei Yanei later met with Wang Kuan and Xue Ying, revealing that his true reason for approaching Mozang Baoli was to uncover the truth.
With Lin Mosheng murdered and the market in unrest, Wang Kuan suspected the root of these issues lay with the caravan trade. He believed that by going against the grain and befriending Mozang Baoli, they might discover the real motive of the killer. Given Prince Zhao's serious illness, Wang Kuan wished to keep Zhao Jian out of this dangerous affair.
Meanwhile, Yuan Zhongxin attempted to interrogate Li Zhen, but Li Zhen refused to reveal any information, only asking to be released. Yuan Zhongxin seemingly granted his wish, taking Li Zhen out onto the street and loudly proclaiming his name. Realizing his identity was now exposed and fearing for his life, Li Zhen agreed to return to the Zhao Mansion with Yuan Zhongxin and divulge everything he knew.
Li Zhen explained that Lin Mosheng had sought Captain Qin Wuya's cooperation for a large business deal but was refused. Lin Mosheng then hired ruffians to constantly follow Qin Wuya, hoping to find leverage. The ruffians observed Qin Wuya secretly meeting several unfamiliar men with hidden weapons. Lin Mosheng found this highly unusual and intended to suppress the information, but Qin Wuya discovered the surveillance.
Following the ruffians, Qin Wuya traced them to Lin Mosheng, leading to the massacre of everyone in the Lin household. Li Zhen, having sensed danger, had fortunately managed to escape before the attack. Yuan Zhongxin instructed Xiao Jing to ensure Li Zhen's safety. He suspected Qin Wuya's goal was to incite a war between Song and Xia.
Hearing this, Li Zhen, not wanting to be a sinner, disclosed another piece of information: Qin Wuya possessed a secret private residence where he would likely keep his hidden secrets. Yuan Zhongxin, wanting to shield Zhao Jian from danger, decided to go alone with Li Zhen to search the private residence. Upon learning of this, Zhao Jian rushed to the private residence with Xiao Jing. Inside the seemingly abandoned house, Yuan Zhongxin and Li Zhen began their search.
Yuan Zhongxin, however, quickly noticed anomalies in the room, realizing something was amiss. Just then, Qin Wuya's men, stationed outside the private residence, launched an attack, shooting arrows. Yuan Zhongxin understood they had fallen into Qin Wuya's trap. By the time Zhao Jian and Xiao Jing arrived, the private residence had been reduced to ashes by fire arrows. Yuan Boqi, also informed of the incident, hurried to the scene.
Imperial soldiers then carried out Yuan Zhongxin's charred body from the ruins. Later, Miqin Mubei met with Qin Wuya. Qin Wuya confirmed Yuan Zhongxin's death, stating that people at the scene identified the body. Miqin Mubei cautioned him not to underestimate the people of Secret Repository, even if they were young, warning that underestimating enemies could lead to one's own demise.
Qin Wuya confidently outlined his plan for the next day's trade talks: his men, disguised as Wuwei Army, would attack, falsely appearing to kill Xia royal family members by mistake while trying to maintain order. He believed Yuan Hao, enraged, would surely launch an attack, thus rekindling the war between Song and Xia. Miqin Mubei then asked about Prince Zhao, who would also be present at the trade talks.
Qin Wuya confirmed that Prince Zhao would be allowed to die, adding that he wanted to marry Zhao Jian, not her father, and that by removing her father, he would help Zhao Jian find her true self and freedom. The next day, Prince Zhao, feeling unwell due to last night’s events, entrusted the trade talks to his subordinate. He joined the Xia envoys and merchants, including Mozang Baoli and Miqin Mubei, at the Binzhou Hotel.
Qin Wuya was also present, overseeing security. During the discussions, Mozang Baoli presented extremely harsh terms for the Binzhou merchants. Qin Wuya aggressively supported these terms, demanding immediate acceptance. Just then, a soldier reported that "Princess Zhao" had broken into the hotel and was asking to see Miqin Mubei. As Miqin Mubei went out to confront her, he was met by Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian, both very much alive.
Yuan Zhongxin taunted Qin Wuya, revealing that his apparent death by fire arrows was a ruse. He explained that by carefully observing the materials, he realized the fire could not consume the entire structure, and he and Li Zhen had survived by lying low to avoid the smoke, gambling that help would arrive. Zhao Jian's timely arrival had saved them. Zhao Jian added that her father, Prince Zhao, had already transferred all of Qin Wuya’s soldiers from the courtyard.
Yuan Zhongxin further exposed Qin Wuya’s elaborate scheme: he had murdered Lin Mosheng to silence him, spread rumors to incite anti-Xia sentiment, and planned to assassinate the Xia imperial merchants during the trade talks to ignite a war. He even accused Qin Wuya of being willing to sacrifice his own son, Qin Yichuan, to advance his twisted agenda.
Qin Wuya admitted to sacrificing his son for a "great cause" and claimed control over the situation, but his attempt to turn the Wuwei Army against Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian failed. The Wuwei Army soldiers, having noticed irregularities in Qin Wuya's behavior, knew whom to trust. The rest of Section 7, Wang Kuan, Xue Ying, and Wei Yanei, also joined the confrontation.
Wei Yanei confirmed that he had been investigating Qin Wuya all along, and their coordinated efforts had allowed them to uncover the full extent of Qin Wuya's treachery. They revealed their plan to continue acting the part, with Wei Yanei, Wang Kuan, and Xue Ying staying within the hotel to stabilize the situation and prevent further assassinations, while Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian would directly confront Qin Wuya and expose the masterminds behind him.
Episode 38 Recap
Qin Wuya went to Miqin Mubei's room and thoroughly explained his plan. He had already set a trap for Yuan Zhongxin, intending for Yuan Zhongxin to die in it. Miqin Mubei inquired about Qin Wuya's preparations for the next day's trade negotiations. Qin Wuya planned to act during the negotiations, sparking a war between the two nations. Zhao Wangye would also be present.
Qin Wuya asked if he should spare Zhao Wangye, but Miqin Mubei, despite his affection for Zhao Jian, showed no mercy for her father. The following day, Zhao Wangye attended the trade negotiations. Mozang Baoli presented Xia's harsh conditions, attempting to force Zhao Wangye to sign them. Just then, Qin Wuya was called away. In the courtyard, he was surprised to see Yuan Zhongxin alive and well.
Furthermore, Zhao Jian had used a royal warrant to reassign Qin Wuya's trusted guards. It turned out that Yuan Zhongxin's feigned death was a clever ploy he had devised. He had skillfully evaded the fire, and with Zhao Jian's timely arrival, he narrowly escaped death.
Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian had already uncovered Qin Wuya's scheme: he not only murdered Lin Mosheng to silence him but also spread rumors in the market to incite hatred among Song people towards Xia, intending to cause a massacre at the trade negotiations and ignite a major war between the two countries. Seeing that his plot was exposed, Qin Wuya confessed his actions. At that moment, patrolling imperial guards arrived.
Qin Wuya attempted to order the guards to apprehend Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin, but instead, the guards arrested Qin Wuya. Yuan Boqi also arrived. Zhao Wangye had not yet agreed to Xia's conditions. Inside, Qin Wuya's remaining men prepared to kill Mozang Baoli, following the original plan to incite war, but Xue Ying forcefully stopped them. Junior Wei also arrived shortly after.
It was revealed that the Section 7 members had already discussed their strategy for the day, acting in unison to uncover the mastermind behind Qin Wuya. Junior Wei escorted Mozang Baoli and his entourage to a private room, where dancers entertained them. Jing, disguised as a male servant, guarded Mozang Baoli and his party, ensuring they remained unaware of the commotion outside.
Junior Wei reassured Mozang Baoli that no one could break in, and Mozang Baoli, impressed by Junior Wei's generosity, called him "the first Junior Wei in Kaifeng" and thanked him. Section 7 successfully captured all of Qin Wuya's remaining men. Junior Wei then presented the newly negotiated terms for mutual trade to Zhao Wangye. Zhao Wangye was highly impressed by the favorable profit margins and the terms, which were affixed with the official seal.
He praised Junior Wei as the "lucky star of Song" and a commercial genius. Junior Wei seized the opportunity to request a small favor: that his firm be granted the exclusive right to provide all goods for Xia in Binzhou, establishing his business empire. Meanwhile, Yuan Boqi and Yuan Zhongxin pursued the fleeing Qin Wuya.
Yuan Boqi fanned out to search the perimeter, while Yuan Zhongxin returned to the guest house, where he intercepted Qin Wuya, who was attempting to kill Mozang Baoli. Yuan Zhongxin managed to protect Mozang Baoli, but Qin Wuya, consumed by murderous rage, decided to eliminate Yuan Zhongxin first before dealing with Mozang Baoli. Yuan Zhongxin's martial arts were inferior to Qin Wuya's. Just as Qin Wuya was about to deliver a fatal blow, Yuan Boqi and Zhao Jian arrived.
Yuan Boqi engaged Qin Wuya in combat and managed to apprehend him, but Qin Wuya committed suicide in front of Yuan Boqi. Miqin Mubei arrived belatedly. Mozang Baoli, however, did not attribute the incident to the Song people. Instead, he subtly implied that Miqin Mubei had the strongest motive for the assassination and demanded a thorough investigation by the Song authorities. Mozang Baoli expressed suspicion about Miqin Mubei's absence, to which Miqin Mubei claimed he was injured.
Mozang Baoli retorted by asking if Miqin Mubei was indeed plotting to kill him. After Mozang Baoli and Yuan Boqi departed, Zhao Jian took Yuan Zhongxin's hand, intending to leave with him. Miqin Mubei stopped the pair. He had heard that all members of Section 7 were present in Binzhou and proposed a competition. If Section 7 lost, Zhao Jian would willingly return to Xia with him as his wife.
Yuan Zhongxin vehemently refused to let Zhao Jian be a wager, but Zhao Jian confidently accepted, asserting that Miqin Mubei was destined to lose, as his opponents were not just Section 7, but the entire Secret Repository of Song. She noted Miqin Mubei was "bluffing purposely to cover up his real purpose." Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian then pursued their investigation into Li Zhen's whereabouts, uncovering his collaboration with Mozang Baoli.
Mozang Baoli had originally intended to use the Song people to diminish the influence of Ninglingge and Miqin Mubei, but his plan had ultimately failed. With Li Zhen no longer useful, Mozang Baoli ruthlessly eliminated him. Section 7 members later deduced that Mozang Baoli had kidnapped Li Zhen's family to force him to deliver information about Qin Wuya and Miqin Mubei, initially aiming to use Lin Mosheng to challenge Miqin Mubei.
However, Lin Mosheng's death complicated matters, drawing Section 7 into the fold. Mozang Baoli then pivoted to using Section 7 to expose Miqin Mubei, hoping to implicate Ninglingge and pave the way for Yuan Hao to depose the crown prince, thereby bolstering the Mozang clan's status. Later, Mozang Baoli received a letter and ventured alone to a secluded location, secretly followed by Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian.
Other Section 7 members discussed that Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian went alone due to urgency, the need to protect the caravans, and for a chance to be alone together. At the secluded spot, Mozang Baoli met a mysterious masked man. The masked man claimed to possess leverage against Miqin Mubei and proposed a deal. Mozang Baoli's sole condition was that Miqin Mubei "stay in Song forever," implying his death.
As Mozang Baoli and the masked man conversed inside, Mozang Baoli's attendants grew concerned by his prolonged absence and the lack of sound, realizing he was missing. Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian entered the room and unexpectedly discovered a secret passage. The masked man had escorted Mozang Baoli into a forest. There, the masked man removed his veil, revealing himself to be Yuan Boqi.
Brandishing a sharp blade, Yuan Boqi interrogated Mozang Baoli, demanding to know if someone within the Song army had secretly leaked the troop deployment maps to Xia before the battle of Qichuan Dazhai. Mozang Baoli eventually conceded, confirming the existence of a traitor and identifying him as General Zhou Xuan, who had sent a personal letter containing the deployment diagram.
He explained that Song's defeat in that war was inevitable, and the diagram was simply a bonus, making Zhou Xuan a useful informer. Mozang Baoli revealed that the letter was currently in Miqin Mubei's possession, and proposed to create a distraction the following afternoon to draw Miqin Mubei away, allowing Yuan Boqi to retrieve the secret letter. Observing from afar, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian realized the full scope of the intricate plot.
Back with Section 7, the members discussed Yuan Boqi's independent investigation, presuming he acted alone due to his distrust of the court and his desire to shield Yuan Zhongxin from danger. They pondered the veracity of Zhou Xuan's betrayal. Yuan Zhongxin suggested that the truth would be revealed once the letter was obtained.
One Section 7 member suggested a collaborative effort with Yuan Boqi, though Yuan Zhongxin feared his brother would dismiss them from Binzhou if he knew of their involvement. Yuan Zhongxin then devised a new plan. The next day, Miqin Mubei feigned a lingering cough, seemingly from a prior injury. Mozang Baoli approached him, offering apologies for his earlier suspicions and recommending "Doctor Song of Chengxi Clinic," renowned for treating trauma.
Miqin Mubei initially declined, but Mozang Baoli insisted, emphasizing that refusing the doctor would reflect poorly on Xia's internal stability. Miqin Mubei reluctantly agreed to go. Simultaneously, Yuan Boqi received an urgent message from Zhao Jian, informing him that something had happened to Yuan Zhongxin. He immediately rushed to Yuan Zhongxin's side. Yuan Boqi found Yuan Zhongxin in bed, appearing gravely ill, spitting blood and losing consciousness.
The other Section 7 members explained that Yuan Zhongxin had been poisoned the previous day, having deliberately tasted the food first to warn others. They claimed he had forbidden them from informing Yuan Boqi, fearing his concern. Yuan Zhongxin, still feigning weakness, insisted his medicine would last for two hours, enough time to secure the letter from a wooden box.
Meanwhile, Miqin Mubei returned to his room, explaining to a guard that he needed to retrieve an important document he had almost forgotten to send back to Xia, stressing its political significance. Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin, posing as Mozang Baoli and his entourage, managed to retrieve the letter. They narrowly avoided exposure by Miqin Mubei. Wang Kuan, who had gone to fetch a doctor for Yuan Zhongxin's feigned illness, was taking too long.
Xue Ying decided to go look for him, and Junior Wei offered to accompany him. Yuan Boqi confronted Yuan Zhongxin about his feigned illness, but Yuan Zhongxin explained his attempt to protect his brother. Yuan Boqi, however, insisted that as brothers, they would face challenges together.
Episode 39 Recap
Unbeknownst to them, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian had followed a secret passage and overheard the entire conversation between Yuan Boqi and Mozang Baoli. After returning to Zhao's mansion, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian shared what they had learned with the others. Wang Kuan believed that obtaining the secret letter would verify the truth, so the Seven Academy members devised a plan to steal it.
Given Yuan Boqi's deep involvement, Zhao Jian, concerned for Yuan Zhongxin, gently advised him not to keep all his burdens bottled up. The following day, as planned, Mozang Baoli distracted Ding Er. Yuan Zhongxin, feigning illness from a supposed poisoning by taking a special medicine, was brought to Zhao's mansion by Zhao Jian and Xiao Jing to draw Yuan Boqi there. Meanwhile, Wang Kuan and Xue Ying covertly entered Ding Er's annex to steal the letter.
Wang Kuan and Xue Ying successfully obtained the letter, but Yuan Boqi soon realized that Yuan Zhongxin's poisoning was a ruse, noticing fresh mud stains on Yuan Zhongxin's shoes, indicating he had been out. He tied up Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, and Xiao Jing. Yuan Boqi then hurried towards the annex but encountered Wang Kuan, who was making his escape.
During their struggle, a fake letter, which had been prepared for this contingency, accidentally fell into a stove and was quickly consumed by flames. Yuan Boqi, believing the evidence destroyed, left feeling dejected, unaware that Wang Kuan had concealed the real letter and brought it back to Zhao's mansion. Back at Zhao's mansion, the Seven Academy members examined the real letter.
Zhao Jian confirmed that Mozang Baoli's information was accurate: Zhou Xuan had indeed betrayed their nation, as evidenced by the authentic lines and official seal on the letter. Yuan Zhongxin reminded them that he had anticipated such a need and instructed Wang Kuan and Xue Ying to prepare a fake letter to be burned to deceive Yuan Boqi.
However, Zhao Jian worried that Yuan Boqi, being intelligent, would not be fooled for long and would eventually realize the deception and seek the real letter. The group feared that if Yuan Boqi obtained the letter, his intense desire for revenge for the nine thousand fallen soldiers from the Qichuan village battle would lead him to kill Zhou Xuan without regard for the law.
They decided to send the letter to Dean Lu Guannian at the Privy Council in Kaifeng to ensure a just outcome. Yuan Zhongxin argued against approaching the local magistrate, as he was a friend of Zhou Xuan's, raising fears of potential collusion. Realizing that Yuan Boqi was clever and would likely detect any of the Seven Academy members leaving the city with the letter, Wang Kuan discreetly met with Liang Zhu, asking him to undertake the crucial mission.
However, unbeknownst to the group, Liang Zhu secretly delivered the letter to Yuan Boqi instead. Upon seeing the definitive proof of betrayal, Yuan Boqi was filled with uncontrollable anger. Meanwhile, back in his room, Ding Er discovered that Zhou Xuan's secret letter was missing. Unfazed, Ding Er expressed amusement, stating that "the game has started" and he intended to play it, not letting Qin Wuya die in vain.
Later, at the training ground, Yuan Boqi, now in possession of the letter and consumed by rage, challenged Zhou Xuan to a sparring match, but his attacks were fierce, fueled by a clear intent to kill. Zhou Xuan, recognizing Yuan Boqi's prowess as the "God of War," quickly yielded, but Yuan Boqi continued his relentless assault.
Just as Yuan Boqi was about to strike a decisive blow, a flock of carrier pigeons flew past, serving as a signal for him to stop. He abruptly ceased his attack and left. Xue Ying, Yuan Zhongxin, and Zhao Jian, who had been secretly observing, decided to follow the pigeons. They eventually traced them to a seemingly empty building, but unable to find the pigeon keeper, they split up to question local vendors to no avail.
Yuan Boqi then met Ding Er in a private setting. Ding Er, having sent the pigeons, revealed he knew Yuan Boqi had the secret letter, which explained his intense anger and desire to kill Zhou Xuan. Yuan Boqi accused Zhou Xuan of being Ding Er's informer, but Ding Er clarified that Zhou Xuan was merely a collaborator; Yuan Boqi himself was his true agent.
Ding Er further revealed his plan to ignite a war between Song and Xia, and explained that he used a specific Xia proverb as a coded command to force Qin Wuya to commit suicide. He then told Yuan Boqi that while he could kill Zhou Xuan, it could not be done at that moment or location, promising his help later. As Yuan Boqi left, he encountered Yuan Zhongxin, who had been searching for him.
Yuan Zhongxin confronted his brother, stating he knew Yuan Boqi had obtained the secret letter and intended to kill Zhou Xuan. He revealed he had known about Yuan Boqi's clandestine contact with Xia people for years, ever since discovering a Xia waist token on him after the Qichuan battle. He admitted he joined the Secret Repository to protect Yuan Boqi.
Touched by his devotion, Yuan Boqi told him the full story: he was saved by Ding Er after the battle, who then showed him proof that a Song traitor caused their defeat. Yuan Boqi made a pact to serve as Ding Er's informer in exchange for the chance to find and kill the traitor to avenge his fallen comrades. He confessed that this revenge was the only goal that sustained him and warned Yuan Zhongxin not to interfere.
Instead of stopping him, Yuan Zhongxin declared his unwavering support, offering to help kill Zhou Xuan and arrange for someone else to take the blame. Returning to Zhao's mansion, Yuan Zhongxin instructed Zhao Jian to forge a letter using her father, Prince Zhao's, seal and handwriting to arrange a meeting with Zhou Xuan. Later, Zhou Xuan and Yuan Boqi proceeded to the secluded courtyard specified in the letter.
On the way, Yuan Boqi suggested holding a memorial for the Qichuan fallen at the battle site, asking Zhou Xuan to preside over it, which he readily agreed to. Upon arrival, they discovered a staged murder scene. Yuan Boqi immediately instructed Zhou Xuan to secure the area while he pursued the "assailant." However, Yuan Zhongxin quickly revealed to his brother that he and the Seven Academy members had orchestrated the "murder" to entrap Zhou Xuan.
He admitted to lying to his friends, telling them that the Privy Council had ordered Zhou Xuan's secret arrest. Appalled, Yuan Boqi accused him of committing a felony and implicating their friends. Yuan Zhongxin countered that it was necessary to protect his brother, whose safety was paramount. As they argued, Xue Ying knocked Zhou Xuan unconscious and loaded him onto a cart. Yuan Zhongxin insisted on taking full responsibility, urging the others to stay out of it. When Zhou Xuan briefly regained consciousness and questioned the lack of an official order, Yuan Zhongxin used stupefying smoke to render him unconscious again.
Episode 40 Recap
Zhou Xuan approached a severely wounded woman, only to discover it was Zhao Jian. Before he could react, Zhao Jian incapacitated him. Xue Ying and Wei Yanei similarly took down Zhou Xuan's attendants. Zhao Jian instructed Wei Yanei to transport Zhou Xuan back to the military camp. Meanwhile, Yuan Boqi, following his prearranged pursuit of the "assailants," found himself confronting Yuan Zhongxin.
Yuan Zhongxin confessed that he had deceived the Seven Sages, telling them that capturing Zhou Xuan was a secret Privy Council directive to enlist their aid. He claimed to Yuan Boqi that his intention was for the Seven Sages to bear the blame for the general's capture, a crime punishable by execution. Yuan Zhongxin stated unequivocally that friends held less importance than family. Yuan Boqi, unwilling to implicate others in a capital offense, questioned Yuan Zhongxin's motives.
The brothers then met Zhao Jian, who confirmed Zhou Xuan was secured in a carriage. When Yuan Boqi attempted to inspect the carriage, a sleeping gas was released, knocking him unconscious. Zhou Xuan later regained consciousness at the gates of the military camp, bewildered by his surroundings.
The guards informed him that Zhao Jian's friends had returned him, claiming he had simply fallen asleep and that Zhao Jian's apparent injuries were merely pig's blood from a hog slaughter, suggesting the entire incident was a prank by the royal family. Meanwhile, back at Zhao Mansion, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian arrived with the still-unconscious Yuan Boqi.
Zhao Jian expressed her surprise, as she now understood that Yuan Zhongxin's true intention all along had been to capture Yuan Boqi, not Zhou Xuan. She worried about Yuan Boqi's potential anger once he awoke. Yuan Zhongxin clarified his actions, stating that he sought to prevent his brother from committing a grave error, believing that national righteousness and his brother's welfare were equally paramount. He then requested to speak with Yuan Boqi privately.
Before departing the room, Zhao Jian assured Yuan Zhongxin that she would stand by him through any future challenges. Outside the room, the rest of the Seven Sages surreptitiously listened to the conversation, anxious about its outcome. Yuan Boqi eventually awoke. Unexpectedly, he did not express anger towards Yuan Zhongxin, but rather remarked on his brother's maturity. Despite this, Yuan Boqi remained steadfast in his vow to kill Zhou Xuan to avenge the nine thousand fallen soldiers.
Understanding the depth of Yuan Boqi's resolve, Yuan Zhongxin, unable to deter him, declared his intention to join his brother, ready to face the severe consequences of their actions, even if it meant execution. The two brothers then slipped away covertly. The Seven Sages quickly detected their absence, burst into the empty room, and immediately gave chase. Yuan Zhongxin and Yuan Boqi reached the riverbank, preparing to cross. However, Zhao Jian and her group swiftly caught up to them.
Zhao Jian confronted Yuan Zhongxin, presenting him with two choices: either remain with them or allow her to accompany him. Yuan Zhongxin, determined to shield Zhao Jian from danger, urged her and the others to let them go, stating he did not wish to involve his friends in such a perilous undertaking. Zhao Jian refused to yield. She initiated a struggle with Yuan Zhongxin to physically prevent their departure.
In a desperate act to protect Yuan Boqi, Yuan Zhongxin deliberately intercepted Zhao Jian's sword, sustaining a deep wound. Shocked, Zhao Jian dropped her weapon. At that moment, Liang Zhu arrived with a boat, revealing Yuan Boqi's pre-arranged escape plan. Yuan Zhongxin, seeing the boat, instructed Yuan Boqi to depart immediately. He then collapsed into Zhao Jian's arms, effectively halting the pursuit by the stunned Seven Sages. Yuan Zhongxin developed a high fever due to his injury.
Outside the room, Wang Kuan engaged Zhao Jian in a conversation, shedding light on Yuan Zhongxin's complex emotions. He explained that Yuan Zhongxin's hesitation to fully commit to Zhao Jian stemmed from his knowledge of Yuan Boqi's illicit contacts with the Xia people and his profound desire to protect her from the inevitable fallout.
Wang Kuan further clarified that Zhao Jian's palpable anger was not merely due to being excluded from the plan but from her profound frustration at being unable to prevent Yuan Zhongxin from embarking on a path of no return. Zhao Jian returned to Yuan Zhongxin's bedside, realizing that he had deliberately orchestrated the injury, considering the well-being of everyone but himself.
She firmly decided that this time, she would not let go of his hand, vowing to accompany him through whatever lay ahead. Later, Zhao Jian, Wang Kuan, and Xiao Jing convened to discuss their next steps. They found Liang Zhu's sudden appearance and assistance to Yuan Boqi highly suspicious, given his known animosity towards Yuan Boqi. They concluded that Yuan Boqi and Liang Zhu had been collaborating all along, and their previous rivalry was an elaborate charade.
Acknowledging the formidable alliance between the "God of War in frontier" and the "best instructor of imperial guards," the Seven Sages recognized the need for heightened vigilance. A noise from Yuan Zhongxin's room alerted them. Rushing in, they found Wei Yanei tied up and Yuan Zhongxin gone. Zhao Jian immediately set out to search for Yuan Zhongxin. Along the way, she encountered Xue Ying.
Xue Ying admitted he had intercepted Yuan Zhongxin but had been convinced to let him go, even surrendering all his money to him. Xue Ying reasoned that it was a family matter, and Yuan Zhongxin claimed that because his brother would not harm him, he was the best person to stop him and did not want his friends to be hurt. Frustrated but understanding Yuan Zhongxin's manipulative charm, Zhao Jian continued her determined pursuit.
Concurrently, Liang Zhu and Yuan Boqi finalized their plans for revenge. Yuan Boqi, recalling Ding Er's counsel, asserted that assassinating Zhou Xuan in Binzhou was impractical due to Zhou Xuan's extensive influence. Instead, Yuan Boqi proposed to carry out the assassination in Qichuan village on the upcoming anniversary of the devastating battle, transforming it into a "blood sacrifice" for the fallen soldiers.
This act, he elaborated, would also serve to remind the Xia populace that the Crown Prince Ninglingge was the victor of that battle, thereby subtly consolidating support for him against Yuan Hao's machinations. Yuan Boqi confirmed that all preparations for the Qichuan "blood sacrifice" were complete. Anticipating interference from the Seven Sages, he planned to return to the military camp and mobilize troops to apprehend them, framing it as a measure to control them.
Liang Zhu recognized that Yuan Boqi's intention to "control" the Seven Sages was, in fact, an act of protection. He understood that Yuan Boqi would face execution for killing Zhou Xuan, but by having the Seven Sages detained, they would be shielded from any official suspicion.
Despite having meticulously planned everything, Yuan Boqi revealed to Liang Zhu that he required his assistance for one final, crucial task, which was the reason he had asked Liang Zhu to escort him to this particular location. Yuan Zhongxin, after bribing local beggars for information regarding Liang Zhu's movements, discreetly followed his trail. He observed Yuan Boqi emerging from a room alone, having apparently knocked out Liang Zhu inside.
Yuan Zhongxin proceeded to set a large net as a trap, anticipating Yuan Boqi's return. However, his plan went awry when Zhao Jian, who had also utilized the beggar network to track Yuan Zhongxin out of concern, inadvertently opened the door and fell into his trap, much to Yuan Zhongxin's astonishment. He quickly clarified that the trap was intended for his brother, not for her.
He explained that he saw his brother leave without a horse and had come to check the room, finding Liang Zhu knocked out. Believing his brother would return, he had set the trap for him. Simultaneously, Ding Er had uncovered the Seven Sages' current whereabouts and dispatched assassins to eliminate them.
Episode 41 Recap
Yuan Zhongxin candidly told Zhao Jian that he had personally witnessed Yuan Boqi leaving, which prompted him to enter the room. Inside, he found only Liang Zhu, who had been knocked unconscious by Yuan Boqi. Realizing the situation, Yuan Zhongxin had set a trap for Yuan Boqi, but to his surprise, Zhao Jian was the one caught. As Yuan Zhongxin was about to free Zhao Jian, Yuan Boqi arrived.
To prevent Zhao Jian from getting involved, Yuan Zhongxin decided to speak with Yuan Boqi alone. Zhao Jian, however, managed to cut her ropes with a knife and went to find Yuan Zhongxin. Yuan Zhongxin already knew that Yuan Boqi and Liang Zhu had been cooperating for some time. Yuan Boqi no longer concealed his actions, admitting he had secretly returned to Kaifeng earlier to inform Liang Zhu of everything, and they had agreed to seek revenge together.
Their arrival in Binzhou was unexpected by Section 7, and fearing detection, they staged a revenge act. Yuan Boqi now knew the person responsible for leaking the army map and was determined to assassinate Zhou Xuan, explaining that he had knocked Liang Zhu unconscious to avoid implicating him. Yuan Zhongxin understood Yuan Boqi's resolve to kill Zhou Xuan and intended to stop him. However, Yuan Boqi caught Yuan Zhongxin off guard and knocked him unconscious.
Zhao Jian, arriving to find Yuan Zhongxin, was also knocked out by Yuan Boqi. Yuan Boqi decided to take Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian back to the military camp. He handed them over to his waiting guards, instructing them to handle them carefully. He falsely told the guards that Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian had conspired against him for family properties, and that Yuan Zhongxin wanted to assassinate Zhou Xuan.
He also gave them an address to "Chengxi House" where Liang Zhu and Yuan Zhongxin's associates were, instructing the guards to bring them all back to the military camp. He emphasized that they should not be treated as prisoners as they were juveniles and hadn't committed a serious crime, only needing a lesson. While giving these instructions, a soldier informed Yuan Boqi that Zhou Xuan wished to see him regarding Qichuan village.
Yuan Boqi agreed to go, reiterating his orders for the careful treatment of Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian. Meanwhile, Section 7 members were ambushed and assassinated by Xia military secret agents. Xue Ying managed to escape the encirclement, sustaining an arrow wound, while Wei Yanei and the others were drugged and confined in a dungeon. Xue Ying, severely injured, collapsed in front of Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian, who were being transported by guards.
Yuan Zhongxin, quick-witted, persuaded the guards to take the three of them to Section 7's hideout, arguing that with Xia people involved, his testimony would be crucial. At the hideout, "Chengxi House," Wei Yanei and the others were nowhere to be found, but they discovered an arrow, confirming Xia's involvement.
Yuan Zhongxin pointed out a non-existent hidden mark on the arrow shaft to the confused guard, then used the arrow to hold the guard hostage, demanding their release, including Xue Ying. After their successful escape, Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, and Xue Ying regrouped. Xue Ying received medical treatment for his arrow wound at Prince Zhao's mansion, a location Yuan Zhongxin shrewdly led the Wuwei Army to, knowing they wouldn't dare raid it.
The three were determined to rescue Wei Yanei, Wang Kuan, and Xiao Jing. They theorized that the attack was orchestrated by Xia agents to avenge Qin Wuya. Suspecting Ding Er, the mastermind, had no personal hideout in Binzhou, Zhao Jian began investigating Qin Wuya's various properties, believing the captives would be hidden there. Unbeknownst to them, all of Section 7's actions were anticipated by Ding Er.
Having received intelligence that Zhao Jian was investigating Qin Wuya's properties, Ding Er prepared to ensnare and eliminate Section 7 entirely that very night. Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, and Xue Ying proceeded to rescue the Section 7 members. As they navigated Qin Wuya's properties, Ding Er's scheme unfolded, separating the three. Ding Er ambushed and knocked out the isolated Zhao Jian.
He then intentionally allowed Yuan Zhongxin and Xue Ying to find the other Section 7 members, planning to set the building ablaze and eliminate them all. However, Yuan Zhongxin, ever resourceful, had anticipated such a trap. Before arriving, he had strategically left clues, leading the Wuwei Army directly to their location. Unaware of Ding Er's true intentions, the Wuwei Army stumbled upon the scene, inadvertently rescuing Yuan Zhongxin and his companions from the inferno.
Observing the dead assassins, Yuan Zhongxin noted their lack of wounds, suggesting they had committed suicide by poison, a hallmark of skilled secret agents. As Yuan Zhongxin, Xue Ying, Wang Kuan, and Xiao Jing recovered, they wondered about Zhao Jian's whereabouts. Zhao Jian, meanwhile, woke up next to Ding Er. He revealed a token belonging to Prince Zhao, threatening her to ensure his own safety.
After she reunited with Section 7, Yuan Zhongxin, seeing Zhao Jian safe, made a public confession of his feelings for her, expressing his desire for her to accompany him through all future challenges. Zhao Jian, embracing him tightly, affirmed her commitment to face any hardship by his side. Yuan Zhongxin then brought up Ding Er's demand for Yuan Boqi to kill Zhou Xuan at Qichuan village.
He argued that Ding Er's motive could not be merely the assassination of Zhou Xuan. Zhao Jian reminded him that Qichuan village was a border area guarded by soldiers from both Song and Xia. This crucial detail led Yuan Zhongxin to understand Ding Er's true objective: to have Zhou Xuan assassinated, frame the Xia border army for the death, and thereby incite a war between Song and Xia.
This war would allow Ding Er to regain military power and aid Ninglingge in seizing the Xia throne. Recognizing that Ding Er had meticulously planned this, Yuan Zhongxin convinced the Wuwei Army general of the impending national disaster. Despite the general's initial skepticism, Yuan Zhongxin passionately argued that failing to act could lead to a catastrophic war, making the general a national sinner.
Convinced, the general agreed to mobilize all available troops and head to Qichuan village, although they all feared they might not arrive in time, especially as Instructor Liang had not yet delivered the letter to Kaifeng. At the same time, Ding Er received news that the attempt to eliminate Section 7 had failed due to Yuan Zhongxin's clever use of the Wuwei Army.
Realizing that Section 7 would undoubtedly rush to Qichuan village to thwart his plans, Ding Er ordered his forces to advance at full speed towards Qichuan village. At the Qichuan village sacrificial ground, Zhou Xuan presided over a memorial ceremony. Yuan Boqi was surprised to see Liang Zhu also present, who declared his intent to personally avenge his brother, having easily escaped the military camp.
Yuan Boqi then confronted Zhou Xuan, presenting a secret letter sent to Xia and demanding he atone for the nine thousand lives lost. Zhou Xuan expressed shock, claiming he had never seen such a letter and swore his innocence, stating he would never betray the Song army. Both Yuan Boqi and Liang Zhu disbelieved him and prepared to kill Zhou Xuan. Just in time, Yuan Zhongxin arrived, quickly followed by the rest of Section 7 and the Wuwei Army.
Yuan Zhongxin urgently informed Yuan Boqi that everything was Ding Er's intricate scheme, and even if Zhou Xuan were truly a traitor, killing him at Qichuan village was precisely what Ding Er wanted. He warned that if Ding Er's forces arrived and slaughtered them, then blamed the Xia border army, it would undoubtedly ignite a war between Song and Xia. Yuan Boqi wavered, but Liang Zhu was reluctant to let this opportunity slip away.
To everyone's surprise, Zhou Xuan proactively disarmed himself, reiterating his innocence. He pleaded with them to first leave Qichuan village to deny Ding Er any pretext for war, offering to submit to their judgment once they were safely away. Yuan Boqi, after consideration, agreed to Zhou Xuan's proposal.
Episode 42 (Ending) Recap
Lu Guannian arrived alone at Qichuan village, much to the surprise of Section 7. He ordered everyone to return to the altar and hold their ground, assuring them that reinforcements were on the way. He revealed that Ding Er's troops had already surrounded the area. On the altar, Lu Guannian explained that he rushed to Qichuan village after learning that both Zhou Xuan and Ding Er were there.
He urged Liang Zhu to release Zhou Xuan, confessing that Zhou Xuan was innocent and that he, Lu Guannian, was solely responsible for the deaths of nine thousand soldiers. He recounted how during the Song-Xia war, the Song forces faced inevitable defeat, while the Xia army suffered from a severe lack of resources, leading to an unsustainable stalemate for both nations. With Song unable to afford a prolonged conflict, Ding Er approached Lu Guannian.
After careful consideration, Lu Guannian agreed to cooperate with Ding Er, using the Battle of Qichuan as a means to end the war, believing it represented the minimum loss for the Song Empire. He admitted to writing the secret letter and providing the deployment map that resulted in the demise of nine thousand soldiers. When questioned, Lu Guannian produced the letter, showing a unique mark, "Qinghe," that he had added as a safeguard against traps and to protect Zhou Xuan.
Yuan Boqi confirmed the authenticity of the mark, but could not forgive Lu Guannian. Lu Guannian acknowledged his guilt, stating he deserved to die, but clung to life to pass on his accumulated knowledge, hoping his successors would defend the nation in the darkness. This, he revealed, was his motivation for establishing the Secret Repository.
He told Section 7 that while he had taught them, they had, in turn, taught him the value of mutual trust and having light in one's heart, traits he had lost. He noted Yuan Zhongxin was the "naughtiest" of Section 7, to which Yuan Zhongxin playfully suggested it was Wei Yanei. Lu Guannian expressed his relief entrusting the nation's future to them, imploring them not to become cold or make the same mistakes he did.
Yuan Boqi insisted that Lu Guannian's apology was insufficient to ease the suffering of the dead soldiers. Lu Guannian, accepting his condemnation, expressed a desire to fight alongside them to redeem the nine thousand fallen. Ding Er arrived with the Xia army at Qichuan village. Lu Guannian confessed he had sent his official seal to the Wuwei Army for reinforcements, but Ding Er revealed he had intercepted it, leaving them to fight alone.
Lu Guannian rallied the Song soldiers, urging them to defend their families and win the battle. Yuan Zhongxin remarked that he had never seen Lu Guannian so passionate. As the battle commenced, Yuan Zhongxin instructed Zhao Jian to remain on the altar and protect Zhou Xuan, promising to marry her after the conflict. Zhao Jian questioned this, and Yuan Zhongxin affirmed that her father had given his consent. They vowed to protect each other.
Likewise, Wang Kuan asked Jing, who was not a fighter, to stay on the altar and ensure her safety. While guarding Zhou Xuan, Zhao Jian recalled Ding Er's earlier threat against her father, demanding she kill Zhou Xuan if Yuan Boqi failed. Now, as a Xia secret agent disguised as a soldier lunged at Zhou Xuan, Zhao Jian swiftly killed the imposter, demonstrating her resolve.
Acknowledging Lu Guannian as a symbol of Song's morale, Ding Er ordered archers to target him. Despite being struck by numerous arrows, Lu Guannian valiantly raised the Song battle flag, declaring that as long as the flag stood, the army's spirit would endure. He ultimately fell at Qichuan village. Devastated by his death, Section 7 members grieved.
Yuan Boqi stepped forward, echoing Lu Guannian's sentiment, stating he was fighting for his fallen comrades and the nation, and swore they would fight to the very last moment. He directed some soldiers to protect Zhou Xuan while the rest engaged the enemy. Zhao Jian joined the battle after instructing Jing to protect herself. Yuan Zhongxin worriedly observed Yuan Boqi's relentless fighting, fearing for his brother's life.
Ding Er, confident in his elaborate defenses, dismissed the Song forces as easily defeated. In the brutal skirmish, Yuan Boqi was gravely wounded by Ding Er. Yuan Zhongxin watched his brother collapse, his heart piercing with pain. As Ding Er prepared to deliver a fatal blow, Wei Yanei and Mozang Baoli arrived with reinforcements. Mozang Baoli confronted Ding Er, condemning him for violating the Song-Xia peace and declaring his actions a capital crime. He ordered Ding Er's subordinates apprehended.
Ding Er, realizing his entire plan had been foiled by Yuan Boqi's foresight in contacting Mozang Baoli, expressed his frustration. Yuan Zhongxin, overcome with grief, grabbed a knife, intending to kill Ding Er, but Zhao Jian intervened. She argued that Ding Er's death would trigger a new Song-Xia war, and that a more fitting revenge would be for him to live and witness Ninglingge's complete downfall. For the greater good, Yuan Zhongxin reluctantly lowered his weapon.
Yuan Boqi's injuries were mortal. He gently told a tearful Yuan Zhongxin not to cry, stating he had only clung to life for revenge and, with that complete, his existence no longer held meaning. He asked Yuan Zhongxin to bury him there. Recalling a childhood memory of Yuan Boqi taking him in and promising him a home, Yuan Zhongxin wept.
In his final moments, Yuan Boqi, observing the affection between Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian, suggested a name for their first child: Qichuan. Yuan Zhongxin, in his grief, playfully dismissed it as a "disgusting name," wondering what if they had a daughter instead. Yuan Boqi then passed away. Yuan Zhongxin honored his brother's last wish, burying him at Qichuan village. Wang Kuan informed Yuan Zhongxin that Zhou Xuan was safe and Instructor Liang had returned to Kaifeng.
He also revealed that Ding Er was imprisoned, facing severe consequences from both Song and Xia. Wang Kuan noted that Yuan Boqi, despite having the chance to kill Ding Er, chose not to, prioritizing the nation's peace. He highlighted that both Yuan Boqi and Lu Guannian had sacrificed their lives for frontier stability. Wang Kuan then shared that His Majesty, having been informed of their deeds by Zhou Xuan, was pleased and decided to reopen the Secret Repository.
Yuan Zhongxin questioned the purpose of returning, given Lu Guannian's death and the loss of many students. Wang Kuan reminded him of Lu Guannian's teachings: as members of the Secret Repository, they must fight the darkness with light in their hearts. He stressed that though the path was arduous, it was their duty to embrace the dawn for the nation and its people who yearned for peace.
Later, Yuan Zhongxin asked Zhao Jian about her father, Prince Zhao, as he hadn't seen him. Zhao Jian, lying, claimed he was recuperating in the suburbs. Yuan Zhongxin suggested they bring him back, but Zhao Jian playfully pulled him away, asking him to "be her man for one day," clarifying it wasn't what he might think. Meanwhile, Wang Kuan gently held Jing's hand, teasing her for her fiery temper.
Wei Yanei and Xue Ying expressed their joy over Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian's blossoming relationship. Zhao Jian and Yuan Zhongxin spent joyful time together, their hearts filled only with each other, free from other concerns. Zhao Jian admitted she now understood the joy of simply having fun. Yuan Zhongxin then presented her with a bracelet, which he later confessed was his mother's, left for his future wife.
He used it to propose to Zhao Jian, acknowledging her ambitions and ideals, but promising to always be her steadfast companion in life, offering support when she needed it most. He pledged to join her in whatever life she chose, whether defending the nation, fighting for women's rights, or even engaging in farm work. He confessed that he once feared being vulnerable, but now, with the woman he loved, he feared nothing in the world.
Moved by his heartfelt words, Zhao Jian accepted the bracelet and his proposal, sealing their commitment with a passionate kiss. She reminded him that he still owed her a request, and in response, Yuan Zhongxin asked for three requests in return for his "secret," to be granted regardless of the cost. He declared himself "all hers."
Zhao Jian confessed that her life had been dull until she met him, and that even with potential future regrets, she felt utterly content in their present togetherness. The next morning, Yuan Zhongxin awoke to find Zhao Jian gone. Section 7 members discovered a note from Ding Er, revealing that he had escaped prison and kidnapped Prince Zhao, holding Zhao Jian hostage. Yuan Zhongxin realized this explained Zhao Jian's past distress at Qichuan village.
He declared his unwavering resolve to find Zhao Jian and her father, no matter the difficulty, and initially told Wang Kuan he would go alone to Xia, entrusting him with the Secret Repository's re-establishment. However, Wei Yanei, Xue Ying, and Jing immediately insisted on joining him, asserting their bond and shared destiny. Wang Kuan affirmed that Section 7 should handle such a critical mission, and together, they all declared their commitment to face the dangers of Xia as one. Yuan Zhongxin, accepting their unwavering loyalty, agreed, and Section 7 collectively resolved to embark on the perilous journey to Xia.
