Episode Summary
In this episode, Shi Fake helps Cheng Ruoning and Master Qiujiang get together, thwarting the Marquis of Wu'an by having Cheng Ruoning donate her fortune and gain imperial protection. A romantic moment between Shi Fake and Lu Chi is interrupted, leading to some awkwardness. The Marquis shifts his focus to finding a missing princess. Meanwhile, Shi Fake befriends Yan Qiyue, a woman in disguise who is also fleeing an arranged marriage, sparking jealousy in Lu Chi and suspicion from her family.
Spoiler Alert
Furious at his failure to win over Cheng Ruoning, the Marquis of Wu'an nearly draws his sword on his butler. The sudden appearance of Fang Yue stays his hand, and he dismisses the butler with a tirade. The Marquis then turns his anger on Fang Yue, blaming her for failing to keep Shi Fake in check. Fang Yue admits that Shi Fake is a formidable opponent; his straightforward nature means he acts without hesitation, allowing him to achieve great things.
Meanwhile, Shi Fake and Lu Chi visit Cheng Ruoning's residence. With Shi Fake's help, Cheng Ruoning is finally able to be with Master Qiujiang. However, the Marquis of Wu'an has been publicly humiliated, and Cheng Ruoning fears he will not let the matter rest. Shi Fake is incensed that the Marquis would use his power to separate two people in love and laments that no one can stand up to him. Lu Chi reveals that he knows someone who can act as a check against the Marquis, ensuring the couple's safety.
In her eagerness to learn the plan, Shi Fake gets unexpectedly close to Lu Chi, their faces nearly touching, creating a palpable tension. Lu Chi gently places a hand on her waist. Thinking he is about to kiss her, Shi Fake closes her eyes. Instead, Lu Chi leans in and whispers the plan in her ear, leaving her slightly embarrassed.
Lu Chi's plan is for Cheng Ruoning to donate her entire family fortune. When the Marquis learns of this, he is enraged. Not only has he failed to gain anything, but Cheng Ruoning's wealth has now gone to his rivals. He considers taking action against her but is thwarted when he discovers the Emperor has recognized Cheng Ruoning as his honorary sister, granting her the protection of imperial status.
Having lost Cheng Ruoning's support, the Marquis devises a new scheme. The king of the Gaoyou Kingdom intends to marry his daughter to the Emperor, but the princess has secretly fled to the capital, and her whereabouts are unknown. The Marquis orders his men to find her. As for Cheng Ruoning, she has given away all her assets except for the theater—the cherished place where she and Master Qiujiang will now build their life together.
Shi Fake and He Ketian are watching a play at the theater, both feeling a bit down in Zhu Yanyan's absence. As Master Qiujiang performs, Yan Qiyue also arrives. Lu Chi knows the Marquis will seek revenge on Shi Fake for foiling his plans. He initially tasks Lu Yi with protecting her but, still uneasy, decides to go himself.
As Shi Fake and He Ketian are leaving, they encounter Yan Qiyue. Seeing Yan Qiyue's refined looks, Shi Fake is inspired to play matchmaker and strikes up a conversation. Lu Chi arrives just in time to witness this and grows jealous when he hears Shi Fake use the exact same lines on Yan Qiyue that she used when they first met. When Shi Fake invites Yan Qiyue to join them for a meal at Xi Bao Pavilion, a jealous Lu Chi lies that the restaurant is closed for inventory. Undeterred, Shi Fake takes Yan Qiyue to a street food stall. The two share a moment of closeness that makes the situation slightly awkward. Yan Qiyue mentions that the person they are searching for is the same individual Lu Chi was once looking for.
Later, Shi Fake realizes that Yan Qiyue is a woman disguised as a man. When they are alone, she confronts her, and Yan Qiyue confesses she ran away to the capital to escape an arranged marriage. Shi Fake's recent pattern of leaving early and returning late has aroused the suspicion of Shi Qianqian and Shi Zhongshan. They decide to follow her and discover her with Yan Qiyue. Lu Chi also learns the two are together and rushes to find them, only to witness them in what appears to be an intimate moment.
The episode concludes with the Marquis of Wu'an summoning Fang Yue and enlisting her help in the search for the runaway princess from Gaoyou.
