Episode Summary
Lu Chi strategically fakes his own defeat to mislead the Marquis of Wu'an, while He Kexian feigns allegiance with the Marquis as part of a secret plan. Believing he has won, the Marquis tells Shi Fake that Lu Chi is dead and marches into the palace to seize power. Just as he declares himself emperor, the real Emperor appears to confront him.
Spoiler Alert
The situation at Qianya Mountain is dire. Upon his return, Lu Chi realizes his forces are severely outnumbered by the government soldiers sent by the Marquis of Wu'an. Thinking fast, he uses the mountain's treacherous terrain to his advantage, luring the main enemy force into a cleverly laid trap and dealing them a devastating blow.
Meanwhile, Shi Fake's two brothers and several friends gather, correctly deducing that the powerful Marquis of Wu'an is the mastermind behind her imprisonment. Knowing they are no match for the Marquis's military might, they begin the arduous task of collecting signatures for a petition to prove her innocence.
In her prison cell, Shi Fake remains defiant. The Marquis of Wu'an pays her a visit, gloating about his upper hand. He reveals a crucial piece of information: Lu Chi is secretly working for the Emperor. This confirms Shi Fake's suspicions that the Marquis is plotting to usurp the throne.
Back on the battlefield, Lu Chi receives a letter from Li Pan'er informing him of Shi Fake's capture. Despite his deep concern for her safety, he knows that leaving Qianya Mountain at this critical moment would mean certain defeat. He makes the difficult choice to stay, prioritizing the larger conflict. To gain control of the narrative, Lu Chi intercepts all communications intended for the Marquis. He then sends false intelligence, claiming that Qianya Mountain has been completely overrun.
The misinformation works. Believing his plan has succeeded, the Marquis returns to the prison. He tries to coerce Shi Fake into writing a letter to Lu Chi, demanding the location of the Emperor's army. Shi Fake, however, plays her own part, coldly claiming she means nothing to Lu Chi and refusing to write the letter. Though she puts on a brave face, she is secretly terrified for Lu Chi's safety.
Shi Fake's brothers and friends complete their petition and present it to the Military Governor's Office, but their plea is dismissed, leaving them at a dead end. Just as they lose hope, He Kexian appears. He sends the group home to rest and pulls Shi Zhongshan aside, entrusting his sister's care to him. In a shocking turn, He Kexian then goes to the Marquis of Wu'an's residence and seemingly surrenders.
He Kexian later visits Shi Fake in prison. Seeing the Marquis's butler treat him with respect, Shi Fake furiously assumes he has betrayed them. But He Kexian seizes the opportunity to whisper his true plan to her. The two stage a convincing argument, successfully deceiving the eavesdropping butler. The consequences of He Kexian's "betrayal" are immediate, as the Marquis's men arrive at his sister He Ketian's shop to seize it. She is left confused and heartbroken, unable to believe her brother would align with such a man.
Elsewhere, Yan Qiyue is suddenly attacked in the street. In a surprising twist, the Emperor himself appears and helps her escape. He leads her to a romantic spot by a river, under a large "Marriage Tree," where they share a quiet moment by a bonfire. The Emperor attempts to confess his feelings, but Yan Qiyue stops him, acutely aware that their hidden identities form an impossible barrier between them. He stays with her until morning before departing alone to face the impending danger.
Convinced that Lu Chi is dead and the Emperor has fled, the Marquis of Wu'an makes his final move. He first returns to the prison to break Shi Fake's spirit, presenting her with some of Lu Chi's personal effects, including an unfinished seal. The sight of it leaves her utterly devastated, believing he is truly gone.
Brimming with confidence, the Marquis leads his army into the Imperial Palace. He triumphantly puts on the dragon robe, savoring the belief that the throne is finally his. But as he basks in his victory, the Emperor suddenly appears, ready to confront the usurper.
