Episode Summary
Jin Wujian manipulates the royal brothers, Su Muli and Su Muyang, to turn on each other for his own gain. Li Shuang and Jin An have a serious conversation about his condition, with Li Shuang vowing to stay by his side even if he loses his memory. The situation escalates when Su Muli surrounds the General's Mansion. Convinced of his father's betrayal, Su Muyang hosts a final, tense banquet where he believes Li Shuang and Jin An have also abandoned him. Jin An reveals their true plan was to help him escape, but Su Muyang declares it's too late as Su Muli's forces attack.
Spoiler Alert
The Big Schemes
Jin Wujian's Master Plan
So, Jin Wujian is playing everyone like a fiddle. He tells Su Muli that he's going to hand over Su Muyang. He wants Su Muli to do whatever he wants with his brother. Su Muli has no choice. He already messed with the emperor's elixir, so this is his only shot. Su Muli is shocked that Jin Wujian knows his secret.
Jin Wujian’s goal is simple. He wants the brothers to destroy each other. This will throw the entire kingdom of Tai Jin into chaos. Then, his own kingdom of Da Yao can easily take over. It's a classic villain move, but you have to admit, it's working.
A Villain's Sad Love Story
Later, Jin Wujian goes to the Empress Dowager. He brags that he has everything under control. He's even manipulating the emperor and his two sons. He then puts on the old emperor's clothes. It turns out he's been in love with her for years. He was willing to do anything for her, even just be a replacement for the man she really loved.
She is not having it. The Empress Dowager tells him he's not worthy. Ouch.
A Moment of Peace (and Truth)
A Date and a Confrontation
Li Shuang suddenly gets sentimental. She asks Jin An about their wedding and wants to go out on the town. She doesn't want their memories to be filled with regret.
They go out and have a nice time at the night market. A storyteller is telling a tale about two figures, Duan Aodeng and Li Wei. Hearing this, Jin An feels a strange connection, wondering who Duan Aodeng is. He tips the storyteller generously and gets a pair of shadow puppets in return.
Then Li Shuang decides to just lay it all out. She asks Jin An about Wuling Mountain. She knows he's been hiding the truth from her. She's hurt. Does he not think she's worthy of the truth? Or was he just planning to leave her without a word and suffer alone?
The Wuling Mountain Problem
Jin An finally explains himself. He says he started losing control the day Su Muli showed up. That’s his biggest fear. He doesn't want to hurt her or see her get hurt because of him. If the "Jade Exquisite" leaves his body, all his memories will disappear. For him, leaving alone is the same as saying goodbye to her forever.
Li Shuang's response is perfect. She decides she'll go with him to Wuling Mountain when this is all over. She is his "blood master." She is the only one who can make sure he doesn't lose control. As long as they're together, she's confident she can make him remember her, even if he forgets everything.
The Final Banquet
The Trap is Set
When Li Shuang and Jin An get back to the General's Mansion, it's surrounded. Su Muli's men are guarding it, and he's using Li Shuang's family to threaten her. To make things worse, Su Muyang completely misunderstands the situation and thinks Li Shuang has betrayed him.
The day of the sacrifice arrives. Jin Wujian sent a note to Su Muyang. The note convinces Su Muyang that the emperor, his own father, wants him dead. Su Muyang decides that instead of being a pawn, he'll fight back.
He invites Li Shuang and Jin An to a banquet. They know something is wrong, but they have to go. Su Muli is also getting his own forces ready. He wants to be the one to kill Su Muyang, not let him die on some altar.
A Toast to Betrayal?
At the party, Su Muyang is a wreck. He's surrounded by women and drinking, saying he might as well enjoy his last day on earth. He even asks Li Shuang to dance for him. Jin An, of course, says no. So, Li Shuang and Jin An draw their swords and perform a sword dance together instead.
Then Su Muyang personally brings them two cups of wine. He watches them closely until they both drink it all. A firework goes off. That's the signal for Su Muli's men to storm the mansion. Su Muyang asks for Jin An to stay by his side, saying it will make him feel safer.
The Truth Comes Out
Su Muyang acts calm, but he's bitter. He believes Jin An and Li Shuang have both abandoned him. Jin An finally has enough. He tells Su Muyang the truth. If they really wanted to betray him, they would have just handed him over to Su Muli. Their actions were all a cover to help him escape. Jin An points out that he and Li Shuang grew up together. He understands her heart, but Su Muyang clearly doesn't.
Su Muyang's only response is that it's all too late.
