Episode Summary
In this episode, Xiao Beiming brilliantly solves a series of murders and reveals it was a setup to catch the mastermind. He then uses his own wedding as a new trap for three primary suspects. The plan culminates in a deadly confrontation on a boat, where all three suspects and Xiao's father-in-law are killed. Xiao is found holding the weapon with no memory of the event, is shot by archers, and falls into a lake, leaving him framed as the killer.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens in the throne room, with the Emperor fuming at Zhong Yunchi for his failure to solve the recent string of murders.To make matters worse, another official, Shen Bi, has just been killed in the street. As Zhong Yunchi trembles, Xiao Beiming makes a dramatic entrance, bringing with him the very-much-alive Shen Bi. Xiao calmly explains it was all a ruse; he had a death row inmate disguised as Shen Bi to fake the murder, a classic "golden cicada sheds its shell" tactic to protect him from the real assassins.
With the court's attention, Xiao Beiming lays out the truth behind the bizarre murders. The "weeping" deity statue was merely coated in a special wax that melts with heat.Lu Wenzhong was decapitated by an incredibly sharp and nearly invisible wire. Qin Ye was burned alive after his clothes, secretly doused with a flammable powder, were ignited by a candle. Finally, Shen Bi was paralyzed by an overdose of medicine in his facial wash, causing him to drown in his own basin.Xiao reveals this was all an elaborate trap he set to lure out the true mastermind.
His victory is short-lived. His Master furiously scolds him for his arrogance, particularly for using a death row inmate as bait, warning that such pride will lead to his downfall. Pressured by his Master, Xiao Beiming reveals his theory: the killer, known as Ye Sha (Night Killer), is one of three high-ranking officials: Gui Pan Yin San, Mei Baiyu, or Tian Guan Miao Jie. To expose the culprit, Xiao plans to use his own wedding to Zhong Xueman as a stage to gather the three suspects and unmask the killer.Later, over a game of chess, he tries to persuade his worried Master, who warns him not to underestimate Ye Sha, as the killer seems to anticipate his every move.
On the day of the wedding, Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman make a public spectacle, riding together on a single horse led by Zhuge Kongyun. At the reception in the Ding Feng Pavilion, the three suspects arrive, their congratulatory words laced with hidden meanings.It becomes clear that Zhong Xueman is aware of the plan and has bravely agreed to use her own wedding to help Xiao find the truth. The joyous occasion is heavy with foreboding. Both Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman feel a sense of unease, recalling their respective Master and father behaving as if they were saying their final goodbyes.
The three suspects suggest a boat trip on the lake. After some maneuvering, Xiao Beiming joins them and his father-in-law, Zhong Yunchi, on the boat. There, he confronts the trio with a case file. They feign outrage, but under questioning, they begin to suspect one another. The confrontation takes a shocking turn when Miao Jie points at Zhong Yunchi, declaring him to be the real Ye Sha.He claims Zhong Yunchi orchestrated the boat trip to kill them all and that Xiao Beiming's presence was an unwelcome surprise. As Miao Jie begins to tell a story, Zhong Yunchi draws a dagger to silence him.
Just then, Zhong Xueman, having broken free from the room where Xiao had confined her for safety, leaps onto the boat. She is met with a horrific sight: her father and all three suspects lie dead.Xiao Beiming stands amidst the carnage, holding the murder weapon, his eyes vacant, with no memory of what transpired. Before she can even process the scene, archers on the shore let loose a volley of arrows. Xiao Beiming is struck and falls into the lake. Overwhelmed by the murder of her father and the loss of her love, Zhong Xueman collapses as the water turns red.
