Episode Summary
In this episode, the Prince Jin case is put on hold by the Emperor. While Yan Chi is on a secret mission, Prince Cheng plots to force Qin Wan into marriage by staging a kidnapping and a heroic rescue. Qin Wan sees through his scheme, and Yan Chi returns just in time to save her and apprehend Prince Cheng.
Spoiler Alert
The case of Prince Jin finally sees a major development, prompting a hurried Qin Wan to rush to his former residence. The mansion, however, has been officially sealed. Prefect Zheng insists that they need written approval from both the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice to enter. Unwilling to wait, Qin Wan asserts her special authority, granted directly by the Emperor, to proceed with the investigation, stating she will personally accept any blame from the Emperor later.
Inside the mansion grounds, a pile of bones is unearthed. Li Muyun, arriving at the scene, is shocked. He claims to have thoroughly searched the premises during the initial confiscation and insists there was no place to hide a body. Wary of interference, Qin Wan declares she will work alone, excluding even the Dali Temple. She allows Li Muyun to stay on the condition that he is only informed of her findings afterward, which is enough for him to report back to the Emperor. After a preliminary examination, Qin Wan shares her results with a surprisingly compliant Li Muyun. Sensing he is more capable than he lets on, she prevents him from getting a second look at the remains and has Prefect Zheng transport the bones to the public mortuary.
The Emperor, who hasn't heard Prince Jin's name in some time, decides to put the case on hold. He instructs Qin Wan to delay the autopsy until after the Shangsi Festival, as the Empress Dowager has just recovered and wishes to enjoy an outing. The Emperor privately asks Qin Wan to accompany the Empress Dowager and the Grand Princess, but warns her not to mention Prince Jin. With her official mourning period now over, the Emperor also brings up the matter of her marriage, assuring her that he and the Empress Dowager will support her choice. He muses that if Yan Chi proves to be less troublesome than Prince Rui, he would have no issue sanctioning their union.
Elsewhere, Qin Wan's companionship brings more smiles to Yan Sui. The Grand Princess and Empress Dowager inquire about Yan Chi, but since his trip to Shuoxi was a secret, Qin Wan can only pray silently for his safe return. Meanwhile, Prince Cheng's cousin begs him to help arrange his marriage to Yue Ning. Prince Cheng agrees, but only if his cousin performs a task for him first, setting a plan in motion for the day of the royal hunt.
During the hunt, Qin Shuang twists her ankle and is aided by a kind general, to whom she gives her handkerchief. The Crown Prince and Prince Cheng end up in a heated tie during a competition, but their argument is cut short when Yan Chi, now returned, expertly shoots down the prize-winning goose.
Yan Chi's first stop is to see Qin Wan. Pained by the sight of his travel-worn appearance, she listens as he explains his mission: the Emperor wants Prince Rui to relinquish his military authority, but Prince Rui refuses, fearing it would leave the border vulnerable to the Rongdi people. Qin Wan, determined to face any future challenges with him, vows her unwavering support. Their conversation is interrupted when Bai Feng reports that Prince Cheng has submitted a formal marriage proposal for Qin Wan. She quickly warns an agitated Yan Chi that Prince Cheng's intentions are not genuine.
Reporting his findings from Shuoxi to the Emperor, Yan Chi even volunteers for confinement to prove his loyalty and ease the Emperor's concerns. Just as he is about to bring up Qin Wan, Noble Consort Su bursts in, complaining that none of the proposed marriage candidates for her son are as suitable as Qin Wan. The Emperor, weary of the drama, allows her to make her own choice.
Later, Yue Ning and Yan Li are in the middle of an argument, where Yan Li angrily forbids her from marrying Yan Ze. That night, after her maid Fuling is asleep, Qin Wan detects knockout gas and feigns unconsciousness as she is abducted. She is taken to the countryside, where her captor is revealed to be not Prince Cheng, but his cousin. As the cousin moves to harm her, Prince Cheng makes a dramatic entrance, "saving" her and killing his cousin on the spot.
However, Yan Chi had already discovered Qin Wan's disappearance and followed a trail of medicinal powder she cleverly left behind. He finds the cousin's body. Qin Wan, unimpressed by the charade, confronts Prince Cheng. She knows he only wants her for her skills and her status as the niece of the Marquis of Zhongyong. She prepares to defend herself with hidden needles, but just then, Yan Chi arrives and fires two arrows, pinning a stunned Prince Cheng to a tree.
