Episode Summary
In this episode, Prince Cheng dies after impaling himself on Yan Chi's sword during a confrontation. The Emperor covers it up as a suicide but demotes Yan Chi, who later reveals his actions were a ploy to gain the Emperor's trust. Qin Wan and Yan Chi uncover a shocking theory that the current Emperor may be an imposter—Prince Yi in disguise.This is supported by handwriting evidence. Meanwhile, chaos in Prince Cheng's household leads to the deaths of Qin Xiang and Feng Chenbi. Qin Wan confronts Li Muyun, accusing him of complicity in past crimes and suspecting his involvement with the Tiandao Society. The episode ends with a major cliffhanger from a former palace maid: the Empress Dowager gave birth to twins.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with an intense confrontation. Yan Chi, sword in hand, storms in to question Prince Cheng about his role in Prince Rui's murder. Cornered, Prince Cheng drops his facade and sneers that in the palace, everyone is a predator; it's merely a game of survival of the fittest. He tries to manipulate Yan Chi, claiming that Yan Chi and Qin Wan's actions are what truly led to Prince Rui's death, as his own resolve to kill was fueled by the humiliation he suffered over Qin Wan.
Enraged, Yan Chi advances, but he remembers Qin Wan's words and hesitates, his sword stopping just before Prince Cheng's chest. In a shocking twist, Prince Cheng throws himself onto the blade, choosing to die by Yan Chi's hand to frame him and see how he'll explain it to the Emperor.
Yan Chi goes before the Emperor to accept his punishment. He confesses that he had to be the one to avenge his father to appease his spirit. The Emperor, in a difficult position, decides to officially rule Prince Cheng's death a suicide, though he demotes Yan Chi. The court is thrown into turmoil; the Empress Dowager is heartbroken by her grandsons killing each other, while the Empress vengefully desires the execution of Prince Cheng's entire household as retribution for the Crown Prince.
Later, Yan Chi reveals his true strategy to Qin Wan. His seemingly impulsive act was a calculated move to make the Emperor believe he is rash and not a schemer, thereby earning his trust to investigate the deeper truth behind his father's death.
Meanwhile, Qin Wan makes a startling discovery. While comparing old documents, she finds letters between Consort Jin and Prince Rui written before her death. She realizes the handwriting is not the Emperor's usual script but is identical to the engraving on a hairpin given to her by Prince Yi's wife. This leads to a horrifying theory: could the current Emperor actually be Prince Yi, Yan Han, disguised through a face-swapping technique?They agree this terrifying possibility must be investigated further.
Chaos erupts in the late Prince Cheng's residence. Qin Xiang tries to escape but is intercepted by Feng Chenbi, who has long wanted her dead and seizes the opportunity to drown her in a lake. Shortly after, Feng Chenbi herself is killed by the imperial guards. Qin Shuang is devastated by her sister's death, blaming herself. While comforting her, Qin Wan takes her pulse and discovers she is pregnant.
Qin Wan also learns that Shen Yi had hidden crucial evidence before his death. She confronts Li Muyun, accusing him of knowing the truth about Consort Jin's murder and using the deaths of Shen Yi and Prince Jin to climb the ranks. Furious at his hypocrisy, she slaps him and begins to suspect he is a member of the Tiandao Society, noting his resemblance to Ning Buyi when he speaks. Following this, Bai Feng brings Prefect Zheng to Yan Chi and Qin Wan to officially start an investigation into Li Muyun's connection to the society.
At court, ministers pressure the Emperor to issue an edict of self-blame for the dwindling line of heirs. The Emperor reacts with unusual fury, declaring that even if all his sons die, he has brothers and nephews to inherit the throne. He states that any royal nephew is a potential heir, a proclamation that unsettles his adopted son, Yan Li. Elsewhere, Yue Ning asks Yan Ze if their old agreement still holds now that his eyesight is nearly recovered.
Finding the Emperor's declaration deeply ironic, the Empress secretly sends a clue to Qin Wan. Although wary of the Empress's motives, Qin Wan understands that the Empress needs them to avenge the Crown Prince. The clue leads them to the Zhang family alley and a woman named Qian, a former head maid to the Empress Dowager. Qian, who has been living under the Empress's protection, reveals a long-buried secret: the Empress Dowager's first pregnancy resulted in the birth of twins.
