Episode Summary
This is a heavy episode featuring the deaths of both the Gu family matriarch and Li Wantang. Li Qin declares war on Gu Pingyuan after his father commits suicide at the temple. Amidst the double funerals, Chang Yuer reveals she is pregnant, providing the only spark of hope in a dark hour.
Spoiler Alert
A Family Feud Turns Deadly
This episode hits hard. We are dealing with major character exits and a whole lot of misery. It starts with Li Wantang trying to clear the air. He tells Gu Pingyuan his side of the story. He wants a reunion. Gu Pingyuan is not interested. He physically shoves the old man aside and walks off. Li Wantang almost collapses from the stress. Li Qin catches him just in time. He tells his father to forget the past. He says reconciliation is a pipe dream.
Li Wantang tries to push Li Qin away too. He tells his son to quit the business and go back to the capital. Li Qin wants to take his dad with him. Li Wantang refuses. He wants to stay at Jinshan Temple and atone for his sins. Li Qin leaves the temple alone. It is snowing heavily. The cold air doesn't cool his temper. He gets angry. He swears he will fight Gu Pingyuan to the bitter end. He plans to beat him first, then come back for his father.
The Salt War Heats Up
Gu Pingyuan processes the truth. He realizes his own biological father caused his exile to Ningguta. He is crushed. Meanwhile, Ruilin hears about Li Wantang becoming a monk. He visits Li Qin. He tries to talk sense into him. He brings a set of books as a peace offering. He tells Li Qin to drop the salt business and go home. Li Qin is stubborn. He refuses to give up. He vows to destroy Gu Pingyuan no matter the cost.
Li Qin goes on the offensive. He opens multiple salt shops in a row. He sends headhunters to poach staff from Su Yuhua’s shops. Su Yuhua goes to Gu Pingyuan for help. Gu Pingyuan stays calm. He doesn't want a dirty war. He points out that people only eat so much salt. Opening too many shops is a waste of money.
Two Fathers, One Tragedy
Gu Pingyuan has bigger problems at home. His mother is getting worse. She cries all day and refuses medicine. Gu Pingyuan regrets bringing her here. He knows she misses Li Wantang. She is actually relieved to know her ex-husband is alive, even if he changed his name.
Gu Pingyuan talks to his brother, Gu Pingwen. He wants to bring Li Wantang to see their mom. Pingwen says it is a bad idea. Gu Pingyuan goes to Jinshan Temple anyway. He begs Li Wantang to visit the dying woman. Li Wantang refuses. He is too ashamed. He makes excuses. Gu Pingyuan leaves in a rage.
He doesn't get far. A monk chases him down. Li Wantang took poison. Gu Pingyuan rushes back. It is too late. His father is dead.
Li Qin arrives at the scene. He sees the body. He blames Gu Pingyuan immediately. He claims Gu Pingyuan bullied the old man to death. He performs a ritual to cut ties with Gu Pingyuan right there. They are enemies now.
Life and Death in the Gu Household
Gu Pingyuan goes home late. He sits by his mother. She wakes up the next morning. She tells him about a dream. She dreamt Li Wantang came back.
Then, we get a brief moment of joy. Chang Yuer rushes in. She has news. The doctor says she is pregnant. The old lady is ecstatic. She tells Gu Pingyuan to go thank the doctor. He leaves to get medicine.
The joy lasts about five minutes. Gu Pingwen runs to find his brother. He is crying. Their mother passed away while Gu Pingyuan was out.
The Gu family sets up a funeral hall. Chang Yuer is devastated. She cries until she faints. Miss Liao steps in. She tells Gu Pingyuan to take his wife to her room. She needs to protect the baby. Gu Pingyuan is left alone with his grief.
Over at the Li household, things are just as bleak. The butler handles Li Wantang’s funeral. Li Qin is a mess. He sits alone in his room. The butler watches him. He decides he will quit once the funeral is over. He tells Li Qin to pull himself together.
