Episode Summary
The Prince of Horqin is losing the war until Chang Yuer kills the enemy leader, earning her the title of Princess. Gu Pingyuan rejects a marriage proposal from the Prince to return to Shanxi and clear his name. Upon arrival in Pingyao, Gu is arrested but strikes a deal with the merchant Wang Tiangui: he must fix a corrupt pawnshop in one month to avoid execution and save his friend Chang Si.
Spoiler Alert
Muskets, Knives, and a Royal Promotion
The Prince of Horqin is having a terrible day at the office. His soldiers are getting slaughtered because they brought spears to a gunfight against the West Mongol troops. He retreats to his tent and vents to the Queen. She suggests quitting while they’re ahead to save lives, but the Prince is too stubborn to surrender.
Then, the West Mongol Little Khan walks right in to negotiate. He offers a deal: ditch the dying Qing government, and the attacks stop. The Prince refuses and insults the Khan’s father. Things go south fast. The Little Khan pulls two muskets and threatens to execute the royal couple right there.
Chang Yuer decides she’s seen enough. She jumps in and takes the Little Khan hostage. He tries to buy her off with expensive jade, but she isn’t interested. She stabs him right through the throat. The Prince is so impressed he adopts her as his goddaughter on the spot.
An Awkward Wedding Proposal
While Yuer is busy becoming royalty, Chang Si and Heizi manage to capture Han Long, saving the caravan. Gu Pingyuan escapes the chaos but passes out from exhaustion. He wakes up in the Prince’s tent to a very confusing situation. Yuer is now a Princess, and the Queen wants them to get married immediately.
The Prince throws a victory feast and announces Yuer’s new status to everyone. He tries to force the marriage, but Gu shuts it down. Instead of a wife, Gu asks for a favor. He wants the Prince to release all the prisoners of war and slaves. The Prince hates being told what to do, but Gu argues that these men make better soldiers than slaves. The Prince eventually agrees.
The slaves are freed, but the romance hits a wall. The Prince wants Gu to stay in Horqin. Yuer definitely wants him to stay. Gu refuses. He needs to clear his name back home and already has a fiancée, Bai Yimei. Yuer is crushed. Gu actually has feelings for Yuer, but he knows he’s just an exiled convict and feels unworthy of her.
Back to Business in Pingyao
The caravan packs up for Shanxi. The Prince gives Yuer a jade pendant that acts as a powerful favor token for the future. They say their goodbyes, and the group heads home.
Meanwhile, the Li family is making moves. Li Qin prepares to head to Pingyao to open a bank and pawnshop. His father, Li Wantang, sends Zhang Guangfa to keep an eye on him. The old man also warns Li Qin to stay away from revolutionaries to avoid trouble with the government.
Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Jail Cell
The caravan arrives in Pingyao. Gu and Yuer share a tearful goodbye. The moment is ruined when soldiers show up and arrest Gu and Chang Si.
It turns out Wang Tiangui is behind the scenes pulling strings. He found out his pawnshop staff is cooking the books and needs someone smart to fix it. He bullies the local Magistrate into sparing Gu’s life.
Wang visits Gu in prison. He tells Gu he’s scheduled for execution but offers a lifeline. If Gu can clean up the corrupt pawnshop and tame the staff, he lives. Gu agrees, but only if Chang Si is kept safe. Wang gives him one month to pull it off.
Li Qin arrives in town with his entourage, drawing a crowd. Gu gets released just in time to find Yuer and Heizi to let them know he’s still alive.
