Episode Summary
In this episode, Fu Yixiao confirms Xia Jingshi tried to kill her and decides to get close to him to find out why. We learn Xia Jingshi has been poisoned, a secret he's kept from everyone. Meanwhile, multiple people, including a masked figure working with Xiao Weiran, are plotting to have Fu Yixiao killed.
Spoiler Alert
The World's Most Awkward Archery Lesson
The episode kicks off with an archery contest. Feng Xiyang decides she wants to win one of those "concentric locks," a symbol of love. So, she asks Xia Jingshi to teach her how to shoot.
He agrees, but he's not exactly a warm and fuzzy teacher. He just stands there and gives her verbal instructions. You know, "pull the string back, aim," that kind of thing. Feng Xiyang isn't having it. She basically tells him to get over there and teach her hand-over-hand. He can't really say no, so it gets super awkward.
Then, Feng Xiyang tries to put Fu Yixiao on the spot. She suggests Fu Yixiao should show everyone her famous archery skills. Xia Jingshi immediately jumps in. He says Fu Yixiao's hand is injured and she can't draw a bow. It's a weak excuse. Feng Suige sees right through it. He steps up and says he will act as Fu Yixiao's left hand. He wants everyone to see why she's known as the best archer in Jinxiu.
With Feng Suige's help, Fu Yixiao fires three arrows at once. They all hit the bullseye. She wins the lock. But then she does the ultimate power move. She walks over and just gives the lock to Feng Xiyang. She wishes them a happy union. It was a cold, brilliant play.
Memories and a Tense Carriage Ride
The Token That Changes Everything
Things get intense right after the contest. Fu Yixiao happens to see a token on Xia Jingshi's belt. The sight triggers a flash of memory. She remembers falling from the cliff. Her debilitating headache comes roaring back.
Feng Suige immediately rushes to her side. He tells his guard, Lu Ke, to go find the doctor, Ling Xueying. But Fu Yixiao refuses. Instead, she makes a bold choice. She decides to ride back to the post station in the same carriage as Xia Jingshi. Just the two of them.
A History Lesson from a Potential Murderer
Once they're in the carriage, Xia Jingshi starts talking. He tells her that he used to be the person she trusted most in the world. He says that after they escaped the "death camp," she wouldn't let anyone else touch her.
He also claims she always wore red on the battlefield for a specific reason. It wasn't to hide bloodstains. It was to draw the enemy's attention to herself. She was acting as a decoy to protect him. Fu Yixiao listens to all of this. Her mind is racing with one simple question. If all that is true, why did you try to kill me? She can't make any sense of it.
The Doctor Makes a House Call
Back at the station, Lu Ke is complaining to Feng Suige. He can't believe Fu Yixiao would go off alone with the man who tried to murder her. But Feng Suige is calm. He tells Lu Ke that Fu Yixiao already knows the truth. He points out that she wouldn't have asked for his help on the street if she didn't know Xia Jingshi was a threat. She has a plan.
Ling Xueying finally arrives to check on Fu Yixiao. She says Fu Yixiao is perfectly fine. Then she turns her attention to Xia Jingshi. She announces that he's the one in serious danger. If he keeps ignoring his internal injuries, the consequences will be severe. As if on cue, Xia Jingshi doubles over and coughs up a mouthful of blood. We learn he's been poisoned for a long time. The antidote is supposed to arrive with the wedding party.
Everyone Has a Secret Plan
Fu Yixiao's Real Goal
Fu Yixiao asks Xia Jingshi how he was poisoned. He refuses to tell her. He just says the time isn't right. It turns out that even his own men, Xiao Weiran and Ning Fei, had no idea about the poison.
Later, Fu Yixiao talks privately with Ling Xueying. She confirms what we've suspected. Xia Jingshi was the one who shot her, causing her to fall from the cliff. Her whole plan now is to get close to him. She knows he's suspicious of her. She needs to make him lower his guard so she can finally uncover the truth behind his betrayal.
A Web of Conspiracies
While this is happening, Xiao Weiran is listening from outside the door. He's not sure what to think. Is Fu Yixiao trying to trick Xia Jingshi, or is she genuinely trying to regain his trust? We also learn that Xiao Weiran has been meeting with a mysterious masked person. They are partners, and this person wants Fu Yixiao dead as soon as possible.
Xiao Weiran goes to warn Xia Jingshi about Fu Yixiao. But Xia Jingshi is completely convinced that she is still on their side. He's either a fool in love or knows something we don't. On top of all that, another plot is in motion. Zhuang Jingyuan has hired an assassin named Xun Xiang to eliminate Fu Yixiao. Xun Xiang is hesitant because she's under Prince Feng Suige's protection, but he owes Zhuang Jingyuan a debt and agrees to do it.
Politics as Usual
The court drama is just as messy. Feng Suige makes a shocking proposal. He insists that Xia Jingshi should stay in Su Sha and marry into the royal family. An official named Zhuang Shen objects, saying it's against tradition. Feng Suige quickly calls him out and exposes his real motives.
The emperor, Feng Pingcheng, pretends to be angry with his son. He acts like Feng Suige has ruined the important marriage alliance between the two nations. But the moment Feng Suige leaves the room, the emperor's face breaks into a huge grin. He's incredibly proud of his son's bold and clever move.
The episode ends with a quick look at the Jinxiu Kingdom. Their emperor, Xia Jingyan, is a disaster. He does nothing but party with dancers and women. The Empress Dowager Jing looks furious as she marches into his hall.
