Episode Summary
In this episode, Fu Yixiao discovers that Xiao Weiran and Xia Jingshi were behind her attempted murder, leading her to dissolve her friendship with both him and Ning Fei. Ning Fei's poisoned wound becomes critical, forcing Fu Yixiao to make a deal with the mysterious Ling Feng to save his life, binding Ning Fei to a lifetime of service.
Spoiler Alert
Awkward Romances and Hard Truths
An Unwanted Courtship
So, Princess Feng Xiyang is still trying way too hard with Xia Jingshi. She makes him dessert. The guy doesn't even like sweets. She's completely devoted to him. She even promises to ask her father to let him go back home to Jinxiu after they get married. Xia Jingshi looks uncomfortable but doesn't have the heart to shut her down completely.
While that's happening, Ning Fei is drinking his sorrows away. He's connecting the dots. He figures Xia Jingshi must be involved in what happened to Fu Yixiao. Fu Yixiao is also a wreck. Feng Suige decides to comfort her. He tells her about his own childhood. It was brutal. His nannies and tutors literally tried to kill him. Fu Yixiao realizes being the great prince of Su Sha wasn't as glamorous as it looked from the outside. During their talk, she accidentally hurts his hand. She bandages it for him but refuses to admit it's her way of apologizing.
The Confrontation
Ling Xueying finds a drunk Ning Fei and brings him back to Zheng Nian Hall. His old wound has split open and is bleeding badly. She has to stitch him up. When Ning Fei wakes up, he immediately asks his man Shunzi what happened. He learns that Xiao Weiran was the one who told them Fu Yixiao was in danger.
That's the final piece of the puzzle for Ning Fei. He knows Xiao Weiran is part of this. He drags himself out of bed and goes straight to the prison to see him. Xiao Weiran doesn't deny it. He admits he was involved in Fu Yixiao's fall off the cliff. Then he throws a twisted question at Ning Fei. He asks what Ning Fei would choose. Brotherhood or the great cause of Jinxiu?
A Friendship Shatters
The Final Meal
Fu Yixiao was standing right outside the door. She heard every single word. She walks in holding a sweet potato. She breaks it into three pieces, just like they used to do as kids. She hands one piece to Xiao Weiran and one to Ning Fei.
After they eat, she makes an announcement. The "Three Heroes of Jinxiu" are officially over. Their bond is broken. She says the future of Jinxiu has nothing to do with her anymore. She doesn't care what secrets Xia Jingshi is hiding or why he wanted her dead. She just knows she won't let him succeed.
Ning Fei runs after her. He tries to talk her down, but it's no use. Everything has changed. Just then, he collapses. He's on the ground, coughing up blood. Fu Yixiao turns around and sees him.
A Life on the Line
Remember that arrow wound Ning Fei got from fighting Xun Xiang? It was poisoned. The poison has been spreading this whole time. Now it has reached his heart and lungs. Ling Xueying says there's nothing she can do. Fu Yixiao is completely devastated. She's talked out of going after Xia Jingshi. Instead, she walks to a shop on the street and comes back with a black coffin.
Meanwhile, Xia Jingshi isn't even trying to get Ning Fei back. He writes a letter to Xiao Yan. He tells him to bring Xiao Weiran home at all costs. He even says to use a marriage alliance as a bargaining chip if he has to.
Fu Yixiao is crushed by guilt. She realizes the plot to kill her involved only Xiao Weiran and Xia Jingshi. Ning Fei was innocent. She regrets getting him involved in her quest for revenge.
A Desperate Bargain
A Glimmer of Hope
Ling Feng, the master of Zhengnian Villa, shows up at the hall in Su Sha. He's basically Ling Xueying's boss. He examines Ning Fei and confirms the bad news. He says Ning Fei doesn't have much time left. Feng Suige asks him to also check on Fu Yixiao. After checking her pulse, Ling Feng says her problems can be fixed. The blood clot in her head can be cleared. Even her severed hand tendons can be reattached.
That's when Fu Yixiao drops to her knees. She begs Ling Feng to save Ning Fei. Ling Xueying joins in, pleading with him. But Ling Feng is firm. He says he doesn't steal people back from Death.
Feng Suige isn't having it. He signals his guard, Yunfang, to block Ling Feng's path. Boxed in, Ling Feng finally agrees to do something. He uses a special needle technique to seal the poison in Ning Fei's blood. This will only delay his death. It won't cure him.
The Ultimate Price
Ling Feng then offers a real solution. He can take Ning Fei to a place for a "blood exchange." But there's a huge catch. Anyone who is saved there must serve that place for the rest of their life. They can never leave or betray it. Fu Yixiao doesn't hesitate. She'll do anything to save Ning Fei. She immediately agrees to act as his guarantor.
The episode closes with Xiao Weiran. He's been brought back to Xia Jingshi. Instead of killing him, Xia Jingshi gives him a new mission. He tells him to go to the border and assemble an army. The plan is for Xiao Weiran to wait there until Xia Jingshi can break away and join him.
