Episode Summary
In this episode, Feng Suige's defense of Fu Yixiao leads to his official punishment, which ironically brings them closer. As his political enemies plot against him, a new lead in the search for Meng Junran surfaces. This introduces new mysteries and suspicions. Other players, like Xia Jingshi and Feng Xiyang, use the distraction of the royal wedding to advance their own secret agendas.
Spoiler Alert
Feng Suige Draws a Line
This episode kicks off with a bang. Feng Suige confronts Xun Xiang. He does it right in front of the Queen, Zhuang Jingyuan. He slams Xun Xiang against a wall. The message is simple and brutal. If anyone ever tries to harm Fu Yixiao again, he will kill them. He is not messing around.
The Fallout
The Prince's Punishment
Of course, an outburst like that has consequences. The Emperor, Feng Pingcheng, strips Feng Suige of his ceremonial duties. His friend Murong Yao arrives back in the capital. He wants to go for drinks, but Feng Suige is too busy dealing with this new problem.
Yunfang is livid when he hears about the demotion. He demands an explanation from Lu Ke. Fu Yixiao overhears their conversation. She finally understands the truth. Feng Suige got himself in trouble with the Emperor just to protect her.
The Queen's Power Play
The Queen's brother, Zhuang Shen, sees this as a golden opportunity. He wants to spread rumors throughout Yujing City. The goal is to make everyone believe Feng Suige has fallen from grace.
The other prince, Feng Chengyang, is genuinely upset for his brother. He wants to go to their father and beg him to reverse the punishment. The Queen, Zhuang Jingyuan, puts a stop to that idea fast. She tells him if he dares to go, he can stop calling her his mother. Feng Chengyang is scared of her. He backs down and agrees to obey her and his uncle.
A Moment of Peace
Feng Suige retreats to his mother's memorial hall. He's furious, thinking about all the years of his father's coldness. He stays there until he finally calms down. When he leaves, Fu Yixiao is waiting for him.
She tells him a small lie. She says she has news about Meng Junran. It's really just a trick to get him onto a boat. She wants him to relax and clear his head. It works. He opens up to her on the water. He tells her the story of how his mother was framed long ago. In return, she makes him a promise. As long as she is in his home, she will protect him. This is the first time anyone has ever said something like that to him.
Schemes and Suspicions
Xia Jingshi's Dangerous Game
Xia Jingshi is still playing his own game. He continues to take only half a dose of his poison antidote. This time, the poison hits him harder than usual. He collapses in agony and drops the antidote. He can't reach it. Just then, Feng Xiyang appears and helps him get the medicine.
The Murong Family Returns
Marquis Murong Zhong and his son, Murong Yao, are back in the capital. The Marquis is still focused on military matters. Murong Yao, though, is bitter on his father's behalf. He feels his dad was treated poorly. The Marquis fought alongside the Emperor and suffered serious injuries to build the empire. Now, the Emperor is sending him to a miserable, cold post in the northwest.
The Marquis himself doesn't seem to care. He tells his son that the Emperor has given him a temporary assignment. Murong Yao will be the commander of the Imperial Guard. He'll be in charge of security for the princess's upcoming wedding.
A Wish on the River
The princess's wedding is a major event. The city's residents are celebrating by releasing lanterns on the river. Feng Suige casually picks one up. The wish written on it is for the person beside you to grow old with you, safe and happy. He reads it but doesn't tell Fu Yixiao exactly what it says. She has no idea. She just declares that whatever the wish is, it's her wish too. Without even realizing it, they both just wished for a long life together.
A New Lead and Old Doubts
Fu Yixiao suddenly remembers a clue about Meng Junran. She tells Lu Ke, who follows the lead to the Rongtong Escort Agency. There, he finds a portrait of a woman. Feng Suige tells Lu Ke to take the portrait and search the city for her.
At that moment, Murong Yao shows up to visit. Fu Yixiao instinctively hides the portrait from him. Feng Suige insists Murong Yao is a brother he would die for. But Fu Yixiao gets an uneasy feeling whenever she's around him. She can't quite put her finger on why.
Loose Ends
Xia Jingshi makes his move. He waits for the guards to change shifts and slips out a back door. He meets with an assassin named Wuying from the Deathsworn Camp. He gives her new instructions. Feng Suige had Yunqing tailing him, but Xia Jingshi still managed to get away.
Lu Ke's investigation pays off. He identifies the woman from the portrait. Her name is Ruyan, and she's the top performer at a local dance hall.
The episode closes with Feng Xiyang. He's playing the part of a caring son, giving the Emperor a shoulder massage. But his true focus is on a token the Emperor recently confiscated. He clearly wants it.
