Episode Summary
Xia Jingyan humiliates Xia Jingshi at a banquet, prompting Feng Xiyang to defend him. We learn that Emperor Feng Pingcheng is terminally ill, a secret he has kept for years. This news fractures the court and reveals Zhuang Shen's true motive for revenge. His plan is to destroy Feng Suige. Meanwhile, Fu Yixiao gets intel on Murong Yao from a bitter Ruyan and kidnaps Murong Yao's father to use as leverage against him.
Spoiler Alert
The Emperor's Cruel Welcome
So, Xia Jingshi is back in Jinxiu. His brother, Emperor Xia Jingyan, decides to throw him a "welcome home" banquet. It sounds nice on the surface. But he specifically tells his people to bring Xia Jingshi's wife, Feng Xiyang. You and I both know this isn't about a friendly family reunion. This is a setup.
A Banquet of Humiliation
The party is just as awful as I expected. Xia Jingyan is on a serious power trip. He publicly humiliates his own brother. He takes off his shoes and puts his bare foot on Xia Jingshi’s shoulder. He just holds it there, forcing him to stay down. It’s a complete dominance move.
Feng Xiyang is watching this, absolutely horrified. She can't stay quiet. She actually speaks up for her husband. This just makes the emperor angrier. He then tries to force a palace maid to serve Xia Jingshi wine. When things go wrong, he has the poor girl beaten to death. Right there. The next maid is shaking, terrified she's next.
This is where Feng Xiyang steps up. She volunteers to serve Xia Jingshi herself. She walks right into the middle of this mess to protect her husband. It's a bold move. She is not the same person she was a few episodes ago.
A Calculated Performance
After the banquet from hell, they go back to their quarters at Rongyang Hall. Xia Jingshi immediately starts acting completely drunk. He stumbles around and makes a scene. He does this just to get Feng Xiyang to leave the room.
The second she's gone, he's perfectly sober. He turns to his guard, Xiao Weiran. He warns him that the emperor may have pulled back his guards, but it's only a test. Xia Jingyan is watching their every move. They cannot let their guard down for a second. While he's stuck in confinement, Xia Jingshi also gives Xiao Weiran a list of names to investigate. He's always planning.
Secrets and Lies in the Palace
A lot is happening back in Feng Xiyang's home country. The biggest secret is about her father, Emperor Feng Pingcheng. It turns out he's terminally ill. He has been hiding it from almost everyone for fifteen years.
The Emperor's Hidden Illness
Zhuang Jingyuan had no idea her husband was sick. Zhuang Shen is the one who tells her. He also explains whythe emperor kept it a secret from her. He says Feng Pingcheng never intended for her son, Feng Chengyang, to be the crown prince. That is a tough pill to swallow.
Feng Chengyang also learns about his father's illness. He and his brother, Feng Suige, now sit vigil by their father’s bedside. The two brothers are united for now, but this news is going to crack the whole court wide open.
A Father's Twisted Revenge
We finally learn Zhuang Shen's real motivation. It is so much darker than I thought. He summons his man, Zhuang Ming, who is thrilled to hear the emperor is dying. Zhuang Shen gets so angry he literally kicks the guy across the room.
Here's the truth. Zhuang Shen has hated Emperor Feng Pingcheng for years. He blames the emperor for the death of his own son, Zhuang Jingheng. His entire life has been about planning revenge. He doesn't just want the emperor dead. He wants to destroy Feng Suige while the emperor is still alive, forcing him to watch his favorite son fall. That is cold-blooded.
The Murong Family Implodes
The schemes just keep piling up. Ruyan has officially had enough of Murong Yao. And Fu Yixiao makes a huge move that could bring him down for good.
The Playboy Mask Slips
Ruyan is completely over Murong Yao. She goes straight to Fu Yixiao and tells her everything. She confirms what we suspected. Murong Yao's whole playboy act is a cover. The women, the parties, it's all fake. He is incredibly ambitious. Ruyan also reveals the person he cares about most is the old marquis, Murong Zhong. This gives Fu Yixiao the perfect weapon.
So, Fu Yixiao kidnaps him. Murong Yao realizes his father is missing and orders a city-wide search. He knows Fu Yixiao did it, but he has no idea where she is.
A Son's Secrets Exposed
Fu Yixiao confronts Murong Zhong. The old general isn't scared of her at all. He has that old-school military courage. But he is completely blind when it comes to his own son.
Fu Yixiao just lays out the facts. She asks him a series of simple questions he can't answer. If your son is just a playboy, why does he have four female assassins? Why did he accept the job as Commander of the Imperial Guard? The truth starts to sink in for the old man. Fu Yixiao's goal isn't just to open his eyes, though. Her real plan is to use Murong Zhong as leverage. Now she has a way to control Murong Yao.
