Episode Summary
An investigation into a spy within the Susha army begins after it's revealed Fu Yixiao's attack inadvertently saved them from a trap. To protect her and lure out her enemies, Feng Suige pretends she is his concubine. This leads to encounters with his childhood friend and three children from Fu Yixiao's forgotten past who are terrified of Feng Suige. The episode ends with a political crisis, as the court debates whether to send Fu Yixiao's sister for a marriage alliance or give up territory Feng Suige conquered.
Spoiler Alert
The Spy in Susha's Ranks
So, we start with the fallout from the Battle of Pingling. Feng Suige's army was absolutely crushing it. They were about to win. But then he got shot with that arrow from Fu Yixiao and went down.
This gave the Jinxiu army the opening they needed. They immediately counter-attacked. They swarmed in from three sides and set up multiple ambushes along Feng Suige's retreat path. It was a perfectly laid trap.
Here’s the twist, though. If Fu Yixiao hadn't shot him, Feng Suige's entire army would have marched straight into that trap. They would have been surrounded and completely wiped out. Tens of thousands of soldiers would have died. So, that arrow wasn't a disaster. It actually saved the Susha army. This whole thing proves there's a traitor in their camp. Someone fed Jinxiu the battle plans. Now, the mission is simple. Find out who wanted Fu Yixiao dead, and you'll find the spy.
The Concubine Ruse
A Public Spectacle
Feng Suige needs to keep Fu Yixiao close and safe. He sends for the royal physician, Doctor Xu, to treat her hand injury. To keep things quiet, he tells everyone she's his new favorite concubine. The lie is so good that even his own top guys, Lu Ke and Yun Fang, totally buy it. They think their general has actually fallen for her.
Then, Feng Suige takes the act public. He has Fu Yixiao dressed in fancy clothes and jewelry. He puts her in a carriage for a big parade through the streets. He wants to draw out the person who's been targeting her. Fu Yixiao, as you can guess, hates every second of it. She can't stand being gawked at by the crowds. So she yanks the expensive pins from her hair, sheds the fancy robes, and leaps onto Feng Suige's horse. She just throws her arms around his waist right there in front of everyone. It was quite a move.
An Old Friend Appears
The plan to lure out a killer doesn't work. Instead, they run into Murong Yao. He's the heir of Marquis Changle and the biggest playboy in the capital city of Yujing. He rolls up with his own entourage of women.
Murong Yao immediately starts laying on the charm with Fu Yixiao. He stops once he learns she's supposedly Feng Suige's new concubine. At first, Fu Yixiao thinks the two men are enemies because Murong Yao's carriage blocked their path. But Lu Ke explains it to her. Murong Yao and Feng Suige are childhood best friends. They're practically brothers.
A Past She Can't Remember
The Children Arrive
Things get even more complicated. Ling Xueying shows up in Yujing. She brought the three children with her, along with someone named Shiyi. She was worried the kids couldn't make the journey alone. They spot Fu Yixiao in the street and run right to her.
The kids are a mess. They're crying and calling her "Master." Fu Yixiao has no idea who they are because of her amnesia. This just makes them cry even harder. It's a whole scene. Fu Yixiao is instantly suspicious. She thinks someone might be using these kids to get to her.
Ling Xueying's Fear
You can tell something is very wrong with Ling Xueying. She's terrified of Feng Suige. She can't even look him in the eye. Fu Yixiao notices this right away. She confronts Ling Xueying directly and asks her why she's so scared of him.
We learn that Zheng Nian Villa has a strict rule against violence. But Feng Suige once ignored that rule completely. He was responsible for a bloodbath at the villa, and Ling Xueying saw it happen. She's been terrified of him ever since.
Later, Feng Suige tries to help the kids with their training, but they want nothing to do with him. One of the boys, A'fang, follows him to the armory out of curiosity. Feng Suige gives him a dagger. He also learns from the boy that Fu Yixiao adopted them. They are the children of her comrades who died in battle.
A Terrible Peace Offering
The drama shifts to the royal court. A letter arrives from the Jinxiu Kingdom. They are proposing a marriage alliance to secure peace. The offer involves sending Fu Yixiao's younger sister, Princess Feng Xiyang, to Jinxiu. When Fu Yixiao hears this, she doesn't hesitate. She gets on a horse and rides straight for the palace.
Inside, the court is divided. Some officials want to accept the marriage proposal to end the war. Feng Suige is completely against it. He argues that his army is ready to fight again. He says Susha has never sent a princess away for a political marriage, and they shouldn't start now.
Then, the Chancellor, Zhuang Shen, speaks up. He also disagrees with the marriage. But he points out that another war would bring more suffering to the people. He offers a different solution. He suggests they return four cities west of Zhennan Pass to Jinxiu. This would buy them two or three years of peace. The problem is, those are the four cities Feng Suige and his army fought and bled to conquer. The emperor doesn't make a decision right away.
