Episode Summary
Chu Ya reveals to Lu Jingming that his brother, Lu Jingxiu, betrayed him years ago and was responsible for leaking battle plans. While Lu Jingxiu attempts to court Chu Ya, misinterpreting her cooperation (which is actually aimed at investigating him with Shen Jiangli's help), Chu Ya publicly declares her interest in Lu Jingming at a banquet. Lu Jingming firmly rejects her, stating he is devoted to his wife, Shen Jiangli. Humiliated, Lu Jingxiu retaliates by causing a deadly epidemic in Lu Jingming's military camp. Shen Jiangli works tirelessly to find a cure, which Lu Jingming tests on himself after contracting the illness. Just as the cure begins to work, Lu Jingxiu has the medicine poisoned, leading to more deaths among the recovering soldiers.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off late at night with Chu Ya summoning Lu Jingming for a serious chat. She spills the tea, and it's scalding. Remember how her battle plans got leaked five years ago? Well, apparently, Wen Du was the inside man over in Xi Zhou, but guess who was coordinating things back in Dong Zhou? None other than Lu Jingming's own brother, Lu Jingxiu!
You could practically feel the chill run down Lu Jingming's spine. I mean, suspecting random enemies is one thing, but finding out your own flesh and blood has been trying to take you down? Ouch. That's gotta hurt on a whole different level. Chu Ya adds more fuel to the fire, mentioning how Wen Du was notorious for exaggerating enemy threats to score more war funding. The big question now is: where did Lu Jingxiu's share of that money disappear to? Nobody knows... yet.
Naturally, Lu Jingming realizes investigating his own brother is tricky territory for him. But guess who steps up? Our girl Shen Jiangli! After hearing the whole story, she's determined to help Lu Jingming uncover the truth.
Meanwhile, Lu Jingxiu has been laying it on thick, trying to charm Chu Ya. Seeing an opportunity, Chu Ya decides to play along to gather intel on him. So, whenever Lu Jingxiu invites her out or tries to get close, she pretty much accepts.
And oh boy, does Lu Jingxiu misread the situation! He's totally convinced Chu Ya is falling for him, feeling pretty pleased with himself. His subordinate even points out that Chu Ya used to hang around Lu Jingming's place a lot, but Lu Jingxiu brushes it off. His logic? Chu Ya is a noble princess; she'd never settle for being a mere concubine (implying Lu Jingming couldn't offer her the primary wife position since he already has Shen Jiangli). He figures he's the obvious, better choice. Confident much? He then orders his guy to send Chu Ya even more lavish gifts and jewelry.
Fast forward a few days: the Governor of Dong Zhou throws a banquet and casually asks Chu Ya if she's picked out a husband yet. Without missing a beat, Chu Ya announces, bold as brass, that she does have someone in mind – Lu Jingming! Record scratch. As everyone stares, mouths agape, she explains she's actually been crushing on him for five years and was thrilled to find out he was staying at the Lu family estate.
But before anyone (especially Lu Jingxiu) gets any ideas, Lu Jingming immediately stands up. He makes it crystal clear: he already has a principal wife (shoutout to Shen Jiangli!) and has absolutely zero plans to take any concubines, ever. Phew! You could see the relief wash over Shen Jiangli – she definitely picked the right guy. The narrator low-key throws shade here, noting how Shen Qilan (presumably Lu Jingxiu's wife/consort) isn't so lucky, since her husband clearly only cares about power and status, not his wife's feelings.
Being publicly shot down like that in front of everyone? Yeah, Lu Jingxiu does not take it well. His ego is bruised, his face is lost, and he is furious. Back in his quarters, he plots with his subordinate, deciding it's time to get rid of Lu Jingming for good.
And things get dark fast. Soon after, a strange illness breaks out in Lu Jingming's military camp. Soldiers start having seizures, foaming at the mouth, suffering severe diarrhea, and then dying. It looks like a terrifying epidemic. Lu Jingming immediately sends for Shen Jiangli. Seeing the horrific state of the soldiers, she's deeply worried and works non-stop, trying countless remedies to find a cure.
She eventually develops a potential antidote, but it needs to be tested. Hearing that Shen Jiangli might risk her own life testing it, Lu Jingming does something incredibly brave (or reckless, depending on how you see it!): he figures out a way to intentionally infect himself with the disease so he can be the test subject. Now that's love and dedication!
Together, Lu Jingming and Shen Jiangli manage to get the epidemic under control. The antidote works! Soldiers who take the herbal medicine start showing signs of recovery.
But just when you think things might be okay... Lu Jingxiu hears the news. Livid that his plan failed, he decides to go all in. He orders his subordinate to secretly add something lethal to the medicine being distributed to the recovering victims (the text calls them "disaster victims," likely referring to those affected by the epidemic). The result? Patients who take the tainted medicine die shortly after.
Yikes! Talk about ending on a cliffhanger. Lu Jingxiu has gone from betrayal to straight-up mass murder. Can Lu Jingming and Shen Jiangli figure out what's happening before it's too late?
