Episode Summary
Jin Xiu expresses reluctance to become Emperor, feeling unsuited for the role. Mu Xian, curious about Jin Xiu's mysterious injuries and origins, learns about a "Soul-Locking Curse" from the Heaven's Book Venerable but finds Jin Xiu's birth records destroyed. Plans for a family banquet are made, with Kun Lun hoping Lu Yao will attend. The Emperor disapproves of Mu Xian but agrees to Kun Lun's marriage to Lu Yao for political gain. At the tense banquet, Jin Xiu shocks everyone by asking for the Emperor's permission to marry Mu Xian, which the Emperor furiously rejects, lecturing Jin Xiu on duty over personal desires.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Jin Xiu and Mu Xian having a heart-to-heart outside the Hundred Flower Diagram. Mu Xian, ever curious, wonders when Jin Xiu is officially getting the Emperor's Seal. Jin Xiu, bless his heart, admits that while his mom, the Empress, has already picked an auspicious date (like, any day now!), he's seriously dragging his feet. Why? He feels his dad, the Emperor, is the cool-headed, decisive type, whereas Jin Xiu himself gets too tangled up in emotions. He flat-out says he’s just not cut out for the top job.
Once Mu Xian is out of the Hundred Flower Diagram, the Chrysanthemum Official (Ju Xian Guan) is all smiles. But Mu Xian's got questions, specifically about the Empress apparently not being a fan of flowers and plants (the irony, given her son!), and the big one: why is Kun Lun’s true form ice, while Jin Xiu, his supposed brother, is a peony? The Chrysanthemum Official basically tells him, "Dude, I warned you not to poke that bear." But, if Mu Xian is really determined to know, he can consult the Heaven's Book Venerable. The catch? Deities get one question every three years, and the price is always a mystery. Risky!
So, of course, Mu Xian heads straight to the Heaven's Book Venerable. His first question is about those persistent injuries plaguing Jin Xiu. The answer? A "Soul-Locking Curse." When Mu Xian asks for the deets on that, the Venerable cryptically replies that suppression only leads to destruction and the curse needs to be undone, not just managed. Mu Xian then tries to dig into Jin Xiu's origins, but hits a major roadblock: the page detailing Jin Xiu's birth in the Heaven's Book has been burned! Suspicious, much? Mu Xian is left totally stumped.
Meanwhile, Jin Xiu decides a family banquet is a good idea and pitches it to the Empress. She’s not having it. Then Kun Lun strolls in, also keen on a family get-together, and the Empress basically sighs and says, "Fine, if you guys have the time." Kun Lun also wants to invite Lu Yao. Speaking of Lu Yao, she’s seen bringing medicine to Lu Jiu, who’s clearly not thrilled to be wherever he is. When Lu Yao pulls the "I'm your sister" card, Lu Jiu hits back with a painful, "Oh yeah? Where were you when I was dragged into the Qilin Cave?" Ouch.
Jin Xiu, trying to find Mu Xian, stumbles upon the Chrysanthemum Official penning what looks like romance novels and tells him to cut out the fluff. Later, the Chrysanthemum Official tracks down Mu Xian, asking him for a heads-up if he’s planning on going anywhere. Turns out, Mu Xian had tried to visit the Emperor, but got blocked by the guards – you need an appointment or a summons, apparently. Jin Xiu happens to show up right then. Mu Xian feels terrible, realizing he might have caused trouble for Jin Xiu by just barging in and makes a mental note to be more considerate.
The Empress then has a chat with the Emperor. He waves off the family banquet as no big deal – if Jin Xiu wants it, let him have it. The real priority is the succession. The Empress is like, "Aha! So you do want Jin Xiu to take the throne!" The Emperor, probably tired of this conversation, confirms it’s old news. But then the Empress drops the bomb that Jin Xiu wants to bring Mu Xian to the banquet. The Emperor is not happy, grumbling that they never should have kept that "little demon" Hong Cha (Mu Xian's original form, remember?) around in the first place. The Empress then brings up Kun Lun and Lu Yao. The Emperor gives his blessing to their marriage, seeing it as a strategic win. He figures the Northern Immortal Realm will become a powerful ally for their Central Heaven, much like how the Empress herself helped him rise to power. Smart politics, but cold.
Kun Lun is eager for Lu Yao to attend the family banquet, but she turns him down. The Northern Immortal Realm is apparently a hot mess right now, and she needs to sort things out there first. She promises that once that’s done, she’ll come to Central Heaven herself and marry Kun Lun as a Heavenly Maiden. Back in Central Heaven, Jin Xiu is all excited for the banquet, even preparing a spread of mortal delicacies, including the Eight Treasure Duck that he and Kun Lun used to love. He’s hoping his parents will enjoy it. Kun Lun, seeing all this, seems genuinely surprised and touched, remarking that he never expected to see such a warm, domestic scene in Central Heaven.
Finally, it's banquet time! Jin Xiu arrives with Mu Xian in tow, and then, in front of everyone, he drops the actual bombshell: he wants to marry Mu Xian. The Emperor. Is. Furious. He shuts it down immediately. Jin Xiu gets on his knees, pleading his case, insisting that marrying Mu Xian won’t make him slack off or forget his responsibilities. But the Emperor is having none of it. He angrily tells Jin Xiu that his mortal trial wasn't meant for him to learn about earthly love, but to understand that in the grand scheme of things, only order can keep the world from falling apart.
