Episode Summary
Wei Yan manipulates Xiao Qiao by revealing Wei Shao read her private letter, leading to a fiery confrontation where Xiao Qiao berates Wei Shao. Wei Shao, avoiding Xiao Qiao, eventually agrees to Gongsun Yang's proposal to build a canal in Rong Jun, partly to appease her. Meanwhile, Wei Yan, despite his own machinations against the Qiao-Wei alliance, refuses to harm Wei Shao when pressured by a subordinate. In Bianzhou, Su Ehuang, sensing an opportunity with the canal project, plans to return for Madam Xu's birthday to reignite tensions between the Qiao and Wei families. Xiao Qiao learns of Su Ehuang's past connection to Wei Shao just as Su Ehuang arrives.
Spoiler Alert
Right off the bat, Wei Yan, ever the pot-stirrer, "apologizes" to Xiao Qiao for misunderstanding her. But surprise, surprise, it’s a thinly veiled attempt to drive a wedge between her and Wei Shao. He oh-so-casually drops the bomb that Wei Shao not only read her private letter to Yanzhou but also recited it word-for-word to Wei Yan. Ouch.
Naturally, Xiao Qiao is furious. And how does she channel that rage? By writing another letter, this time clearly intended for Wei Shao’s eyes. Wei Qu, ever the dutiful (and perhaps slightly clueless) subordinate, promptly delivers it to Wei Shao. Wei Shao, bless his arrogant heart, assumes it’s about the wheat seeds and confidently orders it to be read aloud. The ensuing silence and horrified faces of Wei Qu, Wei Liang, and Gongsun Yang tell a different story. Wei Shao snatches the letter and, yep, it’s a masterpiece cursing his shamelessness. Even though Gongsun Yang practically begs him to apologize, Wei Shao’s pride is too big, and he stubbornly insists he did nothing wrong. No apology forthcoming, folks.
Later that evening, Wei Shao finds Xiao Qiao waiting for him, and the man actually looks guilty, scurrying off to his room. But Xiao Qiao isn't having it. She follows him in, armed with bamboo slips detailing menu items for the upcoming birthday banquet. She then makes him read every single character to "avoid mistakes." When Wei Shao tries to play dead and pulls the covers over his head, Xiao Qiao unleashes her fury, yelling his name and pelting him with the bamboo slips! Wei Shao makes a hasty escape, and Xiao Qiao, still fuming, hurls the remaining slips at the door. For once, Wei Shao is too spooked to retaliate.
This whole domestic drama, of course, reaches Wei Yan’s ears, and he’s absolutely gleeful. The fact that Xiao Qiao dared to yell Wei Shao’s full name? Chef’s kiss for him. He immediately orders his men to keep a close eye on the couple. Meanwhile, Wei Shao is doing everything in his power to avoid Xiao Qiao, burying himself in work and dragging Gongsun Yang and others into late-night sessions, much to their misery.
On a more productive note, Wei Duo returns from Panyi with new, improved wheat that promises a great harvest after irrigation. This success prompts Gongsun Yang to suggest a major project: opening the canal in Rong Jun. He argues it would be a lasting benefit, and while he acknowledges Wei Shao’s concerns about being constrained by the Qiao family, he believes their current alliance means no immediate military conflict. Building the canal, he stresses, is a virtuous act. Wei Shao doesn't immediately agree.
That night, with nowhere else to go (or perhaps still avoiding Xiao Qiao), Wei Shao ends up crashing at Wei Yan’s place. Wei Yan teases him about preferring "beautiful companions" to a grown man. Wei Shao, knowing full well Wei Yan was the one who spilled the beans about the letter, doesn't blame him but asks for his reasons. Wei Yan admits his hatred for the Qiao-Wei alliance hasn't faded and he wanted to test Xiao Qiao's loyalties.
Later, after Wei Shao is asleep, one of Wei Yan’s subordinates appears, handing him a dagger and urging him to kill Wei Shao. But Wei Yan draws a line. He might allow them to target the Qiao family, but he won’t let them harm anyone from the Wei family. He grew up in the Wei household, and despite his grievances – like being labeled an illegitimate son, his years of wandering, and Madam Xu’s indifference towards him while meticulously grooming Wei Shao as a leader – his loyalty to the Wei name (and perhaps a complex affection for Wei Shao) remains. He sharply warns his subordinate against speaking ill of Madam Xu.
Eventually, Wei Shao greenlights the Rong Jun canal project. Following Gongsun Yang’s advice to smooth things over with Xiao Qiao, he also reappoints Yang Feng. He then tries to take credit for these decisions with Xiao Qiao, hoping for some brownie points. But Xiao Qiao, sharp as ever, guesses it was Gongsun Yang’s idea and offers her thanks only to him, leaving Wei Shao out in the cold. Unbeknownst to him, Xiao Qiao has already written to Qiao Zhugong, requesting more wheat seeds as a birthday gift for Madam Xu. Qiao Zhugong is initially hesitant, but Qiao Ci and Xiao Qiao’s father persuade him to agree.
Meanwhile, over in Bianzhou, drama is brewing too. Chen Pang is annoyed that Chen Xiang is skipping a prayer ritual to stay with his supposedly unwell wife, Su Ehuang. Chen Xiang, however, stands firm, holding Su Ehuang’s hand and basically telling Chen Pang to get lost. Su Ehuang senses Chen Xiang is troubled, and he confides his worries about Wei Shao’s canal project potentially threatening Bianzhou in the future. Su Ehuang then hatches a plan: she’ll return to her aunt, Madam Xu, for her birthday, using the visit as an opportunity to reignite the old hatred between the Qiao and Wei families.
News of Su Ehuang’s impending arrival reaches Madam Xu, and it seems to be welcome news. Xiao Qiao, however, picks up on some subtle cues from Madam Wei’s hesitant words and does some digging. She learns that Su Ehuang grew up in their household and was even once considered a potential match for Wei Shao. Talk about awkward!
