Episode Summary
Wei Shao makes a veiled threat to Xiao Qiao regarding Pan Yi, prompting her to investigate his brutal reputation and trauma-filled past. As Xin Du's populace fears Wei Shao, Xiao Qiao attempts to win their favor and proposes marriage to him as a way to pacify them and secure their submission. Her plan involves public works and a strategic confrontation at a "blessing wall" made of human bones, a site significant to Wei Shao's past. Wei Shao initially seems to play along, even winning the magistrate's loyalty by appearing merciful after Xiao Qiao goads him. However, despite moments of apparent connection and Xiao Qiao offering Pan Yi's seal believing in his goodness, Wei Shao ultimately reveals his compassionate act was a ruse, accusing her family of deceit and reaffirming his deep-seated hatred and mistrust, leaving Xiao Qiao devastated.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Gongsun Yang dropping a truth bomb: Xin Du is basically bad news, a place where tens of thousands perished fourteen years ago. This, understandably, makes the Qiao family a bit antsy, as Yanzhou was in the wrong back then. Wei Shao, in a move that’s dripping with subtext, offers Xiao Qiao some "gifts." His envoy spins it as a sign of goodwill, but Xiao Qiao isn't buying it. She rightly sees it as a veiled threat: hand over Pan Yi, or he'll take it by force. To counter this, she knows she needs to figure out what Wei Shao really wants.
So, Xiao Qiao does some digging on our antagonist-slash-potential-love-interest. Turns out, Wei Shao has a reputation for being utterly brutal. The story of him dismembering Li Su and stuffing him in a box, then forbidding any prayers for him, is pretty chilling. We also learn he’s a light sleeper who doesn't allow anyone near him at night. Initially, one might think it's just paranoia about assassins, but nope – it’s deeper. Wei Shao has some serious childhood trauma: he once escaped death by hiding in a box, but not before witnessing the gruesome murders of his father and older brother. This left him with a crippling fear of the dark.
Meanwhile, Xin Du might have originally been Wei family territory, but after being occupied for so long, it's a changed place. Winning over the hearts of the people is going to be an uphill battle. The locals are terrified, especially when they hear Wei Shao is conducting a daily household registration – they're convinced he’s planning to massacre them all. Their solution? They plead with Xiao Qiao to marry Wei Shao quickly, hoping it’ll chill him out.
Speaking of Xiao Qiao, she has a moment on a bridge, her red robes flowing in the wind, looking every bit the stunning beauty the common folk praise her to be. Wei Shao, ever the charmer, sees this and scoffs that she’s just showing off her looks. After walking among the people, however, Xiao Qiao seems to have an epiphany about what Wei Shao is truly after.
Her plan? She starts investing in the community: funding repairs for streets and wells, providing food for those doing the repair work, and buying up a ton of wildflowers. The townspeople, charmed, even start clearing wild_flowers from the streets and bringing them to her. Wei Shao walks in on this domestic scene, finding Xiao Qiao arranging flowers, and for a moment, he’s genuinely captivated. Snapping back to reality when Xiao Qiao notices him, she explains her actions and then drops the big proposal: if he marries her, it’ll show the people he’s not so scary, and they’ll be more willing to submit. Wei Shao, however, lumps her in with the manipulative Li Su, calling her scheming and equally detestable. But our Xiao Qiao isn't one to give up easily; she believes that just as dripping water can wear away stone, her calm resolve can break through his defenses.
Things escalate when the townspeople rush to the local magistrate, accusing Wei Shao of a public murder and demanding justice. Wei Shao looks a bit lost, unsure how to handle this. Gongsun Yang wisely reminds him that conquering Xin Du isn't just about reclaiming land; it's about his larger ambitions, which require the people's support – and that, my friends, takes patience.
Adding another layer to the marriage plot, Xu Furen’s trusted servant, Zhong Ao, arrives in Xin Du with the express purpose of making this wedding happen. She and Xiao Qiao visit a local "blessing place." Here’s the kicker: this sacred spot was built from the accumulated bones of relatives the townspeople secretly recovered after Li Su’s takeover, a time when mourning was forbidden. Over time, its grim origins were forgotten, and it became a place of prayer. Xiao Qiao, however, knows its true significance to Wei Shao – a memorial to his lost family. Because of this, she doesn't think people should be worshiping there and wants it dismantled.
Right on cue, Wei Shao shows up and demands to know what Xiao Qiao is doing. She respectfully replies that she's praying for the people. Wei Shao lets out a cold laugh, his heart full of bitterness, and scolds the crowd for letting Xiao Qiao pray there, stating that everything about this place is thanks to the Qiao family's actions. He then orders the "blessing wall" to be forcibly torn down. In the ensuing chaos, the magistrate makes a bold move and tries to assassinate Wei Shao, but he's no match for him. Just as Wei Shao is about to execute the magistrate, Gongsun Yang and the townspeople intervene, begging for the magistrate's life, attesting that he’s a good man who only surrendered in the past to protect them.
The magistrate, defiant, taunts Wei Shao, saying he's no different from Li Su and unworthy of his ancestor, Old Marquis Wei. This enrages Wei Shao's men, but Wei Shao himself sits silently. Then, Xiao Qiao steps forward with a shocking suggestion: if the people won't obey Wei Shao, he should make an example of them. Kill them until they submit, she says, so they can get married sooner. This is too much even for Wei Shao. He draws his sword, holds it to Xiao Qiao’s neck, and calls her a venomous viper. The crowd, in a stunning reversal, turns on Xiao Qiao and starts championing Wei Shao. Wei Shao then grandly announces he won't fall for Xiao Qiao's "evil trick." He publicly releases the magistrate, praising him for speaking up for the people. The magistrate, completely won over, kneels and pledges his loyalty, declaring Wei Shao truly has the spirit of Old Marquis Wei. After fourteen years, he’s finally found someone he can genuinely follow. Wei Shao, for the first time, cracks a satisfied smile.
Walking through the streets later, the people are now willingly registering for grain distribution and are full of gratitude towards Wei Shao. However, they’ve cornered Xiao Qiao on a platform, urging Wei Shao not to marry her. Wei Shao disperses the crowd and approaches Xiao Qiao. His gaze falls on the sword mark on her neck. Though his words are still harsh, he clearly understands her earlier outburst was a calculated move to help him win over the people. Still, he states his dislike for such manipulation. Before leaving, Wei Shao places some wound medicine on a pillar for her. In return, Xiao Qiao gives him a "wish-for-luck" charm she’d prayed over – one for eternal love. Later, Wei Shao is seen staring at this charm for a long, long time.
But the problems aren't over. Some citizens riot when they don't receive grain. Wei Shao assures everyone they will get food. Gongsun Yang reports back that the entire Wei state is facing a severe food shortage, with more displaced people than anticipated. The only way to solve this? Marry Xiao Qiao and gain control of Pan Yi.
At the site of the demolished "blessing wall" (the wall of bones), Wei Shao gives a speech. He says he had it torn down to free people from the pain of hatred. He promises that everyone, regardless of origin, will be a citizen of Xin Du. The magistrate will continue his duties, and Wei's soldiers will work alongside the people to rebuild the city, ensuring everyone can live in peace and prosperity. Xiao Qiao watches him, tears in her eyes. But even as Wei Shao speaks of forgetting hatred, the memory of his father and brother's brutal deaths is something he can never truly forget.
Gongsun Yang and others urge Wei Shao to marry Xiao Qiao quickly. Just then, Xiao Qiao herself arrives. She proactively hands over the seal of Pan Yi, stating she can solve the city's food shortage and that she’s doing this because she believes in Wei Shao's inherent goodness. And then, the rug pull. Wei Shao’s demeanor instantly changes. He accuses the Qiao family of trying to use a marriage contract to erase fourteen years of animosity, sneering that Qiao Gui must have deceived his grandfather in the exact same way. He emphatically declares he will not be fooled by the Qiao family. It’s a devastating blow for Xiao Qiao, who realizes that all his compassionate words at the blessing wall were a calculated lie, designed to deceive her.
