Episode Summary
Episode 24 sees Liu Yan solidify his power as the new King of Liangya. Xiao Qiao reunites with her younger brother, Qiao Ci, who has fled their troublesome father. Wei Shao initially misunderstands Qiao Ci's arrival but later clears up a deception orchestrated by Su Ehuang regarding an alleged pursuit by Qiao Ci. Tensions rise and fall as Qiao Ci navigates his relationship with the stern Wei Shao, with Xiao Qiao often mediating. Preparations for the Lu Li Games are in full swing, attracting various nobles, including the newly crowned Liu Yan, who seems to have an interest in Xiao Qiao. Qiao Ci is unexpectedly entered into the games, with his first match set against Su Ehuang's brother, Su Zixin.
Spoiler Alert
First off, Liu Shan is so terrified by Liu Yan that he immediately kneels and calls him "King." You know things are intense when that’s the opening scene! Meanwhile, Qiao Ci has made it to the outskirts of the city and sends a message for his sister, Xiao Qiao, to come meet him. Xiao Qiao initially wants to bring her husband, Wei Shao, along, but she’s worried he’s still fuming and might not give Qiao Ci the warmest welcome. Plus, she’s a bit miffed that Qiao Ci and their older sister, Da Qiao, are bearing the brunt of their father Qiao Yue's mistakes. It’s hardly fair, right?
As Xiao Qiao is about to head out alone, she bumps into Wei Yan. Ever the gentleman (or is he?), Wei Yan notices she’s by herself and offers to accompany her to meet Qiao Ci. Xiao Qiao figures an extra person couldn't hurt and agrees.
Elsewhere, Wei Shao is trying to smooth things over with Su Ehuang by bringing her some nourishing supplements. He also begs her not to spill the beans about recent events to Xu Furen and Wei Furen, especially since Xiao Qiao was genuinely clueless. He’s worried the two madams will hold it against Xiao Qiao. Su Ehuang agrees, but she’s got a condition: she wants to participate in the Lu Li Games. Her reasoning? She hopes it’ll stop people from bullying her in the future. Her brother, Su Zixin, immediately chimes in, vowing to win top honors in the competition to bring glory to Su Ehuang. Wei Shao, caught in a bit of a bind, has to agree and allows Su Zixin to represent Su Ehuang's maternal state of Wuwei.
When Wei Shao gets back, Wei Liang hands him the jade pendant belonging to Su Ehuang, which Xiao Qiao had repaired. This prompts Wei Shao to ask about Xiao Qiao, and he learns she’s gone to meet Qiao Ci. He’s not thrilled that Qiao Ci showed up unannounced (to him, anyway). Wei Liang explains that Xiao Qiao probably kept quiet because she was afraid of Wei Shao’s reaction.
Out at a pavilion beyond the city walls, Xiao Qiao finally reunites with Qiao Ci, and it’s an emotional, tear-filled moment. Qiao Ci, bless his heart, mistakes Wei Yan for Wei Shao and calls him "brother-in-law." Xiao Qiao quickly corrects him, but not before Wei Yan looks a little… intrigued? Hmm.
Xiao Qiao feels for Qiao Ci, having traveled all this way alone. Qiao Ci, on the other hand, is full of complaints about their father, Qiao Yue, who’s apparently been chasing after beautiful women and causing chaos. That’s why Qiao Ci couldn’t stand being in Yanzhou anymore and came to find her. Xiao Qiao then asks if Qiao Ci ever pursued Lady Yulou. Qiao Ci is a bit clueless about this, and Xiao Qiao doesn’t press further, just tells him not to mention it when he goes back.
Big news on the political front: Liu Yan has officially taken over as the King of Liangya. His first act? When he sees Liu Qi crying for his mother, Liu Yan publicly orders Liu Qi and the Third Prince to be buried alive with the deceased. Yikes! No one dares to object. Liu Yan then announces his own plans to attend the Lu Li Games in the Wei State. This guy is making moves.
Later, Xiao Qiao brings Qiao Ci to meet the actual Wei Shao. Wei Shao is immediately critical, first grumbling that Qiao Ci got his brother-in-law wrong, then complaining that Qiao Ci doesn’t practice his martial arts enough or read enough. He starts listing all sorts of books Qiao Ci should be studying. Xiao Qiao sees how nervous and intimidated her brother is and quickly tells Qiao Ci to serve Wei Shao tea. Wei Shao then complains that Qiao Ci can’t even hold a teacup steady. Xiao Qiao, ever the diplomat, suggests taking Qiao Ci to the guesthouse to settle in, and Wei Shao doesn’t object.
Wei Shao then goes to Su Ehuang, returning her repaired jade pendant and mentioning that Qiao Ci has arrived in Yujun. Su Ehuang and Su Zixin immediately look panicked. But Su Ehuang, quick on her feet, tries a preemptive strike, saying that even if Qiao Ci saw her, he’d never admit to chasing her. Just then, Xiao Qiao arrives, wanting to see Su Ehuang. Xiao Qiao says she’s already scolded Qiao Ci and wants him to apologize to Su Ehuang in person. Su Ehuang, cornered, has to agree to the meeting and says she’s willing to bury the hatchet.
Here’s where it gets juicy: a young man is brought in to apologize to Su Ehuang. She magnanimously forgives him… only to realize it’s not Qiao Ci. Oops. Su Ehuang then tries to cover her tracks, claiming she was so flustered when Qiao Ci supposedly abducted her that she couldn’t clearly identify him, only recognizing his voice. Xiao Qiao, sharp as ever, asks Su Ehuang to describe Qiao Ci’s voice – deep or high-pitched? Su Ehuang clams up, not daring to dig herself a deeper hole. So, when the real Qiao Ci finally appears, she can’t say much. Wei Shao, who’s no fool, definitely figures out that Su Ehuang was lying through her teeth.
When Wei Shao comes out, he finds Xiao Qiao waiting. She’s not blaming him; she just wants to ease the tension between them. Wei Shao, to his credit, admits he was wrong to jump to conclusions and even arranges for Qiao Ci to be taken to the training grounds to see some martial arts.
Later, Wei Yan takes Qiao Ci to Luozhongfang – ahem, a pleasure quarter. Qiao Ci, clearly not about that life, practically flees the scene. When Xiao Qiao finds out, she makes Qiao Ci stand outside as punishment, balancing a basin of water on his head. Wei Shao then brings Qiao Ci to apologize to Xiao Qiao, trying to play it cool by saying an occasional drink at a place like Luozhongfang is no big deal. Xiao Qiao immediately turns it on him, asking if he’s been to such places. Wei Shao, flustered, quickly pretends to be angry and makes Qiao Ci kneel and apologize. Qiao Ci, picking up the cue, adorably begs for forgiveness and Xiao Qiao relents. Wei Shao then produces an invitation. It’s too late to send one to Bizhi, but Qiao Ci can participate in his stead. Wei Shao also promises to personally supervise Qiao Ci’s training every day. This finally brings a smile to Xiao Qiao’s face.
Meanwhile, Da Qiao receives a letter. It seems she won’t be able to make it to Yujun. She prepares to escort her mother back to Kangjun, not daring to reveal the real reason for her change of plans.
Qiao Ci, ever since meeting Wei Shao, can’t shake the feeling that Wei Shao isn’t treating Xiao Qiao well. He came all this way because he missed his sister, and now he feels like he’s just causing her more worry. Xiao Qiao reassures him, saying Wei Shao is a good man and treats her very well, truly cherishing those he trusts. She insists Wei Shao cares about Qiao Ci too.
As various kings and nobles arrive in Yujun for the Lu Li Games, Xiao Qiao spots Liu Yan, now the King of Liangya. During the opening of the games, Liu Yan, seated below, keeps glancing up at Xiao Qiao. Awkward! Su Ehuang also makes her appearance. Liu Shan whispers to Liu Yan that there's a rumor about the peony mark on Su Ehuang's forehead: whoever wins her, wins the world. Liu Yan scoffs, saying if that were true, Chen Xiang wouldn't be dead. However, he does acknowledge Su Ehuang's capabilities, otherwise, she wouldn't even be there.
As the warriors from different states begin their competitions, betting starts on the streets. Nobody wants to bet on Qiao Ci, thinking he’s just a young master visiting relatives and won’t have any real skills. Xiao Tao overhears this and isn't happy. She wants to place a bet but realizes she doesn’t have any money. Just then, Wei Liang conveniently appears and uses his own money to bet on Qiao Ci.
When it’s Qiao Ci’s turn to compete, Xiao Qiao is a bundle of nerves. Wei Shao, noticing her anxiety, gently takes her hand. Xiao Qiao tells Qiao Ci to win with honor and lose with grace.
