Episode Summary
Wei Yan mistakenly confesses his feelings for Xiao Qiao to Lan Yun, who then tries to impersonate Xiao Qiao. Wei Yan dismisses his concubines, fueling Su Ehuang's suspicions about his love for Xiao Qiao. Lan Yun reveals Wei Yan's feelings to Wei Shao, leading to a furious Wei Shao burning Xiao Qiao's portrait in Wei Yan's study and later smashing Xiao Qiao's jewelry box. A physical fight erupts between Wei Shao and Wei Yan after Wei Yan admits his feelings. They later reconcile, and Wei Shao makes up with Xiao Qiao. Xu Furen learns of the fight and subtly warns Wei Yan against pursuing Xiao Qiao. Rumors about Wei Yan and Xiao Qiao, fanned by Su Ehuang, spread wildly. To protect everyone and quell the rumors, Wei Yan decides to leave with the Bianzhou envoy, Chen Lie, framing Bianzhou as the source of the gossip. He bids a tearful farewell to Xu Furen, who is devastated. Wei Shao confronts the rumormongers but Wei Yan intervenes, protecting them to facilitate his departure and telling Wei Shao that a cousin shouldn't love his brother's wife.
Spoiler Alert
Things kicked off with Wei Yan seriously mixed up, mistaking Lan Yun for his actual crush, Xiao Qiao. As Lan Yun poured her heart out, Wei Yan was lost in his own world, thinking about how Xiao Qiao was like a phoenix meant for greater things. He even mused that if the land were unified, maybe Xiao Qiao could finally be free, and he’d do anything to help make that happen. Lan Yun, listening to this one-sided declaration, quickly realized these sweet nothings weren't for her. A peek at a portrait in the room confirmed it – it was Xiao Qiao, complete with Yanzhou orchids at the bottom. Ouch.
The next morning, Wei Yan woke up to find Lan Yun not only still there but dressed exactly like the Xiao Qiao in the painting. Talk about a Stage 5 clinger! Lan Yun, to her credit, admitted she knew she wasn't Xiao Qiao but was totally willing to play the part. Wei Yan, probably creeped out and definitely wanting to keep his Xiao Qiao obsession under wraps, warned Lan Yun to keep her mouth shut about his feelings and basically paid her off to disappear.
Soon after, Wei Yan dismissed all his concubines, a move so drastic it sent ripples everywhere. Su Ehuang, ever the astute observer, put two and two together and correctly guessed that Wei Yan was head over heels for Xiao Qiao.
Meanwhile, the actual Xiao Qiao, concerned that Wei Yan hadn't been eating properly due to his work on canal repairs, dropped by with snacks. She sweetly offered her full support, and Wei Yan, clearly touched (and still smitten), pulled her onto his lap. Wei Shao then popped in, mentioning a local shop with pastries just like the ones from Kangjun that Xiao Qiao loved, and gallantly offered to go buy some for her.
This is where it all went sideways. While Wei Shao was out, Lan Yun, who apparently didn't take the hint (or the money) strongly enough, found him and spilled the beans about Wei Yan’s feelings for Xiao Qiao.
Wei Shao, predictably, lost it. He stormed into Wei Yan’s study, found the portrait of Xiao Qiao, and, remembering Wei Yan’s cryptic earlier comments about someone trying to "force their way in," went full scorched-earth and burned the painting. The fire didn't stop there, and by the time Wei Yan's household staff rushed in, the whole study was ablaze. When Wei Yan heard Wei Shao had been there and a candle "accidentally" got knocked over, he knew his secret was out.
Back at his own place, Wei Shao was still fuming. He walked in on Xiao Zao and Chun Niang organizing Xiao Qiao’s jewelry box. Spotting a scented sachet – a festival gift from Wei Yan to Xiao Qiao – he completely snapped. He smashed the jewelry box to the ground, breaking a hairpin he had given her. Xiao Qiao walked in right then, utterly bewildered as to why her husband was Raging Hulk-smashing her stuff. Wei Shao accused her of keeping gifts from other men. When Xiao Qiao saw him toss the sachet, she fired back, furious that he’d accuse her of having an affair with Wei Yan. She called him paranoid and even threw in a zinger about not all Wei family men being to her taste. Wei Shao, eyes red with anger and hurt, stormed out, leaving Xiao Qiao to fume alone.
Adding to the political drama, Chen Pang sent his man Chen Lie to the Wei state, offering Wei Shao passage for his troops. The catch? It was all a ploy to get Wei Yan to return with them. Wei Shao, valuing Wei Yan immensely, was like, "No thanks, I'd rather not use your road than lose Wei Yan," and ordered the Bianzhou envoy to be kicked out. But, surprise! Chen Lie had already gone to see Wei Yan.
This led to a brotherly confrontation. Wei Shao went to Wei Yan, practically begging him not to leave. Wei Yan, however, cut straight to the chase, admitting Wei Shao knew about Xiao Qiao and confessing his inappropriate feelings. Wei Shao threw a punch, but even then, offered an olive branch: if Wei Yan cut off those feelings, they could pretend it never happened. Wei Yan, not one to be outdone, punched Wei Shao right back, venting his frustration about how Wei Shao and Xu Furen always treated him with kid gloves, even saying he wished they could have had a proper fight like this sooner. Wei Shao, bless his heart, reaffirmed that Wei Yan was his brother, no matter his origins, but the decision to stay or go was ultimately Wei Yan's.
Later, Wei Shao, sporting a bruised face, went back to Xiao Qiao. He found her lighting candles and immediately went in for a hug, apologizing for his earlier outburst. He played the pity card hard, showing off his injuries and admitting he knew she and Wei Yan weren't having an affair; he'd just been angry. Xiao Qiao, seeing his battered face, softened. Wei Shao, sensing victory, pretended to be in more pain when she reached out to touch his cheek, saying a hug would make it better. She obliged, and for a moment, they were all smiles in each other's arms.
Of course, Xu Furen soon heard about Wei Shao and Wei Yan’s "brawl." Not buying the "just roughhousing" excuse, she summoned Xiao Tan and Zhu Quan to get the real story. The next day, when Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao came to see her, Xu Furen clocked Wei Shao's injuries. He lamely claimed he fell. Then Wei Yan was called in, also bruised, with the same flimsy excuse. Xu Furen brought up Wei Yan's burned-down study, and Wei Shao quickly took the blame, saying he’d already arranged for repairs.
Privately, Xu Furen had a word with Wei Yan. She told him he could ask Wei Shao for anything he needed for the repairs, except for the things Wei Shao truly cherished. She then dropped the not-so-subtle reminder: "a friend's wife should not be coveted." Message received, loud and clear. Wei Yan, sitting alone in his charred study later, let out a bitter laugh, seemingly resolving to cut off his unrequited love, acknowledging that there are other kinds of affection in the world.
On a side note, Qiao Ci visited Da Qiao and Bi Zhi. Da Qiao used the opportunity to ask if Xiao Qiao had mentioned Bi Zhi, clearly fishing for info about why no wedding invitation had been forthcoming. Qiao Ci didn't know anything about it, only that sending letters was difficult. This little exchange was enough to plant seeds of resentment in Da Qiao towards her sister.
Never one to miss an opportunity for chaos, Su Ehuang started spreading rumors that Wei Yan was in love with Xiao Qiao. The gossip spread like wildfire. When Wei Yan was about to bring Xu Furen some snacks, Zhu Quan tried to stop him, worried he’d hear the nasty talk, and wanted to round up the rumormongers. Wei Yan, however, had a more strategic approach, saying rumors are like water – better to redirect than to dam. He figured the best way to quash the gossip was to spin it. His plan? Blame Bianzhou for starting the rumors to pressure him into returning there. He even summoned Chen Lie, agreeing to go back to Bianzhou, but only after Chen Lie helped execute this cover-up.
That evening, Wei Yan went to Xu Furen with the snacks, and to deliver the news of his departure. Xu Furen, heartbroken, sensed this was a final goodbye. Wei Yan explained he had to leave; he couldn't risk ruining Xiao Qiao’s reputation, hurting Wei Shao, or putting Xu Furen in an impossible position. Despite Xu Furen’s tearful pleas for him to stay, Wei Yan knelt in a formal farewell, asking her to think of it as him just taking a trip to clear his head and let go of feelings and people that weren't meant for him. As he walked away, Xu Furen, devastated, cried out and rushed after him, tragically falling down the steps.
Wei Shao, hearing the rampant rumors, ordered his men to find the source. Su Ehuang, ever the pot-stirrer, sidled up to Wei Shao, suggesting he send Xiao Qiao out of the city to escape the gossip. Wei Shao wasn't having any of it. He angrily retorted that his wife was being slandered, and he’d find and severely punish those responsible. Su Ehuang wisely clammed up.
Wei Shao’s men did catch the people spreading the rumors, and surprise, surprise, they were from Bianzhou. But then Wei Yan himself stepped in, protecting these agents and insisting on leaving with them. Wei Shao rushed to the scene, terrified Wei Yan’s true identity would be exposed, and reluctantly let the Bianzhou party go. He once again told Wei Yan he’d always be his cousin. Wei Yan, in a final, devastating blow, leaned in and whispered that there’s no place in the world for a cousin who’s in love with his younger brother’s wife.
