Episode Summary
Xiao Qiao learns of her grandfather Qiao Gui's death but proceeds with her arranged marriage to Wei Shao, seeing it as her grandfather's wish. The wedding is tense and emotionally fraught, with Wei Shao clearly conflicted and still vowing revenge on the Qiao family. He initially leaves Xiao Qiao outside the city during important ancestral rites. While she falls ill in the harsh conditions, a plot unfolds to divorce and banish her, orchestrated by Wei Shao's aunt. Discovering this, Wei Shao rushes to Xiao Qiao's side, bringing her into the city and asserting his protection.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Xiao Qiao absolutely shattered. News of her grandfather, Qiao Gui's, death reaches her, and the poor girl can't even go back to pay her last respects. Her attendant, Momo, is ready to pack their bags, but Xiao Qiao, ever the strategist with a "grand plan" in motion, knows she has to stay put. Instead, she's left to send her grief to the moon, which is just heartbreaking.
Meanwhile, Wei Shao also gets the memo about Qiao Gui. His camp is furious, immediately suspecting the Qiao family of sending the news just to torpedo the wedding. Wei Shao, to his credit, actually asks Xiao Qiao if she still wants to go through with it. She, bless her heart, says it was her grandfather's dying wish, so she's sticking to the plan. You can see a flicker of something – maybe sympathy? – in Wei Shao's eyes as he watches her fight back tears, but then he just walks off. Cold, man. Later, though, he shows up with a lynx (yeah, a lynx, talk about a unique proposal gift!) to show he's serious about this marriage.
So, Xiao Qiao, after a private memorial for her grandfather, swaps her mourning clothes for a stunning red wedding gown. She’s putting on a brave face, but her eyes are swimming with unshed tears. She’s trying to convince herself her grandpa would understand.
Then comes the wedding ceremony, and it's… awkward. Wei Shao, looking dapper in his groom attire, is clearly not all there. He's flashing back to his brother's dying words, the sounds of battle ringing in his ears. It takes a nudge from Gongsun Yang to snap him back to reality. When Xiao Qiao almost trips on her gown, Wei Shao instinctively catches her – a tiny moment of connection, maybe?
But don't get your hopes up. During the formal bows, Wei Shao is stiff as a board. When it's time for the ceremonial wine, he barely takes the cup, stares at his father and brother's ancestral tablets, and then just... spills the wine on the floor. Xiao Qiao, an absolute queen of composure, doesn't say a word, just internalizes the pain.
Later, Wei Shao’s generals are all riled up, still fuming that Qiao Gui died before they could get their revenge. Gongsun Yang has to remind them it’s Wei Shao’s wedding day, FFS. Wei Shao then lays down the law to Xiao Qiao: they're married now, she's a Wei woman, not a Qiao, and whatever he does to her family is his business and won't touch her. He promises not to hurt her. After he leaves, Xiao Qiao finally collapses to the floor, sobbing her heart out. It’s a gut punch.
Both of them spend time mourning separately – Wei Shao before his family tablets, and Xiao Qiao, back in plain clothes, for her grandfather. Momo gently reminds her that once they're in Wei territory, she won't be able to keep Qiao Gui's memorial tablet.
The journey to Wei territory is as frosty as you’d expect. Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao are in separate carriages, not speaking, and any accidental eye contact is quickly broken. Then, a massive downpour starts. Wei Shao, obsessed with making it in time for his father and brother's death anniversary rituals, wants to push on through the storm. Gongsun Yang points out Xiao Qiao isn't well enough for that, but Wei Shao isn't budging. Xiao Qiao’s maid, Xiao Tao, even gets into it with Wei Liang (one of Wei Shao’s guys) trying to get some hot water. But when Xiao Qiao hears it’s about the anniversary, she agrees they should keep moving.
They finally reach the city, and Wei Shao’s relatives are there to greet him. His cousin, Zheng Chu Yu, pipes up, asking where Xiao Qiao is. Turns out, Wei Shao deliberately left her outside the city gates. His plan? Let Zheng Chu Yu bring her in after the ancestral rites are done. Zheng Chu Yu gets a glimpse of Xiao Qiao in the carriage. Xiao Tao is understandably furious about being left out in the middle of nowhere, but Xiao Qiao, ever pragmatic, gets why they can't be at the rites.
Inside, during the ceremony, things get heated. Some relatives, especially a guy named Wei Dian, are not thrilled about Wei Shao being the young master. Wei Dian even taunts him about being scared of blood. Wei Shao, to prove a point, dramatically slashes his own palm. Madam Xu (Xu Furen) steps in to back him up, declaring him the leader. That settles that, and Wei Shao takes the opportunity to swear he'll slaughter the Qiao family to avenge his father and brother. Yikes.
After the rites, the relatives are still not happy about him marrying Xiao Qiao and demand answers. Gongsun Yang shows them the seal of Panyi (a strategic win, it seems). But then they pivot, criticizing him for not capturing Kang County. Wei Shao throws it back at Wei Dian, asking why he didn't send reinforcements when requested. Wei Dian denies ever getting the message. Wei Shao declares he hasn't forgotten his quest for revenge, but this marriage was about fulfilling his grandfather's wish to rebuild the Yongning Canal. He says he's waited 14 years for vengeance, he can wait another 10. Mic drop.
Meanwhile, poor Xiao Qiao is freezing and sick in the carriage outside. Xiao Tao and Xiao Zao (another maid) are struggling to rig up a rain cover while Wei Qu and his men just stand there watching. They spend the entire night in the wind and rain. The next morning, Wei Liang still won't let them in. Wei Shao, back in his rooms, is apparently worried sick and hasn't slept.
Then it gets worse. Xiao Qiao is burning up with fever when someone shows up with – get this – a DIVORCE LETTER and orders to send her back to Yanzhou! Wei Liang, sensing something is seriously off (because this doesn't sound like Wei Shao at all), sends his man Xiao Tan to get the real story from Wei Shao. That's when Wei Shao finds out Zheng Chu Yu never brought Xiao Qiao into the city, even though it's been two days since the rites. Zheng Chu Yu comes clean, explaining that her aunt (likely Wei Shao's aunt) is the one who sent the divorce papers and wants Xiao Qiao gone.
Xiao Tao is on her knees, begging Wei Qu to save Xiao Qiao. Wei Qu's men are hesitant since their messenger hasn't returned, but when they see soldiers trying to forcibly drag the carriage away, they can't stand by. They decide to block the carriage, even if it means getting beaten. Just in the nick of time, Wei Shao comes galloping in like a hero, chews out the soldiers, and tenderly carries the ailing Xiao Qiao into the city.
