Episode Summary
Zhuang Lu Yin grows fearful of Zang Hai's prediction about a falling general, while Jiang Xiang tries to turn him against Zang Hai. After rain finally comes to Zhongzhou, the arrogant Chu Huai Ming taunts the jailed Zang Hai, who warns of an impending flood. The flood devastates Zhongzhou, leading to Chu Huai Ming's desperation and downfall. He attempts to kill Zang Hai by setting his cell on fire, but Zang Hai, having anticipated this, is rescued by Zhuang Lu Yin. Chu Huai Ming is arrested. The death of General Tan Zhi Song in the floods confirms Zang Hai's prophecy, solidifying Zhuang Lu Yin's trust. Zang Hai explains his actions as efforts to strengthen Zhuang Lu Yin's household and is subsequently appointed head of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.
Spoiler Alert
So, Zhuang Lu Yin is sweating bullets, convinced that Zang Hai's ominous prediction about a falling general is aimed squarely at him. He's moping around, and naturally, Jiang Xiang seizes the opportunity to whisper sweet nothings (read: a whole lot of trash talk) about Zang Hai in his ear, even suggesting Zhuang Lu Yin should just silence Zang Hai permanently. Thankfully, Zhuang Lu Yin decides to wait it out for seven days.
Meanwhile, a miracle! Rain finally graces the drought-stricken Zhongzhou. The Emperor is overjoyed and heaps rewards upon Chu Huai Ming. Feeling himself, Chu Huai Ming struts over to the jail to gloat at Zang Hai, who’s not having any of it. Zang Hai basically tells him, "Just you wait." Later, Zhuang Zhi Xing brings Zang Hai some food, and Zang Hai learns that Zhuang Lu Yin has been on edge. Turns out, Zang Hai cooked up the whole "falling star general" prophecy in a desperate move to save his own skin – if he hadn't, Zhuang Lu Yin would have offed him already. Smart cookie. Zang Hai then tasks Zhuang Zhi Xing with a crucial mission: warn the people of Zhongzhou that a massive flood is coming.
And boy, does it come. The rain in Zhongzhou doesn't let up for three straight days. Dams burst, people are displaced, and Chu Huai Ming is in full-blown panic mode. He tries to seek refuge with Zhuang Lu Yin, but gets the cold shoulder. Desperate, he then turns to Cao Jing Xian, who also wants nothing to do with him. With nowhere else to go, Chu Huai Ming crawls back to Zang Hai in jail, begging for a truce and for Zang Hai to put in a good word with Zhuang Lu Yin. Zang Hai is firm: no deal. He’s determined to get justice for the artisans who were sacrificed. Chu Huai Ming, cornered, even gets on his knees and begs, but Zang Hai is resolute – this fight is to the bitter end.
Losing it, Chu Huai Ming threatens to kill Zang Hai. He rants about how he clawed his way up in the Imperial Astronomy Bureau since he was fifteen, enduring all sorts of humiliation to get close to Zhuang Lu Yin, and he's not about to lose it all now. In a fit of rage, he douses Zang Hai's cell with a jar of wine and sets it ablaze before making a hasty exit. The fire rages, and Zang Hai, choking on the smoke, screams for help. Guards rush in to fight the flames.
Plot twist! Zang Hai totally saw this arson attempt coming. He’d already told Zhuang Zhi Xing not to put out the fire, but just to make sure Chu Huai Ming couldn't escape. When Zhuang Lu Yin hears that Chu Huai Ming tried to barbecue Zang Hai, he races to the jail. Zang Hai has already passed out from the smoke. In a surprisingly heroic move, Zhuang Lu Yin charges into the inferno and pulls Zang Hai out, getting burned in the process. Chu Huai Ming tries to skip town but is nabbed by Zhuang Zhi Xing, who drags him back to face Zhuang Lu Yin. Predictably, Chu Huai Ming is terrified and begging for mercy.
Then, urgent news from Zhongzhou: the relentless rain has destroyed the dams, and thousands have drowned. To make matters worse, Tan Zhi Song, who went to inspect the disaster site, was swept away by the floodwaters, his body later found downstream. Zhuang Lu Yin is stunned. Zang Hai not only predicted the great flood but also the "falling star" – Tan Zhi Song. Shaken, Zhuang Lu Yin orders Chu Huai Ming to be thrown into the Dali Temple prison. As Zang Hai tends to Zhuang Lu Yin's burns, it's clear Zhuang Lu Yin has started to see Zang Hai as family. Jiang Xiang, however, is furious when she hears Zhuang Lu Yin risked his life for Zang Hai, complaining that Zang Hai is stealing Zhuang Zhi Fu's thunder.
Chu Huai Ming is stripped of his official position and punished. Jiang Xiang, now seriously wary of Zang Hai, worries he'll help Zhuang Zhi Xing solidify his position in the Marquis's household. She tries to stir up trouble with Zhuang Lu Yin, suggesting Zang Hai and Zhuang Zhi Xing conspired to frame Chu Huai Ming. Zhuang Lu Yin confronts Zang Hai, who admits he helped Zhuang Zhi Xing win the polo match. His reasoning? He wants Zhuang Zhi Xing (brains) and Zhuang Zhi Fu (brawn) to be Zhuang Lu Yin's right and left hands, strengthening the Marquis's power. Zhuang Lu Yin, completely won over, decides to make Zang Hai the head of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.
