Episode Summary
Zang Hai successfully uses his skills to save Zhongzhou from a flood, defeat Chu Huai Ming, and gain Zhuang Lu Yin's trust. To get closer, Zang Hai, guided by Gao Ming, learns about Zhuang Lu Yin's tragic past involving his first love, Shen Wan, his wife Jiang Xiang, and his son Zhuang Zhi Xing, whom he neglects due to guilt over Shen Wan's death (orchestrated by Jiang Xiang with Zhuang Lu Yin's silent consent). Zang Hai helps Zhuang Lu Yin begin to reconcile with this past and his son. Zhuang Lu Yin then confides in Zang Hai about his fears regarding the Emperor and asks for help finding the mysterious Gui Xi, an artifact linked to a past military defeat and Zang Hai's father. Zang Hai, recognizing a family relic, agrees, hoping to find his own enemies. Zhuang Lu Yin is later appeased by the Emperor, avoids a dangerous military appointment, and gets Zang Hai appointed as Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau (Qin Tian Jian). Zang Hai moves into a new residence and begins his tenure at the Qin Tian Jian, finding it in disarray and resolving to reform it, despite a cool reception from the skilled but aloof Shi Quan.
Spoiler Alert
So, Zang Hai, our brilliant strategist, is really making waves. Thanks to those top-notch observation skills he picked up from his dad, Kuai Duo, he not only saved the good folks of Zhongzhou from a nasty flood but also managed to completely sideline Chu Huai Ming. This, of course, got him noticed by the big man, Zhuang Lu Yin, who's now got Zang Hai in his inner circle. But Zang Hai isn't one to get complacent; he's looking to get even closer to Zhuang Lu Yin, and his ever-helpful ally Gao Ming has a plan.
Gao Ming spills some serious tea about Zhuang Lu Yin's past, suggesting Zang Hai should target his weaknesses. It turns out Zhuang Lu Yin has a rather tragic love life. His first love, a childhood sweetheart named Shen Wan, got pushed aside when Zhuang Lu Yin, aiming to restore his family's fortunes, married Jiang Xiang, the daughter of the Minister of Rites, Jiang Jin.
Later, when Zhuang Lu Yin was off fighting at the front lines and suffered a bitter defeat, Jiang Xiang wasn't keen on roughing it. She took their son, Zhuang Zhi Fu, and stayed put in the Capital. Meanwhile, Shen Wan, disguised as a man to care for her injured father near the border, ran into Zhuang Lu Yin. Old flames rekindled, and they even had a son, Zhuang Zhi Xing. Fast forward five years, Zhuang Lu Yin leads another campaign, this time against Dong Xia, and scores a decisive victory. But guess who shows up at the front lines looking to patch things up? Yep, Jiang Xiang, with Zhuang Zhi Fu in tow.
Shen Wan, ever the graceful one, stepped aside, allowing Jiang Xiang to reclaim her spot as the lady of the Zhuang household. But Jiang Xiang and her father, Jiang Jin, weren't content with that; they actively worked to sabotage Zhuang Lu Yin's feelings for Shen Wan. The tragic end? With Zhuang Lu Yin's tacit approval, Jiang Xiang had Shen Wan poisoned. Zang Hai astutely figures that Zhuang Lu Yin's harsh treatment of his other son, Zhuang Zhi Xing, stems from a deep-seated guilt he can't face. And that's the angle Zang Hai decides to work.
Zhuang Lu Yin, perhaps in a moment of melancholy, takes Zang Hai to the now-overgrown place where Shen Wan used to live. The only thing thriving there is a solitary plum tree, Shen Wan's favorite. Seeing Zhuang Lu Yin lost in sorrowful memories, Zang Hai gently advises him to cherish the plum tree as a way to honor Shen Wan's spirit, rather than being consumed by the past. This really hits home for Zhuang Lu Yin, who starts showing Zhuang Zhi Xing some much-needed affection. Zhuang Zhi Xing, knowing this change is thanks to Zang Hai, is incredibly grateful. Zang Hai, in turn, encourages him to work hard, believing he can earn his father's genuine esteem.
Later, in the privacy of his treasury's secret chamber, Zhuang Lu Yin unburdens himself to Zang Hai. He suspects the Emperor had Fu Zhi Song (the previous bigwig) bumped off and worries he might be next if he takes the post of Zhongzhou's Grand Commander. Still, the allure of military power in Zhongzhou is strong. Zang Hai, ever the pragmatist, advises him to play it cool and observe for now.
Then comes a big ask: Zhuang Lu Yin wants Zang Hai's help to find something called the Gui Xi. This artifact is tied to Zhuang Lu Yin's first major military defeat. Years ago, while on the verge of conquering the Dong Xia capital, his forces encountered a group of seemingly unstoppable "monsters." Zhuang Lu Yin himself witnessed their brutal efficiency, which decimated his Da Yong soldiers. Six years later, he attacked Dong Xia again. This time, without the Gui Xi's protection, Dong Xia crumbled, and Zhuang Lu Yin reclaimed the territory.
Zhuang Lu Yin mentions that Da Yong's geomancers (or Kan Yu Shi) have supposedly located the Gui Xi. He even shows Zang Hai a bronze fish, suspecting it's connected to the artifact. For Zang Hai, this is a critical moment – he recognizes the bronze fish as a relic of his father. He masterfully conceals his shock and anger, playing along as Zhuang Lu Yin entrusts him with the search for the Gui Xi. Zang Hai cleverly uses the opportunity to ask about two other bronze fish, but Zhuang Lu Yin vaguely brushes off the question. Later, Zang Hai consults Gao Ming, who reveals that the Gui Xi is rumored to be a secret treasure given by the Kunlun Holy Mother to the kings of Dong Xia – though it's mostly legend. Zang Hai sees the Gui Xi and the bronze fish as potential keys to finding his third, as-yet-unknown, enemy.
Back at court, the Emperor is discussing candidates for the Zhongzhou Grand Commander position. Zhuang Lu Yin conveniently calls in sick. The Emperor ends up appointing Wu Ma Fu and, as a little bonus, sends Zhuang Lu Yin a thousand taels of silver. Feeling pretty good, Zhuang Lu Yin then recommends Zang Hai to the court. In a swift move, Zang Hai is officially appointed as the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau (the Qin Tian Jian). As a cherry on top, Zhuang Lu Yin gifts Zang Hai the former residence of Chu Huai Ming.
Zang Hai moves into his new digs, renaming it the "Zang Residence," with Gao Ming taking up the role of his official steward. His first day at the Qin Tian Jian is a poignant one, bringing back memories of visiting the place as a child with his father, Kuai Duo. The various department officials all turn up to welcome their new boss. Shi Quan, the head of the Post-Mortem Department (Jian Hou Si), is busy with Fu Zhi Song's body. The other officials are practically falling over themselves to suck up to Zang Hai. He coolly asks for their case files and current work schedules, then sends them on their way.
Zang Hai makes a beeline for the Jian Hou Si. Shi Quan is meticulously restoring Fu Zhi Song's remains, with a group of students observing the process. Zang Hai requests a private word, so Shi Quan dismisses the students. Zang Hai offers to assist, and the two work together with surprising synergy, finishing the task quickly. Zang Hai compliments Shi Quan's skill, but Shi Quan is unimpressed. He bluntly tells Zang Hai that whether he's there for fame or fortune, Shi Quan just wants to be left in peace. Zang Hai, a little taken aback, leaves.
After his first day, Zang Hai is pretty disheartened by the lax attitude and general state of the officials at the Qin Tian Jian – a far cry from what he remembers. He resolves to whip the place into shape, though Gao Ming wisely cautions him against being too hasty.
