Episode Summary
Zang Hai starts his new role at the Imperial Celestial Observatory by immediately tackling corruption, issuing strict new rules for officials who were exploiting their power. He gains an unexpected ally in Shi Quan, who, despite past grievances, helps Zang Hai investigate abuses, leading to the arrest of Chang Wu Yi for forcing "netherworld marriages." As Zang Hai cleans house and confronts corrupt officials like Min Shi Ning, he also navigates personal advice for Zhuang Zhi Xing and a visit from Xiang An Tu, whose romantic intentions he gently deflects due to his focus on revenge. The episode ends with Zang Hai visiting his ruined family home, reaffirming his vow for vengeance, and finding clarity on how to address Xiang An Tu.
Spoiler Alert
Right off the bat, Zang Hai strolls into his new office and finds the place practically comatose. The officials? Let's just say "proactive" isn't in their vocabulary. Gao Ming spills the tea: these guys have been using their positions to snatch up prime land, play favorites with tomb selections for other officials, and, get this, even forcing deceased commoner women into "netherworld marriages" with deceased nobles. Yeah, it's as grim as it sounds. Zang Hai, understandably, is having none of it. He pulls an all-nighter, drafts new regulations, and slaps them on the public notice board first thing in the morning.
His new "three rules" are pretty straightforward: do your job, keep your public and private lives separate, and for heaven's sake, follow the law. Oh, and stop meddling in private citizens' marriages and funerals with your official clout. Naturally, some officials, comfy in their corrupt little nests, start squawking in protest. But Zang Hai stands his ground, radiating a "don't even try me" vibe.
Meanwhile, word gets around that Chu Huai Ming, who was a real piece of work to Shi Quan, died miserably during his exile. In a surprising turn, Shi Quan is spotted burning paper offerings for the guy. Zang Hai, hearing about Chu Huai Ming’s past bullying of Shi Quan, is intrigued by this display of… well, not holding a grudge, apparently. Shi Quan even burns letters he wrote to Chu Huai Ming, filled with suggestions. Zang Hai manages to snag one and, impressed, asks Shi Quan to help him whip the Observatory into shape. Shi Quan’s first piece of advice? Go check out Tai'an Alley in the west end of the city, on the down-low.
This leads us to Chang Wu Yi, who's running a medical clinic. Or so it seems. Turns out, it's a front. He's been scouting for terminally ill women, pressuring them into these "netherworld marriages" for the rich and powerful. The latest target: Liang Xiao Yan, who is gravely ill. Chang Wu Yi tries to bribe her brother, Liang Wen Sheng, to poison her so she can be "paired" with the recently deceased third son of the Hou family, whose funeral is the next day. When Liang Wen Sheng refuses (good man!), Chang Wu Yi knocks him out and tries to do the deed himself. Luckily, Shi Lei, ever the hero, bursts in and nabs Chang Wu Yi.
Zang Hai wastes no time and calls an emergency meeting of all Observatory officials that very night. He drags Chang Wu Yi in to face Min Shi Ning and lays out Min Shi Ning’s crimes one by one. Min Shi Ning, terrified, starts begging for mercy, but Zang Hai isn't moved and has him arrested. Then, Zang Hai reveals he has a whole dossier of dirt on the other officials and advises them to confess. Seeing the writing on the wall, they start 'fessing up.
Later, back home, Zhuang Zhi Xing pops by with a congratulatory gift. Zang Hai, ever the strategist, tells him that if he really wants to defeat Zhuang Zhi Fu, he needs to make a name for himself on the battlefield. Inspired, Zhuang Zhi Xing immediately goes to Zhuang Lu Yin to enlist. Gao Ming throws a celebratory dinner for Zang Hai, and Shi Lei and Guan Feng join in. Gao Ming even arranges for Shi Lei and Guan Feng to start working at Zang Hai's home.
Then, Xiang An Tu herself pays Zang Hai a visit, bearing some seriously lavish gifts. Zang Hai gives her the grand tour. Gao Ming, ever watchful, senses something big is brewing and tells Shi Lei and Guan Feng to vet those presents – can they even accept stuff this valuable? Xiang An Tu is clearly impressed with Zang Hai, marveling at how quickly he's climbed the ranks to become a fifth-rank official. She warns him not to get sucked into the corruption. She then brings up the Zhongyuan Festival, when Zang Hai seemed unsteady on the boat, and presses him to reveal what's really on his mind. Zang Hai admits that with his revenge still unfulfilled, he can't think about romance. Xiang An Tu, understandably, leaves disappointed.
Shi Lei and Guan Feng go through Xiang An Tu's gifts, and yep, every single item is worth a fortune. It's pretty clear to them she's got a major thing for Zang Hai. Gao Ming notices Zang Hai is troubled (and probably wishing Chu Liu was around for advice) and takes him to his old, burned-down family home.
In a parallel scene, Zhuang Zhi Xing finds Zhuang Lu Yin and, invoking his deceased mother's name, declares his intention to join the army and bring honor to the Zhuang family. Zhuang Lu Yin, worried about the danger, tries to dissuade him, but Zhuang Zhi Xing is resolute. Zhuang Lu Yin relents, asking him to return in a year.
Back at the ruins of his home, Zang Hai is hit with a tidal wave of memories: happy moments with his family, then the horrific images of his parents' and sister's deaths. The past is vivid, but the present is desolate. He breaks down, sobbing, and reaffirms his vow to avenge his loved ones. Gao Ming gently reminds him not to forget the past. And in that moment of raw grief and determination, Zang Hai figures out how he needs to respond to Xiang An Tu.
