Episode Summary
Zang Hai faces a crisis when Zhuang Zhi Fu, after a refused bribery attempt, pulls all artisans from the mausoleum project. Cao Jing Xian tries to recruit Zang Hai, who refuses, and then Lu Ran threatens Zang Hai with death if the mausoleum isn't finished by an impossible deadline. To save himself, Zang Hai cleverly maneuvers to implicate Zhuang Zhi Fu in corruption using the mausoleum funds, thus instigating conflict between Zhuang Zhi Fu's father, Zhuang Lu Yin, and Cao Jing Xian. This leads to Zhuang Lu Yin defending Zang Hai in court against Cao Jing Xian's unreasonable demands about the mausoleum completion date. A terrified Zhuang Zhi Fu, after being confronted by Cao Jing Xian with his past crimes and witnessing a brutal display of power, is coerced into spying on his own father for Cao Jing Xian and attempts to get close to Zang Hai.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Zang Hai needing artisans for that massive mausoleum project for Fu Zhi Song. He approaches Zhuang Zhi Fu, who, in a classic corrupt official move, suggests they cook the books and skim a hefty fifty percent off the top for himself. Zang Hai, being the stand-up guy he is (mostly), flat-out refuses. This, of course, ticks off Zhuang Zhi Fu, who retaliates by pulling every single worker off the job. Nice.
As if that’s not enough, the ever-scheming Cao Jing Xian sends his godson to try and persuade Zang Hai to join his side. Zang Hai’s response? A firm "no, thanks." Left in the lurch, Zang Hai calls on his loyal crew – Shi Quan, Shi Lei, and Guan Feng – and the four of them decide, "Fine, we'll build this massive tomb ourselves!" Talk about a DIY project from hell.
A few days into their back-breaking labor, Lu Ran (remember him?) shows up at the imperial tombs. He "invites" Zang Hai to Cao Jing Xian’s next little dinner party. Zang Hai, sticking to his guns, refuses again. Lu Ran, clearly not a fan of rejection, dramatically burns Cao Jing Xian’s written invitation and lays down an ultimatum: finish the mausoleum by the Chongyang Festival, or it’s curtains for Zang Hai. Shi Quan, bless his heart, pipes up, pointing out that Cao Jing Xian is deliberately setting an impossible deadline to get them all killed. This enrages Lu Ran, who draws his sword and lunges at Shi Quan. Zang Hai throws himself in front of Shi Quan, desperately talking Lu Ran down. Lu Ran eventually sheathes his sword but not before dropping a chilling reminder about his brother Lu Jin’s death, clearly a threat aimed at Zang Hai.
Facing a death sentence disguised as a construction deadline, Zang Hai isn't about to just wait around. He racks his brain and cooks up a new strategy: turn his enemies against each other. Specifically, he decides to stir the pot between Cao Jing Xian and Zhuang Lu Yin.
Right on cue, Zhuang Zhi Fu reappears, oozing fake concern for Zang Hai and promising to put in a good word for him with Cao Jing Xian. Zang Hai isn't buying it for a second. Zhuang Zhi Fu then demands the account books for the mausoleum construction, guaranteeing he can get it finished on time. Zang Hai, seeing an opportunity, reluctantly agrees. Zhuang Zhi Fu plans to pick up the books from the Qintianjian (Imperial Astronomical Bureau) the next day.
Once Zang Hai hands over the ledgers, Zhuang Zhi Fu promptly brings back all the previous artisans. The catch? He also supplies them with cheap, shoddy materials. This is all part of Zang Hai's larger plan, it seems.
Word gets to Cao Jing Xian that Zang Hai has used the mausoleum funds to essentially frame Zhuang Zhi Fu. Cao Jing Xian, never one to miss an opportunity to cause trouble, has Lu Ran make sure Zhuang Lu Yin hears about his son's latest "mishap." Zhuang Lu Yin is furious and gives Zhuang Zhi Fu a severe dressing-down. Panicked, Zhuang Zhi Fu throws all the blame onto Zang Hai. Jiang Xiang tries to smooth things over for Zhuang Zhi Fu, and Zhuang Lu Yin orders his son to return every last bit of the embezzled silver.
Next, Zhuang Lu Yin confronts Zang Hai directly. Zang Hai, in a bid to protect the Hou Fu (Marquis Mansion) from getting dragged into this mess, takes full responsibility. He claims he got greedy and decided to cut corners with substandard materials. Zhuang Lu Yin clearly suspects Zang Hai was coerced but, seeing Zang Hai’s determination to take the fall, eventually lets it go. On a brighter note for the Zhuang family, Zhuang Zhi Xing returns from the front lines, having been promoted to Xiao Qi Zhang for his valor, much to Zhuang Lu Yin's pride.
The drama then shifts to the imperial court. He Zi Qing, an official from the Ministry of Rites, proposes that Fu Zhi Song’s burial should take place ten days before the Chongyang Festival. Cao Jing Xian turns to Zang Hai and asks if this is doable. Zang Hai honestly admits it’s impossible. Cao Jing Xian is livid and threatens to report Zang Hai’s incompetence to the Emperor. Zhuang Lu Yin steps in to defend Zang Hai, suggesting the burial happen after the Chongyang Festival. Cao Jing Xian digs his heels in, leading to a heated clash between the two powerful figures. Most of the court officials actually side with Zhuang Lu Yin’s more reasonable proposal. Cao Jing Xian, outmaneuvered, has to report back to the Emperor, now nursing a serious grudge against Zhuang Lu Yin.
Cao Jing Xian then summons Zhuang Zhi Fu. He lays out a mountain of evidence detailing Zhuang Zhi Fu’s corruption and bribery over the years. Terrified, Zhuang Zhi Fu drops to his knees, begging for mercy. Cao Jing Xian, ever the opportunist, offers to make all these "troubles" disappear, and Zhuang Zhi Fu, predictably, pledges his undying loyalty. Cao Jing Xian then gives him a new mission: find out what secret item Zhuang Lu Yin is desperately searching for. When Zhuang Zhi Fu hesitates, worried he can’t pull it off, Cao Jing Xian makes an example of an official, Zhang Daren, who defied him, by having him killed on the spot. Message received. Zhuang Zhi Fu is now thoroughly terrified and compliant.
The episode wraps with a shaken Zhuang Zhi Fu paying Zang Hai a visit early the next morning. He’s suddenly all buddy-buddy, calling Zang Hai "brother" and even gifting him a piece of expensive-looking jade. He’s laying the charm on thick, trying to get close to Zang Hai, and mentions he’ll be back for another "friendly" visit tomorrow. Looks like Zang Hai's plan to sow discord is working, but he's also got a new, very scared and very dangerous pawn in Zhuang Zhi Fu to deal with, all while Cao Jing Xian pulls the strings from the shadows. What a mess! Can't wait to see how Zang Hai navigates this one.
