Episode Summary
Zang Hai, having infiltrated the Marquis Pingjin's residence to seek revenge on Zhuang Lu Yin, faces immediate suspicion from Yang Zhen, Zhuang Lu Yin's chief strategist. Yang Zhen tries to oust Zang Hai, first by framing him during an inventory task and then by setting up a treacherous banquet. During the inventory, Zang Hai discovers a secret room and has an encounter with Zhuang Lu Yin's son, Zhuang Zhi Xing, whom he saves from a minor theft charge. Zang Hai's competence impresses Zhuang Lu Yin, further alarming Yang Zhen. At the banquet, Yang Zhen and his cohorts try to force Zang Hai out, culminating in the cruel punishment of a singer, Xiao Zhi, which Zang Hai tries to prevent. Xiang An Tu, the proprietress of the Pillow Tower, intervenes and later helps Zang Hai care for Xiao Zhi. Zang Hai decides to get closer to Zhuang Lu Yin through his son, Zhuang Zhi Xing, despite the risks. The episode ends with a new plot brewing: a mysterious incident at the imperial mausoleum, which Yang Zhen and Chu Huai Ming plan to use to eliminate Zang Hai.
Spoiler Alert
So, Zang Hai has managed to wiggle his way into the Marquis Pingjin's residence, all thanks to his killer skills in architecture and, let's be real, some serious Feng Shui know-how to bypass those tricky tomb defenses. His main goal? To get close to Zhuang Lu Yin and serve up a cold dish of revenge. The problem is, Zhuang Lu Yin isn't exactly hanging out by the water cooler.
Our boy Zang Hai is under Yang Zhen, who's basically Zhuang Lu Yin's chief strategist and the head honcho of the scholars tasked with writing Zhuang Lu Yin's glowing biography, "The Zhuang Family Chronicle." Think of it as a PR campaign on ancient scrolls. Yang Zhen, however, is already feeling the heat. He's worried Zang Hai is going to outshine him and steal his top spot. So, while he's all smiles and "I value your talent" to Zang Hai's face, behind the scenes, he's busy trying to trip him up and get him booted from the Marquis's estate.
The latest scheme? Inventory duty. The scholars are cataloging all the fancy literary treasures and artworks gifted by the Emperor. Yang Zhen, in his infinite "wisdom," tells Zang Hai to double-check everything. He even plants guards outside, ready to pounce if Zang Hai tries to pocket a souvenir. Sneaky, right?
While Zang Hai is meticulously going through the treasures, he stumbles upon a hidden button and, boom, secret room! It's locked up tight with a big iron door, so no entry for now. As he heads back, he catches someone else rummaging through the goods. Turns out, it's Zhuang Zhi Xing, Zhuang Lu Yin's second son. Zang Hai recognizes him instantly – they had a childhood encounter where Zang Hai and his pals locked Zhuang Zhi Xing in a secret passage. But thanks to Zang Hai's new face (remember the whole plastic surgery thing for revenge?), Zhuang Zhi Xing has no clue who he is. Young master Zhuang tries to sneak off with a golden gourd, drops it, and Zang Hai confiscates it, promising to keep the little theft a secret. Zhuang Zhi Xing, probably relieved, drags Zang Hai out with him, and the guards don't dare stop the Marquis's son.
Later, Yang Zhen presents Zang Hai's meticulously organized inventory list to Zhuang Lu Yin. Zang Hai even included the detailed history of the "Changfeng Sword," a memento from Zhuang Lu Yin's most glorious battle. This seriously impresses the Marquis, who tells Yang Zhen to mentor Zang Hai properly. This, of course, just makes Yang Zhen and his crony Chu Huai Ming even more determined to get rid of Zang Hai. They cook up a classic "Hongmen Yan" – a treacherous banquet.
Yang Zhen invites Zang Hai to the Pillow Tower for this "feast," with Chu Huai Ming and another associate, Qu Jiao, as backup. Meanwhile, Zhuang Zhi Xing, who apparently has a nasty gambling habit, owes a hefty sum to the Pillow Tower. The proprietress, Xiang An Tu, is tallying his debts and summons him to settle up. When Zang Hai arrives for the banquet, Xiang An Tu hears Yang Zhen is hosting him. She immediately recognizes Zang Hai as Zhi Nu (his old name, perhaps?) and senses something is off, so she has her people keep an eye on their private room.
Inside, Zang Hai finds Yang Zhen, Chu Huai Ming, and Qu Jiao living it up with courtesans. Not really his scene, so he keeps to himself. Chu Huai Ming then announces it's Yang Zhen's birthday (convenient, huh?) and they've brought in a singer, Miss Xiao Zhi, to perform. Just then, Zhuang Zhi Xing rushes in, trying to pay off his debt with some trinkets. The proprietress isn't having it; she wants a specific agate from Dong Xia as payment. Zhuang Zhi Xing refuses, and she threatens to take his IOUs straight to the Marquis Pingjin.
After Xiao Zhi finishes her song, Yang Zhen "suggests" Zang Hai should "take" her. Zang Hai politely declines. Yang Zhen, claiming he wants to promote Zang Hai to be his deputy, pressures him again. Zang Hai still refuses. Chu Huai Ming then resorts to threats, but Zang Hai stands firm. Frustrated, Yang Zhen tells Zang Hai to write a resignation letter to Zhuang Lu Yin, saying he needs three years to write a book – basically, a polite way of saying "get lost." Zang Hai risked everything to get into the Marquis's residence to avenge his parents and sister. Now that Yang Zhen is trying to force him out, Zang Hai quickly tries to make an excuse to leave the awkward situation.
But Qu Jiao draws his sword. Yang Zhen, ever the charmer, blames poor Xiao Zhi for not "serving" Zang Hai properly and decides to punish her. She's terrified, begging for mercy. Zang Hai realizes Yang Zhen is using Xiao Zhi to force his hand. It's a horrible dilemma. Before Zang Hai can do much, Yang Zhen grabs a burning coal from the brazier and shoves it into Xiao Zhi's mouth. Zang Hai tries to stop him, but it's too late. Xiao Zhi faints from the pain.
Gao Ming, Zang Hai's ally, has been waiting outside. He hears Xiao Zhi's screams and is about to intervene when Xiang An Tu bursts in. Gao Ming ducks away. Xiang An Tu, using Zhuang Zhi Xing as an excuse, calls Yang Zhen, Chu Huai Ming, and Qu Jiao away. Zang Hai begs Xiang An Tu to find a doctor for Xiao Zhi, whose throat is severely burned. He's desperate for the doctor to save her.
Xiang An Tu is curious about how Zang Hai managed to tick off Yang Zhen and his crew. Zang Hai can't spill the beans but asks her to look after Xiao Zhi for a while. Xiang An Tu then tasks Zang Hai with taking a very drunk Zhuang Zhi Xing back to the Marquis's residence.
After a struggle, Zang Hai gets Zhuang Zhi Xing home. Gao Ming is waiting and warns Zang Hai to be more careful. Zang Hai figures that if Yang Zhen and his buddies are this desperate, it means Zhuang Lu Yin is finally noticing him, bringing him one step closer to his revenge. His new plan? Get close to Zhuang Lu Yin through his son, Zhuang Zhi Xing. Gao Ming is worried it's too risky, but Zang Hai's mind is made up.
Later, Zhuang Zhi Xing invites Zang Hai for a bath as a thank you. Zang Hai declines but subtly tries to pump him for information about his father. Zang Hai notices Zhuang Zhi Xing craves his father's attention and offers some advice. This immediately makes Zhuang Zhi Xing suspicious, and he warns Zang Hai not to meddle, or it could cost him his life. Zang Hai discusses his plan with Gao Ming, who points out that Zhuang Zhi Xing is known as a good-for-nothing playboy, unlikely to be valued by his father. But Zang Hai is determined to try.
That night, a massive thunderstorm hits. The eunuchs guarding the imperial mausoleum are on patrol when they hear knocking coming from the late Emperor's tomb. One brave (or foolish) eunuch goes in and finds the Emperor's coffin blocking the entrance! He understandably freaks out and flees. When Chu Huai Ming hears about this bizarre incident, he rushes to Yang Zhen. Their brilliant idea? Get Zang Hai to handle it, hoping it'll be the perfect opportunity to get rid of him for good.
