Episode Summary
Rumors of the late Emperor's ghost appearing cause Zhuang Lu Yin to panic. To avoid blame, he, influenced by Yang Zhen and Chu Huai Ming, appoints Zang Hai to supervise the imperial tomb repairs, secretly intending for Zang Hai to be a human sacrifice. Zang Hai discovers the tomb is flooded due to negligent waterproofing after a river diversion, a fault of Chu Huai Ming who had embezzled funds. Zang Hai begins repairs and encounters Ji Qun, a friend of his late father, but doesn't reveal his identity. Meanwhile, Gao Ming, on Zang Hai's instruction, spooks Zhuang Lu Yin with a staged fortune-telling, making him believe a benefactor will appear. After the tomb repairs are completed, Chu Huai Ming announces that several artisans, including Ji Qun, will be sacrificed. He then declares Zang Hai has volunteered to be sacrificed for the Empress Dowager, and Zang Hai surprisingly agrees.
Spoiler Alert
Word on the street (or, you know, in the imperial court) is that the late Emperor's ghost is making an appearance. This has Zhuang Lu Yin sweating bullets because he just oversaw the late Emperor's burial alongside the Empress Dowager. Worried the current Emperor might hold him responsible for any spectral shenanigans, he calls in Yang Zhen and Chu Huai Ming for a little crisis management. Their brilliant idea? Get Zang Hai to supervise the imperial tomb repairs and put the late Emperor's coffin back where it belongs. They even spin this tale that Zang Hai’s "Bazi" (think astrological compatibility) is a perfect match for the deceased ruler. Zhuang Lu Yin, clearly not wanting any part of this potential mess, slaps Zang Hai with a new title – Imperial Bureau of Astronomy's Zuo Ling Tai Bo Shi – and tasks him with the job.
But Zang Hai isn't anyone's fool. He immediately clocks Yang Zhen and Chu Huai Ming's real game: they want him to be a human sacrifice, buried alive with the late Emperor. His loyal friend, Gao Ming, is understandably freaking out and offers to face the danger with him. Zang Hai, however, knows he's got a three-month grace period while the tomb repairs are underway. He just needs Gao Ming to handle three specific tasks for him in the meantime.
So, Zang Hai heads to the imperial tomb, where Chu Huai Ming is already waiting. Upon inspection, Zang Hai spots a serious water seepage issue. He remembers that the You River was rerouted about five years back, its new course running right past the tomb. Add a recent downpour to the mix, and you've got a flooded crypt, with the late Emperor's coffin literally floating and blocking the entrance once the waters receded.
Zang Hai doesn't miss a beat, pointing out that the lack of proper waterproofing after the river diversion is the culprit. He calls for immediate waterproofing measures. This, of course, highlights Chu Huai Ming's negligence, but Chu Huai Ming has no choice but to order the workers to follow Zang Hai's expert directions. During this, Zang Hai learns that an artisan from the Imperial Bureau of Astronomy, a man named Ji Qun, had actually noticed the rising groundwater earlier. Ji Qun had reported it to Chu Huai Ming, only to get an earful for his troubles. Here's a poignant moment: Zang Hai recognizes Ji Qun as a dear old friend of his late father, Kuai Duo. Ji Qun, however, has no idea who Zang Hai truly is. Driven, Zang Hai pushes himself and the workers, incorporating lime and other fireproofing and waterproofing materials into the repairs.
Now, for a bit of behind-the-scenes villainy: it turns out Chu Huai Ming and another official, Zhuang Zhi Fu, had embezzled the funds allocated for the tomb's waterproofing. So, Chu Huai Ming starts badmouthing Zang Hai to Zhuang Zhi Fu, urging him to find a way to get rid of Zang Hai before their corruption and shoddy work come to light.
Later that night, Zang Hai seeks out Ji Qun, curious about how a former official ended up as a mere artisan. Ji Qun reveals that after learning about the tragic massacre of his good friend Kuai Duo's entire family, he became utterly disillusioned with the dark underbelly of officialdom. Unwilling to be part of the corruption, he chose a life of obscurity. Zang Hai, despite the emotional connection, keeps his true identity a secret, not yet ready to reveal himself to his father's old friend.
Meanwhile, Gao Ming is on the first of his assignments from Zang Hai. He procures some horse urine (stay with me here) and, disguised as a blind fortune teller, splashes potent tiger urine right in the path of Zhuang Lu Yin's approaching carriage. As expected, the horses freak out at the scent of a predator and halt abruptly. Gao Ming seizes the moment, approaches the carriage, and dramatically declares that Zhuang Lu Yin is emanating an "evil aura." Qu Jiao, Zhuang Lu Yin's guard, immediately draws his sword, but Zhuang Lu Yin, ever cautious about escalating situations, stops him. Gao Ming loudly warns Zhuang Lu Yin to be extremely careful.
This encounter clearly rattles Zhuang Lu Yin, because he later summons Gao Ming to his home for a proper fortune-telling session. After a bit of intimidation from Zhuang Lu Yin's side, Gao Ming, cool as a cucumber, has him draw a fortune stick. Zhuang Lu Yin picks a real stinker – the unluckiest kind. Gao Ming launches into a grave explanation: Zhuang Lu Yin is facing serious trouble, and if he doesn't handle it carefully, his own children could suffer the consequences. Then, Gao Ming performs a little ritual with a brazier. Miraculously (or so it seems), the unlucky fortune stick tumbles out of the fire, now transformed into a moderately lucky one! Gao Ming congratulates Zhuang Lu Yin, predicting that a helpful benefactor will soon appear and boost his career. Qu Jiao, ever suspicious, meticulously inspects the sticks for any trickery but finds nothing. Gao Ming is allowed to leave, his mission apparently a success.
Back to the court drama: Zhuang Zhi Fu confesses to Zhuang Lu Yin about cutting corners on the tomb's waterproofing. Zhuang Lu Yin is, understandably, furious. Yang Zhen, ever the opportunist, uses this moment to further slander Zang Hai, suggesting that Zang Hai should be the one to be sacrificed. Zhuang Lu Yin, terrified of being implicated in the shoddy work and potential imperial wrath, gives Yang Zhen full authority to deal with Zang Hai.
Despite the plotting, Zang Hai and his crew manage to complete the tomb renovations right on schedule. The workers are celebrating with a well-deserved drink, though Zang Hai wisely cautions them against overindulging.
Just as the celebrations are underway, Chu Huai Ming crashes the party. He coldly announces that Ji Qun and seven other artisans are to be buried alive with the late Emperor as human sacrifices. He makes hollow promises to take care of their families. Then, in a stunning public declaration, Chu Huai Ming announces that Zang Hai has voluntarily offered himself as a human sacrifice for the Empress Dowager. And the kicker? Zang Hai agrees without a fight.
