Episode Summary
In Episode 22, Zichuan Xiu and Liu Fengshuang find a rare herb and part ways, acknowledging they will be future adversaries. Xiu then proposes a unified currency to strengthen his domain. In the capital, Ma Wei is imprisoned and confesses his love to Zichuan Ning. His trial is a sham orchestrated by Chieftain Canxing; evidence is destroyed, Ma Wei is freed, and another official is framed. This master plan allows Canxing to promote his secret agent, Ma Wei, while successfully breaking the alliance between his rivals, Di Lin and Luo Minghai. Elsewhere, Kadan and Yun Qianxue scheme to hide the true timing of her pregnancy from the Divine Emperor's envoys.
Spoiler Alert
A Parting of Ways and an Unspoken Bond
In the wilderness, Zichuan Xiu and Liu Fengshuang’s search for a rare medicinal herb, guided by a map carved into a tree, initially proves fruitless. As Xiu diligently digs, Liu Fengshuang watches him with a satisfied smile. Their frustration turns to joy when Xiu finally unearths the elusive plant.
The success marks a bittersweet moment, as both know their time together is ending. The pretense between them drops. Liu Fengshuang reveals she knows his real identity is not "Zhang Asan," and Xiu admits he is aware she is the renowned general of the Liu Feng family.
Meanwhile, Zichuan Xiu continues to unite the disparate groups in his territory. When a dispute breaks out over the inconsistent values used for trade in a gambling den set up by Pang Xiya, Xiu steps in with a revolutionary proposal. He introduces diamonds as a unified currency, a move designed to break the economic stranglehold of the Northern Tribe.
A Dangerous Secret in the Palace
As Kadan’s delivery date approaches, the Divine Emperor sends a host of physicians and maids to attend to her. This creates a perilous situation for Kadan and Yun Qianxue, as the baby’s premature term would expose their secret. They conspire to frame the medical staff for incompetence, forcing them to be dismissed.
Worried for Kadan's well-being, the Divine Emperor dispatches the formidable Heisha (Black Veil) to investigate. Heisha insists on taking Kadan's pulse, but Yun Qianxue cleverly deflects her. He lies, claiming they sent the physicians away out of fear that Kalan and Kadun would use them to harm the baby. Heisha appears to accept this explanation, understanding the need for caution, but warns Yun Qianxue that Kadan's safety must remain the absolute priority.
The Mastermind Behind the Capital's Chaos
In the capital, the political machinations reach a fever pitch. Ma Wei, imprisoned and on a hunger strike, is visited by Zichuan Ning. He is visibly moved by her presence but urges her to leave the dungeon, a place unfit for her. He bitterly declares himself a political sacrifice—a scapegoat for the Three Ministries Platform, just as she was used as a figurehead to appease the refugees. Zichuan Ning presses him, asking if he is truly responsible for the crimes he's accused of. Ma Wei avoids a direct answer, expressing his desire to protect her from the fallout.
In a moment of raw vulnerability, Ma Wei confesses his love for Zichuan Ning, admitting she has been etched into his heart and that he fears he may never have another chance to tell her. Zichuan Ning promises that if he is innocent, the truth will absolve him. But Ma Wei is despondent, convinced that with the Supervisory Office holding him and the Three Ministries abandoning him, his fate is sealed. Zichuan Ning’s final words to him are a command: his only duty now is to survive until his name is cleared.
Zichuan Ning intends to plead Ma Wei’s case to the Chieftain, Zichuan Canxing, but is stopped by her aide, Li Qing.Meanwhile, believing Zichuan Ning has given up, the Three Ministries Platform moves to cut their losses, officially recommending the death penalty for Ma Wei.
Unbeknownst to them, Luo Minghai has already uncovered a secret chamber in Ma Wei's home filled with evidence that could incriminate the Three Ministries. He prepares to deliver this proof to Di Lin, but he is suddenly summoned by Chieftain Canxing.
At Ma Wei's public trial, the plot takes another sharp turn. The crucial evidence against the Three Ministries has been mysteriously destroyed by a fire. Ma Wei publicly accuses Di Lin of framing him. With no evidence, Di Lin is forced to release him by law. However, instead of accepting his freedom quietly, Ma Wei declares that while he is innocent of the primary charges, the corruption investigation was not baseless. He points the finger at another official, Censor Xiao, demanding that the famously just Di Lin investigate this new lead.
With Ma Wei freed, Zichuan Ning leaves the proceedings. Later, Ma Wei is seen celebrating with his brother, Ma Qin. The truth is finally revealed in a flashback: Ma Wei had secretly pledged his allegiance to Chieftain Canxing long ago.The entire affair was a master plan orchestrated by Canxing. He saved Ma Wei, sacrificed Censor Xiao, and was able to promote Ma Wei into a position of power, all while rewarding Di Lin for his "diligence."
Li Qing later explains the brilliant and ruthless strategy to Si Yilin as she tends to his wounds. Canxing achieved two goals at once: he shattered the burgeoning alliance between Di Lin and Luo Minghai while simultaneously dismantling parts of the Three Ministries and inserting his own agent, Ma Wei, into their ranks. She warns a sobered Si Yilin that they must be more cautious than ever.
In the final scene, Di Lin’s subordinate apologizes for failing to protect the evidence. Di Lin, however, is not angry. He calmly states, "Without destruction, there can be no creation," revealing that he understands he was merely a pawn in a much larger game orchestrated by the Chieftain.
