Episode Summary
In Episode 7, Li Shande's dedication is tested when a flower basket he makes for his daughter Xiu'er leads to a violent conflict at her embroidery workshop. He simultaneously discovers double-walled urns, a potential solution for preserving the litchis. Meanwhile, political pressure mounts on Zheng Ping'an, who falls ill as he is ordered to secure an allegiance letter from He Youguang before a rival envoy arrives. This stress causes a rift between him and Li Shande. The local merchant guild is thrown into turmoil by a dispute between Su Liang and A Mi Ta, who are both vying for power and influence with He Youguang. The episode culminates with Zheng Ping'an desperately seeking He Youguang at a high-stakes cockfighting match after learning the allegiance letter has been destroyed.
Spoiler Alert
The Litchi Road: Episode 7 Recap & Spoilers
A father's devotion is tested, a friendship begins to fracture under immense pressure, and a desperate search for a solution unearths new political rivalries. Episode 7 dives deep into the personal and political turmoil surrounding the impossible litchi mission.
The episode opens with a tender moment as Li Shande takes his daughter, Xiu'er, to begin her apprenticeship at an Embroidery Workshop. The workshop is holding a flower-basket weaving competition, and Li Shande, ever the dedicated father, stays to learn the craft alongside her. Unwilling to let Xiu'er exhaust herself, he insists she go to bed while he pulls an all-nighter to finish the basket for her.
The next day, Xiu'er proudly presents the basket at the workshop, only to be met with scorn and disbelief from her peers. They accuse her of cheating, claiming Li Shande must have bought it, and publicly humiliate her. Enraged, Xiu'er snatches her basket back. In the ensuing struggle, the basket is trampled and destroyed. A fierce brawl erupts, leaving Xiu'er with a bloodied face but an unbroken spirit. Watching her fierce defiance, Li Shande is torn between exasperation and amusement, his resolve to protect her stronger than ever. The incident not only showcases Xiu'er's resilient character but also lays the groundwork for a deeper emotional arc.
A Secret Mission on the Brink of Collapse
Meanwhile, the political chess match in the capital casts a long shadow over Lingnan. The Right Chancellor dispatches a new envoy to connect with Ma Guiyun. Yun Qing, the Left Chancellor's trusted aide, gets word of this and sends assassins to intercept the messenger. However, the envoy is a formidable fighter, repeatedly evading his pursuers and altering his route, drawing ever closer to Lingnan.
Feeling the pressure, Yun Qing sends an urgent message to Zheng Ping'an: secure He Youguang's letter of allegiance and return to Chang'an immediately, or his life is forfeit. The immense stress causes Zheng Ping'an to fall ill. When Li Shande visits, he mistakes the illness for simple heatstroke and opens a window to air out the room. Burdened by his secret mission and unable to confide in his friend, Zheng Ping'an misinterprets the gesture as Li Shande carelessly passing on bad luck. His frustration boils over, and he angrily shoos away his loyal dog, Gou'er.
A Breakthrough and a Brewing Storm
While at an apothecary, Li Shande has a stroke of genius. He discovers the existence of double-walled urns and realizes they could be the key to preserving the litchis for the long journey. He learns the urns are sourced from the foreign merchants.
His discovery coincides with a major dispute at the merchant guild. Su Liang, a prominent merchant, accuses A Mi Ta, the head of the foreign merchants' association, of stealing his valuable Storax incense. The argument escalates, with A Mi Ta vehemently denying the charge. She turns the tables, accusing Su Liang of colluding with the "Litchi Envoy" (Li Shande) and rallies the other members to have him expelled from the guild. Su Liang storms out in a rage.
Li Shande locates the warehouse containing the double-walled urns, but his efforts are thwarted by a belligerent Captain Yang. The captain deliberately inflates the price and begins smashing the fragile pottery. Left with no choice, Li Shande brandishes his official government papers and commandeers the urns, finally bringing the situation under control.
The Shifting Sands of Power in Lingnan
The conflict between the merchants is far from over. A Mi Ta, not wanting to escalate the situation further, arranges for Su Liang to retrieve his Storax, temporarily calming the waters. Later, when a manager named Hadi invites her to a banquet, she senses his ulterior motives but sees an opportunity to use his influence to solidify her own position.
Elsewhere, Su Liang hosts a dinner to thank Li Shande. Li Shande seizes the moment to pitch an investment in a litchi orchard, but Su Liang skillfully deflects the topic. A Mi Ta, meanwhile, meets with her powerful godfather, He Youguang. He reveals a stunning ambition: he plans to use the Military Fish Tally to mobilize the navy, crush the region's pirates, and effectively turn Lingnan into his personal fiefdom. A Mi Ta pledges her full support, but warns him to be wary of Su Liang. He Youguang reflects on the past, recalling how a devastating typhoon had ruined Su Liang years ago, forcing him into a long period of obscurity.
A Friendship Fractures
Li Shande returns to his quarters late at night, clutching one of the precious double-walled urns. Zheng Ping'an is waiting for him, furious. He berates Li Shande for his single-minded focus on the urns, accusing him of irresponsibly neglecting his supposed task of buying medicine. He cruelly invokes the memory of his deceased sister, blaming Li Shande for his recklessness.
Hurt and misunderstood, Li Shande can only state the simple truth: all he wants is to complete his mission and make it back alive to see his daughter, Xiu'er. Zheng Ping'an scoffs, telling him to give up on the impossible task of transporting fresh litchis to Chang'an.
The tension is amplified when Yun Qing sends another desperate message. His assassins have failed once again to eliminate the Right Chancellor's envoy. Zheng Ping'an must get the letter of allegiance from He Youguang, or it's over. His world crumbling, Zheng Ping'an learns from Zhao Xinmin that He Youguang has already torn up the letter. He races to the cockfighting ring to confront him, arriving just as He Youguang is in the middle of a high-stakes match with his prize rooster, "Red Light General," determined to claim the championship title.
The episode ends in the charged atmosphere of the cockfighting arena. Zheng Ping'an's desperate mission collides with He Youguang's public spectacle, a contest that is now about much more than just a prize—it's a nexus of political intrigue and shifting fates, leaving the future shrouded in suspense.
