Episode Summary
Jiang Taohua discovers a clue implicating Mu Wuyin in the murder and secretly passes it to Shen Zaiye. As Shen Zaiye gets approval to reopen the case, the true story of Mu Wuhen's accidental death at the hands of Meng Huairui is revealed. To save a poisoned Jiang Taohua, Shen Zaiye is forced into a deal with Meng Zhenzhen, agreeing to spare the Meng family in exchange for the antidote and the real culprit. A final clue from Taohua's shoe print gives Shen Zaiye a new lead, connecting Mu Wuyin's entire household to the crime scene.
Spoiler Alert
The Princess's Gambit: Episode 26 Spoilers
Returning to her quarters, Jiang Taohua reflects on Mu Wuyin's nervous reaction when the broken jade was mentioned. Suspecting his involvement, she seizes an opportunity when he leaves his room. She slips back inside and discovers a jade pendant with a missing piece that perfectly matches the fragment found at the crime scene. Just as she finds it, a servant, hearing a noise, comes to investigate. Mu Wuyin, emerging from a hidden chamber and fearing discovery, quickly appears and dismisses the servant, allowing Jiang Taohua to escape unnoticed. Back in her room, she sketches the pattern on the jade pendant and has her loyal attendant, Qingtai, deliver it to Shen Zaiye via a thrown dart.
As Shen Zaiye examines the drawing, Xiang Qingying points out that the pattern looks less like a design and more like written characters. Shen Zaiye immediately realizes these are the leaked exam questions. He arranges a secret meeting with the King of Qi, presenting his theory that Mu Wuhen was the one who leaked the questions and was not, in fact, murdered by Mu Wuxia. He requests permission to investigate the case to clear Mu Wuxia's name, which the King grants.
Shen Zaiye later finds Qingtai, confirming she sent the dart. He asks her to pass his thanks to Jiang Taohua, along with an admission of his past faults. Qingtai relays the message, adding Shen Zaiye's warning for Taohua to stay away from the investigation for her own safety. Qingtai also reveals a critical truth: during the cliff incident, Shen Zaiye was trying to save her, and the fall was an accident. Jiang Taohua confesses to Qingtai that her memory has returned. She acknowledges that while she and Shen Zaiye have feelings for each other, their opposing allegiances make a future together impossible, and it's best for them to remain apart for now.
Jiang Taohua then urges Qingtai to leave the Daqi Kingdom and find Jiang Changjue. Qingtai, however, tearfully recounts how she first met Taohua; her master had brought her to the palace specifically to be Taohua's protector, a bond that was sealed when a young, unknowing Taohua offered her a piece of candy. Despite her loyalty, Qingtai vows to find Jiang Changjue. Taohua bids her a sorrowful farewell, instructing her not to tell Shen Zaiye about her mission. Qingtai informs Shen Zaiye she is returning to Beiyuan, as Taohua has granted her freedom. Understanding this is Taohua's way of severing all ties, Shen Zaiye offers his own man, Zhan Lu, his freedom as well, but Zhan Lu chooses to stay.
To clear Jiang Taohua's name, Shen Zaiye strategically spreads rumors that he is rounding up all the jade artisans, planning to announce that the culprit was found among them. Unwilling to let Shen Zaiye exonerate Mu Wuxia, Mu Wuyin orders Jiang Taohua to get close to Shen Zaiye and monitor the progress of his investigation.
Meanwhile, a panicked Meng Huairui attempts to flee but is captured by Meng Zhenzhen. Under her interrogation, he confesses the truth about Mu Wuhen's death. He had gone to buy the exam questions, but Mu Wuhen insulted him. Meng Huairui threatened to expose the scheme, leading to a fight. In the struggle, Meng Huairui pushed Mu Wuhen, who fell, fatally striking his head on the corner of a table. With Meng Huairui's mother as a hostage, Meng Zhenzhen coaches him on the story he must tell Shen Zaiye.
Shen Zaiye and Jiang Taohua's investigation leads them to the Meng family and implicates Meng Huairui. At that critical moment, the poison in Jiang Taohua's system flares up, and Shen Zaiye rushes her away for treatment. Seizing the moment, Meng Zhenzhen meets with Mu Wuyin, and they agree to sacrifice Meng Huairui. Their plan is to use Jiang Taohua's life as leverage to force Shen Zaiye to spare the rest of the Meng family.
Meng Zhenzhen confronts Shen Zaiye with the remaining antidote pills. She offers them, along with Meng Huairui, in exchange for a promise not to pursue the Meng family. Shen Zaiye demands the permanent cure, but she claims not to have it. They strike a deal: Shen Zaiye will spare the family, but Meng Huairui must be handed over alive and imprisoned in the notorious Prison.
Jiang Taohua overhears the entire transaction, her heart aching as she realizes the lengths Shen Zaiye is willing to go for her. After taking the antidote, she recovers and prepares to return to Mu Wuyin's residence. As she leaves, Shen Zaiye notices her shoes have left a faint peach blossom-shaped imprint on the floor—the very same mark he saw on the windowsill at the crime scene. He deduces that everyone in Mu Wuyin's household must wear shoes with the same design.
