Episode Summary
In this episode, the crimes of Sun Chuanfu and Sun Ling are brutally exposed. Xiao Jue, with help from He Yan and a manipulative Chu Zhao, corners the Suns by revealing they murdered numerous women and hid their bodies in Buddhist statues. While the confrontation occurs, Chu Zhao's subordinate, Ying Xiang, successfully steals the real account books, outsmarting Fei Nu. Sun Chuanfu is assassinated on Chu Zhao's orders before he can confess. In the end, He Yan reveals her female identity to Chu Zhao, who promises to keep her secret.
Spoiler Alert
The situation in Yezhou reaches its boiling point as He Yan becomes determined to bring justice to the women murdered by Sun Ling and Sun Chuanfu. While the calculating Chu Zhao watches from the sidelines, hoping to profit from the chaos, he correctly assumes that Xiao Jue won't ignore the situation for long. However, Xiao Jue initially clashes with He Yan, insisting that securing military provisions is the top priority and that she should not meddle in his affairs.
Undeterred, He Yan decides to take matters into her own hands. Her resolve is strengthened when she wakes to find medicine left for her by Xiao Jue. As she begins her own investigation, she crosses paths with Fei Nu, who is also secretly gathering information on the missing women. Meanwhile, Xiao Jue connects past events, suspecting that He Rufei's deliberate tardiness at the Battle of Mingshui was a pledge of allegiance to Xu Jingfu, whom He Rufei has been trying to curry favor with in the capital.
At a banquet, Xiao Jue and Chu Zhao corner Sun Chuanfu, demanding he produce the city's tax books. Panicked, Sun Chuanfu has no choice but to agree. Later, He Yan confesses to Xiao Jue that she had only been pretending to be blind to frighten the Sun father and son, hoping to aid his cause.
The plan to expose the Suns unfolds on multiple fronts. Ying Xiang, working for Chu Zhao, hides in a secret chamber and witnesses Sun Chuanfu accessing a hidden cabinet containing the incriminating ledgers. However, she reports to Chu Zhao that guards posted outside Sun Ling's bedroom make it impossible to retrieve the books without being detected. Chu Zhao remains confident, knowing Xiao Jue's presence will create the necessary diversion.
Xiao Jue gathers Yezhou's wealthiest merchants at the Sun Residence. Initially, they are too terrified to speak against the Suns. Xiao Jue then leads them to a Buddhist hall, revealing a horrific sight: the bodies of many missing women, including the merchants' own daughters, have been sealed inside the Buddha statues. Overcome with grief, the merchants are ready to turn on their oppressors. Sun Chuanfu and his son deny everything until Fei Nu arrives with Song Taotao, who testifies that Sun Ling abducted her.
As the Suns continue to deny the charges, He Yan suggests summoning the artisans who crafted the statues. Cornered, Sun Chuanfu whistles for his guards, but it is Xiao Jue's men who arrive. In the chaos, Ying Xiang seizes the opportunity to steal the ledgers. She is intercepted by a masked Fei Nu, but in a quick-witted move, she swaps the real account books with fakes and escapes. Just as Sun Chuanfu is about to confess, he is silenced by an assassin. Xiao Jue immediately understands that Chu Zhao is behind the murder.
With the Sun family's reign of terror over, the grateful citizens of Yezhou raise the necessary military funds for Xiao Jue's guard. He orders the unidentified victims to be buried with dignity at a place called Chengfeng.
Before departing Yezhou, He Yan answers Chu Zhao's questions by revealing her true identity. In front of Xiao Jue, Chu Zhao whispers to He Yan, assuring her he knows she is a woman and will protect her secret. The episode concludes on a lighter note as Xiao Jue and He Yan return to the Yezhou Guard with Song Taotao, who playfully chases Cheng Lisu after he calls her a "poison girl."
