Episode Summary
The Emperor attempts to create a rift between He Yan and Xiao Jue by rewarding her and punishing him. It's revealed that General He Rufei conspired with the enemy, sacrificing seven renowned generals for a staged victory at Huayuan. Devastated and enraged by this betrayal, and with Xiao Jue summoned to the capital, He Yan decides to ride to the besieged city of Rundu herself to aid the last surviving general.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with the arrival of General Yan He, an old classmate of Xiao Jue from their time at Xianchang Hall. While they both studied there, Xiao Jue was always the top student, leaving Yan He perpetually in second place. He Yan immediately recognizes him. An imperial decree, delivered by Chu Zhao, rewards He Yan for her contributions, bestowing upon her the title of Wu'an Lang. In stark contrast, Xiao Jue's merits are overlooked; instead, he is punished with twenty strikes from a military rod for leaving his post without permission. He Yan instantly sees this for what it is: a calculated move by the Emperor to drive a wedge between her and Xiao Jue.
Yan He carries out the punishment, leaving Xiao Jue severely wounded. Chu Zhao later admits to He Yan that he petitioned the Emperor for her reward. He justifies Xiao Jue's punishment by stating that as a commander, he must be an example, and his unauthorized departure from the Yezhou Guard warrants the penalty. Chu Zhao also explains that He Yan was spared punishment for the same offense because the Prime Minister spoke on her behalf. The twenty strikes are no small matter, and with Yan He's strength, Xiao Jue is left with deep, bleeding wounds. Cheng Lisu quickly tends to him, applying medicine externally and preparing a tonic for him to drink.
Consumed by guilt, He Yan lingers outside Xiao Jue's tent, wanting to check on him but not daring to go inside. Meanwhile, new intelligence comes to light. Shen Han reports to Xiao Jue that their agent, Fei Nu, discovered that Xu Jingfu grew close to He Rufei after the Battle of Mingshui. More critically, before that battle, Xu Jingfu had visited Yuhua Temple to meet with the eldest daughter of the He family—He Rufei's sister, the original He Yan. The investigation also found that Chu Zhao had met with Chai Anxi in Que City, but found no evidence linking him to the Battle of Mingshui.
Seeking to recruit her, Chu Zhao finds He Yan and warns her that many in the imperial court are wary of Xiao Jue, whose future is perilous. He extends an invitation for her to join his forces and build a new future, but she firmly rejects his offer. Soon after, news arrives of a great victory in the Battle of Huayuan. The celebration is short-lived, however, as it comes at a terrible cost: all seven of the great generals leading the charge have been killed. Xiao Jue is immediately suspicious, convinced that the famed "Eight Tigers" of the Fuyue Army could not have been defeated so easily and that a dark secret lies behind the victory.
His suspicions are correct. It is revealed that He Rufei colluded with the enemy state, Wutuo. He met with the Wutuo Prime Minister, Maningbu, and made a treacherous deal: in exchange for a victory at Huayuan that would secure his reputation, he would sacrifice the "Eight Tigers" and provide a military defense map of Rundu. When He Yan learns from Wang Ba and others that the seven generals are dead, she is overcome with rage and grief, venting her fury in the training yard. Xiao Jue finds her, calms her down, and gently treats the wounds on her hands.
Before they can finish their conversation, a messenger from the Emperor arrives, summoning Xiao Jue to the secondary capital for an immediate audience. In a lighter moment, Song Taotao denies that she's thinking about any men, but Cheng Lisu candidly admits he's thinking about a girl, his words making it clear he means her, which brings a shy, bright smile to her face.
At Chengan Hall in the imperial palace, the Emperor and Xiao Jue play a game of chess. The Emperor, a wise ruler, acknowledges Xiao Jue's merits in defending the city and wishes to compensate him. Xiao Jue humbly states he has one request, which is heavily implied to concern He Yan and her true identity. He Rufei, eager to be rewarded for his "victory," rushes to the palace but is forced to wait outside in the cold all night, as the Emperor has given orders not to be disturbed during his game with Xiao Jue.
The next morning, Xiao Jue leaves the hall, exchanging sharp, sarcastic remarks with He Rufei as they pass, with Xiao Jue clearly gaining the upper hand. The Emperor refuses to see He Rufei, who returns in failure. Back at the Yezhou Guard, He Yan realizes that with Rundu in peril, the treacherous He Rufei will not send aid. Only one of the "Eight Tigers," Li Kuang, remains to defend the city. Determined not to let Li Kuang fight alone or to let Rundu fall into Wutuo's hands, He Yan makes a bold decision. She leaves a note for Xiao Jue, takes the Qinglang Sword, and rides off towards Rundu alone.
