Episode Summary
In this episode, a drunken He Yan confronts Xiao Jue about not being selected for the Jiuqi Camp, correctly guessing his true motive is to root out a spy. Her would-be assassin, Ding Yi, reappears with an invitation to a banquet, forcing Xiao Jue to devise a plan. He has He Yan impersonate the cowardly Cheng Lisu to attend the event in Yezhou. Upon arrival, He Yan immediately tries to sneak out on her own mission, only to be secretly observed by a suspicious Xiao Jue.
Spoiler Alert
Despite winning the flag-capturing competition, He Yan is passed over for a spot in the elite Jiuqi Camp in favor of Lei Hou. This injustice leaves everyone else baffled, but He Yan, after a few drinks, has a moment of clarity. The moves she saw from Lei Hou earlier trigger a memory, and she realizes there's more to Xiao Jue's decision than meets the eye.
Drunk and emboldened, she storms into Xiao Jue's tent, calling him by his full name. Though intoxicated, she's careful not to reveal her true identity. She confronts him, demanding to know why she wasn't chosen. He Yan gets close to Xiao Jue, admitting that she understands his true motive: he suspects a spy in the camp and his repeated tests were to confirm that she was not the one. Outside, Lei Hou listens in, worried she might expose something crucial. In a moment of panic, Xiao Jue almost covers her mouth to silence her. Still drunk, He Yan grabs his precious Qinglang Sword, declaring she'll perform for him, but instead clumsily slices his zither in half. She then clings to his waist, refusing to let go and bombarding him with questions.
The next morning, He Yan wakes up with a massive hangover and deep regret, horrified as she recalls her actions. For a terrifying moment, she even thinks she might have accidentally revealed that she's a woman.
Later, a man named Ding Yi arrives, claiming to be a messenger from Sun Xiangfu, the magistrate of Yezhou, with an invitation for Xiao Jue. He Yan instantly recognizes Ding Yi. During her near-fatal encounter on the cliff, she had felt her attacker's hand and noted a severed left pinky finger. This is the man who tried to kill her. She also knows that despite his claims, Ding Yi is connected to the He family, her treacherous former clan.
The invitation is for a banquet and specifically includes Cheng Lisu. This alarms Cheng Lisu, as the magistrate's wife is the very person who arranged a marriage for him. He fears the banquet is a trap to force him back to the capital to be wed. He begs Xiao Jue for help, but is ignored. Meanwhile, Xiao Jue's aide, Fei Nu, reports that the rumors in Que City may be linked to a man named Chu Zhao, and they should be cautious of him in Yezhou.
Since Cheng Lisu has no fighting skills, Xiao Jue makes a bold decision: He Yan will impersonate Cheng Lisu and accompany him to Yezhou. On the day of departure, He Yan appears in fine clothes, fully prepared for the role. She expects praise from Xiao Jue for her dashing appearance, but he only remarks that she's shorter than the real Cheng Lisu.
He Yan, Xiao Jue, and Fei Nu travel to Yezhou but stay at an inn instead of the magistrate's residence. He Yan orders a feast, and Xiao Jue allows it, but warns her not to waste a single bite. After stuffing herself, she loudly announces she's going to bed, making sure the men in the next room hear her. Then, she secretly slips out. Meanwhile, Xiao Jue has already dispatched Fei Nu to infiltrate the Sun residence and investigate their account books, hoping to uncover the truth about a reported military grain shortage.
He Yan, believing her escape was flawless, confidently strolls through the crowded streets. She is completely unaware that Xiao Jue and Fei Nu are watching her every move from a balcony above.
