Episode Summary
He Yan follows a target into a brothel, where she is forced to perform a sword dance and is recognized by both Chu Zhao and a disguised Xiao Jue. She then rescues Song Taotao, a young woman who, in a twist of fate, turns out to be her former arranged fiancée. When a local tyrant's son comes to reclaim Song Taotao, Xiao Jue intervenes, saving them. The episode ends with the reveal of Chu Zhao's high-ranking official status as he invites them to a banquet.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with a chain of surveillance: He Yan is secretly tailing Ding Yi, only to be tailed herself by the ever-watchful Xiao Jue. Highly alert, He Yan quickly senses Xiao Jue's presence. When Ding Yi enters the Wanhua Pavilion, a well-known brothel, He Yan sees an opportunity. Knowing Xiao Jue's proud and righteous nature, she believes he would never set foot in such a place, allowing her to finally shake him off. Inside, she is unexpectedly recognized by Chu Zhao and his maid, Ying Xiang, who remember her from her time disguised as a fortune-teller in Que City, though they don't suspect her true identity yet.
To continue her pursuit of Ding Yi, who has taken several dancers into a private room, He Yan disguises herself as one of them, complete with a veil. However, her plan is thwarted when the madam of the house intercepts her and pushes her onto the stage to perform and placate the rowdy guests. With no other choice, He Yan performs a sword dance. Her impressive skills earn cheers from the soldier patrons. From a distance, Chu Zhao watches and quickly realizes that the "fortune-teller" he met is actually a woman disguised as a man.
Just as He Yan is getting into the rhythm of her dance, she is shocked to see Xiao Jue walk into the pavilion. The surprise causes her to falter, but Chu Zhao smoothly comes to her aid by playing his flute, providing a melody that helps her regain her composure and finish the dance beautifully. Afterward, Xiao Jue approaches and presents her with a flower. He Yan thinks her disguise has fooled him, but in reality, Xiao Jue has seen through it all and is simply amused by her audacity.
After changing back into her male attire, He Yan witnesses a commotion where a prostitute is being restrained by the madam's orders, awaiting men sent by a "Master Sun." Shortly after, He Yan intervenes to save a young woman named Song Taotao who was being abducted. Song Taotao explains that she was fleeing an arranged marriage and was passing through Yezhou City when she caught the eye of Master Sun. He tried to forcibly keep her, but she managed to escape after stabbing him in the arm.
The name Song Taotao sounds familiar to He Yan. She recalls that her father had once arranged a marriage for her with the daughter of the head of the Imperial Medical Office, a girl named Song Taotao. Realizing this woman is her would-be fiancée, He Yan feels a sense of destiny in their meeting. Knowing that Master Sun's family is powerful in Yezhou, He Yan helps Song Taotao disguise herself as a man and hides her in an inn. However, they are soon found by Sun Ling, the son of Sun Chuanfu.
He Yan introduces herself by her current alias, Cheng Lisu, which surprises Song Taotao. The arrogant Sun Ling refuses to believe that Cheng Lisu's uncle is the famed General Fengyun, Xiao Jue. At that critical moment, Xiao Jue and his subordinate Fei Nu arrive and subdue Sun Ling. His father, Sun Chuanfu, rushes in, immediately recognizes Xiao Jue, and forces his son to kneel and beg for forgiveness.
Xiao Jue leaves the matter of Song Taotao in He Yan's hands. It is then that Song Taotao reveals the full story: she was engaged to Cheng Lisu. When he ran away to the Yezhou Garrison to escape the marriage, she followed him to Yezhou to find him. Knowing that the real Cheng Lisu is famously weak and unskilled, she immediately recognized that He Yan was an imposter. The situation is further complicated by rumors that Sun Ling is behind the frequent disappearances of young women in the city, a crime the locals are too afraid to report due to the Sun family's influence.
The episode concludes with the revelation of Chu Zhao's true identity: he is the Ministry of War's Patrol Inspector, sent to Yezhou. He has Sun Chuanfu arrange a banquet and formally invites He Yan (as Cheng Lisu) and Xiao Jue, leaving He Yan stunned to learn his official position.
