Episode Summary
Sima Jiao, suffering from amnesia, questions Liao Tingyan's identity but accepts her story that they were a demon couple. Liao Tingyan foils the Marquis of Nanyan's plans by faking an assassination to get a confession, then secretly builds a canal overnight with magic to boost Sima Jiao's reputation. Sima Jiao proposes making her empress, which pushes the desperate Marquis to ally with the Centipede leader, who then frames Liao Tingyan for a murder in her own home.
Spoiler Alert
Sima Jiao's Memory Problem
The episode kicks off with Sima Jiao confronting Liao Tingyan. He noticed her shoulder wound healed way too fast for a normal person. Since his memory is shot, he gets straight to the point. He asks if she's a spy sent by his enemies.
Liao Tingyan has to think on her feet. She knows he's forgotten their entire history. So, she tells him a story. She says they were a demon couple years ago. They just had a little misunderstanding, that's all. She promises that he'll eventually remember her. Sima Jiao seems satisfied with this. He even recalls his mother telling him that Liao Tingyan might be his destiny. It looks like he's buying it for now.
The Marquis Cleans House
The Marquis of Nanyan is in a full-blown panic. He heard that the emperor captured Wei Xianyu. He's terrified that Wei Xianyu will expose him. So, he sends a secret message to a mysterious "Demon Lord." This Demon Lord then shows up in the prison and kills Wei Xianyu. The Marquis is pleased with the result. He's starting to see this Demon Lord as a useful and powerful ally.
Liao Tingyan's Counter-Play
Liao Tingyan knows the Marquis is a major threat to Sima Jiao. She decides to handle it herself. She gets Nian Jiu to shapeshift into Wei Xianyu's form. Then, she stages a fake attack on this "Wei Xianyu" in the prison. The real Wei Xianyu, who apparently wasn't killed after all, sees this and finally understands the Marquis's treachery. He spills everything. He lists all the crimes the Marquis committed against Sima Jiao.
Liao Tingyan writes down this confession and gives it to the emperor. He is stunned by the letter. Sima Jiao figures Liao Tingyan must know where the real Wei Xianyu is hiding. He rushes to her room to ask, but she's gone. He decides to wait for her all night. He even tells her maids not to let anyone know she's missing.
A Disappearance and a Jealous Fit
So, where was Liao Tingyan? She was out with Hong Luo, doing some recon. They were checking out the defenses of the Hu Kingdom. They find a strange mansion protected by a magical barrier. This place seems to be the same spot the Centipede Clan is interested in. A big ancestral ceremony for Sima Jiao is supposed to happen there soon. Liao Tingyan suspects the Centipede Clan is planning to make a move during the ceremony. She tells Hong Luo to dig up any information on their plans.
When she finally gets back, Sima Jiao has been waiting all night. He runs into the Marquis of Nanyan's arrogant daughter, Noble Lady Sixian, who is bullying one of Liao Tingyan's maids. Sima Jiao steps in to stop her. But right when Liao Tingyan walks in, he changes his tune. Annoyed that she was gone all night, he grabs Sixian’s hand and pretends to be affectionate, trying to make Liao Tingyan jealous.
Politics and Magic
The court is a mess. The old king is dead, and there are floods in the northwest. The Marquis of Nanyan decides to cause more trouble by proposing a massive canal project. His supporters in court back him up, and Sima Jiao has to agree to it.
Building a canal the normal way would take forever. Liao Tingyan has a better idea. She tells Hong Luo and Chi Anhe to use their powers to build the entire canal overnight. The next morning, the court is in shock. The canal is finished, looking like it was built by gods. Sima Jiao immediately thinks of Liao Tingyan. He remembers her calling herself a fairy and realizes this must be her doing.
Riding this wave of good fortune, Sima Jiao proposes making Liao Tingyan his empress. The Marquis tries to object, but the other officials are so impressed they all support the idea.
A Bloody Cliffhanger
The Marquis is now truly desperate. His daughter is out of favor, and Sima Jiao is closing in on him. He goes to the Centipede leader for help. She tells him she needs the blood of a hundred young boys and girls to feed her power. She claims she can use them to create a drought. The Marquis is hesitant. So, the Centipede decides to frame Liao Tingyan to force his hand.
The episode ends in Liao Tingyan's residence. A maid has been murdered. The servants are in chaos. Liao Tingyan wakes up to find her hands covered in blood. She cries out, fearing the demonic energy inside her has taken over and killed someone.
