Episode Summary
The "ghost" of the Cloud Sect is revealed to be a former disciple in a forbidden romance with her master, a situation Yang Qing helps resolve. Meanwhile, Yuan Yingxing's revival of the Sheng Yue Cult creates political waves, and Yao Fu's long-running deception as The Saintess is finally exposed. Wang Yue continues to stir up trouble but also finds himself at the center of key events, from solving mysteries to quelling dissent.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 17 of A Forbidden Marriage begins with Yang Qing and Wang Yue having a serious chat. Yang Qing has figured out that Lu Xuanxuan is probably at the Cloud Sect to cause some major trouble. He agrees to help Wang Yue find the mysterious item he's looking for, but only if Wang Yue promises not to go off the rails and create chaos.
Meanwhile, Yuan Yingxing finally locates Murong Xuan, who completely freaks out at the sight of him and makes a run for it. Yao Fu stops Yuan Yingxing from giving chase, worried it might be a trap. It turns out, she has her own agenda. We learn in a flashback that Yao Fu secretly met with Murong Xuan and lied to him, saying she was sent to "negotiate" with Yuan Yingxing as a cover for an ambush. She even tried to get him to hand over his sect's base, which he refused. This explains why he bolted, and Yao Fu cleverly uses the situation to suggest to Yuan Yingxing that maybe it's time to make peace.
Back at the Cloud Sect, a bored Wang Yue hears whispers about a ghost haunting the place. He decides to "investigate," though it's really an excuse to look for the Sun Blade. His search is cut short by Lu Xuanxuan. Annoyed, Wang Yue decides to get even by tampering with her medicinal herbs to make her look foolish. He hides, ready to enjoy the show, but the prank backfires spectacularly. Feng Xingyun arrives with a group, and he's the one who ends up embarrassed by the prank, not Lu Xuanxuan.
Elder Shen, noticing that the usually hyperactive Wang Yue is being far too quiet, correctly guesses he's the one behind the mischief. Lu Xuanxuan immediately starts blaming Wang Yue, but her complaining only irritates Feng Xingyun, who punishes her by sending her to the bamboo forest for night watch.
While on watch, Wang Yue is mumbling to himself that he's not afraid of anything—except for Yang Qing ignoring him. Just then, he sees a dark figure and follows it to Tianyi Pavilion. Right as he's about to sneak in, Yang Qing appears and stops him. At that exact moment, Elder Wang walks out, making Wang Yue suspect he's the so-called ghost.
The whole ghost mystery is finally put to rest when they follow Elder Wang to a woman—his former disciple. The two had fallen in love, but their forbidden master-student relationship got her expelled from the sect. To keep seeing him and prevent him from taking on new students, she started pretending to be a ghost. Seeing that they are clearly still in love, Yang Qing offers a solution: he'll give the woman a new identity, so they'll no longer be master and disciple and can finally be together.
On the political front, Yuan Yingxing is trying to revive the Sheng Yue Cult, but some disciples are hesitant without The Saintess there to give her blessing. Just as they're about to back out, Wang Yue makes a timely appearance and silences the doubters. When Feng Xingyun hears the cult is back, he calls a meeting of all the sect leaders, and Yang Qing seizes the opportunity to push for peace talks. The drama intensifies when Ling Yin shows up and exposes Yao Fu as a fake Saintess. Ling Yin drugs Yao Fu to get revenge on Wang Yue's behalf, but Yuan Yingxing steps in to protect Ling Yin.
Later, things cool down a bit. During sword practice, Yang Qing specifically calls out Wang Yue for a sparring session. That night at a bonfire, Wang Yue is busy debating with another disciple about which elder is better looking when Lu Xuanxuan interrupts with a warning, sparking yet another argument between the two rivals.
