Episode Summary
Pei Jiya and Mei Zhuyu's rivalry comes to a head, with Mei Zhuyu discovering Pei Jiya's suspicious activities. Wu Zhen sends the Wordless Book on a mission to the Demon Prison, which triggers his memories of a dark past. In the palace, Wu Zhen saves the spirit of a dying tree for a princess. Finally, Wu Zhen's father tries to test her affections by getting both suitors drunk, leading to a cliffhanger moment between her and Mei Zhuyu.
Spoiler Alert
The Confrontation You've Been Waiting For
A Not-So-Friendly Chat
The episode kicks off with Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu walking together. She's worried his extended stay at her family's mansion is going to give her father, the Duke of Yu, the wrong idea. Before Mei Zhuyu can really answer, Pei Jiya pops up. He claims he was just waiting for her because it was getting late. Sure, Jan.
Things get weird when Pei Jiya stumbles. Wu Zhen catches him, and for a split second, Mei Zhuyu sees something dark and unsettling. It's a black mist swirling in Pei Jiya's right eye. You and I both know that's not normal.
Once Wu Zhen is inside, the two guys have a tense face-off. Pei Jiya gets all sentimental, reminding Mei Zhuyu that he once gave his blessing for Pei Jiya and Wu Zhen to be together.He boasts that he's the only one who has truly cared for her for over a decade.Mei Zhuyu is completely unfazed. He basically says that if their feelings are real, it'll work out. But he also knows people can lie to themselves. The real zinger? Mei Zhuyu found Pei Jiya's name in the ink workshop's account books. That hits a nerve. Pei Jiya now officially wants him gone.
The Creepy Incense Maker
Later, after Wu Zhen and her father are called to the palace, Mei Zhuyu does some spying. He peeks in on Pei Jiya and sees him doing something super sketchy. He's making incense with bird feathers and smearing blood on his right eye. When Pei Jiya realizes he's being watched, he stops. Mei Zhuyu confronts him, accusing him of causing all the chaos in Chang'an.Pei Jiya denies everything. Mei Zhuyu leaves him with a warning. He says that people who walk in the dark eventually get swallowed by it.
Missions and Memories
A Trip to the Demon Prison
Wu Zhen heads to the Demon Market with a special task. She gives a block of ink to the Wordless Book and tells him to fetch something from the Demon Prison. Ling Xiao sniffs the ink and recognizes it as Qilin Horn Glue, which is supposed to be long-lost.
The Wordless Book takes the ink to the prison. He gets Elder Bai to guide him deep inside to Xuanhui's old cell. There, he picks up an ancient mirror. On their way out, they pass a special cell that suppresses demonic power. Elder Bai mentions it was built 18 years ago for the "Evil Spirit Infant." The former Cat Duke supposedly killed this infant, who had boasted about becoming the supreme god of the demon world.
This hits home for the Wordless Book. We learn he was once a general for that same Evil Spirit Infant. He was the one who carried out the order to burn Chang'an. He thinks about how much has changed. Now, Wu Zhen means more to him than his own life.
A Test and a Choice
The Dying Tea Tree
So, why were Wu Zhen and the Duke summoned to the palace? Princess Yuanzhen's most prized white tea tree has died for no reason. The Empress and Emperor have already ordered it to be cut down, and the princess is heartbroken.
Wu Zhen talks to the princess alone. Yuanzhen tells her a story from her childhood. She got lost on a trip and this very tea tree protected her from wild animals. That's why she had it moved to the palace. Wu Zhen understands the tree sacrificed itself to protect its owner. She uses her powers to seal the tree's spirit into a beautiful jade hairpin. The princess finally smiles again.
The Duke's Plan
The Empress is still set on getting Wu Zhen married.Her father, the Duke, thinks Pei Jiya is a solid, reliable choice. But the Empress can tell Wu Zhen's heart isn't with him. So, she suggests the Duke set up a little test.
The Duke invites both Mei Zhuyu and Pei Jiya for drinks. He gets them both pretty drunk.The idea is to see who Wu Zhen helps first.Wu Zhen, who is nobody's fool, sees right through this. She makes a big show of helping Pei Jiya back to his room.She's all smiles and gentleness, but the second her back is turned, her face goes cold.
Mei Zhuyu, left alone at the table, sees this and thinks she's made her choice. He looks genuinely hurt.He starts drinking by himself. Just as he's lost in his thoughts, Wu Zhen suddenly appears right in front of him.
