Episode Summary
Mei Si discovers Liu Taizhen is a snake demon, but after his initial fear, he returns to care for her, and they grow closer. Meanwhile, Wu Zhen and the Wordless Book set a trap for Pei Jiya at the Lin'an River. They lure him into revealing his intentions by pretending Wu Zhen is in danger. When Mei Zhuyu rushes to save her, he's weakened by Pei Jiya's magic. The plan works when the Wordless Book reveals itself and easily defeats Pei Jiya, saving Wu Zhen and Mei Zhuyu.
Spoiler Alert
A Drunken Confession and a Shocking Reveal
Mei Zhuyu's Late-Night Honesty
This episode kicks off with Wu Zhen watching over a drunk Mei Zhuyu. He isn't a sad or angry drunk. He just clutches a wine jug like it's a teddy bear. It's kind of sweet. Later, Wu Zhen helps him back to his room. He's not totally out of it, though. He looks right at her and says she's like a fruit that fell from a tree.
This line hits Wu Zhen hard. It throws her back to the first time they ever met. Before she can really process it, Mei Zhuyu finally passes out in her arms.
Mei Si Finds Out the Truth
Mei Si travels alone to Luwei Mountain. He finds Liu Taizhen lying in bed, looking pale and weak. She just tells him to leave immediately. But he doesn't listen. He spots a snake tail slithering near the bed. This jogs his memory. He remembers the snake demon he ran into at the Liu Manor.
He realizes it's her. In a moment of pure panic, he rips the blanket off. He sees Liu Taizhen in her true snake form, coiled up on the bed. Mei Si does what any normal person would do. He completely freaks out and stumbles backward. He doesn't even wait for her to say anything. He just bolts out of there. Liu Taizhen watches him go, and you can just see the disappointment on her face.
The Right Way to Care for a Snake Demon
An Unexpected Return
Later that night, Liu Taizhen hears a noise outside. She thinks Mei Si has returned with a mob to capture her, just like that jerk Duan Lang from her past. She gets ready for a fight.
But the door opens, and it's just Mei Si. He's alone. He's carrying a bucket of water and a basket of mulberry leaves. He explains that he read a book called "Notes on Monsters and Ghouls." It said snake demons are extremely weak while shedding their skin. They need to eat aloe, boxwood, and mulberry leaves. He couldn't find the first two. So he just gathered a bunch of different mulberry leaves for her. Liu Taizhen just stares at him, completely speechless.
A Trap Starts to Take Shape
Public Appearances and Private Worries
The next day, Wu Zhen and Pei Jiya are out together in public. This gets the whole town talking. Everyone assumes they're about to get married. A colleague brings Mei Zhuyu some files and fishes for information. He suggests that if Mei Zhuyu really cares for Wu Zhen, he should be more proactive. Mei Zhuyu is calm, though. He says he isn't worried about her choosing someone else. He's worried about her choosing the wrong person.
Inside a carriage, Pei Jiya can tell Wu Zhen isn't really into their outing. He suggests a trip to the countryside. Wu Zhen suddenly changes her mind and says she wants to go to the Lin'an River instead.
The Wordless Book hears about Wu Zhen spending so much time with Pei Jiya. It gets jealous. A remnant soul still inside it uses this jealousy to gain influence. When Wu Zhen notices the book is acting strange, it quickly covers its tracks. It then gives her the Zhaoming Mirror and agrees to help her with one more favor.
A Roadside Scam and a Rescue
Mei Si Plays the Hero
Mei Si waits all night by Liu Taizhen's side. When she wakes up, most of the mulberry leaves are gone. He heads out to get more. At the village entrance, he sees two rough-looking guys showing off a "snake demon" in a cage. A crowd gathers to look. The woman in the cage looks terrified. Mei Si feels sorry for her. After the crowd leaves, he sneaks into the courtyard to investigate. He quickly figures out she isn't a demon at all.
Liu Taizhen starts to worry when Mei Si doesn't come back. She goes out to find him. It turns out the two men kidnapped an innocent woman and were forcing her to pretend to be a demon to scam people. They see Mei Si trying to free her and jump out to attack him. The woman, having a crisis of conscience, helps Mei Si escape. From the shadows, Liu Taizhen uses her powers to take down the two thugs.
After they're safe, the woman tells Mei Si her sad story. She asks if she can stay with him and serve him. He gently turns her down. He tells her he already has a fiancée waiting for him at home. Liu Taizhen sees and hears this whole exchange. Mei Si is no longer afraid of her snake form. He actually seems to admire it. He's more determined than ever to marry her. Hearing this, Liu Taizhen's cold expression softens. She finally agrees to go back to Chang'an with him.
The Lin'an River Showdown
The Trap Is Sprung
Mei Zhuyu sees Pei Jiya sending betrothal gifts to the Duke's Mansion. He also hears that Pei Jiya is alone with Wu Zhen. Worried for her safety, he rushes to the Lin'an River. This is exactly what Pei Jiya wanted.
Wu Zhen is alone on a boat, reading a book. The book talks about people who make deals with demons for power, only to become monsters themselves. Pei Jiya just smiles. He senses Mei Zhuyu's arrival. He lights a special incense in a burner, which activates a magical trap.
The incense weakens Mei Zhuyu. He can't use his powers properly and can only try to defend himself. Wu Zhen drops her act. She throws the book she was reading directly at Pei Jiya and then dives into the river. Pei Jiya is caught completely off guard. The book suddenly transforms into a person. It's the Wordless Book.
Pei Jiya is no match for the Wordless Book, who takes him down in three moves. Wu Zhen pulls Mei Zhuyu from the water. They are both caught in the trap. The Wordless Book sees that Pei Jiya feels no remorse, so it just knocks him unconscious.
