Episode Summary
In this episode, Kunwu's past is revealed, explaining his desperation to save his sister, Qingqing, from the State Preceptor. Jiang Wenhuan devises a plan to rescue her during the Holy Wedding but tries to sideline Kunwu by drugging him. The plan goes awry when Kunwu wakes up, leading to a chaotic scene where Qingqing uses her illusion powers to escape. With the help of a decoy, Jiang Wenhuan manages to get Kunwu and Qingqing to safety, but not before he is mysteriously stabbed by the Maiden, who believes him to be her destined partner.
Spoiler Alert
This episode was a whole mess of plans going wrong. Let's break down this beautifully executed train wreck.
Kunwu's Backstory
First, we get a little more on Kunwu's past. It turns out he's from a family of illusionists. He intentionally led soldiers away from his sister, Qingqing, hoping she could escape. He ended up jumping into a river to save himself. He survived, but the State Preceptor found and captured his sister. To make things worse, his family was branded as traitors. The Preceptor has been using drugs to suppress Qingqing's powers ever since. Kunwu is desperate to get her back. Jiang Wenhuan, however, thinks Kunwu's identity is a huge risk to the Cadet Camp and demands a solid plan.
A Trap Is Set
The State Preceptor gets a secret message. It tells him an old subordinate of Nanbo Hou is in the Cadet Camp. He immediately thinks of E Shun. This gives him an idea. He decides to use the upcoming Holy Wedding as a trap to lure out and eliminate anyone loyal to Nanbo Hou.
Jiang Wenhuan still hasn't forgiven Kunwu for lying about his identity. Kunwu tries to explain himself. He says he was a hopeless slave until he met Jiang Wenhuan and found out his sister was alive. That's why he made a deal with E Shun.It was his only shot at saving her.
Later, Kunwu tries to send a message to Jiang Wen Feng, but Jiang Wenhuan intercepts the carrier pigeon. Kunwu then brings Jiang Wenhuan a pot of wine as a peace offering. He says he has already confessed his identity to the court. He promises the Cadet Camp won't be dragged into his mess. Jiang Wenhuan is not having it. He throws the intercepted note at Kunwu, who then promptly passes out. Jiang Wenhuan drugged the wine. He was worried Kunwu would do something stupid and ruin the rescue plan for Qingqing.
The Holy Wedding Goes Sideways
So what was Jiang Wenhuan's brilliant plan? He sneaks onto a roof and throws an antidote to Qingqing. He made it himself. The medicine will let her use her illusion magic for thirty minutes. During that time, he plans to cause a diversion to help her escape. He even has Chongyi Biao guard the unconscious Kunwu to keep him out of the way.
Of course, nothing goes as planned.
The Holy Wedding begins, and Kunwu wakes up. He immediately finds Jiang Wenhuan and they start fighting. At the same time, the State Preceptor orders the wedding to start ahead of schedule. When Jiang Wenhuan hears this, he panics and runs into the crowd. Qingqing sees her brother, Kunwu, and uses her illusion powers without hesitation. The entire crowd faints. When Kunwu and Jiang Wenhuan come to, Qingqing is gone. The commoners wake up and think the Saintess has ascended to heaven. The noise alerts the State Preceptor, who orders a full-scale search.
The Escape
The Maiden, Zhen Nü, notices that Qingqing's destiny has suddenly changed. She wonders if fate can really be altered. Just then, a woman in white runs through the streets, drawing the attention of the guards. It's not Qingqing. It's Jiang Yiyao, acting as a decoy. Chongyi Biao arrives just in time to save her from the soldiers. Her distraction worked.
Kunwu and Jiang Wenhuan find a terrified Qingqing hiding in an alley. Jiang Wenhuan decides to split up. He tells Kunwu to take his sister and run while he leads the pursuers away.
While he's creating a diversion, Jiang Wenhuan runs right into the Maiden. She looks at him and seems to see her own future. She realizes he is the man she is fated to be with. So, naturally, she stabs him.
When Jiang Wenhuan wakes up, the State Preceptor is there questioning him. He spins a story about seeing someone kidnap the Saintess. He says he tried to intervene but was knocked out and later saved by the Maiden. The Maiden confirms his story, and the Preceptor finally drops his suspicions.
Meanwhile, Kunwu and Qingqing escape to the countryside. They find a horse and carriage waiting for them. It seems Jiang Wenhuan had planned for everything after all.
