Episode Summary
Gu Yangshan threatens Ding Yi, but their confrontation is interrupted when the Japanese arrest Needham based on a setup. Luo Han gives a fake confession implicating Needham but protects Xian Biyun. Xian Biyun convinces the Duke's daughter, Nai Hui, to intervene by showing how she's also a target. During a dramatic interrogation, Needham is forced to shoot Luo Han to stop him from exposing Charlie Gu. Nai Hui arrives and uses her political power to secure Needham's release.
Spoiler Alert
A Trap Is Sprung
So, the episode opens with a really tense breakfast. Gu Yangshan decides to mess with Ding Yi. He serves him a plate of soybean paste. This isn't a friendly gesture. It's his mother's specific recipe. Ding Yi immediately understands the threat. He pulls his gun right there at the table.
Before anything can pop off, the Japanese army bursts in. They are not there for Ding Yi, though. They grab Joseph Needham. They claim they caught the man who killed Hashimoto. And apparently, this killer named Needham as his accomplice. This whole thing smells like a setup from a mile away.
The Interrogation Begins
They drag Needham to a theater. Luo Han is already there. He looks like he's been beaten badly. Luo Han puts on a big show. He "confesses" that he and Needham are both underground agents. He gives up old intel. He says their original meeting spot was the Yuyin Pavilion. Then they moved to the Chaosheng Opera Troupe.
The Japanese immediately suspect Xian Biyun is involved, since she's part of the troupe. But Luo Han covers for her. He says they only use single-line communication. He claims he knows nothing about her activities. When they ask about Charlie Gu, Luo Han calls him a major traitor.
Needham denies everything. He tells them he wasn't even on the Pacification Committee. He knows nothing about a codebook. He says this is all a blatant frame-up to pin Hashimoto's murder on him.
A Desperate Plea
While all this is happening, Xian Biyun is on her own mission. She manages to find Nai Hui. Nai Hui is the daughter of the powerful Duke. It turns out Nai Hui recognizes Xian Biyun. She even knows that Xian Biyun's leg injury has already healed.
With her cover blown, Xian Biyun gets straight to the point. She tells Nai Hui what's happening. She begs her to use her influence to save Needham.
Planting Seeds of Doubt
We also see Gu Yangshan making some moves. He uses Ye Yin's family donations as a way to talk about the war. He predicts that if the United States gets involved, Japan is finished. He knows his position on the committee will become worthless. He is already thinking about his exit strategy.
Back with Nai Hui, she's skeptical. She already knew this Needham was an imposter. She doesn't buy Xian Biyun's story about him being investigated over the Dongsi Garden. But Xian Biyun lays out the real danger. She points out that the Duke is sick. Nai Hui stays out of politics. Her official title as ambassador to Britain makes her a perfect target. Sasaki could easily frame her for treason. This gets Nai Hui's attention. She decides to check the interrogation records herself to find the truth.
The Standoff
Nai Hui makes a call to a man named Anjing to get the facts. She asks him why they arrested Needham over a simple complaint about a garden. Why didn't they come to her first? We learn that Anjing is a neutral party. The real person pulling the strings is Sasaki. He wants to use the fake Needham to take down the Duke. Nai Hui realizes this is a direct attack on her family. She is not going to let Sasaki win.
A Calculated "Accident"
The interrogation gets even more intense. Luo Han continues his performance. He cries and begs Needham to confess for the good of the people. Then Sasaki himself shows up. He tries to manipulate Luo Han. He asks why Luo Han is still protecting his superiors when they've clearly abandoned him. It looks like his words are starting to affect Luo Han.
Then things get wild. They force a gun into Needham's hand. They order him to execute Luo Han. Everyone expects Luo Han to stick to the script and blame Needham. Instead, he decides to go for the real prize. He starts to expose Charlie Gu. Just as he gets the name "Gu" out of his mouth, Needham acts. He pretends his gun goes off by accident. He shoots Luo Han. It's a shocking move, but it silences Luo Han just in time to protect Charlie Gu's identity.
The Rescue
Right at that moment, Nai Hui arrives and demands Needham's release. Sasaki refuses to give up his leverage. They are locked in a tense standoff. The deadlock is broken by Liang Jingyuan. He comes in and tells Sasaki that Hashimoto's memorial service is ready. He says Sasaki is needed to preside over it. This gives Sasaki an out.
Needham is finally able to leave with Nai Hui. In the car, she asks him the big question. Why is he impersonating her adopted brother? Xian Biyun promises they will explain everything directly to the Duke. At the same time, Gu Yangtian gives an order to Liang Jingyuan. He tells him to rescue the wounded Luo Han at any cost and arrange for their evacuation.
