Episode Summary
In this episode, the Prince of Zhao makes a surprise visit to the capital, creating tension when he meets the Shen family. He warns Lin Yan that the family is a liability to his secret plans. To solve the problem, the Prince offers Shen Jianshe a huge sum of money to convince his family to leave the capital, but Shen Shaoguang is suspicious of the offer.
Spoiler Alert
An Unwanted Guest Crashes the Party
The episode kicks off with Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang heading home in a carriage. Shaoguang is completely passed out from the day's events. Lin Yan quietly mutters that he can actually hold his liquor just fine. She, of course, hears none of it.
They pull up to the Jingzhao Prefecture. And who is waiting for them right at the front gate? The Prince of Zhao. Lin Yan spots him. He immediately yanks Shaoguang back into the carriage before the Prince can get a good look at her.
Lin Yan steps out to handle this. He keeps Shaoguang tucked behind him, trying to block the Prince's view. The Prince claims he's just in town as a "wandering scholar." He says the Emperor has no idea he's here. Right. Lin Yan tries to whisper a plan to Shaoguang. He tells her to sneak out the back and warn her family to hide. But she's stuck in the carriage. She can't go anywhere.
The Most Awkward Family Barbecue Ever
Meet the In-Laws
Lin Yan has no choice but to invite the Prince inside. The Prince immediately brings up his offer. He wants Lin Yan to work as a close aide for the Grand Princess. Before Lin Yan can even answer, they walk into the courtyard. And there's the entire Shen family, grilling up meat skewers like it's a holiday.
The Prince is confused. He asks Lin Yan why he never mentioned his fiancée's family. Lin Yan tries to play it cool. He says it was just a childhood betrothal. He didn't take it seriously until they all showed up on his doorstep six months ago. The Prince isn't buying it. He insists on meeting them.
This is where it gets good. Shaoguang's dad, Shen Jianshe, has no idea who this guy is. He starts calling the Prince "brother" and bragging about his amazing cooking skills. He even gives the Prince of the realm pointers on how to grill meat. Shaoguang finally shows up. She can tell this guest is a big deal, so she just calls him "uncle" to be safe.
A Close Call
Shen Jianshe and his son start drinking with the Prince. They're having a great time. Lin Yan pulls Shaoguang aside. He quietly tells her their guest is the Prince of Zhao. You can see the panic set in. Her dad, meanwhile, is still running his mouth. He's using all their modern slang, and the Prince is totally lost.
Then the Prince asks Lin Yan if anything unusual has been happening lately. Shen Jianshe, deep in his cups, is about to bring up the whole curfew situation. You know, the huge secret they're not supposed to be talking about. Shaoguang jumps in and changes the subject. Fast. It was a close one.
The Prince Makes His Move
A Private Warning
After dinner, Lin Yan serves the Prince some tea. The Prince drops the nice-guy act. He asks if the Shen family knows what really happened to the Cui family years ago. Lin Yan says no. They were far away in Qingyang when his father died in the capital.
The Prince finally gets to the point. He tells Lin Yan he knows exactly what he's planning. Lin Yan admits it. He says the Prince saved his life once. He doesn't want to drag him into this new mess. The Prince then points out how strange the Shen family is. Their slang, their mannerisms, all of it. He warns Lin Yan that they can't stay in the Prefecture. They are a liability. Someone will eventually use them as a weapon against him. Lin Yan starts to realize the Prince seems to know everything. But he still can't figure out what the Prince's real game is.
A Very Generous Offer
Shaoguang tells her family the truth about their guest. Her dad and brother are terrified. Her mom scolds her husband for being such a loudmouth. Then, her parents get a brilliant, terrible idea. They decide to invite the Prince to their restaurant for dinner. They think getting friendly with him will help Lin Yan. Shaoguang thinks this is reckless, but it's too late.
She goes to tell Lin Yan. On the way, she runs into him just as he's leaving court. They have a weird run-in with one of Pei Pei's relatives, and Lin Yan has to step in. In the carriage, Shaoguang explains her parents' plan. She's worried they've made a huge mistake. But Lin Yan isn't mad. He's actually touched they care so much.
Since he can't go to a public restaurant in his official robes, he decides to change in the carriage. Shaoguang quickly turns her head to give him privacy. After a minute, she thinks he must be done. She turns back around. Bad timing. She gets a full view of Lin Yan shirtless while he's pulling on a new robe. The guy has abs. Shaoguang is flustered and practically bolts out of the carriage the second it stops.
At dinner, the Prince says he thinks of Lin Yan as a son. But he also says he can't stay in the capital forever to protect him. After the meal, the Prince asks Shen Jianshe to take a walk with him. This is it. The Prince makes his real play. He tells Jianshe that Lin Yan has a bright future. But his connection to the Shen family could ruin everything.
So he makes an offer. He will give the Shen family 10,000 gold taels. The catch? They have to pack up, move out of the Prefecture, and leave the capital for good.
Shen Jianshe is obviously tempted by the money. He goes back and tries to sell the idea to his family. But Shaoguang isn't buying it. She knows there are always strings attached to that kind of money. She says they can't just accept a massive gift from a prince for no reason.
