Episode Summary
In this episode, the Shen family's escape attempt fails, leading to a dramatic cliffside rescue by Lin Yan, who is injured protecting Shen Shaoguang. Back at Yunshui Garden, the Shens officially pledge their loyalty to Lin Yan, becoming his new family in the quest for justice. A new lead in the old case emerges, while a potential marriage proposal for Lin Yan creates tension with Shaoguang, who struggles with her growing feelings for her "ancestor."
Spoiler Alert
A Botched Escape
The Prince of Zhao is not happy. The Shen family escaped his grasp. This just proves to him how important they are to Lin Yan. His guy, Li Xun, has a simple solution. He thinks they should just kill Lin Yan now. Get it over with. But the Prince shuts that idea down.
The Shens run until they can't run anymore. They collapse by a small river, completely worn out. Li Fengxia starts digging up some spicy herbs for future recipes. Her daydreaming is cut short. The Prince's men are here. She tells Shen Shaoguang to grab Shen Yangyang and run. She’ll stay behind and hold them off. Shaoguang runs into the woods with a soldier right behind her. She finds a spot to hide Yangyang in the bushes. Then she runs in a different direction to lead the soldier away.
Cliffhangers, Literally
The rest of the family doesn't get far. Shen Jianshe and the others are captured. They are about to be executed. Lin Yan arrives at the last possible second and saves them. Together, they go back into the woods and find little Yangyang safe.
Things aren't going as well for Shaoguang. She's trapped at the edge of a cliff. The soldier is closing in. Suddenly, Lin Yan is there. He gets behind the soldier. As he's about to get Shaoguang out of there, the soldier throws a dart. They dodge, but the move sends them both tumbling over the cliff. Lin Yan manages to grab her hand.
So now they're just hanging there. The soldier isn't done. He throws another dart. This one hits Lin Yan right in the chest. Blood starts to soak his shirt. Shaoguang is terrified. She worries he won't have the strength to hold on. His whole revenge plan could die with him. She thinks about letting go to give him a chance to survive. Just then, Shen Shaojie shows up. He smacks the soldier on the head with a rock. Then he finds a long pole and pulls them both to safety.
Back on solid ground, Lin Yan ignores the dart still sticking out of his chest. He just pulls Shaoguang into a hug. The rest of the Shen family just stands there, completely stunned. Liu Chang arrives soon after. He takes everyone back to the safety of Yunshui Garden.
New Clues and Family Bonds
Later, Shaoguang makes medicine for Lin Yan. She sees the blood on his chest and feels a mess of emotions. He literally took a dart for her. But he's also her family's ancestor. The whole thing is a huge complication she doesn't want to think about. She accidentally knocks over a stack of case files. As Lin Yan picks them up, he notices something. The files are perfect copies. Someone transcribed them word for word.
The next day, he takes the files to Cao Rong. This confirms what he suspected. Unfortunately, Xiao Wulang is still in a coma and can't talk. Cao Rong remembers that Xiao Wulang loved keeping records. He's sure there must be other documents about the case somewhere.
A letter arrives from the Prince of Zhao. He blames the whole attack on his third son, Li Ang. This makes Lin Yan even more suspicious of the Prince. The emperor is old. A recent scandal about selling government jobs cleared out the Ministry of War. The only person who really benefits from that is the Prince. Liu Chang thinks they should get the Shen family out of Yunshui Garden. Before Lin Yan can even answer, the Shens walk in.
Li Fengxia explains what happened when they were captured. Li Ang personally questioned them about Lin Yan. Shaoguang, thinking fast, told him that Lin Yan was a Cui family descendant. She gambled that the Prince already knew this. Then, to save their necks, she mentioned Lin Yan's connection to the Grand Princess. Lin Yan isn't mad. He just feels guilty for getting them into this mess. Shen Jianshe steps in. He tells Lin Yan that the Shens are his family now. They will help him clear the Cui family name. Lin Yan is deeply touched. Liu Chang is so moved he starts bawling.
A Marriage Proposal and Awkward Feelings
The family decides to help gather information while running their business. Shen Shaojie brings up a case about a stolen imperial cat. Li Fengxia adds some gossip she heard. A high-ranking official wants Lin Yan to marry his daughter. For a second, Lin Yan and Shaoguang just stare at each other. Shaoguang quickly says they shouldn't get involved in his personal life. Lin Yan doesn't give a straight answer.
Shaoguang starts looking for a school for Yangyang. She hears the best school is taught by a man named Zhao Xunzhi. He was once a student of the Cui family.
Later, Shaoguang is at the market with her friend, A-Yuan. She tells A-Yuan about Lin Yan saving her life. A-Yuan states the obvious. There's definitely something romantic going on between them. Shaoguang denies it immediately. She insists she can't fall in love with her own ancestor.
