Episode Summary
Shen Shaoguang reveals her time-travel secret to Lin Yan right after he says he wants to marry her. The confession leaves them both reeling. While they deal with the emotional fallout, Lin Yan tracks a lead to Fenglin Town. He finds a secret armory and rescues the captive Zhao Xunzhi, leading to a desperate escape. He is cornered by Li Ang but manages to get away, only to collapse from exhaustion just as Shaoguang arrives to help.
Spoiler Alert
Lin Yan's World Keeps Crashing Down
The episode kicks off with Shen Shaoguang. She makes a new snack for the Grand Princess. But the princess is still obsessed with her "beat up the scumbag" tea. She's also annoyed that Pei Fei hasn't been showing up for their dates.
Suddenly, some bad news arrives. Lin Yan is being impeached at court. Shaoguang hears this and immediately rushes over to the Jingzhao Prefecture.
After the court session, Minister Meng pulls Lin Yan aside. He gives him some advice. He tells Lin Yan he's all alone in the capital and should probably keep a low profile. The minister then offers a solution. If Lin Yan marries his granddaughter, nobody would dare mess with him again. Lin Yan thanks him for the offer but doesn't agree to it.
When Lin Yan leaves the prefecture, he finds Shaoguang waiting for him. She gives him some food. She also tells him what she knows about Yu San leaking information to the Prince of Zhao. She explains that Yu San isn't a bad person. His parents are being held hostage in a place called Fenglin Town. If Lin Yan can rescue them, Yu San is willing to testify against the Prince.
This whole situation gets Lin Yan thinking. He remembers his past with the Prince of Zhao. The Prince saved him and raised him like a son. He even hired masters to teach Lin Yan martial arts. He taught him all about loyalty and patriotism. Lin Yan just can't wrap his head around it. The man who raised him is also the man he's supposed to hate most in the world.
The Big Confession
Shaoguang was about to leave Lin Yan to his thoughts. But she realizes he's been hit with one bad thing after another. So she goes back to Yunshui Garden to keep him company. She tells him he can use her as a sounding board again.
This time, Lin Yan doesn't hold back. He lets all of his anger and hatred out. Shaoguang is there for him. She tries to comfort him. She points out that it's not the worst-case scenario. At least he survived seventeen years in the Prince's mansion. And now, he's strong enough to protect himself.
A Proposal and a Bombshell
Lin Yan looks at her. He finally sees how much Shaoguang really cares about him. He tells her something important. After he clears the Cui family's name, he is going to formally ask for her hand in marriage.
This is the moment Shaoguang knows she can't hide her secret anymore. She tells him the truth. She is from a thousand years in the future. Yunshui Garden is actually her ancestral home. She accidentally traveled back in time. The only reason she knows so much, including his real identity, is because her grandfather used to tell her stories about their family's ancestors.
Lin Yan thinks back. He remembers Shaoguang's family praying and making offerings to him. It all clicks into place. He finally understands why they did that. After the reveal, they just part ways without another word.
The Awkward Aftermath
Shaoguang goes back to the restaurant. She starts cleaning everything nonstop. She's trying to exhaust herself so she can forget about Lin Yan. Her parents, Shen Jianshe and Li Fengxia, see this and get worried. But her mom believes Shaoguang knows what she's doing and can handle it.
Lin Yan, on the other hand, finds the old wooden ruler with Shaoguang's name on it. He just looks at it, processing everything.
The Mission to Fenglin Town
The plot moves on. Liu Chang comes to Lin Yan with new information. He investigated the Yunlai Tavern. A few days ago, one of its vegetable carts left the city at night. The city's Jinwu Guard didn't stop them. Lin Yan guesses that Zhao Xunzhi must have been hidden inside that cart.
That night, Lin Yan follows another one of the tavern's carts. He overhears the drivers mention Fenglin Town again. He figures this must be the Prince of Zhao's secret base for trading goods. He decides to go to the palace the next day to report this. He tells Liu Chang to stay behind in the capital to protect Shaoguang and her family.
A Rescue and a Desperate Escape
Shen Shaojie still wants to be an undercover agent. Liu Chang tells him that Lin Yan has already gone to Fenglin Town. Shaojie gets excited. He says he just spent a bunch of time there trying to make a living. He knows the town inside and out and is sure he can help.
Liu Chang asks Shaoguang to talk her brother out of it. But she has other plans. She says she's going too.
Meanwhile, Lin Yan arrives in Fenglin Town. He sneaks into a courtyard. He finds a secret symbol that leads him to a hidden room. Inside, he finds a huge stash of illegal weapons and salt. He also finds Zhao Xunzhi, who is being held captive there.
Lin Yan gets Zhao Xunzhi out of the room. But Li Ang is waiting for them right outside the door. Lin Yan is surrounded by soldiers. He can't fight them all off while also protecting Zhao Xunzhi. Li Ang steps forward. He says he wants to be the one to personally destroy Lin Yan's martial arts skills.
They start to fight. Lin Yan actually gets the upper hand. He uses the opportunity to grab Zhao Xunzhi and make a run for it. They escape and run all night. The next morning, they're exhausted and hiding in a forest. Suddenly, they run right into Shaoguang and her brother, who came to help.
Lin Yan can't hold on any longer. He collapses right into Shaoguang's arms.
