Episode Summary
Su Changhe emerges from seclusion and makes it clear that Su Muyu is not to be harmed, despite their differing alliances. Xiao Yong plots an attack on the clinic, which leads to the tragic deaths of Mu Qingyang and Mu Xuewei. As Su Muyu awakens to the devastating news, the Prince of Langya races against time to destroy a secret scroll that could plunge the kingdom into civil war.
Spoiler Alert
Su Changhe Draws a Line in the Sand
Su Changhe is finally out of seclusion. He is not in a good mood. He walks into a meeting with Zhuo Qing and Xiao Yong. Zhuo Qing immediately warns him. He says Su Changhe has a fifty-fifty chance of killing Xiao Yong. But he would die trying.
Su Changhe backs down. He claims living is still pretty great. You can see Xiao Yong breathe a sigh of relief. But Su Changhe isn't finished. He’s angry. He told them not to harm anyone from Dark River. Now he's back, and his allies at the clinic are severely injured.
Zhuo Qing says it was just an accident. He claims they stumbled into a plan. Then he gets suspicious. He thinks Su Changhe and Su Muyu are on different sides now. He believes they've chosen different allies. Su Changhe doesn't deny it. He admits Su Muyu has no idea what he's up to.
To test him, Xiao Yong brings out a snake. It can supposedly detect lies. He asks Su Changhe if he plans to kill Su Muyu. The snake instantly turns red and prepares to attack. Su Changhe doesn't hesitate. He grabs the snake, snaps its neck, and throws it to the ground. He gives everyone a cold warning. No one is to harm Su Muyu. As he leaves, he says he's drunk and the meeting is over. It's clear his loyalties are complicated, but his protection of Su Muyu is absolute.
Xiao Yong Makes His Move
The Prince's Dirty Work
Xiao Yong is ready to get his hands dirty. He decides to go after Bai Hehuai and his friends. He gives the assignment to his uncle, a general. Xiao Yong’s strategy is simple. He'll just claim he can't control his own men. It gives him the perfect excuse if things go wrong.
An Attack on the Clinic
This attack is timed perfectly. Su Zhe has just transferred all his power to Su Muyu. Su Zhe is now incredibly weak. The clinic is vulnerable. An enemy force descends on them. Mu Qingyang knows they are outmatched. He tells everyone to run. But Mu Xuewei refuses to leave. She decides to stay and fight.
A Tragic Last Stand
The fight at the clinic is brutal. Mu Qingyang and Mu Xuewei are trapped. They are fighting for their lives. In the middle of the chaos, Mu Qingyang confesses his feelings for her. They fight back-to-back, a perfect team. But their opponents are just too strong.
Soon, both of them are severely wounded. The building is on fire. Mu Xuewei holds onto Mu Qingyang. She begs him not to leave her. But his injuries are too severe. The fire rages around them as they fall.
The Ripple Effect
Waking Up to Bad News
Su Muyu finally wakes up. The first news he receives is devastating. Mu Qingyang and Mu Xuewei are dead. They were lost in the fire. He is completely heartbroken. This loss will definitely fuel his next move.
The Emperor's Game
We cut to Xiao Yong playing chess with his father, the Emperor. The Emperor is making subtle moves. He is quietly telling his son to stop his schemes. Xiao Yong isn't listening. He feels he has come too far. He was an illegitimate son, and now he's here. He is determined to get revenge for his mother.
Later, we learn his wife, Haoyue, has been killed. Xiao Yong shows no emotion. He says she was a useful tool who served her purpose. The man is pure ice. He believes his father is letting this all happen for a reason. He thinks the Emperor wants him and the Prince of Langya to destroy each other. Then the Emperor can just sweep in and claim victory.
A Dangerous Secret
The Prince of Langya hears about the fire in the capital. He reveals a massive secret to Li Hanyi. A scroll exists from years ago. It names him as the true heir to the throne. If that scroll gets out, it will cause a civil war. He has to find and destroy it before it's too late. He seems confident he can handle the situation.
Doubt Creeps In
The episode ends on a heavy note. Su Muyu is grieving. He holds Mu Qingyang's copper coin. They still haven't found the bodies. Elsewhere, Mu Yumo hears the news about the deaths. She starts to question everything. She wonders if their fight is worth the cost. Is this path to "the light" just going to lead to more death? It's a fair question. The group is starting to crack under the pressure.
