Episode Summary
The Wei army returns victorious, but their parade is interrupted by Chu Yu, who stages a public marriage proposal to the eldest Wei son, Wei Jun. This turns out to be a clever cover. Her real goal is to secure the Wei family's help in finding a traitor who leaked military secrets to the enemy, which led to her father's death. The youngest Wei son, Wei Yun, is suspicious of her motives, setting up a rivalry between them.
Spoiler Alert
A Victory March and a Public Spectacle
So, the stage is set. The Da Sui and Bei Qi nations are locked in a brutal, endless war. It’s grim. We learn the Da Sui empire just lost a key general, Chu Jianchang. He died defending a border city, and his army was decimated. It’s a tough loss for the Chu family.
Back in the capital, Huajing City, the mood is completely different. The Wei family army is marching home victorious. They're the heroes of the hour. The seventh and youngest son, Wei Yun, is especially famous. He’s the one who supposedly won the war with a single spear, and he gets to ride into the city first to deliver the good news.
But his victory parade hits a snag. On a bridge, right in the middle of the road, is Chu Yu. She’s the daughter of the general who just died. She’s dressed in striking red and is practicing her sword skills. At the exact same time, her ex-boyfriend, Gu Chusheng, is passing by with his own wedding procession. The whole crowd starts whispering. They all know the history. Chu Yu and Gu Chusheng ran off together five years ago, but he dumped her. Everyone, including Gu Chusheng himself, assumes she’s here to make a scene and ruin his wedding.
They could not be more wrong. She’s waiting for someone else entirely.
The Boldest Move in Town
A Proposal for the Ages
The rest of the Wei clan arrives. This includes the eldest brother, Wei Jun, and the other five sons. Chu Yu doesn't even spare a glance for her ex. She cuts a rope, and a huge red banner unfurls for everyone to see.
Then she does it. She publicly declares her love for the eldest brother, Wei Jun. This is not how things are done, and you can feel the collective gasp from the crowd. Her maid, Wanyue, throws an embroidered ball, which is part of the tradition. But before it can reach its target, the youngest brother, Wei Yun, skewers it with his spear. Flower petals explode everywhere. It’s a pretty dramatic moment.
Wei Yun notices a small note hidden inside the ball. He tries to pocket it fast, but his older brother Wei Jun sees him. Wei Jun takes the note, reads it, and then turns to Chu Yu. He tells her he will give her a satisfying answer.
Family Isn't Thrilled
Chu Yu gets home, and it’s not a warm welcome. Her younger sister, Chu Jin, immediately starts complaining. She says Chu Yu has embarrassed the family with her public display. Chu Yu tries to brush it off, but her sister keeps pushing until Chu Yu has to put her in her place.
The argument gets to their grandmother, Xie Yun. Of course, the sister plays the victim. The grandmother doesn't even ask for Chu Yu’s side of the story. She just starts yelling at her. You get the sense this is normal for Chu Yu. She grew up in military camps with her father and brother. She’s direct and doesn't have time for this kind of drama, so she doesn't bother defending herself.
The Real Mission Begins
A Secret in the Woods
That note Wei Yun found was an invitation. Chu Yu asked Wei Jun to meet her at a pavilion in the woods that evening. He shows up.
Wei Jun is sharp. He knows Chu Yu’s father just died. She’s supposed to be in a three-year mourning period. There’s no way the Chu family would allow a wedding. He tells her he knows the public proposal was just a cover for something else.
A Traitor in Our Midst
He was right. This is where the real plot kicks in. Chu Yu explains what’s actually going on. Her father wasn't just killed in battle. He was killed by a special kind of crossbow used by the enemy. Her older brother, Chu Linyang, was also badly wounded by it.
Here’s the twist. The core mechanism of this enemy crossbow is almost identical to a new design from the Wei family. This design is a state secret. It hasn't even been released within their own country. Chu Yu believes there’s a traitor who leaked the blueprints to the enemy. She needs the Wei family's help to hunt down this person. To prove she’s telling the truth, she shows him the Chu family's jade tablet, a symbol of her honor.
Too Many Brothers
It turns out the six other Wei brothers are not great at minding their own business. They secretly followed Wei Jun to the meeting. The youngest, Wei Yun, can't help himself and steps out of the shadows. Chu Yu almost attacks him before they clear up the misunderstanding.
Wei Jun makes his little brother apologize. But Wei Yun isn't satisfied. He corners Chu Yu later. He doesn't buy her story about suddenly being in love with his older brother. He wants to know her real motives. She challenges him to a duel. If he wins, she'll tell him.
He loses. He’s good, but she’s better. So, he gets no answers.
Whispers and Warnings
We also meet a few other players. The matriarch of the Wei family, Liu Xueyang, is not a fan of Chu Yu. She thinks her public behavior was improper and doesn't want her marrying into the family.
Later, in a garden, two officials, Cao Yan and some other guy, are trash-talking Chu Yu. Her loyal maid Wanyue steps in to defend her. Then, Chu Yu herself appears, ready to handle it. The episode ends right there.
