Episode Summary
Wei Lingmo deciphers a clue from his mother, revealing Yao Yong's plan to rebel at Dingfeng Valley. With the Grand Princess's help, Chu Yu and Wei Yun rescue Yao Jue. While Chu Yu prepares to ambush Yao Yong, Wei Yun must rescue an injured Gu Chusheng, leading to a tense standoff in an abandoned house.
Spoiler Alert
The Ungrateful General
We start with Yao Jue. She is still stuck in her family's home. Her son, Wei Lingmo, comes to visit, but she refuses to see him. It’s a gut-wrenching move. She clearly thinks it’s for his own safety.
Wei Yun stays behind to talk with her brother, Yao Yong. Chu Yu takes the kid back to the carriage. This conversation is tense. Yao Yong used to be a subordinate of the disgraced Prince Qin. He feels the Emperor disrespects him. He complains about not getting the promotions he thinks he deserves.
On the ride home, Chu Yu is not having any of it. She points out that Yao Yong is lucky to be alive. The Emperor showed mercy by not executing him with the rest of Prince Qin's followers. He was allowed to earn his rank in the army. She thinks his complaining is just plain ungrateful. I have to agree with her on this one.
A Child's Clever Clue
Wei Lingmo is a sharp kid. He remembers a nursery rhyme his mother taught him. He realizes it’s a clue. He follows the rhyme’s instructions and finds a hidden note under a large tree in the yard. He gives the note to Wei Yun.
Wei Yun and Chu Yu look at it together. They circle a few key characters. The message is "Qi Xu Ding Feng." They quickly figure out what it means. Yao Yong is planning to start his rebellion in seven days, at the Xu hour, in Dingfeng Valley. The guy has been stockpiling military gear for a while. This was always his plan.
They decide their first move must be to rescue Yao Jue. Yao Yong will be too busy with his little uprising to notice. But they can't do it alone. They need more backup.
An Unconventional Apology
Chu Yu needs help from the Grand Princess. She broke a rule earlier. She used the Grand Princess's name to request a meeting with Yao Jue. So, she goes to apologize. She can't find the traditional thorny branches for a formal apology. She improvises with willow branches instead. It’s a bold, very Chu Yu move.
The Grand Princess isn't even mad. She actually respects the hustle. She agrees to help Chu Yu. She even gives her and Wei Yun an extra squad of soldiers for their mission. With an official invitation in hand, they walk right into the Yao residence. They successfully bring Yao Jue back to the Wei mansion. She is finally reunited with her son.
After seeing this, Lu Qiba is officially impressed. He tells Chu Yu he thinks she's a true hero. He says any past problems between them are forgotten.
Sparring and Awkward Feelings
Later, Song Wenchang gets cocky. He challenges Chu Yu to a duel. He says if he wins, everyone has to follow his orders from now on. The fight lasts about a minute. Chu Yu wipes the floor with him. He admits she’s the real deal.
The mood shifts. Wei Yun and Chu Yu find themselves alone. They each grab a spear and begin to spar under falling blossoms. It’s all very dramatic. Wei Yun tries to bring up his feelings. He mentions the sword dance at Chunfenglou. He wants to clear the air between them.
Chu Yu immediately shuts him down. She is not ready to have that talk. Wei Yun is visibly frustrated. He can’t ignore how he feels about her. But she won’t give him an opening to say it.
A Scholar in Danger
That night, Gu Chusheng goes to Qinxigu Valley on a hunch. He’s investigating something on his own. He finds a bamboo tube containing critical information. He grabs it and leaves, but he doesn't know he's being followed.
Hours pass. Gu Chusheng doesn't return. His young servant, Zhang Deng, panics. He runs to the Wei mansion and begs Chu Yu for help.
They have two crises at once. They decide to split up. Chu Yu is the master strategist. She will take the Song brothers to Dingfeng Valley and stop Yao Yong's rebellion. Wei Yun will go rescue Gu Chusheng. Before they part, Chu Yu gives Wei Yun a vital tip. Gu Chusheng is an excellent swimmer. She tells him to search near water.
Following her advice, Wei Yun finds Gu Chusheng. He’s injured and hiding in his old, abandoned family home. Gu Chusheng is surprised to see Wei Yun is the one who came for him.
Wei Yun starts bandaging Gu Chusheng's wound. You can tell he’s enjoying this a little too much. He pulls the bandages extra tight, getting a little petty revenge for their rivalry. Gu Chusheng, to his credit, is tough. He grits his teeth and doesn't make a sound.
The problem is, Gu Chusheng is too hurt to ride a horse. Their pursuers are getting close. Wei Yun decides they have to make a stand. The old Gu house is now their fortress.
