Episode Summary
Yao Yong is executed after Wei Yun reveals he was an unwitting pawn for Bei Qi, finally clearing the Wei family's name. Chu Yu decides to leave the Wei residence, breaking Wei Yun's heart. Meanwhile, Song Qingping (Tuantuan) rejects Crown Prince Li Huan's proposal, sending him into a rage and leading him straight to the Chu family's doorstep.
Spoiler Alert
The Price of Recklessness
A Father's Discipline
The Song brothers are in hot water. Song Wenchang and Song Shilan went to Dingfeng Valley on their own. Their father, the Duke of Hu, was worried sick. They came back in one piece, thankfully. But they didn't get off easy.
The Duke made them hold a horse stance for two hours. That was just the start. He then gave Song Wenchang a new daily task. He has to write fifteen pages of calligraphy. Song Shilan got his own punishment. He has to practice his sword, archery, and do more horse stances. The Duke knows Shilan has the skills to be a general. He doesn't want that talent to go to waste. He also knows he's getting older. He can't protect his kids forever.
An End and a Beginning
Chu Yu Says Goodbye
Things are shifting for Chu Yu. Her dog, Xiao Qi, ran away during Yao Yong's rebellion. Someone left the door unlocked in all the chaos. She says maybe she isn't the kind of person who should have a pet. The quiet life she dreamed of in the village is officially over.
Now that she's back in Huajing, she knows what she has to do. She has to go home. The Wei residence is not her real home anymore. Wei Yun begs her to stay. You can see he is completely heartbroken. But Chu Yu has made up her mind. Wanyue helps her pack her things. As she gets ready to leave, Chu Yu remembers seeing Wei Yun make a flower crown for her. She knew back then how much he liked her.
A Traitor Meets His End
Now for the main event. Yao Yong is finally executed. Wei Yun shows up to give him one last piece of news. He tells Yao Yong a brutal truth. Yao Yong always believed Prince Qin was murdered by his own people. That wasn't the real story.
We learn that Prince Qin was just naive. He trusted the wrong people and was used by Bei Qi. His mistakes led to Da Sui losing three cities. This means Yao Yong was working for the very same Bei Qi agents who caused Prince Qin's downfall. He was a pawn this whole time and never knew it. It's a pathetic end for him.
Gu Chusheng oversees the execution. Yao Yong is beheaded in front of a massive crowd. The people of Da Sui cheer. With his death, the names of the six Wei brothers and Wei Zhong are finally cleared. Old General Chu can also rest in peace.
New Threats and Old Feelings
A Dangerous Act of Kindness
Wang Lan was out shopping in the city. She found an injured man hiding in an alley. Being a good person, she took him to an inn and called for a doctor. That injured man is Shen You. And Wei Qiu was following him, so he saw the whole thing.
Shen You finds out that Wang Lan is from the Marquis's residence. He actually thinks about killing her to cover his tracks. But he decides against it. Wang Lan pays for his doctor and for five days at the inn. She even tells him she will come back to check on him. She has no idea who she just saved.
Chu Yu's Next Mission
Yao Yong may be gone, but Chu Yu knows the fight isn't over. She is certain there are other Bei Qi agents in the city. She vows to hunt every single one of them down.
Wei Yun knows that the man Wang Lan saved is Shen You. But Wang Lan is about to give birth. He decides not to tell her the truth. He doesn't want to cause her any stress or create a bigger problem. Later, Chu Linyang asks Chu Yu directly about her feelings for Wei Yun. Chu Yu states clearly that she already rejected him. But the question makes her stop and think. Maybe she needs to figure out what she really feels for him after all.
A Royal Proposal Goes Wrong
The Prince Makes His Move
Crown Prince Li Huan shows up at the Duke of Hu's home. He brings a mountain of engagement gifts. He's there to formally propose to Tuantuan. Song Wenchang is not a fan of the prince's wild reputation. He's pretty disrespectful to him. Li Huan doesn't take it lying down. He snaps right back, and the two of them get into a tense argument.
A Sister's Choice
After the prince leaves, Song Wenchang and his brother go talk to their sister. They ask Tuantuan if she actually wants to marry Li Huan. She is clearly torn. Song Wenchang gives her some great advice. He tells her life is short. You have to spend it with people you like and do things you love. Otherwise, you're just wasting your life. He tells her to follow her heart. He and their father will handle any fallout.
His words work. Song Qingping, also known as Tuantuan, makes her decision. She grabs the birdcage Li Huan gave her and runs after him to return it. She tells him she won't marry him. She admits it's partly because of Chu Linyang, but that's not the whole story. Her true passion is medicine. She wants to heal people. She has no interest in being an empress.
Li Huan is furious. He storms off and heads straight for the Chu family's home. He looks like he's ready to confront someone. The episode ends with Xie Yun seeing him arrive, absolutely terrified.
