Episode Summary
Wei Yun and Chu Yu officially become a couple after she accepts his proposal, which is witnessed by their rivals. Chu Linyang bluntly rejects Song Qingping's advances. At the palace, Princess Li Changming confronts Xue Hanmei, revealing she knows his true identity is Zhao Yue. Her trap to capture him appears to work, but the episode ends with the shocking reveal that he has already escaped and is waiting for her.
Spoiler Alert
Wei Yun and Chu Yu Make It Official
The Race at the Ancestral Hall
The episode kicks off with the race to hang the top nameplate at the ancestral hall. Wei Yun and Chu Yu get there first. They hang their plate and secure the best spot. It’s a pretty big deal.
Song Wenchang is still trying way too hard to win over Chu Jin. He even had a custom gold nameplate made for her. He shows up and tries to clear a path for her right to the front. But it's too late. The top spot is already taken. Chu Jin handles it with class. She tells him she doesn't need the gold plate. She just hangs her own regular one without a fuss. She's polite to Song Wenchang, but you can feel the distance. He doesn't get the hint, though. He mutters to himself that he'll find another way. Good luck with that, buddy.
A Kiss in the Rain
On the way home, Wei Yun and Chu Yu get caught in a downpour. They take cover, and the mood gets serious. He finally works up the courage to ask her. He wants to know if she's willing to be with him for real. He tells her to take his divorce agreement if the answer is yes.
She just smiles and takes the paper from him. That's it. They're together. He is absolutely thrilled. He promises her that once he unmasks the person behind Yao Yong, he'll tell everyone about their relationship. His honesty really gets to her. She leans in closer. He turns his head at just the right moment, and their lips touch. It's a sweet, accidental first kiss.
This perfect moment doesn't go unnoticed. Jiang Chun and Wang Lan see the whole thing. You just know that's going to cause problems later.
Rejections and Complications
Chu Linyang Ends Things
That night, Wei Yun can't bring himself to leave Chu Yu's room. He hangs around for a while before finally going. It's cute.
Elsewhere, Song Wenchang gives his sister, Song Qingping, some terrible advice. She sets up a free clinic on the street. Her plan is to have all her "patients" deliver letters to the Chu family's house. Chu Linyang gets a whole stack of them and knows exactly who they're from. He realizes he can't keep ignoring her. He has to set things straight.
He goes to find her. He tells her directly that he does not like her. He hopes she can find someone else who will. She starts crying. He just tears up the letters, turns around, and walks away. It's harsh, but it had to be done.
Another Interruption
Wei Yun brings Chu Yu the new, improved designs for the Eight-sided Crossbow. This leads to another charged moment between them. He gives her a soft kiss on the forehead. He's about to go in for a real kiss, but they get interrupted. Of course they do. Wanyue shows up to tell them the Second Madam is calling them for dinner.
The Princess Springs Her Trap
The Plum Blossom Clue
Things get intense over at the princess's residence. Princess Li Changming is having a drink with Xue Hanmei. She tells him she hates being lied to. She doesn't care about the past. She cares about right now. He tries to talk his way out of it, swearing his loyalty.
She isn't buying it. She pulls out a letter marked with a plum blossom seal. Then she shows him a piece of a broken bottle she found in his medicine garden. It has the same plum blossom mark. This is the proof she needs. He still tries to deny it. So, she drops the bomb. She calls him by his real name. Zhao Yue. He immediately stops talking. He knows he's caught.
She figured out his entire identity. He finally admits his real mission. He's here to take down the corrupt officials in Da Sui who are a threat to him.
A Double (and Triple) Cross
Li Changming knows she can't let him live. The wine he just drank was drugged. He collapses. She pulls out a dagger to finish the job, but she hesitates. She can't bring herself to kill him.
Suddenly, he wakes up! The drug didn't work, or he faked it. He grabs her and turns the tables. But the princess always has a backup plan. She smashes a vase on the floor. It's a signal. Her guards burst in and subdue him. They also grab her maid, Xiang'er, who was apparently his accomplice all along.
Zhao Yue and Xiang'er are dragged away. Li Changming is left alone, heartbroken and crying. She pulls herself together quickly. She has to go report everything to her brother, the Emperor. She opens her door to leave.
And Zhao Yue is standing right there in front of her. The man who was just captured is somehow free and waiting for her. What!
