Episode Summary
Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng are sent to investigate a corrupt governor, who immediately starts plotting their murders. While they're gone, Chu Yu finds a bloody clue connected to the missing princess. The episode ends with the governor successfully tricking Wei Yun into beating up a very drunk Gu Chusheng.
Spoiler Alert
A Fork in the Road for Our Love Triangle
A Test of Love
The episode kicks off with a surprisingly sweet moment. Song Wenchang gives Chu Jin a painting. He unrolls it, and a bunch of cotton fluff flies out like snow. It’s a little cheesy, but it works. He tells her he knows exactly who she is. He likes her just the same.
Then we get some real talk from Jiang Chun. She sits Wei Yun down for a chat. She points out that he hasn't really been around many women. Maybe what he thinks is love for Chu Yu isn't the real deal. She gives him some solid advice. He should go somewhere without Chu Yu. He needs to live a different life for a bit. Then he'll know for sure how he feels.
A New Mission (and a New Rival)
Well, Wei Yun gets his chance sooner than expected. The Emperor has a problem. The governor of Qingzhou, a guy named Xu Lingzhang, has been shorting the treasury on taxes for years. The Emperor suspects he's lining his own pockets. He needs someone to go investigate.
Wei Yun takes the job. He decides to bring the Song brothers along with him. But there's a catch. The Emperor also assigns Gu Chusheng to go with them as an official supervisor. You could feel the awkwardness through the screen. Wei Yun confronts Gu Chusheng about it. He hopes Gu can put national security first. Gu agrees. But he adds that for everything else, they'll compete on their own merits. He doesn't say Chu Yu's name. He doesn't have to. Wei Yun knows exactly what he means.
Everyone Gets a New Assignment
The Mystery of the Missing Princess
The Duke of Hu is proud of his son. He confirms Song Wenchang really wants to go defend Qingzhou. He gives him a long sword as a sign of his approval. Song Wenchang and his brother Song Shilan kneel and promise to fulfill their duty.
Soon after, the official orders come down. General Wei Yun will lead the troops to Qingzhou. Song Wenchang and Song Shilan will be his left and right generals. Gu Chusheng will be the supervisor. At the same time, Chu Linyang gets his own assignment. He's being sent to lead troops in Fengling.
Chu Yu has her own mission, though. She thinks the Grand Princess's trip to the countryside was suspicious. She gets Wanyue and Chu Jin to help her climb the wall into the princess's mansion. The place is totally empty. They don't find any guests. Instead, they find a bloody cloth in a room. It has a plum blossom printed on it. This is a huge clue.
Before he left the capital, Wei Yun was also looking into the Grand Princess. He only found one of her hairpins near Fengling City. He had already told Chu Yu that her brother, Chu Linyang, and Lu Qiba are now stationed in Fengling. He said she could ask them for help if she needed it.
An Unwanted Travel Companion
Chu Yu says her goodbyes to Xie Yun and her sister Chu Jin, who cries her eyes out. But not everyone is staying behind. Song Qingping secretly hides in one of the army's supply wagons. She begs Chu Shan not to tell Chu Linyang, but of course, he finds her.
Chu Linyang tries to convince her to go home. She absolutely refuses. She says she'll walk the whole way if she has to. He finally gives in and lets her ride in the carriage. But because of propriety, he gets out and walks, letting Chu Shan drive. Back home, the Duke of Hu finds Song Qingping's goodbye letter. He is furious. He yells that he'll punish her with the family rules when she gets back.
Trouble in Qingzhou
A Tense Welcome
Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng arrive in Qingzhou. The governor, Xu Lingzhang, comes out to greet them. As soon as they sit down, Wei Yun makes his first move. He suggests replacing the city's guards with his own soldiers. Xu Lingzhang politely turns him down. The power play has already started.
After the meeting, Xu Lingzhang's advisor, Shen You, pushes him to act. He convinces the governor that he needs to get rid of Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng. Xu Lingzhang agrees. He decides Qingzhou will be their burial ground.
A Drunken Brawl
That night, Xu Lingzhang invites Gu Chusheng for drinks. He gets him completely drunk on purpose. Zhang Deng has to help the stumbling Gu Chusheng outside. And who do they run into? Wei Yun.
The two rivals immediately start arguing about Chu Yu again. The drunk Gu Chusheng says something that provokes Wei Yun. Wei Yun finally snaps. He throws a punch. Gu Chusheng is just a scholar. He's no match for a general and goes down hard. But Wei Yun isn't finished with him yet. From a dark corner, Xu Lingzhang watches the entire fight. His plan is working perfectly.
