Episode Summary
Xu Lingzhang's plot to kill Wei Yun backfires spectacularly when it's revealed that Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng were working together to expose him. While Chu Linyang and Song Qingping grow closer through exploding pots and rainstorms, Chu Yu uncovers a clue about the missing Grand Princess that points to the Bei Qi. The episode ends with the Bei Qi army arriving at the city gates, holding the city's defense plans and signaling a much larger conflict is on the horizon.
Spoiler Alert
A Not-So-Clever Plan
The Manipulation
This whole thing kicks off with Xu Lingzhang. He decides to play nice with Gu Chusheng. He thinks he’s being subtle. Gu Chusheng plays along perfectly. He mentions how Wei Yun plans to sideline Xu Lingzhang. He suggests Wei Yun wants to replace all of Xu Lingzhang's troops in Qingzhou City.
Gu Chusheng then drops an idea. If Wei Yun dies in battle, the path to Chu Yu is wide open. Xu Lingzhang loves this. He secretly celebrates. He thinks turning Gu Chusheng against Wei Yun was incredibly easy. He really believes he's pulled one over on them.
A Different Kind of Explosion
New Weapons and Old Feelings
Chu Linyang has been busy. He fixed the Eight-sided Crossbow. The recoil was a big problem. Now it's manageable. This gives them a much better shot at beating the Bei Qi army. There's just one issue. They don't have enough of the special ore needed for the crossbow's mechanism. They can't mass-produce it.
Song Qingping is also working on a project. She tries to turn blood-stopping herbs into pills for the soldiers. Her experiment doesn't go well. A medicine pot explodes. She dodges it just in time and isn't hurt. Right after she says she's okay, another pot blows up. This time, Chu Linyang reacts instantly. He throws himself in front of her. He shields her from the flying debris.
An Awkward Interruption
Chu Yu shows up at a bad time. She's looking for the Grand Princess. Chu Linyang tries to get a word in, but she doesn't give him a chance. She tells him the Duke of Hu visited their home. He was talking about a marriage alliance. You’d think it was about Song Wenchang and Chu Jin. It wasn't. The Duke wants his daughter, Song Qingping, to marry Chu Linyang. Their mother, Xie Yun, didn't agree to it. She doesn't know how Chu Linyang really feels.
Then, a heavy rainstorm starts. Chu Linyang gets worried about Song Qingping. He makes up a quick excuse to Chu Yu. He rushes off to Song Qingping's quarters.
The Storm Inside
Song Qingping knows Chu Linyang cares about her. She decides to test him. She fakes being scared of the storm and screams. It works. Chu Linyang bursts through the door. He immediately pulls her into a protective hug.
She might be innocent, but she isn't stupid. She can feel his concern is more than just friendly. It's not how you'd treat a sister. She calls him out on it. He can't bring himself to admit his feelings. He gets flustered and leaves in a hurry.
The Trap Is Sprung
A Welcome Party to Die For
Xu Lingzhang throws a banquet. He says it’s to welcome everyone. During the party, he tricks Wei Yun. He gets him to drink a poison that should paralyze him. With Wei Yun unable to move, Xu Lingzhang pushes Gu Chusheng to finish the job. He wants him to kill Wei Yun right then and there. Gu Chusheng pulls out a dagger. He hesitates for a moment. Then he plunges the knife into Wei Yun.
The Big Reveal
Xu Lingzhang is ecstatic. He thinks Wei Yun is dead. He starts gloating and reveals his entire plan. Gu Chusheng acts panicked. Xu Lingzhang pulls the dagger from Wei Yun's body. He turns to kill Gu Chusheng next. But then, the "dead" Wei Yun gets up and stops him.
It was all an act. Wei Yun never drank the poison. He and Gu Chusheng planned the whole thing. They needed Xu Lingzhang to confess his treason out loud. Xu Lingzhang still thinks he has the upper hand. He believes his soldiers will back him up. He's wrong. The Song brothers, Wenchang and Shilan, have already taken care of his troops. They're all dead.
Xu Lingzhang is defeated. But something about his confession feels off. There are still pieces missing. Gu Chusheng doesn't stick around. He leaves to go interrogate their prisoner.
Loose Ends and New Threats
To make the act convincing, Gu Chusheng had to actually stab Wei Yun. The wound is real, but it's not deep enough to be fatal. Wei Yun puts on a brave face in front of Gu Chusheng. He acts like the stab wound is nothing. The second Gu Chusheng is gone, though, Wei Yun winces in pain.
Chu Yu starts putting things together. The Grand Princess is missing. Her hairpin was found near Fengling City. Chu Yu now suspects the Bei Qi have a hidden base somewhere around there. It’s obvious the Bei Qi have wanted Fengling City for a while. Another fight is coming.
Just as they capture Xu Lingzhang, the Bei Qi army appears outside the city walls. They have a complete map of Qingzhou's defenses. Wei Yun orders his men to strengthen their positions. He tells them not to attack. Song Wenchang doesn't understand the order. Song Shilan explains it. The Bei Qi aren't here for a small fight. They're playing a much bigger game.
