Episode Summary
Xiao Huan forces Cangcang to drink contraception soup, creating a rift between them while he secretly plays a political game against her father. Cangcang tries to secure a dangerous item with Luo Xianxue, leading to Luo's capture and escape. In court, Xiao Huan outmaneuvers his father-in-law by prioritizing domestic aid over the war effort, forcing him to protect his son. The episode culminates with Xiao Huan forcing Cangcang to make an impossible choice between saving her brother or her friend.
Spoiler Alert
A Cold Dose of Reality
The episode kicks off with a gut punch. Xiao Huan makes Ling Cangcang drink contraception soup. Just when you thought they were finally getting somewhere, he does this. He stands there, looking completely cold. He tells her a woman from the Ling family can't bear his child.
She’s crushed. She asks him why he’s doing this. He gives her that line and just walks away. Cangcang is left totally alone and confused. I get it. The guy pushes her away one minute and pulls her close the next. That kind of hot-and-cold treatment is exhausting to watch, let alone experience.
Everyone Has a Secret Plan
The Doctor's Dilemma
Dr. Du Tingxin checks on Xiao Huan. She knows he’s hiding the real reason for the soup from Cangcang. She doesn't understand why he's being so cruel. She questions what kind of man Cangcang's father, the Grand Marshal, really is. Why would the Emperor go to such lengths? Xiao Huan just warns her to keep her mouth shut. If she tells Cangcang the truth, he won't be merciful.
The Father's Fury
Meanwhile, Zhong Lin finds Cangcang. He hears what happened and is convinced Xiao Huan is a monster. He tells her she should just leave and go back to the martial arts world. She refuses. She says she has unfinished business here.
Then we see Luo Xianxue report to Ling Xuefeng. He tells him the Emperor announced to everyone that the Empress can't have children. Ling Xuefeng is furious. He tells his adopted son to hurry up and gain more power. It's the only way they can protect Cangcang.
A Desperate Heist
The Mission for a Strange Worm
Cangcang is having nightmares about her master's death. She can't rest. While her father, Ling Xuefeng, goes to confront the Emperor, she has her own mission. She and Luo Xianxue sneak into the palace. They're looking for the body of someone named Li Lu.
Cangcang tells Luo Xianxue they have to find something called the "Moon-Eclipse Worm." It's a dangerous object. She believes keeping it in her possession is the only way to make sure no one uses it for evil. While this is happening, Xiao Huan basically blows off her father and has him sent away.
The Capture and the Escape
The plan goes wrong. Xiao Huan captures Luo Xianxue. We see a flicker of pain on Xiao Huan's face. He clearly hates hurting Cangcang, but he feels his hands are tied.
So, Cangcang tries a new tactic. She attempts to seduce Xiao Huan to get him to free Luo Xianxue. It doesn't quite work. We see Luo Xianxue has been beaten badly. In the end, Cangcang creates a diversion so he can escape. She stays behind. She calmly returns the Emperor's jade seal to Xiao Huan. He's angry and sentences her to three days of house arrest. He also makes it clear he's not done with Luo Xianxue.
The Emperor's Chess Game
A Calculated Move in Court
Things get complicated with politics. There's a war raging in Xijiang, and the people are suffering. Cangcang's brother, Ling Jueding, is there trying to hold the line.
In the imperial court, Ling Xuefeng pushes Xiao Huan to focus on the war. But the Emperor's brother, Xiao Qianqing, argues they should help the disaster victims within the country first to prevent panic.
Xiao Huan plays it smart. He puts Ling Xuefeng in a tough position. He praises Ling Jueding, saying he's so experienced he can win without reinforcements. Then, he declares they will focus on the disaster victims. Dr. Du explains the move perfectly. Xiao Huan knows Ling Xuefeng wants to use both the war and the disaster as an excuse to start a rebellion. By forcing him to choose, Xiao Huan knows Ling Xuefeng will hold back to protect his own son.
The Empress Dowager's Ploy
Xiao Qianqing agrees with his brother's decision. He's focused on the people. He completely misses that his own mother, the Empress Dowager, is scheming. She doesn't like seeing Xiao Huan succeed. She secretly arranges for Cangcang to learn about the crisis in Jiangzhou. More importantly, she makes sure Cangcang knows that the Emperor is refusing to send troops. She wants to drive a wedge between the couple for good.
An Impossible Choice
The episode ends with Cangcang going with Xiao Huan to hunt down Luo Xianxue. She desperately tries to protect him.
This is where Xiao Huan gets truly ruthless. He corners Cangcang. He forces her to make a choice. Save her brother, Ling Jueding, or save her friend, Luo Xianxue.
Cangcang thinks he's gone insane. He's asking her to choose between two people she loves. But Xiao Huan just looks at her. He says that since she’s such a caring person, she should be able to make the right choice.
