Episode Summary
Xiao Huan races to save Ling Cangcang, leaving his brother Xiao Qianqing to manage the court. Qianqing immediately faces opposition from Ling Xuefeng, who is faking reports about the locust plague. Meanwhile, Du Tingxin deliberately delays her rescue mission, and Qianqing sends Zhong Lin on a secret mission to Xuzhou to uncover the truth.
Spoiler Alert
A New Regent and a Lot of Drama
Xiao Huan's Mad Dash
The second Xiao Huan hands off his regent duties, he is gone. He throws on a disguise and makes a run for it. His only goal is to save Ling Cangcang. The journey is rough. He doesn't stop to rest. He just wants to get to her as fast as humanly possible.
Xiao Qianqing vs. The Old Guard
Back in the capital, things are already getting messy for the new regent, Xiao Qianqing. Ling Xuefeng is the loudest voice against him in court. He complains that the Emperor was reckless. He thinks Qianqing is just a kid who has no business running the country.
But Xiao Qianqing is not some pushover. He handles the situation perfectly. He pretends to have a headache. Then he cleverly offers the position to Ling Xuefeng. This move makes the other ministers suspicious of Ling Xuefeng's real motives. Later, they even complain to him directly.
Ling Xuefeng is definitely up to no good. He sends a message to his people in Xuzhou. He orders them to report that the locust plague is over. The truth does not matter.
Palace Games and Poisonous Plots
The Princess and Her Poisons
Princess Xiao Ying is still a wild card. One minute she’s sweet and obedient. The next she’s smashing things in a fit of rage. Hong Qing calls her out for her dangerous hobby. He accuses her of being reckless with human life to test her poisons.
This sets Xiao Ying off. She insists it wasn't her fault. She says the person involved once bragged that people from the south weren't afraid of insects.
A Mother's "Advice"
The Empress Dowager gives Xiao Qianqing some advice. She thinks the Emperor put him in this position to set him up for failure. She tells him to use his power as regent to secure his own authority. He should just pretend to be following orders on the surface. Xiao Qianqing hears her out but doesn't really react. He leaves to go see his sister.
He finds Xiao Ying and tells her to stop making poisons. She gets very upset. She tells him she never created them to kill anyone. He knows she has a crush on Hong Qing. He promises to help his little sister with her love life. Before he goes, she asks him for some money. She says it's for a big, secret project.
Captives, Delays, and Secret Missions
Ling Cangcang's New "Friends"
Meanwhile, Ling Cangcang is with her captors. Kumor finds her interesting, even though he knows she's a constant liar. Kuminjia, on the other hand, is annoyed. She can't stand how Ling Cangcang seems to be enjoying herself. Kumor points out that Kuminjia is not easily provoked. Kuminjia admits it's a shame Ling Cangcang is a woman. If she were a man, Kuminjia would try to recruit her.
Du Tingxin Takes Her Sweet Time
Du Tingxin is supposed to be leading the rescue mission. She's only three days from the border. But she personally dislikes Ling Cangcang. So she gives an order for her troops to rest for two extra days. Her logic is cold. She figures Ling Cangcang is a valuable hostage. The captors won't kill her. So letting her suffer for a few more days is no big deal.
Xiao Qianqing's Real Job
Xiao Qianqing finally gets to his new duties as regent. He quickly realizes all the official reports on his desk are pointless busywork. He laughs. His brother just handed him all the boring grunt work. He casually walks out.
A eunuch sends Hong Qing to drag him back. At the same time, Zhong Lin shows up to confront Xiao Qianqing while he's in the bath. He's so startled that he yanks her into the water with him. Of course, Hong Qing walks in right at that moment. Xiao Qianqing shoves Zhong Lin underwater to hide her. Hong Qing is suspicious but leaves when Qianqing yells at him.
Once they're alone, Xiao Qianqing asks Zhong Lin for a huge favor. He needs her to go to Xuzhou. He doesn't trust Ling Xuefeng's report about the locust plague. He wants her to sneak into the governor's office and steal the official seal. He tells her his fate is in her hands, and she agrees to do it.
Later, Xiao Qianqing tells Hong Qing that his sister, Xiao Ying, is more innocent than anyone in the palace. He suggests her poisons aren't meant for harm. Feeling guilty, Hong Qing goes to see Xiao Ying. She gives him some of her favorite things and says she trusts him, recognizing him as the one who saved her before. Her kindness seems to affect him.
The episode ends with Ling Xuefeng cornering Xiao Qianqing. He demands the official order to release the grain stores. He gives him a three-day deadline.
