Episode Summary
In this episode, Cangcang and Xiao Huan team up for a risky map heist and escape a close call, all while Kuminjia tries to push them back together. Xiao Huan gets a new perspective on his enemy, Kumor. In the capital, Xiao Qianqing narrowly escapes a political trap and turns the tables on the Grand Tutor by using a national crisis to his advantage.
Spoiler Alert
The Most Awkward Horse Grooming Session
Kuminjia Plays Matchmaker
The episode kicks off with Princess Kuminjia. She wants to go brush the horses. She invites Ling Cangcang to come along. Kuminjia sees right through Cangcang’s act. She tells her that if you really don't care about someone, you should act normal around them. Not avoid them like the plague. This hits a nerve with Cangcang. She denies having feelings for Xiao Huan. But you can tell she's starting to question herself.
So they're out with the horses. And who else is there but Xiao Huan. He just stands there watching Cangcang. The look in his eyes is pure love. It's not subtle at all. I see it, you see it, and Kuminjia definitely sees it.
A Late-Night Heist
Infiltrating the Camp
Later that night, Xiao Huan goes full spy mode. He sneaks into Kumor's camp alone. He's looking for a map. He gets inside a tent and immediately spots traps. Just as he's about to deal with them, he realizes someone else is there. It's Ling Cangcang. Of course it is. He warns her to be careful and says he'll handle it.
Kumor suddenly returns to the camp. Things get tense. Xiao Huan shoves the map at Cangcang and tells her to get out. Right when it looks like they're caught, a whistle sounds from outside. It distracts Kumor and his men. This gives them just enough time to escape. It was a close one. Back in safety, Cangcang draws the map from memory.
A Tense Conversation
Xiao Huan knows Cangcang was also there for the map. He thinks it's way too dangerous for her. He then gets all serious. He asks her if she would come to his grave if he died. Cangcang, trying to be tough, says she wouldn't. Xiao Huan knows her better than that. He can tell that even though she's angry, he still has a place in her heart.
Their little heart-to-heart gets interrupted. Princess Kuminjia shows up. To avoid being seen together, they both dive onto the bed to hide. It's a classic rom-com moment. After Kuminjia leaves, Xiao Huan is being playful and doesn't want to go. Cangcang has to say some really harsh things to finally make him leave.
A Race and a Raid
Kuminjia is completely baffled by these two. She can see they like each other but just keep fighting. She decides Xiao Huan has no clue how to handle women. So, she decides to help. She arranges a horse race for them outside the city.
Xiao Huan uses the race as an opportunity. It's the perfect cover to scout the enemy's military positions. His timing is perfect, because Kumor decides to launch a surprise attack right then. Cangcang gets worried about Xiao Huan. But he was already prepared for this. He manages to clear himself of any suspicion.
During the confrontation, Xiao Huan questions Kumor directly. He asks why Kumor insists on war. Why not negotiate for peace if he truly wants a better life for his people? To prove he wasn't a spy, Xiao Huan has to use his martial arts skills to hunt an animal. The exertion triggers the cold poison in his body. You can see the pain hit him. Through this encounter, Xiao Huan starts to see Kumor differently. He realizes Kumor isn't just a violent brute. He cares for his people and could be a good ruler.
Trouble Brewing in the Capital
Xiao Ying's Strange Behavior
Back in the capital, things are getting weird. We check in with Xiao Ying. She shows her attendant, Hong Qing, some fireflies she created. Except they aren't real fireflies. They're bugs she's manipulated with poison. It's creepy. Then, her mood flips completely. She suddenly declares she'll just let all the bugs die. They start falling from the air around her. Hong Qing just stands there, totally shocked.
A Political Trap
Meanwhile, Xiao Qianqing is in deep trouble. A group of court ministers is pressuring him. The deadline they gave him is up. They demand he present a solution to a major problem. But this is all a setup. They know he's seen as an idle prince. They fully expect him to have no answer. They want to force him to sign an agreement that will benefit them.
Just as he's about to be cornered into signing, Zhong Lin bursts into the hall. Ling Xuefeng, the Grand Tutor, is visibly surprised. This was not part of his plan. Zhong Lin brings devastating news. A locust plague is ravaging the western province. The local prefect covered it all up. Now, citizens are homeless and fleeing their lands. The entire court is outraged.
Zhong Lin adds that the refugees will soon be arriving at the capital. Xiao Qianqing seizes the moment perfectly. He uses the court's anger as political fuel. He immediately issues an order to investigate the Xizhou prefect for hiding the disaster. This move not only addresses the crisis but also strikes a blow against the Grand Tutor's political faction.
Ling Xuefeng knows he miscalculated. He's annoyed that his pawn, "Boss Wan," failed. He decides to create a new problem. That night, he sends his men to secretly set fire to a granary. For his part, Xiao Qianqing knows this was a tough fight. He spent a long time maneuvering to get to this point. Forcing the Grand Tutor to reveal his hand is a major victory.
