Episode Summary
In this episode, Kumor's plot to test Xiao Huan with poisoned wine backfires spectacularly. Xiao Huan's "death" forces Cang Cang to realize her true feelings, while Kuminjia helps her escape. The climax arrives when Xiao Huan reveals he is the Emperor, leading to a tense negotiation that surprisingly ends with Kumor pledging his allegiance and ending the war.
Spoiler Alert
A Test on the Ice
Kumor's Suspicions
The episode opens with Kumor staring at the sky. He's getting antsy. His troops are just sitting around, and he knows their morale is about to tank. He feels a battle coming. His general tries to calm him down. The general thinks Xiao Huan is just some guy obsessed with Cang Cang. But Kumor trusts his gut. He knows something is off with Xiao Huan.
Xiao Huan then overhears Kumor talking with his sister, Kuminjia. He finally understands their plan. They were waiting for a big snow. The icy ground gives Kumor's soldiers a huge advantage. They are experts at fighting in these conditions. This makes Kumor even more paranoid. He decides to secretly keep a close watch on his two "guests."
Kuminjia Plays Matchmaker
Kuminjia, meanwhile, is still trying to be a good friend. She complains that being a matchmaker is hard work. She comes up with a new plan for Xiao Huan and Cang Cang. She suggests they take a walk on the frozen lake. Her idea is pretty simple. The ice is slippery. If Cang Cang falls, Xiao Huan can catch her. She thinks this grand romantic gesture will fix everything. It's a bit naive, but her heart is in the right place.
The Parting Wine
A Calculated Risk
Kumor decides to force the issue. He tells Cang Cang a story about something called "Parting Wine." Then he pushes a cup of it toward her. Cang Cang isn't stupid. She knows this is a test. So, she decides to play along. She grabs the cup with a flourish. She tells Xiao Huan they should drink together. A final toast to go their separate ways. Xiao Huan agrees and drinks his cup, too.
The Poison Hits
Almost immediately, they both start to feel sick. It gets serious fast. Xiao Huan coughs up blood and collapses. A doctor checks him out. The doctor says his pulse is very strange. It feels like he's been hit with some kind of "cold" poison. Cang Cang, forgetting all her anger, grabs his hand. She tries to warm him up with her own body heat. Xiao Huan wakes up for a moment. He teases her, saying she isn't so heartless after all. He can tell she still has feelings for him.
Kuminjia is horrified. She runs to her brother and demands the antidote. Kumor tells her that Xiao Huan is a threat. He says he had no choice. He also claims he wasn't the one who poisoned the wine. He points out that Xiao Huan has been watching them suspiciously ever since the snow began. Kuminjia doesn't care. She begs him not to hurt them. She reminds him that they saved her life.
The Great Escape and the Big Reveal
A Desperate Escape
Xiao Huan gets worse. He coughs up more blood. He tells Cang Cang that he can't go on. He wants her to escape and live a full life. Kuminjia makes a choice. She gives Cang Cang her own travel token and even steals Kumor's. This will help her get out of the military camp. Cang Cang escapes. Kumor chases her on horseback. He's too late. He can only watch as she disappears into her own army's camp, Ling Jueding.
Back at her camp, Du Tingxin gives Cang Cang the terrible news. She explains the full truth about the poison. It's incurable. Cang Cang finally understands. Xiao Huan gave her his only chance to survive. She is devastated and immediately wants to go back to save him.
Xiao Huan Drops the Mask
At the same time, Kumor is about to execute Xiao Huan. Kuminjia physically blocks him, trying to save Xiao Huan's life. Just then, Xiao Huan stands up. He sees Kumor and decides the game is over. He reveals his true identity. He's not just some wandering martial artist. He's the Emperor. He says he's ready for a final battle and that his best soldiers are already there. Kuminjia is stunned. She finally realizes what's really been going on.
From Enemies to Allies
A Surprising Negotiation
Kumor is taken aback. He sees that Xiao Huan is a man of substance, not just a schemer. Cang Cang returns, and Xiao Huan worries for her safety. But he pushes forward. He insists on trying to negotiate for peace. At first, Kumor is still suspicious. He thinks they're a pair of cunning snakes working together.
A New Allegiance
But Xiao Huan's offer is genuine. He proposes generous terms. He promises them plenty of supplies and resources. Kumor is moved by his sincerity. He realizes this is an emperor worth serving. He feels a deep sense of guilt. He tried to kill a man who is now offering him forgiveness and respect. In a complete reversal, Kumor and his tribe pledge their loyalty to the Great Qi. Xiao Huan treats him as an equal, and they end the conflict as allies.
