Episode Summary
Xiao Huan is cured of the poison, but his reconciliation with Ling Cangcang is cut short when she tries to leave. They are all lured into a trap by the Lingbi Cult, where it's revealed Zhong Lin is a spy and Luo Xianxue is secretly alive. The episode ends with a drugged Ling Cangcang being forced to stab Xiao Huan.
Spoiler Alert
The Emperor is Saved (Barely)
A Close Call
So, we start with Ling Cangcang pacing outside. She was completely freaking out. Her brother, Ling Jueding, tried to calm her down, which was not helpful at all.
Luckily, Xiao Qianqing arrived with Dr. Li just in time. They brought the antidote for Xiao Huan. It worked. The immediate crisis is over. Ling Cangcang was terrified the antidote would fail. She really didn't want to lose another person. Even Xiao Qianqing, who has major issues with his brother, was hoping he'd pull through. When Dr. Li confirmed the poison was neutralized, everyone could finally breathe.
But Ling Cangcang tells her brother things are still complicated. She and Xiao Huan have a history that involves several dead people. Things are better now, but that gap between them is still very real.
Brotherly Reconciliation
Xiao Qianqing sat by his brother's bed, just watching him. He was clearly worried. Then Xiao Huan woke up. The first thing he does is tease his little brother. He asks him if he liked the map he sent.
Xiao Qianqing gets all huffy. He says he didn't want it anymore, but Xiao Huan forced it on him. He promises they'll settle the score once Xiao Huan is fully recovered. Xiao Huan jokes that he won't give Xiao Qianqing any credit for saving him. That gets a rise out of his brother. In the end, Xiao Huan promises him he can ask for anything he wants.
Ling Cangcang Tries to Run
Old Wounds and Packed Bags
Ling Cangcang is still thinking about the past. She can't get the deaths of Li Lu and Luo Xianxue out of her head. She just can't move on from it.
Meanwhile, Xiao Huan is already trying to get out of bed. Dr. Li has to literally kneel in front of him to make him drink his medicine. The man does not know how to rest.
Ling Jueding finds his sister with some good news. Xiao Huan gave him permission to go back to the capital and visit their father. He tells Ling Cangcang that Xiao Huan seems like a genuinely good guy. He feels safe leaving her with him. But that’s not what she’s thinking. Ling Cangcang has already packed her bags. She says the emperor's poison is cured. Her job here is done. It's time for her to leave.
A Confession Interrupted
Later, Zhong Lin gets Ling Cangcang alone for drinks. He wants to finally tell her how he feels. He found someone he really likes. But he just can't get the words out of his mouth.
Before he can try again, Xiao Huan and Xiao Qianqing show up. The moment is gone. Xiao Huan gets straight to the point. He asks Ling Cangcang why she's running away. She just says she needs more time to think about things.
The Lingbi Cult Springs Its Trap
A Trap and a Twist
As the group is walking, they hear a baby crying. Zhong Lin runs ahead to help. It's a trap. He gets stabbed. Suddenly, all four of them are surrounded and forced into the territory of the Lingbi Cult.
And here's a huge twist for you. We see Ling Xuefeng meeting someone in secret. It's Luo Xianxue. He isn't dead at all. Ling Xuefeng hid him. Ling Xuefeng tells him they have to stop Xiao Huan. He’s worried the young emperor will destroy the entire system.
A Horrible Choice
Back at the cult's base, a woman named Zhu Sha is in charge. She has poisoned all four of our heroes. Zhong Lin is in agony. Zhu Sha says the only way to save him is for someone to get stabbed. Without a second thought, Xiao Qianqing stabs his own arm. He’s impulsive, but he’s loyal.
Then Zhong Lin drops a bomb. He reveals he's a member of the Lingbi Cult. Ling Cangcang realizes her own master must have sent him to her side. She has to face this betrayal. Their main goal now is just to get out of there alive.
Zhu Sha then makes her demand. She tells Xiao Huan to spend the night with her, and she'll let Ling Cangcang go. But that's a lie. What she really wants is an object called the Yue Shi Yin. She plans to use Ling Cangcang to get it.
She has drugged Ling Cangcang, making her confused and unstable. Zhu Sha orders her to kill the emperor. Xiao Huan doesn't believe Ling Cangcang would ever hurt him. He walks toward her, completely trusting her. Ling Cangcang is obviously in torment. She fights it, but the drug is too strong. She takes the knife and stabs Xiao Huan. He collapses to the ground.
