Episode Summary
Ling Cangcang and Xiao Huan escape the Lingbi Sect, where Ling discovers the assassin Luo Xianxue is actually her brother. The group returns to the palace after revealing that Ling Xuefeng poisoned his own daughter to target the Emperor. While Xiao Huan and Xiao Qianqing push for tax reform against Ling Xuefeng's wishes, Ling Cangcang chooses to stand by the Emperor despite her lingering love for her father.
Spoiler Alert
The Tables Turn at Lingbi Sect
Zhu Sha really thinks she has this in the bag. She sees Xiao Huan lying there and assumes her plan worked perfectly. She even takes a moment to mock Ling Cangcang. She laughs at how deep Xiao Huan’s feelings must be for him to fall into this trap.
But she celebrates way too early.
Ling Cangcang isn't helpless at all. She snaps out of the act and presses a knife right against Zhu Sha’s neck. Xiao Huan stands up a second later. It turns out his medicine works on pretty much any poison. Zhu Sha can’t believe her special "Phantom Butterfly" powder failed so fast.
The team regroups. Xiao Huan, Zhong Lin, and Xiao Qianqing grab Zhu Sha. They use her as a hostage to force their way out of the Lingbi Sect. It works at first. They make it outside. Then, a cloud of smoke hits them. Everyone starts choking.
Luo Xianxue arrives on the scene. Zhu Sha tries to explain herself. She says she only did this to honor him. Luo Xianxue doesn't care. He is annoyed by her failure. He kills her on the spot.
A Family Reunion Gone Wrong
Luo Xianxue tries to finish the job and kill Xiao Huan. He fails. Xiao Huan subdues him quickly. Ling Cangcang realizes something is familiar about this assassin. She rips the mask off his face.
It is her brother.
She saw him die. Or at least she thought she did. She demands answers. She asks why he never came back to find her if he survived the fire. Luo Xianxue gives a weak excuse. He claims Xiao Huan sees him as a threat. He had to hide to avoid the Emperor’s spies.
He tries to play the loyalty card. He tells Ling Cangcang he survived the fire just for her. He swears he is loyal to her until death. But his actions say otherwise. He brews a bowl of soup for her. Ling Cangcang trusts him, but he drugs her with it. He claims he doesn't want her to misunderstand him, but he does it anyway.
Xiao Huan steps in. He knows what Luo Xianxue really wants. He is here for the Yue Shi Yin. The two men are about to throw down. Ling Cangcang stumbles out to stop the fight. She needs the truth.
The Ugly Truth About Dad
Xiao Qianqing drops the bomb. He reveals that Ling Xuefeng poisoned his own daughter. He did it just to get a shot at killing Xiao Huan.
Luo Xianxue is shocked. Ling Cangcang is devastated. She can’t believe her father used her like that. But she still has a soft spot for her family. She begs the Emperor to let her brother go. Xiao Huan agrees.
They finally return to the palace. Ling Cangcang sees Ling Xuefeng again. She feels a deep sadness now that she knows his true colors.
Palace Politics and Awkward Mornings
Xiao Qianqing takes over as Regent. Ling Xuefeng hates this. He keeps asking when the Emperor will return to power. Xiao Qianqing pushes back. He questions Ling Xuefeng about the assassination attempt on Song Lanxi. He also brings up the appointment of the Xuzhou governor. Ling Xuefeng looks nervous.
Meanwhile, Zhong Lin is having a great time. He listens to Xiao Qianqing talk about living freely. He is happy. He even tells the Prince to taste the wine on his lips. They end up sleeping together.
This leads to a disaster. The Empress Dowager walks in on them.
Luo Xianxue does some digging of his own. He asks Ling Xuefeng’s subordinates for the truth. They confirm it. Ling Xuefeng really did poison Ling Cangcang. Luo Xianxue realizes he was just a tool. He thought he was protecting his sister. Instead, he was helping the man who hurt her. He vows to get revenge for Ling Cangcang.
Lines Are Drawn
Zhong Lin meets up with Ling Cangcang. He wants to confess about his relationship with Xiao Qianqing. Ling Cangcang speaks first. She tells him she knows about her father’s betrayal. She makes her stance clear. She stands with Xiao Huan. She hopes her father will change, but she isn't blind anymore.
In court, Xiao Huan pushes for tax reform. Ling Xuefeng tries to block it. Xiao Qianqing publicly supports the Emperor. The rest of the officials are too scared to speak. They just watch the power struggle. Xiao Qianqing and Xiao Huan bicker in private, but they have each other's backs.
Ling Cangcang goes to see her father one last time. He puts on his "loving father" act. She leans on his shoulder. She knows it is a lie. But she lets herself enjoy the peace for one more moment before everything falls apart.
