Episode Summary
Ling Cangcang grieves her miscarriage but pleads for Xiao Qianqing's life. Qianqing cripples his sister Xiao Ying to save her from execution and clears the Dowager's name. Ling Xuefeng, enraged by his daughter's loss, accelerates his coup plans with Du Tingxin and Zhang Heng. The Emperor uncovers the plot, but Xuefeng launches an open rebellion at the Grand Court Assembly, trapping Cangcang between her husband and her father.
Spoiler Alert
Grief and Mercy
Ling Cangcang finally wakes up. Her first question is about the baby. The Emperor breaks the news gently. He tells her they can have children in the future. It doesn't stop the tears. She feels she failed as a mother. She tries to pull it together for her husband, but the pain is real. She keeps saying they will have another chance as long as they are healthy.
Xiao Huan steps out to deal with the fallout. He tells Xiao Qianqing that Cangcang is awake. She pleaded for him. Xiao Huan admits he only has one brother. Qianqing traveled a thousand miles to deliver the medicine that saved her. That counts for something. Xiao Huan decides to show mercy. Qianqing is grateful for the reprieve.
Cleaning Up the Mess
The Emperor isn't letting the assassination attempt slide. He tells Qianqing that the incident with Xiao Ying has a puppet master behind it. It’s not as simple as it looks. He orders Qianqing to find the real culprit to atone for his mistakes.
News of the miscarriage reaches Ling Xuefeng. He thought his time to seize power had arrived. Instead, he hears his daughter lost her child saving the Emperor. The shock is too much. He faints from the rage. Xiao Huan hears about his father-in-law's collapse. He hides this from the Empress to protect her recovery. He orders his men to send the best doctors to save the old man. If they can't save him, they must at least ensure father and daughter get one last meeting.
A Brother's Duty
Qianqing visits Xiao Ying. She is gone mentally. She babbles about flowers blooming. She doesn't see the reality of her situation. Qianqing knows she has to pay for her crimes. He snaps her meridians with his own hands. It’s brutal but necessary. She begs him to stop. He tells her he failed to teach her right from wrong. That made her an easy target for manipulation. He promises to take care of her for the rest of her life now that she is harmless.
Qianqing then confronts the Empress Dowager Liu. She denies everything. She points out the obvious. She isn't stupid enough to use a princess to kill the Emperor. That would blow back on her instantly. Qianqing buys it. Zhong Lin finds clues that back this up. The evidence clears Qianqing and Ying of the main conspiracy. Qianqing asks Zhong Lin a serious question. He asks if she would leave with him if he gave up his royal status. She says yes. Her only condition is that Ling Cangcang remains safe.
The Alliance Crumbles
Du Tingxin meets with Ling Xuefeng. The meeting goes south fast. Xuefeng blames the State Preceptor for his unborn grandchild's death. Du Tingxin pushes back. She says he isn't innocent in this mess either. She goads him when he shows signs of hesitation. It works. Xuefeng calls out his secret weapon, Zhang Heng. He shows his hand. He is all in now.
Du Tingxin leaves, but Xuefeng is suspicious. He senses something going on between her and Lu Qi. He corners Lu Qi. He drops a heavy threat. He mentions that State Preceptors must remain chaste. He then casually mentions he once burned a man alive for staining a previous Preceptor's honor. Lu Qi is terrified.
The Trap is Sprung
Qianqing narrows down the suspects. He asks the Emperor for five days to close the case. Xiao Huan looks at the list. Lu Qi is missing. The Emperor finds that suspicious. He wants Lu Qi brought in.
Lu Qi thinks he is flying under the radar. He is wrong. The Emperor's people are watching his every move. He heads to a wine shop. Zhang Heng joins him shortly after. Xiao Huan and Qianqing put the pieces together. These men are planning a move at the upcoming Grand Court Assembly.
Xiao Huan realizes Ling Xuefeng's "retirement" is a sham. The old man is pulling strings from the shadows. Even Hong Qing's disappearance links back to him. Cangcang senses the tension. She knows her father hasn't given up. She is torn between the two men she loves most.
The Grand Court Assembly begins. Du Tingxin offers wine. It’s the signal. Ling Xuefeng drops the act. He leads soldiers into the hall to rebel. The pretense is over. He tells the Emperor he is there to send him on his final journey. The fight is on.
