Episode Summary
Tensions rise as regional commanders arrive in the capital. Xie Huaian orchestrates a complex plan to stop a premature assassination attempt by the Emperor, using Xiao Wenjing as a messenger. Wenjing confronts his past guilt and sees his brother, the Emperor, from afar. Meanwhile, Wang Pu falls for a trap set by Xie Huaian, failing to realize his target, Gu Yu, is already gone.
Spoiler Alert
The Capital is a Powder Keg
The day has finally arrived. The four regional commanders are in the capital to bow to the New Emperor. Prime Minister Gao heads in to meet the boss. Neither of them knows how this will play out. Xie Huaian is a total wild card right now. Nobody knows if the plan to rescue Gu Yu will actually work. The Emperor is new to the throne, and the political situation is a mess. Gao and the Emperor are considering a nuclear option. They might just kill all four commanders to seize their military power.
Meanwhile, Xie Huaian is busy in Hidden Soldier Alley. He sends a message to Ye Zheng. The order is simple. Tell Prime Minister Gao to call off the assassination planned for tomorrow. It is not time to grab Gu Yu yet. Xie has a different play in mind.
Wenjing’s Guilt Trip
Xiao Wenjing is dealing with some heavy guilt after killing Wang Xing. He remembers Wang Xing’s dying words about his wife and daughter. He goes to check on them. Sure enough, there is a noodle stand. The wife looks poor, and the daughter is right there. Wenjing feels terrible since he killed their provider. He stakes out the place from across the street.
A thug shows up that night to harass the mother and daughter. Wenjing doesn't hesitate. He puts an axe in the thug and buries the body.
The Messenger Run
Ye Zheng hands off a secret letter from Xie Huaian to Wenjing. He needs to get it to Prime Minister Gao fast. Wenjing starts searching shop by shop. He opens one door and finds a room full of armed soldiers. He backs out fast. He eventually finds a teahouse packed with palace guards.
Wenjing flashes Xiao Wuyang’s seal to get attention. He tells Gao to abort the mission. The commanders are ready for a fight, so a surprise attack won't work. Gao is stubborn. He still wants them dead. But Wenjing read the letter. It explains that killing the commanders now scares off Yan Fengshan. They need to keep the commanders alive as bait to lure the big fish out.
Brother Meets Brother
Gao kneels to ask the Emperor for orders. Wenjing looks up to the second floor. It is Xiao Wuyang. His brother looks impressive. Wenjing kneels out of instinct and then bolts. Wuyang didn't even recognize him.
Later, Wenjing admits something to Ye Zheng. He doesn't hate his brother for taking the throne. The power and luxury don't mean much to him anyway.
The Moth and the Trap
Ye Zheng reports back to Xie Huaian. He asks what Xie plans to do after the revenge is over. Maybe find his sister? Xie doesn't answer directly. He watches a white moth trapped in a spiderweb. It struggles but eventually breaks free and flies off.
Wang Pu is still hunting the "White Kiss Tiger" in the alley. He digs through Han Ziling’s trash. He finds a bandage with specific ointment on it. He thinks he has the location nailed down to the seventh row. He raids the place at night. But he played himself. Xie Huaian planted that bandage on purpose. Wang Pu thinks he is smart, but he missed the biggest piece of the puzzle. Gu Yu has already been rescued.
