Episode Summary
Du Fenglei suspects Nan Fengyi and orders an investigation. Du Yuelian, while investigating, gets a drawing of a key mirage from the imprisoned Fengyi. She teams up with Meng Xizhou, Huo Ting, and Huo Xiao to uncover the truth, focusing on the palace weaving room and clues from umbrella patterns. Meng Xizhou seeks help from Bei Gongshuo. A dream reveals a formation suppressing the dragon aura, breakable only by Meng Xizhou's blood. During Bei Gongshuo's ceremony, a crisis unfolds, and Meng Xizhou, saving him, is revealed to be a bird.
Spoiler Alert
Du Fenglei orders Guo Ji to investigate Nan Fengyi and Nan Sixu, and also check if his mother is a demon. Guo Ji expresses concern that he can't handle it alone, prompting Du Fenglei to tease him about wanting Du Yuelian's company. Guo Ji, clearly smitten with Yuelian, confesses his feelings, but Fenglei dismisses it, stating that Yuelian is fiercely independent and won't listen to anyone, not even her father. Taking this as a hint, Guo Ji sneaks into Yuelian's room and tampers with her "Hu Mai Wan" (Pulse-Protecting Pills).
Yuelian catches him acting suspiciously and warns him sternly. After Guo Ji leaves, Yuelian takes the pills to Nan Fengyi in his cell. She acknowledges his impressive power, equivalent to a fifth-level demon hunter, and notes his intelligence in understanding that he couldn't have killed Crown Prince Bei Gongshuo in public due to the Prince's protective dragon aura. Fengyi believes the key to the mystery lies in the mirage they witnessed, and he draws a picture of what he remembers for Yuelian. Before leaving, Yuelian gives Fengyi the tampered pills.
Meanwhile, Huo Ting and Huo Xiao visit Meng Xizhou to inquire about Fengyi. Yuelian arrives, asserting that the whole situation is a setup. Meng Xizhou is distraught, worried about Fengyi. Huo Ting and Huo Xiao, being demons themselves, vouch for Fengyi's innocence. Yuelian explains that the Emperor ordered Fengyi's imprisonment in the demon-locking tower, leaving them with no choice. She emphasizes that the focus should be on solving the case and asks for their help.
Yuelian explains that the Kui Ling (Puppet Spirit) deliberately appeared in Meng Xizhou's path, knowing that Fengyi would follow her and fall under the illusion, making him appear as the Emperor saw him. The question arises: who knew about Meng Xizhou's return to the palace? Yuelian points out that Meng Xizhou's umbrella delivery was common knowledge. Meng Xizhou feels guilty, realizing she indirectly harmed Fengyi. Yuelian reiterates that the mirage, as Fengyi described, is crucial. They recall that Bei Gongshuo's attendants saw them, but the attendants have no memory of it. Meng Xizhou wonders if it's a glimpse of the future.
Yuelian shows Fengyi's drawing to Meng Xizhou and the others, suggesting they check the palace's weaving room (Zhi Jin Fang) for clues. Huo Ting questions how they can access it, but Meng Xizhou has an idea: she might be able to ask Bei Gongshuo for help.
Bei Gongshuo, skipping meals, is troubled by Fengyi's earlier words, calling him "Situ Hanshan" and threatening to kill him. Meng Xizhou arrives, requesting access to the weaving room to help Fengyi. Bei Gongshuo takes her there, encountering Master Li. While Bei Gongshuo distracts Master Li, Meng Xizhou quickly investigates. They leave shortly after Master Li enters.
Meng Xizhou visits Fengyi, who suggests that the patterns on Nan Sixu's umbrellas might also be clues. She asks Sixu to draw them, but he has forgotten. Meng Xizhou dozes off and dreams of Renguang, who reveals that the pattern is a formation that can suppress the dragon aura, and only Meng Xizhou's blood can break it.
During Bei Gongshuo's coming-of-age ceremony, problems arise as predicted. Meng Xizhou brings Fengyi to save him, but in doing so, Meng Xizhou exhausts her inner strength and is revealed to be a bird in her true form.
