Episode Summary
Emperor Jing stalls on punishing the Duke of Zhennan, causing unrest. Prince Li suggests blaming the Kui tribe for the Chuzhou massacre to protect the royal family's image. Zheng Xinghuai is urged to be patient by Wei Yuan and Xu Qi'an. Que Yongxiu arrives, falsely accusing Zheng Xinghuai of the massacre, leading to his arrest warrant.
Spoiler Alert
The political intrigue in the Dafeng court is reaching a boiling point. Emperor Jing's continued refusal to condemn the Duke of Zhennan isn't just frustrating the ministers; it's worrying Princess Lin'an. She even seeks counsel from the Crown Prince, who advises her to stay out of it. He reminds her that they are members of the royal family, and Prince Huai is their uncle. They shouldn't join the chorus of accusers. Plus, Emperor Jing used to dote on Lin'an precisely because she didn't interfere in court matters. Pushing too hard now could backfire spectacularly.
Emperor Jing calls another court assembly to discuss the Duke of Zhennan's fate. However, Prince Li (Li Wang), a staunch supporter of the Duke, throws a wrench in the works. He argues that the entire mess was caused by the invading Kui tribe. He points out that since the entire city of Chuzhou was massacred, there are no witnesses to corroborate the accusations against the Duke. His solution? Blame everything on the Kui, thus preserving the image of the royal family and preventing public disillusionment with corrupt officials.
The suggestion is met with horror by many of the court officials. Zheng Xinghuai, a righteous official, vehemently objects, arguing that the truth cannot be hidden, especially since thousands of soldiers witnessed the massacre. Despite this, Emperor Jing abruptly ends the session, leaving the Duke of Zhennan's fate unresolved.
After the disastrous court session, some officials suggest Zheng Xinghuai take a step back and return to Chuzhou to rebuild. Zheng Xinghuai is appalled by their cowardice, calling them shameless. He then attempts to rally support from other court officials, but only Wei Yuan, a powerful and respected figure, agrees to meet with him.
Wei Yuan, clearly understanding Zheng Xinghuai's pain, offers him tea and subtly advises him to be patient and strategic. He urges him to avoid rash actions and to plan his moves carefully. That night, Zheng Xinghuai also visits Xu Qi'an, who is visibly distressed. Xu Qi'an, echoing Wei Yuan's advice, uses the analogy of the tortoise and the hare to persuade Zheng Xinghuai to adopt a long-term strategy. Zheng Xinghuai thanks him and invites him for a bowl of noodles.
At a humble noodle stall, Zheng Xinghuai shares his backstory. He was originally demoted and sent to the impoverished Chuzhou for offending the former Grand Secretary. He grew to love the local dialect and people. Witnessing the brutal massacre of those he cared for has left him deeply traumatized. He acknowledges Wei Yuan's wisdom but admits that he's haunted by the horrific scenes he witnessed.
The episode takes a darker turn. Que Yongxiu arrives in the capital, a man with a heinous past. He presents a falsified "blood letter," falsely accusing Zheng Xinghuai of colluding with the Kui tribe and orchestrating the Chuzhou massacre. The Emperor, swayed by these lies, orders Zheng Xinghuai's arrest to uncover the "truth."
