Episode Summary
Zheng Xinghuai sacrifices himself to protect others, enduring torture and execution. Xu Qi'an, devastated by his friend's death, vows revenge and delivers brutal justice to those responsible, culminating in a confrontation with the Emperor's forces.
Spoiler Alert
Betrayal and sacrifice take center stage in this heart-wrenching episode. Zheng Xinghuai, a righteous official, finds himself the target of a deadly imperial decree. Despite the efforts of Wei Yuan, who deploys his loyal Golden Gong officers (golden gongs, elite imperial guards) to protect him, Zheng Xinghuai makes a devastating choice. Hearing that Emperor Jing has ordered his execution "without pardon," he surrenders to prevent further bloodshed and protect the innocent.
Zheng Xinghuai's imprisonment is a descent into cruelty. He endures brutal torture, refusing to confess to false accusations. His defiance enrages Que Yongxiu, who orders the ultimate act of barbarity: Zheng Xinghuai's tendons are severed, and his legs are broken. A nearby judge reveals the grim truth: Zheng Xinghuai's relentless pursuit of justice and constant petitions had worn the Emperor's patience thin. He was once valued, but now considered a nuisance.
When Xu Qi'an and the other Golden Gong finally reach the prison, they are too late. Zheng Xinghuai is found hanged, his body a testament to the horrors he endured. The sight ignites a fiery rage in Xu Qi'an and Xiao Rou, highlighting the injustice of Zheng's death. A flashback shows Zheng Xinghuai in happier times, reminiscing about the warmth and vibrancy of his hometown, Chuzhou, and a touching reunion with his mother.
Back in the present, Xu Qi'an carefully cleans Zheng Xinghuai's body, removing the shackles and wiping away the blood. He then silently confronts the guards who escorted Zheng Xinghuai to prison, his departure filled with unspoken menace.
The aftermath of Zheng Xinghuai's death sends ripples through Xu Qi'an's family and friends. Xu Qi'an disappears for the night, causing his uncle, Xu Pingzhi, to fear the worst. His friends launch a desperate search, finally locating him at a ring toss game, seemingly calm. Xu Qi'an claims he's had a night to think and knows what he must do. He returns home, enjoys a meal, and cryptically advises his uncle to pack their belongings and leave.
Driven by a thirst for vengeance, Xu Qi'an arrives at the palace gates, brandishing his sword. Wei Yuan appears, urging him to reconsider his actions. Xu Qi'an, however, presents Wei Yuan with a note from Zheng Xinghuai, containing the words "Xu Xu Tu Zhi" ("proceed slowly and cautiously") – advice he believes is better suited for Wei Yuan. Xu Qi'an declares his intent to deliver justice himself.
Xu Qi'an hunts down Duke Cao and Duke Hu, the men responsible for Zheng Xinghuai's torture. He inflicts upon them the same torments they inflicted on Zheng, then parades them through the streets tied to his horse. At the Meridian Gate, he forces them to confess their crimes, revealing to the public that Zheng Xinghuai was framed. Just as Xu Qi'an prepares to execute the two dukes, Emperor Jing's forces arrive to arrest him.
