Episode Summary
Qiao Ruohui is poisoned by He Shenwei, who confesses his infidelity. Hua Miao's true identity as the White Ant gang leader is revealed, and he is arrested. Han Muzhi seeks help from the Pingyang Guard to eliminate the gang. Qi Menglin leads the successful operation. Han Muzhi confesses his love for Luo Shu, but she rejects him due to his engagement and the potential consequences for his career.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Qiao Ruohui confronting He Shenwei about some shady financial dealings – he's been secretly withdrawing money from the accounts. To make matters worse, she finds a woman's handkerchief on him, leading her to believe he's having an affair. She writes to her sister, Qiao Ruolan about her suspicions, but He Shenwei, intercepts the letter. He then forges a reply to Qiao Ruolan, pretending to be Ruohui and claiming everything is fine.
Meanwhile, Hua Miao, who is in cahoots with He Shenwei to take over the Qiao family's winery, is getting nervous. Fearing that Qiao Ruohui will expose their scheme, he decides to eliminate her. He concocts a deadly poison. He Shenwei, showing his true colors, delivers the poisoned medicine to a weakened Qiao Ruohui. She refuses to drink it, demanding to know if he's been unfaithful. He Shenwei coldly admits to his infidelity and forces her to drink the poison, leading to her agonizing death.
Qiao Ruolan, upon hearing He Shenwei's confession, is consumed by rage. She draws her knife, intending to kill him and avenge her sister. Luo Shu manages to restrain her. He Shenwei, in a desperate attempt to save himself, pins all the blame on Hua Miao. He exposes Hua Miao as the second-in-command of the notorious White Ant gang, known as "Bai Zhishen" (White Paper Fan). Hua Miao denies everything, but He Shenwei insists he was merely Hua Miao's "knife," doing his dirty work. He even pleads for leniency, mentioning that Qiu Niang is carrying his child. However, Qiu Niang reveals that the child isn't He Shenwei's, exposing the whole thing as a setup by her and Hua Miao.
Hua Miao then turns on He Shenwei, viciously mocking him. Humiliated, He Shenwei attacks Hua Miao with a knife. In a flashback, Qiao Ruolan takes Luo Shu to the family winery, reminiscing about her childhood with her sister. Luo Shu encourages her to stay strong and honor her sister's memory.
Hua Miao is imprisoned, but he refuses to confess. Han Muzhi tries to reason with him, outlining the consequences of his actions, but Hua Miao remains defiant. Only after Han Muzhi orders him to be tortured does Hua Miao finally admit to using the White Ant gang to abduct and exploit women. Han Muzhi vows to eradicate the gang from the city, but Chen Meiqing advises caution, reminding him of a previous, failed attempt by a governor who ended up deaf after a White Ant attack. Han Muzhi is resolute, believing Chen Meiqing's concerns stem from his feelings for Luo Shu.
Han Muzhi seeks reinforcements from Pingyang Guard in Taiyuan. Luo Shu, aware of Han Muzhi's internal conflict, plays a melancholic tune on her pipa. News arrives that the Pingyang Guard has successfully crushed the White Ant gang. Han Muzhi welcomes the returning soldiers, led by Qi Menglin, now a deputy commander. Qi Menglin boasts about his victory, much to Luo Shu's indifference.
Chen Meiqing's father arrives, demanding he return home to marry Zaohua, even leaving a sheep for his son's "health." Chen Meiqing, desperate to avoid the arranged marriage, is distressed.
Han Muzhi throws a celebratory feast for Qi Menglin. Qi Menglin continues to brag, while Lianshu subtly mocks him. Qi Menglin silences Lianshu. Luo Shu congratulates Qi Menglin, and Cai Baozi requests Qi Menglin to treat everyone to a performance by the Taiyuan opera troupe. Qi Menglin agrees and inquires about Chen Meiqing's fiancée, leading to some awkwardness. Chen Meiqing, annoyed, threatens to take away the mutton, silencing everyone.
After the feast, Han Muzhi and Luo Shu play chess. Luo Shu thanks Han Muzhi for his efforts in eliminating the gang, on behalf of all the women in Linfen. Han Muzhi confesses that his actions were driven by his feelings for Luo Shu. He gives her a day to consider his feelings. Chen Meiqing overhears their conversation.
Chen Meiqing confronts Luo Shu, urging her to give up on Han Muzhi. He reveals that Han Muzhi is engaged to Liu Wan, the governor's daughter, and that pursuing a relationship with Han Muzhi would ruin his career. Chen Meiqing, realizing Luo Shu also has feelings for Han Muzhi, vows to prevent their relationship.
Luo Shu, awakened by Chen Meiqing's words, realizes the impossibility of her situation with Han Muzhi. She doesn't show up for their planned meeting. Han Muzhi waits, disappointed. Later, he learns from Cai Baozi that Qi Menglin invited everyone to the opera, and Luo Shu attended. Han Muzhi arrives at the opera, hoping to gauge Luo Shu's feelings, but she avoids his gaze.
The opera, "The Purple Hairpin," tells a story of a man choosing a commoner over a noblewoman. Luo Shu leaves midway, followed by Han Muzhi. He confronts her about missing their meeting. Luo Shu explains that she doesn't want to be a concubine and refuses to jeopardize his future. She desires someone who loves her wholeheartedly. Qi Menglin overhears their conversation and decides to pursue Luo Shu. From that day on, Luo Shu suppresses her feelings for Han Muzhi, treating him solely as her superior.
