Episode Summary
Luo Shu rejects Han Muzhi, causing a rift. A letter accuses mine owner Qian Dayou of being a "White Ant" associate. Luo Shu and Chen Meiqing investigate the mine undercover. Zaohua disappears, prompting a rescue mission. Luo Shu and Qi Menglin infiltrate the mine disguised as refugees, uncovering suspicious activity and encountering a familiar face, Bai Yue. Luo Shu is caught by Bai Yue at the end of the episode.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Luo Shu reeling from Chen Meiqing's words. She confronts and rejects Han Muzhi, creating a deliberate distance between them. Han Muzhi is heartbroken and despondent, caught between his feelings for Luo Shu and Chen Meiqing's warnings that their relationship is doomed and will ruin his career.
Meanwhile, Qi Menglin overhears a conversation between Han Muzhi and Chen Meiqing. He furiously condemns Han Muzhi as a social climber, unworthy of Luo Shu's love. Qi Menglin's anger boils over when he hears Coroner Xu and Constable Cai gossiping disparagingly about Chen Meiqing's engagement to Zaohua, a shepherdess. Qi Menglin, already furious, lashes out at them and vows to bring Zaohua to the Yamen (the local government office) to expose Chen Meiqing's true nature.
The plot thickens when an anonymous letter is delivered to the Yamen, accusing Qian Dayou, the owner of the Mantian Ridge Mine, of being an accomplice of the "White Ants" (a criminal organization). Han Muzhi, Chen Meiqing, and Luo Shu discuss their options. Chen Meiqing, aware that Qian Dayou's backer is the powerful Eunuch Zhang, is cautious. Luo Shu suggests an undercover reconnaissance mission to the mine.
Chen Meiqing, posing as an iron merchant, visits the mine with Luo Shu and several constables disguised as merchants. Qian Dayou, impressed by their appearance, allows them a tour. Elsewhere, Qi Menglin and Lianshu try to convince Zaohua that Chen Meiqing is a bad person, leading to a chase.
During the mine tour, Chen Meiqing casually mentions the White Ants, raising Qian Dayou's suspicions. The group is quickly expelled. Back at the Yamen, Zaohua confronts Chen Meiqing about their broken engagement. Chen Meiqing insists he only sees her as a sister, despite the pleas of Constable Cai and Coroner Xu.
Luo Shu and Chen Meiqing report back to Han Muzhi, suspecting Qian Dayou of abducting women under the guise of mining. Han Muzhi considers two options: reporting to Liu Yiqing or gathering enough evidence to bring down Eunuch Zhang. Chen Meiqing, wary of complications, favors the former, prompting scorn from Qi Menglin.
The situation escalates when Zaohua disappears while herding sheep near the mine. Her father seeks Chen Meiqing's help. Han Muzhi decides to go to the mine to rescue Zaohua. Luo Shu volunteers to go undercover, but Han Muzhi initially refuses, fearing for her safety. Qi Menglin insists on accompanying her, and Han Muzhi reluctantly agrees, stressing to Qi Menglin to protect Luo Shu.
Qi Menglin and Luo Shu disguise themselves as impoverished refugees. Qi Menglin makes himself look dirty. Luo Shu disguises herself as a buck-toothed, raggedly-dressed pregnant woman. They encounter Wang Mao, the mine's cook, and claim to be starving. Wang Mao takes pity on them and brings them to the mine.
Wang Mao gives them food and tells them to leave, but they plead for work, claiming they are looking for relatives. He allows them to stay and do odd jobs, secretly observing them. Their hard work eventually eases his suspicions.
Luo Shu overhears Wang Mao and a man called "Qian Siguo" mentioning the White Ants. She also notices that Wang Mao prepares meager food for the miners but a separate pot of finer food, suspecting it's for the abducted women.
Qi Menglin learns from the miners that the four foremen are Qian Dayou's relatives. Luo Shu delivers food to the foremen and recognizes one as Bai Yue, a former disciple from the fragrance hall, whose real name is Qian Yue. Bai Yue finds Luo Shu familiar but doesn't recognize her in her disguise. Luo Shu and Qi Menglin are given the woodshed to sleep in, and Luo Shu draws a map of the mine. Qi Menglin sleeps on the floor. Luo Shu worries about Bai Yue recognizing her, but she is confident in her disguise.
Luo Shu notices Qi Menglin's rough, injured hands and feels a pang of sympathy, though he dismisses it. Late at night, Luo Shu sneaks out to investigate but is caught by Bai Yue.
