Episode Summary
Luo Shu and Qi Menglin continue their undercover mission at the mine, facing constant threats from Wang Mao and the newly arrived Bai Yue. Luo Shu discovers Zaohua's imprisonment. Chen Meiqing arrives with troops to investigate the mine and secretly plans to expose Qian Dayou's corruption. Luo Shu connects with Chen Meiqing, revealing Zaohua's location and Bai Yue's presence. The episode ends with a shocking twist: Bai Yue is found murdered, leaving Luo Shu in a precarious situation.
Spoiler Alert
Luo Shu, while Qi Menglin is asleep, sneaks out to gather information. She runs into Bai Yue, who's visiting Wang Mao. Bai Yue immediately senses something is off about Luo Shu and aggressively questions her origins. Wang Mao arrives and forcefully sends Luo Shu away. Bai Yue then asks Wang Mao for a favor – he needs a woman. Wang Mao is hesitant, as Qian Siguo keeps a close watch on him. Bai Yue reminds Wang Mao of his past at the incense hall, where he took advantage of women seeking fertility blessings. Now, hiding in the mines after being wanted by the authorities, Bai Yue is desperate. He promises Wang Mao immense wealth and power if he helps him, and the two strike a deal.
Back at the woodshed, Qi Menglin wakes up and scolds Luo Shu for her risky venture. They see Wang Mao approaching and quickly pretend to be asleep together, maintaining their disguise as a married couple. Wang Mao checks on them, warns Luo Shu not to wander around, and leaves a blanket. Luo Shu pushes Qi Menglin off the bed, forcing him to sleep on the floor.
Meanwhile, Chen Meiqing volunteers to lead the soldiers to Mantian Ridge Mine to rescue Zaohua. Han Muzhi worries that Chen Meiqing, a mere county magistrate, won't be able to handle Qian Dayou. Chen Meiqing plans to report to Liu Yiqing and take down Qian Dayou's powerful backer, Eunuch Zhang. Knowing Han Muzhi is worried about Luo Shu, Chen Meiqing urges him to focus on the bigger picture and promises to take care of her.
Chen Meiqing arrives at the mine with his troops and demands that Qian Dayou release Zaohua. Qian Dayou feigns ignorance. Chen Meiqing presents Zaohua's belongings found at the mine and orders a search. Qian Dayou tries to obstruct, but Chen Meiqing is undeterred. The search yields nothing. Chen Meiqing then plays his trump card: a secret order signed by Han Muzhi to audit the mine's accounts. Qian Dayou is stunned but still tries to stall. Chen Meiqing invokes the Emperor's authority, giving Qian Dayou half an hour to comply.
Chen Meiqing spots Luo Shu and Qi Menglin in the crowd and sends Constable Cai to rescue them. However, Qian Dayou's informants are everywhere, and Qi Menglin is unable to connect with Constable Cai. Qian Dayou confronts his four foremen, demanding to know who kidnapped Zaohua. They deny any involvement. Qian Dayou sends someone to inform Eunuch Zhang.
Qian Siguo and Bai Yue come to Wang Mao, urging him to find a "spicy" woman quickly. Wang Mao assigns Luo Shu and Qi Menglin to collect manure. Bai Yue recognizes Luo Shu's figure and calls out to her. Qi Menglin, fearing exposure, throws a bucket of pig feed on Bai Yue, diverting his attention.
Luo Shu and Qi Menglin go to collect manure. Luo Shu suspects Wang Mao is deliberately keeping them away. She secretly returns to the kitchen and sees Wang Mao cooking. She sneaks to the locked woodshed and sees Zaohua imprisoned inside. Luo Shu whispers to Zaohua, promising to rescue her. Wang Mao hears a noise, grabs a cleaver, and heads to the woodshed. Luo Shu hides, and Wang Mao, finding nothing suspicious, returns to the kitchen.
Qi Menglin returns with a cart of manure. Luo Shu claims to have a stomachache and can't continue working. Wang Mao has no choice but to let it go. The foreman urges Wang Mao to cook for the officials. Wang Mao, overwhelmed, asks Luo Shu for help. He keeps a close eye on her, preventing her from contacting Constable Cai.
Qi Menglin returns to the woodshed after work. Luo Shu tells him Zaohua's location. He wants to rescue her, but Wang Mao is constantly watching them. Luo Shu decides to seek help from Chen Meiqing. Qian Dayou delivers the account books on time. Chen Meiqing suspects they've been tampered with. Constable Cai hasn't connected with Luo Shu, raising concerns that she and Qi Menglin are being controlled. Luo Shu waits near Chen Meiqing's residence under the cover of darkness. Constable Cai intentionally provokes a fight with the miners, creating a distraction for Luo Shu to meet with Chen Meiqing. Luo Shu reveals Zaohua's location. Chen Meiqing wants to avoid alerting the enemy and instructs Luo Shu to gather evidence of Qian Dayou's collusion with Eunuch Zhang before taking them all down.
Luo Shu informs Chen Meiqing about Bai Yue's presence in the mine. Chen Meiqing urges Luo Shu to withdraw to avoid being recognized by Bai Yue. Luo Shu is confident her disguise will hold. Chen Meiqing reminds her to protect herself, or he won't be able to face Han Muzhi. Luo Shu assures him she will protect Zaohua. Chen Meiqing has been obstructing Luo Shu and Han Muzhi's relationship, but Luo Shu doesn't hold a grudge and continues to help him.
Zaohua is alone, returning to the woodshed. Suddenly, Bai Yue attacks her, choking her. He recognizes Luo Shu and tries to kill her. Luo Shu loses consciousness. When she wakes up, she finds a large pool of blood and discovers Bai Yue's dead body. She has no idea who killed him.
