Episode Summary
Betrayal, revelations, and sacrifice mark this episode. Qian Dayou faces exposure and pressure from Chen Meiqing, while undercover agents Luo Shu and Qi Menglin's plan is complicated by Wang Mao's actions. A desperate battle ensues in the mine, culminating in Zaohua's tragic death protecting Chen Meiqing and Wang Mao's heroic self-sacrifice to save the others from an explosion.
Spoiler Alert
After narrowly escaping death, Luo Shu rushes back to the woodshed to tell Qi Menglin about the harrowing experience. Neither of them can figure out who killed Bai Yue. Qi Menglin worries about Qian Dayou discovering Bai Yue's body, but Luo Shu assures him that she cleaned up the blood, and the body is hidden in an abandoned mine, unlikely to be found anytime soon.
Meanwhile, Qian Dayou receives news of Bai Yue's disappearance and is frantic. Chen Meiqing approaches Qian Dayou, offering him a drink and revealing a copy of the report sent to the county government. The report accuses Qian Dayou of colluding with the "White Ant" gang to abduct women. Qian Dayou is terrified. Chen Meiqing pressures him, warning that if Eunuch Zhang loses his position, Qian Dayou will be ruined. Qian Dayou doubts anyone can overthrow Eunuch Zhang, but Chen Meiqing insists that Qian Dayou was betrayed by someone close to him, the same person who kidnapped Zaohua. Chen Meiqing claims to have solid evidence and offers Qian Dayou a chance to redeem himself. Qian Dayou, thoroughly frightened, agrees to cooperate.
Chen Meiqing urges Qian Dayou to report Eunuch Zhang, promising that Han Muzhi will recommend Qian Dayou to Liu Yiqing afterward. Otherwise, Qian Dayou will be caught in the middle. Wang Mao overhears their conversation. Qian Dayou suspects the missing Bai Yue betrayed him and summons his three confidants, ordering them to find Zaohua.
Wang Mao delivers Zaohua to Qian Sigou, who immediately informs Qian Dayou. Qian Dayou instructs him to take her to the mine to avoid detection by the authorities. Eunuch Zhang sends his confidant, Eunuch Huang, to the mine to see Qian Dayou. He wants to destroy old accounting records and orders Qian Dayou to get rid of Chen Meiqing and his associates, as long as Chen Meiqing isn't killed. Qian Dayou is eager to know Eunuch Zhang's status and is relieved to learn that the Emperor hasn't investigated Zhang, who is currently safe.
Qian Dayou takes Eunuch Huang to the mine to inspect the "goods" – numerous imprisoned women. Qian Dayou opens the sack Qian Sigou just delivered, only to find Luo Shu inside. Under the cover of darkness, Wang Mao had put Zaohua in a sack, intending to kill her. Luo Shu and Qi Menglin reveal their identities. Wang Mao already knew they were undercover agents, which is why he brought them to the mine. He didn't expect them to be in league with Qian Dayou. Wang Mao admits he reported Qian Dayou to the county, hoping to bring him to justice. He overheard Chen Meiqing and Qian Dayou's conversation and, believing they were colluding, decided to kill Chen Meiqing's fiancée, Zaohua, in a fit of anger.
Luo Shu stops Wang Mao, explaining their plan. Wang Mao is skeptical. Luo Shu explains that Chen Meiqing knew Zaohua was held in the woodshed but didn't rescue her to avoid alerting the enemy and gather solid evidence to take down Qian Dayou and Eunuch Zhang. Luo Shu suspects Wang Mao killed Bai Yue when he came to rescue her. Wang Mao is stunned, realizing his mistake. He apologizes to Zaohua, and she asks him to help Chen Meiqing capture Qian Dayou.
Luo Shu sends Zaohua to inform Han Muzhi, while she impersonates Zaohua to locate the imprisoned women, leaving marks along the way. Qi Menglin doesn't want Luo Shu to risk it, but they can't think of a better plan. Wang Mao delivers Luo Shu to Qian Sigou, who locks her in the mine. Someone discovers Bai Yue's body and reports it to Qian Dayou, who is terrified. Luo Shu claims to be Chen Meiqing's fiancée, Zaohua, but Qian Dayou doesn't believe her. Eunuch Huang learns that Zaohua is Chen Meiqing's fiancée and scolds Qian Dayou. Qian Dayou immediately goes to find Wang Mao.
Zaohua asks Xiao Doumiao to cover for her as she leaves the mine. Constable Cai finds Zaohua and takes her away. The overseer tries to kill Luo Shu, but Qi Menglin and Wang Mao arrive just in time to save her. They try to free the imprisoned women, but they are bound by heavy chains. Qi Menglin, Luo Shu, and Wang Mao resort to smashing the chains with rocks.
Qian Dayou can't find Wang Mao or the couple who worked in the kitchen, realizing they were undercover agents. He decides to fight the authorities to the death and sends men to capture Chen Meiqing. Qian Dayou and Eunuch Huang return to the mine and capture Wang Mao, Luo Shu, and Qi Menglin. Qi Menglin reveals his true identity as the Governor's son. Eunuch Huang, learning this, berates Qian Dayou and forces him to kill them. Qi Menglin explains the situation to Qian Dayou, urging him to release them, as Eunuch Zhang is doomed. Qian Dayou is unsure what to do. Eunuch Huang advises Qian Dayou to blow up the mine, creating the illusion of a mining accident. Qian Dayou reluctantly agrees.
Qian Dayou and Eunuch Huang leave the mine and see the authorities and miners engaged in a fierce battle. Eunuch Huang urges Qian Dayou to kill Chen Meiqing as well. Someone attacks Chen Meiqing, but Zaohua shields him, taking a fatal sword blow. Chen Meiqing is heartbroken. Han Muzhi arrives with troops and arrests Qian Dayou, his men, and the rioting miners.
Chen Meiqing cradles Zaohua, who is dying from blood loss. With her last breath, she expresses her love for Chen Meiqing, who is devastated. Luo Shu tells Qi Menglin to kick a mine lamp over. Qi Menglin kicks it to Wang Mao, who painfully burns through the ropes, freeing Luo Shu, Qi Menglin, and the imprisoned women. As they reach the mine entrance, someone throws explosives into the mine. Wang Mao covers the explosives with his body, sacrificing himself to protect the others.
