Episode Summary
Qin Yi investigates the death of Luo Shu's parents, leading to a confession and suicide of Xu Biao, who claims he was responsible for the fire. Luo Shu suspects foul play due to inconsistencies and the convenient timing of events. Key witnesses die or disappear, cutting off her leads. Qin Yi confronts Qi Yanjin about bribing Xu Biao. Luo Shu, feeling manipulated, decides to return to Linfen to seek further clues, despite Qi Menglin's profession of love and a slap. She finds lodging with Qiao Ruolan and tries to find Jin Miaocui, but is blocked by Madam Yu.
Spoiler Alert
Qin Yi, determined to uncover the truth behind Luo Shu's parents' death, investigates a gambler named Xu Biao. Thirteen years ago, Xu Biao, who was a colleague of Luo Shu's father, Luo Qingfeng, and also minor official in charge of granary, took Luo Qingfeng to the Changsheng gambling house. It is revealed that the Qi family instigated Xu Biao's actions. Now, Xu Biao is terminally ill and riddled with guilt. Qin Yi, who has his own vendetta against the Qi family for destroying his wife's family, convinces Xu Biao to confess the truth to Luo Shu, promising to provide a large sum of money and secure a good life for Xu Biao's wife and children.
Meanwhile, Lian Qi, working for Qi Yanjin, discovers Qin Yi's meeting with Xu Biao. Qi Yanjin instructs Lian Qi to inform Xu Biao that he has obtained some "stone paint" (a flammable substance) from a relative in the army. Qi Yanjin then informs Qi Menglin about finding Xu Biao. Simultaneously, Qin Yi tells Luo Shu about Xu Biao's whereabouts. Qi Menglin rushes to the scene, claiming his second brother, Qi Yanjin, helped locate Xu Biao. Qi Yanjin and Qin Yi then bring Qi Menglin and Luo Shu to Xu Biao's house.
Xu Biao, struggling to get out of bed, kneels before Luo Shu and confesses. He admits to taking Luo Qingfeng to the gambling house, where Luo Qingfeng won a lot of money. That night, Xu Biao went to the Luo family home to steal money, but things went wrong. He then set fire to the house, and because the rain made it difficult to ignite, he went home to get "stone paint" to fuel the flames. Xu Biao then commits suicide by ramming his head into a pillar, begging Luo Shu not to harm his family.
Luo Shu is devastated by the revelation of her parents' death and falls ill from grief. Qi Menglin takes her back to the inn and stays by her side. However, as Luo Shu recovers, she starts to question the events. The swift discovery and convenient death of Xu Biao seem too coincidental. She also notices the fear in Xu Biao's eyes before his death and his concern for his family. Qi Menglin also finds the situation suspicious.
Qi Menglin and Luo Shu revisit Xu Biao's house, only to find it empty. Neighbors inform them that Xu Biao's wife and children were taken away shortly after his death. Luo Shu remembers Aunt Guo mentioning that the rain started after her house caught fire, contradicting Xu Biao's claim of using stone paint due to the rain. Realizing one of them is lying, Luo Shu and Qi Menglin go to visit Aunt Guo.
They arrive at the Guo residence to find a funeral setup. Neighbors tell them that Uncle and Aunt Guo died from carbon monoxide poisoning and have already been buried, with their son moving away. Luo Shu is stunned, her leads seemingly cut off.
Qin Yi confronts Qi Yanjin, exposing his bribery of Xu Biao to provide false testimony. Qi Yanjin, forced to compromise, offers Qin Yi one year's worth of salt permits. Qin Yi demands more, but Qi Yanjin warns him not to be greedy and offers a truce, which Qin Yi reluctantly accepts. Luo Shu recalls Jin Miaocui's words: never return to Taiyuan and trust no one.
Qi Menglin encourages Luo Shu not to lose hope and to continue searching for new clues. Luo Shu decides to return to Linfen's Mingke Brothel. After her fifth aunt's death, she was left with a large sum of money, enough to buy her freedom. Despite years of effort, she hasn't succeeded, feeling an invisible hand controlling her life. She wants to return to Linfen to find new clues, and Qi Menglin insists on accompanying her.
Luo Shu advises Qi Menglin to be less extravagant with money and to take good care of his grandmother. Qi Menglin readily agrees and promises to give Luo Shu a home. It's the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Luo Shu asks Qi Menglin to accompany her to the Taiyuan flower fair. Qi Menglin, thrilled, dresses up and takes Luo Shu to the bustling streets.
Amidst the lively Taiyuan flower fair, Qi Menglin confesses his love to Luo Shu and impulsively kisses her. Luo Shu pushes him away, slaps him, and runs off. Qi Menglin tries to chase her, but she disappears into the crowd. He returns to the inn, but Luo Shu is nowhere to be found. He suspects she has gone to Linfen. Back home, Qi Menglin is scolded by the Governor (his father). Qi Menglin decides to return to Linfen the next morning, but the Governor strictly forbids it, criticizing his lack of social awareness. Qi Menglin argues, but the Governor, enraged, raises his hand to strike him. His elder brother intervenes, reminding them that the Qi family is in a precarious position, and Qi Menglin cannot be excluded. The Governor orders Qi Menglin to stay home, but Qi Menglin refuses. The Governor is furious, and the elder brother's cough worsens, prompting the Governor to let Qi Menglin escort his brother back to his room.
Luo Shu travels from Taiyuan to Linfen and finds lodging at an inn run by Qiao Ruolan, who is delighted to see her. Luo Shu goes to Mingke Brothel to find Jin Miaocui, but Madam Yu (the madam) obstructs her. Luo Shu offers money, even offering to buy Jin Miaocui's freedom, but Madam Yu refuses, telling Luo Shu to give up, as Jin Miaocui willingly returned. Luo Shu offers all her money, but Madam Yu still refuses and forcefully throws her out.
