Episode Summary
Qin Yi schemes to profit from a locust plague by hoarding grain and manipulating officials. Qi Menglin and Luo Shu work to combat the plague, declare their love, and return to Taiyuan, only to discover the death of Qi Menglin's brother. Qin Yi continues to manipulate Luo Shu, claiming responsibility for past deaths while blaming the Qi family. Han Muzhi is left heartbroken as Qi Menglin and Luo Shu depart.
Spoiler Alert
This episode opens with Qin Yi, a shrewd businessman, learning of a locust plague in Linfen. Predicting a surge in grain prices, he orders a massive buyout of all available grain, aiming to profit from the impending shortage. Meanwhile, Que Si'er, a henchman who narrowly escaped death, returns to Taiyuan to beg for Qin Yi's forgiveness. Qin Yi, recognizing Que Si'er's ruthlessness, spares him, intending to use him for future schemes.
Qin Yi receives a letter from Shopkeeper Li, revealing that Qi Menglin and Han Muzhi are encouraging citizens to exchange captured locusts for food. Qin Yi, always opportunistic, hatches a new plan and immediately seeks an audience with Provincial Officer Zhao. Meanwhile, Han Muzhi oversees the locust eradication efforts, with citizens working tirelessly. Luo Shu and Qi Menglin also join in, though Qi Menglin worries about Luo Shu's health.
The people exchange their captured locusts, which are then burned, for grain. However, the granary is nearly depleted. Han Muzhi summons the gentry of Linfen, requesting a loan of grain. They initially make excuses, but Han Muzhi assures them the loan will be repaid in three months and promises to publicly commend their generosity, prompting them to agree.
Liu Wan tries to get information about the Linfen locust situation from Liu Yiqing, but he rebuffs her. Qin Yi then arrives, introduced by Officer Zhao, to meet with Liu Yiqing. Qin Yi requests that Liu Yiqing delay the release of disaster relief grain by a month, offering him 80% of the profits from selling his hoarded grain at inflated prices. Liu Yiqing initially refuses, but Qin Yi, after some maneuvering, reveals his vendetta against the Qi family and convinces Liu Yiqing to delay the grain release for half a month. Governor Qi, hearing of the locust plague, decides to personally inspect Linfen, instructing Qi Yanjin to keep a close watch on Liu Yiqing and Officer Zhao.
The combined efforts of the county government and the people finally eradicate the locusts, but the crops are utterly destroyed. Han Muzhi donates all the remaining grain from the granary, leaving only enough for a thin soup for the county constables. Han Muzhi thanks Qi Menglin for his help and advises him to distance himself from Luo Shu to avoid harming her. Luo Shu, however, declares her willingness to share Qi Menglin's hardships, and he confesses his love. Luo Shu reciprocates, wanting to marry him soon, and they immediately set off for Taiyuan.
Han Muzhi races to the docks but sees Qi Menglin and Luo Shu already sailing away, their affection for each other evident. Heartbroken, he leaves. Qin Yi then has Que Si'er spread rumors that the Linfen county government has grain, intending to force the gentry to demand it from Han Muzhi, thus forcing Han to buy grain from Qin Yi at high prices.
Qi Menglin and Luo Shu arrive in Taiyuan, and Luo Shu sends Lianshu ahead to find an inn. Qi Menglin, still cautious, inspects the room but is uneasy and wants to take Luo Shu home. Lianshu returns to the Qi family and learns of the eldest young master's death. He immediately reports this to Qi Menglin.
Qi Menglin rushes home to find a funeral in progress. He is devastated. Qi Yanjin comforts him and explains that the eldest brother, already weak, died after hearing rumors about his inability to perform sexually and an alleged affair between the cleaner and gardener. Qi Menglin suspects someone deliberately spread the rumors to kill his brother. He confirms with Qi Yanjin that the Qi family had nothing to do with Luo Shu's parents' deaths and concludes that Qin Yi is behind everything.
Qi Yanjin also finds Qin Yi suspicious but lacks concrete evidence. They decide to wait for their father's return. Qin Yi brings Luo Shu her favorite pastries, claiming the Qi family killed her parents. Luo Shu doesn't believe him, suspecting Qin Yi himself. Qin Yi denies it, claiming he witnessed Qi family servants pouring stone lacquer on Luo Shu's house and setting it ablaze, killing her parents. He claims he saved Luo Shu out of pity. Luo Shu remains unconvinced.
Qin Yi urges Luo Shu to give up on Qi Menglin, declaring his own love for her. Luo Shu accuses Qin Yi of killing Fifth Madam and Jin Miaocui, which Qin Yi admits, claiming he did it all for her. Luo Shu, disgusted, draws a knife on him.
