Episode Summary
Qin Yi's obsession with Luo Shu leads him to a self-inflicted wound. Qi Menglin returns, but family duty and political turmoil force him home. The Governor-General faces a crisis, while Qin Yi manipulates the grain supply. Han Muzhi seeks relief grain in Taiyuan, facing delays and pressure to marry. The Governor-General demands Qi Menglin marry his daughter, leading to a brutal confrontation. Qi Yanjin is tempted by Qin Yi's plot to burn the granary. Luo Shu is disappointed in Qi Menglin.
Spoiler Alert
The twisted obsession of Qin Yi reaches a breaking point. After years of scheming to possess Luo Shu, he's devastated to learn of her love for Qi Menglin. In a dramatic confrontation, Qin Yi, realizing he can never have Luo Shu, decides that no one else will either. He grabs Luo Shu's hand, forcing the knife she holds into his own chest. Luo Shu is left terrified and bewildered by his drastic action.
Just then, Qi Menglin arrives, seeking out Luo Shu. Qin Yi, before making his exit, whispers a warning to Luo Shu not to marry Qi Menglin, claiming the Qi family is wicked and destined for ruin, and he doesn't want her caught in the crossfire. Qi Menglin bursts in, initially fearing for Luo Shu's safety upon seeing Qin Yi with a knife, but Qin Yi quickly dismisses the situation as a lover's quarrel.
Qi Menglin wants to take Luo Shu home, assuring her that he's confirmed with his brother, Qi Yanjin, that the Qi family had nothing to do with her parents' deaths. However, duty calls. Lianshu arrives to summon Qi Menglin back home – Governor Qi has returned. Qi Menglin reluctantly leaves, instructing Lianshu to increase protection for Luo Shu and promising to return for her as soon as he settles family matters.
Meanwhile, political turmoil is brewing. A Shanxi official surnamed Liu has long coveted Governor Qi's position. He's been rallying support from other officials and spreading rumors, creating an unprecedented crisis for Governor Qi. Both Qi Yanjin and Qi Menglin pledge their support to their father, but Governor Qi orders Qi Menglin to stay home and avoid causing further trouble.
Qin Yi, ever the manipulator, has Que Si'er spread rumors that the Linfen County Government has grain. This draws desperate refugees from neighboring counties, while local gentry also pressure Han Muzhi to return the grain they lent. With the official relief grain delayed, and the granary only holding enough for five days, Han Muzhi resolves to travel to Taiyuan to personally demand the grain from Liu Yiqing.
Officer Zhao, from the Bureau of Civil Affairs, worries about the escalating situation in Linfen and suggests to Governor Qi that they release some relief grain. However, Qin Yi has already struck a deal with Governor Qi: delay the grain release for a month, and Qin Yi will sell his hoarded grain at a massive profit, sharing 80% with the Governor. Governor Qi decides to release some grain to western counties, but Linfen will remain without.
Luo Shu, refusing to be followed by Qi Menglin's men, goes out alone and sees people lining up at Qin Yi's grain store, only to be denied. She realizes she's being followed by Qin Yi's men and prepares for a fight, but Constable Cai arrives to subdue the follower. Han Muzhi appears, and Luo Shu learns they're both in Taiyuan to get grain. Constable Cai, hearing Qi Menglin is back home for a funeral, stays at the same inn as Luo Shu.
Qin Yi continues to buy up all available grain, furious that Han Muzhi saved Luo Shu. Back at the Qi residence, Qi Menglin mourns his brother's death with his grieving grandmother. Han Muzhi pleads with Liu Yiqing for the relief grain, but Liu Yiqing stalls, prioritizing his own agenda and pressuring Han Muzhi to marry Liu Wan.
Governor Qi lays the burden of the Qi family on Qi Menglin, demanding he marry the daughter of another governor. Qi Menglin refuses, suggesting Qi Yanjin instead, but Qi Yanjin is deemed unsuitable due to his being born of a concubine. Qi Menglin remains steadfast in his love for Luo Shu, infuriating Governor Qi, who beats him severely. Only his grandmother's intervention stops the beating. Han Muzhi returns to the inn and discusses with Luo Shu the possibility of borrowing grain from wealthy Taiyuan merchants, but they're running out of options.
A delirious Qi Menglin, unable to move, sends Lianshu to beg Qi Yanjin for help. He pleads with Qi Yanjin to intercede with their father, claiming he doesn't want the family business or the arranged marriage. He believes Qi Yanjin is the better choice to lead the family. However, Qi Yanjin refuses, bitterly accusing Qi Menglin of squandering opportunities he himself desperately craves.
Luo Shu and Han Muzhi are unsuccessful in finding grain in Taiyuan. They learn that Qin Yi bought up all the grain even before it was ripe. Qin Yi invites Qi Yanjin and encourages him to take a drastic step to secure his position as head of the Qi family: burn down the relief granary. This, Qin Yi argues, will ruin Liu Yiqing and force Governor Qi to rely on Qi Yanjin.
Han Muzhi, Luo Shu, and Constable Cai see Qin Yi's store selling grain, but the shopkeeper claims it's only for small households. Meanwhile, Qi Menglin refuses to eat or drink, worrying Lianshu. Lianshu asks Luo Shu to disguise herself as a doctor to see Qi Menglin. She is initially blocked, but Qi Yanjin arrives and allows her entry. Qi Menglin is overjoyed to see Luo Shu, but she is clearly disappointed in him.
