Episode Summary
Qin Yi's elaborate plan to destroy the Qi family unfolds, using deception, manipulation, and political maneuvering. He orchestrates events that lead to the death of the eldest Qi son, the framing of Qi Menglin for stealing military grain (which turns out to be rice husks), and a fire at the military granary. Qi Yanjin is seriously injured. Governor Qi finally realizes he's been outplayed by Liu Yiqing. Qi Menglin escapes jail to return home, and Luo Shu joins him. Han Muzhi resigns in disgust. Qin Yi, having achieved his initial goal, now hunts for Qi Yanjin.
Spoiler Alert
Qin Yi's hatred for the Qi family runs deep, and he's been meticulously plotting their downfall for years. His scheme unfolds in this episode, revealing a multi-pronged attack designed to utterly ruin the Qi family. First, Qin Yi spread rumors about the Qi family's eldest son having a "physical defect," a cruel tactic that leads to the sickly young man's death from sheer stress. He then leverages his influence in Shanxi's official circles to put pressure on Governor Qi. Qin Yi also masterminded to manipulate Qi Yanjin, the unfavored illegitimate son, by inciting him to burn down the relief grain warehouse. Qin Yi even convinces Liu Yiqing to delay the distribution of relief grain by a month, using the opportunity to sell his own hoarded grain at exorbitant prices.
Qi Yanjin, known for his effective household management, harbors resentment towards his father, Governor Qi, who favors his legitimate son, Qi Menglin, for inheriting the family business. Eager to prove his worth, Qi Yanjin agrees to Qin Yi's plan to burn the warehouse. He gathers a group of men, but before they can act, he receives news that Qi Menglin is transporting two ships of military grain to Linfen. Knowing that unauthorized use of military grain is a capital offense, Qi Yanjin rushes to intercept them. Qin Yi had hoped to frame Qi Yanjin for burning the warehouse, but with Yanjin's unexpected departure, he shifts his focus to Qi Menglin. He has a spy planted near Qi Menglin, ready to burn the military grain and frame Menglin.
Meanwhile, Constable Cai learns about Qi Menglin's grain transport to Linfen and informs Han Muzhi. Han Muzhi, Luo Shu, and Constable Cai immediately head back to Linfen overnight. Qi Menglin, exhausted from personally escorting the grain, falls asleep. Seizing the opportunity, the spy signals to accomplices on the shore.
Simultaneously, Lian Qi arrives at the military camp, reporting that Qi Menglin used forged documents to obtain the military grain. A fire erupts at the military granary. As soldiers rush to extinguish the flames, the camp commander suspects arson. Lian Qi takes advantage of the chaos and stabs the commander. Qin Yi, seeing the flames from the military camp, is secretly delighted. Governor Qi arrives at the scene, and the dying commander reveals Lian Qi as the traitor. Governor Qi concludes that Liu Yiqing is the mastermind, aiming to destroy the Qi family.
Qi Yanjin sails to intercept Qi Menglin but encounters patrolling military ships. Despite his efforts to evade them, he is struck by several arrows. Qi Menglin reaches Linfen and sends Lianshu to notify Chen Meiqing. Chen Meiqing arrives, promising to distribute the grain to the people once it reaches the county office. However, when the people eagerly seize the grain, they discover it's nothing but rice husks. Qi Menglin is stunned, and the furious crowd accuses him of being a fraud. Chen Meiqing quickly pulls Qi Menglin away.
Qi Yanjin returns to the Qi residence. Governor Qi, piecing together the events, realizes he's fallen victim to Liu Yiqing's elaborate trap. Knowing the severe consequences of misusing military grain, he urges Qi Yanjin to go into hiding. However, Qi Yanjin insists on standing by his father. Governor Qi is deeply moved, regretting his past neglect of Yanjin, and the two share a tearful embrace.
Governor Qi orders Qi Yanjin to flee, even if it means living under an assumed identity, to rebuild the Qi family. Qi Yanjin tearfully bids farewell to his father and rushes out. Liu Yiqing, having successfully used Qin Yi to bring down the Qi family, orders Officer Zhao to distribute the relief grain in Linfen. Luo Shu, Han Muzhi, and Constable Cai arrive in Linfen and learn that Qi Menglin has been imprisoned. Luo Shu visits Qi Menglin, informing him about the burned military granary. Qi Menglin realizes he's been caught in Qin Yi's intricate scheme and regrets his impulsive actions that have jeopardized his entire family. He wants to return to his father, but Luo Shu advises him to stay calm, as going back would be futile.
Han Muzhi, aware of the long-standing political rivalry between Liu Yiqing and Governor Qi, is furious that Liu Yiqing orchestrated this trap. The relief grain arrives in Linfen, and Han Muzhi personally oversees its distribution. He wants Qi Menglin to remain in jail temporarily to avoid further trouble.
The people gratefully line up to receive grain, praising Liu Yiqing. Constable Cai's son goes to the jail to deliver food to Qi Menglin but finds him gone. He immediately informs Luo Shu, who seeks answers from Han Muzhi. Qi Menglin, determined to face the consequences with his father, asks Han Muzhi to take care of Luo Shu before leaving. Han Muzhi knows Qi Menglin's return is perilous and that he'll likely fall into Liu Yiqing's trap, but Qi Menglin cannot stand idly by while his family is destroyed.
Luo Shu, worried, insists on accompanying Qi Menglin. Han Muzhi, unable to dissuade her, tells her to depart the next day. Lian Qi, Qin Yi's spy within the Qi family, reports his success to Qin Yi. Overjoyed, Qin Yi instructs Lian Qi to find Qi Yanjin's hiding place. Qin Yi anticipates that Luo Shu will join Qi Menglin on their return to Taiyuan and orders Peng Cheng to keep a close watch on them.
Qi Menglin and Lianshu disguise themselves and return to Taiyuan, only to find a wanted poster for Qi Menglin at the city gate. Peng Cheng is meticulously searching everyone entering the city. Qi Menglin panics and flees, accidentally knocking over someone's eggs. City guards approach to investigate, but Luo Shu arrives just in time, smearing dirt on Qi Menglin's face and pretending to be his wife, successfully deceiving the guards.
Han Muzhi, disillusioned by the darkness of officialdom, writes his resignation letter despite Chen Meiqing's protests and sends it to Liu Yiqing. Liu Yiqing receives the resignation and shows it to his daughter, Liu Wan, urging her to break off her engagement with Han Muzhi. Liu Wan defends Han Muzhi, feeling he's been wronged.
