Episode Summary
Qi Yanjin sacrifices himself to protect Qi Menglin and Luo Shu, who are investigating the stolen military grain. Qin Yi, in a rage, kills both Lian Qi and Qi Yanjin. Qi Menglin and Luo Shu, posing as merchants, discover the stolen grain at Taoyuan Ferry. Qin Yi is confronted by Liu Yiqing, who demands he eliminate any remaining threats from the Qi family.
Spoiler Alert
This episode of "Under the Moonlight" is packed with intrigue, betrayal, and a desperate search for justice. The complex web of deceit woven by Qin Yi and Liu Yiqing begins to unravel, revealing shocking truths about the past and setting the stage for a dangerous confrontation.
Qin Yi, determined to find Qi Yanjin, orders Lian Qi to search for him. Lian Qi, knowing Qi Yanjin's fondness for Taoist temples, searches extensively but comes up empty. Qin Yi, recalling Qi Yanjin's interest in Buddhist verses, realizes that Tianlong Mountain, a place connected to both Taoism and Buddhism, might be the key.
As Qin Yi suspected, Qi Yanjin has hidden Luo Shu and Qi Menglin in a courtyard at the foot of Tianlong Mountain. Qi Yanjin expresses regret for falling into the trap set by Qin Yi and Liu Yiqing. He recounts how Qin Yi initially persuaded him to burn Liu Yiqing's disaster relief grain, hoping to bring down Liu and restore the Qi family's prestige. Qi Yanjin and his father had planned to use the situation to their advantage, unaware that it was a diversionary tactic by Qin Yi and Liu Yiqing.
Qin Yi had used Luo Shu to force Qi Menglin to risk using military grain, then had the military granary burned. However, the grain was switched during transport. Liu Yiqing seized the opportunity to accuse Governor Qi of selling military grain and embezzlement. Qi Yanjin discovers that Lian Qi was Qin Yi's spy, working together to destroy the Qi family. Qi Menglin is stunned, and Luo Shu admits he once suspected Lian Qi but dismissed it, believing Lian Qi's long-standing loyalty to the Qi family.
Qi Menglin confronts Qi Yanjin about the truth behind the fire that destroyed the Luo family thirteen years ago. Qi Yanjin confesses that the Qi family was involved. His father, while serving as a commander in Taiyuan, had collaborated with the Qin family to illegally sell government grain. Luo Shu's father, a minor official in the granary, discovered their secret and wrote a letter to the court exposing them. Governor Qi intercepted the letter and tried to bribe Luo Shu's father. However, the young Qin Yi suggested eliminating the Luo family and personally led the arson attack, earning the trust of the Qin family patriarch.
After Governor Qi was promoted, Qi Yanjin was left to manage the family affairs. Recognizing Qin Yi's ruthlessness, Qi Yanjin distanced himself, and Qin Yi eventually allied with Liu Yiqing. Qi Menglin is enraged, realizing the corruption that led to the death of the Luo family and countless others. He impulsively wants to leave with Luo Shu, but Qi Yanjin urges them to go somewhere they are unknown and live freely.
However, Qi Menglin can't bear to leave Qi Yanjin to face the dangers alone. He convinces Luo Shu to stay, and they return to confront Qin Yi together. Qi Yanjin is relieved, and he apologizes to Luo Shu. Luo Shu decides to put aside personal grievances temporarily to investigate the switched grain with Qi Yanjin.
They deduce that the grain was switched during a specific time window based on Qi Menglin's experience of being drugged on the transport ship, likely by a crew member working for Qin Yi who used incense containing a sedative. Qi Yanjin identifies Luosha Port on a map as the likely location.
Qi Menglin and Luo Shu head to Luosha Port to investigate, but Qin Yi arrives at Tianlong Mountain. Qi Yanjin helps Luo Shu and Qi Menglin escape from the back of the mountain, getting into a carriage. Qin Yi pursues them on horseback, eventually surrounding the carriage. After Qin Yi injures the horse, Qi Yanjin falls from the carriage. Qin Yi discovers that Luo Shu and Qi Menglin are not inside. He threatens Qi Yanjin, who defiantly insults him. Qin Yi demands to know their location, promising Qi Yanjin his life, but Qi Yanjin refuses and curses Qin Yi. Enraged, Qin Yi orders his men to shoot Qi Yanjin with arrows.
Mortally wounded, Qi Yanjin continues to berate Qin Yi. Qin Yi orders Lian Qi to cut out Qi Yanjin's tongue, but Lian Qi hesitates. Qin Yi kills Lian Qi on the spot. Qi Yanjin laughs at Qin Yi's isolation, and Qin Yi, in a final act of fury, kills Qi Yanjin. Qi Yanjin's sacrifice allows Qi Menglin and Luo Shu to escape and search for evidence at Luosha Port.
Qi Menglin and Luo Shu arrive at Luosha Port and learn that Taoyuan Ferry has grain. They are directed to "Little Finger," who leads them to Boss Wang of the granary. Posing as wealthy merchants, they inquire about the grain's origin. Boss Wang is cautious, but Qi Menglin offers to buy a large quantity, and Boss Wang takes them to inspect the goods. Luo Shu identifies the grain as the stolen military supply.
Meanwhile, Qin Yi is frantic, unable to locate Luo Shu and Qi Menglin. He orders Peng Cheng to destroy the two shipments of military grain, but Peng Cheng hesitates. Qin Yi, fearing that Luo Shu and Qi Menglin will find the grain, decides to go to Taoyuan Ferry himself. At that moment, Liu Yiqing summons Qin Yi and berates him, urging him to eliminate the remnants of the Qi family to prevent Governor Qi from overturning the case. Liu Wan overhears the conversation and pleads with her father to stop participating in political struggles, but Liu Yiqing dismisses her concerns, suspecting she is influenced by Han Muzhi. Liu Wan is forced to leave, vowing not to marry Han Muzhi. Boss Wang shows the grain to Qi Menglin and Luo Shu, and Luo Shu confirms it is the switched military grain.
