Episode Summary
Shen Huizhao gets amnesia after a carriage accident. Hao De reveals their true relationship, but they work together to solve Chai An's murder case, which turns out to be a setup to catch the real killers, Lady Liu and her lover. Shen Huizhao and Hao De's relationship grows closer.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Shen Huizhao working late, burning the midnight oil over case files. Hao De, under orders from the Grand Madam, brings him a "special" tonic soup. Shen Huizhao, ever the oblivious workaholic, misses Hao De's subtle hints, and she ends up drinking the potent concoction herself. To make matters worse, a servant locks them in the study together. As midnight strikes, the tonic's effects kick in, leaving Hao De flushed and feverish. Shen Huizhao, in his infinite wisdom, suggests she calm herself by copying scriptures.
Meanwhile, Chai An accompanies his mother-in-law, Lady Li, to a banquet. He dutifully drinks on her behalf, but a slip of the tongue reveals his seafaring adventure was a ruse. This enrages Kang Ning, who promptly kicks him out of their room. A tipsy Chai An then stumbles upon a murder scene, nearly tripping over a dead body. A woman suddenly appears, clinging to him and screaming about murder.
Back in the study, Hao De has been transcribing scriptures all night. At dawn, she bursts into tears, finally breaking through Shen Huizhao's stoic facade. He advises her to move on, promising to find her a suitable husband after their one-year agreement ends, allowing her to leave as his "sworn sister."
Chai An, now the prime suspect, finds himself in jail. With Du Yangxi and Shou Hua away, Hao De rushes to the Kaifeng Prefecture but is turned away. Shen Huizhao interrogates Chai An, who, enraged, receives forty lashes.
Hao De pleads for Chai An's life. Shen Huizhao, ever the impartial official, escorts her home, explaining the evidence: the victim's wife, Lady Liu, accuses Chai An of attempted rape and murder. Hao De, of course, refuses to believe it.
Suddenly, their carriage crashes, the horses spooked. Shen Huizhao, protecting Hao De, suffers a head injury and loses consciousness. Hao De finally realizes the dangers surrounding Shen Huizhao, learning that his pursuit of justice led to his sister's death and his mother's bitter demise, cursing him as unworthy of family.
Hao De tends to Shen Huizhao, who awakens with amnesia. The quick-witted Fifth Sister, Le Shan, sees an opportunity, suggesting Hao De solidify her position as Shen Huizhao's wife. However, Hao De, respecting Shen Huizhao's integrity, reveals their true relationship and her real identity.
Hao De helps Shen Huizhao, who is now more personable, navigate his amnesia, starting with Chai An's case. Shen Huizhao re-interrogates Chai An and Lady Liu. Lady Liu is a formidable witness, leaving Shen Huizhao speechless. He resorts to torture, enraging Chai An, who accuses Shen Huizhao of prioritizing his reputation. Chai An then seemingly bites his tongue and dies. Kang Ning arrives to find her husband's "body," devastated.
Lady Liu, satisfied, leaves, only to be caught meeting her lover. Meanwhile, Kang Ning and the Li family mourn Chai An, until Fu Hui and Fan Lianghan arrive, revealing the ruse. Chai An rises, embracing Kang Ning. It was all a setup by Chai An and Shen Huizhao to trap Lady Liu and her lover, Wang Sheng.
With the case closed, Hao De is thrilled, her trust in Shen Huizhao reaffirmed. He compliments her and shares his favorite sweets, their relationship growing closer. Hao De offers to assist in future cases, and Shen Huizhao readily agrees.
