Episode Summary
Uncle Gu’s wrongful death fractures relationships as Yuan Shaocheng vows revenge against Li Zongxu. Ye Ping’an uncovers corruption tied to Li’s pawnshop dealings while manipulating traitor Xin Jun. A staged assassination fakes Yuan Hesheng’s death, luring Li into a trap where his mercenary plot collapses. Loyalties unravel as Li Qianzhao’s guilt and Ni Chang’s cunning expose vulnerabilities in Li’s empire.
Spoiler Alert
Uncle Gu, who treated brothers Yuan Shaocheng and Yuan Hesheng like sons, dies after being wrongfully framed for Yuan Shaocheng’s alleged crimes. Knowing Yuan Hesheng will blame him, Uncle Gu carries this guilt to his grave. Meanwhile, Ye Ping’an confides in Yuan Shaocheng as a trusted ally, though both privately wonder if their bond will fracture in the future. Hai Yiping sends agents to investigate Ye’s background in Tongquan County but finds nothing. When questioned why he doesn’t just kill Ye, Hai reveals Emperor’s unspoken protection: the gift of the Phoenix Vase (Fengming Hu) warns all that Ye is untouchable.
Shifting tactics, Ye Ping’an abandons targeting Li Zongxu and stalks Xu Qing instead. She trails him to the Jinlu Pawnshop and later poses as a customer, spotting the owner handling a low-value bronze bull—a clue Xu lies about its origins. Elsewhere, Xin Jun rats out Yuan Hesheng’s rural hideout to Li Zongxu, who finally involves his son Li Qianzhao in the salt trade. Haunted by nightmares of Lian (a girl Li Zongxu murdered), Li Qianzhao drowns his guilt at Wan Guo Xiang tavern. Courtesan Phoebe Ni Chang notices his instability, sensing an exploitable weakness.
Wu Ankang offers aid to Yuan Shaocheng, who declines but asks him to deliver a box of Jiuxiang Honey to Prince Wu Youjing—a risky request given the prince’s disdain for sycophants. Separately, Gu Wenyu spots secret guards mobilizing at Langyang Manor and warns Yuan Shaocheng. Ye deduces Yuan Hesheng is in danger, and they race to his rural home. Though Yuan Hesheng defeats three assassins, a hidden fourth stabs him. When Yuan Shaocheng and Ye arrive, he’s unconscious. Yuan’s wife Bai Sheng slaps him, screaming for answers. Consumed by rage, Yuan vows vengeance on Li Zongxu.
Xin Jun leaks Yuan’s plans to Li Zongxu, who schemes to kill him. Li Qianzhao’s trauma worsens as his father’s sins haunt him. Meanwhile, imperial envoy Hao Ji pressures Li to endorse Wu Ankang as royal consort but stalls on salt trade negotiations. Instead of using his guards, Li Zongxu hires desperate Shuo Dan mercenaries to ambush Yuan Shaocheng. Lured to Wan’an Mountain under false pretenses, Yuan is forced to kneel and sign a contract surrendering the Mang River. But the trap backfires: Ye Ping’an arrives with Hao Ji, exposing Li’s bribed assassins.
In a parallel twist, Gu Wenyu and allies lure Xin Jun into a damp tunnel—where a very alive Yuan Hesheng confronts the traitor. Earlier, Ye secretly saved Yuan (the chest wound wasn’t fatal) and staged his death to trick Xin Jun into feeding Li Zongxu false intel. The brothers’ gambit pays off: Li’s arrogance blinds him to their counterplot, leaving his empire vulnerable as loyalties unravel.
