Episode Summary

Ye Ping’an exposes Prince Kangping Wu Youjing’s corruption through a staged attack, forcing Lu Wei to confess his coerced role in a past wrongful conviction. Wu Ankang uncovers his father’s salt-smuggling empire and clashes with him after learning of plans to kill Ye. A year later, Ye returns disguised as a salt trader to confront Wu’s allies, while political tensions escalate with border wars and court scheming.

Spoiler Alert

Lu Wei’s past collides with the present when Ye Ping’an reveals her origins from Tongquan County, triggering his memory of Yu Qian—a figure tied to unresolved corruption. Skeptical of her motives, Lu Wei urges her to report her grievances to authorities, but Ye Ping’an counters by exposing her sister’s tragic fate, silencing him. That night, a masked assailant attacks Ye Ping’an, prompting Lu Wei to shield her and inadvertently blurt out Prince Kangping Wu Youjing’s name as the mastermind behind the imperial censor case. The "assassin" is revealed to be Jin Fuzi, a subordinate of Ye’s ally Ní Shang, in a staged ploy to force Lu Wei’s confession. Cornered, Lu Wei unravels his dark history: Once an upright official, he was blackmailed by Wu Youjing using his son’s secrets, forcing him to wrongfully convict Yu Qian in a single day. He warns Ye that Wu is untouchable, but her resolve hardens.

Meanwhile, Wu Youjing’s grip tightens. After coercing official Hai Yiping into suicide to protect his family, Wu manipulates the capital’s salt prices—a national lifeline—to consolidate power. His son, Wu Ankang, uncovers damning evidence linking salt smuggling to Wu Youjing via corrupt official Gong Shao and a debt-ridden lackey, Zhao Bu. Horrified by his father’s crimes, Wu Ankang confronts him, only to overhear orders to kill Ye Ping’an. A fiery argument erupts, ending with Wu Ankang storming out, torn between filial duty and justice.

Political chess intensifies as Emperor Sheng privately advises Ye Ping’an to leave the capital, while Wu’s ambitious daughter Wu Xian’er vows to eliminate any threat to their dynasty, including Ye. A year later, chaos brews: A harsh winter and border invasions by the Shuo Dan Khanate force Wu Ankang to lead troops north. Meanwhile, Minister Zhao Feng investigates salt smuggling—a probe secretly encouraged by scheming official Yuan Shaocheng, who intercepts a corruption complaint against canal official He Yi. Wu Youjing, now dominating court politics, dispatches Wu Xian’er and Yuan to negotiate with a mysterious salt trader… who shockingly turns out to be Ye Ping’an, now a cunning underworld figure dubbed "Master An." Their polite reunion crackles with unspoken tension, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.

Key Twists:

  • Ye Ping’an’s bold masquerade as a salt magnate.
  • Wu Ankang’s moral crisis deepens as war looms.
  • The Emperor’s ambiguous alliance with Ye hints at a larger game.
  • Yuan Shaocheng’s loyalties grow murkier.