Episode Summary

After a suspicious fire destroys the Ministry of Revenue’s archives, Emperor Xuan purges its corrupt officials. Ye Ping’an investigates her enemies while aiding Yuan Shaocheng’s risky plan to expose Dragon Gate Arena’s brutal matches. The emperor witnesses the atrocities firsthand, destabilizing powerful elites. Meanwhile, Cai Lian’s hidden trauma threatens her budding romance with Gu Wenyu.

Spoiler Alert

Chaos erupts at the Ministry of Revenue when its archives mysteriously burn down shortly after Yuan Shaocheng begins investigating corruption. Emperor Xuan seizes the opportunity to dismiss Minister Zhang Xianlang and orders a sweeping purge of the department. While Grand Councilor Hai Yiping nominates Xue Zhongshan (Jiangzhou’s governor) as the new minister, Chief Secretary Li Muyuan blocks the appointment, citing Xue’s questionable ethics. The emperor instead promotes Youzhou’s governor—credited for stabilizing the turbulent northern region—to lead the ministry, while Xue begrudgingly accepts a deputy role. Meanwhile, Ye Ping’an, recovering from her wrongful imprisonment, quietly investigates her enemies. Though she suspects Hai Yiping over Li Muyuan’s faction, she lacks proof. Her worsening hand tremors worry Lu Danxin, but Ping’an brushes off concerns about her health.

Newly appointed Chief Judge of the Supreme Court, Yuan Shaocheng flexes his authority by raiding Dragon Gate Arena—a brutal gladiatorial pit masquerading as an imperial-sanctioned "entertainment venue." When court traditionalists flood the emperor with complaints, Yuan boldly invites the sovereign to witness the arena’s horrors firsthand. Ping’an strikes a deal with Yuan: She’ll ensure the emperor attends the spectacle if he grants her access to classified court archives. Meanwhile, rumors of vengeful spirits haunting Yanqing Ward spread panic through the capital. Ping’an cleverly counters the hysteria by "discovering" an auspicious omen in the district, coaxing a skeptical Emperor Xuan to secretly visit Dragon Gate Arena disguised as a commoner.

The emperor’s incognito visit exposes Longmen’s grotesque reality: Wealthy patrons, hidden behind masks, bet on fighters forced to wear spiked gauntlets for bloodier matches. A fatal blow to one combatant finally halts the carnage, leaving the emperor visibly shaken. In the shadows, Hai Yiping assures a masked ally that Ping’an’s survival serves their larger plans—hinting at her unwitting role in a conspiracy.

Elsewhere, scholar Gu Wenyu nervously confesses his feelings to servant girl Cai Lian, arranging a lantern-lit meeting at Qinglong Bridge. Though initially elated, Cai Lian’s joy shatters when she glimpses the seven-petaled lotus brand seared into her arm—a traumatic mark from her past. Torn between love and shame, she leaves Gu waiting endlessly on the bridge, their fragile romance hanging in the balance.

key Spoiler

  • The emperor’s arena visit ignites a political crisis, with Longmen’s wealthy patrons now fearing exposure.
  • Hai Yiping’s cryptic remark about "using" Ping’an teases her entanglement in a dangerous game.
  • Cai Lian’s branded arm hints at a dark history that could destroy her relationship with Gu Wenyu.