Episode Summary
General Wu Ankang returns to the capital, rewarded by the Emperor amid court chaos over shutting down Dragon Gate Arena. Yuan Shaocheng’s reform proposal faces backlash until Wu suggests martial exams at the arena, aligning with the Emperor’s secret plan. Ye Ping’an uncovers ties between Hai Yiping and a cold case, while Cai Lian grapples with romance and societal hypocrisy. Political schemes deepen as the Emperor pushes a royal marriage to weaken the Wu family—and Ye unknowingly steps into Hai Yiping’s trap after spotting a key symbol on a dancer.
Spoiler Alert
General Wu Ankang, the Left Guard Commander, returns to the capital after years guarding the frontier and is honored by the Emperor with silver and a ceremonial golden mace. Tensions erupt in court when Yuan Shaocheng petitions to shut down the Dragon Gate Arena, sparking fierce opposition from conservative ministers. Left Feather Forest General Xian Guangping boldly backs Yuan, leading to a heated deadlock. Left Prime Minister Mei Bowen dodges taking sides, deferring to the Emperor’s judgment. When challenged to name other dissenters, several elders step forward—prompting the Emperor to theatrically order two ministers to brawl in a cage for the Right Prime Minister seat. The display silences the court, with all hastily begging the Emperor to relent.
The Emperor then targets Vice Minister of Justice Cui Yi, who attended Dragon Gate Arena, with Wu Xian’er announcing a ban on coercing low-born civilians into violent spectacles. Yuan proposes allowing two-generation low-born citizens to earn freedom through literary exams, but Minister Li Muyuan and Mei Bowen argue it’s too radical. The Emperor sides with tradition, shutting Yuan down. Wu Ankang salvages the debate by suggesting martial tournaments at Dragon Gate Arena to recruit talent—aligning perfectly with the Emperor’s secret plan to launch imperial military exams.
Meanwhile, Ye Ping’an notices Cai Lian’s turmoil over scholar Gu Wenyu’s confession of feelings. Cai Lian, haunted by societal pressure on women’s “purity,” struggles to respond. Ni Chang bitterly critiques the double standard around male chastity. Separately, the Emperor plans to send a prince to marry the eldest daughter of the Shuo Dan tribe, a diplomatic move the Kangping Prince (father of Wu Ankang and Wu Xian’er) recognizes as a ploy to weaken the Wu family’s military power. Though resistant, Wu Ankang begins preparing to surrender his command.
Yuan Shaocheng infiltrates the archives to investigate a past censor’s case but learns files were “borrowed” years ago by Hai Yiping and never returned. He hides this from Ye Ping’an, who independently traces the archive clerk’s dismissal to Hai. Visiting Hai’s home, Ye questions Hai Yan about the mysterious seven-petaled lotus brand but hits a wall. Hai Yiping manipulates his mother into claiming the files burned in a fire—a cover-up to throw Ye off.
Elsewhere, Ni Chang reveals Hai Yiping once defended disgraced official Yu Qian, his former friend. Wu Xian’er brokers a meeting between Ye Ping’an and Wu Ankang at a perfume shop, where Yuan Shaocheng unexpectedly joins, hinting at prior ties to the general. The episode closes with Ye spotting dancer Li Ge’s seven-petaled lotus brand—unknowingly stepping into Hai Yiping’s meticulously laid trap.
