Episode Summary
Lu Yun uses Luo Lingyu to deflect suspicion about his activities the previous night and his injury, while also navigating a sabotaged fireworks display and a revealing encounter between Zhou Yangling and her arranged fiancé, Prince Changyi. Luo Lingyu's quick thinking and adaptability impress both Lu Yun and the smitten Prince Hengyang, much to the dismay of Fan Qingchen. Lady Chen's jealousy leads to a confrontation, but Luo Lingyu handles it with diplomacy.
Spoiler Alert
At the banquet, Prince Hengyang casually inquires about Lu Yun's whereabouts the previous night. Knowing that lying without an alibi would be unconvincing, Lu Yun claims he was admiring the moon with Luo Lingyu. Luo Lingyu, caught off guard and hoping to win Prince Hengyang's favor, is pulled into Lu Yun's fabricated story. She quickly improvises, stating they were discussing the banquet's arrangements.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yangling suddenly spots Prince Changyi at the event. Having wondered why he hadn't submitted his "assignment" like the others, she calls him over. Just then, someone greets Prince Changyi with deference, revealing his true identity. Zhou Yangling is flustered, realizing he's the fiancé her father arranged for her. Fortunately, Prince Changyi is unaware of her disguise as a man.
During a drawing game, Lu Yun initially draws the "pitch-pot" activity. However, Prince Hengyang's subordinates, suspecting Lu Yun was the assassin from the previous night, switch it to archery. Lu Yun, still bleeding from a shoulder wound sustained the night before, knows archery would expose him. He quickly uses Luo Lingyu as a cover, claiming she often asks him to teach her archery. Luo Lingyu, now aware that Lu Yun knows her secret and that they are in the same boat, reluctantly agrees.
Prince Hengyang, who has always admired Luo Lingyu, offers to teach her instead. But Luo Lingyu, having declared him the "star" of the day, convinces him to let Lu Yun assist. Prince Hengyang goes first, impressively hitting a bullseye from a hundred meters. Lu Yun whispers to Luo Lingyu to help him draw the bow. Their teamwork allows them to shoot down a flying turtledove, though not as precisely as Prince Hengyang. This display casts doubt on whether Lu Yun was the assassin, as the strength shown doesn't match the figure Prince Hengyang saw.
As everyone enjoys the daytime activities, Luo Lingyu notices that the fireworks prepared for the evening have been soaked with water. It's clear sabotage, as the rain had stopped earlier. Observing the other ladies, she suspects Lady Chen, whose eyes dart away nervously. Lady Chen has been openly flirting with Lu Yun and, likely jealous of his attention to Luo Lingyu during the archery lesson, sabotaged the fireworks. Luo Lingyu instructs Lingxi to cancel the fireworks and quietly confronts Lady Chen.
Lady Chen, usually critical of Luo Lingyu, admits that her maid acted on her own. Scolding the maid for the clumsy act, Lady Chen takes responsibility out of loyalty. Luo Lingyu, being frank, tells Lady Chen that if she wants to compete, she should do so openly and honestly. Out of respect for Lady Chen's loyalty to her maid, Luo Lingyu decides not to escalate the matter.
Without fireworks, Luo Lingyu improvises a "Lihuo Tage" (Stepping Song of Departing Fire) ritual. Oil is applied to sword blades, and when rubbed together vigorously during a dance, they create sparks. Accompanied by the soldiers' singing, the performance is grand and imposing. Prince Hengyang, a seasoned warrior, is captivated by Luo Lingyu's blend of gentleness and fierce swordplay. Lu Yun watches quietly, impressed by Luo Lingyu's resourcefulness, realizing she's not easily defeated. Fan Qingchen, however, is heartbroken, seeing Luo Lingyu's efforts to impress Prince Hengyang, confirming his belief that she has moved on.
