Episode Summary
Luo Lingyu wins the Flower Fairy competition, but the Emperor betroths her to Prince Hengyang. Lu Yun's sight is temporarily restored, but he pretends to remain blind to gain Luo Lingyu's sympathy. Prince Changyi discovers Zhou Yangling is a woman in disguise.
Spoiler Alert
The competition for the title of "Flower Fairy" reaches its climax. Lu Yun publicly praises Luo Lingyu's dance performance, calling it transcendent and ethereal. However, Lady Chen challenges Lu Yun's judgment, pointing out that he only saw Luo Lingyu's dance and not the others, making his assessment biased. Lu Yun acknowledges Lady Chen's point and decides to let the audience decide.
The Emperor, also in attendance, impartially encourages the audience to vote for their favorite. With the Emperor's implicit endorsement, many spectators vote for Luo Lingyu, leading her to victory. When the Emperor asks Luo Lingyu about her wish, she respectfully explains that her father died protecting the country, leaving behind only her and her sister. According to the law, the Luo family's assets are under government control. She requests permission to access the family's property as an unmarried daughter.
The Emperor easily grants her request and, in a shocking move, publicly betroths Luo Lingyu to Prince Hengyang. This devastates both Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun, who had hoped for a chance to be together. After the competition, Lu Yun intends to escort Luo Lingyu home, but Prince Hengyang, now her fiancé by imperial decree, blocks his way. Despite this, Luo Lingyu chooses to leave with Lu Yun. Prince Hengyang, watching them go, realizes Luo Lingyu's heart isn't with him, but his battle-hardened spirit fuels his determination to win her over.
Back at the Lu residence, a doctor examines Lu Yun's eye injury, caused by a unique poison. The doctor is uncertain when, or if, Lu Yun's sight will return. Yinchuan pleads with the doctor to do everything possible. Alone with Luo Lingyu, Lu Yun asks if she has feelings for Prince Hengyang. Luo Lingyu replies that it's an imperial decree, something ordinary people can't defy. Lu Yun, though aware of the gravity of the situation, remains unwilling to give up.
Meanwhile, Prince Changyi escorts Zhou Yangling home. The two share an awkward carriage ride, with Prince Changyi strangely reserved despite his usually approachable demeanor. Prince Changyi notices that Zhou Yangling has no Adam's apple. When the carriage gets stuck in the mud, Zhou Yangling helps the driver, and Prince Changyi, trying to assist, falls into the mud.
Zhou Yangling invites the mud-covered Prince Changyi to her room to bathe. Feeling cold in the bath, Prince Changyi asks Zhou Yangling for hot water. Zhou Yangling, hesitant to enter a room with a bathing man, eventually brings the water but accidentally pours it all over him. Prince Changyi leaps up, startled, and Zhou Yangling flees, screaming. From Zhou Yangling's flustered reaction, Prince Changyi realizes she is a woman disguised as a man, but decides to keep her secret for now, given the embarrassing situation.
The next morning, Lu Yun wakes up and discovers his sight has returned. Remembering Luo Lingyu's tender care the previous day, he decides to feign continued blindness, asking Yinchuan to bring him bandages. When Luo Lingyu visits, she helps him walk in the courtyard. Prince Hengyang arrives and pointedly guides Lu Yun's arm towards a table in the pavilion.
