Episode Summary
Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu search Chen Hao's mansion for evidence of treason, leading to a confrontation. Luo Lingyu finds a Beichu token in the Ancestral Hall. Chen Hao and Mr. Kong are arrested. Chen Hao, believing he's been poisoned, confesses to killing Lu Yun's father.
Spoiler Alert
Having previously uncovered a list of officials involved in selling titles and positions at Mr. Kong's residence, it's clear that Mr. Kong has been plotting treason for quite some time, with Chen Hao heavily involved. Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu decide to delve deeper, searching for more clues at Chen Hao's mansion, suspecting he must have evidence linking him to Mr. Kong's decade-long betrayal.
The next morning, Luo Lingyu arrives at the Chen mansion bearing gifts, claiming she's there to congratulate Chen Xiu. Chen Hao is wary, but the gifts are feminine items like lipstick and rouge, making it difficult to refuse her entry. Soon after, Lu Yun arrives with several chests of betrothal gifts. With Luo Lingyu still present, the two men appear to have an accidental, and very hostile, encounter, openly insulting each other in front of Chen Hao. This display of animosity reassures Chen Hao, convincing him that Lu Yun is no longer interested in Luo Lingyu and might actually be a good match for his daughter.
Luo Lingyu goes to find Chen Xiu, while Lu Yun claims he needs to take the gifts to the backyard. They split up to search for clues. Lu Yun heads to the study, but despite searching through numerous scrolls, he finds nothing. Chen Hao catches him in the act. Although Lu Yun tries to explain he was merely looking for ancient texts, the cunning Chen Hao sees through his ruse. Realizing Lu Yun can't be controlled, Chen Hao accelerates his original plan, accusing Lu Yun of being a spy from Beichu and claiming Luo Lingyu is from the northern border.
Chen Hao's aggressive tactics surprise Lu Yun, but he stalls, thinking of Luo Lingyu searching the back courtyard. Chen Hao, seemingly out of patience, threatens a mutually destructive outcome. Lu Yun, desperate, draws his sword and forces Chen Hao to be silent, but Chen mansion guards quickly surround him.
Meanwhile, Luo Lingyu and Chen Xiu find nothing in the study. Luo Lingyu asks Chen Xiu to think of any overlooked places. Chen Xiu recalls her mother's recent frequent and lengthy visits to the family, a change from her usual habit of staying in her bedroom. Luo Lingyu suspects something important is hidden there. They rush to the Ancestral Hall and finally discover a Beichu token.
With the evidence in hand, Luo Lingyu immediately joins Lu Yun. However, Chen Hao remains defiant, claiming the token is meaningless and its origin unknown. Mr. Kong arrives, defending Chen Hao at every turn. But Kong is caught off guard when Prince Hengyang also appears. Mr. Kong and Chen Hao are arrested and taken for questioning. Chen Hao's mansion is sealed, and Luo Lingyu temporarily houses Chen Xiu at Xunmei Residence.
Even imprisoned, Chen Hao refuses to admit guilt, secretly spreading rumors that the token was planted by Lu Yun. Knowing Chen Hao won't give up, Lu Yun informs him that the scholars Chen Hao helped rise to power have all confessed, and the Emperor has no interest in his excuses. He adds that the wine Chen Hao just drank was poisoned.
This revelation devastates Chen Hao. Believing he's about to die, he lashes out, claiming Lu Yun is just like his father, Lu Jie. He boasts about ambushing Lu Jie during a battle, delivering a fatal blow from behind and being splattered with Lu Jie's blood. Chen Hao spills everything, unaware that a scribe from the Ministry of Justice, accompanying Lu Yun, is meticulously recording his confession. Even after realizing he's been tricked, it's too late for Chen Hao to retract his words.
