Episode Summary
Shen Zui Tian uses the Eagle Bone Whistle to recall Rong Shu Kuang and Yan Shao, leading to a tense confrontation. A snake attack forces them to flee and form a temporary alliance. After escaping, they navigate personal revelations, hidden identities, and past connections. Rong Shu Kuang shares a shocking secret about her origins, while Shen Zui Tian confronts Lin Wan Ci about her treachery. Jealousy and hidden agendas continue to drive the plot, as alliances shift and characters grapple with their pasts and uncertain futures.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Shen Zui Tian using the Eagle Bone Whistle to summon both Rong Shu Kuang and Yan Shao back to the cave. Yan Shao, furious, immediately snatches the whistle, suspecting a betrayal. Rong Shu Kuang quickly explains that the whistle was taken from her when she was captured, and it was Hua Qi who searched her, as confirmed by Shen Zui Tian.
Rong Shu Kuang, needing a private moment with Yan Shao, asks Shen Zui Tian to leave. However, Shen Zui Tian stubbornly refuses, citing their agreement to maintain peace and avoid conflict within the cave.Forced to converse under Shen Zui Tian's watchful eye, Rong Shu Kuang emphasizes the whistle's importance to her, revealing she never lets it out of her sight. She's shocked to learn that Lin Wan Ci possesses an identical whistle. Rong Shu Kuang naively suggests Lin Wan Ci might be infatuated with Yan Shao, but Yan Shao's somber expression hints at a deeper, more complex situation. He recalls being lured away by Lin Wan Ci using the whistle while he was secretly protecting Rong Shu Kuang, making it clear this was no coincidence. Rong Shu Kuang, touched by the revelation of Yan Shao's silent protection, can't help but smile.
Their tense discussion is interrupted by a sudden influx of poisonous snakes into the cave, one of which bites Shen Zui Tian.Forced to flee, Yan Shao explains that the snakes are the cave's true inhabitants, only held at bay by the constant fire.In the chaos, Shen Zui Tian secretly releases A Lie, setting the stage for future complications.
After escaping the cave, Yan Shao and Rong Shu Kuang plan to go their separate ways, but the injured Shen Zui Tian insists on accompanying them. They eventually reach a humble cottage. Rong Shu Kuang, ever the pragmatist, suggests they put aside their differences and help each other.Shen Zui Tian helps heal Yan Shao, while Yan Shao detoxifies Shen Zui Tian, leading to a fragile truce.
Taking advantage of a downpour, Rong Shu Kuang cleverly collects rainwater in bamboo for Yan Shao's bath, playfully (and a bit shyly) peeking from outside. Shen Zui Tian catches her in the act and teases her, bringing a chicken he caught. Rong Shu Kuang, flustered, tries to help but accidentally lets the chicken escape.Their chase leads them right to where Yan Shao is bathing. Rong Shu Kuang hurriedly explains herself, her body instinctively moving closer to Yan Shao. Shen Zui Tian, seeing the sparks, pointedly offers to handle the chicken, leaving the two alone.However, just as Rong Shu Kuang leans in expectantly, Shen Zui Tian's voice calls out, reminding them about the runaway chicken, and Yan Shao urges her to go after it.
That night, the three share drinks around a fire. Rong Shu Kuang teaches them a modern drinking game, but ends up getting drunk herself.Yan Shao and Shen Zui Tian continue drinking, and Shen Zui Tian questions why Yan Shao has spared his life multiple times. Yan Shao reveals that Shen Zui Tian once spared him and another child years ago, explaining his repeated mercy. Shen Zui Tian is stunned, remembering the two children he let go – one of whom was Yan Shao.
Shen Zui Tian gets Yan Shao drunk and puts him to bed, leaving him in Rong Shu Kuang's care. Rong Shu Kuang gazes at the sleeping Yan Shao, a mix of emotions swirling within her, a smile playing on her lips, but she reminds herself not to take advantage of him. She gently moves closer and falls asleep peacefully beside him.
Shen Zui Tian drinks alone, his thoughts drifting back to his childhood. He remembers his father's dying words, instructing him to reclaim the Fuxian Treasure at any cost. Forced to shoulder this immense responsibility, he witnessed his father's death, a burden that continues to weigh heavily on him.
In the middle of the night, Yan Shao wakes up and communicates with Rong Shu Kuang using sign language, planning a secret escape. They hold hands and sneak out, but overhear Shen Zui Tian talking in his sleep. In reality, Shen Zui Tian is feigning sleep, deliberately letting them go. Injured and poisoned, he's in no condition to pursue them. Yan Shao and Rong Shu Kuang hurry away under the cover of darkness, narrowly avoiding Hua Qi and his men, who are searching for Shen Zui Tian.
Rong Shu Kuang suddenly remembers being captured by Hua Qi and worries about the key she was carrying. She realizes she hid it during her escape. Yan Shao takes her back to find it. During their search, Rong Shu Kuang asks Yan Shao if he would ever deceive her, trusting him implicitly because he saved her life.
Later, Yan Shao brings Rong Shu Kuang to Tian Gang's secret contact point. Lin Wan Ci arrives, urging them to leave quickly to avoid delaying Rong Shu Kuang's "auspicious day." Yan Shao agrees to depart but, concerned about drawing attention with a large group, asks Lin Wan Ci to stay behind and travel separately. Lin Wan Ci insists on joining them, but Rong Shu Kuang politely declines.
On the carriage ride, Shang Guan Tong, fearing recognition by Rong Shu Kuang, deliberately avoids eye contact, and Yan Shao subtly covers for him. Rong Shu Kuang remains unaware of Shang Guan Tong's true identity. Meanwhile, Lin Wan Ci bids farewell to Liu An, who drapes his coat over her shoulders, a tender moment of parting.
During the journey, Rong Shu Kuang drowns her sorrows in alcohol and reveals a shocking secret to Yan Shao: she's not from this era. She explains that there's a rift in time and space, and her current self doesn't belong here. Yan Shao, unable to understand, dismisses it as drunken ramblings.
Concurrently, Shen Zui Tian has a private meeting with Lin Wan Ci. He accuses her of poisoning Rong Shu Kuang with the "Red Lotus Heart" and reveals everything Yan Shao has done to save her. Lin Wan Ci, consumed by jealousy, vows to separate the two. She reveals that she has left markers along the route, allowing them to be tracked.
