Episode Summary
Zhen Heng and Yu Qi trick Zhou Yi into revealing his involvement in the Nightingales' plot, which involves faulty candles and a maid named A'Ling. Jiang Si wants to expose the Nightingales without alerting them. Jiang Qiao fakes illness to avoid marriage, and Jiang Pei secretly prevents the marriage meeting. Jiang Si tries to help a former associate. During the Mid-Autumn Hunt, an assassination attempt on the Emperor is foiled by Yu Qi, who is revealed to be the Emperor's seventh prince. An investigation into the assassin begins, focusing on the Swift Wind Guard and Jinwu Guard.
Spoiler Alert
The episode kicks off with Zhen Heng and Yu Qi playing nice with Zhou Yi, even inviting him for drinks. Zhou Yi, thinking they're trying to cozy up to him, lets his guard down and proudly shows off the contract. He openly admits his involvement, unaware that this is all a carefully orchestrated trap. Jiang Si is in another room, listening in and documenting everything. Yu Qi, in a staged display of anger, pretends to want to kill Zhou Yi for his treachery, prompting Zhou Yi to spill even more details. Zhou Yi reveals that the Nightingales only gave him a batch of candles to replace the existing ones. He assumed it wouldn't be a big deal since the Emperor usually returned to the palace before dark. However, Jiang Si suspects that these candles are designed not to light at all. Under pressure, Zhou Yi reveals another clue: a young maid named A'Ling in the Imperial Kitchen, whose brother also owes money to the gambling house.
Zhen Heng believes the matter is too serious and wants to immediately inform the Emperor. However, Jiang Si strongly opposes this, fearing that the Nightingales will resort to even more drastic measures if they discover their plan is exposed. She wants to lure them out and expose their vulnerabilities.
Meanwhile, Jiang Qiao, desperate to avoid marriage, takes a cold bath to make herself sick. Madam Xiao, suspecting Madam Ruan's involvement, still insists that Jiang Qiao meet with the Xiao family. Madam Ruan, also suspicious, questions Jiang Qiao's maid and is horrified to learn that her daughter is harming herself. Despite this, Mama Li arrives with clothes and jewelry, insisting that Jiang Qiao proceed with the meeting. Jiang Qiao blames Jiang Pei for siding with Madam Xiao, but Mama Li reveals that Jiang Pei never agreed. Jiang Qiao and Madam Ruan feel guilty for misjudging Jiang Pei.
On the day of the meeting, the Xiao family elders and the second branch gather, but the Xiao family never shows. Jiang Pei had secretly intercepted the letter, leading the Xiao family to believe that the Jiang family was uninterested.
With the Mid-Autumn Hunt approaching, Jiang Si worries about the safety of her former Nightingales associates. She knows that if Yu Qi's plan succeeds, the Nightingales will be arrested. She devises a plan to protect those she once knew.
The next day, Yu Qi and others head to the hunting grounds. Jiang Si takes the opportunity to visit the Capital City jail to rescue Sang Qi. Seeing Sang Qi, she remembers his kindness to her in her past life. She pretends to interrogate him, subtly helping him open the lid of the black scorpion container, leaving Sang Qi confused.
Yu Qi and Zhen Heng successfully capture A'Ling, ensuring the Emperor won't be poisoned. The Mid-Autumn Hunt begins, coinciding with a solar eclipse ("the sky dog swallows the sun"). A sudden, fierce windstorm erupts on the hunting grounds. However, this time, the eclipse occurs earlier than expected. Taking advantage of the chaos, an assassin attempts to kill the Emperor, but Yu Qi suddenly appears and blocks the fatal blow. The Emperor recognizes Yu Qi as his seventh prince, Yu Jin, whom he hasn't forgotten and has been receiving portraits of every year. After things calm down, an investigation begins. Since only the Swift Wind Guard and Jinwu Guard are allowed to carry weapons, the assassin is likely among them. The Emperor, distrustful of both guards investigating themselves, assigns Yu Qi to lead the investigation, with Zhen Heng assisting. During the fight, Yu Qi left a mark on the assassin's chest, and he orders everyone to pour water on themselves to reveal the mark.
