Episode Summary
Madam Xiao reveals she was tricked into poisoning Jiang Si's mother years ago, under orders from a member of the imperial family. Jiang Ancheng stops the investigation to protect his children, while Jiang Si remains determined to find the culprit. Xu Momo is captured and confesses, revealing a past relationship between Jiang Si's mother and Cui Xu, and the involvement of a Southern Wu woman. The Grand Princess tries to rescue Xu Momo, leading to a confrontation where Cui Xu learns of the Grand Princess's actions and is enraged.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Madam Xiao, exposed for her misdeeds, refusing to show remorse. She whines about being treated unfairly and insists she acted for the good of the family, showing no awareness of her wrongdoing. However, after her outburst, she calms down and reveals that she was tricked years ago. When Jiang Si's mother was pregnant, Madam Xiao took charge of the household affairs. Seeking to prolong her control, she sought a medicine to slow down Jiang Si's mother's recovery. Madam Xiao claims she didn't know the medicine was poisonous, nor that it would cause Jiang Si's mother's strange illness. She only realized the truth recently when someone contacted her, instructing her to continue poisoning Jiang Si.
Jiang Si's siblings, hearing that someone was pulling the strings, are determined to find the mastermind and avenge their mother. Although the person who contacted Madam Xiao tried to hide their identity, dressing as a merchant, Madam Xiao recognized them as a member of the imperial family. Just as Jiang Si and the others are about to force Madam Xiao to reveal the culprit's identity, Jiang Ancheng abruptly stops them. He directs the blame solely at Madam Xiao, accusing her of poisoning his wife and even pressuring her to commit suicide. Jiang Ancheng knows who the mastermind is and fears for his children's safety if they continue the investigation.
Jiang Si, however, is unwilling to let it go. Jiang Anmou goes to Madam Ruan's room, confessing that he had to sacrifice Madam Xiao to protect the family and maintain his standing with Jiang Ancheng and his deceased mother. Madam Ruan is also apprehensive, fearing she might become a scapegoat one day.
Back in his room, Jiang Ancheng reminisces about his wife and finally understands the true cause of her death. Although he suspects the mastermind, their high status and power within the imperial family make him hesitant to risk his family's well-being. He feels deep guilt for his inability to seek justice for his wife. Jiang Anmou initially intends to see Jiang Ancheng off, but he learns from a servant that Jiang Ancheng has fled. Jiang Si remains determined to avenge her mother, and Jiang Ancheng tries to dissuade her, but she refuses to give up.
Jiang Si struggles to understand why her father wants to drop the matter, even suspecting his love for her mother was fake. Yu Qi explains to Jiang Si that Jiang Ancheng's reluctance stems from his vulnerability – his children, including Jiang Si.
Xu Momo's nephew found her and informed her that their past actions have been exposed. Fearing the Grand Princess's reaction and the impact on her own standing, Xu Momo decides to handle the situation personally. She goes to meet Madam Xiao and immediately reveals the truth about the poison. At that moment, Long Dan bursts in and captures Xu Momo.
Meanwhile, the Grand Princess suffers a relapse of her old illness and needs Xu Momo's massage for relief. Cui Mingyue is furious when Xu Momo is nowhere to be found and orders a search. Xu Momo, now captured, confesses everything, revealing that Jiang Si's mother and Cui Xu once had a romantic relationship and that the medicine given to the Grand Princess was from a Southern Wu woman.
The Grand Princess, learning of Xu Momo's capture, leads a group to storm Prince Yan's residence to rescue her. Jiang Si, unwilling to let the Grand Princess escape, contemplates a desperate act to bring her down, but fears for her family's safety. In the midst of the tense standoff, Cui Xu arrives with an imperial decree summoning Yu Qi to the palace. Jiang Si prevents the Grand Princess from taking Xu Momo, accusing her of poisoning her mother. Cui Xu, overhearing this, is enraged. Cui Xu questions Jiang Si about the circumstances of her mother's death and, upon learning the truth, returns home in a fury. He even prepares a poisoned meal, intending to die together with the Grand Princess.
