Episode Summary
Crown Prince’s world shatters as Grand Princess’s decades-old conspiracy to frame Consort Xian is exposed. Jiang Si’s Holy Maiden identity triggers a palace showdown, ending with her imprisonment after Southern Wu threatens war. Alliances crumble, secrets blaze, and love becomes collateral damage.
Spoiler Alert
Let’s just say the palace drama hit DEFCON 1 this ep, folks. Grand Princess (that icy mastermind) finally shows her hand—and honey, it’s holding a dagger. After Xi Wang tries to recruit her against Crown Prince by exposing Madam Duo’s hideout in his palace, Grand Princess serves up her best "Oh, I only backed Crown Prince out of pity for his dead mom" act. But when Prince Qi hints that his mother Consort Xian would fight for Empress Dowager status if he becomes emperor? Girl’s poker face cracks the second he leaves. Turns out she’s terrified Madam Duo has spilled all her dark secrets to Crown Prince—like how she framed Consort Xian for poisoning him with walnuts years ago.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince’s world implodes faster than a TikTok trend. Not only does he learn his beloved aunt orchestrated his near-death snack attack, but his wife’s been hiding Madam Duo and exploiting Princess Fuqing’s blindness. Cue the royal meltdown of the century.
But wait—it gets messier.
Grand Princess pivots to Prince Qi, dangling a nuclear-grade secret: Jiang Si is Southern Wu’s Holy Maiden. When he hesitates to expose her, she weaponizes his mommy issues by provoking him into action. Over at Team Jiang Si, our girl’s brewing perfumes to mask her sacred tattoo while confessing to Consort Xian that Grand Princess framed Yu Qi. Consort Xian—now a rage tornado—threatens to expose her sister-in-law, but Prince Qi’s spineless "let’s be cautious" act gets him compared unfavorably to Yu Qi. Ouch.
The Throne Room Thunderdome:
Grand Princess launches her endgame during a cozy chat with the Emperor, only for Prince Qi to crash the party with his "Jiang Si’s a spy!" bomb. Our Holy Maiden, meanwhile, stuns Yu Qi with archery skills (leftover from their past life romance, natch) before power-walking into certain doom at the palace.
Cue the most chaotic courtroom scene since Suits:
- Prince Qi demands a tattoo inspection (nothing found).
- Grand Princess counters with "Fire makes it visible!" (Medieval logic, folks.)
- Princess Fuqing eavesdrops, bolts, and drags Empress into the mess.
- Zhen Heng arrives as Yu Qi’s hype man, but Grand Princess pivots to accusing Jiang Si of witchcraft.
- Yu Qi throws himself between her and execution, crediting her for saving the Emperor during the solar eclipse.
The Twist No One Wanted:
Southern Wu suddenly troops up at the border demanding their Holy Maiden back. Jiang Si—heroically self-sacrificing—claims the title to save Yu Qi, ending with her in chains and the Emperor delivering the ultimate Shakespearean blow: "You two star-crossed lovers? Yeah, that ship’s sunk."
Burning Questions:
- Did Jiang Si’s perfume actually work, or is that tattoo about to blaze under a candle?
- Will spineless Prince Qi grow a backbone or keep being Consort Xian’s disappointment?
- And why does every family dinner here end with someone in prison?
Stay tuned—this dynasty’s tea is scalding hot.
