Episode Summary
Fu Yunxi confronts Zhuang Hanyan with the murder weapon, forcing her to acknowledge it. Zhuang Hanyan, fearing exposure, considers killing Fu Yunxi but hesitates. An assassination attempt on Fu Yunxi fails, and he uses it to move into Zhuang Hanyan's courtyard under the guise of investigation. Secrets about their past engagement and the death of Zhuang Hanyan's sister surface, adding complexity to their relationship. Fu Yunxi's calculating nature is revealed, and Zhuang Hanyan realizes he intentionally burned down his own house.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Fu Yunxi confronting Zhuang Hanyan with a hairpin recovered from a well – the very weapon used to murder her aunt and uncle. Zhuang Hanyan denies it's hers, but Fu Yunxi, rather than immediately arresting her, says he'll take it to the Dali Temple (a high court) for verification. This calculated move forces Zhuang Hanyan to take the hairpin back, tacitly admitting ownership and guilt. She is forced to thank him, knowing that he could have just sent her straight to the court.
On the way out of the plum garden, Zhuang Hanyan is stopped by Zhuang Yuchi and Zhuang Yushan. They warn her about getting too close to Fu Yunxi, highlighting his powerful and untouchable status. It's clear they're both wary of Fu Yunxi and protective/jealous of their family's standing.
Zhuang Hanyan is deeply troubled. She hadn't anticipated Fu Yunxi's relentless pursuit of the case, and she fears her hidden past will be exposed. She considers having her loyal servant, Chai Jing, assassinate Fu Yunxi. Chai Jing, who owes Zhuang Hanyan his life, is willing to do anything for her. However, Zhuang Hanyan knows this is incredibly risky and could drag her into even deeper trouble, so she decides to proceed with extreme caution.
Later, Fu Yunxi encounters an old man selling candied hawthorns (tanghulu). He buys a couple, but the old man reacts with terror to the coins and flees. This immediately alerts Fu Yunxi, and he's soon caught in a deadly ambush, full of traps and hidden weapons. It turns out Chai Jing, acting on his own to protect Zhuang Hanyan, orchestrated the attack. Despite being slightly injured, Fu Yunxi uses his superior martial arts skills and intelligence to lure the attackers back to his own home.
Meanwhile, Zhuang Shiyang subtly brings up the old engagement between Zhuang Hanyan and Fu Yunxi to Zhuang Hanyan. We learn that Zhuang Hanyan was originally betrothed to Fu Yunxi, but due to a misunderstanding, she was labeled the "Barefoot Ghost" and sent away to Danzhou. Her older sister took her place and married into the Fu family. However, after the death of the Fu family patriarch, her sister also died, poisoned, leaving behind only her young daughter, A'zhi – the same little girl who found Zhuang Hanyan unconscious at the gate earlier. Zhuang Hanyan is torn by this revelation, especially considering A'zhi's now-orphaned status.
Chai Jing returns, having failed to kill Fu Yunxi, but claiming he trapped him in his house and set it on fire. Zhuang Hanyan rushes to the Fu residence, terrified. When she sees Fu Yunxi emerge from the flames, carrying A'zhi to safety, she's overcome with relief. Fu Yunxi notices her momentary tenderness before she flees. In an alley, she confronts Chai Jing, questioning why he hid the truth about Fu Yunxi's family. Looking at the little girl in the distance, she remembers her sister's tragic fate after marrying into the Fu family in her place, and she is filled with guilt and self-blame.
The next day, Zhuang Hanyan arranges for Chai Jing to leave the capital for his safety. But before he can go, she's summoned to the main hall. Fu Yunxi, with A'zhi, has arrived at the Zhuang family estate, claiming his house is destroyed and requesting to stay in the side courtyard. Zhuang Yushan is thrilled to have his "brother-in-law" there, offering him the best room. However, Fu Yunxi insists on staying in Zhuang Hanyan's courtyard, claiming it's to facilitate his investigation.
Everyone in the Zhuang family notices Fu Yunxi's unusual gaze towards Zhuang Hanyan. Zhuang Hanyan finally understands why Zhuang Yushan has always been hostile towards her – she believes Zhuang Hanyan is interfering with her and Fu Yunxi's relationship. Chai Jing, who hasn't actually left, secretly remains in the capital, determined to continue protecting Zhuang Hanyan.
A'zhi adores the new wooden horse Fu Yunxi made for her. She constantly pulls Zhuang Hanyan to play with her. Fu Yunxi, busy with his official duties, entrusts A'zhi to Zhuang Hanyan's care, knowing that even if Zhuang Hanyan dislikes it, she won't harm the child. Zhuang Yushan, upset that Zhuang Hanyan is caring for A'zhi, forcibly takes A'zhi away and accidentally breaks Zhuang Hanyan's kite. This time, Zhuang Hanyan doesn't stay silent. She directly confronts Zhuang Yushan, stating she has no intention of competing for Fu Yunxi. Zhuang Yushan leaves, defeated. Later, A'zhi innocently mentions Fu Yunxi burning the house, revealing to Zhuang Hanyan that the fire was intentional, part of a larger plan by Fu Yunxi, and not Chai Jing's doing. This deepens her understanding of Fu Yunxi's calculating nature.
That night, when Fu Yunxi comes to get A'zhi, Zhuang Hanyan bravely asks about the truth of her older sister's death. Fu Yunxi reveals that his wife accidentally drank poison intended for him. This further complicates Zhuang Hanyan's understanding of Fu Yunxi's character and leaves her with more uncertainties about the future.
