Summary
Highlights
Emperor Xia Jingyan is criticized by his imperial mother for consorting with the nieces of officials, neglecting his duties. The discussion shifts to the Grand Prince, Xia Jingshi, and a letter from Susha proposing he stay there through matrilocality. The Emperor's mother vehemently opposes this, seeing it as an insult to Jinxiu, but the Emperor views it as a strategic move to regain control of Pingling city.
Feng Suige, the Grand Prince of Susha, is revealed to have orchestrated the matrilocality proposal as a way to keep Xia Jingshi in Susha and control him. His advisors praise his cunning, believing Xia Jingshi will be trapped regardless of his plans. Feng Suige anticipates Xia Jingshi will try to contact a Susha spy, and orders surveillance on the Zhengnian Medical Center.
Fu Yixiao questions Ning Fei about the events following the Battle of Pingling and her fall from the cliff. Ning Fei's account of getting drunk and Yixiao disappearing after being seen near the Prince's tent raises Fu Yixiao's suspicions. She expresses distrust in memories recounted by others and plans to verify information herself.
Chancellor Zhuang and Master Shen discuss the Emperor's reaction to the Grand Prince's matrilocality proposal. They believe the Emperor will accept, as it aligns with his desire to control the Zhennan army and ensure future generations carry the Feng name. Chancellor Zhuang plans to rally officials to accuse the Grand Prince of misconduct.
Xia Jingshi discusses the upcoming wedding procession and the need to expedite prisoner exchange with Susha to take Yixiao away. He acknowledges Susha's economic and military strength, vastly underestimated previously. He fears Feng Suige, calling him more formidable than his father, Feng Pingcheng, and emphasizes the danger if Feng Suige were to become Susha's ruler.
Yixiao brings a medicinal decoction to Xia Jingshi and observes his condition. She questions his previous claims about the medicine. At breakfast, she tests his memory further, asking about their past interactions. Xia Jingshi recounts a story where he encouraged her to value herself, which Yixiao pretends to only now remember.
Yixiao presses Xia Jingshi for details about the events after the Pingling battle. Xia Jingshi recounts Ning Fei and Weiran's story but subtly introduces details about Yixiao's impulsive desire to pursue Feng Suige. This contradicts Ning Fei's previous account, reinforcing Yixiao's suspicion that someone is lying. She suspects a merchant's visit to Xia Jingshi's tent after the battle is a key to the mystery.
Yixiao has a private conversation, expressing her cynical view on her relationship with the Prince, anticipating the pain of attachment. She states that she will never be attached to the Prince, regardless of her memories returning, describing such love as too painful. Her companion seems concerned for her.
Xia Jingshi gives Yixiao a sachet of medicinal herbs, claiming it was prepared by Xueying for his pain. Yixiao realizes he made it himself. She confronts him indirectly, revealing her suspicion that he tried to kill her, based on Xueying's assessment of the close proximity of the arrow shot. Xia Jingshi’s response is evasive, claiming his actions were for 'their future'.
The Susha Grand Prince's subordinates confirm that Xia Jingshi has not received any messages, as Chancellor Zhuang is busy accusing him to the Emperor. They express concern about Yixiao's prolonged presence with Xia Jingshi, but the Grand Prince dismisses it, praising Yixiao's intelligence and resolve to seek justice. He recognizes her strength, contrasting it with Xia Jingshi's foolishness.
Yixiao meets Feng Suige, who reveals he knows she spent the night 'under the same roof' as Xia Jingshi, and implies she was distracted. Yixiao immediately perceives this as confirmation that Feng Suige knows Xia Jingshi was the one who shot her. She shares her theory that Xia Jingshi's motive stems from something he learned from a merchant after the Pingling battle, a secret she suspects led him to try to kill her. Feng Suige promises to investigate the military report. Yixiao assures him of her unwavering commitment to finding the truth.
The Emperor of Susha confronts his court about the numerous accusations against the Grand Prince regarding his private correspondence with Jinxiu and the matrilocality proposal. He questions the sincerity and motives of the officials, particularly Chancellor Zhuang, who explains the ministers' outrage at the Grand Prince's 'imprudent' actions that offend imperial dignity.