After the bandits entered the city, they rampaged, committing arson and robbery, causing many innocent civilians to suffer. Zhao Zhangru was at home repairing a pomegranate jade carving when suddenly she heard commotion outside and quickly hid. Two men barged in and were about to stab Zhao Zhangru, but Chen Jia arrived just in time to save her. Chen Jia noticed that the pomegranate jade carving was the one he had previously entrusted Zhao Zhangru to give to Dou Zhao and Song Mo. He asked Zhao Zhangru why it was there, and she admitted it had broken, and she was trying to fix it. Chen Jia did not say much more.
The two bandits knocked on a door, but a cloaked woman extended a hand, revealing a gold medal. However, the bandits were not intimidated and attempted to enter when the woman pulled them closer and broke a bone, scaring the bandits into retreating. The woman looked at them with disdain and closed the door.
Hearing the knocking outside, Dou Zhao asked who was there, and the other party explained that they were sent by the British Duke’s residence to check the situation. Dou Zhao quickly ordered someone to block the door, knowing that the British Duke would not care enough to send someone specifically for them. When the bandits realized they could not deceive Dou Zhao, they commanded their men to break down the door. Some of them climbed over the walls, while Chen Qushui instructed his people to find Yan Chaoqing and also to defend the yard. Su Xin and Su Lan urged Dou Zhao to leave, but Dou Zhao refused, knowing that if she left, the morale would break. Assessing the situation, she believed she had the advantage and might not lose. If those intruders dared to come in, she would ensure they would not return. Calmly, she arranged for her men to carry out their tasks.
At this time, Song Mo sensed the changes in the city and wanted to return but was counseled by his subordinates that returning now would be tantamount to death.
The Cangbei Gang broke open the west gate, and the bandits surged in, sending people to search for silver. Dou Zhao and others hid in a house that had been soaked with water, preventing the bandits from setting it on fire. Dou Zhao, hidden inside, shot at the gang leader of Cangbei through the window with a fire gun but accidentally killed someone next to him instead. The leader hurried to hide, surprised that Dou Zhao still possessed a fire gun.
At this moment, Ji Yong also rushed over with people, and a group of masked men, led by Song Mo, hurried to rescue Dou Zhao. Yan Chaoqing also sensed that something was wrong and brought people back, causing the Cangbei Gang to realize they had fallen into Wang Yinxue’s trap.
Song Mo anxiously returned to check on Dou Zhao, with the maids unable to help but praise her for being capable. However, when Dou Zhao saw Song Mo, she suddenly hugged him tightly and cried. Song Mo comforted Dou Zhao, praising her strength, while Dou Zhao admitted that she hadn’t thought of crying until she saw him.
At that time, Ji Yong arrived and saw Song Mo and Dou Zhao embracing through the window, smiling slightly as he quietly left.
Song Mo felt guilty, saying he married Dou Zhao just to protect her, but in doing so, put her in danger. Dou Zhao believed that those people might have been attracted by her dowry. The reason Song Mo could come out was that he arranged for someone to impersonate him in the room while he covertly went out with the Duke’s elite to maintain peace in the capital. Dou Zhao urged Song Mo to hurry back to the emperor, warning that the Duke’s elite must not be discovered. When Song Mo was about to leave, he sensed something was off and went back just in time to eliminate a few who aimed to kill Dou Zhao, commanding Yan Chaoqing to interrogate them.
Wang Yinxue, seeing such significant chaos erupting under the emperor’s nose, felt uneasy, fearing repercussions. The maid beside her believed Dou Zhao was destined to die this time, and nobody would suspect Wang Yinxue, which eased her mind somewhat. Wang Yinxue ordered the maid killed to silence her.
Dou Ming discovered a maid attempting to escape with gold and silver goods. Upon inquiry, he learned she was ordered by Wang Yinxue to steal Wei Tingyu’s token. Now that bandits were causing trouble in the city, she was afraid of being implicated and wanted to flee. Dou Ming worried for Wei Tingyu and hurried to find him but encountered members of the Cangbei Gang along the way. The gang leader recognized Dou Ming as Wang Yinxue’s daughter and attempted to capture her, but Wang Yinxue hit the leader, angering him, and he stabbed Dou Ming. Dou Ming watched helplessly as Wei Tingyu feasted with his companions in a room nearby, unable to utter a word or cry out for help. Wang Ge repeatedly checked on Song Mo, finding him sitting motionless in the room. Unable to resist, he entered again, but Song Mo had since returned, and Wang Ge did not notice anything amiss.
Yan Chaoqing interrogated the assassin and learned it was related to Lv Zheng from the British Duke’s residence opening the corner door. Dou Zhao, furious, stormed into the British Duke’s residence. Song Yichun resisted and pushed out the sister-in-law who managed the household, yet she was unwilling to be used, knowing the crimes would be severe. She handed over the household management to let Dou Zhao handle the situation. From her inquiries, Dou Zhao also discovered that the person who opened the city gates had taken Wei Tingyu’s token and had entered through the gate under Wei Tingyu’s jurisdiction. She stormed into Wei Tingyu’s revelry place, shooting an arrow that pierced his wine cup, stunning Wei Tingyu. Dou Zhao furiously denounced Wei Tingyu’s crimes, and he soon realized his wife was severely injured just steps outside. Devastated, Wei Tingyu was heartbroken, but Dou Ming never reproached him, having no regrets about marrying him.
The emperor was enraged upon learning of the events in the city and ordered Song Mo to investigate the matter. Wang Yinxue’s crimes were exposed, and Dou Shishu made Wang Yinxue confess. Wang Yinxue, consumed by rage, declared that she had dedicated her life to the Dou family and wanted all to pay the price. Dou Zhao entered carrying Dou Ming’s corpse, telling Wang Yinxue that Dou Ming was the first to pay the price. Upon realizing Dou Ming was dead, Wang Yinxue was devastated. Dou Zhao scolded Wang Yinxue, stating that if it weren’t for the bandits, no one would have died yesterday, and Dou Ming would not have died. Whoever was guilty should take responsibility. As Wang Yinxue was taken away, she glared fiercely at Dou Zhao.
