Hearing the phrase “blood massacre across three thousand li,” Xu Qi’an is alarmed. If it truly signifies a rebellion by the Duke of Zhenbei, the implications are grave. Without delay, Xu Qi’an reports to Wei Yuan. Though Wei Yuan has spies stationed across the southern and eastern regions, they have reported no significant activity. To ensure no oversight, Wei Yuan decides to personally bring the captured witness to the palace and inform the emperor.
During the court session, officials oppose the idea of transporting large quantities of grain to the distant northern regions, citing the treasury’s insufficient supplies. This sparks debate; some argue that the north is part of the empire and must not be abandoned, while others, harboring ulterior motives, downplay the severity of the situation to avoid repercussions should the emperor learn the truth. It isn’t until Wei Yuan emphasizes the term “blood massacre” that the emperor is shocked into action. He orders the Si Tianjian to investigate the witness brought by Wei Yuan. Though the Si Tianjian’s energy-reading techniques provide some assurance, the emperor decides to send a team to personally investigate the northern situation.
Meanwhile, Li Miaozhen arrives at the Xu residence, mistakenly believing Xu Xinnian to be a member of the Heavenly Alliance. She confronts him directly, but Xu Xinnian, utterly unaware of the situation, is caught off guard—particularly as he happens to be bathing at the time. Li Miaozhen, known for her bold and decisive nature, has little patience for the bookish Xu Xinnian, a scholar from Yunlu Academy. Startled and embarrassed, Xu Xinnian cries for help while failing to answer her barrage of questions. Frustrated by his apparent ignorance, Li Miaozhen drags him out of the window, leaving him humiliated in the courtyard, barely clothed.
When Xu Qi’an returns home, he finds his uncle and sister eavesdropping by the door. Joining them out of curiosity, he witnesses Xu Xinnian being tossed out of the window, shivering in the courtyard. Recognizing Li Miaozhen, Xu Qi’an quickly deduces that his younger brother has unintentionally taken the blame for him.
Li Miaozhen explains her visit: she seeks information about Su Su’s father, who disappeared years ago after traveling to the capital. Su Su, the enchantress accompanying her, is desperate for answers about his fate. Xu Qi’an, having previously promised to help Li Miaozhen in exchange for her assistance, agrees to fulfill his end of the bargain.
Wei Yuan learns of Li Miaozhen’s presence in the capital and, concerned about her identity causing trouble, instructs Xu Qi’an to send her away quickly. When Xu Qi’an explains her purpose, Wei Yuan suggests Xu Xinnian might be able to assist her.
Xu Xinnian, still reeling from his earlier ordeal, faints after being thrown into the courtyard. His father, Xu Pingzhi, disregards propriety and carries his unconscious, barely dressed son to the clinic, walking through two alleyways. Upon learning this, Xu Xinnian is mortified and retreats into self-imposed seclusion, refusing to leave his room.
Though skeptical, Xu Qi’an trusts Wei Yuan’s wisdom and pleads with Xu Xinnian for help. Moved by his brother’s earnestness, Xu Xinnian recalls a potential contact and agrees to try.
Elsewhere, Lin’an, who had been escorting the imperial concubine on a familial visit, is delayed by a navigational error, extending the journey by half a month. Though her guards, secretly arranged by the princess, are instructed to remain hidden, they reveal themselves when Lin’an faces danger, disguising their intervention as that of a merchant escort. During the return journey, Lin’an is preoccupied with thoughts of Xu Qi’an, reminiscing about their joyful moments together and urging the boatman to hurry.
To contact his friends in the Ministry of Personnel, Xu Xinnian releases numerous Kongming lanterns as signals. The next day, he invites Xu Qi’an to join him for a meeting, but after waiting for hours without anyone showing up, Xu Qi’an concludes they must have been stood up.
