Zhao Qiang still refuses to confess. Cao Xuanxuan presents evidence of how the “house” vanished and calls Zhang Qin to testify. Confronted by multiple pieces of evidence, Zhao Qiang reluctantly admits his deeds but continues to deny harming Zhang Qin’s daughter, Xiaohua. Guo Zijie analyzes what happened on the day of the crime, and now that Xiaohua has awakened and come to the county office to identify Zhao Qiang in person, he can no longer evade justice. There, in court, Zhao Qiang finally admits to his crimes. The case is solved, and everyone is overjoyed. The imperial inspector now sees Guo Zijie in a new light. That evening, the four of them drink together to celebrate. During the gathering, Cao Xuanxuan tries indirectly to find out whether anyone else might be a traveler from another time. Guo Zijie, however, cannot grasp her intent and becomes annoyed at the odd topics she’s asking about, forcing her to hold her tongue.
Because Guo Zijie succeeded in solving the case, his eldest brother is furious and even beats one of his servants. Early the next morning, word arrives that Zhao Qiang has died by suicide. Guo Zijie, however, remains unfazed, while Cao Xuanxuan believes his psychological fortitude is so strong that he is not someone who would easily resort to taking his own life. Having helped Guo Zijie crack the case, Cao Xuanxuan obtains the Chronicles of Yancheng and discovers only Guo Zijie can write in it. She urges him to finish writing it quickly but notices the fox spirit case is nowhere to be found in the original text. She worries that her arrival has created a butterfly effect, preventing her from returning to the modern world. Though Guo Zijie’s elder brother is angry, he still offers a lavish gift in person to show goodwill in front of their father, ostensibly congratulating Guo Zijie. In his brother’s presence, Guo Zijie plays dumb and claims all the credit belongs to Cao Xuanxuan. Guessing that Guo Zijie is simply playing the fool to hide his cunning, Cao Xuanxuan admits that she cracked the case, saying her methods came from “Shuoxianshang’s teachings.” Guo Zijie’s brother tests them, suggesting the two should marry; Guo Zijie deftly uses their father as a shield to refuse.
Guo Zijie is summoned by his father and urged to wed as soon as possible. Guo Zijie shows little interest, so his father lets the subject drop. He then brings up Cao Xuanxuan, suspecting that she might actually be her own elder sister, and tells Guo Zijie that the elder sister had a crescent-shaped birthmark on her back.
Meanwhile, Sun Weiyan and He Chuner are strolling around the street, joking with each other, when a speeding cart suddenly appears and knocks Sun Weiyan down. Although the injury isn’t severe, it hinders Sun Weiyan’s ability to travel quickly. Feeling guilty because the accident happened while they were horsing around, He Chuner offers to carry Sun Weiyan on her back. At first, he is embarrassed, but eventually he agrees. The two finally locate the place where a Western-style painter sells his works, only to find that the painter has already left, leaving an old man to sell the remaining paintings. That night, He Chuner brings Sun Weiyan to her home to rest. Since there is only one bed, she offers it to him and sits in a chair to sleep. When it’s time to go to bed, Sun Weiyan naturally blows out the candle. He Chuner, who’s afraid of the dark, panics when the room goes completely dark. She runs over to Sun Weiyan. He attempts to light the fire stick but fails repeatedly, so the two end up sitting through the night together.
Guo Zijie is busy writing in the Chronicles of Yancheng. Eager for him to complete it and to stay faithful to the original timeline, Cao Xuanxuan gives him the content she remembers from the Chronicles of Yancheng she once read. However, Guo Zijie doesn’t want to simply copy it word for word. Just then, Sun Weiyan returns. Cao Xuanxuan asks about the painter and learns the location of the painter’s stall. She and Guo Zijie go there to investigate and hear that the painter went off to attend a wedding. Conveniently, Guo Zijie knows about this wedding, and Cao Xuanxuan pleads with him for help. The two, along with their companions, head to the wedding together. Because there are many guests, not enough rooms remain for each person to have one. Cao Xuanxuan volunteers to share a room with He Chuner.
