Early the next morning at breakfast, someone reports that Luo Ji hasn’t been seen since last night, and when they knocked on his door that morning, there was no response. Worried, everyone goes to check on him. When they reach his room, they discover that Luo Ji has died—his body is found on top of the room’s candlestick, suggesting yet another locked-room murder. He Chuner initially wants to investigate, but she is stopped. Instead, the imperial inspector steps forward to examine the body and announces the approximate time of Luo Ji’s death. Everyone then gathers in the living hall. Because tensions run high and suspicions abound, Lord Zhao wants no one to leave, yet Eunuch Wang—who came from the palace—strongly objects.
Cao Xuanxuan proposes that everyone present their alibis and produce witnesses to verify them. Each person states where they were. At that moment, someone asks where Lord Zhao was the previous night. Lord Zhao replies that he had too much to drink and returned alone to his room, where he fell asleep. Just then, He Chuner notices a bloodstain on the corner of Lord Zhao’s robe, causing everyone to suspect him as the murderer—Eunuch Wang from the palace, in particular, is uneasy about allowing Lord Zhao to handle the investigation. To clear his own name, Lord Zhao voluntarily locks himself in his room and doesn’t come out, handing over investigative authority to Guo Zijie.
Guo Zijie and the other three head to the crime scene to investigate. Yet there are no signs at all that anyone entered the room; everyone is puzzled. However, Cao Xuanxuan believes it’s possible that the murderer never physically entered the room, suggesting that maybe the bed or the victim was lifted up to the ceiling from above. Sun Weiyan and He Chuner go outside to examine other areas, while Cao Xuanxuan and Guo Zijie inspect the room itself. In a moment of carelessness, the two accidentally fall into each other’s arms. Suddenly, they both feel a spark and nearly share a kiss—only to be interrupted when He Chuner and Sun Weiyan barge in.
That night, as Cao Xuanxuan lies awake thinking about her unintended moment with Guo Zijie, she hears He Chuner’s voice. It turns out a child named Xiaodouzi wants to go home, but at this point, everyone is under suspicion, and the entire Lü Residence is on lockdown. Hearing this, Cao Xuanxuan—unwilling to make things difficult—ultimately decides not to let Xiaodouzi leave after all. Xiaodouzi then runs off to Guo Zijie’s room to play and discovers the bracelet Guo Zijie intends to give his future wife. Guo Zijie becomes flustered at being seen and ends up placing the bracelet on Cao Xuanxuan’s wrist. Just then, two men arrive to question Guo Zijie about the case and take him away. Afterward, Cao Xuanxuan notices some writing on the table—turns out it’s Guo Zijie’s mother’s handwriting. He Chuner explains that this bracelet is meant for the family’s future daughter-in-law. Hearing this, Cao Xuanxuan is overwhelmed with emotion, so much so that she can’t sleep that night.
The next day, Xiaodouzi brings his mother to see Cao Xuanxuan. Cao Xuanxuan finally realizes that Xiaodouzi is actually Zhao Xiaolin’s child and that Zhao Xiaolin is currently working at the Lü Residence. Speaking in a mysterious tone, Zhao Xiaolin asks about how things are progressing between Cao Xuanxuan and Guo Zijie. She is about to reveal something important when Guo Zijie comes in and cuts her off. Cao Xuanxuan tries to return the bracelet to Guo Zijie, but he slips it back onto her wrist. Upon learning that Cheng Xuanxuan (Cao Xuanxuan) is wearing the bracelet, Guo Zijie’s cousin harbors malicious thoughts and attempts to poison Cao Xuanxuan. However, her plan is exposed. Cao Xuanxuan drags this cousin before Guo Zijie, demanding to know who provided the poison. It turns out Guo Zijie’s elder brother gave it to her, but without saying it was lethal poison. Guo Zijie, however, refuses to investigate further, leaving Cao Xuanxuan furious.
Suddenly, the imperial inspector is found dead in “our”* room. Upon examination, they discover that Lord Zhao has a stab wound in his back and no signs of a struggle, suggesting he knew his killer. That evening, as everyone is analyzing the case, Sun Weiyan suspects there’s only one killer behind all this, but Guo Zijie seems distracted. He Chuner and Sun Weiyan realize he is troubled because of Cao Xuanxuan, so they urge him to go apologize. Guo Zijie finds Cao Xuanxuan, explains why he isn’t pursuing the poisoning case further, and obtains her forgiveness.
The following day, Guo Zijie is alone in the kitchen making food. Cao Xuanxuan comes by to help but notices that the Lü Residence’s second madam seems deranged. Cao Xuanxuan returns to her room to wait for Guo Zijie to bring her some noodles. Just then, Zhao Xiaolin shows up and advises Cao Xuanxuan to keep her distance from Guo Zijie—further revealing that Cao Xuanxuan’s fall off the cliff was actually ordered by Guo Zijie. Cao Xuanxuan is utterly shocked and unable to accept this blow.
