Ouyang Mingyue learns that her memories have been altered, but she refuses to believe it, insisting that she clearly remembers what she saw and that no one could deceive her. This realization causes her to have a public breakdown. As her emotions spiral out of control, Zhai Keqin shows great concern for her. Since Ouyang Mingyue had always convinced Zhai Keqin that Longhu Jushi was her father, Guo Zijie asks Zhai Keqin to recount what Ouyang Mingyue had said to gain further insight.
Ouyang Mingyue, still emotionally unstable, recalls the tragic death of her parents. Her father died in a village saltpeter mine explosion, and her mother hanged herself out of grief. Her second uncle, Master Zhai, took her in after these events. Cao Xuanyuan questions Ouyang Mingyue about who might have altered her memories, pointing out that Ouyang Mingyue didn’t previously know fortune-telling. Cao Xuanyuan deduces that the fortune-teller might be the mastermind behind the memory manipulation, but Ouyang Mingyue is too distraught to provide coherent answers.
That evening, Cao Xuanyuan and Guo Zijie analyze the case together. Cao Xuanyuan is certain that Zhou Qin is involved since no one else knows the technique for implanting memories. She decides to investigate alone. Reflecting on the case, Cao Xuanyuan remembers that Master Zhai, despite having his limbs severed, swallowed a piece of tree bark before his death. She believes this must hold some significance but can’t yet decipher the message.
While pondering this, Master Zhai’s butler arrives to burn paper offerings for the deceased. Cao Xuanyuan shows the tree bark to the butler, who immediately recognizes it as an object Master Zhai always kept close. While he can’t identify the type of bark, he mentions that Master Zhai once attended a banquet hosted by Zhou Taifu.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shaoliang worries that publicly interrogating Ouyang Mingyue might lead to a miscarriage of justice, as the case involves human lives. Sun Weiyan and He Chun’er suddenly discover that Master Zhai’s body has gone missing. They rush to inform Cao Xuanyuan and Guo Zijie, but Guo, not wanting to disturb the sleeping Cao Xuanyuan, leaves quietly to investigate alone.
Zhou Qin travels to Yancheng to meet Zhou Shaoliang, claiming that the real detective in the case is Guo Zijie’s wife, Cao Xuanyuan. Zhou Qin speculates that Guo Zijie’s magistrate position was purchased, and if he doesn’t produce results within three years, he’ll be dismissed. Zhou Qin suggests that Guo Zijie may be orchestrating the cases himself to secure his position. On the way back, Zhou Qin deliberately drops cryptic hints to Zhou Shaoliang’s guard, Long He, further planting doubt in their minds.
When Guo Zijie learns that Master Zhai’s body is missing, he heads to the prison to question Ouyang Mingyue but is initially blocked by Zhou Shaoliang. Eventually, he’s allowed to see her, only to find her completely incoherent, muttering nonsense and refusing to respond. Seeing Ouyang Mingyue in this state leaves Guo Zijie visibly shaken. Sun Weiyan pulls him away to calm him down.
The next day, Zhou Shaoliang holds a public trial. Cao Xuanyuan, uneasy about the missing body, discusses her concerns with Sun Weiyan, but he reassures her that the current evidence is solid, making it difficult for Zhou Qin to interfere.
During the trial, Ouyang Mingyue remains silent despite Guo Zijie’s questioning. Frustrated, Guo has no choice but to proceed with the previous day’s confession and sentences her to death. As she’s being taken away, Ouyang Mingyue suddenly claims she’s innocent and retracts her confession. Shockingly, she accuses Cao Xuanyuan of being behind the memory manipulation and the crime itself.
In front of the entire court, Ouyang Mingyue alleges that Cao Xuanyuan planted false memories in her mind and devised the methods used in the crime. She insists that only Cao Xuanyuan could have known such details. Despite the accusations, Cao Xuanyuan remains calm and composed. Guo Zijie, however, is visibly distressed as he watches his wife face these serious allegations.
