Ouyang Mingyue publicly recants her previous testimony, identifying Cao Xuanxuan as the mastermind behind her actions, claiming that Cao Xuanxuan possesses all the skills that she herself does. Upon hearing this, Guo Zijie is both worried and shocked, immediately standing up to oppose the accusation. At this moment, Zhou Shaoming, who is beside him, advises Guo Zijie. This matter now involves Cao Xuanxuan, and since Guo Zijie is someone connected to Cao Xuanxuan, he should recuse himself according to the procedures for handling cases. Guo Zijie loses the opportunity to handle the case, and he has no idea how Cao Xuanxuan will be dealt with or how the trial will proceed. Cao Xuanxuan is equally surprised; she wonders why Ouyang Mingyue is so adamant in accusing her, because before this, she and Ouyang Mingyue did not know each other, had never met, and had no enmity. Guo Zijie thinks that Ouyang Mingyue, knowing that she is facing certain death, wants to find a scapegoat, and even the citizens attending the hearing do not believe that it was Cao Xuanxuan who did it.
Ouyang Mingyue produces a note detailing the exact method of committing crimes that the professor himself used. The writing on the note is entirely in simplified Chinese characters, and she claims that these simplified characters were exclusively created by Cao Xuanxuan. She asserts that only Cao Xuanxuan in the entire Yancheng can write in simplified Chinese, thus identifying Cao Xuanxuan as the one who harmed her. Upon seeing this, Guo Zijie becomes very worried for Cao Xuanxuan because this evidence is the most effective way to point to Cao Xuanxuan. Cao Xuanxuan admits that she can write in simplified Chinese, but she states that she is not the only person capable of doing so. She also questions why, if she wanted to teach someone to kill, she would leave evidence in simplified Chinese characters, suggesting that it was an attempt to buy herself some time to investigate and uncover the real culprit. However, Ouyang Mingyue insists on having the trial in court. Cao Xuanxuan fears that evidence might be destroyed. At this moment, Zhou Qin arrives. Zhou Qin unexpectedly approaches Ouyang Mingyue, claiming to stand up for her. Upon seeing Zhou Qin’s true colors, Cao Xuanxuan recalls that the several people she had previously encountered were all Zhou Qin in disguise. It turns out that Zhou Qin had been by her side all along.
That evening, Guo Zijie is extremely worried about Cao Xuanxuan’s safety at home and wants to break out to rescue her. Everyone tries to stop him, but no one can, except Sun Weiyan, who steps forward and threatens to sacrifice himself, thereby restraining Guo Zijie’s impulse. Sun Weiyan, Guo Zijie, and He Chun’er analyze the case together at home to see if they can help Cao Xuanxuan. Sun Weiyan speculates that Zhou Qin personally killed Lord Zhai, possibly because Lord Zhai had certain information about Zhou Qin. Guo Zijie also recalls that Cao Xuanxuan had mentioned that Zhou Qin might not only be targeting her but might have other motives as well. In prison, Zhou Qin had tortured Cao Xuanxuan. It turns out that on the night of her time travel, Cao Xuanxuan had a new book launch. That night, in search of material, Cao Xuanxuan found an ancient detective book from Yancheng’s records. When she arrived at the launch event, an accident suddenly occurs, and Cao Xuanxuan is knocked unconscious. Upon waking up, she finds herself in this world. Cao Xuanxuan finally realizes that everything had been orchestrated by Zhou Qin.
Zhou Shaoliang suddenly remembers that he had seen his teacher Zhou Qin also write in simplified Chinese characters. There is more than just Cao Xuanxuan in the world who can write in simplified Chinese. Just as Zhou Shaoliang is puzzled, Zhou Qin enters and informs Zhou Shaoming that Director Cao Xuanxuan will be executed in two days. Zhou Shaoliang is somewhat anxious, feeling that many aspects of the case have not been thoroughly investigated and that such a hasty execution is unjust. Zhou Qin also tells Zhou Shaoliang that the Su King (Sū Wáng) will soon be arriving with only 500 attendants. Zhou Shaoliang finds this strange because the Su King travels on behalf of the emperor, and his routes are not fixed. He does not understand how his teacher Zhou Qin is so well-informed about the Su King’s movements. Realizing that she has misspoken, Zhou Qin quickly comes up with an excuse and lures Zhou Shaoliang with promises of high-ranking positions and great wealth, persuading him to agree to the execution of Cao Xuanxuan. Zhou Shaoliang goes to find the Su King but is turned away at the door. As he is leaving, the Su King’s subordinates advise Zhou Shaoliang not to let wealth and power blind his eyes and not to trust others too easily.
