Cao Xuanxuan speculates that Lord Zhai obtained a letter and went to the Yan family to inquire about it, but Fu Miao overheard the situation. Realizing the severe consequences, Fu Miao fled, hid his identity, and escaped to Zhao Jia Village, narrowly avoiding disaster—only to meet his fate eventually. Cao Xuanxuan asks Guo Zijie if similar cases have occurred in other prefectures in recent years, as she suspects Zhou Qin’s actions are not confined to Yancheng. Zhou Shaoliang recalls that many of the people who attended Zhou Qin’s past banquets mysteriously died, with many cases remaining unsolved. Even those that were resolved were attributed to revenge killings. While Zhou Shaoliang finds the situation odd, he dismisses it as a coincidence.
Zhou Shaoliang feels heartbroken, unable to believe that his once-respected teacher has turned into such a person. Cao Xuanxuan explains that the Zhou Qin they see now is not the same person they once respected. The external appearance may be identical, but the person inside has changed entirely. With the truth coming to light, He Chun’er proposes killing Zhou Qin directly. However, Zhou Qin is likely surrounded by skilled fighters. Guo Zijie notes that the Su King is about to arrive, but Zhou Qin will undoubtedly strengthen security, making it difficult to approach the king. Zhou Shaoliang volunteers to help and leads a group to meet the Su King. Unfortunately, Zhou Qin quickly notices their actions upon their return, captures Zhou Shaoliang, and plans to execute him alongside Cao Xuanxuan.
Meanwhile, Cao Xuanxuan and her team arrive at the sacrificial ceremony, preparing to hide among the crowd. Cao Xuanxuan assigns Sun Weiyan a separate task, keeping him away from the group. Guo Zijie explains the entire case to the Su King. Enraged upon hearing the details, the Su King orders Zhou Qin to be arrested after the ceremony and taken back to the capital. However, Cao Xuanxuan anticipates Zhou Qin’s move and disrupts his plans, forcing him to act prematurely with the personnel he had secretly prepared.
At the Su King’s gathering, the discussion shifts to the emperor’s growing concerns about Zhou Qin in recent years. Were it not for the Su King’s efforts to counter him, Zhou Qin would already dominate the entire court. The Su King also reveals to Guo Zijie that his position as a county official was arranged by the Su King, not bought with money, and that his father had requested the Su King’s visit to Yancheng.
In the prison, Zhou Shaoliang overhears soldiers shouting outside and realizes his teacher is about to make a move. Suddenly, He Chun’er feels unwell, just as Zhou Qin appears with his men. The Su King calls for Zhou Qin’s capture, but Zhou Qin’s forces quickly overpower the king’s men, leaving Zhou Qin confident of his success. Following Cao Xuanxuan’s plan, Sun Weiyan gathers Guo Zijie’s supporters from the county office to rescue Zhou Shaoliang. They escape through a secret passage and create a diversion using a loudspeaker to spread chaos.
Zhou Qin, overconfident in his victory, declares that the emperor is unfit to rule and that he should take the throne himself. Just as Zhou Qin revels in his supposed success, he hears loud shouting outside and believes reinforcements have arrived. However, it turns out to be a ruse orchestrated by Sun Weiyan. Zhou Qin, realizing the deception, takes Guo Zijie hostage and attempts to flee, only to discover that Sun Weiyan is the mastermind behind the noise. Sun Weiyan also learns that Zhou Qin was the one who had once targeted his father.
Zhou Qin imprisons everyone, including Guo Zijie and Cao Xuanxuan. In the prison, Guo Zijie blames himself for dragging Cao Xuanxuan into Zhou Qin’s schemes. The Su King, however, reveals a hidden plan: spies embedded in the city who will report Zhou Qin’s rebellion to the capital if they do not receive a signal. The Su King’s willingness to risk his life for the greater good earns everyone’s admiration.
Zhou Qin orders his soldiers to confiscate iron tools and weapons from the citizens, creating widespread panic in Yancheng. Terrified citizens seek Guo Zijie’s help, only to be suppressed by Zhou Qin’s men. As tension builds, the group must find a way to outmaneuver Zhou Qin and expose his rebellion before it’s too late.
