Dou Zhao ultimately chose not to leave and decided to turn back to persuade Song Mo. She sarcastically remarked that Song Mo was not as great as Jiang Meisun. Dou Zhao placed a small prayer boat in the water to bid farewell to Jiang Meisun and acknowledged that her fortune in life was due to him. She urged Song Mo to trust the Emperor, who likely knew the truth but was constrained by political circumstances. Dou Zhao believed that hidden strength and patience were the keys to survival. She reminded Song Mo that he now bore Jiang Meisun’s responsibilities.
Chen Jia reported from the palace that the Emperor was plagued by guilt, often muttering to the broken ruler. While the Emperor knew the Duke of Dingguo was wronged, he hastily concluded the case. Song Mo realized Dou Zhao’s words were accurate but wondered who had pressured the Emperor into covering up the truth. He speculated it might have been to protect the Crown Prince’s faction. Chen Jia revealed that only the Crown Prince and King Qing inquired about the Duke’s situation. Suddenly, news arrived that trouble had broken out at Futing Military Camp, prompting Song Mo to grab his twin blades and rush there.
At the camp, the soldiers were enraged and spoke of rebellion. Song Mo arrived just in time to quell the unrest and resigned from his position as young marshal. Despite this, the soldiers expressed loyalty and a desire to follow him. Song Mo privately gathered trusted allies, transforming the army into a secret force, preparing for the right moment to strike.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted at An Su’s house as merchants, angry over lost goods from seized ships, attempted to loot the property. Dou Zhao and Ji Yong arrived just in time. Ji Yong used the law to disperse the crowd, while Dou Zhao pledged her mother’s bracelet as collateral, promising to settle the debts within ten days.
An Su, distressed, proposed selling all the family’s shops to reclaim the bracelet. Dou Zhao dismissed this idea, valuing An Su’s worth over material possessions. An Su offered her dowry to help pay off the debts, but her father reminded her that money was also needed for her brother’s exams. An Su insisted her wealth was thanks to Dou Zhao. Overhearing this, Dou Zhao intervened, stopping the use of An Su’s dowry.
Elsewhere, Wang Yingxue brought festival gifts to Dou Zhao but demanded to see her. Zhao Zhangru blocked her, only to be scolded for lacking authority in Dou Zhao’s household. Cui Shi arrived in time to rebuke Wang Yingxue, who claimed to have brought a deity statue for Dou Zhao’s protection. When her maid tried to uncover the curtain to see Dou Zhao, Su Xin grabbed her hand. Cui Shi used Dou Zhao’s “smallpox recovery” as an excuse to dismiss Wang Yingxue, who realized the person behind the curtain wasn’t Dou Zhao.
Cui Shi, aware of the deception, pressed Zhao Zhangru until he admitted Dou Zhao had gone to Futing. Wang Yingxue relayed this information to Dou Shiying, while a visiting Jining Marquis presented a proposal to meet. Wang Yingxue, believing it was a marriage proposal, volunteered to attend. Dou Zhao, meanwhile, noticed sprouting potatoes and suggested planting them to provide a quick harvest. Ji Yong brought news that the Ministry of Works approved his maritime trade strategy, agreeing to buy civilian ships at high prices. Dou Zhao expressed gratitude to Ji Yong for the development.
Ji Yong planned to align with King Qing, believing him to be a better candidate than the Crown Prince. Dou Zhao, recalling her past life, realized Ji Yong was the strategist who helped King Qing ascend the throne. She gifted him glasses after noticing his vision issues. Ji Yong teased her, calling her “not ugly.”
Dou Shishu and Dou Shiying arrived, scolding Dou Zhao for embarrassing the family by traveling to Futing. Dou Zhao defended her actions as aiding An Su but faced criticism for associating with someone of low status. Hearing that Cui Shi was ill, Dou Zhao immediately admitted fault and begged to return home. Dou Shishu delayed their departure, forcing Dou Zhao to promise all her funds in Futing to the Dou family before agreeing to leave.
On their journey, Dou Zhao’s haste caused them to arrive at a remote area with no lodging. Despite Dou Shishu’s complaints, stationed soldiers offered shelter and food. Dou Zhao suspected they were secret members of the Duke of Dingguo’s army. At Yuzhou City, guards performed an unprecedented act of allowing Dou Zhao’s carriage to pass first upon learning of her connection to the Ministry of Rites, which surprised Dou Shishu.
During heavy rain, Dou Zhao’s carriage got stuck in mud. Disguised villagers lifted the carriage out, addressing Dou Zhao as “Fourth Miss” and refusing her reward. Dou Shishu, irritated, accused her of associating with lowly individuals. Upon returning home, Dou Shishu refused to see Cui Shi, further angering Dou Zhao. He reminded her of her engagement to Wei Tingyu, stating that the marriage contract had already been signed by Dou Shiying and his wife. Dou Zhao rushed to see Cui Shi, only to be greeted by Wang Yingxue’s sarcastic smile.
Song Mo secretly observed Dou Zhao’s safe return home and finally felt relieved. Having covertly escorted her the entire way, he departed without a word.
