Dou Zhao visited Wu Shan in prison. Wu Shan noted it was their sixth meeting, while Dou Zhao questioned why he knowingly walked into a trap. Wu Shan admitted he suspected it was a trap but couldn’t risk Dou Zhao’s life, even if the chance was slim. He expressed no regret about his imprisonment but felt guilty toward his grandfather. He urged Dou Zhao not to feel sad for him. Dou Zhao blamed herself for involving Wu Shan, regretting their acquaintance, but Wu Shan considered meeting Dou Zhao the happiest moment of his life.
As Wu Shan was taken to the execution ground, the public protested, claiming he was a good man. Wu Gelao and Song Mo knelt at the palace gates, submitting their resignations. They admitted their mistakes, especially the decision to go to war, and begged to meet the emperor for one final word.
At the execution ground, Wu Shan was pressured to confess but refused to tarnish his grandfather’s name, choosing death over dishonor. The executioner ordered his beheading, but Song Mo arrived in time with an imperial decree. The emperor, after meeting Wu Gelao, decreed that Wu Shan be demoted and tasked with repairing the Yuanyou Palace statue instead of receiving harsh punishment. Wu Shan looked at Dou Zhao, who smiled in relief.
When Wu Shan left the capital, Dou Zhao came to see him off. Wu Shan told her that freedom could be fought for and encouraged her to pursue her true love bravely. Dou Zhao watched as he left, and Song Mo arrived to comfort her, saying that Wu Shan was now free from family constraints and could do what he wanted.
Song Mo gave Dou Zhao a letter Wu Shan had written in prison, believing he would die. Wu Shan expressed no regrets but hoped not to live like a caged bird. Dou Zhao felt bitter, realizing her influence was insignificant compared to the power held by someone like Dou Shishu. Song Mo revealed that Dou Shishu would soon be sent as an envoy to Lizhen, a mission so dangerous that the previous envoy had died. Dou Zhao understood why Dou Shishu had been gloomy, as this arrangement was orchestrated by Wu Gelao and Song Mo.
Song Mo also believed freedom could be fought for, and a cage couldn’t always hold its captive. He asked Dou Zhao if she wanted to return or take a walk up the mountain. Dou Zhao chose to walk up the mountain, and Song Mo quickly followed.
Three months later, at the martial arts arena, Dong Qi showcased a bow gifted by the late emperor, clearly aiming for victory. Haichang Bo mocked that Song Mo would surely lose, but Gu Yu defended him and retorted harshly. The court hosted a competition for noblewomen, with Dou Shishu’s merits allowing Dou Ming to participate. Wei Tingzhen, a judge, had already accepted bribes from Wang Yingxue to ensure Dou Ming’s victory. However, during the cooking round, Dou Ming’s dish was deliberately knocked over by Miss Liang, causing her elimination.
Miss Liang mocked Dou Zhao’s skills and tried to sabotage her dish as well, but Dou Zhao anticipated the move and avoided it. Miss Liang’s own dish fell to the ground, leading to her disqualification. Dou Zhao ultimately won the competition. Wei Tingzhen, already displeased with Dou Zhao, attempted to disqualify her for participating in a traditionally male gambling game. However, Princess Shude arrived and countered Wei Tingzhen’s argument, stating that even she had participated in such activities at Dou Zhao’s age. Wei Tingzhen had no choice but to apologize.
Meanwhile, Dou Ming grew fond of Wei Tingyu after seeing him spare a rabbit during a hunt. Princess Shude appreciated Dou Zhao’s demeanor, finding her similar to her younger self. When asked who she thought would win the hunting competition, Dou Zhao predicted Dong Qi, though Princess Shude believed Song Mo was more capable. Dou Zhao’s insight into Song Mo surprised Shude.
Dong Qi hunted a tiger, while Song Mo captured a venomous snake. Song Mo explained that his priority was protecting peace. Song Yichun mocked him, but the emperor defended Song Mo, scolding Yichun for being a poor father and treating Song Mo too harshly. The emperor then appointed Song Mo as the commander of the Imperial Guards, personally draping his cloak over him.
When Dou Shishu returned, the crown prince questioned the market-opening issue, prompting the emperor to investigate. He asked Princess Shude, Song Mo, and Dou Zhao to accompany him. At the meeting, Dou Zhao impressed the emperor by explaining how she had bet on Song Mo in a previous gambling event and won by creating favorable odds. The emperor, pleased with her wit, ordered her suggestions be implemented.
The emperor offered to reward Dou Zhao, and Shude suggested arranging her marriage to Song Mo. However, Dou Zhao quickly proposed planting potatoes instead, which the emperor approved. Dou Shishu, however, reminded everyone of Dou Zhao’s engagement to Wei Tingyu. The emperor, glancing at Song Mo, expressed some regret but assigned Wei Tingyu to train with the Imperial Guards. He also suggested Song Mo marry Princess Jingyu, but Shude dismissed the idea due to Jingyu’s strong personality.
When Dou Zhao was leaving, Song Mo stopped her and offered to handle her engagement. Dou Zhao refused, stating she would deal with it herself. Hearing that Dou Ming hadn’t returned, Dou Zhao suspected she was with Wei Tingyu and proposed searching for her with Song Mo.
