Weitingyu has resolved to cut ties with Weitingzhen, but Weitingzhen continues to shift all the blame onto Douming, believing that if Douzhao had married into the family instead, the noble house could have been fully supported. Weitingyu hopes that from now on, Weitingzhen won’t worry about the affairs of the noble house or constantly compare herself to Douzhao. Weitingzhen feels sad to be rejected by her younger brother, and Weitingyu immediately stands up and leaves. After returning home, Weitingyu reassures Douming and takes up painting as her future career. Douming feels hopeful about Weitingyu’s future but is filled with self-blame for not having her skills and abilities. At this moment, Weitingyu doesn’t care about those things; she simply hopes to live well with Douming and encourages him to strive hard.
Members of the Cangbei Gang have captured Wang Yingxue, coercing her for money. Wang Yingxue laughs heartily, unafraid, and boldly demands that they kill her, believing that Wang Xingyi will not let them off the hook either. However, she suggests that if they can negotiate, they could sit down for a proper conversation. After much consideration, the gang leader reluctantly lets Wang Yingxue go. Currently, the Cangbei Gang is desperate for money, threatening Wang Yingxue that if they do not get any, they would have to kidnap the Jining Marquis Estate. Wang Yingxue counters that the Jining Marquis Estate has nothing to offer and proposes targeting another residence, which instantly brightens the gang leader’s eyes with visions of riches.
Douzhao blindfolds Song Mo, removing her outer garments and measuring her figure. Song Mo is quite nervous and feels hot all over, suspecting that Douzhao has ulterior motives. To her surprise, Douzhao gives her a soft armor, leaving Song Mo a bit disappointed but admitting that she likes it. After returning to her room, Song Mo stares at the soft armor for a long time, seeking analysis from Yan Chaoqing and Lu Ming. She feels that Douzhao does not love her, likening it to a military strategist’s feelings for a general. Yan Chaoqing and Lu Ming, however, argue that Douzhao’s considerations for her suggest love, but their analysis yields no definite conclusion.
That evening, Douzhao and Song Mo go boating and watch a performance, following Lu Ming’s suggestion to listen closely to the mixed melodies. However, Yan Chaoqing thinks this is a bad idea. Zhao Zhangru suddenly arrives, eavesdropping on their conversation and sensing something suspicious. Douzhao unknowingly drinks a bit too much, looking at Song Mo and asking if she likes him. Song Mo gazes deeply at Douzhao, confessing her feelings, and Douzhao drunkenly reciprocates that she likes him too, then embraces Song Mo and passes out. Song Mo carries Douzhao home like this, and on the way, a drunken Douzhao spots a beautiful lamp by the roadside, prompting Song Mo to immediately try and pick it for her. Along the way, a child teases them for being shameless, but Song Mo ignores it; as long as his lady is happy, he cares for nothing else. He gets Douzhao back to her room, and as she calls his name, Song Mo cannot resist wanting to kiss her. He hesitates, feeling it would be taking advantage of her drunken state, but surprisingly, Douzhao pulls him closer and whispers that she isn’t really drunk, passionately kissing him.
The next morning, Douzhao wakes up with little memory of the night before but learns from Suxin that Song Mo’s neck is bruised. She feels shy remembering how she kissed Song Mo. After going out, she asks Song Mo if there were any other actions, and Song Mo teases Douzhao by repeating her sweet declarations, making her blush. Douzhao urges Song Mo to hurry to the yamen. Moreover, Song Mo brings the lamp Douzhao pointed out the night before and places it in the front courtyard. Douzhao feels it is somewhat ostentatious and orders it moved to the back, yet she feels sweet inside.
Weitingyu intends to sell her paintings, but when the art dealer critiques her work, she is displeased. Douming quickly apologizes, explaining that anyone the dealer critiques could potentially become a renowned artist, as one painting could support the noble house for an entire year. The dealer praises Douming for her understanding and beauty, but Weitingyu chastises him as a lecher and has him thrown out. Douming continues to appease Weitingyu, suggesting they meet influential people, but Weitingyu believes they aren’t what she seeks. Painting for her is about cultivating one’s character, and she doesn’t want to get involved in worldly affairs. During their argument, Weitingyu harshly criticizes Wang Yingxue’s mercenary nature, causing Douming to become angry with Weitingyu’s attitude toward their mother. Weitingyu quickly apologizes and compromises, agreeing to take on an official position.
Maqiang, a groom from the British Duke’s residence, suddenly comes to see Song Mo. His wife, Qixia, previously served Jiang Huisun, and now none of Jiang Huisun’s attendants remain. Qixia was abandoned due to insanity, which helped her escape misfortune. Song Mo hurriedly takes Douzhao to see Qixia. They find Qixia in a maddened state, refusing all medication, believing all medicine to be poisonous, and this condition only appeared after Jiang Huisun fell seriously ill. Douzhao, lacking knowledge of pharmacology, seeks Ji Yong’s help to review the prescriptions Jiang Huisun has taken. The prescriptions appear fine, but Jiang Huisun has a distaste for bitterness and always consumes candied fruits after taking medicine. Song Mo retained some candied fruit, and after Ji Yong checks it, concludes that it is made from licorice; consuming it would surely lead to death within a month. Douzhao then takes Qixia to see Ji Yong, who assists in her treatment but cannot guarantee that Qixia will regain consciousness.
Song Yichun swiftly grows fearful upon hearing of Qixia’s presence at Yizhitang, worrying that Song Mo’s investigation will jeopardize their plans. That evening, Song Yichun meets with Wang Ge, where Dou Shishu and Su Yan also appear. They have all received news that Wang Yingxue is preparing to lure bandits into the city to raid Douzhao’s residence while the emperor is set to travel. Song Mo will accompany the emperor for protection; if Douzhao is harmed, Song Mo cannot return to rescue her, and they will rally their men to turn the bandits into true chaos. Though Song Yichun seeks to handle Song Mo, he is overly protective of Song Han, explicitly advising him not to venture outside. Song Han keenly senses that his father intends to deal with Song Mo, leading to a brief argument with him that ends with a reprimand from Song Yichun. Meanwhile, Wang Yingxue burns incense and prays, preparing to deal with Douzhao and wishing to put her in peril.
As fire breaks out in the northern city, Douzhao is extremely anxious and instructs Yan Chaoqing to lead people to extinguish the flames. Yan Chaoqing, previously assigned by Song Mo to ensure Douzhao’s safety at all costs, is reluctant but ultimately leads people over while leaving a few behind to protect Douzhao. Members of the Cangbei Gang break into the city, not expecting many bandits to shortly follow in a raid on Douzhao. Song Mo notices the city engulfed in flames and fears there has been trouble, wanting to return to check, but the Empress stops him, insisting he uphold his duty to protect the emperor.
