Dou Zhao and Ji Yong went to the Wanfo Temple to seek an audience with the abbot, but no matter how much they knelt, the abbot refused to meet them. A young monk informed Dou Zhao that if it was for worldly matters, they need not stay. When Song Mo arrived at Shu Yao’s place, he found that Shu Yao had already hanged herself. Song Yichun was inconsolable, and in the room, Song Mo discovered a jeweled necklace, which reminded him of the peace fortune necklace that Song Han had burned. This sparked the realization that there must be a connection between the two. Song Han admitted that it was his father who brought it here, given to him by Shu Yao, which he did not want and burned, hoping Song Mo would stop fighting with his father. Song Mo had Song Han taken away and informed Song Yichun that even though Shu Yao was dead, he would continue investigating this matter, deeming it unjust for his mother to be associated with a man like that.
After investigating, Song Mo suspected that Song Yichun had an old relationship with the crime-laden Shu Yao. When Shu Yao’s family was imprisoned, Song Yichun visited them twice, both times leaving traces. Song Han surely criticized Song Yichun for having no shame regarding their mother’s death. Ji Yong, seeing that the abbot refused to meet Dou Zhao, voluntarily requested to see the abbot, who then agreed to meet. Dou Zhao hoped the abbot would reveal the truth and provide justice for both families. The abbot then disclosed that years ago, Jiang Huisun and Shu Yao both arrived at the Wanfo Temple, with Shu Yao carrying a one-month-old boy, while Jiang Huisun had a premature birth that resulted in a baby girl, but Song Yichun insisted on declaring it as a boy.
Song Mo pressed Song Yichun about the whereabouts of that child, but Song Yichun refused to speak. Song Mo raised Shu Yao’s corpse, intending to use her bones to confirm if she was indeed Song Han’s biological mother. Song Yichun cried out, admitting he had long had feelings for Shu Yao, and that their love was mutual. However, Jiang Meisun led troops to raid Shu Yao’s family, making her a criminal, and later the emperor arranged a marriage that granted Jiang Huisun to Song Yichun. Naturally, Song Yichun was furious but felt powerless. The only thing he regretted over the years was having Song Mo with Jiang Huisun. Song Mo realized that exempting Shu Yao from her criminal status was beyond Song Yichun’s capability; Jiang Meisun was murdered on his way back to the capital, leading to fears of offending the Jiang family’s influence, thus resulting in Jiang Huisun’s persecution. Song Yichun undoubtedly had someone backing him, and when pressed by Song Mo to identify this person, Song Yichun remained silent. Song Mo had him bound and placed on a pyre, intending to burn him alive.
Song Han kneeled and risked his life, hoping Song Mo would spare his father out of respect for him, but Song Mo ignored this, wresting a dagger from Song Han and ordering him to be imprisoned. Ji Yong advised Dou Zhao not to return, but Dou Zhao recalled the account in the “Zhaoshi Record” which spoke of Song Mo’s patricide, becoming white-haired overnight, fearing the outcome might be disastrous. She insisted on accompanying Song Mo on whatever hard path lay ahead, and Dou Zhao’s eyes brimmed with tears, realizing how deeply Dou Zhao felt for Song Mo.
Suddenly, a heavy rain fell, extinguishing the torches and delighting Song Yichun, who believed heaven was assisting him, mocking Song Mo for seeking vengeance for Jiang Huisun, deeming it unjust. Song Mo accused Song Yichun of using poison mixed with peaches and honey to kill their mother, demanding him to confess. However, Song Yichun cited ignorance of pharmacology as his defense and refused to admit guilt. Enraged, Song Mo couldn’t hold the knife, causing Song Yichun to become delighted, reminding him that he had been poisoned the last time he was whipped, the moment his first white hair grew—implying that the day his hair turned completely white would be his last.
In a fit of rage, Song Mo nearly killed Song Yichun with the knife, but Dou Zhao arrived in time and caught the blade with her hand, making it impossible for Song Mo to strike. At that moment, an imperial envoy arrived with a decree ordering Song Mo and his father to meet the emperor. Dou Zhao wanted to follow, but was restrained. The emperor commanded the royal physician to check Song Mo’s pulse and discovered he suffered from a toxic condition called “resentment and enmity,” which had no antidote. The physician explained that if he harbored no resentment, the torment would be lessened, but excessive hatred could cost him a year of his life. The emperor was furious and pained for Song Mo’s condition, ordering the physician to find a cure within a year or be executed alongside the physician. The emperor specifically came to see the unconscious Song Mo, who muttered in his sleep about a child being swapped. The emperor held Song Mo’s hand, assuring him that he wouldn’t allow his uncle and mother to die in vain. The emperor ordered Song Yichun to be whipped and stripped of his military position. Song Yichun begged the emperor to show mercy for Song Han, but was scolded by a court official, as the emperor refused to pity a bastard son. Song Yichun wept uncontrollably, lamenting his son’s bleak future.
Dou Zhao instructed Su Lan to summon Ji Yong down the mountain, hoping he could assist with the bookshop issue. Yet Ji Yong stated he was only concerned for Dou Zhao’s well-being and had no interest in Song Mo’s affairs. Despite saying that, he still softened and provided Dou Zhao with medicine for her injuries, reminding her to apply it to her hand regularly. Song Mo stood at the bridge, observing the variety of lives in the world, suddenly realizing a few things—he wanted to spend the remaining time well with Dou Zhao, making his time on earth worthwhile. Just then, Lu Ming reported that there was news from Chen Jia. Song Mo hurried back, and Lü Zheng was brought to him by Chen Jia. Lü Zheng confirmed that a baby girl had been taken from Jiang Huisun’s house, and later, Song Yichun had instructed him to care for the child, who soon died without any further knowledge on his part.
Song Mo went to the prison to find Song Yichun, suspecting that all his recent actions were preparations for rebellion. Song Yichun initially denied it, but Song Mo reminded him that if the truth surfaced, Song Han would also meet a grim fate. This sparked a reaction from Song Yichun. Song Mo cautioned him that he was now a discarded pawn, and even if he took all his secrets to his grave, those people wouldn’t let Song Han live. After Song Mo left, a cloaked woman in the corner observed everything. Suddenly, Song Yichun fell ill and hastily took a pill from the table, which alleviated his symptoms.
Dou Zhao sought out Song Mo, who felt guilty upon seeing her injured hand and instructed her not to interfere in such matters again. Reflecting on Song Yichun’s past, he recalled how Song Yichun always obeyed his mother and would bring back local specialties whenever he went out, believing it to be love. Now, he was uncertain what was genuine. Dou Zhao assured Song Mo he could share all his worries with her in the future without reservations. He acknowledged the respect of the National Army towards him, the nurture from Jiang Meisun, and Jiang Huisun’s genuine affection, which reassured Song Mo significantly. He and Dou Zhao watched the fireworks together, lamenting that beautiful things are often fleeting. Dou Zhao handed Song Mo a lit sparkler, reminding him that while it is temporary, he could still hold it tightly in his hand, and Song Mo wrapped his arm around Dou Zhao.
