Since the last incident with the robber, Zhao Zhangru has been eager to learn martial arts for self-defense, but only Chen Jian has caught her eye. Song Mo believes that Chen Jian will definitely be able to teach her well. Dou Zhao, seeing Song Mo so confident in Chen Jian, proposes a bet with a six-month deadline. When Chen Jian teaches Zhao Zhangru, he praises her for being more perceptive than other young ladies. He thought it was just a compliment, but it unexpectedly makes Zhao Zhangru jealous; she assumes that Chen Jian has taught many ladies and gets so angry that she waves her gun around, chasing Chen Jian to hit him.
Song Han goes out on the street and unexpectedly runs into Miao Ansu, who is busy in front of her shop. Seeing her sweat, Song Han kindly offers her a handkerchief. Miao Ansu is pleased to see him, remembering this is the second time she has received a handkerchief from him. Song Han follows Miao Ansu to see her nursery, where Miao Ansu gives him the peanuts she has planted. Song Mo prepares a large feast for Dou Zhao, hoping that Dou Zhao can taste all his culinary skills. Dou Zhao thinks Song Mo is too anxious, saying there will be many opportunities in the future. Song Mo remains silent and then hands all his assets to Dou Zhao to manage, claiming that this way, he can be a carefree master. Although worried about something, Song Mo insists to Dou Zhao that after they get married, he should present his personal property. Dou Zhao also dreams of having a few children and living a happy life together.
That night, as Dou Zhao watches Song Mo sleep beside her, she finds it hard to fall asleep herself. She brushes aside Song Mo’s hair to discover that more white hair is hiding underneath, causing her some worry. The next morning, Dou Zhao inadvertently overhears a conversation between Lu Ming and Yan Chaoqing and learns that Song Mo’s condition has worsened. However, when she approaches to ask, they lie, claiming there is nothing serious.
Dou Zhao prepares a play for Song Mo, featuring “The Robbery of the Robe,” which they watched together when they first met, but she has rewritten the ending, giving the main character a strong and unyielding family. She hopes that Song Mo can have such a family as well, but Song Mo expresses that he knows Dou Zhao wants a peaceful life, which he cannot achieve; he desires revenge. Dou Zhao, holding Song Mo’s hand, understands his feelings and is willing to accompany him, wishing to escape to a paradise after everything is done, to have kids where one teaches martial arts and the other teaches culture, and to live happily as a family. However, Song Mo firmly rejects Dou Zhao, getting up to leave. Dou Zhao stops him, asking if he is hiding something. Song Mo, in tears, hopes Dou Zhao can take charge of her life and not be swayed by anyone. He forcefully breaks away from Dou Zhao’s grasp and quietly walks out.
While wandering in the yard, Song Mo seems to see his uncle’s teachings from childhood and memories of his close moments with his brother. The longevity lock in his hand reminds him of his parents’ love and how they named him Song Mo upon his birth. At this moment, Dou Zhao comes to find Song Mo and asks if he only has three years to live. Song Mo admits it is only one year. Dou Zhao hopes they can make the most of every day in that year, for it will be their entire life together. She vows not to let Song Mo feel isolated when facing life and death. Song Mo tightly embraces Dou Zhao, kissing her passionately and confiding that he dreamt of a woman holding a lantern guiding him—this woman is Dou Zhao. He wants to protect her. That night, the two share an intimate and passionate evening.
Zhao Zhangru and Miao Ansu watch a play in front, while Ji Yongye observes the stars and knows what Dou Zhao and Song Mo are currently doing, which makes him feel a pang of jealousy. He comments in front of them that Dou Zhao focuses solely on love and neglects friendship, which leads Zhao Zhangru and Miao Ansu to realize that Ji Yong has feelings for Dou Zhao. Ji Yong denies this, stating that if Song Mo makes Dou Zhao sad, he will take her away. That evening, Su Yan, dressed in a black cloak, seeks out Song Yichun, giving him a painting that implies that Song Han is blackmailing Song Yichun, forcing his hand to comply unwillingly.
A maid informs Song Mo that on the day before Shu Yao died, she had visited Song Han. At the same time, Song Han is distraught, unable to eat because his cat is missing. Dou Zhao and Song Mo secretly observe his unusual fury, as it is rare for someone to refuse food over a cat. When Song Mo brings back the cat, he demands to know the cause of Song Han’s mother’s death. Song Han refuses to speak, choosing to die rather than reveal anything. However, after being saved, he panics, feeling as if he has come back from the dead, revealing to Song Mo that Song Yichun had asked him to deliver medicine to his mother, and later he discovered it was poison, fearing he might also be poisoned, which is why he used the cat to test the medicine. Yet he refrains from saying anything, worried about the family’s disintegration. After sending Song Han back, Song Mo suddenly has a nosebleed and faints, seeing Dou Zhao rushing towards him in his fading consciousness.
When Song Mo wakes up, Dou Zhao checks his pulse and finds it steady but cannot discern the issue. She considers calling Doctor Lu, but Song Mo stops her. Dou Zhao investigates and finds that many licorice roots entered the household before Jiang Huisun’s death. Song Mo speculates that he may have misunderstood Song Han. That night, Song Han cannot sleep, haunted by many memories of his mother and his last moment with Shu Yao. He continues to refuse to acknowledge being Ji’s illegitimate child, asserting himself as the legitimate second son. The next day, Miao Ansu brings some food to Song Han, who gobbles it down without hesitation.
The emperor issues a decree to Song Mo, permitting him to carry a sword for ceremonies, but also leaves a second decree informing him that Song Yichun had confessed in prison and has since passed away from illness. Song Han lays his father to rest, but since the last time he saw his father, he has severed ties with him, leaving him with only memories of his deceased mother. Thus, he decides that Song Han can continue to live here. After Song Mo leaves, Song Han’s demeanor changes to a smile, recalling his meeting with his father in prison. He mocks Song Yichun’s failures, noting that his father died instantly after taking the poison Song Han provided. Contemplating this, Song Han smirks, intending to continue his father’s unfinished endeavors.
With Song Yichun’s death, Song Mo inherits the title of Duke of Britain, while Dou Zhao becomes the Duchess. The relatives opportunistically flatter him, but Song Mo draws a clear line and takes Dou Zhao away. Song Han pretends to be understanding, standing in for his brother to apologize to the elders, explaining that Song Mo’s recent elevation to the title caused all this. The relatives begin to criticize Song Mo, and Song Han appears pleased by their disapproval.
