Song Han took advantage of Miao Ansu’s kind heart, deliberately putting on an act in front of her by making several bowls of soup. He claimed that they should be prepared by a mother-in-law for her daughter-in-law, but since his mother had passed away, he made them instead. He even set up a memorial tablet for Song Yichun to offer respects, speaking earnestly, which made him appear to be a person of deep emotions and loyalty. Miao Ansu, touched by Song Han’s heartfelt intentions, specifically asked him to place the tablet in the ancestral hall for worship.
Upon hearing the news, Chen Qushui and Sulan rushed over to stop it. After all, Song Yichun was a condemned criminal, and if they worshipped together, it would implicate the entire Song family. They cursed Song Han, saying he was an illegitimate child unworthy of being worshipped in the ancestral hall. As Su Yan incited further trouble, Miao Ansu, compassionate towards Song Han, ordered punishment for Sulan’s family. However, Sulan was skilled in martial arts, and they couldn’t subdue her. Sulan then invoked the Queen’s name, which made her dare not resist, allowing herself to be punished. Dou Zhao inquired and arrived, and when Su Yan seized the opportunity to speak out of turn, Dou Zhao slapped Su Yan. Unexpectedly, Song Han slapped himself, pretending that all the blame was his own, once again stirring Miao Ansu’s sympathy. Miao Ansu then fell out with Dou Zhao, scolding her that she didn’t truly care for her as a sister but simply pitied her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t let a maid insult them. Dou Zhao, enraged, fainted, but fortunately, Song Mo arrived in time to support Dou Zhao, criticizing everyone for wanting to harm her, while commanding them to find Lu Yuan to come check on her.
Dou Zhao was physically weak and had difficulty conceiving, yet this time she managed to get pregnant, bringing joy to both her and Song Mo. However, Song Mo, worried about Dou Zhao’s health, advised her to consider giving up the child. Dou Zhao, on the other hand, insisted on keeping the child and even chose a name for the future baby. Deeply moved by Dou Zhao’s feelings, Song Mo grew to cherish her even more.
Dou Zhao visited a temple to pray for blessings and coincidentally heard Miao Ansu also praying, hoping the sisters could reconcile and wishing Dou Zhao good health. Remembering their years of sisterly friendship, Dou Zhao didn’t hold grudges against Miao Ansu and wanted to reveal Song Han’s true nature to her to prevent her from being deceived. However, Song Han arrived just in time, gently draping a cloak over Miao Ansu, fearing she might catch a cold, and hurriedly sent someone to take her home.
In private, Dou Zhao confronted Song Han, stating that she had seen through his façade and intentions, warning him not to do anything hurtful to Miao Ansu or betray her affection. She also told him to restrain his actions, or one day, she wouldn’t let him off the hook. Song Han, unfazed, reminded Dou Zhao not to act so superior; she wasn’t the arbiter of justice and couldn’t handle everyone. Being too meddlesome could lead to harm for herself.
Watching Song Han leave in anger, Dou Zhao scolded him for being stubborn. Just then, news came that Qi Xia had woken up. Dou Zhao hurried over, and Ji Yong was treating Qi Xia with acupuncture, ensuring she was out of danger. Dou Zhao decided to keep Qi Xia on duty, and Ji Yong proactively offered to teach Dou Zhao the “Thirteen Ghost Needles.” Dou Zhao asked Ji Yong if there was anything else he wanted to say, and he claimed that today’s lesson was his final one.
Dou Zhao uncovered the matter concerning King Qing, believing he would go to great lengths to keep Ji Yong. Realizing she had seen through him, Ji Yong took Dou Zhao to a hidden cave, where they encountered a broken mirror, the place where they first met. Ji Yong expressed his desire to restore the kingdom and to have the person he trusts most become the emperor. Dou Zhao pieced together that the day the bandits invaded the city was also Ji Yong’s idea. She was displeased that Ji Yong could treat lives so lightly and questioned whether he would disregard her life as well. Ji Yong honestly said he wouldn’t allow Dou Zhao to die or let her sacrifice herself for mere pawns. Dou Zhao pressed him for who else around her was loyal to King Qing, but Ji Yong couldn’t disclose this information. Filled with rage over Ji Yong’s betrayal, Dou Zhao suddenly fainted. Ji Yong hurried to support her, but Song Mo appeared just in time to catch Dou Zhao, realizing Ji Yong had ambushed them, clearly intending to take his life.
Ji Yong stopped those around him from acting against them, allowing Dou Zhao and Song Mo to leave, but reminded Song Mo to prepare a divorce document before his impending death, so he wouldn’t implicate Dou Zhao.
Miao Ansu looked at Song Han, who had fallen asleep, wanting to cover him with something. However, he suddenly drew a sword and injured her neck. Upon realizing it was Miao Ansu, Song Han felt deep remorse, apologizing and rushing to summon a doctor. But Miao Ansu stopped him, letting him lie on her lap to calm his emotions. He gradually relaxed, holding her tightly and calling out “mother,” which made Miao Ansu even more distressed for him.
The next morning, Song Han woke up to find Miao Ansu still asleep. He held her in his arms, feeling even more heartbroken seeing the sword wound on her neck, and couldn’t help but kiss Miao Ansu. She woke up and reciprocated his kiss, marking their first consummation after marriage.
When Miao Ansu returned home, she found Ping An in debt everywhere, needing money for business. She felt her brother was unsuitable for trade and forbade him, resulting in a severe scolding from their parents, who reminded her that the business was merely under her management, and everything belonged to An Ping, even pushing Miao Ansu to the ground. Song Han, hiding in the shadows, witnessed this all but chose not to intervene and quietly left.
Later, Song Han intentionally took Ping An to the Drunken Immortal Building, introducing him to a famous courtesan. Ping An, angry to find himself competing for a woman with Dong Qi, attacked him, and they ended up fighting. Ping An was kicked down the stairs, and at that moment, while embroidering at home, Miao Ansu suddenly pricked her finger. Seeing the blood, she felt uneasy. Just then, the servants brought in An Ping’s corpse, and Miao Ansu was devastated. Song Han held an umbrella over her to shield her from the falling snow as she suddenly fainted.
When she woke up again, Song Han apologized to Miao Ansu for coming late but assured her that he had already captured the murderer. Miao Ansu was heartbroken, crying that she had only one brother, while her father had suffered a stroke and her mother had fainted multiple times. Song Han embraced Miao Ansu, promising that even if he were to be left alone in the future, he would take good care of her.
