Su Yan noticed a silver hairpin on Dou Zhao’s head while at the temple. She specifically followed him in the street and suddenly appeared to snatch the hairpin, excitedly asking Dou Zhao about its origin. Dou Zhao truthfully explained that he had saved a mother and her child during a campaign against bandits, and the mother had gifted him this hairpin. Su Yan urgently wished to visit the mother and child, and she took out her own hairpin to match it with Dou Zhao’s, confirming that the mother and child were indeed her mother and younger brother.
Dou Zhao took Su Yan to see the sleeping mother and child. Su Yan couldn’t bear to disturb their sweet dreams and quietly planned to leave, but unexpectedly, her mother woke up and called out to her. The mother and daughter met and embraced, sobbing, and they both knelt to express their gratitude to Dou Zhao. Su Yan resolved to repay Dou Zhao for his help.
While Dou Zhao was preparing the festival lanterns, Song Mo arrived. As the palace banquet approached, he wanted to quickly learn about the situation with Prince Qing. Dou Zhao believed that to control Prince Qing, they must leverage the power of the construction efforts. The Crown Princess invited Dou Zhao to discuss the banquet, providing an opportunity for him to facilitate matters. Song Mo was also going to accompany the Crown Prince and Prince Qing on a hunting trip, which would allow him to eavesdrop on their discussions.
The two acted separately. The Crown Princess was impressed by Dou Zhao’s cleverness in planning the palace banquet and ordered her maids to follow his arrangements. However, when she was about to taste a dish of fish and meat, she suddenly vomited. Dou Zhao quickly discerned that she was pregnant. Pregnant women’s senses are extremely sharp, and the Crown Princess did not mask her condition in front of Dou Zhao. She ordered Wang Ge to fetch a magnolia flower, and Dou Zhao noticed a tattoo on Wang Ge’s exposed arm, triggering memories of his past life when Wang Ge had shot an arrow aimed at Song Mo. Seeing the Crown Princess unwell, Dou Zhao promptly treated her. Wang Ge initially wanted to intervene but was reprimanded by Dou Zhao for his disrespect. Unable to retaliate, Wang Ge had to let Dou Zhao proceed with the treatment.
Prince Qing, impatient, used the hunting trip as a pretense to provoke the Crown Prince, demanding he give up his position for him. The two brothers ended up fighting, prompting Song Mo to order the Jinwu Guard to turn away, ensuring no one could hear their conversation, or it would mean the annihilation of their clans. As the brothers fought fiercely, it became apparent they would be hurt if it continued, so Song Mo decisively intervened with a punch, stopping their altercation.
The incident quickly reached the Emperor’s ears, who out of courtesy apologized and offered to resign from the position of Empress, requesting Prince Qing be demoted to a commoner. Consequently, the Emperor did not hold Prince Qing accountable, understanding that the Crown Prince had suffered injustice, but he couldn’t personally visit the Crown Prince as it would expose the situation. Meanwhile, Song Mo, as the leader of the Jinwu Guard, would inevitably face consequences, and without him, there would be no one to balance the court.
In the Crown Prince’s palace, he berated Song Mo for physically confronting him. The Crown Princess, understanding, acknowledged that if it weren’t for Song Mo, the Crown Prince might have lost a leg that day. Dou Zhao also recognized that Prince Qing wanted to eliminate both the Crown Prince and Song Mo to join forces. He inquired about the circumstances surrounding the death of Duke Dingguo, to which the Crown Prince revealed he had once vowed before the Emperor not to disclose anything. Luckily, the Crown Princess was aware of the matter and had not sworn any oath, promptly revealing that Duke Dingguo had merit rather than fault. The Emperor had sent someone to escort Duke Dingguo back to the capital because he was the only person the Emperor trusted. When the Emperor was gravely ill, he worried that the benevolent Crown Prince would be unable to manage Duke Dingguo, thus deliberately pressing charges to bring him back. Once the Crown Prince recorded this, he could release Duke Dingguo for his own use. The Crown Prince despised such underhanded tactics and respected Duke Dingguo, but the Emperor believed that as an emperor, he could not simply be benevolent; only by making Duke Dingguo despise him could he ensure Duke Dingguo’s true loyalty to the Crown Prince.
Initially thinking everything was fine, they were unexpectedly interrupted by Eunuch Wang, who arrived on the Emperor’s orders to recount the events of the past. The Emperor, fully aware of Duke Dingguo’s innocence, still indulged in dictating a punishment due to Empress Wan’s suggestion. However, he had already lightly punished the Jiang family, allowing only Duke Dingguo to bear punishment, prompting Song Mo to deduce that the true conspirator was Empress Wan.
The Emperor was poisoned, and Empress Wan was well-versed in this; she had mixed poison into the Emperor’s antidote, which was why his condition had never improved. At this moment in Empress Wan’s palace, Prince Qing kneeled to admit his mistakes, regretting his reckless actions. He insisted he only wished for the Empress to replace the Emperor and did not want to see her kneeling before him. The Empress did not reproach him but tenderly stroked his face, lamenting that wanting to take his place was not an easy task. With matters poised to be unraveled, there was no need to continue acting; it was time to take action. The poison she gave the Emperor was nearing its deadline, and she was eager to see if the Emperor still had tears left.
Dou Zhao realized that if poison was mixed with medicine for the Emperor, halting the medication suddenly could lead to dire consequences, explaining why the Emperor could not speak of the truth. Song Mo asked the Crown Prince whether he was willing to rectify the situation. The Crown Prince firmly believed it meant trampling the royal family’s dignity and resolutely refused. Dou Zhao harshly criticized the Crown Prince, and before he could speak, the Crown Princess praised Dou Zhao’s reprimand, offering to pay Dou Zhao daily to scold the dense Crown Prince.
Song Mo mentioned the letter Duke Dingguo had sent to Jiang Huisun, expressing concern that this letter should not fall into Prince Qing’s hands, as it currently made his faction wary. Song Mo stated his willingness to assist the Crown Prince in becoming emperor, contingent upon the Emperor publicly announcing it. The matter of Duke Dingguo should be declared to the public, ensuring loyal ministers were not wronged. The Crown Prince hesitated, but the Crown Princess held his hand and fist-bumped with Song Mo, urging him on. The Crown Prince, dissatisfied with Song Mo’s arrogance, reminded them to manage Song Mo if they sought attractive young women. Song Mo did not hold back, suggesting that the Crown Princess manage the Crown Prince instead.
After Song Mo left with Dou Zhao, the Crown Prince teased his wife for being too supportive of her sister-in-law. The Crown Princess playfully tugged at the Crown Prince’s ear and pulled him into their chamber.
Throughout the journey, Song Mo was unhappy, believing that the Crown Prince’s praise of Dou Zhao indicated an attraction. He insisted Dou Zhao must wear black clothing next time and should not dress up, yet he realized Dou Zhao would look good even in black. Unable to contain his thoughts, he jumped off the carriage and hugged Dou Zhao, vowing to let the world know that Dou Zhao was his woman, promising to care for her health to protect her better.
Eunuch Wang brought the Emperor a bowl of medicine, which the Emperor consumed without hesitation, seemingly already knowing the answer in his heart.
Miao Ansu and Song Han arrived at Anping to attend the burial. She regretted coming here; if they had stayed at Fu Ting, her brother would not have died. Song Han noted that he was now the commander of the Tengxiang Guard, with a position equivalent to Song Mo’s, meaning he no longer need fear anyone. Miao Ansu had never heard of this position, and Song Han explained it as a commanding general overseeing the overall situation. Miao Ansu felt that the capital was peaceful when she heard this, yet from Song Han’s words, it sounded like a land of war. Song Han embraced Miao Ansu, promising to give her peace.
Qi Xia woke up, and Dou Zhao took her to their former courtyard, hoping to awaken some memories. From her few words, it was clear she had brewed medicine and knew that Jiang Huisun was ill, requiring nine herbs at once. Song Mo tentatively inquired about a letter, prompting Qi Xia to anxiously ask Dou Zhao for a false one to deliver to Madam, excitedly announcing that Duke Dingguo’s letter had arrived.
The letter contained hidden secrets, as the characters would only be visible when dampened with water. Jiang Huisun initially wanted Qi Xia to hide the letter, but realizing it couldn’t be concealed, she instructed Qi Xia to paste the letter in an eye-catching location.
