Xia searched everywhere for a place to hide the letter. On a night filled with heavy snow, Xia suddenly remembered this matter and tore the painting she had posted the letter on to hand over to Song Mo. Consequently, Xia regained her memory; the letter she had sent to Jiang Huisun was actually a painting by Jiang Huisun, and beside the painting were some invisible characters that would appear when brushed with water. Jiang Meisun discovered some corrupt practices in Liaodong and returned to the palace to report to the emperor. Xia had placed the painting on the picture scroll in the corridor and, while returning, overheard a conversation in the room between Song Han and Song Yichun. Song Yichun had plotted against Jiang Huisun, but when confronted by Song Han, he maintained a sense of righteousness, stating that he could not continue to wrong Shu Yao.
Song Mo produced a letter from the Duke of Dingguo, which listed the names of the corrupt officials, among which was Dou Shiying’s name. Dou Zhao was somewhat puzzled, as Dou Shishu had long been an obvious supporter of Wang Qing and should not have Dou Shishu’s name on the list, suggesting that Dou Shiying might want to drag him into the mess.
Dou Zhao and Song Mo went to visit their father. Dou Shiying had deliberately bought some properties to gift to Dou Zhao. Dou Zhao was worried that Dou Shiying might be cheated in the process, and Dou Shiying explained that his recent dealings were due to Elder Mu and Dou Shishu embezzling funds, which led to losses. Song Mo analyzed the current political situation for Dou Shiying, and even discussed the underlying forces behind these individuals. However, Dou Shiying insisted that politics and business should not be conflated, while Song Mo reminded him that Wang Qing intended to wrest power and had already bound him in. Dou Shiying then realized the gravity of the situation and wished to quickly withdraw from his businesses. Dou Zhao offered to handle it on his behalf, and Dou Shiying also wanted to resign from his official position to avoid disaster. Song Mo believed that even if he resigned, it couldn’t be avoided because their relationships remained; Dou Zhao was Song Mo’s wife, and Dou Shiying was his father-in-law.
Dou Zhao brought people to the shop and saw Wei Tingzhen, the owner of the silver shop. Dou Zhao offered to pay double the amount to exchange for his father’s contract, but Wei Tingzhen blamed Dou Zhao for Wei Tingyu’s death, refusing to relent. Dou Zhao reminded Wei Tingzhen that today he was giving her face, but in the future, it would not be so easy to find face again. However, Wei Tingzhen was utterly unconcerned and was convinced Dou Zhao’s life was at risk.
Ji Yong represented Wang Qing to approach Chen Jia, attempting to win him over with a bet, which Chen Jia refused. Ji Yong then promised high official positions and wealth, but seeing Chen Jia unmoved, Ji Yong shifted to threatening him with Zhao Zhangru, causing Chen Jia’s expression to change drastically.
Dou Shishu invited Song Mo to the silver shop for tea. Once inside, Song Mo discovered Wang Qing was present. He had long known that Dou Shishu had allied with Wang Qing and was not surprised. Recently, Song Mo had been avoiding Wang Qing, and Wang Qing had to meet him this way, actively proposing to detoxify Song Mo. However, Song Mo believed that detoxification was easy but resolving hatred was difficult. Wang Qing assumed it was because of Jiang Huisun’s death and proactively offered to deliver Song Han’s head to Song Mo the next day, to which Song Mo remained silent.
Wang Qing tried to persuade Song Mo using the matter of Zhao Gou and Yue Fei, suggesting that the one to hate should be the emperor, not Qin Hui. However, Song Mo argued that whether it was Zhao Gou or Qin Hui, they should kneel before Yue Fei’s statue. Unable to persuade Song Mo, Wang Qing ordered his men to act. Song Mo seized a weapon from one person and captured Wang Qing as leverage, preventing anyone from advancing. Song Mo had previously discussed the situation with Dou Zhao and knew those contracts were hidden in the crevices of the room. He ordered people to blow up the wall and retrieved the contract.
As a result, Song Mo was labeled with the crime of attempting to assassinate the prince and was ordered to be executed. Suddenly, he suffered from a poison attack and spat blood. At that moment, Dou Zhao arrived with Wang Gonggong and the Jinwu Guards to rescue Song Mo and summon him before the emperor. Dou Zhao knelt at the palace gate, where the empress advised him that there was a difference between Song Mo and Wang Qing; no matter how grave Wang Qing’s mistakes were, he was still the emperor’s son, and even if Song Mo had great merits, he was merely a court minister. Dou Zhao insisted he would wait for Song Mo’s release, but the empress warned Dou Zhao that the only way for Song Mo to leave would be to place the blame on Dou Shiying.
Although the evidence was presented before the emperor, the officials criticized Song Mo for shielding Wang Qing. The emperor could only helplessly state that the contract was stained with blood and unreadable, causing Song Mo to feel a sinking sensation in his heart. However, when the emperor hinted that Song Mo should pin the blame on Dou Shiying, Song Mo readily admitted his guilt. The emperor ordered Wang Gonggong to store the contracts and chastised Wang Qing, expressing surprise that his uncles valued him so highly, demonstrating the empress’s good upbringing.
The emperor aimed to forsake the lesser to protect the greater by capturing Dou Shiying, but Song Mo knelt and confessed, unwilling to engage in disgraceful actions. The emperor’s uncles criticized Song Mo for his great treason. Song Mo drew his sword in defiance, nearly breaking down. The emperor looked at Song Mo with pain and discerned from his tone that he had long harbored hatred towards himself. Suddenly, when he looked at Song Mo’s face, it transformed into the youthful visage of Jiang Meisun, causing him to spit blood and fall to the ground.
The emperor decreed that taking into account Song Mo’s contributions, the destruction of the silver shop would not result in Song Mo’s execution. However, he stripped him of all official positions and placed him under house arrest. Dou Zhao, who had been waiting at the gate, saw Song Mo being led out unconscious and in a panic, struggled free from the crowd, clutching Dou Zhao and calling for a physician.
Ji Yong took Dou Zhao away, but despite being in a daze, Dou Zhao still wanted to return and save Song Mo. Wang Gonggong ran to a temple alone, asking the abbot to accept the items sent for protection. When he returned to the palace, he was informed that the person in charge of the inner court had changed to Wang Ge.
Song Han, anxious and impatient, came to Ji Yong to search for Dou Zhao. Ji Yong sat calmly, having tea, and treated Song Han dismissively.
