At dawn, Jun Qiluo woke up and decided to return to her quarters. Back home, Winter Silver revealed that Xuan Lie had deep feelings for Jun Qiluo, as he hadn’t insisted she take contraceptive medicine—a rare gesture for someone yet to marry a main wife. However, Jun Qiluo, understanding the complications of a child with Yannan blood, instructed Winter Silver to prepare the medicine anyway.
Xuan Lie, in high spirits, radiated joy. Luo Qi noticed and curiously asked what had made him so happy, hoping to share in the good news. However, Xuan Lie only smiled and kept his thoughts to himself.
Luo Qi then mentioned the upcoming New Year’s Festival, noting that other tribes were preparing to celebrate and suggesting they should also take this chance to relax. Xuan Lie happily agreed, lifting the spirits of those around him.
Meanwhile, Winter Silver was brewing Jun Qiluo’s medicine but realized she was out of a key ingredient and left to retrieve it. Seizing the opportunity, Xi Ji Xiu inspected the medicine pot and discovered it was a contraceptive brew. Furious, she blamed Jun Qiluo not only for her brother’s death but also for trying to monopolize Xuan Lie’s affections. Her maid suggested adding a toxic ingredient to ensure Jun Qiluo would never bear children again.
On her way back, Winter Silver ran into Luo Qi, who immediately informed Xuan Lie about what had happened. Alarmed, Xuan Lie summoned a doctor to examine the tainted brew. The doctor confirmed it was indeed a contraceptive potion but had been laced with lei gong teng, a highly toxic herb that could render the drinker infertile or, in severe cases, cause fatal bleeding.
Just as Jun Qiluo was about to drink the potion, Xuan Lie burst in and knocked the bowl from her hands, saving her life. Furious, he demanded to know why Jun Qiluo would put herself at such risk. With tears in her eyes, Jun Qiluo explained that she wasn’t ready to be a mother and couldn’t bear the thought of her child being caught in the inevitable conflict between their father’s and mother’s tribes. Although Xuan Lie had sworn not to attack Yannan, she knew such promises weren’t always set in stone.
Heartbroken, Xuan Lie admitted he wasn’t seeking an heir from her—what he truly wanted was her love and trust.
Turning his anger toward Winter Silver, Xuan Lie questioned her involvement. Terrified, Winter Silver vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and Luo Qi defended her, pointing out that the real culprit was someone else. All eyes turned to Xi Ji Xiu, who had just entered the room. Xuan Lie confronted her, but before he could demand answers, a royal summons interrupted them. The king warned Xuan Lie to tread carefully, as Xi Ji Xiu’s suspicions toward them were growing, and advised against escalating the situation.
Elsewhere, Shao Qimin returned, and Qing Kou informed him about Jun Qiluo’s connection to Xuan Lie. She hinted that if Shao Qimin truly cared for Jun Qiluo, he should stay close to her.
As the festival approached, Xi Ji Xiu, still grieving her brother’s death, found the celebrations unbearable. Her father, Xi Changkun, reminded her to keep her grievances to herself.
Qing Kou, tired of the camp, yearned to explore the bustling inner city. Ignoring the Empress Dowager’s objections, she left with Shao Qimin, claiming she needed a change of scenery.
Meanwhile, Xuan Lie invited Jun Qiluo to the festival. He gifted her a wolf-shaped sugar figurine, with the vendor praising the wolf’s strength and loyalty, a sentiment filled with symbolism.
Jun Qiluo’s two younger sisters spent the festival together, missing her and feeling downhearted. The youngest was comforted by her elder sister, who reassured her that Jun Qiluo would be safe and that their family’s troubles would eventually resolve.
Elsewhere, Qing Kou and Shao Qimin released sky lanterns, sending their wishes into the heavens. Xuan Lie led Jun Qiluo to an ancient tree, where she tied a red ribbon and a tag, silently making a wish.
