The Jun family is under close surveillance by many, including Jun Yujue and the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister’s spies have already learned that Xuan Lie and his group have arrived in Yannan and appeared at Jun Qiluo’s shop. Meanwhile, Jun Yujue, through a beggar, discovered that on the night of Jun Qiluo’s wedding, the groom, Qi Min, had left the estate in the middle of the night. Jun Yujue ordered people to spread rumors throughout the city about Jun Qiluo and Qi Min’s fake marriage. The next day, Jun Qiluo and Qi Min learned of this news. Knowing that the matter must have reached the King’s ears, Jun Qiluo decided to immediately enter the palace with Qi Min to explain the situation to the King.
At the palace, Jun Qiluo explained that on the day of the wedding, thieves had broken into the embroidery room, and she had gone to catch them, which was why her distant cousin had taken her place. By the time she returned, the ceremony had already taken place, but the next day, she and her cousin switched back. Jun Qiluo dared to say this because Xuan Lie had discussed it with her beforehand, and he had arranged everything else, so they were not afraid of the King’s investigation. Seizing the opportunity, Qi Min requested to annul the marriage, not wanting Jun Qiluo to suffer from the rumors. The King was furious, as he had not expected them to act behind his back and disrespect his arranged marriage. Jun Qiluo then offered that the Jun family would contribute 150,000 bolts of fabric annually to support the north-south peace talks and the establishment of a trade market. Hearing this, the King temporarily believed in Jun Qiluo’s loyalty and changed his attitude. He agreed with Jun Qiluo to deliver the 150,000 bolts of fabric within a month.
The King of Beixuan and the Empress Dowager also learned of this situation and were equally angry. The King immediately sent someone to deliver a message to Xuan Lie. Meanwhile, Consort Li was under house arrest. She had fallen ill these past few days, and no matter how much her maid pleaded with the guards at the door, they remained unmoved, not daring to let the maid out to find a royal physician, as it was the King’s order, and no one dared to disobey. Consort Li now only wished for an early release, her only concern being her son and Luo Zhizhou. As long as they were well, she could rest easy. As for Luo Zhizhou, he had already returned to Xixiang. He had used the Luo tribe to save Consort Li’s life, hoping that King Xuan Xu would treat her well. Luo Zhizhou was also a tragic figure. His mother had not known that his father had a wife and daughter in Beixuan when she bore his child. Before her death, she had urged him never to betray the woman he loved. However, Luo Zhizhou now found himself unable to protect the woman he cherished.
Qi Min was severely punished by the King for hiding the truth about Jun Qiluo’s substitution during the wedding. He was forced to drink poisoned wine and would only receive the antidote each month if he completed his tasks. As long as he took the antidote on time, his life would be safe. The Jun family discovered Qing Kou and He Jiyao, and Jun Qiluo had no choice but to reveal the truth. The head of the Jun family only hoped they would leave quickly, as the family could not be associated with people from Beixuan. Qi Min, severely injured, returned to his room, where Qing Kou had been waiting for him. Seeing his wounds and skilled in medicine, Qing Kou also found Qi Min’s antidote. After smelling it, she identified the poison he had been given and resolved to concoct an antidote to reassure Qi Min. She then treated his wounds.
On the day the merchants were to deliver their silk, Jun Yujue, having bribed Young Master Zheng, learned of Jun Qiluo’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy and also stole her silk. However, Jun Qiluo knew they did not understand how she produced such silk, so she revealed her secret technique, offering to share it with everyone present. Seeing this, her second uncle publicly announced Jun Qiluo’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Xuan Lie was shocked, realizing at that moment that Jun Qiluo was carrying his child.
