A Night in the Mountains
Stranded without a way back, Jun Qiluo and Xuan Lie find shelter in a cave to escape the elements. For her safety, Xuan Lie volunteers to stand guard outside while Jun rests inside. The two spend the night in quiet resilience.
Revealing the Truth
When Jun Qiluo and Xuan Lie return, visibly tired but unwavering, they report their failure to find the elusive Xuan Shen herb. Just then, Xi Changkun enters with a mocking smile, presenting a crate of Xuan Shen, claiming to have purchased it from elsewhere.
Jun Qiluo, though unimpressed, keeps her composure. She calmly unveils a piece of the truth: “If you really purchased these herbs, why does the Xuan Shen plant we gathered yesterday—only to have it stolen—appear among your supplies?” She calls forth pharmacy owners who confirm that Xi Changkun’s men had recently bought out all the Xuan Shen in the area.
Adding fuel to the fire, others testify that Xi Changkun not only monopolized the herb but also planted diseased materials in the Silver Embroidery Workshop to sabotage its reputation. The evidence leaves Xi Changkun exposed, his face pale with humiliation, as Jun Qiluo and Xuan Lie watch in silent triumph.
A Turning Point
Master Sun expresses his fury, accusing Xi Changkun of endangering the people of Liangzhou. Faced with undeniable evidence, Xi has no defense and leaves in disgrace.
Grateful for Xuan Lie’s role in resolving the crisis, Master Sun thanks him and shifts the conversation to Xuan Lie’s late parents. He mentions discovering a mysterious symbol at the scene of their deaths, which he now entrusts to Xuan Lie. Additionally, he pledges his support in Xuan Lie’s pursuit of the title of Wolf Lord.
A Symbol with Secrets
Back at his residence, Xuan Lie shows the symbol to Luo Qi, who recognizes it from a half-finished tattoo on someone who once committed suicide. Realizing the symbol could hold a crucial clue, Xuan Lie seeks Jun Qiluo’s help. Under the pretense of creating a birthday gift for Luo Qi, he asks her to embroider the design. Jun Qiluo agrees without hesitation, but Xuan Lie notices her reaction, suspecting she doesn’t understand the symbol’s true significance.
A Chaotic Scene at the Gambling Den
Meanwhile, Qi Min and Xuan Qingkou visit a gambling den where Xuan Qingkou, confident in her skills, keeps losing. Frustrated, she accuses the house of cheating and, with Qi Min’s help, steals the den’s money, distributing part of it to beggars before fleeing from the furious owners.
Jun Yujue’s Ambition
Elsewhere, Jun Yujue tries to curry favor with the Prime Minister’s envoy, revealing his desire to replace Jun Feifan as the family head. While Jun Yujue works on his schemes, Sun Zhaomin makes an emotional plea for Jun Qiluo to stay, hoping to recruit her talents for Liangzhou’s future. Despite her parents’ concerns about her forwardness, Sun insists it’s her duty as the future clan leader to attract capable individuals.
Jun Qiluo’s Arrival in Beixuan
Upon reaching Beixuan, Xuan Lie personally escorts Jun Qiluo to her new residence. He calls for maids to serve her, but Jun notices a young woman standing quietly at the doorway and chooses her instead. The head maid explains that the girl, named Dong Yin, is of mixed Beixuan-Yan’nan heritage and traditionally assigned menial tasks due to her lineage.
Curious about Dong Yin’s background, Jun Qiluo strikes up a conversation and learns that her Yan’nan-style attire was a keepsake from her late mother. Jun praises the exquisite craftsmanship of the garments, which are rare and prized, and encourages Dong Yin to continue wearing them proudly. Her kindness sparks a moment of quiet understanding as she reflects on the harsh treatment Yan’nan women face in Beixuan.
With tensions rising and alliances forming, Beixuan’s intricate web of power and secrets becomes ever more tangled.
