Xuan Lie and Jun Qiluo are trapped in a collapsed mine. Xuan Lie sustains minor injuries but is otherwise fine, and he carries Jun Qiluo, who has a leg injury, out of the mine. Luo Qi brings a portrait of Jun Feifan, who bears a striking resemblance to Jun Qiluo but has a mole near the corner of his eye. Luo Qi believes this person is Jun Qiluo’s younger brother. Xuan Lie takes Jun Qiluo back to his residence. Upon their return, Princess Qingkou arrives with a newly acquired slave. Jun Qiluo immediately recognizes the slave as Qimin. Although Jun Qiluo is grateful that the princess saved Qimin’s life, she hopes the princess will release him. Qimin has been by Jun Qiluo’s side since childhood, silently protecting her, and she considers him family.
Princess Qingkou, however, is unwilling to easily let go of a slave she favors. She challenges Jun Qiluo to a hunting competition in the forest, and Jun Qiluo agrees. Xuan Lie begins to worry for Jun Qiluo, as Qingkou has grown up on horseback and is skilled in hunting and riding, while Jun Qiluo, being a woman from Yanan, is not adept at these activities. Despite this, Jun Qiluo is determined to save Qimin and doesn’t overthink the risks.
Qingkou is clever. She knows Qimin is highly skilled in martial arts but has been obediently staying by her side, which makes her suspect he has ulterior motives. To neutralize him, she adds a paralyzing agent to the incense burner, rendering Qimin immobile. Jun Qiluo is deeply concerned for Qimin, and her maid, Dongyin, remarks on how kind Jun Qiluo is to care so much for a servant. Jun Qiluo, however, has never seen Qimin as a servant; they grew up together and have long considered each other family. Still, Jun Qiluo is worried, knowing that even if she wins the competition, Qingkou, as a princess, may not easily release Qimin.
Xuan Lie visits Jun Qiluo and playfully ambushes her. He notes that her martial skills are far inferior to Qingkou’s, making it unlikely for her to win. Xuan Lie also feels a hint of jealousy over Jun Qiluo’s concern for Qimin. To clear any misunderstandings between them, Xuan Lie confesses that he was not behind the attack on the merchant caravan and promises to strengthen his management to prevent such incidents in the future. He suggests that if Qimin is released from Qingkou’s grasp, the matter of the caravan will be settled, and Jun Qiluo agrees.
Feeling down about the situation with Jun Qiluo, Xuan Lie drinks with his friend Luo Zhizhou, who, understanding Xuan Lie’s feelings, warns him not to get too deeply involved, as Xuan Lie’s official consort cannot be a foreign woman. Xuan Lie sends a letter to the Jun family in an attempt to lure out Jun Feifan, but the letter is intercepted by Jun Qiluo’s uncle, who decides to manipulate the contents to worry Jun Qiluo’s father, who dotes on his daughter.
On the eve of the hunting competition, Qimin breaks free from his restraints and visits Jun Qiluo at night. He suggests they leave immediately and find another way to obtain the mysterious Xuantie crystal they seek. However, Jun Qiluo refuses to leave, as she has already found a lead and has made an agreement with Xuan Lie to settle the caravan incident. She is determined to compete with Qingkou.
During the competition, Qingkou deliberately leads Jun Qiluo into a forbidden area to hunt a tiger, hoping Jun Qiluo will meet her end. However, Jun Qiluo cleverly kills the tiger, and Xuan Lie arrives just in time to save her from the beast. Jun Qiluo wins the competition and successfully takes Qimin away from the princess. Qingkou is displeased, but Luo Zhizhou advises her not to be stubborn. Even if her brother, the king, cannot control her, the queen dowager would surely have Qimin killed if she found out. Fearing her mother’s wrath, Qingkou reluctantly follows Luo Zhizhou back.
Jun Qiluo discovers a note left by Qimin in her room, stating that he has gone to the northern forest for a meeting. She rushes to the location, instructing Dongyin to inform Xuan Lie if she does not return by noon. Xuan Lie, who has been summoned to the palace by the king, receives the news of Qimin and Jun Qiluo’s disappearance from Dongyin and immediately heads to the northern forest with his men. Unexpectedly, Qingkou also arrives, knowing her slave is there. Qimin and Jun Qiluo meet, and he suspects Xuan Lie lured him to the forest, but they find nothing of value. Unbeknownst to them, Luo Zhizhou orchestrated the situation to prevent Xuan Lie from attending the hunting competition.
