Xu Qi’an escorts Zhou Chixiong to the court. Zhou Chixiong is extremely stubborn; upon seeing the emperor, he immediately kneels and begins a tragic display. Xu Qi’an instructs the sorcerers from the Ministry of Heaven to perform the “Wangqi Technique,” and then burns a talisman. Zhou Chixiong immediately confesses the truth, revealing that the mastermind behind everything was Minister of Rites Li Yulang.
In the audience, Li Yulang trembles with fear upon hearing this. The officials from the Ministry of Heaven confirm that Zhou Chixiong is telling the truth. The emperor becomes furious and immediately orders a thorough investigation. Wei Yuan takes the initiative to handle the case, but the Minister of Justice also promptly pledges loyalty and expresses willingness to assist the emperor in alleviating his worries. Xu Qi’an instinctively turns her head, fully aware that many within the Ministry of Justice are allies of Minister of Rites Li Yulang. However, Wei Yuan does not rush to make a statement, and Xu Qi’an does not take any rash actions either. After careful consideration, the emperor entrusts the matter to the Minister of Justice to handle.
After the morning court session, the Minister of Justice deliberately warns Wei Yuan not to attempt to shift the blame elsewhere, emphasizing that the Ministry of Justice is not to be trifled with. In response to the minister’s provocation, Xu Qi’an naturally cannot let Wei Yuan suffer in vain. She immediately steps forward and mocks, noting that many people have praised her for her talent in handling affairs. She then publicly dedicates a poem to the Minister of Justice, reciting lines reminiscent of Su Dongpo’s “Everyone raises children and forgets intelligence; I have been misled by intelligence all my life,” causing the audience to laugh silently. The Minister of Justice’s face turns pale as he is about to punish her, but with Wei Yuan’s support, Xu Qi’an gains the upper hand.
After completing her official duties, Xu Qi’an goes to visit Lin’an. Recently, Lin’an has been affected by the matters concerning Princess Pingyang and has become thin and frail. Xu Qi’an takes Lin’an out for a stroll to help her relax. Fireworks are being set off nearby. Lin’an recalls how she and Pingyang used to watch such beautiful fireworks together and can’t help but ask Xu Qi’an if Princess Pingyang has merely gone to another place. Xu Qi’an nods in agreement, explaining that under the circumstances at the time, escaping was the only choice for Princess Pingyang because she cherished her freedom and never liked the intrigues within the palace.
Having been born in the deep palace, Lin’an is well aware of many involuntary circumstances. She once asked Pingyang how being a princess is a dream come true for many women, but Pingyang did not think so. She yearned for freedom, much like a butterfly and the blue sky. Xu Qi’an also describes another world to Lin’an, where women can freely choose the lives they desire. If they do not meet someone they love, they choose to live independently. Although Lin’an feels somewhat disappointed with the current world, she still chooses to stay in this era because it includes friends who care for her, her noble mother, and her father, the emperor. She knows she has no possessions, but everyone, including Xu Qi’an, pampers her. Moved by the moment, Lin’an spontaneously kisses Xu Qi’an and clarifies that she does not want Xu Qi’an to remain merely her friend.
Since the emperor awarded Xu Qi’an with a thousand taels of gold, her aunt immediately bought a large house. Now, her nephew has also gained some fame in the capital, and visitors coming to offer gifts are endless, making the household bustling. Even the families of high-ranking officials come to offer gifts to Xu Qi’an’s aunt. Not only female relatives, but even the town crier Jinluo Yang Yan and others come to celebrate the Xu family’s relocation. Now that even Jinluo attends the celebration, everyone is impressed. The golden silk armor Jinluo wears reflects the golden light, making it hard to look directly at him, but it brings dignity to the Xu family, allowing them to hold their heads high in front of everyone.
When Xu Qi’an visits Lin’an again, a maid hands her a letter and reports that Lin’an has gone on a journey, though her exact whereabouts are unknown. In the letter, Lin’an earnestly tells Xu Qi’an that she intends to fulfill Pingyang’s last wish and to explore the vast world. Knowing that the princess is safe, Xu Qi’an feels reassured and waits patiently for her return.
Three months later, some vehicles transporting gold ingots enter Yunzhou but are hijacked. The assailants do not realize that the person escorting the treasure is Xu Qi’an, the town crier. Xu Qi’an’s swordsmanship unleashes tremendous power, nearly unstoppable, saving others considerable effort. All the bandits are captured, and Xu Qi’an orders her subordinates to send the taxed silver into the national treasury.
