Wang Simo tries to clear Xu Xinnian’s name with her father, Wang Zhenwen. Though Wang Zhenwen recognizes the Xu family’s ploy as a deliberate act to garner sympathy, he admits his previous actions were inappropriate. As a gesture of goodwill, he prepares a salve for Xu Xinnian’s injuries.
Wang Simo personally delivers the salve to the Xu residence, applying it to Xu Xinnian’s wounds herself. With her care and presence, Xu Xinnian’s previous humiliation fades away, and he begins to feel comforted again. Left alone in the room, the atmosphere turns intimate. Just as Xu Xinnian leans in, he notices his mother watching from nearby, causing Wang Simo to awkwardly excuse herself.
However, Xu Xinnian’s mother presents Wang Simo with a jade bracelet, declaring it a gift for her future daughter-in-law. Thrilled, Wang Simo immediately slips it onto her wrist, despite its small size. Her delight is palpable as she struggles but successfully fits the bracelet.
Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen’s Encounter
Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen share drinks at an inn, bonding over conversation. As their rapport deepens, they spontaneously swear brotherhood. It’s only during the ritual exchange of names that they realize each other’s identities—Li Miaozhen of the Heavenly Alliance and Chu Yuanzhen, her sect’s nemesis. Having been fierce rivals who exchanged heated words in the past, they decide to settle their differences through a duel.
Their sparring showcases their evenly matched skills, neither able to gain the upper hand. Onlookers, including Shangguan Xiaorou, notice their rooftop battle. Annoyed by the disturbance, she intervenes with a red-card warning but ends up injured in the crossfire. Frustrated, Xiaorou reports the incident to Wei Yuan.
Progress in the Investigation
With Wang Simo mediating, Wang Zhenwen agrees to allow Xu Qi’an access to the Ministry of Personnel’s archives. Although Li Miaozhen was supposed to assist, she fails to show up. Xu Qi’an proceeds with Su Su to comb through the records. After an exhaustive search, Su Su discovers that her father, Su Hang, passed away over a decade ago.
Meanwhile, Xu Qi’an identifies the masked man from his visions as a commander who had participated in the Battle of Linyuan. However, the man’s name has been erased from the records. Determined to uncover more, Xu Qi’an offers a bounty of ten taels of silver for any information about the missing names.
Piecing together clues, Xu Qi’an outlines the masked man’s rise to prominence but learns that the man vanished after the Linyuan battle. Consulting Wang Zhenwen, Xu Qi’an is told that the individual likely existed but his name has been deliberately suppressed. Wang Zhenwen also recalls rumors of a secret treasure stolen from the palace after the battle, though he admits it is beyond his authority to investigate. He warns Xu Qi’an not to pursue the matter further unless directed by Wei Yuan.
Budding Romance Between Xu Xinnian and Wang Simo
With their feelings now mutual, Xu Xinnian and Wang Simo grow closer. As night falls, Xu Xinnian personally escorts Wang Simo back to her home. At the gate, they linger, reluctant to part. Wang Simo feigns having forgotten something at the Xu residence, prompting another trip back. This cycle of returning and departing repeats five or six times, leaving Wang Simo’s maid exhausted and complaining of sore feet.
Signs of Trouble
During their duel, neither Li Miaozhen nor Chu Yuanzhen emerges victorious. Their sparring is cut short when Shangguan Xiaorou intervenes and gets injured. Reporting the matter to Wei Yuan, Shangguan mentions the commotion. At that moment, Wei Yuan notices the manifestation of the Vajra Wrathful Deity’s visage in his study, a foreboding sign that something significant is about to occur.
