Madam Yu admits that Shopkeeper Li is the real owner of Mingke Fang and that he was the one who killed the Fifth Concubine. Luo Shu realizes that Li works for Qin Yi. Madam Yu explains the sequence of events: Qin Yi sent Luo Shu to Mingke Fang to “temper her temperament,” but Luo Shu secretly ran away and ended up at the county yamen. Shopkeeper Li blamed Madam Yu for not bringing Luo Shu back. Terrified of demanding her return from the yamen, Madam Yu could only apologize profusely.
One day, hearing suspicious noises outside, Madam Yu went out and spotted Mulan walking by. She interrogated her, and Mulan denied hearing Madam Yu’s conversation with Shopkeeper Li. Li noticed that Mulan—sent by Qin Yi—resembled Luo Shu. He reminded Madam Yu to train Mulan well, hoping to regain Qin Yi’s favor. Madam Yu was frightened and repeatedly agreed.
Later, Madam Yu realized that Mulan was close to Jin Miaocui. Jin Miaocui had written a letter for Xiaomian’ao to deliver to Constable Cai at the yamen. Madam Yu secretly read it and learned that Jin Miaocui had overheard her talk with Shopkeeper Li. Once Li found out, he wanted Jin Miaocui killed. Not wanting to lose such a big earner, Madam Yu first moved Jin Miaocui to the side courtyard. When Luo Shu showed up looking for her, Jin Miaocui tried sending out a message. Cornered, Madam Yu had Que Si’er kill Jin Miaocui.
Madam Yu falls to her knees, begging Luo Shu to spare her—otherwise Qin Yi will kill her as well. Luo Shu is devastated to learn that Qin Yi orchestrated everything. Constable Cai searches high and low for Que Si’er but finds no sign of him. Luo Shu no longer wants to chase him down right now. First, she wants a proper funeral for Jin Miaocui. Chen Meiqing thinks it’s unwise, and Han Muzhi urges caution, but Qi Menglin decides to hold the funeral in his own name.
Luo Shu keeps vigil by Jin Miaocui’s coffin and recalls all they’d been through, feeling wretched. She finally understands why Jin Miaocui insisted on returning to Mingke Fang—she was trying to discover who was truly behind everything. Luo Shu organizes a grand funeral for Jin Miaocui, carrying her memorial tablet in her arms. Hearing onlookers condemning her and Jin Miaocui, Luo Shu is so overcome with grief she spits blood and faints.
Two months pass before Luo Shu gradually recovers. Qi Menglin has been taking meticulous care of her. Meanwhile, a locust plague hits Linfen, devouring the crops. Han Muzhi decides to tackle it head-on, but the locals view the locusts as a “Locust God.” They blame Jin Miaocui, even digging up her grave. Han Muzhi intervenes desperately to stop them.
Qi Menglin advises Luo Shu to return to Taiyuan, but she wants to pay her respects at Jin Miaocui’s grave before leaving. Han Muzhi posts notices throughout Linfen, stating clearly that locusts are not any “Locust God” and calling on the people to join forces to control them. He even provides a detailed plan for eradication. The locals don’t believe it and insist on holding a ritual at the village altar to appease the Locust God. Furious, Han Muzhi instructs Chen Meiqing to issue a new notice recruiting a dedicated locust-control task force.
Qiao Ruolan comes to see Luo Shu and mentions the locust plague, but suddenly a crowd of citizens bursts in and seizes Luo Shu without explanation. They claim her hosting Jin Miaocui’s funeral angered the Locust God, and they want to sacrifice Luo Shu’s blood to appease it. On hearing this, Han Muzhi rushes over and rescues Luo Shu, ordering Constable Cai to arrest the ringleaders. Luo Shu can’t bear to see the people lose all their crops, so she picks up a blade, seemingly determined to try something drastic. Han Muzhi struggles to stop her.
Qi Menglin arrives soon after, urging everyone to work together against the locusts. He suggests they bring locust carcasses to the military camp to exchange for grain. The villagers are skeptical, but Han Muzhi promises that the exchange will be honored. Encouraged, the people thank him en masse. Having heard of the locust outbreak, Liu Wan goes to her father, Liu Yiqing, for help, hoping he can assist Han Muzhi. The Shanxi Minister of Revenue, Lord Zheng, also visits Liu Yiqing, who reassures Liu Wan not to worry.
