Qin Yi had spent years plotting to claim Luo Shu as his own, but her heart now belongs to Qi Meng Lin. Furious and heartbroken, Qin Yi confronts her with a blade, but when she turns against him, he realizes he will never have her. Unwilling to let anyone else claim her, Qin Yi presses Luo Shu’s hand, forcing her to stab him in the chest. Luo Shu is horrified and frozen with shock.
Qi Meng Lin arrives suddenly, prompting Qin Yi to pull out the knife and quietly warn Luo Shu against marrying Qi Meng Lin. He claims the Qi family has committed too many sins and will face retribution sooner or later. Qin Yi doesn’t want her to be implicated. When Qi Meng Lin bursts into the room and sees the knife, he assumes Luo Shu is in danger. Before he can investigate, Qin Yi quickly uses an excuse about a quarrel with Luo Shu and leaves.
Qi Meng Lin wants to take Luo Shu home and assures her that his second brother, Qi Yan Jin, has confirmed their family had no involvement in the deaths of Luo Shu’s parents. However, before they can act, a messenger arrives, summoning Qi Meng Lin back home because the Qi Governor has returned. Reluctantly, Qi Meng Lin orders additional guards to protect Luo Shu, promises to resolve his family matters, and urges her to wait for his return.
Crisis in the Qi Family
An official surnamed Liu from Shanxi has long coveted the position of Qi Governor. He conspires with other officials and spreads damaging rumors, creating an unprecedented crisis for the Qi family. While Qi Yan Jin vows to support their father, the Qi Governor orders Qi Meng Lin to stay home and avoid further trouble. Qi Meng Lin reluctantly agrees.
Meanwhile, Qin Yi manipulates events by spreading rumors that the Linfen County government has grain reserves. This attracts nearby disaster victims to Linfen, overwhelming the county. Wealthy locals also pressure Han Mu Zhi to return their grain, but with imperial relief grain delayed and local reserves sufficient for only five days, Han Mu Zhi decides to personally travel to Taiyuan to seek aid from Liu Yi Qing.
Betrayal and Delayed Relief
Official Zhao, worried about the influx of refugees in Linfen, urges the Qi Governor to release some relief grain. However, Qin Yi had previously struck a deal with the Qi Governor: delay releasing the grain for a month so Qin Yi could sell his private stockpile at a high price. In return, Qin Yi promised the Governor 80% of the profits. Convinced, the Governor decides to distribute grain to other counties but withhold Linfen’s share.
Danger in Taiyuan
Luo Shu avoids the guards Qi Meng Lin assigned to her and wanders into the city streets. She sees citizens lining up at Qin Yi’s grain shop, only to be denied sales under his orders. When she notices someone tailing her, she draws a knife to confront them. Cai Butou (Head Constable Cai) intervenes just in time to subdue the stalker. Han Mu Zhi, arriving shortly after, explains that he and Cai Butou are in Taiyuan to urge Liu Yi Qing for relief grain. Cai Butou, upon learning that Qi Meng Lin returned home for a funeral, decides to stay in the same inn as Luo Shu for safety.
Qin Yi, meanwhile, hoards grain and learns that Han Mu Zhi saved Luo Shu. Furious, he becomes even more determined to harm Han Mu Zhi.
Tensions Rise
Back at the Qi household, the family mourns Qi Meng Lin’s deceased older brother. The Qi Governor pressures Qi Meng Lin to marry a high-ranking official’s daughter, but Qi Meng Lin refuses, declaring he will only marry Luo Shu. When the Qi Governor learns of Luo Shu’s lowly origins, he flies into a rage and beats Qi Meng Lin severely, leaving him bruised and in agony.
Luo Shu and Han Mu Zhi, meanwhile, struggle to acquire grain in Taiyuan. They discover that Qin Yi had bought out all supplies before the harvest. Qin Yi conspires with Qi Yan Jin, promising him control of the Qi family if he burns the relief grain storage, ensuring Liu Yi Qing’s downfall.
Desperation and Hope
Han Mu Zhi, Luo Shu, and Cai Butou spot grain being sold at Qin Yi’s shop. Han Mu Zhi offers a high price, but the shopkeeper insists on selling only to small households. Meanwhile, Qi Meng Lin refuses food out of frustration. His servant, Lian Shu, persuades Luo Shu to disguise herself as a doctor to visit him. After convincing Qi family servants to let her in, Luo Shu confronts Qi Meng Lin, disappointed in his actions.
Qi Meng Lin, still injured, struggles to move but insists on asking his father to dissolve the arranged marriage. Unable to do so himself, he sends Lian Shu to plead with Qi Yan Jin on his behalf. However, Qi Yan Jin refuses, accusing Qi Meng Lin of not appreciating the privileges he takes for granted.
A Growing Conspiracy
Luo Shu continues accompanying Han Mu Zhi in search of grain, but Taiyuan’s stores remain empty. They confirm that Qin Yi had seized the supply prematurely. Meanwhile, Qin Yi encourages Qi Yan Jin to take drastic action: burn the relief grain storage to frame Liu Yi Qing, securing the Qi family’s favor and cementing Qi Yan Jin’s rise to power.
The episode ends with tensions building as characters wrestle with personal desires and political machinations, setting the stage for greater conflicts ahead.
