Qin Yi harbors deep hatred for the Qi family and has meticulously planned for years to bring them down. He starts by spreading rumors that the eldest son of the Qi family has a physical defect, which leads to the frail and sickly young master’s death from anger. Qin Yi then uses his influence in the Shanxi official circles to pressure Governor Qi. He further sows discord in front of Qi Yanjin, inciting him to burn down the disaster relief granary. Qin Yi also convinces Liu Yiqing to delay the distribution of relief grain by a month, using this opportunity to sell the hoarded grain at a high price for massive profit.
Qi Yanjin, though skilled in managing the family, is overlooked by Governor Qi due to being a concubine’s son. Governor Qi intends to pass the family business to Qi Menglin, which deeply troubles Qi Yanjin. Eager to prove his worth to his father, Qi Yanjin agrees to Qin Yi’s plan to burn the granary. He gathers a group of workers and heads to the agreed location, but suddenly learns that Qi Menglin is transporting two shiploads of military grain to Linfen. Knowing that misusing military grain is a capital offense, Qi Yanjin rushes to intercept. Qin Yi had hoped to frame Qi Yanjin for the arson, but when Qi Yanjin leaves early, Qin Yi’s plan shifts to burning the military grain to implicate Qi Menglin instead.
Officer Cai hears about Qi Menglin escorting two shiploads of grain to Linfen and immediately reports to Han Muzhi. Han Muzhi, Luo Shu, and Officer Cai rush back to Linfen overnight. Qi Menglin, exhausted from personally escorting the grain, falls asleep. A mole raises a torch to signal accomplices on the shore.
Meanwhile, Lian Qi arrives at the military camp and reports that Qi Menglin used fake documents to extract the military grain. The granary suddenly catches fire, and soldiers rush to extinguish it. The camp commander suspects arson, but Lian Qi stabs him when his guard is down. Qin Yi watches the flames from the camp with glee. Governor Qi arrives to find the commander barely alive, revealing Lian Qi as the traitor. Governor Qi deduces that Liu Yiqing is behind the plot to destroy the Qi family.
Qi Yanjin pursues Qi Menglin by boat but encounters a patrol ship. The soldiers shoot arrows without question, and despite his efforts to dodge, Qi Yanjin is hit multiple times. Qi Menglin arrives in Linfen and sends Lian Shu to inform Chen Meiqing, who quickly arrives and promises to distribute the grain to the people. However, when the grain is opened, it is revealed to be nothing but rice husks. Qi Menglin is stunned, and the angry crowd accuses him of being a fraud. Chen Meiqing hastily escorts Qi Menglin away.
Qi Yanjin returns to the Qi residence, where Governor Qi pieces together the truth and realizes they have fallen into Liu Yiqing’s intricate scheme. Knowing that misusing military grain is an unforgivable crime, Governor Qi urges Qi Yanjin to go into hiding while he stays to clean up the mess. Qi Yanjin insists on standing by his father, deeply moved by his father’s remorse for years of neglect. The two share a tearful embrace.
Governor Qi urges Qi Yanjin to leave and rebuild the Qi family, even if it means living under an assumed name. Qi Yanjin bids his father a tearful farewell and departs. Liu Yiqing, having used Qin Yi to topple the Qi family, seizes the moment to order the distribution of relief grain in Linfen. Luo Shu, Han Muzhi, and Officer Cai arrive in Linfen and learn that Qi Menglin has been imprisoned. Luo Shu visits Qi Menglin and informs him of the granary fire, making him realize it was all part of Qin Yi’s scheme. Regretting his impulsive actions that harmed his family, Qi Menglin wants to return to his father, but Luo Shu advises him to stay calm, as going back would be futile.
Han Muzhi, aware of the long-standing rivalry between Liu Yiqing and Governor Qi, is furious at Liu Yiqing’s trap. When the relief grain arrives in Linfen, Han Muzhi personally oversees its distribution at the dock, deciding to keep Qi Menglin in prison temporarily to prevent further trouble.
The people of Linfen line up to receive the grain, praising Liu Yiqing. Cai Baozi brings food to Qi Menglin in prison but finds him gone. He informs Luo Shu, who seeks Han Muzhi for answers. Qi Menglin has decided to return home to face the crisis with his father, entrusting Han Muzhi with Luo Shu’s care before leaving. Han Muzhi knows Qi Menglin’s return is perilous and likely to fall into Liu Yiqing’s trap, but Qi Menglin cannot stand by and watch his family be destroyed.
Luo Shu, unwilling to let Qi Menglin face the dangers alone, insists on accompanying him. Han Muzhi fails to dissuade her and suggests they leave the next day. Lian Qi, Qin Yi’s mole in the Qi family, reports back to Qin Yi, who is ecstatic. Qin Yi orders Lian Qi to track down Qi Yanjin’s hiding place and sends Peng Cheng to monitor Luo Shu and Qi Menglin as they head back to Taiyuan.
Qi Menglin and Lian Shu disguise themselves and return to Taiyuan, only to find wanted posters for Qi Menglin at the city gates. Peng Cheng meticulously checks everyone entering the city. Qi Menglin panics and flees, accidentally knocking over a pedestrian’s eggs. As soldiers approach to investigate, Luo Shu arrives in time, smearing black ash on Qi Menglin’s face and pretending to be his wife to slip past the guards.
Han Muzhi, disillusioned by the corruption in the official circles, writes a resignation letter despite Chen Meiqing’s objections and sends it to Liu Yiqing. Upon receiving the letter, Liu Yiqing hands it to Liu Wan, advising her to break off her engagement with Han Muzhi. Liu Wan, however, defends Han Muzhi.
