Qin Yi harbors deep hatred for the Qi family and has meticulously plotted for years to bring about their downfall. He begins by spreading rumors about the eldest Qi son’s physical frailty, eventually enraging the ailing young man to death. Qin Yi then pressures the Qi Governor through Shanxi officials, manipulates Qi Yan Jin into agreeing to burn the relief grain warehouse, and persuades Liu Yi Qing to delay the release of relief grain by a month in exchange for 80% of the profits from his grain hoarding.
Family Tensions and Betrayal
Qi Yan Jin, though talented at managing family affairs, has always been overlooked due to being a concubine’s son. Resentful of the Governor’s plan to hand over the family legacy to Qi Meng Lin, Qi Yan Jin becomes determined to prove his worth. He agrees to Qin Yi’s plan to burn the grain warehouse, hoping to earn his father’s respect.
As Qi Yan Jin gathers men for the task, news arrives that Qi Meng Lin has redirected two boatloads of military grain to Linfen. Knowing such an action is a capital offense, Qi Yan Jin rushes to intercept his brother. Meanwhile, Qin Yi arranges for a spy within Qi Meng Lin’s ranks to burn the military grain and implicate him.
A Treacherous Night
Cai Butou learns of Qi Meng Lin’s transport of military grain and immediately informs Han Mu Zhi. Together with Luo Shu, they hurry back to Linfen overnight. Qi Meng Lin, exhausted from overseeing the grain transport, falls asleep, unaware that Qin Yi’s spy signals conspirators ashore with a torch.
Simultaneously, a man named Lian Qi reports to the military camp that Qi Meng Lin forged documents to obtain the grain. As chaos erupts, the grain warehouse suddenly catches fire. Soldiers scramble to extinguish the flames, but Lian Qi takes advantage of the confusion to fatally stab the camp commander. Watching the blazing fire from afar, Qin Yi is overjoyed, confident his plan is succeeding.
The Qi Governor rushes to the scene and learns from the dying commander that Lian Qi is a traitor. Convinced that Liu Yi Qing is the mastermind behind the sabotage, the Governor begins to see the situation as a deliberate attack on the Qi family.
Desperation and Disgrace
On his way to intercept Qi Meng Lin, Qi Yan Jin encounters a patrolling military ship. Soldiers fire arrows without warning, wounding him severely. Meanwhile, Qi Meng Lin arrives in Linfen with the grain, but when it is distributed to the desperate crowd, they discover it contains only rice husks. Outraged, the people turn on Qi Meng Lin, accusing him of deceit. Chen Mei Qing quickly pulls him away from the mob.
Back at the Qi estate, the Governor pieces together the events and realizes he has fallen victim to Liu Yi Qing’s elaborate scheme. Knowing the severity of misusing military grain, he urges Qi Yan Jin to flee and avoid further destruction. Moved by his father’s sudden concern, Qi Yan Jin insists on staying to face the consequences together. Overcome with guilt for years of neglecting his son, the Governor tearfully embraces him.
Despite their emotional reconciliation, the Governor orders Qi Yan Jin to leave and rebuild the family’s legacy in secret, even if it means living under a false identity. With tears in his eyes, Qi Yan Jin bids his father farewell.
The Aftermath
With the Qi family in ruins, Liu Yi Qing seizes the opportunity to distribute the relief grain in Linfen, earning the gratitude of the people. Meanwhile, Luo Shu and Han Mu Zhi learn that Qi Meng Lin has been imprisoned. Luo Shu visits him in jail and informs him of the burned military grain warehouse. Realizing it was all Qin Yi’s trap, Qi Meng Lin is consumed with regret, blaming himself for his family’s downfall. Luo Shu advises him to remain calm, as returning home now would only worsen the situation.
Han Mu Zhi, enraged by Liu Yi Qing’s role in the scheme, decides to resign from his post despite Chen Mei Qing’s protests. Before leaving, he sends a letter to Liu Yi Qing through Liu Wan, advising her to break off her engagement with him.
New Dangers and Alliances
Cai Baozi, tasked with delivering food to Qi Meng Lin in jail, discovers he has disappeared. Luo Shu learns that Qi Meng Lin has returned home to face his father’s fate. Before leaving, Qi Meng Lin entrusts Luo Shu’s safety to Han Mu Zhi, who predicts Qi Meng Lin’s return will end in disaster.
Refusing to abandon him, Luo Shu insists on accompanying Qi Meng Lin. Despite Han Mu Zhi’s attempts to dissuade her, she remains determined. Meanwhile, Qin Yi’s spy, Lian Qi, reports the success of their plan. Elated, Qin Yi orders him to locate Qi Yan Jin’s hiding place and instructs another operative, Peng Cheng, to track Luo Shu and Qi Meng Lin, suspecting they will return to Taiyuan.
Qi Meng Lin and Lian Shu, disguised, attempt to re-enter Taiyuan but are alarmed to see wanted posters for Qi Meng Lin. As soldiers inspect everyone entering the city, Qi Meng Lin panics and flees, accidentally knocking over a passerby’s eggs. Luo Shu, quick on her feet, smears ash on his face and pretends to be his wife, helping him escape detection.
A Grim Reality
Disillusioned by the corruption he has witnessed, Han Mu Zhi sends his resignation letter to Liu Yi Qing and advises Liu Wan to break off their engagement. Liu Yi Qing, seeing Han Mu Zhi’s defiance, urges Liu Wan to reconsider the match. Indignant, Liu Wan takes a stand in defense of Han Mu Zhi.
The episode concludes with mounting tensions and uncertainty as the characters face betrayals, conspiracies, and the daunting task of reclaiming their futures amidst a storm of political intrigue.
