The Twin Flower Legend Episode Summary

The Twin Flower Legend (长相守) is a C-drama that I’m quite reluctant to start watching. It is quite lengthy at 60 episodes and I’m kind of worried if I would be able to complete it with the various negative reviews online. But I shall try and check it out for myself. Hopefully, I can then write up The Twin Flower Legend review and complete the episode summary for a full recap of the drama for the benefit of those who are interested to know what will happen all the way to the end.

Note: Using the Contents Table is highly recommended due to the sheer length of the post.

Episode 1

Emperor Xuan Zhong established Dong Ting with the help of the Yuan and Dou family. But the Dou family covets the throne while the Yuan family is dissatisfied with the tyranny that is happening in Dong Ting. Embroiled in the power tussle are 2 sages who supposedly can help any party to rule the world – Sage Hua Bin and Immortal Jingu.

Hua Bin has 10-year-old twin daughters, Mu Jin and Jin Xiu. Mu Jin is the studious one who is into weapon inventions and warfare strategies and she inherited her father’s knowledge. Jin Xiu has purple eyes and she is the active one who is interested in martial arts. Together they have a friend named Qi Fang who is a fellow villager.

The Yuan family is also an enemy of the Ming family. The Ming family took advantage of the Yuan’s family’s help to rise to power but becomes ungrateful. Duke Yuan Qing Jiang and his wife, Xie Mei Xiang, lead soldiers to kill the Ming family who is keeping Immortal Jingu. It is on the orders of the Emperor as well as personal revenge. But Ming Feng Yang’s sister escaped with his young son. Immortal Jingu advises Duke Yuan to recruit and train talented kids who will be able to help the Yuan family. He will need 6 ultimately who would be his protectors and answer to the 32-character mantra.

In the mean time, the Prime Minister of Dong Ting, Dou Ying Hua, and his Vice General, Xuan Jiang, lead an army to capture Hua Bin. Many of the villagers are killed including Qi Fang’s parents. Hua Bin sacrificed himself when Dou Ying Hua demands for the 2 books that he has written. His wife escapes with their twin daughters and Qi Fang but with Xuan Jiang in pursuit.

Episode 2

Lieutenant Chen is recruiting kids to be trained as soldiers as ordered by Duke Yuan. Hua Bin’s wife is escaping from Xuan Jiang and runs into Lieutenant Chen. She asks her to take in her 2 daughters and Qi Fang. She knows she will not be able to escape with 3 kids in tow. Mu Jin, Jin Xiu, and Qi Fang are thus sold to the Yuan family. Hua Bin’s wife then lures Xuan Jiang and her soldiers away to let Lieutenant Chen escapes with the kids. She then commits suicide by jumping down a tower when cornered with her daughters witnessing it from inside their carriage.

The other 3 kids recruited together are Yu Fei Yan, Song Ming Lei, and Yao Bi Ying. Immortal Jingu takes away Qi Fang to train him directly due to his bad temper. Hence, Lieutenant Chen is left with 5 kids to take to Yuan Manor with Xuan Jiang in pursuit. Meanwhile, Ming Feng Yang’s sister exacts revenge on Xie Mei Xiang and kills her at her residence. Xie Mei Xiang’s son is saved by Mu Jin with her slingshot and he gives her a hairpin in appreciation before she has to hurry back to her carriage. Mu Jin also bumps into Crown Prince Duan who is running away from pursuing soldiers. She tries to protect him before Lieutenant Chen turns up and drags her away.

While on the way to Yuan Manor, the kids face numerous dangers due to Xuan Jiang and her soldiers. They manage to overcome all the obstacles together and become sworn siblings before arriving safely at Yuan Manor.

Episode 3

Upon the kids’ arrival, they are made to report to Madam Lian who is one of Duke Yuan’s wives. With Xie Mei Xiang’s death, Madam Lian now controls the West Wing and Purple Garden of the Yuan family. Her assistant is Liu Yan Sheng. Madam Lian is harsh and cruel. She wants to punish Jin Xiu when she notices her purple eyes which she deems to be a bad omen. But the other kids protest in unison. Yuan Fei Bai, the third child of Duke Yuan, also puts in a word when he passes by. Jin Xiu is thus spared. Liu Yan Sheng also advises Madam Lian to be careful with the kids as he is suspicious of Duke Yuan’s intention of recruiting them.

Crown Prince Duan Yue Rong is being sacrificed due to drought in Nan Guo. He is deemed a monster due to his purple eyes. But the rain comes just in time as predicted by Mu Jin and he is spared from execution. While Fei Bai was saved by Mu Jin earlier, he becomes a cripple. He is also depressed with his mother’s death. Thus, Madam Lian becomes a powerful force in the Yuan family as Duke Yuan’s eldest child, Yuan Fei Qing, has been held hostage in Bian while the second child, Yuan Fei Yan, is a girl.

10 Years Later

Fast forward 10 years later, Duke Yuan returns from his battles. Fei Qing has also just been freed as a hostage. He and Fei Yan share the same mother and they want to wrest control from Madam Lian. Fei Yan has used Fei Bai’s name to write a letter to Duke Yuan to report on Madam Lian and Liu Yan Sheng’s wrongdoings. She wants to reap the benefits of a power tussle between Fei Bai, who controls the East Wing, and Madam Lian. But Duke Yuan knows Fei Bai has never been interested in power. With Fei Qing back at Yuan Manor, he orders Madam Lian to relinquish control of West Wing and give it to Fei Qing.

With the various kids recruited having grown up and trained as soldiers, Duke Yuan wants Madam Lian to arrange a coming-of-age ceremony for them. But with Liu Yan Sheng having been embezzling money, they are now short of funds to hold the expensive ceremony. Madam Lian forces Liu Yan Sheng to think of a way to organize it.

Episode 4

Duke Yuan is insistent on having the coming-of-age ceremony despite the danger that all the soldiers that they have been training could end up dead. He wants to ensure he has the top 6 solders who match the 32-character mantra. All these soldiers would be divided into groups and sent into a fortress. They will be faced with booby traps and other dangerous obstacles as they try to find a way out of the fortress within a stipulated time frame. Those who succeed will be appointed as guards for the Yuan family. Mu Jin gives her hairpin to Jin Xiu before they enter the fortress.

Madam Lian is pregnant but doesn’t want to let anyone know in order to keep the baby safe due to the power tussle in the family. Fei Qing sinisterly acts behind the scene to stop Fei Bai to the ceremony so that he can pick all the top talents for his West Wing. But Fei Bai still manages to make it there before the ceremony ends.

Apart from booby traps, the soldiers also face prisoners of war inside the fortress. Liu Yan Sheng has promised the prisoners freedom if they kill all the soldiers and manage to get out. But Mu Jin convinces them to cooperate so that they could all get out together alive. The pillars in the fortress have also been hollowed out which indicate that it would collapse and someone wants them dead.

Fortunately, a big group of them manage to make it out alive. Liu Yan Sheng wants to execute the prisoners for failing their duty. Mu Jin speaks out for them. She is labelled disobedient and is to be punished. Fei Bai notices a familiar hairpin on Jin Xiu.

Episode 5

The other soldiers protest against punishing Mu Jin and her sworn siblings as they are instrumental in getting everybody out. Fei Qing and Fei Bai argue over who should have Mu Jin. When Liu Yan Sheng insists Mu Jin has to be executed, Fei Bai proposes that she be whipped 30 times and sent to work as a laborer in his East Wing instead. After the whipping, Fei Bai quietly sends his doctor to treat Mu Jin.

With the tampering of the pillars in the fortress having been exposed, Madam Lian quickly informs Duke Yuan that she is pregnant to avoid repercussions. Madam Lian’s sister, Dong Ting’s Queen, is also facing a rebellion from Dou Ying Hua and the 4th Prince.

Duke Yuan is informed that 12 soldiers survive the test. He picks 6 as the core and splits them up. He knows Mu Jin is the smartest and sends her to do hard labor to test her out. She is bullied in the hard labor department as a newcomer and tasked to wash toilet wastes tubs. Jin Xiu ends up in Purple Garden under Madam Lian while Bi Ying works in the West Wing and gets Fei Yan’s attention.

Fei Bai doesn’t think either of the twin sisters is his savior after hearing Jin Xiu’s story of her background. He also has a twin brother called Sima Ju who lives in darkness. He convinces Sima Ju to go out in his place as he needs to soak in a pool for a few days to alleviate his ailments. Sima Ju then gets to know Jin Xiu who thought he is Fei Bai as she thanks him for helping Mu Jin. Mu Jin tries to create an automatic cleaning brush for the wastes tubs but gets punished instead.

Episode 6

Mu Jin gains acceptance from the workers in her department with her various inventions to lighten their workload. She finds out that her colleagues owed their lives to Duke Yuan and Xie Mei Xiang who took them in when their husbands died during battles.

Song Ming Lei saves Fei Yan when her horse goes wild due to sabotage. She suspects the culprit could be either Madam Lian or Fei Bai. Fei Yan begins to have feelings for Song Ming Lei but she also notices Bi Ying’s interest in him. Song Ming Lei is actually Ming Feng Yang’s son and Bi Ying is related to him. He is angry at his aunt for dragging Bi Ying into the Yuan family when she had promised him otherwise. Her mole in the Yuan family is monitoring Song Ming Lei and asks him to take the opportunity to get close to Fei Yan. However, Song Ming Lei refuses.

Jin Xiu sees Sima Ju again and tells him about her twin sister. This reminds Sima Ju about his own twin brother. He was forced to live in darkness by their father. Liu Yan Sheng finds out that Mu Jin and Jin Xiu are Hua Bin’s daughters. He tells Madam Lian that he has a way to get them to be obedient and proceeds to rape Jin Xiu. Later, Jin Xiu discovers that Madam Lian is also involved in the plot. Jin Xiu asks Mu Jin to leave the Yuan family but is turned down. She has no chance to explain what happened to her.

Duke Yuan is at the palace and being tested by the Emperor as to his loyalty. The Emperor is considering marriage partners for Duke Yuan’s children.

Episode 7

Concubine Zhang is not happy that the Queen has arranged for Princess Shu Qi marry Fei Qing. This will strengthen the Queen’s son’s position with their close relationship with the Yuan family. However, Dou Ying Hua and Concubine Zhang’s brother are planning to sabotage the up-coming martial art selection event which the Emperor has ordered Duke Yuan to organize. The Queen also warns Duke Yuan not to bully her sister. As Duke Yuan has given West Wing to Fei Qing, the latter’s son with Princess Shu Qi will ensure that the Lian family continues to have a stake in West Wing and the fate of the Lian and Yuan families will be intertwined.

The Emperor knows that Dou Ying Hua will be undermining Duke Yuan but trusts the latter to hold the martial art selection to recruit talents for the country. His illness is getting worse but he is keeping it a secret.

Duke Yuan’s 4th son is a willful and unconventional young man. He likes to challenge Fei Bai to harmless duels.

Framing Bi Ying

Madam Lian and Liu Yan Sheng can see Mu Jin’s talent with her various inventions. Fei Bai now knows Mu Jin is the girl who saved him from her slingshot. Song Ming Lei is worried that his aunt’s mole may harm Bi Ying to force him to cooperate. Fei Yan is jealous of Bi Ying for having Song Ming Lei’s affections. Jin Xiu has no one to turn to to report the rape. She decides to tell Fei Yan that Madam Lian had sabotaged her horse earlier with the intention to kill Fei Qing as well as being harassed by Liu Yan Sheng. Fei Yan takes the opportunity to force Jin Xiu to choose if she would help her to get rid of Bi Ying. If Jin Xiu helps to frame Bi Ying of theft, she will be able to take Bi Ying’s place in the West Wing.

As a result, Bi Ying is framed and severely whipped. Fei Yan admits to Fei Qing that she wants Song Ming Lei but also convinces her brother that Song Ming Lei would be able to help them with his talent. Fei Qing is not happy of being forced to marry Princess Shu Qi and pours out his unhappiness to Song Ming Lei while drunk. He was living like a hostage in the royal palace as companions for the princes for 10 years before he was allowed to go home.

Jin Xiu feels guilty for framing Bi Ying. She bumps into Sima Ju who tries to comfort her but she maintains her distance. Fei Bai’s indifference towards her earlier caused her to be cautious of their relationship since she doesn’t know that Fei Bai and Sima Ju are actually 2 different persons. Mu Jin cares for Bi Ying who is running a fever.

Episode 8

Mu Jin meets Duke Yuan’s 4th son, Fei Jue, while catching snakes which can help Bi Ying’s recovery. They have a alight altercation before Mu Jin tricks him and disappears. Madam Lian knows Jin Xiu has a hand in getting herself transferred to West Wing. She reminds Jin Xiu to remember who she works for. Song Ming Lei is suspicious of Jin Xiu and confronts her. But Jin Xiu denies framing Bi Ying.

Sima Ju and Mr. Han discover that Fei Bai has gradually been poisoned by toxic candles in his room which is why he has been constantly ill. Liu Yan Sheng is harassing Jin Xiu again but is caught by Sima Ju who confronts Madam Lian about it. Jin Xiu is grateful for Sima Ju’s help. Mr. Han could see that they are developing feelings for each other.

Mu Jin and Yu Fei Yan are caught stealing plum blossoms from Fei Bai’s residence. Mu Jin wants to sell the plum blossoms to earn money to buy medicine for Bi Ying. She offers to cultivate plum blossoms for Fei Bai as punishment. When she successfully does so, Fei Bai wants her to be his residence’s gardener but she refuses as she wants to take care of Bi Ying.

Bi Ying’s Depression

Duke Yuan purposely leaves the injured Bi Ying in the hard labor department. He knows Bi Ying is a Ming descendant when she was recruited due to the tattoo on her back and it is time to lure the Ming members out. Song Ming Lei senses that his aunt, Ming Feng Qing, might have been snooping around Bi Ying.

Mu Jin keeps getting pestered to join Fei Bai’s residence. Jin Xiu quarrels with Mu Jin for turning down a good opportunity. Mu Jin doesn’t want to leave Bi Ying as she has not fully recovered. Song Ming Lei has actually tampered with Bi Ying’s pills to slow down her recovery. He selfishly wants Mu Jin to continue to look after Bi Ying so that she will be safe.

Fei Yan doesn’t agree with Fei Qing’s decision to send Song Ming Lei for the martial art selection to represent West Wing. But Fei Qing convinces her that it is better for Song Ming Lei to be appointed a military officer than a West Wing general who will often be at war frontlines. Mr. Han also finds out that Mu Jin is Hua Bin’s daughter and wants her on Fei Bai’s side.

Bi Ying feels depressed for holding back Mu Jin who has to look after her. She also misunderstands Mu Jin’s relationship with Song Ming Lei. Bi Ying wades into the river and tries to commit suicide. Song Ming Lei begs Fei Yan while Jin Xiu pleads with Fei Bai to get a doctor to save Bi Ying.

Episode 9

Fei Yan turns down Song Ming Lei’s plea to help Bi Ying. Fei Qing is willing to help but hopes Song Ming Lei can serve him. He is jealous of Fei Bai who seems to have everything without needing to sacrifice much. Song Ming Lei pledges to help Fei Qing achieve his goals.

Fei Bai sends over Dr. Lin to treat Bi Ying. The doctor detects poison in her body and treats her. Duke Yuan is informed that not all the sworn siblings may participate in the martial art competition. He forces their hands by using Bi Ying’s theft as an excuse and threatening the lives of Mu Jin’s colleagues. Hence, Yu Fei Yan, Song Ming Lei, and Jin Xiu are forced to enter the competition. Duke Yuan wants to use the opportunity to push up their career.

Apart from the martial art competition, there will also be a written examination. Mu Jin gives Song Ming Lei her military book inherited from her father which angers Jin Xiu. She placates her sister by telling her that they have to cooperate in order to survive.

In Nan Guo, Crown Prince Duan Yue Rong’s father is in ill health and is willing to give up his fiefdom to see his son. Yue Rong has been prevented by his uncle from seeing his father for 10 years. His uncle is Nan Guo’s King who distrusts his brother. Yue Rong offers to accompany his uncle to Dong Ting on business matters.

The Yuan Family

Song Ming Lei tells his sworn siblings the background of Duke Yuan’s children. Fei Jue is the son of Gong Yue’s Queen with Duke Yuan while Xie Mei Xiang is the wife Duke Yuan loved the most. West and East Wing and Zi Chen Tower also have people who work in secret. Madam Lian is the current legal wife of Duke Yuan. The rumor is Yuan Manor will be the imperial palace one day although they also face competition from Dou Ying Hua and external neighboring states, Gong Yue, Tai Yuan, and Nan Guo.

Ming Feng Qing’s mole threatens Song Ming Lei that he will reveal to Bi Ying his real identity. Bi Ying has romantic feelings for Song Ming Lei but she is actually his sister. However, Song Ming Lei is not cowed by the threats. He will exact revenge but on his terms. During the martial art competition, Yu Fei Yan and Jin Xiu make it to the final round.

Episode 10

Yu Fei Yan and Jin Xiu are declared joint winners. In the written examination, Song Ming Lei’s answer attracts Duke Yuan’s attention. It borders on sedition but Song Ming Lei manages to make a convincing argument which impresses Duke Yuan. In the end, Yu Fei Yan is given the chance to attend the imperial martial art selection in the capital while Song Ming Lei is picked to be Duke Yuan’s assistant. Jin Xiu is awarded a big sum of money. But Duke Yuan also knows the smartest of them all is Mu Jin. Jin Xiu is not satisfied that she is only awarded money and that both her and her sister’s career are going nowhere.

Fei Yan’s Marriage

Madam Lian is worried that her child will be left with nothing with the West Wing having been taken away from her. She writes a letter to the Queen to implore her to seek a marriage partner for Fei Yan. But the Emperor decrees that Fei Yan should marry the fourth prince, Fu Yu, instead. Fu Yu is close to Dou Ying Hua while the third prince is Duke Yuan’s ally. The Emperor is trying to balance both the Dou and Yuan family from creating trouble. But Concubine Zhang is afraid Dou Ying Hua will get suspicious and hence, her brother feels they should make a move.

Fei Yan is not happy that she will have to marry Prince Fu Yu. She tells Song Ming Lei her feelings and asks for a meeting with him. Duke Yuan’s assistant witnesses the exchange. Song Ming Lei isn’t interested but is threatened by his aunt’s mole that Bi Ying’s identity as a Ming descendant will be exposed if Song Ming Lei doesn’t comply.

Mu Jin meets Fei Jue again and discovers that he is almost blind. Fei Bai notices that they seem to enjoy each other’s company and feels disappointed. When Fei Jue suddenly faints, Mu Jin helps him out. His assistant warns him not to get close to Mu Jin but he doesn’t seem to care. Bi Ying still thinks of Song Ming Lei as someone she could love but he continues to keep quiet about her identity. But he did tell Mu Jin that he treats Bi Ying as a sister.

Episode 11

Song Ming Lei goes to meet Fei Yan. He tells her not to waste her time on him but she hugs him instead. At that moment, Duke Yuan turns up. He insinuates that Song Ming Lei is the one who informed him to be there. This is to make Fei Yan give up on Song Ming Lei who has no choice but to follow Duke Yuan’s lead. Fei Yan feels betrayed. Duke Yuan has her placed under house arrest and promotes Song Ming Lei to be his strategist. Song Ming Lei hates Duke Yuan’s manipulation and starts being serious about revenge.

Fei Qing is not happy with Song Ming Lei’s betrayal as the latter will be helping his father instead of him. But Song Ming Lei reminds Fei Qing that Fei Yan would have been beheaded if he didn’t betray her. The Queen is framed by Concubine Zhang and her brother for harming the Emperor through witchcraft. She is executed.

Power Tussle

Madam Lian is distressed over the development and nearly suffers a miscarriage. The Emperor is now suspicious of Duke Yuan with his close relationship with the Lian family and strips him of his duty to organize the martial art selection event. Song Ming Lei advises Duke Yuan against revolting but to bide their time since it could be a trap set by Concubine Zhang. Duke Yuan sends Fei Qing to accompany Yu Fei Yan to the selection event. Yu Fei Yan discovers candidates are being killed and the Emperor could be forced to abdicate on selection day. Concubine Zhang’s camp are planning to install Prince Fu Yu as the new ruler.

Fei Jue looks for Mu Jin again and wants to get close to her. He finds it boring to train all the time under Guo Er’Ren who wants him to stay away from Mu Jin. Fei Jue is suppose to rule Gong Yue in the future but sees no conflict in falling in love with Mu Jin.

Jin Xiu accuses Song Ming Lei of using Fei Yan to get his promotion. Mu Jin asks her to apologize for her accusation but she refuses and gets angry with her sister. Jin Xiu becomes unhappy and hopes to talk to Sima Ju (Fei Bai to her) but he is unwilling to reveal himself. She is sent back to serve Madam Lian with Fei Yan under house arrest. Bi Ying falls sick due to the quarrel among the sworn siblings. Mu Jin begs for a medicine from the Yuan family’s pharmacy but is refused. Fei Bai quietly helps her to get it through Dr. Lin.

Episode 12

Fei Bai tells the pharmacist to allow Mu Jin to get whatever medicine that she needs and that he will pay for them. Jin Xiu overhears Duke Yuan saying that he will be going to the capital. She pleads with him to allow her to follow him there. Jin Xiu wants to climb up in her career so that her sister can have a better life and her higher status will then allow her to get close to Sima Ju/Fei Bai. Song Ming Lei will also be following Duke Yuan to the capital. Mu Jin teaches him how to overcome Dou Ying Hua’s plot.

Rebellion Fails

On the martial art selection day, Concubine Zhang and her brother together with Dou Ying Hua give a signal to their men to start an attack. They are preparing to install Prince Fu Yu as the new Emperor. But Yu Fei Yan and Fei Qing help to protect the Emperor until Duke Yuan arrives with his men. The rebellion is foiled. Dou Ying Hua pins the blame on Concubine Zhang and her brother to get himself off the hook. He kills Concubine Zhang’s brother and brings his head back to the Emperor to prove his loyalty.

Prince Fu Yu has no choice but to listen to Dou Ying Hua. He blames his mother to save himself. Concubine Zhang takes all the blame to let her son live. The Emperor orders the 3rd prince to be freed from house arrest and Duke Yuan to be responsible for the palace’s security. Dou Ying Hua is rewarded with a title. He wants both men to provide a check and balance towards each other so that none can be strong enough to challenge him. Yu Fei Yan is promoted to general. Dou Ying Hua suggests to the Emperor to send Yu Fei Yan to a battle to weaken Duke Yuan.

Madam Lian is worried that the East and West Wing will become stronger with Song Ming Lei and Yu Fei Yan’s success in the capital. Liu Yan Sheng advises her to eliminate the sworn siblings to weaken both wings. Thus, Mu Jin is framed for trying to poison the pregnant Madam Lian with the medicine she got for Bi Ying.

Episode 13

Mu Jin is being whipped while Bi Ying is about to give up her life in exchange for Mu Jin’s. Fei Jue is informed and Guo Er’Ren arrives just in time to save them. Liu Yan Sheng launches needles from his fan which hit Guo Er’Ren during a fight. Mr. Han and Dr. Lin turn up to save Guo Er’Ren. They poke holes in Madam Lian’s accusations to prove Mu Jin’s innocence. Hence, Mu Jin and Bi Ying end up being taken to Fei Bai and Fei Jue’s residence respectively. Fei Jue is disappointed that he didn’t get Mu Jin.

Duke Yuan arrives back home from the capital and hears what has happened. He could see through Madam Lian’s plot although Liu Yan Sheng has pinned the blame on someone else for the poisoning. So, Duke Yuan takes the opportunity to order Madam Lian to move to the royal palace to sit through her pregnancy by giving the excuse that it is for her own safety. Song Ming Lei’s valuable advice as a strategist earns him a reward from Duke Yuan. But his wish is for Duke Yuan to free Fei Yan from house arrest now that her marriage to the 4th prince has been cancelled. He tells Duke Yuan that it is a debt that he owes Fei Yan but he will also stay away from her.

Qi Fang’s Reappearance

Immortal Jingu forces his disciple, Qi Fang, to leave him. It is time for Qi Fang to do his part with the political turbulence that is happening. Qi Fang wants to look for Mu Jin and Jin Xiu while Duke Yuan sends his men to secretly keep track of him. Song Ming Lei wants to look after Bi Ying but Guo Er’Ren advises him to leave her at Master Jue’s residence for her own safety. He is feeling guilty towards Mu Jin as he will be doing things that are against his conscience due to his fate. Song Ming Lei also lets Fei Yan know that there could be nothing between them although he had asked her father to free her.

Bi Ying remains unwell although the only thing that she has been consuming is the nourishment pills she thought Mu Jin has given her. Liu Yan Sheng continues to harass Jin Xiu who then pleads with Duke Yuan for a transfer out of Madam Lian’s residence. Mu Jin is now officially Fei Bai’s staff. She is caught improving on a broken weapon with her innovative skills.

Episode 14

Mu Jin learns that Fei Bai needs a rare herb to help him walk again. She risks her life to obtain it. Guo Er’Ren suspects Bi Ying’s nourishment pills to contain poisonous powder. Song Ming Lei gives a dagger to Mu Jin as a birthday gift. He also makes her a hairpin. He tries to drop hints about his feelings for her but Mu Jin still thinks of him as a brother. Bi Ying quietly observes them and is sad over Song Ming Lei’s affections for Mu Jin. Immortal Jingu appears to give her some pointers before quickly disappears again.

Qi Fang is busy killing corrupted officials which he hates and distributes their ill-gotten wealth to the poor. He becomes a wanted man.

Fei Jue challenges Fei Bai to a duel again to try to snatch Mu Jin away from him. Fei Bai refuses to give her up. Mu Jin stops their fight and ends up quarreling with Fei Jue. Jin Xiu pleads with Duke Yuan again to transfer her out of Madam Lian’s residence. Fei Bai could walk again after consuming the herb that Mu Jin obtained. He trips after getting out of the bathtub and ends up being entangled with Mu Jin.

Ambush

During an outing, Fei Bai is ambushed. Mr. Han holds off the attackers to let Fei Bai and Mu Jin escape but their carriage falls off a cliff. They survive but Fei Bai has been poisoned with aphrodisiac powder and enemies are also looking for them. He keeps asking Mu Jin to leave but she refuses. They defeat the attackers together and Mu Jin helps to detoxify Fei Bai. The attackers are working for the Ming family.

Fei Bai thanks Mu Jin for saving him after returning home but she is embarrassed for what she needed to do to detoxify him. Jin Xiu visits Mu Jin after hearing about the ambush. Mu Jin denies the gossips that have been circulating between her and Fei Bai. Jin Xiu also keeps quiet about her feelings for Sima Ju/Fei Bai. Just as Madam Lian orders Jin Xiu to become Liu Yan Sheng’s mistress, Duke Yuan transfers her out to work for him. He tells her that he understands her sufferings.

Episode 15

Mu Jin makes a sachet for Fei Bai as a good luck token for his trip to the capital. He is attending a poetry event and returns home triumphant as a literature expert. Fei Bai brings home a lamp from the capital for Mu Jin. The poetry on the lamp describes his feelings for her. Both Fei Bai and Mu Jin are developing affections for each other. Song Ming Lei also returns from the capital with a pair of earrings for Mu Jin. He warns Mu Jin that Fei Bai may not be who he seems and not to trust what appears on the surface.

Liu Yan Sheng flicks some powder on Jin Xiu’s cloak. This powder would attract poisonous snakes to attack her. Sima Ju (whom she still thinks is Fei Bai) saves her but gets bitten. Before he faints, he gives her a bracelet. Jin Xiu also falls unconscious shortly after. When she wakes up, Mr. Han had saved both of them and Sima Ju/Fei Bai is nowhere to be seen.

Mr. Han’s Advice

Mr. Han advises Jin Xiu to give up on Fei Bai not only because of her lowly status but also because she is no longer innocent. Hence, she will only be harming Fei Bai if she insists to be with him. Madam Lian wil ensure they will be slandered. Mr. Han also suggests that the best partner for her would be Duke Yuan himself. She would be able to help Fei Bai indirectly if she becomes Duke Yuan’s concubine. Duke Yuan also seems to take an interest in Jin Xiu and treats her well. In the end, she decides to marry him. Madam Lian is furious and orders Liu Yan Sheng to do what is needed.

Mu Jin feels guilty when Jin Xiu finally tells her why she wanted to leave Madam Lian’s residence earlier and how Liu Yan Sheng had raped her. Hence, it makes sense for her to marry Duke Yuan.

Yue Rong has arrived in Dong Ting. A general is planning a revolt against Yue Rong’s uncle, Emperor Duan Guang Yi. Mu Jin vows to exact revenge against Liu Yan Sheng. She trails her with a mask on during a festival but fails to kill him. Liu Yan Sheng tries to pursue her but bumps into Jin Xiu and Sima Ju/Fei Bai instead. Sima Ju/Fei Bai is asking Jin Xiu why she is marrying his father. When Liu Yan Sheng appears, they have to pretend that there is nothing between them and that their meeting is a coincidence.

Mu Jin looks for Jin Xiu after failing to kill Liu Yan Sheng. She thought the person behind the mask is her sister because of the purple eyes and starts talking about Liu Yan Sheng. But he is Yue Rong and he quickly disappears after Jin Xiu shows up.

Qi Fang’s Revenge

Qi Fang goes to look for Dou Ying Hua to try to kill him. But Dou Ying Hua pins the blame on Duke Yuan for his parents and Hua Bin’s death. He claims that it was Duke Yuan who told the Emperor about the sages. The Emperor then ordered him to hunt down Hua Bin. Qi Fang decides to let Dou Ying Hua off the hook for now while he seeks the truth from Duke Yuan. He breaks into Yuan Manor. Lieutenant Chen tries to stop him.

Episode 16

Qi Fang fails to defeat Duke Yuan in a fight. He escapes to Fei Bai’s residence and bumps into Mu Jin who recognizes him from his pendant. Qi Fang is angry that Mu Jin and Jin Xiu have taken Duke Yuan’s side. He tells her what Dou Ying Hua had told him regarding Duke Yuan’s role in the killing of her father and all the villagers. But Mu Jin asks Qi Fang to be rational as Dou Ying Hua and Duke Yuan are enemies and hence, he may not be telling the truth. Mu Jin also advises Qi Fang to let go of hatred and revenge as the area under Duke Yuan’s rule are peaceful and prosperous. If Duke Yuan is killed, chaos will ensue.

Fei Bai and his men arrive. Mu Jin helps Qi Fang to escape by putting up a show of being his hostage. Duke Yuan is quietly witnessing the whole incident being played out. He knows only Mu Jin can tame Qi Fang as she is the true head of the 6 siblings. He also can see that Fei Bai is anxious about Mu Jin when she is taken hostage. Duke Yuan wants them to end up together as Mu Jin will be a great help for Fei Bai.

Fei Bai’s Confession

Mu Jin reveals Qi Fang’s identity to Fei Bai as he knows she was playacting earlier. Fei Bai confesses his feelings to Mu Jin but she is still wary due to their difference in status. Duke Yuan allows Jin Xiu the freedom to make her own decision of whether to accept him. He still loves Xie Mei Xiang deeply and Jin Xiu merely reminds him of her due to their resemblance. Sima Ju doesn’t blame Jin Xiu for being his father’s concubine as he knows he has confused and hurt her by pretending to be Fei Bai.

Fei Jue drags Mu Jin out to give her a gift. He misses her but Mu Jin tells him he is just like a brother to her. Fei Jue asks Mu Jin to wait for him while he goes to look for the gift that he has dropped. Fei Bai catches Liu Yan Sheng hurrying off after harassing Jin Xiu. He thinks of his brother and asks Jin Xiu to trust him if she is unwilling to marry Duke Yuan. Fei Bai tells Jin Xiu that he is willing to do everything for her in order to convince her to give up on the marriage. Mu Jin overhears their conversation and is disappointed that Fei Bai and Jin Xiu seem to love each other.

Liu Yan Sheng leads Duke Yuan to the garden to try to catch Fei Bai and Jin Xiu together. But Fei Bai appears followed by Mu Jin to try to protect Jin Xiu from being discovered. Fei Bai uses the excuse that he is having a secret rendezvous with Mu Jin in the garden. Duke Yuan then takes the opportunity to declare Mu Jin to be Fei Bai’s concubine. Jin Xiu cries silently behind the rocks with the announcement.

The Deal

Duke Yuan warns Mu Jin not to betray Fei Bai as he is his most outstanding and favorite son. Mu Jin nows she can’t go against Duke Yuan because the lives of her sworn siblings are in his hands. Duke Yuan gives Mu Jin a pill that will prevent her from being unfaithful to Fei Bai.

In exchange for helping the Yuan family, Mu Jin lays down 4 conditions – Duke Yuan must treat Jin Xiu well, she will gain her freedom once Fei Bai succeeds the throne, she will be allowed to kill Dou Ying Hua personally, and Liu Yan Sheng must be killed. Duke Yuan agrees to 3 of her conditions. However, Liu Yan Sheng shall live for the time being as he is still of use. But Duke Yuan promises Mu Jin that Liu Yan Sheng’s life will be in her hands once he has achieved his goals. Mu Jin consumes the pill.

Episode 17

Mu Jin is married off to Fei Bai. She doesn’t trust him anymore as she feels that he is lying to her regarding his relationship with Jin Xiu. Fei Bai tires to convince her that she is the only one that he loves and that she had saved hm when they were kids. However, Mu Jin still doesn’t to believe him and refuses to consummate their relationship.

Duke Yuan allows Jin Xiu to leave Yuan Manor but she decides to stay with him despite her unhappiness that Fei Bai would be marrying her sister. The Emperor’s illness is getting worse. He wants to ensure Dou Ying Hua and Duke Yuan will not be able to threaten his son’s reign once he is dead. He gives his seal to his eunuch and summons both men to the capital.

Song Ming Lei is angry that he couldn’t protect Mu Jin from being forced to marry Fei Bai. Fei Yan is wondering who is the person that Song Ming Lei wants to protect. Duke Yuan discusses with his team about their strategies for the trip to the capital. They are afraid it will be a trap. Duke Yuan decides that Fei Bai, Song Ming Lei, Fei Qing, and Jin Xiu shall accompany him to the palace. Yu Fei Yan will wait with some soldiers near the capital in case they are ambushed.

Power Tussle

When it is time for Fei Bai to leave for the capital, he kisses Mu Jin and gives her his mother’s hairpin. He tells her again of his feelings for her. While Mu Jin is still angry at Fei Bai, she is also secretly worried about him. At the capital, Dou Ying Hua kills the Emperor and installs the 4th prince as the new ruler. While they managed to save the 3rd prince, Duke Yuan and his men are outnumbered.

At the same time, Dou Ying Hua has struck up cooperation with Marshal Hu Yong of Nan Guo to attack Yuan Manor together with General Pan’s men. Fei Bai is worried about Mu Jin and decides to return home with Song Ming Lei and Jin Xiu. Duke Yuan is afraid that Fei Bai will be falling into a trap and orders Yu Fei Yan to prevent General Pan from joining up with Hu Rong’s forces.

Back in Yuan Manor, Fei Jue is sulking that he can’t have Mu Jin and has to return to Gong Yue on his mother’s orders. He wants Mu Jin to leave with him but she turns him down. She assures him that he will always be her brother.

Episode 18

Yu Fei Yan and his soldiers manage to stop General Pan’s forces from joining up with Hu Yong. Dou Ying Hua’s spy inside Yuan Manor spikes everyone’s drink to make them feel weak. Fei Jue faints from drinking the poisoned water. Hu Yong decides not to wait for General Pan and proceeds to attack Yuan Manor and Xi Du. Yue Rong is shocked at Hu Yong’s plan.

Su Hui’s mother dies to let her son and Mu Jin escape. Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei arrive in time to protect Mu Jin. Jin Xiu lead them to a secret mountain cave. Yue Rong arrives at Yuan Manor and tries to save women from being raped by Hu Yong and his men by pretending that he wants them for himself. Qing Mei is the head of the dark palace and she tries to warn Sima Ju not to expose the secret and treasure of the Yuan family inside the cave. But Sima Ju is insistent on saving people first and allows them to seek sanctuary in one part of the cave.

The Escape Plan

Hu Yong wants to capture Fei Yan as she is supposedly the most beautiful lady in Xi Du. His soldiers are approaching their hideout. Liu Yan Sheng proposes that Jin Xiu pretends to be Fei Yan to lure the soldiers away so that everyone else can escape. But Mu Jin volunteers for the task instead. In return, she wants Fei Yan to agree that they kill Liu Yan Sheng. All the people in the cave agree to Mu Jin’s suggestion. Hence, Liu Yan Sheng is killed at the hands of Mu Jin and Jin Xiu.

Song Ming Lei is worried about Mu Jin’s safety and Fei Yan notices his feelings. Mu Jin is adamant on saving everyone in the cave. She gives her hairpin to Su Hui with the instruction to pass it to Fei Bai. She then lures Hu Yong soldiers away with a few guards. Song Ming Lei brings Fei Yan to safety and then turns back for Mu Jin. He protects her from pursuing soldiers and uses his body to shield her from arrows before falling down the cliff.

Mu Jin is caught and taken to the enemy’s barracks. Yue Rong uses his Crown Prince status to take away Mu Jin and a guard, Chu Hua, from Hu Yong. He tells Mu Jin that they have met earlier from behind a mask and that he knows she is not Fei Yan. He lets them go but wants Mu Jin to inform Duke Yuan that he has nothing to do with the attack.

Episode 19

Ming Feng Qing’s spy informs her of the secret cave. She suspects that the rumors about the Yuan’s family dark palace and treasure to be true. Fei Bai returns to Yuan Manor to find Su Hui’s mother dead and Mu Jin missing. He brings soldiers to attack Hu Yong’s camp but couldn’t find Mu Jin. Yue Rong and his assistant, Meng Zhao, escape during the battle.

Fei Yan is distressed over Song Ming Lei’s unknown fate. She is determined to look for him. Ming Feng Qing has taken Mu Jin hostage and blackmails Fei Bai into revealing the location of the family treasure. Fei Bai brings her through the tunnels in the cave before activating a trap to escape with Mu Jin. He gets hit by an arrow while protecting Mu Jin. Fei Bai wants to be with Mu Jin forever but she rejects him. Mu Jin still thinks that Fei Bai has hurt her sister and she cannot forget how much Jin Xiu loves him. She asks for her freedom. Fei Bai grants her her wish.

General Pan finds out Yu Fei Yan’s background but keeps it a secret. Yu Fei Yan is promoted again to a higher-ranked general. Mu Jin reunites with Jin Xiu in the cave. Sima Ju saves her as she lies unconscious after the battle with Hu Yong’s soldiers. The 2 sisters just want each other to be happy. Jin Xiu tells Mu Jin that only Duke Yuan can protect her and she is already his concubine. Hence, Mu Jin should just be happy with Fei Bai. But Mu Jin is unable to bring herself to stay with the man that her sister loves.

The Dark Palace

Fei Bai tries to convince Sima Ju to leave with Jin Xiu. But he is bound by responsibility. 2 sworn brothers, one surnamed Sima and the other Yuan, found a treasure a few generations ago. The Sima brother was smart but introverted and he built the dark palace to study the mysteries of the treasure in the mine cave. The Yuan brother was ambitious and used the treasure to gain power. He built his manor on top of the mine. The Sima family has been studying the secret to the treasure for a few generations but has yet to find an answer.

When the old dark palace master died, he had no descendants. Xie Mei Xiang had twin sons, Fei Dai and Fei Bai. Duke Yuan wanted either one of them to take over as the new dark palace master. Fei Dai volunteered being the older brother. From then on, Fei Dai was declared dead. He became Sima Ju and rarely exits the cave.

New Rulers

Ming Feng Qing’s men finds Song Ming Lei. While Prince Fu Yu is declared Dong Ting’s new Emperor, his brother, Fu Che, establishes his own state in the late Emperor’s auxiliary capital. Duke Yuan advises Fu Che that they will need to recapture the capital of Bian Cheng to get back the throne. The seal has also gone missing together with the late Emperor’s Eunuch Zhang. During the upheaval, Fu Che’s youngest prince with his concubine has gone missing and is presumed dead. Fu Che also has the backing from his wife’s family. Duke Yuan is foreseeing that Emperor Fu Che will use the Wang family to contain him.

Mu Jin decides to leave. A masked Sima Ju gives her back her hairpin and passes a message from Fei Bai that he will try his best to obtain the antidote for the pill that she has consumed.

Episode 20

Duke Yuan returns to Yuan Manor. He is angry with Fei Bai for leaving the capital without his permission to save Mu Jin. He orders for Mu Jin to be hunted down. Mu Jin meets Yue Rong and his assistant after gaining her freedom. Yue Rong is always teasing Mu Jin which makes her angry. Hu Yong catches up with them but Xuan Jiang also arrives with her soldiers. Yue Rong and Mu Jin are taken to meet Dou Ying Hua. While on they way there, Yue Rong finds out who Mu Jin is. They also realize that they have met each other years ago while Yue Rong was escaping from pursuing soldiers. He advises Mu Jin not to admit that she is Hua Bin’s daughter.

Ming Feng Qing tells Song Ming Lei that Duke Yuan has killed Mu Jin because he will never let her fall into Dou Ying Hua’s hands. Hence, he has another reason to exact revenge over Duke Yuan. Ming Feng Qing leaves the injured Song Ming Lei for Fei Yan to find so that he will return a hero to Yuan Manor.

When Fei Yan finds Song Ming Lei, he is angry with her initially for indirectly causing Mu Jin’s death and refuses to go back to Yuan Manor. But then Hu Yong’s soldiers turn up. They defeat the first group in their weakened state. But when another group of soldiers appear, they force Song Ming Lei to watch Fei Yan being raped. Song Ming Lei summons all his strength to kill all the soldiers. He then tells Fei Yan that he will return to Yuan Manor with her.

Tricking Dou Ying Hua

When Yue Rong and Mu Jin meet Dou Ying Hua, she plays dumb and acts child-like to deny that she is Hua Bin’s daughter. Yue Rong tells Dou Ying Hua that Mu Jin is his concubine whom he has snatched away from someone else. Mu Jin’s identity as Hua Bin’s daughter becomes doubtful especially when the portrait that they have doesn’t really match her looks.

Jin Xiu goes to the cave to look for Fei Bai. A masked Sima Ju asks her to let go of her love before making her unconscious. Sima Ju (as Fei Bai) then leads her out of the cave to a waiting Duke Yuan who isn’t happy that Jin Xiu has been allowed to know about the dark palace. Duke Yuan declares Jin Xiu will officially become his concubine with her own residence and personal bodyguard, Feng Ding. However, Jin Xiu doesn’t feel that she belongs and is unhappy despite her rise in status.

Episode 21

Fei Yan wants to die when she hears Song Ming Lei uttering Mu Jin’s name in his dream. But Song Ming Lei stops her from committing suicide. Now that she has been defiled, neither does she think her father will want her back. Duke Yuan is angry that Fei Yan still cannot be found and might have died. He wants Song Ming Lei to be killed for causing his daughter to go missing. Song Ming Lei is feverish and weak from his injuries. Fei Yan uses all her strength to pull him to the city to get treatment until her hands and feet bleed from the effort.

Madam Lian is at Emperor Fu Che’s palace. She is his aunt. The Empress purposely distresses Madam Lian with news about Duke Yuan and Jin Xiu. Madam Lian then goes into early labor. It is to Emperor Fu Che’s benefit to sow dispute in Duke Yuan’s family. This will distract Duke Yuan from creating trouble for the Emperor. Emperor Fu Che’s concubine tries to ask the 2nd prince about her little son but he claims ignorance.

Jin Xiu asks Feng Ding to continue to look for Mu Jin. She also passes Feng Ding a box of jewellery to be given to her sister with the message not to return to Yuan Manor. Duke Yuan continues to treat Jin Xiu well and doesn’t force her to consummate their relationship.

Yue Rong’s “Concubine”

Dou Ying Hua lets Yue Rong and Mu Jin go. But he also spreads news that Yue Rong has taken Mu Jin as his concubine. This will agitate Duke Yuan into taking action against Nan Guo. Dou Ying Hua anticipates Yue Rong will then still have to beg him for help. Yue Rong intends to take a reluctant Mu Jin back to Nan Guo to clear his name on the attack on Yuan Manor and Xi Du. He needs to do so to avert a war between the 2 states. His concubine, Lvshi, is jealous of Mu Jin for having Yue Rong’s affections.

News spread that Mu Jin is now Yue Rong’s concubine. She doesn’t like it but Yue Rong correctly points out that it shouldn’t matter to her if she has already decided not to see Fei Bai again. Duke Yuan remains patient with Jin Xiu to come to him willingly. He orders for Mu Jin to be tracked and killed on the spot when news arrive that she is with Yue Rong. Duke Yuan also decides Jin Xiu should not be told while Fei Bai would understand as it is in the family’s interest.

Mu Jin tries to run away from Yue Rong but is unsuccessful. She doesn’t want to go to Nan Guo with him. Lvshi flicks a needle onto Mu Jin’s horse to make it gallop dangerously. Yue Rong chases after it and saves Mu Jin. He warns Lvshi not to threaten Mu Jin’s life or he will kill her. Yue Rong also orders Lvshi not to follow him anymore.

Wanted Man

Fei Yan begs the doctor to treat Song Ming Lei with her little amount of money. He gets a bit better and asks her to leave him. But Fei Yan doesn’t want to do so until he is fully recovered. Song Ming Lei feels guilty about Fei Yan’s sacrifices. But she assures him that she is doing it willingly and has no expectations for him to love her back especially now that she has lost her innocence.

Fei Yan has to work as a clothes washer to earn money. But it is still not enough to get medicine for Song Ming Lei. In the meantime, Song Ming Lei is now a wanted criminal as soldiers hunt for him. Fei Bai hears about his father’s order to execute Mu Jin and wants to look for her.

Episode 22

Duke Yuan locks Fei Bai in prison. Fei Yan begs for her pay to buy food for Song Ming Lei. Fei Qing misses his sister and hopes Song Ming Lei could take care of her. Song Ming Lei is feeling increasingly guilty over Fei Yan’s sacrifices. She still refuses to go back to her family and won’t do so if it will cause him to be killed by her father.

Duke Yuan tells Jin Xiu that he knows what is it that she can’t let go of but she needs to know that Fei Bai’s sincerity towards her is questionable. Jin Xiu seeks answer from Fei Bai in his prison cell. Fei Bai confirms that he only loves Mu Jin as Sima Ju wants him to say. Jin Xiu then frees Fei Bai from his cell for her sister’s sake. She is disappointed but it also forces her to let go. Duke Yuan has expected Jin Xiu will free Fei Bai. He has wanted it to happen because it will let Fei Bai see the truth of Mu Jin’s betrayal and grow from the experience.

Jin Xiu expects to be punished for freeing Fei Bai. Feng Ding is willing to run away with Jin Xiu as he has feelings for her. But Duke Yuan doesn’t blame Jin Xiu. He informs her that he does it to enable her to get out of misery and grow as a person. Jin Xiu then willingly gives in to Duke Yuan and consummates their relationship. She finally lets go of Fei Bai.

Fei Yan’s Sacrifice

Song Ming Lei is getting better. Fei Yan continues to take care of him and says that she will leave once he is fully recovered. Song Ming Lei feels Fei Yan has sacrificed too much for him. He proposes that they get married. Although it is ironic that the person who gives him her heart is his enemy’s daughter, he quietly vows never to fail her.

Yu Fei Yan returns to Yuan Manor and meets up with Jin Xiu. They are happy to still have each other as the rest of their sworn siblings have gone missing. Duke Yuan sends Mr. Shen to Nan Guo to ask for Mu Jin to be returned. Meng Zhao insists that it is Hu Yong who attacked Yuan Manor and Yue Rong is on the way home with Mu Jin to clear his name. Hu Yong then quietly orders for Yue Rong and Mu Jin to be found and killed before they reach Nan Guo. Fei Bai rushes to Nan Guo to verify for himself rumors about Mu Jin’s betrayal.

Madam Lian returns to Yuan Manor with her baby who is named Fei Yun. She immediately starts to bully Jin Xiu by using her status as Duke Yuan’s official wife. Duke Yuan appears to stop her and assures Jin Xiu that she need not be tolerant of anyone. When Madam Lian throws a tantrum over the news of Liu Yan Sheng’s death, Duke Yuan warns her not to disrupt the harmony in her residence.

Episode 23

Duke Yuan removes Madam Lian’s duties of managing the household expenses and gives them to Jin Xiu. Madam Lian is angry over the decision. Yu Hong and his soldiers catch up with Yue Rong and Mu Jin. Yue Rong uses his wits to escape with Mu Jin by taking Yu Hong hostage. When Yu Hong makes a getaway, he stabs Yue Rong in the back. Mu Jin bandages his wound. Fortunately, Yue Rong’s injury isn’t severe. Fei Bai notices Yu Hong and follows him. He thinks Yu Hong would lead him to Mu Jin.

Locating The Imperial Seal

Emperor Fu Che’s 2nd prince manages to find out Eunuch Zhang’s location. He gives orders to get back the imperial seal and late Emperor’s decree from the eunuch. Yu Hong meets Lvshi alone in the woods. He persuades her to cooperate to get Yue Rong. Fei Bai comes out to confront Yu Hong. A fight breaks out. Lieutenant Chen appears to help Fei Bai. Yu Hong runs away with Lvshi. Fei Bai angrily tells Lieutenant Chen not to follow him as she has been sent by Duke Yuan.

The Emperor has ordered Duke Yuan to get back the imperial seal. Duke Yuan talks to his late wife, Xie Mei Xiang, about it. He also says he won’t let a woman occupy Fei Bai’s heart and ruin him as he will entrust the Yuan family to Fei Bai in the future.

Fei Yan pleads for medicine again from the town doctor and Fei Qing manages to find out his sister’s location from him. Song Ming Lei pleads with Fei Qing to bring Fei Yan home. However, Fei Yan refuses to leave. They also inform Fei Qing that they are now married. Fei Qing suggests that they find the imperial seal in Ya Chuan before everyone else and hands it over. This way, they will be able to make amends and Duke Yuan would forgive Song Ming Lei.

Fei Jue’s Memory Loss And Mu Jin

Bi Ying has followed Fei Jue to Gong Yue. When she falls down a sandpit, Fei Jue dives in to save her. but he knocks his head against a rock and falls unconscious. When Fei Jue wakes up, he has lost his memories and becomes unstable. Only Bi Ying could calm him down. However, Fei Jue thinks Bi Ying is Mu Jin. Guo Er’Ren pleads with Bi Ying to pretend to be Mu Jin for Fei June’s sake. She is reluctant until Guo Er’Ren tells her about her poisoned nourishment pills that Mu Jin had been feeding her.

Lvshi finds Yue Rong and Mu Jin. She overpowers them with something poisonous and ties up Mu Jin. Yue Rong fights her in his weakened state. Lvshi ends up falling off the cliff. Yue Rong frees the weak Mu Jin and kisses her on impulse. The poison pill Duke Yuan gave her is activated. Yue Rong also loses his martial art powers with that kiss. Mu Jin is uneasy of what Fei Bai might think of her.

Hunting Mu Jin

Duke Yuan’s dark men finds Mu Jin and Yue Rong. Mu Jin asks them to let Yue Rong go as he is Nan Guo’s Crown Prince and to inform Fei Bai that she has not betrayed him. Yue Rong throws a stone at a bee hive and drags Mu Jin away. Mu Jin is vomiting blood due to the poison pill. Yue Rong tells her that they should go back to Nan Guo so that she can be his witness and then he will seek out doctors for the antidote.

Lvshi survives the fall off the cliff. She is now determined to ruin Yue Rong’s happiness. Lieutenant Chen is off to look for the imperial seal. Xuan Jiang is tailing her with her men. Duke Yuan in informed about Mu Jin and Yue Rong’s escape. He knows the poison pill has been activated. He is angry that Mu Jin has betrayed the Yuan family and might now be working for the Duan family. Duke Yuan wants Qing Mei to undertake a task for him.

Madam Lian is about to bully Jin Xiu again but Duke Yuan turns up. Duke Yuan then asks Jin Xiu if she is willing to take the risk of having a higher status. If she is willing and succeeds, everyone will then submit to her. But if she fails, it could mean death. Jin Xiu agrees to take the risk. Duke Yuan then asks her to follow him to Ya Chuan.

Fei Jue is going to marry Bi Ying. She is uncomfortable with the idea because he still thinks she is Mu Jin.

Episode 24

Gong Yue’s Queen notices the Ming clan pattern on Bi Ying’s back while she is changing. Duke Yuan sends Qing Mei to look for Mu Jin with Fei Bai. His orders to Fei Bai is to kill Mu Jin because of her betrayal. Chu Hua gets punished on Madam Lian’s orders. Yu Fei Yan helps her and they develop a warm relationship. He also tells her that he will take care of her.

Mu Jin and Yue Rong continue to travel together to Nan Guo but are pursued by Hu Yong. They hide in a deserted village and find an abandoned baby girl. Fei Bai arrives with Qing Mei and the dark men. Yue Rong and Mu Jin escape through a window. Fei Bai picks up Mu Jin’s slingshot that she has dropped.

The Fight For The Seal

Lieutenant Chen is lured to Eunuch Zhang’s home. She is followed by Xuan Jiang. They fight over the imperial seal and decree before both are slyly subdued with poisoned needles and fall unconscious. Duke Yuan and Jin Xiu stop by an inn on the way to Ya Chuan with their men. They are poisoned through their food orders and ambushed. Fei Yan and Song Ming Lei arrive to help them defeat the enemies. But Duke Yuan is still unwilling to forgive them and unhappy that they have got married. He thinks Song Ming Lei is using his daughter as a stepping stone.

Song Ming Lei and Fei Yan leave the inn but quietly follow Duke Yuan to warn him of dangers ahead. Duke Yuan and his men arrive at Eunuch Zhang’s residence to see Lieutenant Chen and Xuan Jiang tied up with the imperial seal and decree hanging around each of their neck. Dou Ying Hua also arrive. But the eunuch has rigged the place with explosives. As they free Lieutenant Chen and Xuan Jiang, they lob the explosives back towards the house to kill the eunuch before fighting over the seal and decree.

The decree end up being slashed into 2. In the ensuing chaos, Fei Yan saves Lieutenant Chen while Song Ming Lei brings Duke Yuan to safety. Feng Ding snatches the seal from Dou Ying Hua and passes it to Jin Xiu. They escape together and Jin Xiu promises Feng Ding that she will always protect him with her powers for all his sacrifices for her. Fei Yan begs Lieutenant Chen to persuade Duke Yuan to accept back Song Ming Lei and herself into the family.

Song Ming Lei’s Identity Exposed

Song Ming Lei is about to leave after bringing Duke Yuan to safety. But Ming Feng Qing turns up with her men. Duke Yuan then finds out Song Ming Lei is his nephew. He tells Song Ming Lei that his father had treated his mother badly and used her as a shield in their final moments. Song Ming Lei decides to disobey his aunt to kill Duke Yuan but instead turns around to fight her. Ming Feng Qing has to leave when Duke Yuan’s men are about to arrive. Now that Duke Yuan knows who Song Ming Lei is, he wants to accept him back as his half-son. Jin Xiu is dissatisfied that Song Ming Lei has easily gained Duke Yuan’s favor while she has put her life at risk for the seal for his sake.

Yue Rong and Mu Jin split up to get food and a wet nurse for the baby respectively when they arrive at a town. Hu Yong and his soldiers are looking for Yue Rong who has to avoid them. He bumps into Fei Bai who demands news about Mu Jin. Fei Bai could feel that Yue Rong has lost his powers. Yue Rong attracts the attention of Hu Yong’s soldiers to escape from Fei Bai who sees him running away with Mu Jin from a distance.

Episode 25

The imperial seal is handed back to Emperor Fu Che. Upon Duke Yuan’s recommendation, the Emperor rewards Jin Xiu with her own army. He also grants Song Ming Lei a wish. Song Ming Lei asks the Emperor to permit him to marry Fei Yan and his wish is granted. While Emperor Fu Che gets back the imperial seal, the decree has been destroyed. Hence, Dou Ying Hua could still prop up Fu Yu as Dong Ting’s Emperor.

Song Ming Lei still remembers what Duke Yuan has done to the Ming clan despite marrying Fei Yan. He is still thinking of revenge. Ming Feng Qing knew he wouldn’t kill Duke Yuan while they were in Ya Chuan and played along as it was an opportunity for him to climb up the ranks. Song Ming Lei ropes in his aunt’s mole in Yuan Manor and makes him his subordinate.

Yu Fei Yan Gets Married

Madam Lian rushes to the palace when she hears that Jin Xiu has been rewarded. Yu Hong’s soldiers are guarding the town’s exits and all entrances into Nan Guo. Yue Rong and Mu Jin cross-dress to bluff their way out of the town but still couldn’t get into Nan Guo.

Yu Fei Yan and Chu Hua become close to each other. Chu Hua confesses her feelings to him and they become a couple. When Yu Fei Yan is ordered by the Emperor to go to the south to put down some rebels, Chu Hua take the initiative to get them married prior to his departure. Fei Jue is worried about the rate of desertification in Gong Yue which cause hardship to the people. Bi Ying suggests planting certain crops to strengthen the soil in the affected areas. She learns that from Mu Jin in the past.

Madam Lian tries to put down Jin Xiu with regard to her dressing and accessories for a royal banquet. Emperor Fu Che’s Concubine Li helps out Jin Xiu. Later, Jin Xiu learns from Feng Ding that Concubine Li has lost her baby while escaping from the capital during the power tussle for the throne. The baby was traveling in a separate carriage with the 2 older princes who had then thrown him out to avoid attention because of his cries. Concubine Li still has no idea what happened to her baby.

Doubting Song Ming Lei’s Loyalty

Duke Yuan calls for a meeting to discuss their next move as Emperor Fu Che is trying to weaken their army by sending Yu Fei Yan away. Mr. Shen reports that King Duan Guang Yi is not involved in the attack on Yuan Manor. The King is also too busy to squash rebellion in Nan Guo to collude with Dou Ying Hua. Hence, it is a good time to take back the throne. But Song Ming Lei suggests that they spread rumors about the legality of the successor to the throne and bide their time to build up their army first before attacking. Duke Yuan likes his strategy but is still uncertain if Song Ming Lei could be trusted.

Fei Qing lets Song Ming Lei knows the importance of his sister in his heart. Song Ming Lei promises that he wouldn’t hurt Fei Yan. Fei Qing is grateful for Song Ming Lei for helping him to cancel his marriage to Princess Shu Qi and sees him as a trusted partner. But Song Ming Lei feels guilty for the good treatment Fei Qing accorded him. Duke Yuan sees Song Mei Ling visiting Mu Jin’s old living quarters and seems to be missing her. He gives orders for Song Mei Ling to be informed that Mu Jin is already dead and to block all her news from him.

Episode 26

Yue Rong and Mu Jin fall unconscious while travelling north through the mountains. They are saved by some villagers. Bi Ying help Fei Jue to plant deep-rooted trees to stop desertification in Gong Yue. She is feeling guilty for deceiving him as Mu Jin. Fei Bai continues to look for Mu Jin. He wants to save her from Yue Rong as he is afraid she might be mistreated. While looking for her in the villages, he orders the dark men to help those in need.

The villagers bring Yue Rong and Mu Jin back to the village. They pretend to be a family with Yue Rong being the wife. The village chief, Jun Shun Tao is suspicious of Yue Rong’s identity but allows them to stay in an empty house. A plum blossom in the house reminds her of Fei Bai. Shun Tao’s daughter, Cui Hua, is hostile towards Yue Rong because of his purple eyes. She wants him to leave but Mu Jin pleads with her to consider their baby. Cui Hua then asks Mu Jin to work in the village.

Yu Fei Yan departs for the south as decreed. He promises Chu Hua that he will return. Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei also send him off. Yu Fei Yan advises them to cooperate and renew their vows as sworn siblings. But once he leaves, Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei part ways again with both of them having different aims and being distrustful of each other.

The Fight Over Cloth

Duke Yuan presents Jin Xiu with some expensive cloth for her to make clothes. Madam Lian hints that she wants it too. Duke Yuan then orders the cloth to be divided between the 2 of them. When Madam Lian bumps into Fei Yan, she tells her that Duke Yuan might give her the other half of the cloth to make her clothes.

Mu Jin finds it hard to cope with the hard labor in the village especially with the poison acting up. Yue Rong undertakes the house chores and cooking as well as looking after the baby. He knows the plum blossoms remind Mu Jin of Fei Bai and changes them to camellias. When Mu Jin changes them back, Yue Rong puts both flowers in the vase. He hopes Mu Jin will forget Fei Bai as time passes. The village chief is suspecting Yue Rong to be the man Hu Yong is after.

Song Ming Lei tells his aunt that he will sow discord within the Yuan family so that they will destroy each other as that will be a better form of revenge. But he will need to earn Duke Yuan’s complete trust first. His aunt agrees to give him the freedom to make his own plans. However, Song Ming Lei still doesn’t want to harm Fei Yan and Fei Qing due to their sincerity towards him.

Fei Yan finds out that the cloth has been made into clothes for Jin Xiu. She is angry but also realizes Madam Lian is just sowing discord between her and Jin Xiu. But the clothes that Jin Xiu receives is torn into pieces and she thinks it is Madam Lian’s doing.

Episode 27

Yue Rong is having a hard time learning how to cook. Mu Jin encourages him to take his time to learn. She is also using her talents again to build farming equipment for the villagers and teaching them how to read. Duke Yuan finds out about Jin Xiu’s torn clothes and tells her that she doesn’t need to stoop too low to compromise. Fei Bai is still determined to save Mu Jin from Yue Rong but feels uncertain of how to face her since he is under orders to have her killed. Mu Jin keeps away the hairpin Fei Bai gave her as she tries to forget him.

Jin Xiu bravely goes to confront Madam Lian and shreds the new dress that she is wearing. She is determined not to be bullied again. When she notices Song Ming Lei, she asks Feng Ding to tail him. However, Song Ming Lei manages to shake it off. He meets his aunt who informs him that she will be away for a while. Ming Feng Qing wants to go to Gong Yue to obtain the valuable Heart of the Earth since she fails to get the Yuan family’s treasure. She could take advantage of Bi Ying’s position as the Crown Princess of Gong Yue. Song Ming Lei sends Wang Hu to get news from Gong Yue.

Jin Xiu asks Feng Ding to investigate Song Ming Lei’s background. Duke Yuan tells Jin Xiu not to cross the line with Madam Lian again. He also wants her to re-look at the manor’s expenses as they need funds to build up the army.

Taking Up Embroidery

Yue Rong and Mu Jin argue over housework. Cui Hua is not happy that she is bad at learning how to read. Mu Jin encourages her to do embroidery since she is good at it. So, Cui Hua starts a workshop. Yue Rong joins it and embroiders a pair of mandarin ducks. He wants to give it to Mu Jin but holds back when he sees her staring at the plum blossoms which reminds her of Fei Bai. But Mu Jin notices it and grabs it to take a look. Yue Rong tells her that she can have it but the unspoken significance of the mandarin ducks makes them uncomfortable. Mu Jin changes the subject by asking Yue Rong to go to the upcoming village fair.

Song Ming Lei thinks Mu Jin is dead and tells Fei Qing so. Fei Yan tells her brother that she knows Song Ming Lei loves Mu Jin the most but she doesn’t know why he thinks she is dead. She is not so worried about Mu Jin as Song Ming Lei is now her husband and nobody can snatch him away from her. Fei Yan is more worried about Jin Xiu who has gained Duke Yuan’s favor. She thinks it will be in their interest to cooperate with her.

Jin Xiu cuts Madam Lian’s household expenses by eliminating expensive food from her menu. She also gets Feng Ding to steal Madam Lian’s ledger book. Mu Jin and Yue Rong couldn’t go to the fair together because of the crying baby. So, Yue Rong goes alone and bumps into Fei Bai. He claims that they are now husband and wife as Mu Jin has been separated from Fei Bai for more than a year.

Episode 28

Yue Rong tells Fei Bai that he and Mu Jin already have a baby and his loss of powers is because Mu Jin’s unfaithfulness had triggered Duke Yuan’s poison pill. Fei Bai becomes angry and starts beating up Yue Rong. The other villagers appear to stop him. Yue Rong escapes and reaches home to find a crying Mu Jin. She is devastated because the hairpin Fei Bai gave her has broken when she gave it to the baby to play. Yue Rong is frustrated that Mu Jin still cannot forget Fei Bai and throws the broken hairpin onto the floor. This cause them to quarrel and Mu Jin starts hitting Yue Rong. She is then punished for domestic violence.

Fei Yan tries to get close to Jin Xiu by dropping hints that they have a common enemy in Madam Lian but warns her to be careful as Madam Lian is the Emperor’s aunt. She also gives Jin Xiu a sachet of plum blossoms which she says is her father’s favorite scent. Jin Xiu wears the sachet with her to meet Duke Yuan who is with Madam Lian. Duke Yuan picks up the scent but says nothing. Jin Xiu exposes Madam Lian’s overspending and claims that she has pocketed the money. Duke Yuan orders the for the ledger books to be checked. Investigations reveal that Madam Lian has cooked the books.

Jin Xiu uses her plum blossoms sachet to touch Madam Lian’s baby when no one is around. The baby then develops rashes. The red blossoms scent actually reminds Duke Yuan of Xie Mei Xiang. To him, the fragrance on his late wife is unique and no one can replace it. Duke Yuan is informed about Fei Yun’s rashes and that it is caused by red plum blossoms.

Bi Ying’s Background

Ming Feng Qing becomes Bi Ying’s palace maid to get close to her. She tells Bi Ying that she is her mother. Bi Ying was born out of wedlock which the Ming family didn’t accept. Ming Feng Yang pitied his sister and took in Bi Ying as his illegitimate daughter. She was sent to be taken care of by foster parents and hence, is clueless about her ties to the Ming family. That is why Song Ming Lei cares so much for Bi Ying as he thinks she is his half-sister. Bi Ying finds it hard to accept Ming Feng Qing as her mother. Ming Feng Qing believes Bi Ying will come round to it eventually but needs to be given time. Her subordinate manages to find the entrance to the treasure on the palace grounds.

Mu Jin is punished with having to spend one night in the ancestral hall. Yue Rong brings her food and wine to keep her company. They apologize to each other. When Mu Jin becomes drunk, she blurts out that she misses Fei Bai and that she cannot forget him. Yue Rong gives her a hairpin that he bought but Mu Jin doesn’t want it. She wants the one Fei Bai gave her. Yue Rong feels hurt that Mu Jin still loves Fei Bai.

The next morning, Mu Jin wakes up from her drunken spell and finds she is back home. Yue Rong had carried her back. He also glued back Fei Bai’s hairpin and returns it to Mu Jin. There are unspoken issues between them which they are not ready to discuss.

Episode 29

Mu Jin volunteers to go and buy clothes for the baby. She meets Fei Bai in the woods. She tells him to leave her alone as she is now happy with her life with Yue Rong. When she vomits blood, she points to the effects of the poison pill which signifies that she is no longer chaste. They then part ways. Mu Jin can’t face Fei Bai because of Jin Xiu. But Fei Bai senses that Mu Jin is not telling him the truth as she still carries the hairpin that he gave her although she claims she has broken it to cut off their past.

Fei Yan is happy that Song Ming Lei is gaining a good reputation in the Yuan family and her father recognizes his talent. But Duke Yuan is still wary of Song Ming Lei’s loyalty. Jin Xiu uses Fei Yan’s tips to put Duke Yuan’s favorite ingredient into his dish and continues to use the red plum scent. But Duke Yuan tells her to change the scent as it doesn’t suit her. Jin Xiu also tells Duke Yuan that she wants to bear him children.

Jin Xiu’s Jealousy

Fei Yan bumps into Madam Lian who is scolding her servant. She asks her to maintain harmony and be considerate to Duke Yuan who is still feeling sentimental over his beloved late concubine. This gives Madam Lian the idea to use Xie Mei Xiang to agitate Jin Xiu. She tells Jin Xiu that they are both pitiful women because the one that Duke Yuan loves has always been Xie Mei Xiang and the proof is in the secret chamber.

Jin Xiu enters the secret chamber and discovers the red plum blossom scent, a white dress, and letters Duke Yuan has written to his late concubine. She now realizes the significance of certain items to Duke Yuan as they belong to Xie Mei Xiang in his heart. Jin Xiu becomes jealous and swaps out Xie Mei Xiang’s items with hers in the secret chamber. Duke Yuan is furious when he finds out what Jin Xiu has done. He angrily tells her that nobody can replace Xie Mei Xiang. He also has Jin Xiu locked up. While Fei Yan had wanted to get close to Jin Xiu earlier, she now has to stay away.

Emperor Fu Che is angry that songs are being sung among the peasants about Duke Yuan’s generosity. He sees Duke Yuan as trying to win over the people. Thus, he decrees that Duke Yuan be promoted as the Protector of the country. But in effect, it will only burden him with more contributions to be made to the Treasury. Song Ming Lei gives him the idea to let the old soldiers do farming for self-sufficiency which will save them money as well gives the illusion that they are disarming. Duke Yuan likes the strategy.

Meng Zhao Finds Yue Rong

Duke Yuan gives back to Madam Lian the duty to oversee Yuan Manor. He will ignore her previous misdeeds with the household funds but warns her to behave and avoid conflict in the family. While Madam Lian gets back her rights, she is sad that Duke Yuan remains cold towards her.

Fei Bai continues to look for Mu Jin. He sees marks left by Yue Rong for him to be found. Meng Zhao finally finds Yue Rong. He updates him on the situation back home. Yue Rong learns that Duke Yuan wants Mu Jin dead. Once Mu Jin dies, he will have no witness to prove his innocence. His uncle will want him and his father killed. There will be chaos in the country which will prevent any collusion with Dou Ying Hua. Yue Rong plans to remain in the village while Meng Zhao can quietly expand their military force.

Ming Feng Qing has found gems in Gong Yue and her men are mining them. They need the gems to finance expansion of their troops. She also plans to rob businessmen who come for the gems. A palace maid is arranged to serve Bi Ying to get information as well as protect her.

Mu Jin is shunned by the villagers because of the domestic violence case. Yue Rong helps to change the villagers’ attitude towards her.

Episode 30

Yue Rong continues to attract people to pay to look at his purple eyes for which he shares the income with Cui Hua. But Mu Jin doesn’t want him to earn money this way. Fei Bai arrives at the village to look for Mu Jin.

Emperor Fu Che is satisfied with the tax revenue for now but Fei Qing feels it is time to replace him as he keeps giving them trouble. Song Ming Lei thinks otherwise as they are also in confrontation with Dou Ying Hua. Thus, they should keep a low profile for now and quietly strengthen their military to eliminate Dou Ying Hua. To stop Emperor Fu Che from giving them trouble, he suggests to Duke Yuan to propose to the Emperor to instal a Crown Prince. This will sow discord in the royal family and prevents Emperor Fu Che from nitpicking on them. Duke Yuan is impressed with Song Ming Lei’s talent and promotes him to be his military counsellor.

Duke Yuan asks about Jin Xiu and is informed that she is being humiliated by Madam Lian everyday. But he doesn’t want to help her as he wants her to learn her lesson and remember who she is. Song Ming Lei drops by to see Jin Xiu and sees her being fed with rotten food. He stops them. He tells Jin Xiu that they are the same in that they both have a disdain for the Yuan family but need to resign to fate. Song Ming Lei advises her not to go against destiny but to move along with it. However, Jin Xiu is adamant that she wants to control her own fate.

Fight Over Mu Jin

Fei Bai makes his way to Mu Jin’s house. Yue Rong knows he is listening in to their conversation from outside. Hence, he purposely gives Fei Bai the idea that they are a loving family with a baby. When Fei Bai leaves, Yue Rong goes after him. Yue Rong asks Fei Bai to leave them alone and take all his soldiers away. Fei Bai thanks Yue Rong for giving Mu Jin a quiet life but also reminds him that what happened between him and Mu Jin is merely accidental. On the other hand, Fei Bai says that his love with Mu Jin is irreplaceable.

Yue Rong also finds out that Mu Jin has met Fei Bai when they discuss about the broken hairpin. He becomes angry when Fei Bai refuses to tell him what transpired during the meeting. Fei Bai also tells Yue Rong that he will not leave but will escort Mu Jin down the mountain because Hu Yong is looking for them. This leaves Yue Rong frustrated as he doesn’t want Mu Jin to go back to the Yuan family and he believes that he could give her happiness.

Fei Yan can sense that Song Ming Lei is troubled although he should be happy that he has been promoted. She tells him that she can help to plead with her father to let Jin Xiu off. But Song Ming Lei advises her not to as they have different ambitions and it is better to leave it to fate. Sima Ju quietly observes Jin Xiu from the window. Lieutenant Chen pities her and brings her food. She promises to try to talk to Duke Yuan but Madam Lian warns her not to intercede.

Tussle To Be Crown Prince

Jun Er’Gou confesses his feelings to Cui Hua but she thinks he is making fun of her. Hu Yong and Lvshi are still looking for Yue Rong and they find people are talking about a purple-eyed woman.

Duke Yuan proposes Prince Ben Xuan to be made the Crown Prince as Song Ming Lei suggested. The Emperor will then choose Prince Ben Fu as he will be suspicious of Duke Yuan’s recommendation. Although Prince Ben Fu has more warlords to support him, he is a reckless individual. He will then nitpick on Prince Ben Xuan who will fight back with his supporters and there would be chaos.

Fei Bai stops an intelligence report from Qing Mei to Duke Yuan and has her detained. He stubbornly wants to save Mu Jin against Duke Yuan’s orders as she is innocent and has suffered much under the Yuan family. Fei Bai tells Qing Mei that he will go back and receive his just punishment when time comes. He will also resign from his position.

Madam Lian is bullying Jin Xiu again. Sima Ju wants to help Jin Xiu but is stopped by Mr. Han who tells him that she is now his father’s concubine and that he shouldn’t leave the dark palace.

Prince Ben Fu has moved fast to consolidate his position with the important ministers. Prince Ben Xuan goes to meet Duke Yuan in secret.

Episode 31

Prince Ben Xuan begs Duke Yuan for help. The Empress had already told Emperor Fu Che to observe the 2 princes’ move before deciding who should be the Crown Prince. Hence, Prince Ben Xuan’s meeting with Duke Yuan would have been reported to the Emperor.

Yue Rong’s Confession

Mu Jin still misses Fei Bai. Her body is also getting weaker due to the poison. Yue Rong is frustrated that Mu Jin continues to think of Fei Bai and tells her to notice the person around her instead. Cui Hua is still bringing people to look at Yue Rong’s purple eyes which angers Mu Jin. She tells Yue Rong to stop earning money in this humiliating way. He explains that he just wants to make more money to support her and the baby.

Yue Rong finally confesses his feelings to Mu Jin. He is willing to live with her forever in the village. However, Mu Jin turns him down. She will go to him to Nan Guo to clear his name but she will leave him after that. Mu Jin only treats him as a good friend and he may have mistaken her kindness as love. Lvshi is listening to their conversation from the bushes. She can’t bring herself to kill Yue Rong. When Yue Rong is beaten unconscious by 2 villagers after leaving Mu Jin, Lvshi kills them to save Yue Rong. She loves him despite being sent by the King to spy on Yue Rong.

Fei Bai continues to detain Qing Mei to prevent her from sending a report to Duke Yuan. But she still manages to send off a message with a pigeon. Mu Jin finds Yue Rong and wakes him up. He realizes Lvshi has found him which means Hu Yong should be on the way. Yue Rong tells Mu Jin that they will have to get away from the village.

Feeling Betrayed

Xiang Qin is sent by Ming Feng Qing to be Bi Ying’s palace maid. She used to be Bi Ying’s fellow guard at Yuan Manor. Xiang Qin informs Bi Ying that it was Jin Xiu who had framed her with theft to take her place at West Wing. Bi Ying is furious that both Jin Xiu and Mu Jin had harmed her and wants revenge. Jin Xiu continues to be fed with rotten food. Feng Ding wants to take her away but Jin Xiu refuses to go. She believes Duke Yuan will release her eventually as she is his concubine. Sima Ju witnesses it from the window.

All the ministers are supporting Prince Ben Xuan to be the Crown Prince. Duke Yuan announces that he is revoking his recommendation for Prince Ben Xuan as the latter had met him to gain his support. This shows Prince Ben Xuan is only after his own self-interest. Emperor Fu Che is happy that Duke Yuan is not in collusion with anyone with his honesty. Prince Ben Fu is selected to be the Crown Prince instead.

However, Emperor Fu Che still thinks Prince Ben Xuan is the more suitable candidate as Crown Prince due to his capability although a decreed has been issued. He tells the Empress that there is still time to finalize the succession issue. Her own son, Prince Ben Fu, is disappointed for failing to get his father’s recognition. Empress Wang then plans to arrange for her niece, Wang Huan Li, to marry Prince Ben Xuan.

Saving The Villagers

Mu Jin and Yue Rong split up. She insists on going back to the village to warn them about Hu Yong. She asks Yue Rong to take the baby down the mountain. Yue Rong meets Meng Zhao at the foot of the mountain and orders him to get their soldiers to save the villagers. In the meantime, Mu Jin helps the villagers to block Hu Yong and his soldiers from approaching the village to buy them time.

Song Ming Lei’s strategy pays off with Prince Ben Fu being made Crown Prince. He advises Fei Qing that he will now have to ally himself to Prince Ben Fu to take the throne or control the court. Fei Qing is grateful for Song Ming Lei’s help and gives him the West Wing commander-in-chief seal. Song Ming Lei promises to do everything to help Fei Qing. Duke Yuan is impressed with Song Ming Lei’s talent and insight into people’s mind and heart including his. But he also knows it will be dangerous if Song Ming Lei is disloyal.

Episode 32

Cui Hua is leading the women to safety. Er’Guo confesses his love to Cui Hua. She is surprised but hugs him and asks him not to die before parting ways. Zhang De Mao congratulates Song Ming Lei for obtaining the West Wing seal. He talks about sowing discord within the Yuan family. Song Ming Lei warns Zhang De Mao not to teach him what to do and not to send information to Ming Feng Qing. Otherwise, he will have him replaced or killed.

Battling Hu Yong

Mu Jin is looking at ways to stop Hu Yong and his soldiers who are approaching the village from an old pathway. The village chief is grateful for Mu Jin’s help. Mu Jin feels guilty for deceiving him but the chief has known all along who Yue Rong is and that Mu Jin is a woman. Yue Rong’s father had helped the villagers in the past when they were dying due to drought. Hence, the chief feels it is his duty to help Yue Rong and Mu Jin. He also welcomes Mu Jin to be part of the village family. The village men prepares weapons and explosives in anticipation of Hu Yong’s attack.

Mu Jin leads the villagers in the battle against Hu Yong. They set up booby traps but are still defeated. Mu Jin offers herself as a hostage. She wants Hu Yong to let the villagers go in return for information on Yue Rong’s whereabouts. Meng Zhao refuses to listen to Yue Rong’s orders to sacrifice their soldiers just to save Mu Jin. This leaves Yue Rong with no choice but to seek Fei Bai’s help. Hu Yong locks up Mu Jin and asks Lvshi to keep an eye on her. Yue Rong has proposed that they meet to exchange Mu Jin’s life with his.

Jin Xiu Asks For Forgiveness

Lieutenant Chen tries to comfort Jin Xiu. She promises to try to talk to Duke Yuan. Sima Ju exchanges the rotten food with something edible for Jin Xiu by luring the maid away. Jin Xiu thinks it must be Duke Yuan’s instructions to change her food and he must have forgiven her. She forces her way out of house arrest by taking down the guards. Sima Ju panics over her misunderstanding and wants to stop her from looking for Duke Yuan. But Mr. Han makes Sima Ju fall unconscious to prevent him from interceding.

Duke Yuan receives report from Qing Mei and is angry that Fei Bai is risking his soldiers for Mu Jin. He wants Mu Jin to be executed. Jin Xiu barges in and hears Duke Yuan ordering for Fei Bai and Mu Jin to be brought home. She asks Duke Yuan for forgiveness and vows to bring back her sister to make amends for her mistakes. Jin Xiu argues that only she can get Mu Jin to return without needing to engage in fights. Duke Yuan agrees to give Jin Xiu a chance. She apologizes for swapping out Xie Mei Xiang’s things and framing Madam Lian. Duke Yuan softens his stance when she acknowledges that she has learned her lesson. Jin Xiu wants Duke Yuan to have mercy on Mu Jin when she is brought back. Duke Yuan agrees.

Prince Ben Xuan is made to marry Wang Huan Li. He knows Empress Wang has intended to make Wang Huan Li her spy. But Prince Ben Xuan thinks he could make his wife help him instead as she seems innocent.

Lvshi’s Sacrifice

Bi Ying discovers the entrance to the treasures underneath the palace. Her mother asks her to keep quiet about it. Bi Ying lays down 3 conditions in exchange for her silence. Ming Feng Qing is not allowed to harm Fei Jue and people of Gong Yue and she has to leave once she has got all the treasures. Lastly, Bi Ying also doesn’t want to see Ming Feng Qing again and that will be the end of their relationship.

Yue Rong and Hu Yong meet up. He requests Hu Yong to let Mu Jin go and he will take her place. But the hostage turns out to be Lvshi. She had freed Mu Jin earlier and exchanged clothes with her to deceive Hu Yong. Yue Rong orders Hu Yong to let Lvshi go as she has nothing to do with their conflict. Hu Yong refuses and a fight break out between the soldiers. Yue Rong tries to save Lvshi by dragging her away. But arrows are aimed towards Yue Rong. Lvshi shields him from getting shot and tells him that she loves him before dying. Yue Rong says that he loves her too as he cries.

Fei Bai appears with his soldiers. He sees Yue Rong hugging a woman and thought Mu Jin has died. The fight continues with Hu Yong taking Qing Mei hostage. Fei Bai frees her with his whip. Hu Yong is subdued. Mu Jin arrives with the villagers to help. She sees Fei Bai and runs towards him. A branch tugs at her hat and her hair falls down to reveal her gender. Fei Bai sees her and they stare at each other.

Episode 33

Mu Jin takes out the hairpin and tells Fei Bai that she is sorry. She also admits that her heart belongs to him and she only realized it after she left him. Mu Jin asks for a reconciliation. But Qing Mei reminds Fei Bai of his mission. Fei Bai then takes his sword and points it at Mu Jin. A lock of hair is seen falling to the ground. Jin Xiu meets Fei Bai on the way to see Mu Jin. But Fei Bai informs her that he has killed Mu Jin. Jin Xiu has him arrested for going against orders.

The Empress is agreeable to Prince Ben Fu cooperating with Fei Qing. Prince Ben Fu will then be able to consolidate his power with Fei Qing’s army. Empress Wang also pressures Wang Huan Li to report to her about Prince Ben Xuan. However, Prince Ben Xuan catches his wife with the Empress and makes her choose between the 2 of them. He reminds Wang Huan Li that if anything were to happen to him, she will also suffer as his wife. Wang Huan Li chooses to side with her husband.

Jin Xiu Is Sent Away

Madam Lian is afraid that Jin Xiu will be able to make a comeback with her success in bringing back Fei Bai. But an insider tip reaches her hands about Jin Xiu’s crime. Fei Bai claims that he has killed Mu Jin and his injury is due to enemy attack. However, Madam Lian reports to Duke Yuan that Jin Xiu had pierced Fei Bai with her sword. The truth is Fei Bai purposely didn’t dodge because he felt that he owed the sisters.

Jin Xiu didn’t deny that she had tried to hurt Fei Bai. She is devastated that her sister had died and feels that Duke Yuan has misled her by killing her sister with Fei Bai. Duke Yuan orders Jin Xiu to be sent to An Le Temple where she is made to work. But she begins to get weak and the doctor diagnoses her as being pregnant. Madam Lian gives orders for Jin Xiu to be given abortion medication. Jin Xiu is smart enough to know she will be poisoned and pours the medicine away.

Duke Yuan confronts Fei Bai about Mu Jin. He knows Fei Bai is lying about Mu Jin’s death. Fei Bai vows to remain in the dark palace and let go of any ambitions. Duke Yuan angrily tells him to remain there if he wishes.

3 Years Later

Prince Ben Fu is close to Fei Qing and Song Ming Lei. Hence, Prince Ben Xuan has to look for a strong ally to counter his half-brother. He thinks of Fei Bai but he will need to get him out of the dark palace first before he could get his cooperation. Prince Ben Xuan proposes to the Emperor to marry off his sister, Princess Shu Yi, to Fei Bai. With the marriage, Duke Yuan will be forced to release Fei Bai from the dark palace. Fei Bai is informed about the marriage but he has a way to get out of it.

Duke Yuan’s army has lost a battle at Shuang Bo and forced to retreat. They are now in need of a good general. Song Ming Lei has built up the West Wing into a formidable force after 3 years. But he warns that they cannot underestimate the East Wing as Duke Yuan would not lock Fei Bai up forever. Jin Xiu’s son is now a little boy. She is back in Yuan Manor as Duke Yuan’s concubine after escaping from An Le Temple 3 years back. Being weak and pregnant then, Duke Yuan took her back in.

Mu Jin Is Jun Mo Wen

Mu Jin is now a successful businessman. She takes on the identity of Jun Mo Wen, the same name that she had given herself while hiding in the village with Yue Rong. Fei Bai didn’t kill her back then. He had left Mu Jin with Yue Rong and asked him to take care of her. Now, Fei Bai wants Sima Ju to release a collection of poems that he has written about Lady Hua Xi, which is Mu Jin’s official title as Fei Bai’s wife. This will cause the royal family to cancel the marriage. Qing Mei has feelings for Fei Bai and hopes that he will reconsider as it is his chance to come out of the dark palace. But Fei Bai refuses.

Jin Xiu’s son, Fei Liu, is a smarter boy that Madam Lian’s son, Fei Yun.

Episode 34

Fei Liu is smarter and more compassionate than Fei Yun. But Madam Lian has high expectations for her son and doesn’t want him to lose to Fei Liu. The poems Fei Bai wrote have been widely circulated. Emperor Fu Che is angry. Duke Yuan promises to make things right. Jin Xiu reads the poems and wonders about their past relationship and why Fei Bai would kill Mu Jin if he really loves her.

Mr. Han requests Duke Yuan to release Fei Bai as the East Wing army is getting increasingly weaker. Both Madam Lian and Fei Qing are eyeing the East Wing. Fei Qing suggests that they should be merged. Duke Yuan seeks Sing Ming Lei’s opinion. Song Ming Lei suggests leaving things unchanged. Later, he explains to Fei Qing that Duke Yuan is just observing their intentions. Duke Yuan will never give them East Wing’s army because that will threaten Duke Yuan himself if West Wing becomes too strong. Hence, it is better to leave East Wing to Fei Bai who is still locked up in the dark palace.

Immortal Jingu gives some pointers to Duke Yuan who thinks he may be referring to Fei Bai while Duke Yuan’s own role may merely be to pave the way for someone else to succeed.

Yue Rong’s Continuing Love

Mu Jin is still keeping in touch with Yue Rong. He notices that she has Fei Bai’s poems book on Lady Hua Xi. The baby they found, Xi Yan, is now a little girl and living in Nan Guo with Yue Rong.

3 years ago, they brought Hu Yong to justice with a letter written by Mu Jin that described the attack on Yuan Manor in detail. Hu Yong was beheaded. Mu Jin is presumed dead. Yue Rong’s father was unwilling to take in Mu Jin as it could cause trouble and their fiefdom was poor. Mu Jin promised to turn around their situation in 3 months in exchange for sanctuary. 3 years later, Wo Zhou has become an important town in the Southwest with increasing revenue. Yue Rong still has not given up on Mu Jin and has been patiently waiting for her. But Mu Jin is unable to forget Fei Bai to Yue Rong’s disappointment.

Fei Bai Is Released

Duke Yuan releases Fei Bai and wants him to defeat General Pan with his East Wing army. Fei Bai tries to ask for the antidote for Mu Jin but Duke Yuan gets angry and purposely punishes Sima Ju instead. Duke Yuan wants to make Fei Bai feel the pain so that he knows family comes first. The marriage between Princess Shu Yi and Fei Bai is cancelled. Duke Yuan begs the Emperor to grant Princess Shu Yi to Fei Qing instead to make amends. Fei Qing is unhappy over the marriage.

Princess Shu Yi does love Fei Qing and she has met him from their childhood days. But Fei Qing has no interest in her and any other woman. He tells Song Ming Lei that he hates women because of his bad experience with the princesses while being a hostage in the royal palace. Zhang De Mao suggests to Song Ming Lei that it is a good time to create civil strife with the military command that they have. But Song Ming Lei warns him not to cross the line.

Fei Qing is worried Fei Bai will be victorious in the battle with General Pan. But Fei Yan has stopped supplies from reaching Fei Bai’s camp. Prince Ben Xuan arrives with the supplies. He wants to strike up a friendship with Fei Bai. Fei Bai tries to decline but the prince reminds him that Fei Qing can ruin him and his army if he succeeds in helping the Crown Prince ascend the throne. Fei Bai has no choice but to ally himself to Prince Ben Xuan because if the latter ascends the throne instead, the Yuan family would be in a bind.

Mu Jin’s Quiet Support

A man named Mu Zhong He arrives to give funds and weapon designs to Fei Bai to help him with the battle. Fei Jue has a dream with a vague depiction of Mu Jin. A sandstorm seems to have destroyed their plants to prevent desertification in Gong Yue which distresses Bi Ying. There is a tree that could be suitable replacement but a grafting process would be needed. Bi Ying knows Mu Jin has the grafting skill but she believes she can do it too.

Duke Yuan is informed that Fei Bai has won in Yuan Zhou. Mu Jin is the one quietly supporting Fei Bai from behind the scene. She is happy that Fei Bai’s army has expanded but it will require more armaments. Mu Jin needs more funds to support Fei Bai and proposes to increase her share of the profits with Wo Zhou. Yue Rong tries to talk to his father about it. His father is frustrated that Yue Rong chooses not to see that Mu Jin doesn’t love him. They are also facing problems of their own. Fei Bai asks Qing Mei to find out the weapons designer and they both know that would be Mu Jin.

Qing Mei pleads with Fei Bai to let go because Mu Jin has betrayed him. But Fei Bai tells her that he has suffered for 3 years because Mu Jin is still in his heart and he owes her the antidote. Fei Bai also believes Mu Jin still cares for him and he lives to see her. He begs Qing Mei to find Mu Jin and take care of her for him. Qing Mei reluctantly agrees.

Episode 35

King Duan Guang Yi is forcing Wo Zhou to hand over all their money to a relief fund and orders Yue Rong to personally bring the funds to the palace. It is just an excuse to annex Wo Zhou’s businesses and take Yu Rong in as a hostage again. The King has misruled the state and ignored the people’s plight for years. Mu Jin advises Yue Rong to distribute funds to the various marquis and ministers directly to gain their support. Then, he should help to build refugee centers and fund charity schools. Lastly, he needs to obtain the people’s signature to signify their displeasure towards the current hardship plaguing Nan Guo.

None of the ministers support the King when Yue Rong presents himself at the palace. He over-stresses himself and becomes depressed over his mistakes in causing misery to his people. He regrets what he has done and wants to make amends to create a more prosperous Nan Guo. Yue Rong’s father takes over the throne. To increase more trade for Nan Guo, he wants Mu Jin to open up a business relationship with Jiang Zhou. However, Duke Zhang Zhi Yan has banned foreigners from trading in Jiang Zhou. If Mu Jin can get Duke Zhang to agree to open up trade with Nan Guo, the new King is willing to share the profits equally with her.

Fei Qing’s Worries

Duke Yuan witnesses Fei Yun bullying Fei Liu. He gives orders for Madam Lian to teach Fei Yun well or he shouldn’t be allowed out of his residence. Duke Yuan gives Fei Liu a special necklace which makes Madam Lian jealous. She orders her servant to retrieve the late Liu Yan Sheng’s belongings which are some toxic ingredients. Fei Bai receives more funding from Mu Zhong He. Zhang De Mao reports to Ming Feng Qing about Song Ming Lei’s refusal to take action.

Fei Qing is afraid that Fei Bai will get all the credit as the latter is doing well on the frontlines. He feels that Duke Yuan has always been partial towards Fei Bai. Fei Qing is still treating Princess Shu Yi coldly although Fei Yan advises him not to. He doesn’t like it that the Princess is given to him after having been rejected by Fei Bai. Song Ming Lei assures Fei Qing that he will help him overcome all the unfairness.

Trip To Jiang Zhou

Mu Jin travels to Jiang Zhou as Jun Mo Wen with her entourage. They meet Yo Yo in the mountains. Yo Yo claims that she is a former prostitute who got abandoned by her benefactor when they were attacked by bandits. Mu Jin takes pity on her and allows her to travel together. They are attacked by bandits further ahead. The leaders turns out to be Qi Fang and Brother Zhu, the prisoner who was tasked to stop the trainees in the fortress during the coming-of-age ceremony. Mu Jin asks them to stop being bandits and follow her to do business.

Yo Yo seems to have taken a liking for Mu Jin but she is also a spy. Mu Jin pays a storyteller to give her inside information that the real king there is the Protector. Fei Jue and Bi Ying are also in Jiang Zhou for a break. The storyteller is then beaten up for owing a man money. But the storyteller turns out to be Duke Zhang sworn brother and they grew up together. The duke asks him to be his subordinate.

Episode 36

Madam Lian tries to tempt Fei Liu to eat some food that she has prepared. Jin Xiu gives excuses why her son couldn’t consume them as she knows that they are poisoned. Fei Yun quietly sneaks in and takes a bite off the cake. Jin Xiu notices it but chooses not to stop him. Fei Yun immediately vomits blood and dies. Madam Lian becomes deranged with her son’s death. Duke Yuan asks Jin Xiu to let bygones be bygones no matter how much she hates Madam Lian for trying to kill Fei Liu.

Sima Ju argues with Jin Xiu about her failure to stop Fei Yun from eating the poisoned cake. He was the one who had secretly warned her about Madam Lian’s plan. Jin Xiu insists that she did no wrong and if her son were the one who got killed, no one would sympathize with her. She wants to make those who wish to see her die suffer. Jn Xiu suddenly reaches out to pull off his mask. Sima Ju manages to escape before his face could be seen although Jin Xiu finds his figure familiar. He is sad and blames himself for Jin Xiu’s change of character.

Meeting Bi Ying

Mu Jin hears Fei Jue calling her name. She turns around but he couldn’t recognize her. However, Fei Jue starts to get severe headache when he seems to recognize Mu Jin’s unique scent. His men surrounds him and spirits him away. Mu Jin notices Bi Ying and chases after her. When they meet up, Bi Ying accuses Mu Jin of hypocrisy and poisoning her with the nourishment pills. Mu Jin pleads innocence but Bi Ying doesn’t believe her one bit.

Duke Zhang is a shrewd and perceptive person who is firm of who he wants and doesn’t want to do business with. He refuses to meet Mu Jin. Yo Yo turns out to be Qing Mei and she arranges for Fei Bai to meet Mu Jin. Fei Bai assumes Mu Jin still hates him while Mu Jin thinks he should not be staining himself by associating with her. After all, the story is she had been sent to Yue Rong and had died. They have a short but impersonal conversation before Fei Bai leaves.

Prince Ben Xuan has been defeated by General Pan at Jing Guan City. Fei Qing has requested his father to allow him to send troops to recapture the city but is turned down. Song Ming Lei tells Fei Qing to seek help from the Crown Prince. Duke Yuan has no choice but to allow the West Wing army to go to Jing Guan City when the Crown Prince puts in a recommendation. Duke Yuan knows it is Song Ming Lei’s idea to ask the Crown Prince to intervene. He warns Song Ming Lei to protect Fei Qing during the battle or he would pay a high price if anything were to happen to Fei Qing.

Fei Bai’s Help

Mu Jin receives orders to help You Zhou which is stricken with disaster. But the people there are uncivilized and often disrupt their supplies. Qi Fang is confident of overcoming the problem and volunteers to open a pathway for Mu Jin. Dou Ying Hua wants Duke Zhang to stand on his side but the latter turns him down despite the threats.

Mu Jin is still unable to meet Duke Zhang who is also Fei Bai’s friend. So, Fei Bai helps to set up a meeting between the both of them. Mu Jin manages to convince Duke Zhang to allow her to open businesses and trade in Jiang Zhou. But he also warns her of the consequences of she harbors any ill intention. Mu Jin and Fei Bai are having a meal when Yue Rong turns up with Xi Yan. It gives Fei Bai the impression that Xi Yan is their daughter. Yue Rong also hints of the money Mu Jin has been giving Fei Bai to support his army.

Episode 37

Fei Bai excuses himself from the table when he sees that Mu Jin seems to have a happy family relationship with Yue Rong. He decides to return to the barracks. He asks Qing Mei to keep protecting Mu Jin. Qing Mei knows her love for Fei Bai will never be requited. Yue Rong admits to Mu Jin that he has purposely brought Xi Yan to Jiang Zhou to sabotage her reunion with Fei Bai. He is frustrated that he remains inconsequential to her while she keeps giving all her money that she earns to support Fei Bai.

Disobeying Ming Feng Qing

Song Ming Lei meets up his aunt who is dissatisfied with his disobedience.While Song Ming Lei wants revenge, he also doesn’t want to hurt certain people. He wants to do it on his terms which his aunt doesn’t agree with. He also refuses to keep being his aunt’s revenge tool. A fight breaks out but his aunt manages to escape. Jin Xiu witnesses their fight from afar and asks Feng Ding to have Song Ming Lei followed when he leaves with Fei Qing to the frontlines.

Madam Lian has become insane as she can’t accept her son’s death. Qi Fang has successfully opened up trade in You Zhou. Dou Ying Hua is angry that Duke Zhang Zhi Yan is forming an alliance with Fei Bai. General Pan is also facing heavy defeat against West and East Wing armies. His troops are facing a plague. Dou Ying Hua gives orders for General Pan to fling the infected corpses into Fei Bai’s camp.

Fei Jue is getting suspicious that Bi Ying doesn’t seem to be the Mu Jin that appears in his dream. Guo Er’Ren tries to assure him otherwise. Xiang Qin overhears their conversation and begins to wonder what is happening.

Duke Zhang Wants Mu Jin

Duke Zhang Zhi Yan is impressed with Mu Jin’s business skills which have brought greater revenue for Jiang Zhou. But at the same time, he is also wary of her intentions. He asks for her background to be investigated. Mu Jin gets news that Fei Bai is infected in the epidemic. The only cure is a herb that is available in Gong Yue. Mu Jin wants to go there.

Duke Zhang Zhi Yan learns who Mu Jin is and confronts her. He tells her that he is suspicious of her motive but at the same time, he is also attracted to her. One way to solve the problem is to take her in as his concubine. However, Mu Jin turns down his offer. Qing Mei offers to be Duke Zhang Zhi Yan’s hostage at his residence instead.

Going To Gong Yue

Mu Jin convinces Duke Zhang Zhi Yan to let her to go to Gong Yue by tempting him with the possible revenue from a wine-making business. The wine is originally from Gong Yue. Duke Zhang Zhi Yan allows Mu Jin to leave for Gong Yue but will take over her business while she is away to force her to return. Fei Bai has recovered but also plans to go to Gong Yue to source for the herb to cure his soldiers. Song Ming Lei wants to meet his aunt in Gong Yue. He is afraid that she will harm Bi Ying and that they will have no peace until she dies. Feng Ding listens in and finds out that Song Ming Lei plans to travel to Gong Yue.

Yue Rong doesn’t want Mu Jin to risk her life by going to Gong Yue as she is already weak from the poison. He doesn’t understand why she wants to sacrifice so much for Fei Bai when she can expect nothing from him. But Mu Jin only wants Fei Bai to be safe for her own peace of mind. Yue Rong tries to force her to stay by demanding that she increases their business revenue before she could get the agreed share of the profits. Mu Jin replies that she will go to Gong Yue to set up their business there which will increase their income. This is the only way she can think of to repay him.

Episode 38

Duke Yuan presents Jin Xiu with some rare flowers for her birthday. She asks for permission to visit a temple to pray for blessings but her real mission is to tail Song Ming Lei to Gong Yue. She pretends to be loving towards Duke Yuan but gets irritated when he utters Xie Mei Xiang’s name in his dream. Song Ming Lei is ambushed at an eatery on the way to Gong Yue. But he manages to kill all the attackers.

Ming Feng Qing appears in the palace grounds again as a maid to see Bi Ying. However, Bi Ying still doesn’t trust her. Gong Yue’s Queen notices both of them talking to each other and becomes suspicious. She asks for the maid to be investigated. Jin Xiu and Feng Ding arrive at the eatery to see corpses everywhere. She finds the Ming clan logo on one of the bodies.

Fei Jue Regains His Memory

Mu Jin is passing the desert to reach Gong Yue. She learns of the desertification of the area and hears of a “goddess” who has been improving on the situation. Mu Jin is also told to be careful of bandits but she still ends up being captured. Fei Jue dreams of Mu Jin again. He gets his memories back but keeps quiet about it. Fei Jue is disappointed that Bi Ying has been deceiving him and tells her to take care of their son while he gets away on a hunting trip.

Bi Ying is unhappy about Fei Jue’s coldness. Ming Feng Qing visits her again because she knows her daughter is troubled. Bi Ying learns Ming Feng Qing has been monitoring her. She doubts Ming Feng Qing’s sincerity towards her and tells her mother that she doesn’t want them to meet again. The Queen orders investigation into Bi Ying’s background as they have found little information about the maid. Guo Er’Ren notices Xiang Qin following Bi Ying and lets her know that she is being monitored.

Song Ming Lei is brought in blindfolded to the cave to see Ming Feng Qing. She wants to kill him as she sees him as a traitor. Song Ming Lei is worried about Bi Ying but his aunt informs him that Bi Ying is not his biological half-sister but cousin. This makes Song Ming Lei even more furious as he thinks Ming Feng Qing is too vicious to use her own daughter to threaten him for so long. Furthermore, Bi Ying could be killed if Gong Yue’s Queen finds out about Bi Ying’s identity. But his aunt has the ambition to wrest control of Gong Yue soon and use it to avenge the Yuan family.

Meeting Mu Jin

Ming Feng Qing also gives Song Ming Lei a surprise by bringing in Mu Jin whom she has captured in the desert. Song Ming Lei is surprised that Mu Jin isn’t dead as Ming Feng Qing had told him earlier that Mu Jin had died due to Duke Yuan’s orders. This assumption has made him changed his destiny then. Mu Jin is disappointed that Song Ming Lei didn’t tell her about his background back then and his mission is to gain revenge. A man appears to save Mu Jin. He is Fei Bai’s subordinate who has been sent to keep Mu Jin safe. Song Ming Lei fends off his aunt’s men to allow Mu Jin to escape.

Guo Er’Ren pleads with the Queen to trust Bi Ying as it is clear that she loves Fei Jue. He thinks the people who are monitoring Bi Ying are the Queen’s personnel. But the Queen is insistent that no risk can be tolerated when it comes to Fei Jue and Gong Yue’s safety.

Bi Ying appears just in time as Song Ming Lei is about to be killed by Ming Feng Qing. She wants to take him away and tells her mother to kill her first if Song Ming Lei has to die. Her mother then reveals that Song Ming Lei was the one who poisoned her and claims that he did it because he wanted to marry Fei Yan to gain status.

Bi Ying Saves Song Ming Lei

Song Ming Lei denies it. Ming Feng Qing reveals further that she was the one who arranged for Fei Yan to be raped because that will make her become obedient towards Song Ming Lei. Therefore, even if Song Ming Lei kills his aunt, he will also have to die if the Yuan family finds out about the rape. Ming Feng Qing will not allow him and Fei Yan to have bliss if he doesn’t want to listen to her to exact revenge. Song Ming Lei is furious and tries to lay his hands on his aunt. But she overpowers him with her sword. She wants to kill him but Bi Ying threatens to commit suicide if she does so. Bi Ying is disappointed that Song Ming Lei had poisoned her but he is also someone whom she grew up with.

Song Ming Lei is let go but the condition is they cannot reveal Ming Feng Qing’s stronghold below the palace grounds. Otherwise, Ming Feng Qing will kill their loved ones. Bi Ying then quarrels with her mother after Song Ming Lei has left. She tells her that she is tired and it is not her responsibility to exact revenge as the Ming family had never raised her. On the way out, Bi Ying meets Xiang Qin. She warns Xiang Qin not to betray her or she would make her pay.

Jin Xiu and Feng Ding find an entrance into Ming Feng Qing’s cave in the desert. Mu Jin and her savior remain trapped in the cave as they can’t find a way out.

Episode 39

Mu Jin regrets for giving Fei Bai trouble and for leaving him in the past. She hated him before because he had an affair with her sister but he has also sacrificed much to save her life and help her. Now that they might die in the cave, she regrets not eloping with him then and if they were to survive, she wants to be with him and not care about the past any longer. The more she talks, the more she suspects her savior is Fei Bai in disguise. He eventually peels off his mask and reveals his identity.

Fei Bai follows Mu Jin to Gong Yue and sees her getting captured by Ming Feng Qing’s men in the desert which is how he ends up saving her. They now promise each other not to be separated again.

Jin Xiu is wondering how Bi Ying could be related to the Ming family as she has seen the tattoo on her back. Just then the cave entrance opens and Bi Ying exits with Xiang Qin. She asks Xiang Qin to go back into the cave and locks the door. Bi Ying accuses Jin Xiu of framing her in the past. Jin Xiu defends herself by claiming that if it wasn’t her, Fei Yan would have gotten someone else to frame her anyway. She and Feng Ding start moving in on Bi Ying when Xiang Qin reappears with a group of men to chase them away.

Jin Xiu Accuses Bi Ying

Song Ming Lei comes across Ming Feng Qing’s workers mining for gems and looking for the Heart of the Earth. Jin Xiu tells Feng Ding that she feels bad for framing Bi Ying but claims that she didn’t endanger her life. She feels that Bi Ying is more cruel than her for trying to kill them at the cave entrance. With her sister dead and Yu Fei Yan being driven away, the group of sworn siblings is no more.

Jin Xiu asks for a meeting with the Queen of Gong Yue. She accuses Bi Ying of being a Ming family member. The Queen decrees that Bi Ying is to be executed in 3 days’ time. Guo Er’Ren pleads the Queen to let Bi Ying go. But the Queen merely wants to test Bi Ying out. If the Ming clan tries to save her, then it only goes to show that she is related to the Ming family and vice-versa. Jin Xiu’s thinking is that it will draw out Song Ming Lei into the open as he will try to save Bi Ying.

Mu Jin and Fei Bai try to figure out their way out of the cave. But they find signs that are related to the Yuan family’s dark palace. Hence, Fei Bai could figure out how to open up entrances from the signs. They reach a section of the underground palace that has carvings of the Yuan family’s legend. Just then, the Queen enters with Guo Er’Ren. Mu Jin and Fei Bai hide themselves as they listen in to the Queen’s conversation with Guo Er’Ren.

Heart Of The Earth

When the Queen met Duke Yuan, he was looking for the Heart of the Earth. The underground palace was built by the Yuan family ancestors to help Gong Yue cope with the sandstorms. Being young and naive, the Queen followed Duke Yuan without knowing the danger. The Heart of the Earth is supposed to contain endless treasures, the tree goddess seed which can save Gong Yue from desertification, and an elixir to prolong life. Duke Yuan was looking for the elixir for his sick father.

However, the pathway to the Heart of the Earth is filled with danger. They got lost and thought they would die in the cave. The Queen wanted to marry Duke Yuan before she dies and ended up pregnant. They were saved and got out of the cave eventually. The Queen wants to enter the pathway to look for the Heart of the Earth again but Guo Er’Ren stops her due to the danger. Furthermore, they have more urgent issues to attend to. From their conversation, Mu Jin learns that Bi Ying has been imprisoned in the hall. She wants to look for her.

Both Song Ming Lei and Ming Feng Qing are observing Bi Ying from outside the hall. Song Ming Lei has asked people to inform Fei Jue. Jin Xiu enters the hall. Bi Ying is curious as to why Jin Xiu hates her so much as to harm her. Jin Xiu is simply jealous that Bi Ying has taken away Mu Jin. She didn’t like it that Mu Jin was sacrificing much to take care of the sickly Bi Ying then. Fei Bai walks in hand-in-hand with Mu Jin. The Queen enters the hall. Fei Bai introduces Mu Jin as Lady Hua Xi.

Episode 40

Fei Bai confirms that Mu Jin is his wife. Mu Jin speaks up for Bi Ying and pleads with the Queen to spare her life. Fei Jue also rushes back to try to protect Bi Ying. The Queen forgives her and lets her off. However, Jin Xiu is not happy that Mu Jin is defending Bi Ying. She also purposely mentions that Fei Jue is referring to Bi Ying as Mu Jin.

No Happy Reunion

The 3 sisters’ reunion is bitter due to the various misunderstandings. Bi Ying is angry at Jin Xiu for framing her. Jin Xiu retorts that Bi Ying is also deceiving everyone by pretending to be Mu Jin to become the Crown Princess. When Mu Jin questions them, Jin Xiu gets angry at her sister for faking her death. Her death had caused Jin Xiu to stab Fei Bai which resulted in her being sent to An Le Temple and nearly lost her life. Jin Xiu thinks that the reason Mu Jin faked her death was because she wanted to keep her relationship with Fei Bai a secret. She feels that she is not important in Mu Jin’s heart compared to Fei Bai.

Bi Ying chimes in that she didn’t expect Mu Jin and Jin Xiu to fight over a man. But Jin Xiu reminds Bi Ying that she doesn’t deserve any happiness either. They part ways in an acrimonious manner. Even Bi Ying is not happy that Mu Jin has turned up because it could mean the end of her happiness with Fei Jue.

Yue Rong asks for a meeting with the Queen as Jun Mo Wen. He manages to convince the Queen to cooperate on the wine-making business and sell him the herb that Mu Jin is looking for. The Queen thinks he is charming and different from other businessmen. Yue Rong tell her that he is doing it for someone.

Jin Xiu Feels Crushed

Jin Xiu wants to look for Fei Bai to get an answer on why he is hurting her. She hears Fei Bai’s conversation with Fei Jue whereby both men proclaim their love for Mu Jin and Bi Ying respectively. Jin Xiu is miserable over Fei Bai’s confession of his feelings for Mu Jin. Fei Jue finally realizes that Bi Ying is the one he has learned to love while Mu Jin was just a kind of obsession. When Jin Xiu bumps into Fei Bai, she slaps him after he asks her not to blame Mu Jin as they have never meant to hurt her. Fei Bai also declines to explain why he chooses Mu Jin over her.

Mu Jin meets Fei Jue and learns that he has regained his memory. But Fei Jue is still pretending otherwise because Bi Ying seems sensitive about the issue. They are treating each other as brother and sister now. Bi Ying sees them together and feels guilty. She gives excuses not to see Fei Jue as she has lied to him and hence, is afraid of what he would say to her. She finds it hard to leave him.

Common Enemy In Fei Bai

Ming Feng Qing is still getting her men to mine for gems in the underground cave. She wants to take over Gong Yue and thereafter, destroy the Yuan family before setting her sights on ruling the world. Song Ming Lei tries to convince the miners to rebel against Ming Feng Qing. They agree to listen to him.

Jin Xiu bids farewell to the Queen. Mu Jin tries to repair their relationship but Jin Xiu feels that she means nothing to her and Fei Bai. Jin Xiu also tells Mu Jin that they can only be enemies because she will want her son to succeed Duke Yuan and that would mean going against Fei Bai. Although Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei are enemies, he convinces her to cooperate as they have a bigger enemy in Fei Bai. This is because Fei Bai is Duke Yuan’s favorite son with Xie Mei Xiang.

Mu Jin asks the Queen about the wine trade business and herbs that she wants to buy. She learns that Yue Rong has got them for her and is pleasantly surprised. Ming Feng Qing knows what Song Ming Lei is up to. She sends men to kill the rebels.

Episode 41

Yue Rong discovers that all the wine has been bought by someone imposting as Jun Mo Wen. That person turns out to be Fei Bai who doesn’t want to owe Yue Rong anything. So, he bought the wine for him. The 2 men end up having a wine drinking competition to show off their machoism.

Mu Jin and Fei Bai try to help Gong Yue to overcome the desertification problem. But there are no suitable trees in Gong Yue that could prevent sandstorms from destroying the desert cities. Mu Jin and Fei Bai decide to look for the Heart of the Earth which is the only way to save Gong Yue. Yue Rong overhears their conversation and decides to tail them.

At the same time, Bi Ying is frustrated that another round of sandstorm has destroyed the trees that she planted. She becomes determined to look for the Heart of the Earth. Fei Jue tails her to the underground palace. When Mu Jin and Fei Bai arrive, both of them hide themselves among the rocks. Mu Jin brought explosives to take down the boulders which are blocking the entrance. Yue Rong shows up and insists that he wants to follow them. But Mu Jin finds the carvings behind Yue Rong might offer some clues as to where the Heart of the Earth might be.

Finding Heart Of The Earth

Once they figure out the riddle, a compartment on the carvings pop open with a small box in it. Just then, Ming Feng Qing appears with her men to snatch the box away. Fei Jue knocks it off their hands by launching his weapon from his hiding place. He grabs it and tries to escape. A fight breaks out. Bi Ying helps Fei Jue when he is cornered by enemies. He gives her the box and asks her to run. Bi Ying risks her life to keep the box with her and eventually falls and knocks her head on the steps. The Queen appears with Guo Er’Ren. Ming Feng Qing sees Bi Ying lying injured on the steps. She runs away to escape capture.

When Bi Ying awakes, the Queen thanks her for risking her life for Gong Yue. Inside the box are some seeds and a letter. The underground palace was built by a Yuan ancestor as a sandstorm shelter. He fell in love with the princess when he stopped by Gong Yue on the way back from India with some special seeds that could grow anywhere and married her. He hid the seeds because he was afraid that the Emperor would find out about them.

The Seeds To Save Gong Yue

The Queen feels that it is destiny that Fei Bai and Mu Jin turn up in Gong Yue. They are now looking for a suitable place to plant the seeds with Fei Jue. The people are grateful for them for saving Gong Yue. But Bi Ying is sad and thinking of leaving because of her deception towards Fei Jue. Jin Xiu arrives back at Yuan Manor. She tries to persuade Duke Yuan to allow her to go to the frontlines to lighten his burden but he turns her down. Jin Xiu wants to do so because it is the only way she can expand her army.

When the Heart of the Earth has taken root, the Queen plans to hold a sacrifical ceremony in the underground palace. Mu Jin volunteers to organize it. Yue Rong continues to be jealous when he sees Mu Jin and Fei Bai together. He pretends to fall down the get her attention. When Mu Jin vomits blood again, the Queen notices it and takes her aside after feeling her pulse. Xiang Qin reports to Ming Feng Qing about the ceremony and claims that Fei Jue is indifferent towards Bi Ying after learning of her deception. Ming Feng Qing is angry. She plans to take over Gong Yue on the ceremony day and kill Mu Jin and Fei Jue. Song Ming Lei is secretly listening in on their conversation.

Episode 42

The Queen knows that Mu Jin has been fed the Yuan family’s poison pill. She gives her the only antidote that she has as a sign of gratitude. The Queen has it because if was given to her by Duke Yuan. She is also a victim of the same poison as Duke Yuan’s father had forced her to take it back then. But as the Queen still loves Duke Yuan, she has no use for the antidote and has been keeping it ever since.

However, Mu Jin is also reluctant to take the antidote because she can’t allow Fei Bai to be a laughing stock by being with her. Moreover, it will also cause him to go against his own father. Song Ming Lei warns Mu Jin that Ming Feng Qing will be taking action against Gong Yue during the sacrificial ceremony. She tries to ask him to let go of revenge but he refuses to listen. He thinks Mu Jin is just afraid that Fei Bai will be harmed. Mu Jin is disappointed that Song Ming Lei didn’t share with her his burdens and sufferings in the past but he tells her that he didn’t want to corrupt her with his darkness when she is always full of positivity. He also still seems to mind that she has chosen to love Fei Bai.

Yue Rong Regains His Powers

Fei Jue keeps away the wood carving of Mu Jin. His son notices him toying with it. Yue Rong tricks Fei Bai to drink a very bitter medicine. It is his way of telling Fei Bai that is the bitterness Mu Jin has endured for him for the last 3 years. Yue Rong also vows to follow Fei Bai wherever he goes so that he can’t have a private moment with Mu Jin. Jin Xiu purposely piques Duke Yuan’s curiosity with her constant disappearance from Yuan Manor. She also leaves trails of where she might be.

Mu Jin informs the Queen about Ming Feng Qing’s plot. The Queen wants the ceremony to go ahead as it is the best way to lure them out into the open. Mu Jin also wants to attend as she is worried for Song Ming Lei. The Queen will make preparations to block entrances and exits to the palace. She also delays the ceremony by a day to coincide with her grandson’s birthday. This is to prevent Fei Jue and Bi Ying from attending the ceremony for their own safety.

Yue Rong cannot understand why Mu Jin continues to love Fei Bai when she has suffered so much because of him. Mu Jin only sees him as a good friend and she feeds him the antidote in a surprise move. She tells Yue Rong that it is the only way she can repay him. Yue Rong regains his powers but is frustrated that Mu Jin chooses to give him the antidote instead of curing herself. He hugs her and promises to look for another antidote for her. Fei Bai witnesses them hugging each other.

Bi Ying Wants To Leave

Bi Ying’s heart seems to have softened towards Fei Jue and Mu Jin until her son mentions about the wood carving. She becomes distressed again. Song Ming Lei asks Bi Ying to go back home with him. He explains that he poisoned her to make her weak in order to keep her safe as she would then be pretty much useless to Ming Feng Qing. Song Ming Lei sees Bi Ying as the only sister that he has although they are now cousins.

Duke Yuan spies on Jin Xiu and sees her training her small army. He doesn’t seem to mind. So, her next step is to quash some rebels to show Duke Yuan her army’s capability. Bi Ying decides to leave with Song Ming Lei. Fei Jue wants to stop her but she asks him to leave her some dignity. He agrees to let her go but to do so only after celebrating their son’s birthday. Bi Ying tells Song Ming Lei to delay the departure. He then tells her not to attend the sacrificial ceremony. Ming Feng Qing also gives her the same message which heightens her curiosity. Song Ming Lei prepares his men to take on his aunt.

Duke Yuan wants to recruit more talent. Fei Qing is too indecisive while Fei Bai is rather impulsive. He is also wary of Song Ming Lei who might still be planning revenge. He asks about Yu Fei Yan but there is no news about him after his defeat in a battle which made the Emperor suspicious of him. Duke Yuan also hears about Jun Mo Wen who has been supporting Fei Bai. He wants to capture Jing Guan City from General Pan in order to move towards Dong Ting.

Episode 43

Lieutenant Chen reports that Jin Xiu has been having success defeating rebels around Xi Du. Duke Yuan is interested to see what she is capable of next. The Queen appears for the sacrificial ceremony with Ming Feng Qing and Song Ming Lei watching. Then Bi Ying appears. She wants to deter her mother from showing up and possibly getting killed. Fei Jue comes after her. He has with him a wooden carving of Bi Ying which he intends to give to her.

Ming Feng Qing decides to attack with orders to protect Bi Ying. Chaos ensues with fights everywhere. Bi Ying helps to keep Fei Jue safe as he fights off enemies. Song Ming Lei drags Bi Ying aside. It dawns on Bi Ying that Song Mng Lei has known all about the plan and intends to kill her mother. She pushes him aside and goes back to look for Fei Jue. Ming Feng Qing appears and announces that Bi Ying is her daughter. Fei Jue feels betrayed and continues fighting the enemies in anger.

The Queen takes on Ming Feng Qing. Fei Jue tries to protect his mother. Ming Feng Qing kicks down Fei Jue and is about to stab him when Bi Ying blocks it with her body. The dagger pierces Bi Ying’s chest. Mu Jin runs up to Bi Ying while Fei Jue holds her in his arms. Bi Ying thanks Mu Jin for giving her some of her best times and Fei Jue for giving her a family before she dies. Ming Feng Qing is angry and kills Xiang Qin for failing to stop Bi Ying from appearing at the ceremony.

Mu Jin Taken Hostage

Mu Jin is furious with Ming Feng Qing and wants to kill her. But she is taken hostage instead as Ming Feng Qing retreats in the face of defeat. With her men being subdued by the Queen, Song Ming Lei can now defeat his aunt with ease. He finds her with Mu Jin and accuses her of making Bi Ying suffer with her manipulation. Ming Feng Qing throws a smoke bomb and escapes with Mu Jin.

Fei Bai and Yue Rong are also looking for Mu Jin. Yue Rong admits that he has got back his powers as Mu Jin had given him the only antidote. They come across Song Ming Lei and follow him.

Song Ming Lei manages to find Ming Feng Qing again with Mu Jin lying unconscious. They quarrel over his failure to exact revenge when she had been helping him to gain status and power. But Song Ming Lei only sees it as control and manipulation. He accuses his aunt of ruining people’s lives. When Ming Feng Qing notices Fei Bai lurking around, she starts a fight with Song Ming Lei and purposely gets herself killed by him. She quietly tells him that Fei Bai is watching and it is now up to him what he wants to do for the Ming family before she dies.

Fei Bai Is Shot

Yue Rong quickly appears and carries Mu Jin away with Fei Bai. Song Ming Lei orders his men to pursue them. Yue Rong and fei Bai are both suspicious of Song Ming Lei. As they try to escape, Song Ming Lei launches a poisonous weapon at Fei Bai which graces his hand. When they reach an entrance, Mu Jin pushes Yue Rong out and the door closes. She wants to remain to help Fei Bai fight the attackers. Song Ming Lei shoots an arrow at Fei Bai from a hiding place before launching another. Mu Jin inhales some gas and falls unconscious.

Fei Jue is sad over B Ying’s death but vows to carry on living and protect Gong Yue. Song Ming Lei buries his aunt. He can no longer turn back as the responsibility for revenge now lies solely on his shoulders.

Jin Xiu manages to subdue more rebels and take them in as her soldiers. Duke Yuan is happy to hear of her talent as she would make a great general for the Yuan family. For Fen Liu’s birthday, Jin Xiu teaches her son to ask for soldiers from Duke Yuan as a birthday gift. Duke Yuan accedes to his son’s wish. Jin Xiu also takes out all her savings and asks Feng Ding to buy more troops for her army although it is forbidden to do so. Sima Ju is worried that Jin Xiu is playing with fire as his father is not so easily fooled.

Episode 44

Fei Bai has been gone from his barracks for 3 months. Mr. Han is worried but adopts a wait and see approach. Song Ming Lei locks Mu Jin up in an abbey. She wakes up screaming for Fei Bai and becomes mentally unstable. Song Ming Lei tries to make her take some medicine but she starts acting like a child to avoid taking it. Fei Bai orders his men to keep looking for Mu Jin. He was saved by Guo Er’Ren and his soldiers while in the cave.

Duke Yuan decides to let Jin Xiu to join the battle against General Pan. But he has no intention to reward her with anything as he only wants her to assist Fei Qing and Fei Bai. That is why he has capped the number of soldiers that she can have. Jin Xiu gives all her jewelry including the bracelet Sima Ju gave her to Feng Ding to raise funds for more soldiers. Sima Ju appears and warns her that she will pay a very high price for what she wants to achieve. Jin Xiu tells him not to show up again. He then reminds her to watch out for Duke Yuan before leaving to tail Feng Ding.

Mu Jin In Captivity

Mu Jin keeps rejecting the medicine Song Ming Lei forces her to drink. She is also constantly calling for Fei Bai. Song Ming Lei gets frustrated that he can’t capture her heart and tries for force himself on her. Mu Jin pushes him away and knocks her forehead against the furniture. This makes Song Ming Lei stop but his love for her is turning to hatred because of her rejection. He vows to take away everything that she cherishes.

Fei Bai gets news on Mu Jin’s whereabouts. Qi Fang appears to find Mu Jin to be emotionally unstable. He feeds her a pill and vows to get her the antidote. Fei Bai moves near the abbey to monitor Song Ming Lei. But he still doesn’t know exactly where Mu Jin is being help inside the abbey. Hence, he is reluctant to make a move as it may put Mu Jin in more danger. Instead he writes a message to Fei Yan.

Fei Yan Lets Mu Jin Go

Song Ming Lei receives report that Dou Ying Hua is sending reinforcements to Jing Guan City. But he is not leaving for the barracks because he wants to destroy Fei Bai’s army and ensures Fei Bai and Mu Jin will forever be separated. Sima Ju is quietly observing Jin Xiu training her army. Fei Yan receives the message from Fei Bai. Emperor Fu Che is depending on Duke Yuan to capture Jing Guan City to get back Dong Ting. Mu Jin acts childish and pours away all the medicine given to her. Qi Fang hears Song Ming Lei’s plan to deny Fei Bai both power and Mu Jin.

Fei Bai is tricked into following an imposter pretending to be Mu Jin. General Pan launches a surprise night raid on Fei Bai’s barracks. Fei Qing is informed. He decides to stay put in Jing Guan City by setting up camp based on Song Ming Lei’s defense map. Mu Jin tries to escape but is stopped. Qi Fang appears to help her. They try to get away from the abbey but Song Ming Lei surrounds them with his men. Fei Yan turns up and tells her husband to let them go. She walks towards his sword which is being held up. Song Ming Lei has no choice but to let Mu Jin and Qi Fang go free.

Fei Yan is disappointed that Song Ming Lei still loves Mu Jin and dreams of her. He apologizes and wishes he had died when he fell off the cliff back then. Fei Yan tells him that she is resigned to fate that he loves Mu Jin. But then neither can he forget his own wife.

Fei Yan’s Undying Love

Fei Bai discovers that he has been tricked. Qi Fang drags Mu Jin to run away from their pursuers. They meet Yue Rong who leads them to safety.

Fei Yan and Song Ming Lei quietly observe Mu Jin’s reunion with Xi Yan and Yue Rong. Fei Yan tells her husband that Mu Jin doesn’t care about him and she has vague relationships with so many men. Hence, it is better for him to concentrate on helping Fei Qing win the war. If he succeeds to gain power one day, Fei Yan is willing to let him marry Mu Jin if he so chooses.

Yue Rong brings Mu Jin and Xi Yan back to Jiang Zhou to see Duke Zhang. He tells Duke Zhang that Mu Jin is now his wife. Yue Rong wants to establish friendship with Duke Zhang for Nan Guo’s benefit. In return, he is prepared to give him a share of his business in Gong Yue. Mu Jin is not happy that Yue Rong has taken the liberty to tell everyone that she is his wife. But Yue Rong just wants Duke Zhang to lay his hands off Mu Jin while she tells him again that they are just good friends. As Fei Bai is nowhere to be found, Mu Jin is worried and wants to look for him to Yue Rong’s disappointment.

Fei Yan urges Song Ming Lei to quickly hurry back and think of a way to defeat General Pan. This will ensure his status in the Yuan family will be unshakeable. Song Ming Lei tells Fei Yan that he doesn’t deserve her love. But she convinces him otherwise. He vows to make her the happiest woman from then on.

Episode 45

Qing Mei takes Mu Jin out for a walk. She is angry with Mu Jin for being with Yue Rong when Fei Bai has sacrificed so much for her. Mu Jin doesn’t know until then that Qing Mei has been sent by Fei Bai to watch over her. Qing Mei doesn’t mind sacrificing for Fei Bai as she loves him. She is even willing to marry Duke Zhang so that Mu Jin can go to Gong Yue to get the herbs for Fei Bai. But she can no longer tolerate Mu Jin’s poor treatment of Fei Bai and pushes her off the cliff.

Qi Fang and Fei Bai arrive too late to save Mu Jin. Qing Mei tells Fei Bai that she did it for his sake as he can’t leave his army unattended while chasing after Mu Jin. His army has suffered heavy casualties from General Pan’s attack and he is needed back in his barracks. Jin Xiu pleads with Duke Yuan to go to the Jing Guan City frontlines. He agrees to her request. Jin Xiu knows she will get nothing out of it as Duke Yuan will give all the credit to Fei Bai. So, her ultimate aim is to kill Fei Bai as that is the only way for her son to become the successor.

Reunion With Eldest Brother

Mu Jin is not injured from the fall as she is saved by Immortal Jingu. He tells her that she can change the world by taking the first step towards the end of a pathway. Mu Jin follows his words and ends up reuniting with Yu Fei Yan and his wife, Chu Hua. When Yu Fei Yan lost a battle with General Pan, he was released which raised the Emperor’s suspicion. He has been hiding in the village with his soldiers for the last 3 years. He was let go because he turns out to be General Pan’s illegitimate son. Yu Fei Yan is sad over Bi Ying’s death and feels guilty for failing to protect his sworn siblings.

Qi Fang is looking for Mu Jin in the valley and bumps into Immortal Jingu who gives him pointers on where to look for her. Yue Rong is worried about Mu Jin and decides to look for her too. Immortal Jingu also warns Jin Xiu that the Yuan family will enter a new phase with her departure to Jing Guan City.

Disagreement With Fei Qing

Song Ming Lei returns to the barracks. He has captured Zhi Zhou. Fei Qing disagrees with his killings and cruelty. He is also furious that Song Ming Lei had passed information to General Pan to attack Fei Bai’s army while Fei Bai was away. Although Fei Qing hates Fei Bai, they are still brothers and the latter’s army is also Yuan family’s soldiers.

Fei Qing requests Song Ming Lei to return him the commander seal. Song Ming Lei refuses as he sees Fei Bai and Jin Xiu as threats. Fei Yan calms her husband down and assures him that her brother will understand what he is doing eventually. Princess Shu Yi visits Fei Qing as she is worried about him. Finally, Fei Qing is moved by his wife’s concern and begins to show her affections. Song Ming Lei receives news on Yu Fei Yan’s whereabouts.

Yu Fei Yan Prepares To Return

Jin Xiu plans to capture Ru Cheng to keep up with Song Ming Lei’s success. General Pan decides to seal the mountain access road leading to Zhi Zhou and Ru Cheng to trap them. Su Hui comes back with news that he couldn’t find Mu Jin. Fei Bai takes it as good news as it means Mu Jin is not dead. When reports arrive that General Pan is trapping Fei Qing and Jin Xiu’s armies, Fei Bai decides to fight for control of the access road to help them which results in heavy casualties.

Chu Chua knows Mu Jin wants to ask her husband to return to battle. She pleads with her not to do so. Mu Jin admits that she hopes Yu Fei Yan can help Fei Bai but now that he has built a happy family life in the village, she is prepared to leave without asking. However, Yu Fei Yan wants to help. He tells Chu Hua that he can’t be hiding in the village forever. Jin Xiu receives news that Song Ming Lei had left his barracks to find Yu Fei Yan. She wants to do the same and reach Yu Fei Yan first to get him on her side. She hears that Fei Bai is injured while trying to help them and couldn’t understand why he is doing so.

Qi Fang finds Mu Jin in the village. She asks him to pass a message to Fei Bai that she is well but not to let him know yet about Yu Fei Yan.

Episode 46

Both Song Ming Lei and Jin Xiu arrive to meet Yu Fei Yan. The 4 sworn siblings reunite but the distrust is palpable. Song Ming Lei and Jin Xiu want Yu Fei Yan to join their respective army. Mu Jin simply asks her eldest brother to follow his heart. Chu Hua is not happy that they have come to request her husband to go back to war. Furthermore, General Pan is his father. She is also curious as to the sworn siblings’ distrust of each other. Mu Jin relates to her the events that lead up to their relationship breakdown.

Eldest Brother’s Decision

Yu Fei Yan decides to re-join Fei Bai’s army instead. His reason is because he used to work for East Wing and it is his way of repaying his gratitude to Fei Bai. Jin Xiu then suggests that they combine their forces as it is the only way to defeat General Pan. In the meantime, the rainy weather prevents General Pan’s soldiers from advancing which helps Fei Bai to buy time. He plans to seek Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei’s cooperation because they need to work together in order to capture Jing Guan City. Qi Fang arrives at the barracks to inform Fei Bai that Mu Jin is safe.

Mu Jin overhears Jin Xiu’s conversation with Song Ming Lei. She thanks him for suggesting that they form an alliance back in Gong Yue because that spurred her to build her own army. Their present cooperation may help Fei Bai to get all the credit but if they win, they will also get something out of it. At the same time, if they lose, they would not have to shoulder the responsibility. Jin Xiu sees herself as having no option as she is not a Yuan and she doesn’t have Xie Mei Xiang as a mother.

Immortal Jingu appears before Yu Fei Yan. He tells him that the die is cast with his entry into the war and he needs to carry on with his decision as God will only help those who help themselves.

Mu Jin Declines Jin Xiu’s Request

Mu Jin tries to talk to her sister. She says that she still cares for her the most but needed to fake her death because Duke Yuan was hunting for her. Hence, she would only give Jin Xiu trouble if she communicated with her. But Jin Xiu replies that she had suffered so much because she thought Mu Jin had died and she hated Duke Yuan for it and yet, had to sleep beside him every night. Jin Xiu can’t accept that while she was suffering, Mu Jin was going around as Jun Mo Wen and having fun with Yue Rong and their child.

Jin Xiu wants the 2 strategy books their late father had passed to Mu Jin if the latter is serious about wanting to make amends. But Mu Jin recalls the way Jin Xiu had harmed Bi Ying in Gong Yue and their father’s reminder never to pass the books to hypocrites. Mu Jin turns down Jin Xiu’s request as she feels that the books will only harm Jin Xiu in the long run and she wants to bring her sister back to the right path.

Betraying Fei Bai

Mu Jin brings Yu Fei Yan back to Fei Bai’s barracks. He is relieved to see her. Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei also pledge cooperation. Yu Fei Yan will lure General Pan’s army into the hinterland and Fei Bai will ambush them there. Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei are to attack from the sides once the ambush takes place. Mr. Han is worried that Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei may renege on their promise but Fei Bai is willing to take the gamble. Duke Yuan is informed about the cooperation. He is curious as to why Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei might want to cooperate with Fei Bai but it is also an opportunity for him to see who would be his worthy successor.

General Pan is confident that the Yuan family’s armies would not cooperate and goes ahead to fight Fei Bai’s soldiers head on. Both Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei hold back their troops. Fei Bai is on the verge of defeat as he retreats. His supplies are running low. General Pan holds off for a few days to starve Fei Bai’s army. Fei Qing wants to help Fei Bai but Song Ming Lei disagrees. He brainwashes Fei Qing with the idea that Fei Bai had never helped him in the past.

Mu Jin Begs Duke Zhang

Mu Jin runs to reach Fei Bai but is captured by Yue Rong. He has her locked up as he is angry that she is risking her life in the frontlines. Mu Jin pleads with him to help Fei Bai. He agrees on the condition that she becomes his Queen. Mu Jin retorts that she can give him anything except her heart because it is not big enough to hold 2 men in it. Yue Rong is frustrated but still plans to lead troops to help Fei Bai. Unfortunately, news arrive that his father is gravely ill and Yue Rong is needed back home to stabilize the situation.

Yue Rong couldn’t help Fei Bai and releases Mu Jin. He tells her to seek help from Duke Zhang instead. Mu Jin knows Yue Rong had wanted to help Fei Bai for her sake. He wants this time to be the last for Mu Jin to do something so risky for Fei Bai. He will also do his utmost to get her the antidote for the poison pill. Yue Rong also warns Mu Jin that if Fei Bai mistreats her, he will destroy the Yuan family.

Mu Jin rushes to Jiang Zhou to beg Duke Zhang for help. She tries to convince him that helping Fei Bai is also beneficial to him since Fei Bai will then owe him a favor. Furthermore, Mu Jin knows that Duke Zhang is not indifferent to the sufferings of the people and that he too would want to end the war once an for all. Duke Zhang tells Mu Jin that she might have knowledge of the world but she has no knowledge of his heart. In the end, Duke Zhang leads his troops out to help Fei Bai.

Episode 47

With Duke Zhang’s help, General Pan is losing and has to retreat. Song Ming Lei orders his army to block off General Pan’s escape route so that he can get the credit by killing the general. Jin Xiu takes another route to occupy the areas surrounding Jing Guan City with General Pan’s soldiers in retreat.

In the end, Song Ming Lei manages to kill General Pan’s armored soldiers. The general himself goes the other way when he knows that the escape route has been blocked which forces him to face Fei Bai’s army. Yu Fei Yan ends up fighting with General Pan and defeats him. General Pan slashes his own neck against Yu Fei Yan’s sword. Yu Fei Yan is pained to have to kill his own father.

Song Ming Lei leads his troops to Jing Guan City but finds it locked. Mu Jin appears with Qing Mei at the top of the fortress wall. She announces that she will only hand in the city seal to Fei Bai. Song Ming Lei is thinking of forcing himself in but Mu Jin tricks him into withdrawing by claiming that Duke Zhang’s soldiers are back from the frontlines and on standby. The stress and exertion cause the poison in Mu Jin to act up again and she vomits blood.

Yue Rong arrives home to see his dying father. His father makes him take an oath of never committing Nan Guo’s army in another country’s dispute. Yue Rong has no choice but to do so. His father dies and he becomes Nan Guo’s new king.

Choosing The Emperor’s Heir

With the re-capture of Jing Guan City and the plan to take back Dong Ting, Emperor Fu Che is seriously considering his real heir. He is partial towards Prince Ben Xuan. However, the 2 princes are allied to different sons of Duke Yuan. Hence, Emperor Fu Che plans to choose the prince who is allied to Duke Yuan’s successor as his heir. He then pressures Duke Yuan to nominate his successor. Empress Wang is worried that Emperor Fu Che will decree Prince Ben Xuan as the new Crown Prince. She starts to poison him through his medicine until he falls unconscious.

Mu Jin’s health is getting critical and she is unconscious. Doctor Lin suggests a medicine that could keep Mu Jin alive but it is highly risky as she could end up in a coma. Fei Bai decides to give it a try as they have no other choice. Mu Jin remains in a coma after being fed the medicine. Jin Xiu is worried about her sister but refuses to see her as they are now enemies. Fei Bai plays the zither until his fingers bleed to try to wake Mu Jin up. Mu Jin finally awakes after 3 days.

Naming His Successor

Emperor Fu Yu in Dong Ting is fearful that he will lose his throne with General Pan’s death. Dou Ying Hua re-assures him that he still have elite soldiers who can defend Dong Ting. Although Duke Yuan rewards Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei for their win in Jing Guan City, he also knows that they had not offered reinforcements when Fei Bai needed them. In his heart, Fei Bai is his chosen successor but he is afraid that Fei Bai is too benevolent and Mu Jin is also his weakness. Jin Xiu asks Feng Ding to spread the news that Fei Bai had left his barracks without permission earlier which caused his soldiers to die during General Pan’s raid. This is to weaken Fei Bai’s chances of being Duke Yuan’s heir.

When Duke Yuan returns from the palace, he hears of Fei Bai’s mistake. He knows why the news is being spread. Duke Yuan orders his staff to make known his intention to name a successor. He wants to watch who is the troublemaker and eliminate them to pave the way for Fei Bai. Song Ming Lei adopts a wait and see attitude as he knows Duke Yuan could be testing them. His relationship with Fei Qing is also showing cracks as the latter is uncomfortable with his coldness and cruelty. Jin Xiu tries to pry into Duke Yuan’s intention but he remains guarded.

Episode 48

Jin Xiu knows that Duke Yuan is suspicious of her intentions and his successor will be either Fei Qing or Fei Bai. Hence, she should clear as many obstacles as possible for her son. Since she can’t remove Fei Bai for now, she should take down Fei Qing first. She asks Feng Ding to try to let everyone know that Song Ming Lei was the one who leaked out Fei Bai’s absence from the barracks. Jin Xiu would also need allies and she has set her sights on Concubine Li. Sima Ju still can’t let go of Jin Xiu although he knows she has changed into an enemy of the Yuan family.

Emperor Fu Che is sickly and the medicine that Empress Wang had given him contained an ingredient that could harm his health due to a pre-existing condition. However, there is no conclusive proof that Empress Wang had wanted to poison him although Prince Ben Xuan thinks otherwise. Emperor Fu Che is also wary of the powerful Wang family.

Yu Fei Yan will be going off to Yan Zhou for another battle. He vows not to rest until there is peace in the country. Mu Jin gives him her father’s military book. Yue Rong still thinks of Mu Jin and the times that they had spent as a fake couple. He is getting more strict with Xi Yan as he wants the best for her. His ministers are pressuring him to have a harem so that he will have a prince as heir. However, Yue Rong has decided that Xi Yan will be his successor.

Doubting Song Ming Lei

Fei Bai and Mu Jin are clowning around and enjoying each other’s company. Duke Yuan drops by. He wants Fei Yan to explain his absence without leave from his barracks. Fei Yan tells him about Ming Feng Qing and Song Ming Lei’s background. He also relates that he went to Gong Yue to get herbs for his troops and ended up having to save Mu Jin as Song Ming Lei had captured her.

Fei Bai asks his father for the antidote for Mu Jin. Duke Yuan says that he can give it to her but she must also prove her loyalty by giving him her father’s 2 books. Mu Jin replies that she has already given it to him through Yu Fei Yan who is having success in his battles and her money-making business. Duke Yuan is impressed with her eloquence.

Duke Yuan decides that he can’t trust Song Ming Lei. He sees him as a cunning traitor who is still after revenge and may be the one who leaked the message that soldiers died because of Fei Bai’s absence. Jin Xiu tries to convince Duke Yuan to rope in Concubine Li to their side. She will use her to sow discord between the 2 princes and create confusion in the royal family. Then, Duke Yuan will be able to stage a rebellion. Jin Xiu deduces that if she can help Duke Yuan to assume the throne, he will not be suspicious of her anymore. Duke Yuan is receptive to her idea but he wants to go a step further to eliminate the Wang family.

Using Concubine Li

A masked Sima Ju kidnaps Jin Xiu and brings her blindfolded to the dark palace. He wants her to stop her wrongful acts and not ruin herself. He also believes that she can’t outsmart Duke Yuan. Jin Xiu holds his subordinate hostage to force him to let her go. Mu Jin could guess that Jin Xiu is at the capital on Duke Yuan’s orders to sow discord within the royal family and destroy the Wang family. She is afraid that Jin Xiu will ultimately targets Fei Bai.

Song Ming Lei requests Duke Yuan to allow him to join the battle in Yan Zhou against Dou Ying Hua. Duke Yuan tells him to stay home with Fei Yan instead although he will send Fei Qing’s troops out. Song Ming Lei quarrels with Fei Qing over it as the latter has agreed to lend their soldiers to Duke Yuan. Fei Qing’s reply is that he can’t reject his father’s request and he also wants to extinguish Song Ming Lei’s unbridled ambition by giving up their troops. Song Ming Lei resorts to training up the Ming soldiers on the quiet.

Jin Xiu convinces Concubine Li to take revenge for her baby’s death as Prince Ben Fu and Prince Ben Xuan had thrown him out of the carriage back then. Concubine Li agrees on the condition that Emperor Fu Che is not harmed. Jin Xiu then teaches her what to do. Concubine Li goes to Empress Wang to reveal that the Emperor will order the Wang’s army to the frontier before appointing Prince Ben Xuan as Crown Prince. She has a way to take down Prince Ben Xuan and that is going after his ally.

Episode 49

Mu Jin drops by to see Jin Xiu and her son. But Jin Xiu is not too welcoming. Mu Jin asks her sister to lead a contented life rather than wallow in hatred. Jin Xiu sees her as siding with Fei Bai. She wants Mu Jin to give up on Fei Bai if Mu Jin wants her to give up on her ambitions. Jin Xiu insists they are now enemies.

Prince Ben Fu captures Prince Ben Xuan. Empress Wang misleads Wang Huan Li that her husband had tried to murder Prince Ben Fu to become the Crown Prince and has been caught. She points out to her niece that she can only save Prince Ben Xuan if she has an army to get him out of prison. Wang Huan Li then goes to see Fei Bai to ask to borrow his troops. When Fei Bai leads his army into the palace to save Prince Ben Xuan, he and the prince can be implicated as staging a rebellion. This is all a plot suggested by Concubine Li as taught by Jin Xiu to trap the Empress.

Mu Jin can see through the plot. She knows Duke Yuan wants to destroy the Wang family by making use of the Emperor. So, she advises Fei Bai to bring his soldiers into the palace and at the same time, ambush and eliminate the Wang army when they are moving to the capital to support Empress Wang.

Empress Wang’s Downfall

Concubine Li is entrapping Empress Wang all along. The Emperor is informed about what Empress Wang had done to frame Prince Ben Xuan. He catches her trying to force Prince Ben Xuan to commit suicide and her plan to spin the story that the prince hung himself for staging a failed rebellion.

Empress Wang thought her family’s army would arrive to save her but Fei Bai has already defeated them and got their seal. Fei Bai’s soldiers are also in the palace to stop Empress Wang’s men. The Emperor is impressed with Fei Bai’s effort. He grants him a wish. Fei Bai asks the Emperor to allow him to marry Mu Jin. His wish is granted. Prince Ben Fu is stripped of his position and exiled. Empress Wang is to be executed while Prince Ben Xuan is appointed to new Crown Prince.

Song Ming Lei is training up his own army with the Ming clan. He can’t go against Duke Yuan yet but he is waiting for the day Duke Yuan takes over the throne. Feng Ding tries to tail him but fails. Jin Xiu requests permission from Duke Yuan to go for battles again but he turns her down. Yu Fei Yan is having success in Yan Zhou and Duke Yuan plans to send Fei Bai as reinforcement. Jin Xiu is dissatisfied over his decision. Duke Yuan is wondering if Fei Bai’s involvement in the Prince Ben Xuan’s case is merely a coincidence or planned by Jin Xiu because he merely told her to stir up trouble between the royal and Wang family.

Wedding Bells

Yue Rong receives Mu Jin and Fei Bai’s wedding invitation. He feels depressed but still sends his representatives to give Mu Jin her half of their business and profits. Yue Rong’s message to Mu Jin is that he will not take a concubine and Xi Yan will be his successor. Duke Yuan gives the antidote for Mu Jin’s poison to Fei Bai. He hopes Fei Bai will not trust the wrong person. Fei Bai assures his father that Mu Jin will not the the Yuan family down. He asks him to attend their wedding but Duke Yuan says that he will be traveling to Yan Zhou for their final battle with Dou Ying Hua. He tells Fei Bai to join him there after his wedding.

Mu Jin and Fei Bai finally get married. Jin Xiu and Yue Rong are both feeling miserable on that day. Sima Ju is also sad as he observes Jin Xiu drinking in loneliness. Mu Jin is a little unhappy that Duke Yuan has not accepted her. But Fei Bai gives her the antidote and tells her that his father is looking forward to witness the world in front of them. He also mentions to Mu Jin that he will forever be grateful to Yue Rong for taking care of her. Yue Rong has written him a letter to explain that Mu Jin has never betrayed him and that Xi Yan is their adopted daughter. Yue Rong hopes Fei Bai will cherish Mu Jin forever. Fei Bai and Mu Jin pledge never to separate from each other.

Episode 50

Fei Bai leaves for Yan Zhou. Yue Rong brings Xi Yan back to the village to reminisce about the past. But Xi Yan suddenly falls sick. A plague ravages the village and the only cure is a rare flower. Yue Rong writes to Mu Jin for help. Mu Jin recalls that Jin Xiu has the rare flowers. She pleads with Jin Xiu to give her some. Jin Xiu refuses unless Mu Jin gives her their father’s 2 strategies. Mu Jin claims that she cannot remember the military strategies as she has been involving herself in business. Furthermore, the art of war involves people’s lives. But Mu Jin is willing to give her the business strategy knowledge in exchange for the flowers.

Mu Jin obtains the flowers and sends them to Yue Rong. Xi Yan and the villagers are cured. However, the plague has spread to other parts of Nan Guo and more flowers are needed. Yue Rong seeks Mu Jin’s help again. Mu Jin has to ask Jin Xiu for more flowers. But Jin Xiu is angry that the business strategy Mu Jin has given her has resulted in losses when she needs the money to expand her army. She has overbought her stock and they are soaked in the warehouse because of rain. Jin Xiu refuses to help her sister to save lives. She even slaps Mu Jin when the latter says that she is glad Fei Bai didn’t choose her as JIn Xiu is too selfish and doesn’t deserve his love.

Song Ming Lei Refuses To Give Up

Song Ming Lei is slowly building up his private army. They are selling gems they get from Gong Yue to recruit more soldiers. Song Ming Lei tries to pressure Fei Qing to take an interest in the competition to be Duke Yuan’s successor as Fei Bai is wining battles with Yu Fei Yan on the frontlines. But Fei Qing is not so ambitious and just wants a contented life. He asks Song Ming Lei not to mess things up but the latter refuses to listen.

Mu Jin writes to Fei Bai for help with Nan Guo’s plague problem. Jin Xiu is miserable after quarreling with Mu Jin and gets drunk. She makes her way to the tree where she used to meet with Fei Bai/Sima Ju. Sima Ju sends her back to her residence. When Jin Xiu wakes up, she thinks it was all a dream until she sees a flower petal on her head. She makes her way to the dark palace.

Jin Xiu Learns The Truth

At the same time, Fei Bai returns from Yan Zhou and turns up at the dark palace to get the flowers Mu Jin needs. The flowers are actually grown in the dark palace. Jin Xiu finally sees the 2 twin brothers together and realizes the man she loves is not Fei Bai. She confronts Sima Ju after Fei Bai leaves. Jin Xiu now knows that Mr. Han’s suggestion for her to marry Duke Yuan is because he wanted to protect the secret of the twin brothers. She is dissatisfied that even Sima Ju thinks Mu Jin deserves Fei Bai while she was handed from one person to another and becomes a sacrificial lamb. Jin Xiu stabs him in desperation. Sima Ju tells her to kill him as he is willing to pay her back with his life but she couldn’t bring herself to do so.

Jin Xiu indulges in self-pity momentarily and tries to kill herself. Sima Ju stops her. Jin Xiu tells him that she envies her sister who can get help from so many people. She now believes in fate. Sima Ju advises her to treat her sister and Duke Yuan well and she can still lead a good life. That is for the best given the present circumstances.

Episode 51

Jin Xiu tells Sima Ju that he has no right to tell her how to lead her life after he has trampled on it. She vows to succeed even without his help. Fei Bai gives the flowers to Mu Jin to send to Yue Rong. He avoids telling her where he got them from. However, Nan Guo’s pandemic is serious and Yue Rong needs way more flowers that Mu Jin has sent. Fei Bai receives a letter from Yue Rong.

Duke Yuan is pushing towards Ji Zhou and will soon re-capture Dong Ting. Prince Ben Xuan warns his father that the Yuan family will be a threat to their throne. He suggests that they leave Dong Ting alone but eliminate the Yuan family instead. When Prince Ben Xuan set up an alliance with Fei Bai, he had sent spies to his camp. Hence, if they send this inside information to Dou Ying Hua, the Yuan army will suffer heavy casualties. Then, they will be able to uproot the Yuan family’s power. But Emperor Fu Che is reluctant to do so because if the plan fails, Duke Yuan will him to abdicate.

Dark Palace’s Secret Weapon

Jin Xiu suspects that the dark palace is holding a secret weapon that could snap off swords when opponents fight. This is because Sima Ju could break her dagger into 2 when she tried to kill herself. Mu Jin knows the flowers Fei Bai gave her must have come from the dark palace. She goes there to look for him and discovers the twin brothers. Fei Bai is there to get more flowers for Yue Rong. Mu Jin learns about the dark palace and dark men who who are not allowed to exit the cave mine.

Sima Ju also tells Mu Jin and Fei Bai that he had figured out the secret of the cave mine which has the ingredients to make sharp weapons. But he has hidden it from Duke Yuan because the secret will just cause more chaos and wars if revealed. Mu Jin pities the dark men who have no freedom. She suggests taking them out to celebrate the Lantern Festival for one night.

Jin Xiu enters the dark palace to threaten Sima Ju to reveal to her the secret to make the sharp weapons. Sima Ju is forced to tell her when she holds a knife against her own neck and threatens to kill herself. During the night of the Lantern Festival, Mu Jin and Fei Bai brings the dark men out to celebrate. Duke Yuan has quietly returned from Yan Zhou and observing Song Ming Lei with Fei Yan at the market fair. He then notices the dark men and confronts Mu Jin and Fei Bai. Mu Jin admits that she is the one who sent the flowers to Yue Rong as well as taking out the dark men for the festival.

Getting Mu Jin’s Cooperation

Duke Yuan is willing to overlook Mu Jin’s transgressions. But he wants her cooperation to forge weapons for the Yuan family as well as buy up her business. Duke Yuan will leave the flagship store in the capital to her. Mu Jin’s guess is that it has something to do with bringing down the royal family. After Duke Yuan leaves, Yue Rong appears with Xi Yan. He wants to thank Mu Jin for the flowers. Xi Yan misses her and so does Yue Rong. But Yue Rong knows she only loves Fei Bai. So, he is helping Fei Bai to strengthen his position in the Yuan family by establishing relationship with Duke Yuan. Yue Rong tells Mu Jin that Nan Guo’s Queen will always be reserved for her and she can return anytime if she gets mistreated.

Duke Yuan is wary of Mu Jin because she is very smart and insightful. By buying up her business shares, he will be able to monitor her intentions. Jin Xiu tricks Sima Ju into drinking laced wine to make him fall unconscious. She then gets her men to remove all the rare flowers from the dark palace. The dark men are killed by men wearing Nan Guo clothes while they are at the market. The last killer being caught alive by Fei Bai kills himself rather than revealing the mastermind.

Framing Song Ming Lei

Duke Yuan is furious at Sima Ju for failing in his duty. He also finds out about the sharp weapons. Sima Ju refuses to divulge who has been let in on the secret. He even offers his life as punishment but Duke Yuan wouldn’t let him die. Jin Xiu is feeling smug that Duke Yuan will be feeling uneasy and punishing Sima Ju. She asks Feng Ding to find a way to get a sharp weapon into Song Ming Lei’s hands as he will be giving a dagger to Fei Qing for the latter’s birthday.

Duke Yuan drops by to see Fei Qing on his birthday. He tells him that he removed his troops because Song Ming Lei had been controlling it. Their soldiers must remain under the Yuan family. Fei Qing’s strength is not in leading an army as he is too benevolent. Hence, Duke Yuan wants him to oversee the internal affairs of Xi Du and Yuan Manor while he is away. Duke Yuan then finds out Song Ming Lei’s gift to Fei Qing is a sharp dagger forged using the dark palace’s secret. Jin Xiu is betting that Song Ming Lei will fight back when cornered and Fei Bai will step in to help his father. Then, she will reap the benefits from the discord between the 2 camps.

Duke Yuan questions Song Ming Lei and accuses him of killing the dark men. Song Ming Lei denies it and says that he is being framed to implicate Fei Qing. Since Fei Qing and Fei Bai are in competition to be Duke Yuan’s successor, Song Ming Lei tells Duke Yuan that Mu Jin could be behind the attack since she is close to Nan Guo and the attackers are wearing Nan Guo’s clothes.

Episode 52

Duke Yuan demotes and grounds Song Ming Lei temporarily while he uncovers the truth. Next, he questions Mu Jin who admits that she knows the secret of the dark palace. But she denies being the culprit as it makes no sense for her to kill the dark men when she has just married Fei Bai. Duke Yuan still has no idea who is the perpetrator.

Jin Xiu knows Song Ming Lei will try to implicate Mu Jin. Thus, Duke Yuan will be suspicious of both of them. Fei Bai will be partial to his wife and this will create tension between him and his father. Hence, Duke Yuan will also postpone naming his successor. Although Jin Xiu’s plan is going smoothly, she doesn’t feel happy in harming her sister and Song Ming Lei. She knows she is wrong but neither does she want to backtrack. Feng Ding promises to serve her loyally despite her despicable acts. He tells her that he understands because of the bitterness that she has suffered. Jin Xiu laments that if only Sima Ju could understand her as well.

Fei Bai deduces Jin Xiu is the one who killed the dark men because she stands to benefit from it the most. He assures Mu Jin that he doesn’t hate her sister but will try to steer her back to the right path. After all, she turns out the way she does because of the Yuan family. Sima Ju is angry with Jin Xiu for what she has done. He confronts and points a sword at her but couldn’t bring himself to kill her. Jin Xiu tells him that he owed her and they are now even.

Final Battle For Dong Ting

Duke Yuan and Fei Bai head to Dong Ting for their final battle with Dou Ying Hua. Both Song Ming Lei and Jin Xiu are planning to capture the throne while Duke Yuan is away. Emperor Fu Che knows he may be forced to abdicate when Duke Yuan returns victorious. Prince Ben Xuan suggests that they hold the remaining Yuan family members hostage at the palace as bargaining chips. Hence, Jin Xiu, Mu Jin, and Fei Yan are ordered to the palace on the pretext of protecting them.

Jin Xiu is happy to be ordered to the palace as it allows her to collude with Concubine Li. She wants Concubine Li to steal the imperial seal. Concubine Li agrees on 3 conditions. She wants Prince Ben Xuan to be killed to avenge the death of her baby, to let Emperor Fu Che live even if he is forced to abdicate, and to allow her have a good life for the future. Jin Xiu agrees to her conditions but has no intention to keep her promise.

Qi Fang pretends to be a palace guard to help Mu Jin. He wants her to leave as he knows Emperor Fu Che has set up a trap for her. He will pretend to get poisoned in front of Mu Jin and have her imprisoned. Mu Jin doesn’t want to leave as she sees it as an opportunity to help Fei Bai. She knows Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei will start to take action. Hence, if she is imprisoned, they will lower their guard.

Emperor Fu Che Poisoned

Jin Xiu plans to kill the Emperor when Mu Jin is summoned to see him. She wants to implicate her sister who will then be disallowed to be Fei Bai’s legal wife for killing the Emperor. But her subordinate couldn’t act in time before Mu Jin arrives. But Emperor Fu Che still dies after drinking his poisoned tea. Prince Ben Xuan is shocked as it was supposed to be an act. Someone has poisoned his father for real. Prince Ben Xuan knows his life is in danger and he needs to escape from the palace. Song Ming Lei orders his men to quietly enter the palace. He wants to take the throne ahead of Duke Yuan.

Duke Yuan and his army capture Bian Cheng. Dou Ying Hua kills the useless Emperor Fu Yu and sits on the throne. He refuses to surrender as he waits for Duke Yuan to arrive at the hall. His loyal Vice General Xuan Jiang accompanies him until she is killed by Yu Fei Yan in a fight. Duke Yuan announces in front of Dou Ying Hua that Dong Ting is no more from then on. All the palace servants are rounded up. Duke Yuan asks Fei Bai to decide what to do with them. Fei Bai lets them off. Duke Yuan orders Fei Bai to remain in Bian Cheng while he returns to Xi Ting’s capital.

The Race For The Imperial Seal

Concubine Li is angry that Ji Xiu has killed Emperor Fu Che. But Jun Xiu tells her that it is not her doing. She wants Concubine Li to surrender the imperial seal. Concubine Li tells Jin Xiu that she will give it to her in exchange for Prince Ben Xuan’s head. Song Ming Lei arrives at the palace to meet Fei Yan. He tells her that he is the one who had poisoned Emperor Fu Che as it is the only way to get Mu Jin imprisoned. His next step is to kill Prince Ben Xuan as that will pave the way for Duke Yuan to ascend the throne.

Qi Fang visits Mu Jin in prison. She asks him to send a message to Fei Bai and another to Yuan Manor. Then, she tells Fei Bai to poison the guards to make them unconscious for a night to allow her out of her cell. She needs to get the imperial seal before Jin Xiu and Song Ming Lei. They quietly watch as Song Ming Lei demands the imperial seal from Prince Ben Xuan. Wang Huan Li sacrifices her life to give Prince Ben Xuan a chance to escape.

Episode 53

Prince Ben Xuan tries to run away but is killed by Jin Xiu who then demands the imperial seal from Concubine Li as agreed. But it is now Concubine Li’s turn to renege on her promise. She is afraid that Jin Xiu will kill her once she surrenders the seal. Jin Xiu then uses Emperor Fu Che’s youngest son, Prince Ben Qi, to threaten Concubine Li. Prince Ben Qi is only a little boy. Jin Xiu wants Concubine Li to announce Prince Ben Qi as the new Emperor even without the seal. Then, Duke Yuan can easily force him to abdicate when he returns. This will pre-empt Song Ming Lei from getting ahead of her. Jin Xiu forces Concubine Li and Prince Ben Qi to hide in the imperial hall.

Song Ming Lei also fails to find the seal. When he learns that Jin Xiu is with Concubine Li, he realizes the latter will know where the seal is. He gives orders to his soldiers to find Jin Xiu and Concubine Li. Song Ming Lei needs to get the seal before Duke Yuan arrives the next day after his victory in Bian Cheng.

Mu Jin Finds The Seal

Mu Jin and Qi Fang look for the seal in Concubine Li’s room. She notices a baby’s pendant hanging on a lamp. Mu Jin immediately figures out its importance and finds the hidden seal. She then returns to her prison cell. Fei Bai receives the message from Mu Jin. He is impressed with her cleverness. Fei Bai also orders Dou Ying Hua’s family and former ministers to be spared. Yu Fei Yan is touched by his benevolence and open-mindedness. He pledges to serve Fei Bai for the rest of his life.

Song Ming Lei finally figures out where Jin Xiu and Concubine Li are when he realizes Prince Ben Qi is also missing. They must be in the imperial hall as Jin Xiu will want to make the young prince ascend the throne. The 2 sides face off in the hall. Jin Xiu quickly has Concubine Li instals the young boy as the new Emperor. But without the seal, he cannot exercise military powers and abdicate. Just as they argue over the seal, Duke Yuan arrives.

Concubine Li knows she will have no choice but to hand over the seal. However, the seal is now missing from her hiding place. Just then, Sima Ju (taking on Fei Bai’s identity) appears with the seal and hands it to Duke Yuan. When Mu Jin found the seal the night before, she had given it to Qi Fang to pass to Sima Ju/Fei Bai when he turns up at the palace entrance.

Duke Yuan Ascends The Throne

With the imperial seal, Concubine Li teaches Prince Ben Qi to announce his abdication and passes the throne to Duke Yuan. Sima Ju/Fei Bai’s soldiers have also subdued Song Ming Lei’s men at the palace gate. Furthermore, Song Ming Lei and Fei Qing should be at Yuan Manor.

Jin Xiu is furious at Sima Ju for helping Fei Bai and Mu Jin. Sima Ju insists he will keep track of her to prevent her from making any more mistakes. Fei Bai arrives at the palace and reunites with Mu Jin. Fei Yan asks Song Ming Lei about his secret army. He admits he has been recruiting his own soldiers but he tells her that he will never harm her and her brother. Fei Yan is afraid of the consequences. Fei Qing knows Song Ming Lei had wanted to kill his father. He warns him not to harm his family as their relationship turns distant.

Emperor Yuan gives Song Ming Lei and Fei Yan only minor roles in the administration. He wants them under observation. Fei Qing is sent to be a diplomat. He is happy to leave the palace and wants to be free of the power struggles. Princess Shu Yi willingly follows her husband to be out of the palace. Song Ming Lei hopes Fei Qing can lead a happy life and never return. Fei Bai is ordered to head a few provinces and departments. He is doing the work of a Crown Prince. Mu Jin is tasked to improve the livelihood of the people through her trading business. Jin Xiu is angry she is just a concubine and not appointed as Empress.

Avenging Their Parents’ Deaths

Dou Ying Hua is tied up in prison. Mu Jin, Qi Fang, and Jin Xiu appear to let him know who they are. Jin Xiu and Qi Fang take turn to stab Dou Ying Hua to death to avenge for the death of their parents and the villagers. Qi Fang advises Jin Xiu to mend her relationship with her sister. Jin Xiu insists they are no longer family and neither does she have anything to say to Qi Fang since he has chosen to follow Mu Jin.

Mu Jin and Fei Bai are reluctant to take up their positions and rather live a carefree life. Fei Bai promises Mu Jin that he will leave everything behind once the situation is more settled. Fei Yan is dissatisfied that her father has been bias towards Fei Bai and Mu Jin. Song Ming Lei plans to get back on track by sabotaging Mu Jin’s business. He assumes it is Mu Jin who had framed him with the murders of the dark men. Mu Jin appoints Qi Fang to be the public face of her stores. She needs to remain in the background as rumors will circulate if Fei Bai is seen as related to the business.

Episode 54

Mu Jin knows Song Ming Lei and Jin Xiu may cause trouble for their business while Emperor Yuan also covets her stores. So, she plans to take precautions. Ji Zhou is experiencing a disaster. Song Ming Lei suggests that Mu Jin provides aid from her business. Emperor Yuan orders her to head the relief mission. Mu Jin’s business has no branch in Ji Zhou. She asks Qi Fang to hurry and send the people supplies. Song Ming Lei asks his subordinate to investigate Qi Fang’s background.

Sabotaging Mu Jin’s Business

Emperor Yuan knows Song Ming Lei is going after Mu Jin’s business. But he wants to see how they will fight it out rather than stopping him. Emperor Yuan is wary of Mu Jin because her business has a vast intelligence network through the branches and is holding half of the country’s wealth. She is a threat to him even if she is Fei Bai’s wife.

Qi Fang arrives in Ji Zhou only to discover that their grains have been sabotaged. The people are accusing them of being profiteers for pocketing the government’s relief supplies. Qi Fang has to resort to asking the wealthy to provide capital in exchange for a profit share as partners in order to quickly help the displaced. But Song Ming Lei’s subordinate spoils the plan by revealing to the public that Qi Fang used to be a bandit and an outlaw.

Zhang De Mao reports to Song Ming Lei that Jin Xiu is the one who had framed him with the murders of the dark men. He orders for Fei Liu to be poisoned. The boy is tempted with a bright and sharp object in the garden. He pricks his finger when he touches it and falls unconscious. The doctor gives him 3 days to live. Jin Xiu is devastated.

Mu Jin’s stores are facing losses because now everyone knows Qi Fang is a bandit. She knows it is the work of Song Ming Lei because Jin Xiu is busy taking care of Fei Liu. Mu Jin is afraid the business will collapse and with that, Song Ming Lei will go after Fei Bai next.

Getting Fei Yan Into The Business

Mu Jin purposely goes to Emperor Yuan to complain about Song Ming Lei’s sabotage. Emperor Yuan uses her incapability as an excuse to have Fei Yan take over the business’ management. He knows Fei Yan will just cause more trouble for the business but wants to use her and Song Ming Lei to remove the threat posed by Mu Jin.

Emperor Yuan also knows Song Ming Lei will not help Fei Yan to snatch away the business from Mu Jin but will let it die to gain revenge over Mu Jin and Fei Bai. He orders his aide to keep an eye on the business but not to interfere. He learns from his aide that Song Ming Lei had also sabotaged the relief supplies for Ji Zhou. Emperor Yuan wants proof on Song Ming Lei’s ties to the Ming clan and his sins which can make Fei Yan forget him.

Fei Yan takes over the business and emphasizes that she is now the head. Mu Jin asks all the staff to report everything to Fei Yan. She changes the stores to sell upmarket goods which cause big losses. Song Ming Lei hears about it and is glad as the business collapse will weaken Emperor Yuan. Qi Fang is unwilling to work for Fei Yan but Mu Jin tells him cryptically that Fei Yan is good for the business. Rong’s Store is now a competitor and they are selling herbs to prevent the plague. Their business is booming. Fei Yan orders that they must now acquire mung bean which can prevent plague and monopolize the trade.

Jin Xiu Refuses To Give Up

Fei Qing arrives in Nan Guo as an envoy. He is very nervous when he needs to meet Yue Rong. Fei Qing ends up being bullied by Xi Yan as she thinks the Yuan family has taken away Mu Jin from her. He goes back to tell his wife his embarrassing experience and his wish not to have kids.

Fei Liu’s life is hanging by the thread. Emperor Yuan tells Jin Xiu to let go if it is fate. Jin Xiu feels Fei Liu is just another son to Emperor Yuan as his favorite has always been Fei Bai. Sima Ju is sad to see Jin Xiu so depressed. He quietly saves Fei Liu who wakes up after an injection. Fei Liu tells Jin Xiu about seeing a masked man. Hence, she knows it is Sima Ju who had saved her son. Song Ming Lei is informed about Fei Liu’s recovery. He lets it go as he now wants to go after Emperor Yuan. Jin Xiu goes to thank Sima Ju. He asks her to return the secret weapons as it would be dangerous if Emperor Yuan finds out. But Jin Xiu refuses as she wants her son to have military power.

Episode 55

Sima Ju threatens Jin Xiu that he will reveal everything to his father is she still refuses to hand over the cave mine. But Jin Xiu threatens him back that she will reveal his existence and appearance in her bedroom in return. Hence, Sima Ju has to continue keeping quiet.

Fei Qing goes to see Yue Rong again for a second audience. This time he is confident and manages to secure Yue Rong’s agreement to establish alliance with Emperor Yuan’s kingdom. His success comes from his wife’s encouragement and tips on how to handle himself. They are enjoying a sweet marriage.

Fei Yan insists on stocking up on more mung beans after a small profit. She uses all the cash to buy stock rather than paying salaries and rentals for the shops. In the end, her staff report that the rainy weather has caused the mung beans to be damp and moldy. Fei Yan is forced to sell her stock at a big loss to Rong’s Store which also wants to buy out her shops. She has no choice as the business has collapsed and reputation ruined. Rong’s Store then goes on to sell mung beans cheaply to the people. Fei Yan has been played out as Rong’s Store is set up by Mu Jin by using Jun Mo Wen’s identity. Mu Jin has been secretly transferring stocks that Fei Yan bought to Rong’s Store.

Handing Over The Business Strategies

Mu Jin knows that Emperor Yuan has wanted to ruin her business by letting Fei Yan manage it. So, she set up Rong’s Store. But she also knows she can’t keep Rong’s Store a secret from her father-in-law and he will destroy it too. Thus, she hands over the shares to him to pre-empt his move which will also prove her loyalty. Emperor Yuan is impressed with her move. Now, he feels safer as the business will belong to the imperial family. He orders that profits from the business will go to the Treasury and Mu Jin will be given the right to manage it. Mu Jin also requests for any surplus to be used for building schools which Emperor Yuan agrees.

Emperor Yuan also wants Mu Jin to give him and the people her father’s business strategies so there will be more businessmen in the country. It is to test whether she can be trusted as it is a risk for Emperor Yuan to have only Mu Jin controlling the bulk of the economy. Mu Jin surprises him by distributing the strategies to the people and even conduct classes to teach people how to be a successful businessperson. Emperor Yuan now feels Fei Bai has married the right woman. Jin Xiu is furious that her sister had made it hard for her to obtain their father’s business strategies but now, she has distributed them so easily.

Suspecting Jin Xiu

Song Ming Lei is recruiting more soldiers. He needs to move fast as Emperor Yuan is getting stronger and stronger. Lieutenant Chen reports to Emperor Yuan that Song Ming Lei’s Ming clan is based in the mountains. He orders for important figures to be brought back alive. Emperor Yuan feels sorry for Fei Yan as he knows she loves Song Ming Lei very much. He is also suspicious of Jin Xiu whom he thinks has the secret weapons of the cave mine. Lieutenant Chen has found that they are being stored in the suburbs of Xi Du.

Sima Ju warns Jin Xiu that his father has started to doubt her and she should return the secret weapons immediately. Jin Xiu wants Sima Ju to help Fei Liu to be the Crown Prince. Sima Ju is not agreeable. Jin Xiu vows to continue her ambitions. Sima Ju strangles her and tells her that he will die with her. Jin Xiu stabs him to free herself. Fei Yan is angry and blames Mu Jin for her failure. Song Ming Lei assures her that he will correct their situation.

Emperor Yuan tries to pry information about Jin Xiu’s weapons workshop in Xi Du. Jin Xiu deflects his questions and brings up Fei Liu’s talent. Emperor Yuan compares Fei Liu with Fei Bai which grates on her nerves. Jin Xiu knows Emperor Yuan is investigating her. She asks Feng Ding to accelerate the weapons production and build an army. Emperor Duan will not leave her son with anything as Fei Bai will be his heir. Jin Xiu wants to turn the tables and she knows of something that could make people deranged.

Closing In On Song Ming Lei

Sima Ju asks Fei Bai to help him to quietly take back the secret weapons from Jin Xiu before their father finds out. He also gives him a potion from the cave mine that could cure heart disease. Mr. Shen attacks the Ming clan hideout as ordered by Emperor Yuan. Song Ming Lei is hiding with Zhang De Mao when he suddenly pushes him out and kills him in front of Mr. Shen. He blames everything on Zhang De Mao before walking away. But Mr. Shen notices Zhang De Mao is still showing signs of life.

Emperor Yuan is happy that Fei Qing is doing a good job as a diplomat with the establishment of alliances with several states. Yu Fei Yan has been victorious in many territories and these have joined the kingdom except for Jiang Zhou. Emperor Yuan orders for Jiang Zhou to be spared for now as Yu Fei Yan is worried about the people’s livelihood. Instead, they can get Fei Qing to lobby Jiang Zhou for an alliance.

Fei Yan is glad that her brother is doing well and her father is having fewer enemies. Song Ming Lei is hiding his intention from his wife.

Episode 56

Fei Qing pays Duke Zhang a visit to try to get him to pledge allegiance to Emperor Yuan. But Duke Zhang turns him down. Emperor Yuan goes to see Duke Zhang personally to talk about governing and war. He manages to convince Duke Zhang that what matters is the people. Duke Zhang decides to ally himself to Greater Yuan. Emperor Yuan knows Duke Zhang is a good leader and re-appoints him to manage Jiang Zhou. He also appoints Fei Qing as State Secretary in charge of all diplomatic affairs and giving indications that Fei Bai will be his choice for Crown Prince.

Making Emperor Yuan Deranged

Feng Ding has managed to get 2 beautiful glazed dripping bowl decorations as instructed by Jin Xiu. This particular material could cause a person to be be deranged as the water slowly drip out and land on a bowl. Jin Xiu learns this from her father when she was young. She instructs Feng Ding to get the 2 decorations into Duke Zhang’s hands who is sending gifts over to Emperor Yuan to thank him for his appointment. Hence, the 2 items end up in Emperor Yuan’s study and bedroom. Next, Jin Xiu asks Feng Ding to spread rumors among the people that Fei Bai is a worthy heir and buy the ministers’ support to do her bidding.

Emperor Yuan begins to exhibit confusion at times and finds it hard to trust people around him. He is wary when many ministers start speaking up for Fei Bai to be appointed the Crown Prince. Jin Xiu then orders Feng Ding to rob Rong Store’s operational capital while in transit. Sima Ju overhears her orders. Qi Fang and his men are ambushed while transporting the capital. Feng Ding is about to kill Qi Fang when Sima Ju saves him. He brings Qi Fang to a nearby cave to recuperate.

Qi Fang Dies

Mu Jin is worried about a missing Qi Fang and the lack of capital to run the stores. Sima Ju goes back to the palace to confront Jin Xiu to return the money and secret weapons. Jin Xiu outsmarts him and puts a dagger to his neck. She could guess where Qi Fang is by Sima Ju’s reaction.

Feng Ding approaches Qi Fang to finish the job of killing him. Qi Fang is beaten up badly but he refuses to be killed. Instead, he stabs himself to commit suicide. Before he dies, he learns from Feng Ding that it is Jin Xiu’s order to have him killed. Qi Fang is pained because he used to like Jin Xiu when they were kids. He also wants Feng Ding to pass Jin Xiu a message that Mu Jin loves her. Feng Ding takes Qi Fang’s pendant after he dies and gives it to Jin Xiu.

Mu Jin is thinking of how to solve the store’s cashflow problems. Duke Zhang drops by to help her by using his own network for quick transportation and getting ready buyers. However, he will now be colluding with bandits to move goods for an imperial business and they will need to keep it a secret. Mu Jin is devastated to learn of Qi Fang’s death. She vows revenge. Song Ming Lei is still quietly planning a rebellion. Zhang De Mao is still alive and he spills the beans on Song Ming Lei to Emperor Yuan.

Emperor Yuan is getting emotionally unstable and distrustful. He hears the people are expecting Fei Bai to succeed him. Emperor Yuan is disappointed that Fei Bai is impatient to take the throne.

Episode 57

Jin Xiu brings Emperor Yuan medicinal soup on a regular basis. Mu Jin thanks Duke Zhang for helping her to sell her goods to cover the money that has been robbed. Qing Mei is now pregnant with Duke Zhang’s child. She is happy to marry him as he treats her well. However, she has yet to tell him that she is the leader of the East Wing dark men. Mu Jin brings the ledger to show Emperor Yuan that store’s profits. Jin Xiu is surprised her sister could cover the cashflow shortfall. Feng Ding reports that Duke Zhang had helped Mu Jin with collusion from bandits and gangs.

Song Ming Lei’s Guilt

It is Fei Yan’s birthday. But Song Ming Lei is summoned to see Emperor Yuan. Zhang De Mao is also there to accuse Song Ming Lei of being the head of the Ming clan and planning a rebellion. He has revealed their stronghold which allows Emperor Yuan’s men to eliminate the Ming soldiers. Song Ming Lei is furious and starts hitting Zhang De Mao. His anger further proves that Zhang De Mao is telling the truth. Song Ming Lei begs Emperor Yuan to let him celebrate Fei Yan’s birthday before he is executed.

Zhang De Mao then further reveals how Fei Yan was raped by Ming soldiers dressed as Nan Guo’s army so that she ended up marrying Song Ming Lei. Emperor Yuan doesn’t want to hear anymore and snaps Zhang De Mao’s head in anger to kill him. He orders Song Ming Lei to be beheaded. Fei Yan appears from the back after having heard how her husband has lied to her. She knows he has secrets and has wanted him to share everything with her but he fails to do so. Now, Fei Yan hates him but neither can she live without him. Fei Yan threatens to kill herself to allow Song Ming Lei to escape. Both of them become depressed over what has happened. Emperor Yuan faints over the stress. His health is deteriorating while Jin Xiu keeps bringing him medicinal soup.

Sowing Distrust In Fei Bai

Emperor Yuan learns that Duke Zhang has helped Mu Jin by using his vast network of allies. Duke Zhang has the capability to destroy Greater Yuan with his resources if he wants to and Emperor Yuan sees him as a threat. He can also help Mu Jin and Fei Bai.

Duke Zhang refuses to go and see Emperor Yuan although summoned. Mu Jin tries to convince him to leave with Qing Mei to another land. But Duke Zhang refuses. He returns to Jiang Zhou and commits suicide with Qing Mei by burning themselves to death rather than surrendering. After their death, Jin Xiu passes to Emperor Yuan Qing Mei’s dark men badge and autopsy report. Only then he learns the Qing Mei was Duke Zhang’s wife and all along Fei Bai has claimed that he doesn’t know Qing Mei’s whereabouts. Emperor Yuan sees it as a betrayal as he thinks Fei Bai was colluding with Duke Zhang. Jin Xiu is happy her plan is working.

Song Ming Lei is being chased by Emperor Yuan’s soldiers. He is saved by Fei Qing who does so because of their friendship as well as Fei Yan’s unwillingness to let her husband die. Fei Qing is angry at Song Ming Lei for trying to rebel. But Song Ming Lei relates his painful experience of how Emperor Yuan killed his parents and most of the Ming family. Revenge was cruelly ingrained in him by his aunt when he was just a kid by using Bi Ying’s life to threaten him. But Song Ming Lei swears that he has never harmed Fei Qing and Fei Yan. He only wants to help Fei Qing to ascend the throne. Then, he is willing to let Fei Bai kill him to avenge Emperor Yuan’s death.

Episode 58

Song Ming Lei tells Fei Qing that he is willing to be the bad guy to take down Fei Bai. Fei Qing replies that he understands Song Ming Lei’s hatred but wants him to let go of the past. Song Ming Lei hits Fei Qing unconscious and grabs his badge to escape out of the city. Fei Yan is still unable to forget her husband.

Mu Jin slaps Jin Xiu for killing Qi Fang. Jin Xiu grabs her sister’s hand when she wants to slap her again for causing Duke Zhang and his wife’s deaths. She tells Mu Jin that the burnt corpse did not belong to Qing Mei as there was no sign of pregnancy. She also thinks the corpse was planted but Mu Jin had not been detailed enough as an old injury wasn’t visible on it. But to Jin Xiu, it doesn’t matter whether Qing Mei is dead or alive as all she needs is a corpse to sow discord between Emperor Yuan and Mu Jin.

Emperor Yuan issues a decree to have Fei Bai exiled to Shaan Zhou for introspection for his collusion with Duke Zhang. Mu Jin is to be grounded in a secret chamber of the palace. Eunuch Shi quietly tells Fei Bai that Emperor Yuan is now muddleheaded and he suspects Jin Xiu has been poisoning him. Fei Bai and Mu Jin are sad as they are uncertain how long they will be separated. He helps Mu Jin to comb her hair before he leaves. Jin Xiu removes Eunuch Shi and Lieutenant Chen from Emperor Yuan’s side as they are suspicious of her.

Fei Bai Decreed To Drink Poisoned Wine

Fei Bai is traveling to Shaan Zhou with Su Hui and Mr. Han. He meets Immortal Jingu who gives him a cryptic message that the journey is still long and he will experience a lot. Later, another eunuch appears and carries a new decree supposedly from Emperor Yuan. It orders Fei Bai to die by drinking poisoned wine. Su Hui and Mr. Han want Fei Bai not to accept the decree. However, Fei Bai insists on drinking the wine and immediately blood oozes from his mouth. Feng Ding reports to Jin Xiu that Fei Bai is dead and they now have his seal.

Mu Jin is informed that Fei Bai has died. She is sad but wills herself to live on to stop Jin Xiu. She notices the hairpin Fei Bai had put on her hair. It contains the heart medicine that Sima Ju had given Fei Bai earlier. Emperor Yuan’s health is getting worse and he is feeling very weak. Jin Xiu has all the palace guards replaced with her own men.

Fei Qing brings some soldiers to try to stop Song Ming Lei from killing his father. But Song Ming Lei refuses to listen to him and his men kills all of Fei Qing’s soldiers. Fei Qing asks Song Ming Lei to kill him instead if it can erase his hatred. He is willing to give Song Ming Lei his life to repay him for what his father did to the Ming family. But Song Ming Lei refuses to kill Fei Qing. He plans to brings his remaining soldiers to attack the palace in 3 days’ time.

Jin Xiu In Control

Jin Xiu drops by to see a weak Emperor Yuan. She tells him that she has removed all his men and how she has poisoned him. Only Mr. Shen is still running around pursuing Song Ming Lei. Jin Xiu would not let Emperor Yuan sit on the throne for much longer. She then visits Mu Jin in her cell. She gloats that she has won but neither is she happy because her life is inherently a tragic one. Mu Jin tells Jin Xiu that they can return to the past and not get separated. But Jin Xiu tells her that she can no longer go back.

Song Ming Lei gets report that Jin Xiu is forcing a dying Emperor Yuan to name Fei Liu as the Crown Prince. He immediately heads to the capital with his soldiers. Mr. Shen returns to the palace to find the guards have been changed and he can’t see Emperor Yuan. He pleads with Fei Yan to get Mu Jin out of her cell as it is the only way to save Emperor Yuan. Although Fei Yan hates Mu Jin, she wants to see her.

Episode 59

Fei Yan goes to see Mu Jin in her cell. Song Ming Lei attacks into the palace. Jin Xiu doesn’t plan to stop him because she knows he will make his way to Emperor Yuan’s room to kill him. In the meantime, she will bring Fei Liu to the imperial hall and summon the ministers. Fei Liu will become the new Emperor with a fake decree.

Fei Qing rushes to the palace to try to stop Song Ming Lei. Mr. Shen distracts the guards to allow Mu Jin and Fei Yan to get into Emperor Yuan’s room through a window. Fei Yan has asked for Mu Jin’s cooperation to save her father. Mu Jin agrees without a second thought. Fei Yan apologizes to her father for trusting the wrong man. Emperor Yuan regrets that he failed to protect his daughter. Mu Jin notices the glazed dripping bowl decoration near the Emperor’s bed. She turns off the water and explains that it could cause mind disturbance. Emperor Yuan immediately feels a bit better.

Song Ming Lei arrives with his men. Fei Yan and Mu Jin hide behind the curtains. Song Ming Lei wants to kill Emperor Yuan to avenge his family’s death. Emperor Yuan swears that he didn’t kill Song Ming Lei’s mother who was also his beloved sister. Mu Jin jumps out from behind the curtains to try to stop Song Ming Lei but to no avail. She is subdued.

Fei Yan Shields Her Father

Mu Jin advises Song Ming Lei not to kill Emperor Yuan as he wouldn’t be able to face Fei Yan and Fei Qing. But Song Ming Lei reasons that he would not be another Emperor Yuan as he wouldn’t harm the people he loves. Emperor Yuan tells Song Ming Lei that he knows he has led a painful life and that he is as kind as his mother. Hence, Song Ming Lei shouldn’t have become the man he is. As Emperor Yuan has owed a lot of people, he is prepared for Song Ming Lei to kill him.

Song Ming Lei rushes forward to stab Emperor Yuan. Fei Yan jumps out all of a sudden to shield her father and gets stabbed instead. She begs Song Ming Lei to let her father go before she dies in his arms. Emperor Yuan becomes grief-stricken and drops dead as well. Jin Xiu announces to the ministers that Song Ming Lei has rebelled against Emperor Yuan and killed him. Emperor Yuan had supposedly decreed Fei Liu to be his successor. Jin Xiu threatens all the ministers with their lives to make them accept Fei Liu as the new Emperor.

Jin Xiu’s Plan Backfires

Just then, Yu Fei Yan appears with his soldiers to defeat Jin Xiu’s men. Emperor Yuan also makes an appearance with Fei Bai. Mu Jin had used the hairpin Fei Bai gave her to revive Emperor Yuan and Fei Yan. She also informs Jin Xiu that Sima Ju has also wanted to pass a message to her and that is good prevails over evil. Yu Fei Yan is disappointed that Jin Xiu can be so ungrateful. Fei Bai didn’t die as he had added in a detoxification pill to the poisoned wine before drinking it. Mu Jin had predicted Jin Xiu will harm him and had given Fei Bai the pill earlier.

Sima Ju had already informed Emperor Yuan earlier about Jin Xiu’s doing. He didn’t tell Jin Xiu the complete list of ingredients to make the secret weapons. Emperor Yuan orders Jin Xiu to be imprisoned and Feng Ding beheaded. He also decrees that Fei Liu to be exiled to the South and can never return to the capital without permission. Jin Xiu begs Emperor Yuan to spare her son. Fei Bai and Fei Qing also requests their father to have mercy. He finally decides to dethrone Fei Liu and banish him from the palace. Emperor Yuan also announces Fei Bai to be the Crown Prince before he starts to collapse.

Emperor Yuan Dies

Feng Ding is saved by his loyal men. Jin Xiu is imprisoned and she begs Yu Fei Yan to care for Fei Liu. Yu Fei Yan agrees and advises Jin Xiu to drop her hatred for everyone. If she wants to hate someone, it should be him for failing to protect them. Emperor Yuan tells Fei Bai on his death bed that he knows the Yuan family owes Song Ming Lei a debt. All of them are his kids and he wants them to help one another after he dies so that the country will last long. He also tells Fei Bai about Immortal Jingu’s prediction that he would win the throne but it will be Fei Bai who would make it peaceful and prosperous.

Fei Bai deserves to be the Emperor as he has never abandoned his father even when being doubted. Emperor Yuan also wants Sima Ju to be freed from the confines of the dark palace. Lastly, he wants Jin Xiu to die with him as she is too ambitious and they should not be soft-hearted towards her. With that, Emperor Yuan dies with Fei Bai by his side. Feng Ding informs Jin Xiu about his death and his order for her to die with him. Jin Xiu tells Feng Ding to release Sima Ju and pass him the message that she hates him. Feng Ding does as he is told. He tells Sima Ju that Jin Xiu has to die with Emperor Yuan’s death. Although she hates Sima Ju, at least he is in her heart while she feels nothing for Feng Ding.

Episode 60

Sima Ju goes to see Fei Bai who tells him that their father is dead. He begs Fei Bai to spare Jin Xiu as he is the cause of her tragic life. Sima Ju is willing to take her to the dark palace and never come out. He then faints because of his deep grief.

Song Ming Lei and Jin Xiu are brought to Emperor Yuan’s wake. He finally addresses Emperor Yuan as uncle. He admits that he is wrong and the life he has led is not the one he wanted and could choose. Song Ming Lei feels he should be the one to die and asks Fei Bai to kill him. Fei Bai declines and tells him that the discord between the Yuan and Ming families should end. Furthermore, he is Mu Jin’s sworn brother and Fei Yan’s beloved. Fei Bai advises him to look for Fei Yan as she will be waiting for him. Fei Yan has left the palace in sadness as she couldn’t accept what happened. Song Ming Lei vows he will make it up to Fei Yan and take care of her for the rest of his life.

Jin Xiu Is Spared

Jin Xiu tells everyone that her life has been tragic. She has committed big mistakes with her husband ended up dead and son demoted. But she remains defiant and says that she will die with Emperor Yuan. Fei Bai is installed as the new Emperor with Mu Jin beside him. Song Ming Lei leaves the palace to search for Fei Yan. He feels relieved as the world suddenly feels brighter. Fei Qing and his wife see him off. He still thinks of Song Ming Lei as a brother. Fei Qing also encourages Song Ming Lei to look for Fei Yan and informs him that she has got pregnant at about the same time as his wife.

Sima Ju brings Jin Xiu to An Le Temple which is the place Emperor Yuan had once banished her to. He hopes Jin Xiu will study scriptures there. He will also bring Fei Liu to see her if she misses him. However, Jin Xiu wants Fei Liu to forget her as she will be a burden to him as his mother. Jin Xiu also tells Sima Ju that she wants him to forever remember the pain she brought him.

Fei Bai Secretly Abdicates

Mu Jin will take on Jun Mo Wen’s identity to teach people about doing business. Fei Bai has his duties as the Emperor and they long for carefree days. So, he tells Mu Jin that they should change their lives. Sima Ju is wonders why Jin Xiu would lose her mind just because of the throne. Fei Bai tells his brother that it is time he repays everything that he owes him and the throne would be the compensation. Sima Ju has lives for too long in the dark for him. Moreover, Fei Bai tells his brother that he is too soft-hearted and impulsive that he is not fit for the job. He also wants to travel with Mu Jin. Sima Ju becomes the Emperor but he is still lonely and thinks of Jin Xiu.

Fei Bai and Mu Jin return to Yuan Manor to reminisce about the past. The place is now empty. Mu Jin has the idea of transforming it into an inn that could generate income. They walk around and hope that they will be the last to know the secret of the cave mine. Mu Jin also feels melancholic when recalling the good and bad times she had spent with her sworn siblings in Yuan Manor.

Song Ming Lei goes to various places to look for Fei Yan. He finally realizes she could be at the old building where she had taken care of him while he was injured. When he really finds her there, he sheds tears seeing her pregnant with his child. He tells Fei Yan that he knows she doesn’t want to see him but he just wants to be with her and their child forever. Just as he turns around to leave, Fei Yan asks him to stay for dinner.

2 Years Later

Fei Qing is enjoying being an envoy. He is also having a very sweet relationship with his wife. Yue Rong is establishing businesses everywhere and earning more and more revenue for Nan Guo. But he still thinks of Mu Jin. Yue Rong arrives at Hua Cove and gets drawn to a noodle shop runs by Yu Fei Yan. He also meets Duke Zhang and Qing Mei there. Then Mu Jin turns up follows by Fei Bai. They have purposely led Yue Rong there. Their plan is to rope him in to establish trade all over the world so that they could help the poor and the needy. They want to combine their resources to influence the world and create a paradise for the people.

Years later, Sima Ju/Fei Bai dies of illness. Fei Liu takes over the throne. Jun Mo Wen re-appears with his “friend”, Snow (Fei Bai) and they help to stop wars through their businesses.

Other Similar Costume Dramas

The Twin Flower Legend features a smart female character with a few potential suitors fighting over her. If you like this kind of storyline, one drama that easily comes to mind would be Princess Silver. This one has 3 men who love the princess deeply and all of them are willing to go to great lengths in their sacrifice for her. The next one would be Legend Of Yun Xi. The female lead is loved by 2 men in this drama but it is pretty obvious who she will choose in the end. Under The Power is another costume drama that has pretty good reviews from fans. This is a slow burn kind of romance between the main male and female lead with another suitor stubbornly refusing to give up. There is a crime theme behind the romance to spice things up.

Image Credit: Tencent