As the festivities carry on, Ziqing remains engrossed in playing the qin.
Xin’er, having indulged in drinking, ends up vomiting. She resolves to pursue Bei Yue. Overwhelmed by the alcohol, Bei Yue has fallen into a deep sleep. Xin’er finds him lying there, unconscious.
Ziqing decides to pay a visit to Bei Yue and finds Xin’er and Bei Yue asleep together on the bed, with Xin’er resting atop Bei Yue. Upon awakening, Ziqing comments that Bei Yue, as a prince, has the liberty to act as he wishes. After dismissing Xin’er, Bei Yue proposes to honor Ziqing with a title for her donation of five cities to the nation. Ziqing refuses, stating “it is not necessary,” and leaves. An intoxicated Bei Yue stays apathetic to the occurrences.
Once again, Bei Chen is scheming against Ziqing. Determined, Ziqing gathers her possessions to leave. She reveals to Hongyi her belief in the world’s vastness and her own freedom to roam it. Hongyi hurries to inform Bei Yue, yet Bei Chen thwarts her, ordering his soldiers to block Hongyi’s access. In the end, Ziqing decides on Qinse Valley as her new refuge.
Bei Chen discovers that Ziqing has traveled south and is scheming with the Judicial Office against Ziqing.
Upon awakening, Bei Yue realizes Ziqing has left and accepts that she is at liberty to do so. Contemplating their shared history, Bei Yue resolves to follow Ziqing. Just then, Ten rushes in with news of Ziqing’s detainment, while Shadow reports that Bei Chen has vanished. It is amidst this turmoil that Xin’er’s brother makes his entrance.
In the judicial chamber, Ziqing’s family, Bei Chen, and the King are gathered. Fresh evidence has surfaced: her sister alleges that another individual was in her room that night—a man dressed in black. As a result, they are pressing Ziqing to reveal the identity of this man in black, while her sister smirks cunningly.
As Ziqing is on the verge of confessing to Chen’s murder to protect Bei Yue, a masked man accompanied by another person interrupts. The innkeeper, who is the second arrival, confesses that Ziqing’s sister masterminded the plot, having Chen brought to Ziqing’s room to tarnish her reputation. The masked man discloses that he had Chen removed, prompting Ziqing to recognize him as her poisoner and stab him. A peculiar glow envelops the knife, and as the man falls, his mask slips, unveiling Bei Yue lying on the ground.
The doctor comes to take Bei Yue to the mansion, yet Bei Chen tries to intervene. Ziqing wields her blade, cutting through the air, causing Bei Chen’s sword to break into many fragments. She urges the King to close the case, which results in his order for the execution of the Counselor and Ziqing’s sister. Ziqing demands punishment for Bei Chen too, leading to a three-year suspension of his pay. With Bei Yue’s ring, Ziqing takes control of the army, instilling fear of her might in the King.
After Bei Yue was poisoned and fell unconscious, the doctor chose to transfer the poison to Ziqing. Feeling regretful, Bei Yue has been trying to make amends ever since.
