Episode 5

Jiang Ci was unwilling to act as Wei Zhao's eyes and ears, nor was she willing to become a bait in Pei Yan's hands. Faced with a person who was neither easy to deal with, she felt resentful in her heart.So, she carefully recorded Teng Rui's every move, and cleverly arranged a forged record at the agreed place.However, after Wei Zhao read it, he was keenly aware that Jiang Ci had reservations, so he kidnapped him at night and put pressure on him.In the end, Jiang Ci had no choice but to hand over the real surveillance records, and only asked Wei Zhao to return the little clay cat that she regarded as a treasure, which was a relic given to her by her master Yan Qiaoshuang.But Wei Zhao turned a deaf ear to this.

On the other side, Wei Zhao secretly trusted Yin Shilin, the imperial censor, and revealed that Xie Chi lingered in Lan Yue Tower and that King Zhuang and Teng Rui were nearly assassinated.Yin Shilin knew that this matter was related to the peace talks between the two countries, so he did not dare to slack off at all, and immediately reported it to Emperor Xie Che.In anger, Xie Che severely punished King Zhuang and Xie Chi. Although Pei Yan stepped forward to take the blame, he was also punished for favoring his maid.King Zhuang was punished to meditate on his mistakes behind closed doors and copy Buddhist scriptures; Pei Yan had his salary deducted and additional imperial troops were sent to strengthen protection.

Rong Yudie, who was far away in Nanling, heard the news and knew that Emperor Da Ming still had doubts and worries about Pei Yan, so he decided to return to Qingkang with his old nanny Lao Du.At the same time, Wei Zhao also focused on Fan Yi, the deputy commander of the Forbidden Army, intending to break through.Rong Yudie, who returned to the Jian Dinghou Mansion, encountered a subtle interaction between Pei Yan and Jiang Ci as soon as she entered the door. Pei Yan exchanged a jade pendant for Jiang Ci's jade gourd, lying about using it to cure diseases, but in fact he had other plans.Jiang Ci resolutely refused the jade pendant. Unexpectedly, Rong Yudie suddenly returned at this time, and Pei Yan was shocked.

Rong Yudie knew Pei Yan well and concluded that he would not offend King Zhuang because of Jiang Ci, so he advised him to act with caution.Pei Yan prepares a birthday party for his mother, hoping to take the opportunity to search for the assassin.Jiang Ci also wanted to take this opportunity to reveal the true face of the silver-masked assassin.Xie Che learned about Rong Yudie's return and Pei Yan's birthday party arrangements, so Tao Zizhu stepped up surveillance.

On the day of the birthday banquet, the Jiandinghou Mansion was bustling with activity. Jiang Ci took the opportunity to inquire about Wei Zhao. Cui Liang warned her to stay away from Wei Zhao and the forces of the Guangming Division.At the birthday party, Pei Yan asked Jiang Ci to accompany him to prevent assassins.King Zhuang took the opportunity to tease Wei Zhao, but Wei Zhao's late arrival attracted everyone's attention.Jiang Ci recognized Wei Zhao as the silver-faced assassin at a glance, and overturned his wine glass in a state of uneasiness.The arrival of the Dong sisters added a lot of color to the birthday banquet, and Rong Yudie was full of praise for Dong Juan.

Jiang Ci adds sugar to Wei Zhao's porridge, which reminds him of his deceased sister.Prince Xie Chi proposed to use flowers and plants to entertain the wine. In the contest between Prince Zhuang and Pei Yan, Jiang Ci became the focus with his familiarity with plants.King Zhuang set up a bet, and Jiang Ci started a fierce contest with Wei Zhao in order to win over the little clay cat.In the end, the two were indistinguishable. Jiang Ci took the opportunity to ask Wei Zhao for the prize, and Pei Yan proposed a chrysanthemum crab feast as a reward.However, Jiang Ci's real purpose is to get the little clay cat back and vows to keep Wei Zhao's secret, but Wei Zhao coldly refuses, making Jiang Ci angry.