Episode 16 recap: The treacherous minister Rong Yu, who framed the He family, continues to play dumb after recovering from illness.
On the winding mountain road, King Xunnan rides in a carriage back to Xunnan. He tells his guards that he intends to pursue the marriage alliance with Jialin. The guards mistakenly believe that he wants to reconcile with Jiuling. Little do they know that this time it's another princess, as his bloodthirsty elder brother has been confined by him. He needs to find a suitable marriage to elevate his brother's status. The guards suddenly realize their misunderstanding.
Jiuling returns to the Rong residence with some snacks, but Rong Yu is angry that she came back late. Jiuling tries to appease him, but Rong Yu suddenly embraces her. Embarrassed, Zhan Ping quickly looks away. That night, with the help of the secret guards, Jiuling systematically eliminates the treacherous villains who framed the He family, causing unrest in the court.
In the countryside, He Shan receives a letter from Jiuling, informing him about Rong Yu's condition and expressing everyone's longing for him. They plan to ask Lord Rong to bring him back once Rong Yu recovers. Jiuling and Rong Yu are busy making lanterns together, while Zhan Ping and Jiuling's new maid, Cheng Bi, assist them. Everyone is in a peaceful and joyful atmosphere.
With the prescription from her senior brother, Jiuling finds it much easier to prepare the antidote for Rong Yu. After several experiments, she successfully formulates the antidote. Due to Rong Yu's weak condition, Jiuling divides the antidote into small doses for him to take over five days. During these five days, Jiuling and Zhan Ping keep a close watch over Rong Yu. On the fifth day, Jiuling is guarding Rong Yu's bedside when Cheng Bi comes to inform her that Lady Tan has arrived. Jiuling asks Zhan Ping to stay with Rong Yu and goes out to meet Lady Tan.
Lady Tan brings the emperor's decree. Because of Jiuling's actions, she has caught the attention of Zhong Yong Hou and his group. The emperor advises her to temporarily halt her activities. Jiuling expresses her gratitude to Lady Tan for her help, but Lady Tan is upset that she lacks martial arts skills and cannot seek revenge for the He family alongside Jiuling. Rong Yu slowly regains consciousness, and as he sees the familiar surroundings, his eyes well up with emotion. Silently, he puts on his shoes and doesn't disturb Zhan Ping, who is sleeping next to the bed. He follows the voices and arrives at Jiuling's small medicine room, where he overhears Jiuling and Lady Tan's conversation. Jiuling vows to cure Rong Yu as she feels indebted to him, and once he recovers, she will leave him and no longer hold the position of Lady Rong.
After hearing Jiuling's words from outside the window, Rong Yu's expression changes. Jiuling sees him standing tall and assumes he has recovered, so she happily approaches him and calls him "Young Master." However, when Rong Yu turns around, he reverts to his innocent and clueless self, asking Jiuling why she's calling him that. Upon seeing his expression, Jiuling realizes that her antidote has failed once again. She embraces Rong Yu and cries, blaming herself for being useless and unable to cure him.
However, she comforts Rong Yu, saying that even if she can't cure him, she will always be by his side. Jiuling takes Rong Yu to see the stars and when they see a shooting star, Jiuling quickly makes a wish, hoping for Rong Yu's everlasting health, safety, and happiness. Due to the recent incidents of ministers being killed in the court, some ministers suggest canceling the planned royal hunt. The Emperor, however, dismisses their suggestion, considering them a group of useless individuals who can't even catch a culprit.
Regent Zhong Yong Hou is busy with the marriage of his daughter. Xunnan wants to form an alliance with Jialin and specifically requests a lady from their family. He is particularly excited about it. The regent supports the Emperor's plan for the royal hunt and proposes selecting a new minister of salt taxation, as the previous one was assassinated.
The Emperor says he is aware of the matter and that after the assassination, it was discovered that the previous minister was corrupt, so his death was somewhat deserved. The regent is left speechless after hearing this. Zhan Ping brings tea to Rong Yu and is thrilled to find him recovered. However, Rong Yu whispers something in Zhan Ping's ear, and Zhan Ping quickly composes himself, concealing his expression.
Upon learning that the regent is still busy arranging the marriage in Xunnan, the Emperor orders his trusted eunuch, Wang De Quan, to prepare ink as he wants to write a letter. Jiuling is worried that one day she won't be by Rong Yu's side, and he will feel lonely. She considers leaving him with a son and a daughter, so at night, she tries to get close to Rong Yu. However, Rong Yu doesn't respond to her advances, leaving Jiuling no choice but to bring a book from the palace's harem to teach him. She hopes it will help him open up, but after reading it, Rong Yu becomes flustered and quickly leaves.
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