Recaps

Zhou Ye built support for Wei Mingxiu while navigating court rivalries, drawing Yun Shen and the Feng Family into his plans. The arc ended with Empress Feng agreeing to ally with the Zhou Family as Zhou Ya warned that Noble Consort Shu might help Zhao Hai escape.

• Zhou Ye saved Wei Mingxiu and Xiao Wu from Wei Chengye, then pledged to help Wei Mingxiu compete for the throne in exchange for his support.
• Zhou Ye surrendered his military tally and became junior tutor at the Imperial Academy, where he guided Wei Mingxiu and brought Wei Zeyu into their lessons.
• Zhou Ye partnered with Yun Shen to seek justice for the Zhang Family and support Wei Mingxiu, while rumors of their intimacy spread through the palace.
• Wei Mingxiu helped Wei Zeyu rescue Xuexue and later protected him from Wei Chengye’s insults at the Imperial Academy.
• Noble Consort Shu staged a bloody apology at Kunning Palace, but Wei Zhao ordered her to spend five days praying in the Buddhist hall.
• Zhou Ye alerted Feng Chenyi to Zhao Hai’s murder of Bai Qingyu, and the Patrol Camp arrested Zhao Hai before the court assigned the case to the Ministry of Justice.
• Zhou Ye gave Wei Mingxiu weapons, medicines, and manuals, while Wei Zeyu said he wanted to protect the people he loved.
• Empress Feng agreed to ally with the Zhou Family after recognizing Zhou Ye’s role in the Bai case, and Zhou Ya warned that Noble Consort Shu might smuggle Zhao Hai out of the city.

Zhou Ye and the Feng Family helped expose the Zhao Family’s escape plot and Wei Chengye’s attempt to kill Wei Mingxiu, securing Wei Mingxiu’s place under Empress Feng’s protection. Five years later, Wei Mingxiu protected a Chu delegation and reunited with Zhou Ye, who joined him on the journey to Yu Town.

• Wei Mingxiu and Zhou Ye helped expose the Zhao Family’s attempt to smuggle Zhao Hai out of prison during the Qingming procession, and Wei Zhao punished Zhao Hai, Zhao Junze, Zhao Guofeng, and Noble Consort Shu.
• Feng Chenyi learned that Wei Zhao had framed Lord Zhang and brought the news to Yun Shen, who began to believe the Feng Family could clear his father’s name.
• At the imperial hunt, Wei Chengye led Wei Mingxiu into the woods and stabbed him, but Wei Mingxiu had arranged for Wei Zhao, Zhou Ye, and others to arrive as witnesses.
• Wei Zhao sentenced Wei Chengye to thirty lashes and five years at Cypress Mountain Temple, while Empress Feng secured permission to adopt Wei Mingxiu.
• Zhou Ye cared for Wei Mingxiu as he recovered, and Wei Mingxiu explained that he had trusted Zhou Ye and the Feng Family to help his plan succeed.
• Five years later, Wei Mingxiu exposed corrupt officials in the south, then followed Zhou Ye’s instructions to protect the Chu princess’s delegation near Nanlu Town.
• Wei Mingxiu and A-Nan drove off assassins attacking the delegation, and Zhou Ye arrived with captured attackers and revealed himself to Wei Mingxiu.
• Wei Mingxiu pretended not to know Zhou Ye’s identity as he posed as a tea merchant, persuaded Zheng Feng to accept his escort, and asked Zhou Ye whether Young Master Yun had come with him.