Episode 3 recap: Yang Shang De and Huang He Xiang were married by the Emperor.
Dadezi told Li Tian Shun that everything had been arranged. Li Tian Shun was delighted and asked how Dadezi had convinced the Emperor. Yang Shang De (Dadezi) intended to tell Li Tian Shun about Huang He Xiang's feelings for him, but seeing that Li Tian Shun's mind was not focused on that, he swallowed his words.
After leaving Li Tian Shun, Yang Shang De went to the Jiumen Dudu Yamen to meet Huang He Xiang, and coincidentally ran into Wang Tong Ren accompanying Huang He Xiang as they were leaving the Yamen. Upon hearing Wang Tong Ren boasting to Huang He Xiang about how he had helped her gain favor, Yang Shang De couldn't stand it and scolded him, revealing his own plea to the Emperor on Huang He Xiang's behalf. It was then that Huang He Xiang realized that Yang Shang De had saved her.
Yang Shang De wanted to take Huang He Xiang with him to thank the Emperor, so Huang He Xiang accompanied him to the palace. However, to her surprise, the Emperor publicly bestowed marriage upon them and even gave them wedding gifts. Huang He Xiang wanted to stand up and tell the Emperor that the person she truly loved was Li Tian Shun, but Yang Shang De signaled her not to say anything.
When Auntie learned that the Emperor had personally arranged the marriage of Huang He Xiang and Yang Shang De, she thought it was a great thing. However, Huang He Xiang told Auntie that she loved Li Tian Shun and couldn't go through with the marriage. Yang Shang De came to find Huang He Xiang and happened to overhear their conversation. He then told Huang He Xiang that Li Yun Mian had already arranged an engagement between Li Tian Shun and Wu Xiu Zhen. Huang He Xiang stubbornly declared that if she couldn't marry Li Tian Shun, then she would never marry anyone, and she turned and left.
As a heavy rainstorm descended, Yang Shang De saw Huang He Xiang rushing into the rain and quickly grabbed an umbrella to chase after her. However, he hadn't gone far when he ran into Li Tian Shun. With a grim face, Li Tian Shun demanded to know why Yang Shang De, knowing that he and Huang He Xiang had feelings for each other, would still try to take her away.
Somewhat defiantly, Yang Shang De explained to Li Tian Shun that he was thinking of Huang He Xiang's happiness because she needed someone to take care of her. If Li Tian Shun could break off the engagement with Wu Xiu Zhen, then Yang Shang De would step aside and let them be together.
Li Tian Shun didn't want to waste time talking with Yang Shang De and decided to resolve the issue the way they used to when they were younger. Naturally, Yang Shang De didn't back down either, and the two of them started fighting in the rain. Although Yang Shang De was skilled in martial arts, he was still no match for Li Tian Shun. In the end, Li Tian Shun pinned him to the ground and tightly gripped his neck with his arm.
Li Yun Mian stepped in and separated the two. He scolded Li Tian Shun, acknowledging that Yang Shang De was right, and made it clear that he would never allow Li Tian Shun to marry Huang He Xiang, even if it meant his own death.
Huang He Xiang, who was standing nearby, listened to the conversation between father and son, feeling deeply saddened. After returning to her aunt's house, she decided to leave the capital and return to her own home. However, her aunt reminded her that her marriage was arranged by the Emperor, and if she defied his will, not only would she suffer, but the entire neighborhood would also face consequences.
Yuan Shikai secretly informed the Emperor that Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, and others were discussing reforms and planning to imprison the Emperor. Upon hearing this news, the Emperor became infuriated. Prime Minister Cui came over to remind her that Li Tian Shun had failed to complete the carving of the pomegranate stone on time, and suggested that he be punished with death. The Emperor was contemplating how to deal with the situation when she ordered Li Tian Shun to be imprisoned first.
Beyeye Fu Lanting learned that Li Tian Shun had been imprisoned again and once again appealed to the Emperor for mercy. He reminded her that Li Yun Mian had spent five years carving the pomegranate stone, while Li Tian Shun had only had two years and there might be valid reasons for his failure to complete the carving. Empress Dowager Cixi had never intended to kill Li Tian Shun and decided to grant Fu Lanting a favor.
Dadao Wang Wu received the news that Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao had escaped and hurriedly came to persuade Tan Sitong to leave. Tan Sitong was already aware that Yuan Shikai had betrayed them but was unwilling to flee. He wanted to stay and sacrifice himself for the reforms. Wang Wu wanted to accompany him in death, but Tan Sitong insisted that he should not make a futile sacrifice and presented him with his precious sword. After the capture of the Wuxu Reformists, Fu Lanting was relieved of his duties by Empress Dowager Cixi due to his sympathy for them.
Without Fu Lanting's protection, Prime Minister Cui found an excuse to expel Li Tian Shun from the palace. Li Yun Mian learned about Li Tian Shun losing his position in the Ministry of Works and naturally felt angry. After calming down, she decided to immediately proceed with the marriage between Li Tian Shun and Wu Xiu Zhen.
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