Episode 4 recap: If You Ask, How to Obtain the Map of Ma Sui's Defensive City
In Episode 4, Huo Qingyun fiercely protects Huang Beishuang as they narrowly escape detection by the desert bandits. Once the bandits leave, Huang Beishuang accidentally gets sand in her eyes, and Huo Qingyun gently approaches her, softly blowing away her discomfort. Meanwhile, Ruo Wen and Ge Xinwei arrive at a rest station. Ruo Wen exchanges gold for a map of the Ma Sui region, but Ge Xinwei feels the transaction is not worth it and insists on a refund, prompting Ruo Wen to quickly dissuade her from causing a scene.
Later, Huo Qingyun takes Huang Beishuang to an inn, where her beauty attracts the attention of those around them. The innkeeper, Sha Qu, personally welcomes them and cleverly arranges for other guests to leave, creating a quiet space for Huo Qingyun and his party. Curious about how Huang Beishuang obtained the "Great Desert Scroll," Huo Qingyun learns that it was a gift from an old friend of her father, though she cannot clearly recall the person's appearance.
Sha Qu uncovers information about the return of Elder Rong to the desert and informs Huo Qingyun, who is there for this very reason. However, they soon fall into an ambush set by the Tian Du's hidden guards. Huo Qingyun quickly takes charge, instructing Sha Qu to continue gathering intelligence and to meet again in five days. Sha Qu discovers that Tian Du's spies are hiding within the inn, prompting Huo Qingyun to decide to capture them all.
At that moment, Ruo Wen and Ge Xinwei happen to pass by the inn and see a red flag flying. Ge Xinwei assumes they will have to sleep outdoors again. However, Ruo Wen notices a black chess piece on the roof of the inn and suspects it might be a secret exchange point for military intelligence. She devises a plan to act, convincing Ge Xinwei to play along so they can successfully check in at the inn. Ge Xinwei seizes the opportunity to propose three conditions to Ruo Wen, who reluctantly agrees.
Huo Qingyun learns that Elder Rong has already been taken by Na Zhan, prompting him to urgently order the drawing of a map of the Yun Pei Wangfu. Sha Qu teases Huo Qingyun about returning with a beautiful woman, but Huo Qingyun cleverly shifts the topic by revealing the "Great Desert Scroll." Meanwhile, Ruo Wen and Ge Xinwei disguise themselves as blind horse traders, insisting on checking in, which catches the attention of the inn manager, Luo Cheng. He becomes suspicious of their identities and reports to Huo Qingyun, suggesting that the man appears questionable, possibly a desert bandit.
Upon recognizing Ruo Wen, Huo Qingyun's heart races, and he quickly relocates the sleeping Huang Beishuang. Ge Xinwei discovers Huang Beishuang's personal belongings in the room and quietly takes them while Ruo Wen is distracted. When Huang Beishuang wakes up in Huo Qingyun's room, she learns that Ruo Wen is also at the inn. Ruo Wen encounters Huo Qingyun downstairs, feeling a sense of familiarity but not pressing further, while Huo Qingyun pretends not to know her.
Ruo Wen takes the chance to search for the defensive map of Ma Sui, while Ge Xinwei returns Huang Beishuang's belongings and inadvertently reveals her true identity as the Ninth Princess, leaking a significant secret. Huo Qingyun grows suspicious, having heard Duo Zai refer to Huang Beishuang as the Ninth Princess. Realizing Ruo Wen is interested in the Ma Sui map, Huo Qingyun intentionally exposes a flaw to bait her.
Just then, Man Hu launches a surprise attack on Huo Qingyun, shooting an arrow at his back. Huang Beishuang bravely saves him and sucks out the poison from the arrow, only to find it isn’t lethal. Huo Qingyun's Mang Liu badge falls from his waist, and Huang Beishuang suddenly realizes he has been concealing his identity; the Huo Qingyun before her is actually the leader of the Mang Liu sect.
Meanwhile, Zhu Da Ren receives a report for safe passage and updates Na Zhan on the situation with the marriage alliance tribe, specifically mentioning a last-minute message from E Na Qi. However, as he has not seen Na Xiu and others, he suspects they haven’t reached Yun Pei. Na Zhan is unconcerned about this, focusing instead on Elder Rong's safety, ordering strict surveillance. He remains highly wary of the Mang Liu sect, believing they are collecting and selling military secrets, which could pose a threat to Yun Pei, and calls for heightened precautions.
As Huang Beishuang carefully tends to Huo Qingyun, he clings to her hand in his sleep, pleading for her not to leave. Huang Beishuang looks at this seemingly fragile man in his dreams, feeling a warm rush of emotion, and responds to his unease with a gentle smile.
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