Fang Yin and Lu Xian share their happy but unexpected news with Xue Ning and Xie Wei. Minister Gu and Xie Wei convince the Emperor to exempt Zhang Zhe from the 3 year mourning period so he can help find evidence against Duke Xue. Though Shen Jie wants to take Xue Hui as his consort, she is heartbroken to hear that the Empress Dowager will make Xue Shu his consort instead.