Episode 3 recap: Ning Yuan Zhou went to Anguo.
Princess Yang Ying's female companion disguised as a man and entered the palace. She informed King of Ying, Dan Yang, that his health was poor but he still needed to govern the dynasty. She proposed that she should go to Anguo for negotiations, which caused confusion among the ministers. At that moment, the Empress entered the palace and agreed with Yang Ying's idea, suggesting her support for it.
Dan Yang subtly hinted to Yang Ying that there would be many dangers in going, but Yang Ying felt unafraid. Yang Ying believed that as a prominent prince, if he could win the emperor's favor this time, he would achieve great success and be able to be with his beloved Zheng Qing Yun.
Zheng Qing Yun thought Yang Ying was being foolish and was afraid that Yang Ying would encounter danger during the negotiations. While the Empress was discussing the situation in Anguo with Yang Ying, she noticed that Yang Ying had fallen asleep there. She felt that Yang Ying was unreliable and could not handle the situation, so she reluctantly allowed Yang Ying to return and sleep. However, Yang Ying insisted on receiving instructions and asked the Empress to help recall Ning Yuan Zhou. A maid nearby overheard that Ning Yuan Zhou was coming back and was shocked, accidentally dropping what she was holding. She hadn't expected Lord Ning to still be alive, and this excited her.
When Ning Yuan Zhou returned, he saw that Ruyi had hidden away and asked her to come out, intentionally making things difficult for her. Yuan Lu saw that the food Ruyi cooked was delicious and praised her happily. Ruyi saw Ning Yuan Zhou eating her food and mocked him for not fearing that she might have poisoned it. Ning Yuan Zhou was displeased with Ruyi's arrogant attitude and deliberately made things difficult for her, but Ruyi didn't pay it any mind.
Yuan Lu believed that Ning Yuan Zhou treated Ruyi that way because of the incident where Ruyi had bitten him before. Ruyi noticed a girl calling Ning Yuan Zhou "Brother Yuanzhou," so she also ran up to Ning Yuan Zhou and called him "Brother Yuanzhou," which made the other girl leave in annoyance. Ruyi asked Ning Yuan Zhou to help her escape through the city gates, otherwise, she didn't know what she would do. Ning Yuan Zhou immediately agreed without hesitation, surprising Ruyi.
Mr. Yue threatened Lou Qing Qiang to help her find the person who had used the antidote, which would cause their martial arts skills to deteriorate rapidly. She wanted to send the message back to headquarters using a carrier pigeon and needed assistance. However, they didn't realize that Yuan Lu had overheard their conversation. Yuan Lu also began to suspect Ruyi. Ning Yuan Zhou felt overwhelmed and decided to send Ruyi away. He told her that they would part ways the next day and that they had no further connection.
Ruyi wanted to go her separate way and voluntarily told Ning Yuan Zhou that she owed him a life. However, Ning Yuan Zhou felt that he had already repaid her by eating her red bean bun and didn't think there was anything else to owe.
Ning Yuan Zhou warned Ruyi to be careful. Ruyi pretended not to understand what Ning Yuan Zhou was saying and acted as if she was returning to her hometown. Ning Yuan Zhou suddenly noticed someone blocking the road ahead and knew that he was being ambushed. As expected, Lou Qing Qiang and her men attacked him. Ruyi also heard the sound of the fight. Yuan Lu was knocked down, and Ning Yuan Zhou became distracted. At that moment, Ruyi appeared and saved them.
Ning Yuan Zhou instructed Ruyi to take Yuan Lu away while he dealt with the situation. He was surprised to find Zhang Song waiting for him. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ruyi killed Lou Qing Qiang. Zhang Song didn't blame her and expressed his desire for Ning Yuan Zhou to return to the Six Dao Hall.
While listening to Zhang Song's persuasion, Ning Yuan Zhou told him that he was unwilling to return to the court. Zhang Song used Yang Ying as a threat to coerce Ning Yuan Zhou into going to Anguo and seeking imperial orders.
Observing Ning Yuan Zhou's calmness amid chaos, Zhang Song admired him and realized that he had previously misjudged him. Zhang Song took the initiative to pay his respects to Ning Yuan Zhou, who initially didn't want to accept the task. However, when he heard about the unjust treatment of his brothers from Tiandao Nation, he couldn't bear the thought of carrying such a crime and decided to go to Anguo.
Zhang Song appointed Ning Yuan Zhou as the head of the Six Dao Hall. Zhang Song knew that Zhao Ji had already died and didn't pursue the matter further. Sun Lang's ability to stand up against a hundred opponents earned Zhang Song's appreciation, and Yu Shi San also gained Ning Yuan Zhou's admiration. Upon seeing Ning Yuan Zhou's determination to protect the vulnerable princess, Yu Shi San felt duty-bound to assist him.
Qian Zhao was summoned by the Empress to authenticate a painting. Ning Yuan Zhou thought he could make use of Qian Zhao's skills, and Qian Zhao agreed wholeheartedly upon seeing Ning Yuan Zhou. Zhang Song wished Ning Yuan Zhou a triumphant return and asked if there was any news about his cousin. Ning Yuan Zhou hesitated for a moment and said there wasn't. Qian Zhao, who had known Ning Yuan Zhou for over twenty years, wondered why he had never heard about Ning Yuan Zhou having a cousin. Ning Yuan Zhou didn't elaborate on the matter.
Zhang Song believed that Ruyi was too ruthless to be kept by their side. He secretly poisoned Ning Yuan Zhou's tea, believing that Ning Yuan Zhou was a smart person. Ning Yuan Zhou had successfully reunited with his brothers and was ready to return.
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