Zang Hai seeks Xiang An Tu's help to get rid of Lu Jin. Xiang An Tu arranges assassins along Lu Jin's route back to the capital.

Zang Hai resolves the crisis successfully and crafts a camellia hairpin to thank Xiang An Tu. Xiang An Tu invites Zang Hai to watch the lights and have a chat during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

Zhongzhou is flooded. Chu Huai Ming tries to set a fire to murder Zang Hai before trouble arises. Zhuang Zhi Xing, who has received instructions from Zang Hai beforehand, apprehends him.

Zang Hai learns about Zhuang Lu Yin and Shen Wan's past from Gao Ming. He helps Zhuang Lu Yin deal with his guilt and advises him to nurture Zhuang Zhi Xing while gaining more of his trust at the same time.

After assuming office, Zang Hai finds out that officials of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau have been arranging posthumous marriage, sometimes even at the cost of innocent lives. He drafts a decree overnight and swiftly begins cracking down on corruption to purge the bureau of its rot.

Zhuang Zhi Xing heeds Zang Hai's suggestion. He joins the military but is put on the spot on multiple occasions. He intends to become a deserter.

Zang Hai receives an invite to Yong Rong's banquet at Zhen Tower. Someone mentions Kuai Duo at the banquet. Zang Hai quietly probes Yong Rong.

At the banquet, several officials talk about Minister of Revenue Zhao Bing Wen. Their words spark Zang Hai's suspicion. He decides to visit the Zhao Residence and search the place in secret.

Cao Jing Xian forces Zang Hai to complete the general's burial mound before the Double Ninth Festival. Zang Hai has no choice but to use Zhuang Zhi Fu to resolve his issue. When Zhuang Lu Yin finds out, he questions him. Unexpectedly, Zang Hai owns up to his wrongdoings.

Zang Hai sets up a trap to sow discord between Zhuang Lu Yin and Cao Jing Xian. He follows Cao Jing Xian and finds out that he is secretly meeting the hostage of Dongxia. Zang Hai is sure that the third person will appear soon.

Zhuang Lu Yin covertly plans to impeach Cao Jing Xian but ends up being framed instead. Just as he falls into peril, Zhuang Zhi Xing, acting on Zang Hai's prior instructions, leads reinforcements and arrives in time to save the day.

Zang Hai suspects that Xiang An Tu is his enemy upon finding out that she's the nation's hostage. Xiang An Tu denies his claim, yet she finds it difficult to explain the relationship between Dongxia and Cao Jing Xian.