After all of the political fighting in the previous episodes, the Emperor turns his attention towards salt taxation. His son, the Prince of Huan, volunteers to head south to perform an audit. Mysteriously, supporters of the Emperor all become embroiled in scandal. Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye find themselves in the middle as they try to help their friends. In the meanwhile, Ming Lan shares some happy news with her husband. She's pregnant! Unfortunately this is short lived as Gu Ting Ye must head south with the Prince