Episode Title:
The Beginning
Episode Description:
Maomao wakes beside Jinshi, rebandaging his scar and calling it manly—acknowledging how others had reduced him to just his beauty. Before they can kiss, the Shi children stir, prompting Maomao to request Suirei's help. Jinshi realizes the covert meaning of Loulan's final request. At New Year, Gyokuyou is named empress and the new crown prince is revealed. Luomen remains in the rear palace. Maomao returns to the pleasure district, caring for Kyou-u, renamed Chou-u, whose extended death state incurred memory loss. The other children are adopted by Ah-Duo; Suirei is spared due to her imperial blood, but is kept under surveillance. Seki-u brings letters from Xiaolan, now employed by a concubine's sister, expressing how she misses Maomao and Shisui, moving Maomao to tears. Shisui's body remains missing, with search efforts resuming in spring when snows melt. Jinshi visits Maomao, asking about the hairpin—she gave it to Loulan. He attempts to resume their army camp moment, but is interrupted by Chou-u, and settles for napping on her lap. In a port city, Shisui - now Tamamo - trades the bullet-damaged hairpin for a jade cicada ornament, as she departs for overseas.
