The fourth prince, Yinzhen, brings some medicine for Ruoxi and asks her to cherish her life. Having recovered, Ruoxi volunteers to read letters to her elder sister but is ridiculed for not knowing many of the words, as she is unfamiliar with traditional text having only learnt the simplified form. Determined not to seem illiterate, she begins to study but is persuaded by the tenth prince, Yin'e, to go horse riding. Being unable to ride, Ruoxi fears that that she would be revealed as an impostor but she is fortunate that Yinsi has selected the best horse for her. Despite knowing his future ends in tragedy, Ruoxi nonetheless begins to develop feelings for him. On Yin'e's birthday, Yinsi selects Roulan to manage the celebrations. He feels that, as Ruolan is held in low regard by the court and even the servants have scant respect for her, this is an opportunity for her to show her culinary skills. Before the celebrations, Ruoxi and Gororo Mingyu, younger sister of Yinsi's wife Gororo Minghui's, argue over a rabbit that Ruoxi had captured but had been stolen by Mingyu. Ruoxi uses Yin'e's hound to get revenge on Mingyu but inadvertently injures the prince in their resulting fight. Yin'e's birthday celebrations are a success and Ruolan is soundly praised by all the attendees except Minghui. Watching the princes enjoying the festivities, Ruoxi's spirits are dampened by the knowledge of the terrible fate that awaits them.
四阿哥悄悄买了跌伤药给若曦，劝诫她最好别随便寻死，一番话让若曦决定既来之，则安之。
若曦自告奋勇给姐姐念信，但却多字不识，被姐姐嘲笑，为了不成半个文盲，若曦重新拾起书本念诗，却被十阿哥拉去骑马。若曦根本不会骑马，忐忑会不会被人怀疑不是马尔泰家的女儿，八阿哥却挑选最好的一匹马给若曦，对她极尽关怀。若曦虽深知八阿哥之后的命运不济，但此时也被他马上风姿打动，心中对他赞赏不已。
