He Zhizheng fearlessly reminds the Emperor that a ruler who mistreats his own children can never be a great patriarch for his subjects, as an Emperor is expected to be. These frank words of caution ring alarm bells for the Emperor. Zhang Xiaojing is shocked by the revelation that the ruthless killer standing in front of him is his comrade-in-arms from the Eighth Squad, Xiao Gui. This reunion of two old friends is filled with enmity. Long Bo forces Zhang Xiaojing to kill Li Bi. The circumstances allow no time for Zhang Xiaojing to consider his next move.
何执正直言不讳提醒圣上如果对自己亲生的孩子都不好，又如何能庇佑天下万民，这番话无疑是给圣上敲警钟。张小敬看清眼前这个杀人不眨眼的暴徒就是自己第八团的生死兄弟萧规时，还是很震惊，故友重逢但更多的是敌意。龙波逼张小敬杀了李必，张小敬情急之下顾不上考虑太多，死死掐住李必的脖子，李必被当场掐晕。冯公公请旨让许鹤子进来献技，严羽幻心里忐忑不安，她最不愿意看到的人还是来了。程参翻到一张百年前使用的算筹代码，他译出其中含义，竟然是“上元夜杀太子”。圣上让太子带头试吃，太子听到菜名叫“江山”后惊得目瞪口呆。
