The Emperor publicly puts the Crown Prince in a conundrum. Not knowing what to do, he drops to his knees and asks to be excused under the pretext of being overcome. The Emperor makes no attempt to stop him. Lin Jiulang seizes the opportunity to smear the Crown Prince by claiming that his retirement from the banquet is a violation of solemn rites. He Zhizheng speaks in support of the Crown Prince and tries to assassinate Lin Jiulang, not knowing that he is wearing the brigandine gifted to him by the Emperor.
圣上当众为难太子，太子左右为难急忙跪倒在地，借口身体不适提前告退，圣上也没有阻拦。林九郎趁机诬陷太子此时离席不和法度，何执正站出来为太子打抱不平并行刺林九郎，没想到他事先穿了圣上赐的软甲，林九郎诬陷是太子指使何执正铲除异己，何执正不想牵连太子主动承担一切罪责。李必把龙波刺杀圣上的事告诉太子，让他去救圣上和被困大灯楼的张小敬，太子被逼无奈只好派李必去找陈玄礼救驾。鱼肠主动要求留守水闸，龙波和她依依惜别，约定来世再见。圣上扶起何执正，埋怨他不懂自己的一片苦心，激动之处圣上还要脱下黄袍。张小敬想砍断中枢，鱼肠赶忙过来制止，两个人大打出手，张小敬拼死把鱼肠制服。
