Yinxiang and Yinti discuss the concept of "equality and freedom", which Yinxiang heard from Ruoxi when she spoke of "the thoughts of modern people". Everyone considers her thoughts as being heretical to the way of life they know. During the horse race, Mingyu performs spectacularly impressing the audience. In a moment of pique, Mingyu angers Ruoxi into mounting up, but to her chagrin Ruolan requests that she be permitted to perform and impresses everyone with her grace. Yinsi later goes to Ruolan, hoping to help her forget her pain so that, as a married couple, they can start anew but is coldly rejected by Ruolan.
Ruoxi and Yinxiang discuss their lack of etiquette on Yin'e's wedding night but discover that it is all a misunderstanding. Yinxiang was not unhappy because of his feelings for Mingyu but on that night but because his mother was giving birth and Ruoxi was not unhappy because of Yin'e. With their misunderstandings cleared, Yinxiang takes Ruoxi to the home of his best friend, Luwu, and the three talks and enjoy each other's company late into the night. When Rouxi returns to her estate, she realizes that it is very late and goes to Ruolan to apologize but happens upon her sister gazing longingly at a portrait. Bit by bit, Ruolan tells of what happened years ago. Yinsi had always loved Ruolan but when they were wed he discovered that her heart belonged to another, her childhood friend from the steppes, Qingshan. In a bid to ensure she marries Yinsi, Ruolan's father sends Qingshan to war where he dies in battle. Ruolan, unable to forgive Yinsi, spends her days with a small Buddha. To help Yinsi see Ruolan as she was in the past, Ruoxi gives a jade bracelet to her sister but Ruolan mistaken believes that the gift is from Yinxiang.
In time, the period for selecting attendants arrives and the princes are concerned for Ruoxi. Yinsi suddenly announces that he chooses to spend the night with Ruolan, dismaying Minghui. Unused to the all night custom, Ruoxi has t
十三阿哥突然与十四阿哥讨论起“平等自由”的事情,说这都是若曦口中的“现代人思想”,大家都觉得若曦老有些离经叛道的主意。明玉在马场上一展风采,令众人佩服,明玉得意之际故意激若曦上马,没想打若兰主动要求给大家表演助兴,潇洒姿态让人叹为观止。八阿哥想让若兰忘记过去伤痛,重新开始,但被若兰冷淡拒绝。