Li Bi recalls Xu Bin once said that the key to resolving issues is to stay alive. He wants to free Tan Qi and then accuse Lin Jiulang for acting ultra vires by exercising authority on behalf of all three government ministries. He signs the statement with great reluctance. Tan Qi stays in the Counsellor’s mansion as hostage while Li Bi is allowed to leave. Li Bi bids Tan Qi farewell, and she senses his stoicism. Zhang Xiaojing goes to the paper mill, hands the foreman a slip, and moments later Xu Bin appears.
李必想起徐宾曾经说解决问题的关键就是活着，他想先救檀棋出去，再告发林九郎独霸三司的罪名，他硬着头皮在供状上签字画押。檀棋留在右相府做人质，李必来向檀棋告别，檀棋读懂了他的隐忍和坚毅。张小敬辗转来到纸坊，拿出纸条交给管事的人，徐宾很快现身了，徐宾拿出一本房屋所有权的档案，他断定一切都是林九郎精心预谋的。元载见李必迟迟没有出来，一口咬定李必畏罪潜逃，王蕴秀下令让右骁卫斩杀李必，守捉郎和右骁卫展开激战，李必趁机逃走。李必逃到龙虎军的管辖范围，在他们的护送下去找郭利仕求救。
