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
