Kill to Love

Xiao Shu He confronts Duan Ziang while pursuing Ji Bei assassins, leaving their bond fractured. After the Ji Bei Emperor's death, Ziang is honored for his deeds, rising as commander and later crowned Emperor. Vowing to unify the land, he must choose between love and loyalty. Meanwhile, Shu He is captured and imprisoned in the Ji Bei palace, where the two meet again.

Duan Ziang and Xiao Shu He are bound by love and hate, clashing repeatedly. Even as Ziang admits Shu He is the only one he cares for, Shu He cannot forgive his actions. Meanwhile, Huo Ying is captured in Ji Bei but secretly informs Shu He of a rescue plan during the Lantern Festival.

Xiao Shu He struggles between restoring his homeland and love, admitting that without the hatred of a fallen nation, he could have truly loved Duan Ziang. During the Lantern Festival, Ziang takes Shu He to the night market, lost in affection. Meanwhile, a rescue plan unfolds, but Shu He's escape attempt is exposed, leaving Ziang to suspect he has been betrayed all along.

The secret of the Red Shadow guards' short lives is revealed, and Duan Ziang falls ill from overwork, yet still longs for Xiao Shu He. Shu He confesses his torment between love and vengeance, hating both Ziang and himself. Sharing nuptial wine and cutting their hair as an oath, they vow that even if life began anew, they would still choose each other.