General Shen returns from victory and is promoted by the Emperor, angering another consort. The Duke Mansion is then declared infected and Consort Ning orders executions on suspicion of contagion. Soldiers break in; General Shen rushes to stop them but is blocked. She learns thirty-eight people were killed and finds her family among the victims. The episode builds to her frantic cries of "Dad! Mom!" as she stares at the aftermath. It ends with General Shen reeling from the massacre while Consort Ning's ruthless decree remains in force, unresolved.