Court lady An Huilan comes to make a request. She claims she can hear the voice of a dead consort coming from within the water. Xi Wanlin, the Magpie Consort during Yandi's reign, drowned herself in the lake on the day the emperor was to visit her. The voice within the water is allegedly hers. Huilan asks Shouxue to save Wanlin, but Shouxue realizes there is more to the story than what Huilan is telling her.

Gaojun uncharacteristically appears lonely. Though Shouxue is concerned, she is unable to ask why. Several days later, Gaojun visits Ye Ming Palace to show her a haunted mask. The ghost haunting the mask apparently responds to a type of foreign lute. The problem is solved when Gaojun is able to provide such a lute. Gaojun tries to leave, but he is stopped by Shouxue.

Xue Yuyong warns Shouxue against getting too close to Gaojun, and Shouxue sends Wen Ying to Quechao Palace to investigate the Magpie Consort.

After confronting the Magpie Consort, Shouxue and Gaojun discover the shocking reason behind the mysterious events. Shouxue then learns of her relationship to the Owl through Niao Lian.

Gaojun orders Wei Qing to investigate Xiao Yue, and he discovers he had an accomplice within the palace.