Bent on revenge, Ji Ye manages to escape the mountain. While recuperating from his injuries, Wu Yi imprisons him, allowing Princess Xiao Zhou to care for him. The Emperor buys Gui Chen's freedom by giving the royal funds for Wu Yi's military expenditures. He wants Gui Chen to support him in his endeavor to help the common people, but without his own loyal military, he is debilitated. The Tianqu Warriors are willing to help if he grants a royal decree to exonerate them. (Source: frankly at MyDramaList)