Where the Mask Ends episode 19 recap: The military contest and the locked room

In short

Han Liao bribes the Empress for a marriage to A Chou and dominates the palace military contest, until Lu Zhuo beats him. His plan to trap A Chou in a room backfires, and Bi Tao takes an arrow meant for her.

What happens in episode 19

Back from her retreat, the Empress Dowager raises A Chou's divorce in front of the palace ladies and proposes a new husband: the newly widowed Han Liao. The idea is the Empress's. Han Liao bought her support with pearls and treasures. Zhou Fu is ready for it: the Emperor will choose a capable officer for A Chou at this year's military contest.

The contest moves to Shanglin Park, and the new Qianji crossbow will be tried out on the field. Lu Zhuo, still recovering, suggests his younger brother compete. The old Duke tries to engage Lu Zhuo to Xie Hualou instead. Lu Zhuo refuses, and the Duke fumes that Consort Li is using the contest to shame the Lu family.

A Chou forgives Bi Tao and takes her back. The Emperor's fourth son, Liu Shuo, just home from his travels, comes to escort her to the contest. It is the first time she meets her half-brother, and he is warm and easy from the start.

Han Liao has won fifteen bouts in a row. He beats Lu Zhuo's brother until he coughs blood, and has Qi Zhongkai's wine drugged. Lu Zhuo knows it's bait and fights anyway. When Consort Li objects to Han Liao's tricks, the Empress says losers don't get to complain about fairness. A Chou argues the contest should be open to anyone, whatever their rank, and the Emperor agrees. Lu Zhuo turns the crossbow on Han Liao and wins, but takes an arrow.

Worried, A Chou follows a message to a room, and the door is locked behind her. Han Liao is in the bed, hoping to ruin her name so she has to marry him. She beats him until he can't stand, and Lu Zhuo arrives before she kills him. When the Empress's party comes looking, Lu Zhuo covers for her. Furious, the Empress sends men disguised as Nanshan bandits after A Chou. On the road home, Bi Tao steps in front of an arrow meant for her.

Why it matters

Han Liao's courtship becomes open war, and A Chou now has enemies at the top of the palace, the Empress and the Empress Dowager.

Based on the episode synopsis, summarized in our own words: TVmao (电视猫) episode synopses, cited by Baidu Baike Baidu Baike: official synopsis, episode synopses, cast and 追剧日历