Qin Zheng is rushed to Chang'an University's medical school, where he lies in a sterile room while Zetian, Yizhi, and Sima Yi watch from an observation booth. Officials had immediately accused Zetian of poisoning him, but she suspects them of trying to protect their fortunes. Across Huaxia, Qin Zheng's revolutionary speech has triggered worker rallies, riots, and attacks on the rich, while a ten-second livestream delay concealed his collapse from the public.

Doctor Hua Tuo arrives with lab results revealing not poison but two opportunistic infections. He explains that Qin Zheng, being two centuries displaced, lacks immunity to modern pathogens. The treatable infections are not the real problem: Qin Zheng must remain in sterile quarantine permanently, or risk catching something incurable. Qin Zheng furiously orders everyone out.

Zetian refuses to leave. She confronts Qin Zheng, arguing he cannot abandon the people he just incited to revolt. She insists he can still lead via cameras and networks, comparing his confinement to how women have always been restricted, including by him. Stung but persuaded, he agrees to continue and asks Doctor Hua to return with treatment.

Recognizing he can no longer safely pilot the Yellow Dragon, Zetian asks him to record the old pilot training methods. Qin Zheng instead proposes teaching her through a mind link, revealing that spirit metal alone is enough to create one—Chrysalises require less engineering than commonly believed. He drills a golden thread of spirit metal through the glass, and Zetian agrees to begin training that night, seeing it as her chance to learn to pilot the Dragon herself.