Episode 6 of "Dear Hongrang" kicks off with Gyu-ha solemnly cautioning Hong-rang about Kkot-nim's decree for Jae-yi's assassination, rationalizing that Jae-yi's marriage to another could safeguard her, urging Hong-rang to abandon his affections for her. Yet, Jae-yi, determined to escape her fate, attempts a daring breakout, only to be swiftly recaptured by Yuk-son, Yeon-ui's henchman, who looms over the sleuths with a menacing presence. With merely five days left until the wedding, Mu-jin intercepts a note from Lady Ko, revealing a loophole to nullify the marriage on account of Choi Ju-yeol's existing marriage to her. Ko devises a plan to make a dramatic entrance during the ceremony.
The fateful day arrives, and the wedding festivities commence. Mu-jin's men frantically search for Lady Ko, whose absence grows ominous, while Jae-yi's terror is palpable as the rites draw to a close. Hong-rang, witnessing her fear, is consumed by guilt, realizing he's the one who orchestrated Lady Ko's disappearance by sending Mu-jin the note and aiding her flight. Furthermore, he unearths Yeon-ui's sinister plot to murder Jae-yi, frame Ju-yeol, and seize his estate under the pretext of a prenuptial agreement violation.
As Mu-jin and his men desperately strive to halt the consummation, Yeon-ui's assassin slyly administers drugs to Jae-yi and lunges at her. Hong-rang, swift and decisive, dispatches the assassin and conceals Jae-yi, who slowly regains consciousness but finds her vision blurred. She reaches out to him, and in a tender moment, he plants a kiss on her hand.
Outside, Mu-jin confronts Ju-yeol upon discovering Jae-yi's disappearance, tensions escalating rapidly until Yeol-guk reveals his hand, orchestrating a dramatic revelation. He ushers in Lady Ko, who exposes the Chois' deceit, leading to the annulment of the marriage due to Ju-yeol's existing marriage.
Jae-yi remains missing, and suspicion falls heavily on Hong-rang. However, he feigns drunkenness in his chamber, his deception nearly foiled when In-hoe confronts him in private. Hong-rang's confession of love for Jae-yi is met with a somber expression, his heart heavy with the weight of his unspoken feelings.
The following morning, Mu-jin discovers Jae-yi in her chamber, a picture of bewilderment etched across her features. He recounts the events of the previous night, each detail leaving her increasingly troubled, for the tale of Hong-rang's intoxication clashes sharply with her foggy recollection of sharing a kiss with him.
Elsewhere, Hong-rang pleads with Kkot-nim to desist from meddling in Jae-yi's affairs, vowing to secure the Min Guild's partition deed for her as his contribution. Yet, she remains unconvinced, fearing Jae-yi will ultimately betray him, much like Yeol-guk did to her.
Turning to Yeol-guk, he is taken aback when Mun Gyu-ha broaches the idea of an alliance. The revelation unfolds that the Sims were once a humble family, and Yeol-guk had intended to exploit the Min fortune to elope with Kkot-nim. Gyu-ha, putting on a mask of empathy, suggests they must unite to vanquish their true adversary – Yeon-ui.
Returning to her abode, Jae-yi confronts Hong-rang about the kiss, her heart yearning for it to have been mere fantasy, for the reality of it would deal her a crushing blow. He reassures her, his voice tinged with sorrow, that it was indeed a dream.
Imbued with a bitter resentment, he directs his attention intently towards Kkot-nim's devious scheme. Subtly, he drops hints to Yeon-ui, suggesting that Yeol-guk is indulging in an extramarital affair, prompting her to task Yuk-son with tailing him discreetly. Unfortunately for the Sims, Yeol-guk orchestrates an underhanded maneuver by establishing a clandestine guild bearing his name. He appoints Mu-jin as its guildmaster and unveils his covert strategy to shift their valuable assets into this new venture. As a crucial part of this plot, the royal registry conveniently bestows the position of the Min Guild upon the Muns, leaving Yeon-ui distressed. In a swift maneuver, Yeol-guk steps in with a proposal to forge an alliance with the Muns, seemingly solving her woes. However, once he exits the scene, Yuk-son updates Yeon-ui with startling intelligence: Yeol-guk is surreptitiously meeting with Mun Gyu-ha, Kkot-nim's own flesh and blood. Realizing the full extent of Yeol-guk's duplicity, Yeon-ui seethes with rage.
Elsewhere, Mu-jin is pleasantly astonished to observe Jae-yi deliberately steering clear of Hong-rang. By chance, he stumbles upon her sketchbook, its pages filled with drawings of a faux Hong-rang, leaving him perpetually thwarted in his endeavors. Meanwhile, Yuk-son trails Mu-jin's men as they covertly stash guild assets at the Min silver mine. Without hesitation, Yuk-son detonates an explosive, claiming the lives of most of the men involved.
At the climactic conclusion of Dear Hongrang Episode 6, Yeon-ui levels severe accusations against Mu-jin, citing his illicit sulfur trade, the miners' tragic fatalities, and his embezzlement from the Min Guild to enrich his own Sim Guild. Yeol-guk attempts to intervene, but Yeon-ui presents him with an ultimatum – either hand Mu-jin over to the magistrate or address the matter discreetly. In the end, he relents, allowing Yeon-ui to take Mu-jin into captivity.
