In the eighth episode of Moon River, we find Yi Kang holding an unconscious Dal-i as the dowager queen orders the chief court lady's arrest for hurting the prince. As Yi Kang confesses to writing the poems, the left minister is compelled to release Je-woon as well.
As Dal-i slowly regains consciousness, Se-dol informs Yi Kang that the incense pouch he discovered was a gift from the king to all palace attendants. A flashback reveals that the woman whose family was murdered told Yi Kang that a masked man visited her home every five days to purchase poisonous insects. Yi Kang peruses the visitor's log and discovers that the chief court lady was leaving the palace on a regular basis. Upon investigation, they find her hanging in her cell, accompanied by a mask in her belongings.
Dal-i, still unconscious during this time, dreams of her past as the crown princess. Yi Kang wakes her from her nightmare, promising to announce her as his concubine to protect her until the current crisis is resolved. He escorts her to her new quarters and, before departing, she inquires about the photos with his poems. However, Yi Kang chooses not to reveal his true feelings, claiming he had nowhere else to put them.
Yi Kang seeks his father's assistance, and soon Dal-i is appointed as a concubine, now known as Lady So-hoon. They return to the underground cave where the chief court lady had kidnapped him, and find a fledgling Zhen bird in a cage, left there as a mockery. Yi Kang interrogates the Qing boy, who explains how a mother Zhen bird can find her fledgling from afar and bring it home. Meanwhile, the person in the mask remains elusive.
Hong-nan approaches the prince, reminding him of his promise to release Dal-i after their bodies were returned. However, Yi Kang insists that he can safeguard her and help her realize her dream of having a family.
Certainly, it won't be a walk in the park. The left minister orchestrates a meeting with Dal-i, prompting Yi Kang to hurry and ensure her well-being. This only reinforces Han-chul's suspicions about Yi Kang's true feelings for her. Yi Kang discloses to Han-chul that he has taken her as a concubine due to his obligation to her for saving his life at the Sinjusa temple. Dal-i overhears this exchange, her expression reflecting a deep sadness.
In their private moment, Yi Kang unveils his plan to use the fledgling bird to find its mother, who is believed to be somewhere near the capital city. However, he insists that his revenge is personal and she will have no role in it. Later, Yi Kang reconciles with Je-woon, who helped him reach this point thanks to his book. He also agrees to protect Woo-hee. The next time Je-woon encounters Woo-hee, he takes her hand and leads her to the small garden where they used to meet. He whispers to her that Han-chul's time is running out, and that soon they can escape together.
Meanwhile, the dowager queen urges the prince to consummate his relationship with Dal-i. That night, Dal-i awaits his kiss, but they merely sleep side by side. Concerned about her injured back, he applies a soothing ointment.
The next day, Woo-hee approaches Yi Kang with a proposition. If she reveals the location of the Zhen bird to him, he must arrange for their safe passage to escape with Je-woon.
Han-chul soon discovers that the masked assassin used the Zhen bird poison on the snake hunters, leading to open talk about the poison and its symptoms among the townspeople. He orders the assassin, revealed to be a woman, to seal all passageways leading to the underground cavern where the bird is stored.
Woo-hee recounts to Yi Kang the tale of a liquor store nestled against a majestic mountain, once owned by her father but later transferred to the chief court lady. The trio of the prince, Se-dol, and Shin-wan find themselves at the dilapidated store, where a fretful fledgling bird's chirping leads them through a passage into the mountain. However, their path terminates in a dead end, until Yi Kang discovers a narrow crevice beneath it, used by rats as a passage. Sneaking a metal rod through one of these holes, he uncovers a chain, realizing the dead end was a disguised door. With determination, he smashes it open, revealing a new world within.
But their triumph is short-lived as a masked assassin emerges, armed with an explosive device. Yi Kang valiantly dismantles a metal door to stop the explosion, only to have the Zhen bird escape its confinement. It soars towards the palace, bearing down on the helpless fledgling. As Yi Kang and his companions turn to face the impending danger, the cavern explodes, consuming all evidence of the bird's presence in the left minister's hands.
The colossal Zhen bird arrives at the palace, and Dal-i understands that it must be captured alive for Yi Kang's vengeance. She deftly snatches the fledgling and lures the mother bird away from the others. As she flees, Yi Kang and his men manage to ensnare the mother bird with ropes. However, Yi Kang is furiously displeased with Dal-i's interference. Suddenly, the bird breaks free from its ropes and charges towards both of them. In a swift move, Yi Kang fires a burning arrow into the bird's uvula, bringing it to a halt. Dal-i fears that her actions have ruined all their plans and apologizes to Yi Kang that night.
Listening to her words, Yi Kang reveals his true feelings—that he has feelings for her and desires to protect her. The episode concludes with their lips touching in a passionate kiss, sealing their growing bond amidst the chaos and adventure that surrounds them.
