Nirvana in Fire Episode 3

During their walk, Ni Huang and Mei Changsu see Prince Jing trying to rescue a servant boy named Tingshen, who was about to be whipped to death. Mei offers to free the boy for Prince Jing. As he walks back to the Ning manor, he encounters Meng Zhi, who recognizes him and offers to help Mei in his plans. He later secretly visits Mei, and asks what happened at the battle in Meiling, but Mei promises to tell him later. Mu Qing, Nihuang's younger brother, asks Mei to help him form a plan to keep his sister from marrying Baili Qi, a strong but rather unattractive competitor for Northern Yan. Meanwhile, the princess recommends Mei to be the writer for the written exam, which allows him to attend the banquet where the top ten competitors are invited. (Source: Wikipedia)