Chapter Summaries

Shen Jingchuan’s poem, “Autumn Mountain Journey,” astonished the three elderly examiners, who praised him and invited him to meet them. They brought him to the marking shed, where Juren Zhang stopped a scholar from writing his name on an ordinary invitation.

• Zhou Tong secretly put away the draft Xu Mo had prepared for him, while Su Yan finished his poem and waited for the papers to be collected.
• Old Master Zhang read Shen Jingchuan’s poem and praised it as worthy of being passed down to future generations.
• Old Master Zhang, Elder Wang, and Elder Li went to the examinees and asked to meet Master Shen from Yuxi Prefecture.
• Shen Jingchuan introduced himself, and the examiners were surprised that the poet was a young man rather than an elderly recluse.
• The examiners praised Shen Jingchuan’s talent as they escorted him to the marking shed, where Juren Zhang stopped a scholar from writing an ordinary invitation.

Shen Jingchuan earned a distinguished guest's invitation to Jade Autumn Garden after impressing Juren Zhang with his poem, “Autumn Mountain Journey.” As the poem drew acclaim, Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan invited Shen to dine at the Drunken Immortal Tavern, and he agreed to join them after settling his family.

• Juren Zhang wrote Shen Jingchuan a distinguished guest's invitation, allowing him to bring two people into Jade Autumn Garden.
• Juren Zhang copied “Autumn Mountain Journey” in regular script and posted it outside the examination shed, where scholars praised its lines.
• Xu Mo and Su Yan admired the poem, and Xu Mo hurried after Shen Jingchuan to invite him for drinks.
• Zhou Tong insisted on hosting Shen at the Drunken Immortal Tavern and invited Xu Mo and Su Yan to join them.
• Shen Jingchuan accepted the invitation and agreed to meet them at the tavern after taking his family home.

Shen Jingchuan secured a distinguished guest recommendation to the Jade Autumn Garden and invited Lin Qingyao and Yue'er to accompany him. After giving the Lin family pocket watches, he persuaded Lin Shan and Lin Yue to join him at a banquet in Chang'an.

• Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan watched Shen Jingchuan's carriage leave and realized his horses were Whirlwind Horses.
• Shen Jingchuan showed Lin Qingyao his distinguished guest recommendation, which let him bring two people into the Jade Autumn Garden.
• Lin Qingyao chose to attend, and Lin Shan gave the remaining place to Yue'er while he and Lin Yue planned to wait outside.
• Shen Jingchuan gave Lin Qingyao, Lin Shan, and Lin Yue pocket watches and explained how they worked.
• Shen Jingchuan persuaded Lin Shan and Lin Yue to accompany him to the banquet, and the three walked toward the Drunken Immortal Tavern.

After Shen Jingchuan’s poem impressed Chang’an’s scholars, Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan hosted him and his companions at the Drunken Immortal Tavern. They arranged to visit Shen Jingchuan the next day to see his carriage and discuss possible business partnerships.

• Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan greeted Shen Jingchuan, Lin Shan, and Lin Yue outside the Drunken Immortal Tavern and led them to a private room.
• Xu Mo and Su Yan praised Shen Jingchuan’s poem, and Zhou Tong, Lin Shan, and Lin Yue joined them in toasting him.
• Shen Jingchuan learned that all three hosts had obtained admission tickets for the Jade Autumn Garden examination.
• Zhou Tong asked whether the Zhou Household could distribute Shen Jingchuan’s four-wheeled carriages, and Shen Jingchuan said they could discuss the details later.
• Su Yan asked to explore future cooperation and join Zhou Tong’s visit; Shen Jingchuan welcomed both him and Zhou Tong’s father to see the carriage the next day.
• After eating and drinking, Shen Jingchuan declined Zhou Tong’s offer of a carriage and walked home with Lin Shan and Lin Yue.

Shen Jingchuan showed the four-wheeled carriage to Master Zhou and secured the Zhou and Su Households' interest in doing business with him. That evening, he arrived at Jade Autumn Garden for the poetry gathering and was led toward a reserved place by Juren Zhang's student.

• Shen Jingchuan took Master Zhou, Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan for a ride in the four-wheeled carriage, and Master Zhou praised its design and agreed to let Zhou Tong handle the business.
• Su Yan offered the Su Household's shop as a possible partner for selling carriages in Chu.
• Zhou Tong arranged to attend the poetry gathering with Shen Jingchuan, and their group set out for Jade Autumn Garden that evening.
• The group left their carriages outside the crowded garden, where Lin Shan and Lin Yue went to a restaurant while Shen Jingchuan, Zhou Tong, and the others entered with invitations.
• A student of Juren Zhang recognized Shen Jingchuan and led him and his companions toward a place reserved for him beside the pavilion.

At a poetry gathering, Shen Jingchuan was introduced to prominent literary figures for his poem, then faced taunts from Liu Wenyan and Zhao Chong. As Shen calmed Zhou Tong and Lin Qingyao, a veiled woman carrying a guqin appeared on the pavilion stage, silencing the garden.

• Scholar Wang brought Shen Jingchuan and his companions to seats beside the waterside pavilion and invited Shen to meet Juren Zhang.
• Juren Zhang introduced Shen Jingchuan to Compiler Li, Academy Head Zhao, and other senior literary figures as the author of Autumn Mountain Journey.
• After Shen returned to his seat, Liu Wenyan and Zhao Chong mocked his poetic talent, and Zhou Tong challenged them.
• Shen Jingchuan restrained Zhou Tong, while Lin Qingyao urged him not to stoop to the two scholars' level.
• A veiled woman carrying a black-lacquered guqin entered the pavilion stage, and the garden fell silent.

Bai Ruoli opened the Jade Autumn Garden’s Mid-Autumn poetry gathering with a zither performance, and Prince Jing arrived to oversee the event. After Jin Niang explained the rules, Prince Jing set the first topic: the bright moon.

• Bai Ruoli played the zither, captivating the silent audience before they erupted into cheers.
• Jin Niang revealed that the performer was Bai Ruoli and announced that she would perform at the Phoenix Perching Tower for the next ten days.
• Jin Niang introduced Prince Jing, who appeared in the Lake View Tower with distinguished scholars, young nobles, and six veiled women.
• Prince Jing greeted the guests and invited them to compose poetry and admire the moon.
• Jin Niang explained the poetry contest’s topics, time limits, and judging process, then asked Prince Jing to set the first topic.
• Prince Jing chose a poem or lyric about the bright moon in the sky.

Shen Jingchuan entered the poetry gathering hoping to win first place and gain connections that might help him find Spirit Stones. He recited Zhang Jiuling’s “Gazing at the Moon, Thinking of One Far Away,” leaving Lin Qingyao moved and the other poets convinced it was a masterpiece.

• Shen Jingchuan considered several moon poems he had memorized before choosing “Gazing at the Moon, Thinking of One Far Away.”
• Shen Jingchuan asked Lin Qingyao to write the poem as he recited it.
• Lin Qingyao was deeply moved by the poem and wondered whether Shen Jingchuan’s feelings were meant for her.
• Zhou Tong took the finished poem and praised it before passing it to Xu Mo.
• Xu Mo recognized the poem’s brilliance, and Su Yan declared that no one else could take first place.

Shen Jingchuan submitted a moving ci poem about autumn geese and lost love after Master Liu Yanshan set the second topic. As the judges began reacting to a poem in the submissions, Shen's rivals' taunts were interrupted by the growing commotion.

• Shen Jingchuan dismissed Liu's chances of placing, then submitted his first poem as the incense stick burned down.
• Master Liu Yanshan announced autumn wild geese as the second topic and gave the poets one incense stick to write.
• Shen Jingchuan recited a ci poem about paired geese and separation, and Lin Qingyao copied it down as its lines moved her to tears.
• Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan read Shen's poem and were deeply impressed; Xu Mo and Su Yan copied it for themselves.
• Zhou Tong carried Shen's signed poem to the collection point while a rival accused him of preparing it in advance.
• Several elderly scholars crowded together at the judges' seats, and one began reading a poem aloud.

At Lake View Tower, Shen Jingchuan’s poem about longing across the moonlit sea astonished Prince Jing and the gathered scholars, and Princess Zhaohua and Yan Shuyao were deeply moved by it. A second work by Shen, a ci poem about love and death, left Jin Niang and several scholars in tears as Prince Jing asked to see it.

• Juren Zhang found Shen Jingchuan’s moon poem and brought it upstairs, where the scholars and Prince Jing praised it as a work for the ages.
• Princess Chang'an read the moon poem aloud, and Princess Zhaohua and Yan Shuyao read it and were moved by its longing and tenderness.
• A commotion erupted downstairs when the judges discovered another poem by Shen Jingchuan, which they called a divine masterpiece.
• Prince Jing quieted the crowd and asked Juren Zhang to read the new ci poem, but Zhang was too overcome and gave it to Jin Niang.
• Jin Niang read the ci poem about love, separation, and death, then broke into tears as the poem’s final lines reached the crowd.
• An old scholar asked an attendant to bring the ci poem upstairs for Prince Jing to see.

After the hall was moved by the lyric “Wild Goose Mound Lyric,” Shen Jingchuan was called forward and explained that it came from witnessing one wild goose die beside its slain mate. His story moved the guests and caught the attention of Yan Shuyao and Bai Ruoli, who found themselves drawn to him.

• Jin Niang invited Shen Jingchuan to reveal himself as the lyric’s author, and he walked to the front of the stage.
• Jin Niang asked how someone so young could write with such deep sorrow, while Yan Shuyao watched Shen Jingchuan with growing curiosity.
• Shen Jingchuan said he had seen a wild goose die after its mate was shot, then buried the pair together by the Fen River and wrote the lyric in their memory.
• The guests were moved by Shen Jingchuan’s account, and Lin Qingyao, Yan Shuyao, and Princess Zhaohua shed tears.
• Bai Ruoli watched Shen Jingchuan from behind the stage and began longing to know him and remain by his side.

Shen Jingchuan impressed Prince Jing and the scholars with his lyrics, and Yan Chongli accepted him as a disciple. As a frontier-warfare challenge began, Shen Jingchuan took a seat beside his new master while Prince Jing's heir mocked his ability to write on serious subjects.

• Prince Jing praised Shen Jingchuan, and Yan Chongli lauded his lyrics and asked him to become his disciple.
• Shen Jingchuan accepted Yan Chongli as his master, while Princess Zhaohua teased Yan Shuyao about him.
• Prince Jing's heir privately disparaged Shen Jingchuan as a pauper, and Jin Niang announced that the third challenge would concern frontier warfare.
• Yan Chongli invited the scholars to write poems, lyrics, or fu on the topic, leaving many of them unable to begin.
• Prince Jing offered Shen Jingchuan a seat beside Yan Chongli, and Shen Jingchuan said he needed time to consider the topic before Prince Jing's heir taunted him.

Shen Jingchuan impressed the poetry gathering with three acclaimed poems and swept the top three places. He accepted Yan Chongli as his master, received invitations and prizes, and left the gathering as Yan Shuyao watched him go.

• Prince Jing rebuked Xiao Mingxuan for mocking Shen Jingchuan’s poems, and Xiao Mingxuan reluctantly apologized.
• Shen Jingchuan recited “Breaking the Battle Formation,” earning praise from Prince Jing, Yan Chongli, and the gathered scholars.
• The judges awarded Shen Jingchuan first, second, and third place, and Prince Jing added silver and the sword Frost in the Bosom to his prizes.
• Yan Chongli invited Shen Jingchuan to visit him and introduced him to Yan Shuyao before giving him a jade pendant as a token of their master-disciple bond.
• Shen Jingchuan took his leave while Yan Shuyao watched him go, and scholars crowded around the posted poems to read and copy them.

After Shen Jingchuan won all three top places at the Jade Autumn Garden poetry gathering, admirers and influential hosts crowded him with praise and invitations. He returned to the inn with his companions, where the organizers delivered his prizes, while Lin Qingyao quietly watched his growing fame.

• Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan praised Shen Jingchuan's poems, and Su Yan admitted he felt unworthy of writing poetry beside him.
• Lin Qingyao and Yue'er watched Shen Jingchuan as the group left the garden, while passersby recognized him as the scholar who had taken first place three times.
• A steward invited Shen Jingchuan to Bai Ruoli's performances at the West Phoenix Tower, and a stream of other guests brought him invitations.
• Lin Shan and Lin Yue congratulated Shen Jingchuan, and Zhou Tong proposed attending Bai Ruoli's opening performance together the next night.
• Shen Jingchuan declined Zhou Tong's offer to celebrate that evening, then rode back to the inn with Lin Qingyao and the others.
• The poetry gathering's organizers delivered Shen Jingchuan's prizes to the inn, and Lin Shan and Lin Yue helped carry them inside.

Shen Jingchuan visited Yan Chongli in Chang'an, gave him and the women present watches, and explained his family's secret craft. When Shen described the stone he was searching for, Yan Chongli, Yan Shuyao, and Miss Xiao all recognized it as a Spirit Stone.

• Shen Jingchuan arrived at Yan Chongli's residence and greeted Yan Chongli, Yan Shuyao, and Miss Xiao.
• Shen Jingchuan presented watches to Yan Chongli, Yan Shuyao, and Miss Xiao, then explained how they told time.
• Shen Jingchuan claimed that his family had secretly passed down the craft used to make the watches.
• Yan Chongli asked about Shen Jingchuan's scholarly rank and urged him to study for the imperial examinations, but Shen declined.
• Shen Jingchuan told Yan Chongli that he was searching for a unusual stone, and Yan Chongli, Yan Shuyao, and Miss Xiao identified it as a Spirit Stone.

Shen Jingchuan learned from Xiao Mingshu that she knew where Spirit Stones might be found, though she had none herself. After giving Yan Chongli a four-wheeled carriage, Shen Jingchuan returned to the inn, where Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan hurried him off to Phoenix Perching Tower.

• Xiao Mingshu told Shen Jingchuan that Spirit Stones were difficult to find and that she knew where they might be found, but did not possess any herself.
• Yan Chongli recalled seeing two Spirit Stones years earlier but said Shen Jingchuan would have to rely on Xiao Mingshu for a lead.
• Shen Jingchuan gave Yan Chongli a four-wheeled carriage as a parting gift before leaving with Liu Hu and the two Whirlwind Horses.
• Xiao Mingshu watched Shen Jingchuan depart and suspected that his Lineage had deep foundations.
• At the inn, Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan urged Shen Jingchuan to join them at Phoenix Perching Tower, and he agreed to go in his current clothes.

Shen Jingchuan arrived at West Phoenix Tower with Zhou Tong, Xu Mo, and Su Yan, where the staff gave them an exceptionally lavish reception. Bai Ruoli then met Shen Jingchuan and praised his poetry, revealing that her admiration had prompted her to invite him.

• Shen Jingchuan and his friends arrived at West Phoenix Tower and were escorted to its finest private room.
• Zhou Tong explained the different kinds of pleasure houses after learning Shen Jingchuan had never visited one before.
• The staff served the group tea, pastries, and a lavish feast, which Zhou Tong and the others recognized as special treatment for Shen Jingchuan.
• The steward introduced Bai Ruoli as the person who had sent Shen Jingchuan the invitation, then left the group alone with her.
• Bai Ruoli praised Shen Jingchuan's poems, especially “Wild Goose Mound Lyric,” and said she had invited him because she admired him.

At the West Phoenix Tower, Bai Ruoli performed a melody she had composed for Shen Jingchuan’s “Groping for Fish: Wild Goose Mound Lyric.” The audience was deeply moved and hailed the lyrics and melody as an unrivaled masterpiece for the ages.

• Bai Ruoli told Shen Jingchuan that she had composed a melody for his lyric and asked him to judge whether it matched his intentions.
• After Bai Ruoli left, Zhou Tong teased Shen Jingchuan that she had fallen for him, while Xu Mo and Su Yan agreed.
• Jin Niang announced Shen Jingchuan’s presence to the guests, and he greeted the crowd from the second-floor railing.
• Jin Niang introduced Bai Ruoli’s new melody, and Bai Ruoli performed the lyric onstage while playing the guqin.
• The audience fell silent after the performance, then erupted in applause and praised the lyrics and melody as a rare masterpiece.

After Shen Jingchuan’s lyric impressed the guests at West Phoenix Tower, the Four Paragons of Music, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting came to meet him and asked him to compose another poem. When Bai Ruoli joined their request, Shen recited lines praising her beauty.

• Xu Mo praised Shen Jingchuan’s lyric, and maids announced that Shi Qin and Si Qi wanted to meet him.
• Zhou Tong explained that Shi Qin and Si Qi were two of West Phoenix Tower’s Four Paragons, then maids arrived with invitations from Zhi Shu and Ru Hua as well.
• Shen Jingchuan agreed to receive the four courtesans, who joined him and his companions in the private room.
• Zhi Shu and the other courtesans asked Shen Jingchuan to write a poem, but he initially declined for lack of inspiration.
• Bai Ruoli arrived and asked Shen Jingchuan for a poem too, prompting him to recite lines praising her beauty.

At a feast with Bai Ruoli and the other leading courtesans, Shen Jingchuan drank freely and recited several famous poems, astonishing everyone with his talent and heroic spirit. The gathering was left in awe, while Bai Ruoli became even more captivated by him.

• Bai Ruoli copied the poem Shen Jingchuan had composed for her as the other courtesans toasted him.
• After several rounds of wine, Shen Jingchuan stood and recited Li Bai's "Bring in the Wine," leaving the gathering stunned.
• Xu Mo praised the poem, Zhou Tong drank enthusiastically, and Bai Ruoli continued recording Shen Jingchuan's verses.
• Shen Jingchuan began reciting a poem about knights, forgot part of it, and covered the pause by announcing that he had more.
• Shen Jingchuan recited "The River All Red," stirring Xu Mo, Zhou Tong, and Su Yan with its patriotic resolve.
• Bai Ruoli watched Shen Jingchuan in admiration and felt she could never admire another man as much.