Chapter Summaries

Lin Yunwan brought a forbidden obscene object to Old Madam Lu, who suspected Ge Bao'er and ordered the inner courtyard disciplined before relatives arrived. Lin Yunwan then led a broad search of the Hall of Longevity, but Wei Shi said the search concerned a maid stealing something, leaving Old Madam Lu and Nanny Yan confused.

• Lin Yunwan presented an obscene object found by a servant woman, and Old Madam Lu questioned the woman before ordering the matter kept quiet.
• Lin Yunwan urged Old Madam Lu to put the inner courtyard in order before relatives arrived, and Old Madam Lu suspected Ge Bao'er had owned the object.
• Old Madam Lu planned to confront Ge Bao'er after nightfall, but Lin Yunwan and Wei Shi arrived at the Hall of Longevity with prominent servant women to conduct a search.
• Old Madam Lu rebuked Lin Yunwan for making a public show, but Wei Shi said they were searching because a maid had stolen something, confusing Old Madam Lu and Nanny Yan.

Lin Yunwan used a supposed theft from Old Madam Lu’s wedding dowry to search the Lu residence and corner Old Madam Lu over Ge Bao’er’s unchecked room. Old Madam Lu found the suspicious item among Ge Bao’er’s things but, after her room proved clean, forbade her from leaving the rear courtyard; Lin Yunwan later hinted that Zhu Qing knew who had thrown the item away.

• Lin Yunwan explained that she had disguised the serious matter as a stolen dowry item so she could search the household without revealing the truth.
• When Wei Shi pointed out that Ge Bao’er’s room had not been searched, Lin Yunwan pressed Old Madam Lu to authorize a search, but Old Madam Lu stopped her to protect Ge Bao’er’s dignity.
• After everyone left, Old Madam Lu summoned Ge Bao’er and slapped her when Nanny Yan produced the suspicious item.
• Nanny Yan searched Ge Bao’er’s room and found nothing, but Old Madam Lu banned Ge Bao’er from going out to worship Buddha and ordered her to remain in the rear courtyard.
• While sorting account books with Zhu Qing, Lin Yunwan suggested Zhu Qing already knew who had thrown away the item.

Lin Yunwan warned Zhu Qing to take responsibility for her schemes, then arranged to confront Lu Zhengliu about the contraceptive medicine he gave Zhu Qing. The chapter ended with Lin Yunwan implying that Lu Zhengliu might have an ailment, and him angrily reminding her that he was her husband.

• Lin Yunwan warned Zhu Qing that she would have to bear the consequences of her actions, then rewarded the old servant who had helped her.
• Lin Yunwan decided to see Lu Zhengliu when he returned, hoping to satisfy Zhu Qing and make Ge Bao'er anxious.
• Lu Zhengliu visited Old Madam Lu, who planned to keep Ge Bao'er away until the Xia family had left and then force her to become his concubine.
• Lu Zhengliu went to his study without visiting Ge Bao'er and found Lin Yunwan waiting outside.
• Lin Yunwan asked Lu Zhengliu to stop giving Zhu Qing contraceptive medicine and questioned whether rumors about his health were true.
• Lu Zhengliu grew angry and told Lin Yunwan, "I am your husband!"

Lu Zhengliu and Old Madam Lu arranged for Ge Bao'er to be moved out of the Hall of Longevity before relatives arrived, and Ge Bao'er discovered that the side courtyard was under guard. She fell ill after trying to attract help, while Old Madam Lu dismissed the need for a physician, and Nanny Yan then encountered Zhu Qing.

• Lu Zhengliu refused to obtain more contraceptive medicine for Ge Bao'er, while Old Madam Lu told him to meet their arriving relatives at the docks and instructed Lin Yunwan to prepare the house.
• Old Madam Lu arranged for Ge Bao'er to move to a quiet side courtyard, and Nanny Yan helped carry out the move without telling Ge Bao'er beforehand.
• Ge Bao'er learned she was under house arrest, poured cold water over herself to make herself ill, and sent Wu'er to fetch Nanny Yan.
• Nanny Yan rebuked Ge Bao'er for demanding to see Lu Zhengliu and Qing, then warned her to behave until the relatives left.
• Ge Bao'er genuinely fell ill, but Old Madam Lu refused to summon a physician and ordered Nanny Yan to get her medicine; Nanny Yan then ran into Zhu Qing.

Zhu Qing brought medicine to Ge Bao'er and unintentionally revealed that Lin Yunwan had helped her conceive, intensifying Ge Bao'er's fear of losing her place in the household. As Ge Bao'er began plotting to change her status, the Xia family arrived at the Marquis's Residence, and Lin Yunwan went to greet them.

• Zhu Qing brought her leftover medicine to Ge Bao'er and discussed how Lin Yunwan had persuaded Lu Zhengliu to let her try for a child.
• Ge Bao'er drank the medicine after overhearing Zhu Qing's conversation, then demanded that Nanny Yan visit her the next day.
• Nanny Yan refused to come, and Ge Bao'er confided a plan to Wu'er after worrying about her standing and her son Qing's future.
• Zhu Qing told Lin Yunwan what she had said to Ge Bao'er, and Lin Yunwan warned her not to provoke Ge Bao'er again.
• The Heir Apparent returned with the Eldest Young Madam and her husband's family, and Lin Yunwan went to greet the Xia family.

Lin Yunwan received Old Madam Xia and Lu Jia as visitors, while Lu Jia’s visit revealed the Xia family’s political ambitions and the Lu family’s plans for Qing. Old Madam Lu ordered Nanny Yan to keep Ge Bao'er confined until the Xia family left, unaware that Lu Zhengliu had gone to see her.

• Lin Yunwan met Old Madam Xia, who praised her family’s reputation and gave her valuable jadeite bracelets; Lu Jia then presented her own gift and was sharply reprimanded by her mother-in-law.
• Old Madam Lu asked after Third Master Xia and Lu Zhengliu, but neither appeared, and Nanny Yan went searching for the Heir Apparent.
• After the Xia family moved to the guest courtyard, Lu Jia cried to Old Madam Lu and Wei Shi, then described her father-in-law’s prospects for promotion into the Grand Secretariat.
• Old Madam Lu told Lu Jia that Qing was her nephew and urged her to help Zhuo and Qing grow close, while claiming Qing’s birth mother had died.
• Old Madam Lu ordered Nanny Yan to keep Ge Bao'er from going out and to end her matter with Lu Zhengliu after the Xia family departed.
• Nanny Yan could not find Lu Zhengliu, who had gone to see Ge Bao'er.

Lu Zhengliu secretly visited Ge Bao'er, who pleaded to be made his concubine and urged him to act before the Xia family left. The next day, Zhu Qing told Lin Yunwan about his visit, leaving Lin Yunwan aware of Ge Bao'er's scheme as preparations continued for the Xia family banquet.

• Nanny Yan sent the matrons away so Lu Zhengliu could secretly visit Ge Bao'er, but warned him to leave within half an hour.
• Ge Bao'er begged Lu Zhengliu to make her a concubine; he refused at first, then promised to discuss it with Grandmother and Lin Yunwan after the Xia family left.
• Lu Zhengliu told Ge Bao'er not to see Qing again, and she decided she could not wait for the relatives to depart before taking action.
• Ge Bao'er persuaded Wu'er to help her with an undisclosed task, then cleaned up the broken teacup with her.
• Lin Yunwan tended chrysanthemums and spoke with Lu Chang'gong about practicing his writing too late.
• Zhu Qing told Lin Yunwan that Nanny Yan had cleared the side courtyard for Lu Zhengliu's visit and that Qing's throat was hoarse; Lin Yunwan smiled at the report.

Lin Yunwan prepared to receive visiting relatives and brought Lu Chang'gong to meet them, while Zhu Qing warned her that Cousin Miss was trying to become a concubine. At the family gathering, Lu Zhengliu heard relatives praise the possibility of Lin Yunwan bearing him a son and regretted agreeing to take Ge Bao'er as a concubine.

• Nanny Yuan reported that the garden and reception hall were ready for the banquet, and Lin Yunwan asked Lu Chang'gong to join her in meeting the guests.
• Zhu Qing urged Lin Yunwan to drive Cousin Miss out, but Lin Yunwan said she would let her become a concubine because that would ruin her prospects.
• Lu Chang'gong arrived dressed to meet the guests, and Lu Zhengliu joined Lin Yunwan and the others on their way to Wei Shi's courtyard.
• Old Madam Xia and Eldest Aunt Jia discussed Third Master Jin and praised Lu Chang'gong's character and Lin Yunwan's upbringing.
• Wei Shi and Eldest Aunt Jia praised Lin Yunwan and Lu Zhengliu as a well-matched couple and imagined the son they might have.
• Lu Zhengliu imagined having a son with Lin Yunwan and regretted agreeing to take Ge Bao'er as a concubine.

Lin Yunwan visited Old Madam Xia with the Lu family, where Old Madam Xia praised Yunwan’s embroidery and criticized Lu Jia. Old Madam Xia then agreed to send for her physician brother to examine Yunwan’s blind mother-in-law and Chang Gong, though she warned the boy might need to wait for an appointment.

• Old Madam Xia and Lin Yunwan discussed music and needlework, and Yunwan showed that her hands no longer bore calluses from playing the qin.
• Wei Shi revealed that Lin Yunwan had embroidered the screen in her room, and Old Madam Xia praised Yunwan while rebuking Lu Jia’s criticism and comparing the two women unfavorably.
• Lu Zhengliu changed the subject to Old Madam Xia’s family, and she explained that her physician brother was in the capital treating an important person.
• Lu Zhengliu asked whether the physician could examine Lin Yunwan’s blind mother-in-law, and Old Madam Xia agreed to send him a message.
• Lin Yunwan also asked the physician to examine Chang Gong’s weak eyes, and Old Madam Xia said he might have to wait because her brother’s time was limited.

Lu Jia accused Lin Yunwan of favoring Chang Gong over Qing, while Lu Zhengliu discovered Qing visiting Ge Bao'er and ordered him to return. The chapter left Lu Jia questioning Lin Yunwan’s treatment of Qing in front of Old Madam Lu.

• Lu Jia criticized Lin Yunwan for bringing Chang Gong to meet relatives without Qing, and Ping Ye explained that Qing had not visited his legitimate mother that morning.
• Ping Ye learned that Qing had gone to Ge Bao'er’s courtyard, and Lu Zhengliu left Wei Shi’s courtyard to find him.
• Lu Zhengliu found Qing practicing calligraphy with Ge Bao'er and told her Qing should focus on meeting relatives and building connections.
• Ge Bao'er reminded Lu Zhengliu that he had promised to give her a proper status, and he assured her he would not go back on his word.
• Lu Zhengliu took Qing away, told him to respect his legitimate mother, and allowed him to retrieve his brush and ink from Ge Bao'er the next day.
• Lu Jia joined Lu Zhengliu and Qing at Old Madam Lu’s room, gave Qing a gift, and complained that Lin Yunwan did not dote on him enough.

Lu Jia complained about Lin Yunwan’s treatment of Qing and learned that Lu Zhengliu hoped the Xia family’s physician could restore Madam Lin’s sight. As Lu Jia weighed her precarious place in the Xia family and wondered about the mysterious cousin, she returned to her room and ordered the maids to replace its porcelain.

• Lu Jia criticized Lin Yunwan for favoring Chang Gong over Qing, but Old Madam Lu rebuked her and refused to reveal more about the family’s distant female cousin.
• Lu Jia described the Xia family, and Lu Zhengliu asked whether Old Madam Xia’s younger brother could treat eye ailments; Old Madam Lu hoped he could cure Madam Lin’s blindness.
• Old Madam Lu told Lu Zhengliu that Madam Lin’s distress over Yunwan’s lonely marriage had contributed to her grief, and Lu Zhengliu resolved to make amends to Yunwan.
• A pageboy reported that a messenger from Old Madam Xia was waiting in the Front Courtyard, and Lu Zhengliu went to meet him.
• Lu Jia told Roujuan that she had shared details about the Xia family to secure her own family’s support and said she wanted to meet the mysterious cousin.
• Lu Jia returned to her room, complained about its furnishings, and ordered the maids to replace her porcelain teacup.

Lin Yunwan avoided getting drawn into Lu Jia’s complaints, but Lu Jia’s demands and harsh treatment of a maid led Old Madam Xia to punish her. That evening, Lu Jia went to Old Madam Lu to complain about Lin Yunwan, and Lin Yunwan overheard her.

• A maid told Ping Ye that Lu Jia had repeatedly complained about her quarters and scolded the servants, and Ping Ye reported it to Lin Yunwan.
• Lin Yunwan told Ping Ye to replace Lu Jia’s tea set with qilin cups, record the gift, and avoid Old Madam Xia.
• Ping Ye tried to leave when she saw Old Madam Xia, but Lu Jia stopped her and threatened to slap her for running away.
• Old Madam Xia reprimanded Lu Jia for mistreating the maid and demanding extravagant cups, then ordered Ping Ye to bring the cups used by the Xia family instead.
• Old Madam Xia punished Lu Jia by making her stand in the courtyard, and news of the punishment spread through the Wuding Marquis Residence.
• After hearing that an uncle from the Xia family had agreed to help, Lin Yunwan went to inquire and overheard Lu Jia complaining to Old Madam Lu about her.

Lin Yunwan learned that Seventh Master Li would examine Chang Gong before visiting her family, while Old Madam Lu and Lu Zhengliu planned to use the Xia family's connection to Assistant Grand Secretary Zhang and Prince Huan to restore the Lu family's influence. Lu Jia decided to help her younger brother take her cousin as a concubine, unaware that her meddling could cause trouble.

• Old Madam Lu told Lin Yunwan that Seventh Master Li would examine Chang Gong the next morning and that Lu Zhengliu would escort him to the Lin Family afterward.
• Lu Jia left after speaking resentfully about Lin Yunwan, and Lu Zhengliu arrived to speak privately with Old Madam Lu.
• Old Madam Lu told Lu Zhengliu that the Xia family's Old Master was a trusted aide to Assistant Grand Secretary Zhang, who had ties to Prince Huan, and urged him to seek an introduction.
• Old Madam Lu warned Lu Zhengliu to protect his reputation and keep his plans concerning Ge Bao'er from the Xia family.
• Lu Jia asked Roujuan about her cousin's background and decided to help her younger brother take the cousin as a concubine.

Lin Yunwan prepared for the Xia family’s visit and the opera gathering while Lu Chang'gong waited for Seventh Master Li to examine his eyes. The examination was completed, but Lu Zhengliu failed to appear, and Seventh Master Li left before he could examine Lin Yunwan.

• Lin Yunwan told Lu Chang'gong to meet his maternal granduncle from the Xia family the next morning, and Zhu Qing reported that Ge Bao'er had been asking about Cousin Miss and meeting Qing.
• Qing persuaded Lu Chang'gong to tell him when the eye examination would take place, claiming they should arrive together so the Xia family would not think Lin Yunwan favored one son.
• Lin Yunwan oversaw the garden preparations as the Lu and Xia families arrived and watched opera performances with the guests.
• Seventh Master Li examined Lu Chang'gong, said his eye problem was not serious, and began writing a prescription while asking for Lu Zhengliu.
• After Lu Zhengliu could not be found, Seventh Master Li left in a hurry, and Qing invited Lu Chang'gong to go watch the opera.

During the opera gathering, Zhuo fell ill after drinking milk, and Lin Yunwan learned that Lu Zhengliu had vanished, causing Seventh Master Li to leave before he could see her mother. The gathering was then interrupted by news that the Eldest Young Master and the Second Young Master were fighting and blood had been spilled.

• Zhuo vomited and had diarrhea after drinking milk, so Lin Yunwan ordered that he be taken to a room and examined by a physician.
• Lu Jia blamed the wet nurse and insulted Lin Yunwan, who answered calmly and returned to the opera.
• Nanny Yuan told Lin Yunwan that Lu Zhengliu had disappeared and that Seventh Master Li had left without visiting the Lin Family.
• Old Madam Xia said Seventh Master Li might make another trip in a few days, and Lin Yunwan agreed to arrange for her brother to meet him.
• A matron rushed in to report that the Eldest Young Master and the Second Young Master were fighting outside the covered walkway, with blood spilled.

Lin Yunwan and the Lu family discovered Ge Bao'er had tried to hang herself, exposing the Heir Apparent’s involvement with her. Lin Yunwan stopped Lu Zhengliu from taking Ge Bao'er as a concubine by revealing that she was already betrothed.

• Lu Chang'gong told Lin Yunwan that he had fought Qing because Qing prevented him from reporting that Ge Bao'er had hanged herself.
• Lin Yunwan brought Old Madam Xia and the others to Ge Bao'er's room, where Lu Zhengliu had just rescued her.
• Zhu Qing suggested that Lu Zhengliu and Ge Bao'er had behaved improperly, and Lu Jia proposed that he take Ge Bao'er as a concubine.
• Lin Yunwan refused and explained that Ge Bao'er was already betrothed, so taking her as a concubine would mean stealing another man's wife.

Ge Bao'er's staged suicide exposed her relationship with Lu Zhengliu and threw the Wuding Marquis Residence into turmoil, while Lin Yunwan contained the fallout. Zhu Qing then warned Lu Zhengliu that Ge Bao'er had carefully orchestrated the crisis, leaving him to question whether their reunion had been planned.

• Lu Zhengliu tried to explain that he had only saved Ge Bao'er, but her confession and the witnesses' suspicions convinced the family that they were involved.
• Lin Yunwan called for a rope to punish Ge Bao'er, and Old Madam Lu spat blood amid the ensuing chaos; Lin Yunwan organized help while Wei Shi had Ge Bao'er tied up.
• Lu Zhengliu later confronted Ge Bao'er, who denied intending to harm him or the Lu family, and he left her bound after warning her not to squander their childhood affection.
• Lu Zhengliu went to Zhu Qing's room, where she explained how Ge Bao'er had timed events to disrupt his plans and turn the family against him.
• Zhu Qing questioned whether Ge Bao'er had truly been helpless when Old Madam Lu took her in, and Lu Zhengliu wondered if Ge Bao'er had deliberately arranged for him to find her.

Lin Yunwan and Zhu Qing helped Lu Chang'gong understand that Qing had deliberately provoked him, while Lin Yunwan urged him to focus on his studies. Three days later, Old Madam Lu learned that the Xia family planned to move out and was told to resolve Cousin Miss's situation before trying to mend ties.

• Zhu Qing told Lin Yunwan that the Xia family were packing to leave the Lu household.
• Zhu Qing explained to Lu Chang'gong that Qing had provoked their fight by tugging at his treasured jade pendant, and Lu Chang'gong resolved to protect Lin Yunwan from further manipulation.
• Lin Yunwan let Lu Chang'gong follow his nature and learn to protect himself, while advising him to focus on his studies.
• Three days later, Lin Yunwan told Old Madam Lu that Old Madam Xia had confined Lu Jia and that the Xia family were preparing to move out.
• Old Madam Lu wanted to visit Old Madam Xia, but Lin Yunwan told her to settle Cousin Miss's matter first.

Old Madam Lu weighed how to deal with Ge Bao'er, while Qing overheard her plan to kill his mother and pleaded for her to stay. Lu Zhengliu chose to keep Ge Bao'er as his concubine, and Lin Yunwan agreed to arrange her status and residence without hiding her displeasure.

• Lin Yunwan said Ge Bao'er deserved death, but Old Madam Lu dismissed the women and privately resolved to eliminate Ge Bao'er without upsetting Qing.
• Qing overheard Old Madam Lu and Nanny Yan discussing his mother’s death, then begged to stay with his great-grandmother and care for her.
• After Qing fell asleep, Old Madam Lu instructed Nanny Yan to investigate a convent nun’s poison-making methods and any disciples she had taught.
• Old Madam Lu asked Lu Zhengliu whether to keep Ge Bao'er or send her away, and he chose to keep her for Qing’s sake.
• Lu Zhengliu told Lin Yunwan that Ge Bao'er would become his concubine, and Lin Yunwan agreed to give her proper status and a residence.

Lin Yunwan challenged the Lu family’s plan to make Ge Bao'er a Concubine, warning that her background could make the arrangement illegal. Old Madam Lu agreed to delay granting Ge Bao'er status until her engagement was broken off and her circumstances could be examined.

• Zhu Qing urged Lin Yunwan to persuade Lu Zhengliu to abandon Ge Bao'er, but Lin Yunwan said she wanted Ge Bao'er to bring about her own ruin.
• Old Madam Lu summoned Lin Yunwan, and Lu Jia argued that Lin Yunwan should agree to Ge Bao'er becoming a Concubine to protect the family’s reputation.
• Lin Yunwan questioned Lu Jia’s claim that the matter had brought shame, prompting Old Madam Lu to learn that Lu Jia’s in-laws had criticized the family.
• Lin Yunwan warned that taking a woman of criminal status or from a convicted official’s household could violate the law and lead to impeachment.
• Zhu Qing advised Old Madam Lu to investigate Ge Bao'er, and Old Madam Lu decided to withhold her status until her engagement was broken off.