Chapter Summaries

Old Madam Lin questioned Lin Yunwan about her countryside upbringing and privately wondered whether her unusual qualities were connected to the Lin family’s past. Yunwan recognized that Old Madam would not protect her marriage prospects, then went shopping and watched a tavern and gambling den frequented by Lu Rong.

• Old Madam Lin questioned Lin Yunwan about her life in the countryside, then discussed with Nanny Fan her suspicions about Yunwan and the person who had targeted the second branch.
• Lin Yunwan told Xiruo that Old Madam suspected she had gathered people around her in the countryside but did not suspect her true identity, and that she could not rely on Old Madam to secure her future.
• Lin Yunwan asked to shop while the carriages were delayed, and Old Madam Lin allowed her to go with Xiruo and attendants.
• Lin Yunwan bought jewelry and rested at a teahouse overlooking a tavern and gambling den that Dong Shuangshuang said Lu Rong often visited.

Dong Shuangshuang tricked Lu Rong into taking fake silver to the gambling house, where he was caught trying to gamble with it. Lin Yunwan watched the commotion from a teahouse and met Qi Lingheng’s gaze across the street as he sent A Fu toward the gambling house.

• Lu Rong forced Dong Shuangshuang to hand over her mother’s gold neck ring, but she secretly used a fake one to deceive him.
• Dong Shuangshuang sent silver to Lu Rong at the gambling house, intending it to pay his debt to Li Laosan.
• Lu Rong gave five hundred taels to the boy to repay part of his debt, then carried the rest into the gambling house to gamble.
• The gambling house shut its doors, and Lu Rong screamed that his silver was not fake as people drove him out.
• Lin Yunwan watched the commotion from a teahouse and recognized Qi Lingheng across the street.
• Qi Lingheng told A Fu that the residence guards were on their way and sent him to the gambling house.

Lin Yunwan let Qi Lingheng assist her during a street disturbance, then faced Lin Huabin’s questions about Lin Yunjiao and agreed to meet Zheng Shi’s visiting relatives. She planned to use the meeting to see the man Shuangshuang had chosen for her before he married someone else.

• Lin Yunwan sent Xiruo to speak with Qi Lingheng, who arranged for A Fu to help the garrison soldiers knock Lu Rong unconscious as they cleared the street.
• Lin Yunwan waited until the way was safe, then returned home and went to see Lin Huabin.
• Lin Huabin questioned Lin Yunwan about what she had said to Lin Yunjiao, but accepted her account and told her not to visit her younger sister while she was ill.
• Lin Huabin asked Lin Yunwan to meet Zheng Shi’s visiting relatives, and she agreed because she hoped to meet the husband Shuangshuang had chosen for her.

Lin Yunwan arranged to take lessons at Old Madam Lin’s courtyard and met Dong Shuangshuang, who revealed how her husband’s paralysis and her pregnancy had changed her position in the Lu family. Dong Shuangshuang also told Lin Yunwan where she could observe the scholars she was considering.

• Lin Yunwan noticed Nanny Fan’s poor health and suggested taking lessons at Old Madam Lin’s courtyard to spare her the daily journey.
• Old Madam Lin agreed to let Lin Yunwan come for lessons, and Dong Shuangshuang later visited her.
• Lin Yunwan asked Dong Shuangshuang about her husband, Lu Rong, and learned that he was paralyzed, while the Lu family had accepted Dong’s explanation about the fake silver.
• Dong Shuangshuang told Lin Yunwan she was pregnant and had persuaded Old Madam Lu to cancel her daughter’s engagement.
• Dong Shuangshuang told Lin Yunwan that the scholars she had selected belonged to the Ji Mountain Society and gathered at Ji Mountain.

Lin Huabin arranged for Wenhai to join the Ji Mountain Society after reading his essay, while Zheng Shi planned to bring him to the West Lin Residence's birthday gathering. At the garden, Lin Yunwan received a note from Dong Shuangshuang directing her to Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

• Old Madam Lin told Lin Huabin to have Zheng Shi take Lin Yunwan and Lin Yunjiao to the birthday celebration at Ji Mountain.
• Lin Huabin asked Zheng Shi to obtain an essay from Wenhai and said he would help him join the Ji Mountain Society if it was good.
• Zheng Shi hurriedly brought Wenhai's essay to Lin Huabin, who praised it and wrote a letter recommending Wenhai to the society.
• The East Lin Residence party traveled to the garden, where Lin Yunwan noticed Wenhai had brought papers and Lin Yunjiao remained in a bad mood.
• Dong Shuangshuang passed Lin Yunwan a note bearing the words Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Lin Yunwan visited Xiaoxiang Pavilion with Qi Lingheng and watched the Ji Mountain Society scholars debate, revealing that she hoped to choose a husband among them. Qi Lingheng questioned her plans and saw that Dong Shuangshuang had given her a booklet to help assess the scholars.

• Dong Shuangshuang told Lin Yunwan about Xiaoxiang Pavilion and led her toward the spot where she could watch the Ji Mountain Society scholars.
• Lin Yunwan sent Dong Shuangshuang back to keep watch, then found A Fu waiting at Xiaoxiang Pavilion and learned that Qi Lingheng was there.
• Qi Lingheng explained that the garden belonged to his maternal uncle, who planned to give it to him when he married, and invited Lin Yunwan into the pavilion.
• Lin Yunwan watched the scholars from the second floor and admitted to Qi Lingheng that she had come to choose a husband.
• Qi Lingheng asked how she could judge which scholar was trustworthy, and Lin Yunwan showed him the booklet Dong Shuangshuang had given her.

Lin Yunwan watched the Ji Mountain Society scholars with Qi Lingheng and picked three men she might consider as a husband, favoring Yan Jingzong. She devised a scheme to test the scholars’ temperaments by having an essay read aloud among them, and waited to see their reactions.

• Qi Lingheng asked Lin Yunwan which scholars had caught her eye as the Ji Mountain Society debated the way to learning.
• Lin Yunwan identified three men and named Yan Jingzong as her favorite, while Qi Lingheng warned that his name recalled the treacherous minister Xu Jingzong.
• Lin Yunwan explained that she wanted to judge the men’s temperaments through a scheme rather than choose a husband based on appearances alone.
• At Lin Yunwan’s request, Qi Lingheng had paper and a brush brought, and she wrote an essay in the scholars’ style.
• Qi Lingheng read Lin Yunwan’s essay and sent A Fu to have it slipped among the scholars’ papers and read aloud.

Lin Yunwan’s essay sparked a brawl among the Ji Mountain Society scholars, giving her a chance to observe Yan Jingzong’s character. When the Garden steward failed to settle the dispute, Qi Lingheng intervened and silenced the scholars.

• Lin Yunwan explained that her essay used School of Principle arguments in the style of the School of Mind, and the scholars began fighting over it.
• Lin Yunwan watched Yan Jingzong calmly avoid the brawl, send his book attendant for help, and speak to the Garden steward when he arrived.
• The steward failed to settle the scholars’ arguments, and Yan Jingzong could not make himself heard.
• Qi Lingheng went to the courtyard, examined Lin Yunwan’s essay, and questioned the disputing scholars until they fell silent.

At Ji Mountain Garden, Qi Lingheng confessed to Lin Yunwan that he wanted to marry her, leaving her shaken and unsure how to respond. The next day, Lin Huabin called Lin Yunwan to his study and began praising Wenhai as a marriage prospect.

• Qi Lingheng asked Lin Yunwan whether she understood that he was the one who could wield authority, then told her he wanted to marry her.
• Lin Yunwan fled from Qi Lingheng and returned to the Flower Hall, where she evaded Dong Shuangshuang’s questions about choosing a husband.
• Lin Yunjiao returned home frustrated that she had not met the Prince and demanded Zheng Shi arrange a meeting before she would go out again.
• Lin Yunwan asked Xiruo whether anything had happened with Wenhai and his mother, then heard the next day that Wenhai had exchanged essays with the Ji Mountain Society scholars but suffered a setback.
• Lin Huabin summoned Lin Yunwan to his study and began praising Wenhai, while Lin Yunwan listened without interrupting.

Lin Yunwan decided to ask Zhao Jingyi to help arrange her marriage to Yan Jingzong, refusing to let Qi Lingheng’s proposal change her plans. After reading her letter, Qi Lingheng burned it and wrote to her, determined not to let her marry Yan Jingzong.

• Lin Huabin suggested introducing Lin Yunwan to her cousin Wenhai, but she declined to encourage the match.
• Lin Yunwan considered writing to Zhao Jingyi and, after weighing her concerns about Qi Lingheng, wrote to ask him to discuss her marriage to Yan Jingzong with Lin Huabin.
• Zhao Jingyi read Lin Yunwan’s letter and joked about preparing her dowry, while Qi Lingheng read it and realized she had refused him.
• Qi Lingheng returned to his residence, burned the letter, and wrote to Lin Yunwan, determined to prevent her marriage to Yan Jingzong.

Lin Yunwan impressed Old Madam Lin with her embroidery and began learning household management from Zheng Shi, while Zheng Shi and Wenhai’s mother maneuvered to arrange a marriage between Lin Yunwan and Wenhai. Lin Yunjiao learned that Lin Yunwan had received a gold bracelet and, angered that she had received nothing, went after her when she next visited Zheng Shi.

• Lin Yunwan showed Old Madam Lin and Nanny Fan her improved embroidery, then agreed to learn household affairs from Zheng Shi.
• Lin Yunwan met Wenhai’s mother, who gave her a flimsy gold bracelet, and met Wenhai when he came to Zheng Shi’s quarters.
• After Lin Yunwan left, Wenhai’s mother asked Zheng Shi about marrying Wenhai to Lin Yunwan, and Zheng Shi said Lin Yunwan and Lin Huabin would have to agree.
• Lin Yunjiao heard that Lin Yunwan had received a gold bracelet, became furious that she had received none, and decided to confront her.
• Lin Yunjiao followed Lin Yunwan to Zheng Shi’s quarters on her next visit, frightening Wenhai.

Lin Yunwan told Qi Lingheng plainly that she did not want to marry him, though he had arranged for her to meet the Yan family at the Zhao Residence banquet. Qi Lingheng then offered her a letter from Yun Yi, leaving her eager to hear from her brother and mother.

• Lin Yunjiao interrupted Zheng Shi's visit with Wen Mu and later confronted Wenhai, who fled from her before she stopped him.
• Wenhai returned to the Front Courtyard discouraged by his performance at the Ji Mountain Society and his meeting with Lin Yunjiao.
• Lin Yunwan learned that the Zhao Residence would host a banquet and received a letter from Qi Lingheng saying the Yan family would attend.
• At the banquet, Lin Yunwan met Qi Lingheng and told him she did not want to marry him.
• Qi Lingheng said he did not blame Lin Yunwan and offered her a letter from Yun Yi.

Lin Yunwan learned her mother could see again and discovered that Qi Lingheng had secretly given her a gold hairpin, which she refused to wear. Determined to investigate Yan Jingzong, she accepted Qi Lingheng’s offer to observe him, while their banter revealed her growing awareness of Qi Lingheng’s appearance.

• Lin Yunwan thanked Qi Lingheng for arranging Seventh Master Li’s visit after she received word that her mother could see people again.
• Qi Lingheng admitted that he had given Lin Yunwan the gold hairpin, and she said she had even less reason to wear it once she knew it came from him.
• Lin Yunwan told Qi Lingheng she had come to learn about Yan Jingzong, and he offered to help her observe him.
• Lin Yunwan agreed to follow Qi Lingheng, who led her to a courtyard wall where she could watch Yan Jingzong speak with a maid.
• Lin Yunwan saw Yan Jingzong and teased Qi Lingheng about whether he was satisfied with her answer, then privately reflected that Qi Lingheng was the most striking man she had ever seen.

Qi Lingheng showed Lin Yunwan how a maid’s advances tested Yan Jingzong’s propriety, then urged Lin to consider marrying him. Lin refused, saying a marriage to him would bring trouble beyond her ability to handle, and she returned to the Zhao household’s gathering.

• Lin Yunwan watched a maid approach Yan Jingzong with a poem, and Yan eventually offered her advice while keeping their interaction proper.
• Qi Lingheng warned Lin Yunwan that the maid’s pursuit could lead to trouble if Yan failed to refuse her, then claimed no woman could approach him without his permission.
• Qi Lingheng asked Lin Yunwan to consider marrying him, but she said she did not want to take on the unpredictable trouble that marrying him would bring.
• Lin Yunwan left Qi Lingheng, found Xiruo, and returned to the Zhao household’s gathering.
• Zheng Shi urged Lin Yunwan to join the poetry and ci gathering, but Lin declined, saying Nanny Fan had not taught her to compose them.

Lin Yunjiao endured a poetry gathering at the Zhao Residence, then encountered Wenhai and quarreled with him. The next day, Lin Yunwan asked Zheng Shi to let her choose a capable household helper, but Zheng Shi resisted.

• Zheng Shi sent Lin Yunjiao to the Zhao Residence to write poetry and impress Madam Zhao, but Lin Yunjiao grew frustrated and complained that she never saw the Prince.
• On the way home, Lin Yunjiao met Wenhai, demanded to see his composition, and was left dumbfounded when he stepped on her foot and ran away.
• Lin Yunwan declined Wen Mu's request to trace a pattern and explained that the gold bracelet Wen Mu had given her was bent out of shape.
• When Zheng Shi tried to make Lin Yunwan stay and learn household management, Lin Yunwan said she wanted to choose a capable person from the residence to assist her.
• Zheng Shi objected that it was too soon for Lin Yunwan to learn how to employ people, while Lin Yunjiao watched Wenhai sitting silently nearby.

Lin Yunwan used Zheng Shi’s promise to learn household management as an opening to observe the household accounts, while Zheng Shi schemed to marry her to Wenhai. Lin Huabin was persuaded that Lin Yunwan favored Wenhai and left to seek Zhao Jingyi’s consent, while Lin Yunwan remained uneasy about choosing a maid and reflected on her past marriage.

• Lin Yunwan asked Zheng Shi when she could learn household management, then accompanied Nanny Fan to observe the delivery of the account books.
• Wenhai offered pastries to Lin Yunjiao, who refused them, and Zheng Shi later complained about his timidity and worried that Lin Yunwan might learn to manage the household.
• Zheng Shi told Lin Huabin that Lin Yunwan’s visits were signs of affection for Wenhai and urged him to approve their marriage.
• Lin Huabin accepted Zheng Shi’s reasoning and left to seek Zhao Jingyi’s consent to the match.
• Xiruo told Lin Yunwan that she could choose a maid the next day, and Lin Yunwan put away a gold hairpin while recalling her past life as a wife who had never known love.

Qi Lingheng told Zhao Jingyi that he wanted to take a wife, then warned him not to let Lin Huabin rush Yun Wan into a match. Lin Huabin proposed his nephew Wenhai for Yun Wan, and Zhao Jingyi agreed to ask her whether she wanted the match, while revealing that the Prince was also preparing to marry.

• Zhao Jingyi urged Qi Lingheng to settle his marriage, and Qi Lingheng said he already wanted to take a wife.
• Qi Lingheng warned Zhao Jingyi that Yun Wan should decide her own affairs before leaving to let him meet Lin Huabin.
• Lin Huabin asked Zhao Jingyi to consider his nephew Wenhai as a match for Yun Wan, describing him as an upright young scholar.
• Zhao Jingyi resisted the proposal and suggested Lin Huabin marry Wenhai to his own daughter, Yun Jiao, instead.
• Lin Huabin said Yun Wan seemed to favor Wenhai, and Zhao Jingyi agreed to meet her and ask what she wanted.
• Zhao Jingyi revealed that the Prince was preparing to take a wife, surprising Lin Huabin.

Lin Huabin learned that Qi Lingheng was preparing to marry and returned home to discuss the news with Zheng Shi, who hoped the bride had not yet been chosen. He then spoke privately with Lin Yunwan, warning her against hoping for Qi Lingheng and praising Wenhai instead.

• Lin Huabin left Zhao Jingyi after learning of Qi Lingheng's marriage plans, and Qi Lingheng admitted he had come to fetch Zhao Jingyi and asked to be told when Yun Wan visited.
• Zhao Jingyi told Qi Lingheng that Lin Huabin claimed Yun Wan liked another man, but Qi Lingheng dismissed the claim and hurried away.
• Lin Huabin told Zheng Shi about the Prince's wedding, and she urged him to find out whether the bride had been chosen and to promote their daughter Jiao'er if not.
• Lin Huabin summoned Lin Yunwan and took her to his study after Zheng Shi insulted her.
• Lin Huabin told Lin Yunwan that she and Qi Lingheng were now unrelated and reminded her that Wenhai was an excellent young man.

Lin Yunwan questioned Lin Huabin about his plans for Lin Yun Jiao and arranged to meet her father, Zhao Jingyi. The next morning, she began choosing maids by asking household-born servants to describe their families, past service, and skills.

• Lin Yunwan explained why Lin Yun Jiao would have to wait years to become Prince Huan's concubine, and Lin Huabin asked whether she had another suggestion.
• Lin Huabin told Lin Yunwan that her father wanted to see her, and she agreed to visit Zhao Jingyi three days later.
• Lin Yunwan asked Xiruo to prepare pouches of silver for the maid selection the following day.
• Nanny Fan brought Lin Yunwan to the Discussion Hall, where she criticized the poor selection of maids and ordered the servants divided by whether they were household-born or purchased.
• Lin Yunwan called the household-born maids in one by one to describe their families, work histories, and abilities.

Lin Yunwan chose Cuiqin as her personal maid and asked her to investigate the Su Family, while beginning qin lessons with Nanny Fan. When Lin Yunwan later visited Zhao Jingyi’s private garden, she discovered that Qi Lingheng had come to see her.

• Lin Yunwan selected Cuiqin from the household maids and sent her to Bixi Hall with Xiruo.
• Nanny Fan taught Lin Yunwan the basics of playing the qin and advised her to choose a personal maid carefully.
• Lin Yunwan questioned Xiruo about Cuiqin’s family and decided to keep Cuiqin as her maid.
• Lin Yunwan told Cuiqin to find out where the Su Family was living, and Cuiqin agreed to help her.
• Lin Huabin escorted Lin Yunwan to Zhao Jingyi’s private garden, where she saw A Fu standing outside a courtyard and learned Qi Lingheng was waiting for her.