Recaps

Xu Qiaoqiao and Fang Tingxiu confronted their lingering feelings after she came to the Capital to check on him, but both believed they were unworthy of the other. Gu Wanning and Er Ya challenged their misunderstandings, leaving Fang and Qiaoqiao to reconsider what they truly felt.

• Fang Tingxiu told Xu Qiaoqiao to return home and never appear before him again, while she congratulated him on his success.
• Er Ya defended Xu Qiaoqiao, reminding Fang Tingxiu that the Xu family had supported him and questioning why he would forbid her from coming to the Capital.
• Fang Tingxiu admitted that he feared using his authority to pressure Xu Qiaoqiao into honoring their former marriage arrangement.
• Xu Qiaoqiao was stunned to learn Fang Tingxiu still wanted to marry her, while Gu Wanning pointed out how much they had done for each other.
• Gu Wanning and Er Ya urged Fang Tingxiu and Xu Qiaoqiao to recognize that they had both cared deeply for one another.

Fang Tingxiu learned that Xu Qiaoqiao had rejected him years ago because his uncle’s concubine frightened her about his noble relatives and her low status. After they cleared up the misunderstanding, they reunited, and Fang Tingxiu began pursuing her openly.

• Er Ya scolded Xu Qiaoqiao for doubting whether she was worthy of Fang Tingxiu, and Fang Tingxiu asked if someone had influenced her rejection.
• Xu Qiaoqiao revealed that Fang Tingxiu’s uncle’s concubine had warned her that his noble family would control his career and marriage and separate her from her family.
• Fang Tingxiu comforted Xu Qiaoqiao after learning why she had rejected him, and Gu Wanning gave them time alone.
• Xu Qiaoqiao told Gu Wanning that Fang Tingxiu would formally propose to her, and she defended his plans to serve as an honest official.
• Fang Tingxiu began visiting Gu Wanning’s shop for river snail rice noodles and helped serve customers, while Xu Weibei asked Gao Lan when Physician Bian would return.

Xu Weibei learned that Xie Yun had been granted the rank of Noble Lady and ordered into the palace, then heard that Gu Wanning was growing close to Fang Tingxiu. Still facing an uncertain illness and fearing Physician Bian’s return, Xu Weibei sat in despair as he accepted that Gu Wanning might have found a new love.

• Gao Lan told Xu Weibei that Physician Bian was expected back in half a month and that no one else could treat Xu Weibei’s condition.
• Gao Lan reported that Xie Yun had been granted the rank of Noble Lady and ordered into the palace by the empress dowager.
• Xu Weibei dismissed Gao Lan’s worry that Xie Yun might turn the emperor against him.
• Gao Lan told Xu Weibei that Fang Tingxiu had been visiting Gu Wanning’s river-snail rice noodle shop daily and that she welcomed him warmly.
• Xu Weibei said it was fine, then sat despondently through the night as he faced his illness and Gu Wanning’s closeness with Fang Tingxiu.

Xu Weibei accepted that he could not give Gu Wanning happiness and resolved to support her marriage to Fang Tingxiu, even arranging a lavish dowry. The chapter left him resigned to seeing Gu Wanning less once she became another man’s wife.

• Xu Weibei watched Fang Tingxiu and Gu Anqi leave court together and felt jealous when he noticed Fang Tingxiu’s new boots, which he suspected Gu Wanning had made.
• Xu Weibei told Gao Lan to secretly give Gu Wanning money for her dowry, then ordered him to send her a hundred thousand taels.
• Xu Weibei allowed people from his residence to help Gu Wanning prepare for her wedding and set aside the tonics the Grand Princess sent him.
• Gao Lan saw Gu Wanning at the residence with Er Ya carrying a bright red wedding dress and returned upset, believing Gu Wanning was flaunting her marriage.
• Xu Weibei said Gu Wanning’s visit to see First Concubine was natural and reflected that they would soon have few chances to meet.

Xu Weibei struggled with regret over Gu Wanning and visited Huguo Temple, where he unexpectedly saw Fang Tingxiu. The chapter left him watching his rival emerge from the temple as Gao Lan tried to comfort him.

• Xu Weibei learned that Gu Wanning had sent First Concubine a wedding dress for her future marriage and was told it would not happen until next year.
• Xu Weibei left the city with Gao Lan and rode to Huguo Temple after hearing its history.
• Xu Weibei watched people at Huguo Temple but declined to pray, believing Gu Wanning was the only person who had given him hope of finding a match.
• Xu Weibei saw Fang Tingxiu leave Huguo Temple carrying a basket, and Gao Lan tried to console him while privately wishing Fang Tingxiu and Gu Wanning would be unhappy together.

Xu Weibei tried to arrange a promotion for Gu Wanning’s intended, Fang Tingxiu, because he felt he had wronged her in their marriage. The story left him stunned when he saw Xu Qiaoqiao and Fang Tingxiu share an intimate moment in front of him.

• Xu Weibei asked Gao Lan about Gu Wanning’s wedding plans and learned Fang Tingxiu was an eighth-rank Hanlin Academy official.
• Xu Weibei ordered Gao Lan to find a way to help Fang Tingxiu reach at least sixth rank so Gu Wanning would not be looked down on.
• Gao Lan warned Xu Weibei that interfering with the Hanlin Academy would be difficult, but Xu Weibei resolved to find someone who could help.
• Xu Weibei reflected on how he had humiliated Gu Wanning during their marriage and hoped Fang Tingxiu would treat her well.
• Gao Lan saw Xu Qiaoqiao emerge from Huguo Temple and tug Fang Tingxiu’s hand, and Xu Weibei watched Fang Tingxiu accept with a doting smile.

Xu Weibei attacked Fang Tingxiu at Huguo Temple, mistaking him and Xu Qiaoqiao for a couple betraying Gu Wanning. Gu Wanning learned the truth, paid Fang Tingxiu’s medical expenses, and received Xu Weibei’s private apology and offer to help his career.

• Xu Weibei punched Fang Tingxiu and kicked him down the temple steps while Gao Lan and the monks tried to restrain him.
• Xu Qiaoqiao and Fang Tingxiu protested the attack, and Fang explained that Xu Qiaoqiao was his future wife, not Gu Wanning’s rival.
• Xu Weibei realized he had misunderstood who Fang Tingxiu was marrying.
• Xu Qiaoqiao told Gu Wanning about the incident, and Gu Wanning covered Fang Tingxiu’s medical expenses.
• The following day, someone close to Xu Weibei privately apologized to Fang Tingxiu and conveyed Xu Weibei’s offer to help him advance.

Gu Wanning kept her distance from Xu Weibei despite appreciating his defense of Fang Tingxiu, and rejected an improper romantic overture from Zheng Jian. Xu Weibei’s recent work was revealed when he cleared the Xue family’s name at court.

• Fang Tingxiu forgave Xu Weibei for the Huguo Temple incident, and the imperial censor’s accusation was dropped.
• Gu Wanning focused on growing peanuts and corn, while refusing to hire the Zheng Duke’s Residence steward or let him use her water channel without investment.
• Zheng Jian sent Gu Wanning peaches with a romantic note, so she returned them and ordered her household to avoid the neighbors.
• Xu Weibei investigated the Xue family’s case and helped clear their name, provoking the emperor’s anger when the matter reached court.

Gu Wanning learned that Xu Weibei had succeeded in clearing the Xue family's name, though the investigation into the larger case remained unresolved. As the Gu family faced the dangers of their father's reforms, Gu Anqi proposed adopting Zhi Nu into Gu Wanning's household, but He Shi insisted the family would face any disaster together.

• Gu Wanning worried that the emperor might punish Xu Weibei for challenging his judgment, and Gu Anwei assured her that Xu was unlikely to be killed.
• Xu Weibei cleared the Xue family's name after secretly investigating the case and presenting the emperor with irrefutable evidence.
• Gu Anqi explained that the larger case remained unresolved and that the emperor might only acknowledge that innocents had been implicated.
• Gu Anqi proposed having Zhi Nu adopted by Gu Wanning to protect them if the Gu family fell into danger.
• He Shi rejected the proposal, saying the family would remain together and share the risks of the reforms.

Linglong demanded that Xu Weibei secure a recognized place for her and A Yi in the Xue family, while Gao Lan warned that doing so could endanger the Marquis. The chapter ended with Linglong threatening to make Gao Lan carry her demand to the Marquis.

• Gu Wanning and Gao Lan discussed the Xue family’s restored name and plans to arrange an heir, while Linglong wondered if she could return to the Xue residence as Xue Fengxian’s widow.
• Linglong told Gao Lan she wanted recognition for herself and A Yi, but he warned that her public connection to Xue Fengxian could expose Xu Weibei’s earlier defiance of the emperor’s decree.
• Gao Lan explained that Jiaoniang would marry into the Xue family first and that A Yi would later receive an identity as Xue Fengxian’s daughter by another woman.
• Linglong rejected the plan, fearing A Yi would call another woman Mother and treat her as a maid.
• Linglong told Gao Lan to demand that the Marquis find a way to recognize her, claiming Xue Fengxian had loved her most and promised to marry her.
• Gao Lan tried to persuade Linglong to be patient, but she did not ask why the Marquis was facing difficulties.

Xu Weibei let Linglong remain in the Capital despite her threats, while Gao Lan reported that Fang Tingxiu was set to be promoted and that Gu Wanning had been caring for Xu Weibei with food. On her way home with crabs, Gu Wanning heard that Gu Wanqing was being blamed for a favored concubine’s death and spotted Linglong holding A Yi.

• Linglong refused to back down and threatened to expose secrets unless Xu Weibei protected A Yi, so Gao Lan cut ties with her.
• Xu Weibei dismissed Gao Lan’s warning and allowed Linglong to stay in the Capital, while asking about Fang Tingxiu and Gu Wanning.
• Gao Lan said Fang Tingxiu would likely be promoted before his marriage and told Xu Weibei that Gu Wanning had been farming and sending him food.
• Er Ya told Gu Wanning that a favored concubine had died and the Prince accused Gu Wanqing of causing her death.
• Gu Wanning and the others chased crabs that escaped from their basket, and Er Ya spotted Linglong holding A Yi nearby.

After Xu Weibei ate Gu Wanning’s raw marinated crab, he was reported poisoned, and Gu Wanning hurried to his separate residence with Third Concubine and Fourth Concubine. They found the residence surrounded by guards, where Gu Wanning tried to identify Gu Anfang.

• Gu Wanning sent Xu Weibei a dish of raw marinated crab, which he ate and enjoyed.
• Er Ya told Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei had been poisoned and might not survive.
• Gu Wanning suspected someone had poisoned Xu Weibei and went to his separate residence with Er Ya.
• Gu Wanning brought Third Concubine and Fourth Concubine along to see Xu Weibei.
• They found the separate residence surrounded by guards, and Third Concubine pointed out a man she believed was Gu Anfang.

Gu Wanning learned that Xu Weibei had been poisoned, while Fourth Concubine uncovered a rumor that he could no longer perform sexually. After hearing that Xu Weibei had taken poison and been rescued, Gu Wanning questioned the report and suspected something was wrong.

• Gu Anfang told Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei had been poisoned and was receiving treatment, then urged her to leave.
• Fourth Concubine slipped away to investigate Xu Weibei’s condition while the others waited in a carriage.
• Fourth Concubine returned and said people were claiming Xu Weibei could no longer get it up.
• Fourth Concubine reported that Xu Weibei had taken poison but been saved, and Gu Wanning doubted the story and questioned how the rumor had spread.

After Linglong revealed that A Yi was Xue Fengxian’s daughter and claimed Xu Weibei could not perform, Gu Wanning worried the humiliation would drive him to take his life. She planned to visit him and talk him around, leaving the story with Third Concubine distracting Gu Anfang so she could slip away.

• Fourth Concubine told Gu Wanning that Linglong had appealed to the emperor to have A Yi recognized as Xue Fengxian’s daughter and restored to the Xue family.
• Gu Wanning realized Linglong’s claim that Xu Weibei could not perform had exposed his secret and likely explained why he had taken poison.
• Gu Wanning decided to visit Xu Weibei, fearing he might harm himself and that others would use the rumor against him.
• Gu Wanning asked Third Concubine to distract Gu Anfang while she left through the back door.
• Third Concubine pretended to twist her ankle in front of Gu Anfang.

Gu Wanning visited Xu Weibei after learning about his condition and tried to comfort him, while Xu Weibei admitted he feared the rumors and felt unable to face outsiders. He sent her away to avoid drawing her into the scandal, keeping his wish to start over with her to himself.

• Gu Anfang caught Third Concubine when she stumbled, and the onlookers teased him as he helped her inside.
• Gu Wanning entered the other residence through the back door and left Er Ya and Fourth Concubine outside before visiting Xu Weibei.
• Xu Weibei insisted he had not taken poison and explained that his condition began after he ate Gu Wanning's raw marinated crab and took a folk remedy.
• Gu Wanning learned that Xu Weibei's condition came from the remedy and warned him that news of Linglong would likely spread through the city.
• Gu Wanning reassured Xu Weibei and suggested he could leave and start over, while Xu Weibei secretly wondered if she would start over with him.
• Xu Weibei said he feared rumors but would not do anything foolish, then asked Gu Wanning to leave so the scandal would not involve her.

Gu Wanning learned that Xu Weibei had allowed Linglong and her daughter to move into the Xue Residence, while Jiaoniang’s future remained uncertain. Her family warned her to stay away from Xu Weibei as rumors about his condition linked her divorce to his inability to perform, leaving her gloomy after He Shi departed.

• Gu Wanning cautioned Xu Weibei not to hide his illness or seek desperate treatment, and he assured her he would not take his own life.
• Xu Weibei revealed that Jiaoniang was Xue Fengxian’s daughter, and Gu Wanning warned him that Linglong might betray him again.
• The Grand Princess arrived, and Xu Weibei told Gu Wanning to leave; afterward, Gu Wanning heard the emperor had shielded Xu Weibei from punishment and ordered Linglong and her daughter to live at the Xue Residence.
• Gu Anqi told Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei had not explained what would happen to Jiaoniang, then warned her not to consider reconciling with the Marquis.
• He Shi urged Gu Wanning to avoid being drawn into Xu Weibei’s scandal, and Gu Wanning became gloomy as rumors tied her divorce to his inability to perform.

Gu Wanning wrestled with her conflicted feelings about Xu Weibei and dreamed of marrying him, but resolved not to risk herself for his sake. The next morning, Er Ya spotted a suspicious man peeking around their alley, and Gu Wanning decided to warn her eldest brother.

• Gu Wanning told Er Ya she felt sorry for Xu Weibei but was unwilling to face the storm surrounding him, and Er Ya suggested she stay with him since he could no longer pursue other women.
• Gu Wanning dreamed she was in a bridal chamber with Xu Weibei, then woke frightened and decided to stop discussing him before she convinced herself she could save him.
• Gu Wanning prepared to visit her pregnant second sister-in-law, the princess, while her mother sent gifts through her rather than risk upsetting her son.
• Er Ya returned with tofu pudding and told Gu Wanning she had confronted a man lurking at the end of the alley who refused to explain why he was there.
• Gu Wanning suspected someone had targeted the Gu family and decided they should tell her eldest brother.

The Grand Princess confronted Gu Wanning in public, demanding she confirm whether Xu Weibei was impotent. Gu Wanning defended his manhood and military record to shield him from further slander, but the Grand Princess then accused her of trying to win his gratitude and return as his marchioness.

• Gu Wanning and Er Ya’s sedan chair was stopped by the Grand Princess’s procession.
• The Grand Princess said she had come specifically to ask Gu Wanning whether Xu Weibei was truly a man.
• Gu Wanning realized the Grand Princess was pressuring her to defend Xu Weibei and chose to protect him despite their divorce.
• Gu Wanning blamed the divorce on her own jealousy and praised Xu Weibei’s courage and victory against the Oirat.
• The Grand Princess asked whether Gu Wanning regretted speaking up and hoped to reconcile with Xu Weibei.

Xu Weibei publicly accepted responsibility for his divorce from Gu Wanning, exposing his impotence and clearing her of blame. After the Grand Princess fainted and tried to make him confess again, Gu Wanning pretended to faint to stop him, and Xu Weibei prepared to carry her home.

• Gu Wanning told the Grand Princess she had no wish to rekindle her marriage with the Marquis.
• Xu Weibei appeared and publicly admitted he was incapable of marital relations, that Gu Wanning was a virgin, and that he alone had caused their divorce.
• The Grand Princess fainted, and Xu Weibei went to check on her.
• After recovering, the Grand Princess slapped Xu Weibei and tried to blame Gu Wanning for the divorce.
• Gu Wanning called Er Ya and pretended to faint so Xu Weibei would not have to prove his impotence again.
• Xu Weibei moved to carry Gu Wanning and call for a doctor, but Er Ya pinched her awake.

Gu Wanning pretended to faint so Xu Weibei could take her away from the crowd after the Grand Princess’s scheme left him humiliated. She comforted him in tears, and after she returned home, she and Er Ya condemned the people who mocked him and the Grand Princess.

• Er Ya left in the paid sedan chair, so Xu Weibei carried Gu Wanning back to her residence as onlookers followed them.
• Xu Weibei apologized for his grandmother scheming against Gu Wanning and promised it would not happen again.
• Gu Wanning threw herself into Xu Weibei’s arms and sobbed, then withdrew and hurried inside after seeing his robes soaked with her tears.
• Xu Weibei stayed outside Gu Wanning’s door for a long time before leaving, ignoring the hostile looks around him.
• Er Ya realized Gu Wanning had pretended to faint and joked that she had done it for Xu Weibei, while Gu Wanning defended him and criticized the Grand Princess.

Gu Wanning learned that Xu Weibei was sending his concubines away and helped them consider their futures. After Third Concubine suggested someone had harmed the Marquis, Gu Wanning wondered whether his condition might be treatable.

• Er Ya urged Gu Wanning to consider living with Xu Weibei as companions, but Gu Wanning asked her to tell her sister-in-law so her family would stop asking about it.
• Second Concubine told Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei was sending the concubines away, and the women discussed what they would do next.
• Second Concubine planned to return home, Third Concubine intended to open a medical clinic, and Fourth Concubine planned to travel to her senior brother.
• The concubines left to prepare for their departure, but Third Concubine stayed behind to tell Gu Wanning that she suspected someone had harmed Xu Weibei.
• Gu Wanning questioned Third Concubine about her suspicion, and Third Concubine said Xu Weibei's masculine appearance made her doubt he had been born with a deficiency.

Gu Wanning learned Third Concubine suspected Physician Bian or someone else close to Xu Weibei had been harming him, and she resolved to warn the Marquis. After Xu Weibei refused to see her and rejected the food she sent, Gu Wanning angrily decided she would stop pursuing him for now and eat the meal herself.

• Third Concubine told Gu Wanning she suspected someone close to Xu Weibei, possibly Physician Bian, had been secretly doing something to him.
• Gu Wanning agreed to find a tactful way to warn Xu Weibei and admitted she wanted to stay by his side, but Third Concubine left the decision to her.
• Gu Wanning went to see Xu Weibei, but he had Gao Lan tell her he would not meet with her.
• Xu Weibei refused the food Gu Wanning sent, and Zhi Nu brought the untouched meal back.
• Gu Wanning told Zhi Nu they would eat the food themselves and resolved not to bother with Xu Weibei for now.

Gu Wanning struggled with her feelings after Xu Weibei sent her away, while Er Ya urged her to give him time and reconsider. As Xu Weibei’s concubines left the Marquis’s Residence, Gu Wanning turned to practical tasks and still wondered whether she could win him back.

• Gu Wanning refused to prepare food for Xu Weibei, though she admitted to Er Ya that she could not bear to leave him.
• Er Ya argued that Xu Weibei’s loneliness and his willingness to take responsibility made him worth giving time, and Gu Wanning agreed to focus on immediate tasks first.
• Qin Lie bought First Concubine a house and brought Jiaoniang to her, while Xu Weibei gave each concubine two thousand taels of silver as they departed.
• Second Concubine returned to her family, Third Concubine bought a house near Gu Wanning’s and planned to open a medical clinic, and Fourth Concubine went to the Northwest to reunite with her senior brother.
• As Gu Wanning and Er Ya rode to the fields, Er Ya asked whether Gu Wanning thought Xu Weibei would accept her, and Gu Wanning questioned whether her opinion mattered.

Gu Wanning believed Xu Weibei had sent a marriage proposal, only to learn that Gu Anqi had rejected a proposal from Zheng Jian’s family. Gu Anqi urged her to consider another man, leaving her to ponder his warning about Xu Weibei.

• Er Ya reassured Gu Wanning that she could pursue Xu Weibei if they both wanted to be together.
• Gu Wanning and Er Ya traveled through heavy rain to the Estate, where Gu Wanning arranged dry clothes and money for the soaked driver.
• A few days later, Gu Anqi told Gu Wanning that he had turned down a marriage proposal from the Zheng Duke's Residence.
• Gu Anqi warned Gu Wanning to consider meeting a suitable man and hinted that Xu Weibei could not fulfill her needs.
• Gu Wanning thanked Gu Anqi, then clarified that she had been thinking about the Zheng family rather than Xu Weibei.

After the Zheng family spread sexual rumors about Gu Wanning, she chose not to make a fuss, but Gu Anqi promised to help her get justice. Gu Wanning agreed to his plan to strip the Zheng Duke’s Residence of its title, leaving the matter to unfold over the next month or so.

• Er Ya urged Gu Wanning to ask Gu Anqi to impeach Zheng Jian and the Zheng Duke’s Residence, but Gu Wanning said she would rather ignore the rumors.
• Gu Anqi visited Gu Wanning and told her he knew about the rumors and would see that she got justice.
• Gu Wanning told Gu Anqi not to trouble himself, but Gu Anqi proposed first arranging for the Zheng Duke’s Residence to lose its title.
• Gu Wanning accepted Gu Anqi’s plan and agreed to wait before they acted.
• Gu Anqi then began talking about Zhi Nu.