Recaps

Third Concubine told Gu Wanning that the Grand Princess had spread rumors that Gu Wanning had been abducted, hoping to pressure the Gu family into surrendering the Death-Exemption Gold Plaque. Gu Wanning understood the scheme and recognized why Xu Weibei had warned her against approaching the Grand Princess.

• Gu Wanning reassured Third Concubine that she was not pregnant and encouraged her to seek happiness.
• Third Concubine revealed that a trusted friend had told her the Grand Princess was spreading rumors about Gu Wanning's chastity.
• Gu Wanning promised to protect Third Concubine's friend and thanked her for telling the truth.
• Gu Wanning reasoned that the Grand Princess wanted the Death-Exemption Gold Plaque and hoped the rumors would make the Gu family offer it to protect her marriage.
• Gu Wanning realized Xu Weibei had warned her away from the Grand Princess because he understood the woman's schemes and suffocating way of expressing love.

Xu Weibei confronted the Grand Princess after learning she had spread a false rumor about Gu Wanning, demanding that she stop interfering in his marriage. He refused to exploit the scandal for his own benefit, though he could not yet face Gu Wanning with the truth.

• Xu Weibei traced the rumor about Gu Wanning to the Grand Princess and went to confront her.
• Xu Weibei flipped a table and ordered the servants out before accusing the Grand Princess of ruining Gu Wanning's reputation.
• Xu Weibei pleaded with the Grand Princess to stop interfering in his marriage and said he would become an unfilial descendant if she did it again.
• Xu Weibei explained that Gu Wanning valued her reputation and that the Grand Princess had made it difficult for him to face his wife.
• The Grand Princess asked whether Xu Weibei still wanted an amicable divorce, but he said he needed time to understand his feelings.
• Xu Weibei refused to benefit from the scandal or tell Gu Wanning that it had begun because of him.

Xu Weibei confronted the Grand Princess over the rumors about Gu Wanning and promised Gu Wanning that he would stop them. Gu Wanning agreed to continue helping with his plan after he promised not to go too far with the concubines.

• Xu Weibei warned the Grand Princess not to spread rumors about Gu Wanning again and left after kneeling on porcelain shards.
• The Grand Princess noticed Xu Weibei's injured knees and was pleased that he had developed feelings for Gu Wanning.
• Er Ya warned Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei had returned in a bad mood.
• Xu Weibei told Gu Wanning that the Grand Princess had ordered the rumors and promised to quell them.
• Gu Wanning reassured Xu Weibei that she would keep her promise to help with his plan.
• Xu Weibei promised Gu Wanning that he would not go too far with the concubines and told her not to prepare for the act.

Gu Wanning asked Xu Weibei whether she should accept Princess Qingyi’s invitation, and he explained that Gu Anwei had been sidelined by their father’s marriage arrangements. She decided to visit the Princess’s Residence the next day, uncertain why her second brother wanted to see her.

• Gu Wanning received an invitation from Princess Qingyi and asked Xu Weibei whether she should go to the Princess’s Residence.
• Xu Weibei recognized the handwriting as Gu Anwei’s and told Gu Wanning to take Er Ya with her the next day.
• Xu Weibei explained that Gu Anwei resented their father for making him marry a princess and withdraw from official life so Gu Anqi could advance.
• Gu Wanning understood why Gu Anwei was distant from the family but wondered why he was reaching out to her.
• Xu Weibei encouraged Gu Wanning to accept the invitation and find out what Gu Anwei wanted.

Gu Wanning visited Princess Qingyi’s residence and discovered that her timid, generous second sister-in-law wanted to grow closer to the family. The visit left Gu Wanning wondering why Gu Anwei had gone to work at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and she mentioned that Xu Weibei liked Jiang Qiubai’s performances.

• Gu Wanning worried that Princess Qingyi might be difficult to deal with, but Xu Weibei reassured her before she went to the Princess’s Residence.
• Princess Qingyi welcomed Gu Wanning at the inner gate, and the two women relaxed as they spoke over tea and pastries.
• Princess Qingyi offered Gu Wanning Shu Brocade and cakes to take home, explaining that she hoped to become closer to the family.
• Princess Qingyi said Gu Anwei had gone to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices because urgent business had arisen, leaving Gu Wanning puzzled about his duties.
• Princess Qingyi invited Gu Wanning to admire the flowers and mentioned that Gu Anwei had stopped her from hiring an opera troupe, so Gu Wanning said Xu Weibei liked Jiang Qiubai.

Gu Wanning visited Princess Qingyi, who confided that she feared she could not have children, and promised to bring Third Concubine to help. When Gu Wanning returned to the Marquis's Residence, she learned that Xu Weibei had claimed something was missing and was questioning the concubines.

• Princess Qingyi told Gu Wanning that she wanted children but suspected she could not conceive, and Gu Wanning offered to bring Third Concubine, who knew medicine.
• Gu Wanning left the Princess's Residence without waiting for Gu Anwei and rode back with Er Ya, who praised Princess Qingyi and Gu Anwei.
• A maid told Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei had started making a fuss after she left and had the concubines taken in for questioning over a missing item.
• Gu Wanning told Er Ya they would go see what had happened.

Gu Wanning returned to find Xu Weibei forcing the concubines to run laps while he investigated a missing item. She stopped the punishment and went to speak with him, but Third Concubine’s strange silence left Gu Wanning worried she might reveal a dangerous secret.

• Gu Wanning arrived at the rear courtyard and found Xu Weibei making the concubines run around the lake as he searched for a missing item.
• Gu Wanning pleaded with Xu Weibei to stop the punishment, then blocked the concubines’ path and ordered chairs brought so they could rest.
• Fourth Concubine complained that Xu Weibei caused trouble whenever Gu Wanning was away, while First and Second Concubines urged everyone to focus on finding the missing item.
• Gu Wanning noticed Third Concubine remained unusually quiet and feared she might reveal that she had once been with a man.
• Gu Wanning squeezed Third Concubine’s hand in reassurance and resolved to interrupt her if she started discussing the secret.

Gu Wanning challenged Xu Weibei to provide proof that his concubines had stolen a missing item and threatened to report him if he punished them without evidence. Xu Weibei ordered a search, leaving Gu Wanning relieved that he had accepted her proposal.

• Gu Wanning questioned Xu Weibei about the missing item and argued that he had accused the concubines without proof.
• Xu Weibei threatened to skin the concubines alive, but Gu Wanning proposed searching their rooms and courtyards instead.
• Gu Wanning warned Xu Weibei that she would report him to the authorities and threatened him when he raised his hand.
• First Concubine and the other concubines knelt to plead for Gu Wanning, while Er Ya loudly accused Xu Weibei of trying to kill his wife.
• Xu Weibei ordered someone to search, and Gu Wanning breathed a sigh of relief.

Third Concubine falsely confessed to stealing Xu Weibei’s Tiger Tally and tried to drown herself, while Gu Wanning stopped her and demanded an explanation. Third Concubine remained silent, leaving Gu Wanning worried that an unknown misunderstanding had driven her to take the blame.

• Third Concubine confessed to stealing Xu Weibei’s missing item and said she had passed it to someone outside for no payment.
• Third Concubine rushed toward the lake, but Gu Wanning caught her and stopped her from jumping in.
• Gu Wanning ordered Fourth Concubine to restrain Third Concubine and took her inside to question her.
• Third Concubine insisted she was guilty but could not say what she had stolen, and Gu Wanning urged her to explain herself.
• Gu Wanning warned that Third Concubine’s false confession could disrupt Xu Weibei’s search and stain her reputation, while Third Concubine trembled and stayed silent.

Gu Wanning pressed Third Concubine to reveal what she was hiding and followed her to her room. Third Concubine uncovered a locked rosewood box, leaving its contents unknown.

• Gu Wanning learned that Third Concubine feared a search, though she denied hiding a man.
• Gu Wanning brought Fourth Concubine and Xu Weibei to Third Concubine's courtyard, then asked Fourth Concubine to keep watch outside.
• Third Concubine reminded Fourth Concubine of the medicine she had secretly brought her, persuading her to stay behind.
• Third Concubine removed the bedding from her kang chest and retrieved a locked rosewood brocade box.

Gu Wanning discovered that Third Concubine’s locked box contained private items for her own pleasure, not evidence of witchcraft, and comforted her about having ordinary desires. Xu Weibei arrived outside while Fourth Concubine watched him, and Gu Wanning left Third Concubine reassured but still doubtful.

• Gu Wanning took Third Concubine’s key, opened the brocade box, and found a collection of intimate items.
• Third Concubine broke down crying, and Gu Wanning held and comforted her.
• Fourth Concubine heard the crying and saw Xu Weibei arrive, but he signaled for silence and stayed outside the room.
• Gu Wanning told Third Concubine that pleasing herself was nothing to be ashamed of and that she did not need to answer to anyone.

Gu Wanning protected Third Concubine by claiming the mysterious item was contraceptive medicine she had asked Third Concubine to make. Xu Weibei accepted her hint and left, while Gu Wanning went with him to help search for his missing item and prepare to argue with him.

• Gu Wanning stopped Third Concubine from kneeling and reassured her that she would handle Xu Weibei.
• Fourth Concubine announced Xu Weibei’s arrival, and Gu Wanning told him the box contained something women used.
• When Xu Weibei challenged her excuse, Gu Wanning claimed she had asked Third Concubine to make contraceptive medicine and said Xu Weibei had unknowingly taken some before.
• Xu Weibei caught Gu Wanning’s signal and left without pursuing the matter, while she comforted Third Concubine.
• Gu Wanning reunited with First Concubine and Second Concubine, told them not to suspect their own people, and followed Xu Weibei toward the main courtyard as Fourth Concubine went to see Third Concubine.

Gu Wanning reflected on why she and Xu Weibei could not become a true married couple, despite their current rapport. When Xu Weibei learned that childbirth could harm women, he told her she would not have to bear any more sons and proposed having concubines bear children instead.

• Gu Wanning told Er Ya that she still planned to leave the residence and warned her not to choose a husband who would be difficult to redeem.
• Gu Wanning explained to herself that she and Xu Weibei could not advance their relationship without becoming a resentful couple.
• Er Ya promised to follow Gu Wanning wherever she went.
• Xu Weibei asked what Third Concubine had been doing, and Gu Wanning said the contraceptive medicine had been meant for her eldest sister-in-law.
• Xu Weibei doubted that repeated childbirth depleted a woman's health, but Gu Wanning insisted that it did.
• Xu Weibei told Gu Wanning not to bear more children and said the concubines could bear them for her to raise.

Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei discussed their marriage and the scheme involving the supposedly stolen Tiger Tally. Xu Weibei wanted them to stay together, while Gu Wanning still wanted freedom, and the trap against Lezha remained in motion.

• Xu Weibei asked Gu Wanning for the contraceptive medicine and urged her not to divorce him, but she said she wanted freedom from the Gu family and the Marquis's Residence.
• Xu Weibei promised Gu Wanning that she would have the final say in the Marquis's Residence, and she changed the subject to the Tiger Tally scheme.
• Xu Weibei explained that he had learned about Lezha from both informants in Qiang State and Meng He, then used that knowledge to make Lezha believe he had stolen the Tiger Tally.
• Gu Wanning objected to Xu Weibei frightening the concubines and asked to take them out for a day, but he complained about their behavior.
• Xu Weibei reminded Gu Wanning to find the contraceptive medicine so an imperial physician could examine it, while the supposed loss of the Tiger Tally remained part of their plan.

Gu Wanning comforted Third Concubine after the Marquis’s ordeal and asked her to examine her infertile sister-in-law. Third Concubine then suggested that Xu Weibei might be impotent, leaving Gu Wanning stunned and considering whether something was wrong with him.

• Gu Wanning told Third Concubine to forget her embarrassing encounter and asked her to examine the princess on a future visit.
• Third Concubine warned Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei seemed unwell and suggested he might be impotent.
• Gu Wanning rejected the idea at first but considered that Xu Weibei had been staying home and might have a problem.
• Third Concubine wondered whether Xu Weibei had recently injured his foundation.

Gu Wanning accepted the Grand Princess’s pearls and recognized her effort to secure the marriage, while Xu Weibei tried to restrict Gu Wanning’s access to money and valuables. The next day, Xu Weibei joined Gu Wanning and the concubines on an outing, which was set to begin at the opera.

• The Grand Princess gave Gu Wanning a box of pearls, and Gu Wanning accepted them despite understanding the Grand Princess’s intentions.
• Xu Weibei ordered Gao Lan to have gifts from the Princess’s Residence inspected before they reached Gu Wanning, and he planned to take her money and pearls.
• The shopkeeper and assistants rearranged the shop’s stock on the owner’s orders, bringing out unwanted crops from the storeroom.
• First Concubine asked Gu Wanning to let Jiaoniang join the outing, and Gu Wanning agreed.
• Xu Weibei accompanied Gu Wanning, her concubines, and Jiaoniang on their day out, and Gu Wanning said they were going to see an opera.

Gu Wanning watched Jiang Qiubai perform opera while Xu Weibei grew jealous and tried to hide his displeasure. When spilled tea splashed toward Gu Wanning, Xu Weibei blocked it with his arm, and the chapter ended with him insisting he was fine as she worried over his scald.

• Xu Weibei reluctantly agreed to accompany Gu Wanning to see Jiang Qiubai perform, despite his jealousy.
• Gao Lan arranged for Jiang Qiubai to perform “Tears at the Border Pass,” delighting Gu Wanning and irritating Xu Weibei.
• At the opera, Xu Weibei drank tea in frustration as Gu Wanning watched Jiang Qiubai.
• A nervous tea server spilled hot water, and Xu Weibei shielded Gu Wanning with his sleeve, scalding his arm.
• Gu Wanning urged Xu Weibei to cool the burn, but he brushed off her concern and asked Gao Lan to fetch a change of clothes.

Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei visited a shop selling crops from overseas, where she bought a tomato plant, pumpkins, and peanuts at surprisingly low prices. At a restaurant afterward, Gao Lan arrived with troubling news, and Xu Weibei scolded him for startling Gu Wanning.

• Xu Weibei refused the concubines' handkerchiefs, then took Gu Wanning to the shop selling goods from north and south.
• Gu Wanning bought a tomato plant and peanuts and received two pumpkins for free, while sweet potatoes and potatoes were unavailable.
• Gu Wanning paid for her purchases, and Xu Weibei offered to treat the group to dinner.
• Xu Weibei helped Gu Wanning from the carriage and stayed close to her as they climbed the restaurant stairs.
• Gao Lan hurried in and said something was wrong, and Xu Weibei rebuked him for frightening Gu Wanning.

Xu Weibei left with Third Concubine to help Linglong after she fell into the water, while Gu Wanning waited anxiously and hoped she and her child were safe. Third Concubine later reported that both had survived, but the fall seemed suspicious, and talk about Gu Wanning’s abduction raised doubts about whether Xu Weibei would pursue the matter.

• Gao Lan privately told Xu Weibei that someone needed saving, and Xu Weibei left with Third Concubine.
• Gu Wanning waited with the other concubines and hoped Linglong and her unborn child were all right.
• Third Concubine returned and told Gu Wanning that Linglong had fallen into the water but that she and the child were safe.
• Third Concubine said Linglong’s fall seemed suspicious and that Xu Weibei had stayed behind to investigate.
• Third Concubine warned Gu Wanning that people were talking about her abduction and questioned whether the matter would be left unresolved.

Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei learned that the Grand Princess had tried to prevent Linglong from giving birth to Xu Weibei’s eldest son. Two days later, Linglong gave birth to a daughter, whom the Grand Princess had ordered the midwife to spare.

• Third Concubine told Gu Wanning that the Grand Princess likely arranged for Linglong’s child to be lost to avoid offending the Gu family and creating a rival heir.
• Gu Wanning worried about protecting her family and Xu Weibei, while Third Concubine reassured her that the Grand Princess would respect the Gu family’s backing.
• Xu Weibei returned before court and told Gu Wanning that his grandmother had arranged for Linglong not to bear his eldest son.
• Xu Weibei revealed that he had confronted the Grand Princess and injured his hand in anger, and Gu Wanning urged him to ensure Linglong was cared for.
• Two days later, Linglong gave birth to a daughter, and Xu Weibei told Gu Wanning that the Grand Princess had ordered the midwife to kill the baby if it was a boy but spare her if it was a girl.

Gu Wanning noticed Xu Weibei’s gloom over Linglong having a daughter, while he struggled with disaster relief and the empty treasury. She brought the household to the Estate to harvest her ripe corn, whose yield could affect the country’s food supply.

• Gu Wanning saw Xu Weibei return drunk with black marks on him and suspected his drinking was connected to Linglong giving birth to a daughter.
• Xu Weibei worked under mounting pressure as early snow caused a severe disaster in the north and relief efforts and military clothing demanded more money.
• Second Concubine told Gu Wanning that Baoji had withdrawn from their planned horse-selling partnership, and Gu Wanning comforted her that she had not lost money.
• Xu Weibei’s work at the Ministry of Revenue exposed him to the deep flaws in the system and helped him understand Gu Yuanshi’s reasons for pursuing reform.
• Gu Wanning went to the Estate with Xu Weibei, Gu Anqi, the concubines, and Jiaoniang to oversee the corn harvest.
• The party saw the frost-damaged corn fields, where the stalks had turned yellow and withered before the harvest began.

Gu Wanning’s corn harvest exceeded 1,500 jin per mu, and she prepared several dishes that convinced Gu Anqi the crop could serve as food. She discussed next year’s plans for expanding corn cultivation and intercropping peanuts with Xu Weibei, then explained that a beggar at the Estate had taught her much about the outside world.

• Xu Weibei’s workers harvested and weighed corn from five mu, finding an average yield of more than 1,500 jin per mu.
• Gu Wanning ordered the corn gathered for storage and planned to save the best kernels for seed while using the rest to make food.
• Gu Wanning cooked a variety of corn dishes, and Gu Anqi eagerly packed some to take to their father.
• Xu Weibei criticized Gu Wanning for giving her father credit for the corn, but she said she could appreciate the Gu family’s help while relying on herself.
• Gu Wanning proposed intercropping peanuts and corn next year and explained how the crops could complement each other.
• Xu Weibei asked how Gu Wanning knew so much, and she said a beggar her father had sheltered at the Estate had taught her about the world.

Gu Wanning discussed her mistreatment by the Gu family with Xu Weibei, who urged her to stay at the Marquis’s Residence while she questioned him about his plans for Linglong and her daughter. She later went outside and happily reunited with Shitou at the Estate.

• Xu Weibei grew angry after Gu Wanning explained how the Gu family had treated her, and she reminded him to guard against rumors linking him to her older sister.
• Xu Weibei said he would provide for Linglong and her daughter outside the residence, revealing that he sent them a hundred taels of silver each month.
• Xu Weibei stopped himself from confiding in Gu Wanning and claimed he was not full, prompting her to leave for a walk.
• Gu Wanning encountered Shitou by the persimmon tree and learned he had been helping harvest corn and was afraid of the Marquis.
• Gu Wanning noticed Shitou's scratches and told him not to return to the cornfield that afternoon.

Gu Wanning grew fond of Shitou after seeing him climb a tree to pick persimmons and hearing that he stayed at the estate because he hoped his parents would return. Xu Weibei agreed that she could take Shitou home to run errands for her.

• Shitou climbed a tree to pick persimmons for Gu Wanning, and she worried that he might fall.
• Xu Weibei helped check Gu Wanning's forehead after she ran into him, then dismissed her fears for Shitou's safety.
• Gu Wanning learned that Shitou had refused adoption because he hoped his parents would come looking for him, and she gave him candy with Jiaoniang.
• Gu Wanning asked Xu Weibei to let her take Shitou home, and he agreed.

Gu Wanning told Xu Weibei that her family had hidden Zhi Nu’s murder from the women, then invited Shitou to return to the residence with her. As Gu Yuanshi hurried over to meet them, Xu Weibei kept Gu Wanning in the carriage and offered him only restrained courtesy.

• Xu Weibei suggested that Gu Wanning bring Shitou back to the residence, and she agreed to speak to the boy.
• Gu Wanning revealed that Zhi Nu had been murdered and dismembered by his kidnappers, a truth her father and eldest brother had concealed from the women in the family.
• Jiaoniang showed Gu Wanning the butterflies Shitou had caught, and Gu Wanning invited Shitou to return to the residence and run errands for her.
• Shitou tearfully accepted Gu Wanning’s kindness, and she arranged for him to ride with Er Ya in the carriage behind hers.
• Gu Yuanshi hurried to meet them after receiving his son’s report, while Xu Weibei kept Gu Wanning in the carriage and exchanged few pleasantries with him.