Gu Wanning tried to repair the household accounts and grow rare corn as a route to wealth and independence while navigating Xu Weibei’s hostility and the concubines’ private troubles. After Xu Weibei was forced to share a wedding night with her, Gu Wanning took the concubines on an outing, where Lu Baozhu confronted her.
Gu Wanning confronted her family’s neglect, pursued a divorce from Xu Weibei, and built closer ties with the household’s concubines as she tended her crops and cared for First Concubine. After a banquet ended with Gu Wanning and Lu Baozhu in the lake, He Shi visited and remarked on how much Gu Wanning had changed since marrying.
Gu Wanning resisted Xu Weibei’s plan to force First Concubine into marriage and learned that First Concubine’s dreams foretold disasters and hidden family truths. After Xu Weibei agreed to bring Jiaoniang to the residence and help the orphaned children, Gu Wanning prepared to visit her family and searched for useful goods.
Gu Wanning returned to her family for her father’s birthday, confronted Gu Xiaoxiao, and found her family divided over her wish to divorce Xu Weibei. Xu Weibei refused the divorce, realized he loved Gu Wanning, and tried to win her over with lavish gifts, while the pair remained at odds and First Concubine’s connection to Qin Lie resurfaced.
Gu Wanning continued preparing for independence through corn cultivation while Xu Weibei struggled with her wish to leave him. After Meng He abducted her to negotiate with Xu Weibei, she was rescued and returned home, where Xu Weibei began preparing for a threat from the Qiang State.
Gu Wanning navigated the Grand Princess’s schemes, protected Third Concubine, and grew closer to Xu Weibei while helping manage the household and its affairs. After a disastrous birth and a frost-damaged harvest, she brought Shitou back to the residence, where Gu Yuanshi hurried to meet them.
Gu Wanning secured her divorce from Xu Weibei and returned to her family, where Shitou was recognized as the missing Zhi Nu. As she began a new life, she helped Gu Wanqing confront her grief and welcomed visits from people at the Marquis’s Residence.
Gu Wanning stayed determined not to marry Xu Weibei, while building a new life through land purchases and sugar-making. Xu Weibei tried to win her back and manage the people around him, but Linglong's request for help left Gu Wanning unmoved.
Gu Wanning maintained her divorce from Xu Weibei despite his attempts to win her back and the Grand Princess’s efforts to arrange another marriage for him. She bought land and considered her future while her family debated a possible match between Xu Weibei and Gu Xiaoxiao.
Gu Xiaoxiao’s plot to drug Xu Weibei exposed a secret about his health and drove a wedge between him and Gu Wanning. As Gu Wanqing brought Gu Xiaoxiao to the Prince of Qin’s residence and Xu Weibei withdrew, Gu Wanning focused on her crops and shop while Xu Qiaoqiao reunited with Fang Tingxiu.
Xu Weibei’s illness and Linglong’s revelations sparked rumors that drew Gu Wanning back into his troubles, even as she insisted she would not rekindle their marriage. The concubines departed, Gu Wanning remained uncertain about Xu Weibei, and Gu Anqi began planning action against the Zheng Duke’s Residence.
Gu Wanning stood by Xu Weibei while he was imprisoned, despite pressure from the Grand Princess and her own family’s political caution. After Gu Yuanshi’s reforms helped expose the Zheng Duke’s Residence, Xu Weibei was released, but he insisted that being together required marriage.
Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei grew closer while navigating Yiling’s interest in him and the upheaval at Jin Huayu’s wedding. Afterward, Gu Wanning helped Second Concubine plan to protect her finances and prepare for an independent future, then chose to spend First Madam’s birthday cooking at home with Xu Weibei.
Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei confronted their painful family histories while navigating court politics and strained relationships. After Yiling helped save Princess Qingyi and her newborn daughter, Xu Weibei asked Gu Wanning to marry him again, but she remained unwilling.
No recap yet. An arc gets one once it has 25 chapters.