Chapter Summaries

Gu Wanqing told Gu Wanning how the Prince of Qin’s repeated betrayals had destroyed her trust and led to the death of her maid Yun'er. She had sent Gu Xiaoxiao to the Prince of Qin's Residence, while Gu Wanqing herself remained at odds with the Prince of Qin.

• Gu Wanqing offered to take Gu Xiaoxiao to the Prince of Qin's Residence, and Gu Xiaoxiao eagerly agreed.
• Gu Wanning took Gu Wanqing to her courtyard to talk privately, while Xu Weibei brooded over Gu Wanning's dismissive attitude toward him.
• Gu Wanqing confessed that she had realized she married the wrong man after the Prince of Qin took other women into his residence and she lost her child.
• Gu Wanqing explained that she had struggled to protect her son An-ge, recovering her health and preventing the other women from becoming pregnant.
• Gu Wanqing said the Prince of Qin forced himself on Yun'er, who then threw herself into a well, and that she had a major fight with him and shut him out of her room.

Gu Wanqing told Gu Wanning that the Prince of Qin had threatened to kill their father and wipe out the Gu family, leaving her torn between seeking justice and protecting her son. Gu Wanning urged her to decide what she wanted and turned to check on Xu Weibei, fearing she might reveal the truth to him.

• Gu Wanqing recounted how the Prince of Qin had stopped visiting her and how his new favorite courtesan revealed his hatred of the Gu family.
• Gu Wanqing told Gu Wanning that the Prince had threatened to kill their father and destroy the Gu family, and said she would not let her family suffer for her marriage.
• Gu Wanqing explained that she feared telling their father and brothers because they might dismiss the threat or endanger An-ge's future.
• Gu Wanning told Gu Wanqing to decide what she wanted before speaking to their eldest brother, who had arrived and overheard them.
• Gu Wanning left the sisters to talk and went to check on Xu Weibei, worried she might impulsively tell him the truth.

Gu Wanning learned that Xu Weibei knew the truth about his condition and realized he might seek revenge on Linglong and Jiaoniang. She rushed to the Marquis's Residence to warn First Concubine, but Xu Weibei was nowhere to be found.

• Third Concubine told Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei had learned the truth and returned to the residence without taking Gu Wanqing with him.
• Third Concubine explained that Xu Weibei had offered her a place at the Imperial Medical Academy in exchange for telling him the truth.
• Gu Wanning realized Xu Weibei might go after Linglong and Jiaoniang, then hurried to the Marquis's Residence to warn First Concubine.
• Gu Wanning arrived at the Marquis's Residence, where First Concubine asked if she had reconciled with Xu Weibei, but Xu Weibei had not returned.

Gu Wanning worried that the drunken Xu Weibei might hurt Jiaoniang after hearing slander about her parentage, so she asked Qin Lie to watch over him. Xu Weibei was eventually found asleep at another residence, and Qin Lie escorted Gu Wanning home.

• Gu Wanning told the concubines to watch for Xu Weibei and planned to speak with him if he returned drunk.
• Gu Wanning privately warned Qin Lie that Xu Weibei had heard slander claiming Jiaoniang was not his daughter, and Qin Lie agreed to keep watch.
• Qin Lie searched for Xu Weibei after he disappeared, while Gu Wanning remained worried at First Concubine's residence.
• Qin Lie learned that Xu Weibei was asleep at another residence after drinking too much.
• Qin Lie escorted Gu Wanning home and promised First Concubine he would return to rest in the front courtyard.

Gu Wanning learned that Gu Wanqing had taken Gu Xiaoxiao away and spoke with Gu Anwei, who urged her not to entangle herself in the Marquis’s affairs. After hearing that her second sister-in-law was pregnant, Gu Wanning decided to visit Xu Weibei, but he refused to see her.

• Gu Anwei told Gu Wanning that Gu Wanqing had taken Gu Xiaoxiao away and that the Gu family was worried about Gu Wanqing’s trouble with the Prince of Qin.
• Gu Anwei thanked Gu Wanning for preventing the Marquis from retaliating against the Gu family and warned her not to grow attached to the Marquis.
• Gu Anwei told Gu Wanning that Princess Qingyi was less than three months pregnant and asked her to visit and keep her company.
• Gu Wanning asked Qin Lie to take her to the detached residence to see Xu Weibei.
• Gao Lan told Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei would not see her and had sent someone to bring Physician Bian back.

Xu Weibei reeled after realizing Physician Bian had concealed his condition, and Gu Wanning gave him space while sending food through Zhi Nu. After several days, Xu Weibei resumed his usual duties, though others noticed he seemed more hostile.

• Xu Weibei recalled how Physician Bian had cared for him while hiding his condition, and he sank into shame and anger.
• Gu Wanning visited Xu Weibei but left him alone, asking Zhi Nu to bring him food when he returned from school.
• Er Ya speculated that Gu Xiaoxiao's medicine had harmed Xu Weibei, but Gu Wanning dismissed the idea and focused on buying groceries.
• Zhi Nu delivered food to Xu Weibei's villa and returned with the empty carrier, asking Gu Wanning whether they could help him.
• Gu Wanning continued tending her crops and had Zhi Nu bring Xu Weibei food nearly every day; after three or four days, Xu Weibei resumed his routine with increased hostility.
• Gu Anfang complained to Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei was ignoring him and blamed Gu Xiaoxiao, while Gu Wanning made no comment.

Gu Wanning learned more about Xu Weibei’s past and worried that he had been unable to consummate their marriage. As Xu Weibei sank into despair while waiting for Physician Bian, Gao Lan discovered that Linglong had come to see him again.

• Gao Lan told Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei had let a bedchamber maid leave and revealed that Linglong’s role was not what people assumed.
• Gao Lan reassured Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei knew she wanted to protect Jiaoniang and would not hurt anyone.
• Gao Lan told Xu Weibei that Gu Wanning had only asked him to take good care of him and described her busy life at the Estate.
• Xu Weibei concluded that Gu Wanning was better off without him and brooded over the possibility that he was not a normal man.
• Gao Lan learned that Linglong had returned and worried that she would upset Xu Weibei while he was in a foul mood.

Gao Lan coaxed Linglong into leaving while promising more silver and a future decision about her daughter’s status. Gu Wanning and Xu Qiaoqiao’s river-snail rice noodle shop opened to a packed crowd, while Gu Wanning wondered whether Xu Weibei had come to see it and He Shi struggled to raise an unspoken concern with Gu Anqi.

• Gao Lan persuaded Linglong to take her child home for the time being and promised to send more silver, asking her to wait six months or a year about the child’s status.
• Gu Wanning and Xu Qiaoqiao opened their shop, and Gu Wanning’s three brothers attracted a crowd that bought out the prepared ingredients by noon.
• Gu Anfang complained that the smell had ruined one of his good outfits, and Gu Wanning offered to give each of her brothers two new outfits.
• Er Ya told Gu Wanning she thought she had seen Xu Weibei near the shop, but she had not gotten a clear look, leaving Gu Wanning to wonder about his condition.
• He Shi visited her sons, then sat sewing while Gu Anqi worked; when he noticed her hesitation, he massaged her shoulders and asked what was on her mind.

Gu Wanning helped her busy shop and talked with Xu Qiaoqiao about her decision not to return home or marry. When Gu Anqi brought colleagues to dine at the shop, Er Ya urged Gu Wanning to greet them, suggesting he might be arranging another match with Fang Tingxiu.

• He Shi worried that the Marquis had stopped visiting Gu Wanning, but Gu Anqi refused to intervene and said Gu Wanning had plenty of potential suitors.
• Gu Wanning returned from the Estate and helped at the crowded shop, where Er Ya suggested renting the neighboring shop.
• Gu Wanning asked Xu Qiaoqiao when she planned to return home, and Xu Qiaoqiao admitted she did not want to marry and was still searching for someone.
• Xu Qiaoqiao thanked Gu Wanning for helping reassure her father, who had stopped pressing her to come home after learning whose daughter she was with.
• A waiter told Gu Wanning that her eldest brother had brought officials to the shop, and she sent them tiger-skin chicken feet and dried tofu.
• Er Ya urged Gu Wanning to greet the guests because Fang Tingxiu was among them, but Gu Wanning said she understood why he had refused to marry her.

Xu Qiaoqiao unexpectedly reunited with Fang Tingxiu at Gu Wanning’s shop after traveling to the Capital to check on him. She learned he had passed the examinations and asked why he had never sent word, leaving their painful misunderstanding unresolved.

• A porcelain crash brought Xu Qiaoqiao out of the kitchen, where she found Fang Tingxiu had spilled tea on his robe.
• Fang Tingxiu recognized Xu Qiaoqiao, took her hand, and anxiously asked why she was in the Capital.
• Xu Qiaoqiao led Fang Tingxiu to the rear courtyard to speak privately, while Xi'er stayed nearby.
• Xu Qiaoqiao told Fang Tingxiu she had come for fun and congratulated him on passing the examinations, though she struggled to hide her tears.
• Xu Qiaoqiao asked Fang Tingxiu why he had not sent word after passing with honors.

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.