Chapter Summaries

Xu Weibei explained to Gu Anqi that he had recovered but had been hiding it because Gu Wanning was afraid, and Gu Anqi promised to have his wife speak with her. Several days later, Yiling saved the emperor with his approval, and Xu Weibei returned to Gu Wanning, pulling her into their room to tell her something.

• Gu Anqi confronted Xu Weibei about pretending he could not perform, and Xu Weibei claimed his problem had been cured.
• Xu Weibei told Gu Anqi about the misunderstanding between him and Gu Wanning, and Gu Anqi laughed before saying his wife would talk to her.
• Yiling entered the palace with the emperor's approval and saved him from harm.
• Gu Wanning heard that the emperor had survived and was relieved.
• Xu Weibei returned to Gu Wanning and pulled her toward their room, insisting he had something to tell her.

Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei struggled over whether to have a child, since they found no safe contraception and Xu Weibei feared pregnancy would endanger her. After less than two months together, Gu Wanning became pregnant, leaving Xu Weibei anxious and blaming himself.

• Gu Wanning worried about Xu Weibei’s renewed sexual demands and began considering contraception and children.
• Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei disagreed about having a child: she might want one someday, but he wanted to avoid risking her health.
• After Third Concubine said no harmless contraceptive medicine existed, Xu Weibei repeatedly visited the Imperial Medical Academy to seek a prescription.
• The imperial physicians could not provide a suitable medicine, and rumors spread that Xu Weibei was seeking treatment for his former condition.
• Gu Wanning became pregnant less than two months into their renewed intimacy, and Xu Weibei feared the dangers of childbirth and abortion.

Gu Wanning put aside her worries about her child’s status and settled into an easy pregnancy, though she could not attend Third Concubine and Gu Anfang’s wedding. Gu Anfang hurried to see her and apologized, hoping to persuade her to attend for Hua Ying’s sake, but she teased him and refused before laughing at his offer to do whatever she wanted.

• Xu Weibei reassured Gu Wanning that their child would have proper status and promised to ask the emperor to acknowledge the child after birth.
• Gu Wanning had an easy pregnancy, but she told Third Concubine she would not attend the wedding because of the local taboo and the crowds.
• After returning from official business, Gu Anfang learned Gu Wanning would miss the wedding and rushed to see her.
• Gu Anfang apologized for his past behavior and explained that Hua Ying would be sad if Gu Wanning did not attend.
• Gu Wanning teased Gu Anfang about whom Hua Ying cared for more, then refused to go because of his tone.
• Gu Anfang lowered his voice and asked what he could do to change her mind, and Gu Wanning burst out laughing.

Gu Wanning revealed her pregnancy to Gu Anfang and allowed the Grand Princess to send gifts for the baby despite refusing to see her. She gave birth to Xu Weibei’s daughter, Xu Zi, and the chapter ended with Xu Weibei devotedly caring for his newborn daughter.

• Gu Wanning showed Gu Anfang her pregnant belly, and he was shocked to learn the child was Xu Weibei’s.
• Gu Wanning accepted the Grand Princess’s gifts for the baby but maintained that she would not meet her.
• On the second day of the second month, Gu Wanning gave birth to Xu Zi, her and Xu Weibei’s eldest legitimate daughter.
• After Xu Zi’s birth, the Grand Princess did not ask to see her, while Xu Weibei treasured his daughter and cared for her himself whenever he was home.

Gu Wanning watched Xu Zi become the beloved center of her family, while she remained wary of spoiling her. Years later, Linglong returned with a warning that Noble Lady Xie had sent her to abduct A Zi, but her grief and excuses left Gu Wanning unconvinced.

• At Xu Zi’s one-month celebration, Gu Yuanshi attended and gave her a collection of rare ancient books.
• Gu Yuanshi grew devoted to A Zi, and Gu Wanning realized he was making up to her for the guilt he felt over their past.
• By the age of three, A Zi was judging disputes among the household servants, delighting Gu Yuanshi and Xu Weibei.
• When A Zi was four, Linglong visited Gu Wanning and defended her earlier efforts to secure a proper status for A Yi.
• Gu Wanning condemned Linglong for acting selfishly and betraying Xu Weibei, but Linglong warned that Noble Lady Xie had sent her to abduct A Zi before breaking down in tears.

Gu Wanning rejected Linglong’s offer to lure Xie Yun away and warned her to stay clear of the Xie family. The emperor later punished the Xie family, and Xie Yun died in the cold palace after trying to reveal whom she had cursed.

• Gu Wanning told Linglong she would never be grateful for her offer and warned her to stay away from Xie Yun.
• Linglong left after Gu Wanning reminded her that her own family would support her if she fell.
• Gu Wanning never saw Linglong or A Yi again, and the mother and daughter became strangers to her.
• The emperor settled accounts with the Xie family and banished Xie Yun to the cold palace.
• Xie Yun was executed after she tried to tell the emperor whom she had cursed, but a eunuch silenced her before she could finish.