Chapter Summaries

Gu Wanning tried to stop the Grand Princess Dowager from forcing her and Xu Weibei to consummate their marriage. Xu Weibei reluctantly agreed, and the Grand Princess Dowager finally left them alone for the wedding night.

• The Grand Princess Dowager ordered Xu Weibei to apologize to Gu Wanning’s family after beating her brother, and Gu Wanning pretended to plead for him.
• The Grand Princess Dowager insisted that Xu Weibei and Gu Wanning consummate their unfulfilled marriage that day.
• Xu Weibei refused, but the Grand Princess Dowager threatened to die, and Gu Wanning privately promised she would not touch him if he agreed.
• Gu Wanning persuaded Xu Weibei to go along with the plan, and the Grand Princess Dowager declined to supervise their wedding night.

Nanny Chu enforced the Grand Princess's demand that Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei share a room, but Gu Wanning slept on the daybed while Xu Weibei brooded over his grandmother's pressure. Xu Weibei asked Gao Lan to find a way to secure a mutual separation, and Gao Lan proposed framing Gu Wanning with the actor Jiang Qiubai.

• Nanny Chu replaced Gu Wanning's bedding and told her she would summon Xu Weibei to return to the room.
• Gu Wanning sent word to Second Concubine that the Grand Princess's demand had delayed her plans, and Second Concubine sent back coins and a plea for her future support.
• Nanny Chu kept watch outside as Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei went to bed separately, with Gu Wanning taking the daybed.
• Xu Weibei decided to ask Gao Lan for a way to separate from Gu Wanning by mutual agreement.
• Gao Lan suggested finding Gu Wanning a man and catching them together, naming Jiang Qiubai as a possible choice.

Gu Wanning avoided the opera performances Xu Weibei arranged, while Jiang Qiubai mistakenly thought Xu Weibei desired him and made an unwanted advance. As Xu Weibei kept his distance, Gu Wanning focused on her corn crop and learned that Bao's North-South Goods Shop might be its only source.

• Xu Weibei arranged for Jiang Qiubai's troupe to perform for the household, but Gu Wanning and the four concubines stayed away while Er Ya attended.
• After performing for seven days, Jiang Qiubai mistook Xu Weibei's interest in the opera for attraction and tried to throw himself into Xu Weibei's arms, so Xu Weibei drove the troupe out.
• Er Ya told Gu Wanning what she had seen, and Gu Wanning speculated that Jiang Qiubai had been satisfying Xu Weibei's desires.
• Xu Weibei returned to keeping to himself, while Gu Wanning tended her thriving corn and relaxed with the concubines.
• Second Concubine told Gu Wanning that Bao's North-South Goods Shop could sail overseas and that she had never seen corn like Gu Wanning's, encouraging Gu Wanning to see it as a rare commodity.

Gu Wanning planned an outing with her concubines, including a visit to Second Concubine’s family, while Xu Weibei suspected she was conspiring with her maiden family. He ordered Gao Lan to follow them and keep Fourth Concubine at the residence, leaving her shocked just before the group departed.

• Second Concubine asked Gu Wanning to accompany her on a visit to her family, and Gu Wanning agreed.
• Second Concubine said Chief Grand Secretary Gu was deeply respected by the common people, surprising Gu Wanning, who remembered her father having a poor reputation.
• Gu Wanning decided the women would go out despite Xu Weibei’s confinement, and told them she would claim she was seeking a fertility remedy.
• Xu Weibei learned of the outing from Nanny Chu and ordered Gao Lan to investigate, suspecting Gu Wanning planned to pass a message to her family.
• Gao Lan reported that the women planned to stroll and visit Second Concubine’s family shop, but Xu Weibei ordered him to follow them secretly and leave Fourth Concubine behind.
• Fourth Concubine was stunned when she was excluded from the outing just before the group set out.

Gu Wanning took the concubines on an outing, where they sold needlework and gave coins to a child beggar. Lu Baozhu confronted Gu Wanning, and Gu Wanning mocked her by suggesting she seek a place as the Marquis’s fifth concubine.

• Fourth Concubine refused Xu Weibei’s summons and insisted on going out, so he sent Gao Lan to watch Gu Wanning instead.
• Gu Wanning and the concubines visited a goods shop, where First Concubine sold her embroidery for more than eighty taels of silver.
• Gu Wanning gave five copper coins to a young beggar, and the other concubines each added two coins.
• Lu Baozhu stopped Gu Wanning in the street and accused her of pretending to be benevolent while neglecting her sister.
• Fourth Concubine and Second Concubine traded barbs with Lu Baozhu, and Gu Wanning suggested she ask her family to help her become Xu Weibei’s fifth concubine.

Gu Wanning publicly rebuked Lu Baozhu, then confronted her elder brother Gu Anqi when he summoned her to discuss the quarrel. His defense of Gu Wanqing reopened the wound of Gu Wanning’s exile to the country estate, and she ended by bitterly blaming herself for it.

• Gu Wanning traded insults with Lu Baozhu and warned her not to let others use her as a weapon.
• Gu Anqi arrived, sent Lu Baozhu away, and asked Gu Wanning to speak with him in a teahouse.
• Gu Anqi criticized Gu Wanning for arguing in public and defended Lu Baozhu and Gu Wanqing.
• Gu Anqi began repeating the family’s grievances about Gu Wanning’s resentment toward Gu Wanqing, triggering painful memories.
• Gu Wanning sarcastically declared that she alone was at fault for being sent to the country estate.

Gu Wanning confronted Gu Anqi about the neglect and humiliation she had endured after being brought back to the Gu family. She rejected his apologies and questioned why she had to beg for the care and understanding she had been denied.

• Gu Wanning told Gu Anqi that she had been blamed for her own humiliation and warned against being aggressive.
• Gu Wanning recalled being left at the estate while Gu Wanqing received an education and better marriage prospects, and described how her family shamed her for secretly admiring the Prince of Qin.
• Gu Anqi explained that the family had intended to give Gu Wanning a larger dowry but lacked the means, and apologized for not considering her feelings.
• Gu Wanning described how the family’s conditional affection and constant comparisons had made her feel abandoned and out of place.
• Gu Anqi admitted that he had failed her, and Gu Wanning asked whether she had been expected to kneel and beg for care.

Gu Wanning told Gu Anqi that she wanted his help divorcing Xu Weibei so she could establish her own household, then left with Er Ya. She visited Rongrong’s family’s pawnshop and other Jin family shops, offering protection and giving Second Concubine’s younger brother a pouch of silver and gold.

• Gu Anqi apologized, and Gu Wanning told him she wanted to divorce Xu Weibei and live independently rather than accept his idea of making amends.
• Gu Wanning left with Er Ya, while Gu Anqi reflected on how deeply his family had wronged her.
• Outside, Gu Wanning found Fourth Concubine holding Gao Lan for eavesdropping and told everyone to leave for the pawnshop.
• Gu Wanning visited Rongrong’s family’s pawnshop and other Jin family shops, promising to help if they encountered trouble.
• Second Concubine introduced her fifteen-year-old younger brother to Gu Wanning, who gave him a pouch of gold and silver ingots.

After a painful day, Gu Wanning drank heavily with the concubines, then returned to the residence and burned paper money for her late grandmother. She avoided Xu Weibei, but he came to the garden and found her quietly offering him a cucumber.

• Second Concubine treated Gu Wanning and the other concubines to a meal, where Gu Wanning drank and mourned the original owner of her body.
• First Concubine stopped the waiter from bringing more wine, and Gu Wanning decided to return to the residence to burn paper money.
• Gu Wanning and Er Ya burned paper money in the garden, and Er Ya cried as she reflected on Gu Wanning's hardships.
• Gu Wanning said she did not want to see Xu Weibei, but he appeared at the garden gate after hearing her remark.
• Gu Wanning offered Xu Weibei a cucumber, while he noticed her sadness and her distance from him.

Gu Anqi apologized to Gu Wanning for the Gu family's neglect and offered to help her separate from Xu Weibei. He explained that the Grand Princess and Gu Yuanshi had reasons to support Gu Wanning, including Gu Yuanshi's Death-Exemption Gold Plaque.

• Gu Wanning agreed to hear Gu Anqi after Xu Weibei refused to meet him.
• Gu Anqi admitted that he and the Gu family had neglected Gu Wanning and said Wei Shi favored Gu Wanqing.
• Gu Anqi proposed asking Gu Yuanshi to approach the emperor about ending Gu Wanning's marriage to Xu Weibei.
• Gu Anqi explained that the Grand Princess wanted Gu Wanning devoted to Xu Weibei so she might seek Gu Yuanshi's help if Xu Weibei faced trouble.
• Gu Anqi revealed that Gu Yuanshi possessed a Death-Exemption Gold Plaque bestowed by the emperor.

Gu Anqi explained the Grand Princess’s reasons for arranging Gu Wanning’s marriage to Xu Weibei and promised to help her obtain a divorce. Gu Wanning then asked about Xu Weibei’s family history and the mistress and child Gu Anqi had mentioned.

• Gu Anqi told Gu Wanning that her father had helped the Grand Princess and Marquis Xu, and that the Grand Princess arranged the marriage so Gu Yuanshi would protect Xu Weibei for Gu Wanning’s sake.
• Gu Wanning agreed to wait while Gu Anqi found a way to use the Death-Exemption Gold Plaque to secure her divorce.
• Gu Wanning asked why the Grand Princess had kept the marriage’s purpose from Xu Weibei, and Gu Anqi said Xu Weibei’s pride would make the truth harder for him to accept.
• Gu Anqi described the Grand Princess’s losses and said Xu Weibei’s resentment toward her might be connected to his father’s death.
• Gu Anqi promised to keep Gu Wanning’s confidences, and Gu Wanning asked what he had meant by mentioning a mistress and child.

Gu Wanning learned the truth about Xu Weibei’s mistress and children while discussing her planned divorce with Gu Anqi. She also questioned her father’s reforms and rejected the idea that her marriage should protect her from the consequences if they failed.

• Gu Anqi told Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei’s mistress had died and left a daughter over five, while his pregnant bedchamber maid was staying with the girl until she gave birth.
• Gu Wanning told Gu Anqi she planned to divorce Xu Weibei and asked him to keep the matter private while he handled it.
• Gu Wanning asked why Xu Weibei opposed Gu Yuanshi, and Gu Anqi explained that their father wanted to reform the laws and strengthen Great Chu.
• Gu Anqi said Gu Yuanshi had agreed to Gu Wanning’s marriage partly because he hoped Xu Weibei could protect her if the reforms failed.
• Gu Wanning said she would not stay bound to Xu Weibei merely to cling to a miserable existence, and Gu Anqi urged her to keep herself safe.

Gu Anqi warned Gu Wanning to avoid confronting Xu Weibei and left after she urged him to care for his health. That night, Xu Weibei challenged Gu Wanning over her changed attitude and announced that he wanted to separate, but she treated his demand as unserious and urged him to go to bed.

• Gu Anqi told Gu Wanning to send Er Ya to find him if Xu Weibei caused trouble, and she promised to be careful.
• Er Ya said she planned to make shoes for Gu Anqi and praised him and He Shi for carrying the Gu family’s burdens.
• Gu Wanning recalled that Zhi Nu’s disappearance might have been revenge for Gu Yuanshi’s investigation into examination fraud.
• Xu Weibei stopped Gu Wanning from spreading the cooling mat and accused her of acting boldly because Gu Anqi had visited.
• Gu Wanning challenged Xu Weibei’s accusations, and he said he wanted to separate, but she dismissed him and urged him to sleep.

A heavy storm threatened Gu Wanning’s corn, so she rushed outside to protect the seedlings despite Xu Weibei’s protests. When a door panel nearly fell on her, Xu Weibei saved her, and he was left admiring her determination and feeling unsettled when she promptly returned to work.

• Er Ya warned Gu Wanning that Gao Lan expected the rain to become heavy, and Gu Wanning reassured her that the drainage ditches should protect the corn.
• As the wind strengthened, Gu Wanning decided to cover the seedlings with door panels, despite Xu Weibei telling her not to go out.
• Xu Weibei summoned Gao Lan and guards to bring door panels into the garden while Gu Wanning and Er Ya tried to remove one nearby.
• A loosened door panel fell toward Gu Wanning, and Xu Weibei pulled her into his arms to save her.
• Gu Wanning thanked Xu Weibei and went back to carrying the panel, while he reflected on her lack of scheming and her devotion to farming.

Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei protected her corn patch from a storm, and their closeness left Xu Weibei increasingly confused about his feelings. After Gu Wanning fell asleep, she dreamed that First Concubine gave her a summer gown before a door panel came crashing down.

• Xu Weibei gave Gu Wanning his rain cape, then ordered the guards to build a tent over her corn patch as the storm worsened.
• After the rain stopped, Gu Wanning gave the guards silver and ginger soup to thank them for helping.
• Gu Wanning returned to her room, where Er Ya prepared hot water for Xu Weibei, who had already washed outside.
• Xu Weibei watched Gu Wanning after her bath and struggled to calm his growing attraction to her.
• Gu Wanning dreamed that First Concubine brought her a summer gown and said she was leaving to marry her beloved.
• In the dream, a door panel fell and crashed down as Gu Wanning and First Concubine talked.

After waking from a nightmare, Gu Wanning tried to arrange Xu Weibei’s visits among his concubines and went to inspect the storm-damaged garden with him. She headed to see First Concubine while Xu Weibei carried the gathered fruit away, having guessed that Second Concubine had paid Gu Wanning for a favor.

• Gu Wanning woke from a nightmare about First Concubine and told Xu Weibei she wanted to check on her.
• Gu Wanning proposed a schedule for Xu Weibei to visit his concubines, but he reacted with displeasure.
• Gu Wanning went to inspect the corn after the rain, and Xu Weibei followed her and helped tend the garden.
• Gu Wanning collected fallen fruit and explained she could make jam and wine from it.
• Gu Wanning suggested Xu Weibei take the fruit to Second Concubine, and he accused her of accepting silver from her.
• Xu Weibei carried the basket away while Gu Wanning went to First Concubine’s room, wondering how he had discovered her deal.

Gu Wanning discovered First Concubine gravely weakened by fever and learned from Third Concubine that her distress came from heartbreak. After an outside physician prescribed medicine, First Concubine refused to take it, leaving Fourth Concubine desperate to persuade her to live.

• Gu Wanning found First Concubine feverish and helped her to bed, but First Concubine would not explain what had upset her.
• Third Concubine examined First Concubine, judged her illness to be distress of the heart, and agreed to care for her.
• Xu Weibei showed no concern about First Concubine and instead asked Gu Wanning about uncovering the corn.
• Fourth Concubine urged Gu Wanning to call an outside physician, who prescribed medicine for First Concubine's chill.
• First Concubine refused the medicine, and Fourth Concubine pleaded with her to think of her mother.

First Concubine lost her will to live after discovering that the man she loved had married someone else, but Gu Wanning tried to persuade her to keep living for herself. The chapter ended with First Concubine learning that Xu Weibei had a woman and child outside the residence, and wondering what would happen if the Grand Princess eventually allowed them in.

• First Concubine refused food and water after learning that the man she loved had married another woman.
• Gu Wanning stayed with First Concubine and learned that she had secretly sent money to the man’s mother, hoping to win her approval.
• First Concubine explained that seeing her beloved marry someone else had left her with no hope for the future.
• Gu Wanning urged First Concubine to enjoy the present and believe she could find a better man, while acknowledging she could make no promises about Xu Weibei.
• Gu Wanning revealed that Xu Weibei had a woman and child outside the residence, shocking First Concubine.

Gu Wanning tried to keep First Concubine from giving up after her hopes collapsed, while Fourth Concubine stayed by her side. Xu Weibei offered to let his concubines choose whether to leave, then Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei discussed their hoped-for divorce, ending with him teasing her about wanting to become the Prince of Qin's concubine.

• Gu Wanning urged First Concubine to live for herself, though she could not be sure she had changed her mind about dying.
• Fourth Concubine promised to stay with First Concubine, and Gu Wanning told her to keep her company.
• Xu Weibei told Gu Wanning that First Concubine, Second Concubine, and Third Concubine could choose whether to stay or leave, while Fourth Concubine could not be moved.
• Gu Wanning said First Concubine had nowhere to go and that she and Xu Weibei had both wanted an amicable divorce.
• Xu Weibei questioned Gu Wanning's farming skills and reminded her that he thought she wanted to become the Prince of Qin's concubine.

Gu Wanning sought help when First Concubine fell into an unresponsive sleep, then resorted to a spirit ritual when the imperial physician could not explain her condition. Xu Weibei arrived ready to scold them, but seeing Gu Wanning’s earnest efforts for a woman who competed with her for him, he held back.

• First Concubine remained asleep through the next day and could not be woken, despite the household’s efforts and a doctor’s examination.
• Gu Wanning asked Xu Weibei to summon an imperial physician, and he told her to seek help from his grandmother instead.
• Gu Wanning brought an imperial physician to First Concubine, but he could not determine what was wrong.
• Second Concubine suggested that a ghost might be responsible, so Gu Wanning hired a spirit medium to perform a ritual.
• Xu Weibei found Gu Wanning and the concubines waving peachwood swords, and Gu Wanning pressed a sword into his hand to join them.
• Xu Weibei saw how hard Gu Wanning was trying to save First Concubine and swallowed his rebuke.