Chapter Summaries

After First Concubine recovered, Gu Wanning focused on growing corn, but fresh chicken manure burned her seedlings. Xu Weibei secretly brought her the estate’s remaining corn seeds, leaving her to find two sacks waiting when she returned at night.

• Xu Weibei’s sword flourishes coincided with First Concubine waking, and the women credited him with helping her recover.
• Xu Weibei returned to court after his month of confinement while Gu Wanning and the concubines tended their crops.
• Gu Wanning carefully fertilized her corn with fresh chicken manure, and the seedlings wilted by the next day.
• Gu Wanning tried to save the seedlings by removing the manure and watering them, then realized she had used uncomposted manure.
• Xu Weibei found Gu Wanning distraught beside the corn and sent Gao Lan to bring her all the remaining corn.
• Gu Wanning returned late at night to find two burlap sacks waiting on the ground.

Xu Weibei gave Gu Wanning two sacks of rare corn, and she tried to persuade him to let her plant it on a large scale. He offered her an estate as compensation for their eventual divorce, and she eagerly accepted.

• Xu Weibei opened a sack and revealed that both sacks were filled with corn, which he offered to Gu Wanning.
• Gu Wanning decided she wanted to plant all the corn but had no land or help, so she asked Xu Weibei to let her use his land.
• Xu Weibei teased Gu Wanning about how she would pay, and she proposed splitting the profits with him and Second Concubine.
• Xu Weibei asked why Gu Wanning had been raised at the country estate, and she joked that perhaps she had been ugly.
• Xu Weibei offered to assign Gu Wanning an estate as compensation for their eventual divorce, and she accepted while promising not to cling to him.

Xu Weibei took Gu Wanning to the Estate he lent her, where she instructed the steward on planting corn. After eating figs, Gu Wanning’s mouth swelled painfully, and Xu Weibei sent for an imperial physician as the concubines grilled meat back at the residence.

• Xu Weibei took Gu Wanning to see his thirty qing of farmland outside the capital and explained that he could let her manage it but could not give it away.
• Gu Wanning asked the estate steward to plant corn and enjoyed the Estate’s figs at lunch.
• Gu Wanning’s mouth began swelling and hurting on the return journey, so Xu Weibei stopped the carriage and summoned an imperial physician.
• Xu Weibei climbed into the carriage to watch over Gu Wanning while Gao Lan rode ahead to fetch the physician.
• First Concubine, Second Concubine, Fourth Concubine, and Er Ya grilled meat in the garden and joked about the meal saving them money.

After Gu Wanning returned with a swollen mouth, rumors spread that she and Xu Weibei had been passionate in the carriage, though she insisted she had only eaten too many figs. The Grand Princess invited her to a flower-viewing banquet, and Gu Wanning gave the sent tonics to the concubines, urging Third Concubine to protect her health and preserve her choices.

• Er Ya and the concubines rushed to meet Gu Wanning after Gao Lan brought an imperial physician back to the residence.
• Gu Wanning stepped out of the carriage with a swollen mouth, and the gathered household misread the situation as improper intimacy with Xu Weibei.
• Third Concubine examined Gu Wanning and said the swelling would go down by the next day, while Xu Weibei told Gao Lan that Gu Wanning had been greedy.
• The Grand Princess sent Gu Wanning tonics and invited her to a flower-viewing banquet on the twenty-sixth day of the seventh month.
• Gu Wanning told Third Concubine to choose tonics for herself and the other concubines, then persuaded Third Concubine to take deer fetus paste for her health.

Gu Wanning prepared to attend the Grand Princess’s flower-viewing banquet with the concubines and reassured First Concubine Jinxiu that she still intended to leave the Marquis’s Residence. At the banquet, Gu Wanning arrived with the four concubines and greeted the Grand Princess, now more confident about handling her intentions.

• Gu Wanning invited Third Concubine and the other concubines to attend the flower-viewing banquet and joked with them about their talents and how to deal with difficult guests.
• Gu Wanning told Jinxiu she did not have to attend if the crowd would upset her, and encouraged her to move on from her heartbreak.
• Jinxiu asked whether Gu Wanning still planned to leave the Marquis’s Residence, and Gu Wanning confirmed that she did despite getting along with Xu Weibei.
• Jinxiu said she would accompany Gu Wanning, and Gu Wanning agreed.
• On the day of the banquet, Gu Wanning took the four concubines to the Princess’s Residence, where the Grand Princess welcomed her warmly.

Gu Wanning attended the Grand Princess’s flower-viewing banquet and waited for her elder sister, Gu Wanqing, to arrive. Gu Wanqing appeared with Lu Baozhu and a married woman, then impressed the guests with her poise as she rebuked the woman for a pointed remark.

• The Grand Princess asked Gu Wanning whether she was taking her supplements and told her that Gu Wanqing would attend the banquet.
• Gu Wanning sat beside the Grand Princess, shared Jade Dew Pastries with the concubines, and received public praise for her graciousness.
• Gu Wanqing arrived with Lu Baozhu and her attendants, and the Grand Princess warmly welcomed her and asked after her son, Ange.
• Gu Wanqing explained that she had punished Ange for climbing onto a table to touch the emperor’s calligraphy, and the Grand Princess questioned why she had punished him.
• A married woman behind Gu Wanqing made a barbed remark, but Gu Wanqing’s stern gaze made her apologize.
• Gu Wanqing apologized to the Grand Princess for the woman’s behavior, and the Grand Princess offered to deal with anyone who mistreated her.

Gu Wanning attended the Grand Princess's gathering, shared food and conversation with the four concubines, and reflected on their peaceful relationships. She left the banquet for the garden and settled by Jade Belt Lake with a fishing rod to avoid being disturbed.

• Gu Wanqing sat beside Gu Wanning, and Lu Baozhu tried to disparage Gu Wanning before Gu Wanqing stopped her and left with her companions.
• Gu Wanning and the four concubines discussed the Princess of Qin's household and enjoyed sharing pastries, while the Grand Princess observed their closeness.
• The Grand Princess sent Gu Wanning out to mingle in the garden and arranged for more pastries to be brought to her.
• Gu Wanning watched guests show off their talents across Jade Belt Lake, then sat down with a fishing rod to keep people from disturbing her.

Gu Wanning retaliated against Lu Baozhu by deliberately falling into the lake, only for Xu Weibei to jump in after her and discover that she could swim. The chapter ended when Lu Baozhu belatedly jumped into the lake as the guests watched.

• Gu Wanning sent her concubines away to attend to the princess and stayed by the lake fishing with Second Concubine.
• Lu Baozhu insulted Gu Wanning and praised Gu Wanqing, but Gu Wanning traded barbs with her and declared herself a crumbling wall before deliberately falling into the lake.
• Second Concubine failed to catch Gu Wanning, and Xu Weibei jumped into the water to save her.
• Gu Wanning swam away from Xu Weibei and reached shore, while he realized she could swim and grew angry at her stunt.
• Gu Wanning recognized Xu Weibei and smiled at him, and Lu Baozhu suddenly jumped into the lake as the guests looked on.

After Lu Baozhu fell into the lake while trying to attract Xu Weibei’s attention, Gu Wanning returned to the Marquis’s Residence and joked with the concubines about Lu’s interest in the Marquis. Xu Weibei then hurried away after Gao Lan reported trouble at the Thirteen Wards, while Third Concubine revealed the Grand Princess had ordered him to deal with someone there.

• Gu Wanning realized Lu Baozhu had fallen into the lake to get Xu Weibei to save her, but the Princess’s Residence servants rescued Lu instead.
• Gu Wanning insisted she had fallen into the water by accident and returned early to the Marquis’s Residence, where she told the concubines she suspected Lu Baozhu wanted Xu Weibei.
• Xu Weibei overheard the women discussing Lu Baozhu and glared at Gu Wanning before Gao Lan reported trouble at the Thirteen Wards.
• Third Concubine told Gu Wanning that the Grand Princess and Xu Weibei had argued because he refused to deal with someone at the Thirteen Wards.
• Fourth Concubine complained that her senior brother had not returned from the Northwest and blamed Xu Weibei for leading him astray.

Gu Wanning received visits from her concubines and family after falling into the lake, then spoke privately with her sister-in-law He Shi. The chapter left He Shi remarking that marriage and household affairs had changed Gu Wanning.

• Gu Wanning dismissed the concubines and told Er Ya to look after First Concubine.
• Er Ya gave Gu Wanning the two-hundred-tael note from Gu Wanqing, and Gu Wanning told her to keep it.
• He Shi visited with her six-year-old son Ling Ge and said Gu Anqi had sent her to check on Gu Wanning.
• Gu Wanning offered Ling Ge pastries and had Er Ya lower the parrot’s perch so he could watch it safely.
• He Shi sent Er Ya and Ling Ge outside, then told Gu Wanning she seemed different since marrying and managing a large household.

Gu Wanning accepted He Shi’s contraceptive medicine but reaffirmed that she intended to leave Xu Weibei, fearing that life in the Marquis’s household would weaken her resolve. After Ling Ge was pecked by the parrot, Gu Wanning insisted on having his wound treated and comforted him before he and He Shi left.

• He Shi gave Gu Wanning contraceptive medicine and urged her to tell her and her husband if she reconsidered leaving.
• Gu Wanning told He Shi that Xu Weibei rescuing her would not change her decision to seek an amicable divorce.
• The parrot pecked Ling Ge’s hand while he was feeding it pine nuts, and Gu Wanning called for a physician.
• Xu Weibei returned, inspected Ling Ge’s nearly healed wound, and criticized Gu Wanning for making a fuss.
• Ling Ge apologized to Gu Wanning, who arranged to have his wound cleaned and dressed and saw him and He Shi out.

Gu Wanning hid the contraceptive medicine from Xu Weibei, who ate two pills without knowing what they were. Xu Weibei then decided to bring his daughter and pregnant mistress back to the residence and ordered Gu Wanning to look after them, leaving her to face the prospect of caring for someone else’s family before their divorce.

• Xu Weibei questioned Gu Wanning about the pills and her fall into Jade Belt Lake, then told her to push Lu Baozhu into the water next time and rely on him to handle the consequences.
• Xu Weibei ate two of the contraceptive pills, while Gu Wanning kept their true purpose secret.
• Xu Weibei told Gu Wanning that enemies had targeted his daughter and proposed bringing her and the pregnant Linglong back to the residence.
• Gu Wanning objected to caring for them, but Xu Weibei insisted that she was still the Marchioness until they divorced and made them her responsibility.

Gu Wanning accepted that Xu Weibei would bring his pregnant former lover and her child to the Marquis's Residence, but refused to take responsibility for them herself. She arranged to discuss care with the concubines while Xu Weibei went to tell the Grand Princess, leaving the household preparing for the woman's arrival.

• Gu Wanning warned Xu Weibei that bringing the pregnant woman back might upset her elder sister, but he dismissed the concern and decided to bring her the next day.
• Gu Wanning refused to care for the child and told Xu Weibei to ask one of the concubines to help; he let her decide.
• Gu Wanning reminded Xu Weibei that he had not told the Grand Princess, and he agreed to go speak with her immediately.
• Gu Wanning gathered the four concubines, explained Xu Weibei's plan, and warned them not to approach the pregnant woman or try to befriend her.
• Gu Wanning singled out Fourth Concubine Yaya for extra caution and planned to house the pregnant woman at Dyeing Fragrance Pavilion with her own attendants and kitchen.

Gu Wanning asked the concubines who would care for the Marquis’s nearly six-year-old daughter, and First Concubine eagerly volunteered. First Concubine remained determined to raise the child and went to wait for Xu Weibei, leaving Gu Wanning and the others puzzled by her behavior.

• Gu Wanning asked the concubines who was willing to care for the Marquis’s daughter when she arrived at the residence.
• First Concubine volunteered excitedly and promised to treat the girl as her own, while Fourth Concubine tried to stop her and Second Concubine wondered why the task seemed so valuable.
• Gu Wanning said the Marquis would make the final decision, but First Concubine immediately went to wait for Xu Weibei, accompanied by Er Ya.
• Second Concubine speculated that the girl might bring wealth, while Fourth Concubine worried that First Concubine had been possessed and Third Concubine suggested her near-death illness had changed her.
• Gu Wanning reflected that the concubines might cling to the security of the Marquis’s Residence, though she believed in building her own independence.

Gu Wanning listened to Fourth Concubine’s worries about First Concubine and agreed to wait before seeking a spirit medium or deciding who should care for the child. When Xu Weibei stayed away, First Concubine kept waiting for him at the second gate, and Gu Wanning left her there with a chair, food, and a cloak while Fourth Concubine stayed to keep her company.

• Fourth Concubine told Gu Wanning that First Concubine seemed frightened and unsettled, and urged her to find a spirit medium.
• Fourth Concubine warned that First Concubine might place all her hopes in the child, while Gu Wanning said only Xu Weibei could decide who would care for the child.
• Er Ya told Gu Wanning that First Concubine was waiting at the second gate for Xu Weibei, and Gu Wanning sent her a chair and fried rice.
• Xu Weibei did not return by midnight, so Gu Wanning brought First Concubine a cloak after failing to persuade her to leave.
• Fourth Concubine stayed beside First Concubine and said she would not leave if First Concubine remained.

Gu Wanning listened as Er Ya speculated that Xu Weibei might be pretending to have a mistress and children to hide an inability to perform, then turned her attention to Xu Weibei’s confrontation with the Grand Princess. Xu Weibei insisted on bringing his daughter and pregnant bedchamber maid Linglong home, despite his grandmother’s opposition.

• Er Ya refused to leave the First Concubine, so Gu Wanning returned to her room alone.
• Er Ya asked whether Xu Weibei was unable to perform and suggested his daughter and son might be posing as his children to protect his reputation.
• Gu Wanning dismissed Er Ya to work on shoes for her eldest brother, then kept thinking about Xu Weibei’s situation.
• Xu Weibei told the Grand Princess he wanted to bring his daughter and pregnant bedchamber maid Linglong back to the residence.
• The Grand Princess stared Xu Weibei down until he began to give ground, but he declared that she must stay out of it and that he would not leave his flesh and blood vulnerable outside.

The Grand Princess confronted Xu Weibei for secretly raising Xue Fengxian’s daughter and concealing Linglong’s pregnancy, warning that his loyalty could bring ruin upon him. She allowed him to bring the girl into the residence only if his wife agreed, but forbade him from bringing Linglong in before the child was born.

• The Grand Princess threw a teacup at Xu Weibei and challenged him over his unconsummated marriage and secret plans.
• Xu Weibei revealed that the girl was Xue Shiyi’s daughter and the child Linglong carried was Xue Shiyi’s, while the Grand Princess accused him of endangering himself by protecting Xue Fengxian’s bloodline.
• Xu Weibei explained that Xue Fengxian had drunk poisoned wine rather than implicate him, and vowed to accept any consequences for caring for his friend’s child.
• The Grand Princess permitted Xu Weibei to bring the girl into the residence if his wife agreed, but forbade him from bringing Linglong in before the child was born.
• Xu Weibei left with his grandmother’s warning that the Xu family bloodline must never be confused, and Gao Lan asked him how the discussion had gone.

Xu Weibei worried that the Grand Princess might threaten Linglong and her unborn child, but his concerns were interrupted when Qin Lie came to see him. Qin Lie asked for Xu Weibei’s help finding a wife, leaving Xu Weibei to wonder which noblewoman he had in mind.

• Xu Weibei ordered Gao Lan to investigate who had informed his grandmother about Linglong and rode back to the Marquis’s Residence.
• Xu Weibei saw Qin Lie waiting outside the residence and eagerly invited him to drink, hoping to recruit him from General Lü.
• Qin Lie explained that he valued his loyalty to General Lü but might leave if he had a reason to do so.
• Qin Lie told Xu Weibei that he needed a wife to care for his mother and share his home.
• Xu Weibei guessed that Qin Lie had chosen a noblewoman and wanted him to speak to her family.

Qin Lie asked Xu Weibei to let him marry the concubine he had fallen for, and Xu Weibei agreed to help arrange the match. They planned to present her as Xu Weibei’s adopted younger sister and have Qin Lie’s family send a matchmaker the next day.

• Qin Lie told Xu Weibei he had taken a fancy to one of his women and offered himself in exchange for her.
• Xu Weibei learned Qin Lie meant a concubine, not Gu Wanning, and agreed to let him marry her as his principal wife.
• Gao Lan guessed that Qin Lie had chosen the First Concubine, while Xu Weibei ruled out Zhou Yaya, the Fourth Concubine.
• Xu Weibei proposed that his grandmother adopt the woman and that they tell people she had long loved Qin Lie.
• Qin Lie agreed to send a matchmaker to propose the next day, and Xu Weibei gave his consent.

Xu Weibei told First Concubine that he was giving her to Qin Lie, but she misunderstood and begged to remain in the Marquis's Residence. After she fled in distress, Xu Weibei decided to leave the matter to Gu Wanning and headed for the inner quarters with Gao Lan following.

• Xu Weibei returned drunk and told First Concubine that her good fortune had arrived because he had decided to give her to Qin Lie.
• First Concubine thanked Xu Weibei, believing he had agreed to let her care for the eldest young lady who would be brought to the residence.
• Xu Weibei clarified that he was giving First Concubine to Qin Lie, and she begged him not to send her away.
• When First Concubine clung to his leg, Xu Weibei kicked her away and threatened to make her Qin Lie's concubine if she continued to resist.
• First Concubine scrambled up and ran toward the inner quarters, leaving Xu Weibei worried that he had driven her mad.
• Xu Weibei headed to find Gu Wanning and Gao Lan followed him into the inner quarters.