Chapter Summaries

After Gu Wanning returned safely, she comforted First Concubine and helped her prepare an explanation for how she recognized the fake Imperial Guards. Gu Anqi reassured Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei would receive only a light punishment, and she learned her brother had brought a stick in case their father tried to make her sacrifice herself.

• Qin Lie admitted he had deliberately searched slowly, while First Concubine told Gu Wanning that he had tried to take advantage of her and that she feared repeating her dream.
• First Concubine recalled a dream involving a false imperial edict and a massacre at Baoguang Temple, and Gu Wanning advised her to claim she recognized the Imperial Guards' uniforms.
• Gu Wanning overheard guards praising how well she and the other women got along, and she privately credited their bond rather than Xu Weibei.
• After returning home, Gu Wanning asked Gu Anqi whether Xu Weibei would be punished, and he said the emperor would give him only a light reprimand.
• Gu Wanning discovered Gu Anqi had brought a stick in case their father tried to make her sacrifice herself, and Gu Anqi affirmed that he would not let their sister die for the country.

After Xu Weibei rescued Gu Wanning from Meng He, he found her chatting excitedly with the concubines instead of dwelling on the danger. He sent them away and checked her wound, then warned her not to romanticize Meng He’s supposed love for the Queen of Qiang State.

• Xu Weibei tried to speak with Gu Wanning, but the concubines crowded around her as she recounted the incident and lamented her lost glass-bead bracelet.
• Gu Wanning told the concubines that Meng He was having an affair with the Queen of Qiang State, and they discussed his feelings and the queen’s possible consorts.
• Xu Weibei entered, dismissed the concubines, and scolded Gu Wanning for being foolish.
• Xu Weibei asked whether Gu Wanning had treated the cut on her neck, then told her not to believe Meng He was truly devoted to the queen.

Gu Wanning discussed Meng He’s ambitions and his relationship with the queen of Qiang State with Xu Weibei, who reminded her that Meng He had tried to kill her. After Gu Wanning thanked Xu Weibei for rescuing her, the Grand Princess visited and urged him to spend more time with Gu Wanning.

• Xu Weibei told Gu Wanning that Meng He’s relationship with the queen was driven more by self-interest than affection.
• Xu Weibei explained that Meng He wanted to keep his powerful position in Qiang State and might eventually attempt a rebellion.
• Gu Wanning thanked Xu Weibei for saving her, and remembered that Linglong was due to give birth soon.
• Xu Weibei told Gu Wanning to stay in bed when the Grand Princess arrived to see her.
• The Grand Princess comforted Gu Wanning and told Xu Weibei to spend more time with her.

Xu Weibei explained why he had injured Meng He, and the Grand Princess agreed to handle the aftermath. Although Gu Wanning appreciated Xu Weibei’s actions, she remained determined to divorce him, while His Majesty ultimately released Meng He with gifts for the queen of the Qiang State.

• Xu Weibei told the Grand Princess that he had deliberately injured Meng He because Meng He had hurt Gu Wanning and might otherwise escape punishment.
• Gu Wanning admitted she would feel aggrieved if Meng He were let go, and the Grand Princess offered to handle the aftermath.
• Xu Weibei warned Gu Wanning to keep her distance from the Grand Princess, and Gu Wanning agreed to respect his family relationships.
• Er Ya returned and praised Xu Weibei for defending Gu Wanning, but Gu Wanning insisted she still wanted a divorce and would save money to run away if necessary.
• Gao Lan reported Gu Wanning’s plans to Xu Weibei, who ordered that she receive no money.
• His Majesty released Meng He and his party, giving Meng He gifts to take to the queen of the Qiang State.

Gu Wanning learned that Xu Weibei was preparing for another enemy move and promised to help keep his plan secret. As they waited, she guarded her newly harvested corn and agreed to have her pulse checked, learning it could reveal an early pregnancy.

• Xu Weibei warned Gu Wanning that the queen of Qiang State was dangerous and explained a secret plan for her to help him counter the enemy.
• First Concubine told Gu Wanning about her dream of a massacre at Baoguang Temple, and Gu Wanning reassured her that Xu Weibei had prepared for the danger.
• Gu Wanning harvested the ripe corn with the concubines and locked it in an iron cage to protect it from Little Flower.
• Gu Wanning told the concubines she would take them to the Estate to watch the next corn harvest.
• Third Concubine asked Gu Wanning to have her pulse checked and explained that it could reveal an early pregnancy.

Third Concubine told Gu Wanning that the Grand Princess had spread rumors that Gu Wanning had been abducted, hoping to pressure the Gu family into surrendering the Death-Exemption Gold Plaque. Gu Wanning understood the scheme and recognized why Xu Weibei had warned her against approaching the Grand Princess.

• Gu Wanning reassured Third Concubine that she was not pregnant and encouraged her to seek happiness.
• Third Concubine revealed that a trusted friend had told her the Grand Princess was spreading rumors about Gu Wanning's chastity.
• Gu Wanning promised to protect Third Concubine's friend and thanked her for telling the truth.
• Gu Wanning reasoned that the Grand Princess wanted the Death-Exemption Gold Plaque and hoped the rumors would make the Gu family offer it to protect her marriage.
• Gu Wanning realized Xu Weibei had warned her away from the Grand Princess because he understood the woman's schemes and suffocating way of expressing love.

Xu Weibei confronted the Grand Princess after learning she had spread a false rumor about Gu Wanning, demanding that she stop interfering in his marriage. He refused to exploit the scandal for his own benefit, though he could not yet face Gu Wanning with the truth.

• Xu Weibei traced the rumor about Gu Wanning to the Grand Princess and went to confront her.
• Xu Weibei flipped a table and ordered the servants out before accusing the Grand Princess of ruining Gu Wanning's reputation.
• Xu Weibei pleaded with the Grand Princess to stop interfering in his marriage and said he would become an unfilial descendant if she did it again.
• Xu Weibei explained that Gu Wanning valued her reputation and that the Grand Princess had made it difficult for him to face his wife.
• The Grand Princess asked whether Xu Weibei still wanted an amicable divorce, but he said he needed time to understand his feelings.
• Xu Weibei refused to benefit from the scandal or tell Gu Wanning that it had begun because of him.

Xu Weibei confronted the Grand Princess over the rumors about Gu Wanning and promised Gu Wanning that he would stop them. Gu Wanning agreed to continue helping with his plan after he promised not to go too far with the concubines.

• Xu Weibei warned the Grand Princess not to spread rumors about Gu Wanning again and left after kneeling on porcelain shards.
• The Grand Princess noticed Xu Weibei's injured knees and was pleased that he had developed feelings for Gu Wanning.
• Er Ya warned Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei had returned in a bad mood.
• Xu Weibei told Gu Wanning that the Grand Princess had ordered the rumors and promised to quell them.
• Gu Wanning reassured Xu Weibei that she would keep her promise to help with his plan.
• Xu Weibei promised Gu Wanning that he would not go too far with the concubines and told her not to prepare for the act.

Gu Wanning asked Xu Weibei whether she should accept Princess Qingyi’s invitation, and he explained that Gu Anwei had been sidelined by their father’s marriage arrangements. She decided to visit the Princess’s Residence the next day, uncertain why her second brother wanted to see her.

• Gu Wanning received an invitation from Princess Qingyi and asked Xu Weibei whether she should go to the Princess’s Residence.
• Xu Weibei recognized the handwriting as Gu Anwei’s and told Gu Wanning to take Er Ya with her the next day.
• Xu Weibei explained that Gu Anwei resented their father for making him marry a princess and withdraw from official life so Gu Anqi could advance.
• Gu Wanning understood why Gu Anwei was distant from the family but wondered why he was reaching out to her.
• Xu Weibei encouraged Gu Wanning to accept the invitation and find out what Gu Anwei wanted.

Gu Wanning visited Princess Qingyi’s residence and discovered that her timid, generous second sister-in-law wanted to grow closer to the family. The visit left Gu Wanning wondering why Gu Anwei had gone to work at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and she mentioned that Xu Weibei liked Jiang Qiubai’s performances.

• Gu Wanning worried that Princess Qingyi might be difficult to deal with, but Xu Weibei reassured her before she went to the Princess’s Residence.
• Princess Qingyi welcomed Gu Wanning at the inner gate, and the two women relaxed as they spoke over tea and pastries.
• Princess Qingyi offered Gu Wanning Shu Brocade and cakes to take home, explaining that she hoped to become closer to the family.
• Princess Qingyi said Gu Anwei had gone to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices because urgent business had arisen, leaving Gu Wanning puzzled about his duties.
• Princess Qingyi invited Gu Wanning to admire the flowers and mentioned that Gu Anwei had stopped her from hiring an opera troupe, so Gu Wanning said Xu Weibei liked Jiang Qiubai.

Gu Wanning visited Princess Qingyi, who confided that she feared she could not have children, and promised to bring Third Concubine to help. When Gu Wanning returned to the Marquis's Residence, she learned that Xu Weibei had claimed something was missing and was questioning the concubines.

• Princess Qingyi told Gu Wanning that she wanted children but suspected she could not conceive, and Gu Wanning offered to bring Third Concubine, who knew medicine.
• Gu Wanning left the Princess's Residence without waiting for Gu Anwei and rode back with Er Ya, who praised Princess Qingyi and Gu Anwei.
• A maid told Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei had started making a fuss after she left and had the concubines taken in for questioning over a missing item.
• Gu Wanning told Er Ya they would go see what had happened.

Gu Wanning returned to find Xu Weibei forcing the concubines to run laps while he investigated a missing item. She stopped the punishment and went to speak with him, but Third Concubine’s strange silence left Gu Wanning worried she might reveal a dangerous secret.

• Gu Wanning arrived at the rear courtyard and found Xu Weibei making the concubines run around the lake as he searched for a missing item.
• Gu Wanning pleaded with Xu Weibei to stop the punishment, then blocked the concubines’ path and ordered chairs brought so they could rest.
• Fourth Concubine complained that Xu Weibei caused trouble whenever Gu Wanning was away, while First and Second Concubines urged everyone to focus on finding the missing item.
• Gu Wanning noticed Third Concubine remained unusually quiet and feared she might reveal that she had once been with a man.
• Gu Wanning squeezed Third Concubine’s hand in reassurance and resolved to interrupt her if she started discussing the secret.

Gu Wanning challenged Xu Weibei to provide proof that his concubines had stolen a missing item and threatened to report him if he punished them without evidence. Xu Weibei ordered a search, leaving Gu Wanning relieved that he had accepted her proposal.

• Gu Wanning questioned Xu Weibei about the missing item and argued that he had accused the concubines without proof.
• Xu Weibei threatened to skin the concubines alive, but Gu Wanning proposed searching their rooms and courtyards instead.
• Gu Wanning warned Xu Weibei that she would report him to the authorities and threatened him when he raised his hand.
• First Concubine and the other concubines knelt to plead for Gu Wanning, while Er Ya loudly accused Xu Weibei of trying to kill his wife.
• Xu Weibei ordered someone to search, and Gu Wanning breathed a sigh of relief.

Third Concubine falsely confessed to stealing Xu Weibei’s Tiger Tally and tried to drown herself, while Gu Wanning stopped her and demanded an explanation. Third Concubine remained silent, leaving Gu Wanning worried that an unknown misunderstanding had driven her to take the blame.

• Third Concubine confessed to stealing Xu Weibei’s missing item and said she had passed it to someone outside for no payment.
• Third Concubine rushed toward the lake, but Gu Wanning caught her and stopped her from jumping in.
• Gu Wanning ordered Fourth Concubine to restrain Third Concubine and took her inside to question her.
• Third Concubine insisted she was guilty but could not say what she had stolen, and Gu Wanning urged her to explain herself.
• Gu Wanning warned that Third Concubine’s false confession could disrupt Xu Weibei’s search and stain her reputation, while Third Concubine trembled and stayed silent.

Gu Wanning pressed Third Concubine to reveal what she was hiding and followed her to her room. Third Concubine uncovered a locked rosewood box, leaving its contents unknown.

• Gu Wanning learned that Third Concubine feared a search, though she denied hiding a man.
• Gu Wanning brought Fourth Concubine and Xu Weibei to Third Concubine's courtyard, then asked Fourth Concubine to keep watch outside.
• Third Concubine reminded Fourth Concubine of the medicine she had secretly brought her, persuading her to stay behind.
• Third Concubine removed the bedding from her kang chest and retrieved a locked rosewood brocade box.

Gu Wanning discovered that Third Concubine’s locked box contained private items for her own pleasure, not evidence of witchcraft, and comforted her about having ordinary desires. Xu Weibei arrived outside while Fourth Concubine watched him, and Gu Wanning left Third Concubine reassured but still doubtful.

• Gu Wanning took Third Concubine’s key, opened the brocade box, and found a collection of intimate items.
• Third Concubine broke down crying, and Gu Wanning held and comforted her.
• Fourth Concubine heard the crying and saw Xu Weibei arrive, but he signaled for silence and stayed outside the room.
• Gu Wanning told Third Concubine that pleasing herself was nothing to be ashamed of and that she did not need to answer to anyone.

Gu Wanning protected Third Concubine by claiming the mysterious item was contraceptive medicine she had asked Third Concubine to make. Xu Weibei accepted her hint and left, while Gu Wanning went with him to help search for his missing item and prepare to argue with him.

• Gu Wanning stopped Third Concubine from kneeling and reassured her that she would handle Xu Weibei.
• Fourth Concubine announced Xu Weibei’s arrival, and Gu Wanning told him the box contained something women used.
• When Xu Weibei challenged her excuse, Gu Wanning claimed she had asked Third Concubine to make contraceptive medicine and said Xu Weibei had unknowingly taken some before.
• Xu Weibei caught Gu Wanning’s signal and left without pursuing the matter, while she comforted Third Concubine.
• Gu Wanning reunited with First Concubine and Second Concubine, told them not to suspect their own people, and followed Xu Weibei toward the main courtyard as Fourth Concubine went to see Third Concubine.

Gu Wanning reflected on why she and Xu Weibei could not become a true married couple, despite their current rapport. When Xu Weibei learned that childbirth could harm women, he told her she would not have to bear any more sons and proposed having concubines bear children instead.

• Gu Wanning told Er Ya that she still planned to leave the residence and warned her not to choose a husband who would be difficult to redeem.
• Gu Wanning explained to herself that she and Xu Weibei could not advance their relationship without becoming a resentful couple.
• Er Ya promised to follow Gu Wanning wherever she went.
• Xu Weibei asked what Third Concubine had been doing, and Gu Wanning said the contraceptive medicine had been meant for her eldest sister-in-law.
• Xu Weibei doubted that repeated childbirth depleted a woman's health, but Gu Wanning insisted that it did.
• Xu Weibei told Gu Wanning not to bear more children and said the concubines could bear them for her to raise.

Gu Wanning and Xu Weibei discussed their marriage and the scheme involving the supposedly stolen Tiger Tally. Xu Weibei wanted them to stay together, while Gu Wanning still wanted freedom, and the trap against Lezha remained in motion.

• Xu Weibei asked Gu Wanning for the contraceptive medicine and urged her not to divorce him, but she said she wanted freedom from the Gu family and the Marquis's Residence.
• Xu Weibei promised Gu Wanning that she would have the final say in the Marquis's Residence, and she changed the subject to the Tiger Tally scheme.
• Xu Weibei explained that he had learned about Lezha from both informants in Qiang State and Meng He, then used that knowledge to make Lezha believe he had stolen the Tiger Tally.
• Gu Wanning objected to Xu Weibei frightening the concubines and asked to take them out for a day, but he complained about their behavior.
• Xu Weibei reminded Gu Wanning to find the contraceptive medicine so an imperial physician could examine it, while the supposed loss of the Tiger Tally remained part of their plan.

Gu Wanning comforted Third Concubine after the Marquis’s ordeal and asked her to examine her infertile sister-in-law. Third Concubine then suggested that Xu Weibei might be impotent, leaving Gu Wanning stunned and considering whether something was wrong with him.

• Gu Wanning told Third Concubine to forget her embarrassing encounter and asked her to examine the princess on a future visit.
• Third Concubine warned Gu Wanning that Xu Weibei seemed unwell and suggested he might be impotent.
• Gu Wanning rejected the idea at first but considered that Xu Weibei had been staying home and might have a problem.
• Third Concubine wondered whether Xu Weibei had recently injured his foundation.