Recaps

Su Qiao refused to void the contract until Ye Lihan sulked, then agreed and took him to an expensive lunch. After they returned, Su Qiao learned Shang Shuheng had been in a carriage accident on his way to Prince Rui's Estate, and suspected Ye Lihan had caused it.

• Ye Lihan asked Su Qiao to void their contract, but she refused because they had both agreed to its terms.
• Ye Lihan sulked until Su Qiao agreed to void the contract, then hurried her to their lunch at Xiangfu Restaurant after hearing it had cost more than a hundred taels.
• Shang Shuheng learned he would soon marry Your Majesty at Prince Rui's proposal and set off for Prince Rui's Estate.
• A startled horse caused Shang Shuheng's carriage trouble, but he escaped unharmed and was taken home.
• Mu Jin offered to investigate the likely outside interference, but Su Qiao declined and suspected Ye Lihan had caused it.

Ye Lihan and Su Qiao went hunting on Mount Meng, where he openly demonstrated his martial arts and archery skills. Su Qiao accepted him without judgment, and they ended the outing by challenging each other to a hunt, with the loser owing the winner one request.

• Ye Lihan arrived at Prince Rui's Estate, and he and Su Qiao set out to hunt on Mount Meng.
• Ye Lihan displayed his archery and martial arts skills, surprising Mu Rong and Mu Jin.
• Su Qiao told Ye Lihan she would not judge or try to change him, and he felt understood and accepted.
• Ye Lihan considered how dangerous his return to Dongjin would be and resolved not to put Su Qiao at risk.
• Ye Lihan and Su Qiao raced into the forest to see who could hunt more, with the loser promising one request.

Su Qiao set the date for Shang Shuheng’s wedding to the ruler and arranged weddings for Li Ruo and Huang Ling as well. Li Sang objected to the rushed marriages, but Su Qiao rebuffed her, leaving the weddings set to proceed.

• At court, Su Qiao proposed that the ruler marry Shang Shuheng on the twentieth, and the ministers agreed.
• Prime Minister Shang worried that Su Qiao’s proposal meant her son had failed to win the Prince’s heart, while Huang Ying took satisfaction in her distress.
• Su Qiao also arranged for Li Ruo and Huang Ling to marry on consecutive days.
• Li Sang left her sickbed to confront Su Qiao, arguing that Huang Ying and Huang Ling were too young to marry.
• Su Qiao pointed out that Li Ruo might be carrying Huang Ling’s child and argued that Shang Shuheng would help the ruler manage the harem, leaving Li Sang speechless.

Su Qiao arranged for Shang Shuheng to take over palace affairs so Li Ruo could leave the palace, and Li Ruo could not refuse without raising suspicion. After Su Qiao departed, Huang Ying revealed that she hoped to reclaim power by persuading her father to go along with the plan.

• Su Qiao insisted Shang Shuheng could learn to manage palace affairs and told Li Ruo he could eventually leave the palace once Huang Ying and Ling'er had families.
• Li Ruo accepted Su Qiao's arrangements and watched her leave the Imperial Palace.
• Huang Ying emerged and asked Li Ruo whether Su Qiao would still take him away from the palace as promised.
• Huang Ying said she was willing to try reclaiming all power, including military authority, without fighting, even if it meant sacrificing her father.
• Li Ruo was devastated as Huang Ying reminded him that he had said he would do anything for her.

Huang Ying insisted that Li Ruo return to the Imperial Palace and resume their old relationship, while Li Ruo realized her daughter would not listen to her. Later, Su Qiao arranged the weddings of Li Ying and Shang Shuheng, and Li Ruo and Huang Ling; after his wedding, Shang Shuheng finally intercepted Su Qiao to ask her for an answer.

• Huang Ying urged Li Ruo to secretly return to the palace, promising to provide for her and insisting that her Imperial Uncle could be persuaded.
• Li Ruo stalled Huang Ying, then wondered whether placing her daughter on the throne as a child had led to their estrangement.
• Little Xuanzi defended Li Ruo, who bitterly reflected that she had ended up abandoned and sacrificed.
• Su Qiao arranged the weddings of Li Ying and Shang Shuheng, and Li Ruo and Huang Ling, and both ceremonies took place amid grand celebrations.
• Shang Shuheng intercepted Su Qiao three days after his wedding, seeking an answer after accepting that he had no choice about the marriage.

Su Qiao told Shang Shuheng that she had only supported his appointment as chief consort because he and Huang Ying were interested in each other and suited to the role. Shang Shuheng realized she had never returned his feelings and left wishing her success.

• Su Qiao told Shang Shuheng to cherish Huang Ying and said she had not recommended him, only gone along with his wishes.
• Su Qiao explained that she had known about Shang Shuheng's divided loyalties and had only judged his suitability to manage the Imperial Palace.
• Shang Shuheng realized he had mistaken Su Qiao's public outings with him for signs of affection.
• Su Qiao defended her actions to 444, saying Shang Shuheng's own ambition and scheming had caused his troubles.
• Shang Shuheng accepted that he had imagined Su Qiao's feelings and wished her success before leaving.

Su Qiao’s scheme against Shang Shuheng and Huang Ying continued to unfold, while the Little Emperor grew furious after hearing that Shang Shuheng had met Su Qiao. Mu Rong’s planted guard then exposed Li Ruo’s past to Huang Ling, bringing chaos to the Li Residence.

• Su Qiao concluded that Shang Shuheng was trying to protect himself and Prime Minister Shang after his plans were disrupted.
• A witness reported Shang Shuheng’s meeting with Su Qiao to the Little Emperor, who vowed to punish Shang Shuheng and his mother.
• Huang Ying, angered by Shang Shuheng and his mother’s actions, decided to teach them both a lesson.
• Mu Rong placed a hidden guard in the Li Residence, and the guard told Huang Ling about Li Ruo’s history of seducing beautiful men.
• Huang Ling confronted Li Ruo with Li Sang’s backing, leaving the Li family afraid to intervene as the residence descended into chaos.

Su Qiao improved the military camp’s training and tactics while enjoying her time with Ye Lihan, but rushed back to check on him after he was attacked. Ye Lihan was only superficially wounded, and he explained that he had gone to the market to find spicy peppers for grilling.

• Su Qiao skipped court and began training Huangming Kingdom’s soldiers with new methods and battle plans.
• Su Qiao occasionally went hunting and barbecuing in the mountains with Ye Lihan.
• Mu Jin told Su Qiao that Ye Lihan had been attacked, and Su Qiao hurried back to the residence.
• Su Qiao found Ye Lihan with a bandaged hand and confirmed that his wounds were superficial.
• Ye Lihan told Su Qiao that he had gone to the market to look for spicy peppers for grilled meat.

Su Qiao told Ye Lihan that the Eastern Jin Crown Prince had agreed to use Huang Ying to kill him, and Ye Lihan revealed the conspiracy that had driven him into exile. They resolved to avenge his family when the right opportunity arrived.

• Su Qiao warned Ye Lihan that Eastern Jin was unstable and its Crown Prince had made an agreement with Huang Ying to get rid of him.
• Ye Lihan explained that his mother, the Former Empress, had been framed and killed, and that he had been sent to Huangming amid rumors about his parentage.
• Ye Lihan recounted how his maternal grandparents died and his aunt, Consort Yun, was found drowned in the Cold Palace.
• Su Qiao suspected the Eastern Jin Empress and Crown Prince were involved in Consort Yun's death and said the family grudge needed to be avenged at the right time.
• Ye Lihan confirmed that Eastern Jin's succession rules made him the legitimate eldest son and heir, despite being held hostage in Huangming.

Ye Lihan hesitated over whether to return home, while Su Qiao urged him to stay focused on the immediate danger and invited him to move into Prince Rui's Estate. Meanwhile, Li Sang and Huang Ying discussed their failed attempt to kill Ye Lihan and the loss of Su Qiao's affection for Li Sang.

• Ye Lihan called the Old Emperor an incompetent lecher and admitted he was unsure when to return home.
• Su Qiao warned Ye Lihan that his enemies would try again and invited him to move into Prince Rui's Estate for protection.
• Ye Lihan agreed to move in, hoping news of their relationship would discourage people from targeting Su Qiao.
• In Phoenix Palace, Huang Ying told Li Sang that their people had failed to kill Ye Lihan because Su Qiao had sent secret guards to protect him.
• Li Sang accepted that Su Qiao's remaining affection for him had nearly run out after ten years.

Li Sang and Huang Ying planned to kill Ye Lihan, blame Huang Qiao, and use the crisis to reclaim control of the court, but Ye Lihan’s move into Prince Rui’s Estate made their plans harder. The chapter left Li Sang exhausted by his daughter’s criticism and frustrated that tighter security had blocked their attempts, while Huang Ling continued causing trouble at the Li residence.

• Li Sang told Huang Ying that Ye Lihan had to die so they could blame Huang Qiao, gain the Eastern Jin Crown Prince’s support, and eliminate Huang Qiao.
• Huang Ying objected that they had alerted their enemies and criticized Li Sang’s methods after learning that Huang Qiao was helping Ye Lihan move into Prince Rui’s Estate.
• Li Sang rebuked Huang Ying, then dismissed her, feeling betrayed by Huang Qiao and unappreciated by his daughter.
• Huang Ying apologized and left Li Sang to rest.
• Su Qiao increased the guards after Ye Lihan moved into the estate, leaving Li Sang and Huang Ying unable to find an opportunity to act.
• Huang Ling caused repeated disturbances at the Li residence, further exasperating Li Sang.

Su Qiao heard that Li Ruo had caused chaos at Li Residence and ordered Mu Jin to make sure her next injury was more serious. Meanwhile, Li Sang sent Huang Ling back to Li Residence after she hid in the palace, and Su Qiao's presence at court left the ministers too afraid to speak freely.

• Mu Jin told Su Qiao that Li Ruo had injured a young attendant and fled to the palace, and Su Qiao ordered her to ensure Li Ruo could barely walk next time.
• Li Sang had Huang Ling brought back from the palace and ordered that the matter at Li Residence stay private.
• Huang Ling accused Li Sang of favoring her sister, then ran off after he slapped her and ordered her to return.
• Li Sang let Huang Ling go, exhausted and saddened by the state of his family.
• Su Qiao attended court, where the ministers watched her expression before speaking and the Little Emperor nearly lost his temper.

Su Qiao confronted Li Sang after court and made clear that she intended to marry Ye Lihan, while rejecting Li Sang’s accusations and reminders of their past. Li Sang was left devastated as Su Qiao walked away without looking back.

• Su Qiao encountered Li Sang outside the palace, and he questioned her plans to marry Ye Lihan, a prince of Dongjin.
• Su Qiao told Li Sang that she would marry Ye Lihan if she wanted him, even if he were the emperor of Dongjin.
• Li Sang accused Su Qiao of deceiving him, but she said she had once considered leaving with him and had lacked confidence that he could abandon his responsibilities.
• Su Qiao reminded Li Sang that she had supported his family’s rise to power and handled government and border affairs, then walked away from him.
• Li Sang asked Little Xuan whether Su Qiao truly no longer wanted him and lamented that she had fallen for Ye Lihan.

Li Sang fainted after realizing Su Qiao had rejected him, while Su Qiao returned to military training after three days at court. When Prime Minister Shang was imprisoned on serious charges, Shang Shuheng begged Su Qiao to save his mother and urged her to seize power, but she refused to rebel for him.

• Li Sang fainted, and his attendants reflected that he had brought his troubles with Su Qiao upon himself.
• After three days of court attendance, Su Qiao returned to the military camp to continue her training plan.
• Prime Minister Shang was charged with eighteen serious crimes and thrown into the death prison.
• Shang Shuheng secretly approached Su Qiao and begged her to save his imprisoned mother.
• Su Qiao refused to rebel for Shang Shuheng and told him to plead with Huang Ying instead.

After Huang Ying rejected Shang Shuheng’s plea for an audience, he left in regret and resentment. Three days later, Su Qiao learned that Shang Shuheng had attempted to assassinate Huang Ying and went to see the injured pair.

• Shang Shuheng went to the Imperial Study to beg Huang Ying, but she refused to see him.
• Huang Ying learned that Shang Shuheng had first gone to seek The King and ordered him to return to Yongfu Palace or face consequences.
• Shang Shuheng left after kneeling for more than two hours and blamed Huang Ying for humiliating him.
• Mu Jin told Su Qiao that Shang Shuheng had attempted to assassinate Huang Ying, who was only slightly injured while Shang Shuheng was hurt more seriously.
• Su Qiao told Ye Lihan she was going to see Huang Ying and Shang Shuheng.

Su Qiao visited the confined Shang Shuheng and rejected his claim that he had tried to help her, making clear that Ye Lihan was the only person she cared about. After she returned to her estate, she learned that Li Ruo had survived severe injuries but would be bedridden and unable to bear children.

• Su Qiao went to Yongfu Palace to see Shang Shuheng, who had been confined after attacking Huang Ying.
• Su Qiao scolded Shang Shuheng for his actions and told him she had never returned his feelings.
• Su Qiao said she would have protected Ye Lihan from entering the palace and declared him the only person she cared about.
• Su Qiao returned to her estate and learned that Li Ruo had survived after her Achilles tendons were severed and she was stabbed, but could no longer bear children.

Su Qiao arranged for Shang Shuheng to escape the Imperial Palace and settle with his family in Northwest Ruyang. After he departed, Ye Lihan reconciled with Su Qiao, while Li Sang and Huang Ying suspected Su Qiao had helped Shang Shuheng but had no proof.

• After Huang Ling fled the Imperial City, Li Sang fainted from worry over her children's troubles.
• Su Qiao ordered Mu Rong to rescue Shang Shuheng and arranged for him and his family to settle in Northwest Ruyang.
• Before leaving, Shang Shuheng urged Su Qiao to reclaim her throne and protect the people she cared about.
• Shang Shuheng left the Imperial City, and Su Qiao decided not to pursue his parting warning.
• Ye Lihan forgave Su Qiao after learning Shang Shuheng had left, and the two went into the mountains to gather herbs and hunt.
• Li Sang and Huang Ying suspected Su Qiao had arranged Shang Shuheng's escape, but they had no evidence.

After a week of searching for Huang Ling, Su Qiao learned that the Little Emperor’s forces had surrounded Prince Rui’s Estate and accused Ye Lihan of betraying the empire on her orders. She mobilized her army to surround the palace and officials’ estates, then rode toward Prince Rui’s Estate.

• The Little Emperor compensated the Li family while both sides continued searching unsuccessfully for Huang Ling, and Su Qiao focused on training her army.
• Mu Jin told Su Qiao that imperial troops had surrounded Prince Rui’s Estate to seize Ye Lihan for allegedly stealing the defense map and sending it to Eastern Jin.
• Su Qiao ordered her generals to surround the Imperial Palace and guard the city gates, while Mu Jin led twenty thousand soldiers to take control of the palace.
• Su Qiao ordered a female general to surround the officials’ estates and shoot anyone who resisted, then led troops toward Prince Rui’s Estate.

Su Qiao returned to Prince Rui's Estate and found Minister Li attacking it under the claim of an imperial order to arrest Ye Lihan. After confirming Ye Lihan was safe, Su Qiao confronted Minister Li for causing trouble and falsely using her name.

• Minister Li led soldiers to Prince Rui's Estate and demanded that Ye Lihan be handed over as a spy.
• Li Jue and Mu Rong challenged Minister Li's authority, but she ordered her soldiers to arrest Ye Lihan and kill him if he resisted.
• The soldiers and estate guards clashed while hidden guards protected Ye Lihan from joining the fight.
• Minister Li claimed the emperor had ordered Ye Lihan's execution, and Su Qiao hurled a blade at her, killing several soldiers.
• Su Qiao arrived, confirmed Ye Lihan was unharmed, and accused Minister Li of falsely using her name.

Su Qiao killed Minister Li and led troops to the Imperial Palace to support Mu Jin’s takeover, while leaving Ye Lihan under guard. After the palace fell under their control, Su Qiao confronted Li Sang and the Little Emperor, Huang Ying, and declared that she did not care if her actions were called rebellion.

• Su Qiao shot Minister Li dead and made the soldiers and officials choose between following her to the Imperial Palace or dying.
• Su Qiao gave Ye Lihan a token to command troops if he was threatened, then left Mu Rong and guards to protect him.
• Su Qiao led her forces to the Imperial Palace, where Mu Jin had already secured the checkpoints and confined the ministers in Jiaotai Hall.
• Li Sang and Huang Ying came out of Phoenix Palace under guard to confront Su Qiao.
• Su Qiao dismissed Li Sang’s accusations of rebellion and challenged anyone to oppose her.

Su Qiao exposed Li Sang’s scheme and humiliated him while Huang Ying watched. Meanwhile, Ye Lihan secretly left the Prince’s Residence with Xiao Yuzi, intending to return to Eastern Jin because his poisoned father was near death, and he departed without saying goodbye to Su Qiao.

• Su Qiao told Li Sang that the King had pretended to help him while he was being used as a chess piece to seize control of the government.
• Su Qiao mocked Li Sang’s appearance and rejected his claim that he had once been close to the King, leaving him furious as Huang Ying watched silently.
• Ye Lihan and Xiao Yuzi watched from behind a tree, and Xiao Yuzi repeated Su Qiao’s praise of Ye Lihan, making his ears burn.
• Ye Lihan decided to leave secretly without saying goodbye because he believed Su Qiao would stop him if she knew.
• Ye Lihan explained that his poisoned father in Eastern Jin might die soon, after which his younger brother, the Crown Prince, would ascend the throne.

Su Qiao confronted Huang Ying over her failures as ruler and her attempt to kill Ye Lihan, while Huang Ying blamed her humiliation on the circumstances of her accession to the throne. As Huang Ying prepared to give up the throne, Su Qiao dismissed her as no real opponent.

• Ye Lihan grabbed Xiao Yuzi and escaped into the Imperial Palace by leaping over the palace wall.
• Huang Ying asked Su Qiao whether she had never intended to let her rule, and Su Qiao accused her of misgoverning the country and plotting to kill Ye Lihan.
• Huang Ying declared she would give up the throne and told Li Sang that she had always felt humiliated by her position and wanted to prove she could rule without relying on anyone.
• Li Sang regretted his past greed and lamented that his son was missing and his daughter was now in this situation.
• Su Qiao told Huang Ying she had never considered her a real opponent and had treated her schemes like children's games.

Su Qiao confronted Li Sang and Huang Ying with the truth about their plot and said she had never wanted the throne. Huang Ying asked whether Su Qiao would kill them, while Li Sang begged her to spare his daughter and regretted the cost of his ambition.

• Su Qiao accused Li Sang of conspiring with the Eastern Jin Crown Prince to frame her and seize her military power, and criticized Huang Ying for making a dangerous alliance.
• Li Sang admitted that he had lost and realized Su Qiao had never been in love with him.
• Su Qiao revealed she had not wanted to become emperor and would have preferred a free life away from court affairs.
• Huang Ying asked whether Su Qiao intended to kill them and accepted that she might die.
• Li Sang begged Su Qiao to spare Huang Ying and mourned how his ambition had harmed his family.

After Huang Ying’s treason was exposed, Su Qiao rejected the ministers’ attempt to influence her punishment and agreed that she needed to ascend the throne soon. She then learned that Ye Lihan had secretly left for Eastern Jin with her token, leaving her to consider how to respond.

• Li Sang admitted his fault and begged Su Qiao to spare Ying'er, but Su Qiao ordered Mu Jin to take him and his daughter away.
• A minister urged Su Qiao to punish Huang Ying severely, but she told the ministers that her decision was hers alone.
• Grand Tutor Wen urged Su Qiao to ascend the throne quickly because of the danger from Eastern Jin, and she agreed.
• Mu Rong and Li Jue told Su Qiao that Ye Lihan had left the Imperial City with her token and a letter saying he had to return to Eastern Jin.
• Su Qiao realized Ye Lihan had planned his departure, while Mu Rong insisted that they needed to retrieve him and the token.

Su Qiao prepared to ascend the throne and ordered military measures against Eastern Jin after Ye Lihan’s token was lost. She planned to lead an expedition ten days later, leaving the story with ministers trying to dissuade her.

• Su Qiao declared the lost token temporarily invalid and set her enthronement for three days later, promoting Vice Minister Gu to Minister of Rites.
• Su Qiao ordered Grand Marshal Jiang He to secure the Dongzhou border and sent Mu Rong to bring three hundred thousand troops there.
• Su Qiao sent Mu Jin to Eastern Jin with an invitation for the Crown Prince, while Mu Jin’s real mission was to pursue Ye Lihan and help him.
• Su Qiao announced she would personally lead an expedition in ten days and assigned Grand Tutors Wen and Si to oversee the state in her absence.
• The ministers knelt and urged Su Qiao not to go to battle, but she ordered them to handle their duties.