Recaps

Su Qiao won money at the gambling den while Liu Jianfang tried to provoke her, then beat a drunken woman who tried to claim Qi Jinghe. As Su Qiao left with Qi Jinghe, he asked whether she had come with Liu Jianfang intending to deal with her.

• Su Qiao denied cheating after the table runner accused her, and Jiang Qiuyan’s watchers confirmed she had done nothing wrong.
• Su Qiao collected her winnings and refused Liu Jianfang’s attempts to keep her gambling and provoke her.
• Su Qiao shoved and beat a drunken woman who reached for Qi Jinghe and offered to pay for him.
• Su Qiao took Qi Jinghe by the hand and left the gambling den with him.
• Qi Jinghe said he had heard Su Qiao came gambling with Liu Jianfang and asked if she had planned to deal with her.

Su Qiao suspected that someone was plotting to frame her and planned to investigate the generals who served the Great Su Dynasty twenty-one years earlier. She persuaded Qi Jinghe to study and practice martial arts with her and Little Yue'er, and the family began training together at home.

• Su Qiao explained that she had humored the woman’s schemes to keep the danger away from her family, while Qi Jinghe thought Liu Jianfang would not target him or Yue'er.
• Su Qiao asked 444 to investigate which generals had served the Great Su Dynasty twenty-one years earlier.
• Su Qiao convinced Qi Jinghe to learn to read and practice martial arts, and he agreed to become her student.
• Su Qiao gave Qi Jinghe her mother's sword and made Little Yue'er a wooden sword as the family began studying and training together.
• Qi Jinghe quickly finished several books and military texts, impressing Su Qiao with his memory and writing, while Little Yue'er promised to work harder too.

Su Qiao reassured Little Yue'er that he did not have to push himself to learn martial arts, but he insisted he wanted to grow strong enough to protect his family. Their happy household was disrupted when constables arrived to arrest Su Qiao for a man’s death, and she agreed to go with them.

• Su Qiao told Little Yue'er to build his knowledge and strength gradually and not force himself to learn if he disliked it.
• Little Yue'er said he wanted to train so he could protect himself, his family, and Su Qiao, and Su Qiao assured him he could always speak up if he wanted to stop.
• Qi Jinghe and Old Man Liu watched Su Qiao and Little Yue'er’s warm exchange.
• Four days later, constables entered the Qi Family’s courtyard and accused Su Qiao of publicly injuring a man who later died.
• Su Qiao explained that she had only taught the man a small lesson after he harassed her husband, but the constable told her to save her defense for court.
• Su Qiao agreed to go into custody after asking to speak with her family, while Old Man Liu held Little Yue'er in alarm.

Su Qiao was taken away after being accused of beating someone to death, and she told Qi Jinghe to hide with Little Yue'er and Old Man Liu while she dealt with the person targeting her. Qi Jinghe found the medicines and silver she had prepared, then hurried to get his family out of the village as rumors spread about her arrest.

• Su Qiao told Qi Jinghe to rent a house in town, stay hidden with Little Yue'er, and take the medicines under her bed for protection.
• Su Qiao reassured Qi Jinghe and Little Yue'er before leaving, saying she would return and intended to uncover who was targeting her.
• Qi Jinghe found nearly eighty bottles of labeled medicines and more than a hundred taels of silver in the chest, and realized Su Qiao had prepared for the possibility that she might not come back.
• Old Man Liu comforted Qi Jinghe, who decided they would leave by the mountain path so they could not be used to threaten Su Qiao.
• Villagers reacted to Su Qiao being taken away by spreading rumors that she had beaten someone to death.

Su Qiao stayed in the Xiaoqiu Town jail while investigating the people who framed her, and she faked a dramatic death after a constable delivered poisoned food. The constable then left to meet someone, and Little Four reported that the conspirators had made contact.

• Su Qiao asked Little Four to watch Liu Jianfang and Magistrate Guo, and learned they had reached town safely and were staying at the Peace Inn.
• A female constable brought Su Qiao poisoned food and warned her that her murder case was hopeless.
• Su Qiao ate the food while insisting she had been framed, then pretended the poison had killed her.
• The constable returned, saw Su Qiao apparently dead, and hurried away with the food container.
• Su Qiao got up, wiped the fake blood from her face, and Little Four told her the constable had made contact with someone.
• The constable went to a small alley in town.

Su Qiao and 444 discovered that Sheng Ling had ordered a woman’s death and planned to frame Prince Ying and the Little Prince. Sheng Ling returned to the capital, while 444 revealed that Empress Su Lan was searching for Su Qiao as a possible heir to the throne.

• A woman in green paid an accomplice to make a victim’s death look like suicide, and 444 followed her.
• The woman in green reported to Sheng Ling that the victim was dead, and Sheng Ling dismissed Prince Ying and the Little Prince as threats.
• Sheng Ling said the Su Family had no other women and hoped her own family would eventually claim the throne.
• Yun Niang urged Sheng Ling to leave before the Empress’s people found them, and Sheng Ling agreed to return to the capital that night.
• In prison, 444 told Su Qiao that Empress Su Lan had more than a dozen sons but no daughters and was searching for Su Qiao as a potential heir.

Su Qiao learned that her mother was a princess and famed Protector General, while the Sheng Family was plotting to replace the imperial dynasty. After escaping an attempt to frame her as a suicide, Su Qiao planned to investigate Sheng Ling and the Sheng Family and slipped out to reassure Qi Jinghe.

• Su Qiao learned that the Empress had driven her mother into hiding and that the Sheng Family intended to change dynasties.
• Su Qiao hypnotized the constable who entered her cell, took the silver pouch, and sent her away rather than expose Sheng Ling immediately.
• Su Qiao told 444 to investigate Sheng Ling, the Sheng Family, and Sheng Fengjun so she could uproot the family.
• Su Qiao learned that Qi Jinghe was still awake worrying about her and quietly escaped the cell to return to him.
• At Peace Inn, Qi Jinghe and his father worried over Su Qiao, and Qi Jinghe planned to bribe people to learn about her situation in the cell.

Qi Jinghe and Old Man Liu learned that Su Qiao was Yue'er’s biological mother and that she had been underage and drugged when he first met her. Su Qiao returned after escaping an attempt to poison her, then revealed that her mother had been a prince and the Protector General.

• Qi Jinghe told Old Man Liu that Su Qiao had said she was Yue'er’s biological mother and explained how Li Dabao had drugged him six years earlier.
• Old Man Liu realized Su Qiao had been only sixteen at the time, and Qi Jinghe said he did not blame her for what happened.
• Su Qiao climbed in through the window after sneaking out, and Qi Jinghe checked that she was unharmed.
• Su Qiao revealed that someone had put deadly poison in her food, but she had dealt with it.
• At Qi Jinghe and Old Man Liu’s insistence, Su Qiao disclosed that her mother’s surname was Su and that she had been a prince and the Protector General.

Su Qiao explained that the Empress had summoned her because she was the only eligible heir, while the Sheng Family wanted her dead to seize power. Qi Jinghe prepared to flee with her, but Su Qiao said she had a plan and left, while Old Man Liu worried about what her identity would mean for the family.

• Qi Jinghe urged Su Qiao to escape to Great Jin with him, fearing the Empress would kill her.
• Su Qiao reassured Qi Jinghe that the Empress likely wanted her to inherit the throne, but the Sheng Family was behind the attempt on her life.
• Su Qiao told Qi Jinghe to protect the family while she put her own plan into action.
• Su Qiao vaulted out through the window, and Qi Jinghe called after her to be careful.
• Old Man Liu asked Qi Jinghe what he thought about Su Qiao's identity and their future.

Qi Jinghe and Old Man Liu discussed Su Qiao’s possible return and worried about her taking other husbands. The next day, Su Qiao was brought to court over a man who had died days after their fight, and she questioned whether she could be blamed for his death.

• Old Man Liu urged Qi Jinghe to let go of past resentment, suggesting Su Qiao had kept her distance to protect the family.
• Qi Jinghe asked whether the Empress’s nineteen Lords meant Su Qiao might take other husbands, and Old Man Liu told him to accept it if it happened.
• Jailers brought Su Qiao to court alongside a corpse and the deceased man’s family.
• Su Qiao questioned how the man could have died three days after their fight and asked whether someone else might have killed him.
• The deceased man’s mother accused Su Qiao of killing him and tried to strike her, but Su Qiao dodged and denied that he had lost a bet to her.

Su Qiao defended herself before Magistrate Guo and revealed that someone had tried to poison her, asking him to investigate the attempted silencing. The crowd began debating her strength and her handsome husband when a witness pointed out a veiled figure who supposedly looked like him.

• The old woman attacked Su Qiao in court, but Magistrate Guo threatened her with thirty strokes and let Su Qiao speak.
• Su Qiao argued that she had only taught the old woman's daughter a lesson for molesting her husband, and Magistrate Guo agreed that her reasoning made sense.
• Su Qiao showed Magistrate Guo poisoned food sent to her the night before and asked him to investigate who had tried to kill her.
• The townspeople questioned whether Su Qiao could have killed the victim and traded stories about her strength and her husband's looks.
• A witness spotted a tall figure in a veiled hat and said he looked about the same as Su Qiao's husband.

Su Qiao cleared her name after the court confirmed the victim had died from poison, not the beating she had been accused of causing. As she left the yamen, Guo Jue approached her with admiring words, and she invoked her husband to deflect him.

• Su Qiao asked Magistrate Guo to have the coroner examine the corpse, and the coroner confirmed that poisoning had caused the death.
• Magistrate Guo ordered an investigation into the poisoning and cleared Su Qiao of the crime.
• Su Qiao left the yamen after spending one night in prison, while Qi Jinghe silently endured the crowd's scrutiny in court.
• Guo Jue introduced himself to Su Qiao and praised her intelligence, and she replied that her husband might stop liking her if she became too impressive.

Su Qiao rejected Guo Jue’s advances and hurried back to the inn, where she found Qi Jinghe sulking. After the system explained that he had waited for her at the yamen and left in anger when he saw her talking with Guo Jue, Su Qiao denied knowing anything about him.

• Su Qiao tactfully refused Guo Jue and left, saying she had to return to her husband.
• Guo Jue defended Su Qiao when Xiao Yuan criticized her and admitted his admiration for her.
• Su Qiao returned to Peace Inn and found Qi Jinghe drinking tea with a gloomy expression.
• Old Man Liu took Xiao Yue outside so Su Qiao and Qi Jinghe could talk.
• Qi Jinghe told Su Qiao to figure out why he was upset, and the system revealed he had waited for her at the yamen before leaving in anger after seeing her with Guo Jue.

Su Qiao and Qi Jinghe decided it was safe to return home after the Sheng Family’s eldest daughter left, and they reunited with Yue'er and Old Man Liu at the inn. Before heading home, the family went shopping in town, where Su Qiao changed into a colorful outfit.

• Su Qiao told Qi Jinghe that the Sheng Family’s eldest daughter had left, and they decided to return home while staying cautious.
• Su Qiao reunited with Yue'er and promised to teach him reading and martial arts at home.
• Su Qiao invited Yue'er to explore town and shop with the family, and Qi Jinghe agreed.
• Qi Jinghe noticed Su Qiao’s dirty clothes, so Old Man Liu suggested buying her a fresh outfit.
• Su Qiao changed into a plum-red top and green skirt, then asked Yue'er what he thought; he hesitantly said it looked good.

Su Qiao bought matching new outfits for her family, then took them home so they could rest after a tiring night. She went to cook while the village stirred at their return.

• Su Qiao asked Qi Jinghe if she looked good, then ordered matching clothes for the whole family.
• Su Qiao made Little Yue'er, Old Man Liu, and Qi Jinghe change into the outfits, and teased Qi Jinghe about his refined appearance.
• Old Man Liu suggested returning home because Little Yue'er and Qi Jinghe looked tired, and Su Qiao found an ox cart.
• The family returned to the village, where their arrival caused a commotion, while Su Qiao sent the others to rest and went to the kitchen.

Su Qiao reassured Qi Jinghe that she was prepared for trouble after her survival became known, then teased him about being jealous of Young Master Guo. Their relationship grew more affectionate as Qi Jinghe pulled her into his arms.

• Su Qiao spent the day caring for the household, teaching Qi Jinghe and his father, and preparing for the possibility that news of her survival would spread.
• Qi Jinghe went to Su Qiao's room to warn her that her survival might not remain secret.
• Su Qiao told Qi Jinghe she had hired someone to watch Sheng Ling and teased him about being jealous of Young Master Guo.
• Su Qiao assured Qi Jinghe that she had no interest in Guo and embraced him, and he eventually relaxed and pulled her close.
• Su Qiao joked that frail-looking people were her type, then clarified that she meant people like Qi Jinghe.

Su Qiao and Qi Jinghe grew closer while she helped their family learn and grow stronger. Their peaceful month ended when Su Qiao learned Sheng Ling had silenced the female constable and was heading back toward them.

• Qi Jinghe questioned whether Su Qiao would marry other handsome men, and she explained that calling him like Pan An had been a compliment about an ancient man.
• Su Qiao spent the following weeks teaching Little Yue'er and Old Man Liu to read, practice martial arts, and use medicinal herbs and defensive powders.
• Qi Jinghe devoted himself to cultivating his internal energy and swordsmanship, while Su Qiao's care strengthened Old Man Liu.
• 444 told Su Qiao that Sheng Ling had learned she was alive, turned back from near the capital, and silenced the female constable.
• Su Qiao asked 444 to watch Sheng Ling's movements and began preparing for her arrival in about a month.

Su Qiao learned that Sheng Ling had arranged for Da Jin’s troops to raid her village, so she prepared gunpowder weapons to protect her family. She demonstrated a buried landmine to Qi Jinghe, leaving him stunned by its power.

• Su Qiao taught Qi Jinghe and Yue'er to recognize poisonous herbs and took Qi Jinghe into the Dense Forest to fight wild beasts.
• 444 told Su Qiao that the Sheng Family had allied with Da Jin, offering ten cities in exchange for support and asking Prince Lie to raid her village.
• Su Qiao decided to make gunpowder and used System Space Points to buy hollow iron balls for landmines.
• Su Qiao buried a landmine in the mountains and triggered it by throwing a stone, startling Qi Jinghe with the explosion.
• Qi Jinghe saw the enormous crater and marveled at the weapon as Su Qiao mentioned that she had also made bows and arrows.

Su Qiao showed Qi Jinghe her rocket arrows and explained that five thousand elite soldiers had entered the territory, far more than the two thousand Sheng Ling had negotiated for. They prepared to face the force, but Su Qiao worried about the nearby villagers.

• Qi Jinghe admired Su Qiao's rocket arrows and teased her before she urged him to focus on business.
• Su Qiao told Qi Jinghe that five thousand elite soldiers had entered the territory instead of the expected two thousand.
• Qi Jinghe said that the rocket arrows and Poison Powder could defeat the soldiers, while Su Qiao worried about the people in nearby villages.

Su Qiao and Qi Jinghe prepared the village for an imminent enemy attack, moving residents into an air-raid shelter and laying a trap along the invasion route. After reassuring Qi Jinghe about her devotion to him, Su Qiao helped plan how to use landmines and wild creatures against the attackers.

• Qi Jinghe convinced the village chief to lead villagers from nearby settlements into an underground air-raid shelter.
• Su Qiao and Qi Jinghe sent the old man and Little Yue'er to safety, then went to retrieve the hidden landmines and rockets.
• Qi Jinghe expressed jealousy about Su Qiao possibly taking other husbands, and she assured him that she would marry no one else.
• Su Qiao and Qi Jinghe carried baskets down the mountain and buried landmines at planned points along the enemy's route.
• Qi Jinghe proposed burning Beast-Luring Grass at a fork in the road to draw wild animals and venomous creatures toward the attackers.

Su Qiao and Qi Jinghe ambushed Great Jin’s elite soldiers, leaving only a few hundred to flee. Afterward, Su Qiao set out to secretly retrieve evidence against the Sheng Family, while Qi Jinghe worried over her safety.

• Su Qiao and Qi Jinghe chose a cliffside ambush point and prepared fire arrows and Poison Powder.
• That night, explosions, flames, and beasts terrorized the path near Xiaohe Village as the ambush devastated Great Jin’s forces.
• Su Qiao tried to pursue the fleeing soldiers, but Qi Jinghe stopped her so they could carry word back to Great Jin.
• Su Qiao said she needed the letters between the Sheng Family and the King at Great Jin’s border to destroy the Sheng Family.
• Qi Jinghe gave Su Qiao the remaining fire arrows and warned her not to take risks, and she kissed him before leaving to retrieve the evidence.

Su Qiao returned from Great Jin’s camp with letters linking the Sheng Family to Prince Lie, only to discover that Qi Jinghe and the others had disappeared. The villagers suspected Liu Jianfang was involved, while officials from town arrived to question the village chief.

• Su Qiao kissed Qi Jinghe goodbye, then chased the fleeing intruders into Great Jin’s camp.
• Su Qiao stole letters exchanged between the Sheng Family and Prince Lie, fought Prince Lie, injured soldiers, and escaped amid explosions from her firepowder arrows.
• Su Qiao returned to the village and learned from Wang Guixiang that Qi Jinghe, the old master, and Little Yue were missing.
• Wang Guixiang said villagers had seen Liu Jianfang near Su Qiao’s home, and Su Qiao asked Little Four to locate her.
• Wang Guixiang asked Su Qiao what to tell the town officials who had come to investigate the night’s explosions and screams.

Su Qiao found Liu Jianfang in town and tortured him for information about the Sheng Family and Sheng Ling. She revealed her imperial identity and warned him that helping the Sheng Family could not protect him, leaving Liu Jianfang stunned.

• Su Qiao ordered the villagers to say the Great Jin troops had been defeated by beasts in the mountains, then hurried to town to search for Liu Jianfang.
• Su Qiao found Liu Jianfang at the Spring Fragrance Pavilion with two young male prostitutes and drove them out.
• Su Qiao grabbed Liu Jianfang and demanded to know where he had taken the Sheng Family and Sheng Ling, then crushed his wrist and broke his leg when he refused to answer.
• Liu Jianfang threatened Su Qiao and claimed a powerful figure would take revenge, but Su Qiao dismissed him as a petty thug and said the Sheng Family could not rival the Imperial Family.
• Su Qiao revealed that her mother was the Empress's younger sister and that she was the court's only Imperial Daughter, leaving Liu Jianfang stunned.

Su Qiao learned that Sheng Ling had taken Qi Jinghe and his family to the capital, then pursued them despite repeated ambushes. She reached the city and learned they were being held in the Sheng Family dungeon, where Sheng Ling was waiting with a trap.

• Su Qiao forced Liu Jianfang to reveal that Sheng Ling had taken Qi Jinghe and his family to the capital, then injured her and silenced her.
• Little Four reported that the captives were traveling along the official road, and Su Qiao left to pursue them.
• Su Qiao fought off four groups of attackers and disguised herself before continuing toward the capital.
• After ten more days, Su Qiao reached the capital and learned that Qi Jinghe and his family were in the Sheng Family dungeon.
• Su Qiao entered the city and asked Little Four to map the Sheng Family estate and locate Sheng Ling's room.

Su Qiao infiltrated the Sheng Family residence and Imperial Palace, then revealed herself to the Empress as Su Ying’s daughter. The chapter ended with Su Qiao identifying herself and her mother to the Empress.

• Su Qiao slipped into Sheng Ling’s room, scattered Poison Powder on the bedding and personal items, and stole silver notes.
• Su Qiao decided to seek help from the Empress and planned to enter the palace that night.
• Su Qiao entered the palace and went to Sheng Fengjun’s palace to give him a few gifts before heading to the Imperial Bedchamber.
• Su Qiao fought off the Empress’s hidden guard and asked the Empress to send the young Lord away.
• Su Qiao removed her face covering, and the Empress recognized her resemblance to Su Ying.
• Su Qiao told the Empress that she was Su Ying’s daughter and gave her name as Su Qiao.