Chapter Summaries

Su Qiao worked out a rough plan for making coarse paper while Zhou Lihua washed her clothes. The chapter ended with Zhou Lihua bringing Su Qiao both chicken legs for dinner, pleased that she had secured them despite the old madam’s glare.

• Su Qiao agreed to leave Zhou Lihua a chicken leg and reminded her to wash the clothes herself with soapberry pods.
• Su Qiao worked out her ideas for making coarse paper and discussed them with Little Four until nearly dark.
• Zhou Lihua washed Su Qiao’s clothes and quilt until they were spotless.
• Zhou Lihua brought Su Qiao dinner in her room and proudly revealed that she had gotten both chicken legs for her.

Su Qiao shared the food she had brought home with Zhou Lihua and Little Haozi, who had helped report the danger. She reassured them that she would protect her family while telling Little Haozi to run for help if danger came again.

• Zhou Lihua gave Su Qiao cornmeal buns and asked her not to forget her mother when she had good food.
• Zhou Lihua claimed the chicken leg Su Qiao gave her and sent Little Haozi away when he asked for one.
• Little Haozi reminded Su Qiao that he had listened to her and gone home to report, and Zhou Lihua praised Su Qiao as the family's protector.
• Su Qiao promised to save Zhou Lihua if she acted decently, then defended Little Haozi and gave him a chicken leg as a reward.
• Su Qiao told Little Haozi that running for help was the right choice and that he should do the same if danger came again.

Su Qiao reassured Little Hao and made sure he ate, then promised to get meat for him and Zhou Lihua the next day. After sending them out, she waited for the family meal to end before heading to the main room.

• Little Hao offered Su Qiao his chicken leg and promised to grow strong and help rescue Grandpa.
• Su Qiao told Little Hao to eat the chicken and grow strong enough to protect the family.
• Zhou Lihua tried to get more chicken, but Su Qiao limited her to one extra piece and ate the rest herself.
• Su Qiao warned Zhou Lihua not to steal cucumbers and Little Hao not to snatch things from other children, promising to get them meat tomorrow.
• Su Qiao sent them out, waited for the main-room meal to end, and then went there.

Su Qiao spoke privately with Old Master Su after saving him from the mine, and told him she planned to earn money and improve the family’s life. The old master accepted her ambitions, leaving her ready to start putting them into action.

• Su Qiao asked Old Master Su to speak with her alone, and he sent Su Yaohui and the old lady away.
• Su Qiao brushed off the old master’s thanks for saving his life in the mine.
• Old Master Su admitted he had misjudged Su Qiao and praised how sensible she had become.
• Su Qiao joked that she wanted a life of ease, then promised to help the whole family have enough food and clothing.
• Su Qiao said she would earn money herself rather than rely on marrying into a wealthy family, and Old Master Su agreed with her reasoning.

Su Qiao reassured Old Master Su that she would keep her mother in check and warned him to hide what they had witnessed in the mine. She revealed that Feng Han had also survived and spared them, leaving Old Master Su shaken by how narrowly they had escaped.

• Su Qiao outlined plans to make paper, soap, shampoo, rouge, and other goods, easing Old Master Su’s worries about her.
• Su Qiao promised to keep an eye on Zhou Lihua, and Old Master Su trusted her confidence.
• Su Qiao told Old Master Su to claim he had been knocked unconscious in the mine and to say nothing about what happened there.
• Su Qiao revealed that Feng Han had survived the mine collapse and had allowed her and Old Master Su to live.
• Old Master Su confirmed Feng Han’s identity was extraordinary and said his reputation for cruelty made their survival a blessing.

Su Qiao learned that Old Master Su wanted her to stay indoors while the danger outside remained unclear, though she was eager to hunt for food and materials. The next morning, she discovered that even brushing her teeth was a challenge in Willow Tree Village.

• Old Master Su told Su Qiao to rest at home for a few days and keep what happened on the mountain secret, and she reluctantly agreed.
• Su Qiao returned to her room hungry and argued with 444 that the Great Demon King mattered less to her than food.
• Su Yihe woke early to chop firewood, and Su Qiao got up after a long night's sleep.
• Su Yihe told Su Qiao that he had prepared willow branches for cleaning her teeth, and 444 explained how villagers used them instead of toothbrushes and toothpaste.
• Su Qiao was appalled to learn that she had been stumped by the lack of both toilet paper and proper dental supplies.

Su Qiao learned how to brush her teeth and was dismayed by how yellow they were. After 444 refused her request to change planes, she resolved to make her own toothbrush and tooth powder and continued brushing until her teeth looked less yellow.

• Su Yihe prepared water and a willow twig for Su Qiao to brush her teeth.
• Su Qiao saw her yellow teeth in the water and asked 444 to change planes.
• 444 refused and explained that the Reinforcement Agent strengthened her body rather than improving her appearance.
• Su Qiao encouraged herself to rely on her own skills and brushed her teeth until they looked less yellow.

Su Qiao asked Su Yihe to make her a wooden toothbrush handle, and he agreed despite Ernie’s objections. After reassuring Second Aunt that she was feeling better, Su Qiao returned to her room.

• Ernie tried to keep Su Qiao away from Su Yihe and accused her of taking food and baskets, but Su Yihe told her not to be rude.
• Su Qiao showed Su Yihe a drawing of a toothbrush and asked him to drill three rows of holes into its wooden handle.
• Su Yihe agreed to make the toothbrush handle, while Ernie warned that he had other work to do.
• Second Aunt asked Su Qiao how she was feeling and offered to wash her clothes and bedding.
• Su Qiao said she would have her mother do the washing and went back to her room.

Su Qiao learned that Madam Liu had secretly saved food for her and worried that her aunt might be punished for showing her kindness. After reflecting on her difficult family ties, Su Qiao asked 444 to find a toothpaste recipe so she could adapt it using materials available in their era.

• Ernie complained that the family spoiled Su Qiao, then went inside to wash clothes while Madam Liu went to the kitchen.
• Madam Liu brought Su Qiao cornmeal porridge, pickled cucumbers, and a steamed corn bun she had saved from her own rations.
• 444 explained that the old madam had allowed Madam Liu to prepare breakfast for Su Qiao, easing Su Qiao’s worry that her aunt would be scolded.
• Su Qiao and 444 discussed Zhou Lihua’s selfishness and the difficulty of challenging elders in a society that valued filial piety.
• Su Qiao asked 444 to check for a toothpaste recipe so she could adapt it with ingredients available in their era.

Su Qiao researched a tooth powder formula using materials available in her era, hoping to earn money and improve Second Aunt's family's living conditions. She wanted to go up the mountain for ingredients and food, but Xiao Si reminded her that she had promised to rest for two days.

• Su Qiao worked on a tooth powder formula while thinking about getting Second Aunt's family better food and clothes.
• Madam Liu and Su Huai'an praised Su Qiao's changes, while Ernie became jealous and complained that the family favored her.
• Madam Liu defended Ernie's kind heart and resolved to teach her to be more yielding before arranging a marriage.
• Su Qiao finished researching the formula and told Xiao Si she wanted to go up the mountain for ingredients and game.
• Xiao Si reminded Su Qiao that she had promised the old master to stay in bed and recover, and Su Qiao regretted making the promise.

Su Qiao discussed her hunger with 444, then persuaded Zhou Lihua to stop demanding meat while Su Qiao was confined at home. When Zhou Lihua complained that the family could not keep any money it earned, Su Qiao reflected on why separating from the household would leave their branch unable to survive.

• Su Qiao complained to 444 that her vegetarian meals left her hungry and asked whether the system sold pork or other meat.
• Zhou Lihua visited Su Qiao and demanded the promised meat and silver, but Su Qiao said she could not go out until Grandpa confirmed it was safe.
• Su Qiao reminded Zhou Lihua that she was her only biological daughter, and Zhou Lihua backed down, saying she wanted to enjoy a good life with her.
• Su Qiao asked Zhou Lihua whether she wanted to earn silver, and Zhou Lihua lamented that the family’s earnings went to Grandma unless they separated.
• Su Qiao considered her relatives’ laziness and inability to support themselves, and thought their branch would starve if it separated from the household.

Su Qiao persuaded Zhou Lihua that splitting up the family would leave their branch unable to support its expenses, then asked her to gather materials for making paper. Zhou Lihua agreed to help, intrigued by Su Qiao’s promise that she could earn money and secure her a share.

• Su Qiao listed the eldest branch’s expenses and explained that Su Yaohui and the others brought in no income, frightening Zhou Lihua out of her plan to split up the family.
• Zhou Lihua denied wanting to divide the family and insisted that doing so would only benefit the second uncle’s family.
• Su Qiao asked Zhou Lihua to collect mulberry bark, blue sandalwood bark, and wheat straw so she could try making paper.
• Su Qiao promised to earn money and persuade her grandparents to give Zhou Lihua a share, and Zhou Lihua said she believed her halfway.

Su Qiao warned Zhou Lihua to keep quiet about the coal mine and frightened her into staying home. Zhou Lihua promised to find the bark Su Qiao needed once she was allowed out, while Su Qiao remained concerned about obtaining herbs for tooth powder.

• Su Qiao told Zhou Lihua to bring back bark but not to reveal anything to anyone.
• Zhou Lihua admitted she had gone out to wander around the village that morning.
• Su Qiao warned Zhou Lihua that revealing information about the coal mine could cost her life.
• Frightened, Zhou Lihua agreed to stay home until Old Master Su allowed them to go out.
• Zhou Lihua promised to find mulberry bark or sandalwood bark later, while Su Qiao worried she could not obtain herbs for tooth powder.

Su Qiao visited the Old Su Family’s Small Study and looked through its books while recovering at home. She learned that the shelves held mostly classical texts and handwritten copies, and the chapter left her in the study with Su Yichen.

• Little Haozi asked Su Qiao if helping collect tree bark would let him eat his fill of meat, and she agreed.
• Su Qiao combed Little Haozi’s hair before Zhou Lihua dragged him out of the room.
• Su Qiao went to the Small Study to find books and surprised Su Yichen with her visit.
• Su Qiao examined the study’s books and recalled the stages of the imperial examinations.

Su Qiao browsed books with Su Yichen and considered whether to help him prepare for the county examination, but decided he needed genuine ability. Back in her room, she worried that healing her injury too quickly would make her family suspect her.

• Su Yichen asked Su Qiao if she could understand the books, and she explained that she had learned some characters by watching him study.
• Su Qiao asked whether Su Yichen felt confident about the county examination, and he said no one could be certain before taking it.
• Su Qiao chose a copy of the Book of Songs and returned to her room without offering to predict the examination questions for Su Yichen.
• Su Qiao told 444 that Su Yichen needed genuine ability to serve people as an official, then finished flipping through her book.
• Su Qiao asked 444 what would happen if her arm injury suddenly healed, and it warned that her family might suspect her of being a monster.

Su Qiao considered how to explain the origins of books about making everyday necessities, but her thoughts were interrupted by Yuan Wu and two other Imperial Guards arriving to check on her injuries. The Su family’s fear and Yuan Wu’s careful attention to Su Qiao’s calm demeanor left the visit focused on what she had endured.

• Su Qiao asked 444 to search the system for books about making toothbrushes, tooth powder, and coarse paper, while worrying about how to explain their source.
• Zhou Lihua hurried into Su Qiao’s room as Old Master Su arrived with three Imperial Guards and knelt before them.
• Yuan Wu told the Su family there was no need to kneel and said he had come on his master’s orders to visit Su Qiao.
• Old Master Su explained that a physician had advised Su Qiao to rest after she suffered fright, a head injury, and an abrasion on her arm.
• Yuan Wu studied Su Qiao’s calm expression and injuries, recalling that she had carried her grandfather out of the cave despite being hurt.

Su Qiao accepted the medicinal herbs sent by Feng Han but refused the Silver Dollars and other gifts, leaving Yuan Wu to carry back her firm response. She remained wary of Feng Han’s power and of Yuan Wu’s earlier suggestion to silence her and her grandfather.

• Yuan Wu told Su Qiao that Feng Han had sent him to check on her, and she asked him to tell his master she was fine.
• Yuan Wu presented medicinal herbs and ten Silver Dollars on Feng Han’s behalf.
• Su Qiao inspected the herbs, kept the ones she needed, and told Yuan Wu to take the other gifts back.
• Old Master Su agreed that they should not accept a reward without having helped Feng Han.
• Yuan Wu pleaded that he would be punished if he returned without completing his task, but Su Qiao refused to accept the Silver Dollars.

Su Qiao refused Yuan Wu’s hundred taels and gifts because she did not want the Old Su Family entangled with powerful people’s conflicts. She explained her decision to her grandfather, who shared her concern about the risks.

• Su Qiao urged Yuan Wu and his men to leave, and Yuan Wu had his subordinates collect the money before departing.
• The gathered villagers scattered, while Zhou Lihua hid inside and then scolded Su Qiao for refusing the silver and gifts.
• Su Yichen corrected his mother’s wording, and Su Yaohui lamented the lost hundred taels before the old man silenced the family.
• The old man asked Su Qiao why she had refused the money, and she said the family should not curry favor with the powerful or risk being caught in their struggles.

Su Qiao explained why her family had accepted the medicinal herbs, warning that refusing them could draw suspicion and endanger the Old Su Family. The family prepared to return to farming, while Su Qiao was told to rest and her grandfather promised to find herbs for her scar.

• Su Qiao told her grandfather that accepting the herbs was safer than appearing to reject the powerful benefactor or curry favor with him.
• The old man praised Su Qiao for thinking ahead, then regretted that she had not been born a boy.
• Su Huai'an asked whether the family could return to the fields to harvest wheat and prepare for planting corn and rice seedlings.
• The old man allowed the family to go out but ordered them not to discuss what had happened, and said they would harvest wheat together in two days.
• Su Qiao offered to cook while the family worked, but Zhou Lihua insisted that she rest and volunteered to cook and care for Danie.
• The old man agreed that Zhou Lihua could stay home and promised to find herbs to reduce the scar on Su Qiao's hand.

Su Qiao refused to rely on Physician Li and said she would gather scar-removing herbs herself, but her family insisted that her grandfather arrange treatment. After the family dispersed to their chores, Su Yaohui focused on the valuable herbs Su Qiao had collected, including a ginseng root worth many taels of silver.

• Su Qiao said she would gather medicinal herbs herself, while Zhou Lihua and Second Aunt Madam Liu warned her against using medicine recklessly.
• Su Qiao told her grandfather that she had learned a little about medicine from her maternal grandfather’s books, but he firmly refused to let her treat herself.
• The old woman sent the second branch of the family to grind corn, chop wood, water vegetables, cook, study, and feed the pigs.
• Su Yaohui noticed the medicine boxes and pointed out that the ginseng inside could sell for twenty or even thirty taels of silver.
• Su Qiao looked at her father and judged him selfish and short-sighted.