Chapter Summaries

Su Qiao returned from the palace and found Ye Lihan upset about her relationship with Shang Shuheng. Their argument ended with Su Qiao taking his hand and soothing him with tea, while Ye Lihan reacted with embarrassment.

• Su Qiao returned to the manor and encountered Ye Lihan and Xiao Yuzi coming back from outside.
• Ye Lihan coldly insisted that their contract meant they should not interfere in each other's affairs, and Su Qiao asked if he was angry.
• Ye Lihan questioned whether Shang Shuheng was better suited to help Su Qiao avoid rumors and accused her of risking misunderstandings by keeping an unclear relationship with him.
• Su Qiao clarified that Ye Lihan meant Li Sang when he asked how she would explain things to the person in the palace.
• Su Qiao took Ye Lihan's hand and led him to the main hall, where she poured him cool tea; Ye Lihan blushed, shook off her hand, and insisted their discussion was serious.

Su Qiao told Ye Lihan she intended to seize the court and become Emperor, while he remained convinced she wanted the throne to claim Li Sang. After their argument, Ye Lihan gave her a wooden box as a return gift for the black jade.

• Su Qiao denied owing Li Fengjun an explanation, and Ye Lihan questioned her relationship with him and Li Sang.
• Su Qiao said she wanted to seize the court, usurp the throne, and get herself a wife.
• Ye Lihan assumed she wanted the throne so she could openly claim Li Sang, while Su Qiao denied having been drunk.
• Su Qiao admitted she had been stupid before, calming Ye Lihan down.
• Ye Lihan had Xiao Yuzi give Su Qiao a wooden box as a return gift for the black jade.

Su Qiao accepted Ye Lihan’s expensive jade crown and teased him by calling it an engagement token. She proposed marrying him after becoming The King, while Ye Lihan insisted their relationship was only contractual.

• Su Qiao opened Ye Lihan’s gift, admired the jade crown, and asked if it counted as a Token of Love.
• Su Qiao learned the crown had cost Ye Lihan a fortune and happily said she would wear it.
• Ye Lihan asked how Su Qiao planned to become The King, and she said she would kill or overthrow the current one.
• Su Qiao suggested making Ye Lihan her Emperor’s Husband, and they argued over who would marry whom.
• Su Qiao claimed their exchanged gifts made them engaged, but Ye Lihan reminded her that they had only made a contract.

Su Qiao tried to reassure Ye Lihan that she would recognize and trust him, but he became jealous when he learned she had been drinking tea with another man in the palace. She left with the gift he had bought her, still determined to keep him from returning to dangerous political turmoil in Eastern Jin.

• Su Qiao said their contract could be voided and told Ye Lihan she trusted him because he was himself.
• Ye Lihan blushed at Su Qiao's affectionate words and questioned whether she had mistaken him for someone else.
• Ye Lihan became jealous when Su Qiao mentioned drinking tea with a man in the palace and withdrew to the inner room.
• Su Qiao wondered why Ye Lihan had suddenly grown angry, while 444 explained that he was jealous.
• Su Qiao returned to her residence with the wooden box, pleased that Ye Lihan had spent three thousand taels on her gift and had shown jealousy.

Su Qiao ordered Mu Rong to protect Ye Lihan, while Ye Lihan admitted that he was returning to Eastern Jin to retrieve his aunt’s remains. The chapter left Xiao Yuzi realizing that Ye Lihan’s aunt had died after years of illness and chronic poisoning.

• Su Qiao asked Mu Rong about Eastern Jin’s contact with the palace and ordered shadow guards to protect Ye Lihan around the clock.
• Xiao Yuzi told Ye Lihan that Su Qiao clearly had feelings for him and teased him about buying her a jade crown.
• Ye Lihan said that his aunt had died eight years earlier and that he intended to bring her remains out of Eastern Jin.
• Ye Lihan explained that his aunt, Consort Yun, had worked herself ill and suffered from chronic poisoning.
• Xiao Yuzi blamed the Empress and the Crown Prince, recalling how they had brought about the Former Empress’s death and sent Ye Lihan to Huangming as a hostage.

After learning that his last surviving relative had been killed, Ye Lihan vowed revenge and ordered the Eastern Jin Imperial Family to be wiped out. Meanwhile, Li Sang confronted Huang Ying over Shang Shuheng’s ties to Prince Rui.

• Ye Lihan rejected Xiao Yuzi’s condolences and declared that he would repay the blood debt in blood.
• Ye Lihan told Xiao Yuzi’s hidden guard not to eliminate Prince Rui’s guards and instructed him to report through Xiao Yu.
• The hidden guard reported that the Eastern Jin Emperor had regained consciousness but might live only two more months.
• Ye Lihan ordered the second step of his plan, demanding that the Eastern Jin Imperial Family be wiped out completely.
• Li Sang criticized Huang Ying for believing Shang Shuheng would support her, when he kept going to court Prince Rui.

Huang Ying and Li Sang discussed how to counter Su Qiao’s growing control, while Huang Ying denounced Li Sang’s belief in Su Qiao’s devotion. The next day, Li Sang approached Su Qiao in person, but she dismissed his coughing and asked why he had come.

• Li Sang warned Huang Ying that Shang Shuheng favored Prince Rui and advised her not to let romantic feelings cloud her judgment.
• Huang Ying mocked Li Sang’s belief in Su Qiao’s love and accused Su Qiao of seeking the throne for herself.
• Li Sang comforted Huang Ying and urged her to stay calm, endure, and test Shang Shuheng’s loyalty before making plans.
• Su Qiao encountered Li Sang the day after leaving court, and he began coughing as he tried to speak to her.
• Su Qiao told Li Sang to summon an imperial physician if he was ill, and he accused her of no longer pretending to care.

Su Qiao questioned Li Sang about his concerns over Shang Shuheng and Ye Lihan, then publicly urged him to stop interfering in the government. The chapter left Li Sang humiliated before the ministers.

• Li Sang acted wounded as he raised a question about the Prince’s intentions, but Su Qiao demanded that he speak plainly.
• Li Sang asked what was happening between Su Qiao, Shang Shuheng, and Ye Lihan.
• Su Qiao said she planned to settle Shang Shuheng’s suitability as Phoenix Monarch with Your Majesty, and described her interest in Ye Lihan as testing the waters.
• Su Qiao told Li Sang to let Your Majesty govern and warned that his interference would fuel suspicions about his ambitions.
• Li Sang was taken aback when Su Qiao rebuked him in front of the ministers.

Li Sang and Huang Ying planned to force Shang Shuheng into marriage and work with the Eastern Jin Crown Prince against Ye Lihan and Prince Rui. Meanwhile, Ye Lihan reacted angrily to news of Prince Rui’s entanglement with Shang Shuheng, while Xiao Yuzi warned him that leaving Huangming could mean losing her for good.

• Su Qiao ordered Li Sang to rest and set the twentieth of the month as the wedding date for Huang Ying and Shang Shuheng, then left before Li Sang could reply.
• Li Sang fainted, and after waking he learned that Shang Shuheng had refused to meet Huang Ying; Huang Ying vowed to marry him anyway.
• Huang Ying told Li Sang that the Eastern Jin Crown Prince had agreed to help them if they eliminated Ye Lihan, and the two discussed their plans.
• After Huang Ying left, Li Sang resolved to kill anyone who could not serve his interests.
• Xiao Yuzi told Ye Lihan that Prince Rui had been stopped in the palace by a woman, and Ye Lihan angrily scribbled over his writing.
• Xiao Yuzi warned Ye Lihan that leaving Huangming could allow Prince Rui to marry Shang Shuheng, leaving Ye Lihan too late to regret his choice.

Ye Lihan grew jealous as Xiao Yuzi warned him that Su Qiao had other possible suitors, and he learned that she had made a discovery and wanted to test him. When Su Qiao visited him, Ye Lihan questioned her about going to the palace and declared their contract void, leaving her confused.

• Xiao Yuzi warned Ye Lihan that Su Qiao had other suitors and urged him not to leave without speaking to her.
• Ye Lihan rejected Xiao Yuzi's advice and received a message from a hidden guard that made him realize Su Qiao had discovered something and wanted to test him.
• Su Qiao returned to the residence, changed clothes, and went next door to see Ye Lihan.
• Ye Lihan accused Su Qiao of making excuses to visit someone in the palace and brought up her earlier words.
• Ye Lihan declared their contract void, and Su Qiao asked why.

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.