Chapter Summaries

Wang Yue advised Wang Anshi to test his reforms in a pilot area, then joined Minglan in a polo match that sparked rumors and led to their betrothal. The chapter ended with Wang Yue realizing he might have been set up.

• Wang Yue suggested that Wang Anshi test his reforms in a prefecture or county before expanding them nationwide, and Wang Anshi began refining the proposal.
• Sheng Hong brought Old Madam Sheng and the children back from Wang Yue's estate, then arranged for Minglan to manage the household on First Wife's behalf.
• At Madam Wu's polo match, Wang Yue partnered with Minglan and Yu Yanran to win Yu Yanran's late mother's keepsake.
• After rumors spread about Wang Yue and Minglan, Sheng Hong punished Minglan by making her kneel in the ancestral hall.
• Wang Yue asked Wang Anshi to propose to the Sheng family, and Wang Anshi and Sheng Hong settled Wang Yue and Minglan's betrothal.
• Minglan learned she was engaged to Wang Yue and was ordered to stay home and embroider her wedding dress, while Wang Yue suspected he had been set up.

Princess Pingning tried to block Qi Heng from marrying Minglan, only to learn that Minglan had already been promised to Wang Yue. Wang Yue’s thoughtful gift of an ingenious carriage for Minglan then impressed the Sheng household and left Princess Pingning reconsidering her opposition.

• Wang Anshi explained that Sheng Hong had maneuvered Wang Yue into taking responsibility for the scandal and arranging a marriage with Minglan.
• Qi Heng asked his mother to help him marry Minglan, but Princess Pingning refused because Minglan was a concubine-born daughter.
• Princess Pingning visited the Sheng Mansion intending to discourage Qi Heng, but Old Madam Sheng revealed that Minglan had been promised to Wang Yue.
• Wang Yue brought Minglan a specially designed carriage, and Changbai’s maid announced the gift to the women gathered in the front courtyard.
• Ru Lan demonstrated the carriage’s hidden mechanisms and smooth ride, astonishing the guests and making Princess Pingning reconsider her view of Minglan.

After Princess Pingning’s failed attempt to arrange for Qi Heng to acknowledge Minglan, Old Madam Sheng took Minglan south to Youyang. Wang Yue learned of their journey, followed their ship, rescued them from river bandits, and arranged to escort them safely onward.

• Wang Yue learned that Old Madam Sheng and Minglan had left for Youyang and decided to travel south to escort them and bring his parents to Eastern Capital.
• Wang Yue prepared his swift ships, arranged to expand a nearby property for the wedding, and received Wang Anshi’s approval to take leave.
• Wang Yue’s fleet caught up with the Sheng family’s vessel and destroyed the river bandits attacking it without the passengers noticing.
• At dawn, Old Madam Sheng learned Wang Yue’s ships had protected them, and Wang Yue explained that he had come to escort them south.
• Old Madam Sheng agreed to travel aboard Wang Yue’s ship, and the Sheng family moved their luggage before departing together.

Wang Yue dealt with the boats surrounding his party and discovered that Gu Tingye was among them, then advised him on building a military career. Back aboard, Wang Yue reassured Minglan about his regard for her, and Old Madam Sheng urged the pair to trust and support each other.

• Da Niu told Wang Yue that other boats remained nearby after the river-bandit attack, and Wang Yue went to investigate.
• Gu Tingye identified himself as a member of the Cao Gang, reunited with Wang Yue, and boarded his boat.
• Wang Yue advised Gu Tingye to gain experience in Commander Zhao's army, and Gu Tingye decided to enlist in Yuzhou.
• Wang Yue told Gu Tingye that Rong Jie and his son were well and offered Youjian Inn as a place to send messages.
• Wang Yue returned to Old Madam Sheng and Minglan, praised Minglan's upbringing, and eased her worries about his feelings.
• Old Madam Sheng told Wang Yue and Minglan that a lasting relationship required trust and mutual support.

Wang Yue arrived in Youyang with his parents, where his mother met Minglan as his future bride and confronted Shulan’s mother-in-law. Soon after Sun Zhigao and his mother disappeared and Shulan was freed from her marriage, Minglan asked Wang Yue whether he had arranged it.

• Wang Yue returned to Suzhou, painted Minglan’s portrait for his parents, and agreed to travel with them to Youyang.
• On Mid-Autumn Festival, Wang Yue and his parents arrived at the Sheng family home while Shulan’s mother-in-law was pressuring Minglan to marry her nephew.
• Wang Yue’s mother took Minglan aside and defended her, while Wang Yue and Old Father Wang left the women to handle the matter.
• Shulan later found a Divorce Letter signed by Sun Zhigao and his mother, and Sheng the Elder used it to finalize Shulan’s divorce through the Sun clan.
• The day after Changwu’s wedding, Minglan met Wang Yue in the Sheng family garden and asked whether he had arranged for Sun Zhigao to be dealt with.

Wang Yue reassured Minglan that he had punished the Sun family mother and son without killing them, then helped the Sheng family through Old Madam Sheng’s final days and defended her funeral procession from bandits. As unrest spread, Old Madam Sheng decided to return to the capital by land, and Wang Yue began arranging their journey.

• Wang Yue told Minglan that the Sun family mother and son would work at his mine for two years before being released, easing her fears about his ruthlessness.
• After Xiaotao reported that Old Madam Sheng was gravely ill, Wang Yue gave her a precious pill that briefly revived her, though she died before the New Year.
• Wang Yue’s guards rescued the Sheng family funeral procession from bandits, and Gu Tingye arrived with government soldiers to capture the attackers.
• Gu Tingye told Wang Yue that he planned to return to the capital and request a transfer to the frontier.
• Old Madam Sheng decided the family should return to the capital by land, and Wang Yue agreed to arrange more comfortable carriages.

Wang Yue took Minglan and the Sheng family women out for the Lantern Festival, but a report of armed men nearby led him and Gu Tingye to interrupt an attack on a carriage. They began fighting the assailants and protecting the woman inside, Consort Rong’s younger sister.

• Wang Yue arranged a Lantern Festival outing with Minglan, and Ru Lan and Mo Lan joined them with Changbai and Gu Tingye.
• Minglan invited Hai shi to join the group, while guards kept the crowds away as the family browsed the busy streets.
• A Secret Guard reported that men in black were heading toward a nearby street, so Wang Yue left the others with instructions and went to investigate with Gu Tingye.
• Wang Yue and Gu Tingye found the men in black attacking a carriage and learned that the woman inside was Consort Rong’s younger sister, whom they intended to capture.
• Wang Yue and Gu Tingye seized weapons and attacked the men; Gu Tingye guarded the carriage while Wang Yue used Lingbo Weibu to overwhelm the assailants.

Wang Yue helped Gu Tingye rescue Rong Feiyan, setting off a marriage alliance that secured Gu Tingye the Marquis of Ningyuan title. After three prominent weddings eased the Capital’s tension, Wang Yue learned he had been appointed County Magistrate of Quanzhou to help Wang Anshi establish a reform pilot.

• Wang Yue let Gu Tingye receive credit for rescuing Rong Feiyan, and Consort Rong arranged her younger sister’s marriage to Gu Tingye, who was then named Heir Apparent of the Marquis of Ningyuan.
• Wang Yue reassured Old Father Wang that his family would be safe and promised to marry Minglan soon.
• Wang Yue married Minglan, while Gu Tingye married Rong Feiyan and Qi Heng married the County Princess from Prince Yong’s residence.
• After honeymooning at the peach grove, Wang Yue learned he had been reassigned to Quanzhou as County Magistrate.
• Wang Anshi told Wang Yue that the reassignment was part of their plan to establish a reform pilot in Quanzhou, with Wang Anshi serving as Prefect of Fujian Circuit.

Wang Yue moved to Quanzhou as County Magistrate and used careful reforms, commerce, and evidence against local elites to improve the county. After Wang Anshi expanded the policies across Fujian and drew opposition, the Emperor summoned them to the Eastern Capital, where Wang Yue explained how he had kept Quanzhou’s gentry in line.

• Minglan worried about leaving family in the Eastern Capital, but Wang Yue reassured her that his Peach Grove and guards could protect them.
• Wang Yue reached Quanzhou with Wang Anshi’s backing, surveyed local conditions, and enforced the Land Equalization Tax Law despite resistance from the gentry.
• After capturing attackers and gathering evidence, Wang Yue compelled the gentry to cooperate, then adapted other reforms to fund trade, irrigation, and land reclamation.
• Wang Yue crushed a second assassination attempt, and Quanzhou grew more prosperous as taxes and commerce increased; Xiao Tuantuan was born.
• Wang Anshi extended Quanzhou’s policies across the Fujian Circuit, prompting powerful opponents to pressure the Emperor into summoning both men to the Eastern Capital.
• Wang Yue showed Wang Anshi evidence of the Quanzhou assassination attempts, and they discussed the Emperor’s failing health and the uncertain future of their reforms.

Wang Yue and Wang Anshi traveled toward the Eastern Capital, where they were caught in an assassination attempt and discovered that Prince Gun had launched a rebellion against Prince Yong. After reaching Youjian Inn and learning what had happened in the palace, Wang Yue met a palace maid who asked him to deliver something to Gu Tingye.

• Wang Yue left Minglan and Xiao Tuantuan with Old Father Wang and his wife in Suzhou before continuing north with Wang Anshi.
• Da Niu detected an ambush near Yuzhou, and Wang Yue and Da Niu defeated the attackers; Wang Yue suspected they served the princes in the capital.
• Zhao Zongshi hosted Wang Anshi and Wang Yue, then escorted them toward the Eastern Capital with soldiers; Gu Tingye asked Wang Yue whether he had planned to save Zhao Zongshi.
• Wang Yue and Wang Anshi found the Imperial City gates closed and fought off soldiers who charged at them, then went to Youjian Inn to await news.
• A guard reported that Prince Gun had rebelled after Prince Yong became Crown Prince, and Da Hu arrived with a palace maid who asked Wang Yue to deliver something to Gu Tingye.

Wang Yue received a blood edict and joined Wang Anshi’s effort to stop Prince Gun’s palace coup. After repeatedly dying while defending the Emperor, Wang Yue used Thunderclap Bombs to hold the rebels off until Gu Tingye arrived and secured the palace.

• Wang Yue and Wang Anshi read the blood edict and planned to hold the Imperial City Gate while Da Niu sent a message asking Zhao Zongshi for troops.
• Wang Yue seized the palace gates and repeatedly died defending the Emperor’s refuge as Time Reversal sent him back to try again.
• Wang Yue made Thunderclap Bombs, led his guards through the palace, and attacked the rebels after they had breached the inner gates.
• Wang Yue’s men killed the rebels in the courtyard and held off Prince Gun’s forces until Gu Tingye arrived with reinforcements.
• Gu Tingye took his troops to round up the remaining rebels while Wang Yue said he needed to wash the blood from his clothes.

After the Emperor died, Wang Yue became Prefect of Fujian Circuit while Wang Anshi returned to the capital, leaving Wang Yue to maintain the successful reforms. Minglan and Xiao Tuantuan later joined Wang Yue, who began rebuilding his family relationships alongside his work.

• Wang Yue and Wang Anshi completed the land survey across Fujian Circuit, greatly increasing tax revenue without adding burdens to farmers.
• The Emperor granted noble titles to Minglan and Wu Shi, then died, and the new Emperor promoted Wang Yue to Prefect of Fujian Circuit and recalled Wang Anshi to the capital.
• Wang Anshi explained that Wang Yue needed to remain in Fujian to oversee the reforms and protect their families from Prince Yong's influence.
• Minglan and Xiao Tuantuan arrived at the prefectural office, and Wang Yue learned that Wang Anli had been appointed Quanzhou County Magistrate.
• Wang Yue played with Xiao Tuantuan, who soon laughed happily with him, and promised Minglan he would spend more time with her and their child.

Wang Yue took Minglan and Xiao Tuantuan on a family trip before leaving Fujian for a new post in Eastern Capital. After reuniting with Gu Tingye and Changbai, Wang Yue warned Gu Tingye that Prince Yong might join forces with his domestic enemies against him.

• Wang Yue persuaded Minglan to take a family honeymoon around Fujian Circuit with Xiao Tuantuan.
• Wang Pang passed the Jinshi examination and was appointed County Magistrate of Quanzhou, while Wang Anli became an assistant prefect.
• After his three-year term as prefect ended, Wang Yue took his pregnant wife, children, and parents to Eastern Capital to serve as Vice Minister of Works.
• Wang Yue met Gu Tingye and Changbai before court, and Gu Tingye told them that Feiyan had thwarted Man Niang and Madam Qin's scheme.
• Wang Yue warned Gu Tingye that Prince Yong could ally with his enemies, and Changbai urged him to stay cautious.

Wang Yue reassured Minglan about sharing his martial arts manual with her family, then intervened in court to block the Emperor from naming Prince Shu his imperial father. His compromise redirected the debate to choosing one of the Emperor’s sons to continue Prince Shu’s line, though the dispute remained a fuse for future conflict.

• Wang Yue warned Gu Tingye that Qi Heng and Prince Yong’s household could threaten him, and Gu Tingye promised to stay alert and warn his wife.
• Minglan told Wang Yue that Mo Lan was being undermined by two concubines who had been her dowry maids, and Wang Yue said Concubine Lin had taught Mo Lan the wrong tactics.
• Minglan revealed that Changdong had taught Wang Yue’s martial arts to Old Madam and a young relative, and Wang Yue reassured her that it was acceptable to share the techniques within the family.
• Chancellor Han proposed honoring Prince Shu as the Emperor’s imperial father, and the Empress Dowager asked Wang Yue to give his opinion.
• Wang Yue opposed the title, warning that it could give Prince Shu’s many sons claims as the Emperor’s imperial brothers, then proposed that one of the Emperor’s sons continue Prince Shu’s line.
• The Emperor and ministers accepted Wang Yue’s compromise and began debating which son should be chosen, while Wang Yue returned to keeping quiet.

Wang Yue tried to reassure Minglan after Prince Heng and Aunt Kang sent beauties to his household, then retaliated against Aunt Kang for meddling in their marriage. He left Aunt Kang alive to avoid harming Minglan's reputation and ordered the Secret Guards to watch her.

• The Empress Dowager rewarded Minglan with a higher rank, while Prince Heng sent Wang Yue wealth and two beauties; Wang Yue stayed with Minglan instead of accepting them as concubines.
• Aunt Kang forced two more beauties on Minglan at the Sheng home, and Wang Yue decided to make them performers alongside Prince Heng's beauties.
• Minglan told Old Madam Sheng about Aunt Kang's interference and wondered whether Wang Yue's words about a future concubine meant he had someone in mind.
• Wang Yue sent men to burn Aunt Kang's dowry storeroom and break her leg, while Da Niu's interpretation of his order made the punishment harsher than intended.
• Wang Yue reassured Minglan that the Secret Guards had left no evidence and ordered them to keep watch on Aunt Kang rather than risk killing her and damaging Minglan's reputation.

Wang Yue uncovered Aunt Kang’s secret oleander plot and explained to Minglan that he had not killed her, though someone likely used the opportunity to do so. At court, he was assigned to investigate the salt taxes, and he prepared to confront the powerful interests behind the system.

• Old Madam Sheng warned First Wife to distance herself from Aunt Kang, and First Wife’s complaint gave Aunt Kang a grudge against Old Madam Sheng.
• Wang Yue learned that Aunt Kang had secretly arranged for oleander extract to be brewed, and he had a nonlethal amount poured into her mouth as a warning.
• Aunt Kang died after being found unconscious, and Wang Yue told Minglan that she had likely intended to poison Old Madam Sheng and that someone else may have killed her.
• Old Madam Wang accused Wang Yue of causing the Kang family’s troubles, but he denied responsibility and later sent evidence of her son’s misdeeds to the Kaifeng Prefecture Yamen.
• Prince Huan called for an investigation into the salt taxes, and Wang’s recommendation led the court to assign the investigation to Wang Yue.
• Prince Heng sent Wang Yue more singers and dancers to express gratitude, while Wang Yue reassured Minglan that he could handle the salt investigation.

Wang Yue exposed corruption in the salt administration, then withdrew from court after the Emperor’s suspicion made him question the reforms. When Gu Tingye visited the Peach Garden to discuss his plans, Wang Yue offered to shelter Gu Tingye’s wife there and claimed the grove was worth a hundred thousand elite soldiers.

• Wang Yue reassured Wang Anshi that he would investigate the salt administration and said the real difficulty would come when they tried to reform it.
• Wang Yue investigated the salt administration, returned with evidence, and presented his findings to the Emperor.
• After a censor accused Wang Yue of killing civilians, Wang Yue revealed that the dead men had been assassins and that he had surviving witnesses; the Emperor removed the censor and ordered an investigation.
• Wang Yue’s evidence led to officials being dismissed, the salt administration being cleaned up, and increased tax revenue, but Wang Yue then withdrew from court and claimed illness.
• Gu Tingye visited Wang Yue in the Peach Garden and explained that the Emperor planned to use coming events to clear out ineffective officials.
• Wang Yue recognized Gu Tingye’s plans, offered to shelter his wife before Gu Tingye led his troops out, and said his peach grove was worth a hundred thousand elite soldiers.

Wang Yue watched Prince Yong’s rebellion erupt while the Bai and Gu forces inexplicably marched toward his peach grove, where Gu Tingye’s family was staying. Prince Yong killed the Emperor and himself, and Prince Heng learned that the massive force was approaching the grove, possibly at Madam Gu’s command.

• Gu Tingye left his family with Wang Yue and led his troops away; reports later claimed he had gone missing after Great Song’s defeat.
• Prince Yong rebelled as tens of thousands of Bai and Gu forces approached the Eastern Capital, then unexpectedly turned toward Wang Yue’s peach grove.
• Wang Yue activated the grove’s formation while Prince Yong’s men broke into the palace and took the Emperor hostage.
• Prince Heng’s troops defeated Prince Yong’s men, but Prince Yong killed the Emperor and then himself; the Empress Dowager survived after her attendant replaced her poison with a sleeping draught.
• Prince Heng learned the Bai and Gu forces had gone to the peach grove, and Princess Heng suggested they were targeting Gu Tingye’s family; the Empress wondered whether Madam Gu had ordered it.

After Prince Heng learned the Emperor had died, he went to Wang Yue’s peach grove, where Wang Yue’s forces had captured the rebel army. Wang Yue declined to return to public service, but Prince Heng left hoping to recruit him alongside Wang Anshi and claimed the hot-air balloon for the Zhao family.

• Prince Heng learned that Wang Yue’s forces had captured or killed the soldiers attacking the peach grove and hurried there with Gu Tingye.
• Prince Heng found thousands of captured rebels and corpses, then visited Wang Yue and Old Master Gu at the estate.
• Gu Tingye told Wang Yue and Old Master Gu that Prince Yong had killed the Emperor and then taken his own life.
• Prince Heng invited Wang Yue to return to the capital as a councilor, but Wang Yue declined and urged him to persuade Wang Anshi instead.
• Changdong called for help from Wang Yue’s unfinished hot-air balloon, and Prince Heng stopped to watch it land before deciding not to ride it.
• Prince Heng praised Wang Yue’s invention and said he looked forward to receiving the finished balloon, while Wang Yue realized it would belong to the Zhao family.

Wang Yue’s reforms and inventions helped make the Great Song prosperous, while rumors of his immortality spread. After an assassination attempt forced him to reveal his Lightness Skill in public, he took his family to the Peach Garden for safety, where the Emperor and Gu Tingye soon arrived.

• Prince Heng became Emperor, promoted Wang Yue to Minister of Works, and brought Wang Anshi back to oversee nationwide reforms with him.
• Wang Yue proposed an Inspection Bureau to monitor the reforms, and the Emperor turned it into an independent Supervision Department with authority over officials.
• Rumors that Wang Yue was an immortal grew after visitors saw him use his Lightness Skill and the Emperor praised him as a banished immortal.
• Foreign spies attempted to assassinate Wang Yue with a crossbow and explosives, but he fought off the attackers and escaped the blast by leaping onto a rooftop.
• Wang Yue told Minglan that witnesses had seen him fly, so she packed their belongings and took the family to the Peach Garden that night.
• The Emperor and Gu Tingye rushed to the Peach Garden shortly after Wang Yue and his family arrived.