Chapter Summaries

After Xiao Jinghong returned safely, she and Elder Master Xiao discussed the Great Asa’s attack, the city’s recovery, and the political risks surrounding Shuzhou. Two days later, Marquis Zhaowu, Zhao Lie, arrived at Xiao Manor to confront the unresolved deaths of Zhao Wenjing and his son Zhao Yi.

• Xiao Jinghong told Elder Master Xiao that Chu Xiudao had successfully broken through and that the three Earthly Immortals had stopped Great Asa’s attack.
• Elder Master Xiao ordered Xiao Shen and Xiao Xuanshuo to arrange aid for the injured and displaced, and warned Xiao Jinghong to report the attack in a way that would discourage calls for war against the Barbarian Tribe.
• Xiao Jinghong agreed to speak with Lord Tang and Commander Li, while Elder Master Xiao told Xiao Jing to watch the Cui Family steward and prevent crime amid the city’s disruption.
• Xiao Jinghong returned to the rear courtyard, confirmed that Chen Yi and Xiao Wuge were safe, and began preparing a memorial about the attack.
• Two days later, Zhao Lie arrived at Xiao Manor and said Zhao Wenjing’s murderer remained unknown before expressing grief over his son’s death in Shuzhou.

Zhao Lie visited Elder Master Xiao to demand answers about Zhao Yi’s death and investigate the large sum of silver Zhao Yi had spent before he died. Meanwhile, Chen Yi listened in, then received a letter from Chen Xuanji asking him to arrive early for the officials’ gathering.

• Elder Master Xiao and Xiao Jinghong welcomed Zhao Lie, who said he would pursue the investigation into Zhao Yi’s death even as far as Capital Prefecture.
• Xiao Jinghong and Elder Master Xiao explained that Zhao Yi had died by the Killing Sword, denied that Dragon Tiger had killed Zhao Wenjing, and told Zhao Lie that the Judicial Department had cleared Dragon Tiger of that murder.
• Zhao Lie revealed that Zhao Yi had spent a vast sum of silver and suspected that tracing the money would uncover a conspiracy against his son.
• Chen Yi listened to the discussion from Chunhe Garden and reasoned that Jia Xingzhi and Cui Mao might expose his secret dealings with Zhao Yi if they spoke openly with Zhao Lie.
• Chen Yunfan visited Chen Yi with a letter from Chen Xuanji, who said he would arrive in the Prefectural City early the day after tomorrow and asked Chen Yi to come ahead of time.

Chen Yi received Chen Xuanji’s invitation to meet privately, while he and Chen Yunfan discussed the Imperial Edict tightening scrutiny of Shuzhou and the complications surrounding Chen Yunfan’s engagement to Cui Qingwu. After spending time with Chen Yunfan and Chen Yu, Chen Yi spoke with Xiao Jinghong about his meeting with his father and teased her before she left for the Provincial Administration.

• Chen Yi read Chen Xuanji’s letter inviting him to meet at the post station and inferred that Chen Xuanji knew he was Dragon Tiger.
• Chen Yunfan told Chen Yi that the Imperial Edict had ordered the Commander's Office and the Surveillance Commissioner's Office to monitor the Provincial Administration, while Zhao Wenjing’s killer remained unidentified and the investigation into Zhao Yi’s death had stalled.
• Chen Yunfan said Cui Qingwu would return to Qinghe and that he would explain the complications of their engagement to Chen Xuanji.
• Chen Yi told Chen Yunfan that Marquis Zhaowu, Zhao Lie, had visited, and the brothers discussed the difficulty of challenging the Qinghe Cui Family.
• Chen Yu found Chen Yi’s paintings, and Chen Yunfan learned that Chen Yi had advanced to great accomplishment in the Painting Dao.
• After Chen Yunfan and Chen Yu left, Xiao Jinghong asked about Chen Xuanji’s invitation, then went to the Provincial Administration while Chen Yi teased her.