Chapter Summaries

Empress Peiman warned Song Qingshu that rescuing the Song princesses might earn him no gratitude from the Song court, then suggested he bind Zhao Hu'er and Zhao Yuanyuan to him through intimate contact. The chapter left the sisters facing a choice between being smeared with Prince Wei’s filth or Song Qingshu’s.

• Zhao Hu'er and Zhao Yuanyuan refused to be smeared with Prince Wei’s filth, while Song Qingshu dismissed their request as teasing.
• Empress Peiman drew Song Qingshu aside and explained that she had pressed the issue for his benefit.
• Empress Peiman warned Song Qingshu that the Song court might reject or mistreat the rescued princesses rather than reward him.
• Empress Peiman argued that Zhao Hu'er and Zhao Yuanyuan could secure Song Qingshu’s ties to the Song court and suggested intimate contact would make them remain grateful.
• The Yellow-robed Woman interrupted Song Qingshu and Empress Peiman, who then asked the sisters whether they preferred Prince Wei’s or Song Qingshu’s stuff.

Song Qingshu, Empress Peiman, and Zhao Hu'er and Zhao Yuanyuan arranged a scheme to save the women in Huan Yi Yuan by framing Prince Wei. Empress Peiman gave Song Qingshu a Disguise Art Pill for Prince Wei and went to find the Emperor, leaving Song Qingshu to rehearse the plan with the two sisters.

• Empress Peiman persuaded the Yellow-robed Woman that Zhao Hu'er and Zhao Yuanyuan wanted Song Qingshu, and the woman left angrily after realizing the sisters had feelings for him.
• Song Qingshu agreed to take responsibility for the sisters, while Empress Peiman instructed them how to help create evidence for the scheme.
• Empress Peiman arranged Prince Wei to appear drunk, and Song Qingshu went behind the phoenix bed with Zhao Hu'er and Zhao Yuanyuan.
• Empress Peiman told Song Qingshu to disguise himself as the dead hidden guard and gave him a Disguise Art Pill to administer to Prince Wei.
• Empress Peiman went to find the Emperor, while Song Qingshu remained to rehearse the planned lines with the two sisters.

Empress Peiman carried out her plan to make Emperor Xizong catch Prince Wei assaulting the two Song princesses in Taihe Hall. Emperor Xizong witnessed Prince Wei’s treasonous boasts and insults toward the Empress, leaving Prince Wei facing his wrath.

• Empress Peiman claimed Prince Wei had broken into her bedchamber and tried to violate her, then persuaded the drunken Emperor Xizong to investigate.
• Da Xingguo led Emperor Xizong to Taihe Hall, where Prince Wei’s guard tried to block their entry but was struck down and seized.
• Emperor Xizong heard Prince Wei taunting a crying girl and kicked open the hall doors.
• Emperor Xizong found the two Song princesses in torn clothes on the Empress’s bed while Prince Wei pursued them.
• Prince Wei declared that he would become emperor and insulted Empress Peiman, who stood protectively before the girls.

Song Qingshu helped Empress Peiman frame Prince Wei, who was killed by Emperor Xizong after he reached for a set of dragon robes. Afterward, Empress Peiman agreed to provide the Yellow-robed Woman with an antidote and gold tokens, while Emperor Xizong began to regret his decision and asked Da Xingguo for his opinion.

• Song Qingshu impersonated the Shadow Guard and testified that Prince Wei had attacked the Empress and assaulted two palace maids, then escaped after throwing a blade at Emperor Xizong.
• The Yellow-robed Woman hid Song Qingshu from the pursuing guards, and he explained that they should stay back to avoid alerting the formidable expert near the Jin Emperor.
• A guard found dragon robes on the bed, and Prince Wei tried to claim the throne before Emperor Xizong stabbed him to death.
• Emperor Xizong threatened everyone in the hall to keep silent, and Empress Peiman ordered Prince Wei's body handled according to royal rites.
• Empress Peiman refused to let Zhao Hu'er and Zhao Yuanyuan leave at once but agreed to provide the antidote to Carefree Powder and gold tokens for the rescue plan.
• On his way back to Renzheng Palace, Emperor Xizong regretted killing his only son and asked Da Xingguo what he thought of the night's events.

Emperor Xizong ordered an investigation into whether someone had manipulated Prince Wei, while Song Qingshu and the Yellow-robed Woman postponed rescuing Huan Yi Yuan and agreed to keep the night’s events secret. After returning to Tang Kuo Manor, Song Qingshu let Ge Bi tend his wound, only to have a dagger suddenly pressed to his throat.

• Da Xingguo told Emperor Xizong that Prince Wei may have been influenced by someone, and Emperor Xizong ordered Huan Yi Yuan to investigate.
• Song Qingshu and the Yellow-robed Woman agreed to wait before attempting a rescue, while Empress Peiman threatened to expose the Princesses’ pasts if the Yellow-robed Woman revealed what happened.
• The Yellow-robed Woman stayed at Xiao Xingguo’s residence to watch over her sisters, and Song Qingshu returned to Tang Kuo Manor to continue posing as Tang Kuobian.
• Song Qingshu wrestled with whether to tell Ge Bi the truth about Tang Kuobian, but returned home without making a decision.
• Ge Bi waited for Song Qingshu, noticed his wound, and dressed it as he reflected on the powerful martial artists he had encountered.
• A dagger suddenly pressed against Song Qingshu’s throat.

Ge Bi exposed Song Qingshu’s impersonation, learned that Wugu La was dead, and discovered that the King of Hailing had killed him. She agreed not to act rashly, but confronted Song Qingshu about taking liberties with her while he was disguised as her husband.

• Ge Bi revealed that she had recognized Song Qingshu after he caught an assassin’s sword, then removed his mask.
• Ge Bi demanded to know what had happened to Wugu La, and Song Qingshu told her he was dead.
• Song Qingshu showed Ge Bi Wugu La’s blood letter, which confirmed his identity and entrusted her care to Song Qingshu.
• Song Qingshu named the King of Hailing as Wugu La’s killer and asked Ge Bi not to expose their revenge plan; she agreed.
• Ge Bi accused Song Qingshu of exploiting her vulnerability and taking liberties with her while impersonating Wugu La.

Song Qingshu comforted Ge Bi after confessing that he had developed feelings for her, and she mourned privately for her slain husband, Wugu La. She then begged Song Qingshu to avenge him by killing Wanyan Liang.

• Song Qingshu told Ge Bi that he had fallen for her and regretted their intimacy, and she broke down crying in his arms.
• Ge Bi fell asleep in Song Qingshu's embrace, and he stayed awake holding her until they both drifted off near dawn.
• Ge Bi woke, found Song Qingshu had treated her respectfully, covered him with a blanket, and quietly left.
• Ge Bi returned to Song Qingshu's room in mourning clothes so she could grieve for Wugu La without arousing the servants' suspicions.
• Ge Bi knelt before Song Qingshu and asked him to avenge Wugu La by killing Wanyan Liang.

Ge Bi urged Song Qingshu to avenge Wugu La but learned he could not promise when he could defeat Wanyan Liang. She explained why Wugu La had entrusted her safety to Song Qingshu, then offered herself as a reward for revenge and kissed him.

• Ge Bi asked Song Qingshu for a definite timeline for avenging Wugu La, but he refused to make an empty promise because Wanyan Liang's hidden power was formidable.
• Song Qingshu stopped Ge Bi from leaving and teased her about their past intimacy and Tang Kuobian's agreement, then assured her he would not claim her without her consent.
• Ge Bi explained that Wugu La had arranged for Song Qingshu to protect her because Wanyan Liang threatened her and her imperial brother could not be relied upon.
• Ge Bi told Song Qingshu she would reward him if he avenged Wugu La soon, and kissed him after he said she was worth the fall of a kingdom and the ruin of a city.

Song Qingshu agreed to help Ge Bi preserve Wugu La's bloodline by fathering a child who would bear the Tang Kuo surname, and the two became intimate. Wanyan Ping visited Tang Kuo Manor and, spying through a window, was shocked to see a man with her sister.

• Ge Bi offered herself to Song Qingshu as payment for avenging Wugu La and explained that she wanted to bear a child who could carry on his family line.
• Song Qingshu agreed that their child could take the Tang Kuo surname, provided Ge Bi would let the child learn the truth about their ancestry when grown.
• Song Qingshu and Ge Bi reconciled and went to bed together, with Ge Bi no longer resisting him.
• Wanyan Ping arrived at Tang Kuo Manor to warn her sister and brother-in-law about the investigation into Prince Wei's death.
• Wanyan Ping heard her sister during an intimate encounter, peered through a hole in the window paper, and was shocked to see an unfamiliar man with her.

Wanyan Ping discovered Ge Bi with Song Qingshu and decided to kill him after Ge Bi left, but she held back and waited outside. Ge Bi asked Song Qingshu to conceal Wugu La’s death from Wanyan Ping, while Song Qingshu admitted he wanted both sisters.

• Wanyan Ping saw Ge Bi and Song Qingshu together and planned to kill Song Qingshu once Ge Bi left.
• Wanyan Ping retreated behind artificial rocks when the scene outside the room unsettled her.
• Song Qingshu realized Wanyan Ping was outside and, seeing that she would not rush in, focused on Ge Bi.
• Ge Bi asked Song Qingshu to keep Wugu La’s death from Wanyan Ping so she would not seek revenge on Wanyan Liang.
• Ge Bi refused to call Song Qingshu her husband and confronted him about deceiving her and taking Wanyan Ping’s chastity.
• Song Qingshu confessed that he wanted both sisters and told Ge Bi she could punish him if she resented him.

Song Qingshu teased Ge Bi before facing Wanyan Ping, who discovered his identity and attacked him. He quickly overpowered her and threatened to act on her accusation that he was a lecherous thief.

• Ge Bi said she spared Song Qingshu because she needed his help with revenge, and he embraced and teased her.
• Song Qingshu sent Ge Bi away before Wanyan Ping could learn their secret; Wanyan Ping wondered why Ge Bi had been wearing mourning clothes.
• Wanyan Ping confronted Song Qingshu, recognized him as the Golden Serpent rebel, and accused him of bullying her sister.
• Song Qingshu caught Wanyan Ping's whip, then dodged her dagger and subdued her with a finger tap.
• Song Qingshu teased the helpless Wanyan Ping and reached toward her chest after she called him a lecherous thief.

Song Qingshu coerced Wanyan Ping into promising not to reveal his affair with her sister, Ge Bi, and threatened her brother-in-law to ensure her silence. Wanyan Ping then bet that Song Qingshu would never become her sister’s husband, setting conditions for either outcome.

• Song Qingshu demanded that Wanyan Ping ignore his relationship with Ge Bi, but she refused because she wanted to protect her brother-in-law.
• Song Qingshu revealed that he knew Wanyan Ping had an illicit relationship with her brother-in-law and argued that keeping silent could let them eventually be together.
• When Wanyan Ping still refused, Song Qingshu threatened to force an affair with her and then warned that he would kill her brother-in-law if she exposed his relationship with Ge Bi.
• Wanyan Ping agreed to stay silent after Song Qingshu released her acupoints and threatened her again.
• Song Qingshu bet that he would become Wanyan Ping’s brother-in-law and demanded that she and Ge Bi serve him together if he won; Wanyan Ping agreed, requiring him to leave them alone if he lost.

Song Qingshu told Ge Bi that Wanyan Ping had caught them together and then went to Hailing King's Mansion after Ge Bi worried that Wanyan Ping might be in danger. He arrived just as Wanyan Ping was leaving, and Wanyan Liang called out to him, making Wanyan Ping turn back in delight.

• Wanyan Ping confronted Song Qingshu about her missing brother-in-law, and Song Qingshu admitted he had told her Tang Kuobian was staying with Wanyan Liang.
• Song Qingshu entered Ge Bi’s room while she was bathing and told her that Wanyan Ping had seen them together.
• Ge Bi feared Wanyan Ping would seek her brother-in-law at Hailing King’s Mansion and fall into danger, so Song Qingshu went there to check.
• Wanyan Ping found that Wanyan Liang had not seen her brother-in-law and left the mansion, while Wanyan Liang secretly lusted after her.
• Song Qingshu arrived at the mansion as Wanyan Ping was leaving, and Wanyan Liang called out to him, drawing Wanyan Ping’s delighted attention.

Wanyan Ping reunited with Song Qingshu and hid her knowledge that her sister had betrayed him, while warning him that Prince Wei's death had thrown the palace into turmoil. Song Qingshu learned that Huan Yi Yuan was investigating the incident and feared the agency might uncover his involvement.

• Wanyan Ping ran into Song Qingshu's arms, and Wanyan Liang suspected the two were more than ordinary in-laws.
• Wanyan Liang invited Song Qingshu to breakfast to discuss their earlier agreement, while Song Qingshu privately resolved to take advantage of Wanyan Liang's offer concerning his wife.
• Wanyan Ping refrained from telling Song Qingshu about her sister's betrayal and instead kissed him, then urged him to treat her sister better.
• Wanyan Ping warned Song Qingshu that Wanyan Yong had killed Prince Wei after Prince Wei allegedly broke into Empress Peiman's chambers.
• Wanyan Ping said Huan Yi Yuan was secretly investigating Prince Wei's death, and Song Qingshu worried that the agency might uncover his involvement and endanger Empress Peiman, Zhao Hu'er, and Zhao Yuanyuan.

Song Qingshu used Wanyan Liang’s desire for an exchange involving their wives to set a trap, hoping to advance his plans concerning Huan Yi Yuan and the princesses. At the imperial court, Emperor Xizong announced that he had killed Prince Wei for rebellion.

• Song Qingshu considered how his ties to the Song princesses could help prevent a conflict between the Song Dynasty and the Golden Snake Camp over Qing territory.
• Wanyan Ping left after reminding Song Qingshu of their earlier conversation, and a servant invited him to dine at Hailing King’s Mansion.
• Song Qingshu resolved to use Wanyan Liang as a helper and agreed to invite him and Tudan Jing to his residence that night.
• Wanyan Liang accepted Song Qingshu’s invitation, while privately planning to kill Tang Kuobian after completing the exchange.
• At Renzheng Hall, Emperor Xizong announced that he had killed Prince Wei for rebellion and unfilial conduct.

Song Qingshu persuaded Ge Bi to host Wanyan Liang so he could gain the prince’s trust and move against him. Ge Bi agreed to hear his plan for disgracing Wanyan Liang, while Song Qingshu hinted that their private exchange that night would leave the prince without wife or children.

• After Prince Wei’s death was announced, Wanyan Yuan and Wanyan Liang secretly rejoiced over the uncertainty surrounding the Jin succession.
• Song Qingshu returned to Tang Kuo Manor and told Ge Bi he intended to host Wanyan Liang, angering her because she knew he had murdered her husband.
• Song Qingshu explained that he needed to enter Wanyan Liang’s inner circle to rescue the Princess, Song Yuanqiao, and the others imprisoned in Huan Yi Yuan.
• Ge Bi rejected the idea of assassinating Wanyan Liang, fearing the consequences for Song Qingshu and the Golden Snake Camp.
• Song Qingshu proposed ruining Wanyan Liang through his suspected rebellion, then hinted that the private exchange planned for that night would leave him without wife or children.

Song Qingshu explained his plan to deceive Wanyan Liang with a substitution scheme, using a courtesan to impersonate Ge Bi. Ge Bi then asked Song Qingshu to help her take revenge by seducing Wanyan Liang’s wife, Tudan Jing.

• Ge Bi accused Song Qingshu and Wanyan Liang of shamelessness, believing their scheme required her to accompany Wanyan Liang.
• Song Qingshu explained that a woman would impersonate Ge Bi in the dark while he and Wanyan Liang tried to deceive their wives.
• Ge Bi learned Song Qingshu had chosen a courtesan for the substitution and planned to use Soul Transfer to make her believe she was Ge Bi.
• Ge Bi asked why Song Qingshu would not take advantage of Tudan Jing, and he hesitated because she was innocent.
• Ge Bi urged Song Qingshu to seduce Tudan Jing so Wanyan Liang would suffer the pain of having his wife taken by another man.

Song Qingshu and Ge Bi hosted Wanyan Liang and Tudan Jing, secretly preparing to drug the women while Ge Bi concealed her hatred of Wanyan Liang. The night ended with Tudan Jing impaired and Wanyan Liang leaving her to rest in the inner hall as he stayed to drink with Ge Bi.

• Song Qingshu welcomed Wanyan Liang and Tudan Jing to Tang Kuo Manor with Ge Bi and arranged to put a mild aphrodisiac in the wine.
• Wanyan Liang lustfully eyed Ge Bi, while she suppressed her hatred and pretended not to know his intentions.
• Song Qingshu persuaded Wanyan Liang to send his four expert guards out of the inner hall to keep the scheme secret from the Tudan family.
• The guests drank together, and Tudan Jing became so dizzy that she asked to return to the manor.
• Song Qingshu offered Tudan Jing a place to rest, and Wanyan Liang told her to wait in the inner hall while he continued drinking with Song Qingshu.

Wanyan Liang and Song Qingshu plotted to secretly exchange partners while Tudan Jing and Ge Bi rested in the inner hall. The men agreed to keep the arrangement concealed and to repeat it in the future, each hiding his own plans, and Wanyan Liang finally decided it was time to proceed.

• Ge Bi pretended to feel dizzy and led Tudan Jing into the inner hall to rest.
• Song Qingshu sent the servants away and urged Wanyan Liang to wait for the drug to take effect.
• Song Qingshu insisted that the exchange remain secret and that they enter the rooms without lighting candles.
• Wanyan Liang asked to repeat the arrangement in the future, and Song Qingshu agreed on condition that Ge Bi never learn the truth.
• Wanyan Liang privately planned to reveal his identity to Ge Bi later and turn her against Song Qingshu.
• As the night grew late, Wanyan Liang rose and said it was time.

Song Qingshu and Ge Bi tricked Wanyan Liang into entering a room with a substitute while the real Ge Bi escaped through a secret passage. Afterward, Ge Bi worried the substitute might reveal their plan, and Song Qingshu reassured her before she teased him about Tudan Jing.

• Wanyan Liang swallowed potent medicine and entered the inner residence with Song Qingshu, leaving his guards outside.
• Song Qingshu led Wanyan Liang to Tudan Jing's room, where Wanyan Liang told her he would visit later.
• Song Qingshu brought Wanyan Liang to Ge Bi's room, where a substitute posed as Ge Bi while the real Ge Bi escaped through a secret passage.
• Ge Bi worried that the substitute might reveal their scheme, but Song Qingshu assured her the woman was reliable.
• Ge Bi teased Song Qingshu about visiting Tudan Jing, and he told Ge Bi that he preferred her company.