Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary: The Crown Prince’s Bloodline

Key Plot Points and Events

• After escorting Ye Buhui inside, Su Ziji waits at an inn and reflects on a new idea inspired by his recent dream.
• He realizes that the Coiling Dragon Heart Method, which traditionally involves gathering the natures of ten thousand demons to become a True Dragon, might also be applied to humanity. By gathering the varied “natures” of ten thousand people, he may create an entirely new kind of human-path dragon.
• Su Ziji emphasizes that he has no intention of rebelling against the stable and prosperous Great Zheng Dynasty. His goal is exploration of the method, not seizure of the throne.
• Su Ziji recognizes Fang Zhen, the man who once gave him five taels of silver during a hardship in Linhua County. He attempts to repay the money, but Fang Zhen refuses, saying the donation was intended to build hidden virtue.
• Over tea, Su Ziji discusses the relationship between the people and the state. He argues that when people desire peace, the realm becomes peaceful, but when oppression makes them desire chaos, revolution naturally follows.
• Fang Zhen is impressed by Su Ziji’s unconventional political insight, while his companion, Gao Yaochen, is offended by what he considers an irreverent and dangerous statement.
• After returning to their rented courtyard, Fang Zhen reveals that Su Ziji is under investigation as a possible descendant of the former Crown Prince.
• Fang Zhen explains that investigators may have searched for the wrong age. A loyal retainer hiding the Crown Prince’s child would likely have recorded the child as one year older to conceal the true birth date without arousing suspicion.
• Su Ziji’s age therefore makes him a strong candidate. The chapter ends with the revelation that the former Crown Prince’s surviving bloodline may have been hidden among the populace.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji: Shows greater ambition and intellectual creativity. He begins considering a human-centered version of the Coiling Dragon Heart Method and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of popular will, political legitimacy, and revolution. His thoughtful repayment of Fang Zhen’s kindness also reveals gratitude and moral integrity.
• Fang Zhen: Appears refined, perceptive, and politically intelligent. He recognizes the value in Su Ziji’s argument rather than dismissing it outright. He also possesses authority and access to sensitive investigations concerning the Crown Prince’s descendants.
• Gao Yaochen: Is revealed as a conservative, earnest scholar who strongly reveres classical texts and orthodox political thought. His rigid perspective contrasts with Fang Zhen’s flexibility, and his emotional reaction exposes his limited political judgment.
• Ye Buhui: Does not appear directly in the main events, but Su Ziji’s decision to wait nearby shows that their earlier interaction continues to influence his actions.

Significant Themes

• Human nature and cultivation: The chapter expands the idea that cultivation can draw power not only from demons and nature but also from the diverse qualities of humanity.
• The people as the foundation of political power: Su Ziji argues that public sentiment determines whether a realm remains peaceful or descends into chaos.
• Revolution and Heaven’s will: Popular suffering is presented as the root of dynastic collapse, suggesting that rebellion can become morally and cosmically justified when rulers lose virtue.
• Hidden identity and historical legacy: The investigation into the Crown Prince’s bloodline introduces themes of secrecy, political persecution, inherited destiny, and unresolved dynastic conflict.
• Orthodoxy versus independent thought: Gao Yaochen represents rigid adherence to tradition, while Su Ziji and Fang Zhen embody more flexible and analytical approaches to politics and history.

Important Character Interactions

• Su Ziji and Fang Zhen: Their reunion begins with Su Ziji’s attempt to repay an old kindness and develops into a respectful intellectual exchange. Fang Zhen is impressed by Su Ziji’s insight and subtly encourages him.
• Su Ziji and Gao Yaochen: Their brief discussion becomes confrontational because Gao Yaochen challenges Su Ziji’s claim about popular desire causing disorder. Su Ziji responds with a historical example, leaving Gao unable to refute him.
• Fang Zhen and Gao Yaochen: Fang Zhen moderates Gao’s anger and defends Su Ziji’s argument. He then reveals the politically explosive reason for their interest in Su Ziji, shifting the scene from casual conversation to covert investigation.

Chapter Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Fang Zhen explains to Gao Yaochen that the court has secretly been searching for the Crown Prince’s bloodline. Because publicly admitting this would expose the court’s weakness, the search is conducted covertly.
• Rumors of the search have led impostors to claim imperial descent and forge evidence. Fang reveals that the notorious bandit Sun Zhixing was actually executed because he impersonated an imperial descendant, resulting in the extermination of his entire household.
• Fang warns Gao Yaochen that his earlier downfall came from a single mistake and that he must handle the current matter carefully if he hopes to regain imperial favor.
• Ye Buhui wins all three additional chess matches and advances to the Provincial Tournament. As a reward, she and the other players receive free lodging and meals at an inn arranged by the tournament organizers.
• Ye Buhui happily takes Little Fox with her and asks Su Ziji to let it sleep in her room. Su suspects the fox may have stolen his leftover chicken legs and meat pies, but Ye Buhui dismisses the accusation and goes to obtain more food for it.
• A refined, middle-aged chess player surnamed Du offers Ye Buhui fifty taels for Little Fox. She refuses because the fox belongs to Su Ziji, despite recognizing how valuable the money would be to her family.
• Ye Buhui returns with free breakfast and begins caring for Su Ziji by bringing him food and offering to wash his clothes before his Imperial Examinations.
• Su Ziji reflects on the possibility that his recent dream was connected to real-world events. He suspects that the food and wine missing from his room may have been transported through the dream to Little Fox, and he wonders whether objects can cross between dreams and reality.
• He also thinks about the promise he made centuries earlier to teach the Little Dragon Girl, hoping to fulfill it so that he does not remain indebted to her. The chapter ends with his anticipation of the Imperial Examinations.

Character Developments

• Gao Yaochen is shown as submissive and anxious under Fang Zhen’s authority. He becomes fully aware of the deadly consequences surrounding the imperial bloodline search and recognizes the importance of redeeming himself.
• Fang Zhen demonstrates his political knowledge and manipulative influence, using the secret search and Sun Zhixing’s fate to pressure Gao Yaochen into obedience.
• Ye Buhui grows more confident and cheerful after her chess victory. She remains generous and protective, refusing a large sum of money for Little Fox and actively caring for Su Ziji.
• Su Ziji continues to humor and flatter Ye Buhui while quietly observing her personality. His thoughts reveal increasing concern about the connection between dreams, physical objects, Little Fox, and his ancient promise to the Little Dragon Girl.
• Little Fox appears intelligent and defensive, reacting anxiously when accused of stealing food and showing suspicion toward the stranger who attempts to purchase it.

Significant Themes

• Political secrecy and danger: The court’s hidden search for imperial descendants shows how power depends on secrecy, while false claims can lead to brutal punishment.
• Redemption and caution: Gao Yaochen’s fate emphasizes how one mistake can cause ruin, while careful action may restore lost status.
• Loyalty versus material gain: Ye Buhui values her friendship with Su Ziji more than the substantial financial reward offered for Little Fox.
• Debt and responsibility: Su Ziji’s reflections about teaching the Little Dragon Girl show his concern with keeping promises and repaying what he has received.
• Dreams and reality: The chapter deepens the mystery of whether dreams can affect the physical world.
• Companionship and care: Ye Buhui’s improved mood and her practical care for Su Ziji suggest a growing bond, even as their interactions remain teasing and humorous.

Character Interactions

• Fang Zhen instructs and warns Gao Yaochen, reinforcing their unequal political relationship.
• Su Ziji congratulates and flatters Ye Buhui after her chess victory, teasing her while encouraging her pride.
• Ye Buhui and Su Ziji banter over Little Fox, food, and sleeping arrangements.
• Du approaches Ye Buhui and attempts to buy Little Fox, but she firmly refuses and explains her loyalty to Su Ziji.
• Ye Buhui’s later acts of bringing food and washing clothes show a more nurturing side of her relationship with Su Ziji.

Chapter Summary: “Sixth Rank”

Plot Points and Events

• On the morning of the Prefectural Examination, the innkeeper brings Su Ziji three traditional pastries symbolizing examination success: high achievement, top ranking, and three consecutive honors. Su Ziji accepts the auspicious gesture and tips the innkeeper.
• Ye Buhui brings Su Ziji freshly washed and mended clothes, advising him to layer them because padded clothing is forbidden during the April examination. She also offers to prepare pig-brain soup, but he declines.
• Su Ziji chooses not to study further, believing last-minute revision would only increase his anxiety. Ye Buhui decides to accompany him to the examination site.
• Along the way, they discuss another student who repeatedly tries to challenge Ye Buhui to chess. She dismisses him because she believes his interest lies more in her than in chess itself.
• Su Ziji reflects on Ye Buhui’s sincerity, kindness, and refusal to flatter the powerful. He quietly resolves to help ensure that she does not suffer in the future.
• When Su Ziji comments that Ye Buhui is attractive and will draw more attention as she grows older, she becomes embarrassed and accuses him of being a smooth talker. He chooses not to clarify, fearing he will make her even more embarrassed.
• Ye Buhui sees Su Ziji off at the examination entrance and anxiously wonders whether he will still acknowledge her if he becomes a Cultivated Talent and later advances through the examinations.
• Su Ziji joins the long line of candidates entering the heavily guarded examination hall. He observes the stricter security and reflects on the simplified examination system of the present dynasty.
• A student is dragged away after being caught attempting to cheat before entering. Su Ziji recognizes the severity of examination fraud and the potential consequences for both the offender and his family.
• At the inspection desk, Su Ziji unexpectedly recognizes the middle-aged man who had accompanied Fang Zhen. The man is now dressed as a Sixth Rank official, suggesting a possible connection between Fang Zhen and the examination authorities.

Character Development

• Su Ziji: Remains calm and practical before the examination. He demonstrates emotional maturity by avoiding unnecessary last-minute studying and by suppressing his own nervousness to reassure Ye Buhui. His growing concern for her welfare also reveals a protective affection and a sense of responsibility toward her.
• Ye Buhui: Shows her caring nature by repairing Su Ziji’s clothing and worrying intensely about his examination. Despite her sharp temper, she is sincere and emotionally invested in him. Her question about whether he will still recognize her after achieving success reveals insecurity about their relationship and fear of being left behind.
• Little Fox: Provides humorous reactions to the exchange between Su Ziji and Ye Buhui, particularly when Ye Buhui treats her paw as a toy and when Su Ziji unintentionally sounds flirtatious.
• The examination candidates: Their nervousness and willingness to obey the strict entry procedures emphasize the high stakes of the Prefectural Examination.

Significant Themes

• Examination success and social advancement: The pastries, rituals, security, and candidates’ anxiety all highlight the examination’s importance as a path toward status and a better future.
• Kindness and reciprocal loyalty: Ye Buhui’s practical care for Su Ziji strengthens his determination to protect and support her in return.
• Fear of social change: Ye Buhui worries that Su Ziji’s success may separate him from her, reflecting the possibility that advancement can alter personal relationships.
• Integrity versus opportunism: The cheating student illustrates the temptation to seek shortcuts, while the severe punishments demonstrate the examination system’s emphasis on fairness and discipline.
• Unspoken affection and misunderstanding: Su Ziji’s admiration for Ye Buhui is expressed indirectly, while her embarrassment and defensiveness prevent an open acknowledgment of their feelings.
• Hidden political connections: The appearance of Fang Zhen’s associate as a Sixth Rank official introduces suspicion that powerful figures may influence the examination.

Important Character Interactions

• Su Ziji and the innkeeper: Their exchange centers on auspicious symbolism and the innkeeper’s encouragement of Su Ziji’s prospects.
• Su Ziji and Ye Buhui: Their farewell is affectionate but marked by teasing, embarrassment, and unspoken concern. Ye Buhui’s support and anxiety reveal the growing importance of their bond.
• Su Ziji and Little Fox: Little Fox’s reactions add comic relief and underline the awkwardness of Su Ziji’s unintended compliment.
• Su Ziji and the examination officials: The formal inspection initially appears routine but becomes significant when Su Ziji recognizes the official connected to Fang Zhen, ending the chapter on a note of tension and intrigue.

Chapter Summary: “Anomaly”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Ziji arrives at the Prefectural Examination and encounters a heavily guarded entrance staffed by grim military officials and yamen runners.
• Candidates undergo strict searches before entering, including inspections of their clothing and topknots.
• Gao Yaochen, a military official who recognizes Su Ziji, notices him but conceals their prior acquaintance. The officials are secretly searching for someone connected to the imperial bloodline after the Imperial Clan Disk revealed an anomaly.
• Su Ziji enters the examination compound, follows his permit to the Ding examination area, and is searched again before being assigned a simple examination shed.
• The one-day Prefectural Examination provides all writing materials, food, and water, reflecting the new dynasty’s emphasis on efficiency.
• The examination unexpectedly consists solely of a policy essay on flood control. Su Ziji is pleased because his experience and knowledge give him an advantage.
• He realizes the topic may conceal a larger political struggle involving government funds, labor, and competing factions.
• Drawing on flood-control methods from his previous life, Su Ziji writes a practical but carefully worded essay, deliberately avoiding language that would make him appear too politically sharp or threatening.
• After eating the plain midday meal, he copies his draft onto the official paper, reviews it carefully, and prepares to submit it.
• As he silently recites the essay and taps the paper, an unexplained anomaly suddenly erupts.

Character Development

• Su Ziji demonstrates composure, caution, and growing confidence in his abilities. He handles the intimidating security measures without revealing concern.
• His preparation and previous experience allow him to recognize the policy essay as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
• He shows political maturity by understanding that flood control may involve factional disputes and by moderating his language to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
• His calligraphy and essay-writing have improved substantially since the County Examination, reflecting his continued effort and growth.
• Gao Yaochen is established as someone familiar with Su Ziji and possibly connected to his past. His recognition of Su Ziji hints at future significance.
• The military officials reveal that the examination may be connected to a hidden investigation involving the imperial lineage.

Significant Themes

• Efficiency versus depth: The shortened examination reflects the new dynasty’s demand for speed, but this also increases pressure on candidates and rewards quick talent.
• Talent and preparation: Su Ziji’s broad knowledge and prior experience give him an unusual advantage over other candidates.
• Politics beneath practical affairs: A seemingly straightforward flood-control question may actually involve corruption, funding, labor, and factional power.
• Caution and self-concealment: Su Ziji deliberately presents his ideas elegantly and moderately, showing that success requires not only ability but also political restraint.
• Hidden identity and supernatural disruption: The officials’ search for an imperial descendant and the final anomaly suggest that Su Ziji may be connected to forces beyond the examination itself.

Character Interactions

• Su Ziji interacts briefly with the yamen runners during identification, searches, and examination procedures.
• Gao Yaochen recognizes Su Ziji during the inspection but denies any special concern when questioned by the other officials.
• The military officials discuss the Imperial Clan Disk and their suspicion that the anomaly is connected to one of the examinees.
• Su Ziji has no direct interaction with the other candidates, but he observes their shared fear, exhaustion, and pale faces during the demanding examination.
• The chapter ends with Su Ziji’s interaction with his submitted essay triggering a mysterious supernatural event.

Chapter Summary: “Bamboo Slips”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Ziji is suddenly transported into a spectral examination hall filled with thousands of translucent scholars. Each holds a glowing bamboo slip containing an essay.
• The examiners activate the scholars, who recite their essays. Their bamboo slips battle one another, and the weaker essays—and their corresponding scholars—are destroyed.
• Su Ziji’s own essay is judged acceptable and advances through multiple rounds of review. He realizes that the scene represents the grading process for the imperial examinations.
• As the candidates are gradually eliminated, Su Ziji survives to the final group of roughly fifty and is ranked fourth, behind leading candidates such as Zheng Yingci.
• An intruder suddenly interferes, ordering the examiners to rank Su Ziji first. The examiners resist, but the mention of the “Crown Prince” is followed by Su Ziji’s bamboo slip bursting into light and moving to first place.
• Su Ziji awakens in his examination cubicle after unknowingly working overtime. He submits his paper just before the candle burns out.
• He reunites with Yu Lü, who has also completed the examination. They share a meal at a tavern and discuss the examination, Miss Ye’s chess tournament, and the prestige associated with becoming a Chess Sage.
• Su Ziji decides to remain and await the results, which should be announced within three days.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji: Demonstrates strong scholarship and composure under extraordinary pressure. He advances through the examination on his own merit, though his unexpected promotion to first place introduces uncertainty about political interference. He also shows generosity by treating Yu Lü to dinner with money earned from gambling.
• Yu Lü: Emerges as a supportive friend who waits for Su Ziji after the examination and shares an honest assessment of his own performance. His conversation with Su Ziji reflects their growing camaraderie.
• Examiners: Initially appear impartial and rigorous, eliminating candidates based on the quality of their essays. Their authority is challenged when an influential outsider attempts to manipulate Su Ziji’s ranking.
• The unnamed intruder: Reveals that Su Ziji’s examination may be connected to powerful political interests, possibly the Crown Prince.

Significant Themes

• Merit versus political influence: Su Ziji appears to earn fourth place through genuine ability, but external power forcibly elevates him to first.
• The harshness of scholarly competition: The destruction of unsuccessful candidates dramatizes the elimination process and the intense stakes of the imperial examinations.
• Recognition and reputation: Academic achievement and mastery of chess are portrayed as sources of social and political power.
• Friendship and ordinary life: After the surreal examination, Su Ziji returns to simple companionship, food, and conversation with Yu Lü.
• Uncertainty surrounding success: Although Su Ziji reaches first place, the suspicious intervention makes his achievement morally and politically complicated.

Character Interactions

• Su Ziji confronts the collective judgment of the examiners and other scholars through the supernatural bamboo-slip competition.
• The intruder directly points to Su Ziji and demands that he be ranked first, creating conflict with the examiners.
• Su Ziji and Yu Lü reunite, exchange assessments of the examination, and discuss Miss Ye’s chess tournament and the status of Chess Sages.
• Their tavern conversation strengthens their friendship while also revealing Su Ziji’s growing connections to scholarly, commercial, and elite circles.

Chapter Summary: “The Many Faces of the Examination Hall”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After leaving a tavern, Su Ziji and Yu Lü walk through the lively prefectural city at night and notice several mounted men searching for someone. Su recognizes one of them as the young man who previously helped him escape Boss Zhang’s debt collectors.
• Su becomes uneasy, especially after recalling the mysterious “focus observation” and “Crown Prince” references associated with the phantom pendant. He suspects the riders may be searching for someone around his age, though he reassures himself that his family background is traceable and respectable.
• Yu Lü explains the dynasty’s history of Crown Princes: the founding emperor’s Crown Prince became the current Emperor, while the current Emperor’s own Crown Prince later died after falling out of favor. At present, only Prince Qi and Prince Shu remain as major royal heirs.
• Zhao Erlang arrives with urgent news from Doctor Zhao: Ye Weihan is dying. After vomiting blood and falling unconscious, Ye has only a few days left. Zhao Erlang was sent to bring Ye Buhui back so she can see her father one last time.
• Su immediately abandons plans to remain in the prefectural city for the examination results. He parts from Yu Lü, who generously offers the use of his rented ship if needed, and returns to the inn.
• Su learns that Ye Buhui and the other two examination leaders have gone to a chess gathering on a pleasure boat at Coiling Dragon Lake, despite a recent incident there. He hires an ox cart and rushes to the lake.
• During the journey, Su activates the phantom of the Rosewood Pendant. Having taken first place in the prefectural examination, he claims the “many faces of the Examination Hall” and converts them into a seed.
• The Coiling Dragon Heart Method absorbs the seed, advancing to Level 2 and producing the divine ability Literary Heart Carving Dragon. The ability can subtly influence people’s emotions and make them feel closer to Su, though it is not yet suited for direct combat.
• Su arrives at the lake in the rain and sees the pleasure boat moored near the shore, brightly lit and awaiting him.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji: Becomes increasingly aware that he may be entangled in political or supernatural trouble. He shows loyalty and compassion by immediately prioritizing Ye Weihan’s final moments over his own examination results. His cultivation also advances significantly, giving him a new ability based on influencing human hearts.
• Yu Lü: Proves himself a reliable and considerate friend. He discusses sensitive political history cautiously and supports Su’s decision to leave, even offering transportation if Su cannot secure a ship.
• Zhao Erlang: Acts responsibly and urgently on his father’s orders, traveling to the prefectural city to locate Su and Ye Buhui. His arrival serves as the messenger of the chapter’s emotional crisis.
• Ye Weihan: Though mostly absent, his worsening condition reveals the limits of his endurance and emphasizes the sacrifices he made to protect and reassure Su and Ye Buhui.
• Ye Buhui: Her absence from the inn and presence at the pleasure boat create urgency, since Su must find her before her father dies.

Significant Themes

• Human fragility and mortality: Ye Weihan’s imminent death forces Su to confront how quickly life can end and how delayed gratitude may become regret.
• Duty versus personal ambition: Su chooses family obligation over waiting for examination results or enjoying the prefectural city.
• Hidden political danger: The mounted search party, the Crown Prince discussion, and the pendant’s visions suggest that Su’s examination success may be drawing him into a larger royal conspiracy.
• The power of human nature: The new ability, Literary Heart Carving Dragon, reflects the chapter’s emphasis on emotional influence rather than physical force.
• Friendship and mutual support: Yu Lü, Zhao Erlang, and Su all demonstrate loyalty through practical assistance and concern for one another.

Character Interactions

• Su and Yu Lü discuss the mysterious riders and the dynasty’s Crown Princes, revealing Su’s growing anxiety and Yu Lü’s cautious knowledge.
• Zhao Erlang urgently informs Su of Ye Weihan’s condition, creating the chapter’s central emotional turning point.
• Su and Yu Lü part amicably, with Yu Lü offering practical help and understanding Su’s decision.
• Su’s interaction with the pendant and the Coiling Dragon Heart Method marks his first clear advancement following the examination, linking his relationships and experiences in the examination hall to his supernatural growth.

Chapter Summary: “Becoming the Examination Topper”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Ziji travels by boat to the pleasure boat where Ye Buhui is taking part in the prefectural chess tournament.
• He learns that the renowned Du Chenglin, known as the Chess Saint, is playing a teaching game against Ye Buhui. Despite being young, Ye is holding her own and demonstrating considerable talent.
• Su interrupts the game to inform Ye that her father, Uncle Ye, is critically ill and that she must return home immediately.
• Ye abandons the unfinished game, thanks Du Chenglin for his instruction, and quickly gathers her belongings. Little Fox joins them, and they depart by boat through the night.
• During the journey, Ye is visibly frightened and distressed. Su tries to reassure her, though her expression suggests she fears the worst.
• Meanwhile, at a relay station, Fang Zhen and Gao Yaochen investigate the examination candidates, particularly Su Ziji. They learn that Su has left the city before the results are announced.
• News arrives that Su has passed the second review of the Imperial Examination and is provisionally ranked fourth.
• Fang Zhen is pleased and orders his men to manipulate the results so that Su Ziji becomes the Examination Topper.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji: Shows compassion and responsibility by interrupting the prestigious chess game to ensure Ye can return to her critically ill father. He prioritizes human obligations over personal advancement or ceremony.
• Ye Buhui: Her talent is confirmed through her ability to compete with Du Chenglin, but her confidence collapses when she hears about her father. She becomes emotionally vulnerable, though she remains practical and quickly prepares for the journey home.
• Du Chenglin: Demonstrates generosity and wisdom as a teacher. Rather than resent the interruption, he accepts that Ye must leave and expresses hope that she will meet him again at the Capital Tournament.
• Little Fox: Displays loyalty and intelligence by following Su and Ye and joining them on their urgent journey.
• Fang Zhen: Reveals his influence and willingness to interfere in the examination system. His interest in Su is strategic, and he intends to elevate Su to first place after learning that Su has passed the review.

Significant Themes

• Duty versus ambition: Ye must abandon a rare opportunity to learn from the Chess Saint because filial duty takes precedence over achievement.
• The fragility of life: The possibility of Uncle Ye’s death casts a shadow over the chapter, emphasizing regret, separation, and the limited time people have with loved ones.
• Fate and unfinished possibilities: Du’s remark that “a game cannot form its full board” reflects both the interrupted chess match and the uncertainty surrounding Ye’s father and future.
• Talent and recognition: Ye’s performance establishes her as an exceptional chess player, while Su’s examination ranking confirms his academic ability.
• Political manipulation and power: Fang Zhen’s order to make Su the Examination Topper shows how official success can be shaped by influence rather than merit alone.

Character Interactions

• Su Ziji and Ye Buhui: Their relationship is marked by trust and mutual reliance. Su acts decisively on Ye’s behalf, while Ye immediately follows his instructions once she understands the seriousness of the situation.
• Ye Buhui and Du Chenglin: Their teaching game is respectful and intellectually significant. Du recognizes her potential and leaves the door open for a future meeting.
• Ye Buhui and Little Fox: Ye accepts Little Fox’s desire to accompany them and carries her during the journey, revealing a protective bond.
• Fang Zhen and Gao Yaochen: Their conversation exposes Fang’s surveillance of Su and his considerable political reach. Gao readily supports Fang’s plans.
• Fang Zhen and Su Ziji: Although Su is absent, Fang’s decision to alter the examination results establishes a powerful, potentially dangerous connection between them.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Zhen orders Gao Yaochen to investigate Cao Yiyan and determine which prince supports him. He also instructs him to monitor Cao closely and ensure that the identities of eleven Examination Students remain secret.
• Fang suspects that powerful figures—particularly Prince Qi and Prince Shu—intend to obstruct the search for the Crown Prince Bloodline. The eleven students’ participation in the examination is connected to bloodline verification.
• Cao Yiyan tracks a fox demon to an inn near the Coiling Dragon River. Before he can act, he meets a white-robed emissary carrying orders from Prince Qi.
• Prince Qi’s faction wants the eleven Examination Students incapacitated rather than killed. They plan to arrange “accidents” that would cripple them or disfigure their faces, permanently destroying their chances of entering official service while avoiding the political consequences of murder.
• Cao Yiyan accepts the assignment, despite recognizing how cruel and effective the plan is. He postpones dealing with the fox demon because serving the prince is currently the greater priority.
• Cao suffers severe backlash from his cultivation or supernatural techniques, coughing blood and growing visibly weaker. His prolonged injury makes him even more determined to uncover the foxes’ secret.
• At a separate residence, Third Aunt Hu confronts Du Chenglin about Xiyan. Du explains that he found Xiyan in fox form, being held by a young girl, but could not persuade her to return.
• Third Aunt Hu worries that Xiyan may be seriously injured or that the human girl may be connected to a mysterious destiny. She considers whether the girl could be the “fated one,” but dismisses the idea because the prophecy concerns a Fox Marriage Oath and seems to imply a male partner.
• Du Chenglin defends the girl as kind and trustworthy, revealing that he has developed a favorable impression of Ye Buhui after observing her talent during the Prefectural Examination.

Character Developments

• Fang Zhen is shown as cautious, politically astute, and aware of the danger surrounding the Crown Prince Bloodline. Though he acts forcefully, he takes precautions to prevent information leaks.
• Gao Yaochen remains loyal but anxious about the political and legal risks of interfering with the national examination.
• Cao Yiyan is revealed to be both a fox-hunter and a servant of Prince Qi. He is ruthless toward demons but pragmatic enough to postpone personal vengeance when political orders take precedence. His physical condition is worsening because of supernatural backlash.
• The white-robed emissary demonstrates the cold, calculating methods of Prince Qi’s faction, preferring politically deniable injuries over outright assassination.
• Du Chenglin appears compassionate and perceptive. Although initially observing Ye Buhui as part of an assignment, he has come to admire her intelligence and character.
• Third Aunt Hu is protective of Xiyan but also suspicious and strategically minded. Her concern for Xiyan is mixed with frustration that Xiyan has chosen to remain with a human.

Significant Themes

• Political struggle and succession: The search for the Crown Prince Bloodline is entangled in a dangerous contest among princes, where even students and examination candidates become targets.
• Indirect violence and political manipulation: The chapter emphasizes that crippling or disfiguring someone can be more useful than killing them, since it destroys their future while minimizing political accountability.
• Loyalty versus personal motives: Cao Yiyan must set aside his hatred of the fox demons to fulfill Prince Qi’s orders, showing how political allegiance constrains individual desires.
• Hidden identities and destiny: Xiyan’s fox form, the unknown significance of the human girl, and the Fox Marriage Oath reinforce the chapter’s focus on concealed origins and uncertain fate.
• Cruelty beneath respectable institutions: The national examination appears orderly and honorable, yet powerful factions are willing to secretly maim candidates to control the future government.

Important Character Interactions

• Fang Zhen and Gao Yaochen: Fang commands Gao to investigate Cao Yiyan and protect the secrecy of the bloodline search, while Gao voices concern over the danger of their actions.
• Cao Yiyan and the white-robed emissary: The emissary gives Cao orders to cripple the eleven students. Their conversation exposes Prince Qi’s ruthless strategy and Cao’s reluctant obedience.
• Du Chenglin and Third Aunt Hu: Third Aunt demands information about Xiyan, while Du explains that Xiyan has chosen to remain with the young girl who helped her. Their exchange raises questions about the girl’s identity and destiny.
• Du Chenglin and Ye Buhui: Though Ye Buhui does not appear directly, Du’s favorable judgment of her establishes growing respect and suggests that she may become important to the larger conflict.

Chapter Summary: “Jade Pendant”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Little Fox remains with Ye Buhui and Su Ziji despite having the opportunity to leave with Du Chenglin. She has sensed a fleeting trace of the Heavenly Secret and believes following them may lead her to the fated person sought by the Hu Family.
• Ye Buhui and Su Ziji return to Linhua County after learning that Ye Weihan has been sent back to the bookshop from Doctor Zhao’s clinic.
• They discover that Ye Weihan is gravely ill and appears to be near death. Doctors are preparing burial clothes and discussing medicine, confirming the seriousness of his condition.
• Ye Weihan reveals that he has a marriage agreement with Su Ziji’s father concerning Ye Buhui. Since Buhui is about to turn fifteen, he asks Su Ziji to become engaged to her before he dies.
• Su Ziji accepts responsibility for Ye Buhui, kneels before Ye Weihan, and vows to treat her well and never betray her. Buhui, overwhelmed by grief, agrees because she wants to comfort her father.
• Ye Weihan places their hands together, relieved that Buhui will have someone to rely on after his death.
• He then gives Su Ziji a jade pendant that has been passed down through Ye Buhui’s family, warning him not to show it to others.
• Su Ziji notices that the pendant bears a dragon motif. Because dragon symbols are restricted and associated with imperial authority, he begins to suspect that Ye Weihan’s true identity and past are far more significant than that of a simple bookshop owner.
• When Su Ziji asks about the pendant’s history, an intruder suddenly kicks open the door and claims to have come under his young master’s orders to punish them, though he expresses surprise at the “stroke of fortune” he has witnessed.

Character Developments

• Ye Buhui: Returns home devastated by her father’s condition and blames herself for leaving him. Her grief makes her desperate to keep him alive, but she ultimately agrees to the engagement to ease his mind. She remains emotionally dependent on her father and begins relying on Su Ziji for support.
• Su Ziji: Shows deep affection and loyalty toward Ye Weihan and Ye Buhui. Although shocked by the unexpected marriage contract, he accepts it without hesitation and promises to protect Buhui. His discovery of the dragon-emblazoned jade pendant also awakens serious doubts about Ye Weihan’s hidden identity.
• Ye Weihan: Near death, he focuses on securing his daughter’s future. His relief after arranging the engagement briefly improves his spirits. His possession of the jade pendant suggests a concealed connection to powerful or possibly imperial origins.
• Little Fox: Continues pursuing the Heavenly Secret and remains quietly observant of Ye Buhui and Su Ziji. Her presence is noticed by Ye Weihan, though her true purpose remains hidden.
• Doctor Zhao: Recognizes that Ye Weihan is beyond ordinary medical treatment and tactfully withdraws, allowing him to arrange his final affairs privately.

Significant Themes

• Parental love and final wishes: Ye Weihan’s primary concern is ensuring Buhui will not be alone after his death.
• Duty versus personal choice: Su Ziji and Buhui accept the engagement largely to fulfill Ye Weihan’s dying wish, showing how family obligations influence their decisions.
• Hidden identity and political danger: The dragon-marked jade pendant hints that Ye Weihan may possess an aristocratic, royal, or politically dangerous past.
• Fate and destiny: Little Fox’s pursuit of the Heavenly Secret parallels the chapter’s revelations about marriage, inheritance, and concealed origins.
• Mortality and emotional farewell: Ye Weihan’s declining health creates an atmosphere of impending loss, while the engagement provides him with temporary comfort.

Important Character Interactions

• Ye Buhui and Ye Weihan: Their emotional farewell centers on Buhui’s fear of losing her father and Ye Weihan’s determination to arrange her future.
• Ye Weihan and Su Ziji: Ye Weihan entrusts Su Ziji with Buhui’s care and later gives him the mysterious jade pendant.
• Ye Buhui and Su Ziji: Su Ziji supports Buhui during her grief and formally promises to protect her, effectively beginning their engagement.
• Su Ziji and the jade pendant: His recognition of the forbidden dragon emblem raises suspicions about Ye Weihan’s background.
• The intruder and the household: The chapter ends with a sudden threat, interrupting the family’s solemn moment and suggesting that outsiders may know about the pendant or the engagement.

Chapter Summary: “Though Wei Is an Old State”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Daoist Zeng Jing abruptly appears at Su Ziji’s residence and accuses him of sheltering the Hu Family and colluding with Great Zheng, which he considers a false dynasty.
• Zeng Jing reveals that he has come searching for the white fox carried by Ye Buhui, believing it to be connected to the Hu Family.
• He notices the imperial-looking jade pendant in Ye Weihan’s possession and identifies Ye as a hidden descendant—or “Dragon Seed”—of the former imperial family of Great Zheng.
• Zeng Jing becomes ecstatic, believing that killing Ye Weihan and using his blood as a sacrifice could restore Great Wei’s Mandate of Heaven.
• Su Ziji attempts to deceive Zeng Jing and create an opportunity for Ye Weihan and Ye Buhui to escape, but Zeng Jing sees through the ruse.
• Zeng Jing uses a spell to immobilize Su Ziji and strikes him, sending him flying and causing him to spit blood.
• He then attacks Ye Weihan. The chapter ends as Ye Weihan openly confronts him, denying that Great Wei can be restored and asserting that Great Zheng possesses Heaven’s Mandate.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji shows quick thinking and protective instincts. Despite recognizing Zeng Jing as a dangerous alchemist, he prioritizes the safety of Ye Weihan and Ye Buhui and attempts to bluff his opponent.
• Ye Buhui demonstrates courage and loyalty by returning to face the danger with a deboning knife, despite her fear. Her anger toward Zeng Jing’s cruelty also reveals her strong moral convictions.
• Ye Weihan shifts from appearing sickly and vulnerable to displaying dignity, fearlessness, and royal pride. He recognizes Zeng Jing and directly challenges his restorationist beliefs.
• Zeng Jing is revealed as a fanatical loyalist of Great Wei. He considers murder and sacrifice righteous if they serve the restoration of his dynasty, making him both politically extremist and morally deluded.

Significant Themes

• Dynastic legitimacy and Heaven’s Mandate: The central conflict concerns whether Great Wei can reclaim legitimacy or whether Great Zheng has inherited Heaven’s approval.
• Fanaticism versus peace: Zeng Jing believes renewed war and sacrifice are justified for restoration, while Ye Weihan argues that the people’s desire for peace proves Great Zheng’s legitimacy.
• Hidden identity and political danger: Ye Weihan’s concealed imperial lineage turns an ordinary bookshop owner into a target of immense political and supernatural importance.
• Protection and loyalty: Su Ziji and Ye Buhui risk themselves to protect Ye Weihan, contrasting with Zeng Jing’s willingness to sacrifice innocents for an abstract cause.
• Old dynasties and changing eras: The chapter emphasizes that Great Wei is an outdated power whose supporters refuse to accept the rise of a new order.

Character Interactions

• Su Ziji and Zeng Jing: Their exchange begins as a tense verbal confrontation, with Su Ziji concealing his knowledge and trying to manipulate Zeng Jing’s assumptions. It escalates when Zeng Jing attacks him.
• Su Ziji and Ye Buhui: Su Ziji tries to command Ye Buhui to flee, while she remains determined to help despite her fear. Their interaction shows his protective attitude and her growing bravery.
• Zeng Jing and Ye Weihan: Their confrontation is ideological as well as physical. Zeng Jing calls Ye a sacrificial descendant of the false dynasty, while Ye Weihan condemns Zeng Jing’s desire to revive war and insists that Great Wei’s fortune has ended.
• Zeng Jing and the former dynasties: Though not physically present, both Great Wei and Great Zheng shape the conflict. Zeng Jing fights for restoration, while Ye Weihan represents the surviving bloodline of the regime Zeng Jing hates.

Chapter Summary: “Two Regrets in This Life”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zeng Jing, a Daoist working for Cao Yiyan, is about to kill Ye Weihan when Ye Buhui desperately tries to intervene.
• Su Ziji seizes the Deboning Knife and stabs Zeng Jing from behind, seriously wounding him. Zeng Jing is shocked that a seemingly powerless scholar could injure him.
• Zeng Jing reveals that he had discovered Su Ziji’s true identity as a descendant of the former Great Wei imperial family. He had intended to use imperial descendants and their remaining aura to restore the dynasty and fulfill the Mandate of Heaven.
• Despite his wounds, Zeng Jing launches a final counterattack. He cuts Su Ziji and stabs Ye Weihan, then becomes obsessed with identifying the “Dragon Seed” among them.
• When the Dragon-Slaying Sword fails to react to Ye Weihan, Zeng Jing realizes he may have been mistaken about their identities. He suspects Ye Buhui instead and attacks her.
• Little Fox protects Ye Buhui by knocking aside the sword, but is badly injured and her white fur grows increasingly gray.
• Su Ziji attacks Zeng Jing again. Already near death, the Daoist accepts three knife wounds and dies while declaring his loyalty to the former emperor.
• Ye Weihan, mortally wounded, reveals that he is not Ye Buhui’s biological father. However, he refuses to disclose her true origins, asking her to promise never to investigate them.
• Before dying, Ye Weihan gives Su Ziji a hidden letter containing a list of names and returns a jade pendant to Ye Buhui as a keepsake.
• His final request is that Ye Buhui continue studying the Chess Path and become a Chess Sage. She promises, but Ye Weihan dies in her arms, leaving her devastated.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji demonstrates unexpected courage and decisiveness, successfully killing Zeng Jing despite lacking conventional martial or spiritual power. His intervention saves Ye Buhui from immediate danger but cannot prevent Ye Weihan’s death.
• Zeng Jing is revealed as a fanatic devoted to restoring Great Wei. His confidence collapses into desperation when the Dragon-Slaying Sword fails to identify the supposed Dragon Seed.
• Ye Buhui shifts from helpless fear and grief to determined resistance, attacking Zeng Jing to defend her father. Her grief deepens when she learns that Ye Weihan was not her biological father, though she firmly insists that he will always be her true father.
• Ye Weihan is portrayed as loving and self-sacrificing. Even while dying, he prioritizes protecting Ye Buhui from the truth about her origins and securing her future.
• Little Fox confirms her loyalty by sacrificing herself to shield Ye Buhui, though her worsening condition suggests the protection comes at great cost.

Significant Themes

• True family versus blood relations: Ye Buhui rejects the idea that biological parentage determines family, affirming Ye Weihan as her father through love and upbringing.
• Secrets and protection: Ye Weihan believes ignorance will allow Ye Buhui to live safely, creating a painful conflict between truth and the protection offered by concealment.
• Loyalty and fanaticism: Zeng Jing’s devotion to Great Wei drives him to pursue imperial descendants and continue fighting even after suffering fatal wounds.
• Sacrifice: Su Ziji, Little Fox, and especially Ye Weihan risk themselves to protect others.
• Legacy and destiny: The Dragon Seed, imperial aura, jade pendant, hidden letter, and Chess Path all connect personal identity to larger historical and political forces.

Character Interactions

• Su Ziji and Zeng Jing: Their confrontation exposes Zeng Jing’s political motives and ends with Su Ziji delivering the fatal attack.
• Ye Buhui and Ye Weihan: Their final exchange emphasizes their emotional bond. She promises to honor his wishes and pursue the Chess Path.
• Su Ziji and Ye Weihan: Ye Weihan entrusts Su Ziji with the hidden letter, indicating confidence in him as a protector and successor to his unfinished responsibilities.
• Little Fox and Ye Buhui: Little Fox physically shields Ye Buhui, reinforcing their close bond.
• Zeng Jing and Ye Buhui: Zeng Jing’s attempt to identify and kill the possible Dragon Seed turns Ye Buhui into the target of his final burst of violence.

Chapter Summary: Stipend Licentiate

Key Plot Points and Events

• At the Du Clan’s separate residence, Third Aunt Hu attempts another divination concerning Hu Xiyan’s dangerous situation. Because of her still-unhealed injuries, the attempt causes her to cough blood.
• Hu Xiyan’s uncle, Du Chenglin, urges her to stop, believing that Xiyan is not acting recklessly and that the young man accompanying her—Su Ziji—must possess unusual qualities.
• Du Chenglin’s servant returns with the Prefectural Examination results. Su Ziji has ranked first among the successful candidates, becoming the Examination Topper and a Cultivated Talent.
• This result reassures Third Aunt Hu: with Su Ziji’s new status, even powerful enemies would hesitate to harm Hu Xiyan, especially once news of his success spreads.
• Du Chenglin explains that he came to the region partly because of the opening of the Dragon Palace in Coiling Dragon Lake. He considers the palace nearly empty and doubts that its young Dragon Maiden can control the many unruly Water Demons.
• He expresses concern over the escalating conflict between humans and demons, though he recognizes that land demons, who have long suffered under human rule, are unlikely to welcome peace.
• In Linhua County, Tan An is shocked to learn that Su Ziji not only passed the examination but ranked first. His jealousy intensifies because Su is closely associated with Ye Buhui, whom Tan An desires.
• The county adviser celebrates Linhua County’s success, noting that Su Ziji and Yu Lü have both become Cultivated Talents and will enter the Prefectural Academy as Stipend Licentiates.
• Tan An’s bitter reaction draws the adviser’s suspicion. A yamen runner then reveals that Tan An and Su Ziji have an antagonistic relationship, placing Tan An under scrutiny.

Character Developments

• Third Aunt Hu: Her concern for Hu Xiyan drives her to endanger herself through divination, despite her injuries. Learning of Su Ziji’s achievement eases her anxiety, though she remains wary of possible threats.
• Du Chenglin: He acts as a calm and protective mediator. He trusts Xiyan’s judgment, treats demons fairly, and shows a strong desire to prevent further conflict between humans and demons.
• Hu Xiyan: Though absent from the chapter, she is shown to be acting alongside Su Ziji for a deliberate purpose. Her choice to follow him now appears increasingly justified by his extraordinary examination success.
• Su Ziji: His unexpected first-place result elevates him from an obscure young scholar to a prestigious Stipend Licentiate, giving him social protection and political significance.
• Tan An: His unrequited feelings for Ye Buhui turn into intense jealousy and resentment toward Su Ziji. His inability to hide these emotions begins to expose his hostility.
• Yu Lü: He also succeeds as a Cultivated Talent, ranking first on the secondary list and fourth overall, strengthening Linhua County’s reputation.
• The Dragon Maiden: She is portrayed as extremely young and inexperienced, possessing too little authority to control the Water Demons surrounding her.

Significant Themes

• Fate and hidden potential: Su Ziji’s remarkable result suggests that his future is far greater than people expected and may explain why Hu Xiyan chose to stay with him.
• Protection through status: Scholarly rank provides Su Ziji with legal and social safeguards, indirectly protecting Hu Xiyan as well.
• Jealousy and resentment: Tan An’s envy contrasts sharply with the public celebration of Su Ziji’s success and foreshadows possible conflict.
• Human-demon tensions: Du Chenglin’s reflections reveal the deep historical grievances between humans and demons and the difficulty of achieving peace.
• The limits of youth and power: The Dragon Maiden’s young age symbolizes the weakness of new or inexperienced leadership in the face of powerful, disorderly forces.
• Social advancement through education: The Imperial Examination is shown as a major route to prestige, protection, and influence for both individuals and their home communities.

Important Character Interactions

• Du Chenglin and Third Aunt Hu: Their exchange combines familial concern, disagreement over Hu Xiyan’s safety, and shared interest in Su Ziji’s mysterious importance.
• Du Chenglin and his servant: The servant delivers the examination list, allowing Du Chenglin and Third Aunt Hu to discover Su Ziji’s top ranking.
• Du Chenglin and Third Aunt Hu on the Dragon Palace: Du Chenglin advocates restraint and peace, while Third Aunt Hu’s indifference reflects the bitterness of demons toward humans.
• Tan An and the county adviser: Tan An’s envy becomes obvious when he questions Su Ziji’s status, prompting the adviser to suspect a personal grudge.
• The yamen runner and Tan An: The runner deliberately exposes Tan An’s hostile relationship with Su Ziji, increasing the pressure on him and potentially damaging his standing.

Chapter Summary: “Screams”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The legal secretary orders Tan An to deliver the news that Su Ziji has placed first in the examination and become a Cultivated Talent. Tan An must also ask Su to visit the county yamen, where the magistrate wishes to meet him.
• The legal secretary harshly reprimands Tan An for provoking Su, emphasizing the vast difference between a low-ranking yamen clerk and a promising Examination Topper. Tan is reminded that Su’s future prospects far exceed his own.
• Outside the yamen, the short bailiff mocks Tan An for supposedly competing with Su over Ye Buhui, further humiliating and angering him.
• Tan An goes to the Su residence but finds it locked. He is relieved at first, hoping to claim he completed his assignment without seeing Su.
• Wild Daoist informs him that Su is probably at Ye Bookshop, where he had been seen returning with Ye Buhui from the docks. Tan An’s resentment intensifies, and he immediately heads there.
• Wild Daoist reflects on Su’s astonishing rise. He had originally believed Su was destined for poverty and even an early violent death, but Su has instead advanced rapidly through the examinations. Concerned by this reversal and by recent violence at Mount Tong Temple, Wild Daoist considers hiding before deciding to investigate Su further.
• Tan An recalls his lifelong affection for Ye Buhui and his jealousy of Su. He fears that Su’s success—and Ye Buhui’s journey with him—may mean that Ye’s father accepts Su as a potential son-in-law.
• At Ye Bookshop, Tan An hesitates outside, unwilling to face the pair or humble himself before Su. He and nearby passersby then hear screams coming from inside, suggesting that something dangerous or unexpected has occurred.

Character Developments

• Tan An: His humiliation, jealousy, and wounded pride deepen. Although he outwardly obeys his superiors, he inwardly resents them, the short bailiff, Su, and Ye Buhui. His ambitions appear increasingly unrealistic as he recognizes the social and official gap between himself and Su.
• Su Ziji: He does not appear directly, but his successful examination result dramatically changes his status. His rapid rise makes him a figure of admiration, fear, and envy.
• Wild Daoist: He becomes more cautious and uncertain about his ability to judge fate. Su’s success contradicts his earlier reading of Su’s destiny, causing him to reassess both his own talents and Su’s potential.
• Ye Buhui: Though absent from the chapter’s direct action, she remains central to Tan An’s emotional turmoil. Her closeness to Su suggests that her loyalties and possible marriage prospects may be shifting.
• The legal secretary and short bailiff: Both reinforce the yamen’s hierarchy. The secretary pragmatically sides with the more promising Su, while the bailiff exploits Tan An’s humiliation for amusement.

Significant Themes

• Social hierarchy and limited mobility: The contrast between clerks and examination graduates shows how official status determines power, respect, and future opportunity.
• Fortune versus judgment: Wild Daoist’s failed prediction raises questions about whether destiny can be accurately read or whether human effort and unexpected events can overturn it.
• Jealousy and wounded pride: Tan An’s resentment is driven not only by professional inferiority but also by his longstanding love for Ye Buhui and fear of losing her to Su.
• The unpredictability of success: Su’s sudden rise challenges the assumptions others made about his poverty and fate.
• Power and pragmatism: The legal secretary’s treatment of Tan demonstrates how people quickly abandon personal loyalty when confronted with someone who may hold greater future influence.

Character Interactions

• The legal secretary publicly rebukes Tan An and orders him to honor Su despite their conflict.
• The short bailiff taunts Tan An about his rivalry with Su and his desire to marry Ye Buhui.
• Wild Daoist gives Tan directions to Ye Bookshop while recognizing Su’s extraordinary rise.
• Tan An’s memories reveal his long-standing emotional rivalry with Su over Ye Buhui.
• The chapter ends with Tan An, accompanied by concerned passersby, hearing screams from Ye Bookshop, creating a cliffhanger.

Summary

Key plot points and events

• Tan An investigates reports of screams coming from Ye Bookshop and hears Ye Buhui crying inside.
• He enters cautiously and smells blood. Through the darkness, he sees Su Ziji dragging a bloodied corpse while reassuring Ye Buhui.
• Convinced that Su Ziji has committed murder, Tan An leaves without confronting him and rushes to report the matter.
• Tan An reports to the county adviser, who initially suspects that Tan’s hostility toward Su Ziji may have influenced his story.
• Because the accusation involves the newly named Examination Topper, the adviser insists that proper legal procedures be followed: the bookshop must be surrounded, and Su Ziji’s scholarly status must be formally stripped before arrest or punishment.
• Li Constable is ordered to gather patrolmen and secure the scene while the adviser brings the matter to Magistrate Zhang.
• Magistrate Zhang is shocked but agrees that the authorities must investigate. He warns that Su Ziji cannot be spared if the accusation is true, while Tan An will be punished and dismissed if he has fabricated the report.

Character developments

• Tan An becomes increasingly consumed by jealousy and ambition. Rather than feeling concern for the possible victim, he is delighted by the prospect of Su Ziji’s downfall and imagines gaining Ye Buhui once she is left vulnerable.
• His willingness to report the incident is motivated as much by personal hatred and romantic rivalry as by any sense of justice.
• The adviser displays caution and procedural awareness, recognizing Tan An’s bias but also understanding that such a serious allegation cannot be ignored.
• Li Constable acts as a practical enforcer, focused on carrying out official orders rather than determining Su Ziji’s guilt.
• Magistrate Zhang shifts from disbelief to measured authority, emphasizing both the seriousness of murder and the danger of falsely accusing a person of high scholarly status.
• Su Ziji appears calm and protective toward Ye Buhui, though his actions—especially dragging the corpse—make him seem deeply suspicious from Tan An’s perspective.
• Ye Buhui is portrayed as distressed and dependent on Su Ziji’s reassurance, though her exact understanding of events remains unclear.

Significant themes

• Jealousy and self-interest: Tan An disguises personal revenge and desire as public duty.
• Appearance versus truth: Tan’s interpretation of what he sees may be accurate, but the scene is dark and ambiguous, leaving open the possibility that he has misunderstood events.
• Law and procedure: The authorities stress that even a prestigious Examination Topper is not above the law, while also insisting that arrest and punishment must follow proper legal channels.
• Abuse of authority and consequences: A false accusation could destroy Tan An’s career, while a true accusation could ruin Su Ziji’s scholarly future.
• Ambition and social status: Scholarly rank is shown to carry enormous prestige, but it can be revoked when challenged by a serious criminal charge.

Character interactions

• Tan An questions two frightened bystanders, then secretly observes Su Ziji and Ye Buhui inside the shop.
• Su Ziji comforts Ye Buhui, promising to honor her father’s trust, while Tan An interprets the situation as evidence of murder.
• Tan An argues with the adviser that his personal grudge does not invalidate his report.
• The adviser consults Li Constable and orders the bookshop surrounded.
• Magistrate Zhang interrogates Tan An, warns him of the consequences of lying, and authorizes an investigation while preserving the need for due process.

Chapter Summary: “Three Bows”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Magistrate sends Li Constable and a group of patrol constables to investigate Ye Bookshop after Tan An reports signs of violence.
• The authorities discover a forced-open door and the smell of blood. Li Constable concludes that a serious incident has occurred and orders the bookshop surrounded.
• Tan An identifies Su Ziji as the likely suspect and urges the constables to spare Ye Buhui if possible. Li Constable agrees only to avoid harming her if she proves uninvolved.
• The constables publicly call for Su Ziji to surrender, informing the townspeople that someone has died inside. Rumors immediately spread, with some doubting that a respected scholar could be a murderer.
• Inside, Su Ziji and Ye Buhui have cleaned and dressed the body of Ye Weihan, who was killed by the wicked Daoist Zeng Jing. Su Ziji reflects that Zeng Jing may have deliberately accepted death rather than implicate him.
• Ye Buhui wants to claim sole responsibility for killing Zeng Jing to protect Su Ziji. Su Ziji refuses, arguing that the killing can be presented as lawful self-defense because Zeng Jing broke in and attacked first.
• Su Ziji also considers accusing Zeng Jing of treason, which might protect his examination credentials.
• Realizing that Su Ziji stayed behind for her and her father instead of escaping, Ye Buhui insists that they share the consequences. She proposes that they marry immediately before her father’s body.
• Because they were already formally betrothed, Ye Buhui argues that the marriage is legitimate. The two kneel and complete the first two wedding bows—to Heaven and Earth and to Ye Weihan.
• As they are about to bow to each other, Little Fox leaps into Ye Buhui’s arms. At the same moment, Su Ziji experiences a mysterious wave of cool energy spreading through his body.
• Outside, Tan An pressures Li Constable to enter the bookshop. The constables charge forward, but several riders suddenly arrive and command them not to act rashly.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji remains calm and strategic under pressure. He understands the law and prepares to defend the killing as self-defense, while also accepting the possibility of sacrificing his academic status.
• His compassion and loyalty become clearer: he stays to comfort Ye Buhui and arrange her father’s body, knowingly allowing the authorities to surround him.
• Ye Buhui develops from grief-stricken daughter into a determined and self-sacrificing partner. She is willing to take responsibility for revenge and refuses to let Su Ziji face punishment alone.
• Her decision to marry Su Ziji immediately shows both emotional courage and a desire to bind their fates legally and spiritually.
• Tan An is revealed as opportunistic and vindictive. Rather than simply reporting the incident, he tries to ensure that Su Ziji is treated as the murderer.
• Li Constable is practical and experienced, carefully distinguishing between arresting suspects and controlling a dangerous situation.
• Zeng Jing, though dead, receives a more complex portrayal through Su Ziji’s reflections: he may have shown mercy by refusing to drag Su Ziji into his final struggle.
• Little Fox appears to play a mysterious role in the sudden supernatural sensation affecting Su Ziji.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and shared fate: Su Ziji and Ye Buhui choose to face danger together rather than protect themselves individually.
• Justice versus revenge: Ye Buhui views killing Zeng Jing as righteous vengeance, while Su Ziji frames it within the law as self-defense.
• Law and reputation: Zhang Magistrate’s fear of criticism, Tan An’s desire to shape the official narrative, and Su Ziji’s concern over his credentials all show how social standing influences justice.
• Marriage amid death: The wedding in the mourning hall symbolizes commitment, resilience, and the merging of two lives during crisis.
• Moral ambiguity: Zeng Jing is not presented as wholly monstrous; his possible final act of mercy complicates the conflict between good and evil.
• Fate and the supernatural: Little Fox’s intervention and the mysterious energy entering Su Ziji suggest that the marriage ceremony may have triggered an important supernatural change.

Important Character Interactions

• Tan An and Li Constable: Tan An pushes Li Constable toward immediate intervention and tries to implicate Su Ziji, while Li remains cautious and procedural.
• Ye Buhui and Su Ziji: They argue over who should bear responsibility, revealing their mutual devotion. Their disagreement ultimately leads to their marriage.
• Su Ziji and Zeng Jing: Though they fought to the death, Su Ziji recognizes that Zeng Jing may have spared him at the end.
• The authorities and the townspeople: The constables’ public accusations create fear and rumor, placing Su Ziji’s reputation in immediate danger.
• Little Fox and the couple: Her sudden participation in the wedding coincides with Su Ziji’s strange physical sensation, hinting at a supernatural connection.

Summary of “A Use for Blood”

Key plot points and events

• County runners arrive at the Ye Bookshop to arrest Su Ziji for killing a Daoist. Tan An, eager to prosecute Su because of his personal interest in Ye Buhui, aggressively confronts a group of armed newcomers.
• The newcomers are patrol inspectors from the Upper Cold Bay Patrol Inspectorate, led by Ji Min. Their military authority and weapons quickly force Li Constable and the county runners to withdraw from the scene, though Li remains outside under orders to guard the area.
• Ji Min reveals that the Patrol Inspectorate has surrounded the bookshop for a separate, higher-priority mission and forbids anyone from entering, leaving, or disturbing anything.
• Su Ziji emerges and confirms his identity. Shortly afterward, Fang Zhen and Gao Yaochen arrive. Both praise Su’s astonishing improvement in literary ability since the Prefectural Examination, though they privately suspect that something unusual explains his rapid progress.
• The visitors inspect the dead Daoist. Su claims that, after being falsely summoned home during the examination, he returned to find the Daoist attacking his future father-in-law and killed him in self-defense with a deboning knife.
• Su announces that he and Ye Buhui are already married by agreement and presents their old marriage contract. Buhui serves tea, reinforcing their claim. Fang Zhen verifies that the contract is genuine and not recently forged.
• Fang Zhen recognizes the Daoist as a dangerous former-dynasty rebel whom the Black-Clad Guard had repeatedly failed to capture, making his death especially significant.
• Fang Zhen privately invites Su to speak inside. Su suspects the matter is connected to the Daoist’s earlier mention of the “Dragon Scions,” and wonders whether Ye Buhui and her father are involved.
• Once inside the study, Fang Zhen says that before explaining anything, they must first “take some blood for use,” ending the chapter on a threatening and mysterious note.

Character developments

• Su Ziji remains calm, composed, and resourceful despite the murders, the county arrest attempt, and the arrival of powerful officials. He constructs a convincing legal and social defense by presenting his marriage contract and framing the killing as self-defense.
• Ye Buhui is publicly established as Su’s wife through their long-standing marriage agreement. Her role becomes more important as the authorities’ interest appears connected to her family.
• Fang Zhen shifts from friendly literary admirer to a serious official with hidden knowledge and authority. His recognition of the Daoist and his decision to speak privately with Su suggest that he understands the larger conspiracy.
• Gao Yaochen remains observant and skeptical, particularly about Su’s marriage to the bookshop owner’s daughter and his implausibly rapid academic progress.
• Li Constable demonstrates practical judgment by recognizing the Patrol Inspectorate’s superior military status and preventing Tan An from escalating the confrontation.
• Tan An is exposed as impulsive, jealous, and blinded by personal desire. His reckless behavior humiliates him and causes even his fellow officials to pity or ridicule him.
• Ji Min appears confident and authoritative, using the Patrol Inspectorate’s power to take control of the scene while withholding the true purpose of his mission.

Significant themes

• Authority and hierarchy: Military officials and imperial institutions easily override ordinary county law enforcement, revealing the uneven power structure of the state.
• Appearance versus reality: Su’s respectable identity, marriage contract, and scholarly reputation conceal deeper mysteries surrounding his abilities and affiliations.
• Law versus personal motives: Tan An invokes the law while being driven by jealousy and lust, contrasting with Li Constable’s more disciplined professionalism.
• Hidden identities and conspiracies: The Daoist’s status as a former rebel and his mention of the “Dragon Scions” suggest a wider political or supernatural conflict.
• Blood and ritual: The chapter’s conclusion introduces blood as something that may have investigative, magical, or ritual significance, foreshadowing the revelation of hidden identities or lineage.
• Marriage as protection and legitimacy: Su and Buhui’s marriage contract provides social and legal cover while also linking Su more closely to the Ye family’s secrets.

Character interactions

• Li Constable and Tan An: Li repeatedly restrains Tan’s reckless attempts to accuse Su, prioritizing official procedure over personal vendetta.
• Li Constable and Ji Min: Ji’s military authority intimidates Li, who reluctantly accepts the Patrol Inspectorate’s control while continuing to guard the perimeter.
• Ji Min and Su Ziji: Their exchange is formally polite but guarded; Ji identifies Su as the target of a separate investigation and delays questioning until his superior arrives.
• Su Ziji, Fang Zhen, and Gao Yaochen: Their conversation begins as a scholarly exchange over Su’s remarkable improvement, then turns serious when they examine the corpse and marriage contract.
• Su Ziji and Ye Buhui: Su publicly presents Buhui as his wife and directs her to serve tea, showing mutual coordination and reinforcing their shared story.
• Fang Zhen and Ye Buhui: Fang recognizes her from the prefectural chess tournament and senses that her appearance resembles someone he knows, hinting at a concealed identity or lineage.
• Fang Zhen and Su Ziji: Fang’s final request for blood transforms their interaction from academic admiration into an ominous investigation.

Summary of “A Thread of Gold”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fang Zhen and Gao Yaochen enter the residence to verify Su Ziji’s bloodline.
• Fang Zhen uses a secret imperial device called the Bloodline Plate, explaining that ordinary blood-drop kinship tests are unreliable. The plate was created by Former Wei’s Shizu to identify imperial descendants.
• Su Ziji allows Fang Zhen to draw a drop of his blood, though he remains suspicious of the test and its implications.
• After waiting fifteen minutes, they open the plate and discover a faint thread of golden aura, indicating that Su Ziji possesses imperial blood.
• Fang Zhen and Gao Yaochen are both astonished, believing they may have finally found the person they have been searching for—the possible Crown Prince.
• Fang Zhen is cautious because the golden aura is unusually faint. Misidentifying the Crown Prince could result in severe punishment, so he refuses to reveal whose bloodline Su Ziji carries.
• Fang Zhen also reveals that Su Ziji placed first in the Prefectural Examination and is officially the Examination Topper. He promises to resolve Su Ziji’s false murder accusation.
• Because someone has died in the residence, Fang Zhen orders Su Ziji and Ye Buhui to leave while he and Gao Yaochen cleanse and inspect the area. Su Ziji agrees, but insists that Ye Buhui’s father be given a proper coffin and burial.
• Su Ziji leads the grieving Ye Buhui back toward the Su Residence, reassuring her that he will not abandon her now that they have married.
• At the end of the chapter, Su Ziji sees a glowing phantom image of half of the Rosewood Pendant, suggesting that the pendant may be connected to the bloodline revelation or to unfolding supernatural events.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji remains observant and skeptical. He recognizes the potential danger of bloodline verification but cooperates because he understands that resisting would be unwise. His thoughts also reveal his modern-world knowledge of genetics and his awareness of how dangerous lineage disputes are in ancient society.
• He demonstrates increasing responsibility toward Ye Buhui, comforting her after her father’s death and firmly promising to protect her.
• Fang Zhen shifts from investigative caution to confidence after seeing the golden aura. He appears eager to protect Su Ziji and uses his authority to dismiss the murder accusation, but he remains guarded about the identity of Su Ziji’s bloodline.
• Gao Yaochen, normally expressionless, shows rare astonishment and happiness, indicating how important the discovery is to him and Fang Zhen.
• Ye Buhui is overwhelmed by grief and distrustful of being taken away from her father’s body, but Su Ziji’s reassurance begins to establish him as her main source of support.
• Little Fox follows Su Ziji and Ye Buhui, adding a quiet note of companionship during their departure.

Significant Themes

• Bloodline and legitimacy: The chapter centers on the political importance of imperial ancestry and the danger attached to proving or disproving one’s lineage.
• Identity and hidden origins: Su Ziji may be connected to the Crown Prince, but the exact truth remains concealed, creating suspense about his past and destiny.
• Power and law: Fang Zhen’s ability to dismiss a murder accusation demonstrates how imperial authority can override ordinary legal processes.
• Grief and loyalty: Ye Buhui’s loss contrasts with Su Ziji’s promise to remain by her side, emphasizing chosen loyalty over blood relations.
• Knowledge versus superstition: Su Ziji compares the Bloodline Plate with modern genetic testing, highlighting the tension between his rational understanding and the ancient world’s mysterious technology.
• Fate and supernatural signs: The golden aura and the glowing Rosewood Pendant suggest that Su Ziji’s identity is tied to forces beyond ordinary politics.

Important Character Interactions

• Su Ziji and Fang Zhen: Their conversation is polite but guarded. Fang Zhen holds crucial information, while Su Ziji probes for answers without openly challenging him.
• Su Ziji and Gao Yaochen: Gao remains mostly silent, but his reaction to the bloodline result reveals his strong emotional investment in finding the imperial descendant.
• Su Ziji and Ye Buhui: Their relationship deepens as Su Ziji comforts her after her father’s death and promises to protect her as her husband.
• Fang Zhen and Gao Yaochen: Their shared excitement confirms that the bloodline discovery may fulfill a long-standing mission, though Fang Zhen’s caution keeps them from acting prematurely.

Summary of “A Bit Too Thin”

Key Plot Points and Events

• In Linhua County City, Doctor Zhao observes increased illness caused by fluctuating spring temperatures.
• News spreads that Ye Bookshop has been surrounded by constables and that someone may have died there. Doctor Zhao initially doubts the rumors because Boss Ye was well-liked and Su Ziji and Ye Buhui had only recently returned.
• After seeing the constables himself, Doctor Zhao becomes confused, especially when Su Ziji leaves without being arrested.
• Su Ziji tells Doctor Zhao that Boss Ye was killed by thieves and that he is going to buy a coffin. He adds that the thieves have already been killed, leading Doctor Zhao to assume the authorities dealt with them.
• In reality, officials are investigating the deaths at Ye Bookshop and carefully managing the situation. Fang Zhen and Gao Yaochen discuss the results of Su Ziji’s bloodline examination.
• The examination confirms that Su Ziji possesses imperial clan blood, specifically a connection to the former Crown Prince’s line, but the bloodline is unusually weak—“a bit too thin.”
• Fang Zhen refuses to acknowledge Su Ziji publicly or claim him on behalf of the Emperor. Such a decision involves the Crown Prince’s succession and must be made by higher authorities.
• Fang Zhen orders the county officials to cleanly investigate the scene, avoid mistakes, and ensure Su Ziji’s safety. Inspector Ji Min is instructed to accompany him and cover any expenses connected to the incident.
• Ji Min realizes from the officials’ unusual behavior that Su Ziji is far more important than he appears.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji remains calm and controlled, concealing the true circumstances at Ye Bookshop while presenting a simple explanation to outsiders. His status is elevated from an ordinary scholar and Examination Topper to someone potentially connected to the imperial family.
• Fang Zhen demonstrates caution, political awareness, and a strong understanding of imperial protocol. Rather than acting impulsively, he chooses to report the bloodline findings and await instructions.
• Gao Yaochen begins with an overly simple understanding of the situation but quickly grasps the dangers involved. He gains greater respect for Fang Zhen’s judgment.
• Doctor Zhao is portrayed as observant but susceptible to misunderstanding rumors. He accepts Su Ziji’s explanation and unknowingly spreads an incomplete version of events.
• Inspector Ji Min initially knows little about the situation but recognizes that the authorities’ special treatment of Su Ziji signals hidden importance.

Significant Themes

• Political caution and responsibility: The officials understand that mishandling Su Ziji’s identity could have consequences as severe as clan destruction.
• Hidden identity and appearances: Su Ziji presents himself as a grieving scholar, while officials privately consider his possible imperial ancestry.
• Bloodline and legitimacy: The chapter explores how hereditary rank is measured and how a weakened lineage affects political recognition.
• Rumor versus truth: The townspeople assume Su Ziji committed murder, while Doctor Zhao believes thieves were responsible; neither fully understands the actual situation.
• The burden of imperial heritage: Even confirmed imperial blood does not automatically grant status. Recognition depends on political decisions, official authority, and the strength of the lineage.

Character Interactions

• Doctor Zhao and Su Ziji: Doctor Zhao asks about the incident, and Su Ziji gives him a restrained explanation about Boss Ye’s death. Their exchange shows Su Ziji’s ability to conceal sensitive information without arousing suspicion.
• Fang Zhen and Gao Yaochen: Their main discussion centers on whether Su Ziji should be acknowledged as part of the Crown Prince’s bloodline. Fang Zhen teaches Gao Yaochen that the matter is politically dangerous and beyond their authority.
• Fang Zhen and the county officials: Fang Zhen directs the investigation and insists that the scene be handled carefully, reflecting his desire to protect both Su Ziji and the officials involved.
• Gao Yaochen and Inspector Ji Min: Gao gives Ji unusual orders to protect Su Ziji and pay his expenses. Ji’s confusion highlights how exceptional Su Ziji’s treatment is.

Chapter Summary: “Contemplation”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Ziji visits a coffin shop to arrange a burial for Ye Weihan. Remembering Ye’s past kindness and financial assistance, he chooses a high-quality parasol-wood coffin.
• The patrol inspector unexpectedly pays for the coffin and funeral arrangements, praising Ye Weihan’s contributions to education. Su Ziji accepts the gesture and selects the shop’s finest coffin.
• Back at Ye Bookshop, Li Constable organizes the funeral preparations. Ye Weihan’s body is washed and dressed, while Zeng Jing’s corpse is handled much more roughly. Constables clean the blood from the premises.
• Fang Zhen gives Su Ziji fifty taels to cover funeral and travel expenses, encouraging him to continue preparing for the autumn examination.
• Fang Zhen warns Su Ziji that seven young examination candidates in the prefectural city have recently suffered suspicious “accidents,” leaving them disfigured or crippled and unable to pursue their studies. The warning implies that Su Ziji may be the next target.
• Su Ziji returns home with Ye Buhui. He tells her that Su Residence is now her home, offering her security after her father’s death.
• Ye Buhui falls asleep from emotional exhaustion. Su Ziji quietly withdraws rather than disturb her.
• Alone in his study, Su Ziji reflects on a burned-down property he suspects belonged to the Hu Family. He considers whether the Hu Family is connected to the mysterious “Fox” and to other hidden lineages.
• He also analyzes Zeng Jing’s dying words and the evidence found by Shen Cheng, concluding that he may possess the Former Dynasty Imperial Bloodline. He further suspects that Ye Buhui may be linked to the current dynasty’s imperial or Crown Prince bloodline.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji: Becomes more protective and emotionally responsible toward Ye Buhui. He accepts help from others while remaining alert to the political dangers surrounding him. His deductions about his lineage and Ye Buhui’s identity deepen his understanding of the larger conspiracy.
• Ye Buhui: Shows grief, insecurity, and confusion after losing her father. She doubts whether Su Ziji genuinely wants the marriage, but begins accepting his residence as a place of safety. Her exhaustion and emotional numbness reveal how deeply traumatized she is.
• Fang Zhen: Demonstrates both generosity and political awareness by arranging funeral assistance and giving Su Ziji money, while also delivering a veiled warning about attacks on examination candidates.
• The patrol inspector: Shows respect for Ye Weihan and goodwill toward Su Ziji by covering the burial expenses.
• Tan An: Su Ziji’s distrust of him intensifies after hearing him speak outside the bookshop, though Su does not yet know that Tan was an informer.
• Ye Weihan and Zeng Jing: Though dead, their legacies continue to shape events—Ye through his kindness and connections, and Zeng through the clues he left about bloodlines and hidden forces.

Significant Themes

• Mortality and sudden change: The funeral preparations remind Su Ziji how quickly people and circumstances can change, reinforcing the chapter’s somber atmosphere.
• Kindness and obligation: Ye Weihan’s past support, the inspector’s generosity, and Fang Zhen’s assistance show how personal debts and social bonds influence Su Ziji’s choices.
• Political persecution and hidden violence: The “accidents” affecting examination candidates reveal a system that eliminates rivals indirectly, through intimidation and bodily harm rather than open conflict.
• Family and belonging: Su Ziji’s declaration that Ye Buhui’s home is now his home emphasizes that family can be created through loyalty and protection, not merely blood.
• Identity and bloodline: The chapter advances the mystery of Su Ziji’s ancestry and suggests that both he and Ye Buhui may be connected to rival or overlapping imperial lineages.
• Conspiracy beneath ordinary life: The burned Hu residence, Mount Tong Temple, the Fox, and the imperial bloodline hunters suggest that Linhua County hides several interconnected secret factions.

Important Character Interactions

• Su Ziji and the coffin-shop owner: The owner offers a discount out of respect for Ye Weihan, allowing Su to honor him properly.
• Su Ziji and the patrol inspector: The inspector pays for the funeral and treats Su respectfully, establishing an alliance while also reinforcing Ye Weihan’s good reputation.
• Su Ziji and Fang Zhen: Fang offers financial support and warns Su of the danger surrounding examination candidates. Their exchange combines sincere concern with an implicit political threat.
• Su Ziji and Ye Buhui: Su reassures her that she truly belongs in his household and that he does not regard their marriage as a mere formality. This marks a strengthening of their emotional bond.
• Su Ziji and Ye Weihan’s memory: Su’s reflections show that grief is intertwined with gratitude, since Ye’s support was crucial during the earliest and most difficult period of his new life.
• Su Ziji and his own thoughts: The chapter ends internally rather than through external action, with Su connecting the Hu Family, Fox, the Former Dynasty, and the Crown Prince Bloodline into a developing theory of the larger conspiracy.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Ziji deduces that Ye Buhui may belong to the surviving Crown Prince Bloodline, based on the imperial dragon-patterned jade pendant and the absence of any official record connecting it to an ordinary descendant.
• He reasons that the court is searching for a male Imperial Grandson and has overlooked Ye Buhui because they do not know the bloodline’s last heir is a girl.
• Su Ziji questions why Ye Weihan concealed Buhui’s identity and pushed her to become the Chess Sage instead of allowing her to acknowledge her imperial ancestry. He suspects Ye Weihan may have been a minister protecting an orphan rather than Buhui’s biological father.
• Ye Weihan’s final list of seven names, marked “May be killed,” could provide evidence linking those people to the Crown Prince’s death and help confirm Buhui’s identity.
• Su Ziji realizes that marrying Ye Buhui may have transferred the Dragon Aura to him, causing him to be suspected as part of the Crown Prince Bloodline as well. This threatens all his carefully planned ambitions for a peaceful, gradual rise through the imperial examination and bureaucracy.
• He concludes that denying the identity would be dangerous, so his best chance is to make the identity believable, using his lack of imperial etiquette as proof that he was deliberately raised in seclusion. He may also need to avenge those responsible for the Crown Prince’s downfall.
• Su Ziji resolves to improve his strength. His Su-style Fist Technique is close to Level 6, while the Coiling Dragon Heart Method is near its next breakthrough. He also considers studying other martial arts and testing the influence of his Literary Heart Carving Dragon ability.
• He finds Ye Buhui grieving in her sleep after Ye Weihan’s death. She instinctively draws close to Su Ziji, finding comfort in his warmth. He reassures her—and the frightened Little Fox—that he will protect them.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji shifts from calmly pursuing a planned official career to actively confronting a dangerous imperial conspiracy. He accepts that survival requires initiative, deception, and possibly adopting the identity he once feared.
• His confidence in his abilities remains strong, but he recognizes that personal martial strength cannot overcome an entire empire. His greatest weapons will be planning, investigation, and manipulation of political circumstances.
• Ye Buhui is shown in a vulnerable state for the first time. Ye Weihan’s death leaves her emotionally devastated and deeply insecure, revealing how dependent she was on him despite her outward strength and accomplishments.
• Ye Weihan becomes more mysterious. His final instructions and efforts to hide Buhui’s identity imply that he was protecting a major secret tied to the Crown Prince’s fall.
• Little Fox mirrors the atmosphere of fear and grief, reinforcing the sense that Su Ziji’s household has become a fragile refuge.

Significant Themes

• Identity and survival: Su Ziji may have to construct and perform an identity in order to live, even if that identity is politically dangerous.
• Imperial cruelty and political conspiracy: The Emperor’s destruction of the Crown Prince’s family creates the central threat, while the court’s current search suggests motives more complicated than simple execution.
• Fate versus agency: Although Su Ziji feels that his plans have been ruined by forces beyond his control, he chooses to turn passivity into action and reshape his circumstances.
• Protection and emotional refuge: The chapter contrasts the deadly political world with the intimate scene of Su Ziji comforting Buhui, suggesting that personal bonds may become as important as strategy.
• Calculated ambition: Su Ziji’s carefully planned career highlights his preference for gradual, controlled advancement, which now conflicts with the sudden dangers surrounding his possible imperial status.

Important Character Interactions

• Su Ziji mentally engages with Ye Weihan’s clues, trying to infer his true relationship to Ye Buhui and the Crown Prince Bloodline.
• Su Ziji’s marriage to Ye Buhui becomes politically significant because it may have transferred Dragon Aura and implicated him in the imperial bloodline.
• Although Ye Buhui is unconscious, her instinctive closeness to Su Ziji establishes growing trust and dependence between them.
• Su Ziji comforts both Buhui and Little Fox, taking on a protective role and promising that, with him present, they will not be abandoned.