Chapter Summaries

Yun Shining and Qing Yu reminisced about their childhood friendship, and Qing Yu agreed to help run a branch of her Milk Tea Shop. Jiang Nuan then suggested that he and Yun Shining teach martial arts to the children, and they agreed to teach them the basics.

• Yun Shining and Qing Yu recounted how they grew up together at Cloud Cloud Manor and how Qing Yu came to Capital City to find her.
• Guagua revealed that their parents hoped Yun Shining and Qing Yu would marry, but both recoiled at the idea.
• Qing Yu enjoyed Yun Shining's milk tea and agreed to manage a new branch of the shop in exchange for being able to drink it.
• After Xiao En returned from a delivery, Jiang Nuan suggested that Yun Shining and Qing Yu teach martial arts to the children.
• Yun Shining and Qing Yu agreed to teach the children, explaining that they could share basic techniques but not their core methods.

Jiang Nuan encouraged Xiao En to study martial arts, and Qing Yu discovered that Xiao En had exceptional aptitude and invited him to join the Green Mountain Sword Manor. After Xiao En agreed to go, Qing Yu gave him a disciple token and recruited other promising youngsters; later, Jiang Nuan resumed her routine until the Spring Examination began.

• Qing Yu examined Xiao En and found his aptitude exceptional, then invited him to join the Green Mountain Sword Manor.
• Xiao En initially refused because he wanted to repay Jiang Nuan by staying in the Capital City and delivering Milk Tea.
• Jiang Nuan encouraged Xiao En to train first and return to work for her later, and he agreed to go to the Green Mountain Sword Manor.
• Qing Yu joked that Xiao En had missed his chance, then apologized and gave him a Green Mountain Sword Manor disciple token.
• Qing Yu and Jiang Nuan found other promising youngsters at the school, and Qing Yu sent his father a carrier pigeon asking him to bring them to the manor.
• Jiang Nuan returned to her routine between the Imperial Palace, court assemblies, and her shops, and the Spring Examination began.

Jiang Nuan entered the examination grounds after candidates failed to emerge and found Shi Yongfu accusing Wu Hongcai of cheating. Wu Hongcai agreed to a search to clear his name, while Shi Yongfu trusted that his tampered clothes would provide evidence against him.

• Jiang Nuan stayed with Lin Mother while they waited for Lin Mingxu to finish the examination.
• When no candidates came out, Jiang Nuan arranged for a palace maid to watch over Lin Mother and entered the examination grounds.
• Shi Yongfu reported Wu Hongcai to Chief Examiner An Laiyun, claiming his friend had sewn crib notes into his clothes.
• Wu Hongcai denied cheating and said he had avoided Shi Yongfu's food and replaced the clothes his friend had given him.
• Shi Yongfu insisted that a search would reveal the notes, and Wu Hongcai asked An Laiyun to search him.

Wu Hongcai was cleared after Shi Yongfu’s scheme was exposed, and the scholars revealed they had anticipated it because a popular Storybook described the same plot. Shi Yongfu was taken away, while Jiang Nuan left the examination grounds with Lin Mingxu and noticed Lin Mother had disappeared.

• Wu Hongcai’s robe was searched in public, but no cheat sheet was found, and Shi Yongfu accidentally exposed that he had tampered with it.
• Shi Yongfu confessed to resenting Wu Hongcai and admitted that he had framed him, while Wu Hongcai revealed he had secretly studied hard despite pretending to be carefree.
• The scholars explained that they had suspected Shi Yongfu because his plan matched a popular Storybook, which described the laxative plot and the attempt to plant a cheat sheet.
• An Laiyun ordered the guards to take Shi Yongfu away, and Wu Hongcai was allowed to leave.
• Jiang Nuan told Lin Mingxu that Lin Mother was waiting outside, then realized Lin Mother was nowhere to be seen.

Lin Mingxu found his mother resting at an inn after Qian Yangxi helped her when she felt faint, and Lin Mother immediately tried to matchmake the two young people. Their awkward conversation was interrupted when Qian Shuo arrived and asked why his children were still there.

• A maid told Lin Mingxu that his mother had nearly fainted and had been taken to a nearby inn, so he and Jiang Nuan followed her there.
• Lin Mingxu and Jiang Nuan found Qian Yangxi with Lin Mother, who had been helped by Qian Yangxi and was now feeling better.
• Lin Mother asked whether Qian Yangxi was betrothed and urged her to consider Lin Mingxu, while Lin Mingxu tried to discourage the match.
• Qian Chunhe arrived, praised Lin Mingxu, and joined Lin Mother in encouraging the match, despite Qian Yangxi's protests.
• Lin Mingxu and Qian Yangxi exchanged an awkward glance as Lin Mingxu decided not to take the matchmaking seriously.
• Qian Shuo arrived and asked Qian Chunhe and Qian Yangxi why they had not gone home after the examination.

Qian Shuo unexpectedly agreed to arrange Qian Yangxi’s marriage to Lin Mingxu after learning that Lin was a leading Spring Examination candidate. While Jiang Nuan stayed at the inn, she overheard Cai Jingheng and his lackey discussing a change of plans involving the examination.

• Qian Shuo arrived at the inn worried that Qian Yangxi had gone to see Wei Xinyuan, but found her with Qian Chunhe, Jiang Nuan, and the Lin family.
• Lin Mother proposed a match between Qian Yangxi and Lin Mingxu, and Qian Shuo asked Lin Mingxu about his name and Spring Examination candidacy.
• After recognizing Lin Mingxu as a regional Top Candidate, Qian Shuo agreed to the match and arranged for both families to discuss the wedding that evening.
• Qian Shuo left with Qian Yangxi, Qian Chunhe, and Lin Mother, while Jiang Nuan stayed behind to order food.
• Jiang Nuan noticed Cai Jingheng enter the adjoining room and overheard his lackey ask about plans to secure examination success.
• Cai Jingheng said there had been a change of plans, and Jiang Nuan began listening more closely.

Cai Jingheng worried that his uncle, Cai Guangyuan, had withdrawn his promise to adopt him and help him pass the Spring Examination, while Jiang Nuan learned why Cai Guangyuan had abandoned his plan to cheat. After returning to the palace, Jiang Nuan decided to visit her imperial aunt for incense to help her sleepless mother.

• Cai Jingheng suspected Cai Guangyuan might have chosen another nephew to adopt, and he hinted that he would deal with any rival.
• Ding Qi changed the subject, and Jiang Nuan stopped listening to the two men.
• Guagua told Jiang Nuan that Cai Guangyuan had once vowed to do good deeds after consulting a spiritual master, but had considered helping Cai Jingheng cheat because he wanted an adopted son.
• Cai Guangyuan abandoned his plan to leak examination questions after a princess's gossip handbook made him feel guilty, and he considered adopting a successful jinshi who had lost both parents instead.
• Jiang Nuan finished her meal and returned to the palace, where she spent the next few days resting and keeping her mother company.
• Jiang Nuan decided to visit her imperial aunt to seek soothing incense for her mother's unexplained insomnia.

Jiang Nuan visited Jin Yueyi’s shop to find sleep-aiding sachets for her mother and agreed to join her aunt for peach-picking the next day. On the way to the peach grove, Jiang Nuan discovered a poetry gathering was drawing young scholars there and realized Jiang Yan had dressed up because he feared they might catch Jin Yueyi’s eye.

• Jiang Nuan visited Jin Yueyi’s shop, where Jiang Yan was working and struggling to stay awake.
• Jin Yueyi gave Jiang Nuan several sleep-aiding sachets for her mother and invited her to pick peach blossoms the next day.
• Jiang Nuan agreed to go with Jin Yueyi, while Jiang Yan tried unsuccessfully to convince them to take him along.
• Jiang Nuan found Jiang Yan dressed in a pale pink robe when she arrived the next morning, and he joined them in the carriage despite not being invited.
• Jiang Nuan learned from a scholar that a Peach Grove Poetry Gathering was taking place and realized Jiang Yan was nervous about young scholars meeting Jin Yueyi.
• Jiang Yan flushed when Jiang Nuan guessed that he had dressed up to keep the scholars from outshining him.

Jiang Nuan, Jiang Yan, and Jin Yueyi visited the Peach Garden Poetry Gathering, where Jiang Yan grew jealous as Jin Yueyi admired other men. Nearby, Xiang Ge and Xiang Ru tried to comfort Xiang Sicong about his examination results, with Xiang Ge eventually defending his grandson from his father’s scolding.

• Jiang Nuan and her companions entered a viewing terrace at the peach garden to watch the gathering before picking blossoms.
• Jiang Nuan admired the handsome attendees, while Jiang Yan criticized each man and claimed he was a better match for Jin Yueyi.
• Jin Yueyi told Jiang Yan to stop criticizing people or go home, and he fell silent rather than leave.
• Xiang Ge and Xiang Ru encouraged the gloomy Xiang Sicong, who had been blaming himself for possible mistakes on the examination.
• Xiang Ru began scolding Xiang Sicong for not studying more, but Xiang Ge flicked him on the head and reassured his grandson about the results and his future.

Xiang Ge reassured Xiang Sicong that he could choose farming, then mocked Xiang Ru for failing the Tongsheng examination. At a poetry gathering, Jiang Nuan learned that Tang Miaoling had betrayed her brother in a previous life and resolved to stop their possible betrothal before it was decreed.

• Xiang Ge told Xiang Sicong he would support him even if he became a farmer, while recalling how Xiang Ru had failed to pass the Tongsheng examination.
• Jiang Nuan noticed Tang Miaoling at the gathering, and Guagua revealed that she had been the Crown Prince's prospective bride in a previous life.
• Guagua told Jiang Nuan that Tang Miaoling had later fabricated evidence against the Crown Prince and cut ties with him.
• Jiang Nuan learned that her Empress Mother planned to discuss a betrothal with Tang Miaoling's mother in three days, and she decided to persuade her Empress Mother against it.
• Jiang Nuan searched the crowd for her sister and Sister Yun after recognizing the uniforms worn by the shop's employees, and she found them.

Jiang Nuan met An Yan and Yun Shining at their milk tea booth during the Peach Grove Poetry Gathering and agreed that their next school should be built in Auspicious Peace County. The gathering began with new poetry themes and prizes, including an Immortal Garment Pavilion outfit that stirred the crowd’s excitement.

• Jiang Nuan joined An Yan and Yun Shining, who had set up a milk tea counter to promote their peach blossom drinks.
• An Yan revealed that she would offer a limited-edition peach blossom outfit as a poetry gathering prize, and she asked Jiang Nuan about opening another school.
• Jiang Nuan agreed to a new school and proposed building it in Auspicious Peace County, and An Yan planned to find a site the next day.
• The peach grove owner announced poetry contests on peach blossoms and beautiful women, with prizes including silver, poems featured on milk tea cups, and a limited-edition outfit.
• The owner unveiled the outfit, and the crowd gasped at its beauty while one attendee urged her brother to win it for her.

At a peach-blossom poetry gathering, Jiang Nuan recognized a scholar reciting famous poems she had only thought of, and watched others expose him for claiming them as his own. His escape left her wondering who the transmigrator was.

• Jiang Nuan mentally recited poems about peach blossoms and beautiful women, and An Yan, Yun Shining, and the scholars who heard her thoughts were impressed.
• A lightly dressed scholar recited Cui Hu's “At the South Village of the Capital” and Li Bai's “Qingping Melody,” claiming both poems as his own.
• Jiang Nuan recognized the poems, and another scholar challenged the man for stealing them.
• More people demanded that the poem thief explain how he had composed the verses, but he could not answer and fled through the crowd.
• Jiang Nuan concluded that the fleeing scholar probably was not a transmigrator, then lost interest in the contest as she wondered who the transmigrator was.

Jiang Nuan persuaded Xiao Xiao to investigate Tang Miaoling after learning she had brutally abused and killed her maids. Meanwhile, Prince Xin Jiang Xiangyang headed for the capital, believing rumors and Jiang Yunsheng’s letter meant he might be offered the throne.

• Jiang Nuan instructed An Yan and Yun Shining to direct anyone asking for the shop owner to her, hoping to find the transmigrator.
• Xiao Xiao showed Jiang Nuan a portrait of Tang Miaoling as a potential Crown Princess, and Jiang Nuan urged her mother not to approve the match.
• Guagua told Jiang Nuan that Tang Miaoling had killed two beautiful childhood maids and inflicted deadly abuse on other servants.
• Jiang Nuan asked Xiao Xiao to investigate Tang Miaoling, and Xiao Xiao agreed to look into her further.
• Prince Xin Jiang Xiangyang traveled toward the capital after intercepted reports made him believe Crown Prince Jiang Chengze was near death and Jiang Yunsheng might offer him the throne.

Jiang Xiangyang misread Jiang Yunsheng’s letter as a promise of the Imperial Throne and hurried to Capital City with his family, where Jiang Nuan discovered his plans and learned more about his household. Jiang Nuan decided to approach his Heir Apparent about helping remove his father, and learned that her cousin Jiang Mengqing led a martial-world intelligence organization.

• Jiang Xiangyang interpreted Jiang Yunsheng’s praise as a sign that he would inherit the throne, then traveled to Capital City with his Princess Consort and Heir Apparent.
• At a milk tea shop, Jiang Nuan recognized Prince Xin and learned through Guagua that he planned to meet Xing Yuanzheng and flee if anything seemed wrong.
• Jiang Nuan learned that Prince Xin intended to use his wife and Heir Apparent as hostages, while the Heir Apparent had secretly gained support among his father’s people.
• Jiang Nuan and Guagua decided to intercept the Heir Apparent that night and persuade him to cooperate against Prince Xin.
• Guagua revealed that the Heir Apparent planned to visit an intelligence organization, whose head was Jiang Nuan’s cousin Jiang Mengqing.

Jiang Xuanming paid Jiang Mengqing for intelligence about Prince Xin’s summons and discovered that Jiang Nuan had exposed his father’s spies. Jiang Nuan proposed partnering with Jiang Mengqing’s Thousand-Mile Eye, leaving Guagua excited about earning money through the arrangement.

• Jiang Xuanming learned that every one of Prince Xin’s spies at court had been arrested and that His Majesty had summoned Prince Xin to the capital to seize him.
• Jiang Mengqing declined to identify who had uncovered the spies, and Jiang Nuan revealed that she had gathered the evidence and sent it to the Court of Judicial Review.
• Jiang Xuanming asked two more questions and paid Jiang Mengqing the remaining thirty thousand taels.
• Guagua suggested that Jiang Nuan establish an intelligence bureau, but Jiang Nuan explained that they lacked staff and customers.
• Jiang Nuan proposed splitting the earnings from a partnership with Jiang Mengqing’s Thousand-Mile Eye, and Guagua eagerly agreed.

Jiang Nuan followed Jiang Xuanming to spy on Prince Xin and Xing Yuanzheng, where Guagua exposed the truth behind Prince Xin’s old love letters. Xing Yuanzheng confronted Jiang Xiangyang about their letters, leaving Jiang Xiangyang struggling to keep up his act.

• Jiang Mengqing offered Jiang Xuanming free information about Prince Xin meeting Xing Yuanzheng, and Jiang Nuan secretly followed him.
• Jiang Nuan reached the meeting place before Jiang Xuanming and watched from the roof as Jiang Xiangyang and Xing Yuanzheng arrived.
• Guagua revealed that Jiang Xiangyang had copied love letters written by his subordinates, while Xing Yuanzheng had treasured them as genuine expressions of affection.
• Xing Yuanzheng nearly lost his footing after realizing the truth, and Jiang Xiangyang pretended to care for him.
• Xing Yuanzheng asked why Jiang Xiangyang no longer used the affectionate names from their letters, forcing Jiang Xiangyang to search his memory and steel himself to reply.

Jiang Xiangyang returned to the Capital City believing Jiang Yunsheng might entrust him with the throne, but Jiang Yunsheng confronted him with evidence of his network of agents. Jiang Xiangyang admitted defeat and asked what his imperial brother intended to do with him.

• Jiang Xiangyang questioned Xing Yuanzheng about the Capital City, then concluded that the other princes were unfit to inherit the throne and that Jiang Yunsheng might choose him.
• Jiang Xiangyang questioned his secret agents, rested, and went to the Imperial Palace with Princess Consort Xin and the Heir Apparent.
• Jiang Yunsheng suggested that Jiang Xiangyang stay in the Capital City and revealed that he knew about Jiang Xiangyang's close contact with Xing Yuanzheng.
• Jiang Yunsheng brought out Xing Yuanzheng and Jiang Xiangyang's secret agents, showing that his network had been uncovered.
• Jiang Xiangyang stopped denying his involvement, sat down, and asked Jiang Yunsheng what he intended to do with him.

Jiang Xiangyang threatened Jiang Yunsheng with his army, but Jiang Xuanming exposed his secret forces and claim to the throne. Jiang Yunsheng chose to confine him to a mountain under guard, leaving Jiang Xuanming to handle the matter.

• Jiang Xiangyang threatened to march his troops on Capital City if his daily letters stopped, but Jiang Xuanming revealed that Lin Zhuo now worked for him.
• Jiang Xuanming reported that Jiang Xiangyang kept a private army and had a dragon robe made, and a palace search uncovered the dragon robe and a Phoenix Robe.
• Jiang Xuanming explained that the Princess Consort had brought both robes to Capital City and said Lin Zhuo had turned against Jiang Xiangyang after learning his youngest son was Jiang Xiangyang's.
• Guagua revealed that Jiang Xiangyang planned to spread rumors portraying Jiang Yunsheng as a tyrant if he faced execution.
• Jiang Yunsheng said he would spare Jiang Xiangyang but send him to live in the mountains under guard, then asked Jiang Xuanming to handle it.

Jiang Xuanming surrendered his military tally and returned to Ba-Shu to carry out reforms, while Jiang Nuan watched the Spring Examination results and arranged for unsuccessful candidates to remain available for government posts. As the Palace Examination began, Jiang Nuan eagerly awaited the new candidates, whose minds were already being reached by her voice.

• Jiang Xuanming handed Jiang Yunsheng the military tally, then returned to Ba-Shu and reformed his household, punishing the mother and son who had influenced Prince Xin.
• Jiang Nuan attended the Spring Examination results posting and saw familiar names, including Lin Mingxu and Wu Hongcai, among the successful candidates.
• Fan Jin passed the examination and went mad with joy until his elder brother slapped him and brought him back to his senses.
• Jiang Nuan reasoned that the court’s vacant posts would benefit unsuccessful candidates, and the court announced they should stay until positions were assigned.
• A month later, Jiang Nuan waited for the hundred Gongshi to enter the Palace Examination hall, and her voice rang in their ears.

During the Palace Examination, Jiang Nuan discovered that candidate Xia Gaoyang was Xia Quanqiao’s long-lost son, abducted as a child and raised by a wealthy merchant in Jiangnan. Xia Quanqiao learned his son had lived comfortably, while Xia Gaoyang remained shocked by the revelation.

• Jiang Yunsheng tested the Palace Examination candidates, and Jiang Nuan asked Guagua about the standout candidate Xia Gaoyang.
• Guagua revealed that Xia Gaoyang was Xia Quanqiao’s youngest son, who had been abducted at age three and never found.
• Xia Quanqiao and Xia Gaoyang reacted with shock as Guagua explained how the family had searched for him and eventually lost hope.
• Guagua revealed that a wealthy Jiangnan merchant had raised Xia Gaoyang as his only child, giving him a comfortable life rather than hardship.
• Jiang Nuan questioned why Xia Gaoyang had no memories of his family, and Guagua explained that the trafficker had lied about his origins while Xia Quanqiao was away on a secret campaign.