Recaps

Yang Qing and Bei Chen examined the rumors and strange rivalry between Tan Wenjie and Xiao Shandong, suspecting that Duan Hongzhuo had a hidden purpose. Yang Qing ordered an investigation into the two officials’ pasts, worried that they had overlooked something important.

• Bei Chen told Yang Qing that Xiao Shandong was rumored to be promoted to Left Imperial Censor, and they discussed how Duan Hongzhuo’s silence might be intended to turn Xiao against Tan Wenjie.
• Yang Qing asked about Lady Li, and Bei Chen offered to investigate, but Yang Qing said he had already sent someone to look into her.
• Bei Chen revealed that Tan Wenjie repeatedly met a veiled, unidentified guest in the Cold Plum Pavilion, while Xiao Shandong visited the room opposite a few days later to meet colleagues.
• Bei Chen described how Tan Wenjie and Xiao Shandong openly competed through court disputes, romantic entanglements, and efforts to win over officials.
• Yang Qing suspected their conspicuous rivalry concealed another purpose and ordered Bei Chen to investigate what the two had done before entering official service.

Tan Wenjie, the prefect of the Capital Prefecture, visited the First-Rank Residence and spent the day drinking tea with Bei Chen without explaining his purpose. After Tan Wenjie left, Bei Chen worried the visit might be a trap and ordered an investigation into the prefect’s recent activities.

• Tan Wenjie arrived at the First-Rank Residence in disguise, startling Bei Chen, who feared he might know about the Dark Pavilion.
• Tan Wenjie said he had come to try the residence’s new tea, and Bei Chen personally brewed it for him.
• Tan Wenjie and Bei Chen spent the day discussing tea before Tan Wenjie departed at dusk.
• Bei Chen considered seeking Yang Qing’s advice but worried that leaving might play into Tan Wenjie’s hands.
• Bei Chen summoned a black-clad figure and ordered an investigation into whether anything had recently happened to Tan Wenjie.

Tan Wenjie secretly investigated the First-Rank Residence, hoping to confirm that the Marquis of Anguo's Heir Apparent was safe, but he chose not to reveal himself. After learning that Tan Wenjie had deep ties to the Marquis of An's Residence, Jiang Zhizhou and Yang Qing realized their arrival in Tong City had attracted attention and resolved to be more careful.

• Tan Wenjie left the First-Rank Residence and told his companion that he had decided not to disclose his purpose there.
• Tan Wenjie learned that a man resembling the Heir Apparent had reached Tong City safely, then ordered his people to watch the First-Rank Residence.
• A black-robed figure emerged from hiding after Tan Wenjie departed and followed the carriage with his gaze before vanishing.
• Jiang Zhizhou told Yang Qing that he had seen Tan Wenjie visit the First-Rank Residence and secretly followed him.
• Jiang Zhizhou revealed that Tan Wenjie had deep connections to the Marquis of An's Residence and had intended to seek him out.
• Yang Qing warned that their arrival in Tong City had not gone unnoticed, and he and Jiang Zhizhou agreed to act more cautiously.

Jiang Zhizhou and Yang Qing weighed Tan Wenjie’s unexplained interest in Jiang and decided not to respond until they knew more. Yang Qing then warned that Duan Hongzhuo might use Jiang’s family to pressure him, so Jiang agreed to visit the Marquis of An’s Residence on his own terms.

• Jiang Zhizhou told Yang Qing he did not recognize Tan Wenjie and could not explain why Tan had sought him out.
• Yang Qing suggested investigating Tan’s intentions but advised Jiang to act as though their meeting had never happened.
• Jiang urged Yang Qing to take care in the cold and promised to take him out after the wind and snow passed.
• Yang Qing argued that Duan Hongzhuo might have been watching Jiang since his return and could target the Marquis of An’s Residence to force Jiang to submit.
• Jiang agreed to visit the Marquis of An’s Residence voluntarily rather than wait to be pressured into going.

At Yang Qing’s urging, Jiang Zhizhou returned to the Marquis of An’s Residence after years away, hoping to see his father. He reunited with the Marquis of Anguo, who immediately ordered him to leave.

• Yang Qing persuaded Jiang Zhizhou to return to the Marquis of An’s Residence, and Bu Er questioned why he had sent him there.
• Jiang Zhizhou entered the Inner Imperial City and reached the residence through a side entrance.
• Jiang Zhihuai saw Jiang Zhizhou arrive and secretly ordered his Shadow Guards to investigate the intruder.
• Jiang Zhizhou slipped into the Marquis of Anguo’s study and found his father visibly aged.
• Jiang Zhizhou knelt and greeted the Marquis of Anguo, who threw a book at him and urgently told him to leave.

Jiang Zhizhou secretly met with the Marquis of Anguo after returning to Northern Liang, and they discussed the trap at the estate and the danger of a possible traitor. The Marquis gave Jiang Zhizhou a Jade Pendant to seek help from Shopkeeper Liu and warned him to act cautiously as he pursued his mission.

• Jiang Zhizhou let the Marquis of Anguo strike his forehead with a book, then secretly explained that he had returned to Northern Liang after finishing his work in Western Chu.
• Jiang Zhizhou told the Marquis of Anguo that the Regent King had turned the estate into a trap, and suggested someone inside the residence might have leaked the secret arrangements.
• The Marquis of Anguo gave Jiang Zhizhou a Jade Pendant and told him to seek out Shopkeeper Liu at the Liu Family Bookshop if he faced trouble.
• The Marquis of Anguo warned Jiang Zhizhou not to act rashly or let his achievements overshadow the sovereign, and Jiang Zhizhou promised to be careful before leaving.

Jiang Zhihuai confronted the Marquis of Anguo over his favoritism toward Jiang Zhizhou and was struck and confined. Days later, Jiang Zhizhou took Yang Qing to Cloud Return Zen Temple for the Laba Festival, where they unexpectedly encountered Regent King Duan Hongzhuo.

• The Marquis of Anguo found Jiang Zhihuai waiting outside his study after Jiang Zhizhou had left.
• Jiang Zhihuai suggested Jiang Zhizhou might have returned from Western Chu and accused the Marquis of Anguo of treating his sons unfairly.
• The Marquis of Anguo slapped Jiang Zhihuai and ordered the guards to confine him to his courtyard.
• Several days later, Jiang Zhizhou took Yang Qing to Cloud Return Zen Temple for the Laba Festival.
• Jiang Zhizhou and Yang Qing recognized Regent King Duan Hongzhuo at the temple and wondered why he had come there.

Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou discovered that Duan Hongzhuo had secretly entered Cloud Return Zen Temple, apparently seeking a rumored Wandering Monk. They followed the abbot to the meditation quarters, while hidden watchers hurried to report their movements to His Highness.

• Yang Qing told Jiang Zhizhou that Duan Hongzhuo had arrived with few attendants and likely came in secret to seek the Wandering Monk rumored to be at Cloud Return Zen Temple.
• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou decided to enter the temple rather than risk drawing attention by leaving.
• The abbot met Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou in the covered corridors and invited them to sample Snow Plum tea.
• Yang Qing accepted the abbot's invitation, and the abbot led both men toward the meditation quarters.
• Two hidden figures saw them follow the abbot and went to report to His Highness.

Duan Hongzhuo learned that two suspicious visitors had been invited to tea by the abbot of Cloud Return Zen Temple and went to investigate. As Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou were about to taste the abbot’s Snow Plum tea, Duan Hongzhuo arrived and was welcomed into the meditation chamber.

• Duan Hongzhuo learned that the wandering monk was absent and refused his subordinate’s offer to search the temple by force.
• Duan Hongzhuo heard that two suspicious visitors had been seen wandering the hillside corridors and had gone to drink tea with the abbot.
• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou followed the abbot to his meditation chamber, where he prepared Snow Plum tea with water melted from the winter’s second snowfall.
• Duan Hongzhuo followed the tea’s fragrance to the meditation chamber and asked to join the guests.
• The abbot opened the door and invited Duan Hongzhuo inside.

Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou avoided entanglement with Duan Hongzhuo at Cloud Return Zen Temple and left the crowded Laba Festival grounds. As they headed for their carriage, someone stopped them.

• Duan Hongzhuo found Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou kneeling in the abbot’s chamber, then left and ordered his subordinate to investigate them.
• The abbot apologized for the ruined tea, and Yang Qing said that gain and loss were ordained by Heaven.
• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou offered incense, avoided the Laba porridge crowds, and discussed Duan Hongzhuo’s visit as they walked through the temple.
• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou decided not to approach another group of meditation chambers and left the temple without seeking a protective talisman.
• Someone blocked Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou on their way to their carriage and called out to them.

At Cloud Return Zen Temple, a monk gave Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou Fortune Pouches and warned Yang Qing about his health and haste. As they left, Duan Hongzhuo stopped their carriage, questioned Yang Qing about meeting the abbot, and ordered his guards to take them away.

• A monk gave Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou Fortune Pouches, diagnosed Yang Qing’s concealed internal heat disorder, and warned him to care for his health.
• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou returned to their carriage, where Bu Er reported that another carriage was blocking their way.
• A messenger summoned Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou to meet his master, and they followed him to Duan Hongzhuo’s carriage.
• Duan Hongzhuo questioned Yang Qing about his visit with the abbot, and Yang Qing explained that they had discussed Snow Plum and tea.
• Duan Hongzhuo said Yang Qing had piqued his interest and ordered his guards to take Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou away.

Duan Hongzhuo took the chronically ill Yang Qing to the Regent King’s Residence despite Yang Qing’s protests. After a physician failed to identify Yang Qing’s medicine, Duan Hongzhuo ordered him settled in a courtyard with attendants, and Yang Qing awoke that night.

• Duan Hongzhuo ordered guards to take Yang Qing, who agreed to go after his excuses failed.
• Bu Er tried to pursue Yang Qing, but Jiang Zhizhou stopped him and took him back to the Rare Treasures Pavilion.
• Duan Hongzhuo brought the unconscious Yang Qing into his residence and had the physician examine him.
• The physician diagnosed Yang Qing’s chronic illness but could not identify the pill found on him.
• Duan Hongzhuo ordered attendants to care for Yang Qing in a more ordinary courtyard.
• Yang Qing woke at night and accepted being moved elsewhere.

Yang Qing settled into Listening Waves Courtyard at Duan Hongzhuo’s residence, uncertain why the Regent King had brought him there. Duan Hongzhuo ordered the Shadow Guards to watch him, while Jiang Zhizhou and Bu Er debated whether to retrieve him.

• Xifeng and Moyu escorted Yang Qing to the main room of Listening Waves Courtyard and warned him to behave after he asked when he could leave.
• Yang Qing contemplated Duan Hongzhuo’s motives as snow and wind intensified outside the courtyard.
• A Shadow Guard reported Yang Qing’s questions to Duan Hongzhuo, who ordered continued surveillance and immediate reports of anything unusual.
• At the Rare Treasures Pavilion, Bu Er suspected Duan Hongzhuo had been watching Yang Qing and urged Jiang Zhizhou to bring him back.
• Jiang Zhizhou stopped Bu Er from acting rashly.

Duan Hongzhuo questioned Yang Qing about his origins, southern connections, and delayed return to Tong City, then let him go without revealing what he suspected. Yang Qing left believing he had survived the encounter for now, while Duan Hongzhuo ordered his men to keep watching him.

• Duan Hongzhuo summoned Yang Qing to his study and asked about his home in Zi City and his ties to people from the south.
• Duan Hongzhuo raised the death of a Western Chu military official and used tea as an analogy, hinting that he knew Yang Qing had unusual origins.
• Yang Qing denied knowing about the official and explained that heavy snow and his poor health had delayed his journey back to Tong City.
• Duan Hongzhuo dismissed Yang Qing, who left fearing the Regent King had uncovered something but believing his frightened performance had bought him time.
• Duan Hongzhuo shattered his teacup and ordered his men to continue watching Yang Qing closely.

Yang Qing endured Duan Hongzhuo’s scrutiny in the Regent King’s Residence and pleaded to return home for New Year’s Eve. Duan Hongzhuo sent him to Tong City, where Yang Qing collapsed after reaching the city and was found by Bu Er.

• Yang Qing stayed quietly in Listening Waves Courtyard for several days as his health worsened and he took more medicine.
• On New Year’s Eve, Yang Qing told Duan Hongzhuo he was only a merchant and begged to return home.
• Duan Hongzhuo ordered guards to escort Yang Qing to Tong City, warning him to keep his abilities and words in check.
• The guard left Yang Qing outside Tong City as the gate was closing, but Yang Qing ran inside before it shut.
• Yang Qing started walking toward the Rare Treasures Pavilion, coughed up blood, and collapsed when Bu Er rushed to him.

Yang Qing fell gravely ill after Duan Hongzhuo released him, and an elderly physician saved him while warning that his health was failing. After recovering at the Medical Hall, Yang Qing and his companions learned that Northern Liang was fighting the South.

• Bu Er and Jiang Zhizhou rushed Yang Qing to a Medical Hall when his old illness flared up, and an elderly physician agreed to treat him.
• The physician warned that Yang Qing’s past injury and recent strain had left him near death, then recognized clues that Bu Er and Jiang Zhizhou came from far south.
• Yang Qing woke at dawn, learned what had happened, and agreed to remain at the Medical Hall to recover despite wanting to return to the Rare Treasures Pavilion.
• After three days, the physician gave Yang Qing prepared pills and allowed him, Bu Er, and Jiang Zhizhou to leave.
• Yang Qing and his companions overheard patrolling soldiers say Northern Liang was fighting the South, and all three grew alarmed.

Yang Qing and his companions learned that Northern Liang and Western Chu had gone to war again, and Yang Qing suspected Duan Hongzhuo was behind the renewed conflict. They stayed at the Rare Treasures Pavilion while Jiang Zhizhou investigated, and the chapter ended when he returned with news.

• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou heard that Northern Liang and Western Chu were at war again and returned to the Rare Treasures Pavilion to investigate.
• Jiang Zhizhou left to learn what had happened at the border, warning Yang Qing not to act alone.
• Yang Qing feared Duan Hongzhuo had torn up the treaty and sent troops against Yan Pass, putting Yan Prefecture and Western Chu at risk.
• Yang Qing suspected Duan Hongzhuo had identified him as a Western Chu native and used his illness to keep him isolated, but decided not to flee until Jiang Zhizhou returned.
• After a day of waiting at the Rare Treasures Pavilion, Bu Er saw Jiang Zhizhou return covered in snow and called Yang Qing to greet him.

Yang Qing learned that Yan Pass was close to falling after Duan Hongzhuo attacked while its defenders were complacent. Rather than expose himself by sending Northern Hawk to fight, Yang Qing ordered it to carry terrain maps to Southern Xun and Eastern Hao, hoping they would threaten Northern Liang from the rear.

• Jiang Zhizhou reported that Suotu had left Yan Prefecture and that the troops at Yan Pass had relaxed after the treaty, allowing Duan Hongzhuo to breach the first two defensive lines.
• Yang Qing warned that losing Yan Pass would endanger Yan Prefecture and put the Capital City at risk.
• Yang Qing ordered Bu Er to relay a command, but Jiang Zhizhou and Bu Er warned that acting directly would expose him to Duan Hongzhuo and endanger his recovery.
• Yang Qing explained that Northern Liang had sent three circuit garrisons toward Yan Pass, leaving an opening for Southern Xun and Eastern Hao to attack.
• Yang Qing instructed Bu Er to have Northern Hawk deliver terrain maps to Southern Xun and Eastern Hao, then told Jiang Zhizhou to find the young emperor.

Jiang Zhizhou secretly met with Duan Ziqian and warned him that the Regent King’s conquest of Western Chu would strengthen his grip on Northern Liang. Duan Ziqian approved a plan to draw Southern Xun and Eastern Hao into action, leaving Jiang Zhizhou to contact Southern Xun.

• Yang Qing urged Jiang Zhizhou to seek out the young emperor and discuss what he should sacrifice to protect his throne.
• Jiang Zhizhou entered Qingyang Palace in secret and met with Duan Ziqian, who questioned why he had not visited sooner.
• Jiang Zhizhou warned Duan Ziqian that the Regent King’s growing military power threatened the emperor’s rule.
• Jiang Zhizhou proposed sending Imperial Edicts to Southern Xun and Eastern Hao to thwart the Regent King’s campaign against Western Chu.
• Duan Ziqian approved offering border territories to draw both countries into action, assigning Jiang Zhizhou to contact Southern Xun and a trusted confidant to contact Eastern Hao.

Jiang Zhizhou left for Southern Xun to negotiate a military alliance, while Yang Qing arranged covert protection and focused on delaying Duan Hongzhuo’s advance. Jiang Zhizhou was ambushed on the snowy road but killed his attacker and continued onward.

• Jiang Zhizhou told Yang Qing that Duan Ziqian had approved their proposal and assigned him to negotiate with Southern Xun.
• Yang Qing instructed Bu Er to have Bei Chen send two capable agents to secretly protect Jiang Zhizhou.
• Yang Qing reflected that holding Duan Hongzhuo back for several days could save Yan Pass and protect Western Chu, then asked Bu Er to investigate the Old Doctor without disturbing him.
• Jiang Zhizhou set out alone for Southern Xun through the snow and sensed a hidden attacker.
• Jiang Zhizhou deflected the attacker’s saber, shattered it, and killed the man before continuing his journey.

Jiang Zhizhou fought off pursuers and crossed the Northern Liang checkpoint into Nanxun, where he was caught in a trap. He claimed to be a secret envoy seeking an urgent audience with Nanxun’s emperor, but the soldiers demanded proof.

• Jiang Zhizhou killed three mounted pursuers and continued toward Southern Xun as his hidden followers cleaned up the bodies and resumed their pursuit.
• Jiang Zhizhou forced a two-day journey into less than a day, abandoned his horse on a muddy route, and reached the Northern Liang–Nanxun border checkpoint.
• Jiang Zhizhou stabbed a Northern Liang soldier who demanded his papers and sprinted across the checkpoint into Nanxun.
• Jiang Zhizhou fell into a hunting trap and was hauled out by Nanxun soldiers, who discussed taking him to the emperor for a reward.
• Jiang Zhizhou caught a soldier’s kick and identified himself as a Northern Liang secret envoy seeking an urgent audience, but the Nanxun soldiers asked for proof.

Jiang Zhizhou reached the Emperor of Southern Xun with Northern Liang’s sovereign seal and warned that Duan Hongzhuo would threaten Southern Xun after conquering Western Chu. He offered Thousand-Leaf City in exchange for Southern Xun’s military aid, and the emperor agreed to take the risk.

• Jiang Zhizhou gave a Southern Xun patrol soldier Northern Liang’s sovereign seal, and the Emperor of Southern Xun summoned him.
• The Emperor of Southern Xun consulted his ministers and learned that Jiang Zhizhou was a secret envoy bearing the sovereign’s personal seal.
• Jiang Zhizhou told the Emperor of Southern Xun that the Regent King, Duan Hongzhuo, would target Southern Xun after taking Yan Pass and Western Chu.
• Jiang Zhizhou proposed a deal in which Southern Xun would send troops to aid Northern Liang and receive Thousand-Leaf City.
• The Emperor of Southern Xun accepted the offer and said he was willing to take the plunge.

Jiang Zhizhou persuaded the Emperor of Southern Xun to send troops to hold the border for three days, while Yang Qing awaited news in Tong City. The chapter ended with Eastern Hao also sending troops, improving the Young Emperor of Northern Liang’s chances against Duan Hongzhuo.

• Jiang Zhizhou convinced the Emperor of Southern Xun to deploy troops for three days in exchange for Thousand-Leaf City.
• The Emperor of Southern Xun invited Jiang Zhizhou to remain in the country, and Jiang accepted.
• Yang Qing learned that Jiang Zhizhou had secured Southern Xun’s support and ordered Northern Hawk to monitor Duan Hongzhuo and Eastern Hao.
• Yang Qing went outside with Bu Er despite his lingering illness and reflected on the danger facing Western Chu and Northern Liang.
• Bu Er reported that Eastern Hao had sent troops, and Yang Qing waited to see how events unfolded.

Duan Hongzhuo returned from his campaign against Western Chu and confronted Duan Ziqian in court over the emperor’s interference and Northern Liang’s lost chance at Yan Pass. He accused Duan Ziqian of hiding the truth about Southern Xun and Eastern Hao taking Thousand-Leaf City and Sunset City, then called on the court to demand an explanation.

• Duan Hongzhuo returned to the Imperial City and asked Duan Ziqian to punish him for failing to take Yan Pass.
• Duan Hongzhuo challenged Duan Ziqian over the emperor’s summons and argued that conquering Western Chu would bring Northern Liang prosperity and lasting peace.
• Duan Ziqian defended his decision by citing the cost of years of war and accused Duan Hongzhuo of pursuing his own ambitions.
• Duan Ziqian pointed out that Duan Hongzhuo had entered the palace in armor and with a sword, against Northern Liang’s laws.
• Duan Hongzhuo questioned why Eastern Hao and Southern Xun had attacked simultaneously and taken Thousand-Leaf City and Sunset City, then urged the officials to hear Duan Ziqian’s answer.

Duan Ziqian used the empty treasury and the cost of war with Western Chu to force the ministers to oppose Duan Hongzhuo’s campaign. After Duan Hongzhuo left court, Duan Ziqian told Eunuch Gui that he had deliberately provoked his uncle and expected retaliation.

• Duan Ziqian asked Minister Chen to explain the treasury’s balance and the funds needed for spring planting, disaster relief, and a campaign against Western Chu.
• Duan Ziqian pointed out that the planned war would cost more than Northern Liang had available, and the ministers begged Duan Hongzhuo to abandon the campaign.
• Duan Hongzhuo left Chen Ye Hall after giving Duan Ziqian a perfunctory bow, and Duan Ziqian dismissed the court.
• Duan Ziqian told Eunuch Gui that yielding to Duan Hongzhuo had achieved little and that he had chosen to strike first.
• Duan Ziqian revealed that he had deliberately provoked Duan Hongzhuo and expected his uncle to retaliate, while Eunuch Gui knelt in tears.