Chapter Summaries

Yang Qing learned that Northern Liang would send envoys to Yan Prefecture for peace negotiations and received a secret imperial order. As he and Jiang Zhizhou prepared for interference, Wei Li made plans of his own and was approached by a mysterious man offering to discuss Yang Qing and the negotiations.

• The imperial envoy appointed Yang Qing to oversee Northern Liang's peace negotiations in Yan Prefecture, and Yang Qing received a secret letter from Guard Suotu later that night.
• Yang Qing told Jiang Zhizhou that the Northern Liang Regent King and Western Chu conspirators might disrupt the negotiations, and they agreed that Yang Qing should play along with their plans.
• Wei Li learned that Yang Chengming would manage the negotiations, then read a letter from Chancellor Wei and gave his guard instructions.
• A mysterious man entered Wei Li's room unseen and offered to discuss the person and matter troubling him.

Northern Liang envoys Liu Mengde and Du Liangcai arrived in Yan Prefecture City to negotiate peace and proposed opening trade routes and establishing a horse ranch on Yan Mountain. Yang Qing welcomed their proposals but said the ranch required careful discussion, leaving Du Liangcai angry at what he saw as a delay.

• Liu Mengde and Du Liangcai arrived at the Yan Prefecture County Office, where Yang Qing greeted them.
• Du Liangcai insulted Yang Qing, who answered with a defense of his wartime tactics and mocked Du Liangcai’s rise to office.
• Dai Sheng ushered the envoys inside after Du Liangcai complained about being kept waiting.
• Liu Mengde proposed opening trade routes and establishing a Northern Liang horse ranch at the northern foot of Yan Mountain.
• Yang Qing said trade should be straightforward but the horse ranch needed further discussion and urged the envoys to rest.
• Du Liangcai angrily demanded an immediate answer, and Yang Qing insisted the matter required caution.

Yang Qing suspected Northern Liang’s demand for a horse ranch concealed a scheme and watched Du Liangcai and Liu Mengde’s maneuvering. When assassins attacked during a storm at the Official Post Station, Bu Er fought them off, and Yang Qing waited for someone to arrive.

• Du Liangcai accused Liu Mengde of yielding to Yang Qing and secretly agreed to a plan proposed by an unnamed man.
• At a banquet, Du Liangcai left early, and Yang Qing told Dai Sheng that Northern Liang’s horse-ranch demand was likely a pretense to delay or carry out a hidden scheme.
• Yang Qing and Dai Sheng left the guesthouse as a storm gathered, and Yang Qing redirected his sedan chair to the Official Post Station for shelter.
• Assassins tried to break into Yang Qing’s room during the downpour, and Bu Er killed the attackers who reached the window and door.
• After the fighting stopped, Bu Er said the attackers should have succeeded, and Yang Qing watched outside, expecting someone to arrive.

Assassins attacked Yang Qing and Wei Li at the Posthouse during a heavy rain, leaving Wei Li mortally wounded. After Wei Li died, Yang Qing ordered the truth reported to the throne and Chancellor Wei.

• Yang Qing reprimanded Posthouse Deputy Fan for failing to secure the Posthouse and ordered him to check for casualties.
• A guard reported that an assassin had wounded Wei Li and that Wei Li's life was in danger, so Yang Qing went to see him.
• A doctor said Wei Li's heart and lungs were wounded and could not be saved.
• Wei Li died in the guard's arms after coughing up blood.
• Yang Qing told Dai Sheng to report the attack and Wei Li's death to the throne and notify Chancellor Wei.

Du Liangcai learned that Wei Li had died and Yang Qing had survived an assassination attempt, then visited Yang Qing and warned that Chancellor Liu could not wait much longer for the peace talks. At the guesthouse, Liu Mengde coughed up blood, collapsed, and called out to the emperor.

• A subordinate told Du Liangcai that the Official Post Station was surrounded, Wei Li had died of his injuries, and Yang Qing was unharmed.
• A Shadow Envoy warned Du Liangcai that the prince would hold him responsible if he failed again, and Du Liangcai set out for the Official Post Station.
• Du Liangcai told Yang Qing that Chancellor Liu could not wait long for the peace negotiations to conclude, and Yang Qing promised to discuss them the next day.
• Liu Mengde coughed up blood, collapsed, and struggled to call for help before crying out to the emperor.

After Liu Mengde died of poisoning in the Yan Prefecture Guesthouse, Yang Qing called for an investigation to answer Northern Liang’s accusations. Yan Ming traced the poison to a combination of xiao fruit, Spirit-Calming Flower, and tea, but his final examination of Liu Mengde revealed a new clue.

• Yang Qing arrived to find Liu Mengde dead, while Du Liangcai accused Western Chu of murdering the Northern Liang chancellor.
• The coroner found that Liu Mengde had been poisoned but could not identify the poison’s source, so Yang Qing summoned Yan Ming.
• Yan Ming questioned the guesthouse cook and learned that Liu Mengde regularly ate xiao fruit and drank tea.
• Yan Ming explained that xiao fruit combined with Spirit-Calming Flower and tea could create a slow-acting poison, and Du Liangcai blamed Western Chu.
• Yang Qing urged Du Liangcai to wait while they sought the true culprit, and Yan Ming discovered a further clue while examining Liu Mengde’s eyes and topknot.

Yang Qing was stripped of his office and imprisoned by imperial decree while Chancellor Wei was assigned to take over the Northern Liang envoy case. In his cell, he warned Yan Ming to leave for Yan Pass and discovered a possible hidden message in the edict.

• Suotu delivered an imperial decree stripping Yang Qing of his official rank and ordering him to await judgment over the Northern Liang envoy case.
• Yang Qing stopped Bu Er from resisting arrest, handed over his official clothes and hat, and was escorted to prison.
• The people of Yan Prefecture protested Yang Qing's punishment, while the jailers gave him a clean cell and meals he preferred.
• Yan Ming told Yang Qing what he had found during his second examination of Liu Mengde's body, and Yang Qing warned him to keep quiet and return to Yan Pass.
• Yang Qing studied the edict and focused on the character "cheng" in its wording.

Yang Qing discovered a hidden instruction in the Imperial Edict to investigate personally and learned that his imprisonment was meant to reassure someone in the capital. The chapter ended with Murong Qian visiting him in prison and expressing her concern.

• Yang Qing found irregularities in the Imperial Edict that spelled out an order to investigate personally.
• Suotu told Yang Qing that the Emperor had spared him prison after Chancellor Wei intervened, and Yang Qing sent Bu Er to watch the capital and delay someone's journey if possible.
• Phantom Shadow attacked Bu Er over Yang Qing's imprisonment, then accepted that Yang Qing had planned it and promised to protect his undertaking.
• Phantom Shadow told Bu Er that a woman had been asking about Yang Qing, and Bu Er warned him not to act rashly toward Miss Murong.
• Murong Qian brought food to Yang Qing's cell, and she reddened with emotion as she told him he had suffered so much.

Murong Qian visited the imprisoned Yang Qing and then agreed to help him despite Jiang Zhizhou’s warning. Yang Qing learned that Fu Bonian was coming to Yan Prefecture in place of Wei Sizhong and ordered an investigation as a carriage set out from the Capital City.

• Murong Qian brought food to Yang Qing in prison, and he asked Jiang Zhizhou to visit her after she left.
• Murong Qian confronted Jiang Zhizhou at Bright Jade Lake and insisted on helping Yang Qing; Jiang warned her to be careful.
• Jiang Zhizhou told Yang Qing about Murong Qian’s intentions, and Yang Qing chose to watch over her secretly rather than stop her.
• Bu Er reported that Fu Bonian, chief minister of the Court of Judicial Review, would come in Wei Sizhong’s place.
• Yang Qing ordered someone sent to Jiang Prefecture to verify something, while a plain carriage left the Capital City for Yan Prefecture.

Wei Sizhong secretly recalled Fu Bonian to the Chancellor's Residence, warning that enemies had targeted him because of his ties to the chancellor. After learning that attackers had killed his steward, Fu Bonian believed Wei Sizhong had saved his life and wondered whether the attack was motivated by his position as Wei's pupil.

• Wei Sizhong privately questioned Fu Bonian about his family and explained that he had secretly brought him back to Capital City.
• Wei Sizhong said that people who had killed his nephew Wei Li had now turned their attention to Fu Bonian, one of the officials he had raised.
• Wei Sizhong's men reported that attackers had ambushed Fu Bonian's carriage and killed his steward.
• Fu Bonian realized the attack might have killed him too and kowtowed to Wei Sizhong, thanking him for saving his life.
• Fu Bonian asked whether the attackers had targeted him simply because he was Wei Sizhong's pupil.

Fu Bonian accepted Wei Sizhong’s assignment to investigate Yan Prefecture Military Commissioner Yang Chengming, understanding that Wei wanted him to eliminate Yang. As Fu traveled north, two visitors in a Jiang Prefecture teahouse heard how local officials were clearing the streets for his expected homecoming and learned rumors about his rise.

• Wei Sizhong told Fu Bonian to go to Yan Prefecture in his place and deal with Yang Chengming, whom he accused of dereliction of duty.
• Wei Sizhong secretly ordered someone to follow Fu and help if necessary.
• Fu Bonian left the capital in an unremarkable carriage, resolving to repay Wei Sizhong’s past kindness by carrying out the assignment.
• In Jiang Prefecture, Prefectural Soldiers drove people from the streets ahead of Fu Bonian’s expected return home.
• Two guests questioned a teahouse waiter, who explained the magistrate’s efforts to impress Fu and shared rumors about Fu’s career.

While imprisoned in Yan Prefecture City, Yang Qing received Phantom Shadow’s report on a lead involving Fu Bonian and ordered further investigation and a message sent to the Northern Hawk. He accepted medicine from his adoptive father, Dark Soul, but kept his worsening health from him to avoid drawing him into Yan Prefecture City’s troubles.

• Phantom Shadow returned from Jiang Prefecture and reported that the man from Capital City had evaded pursuit briefly, while his agents uncovered a startling lead about Fu Bonian.
• Yang Qing ordered Phantom Shadow to investigate Fu Bonian without alerting him and to send detailed instructions to the Northern Hawk.
• Phantom Shadow gave Yang Qing a porcelain bottle of pills from Dark Soul, and Yang Qing ordered Phantom Shadow to receive his punishment after delivering the message.
• Yang Qing explained to Bu Er that he did not want his adoptive father, Dark Soul, to come to Yan Prefecture City and become entangled in its affairs.

Yang Qing let Fu Bonian believe he would accept blame for the Northern Liang envoy’s murder and signed a prepared confession. After Fu Bonian left with it, Yang Qing told Bu Er to have Phantom Shadow replace the document and prepare to deal with Fu Bonian.

• Yang Qing ordered Bu Er to reassure the Alliance leader and let Fu Bonian believe he could gain an advantage.
• Fu Bonian arrived at the Yan Prefecture prison and accused Yang Qing of failing to protect the Northern Liang envoy.
• Fu Bonian privately urged Yang Qing to confess to ordering the attack and take responsibility to ease tensions with Northern Liang.
• Yang Qing signed and fingerprinted Fu Bonian’s prepared confession, which Fu Bonian took away.
• Yang Qing told Bu Er that Phantom Shadow should find an opportunity to swap the confession and said they would properly entertain Fu Bonian.

Murong Qian tried to learn what had happened to Yang Qing and instead discovered Du Liangcai visiting Fu Bonian’s lodgings. She watched Fu Bonian’s men secretly bury a body, then left without revealing herself.

• After Yang Qing’s confession spread, Murong Qian failed to gain access to him and went seeking information around Yan Prefecture.
• Murong Qian recognized Du Liangcai at a clandestine gathering and followed his sedan chair to Fu Bonian’s temporary lodgings.
• Du Liangcai left without entering, while Murong Qian overheard a man warn Matchmaker Huo to keep quiet about what had happened.
• Murong Qian saw Fu Bonian’s men carry out a person on a wooden board and secretly bury the body in a remote spot.
• After the men departed, Murong Qian inspected the filled-in pit and left.

Murong Qian took Xiao Cui to the place where she had seen a body buried, hoping to uncover Fu Bonian’s secret and help Yang Qing. They found the woman’s jade bracelet but no corpse, and a group of armed people confronted them, threatening to bury Murong Qian alongside the woman.

• Murong Qian secretly left the Murong Residence with Xiao Cui and headed to the desolate place where she had seen a body buried.
• Murong Qian told Xiao Cui to dig, and Xiao Cui uncovered the jade bracelet that had been on the dead woman’s arm.
• Murong Qian found no corpse in the hole and realized something was wrong.
• A bloodless-faced woman appeared behind Murong Qian, while others threatened to bury her with the woman.
• Xiao Cui shoved Murong Qian away and offered to hold off the attackers so her mistress could run.

Murong Qian and Xiao Cui were ambushed while trying to escape the men who had discovered them. Xiao Cui died protecting Murong Qian, but Jiang Zhizhou and his men rescued Murong Qian and took her to his secret residence.

• Xiao Cui fought off the men and helped Murong Qian break free, but more attackers blocked Murong Qian's escape.
• Xiao Cui was stabbed and killed as Murong Qian was captured and knocked unconscious.
• Jiang Zhizhou and his men incapacitated the attackers, rescued Murong Qian, and took Xiao Cui and the other body to the Ice Coffin.
• Jiang Zhizhou recognized Murong Qian and ordered his men to restore the scene and treat her injuries.
• Jiang Zhizhou brought Murong Qian to his secret residence and later sent her away in a carriage after her condition improved.

Murong Qian woke at home after being rescued from a desolate place and followed a note to meet her rescuer at the First Pavilion. There, Jiang Zhizhou told her that Xiao Cui was dead.

• Murong Qian woke in her bedchamber, learned she had slept for a day, and discovered Xiao Cui was missing.
• Murong Qian found a note beneath her porcelain pillow inviting her to meet at the First Pavilion at noon.
• Murong Qian persuaded Xiao Yu to arrange a sedan chair and went alone to the First Pavilion.
• Jiang Zhizhou pulled Murong Qian into a private room and revealed that he had saved her.
• Murong Qian asked about Xiao Cui, and Jiang Zhizhou told her Xiao Cui was dead.

After Murong Qian explained how she had followed Fu Bonian, Jiang Zhizhou told her to stay home while their plans continued. Yang Qing learned that Fu Bonian was preparing to return to the Capital City, where another part of their plan was ready.

• Murong Qian told Jiang Zhizhou she had followed Fu Bonian to uncover a secret that might help Yang Qing, and Jiang Zhizhou warned her not to act rashly again.
• Fu Bonian ordered his subordinates to abandon and burn the courtyard after learning that both targets had been dealt with, while hidden observers watched and reported back.
• Yang Qing told Bu Er to let Fu Bonian's journey proceed smoothly because he already had the confession and would want to present it to the emperor.
• Fu Bonian visited Yang Qing in prison and warned him that reporting the case to the emperor could cause a stir.
• Yang Qing learned from Bu Er that preparations at Fu Bonian's destination were complete and that they were waiting for him to arrive.

Fu Bonian presented Chu Jinghui with a confession meant to ruin Yang Qing, but the emperor ordered an investigation of Denggu Alley and the Western Market instead. When the guards confirmed the confession’s claims, Fu Bonian realized the document in Chu Jinghui’s hands might not be the one he had read, and the emperor asked him to explain himself.

• Fu Bonian delivered a wax-sealed confession to Chu Jinghui and insisted that every charge against Yang Qing was true.
• Chu Jinghui questioned Fu Bonian about the confession but remained silent before summoning the imperial guards.
• Chu Jinghui ordered a detachment to investigate Denggu Alley and the Western Market, leaving Fu Bonian unsettled.
• An imperial guard commander reported that the confession’s claims were true and looked at Fu Bonian with disgust.
• Fu Bonian suspected the confession had been changed, and Chu Jinghui asked him to resolve his confusion.

Chu Jinghui confronted Fu Bonian with evidence of corruption and ordered him imprisoned in the Celestial Prison to await judgment. Wei Sizhong accepted responsibility for recommending Fu and was allowed to withdraw after agreeing to house confinement and forfeiture of a year's salary.

• Chu Jinghui questioned Fu Bonian about hidden wealth in Denggu Alley and beauties in the Western Market, then presented him with a ledger.
• Wei Sizhong arrived to submit plans for the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet and learned that Fu Bonian had angered Chu Jinghui.
• Chu Jinghui rebuked Wei Sizhong for recommending Fu Bonian, while Fu admitted he had provoked the emperor through a moment of folly.
• Chu Jinghui ordered the Imperial Guards to strip Fu Bonian of his rank and escort him to the Celestial Prison.
• Wei Sizhong asked to be confined to his home for seven days and to forfeit a year's salary, then left the hall.