Chapter Summaries

Qi Yunheng showed off his affection for Xiao Yu at court, while keeping Xiao Yu’s identity private until a minister recognized him as Prince Yu of Jin. When the minister warned Qi Yunheng about Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu declared that Qi Yunheng was the only one he loved, and Qi Yunheng proudly repeated it.

• Qi Yunheng kissed Xiao Yu in private, but Xiao Yu stopped him from kissing him again because Little Yun Cheng was watching.
• Qi Yunheng arrived late to morning court and displayed the bite mark on his cheek, then refused to announce the Queen’s identity or arrange a meeting without asking An An first.
• After court, Yun Cheng brought Xiao Yu to meet Qi Yunheng, who hurried over and embraced him in front of the ministers.
• A minister recognized Xiao Yu as Prince Yu of Jin and warned Qi Yunheng that Xiao Yu was unfaithful and deceptive.
• Xiao Yu swore that Qi Yunheng was the only one he loved, and Qi Yunheng proudly announced this to the minister.

Xiao Yu left Qi Yunheng in Southern Zhao after learning that the Crown Prince had gone missing in Jin. He arrived at the river where the Crown Prince’s carriage had fallen and began searching for him with his Divine Sense.

• Xiao Yu declared that he loved Qi Yunheng regardless of his status and warned the ministers not to bully him.
• The chancellor considered trying to persuade Xiao Yu to stay in Southern Zhao, while Xiao Yu and Qi Yunheng privately lamented their impending separation.
• Qinggeng reported that the Crown Prince had disappeared after an assassination attempt sent his carriage over a cliff, and that Cui Rong was missing with him.
• Xiao Yu returned to Jin and learned that the Crown Prince and Cui Rong had not been found in the fast-flowing river.
• Xiao Yu reached the river, reassured Shen Zhijie that the Crown Prince would survive, and told Qinggeng to guard him while he searched with his Divine Sense.

After an assassination attempt, the Crown Prince carried the injured Cui Rong through the rain, and the two sheltered in a cave. As they struggled to make a fire, their awkward closeness left them both flustered.

• The Crown Prince carried Cui Rong through the muddy forest until they slipped and fell.
• The Crown Prince berated himself for being useless, and Cui Rong reassured him that he had done well.
• The Crown Prince supported Cui Rong as they limped to a cave to escape the rain.
• The Crown Prince failed to start a fire, so Cui Rong took over and succeeded after claiming he was lucky.
• Cui Rong accidentally brushed the Crown Prince's cheek with his lips, and both men blushed and looked away.

Cui Rong urged the Crown Prince to kill him before their political conflict forced them to become enemies, but the Crown Prince refused and said he would not betray someone who had saved him. As they sheltered from the rain, the Crown Prince teased Cui Rong while they dried their clothes, and the chapter ended with him checking Cui Rong for a fever.

• Cui Rong told the Crown Prince to kill him before he recovered, then warned that princes had to fight to protect their families and supporters.
• The Crown Prince said his sixth brother could take the throne if he wanted it, and refused to kill Cui Rong despite asking whether he would someday kill him.
• Cui Rong advised the Crown Prince to harden his heart and kill when necessary if he wanted a peaceful, prosperous Jin Kingdom.
• The Crown Prince pretended to undress to dry his clothes and teased Cui Rong into turning around, while Cui Rong blushed and silently recited the Heart Sutra.
• The Crown Prince said they would have to spend the night in their shelter, noticed Cui Rong's flushed face, and checked his forehead for a fever.

After becoming trapped in a cave with the injured Cui Rong, the Crown Prince found food and shelter and cared for his Little Uncle. They grew closer as Cui Rong praised him and later held him through the night, while both secretly blushed.

• The Crown Prince apologized for being unable to protect Cui Rong, then searched the cave for supplies.
• The Crown Prince brought Cui Rong dry grass, a mountain rat, and a snake, explaining that Prince Yu had taught him survival skills.
• The Crown Prince roasted the mountain rat and snake, and Cui Rong tried both after seeing how eager the Crown Prince was to share them.
• The Crown Prince spread the dry grass for Cui Rong, and Cui Rong covered him with his dried outer robe after he fell asleep.
• Cui Rong drew the sleeping Crown Prince into his arms and warmed him with internal energy, while the Crown Prince secretly stayed awake and blushed.

After Cui Rong and the Crown Prince were rescued from the rain, Xiao Yu brought the Crown Prince back and arranged for Cui Rong to be escorted home. The Sixth Prince questioned Cui Rong’s loyalty, and Cui Rong rebuked him for insulting the Crown Prince.

• The Crown Prince told Cui Rong he trusted Xiao Yu to find him, and Xiao Yu arrived at the cave to check that he was safe.
• The Crown Prince explained that Cui Rong had saved him, while Xiao Yu privately wondered how Cui Rong was still alive and recalled his former-life death.
• Xiao Yu arranged for Zhijie to escort the injured Cui Rong home, then led the Crown Prince away to reunite with his worried family.
• The Sixth Prince arrived and asked Cui Rong why he had been with the Crown Prince, and Cui Rong reprimanded him for calling his elder brother useless.

The Sixth Prince confronted Xiao Yu over the decree granting him a princely title and sending him to Jiangzhou, then revealed his ambition to remove the Crown Prince. Emperor Jinyuan arrived and reprimanded them, but left the Sixth Prince’s question about avoiding his fief unanswered.

• Cui Rong urged the Sixth Prince to rein in his temper and respect the Crown Prince, while the Sixth Prince silently resented Xiao Yu and envied the Crown Prince.
• After receiving a decree sending him to Jiangzhou with a princely title, the Sixth Prince stormed into Prince Yu’s Residence and accused Xiao Yu of arranging his exile.
• Xiao Yu rebuked the Sixth Prince for disrespecting the Crown Prince, and the Sixth Prince admitted he wanted to clear the Crown Prince from his path.
• Emperor Jinyuan arrived and scolded Xiao Yu and the Sixth Prince for speaking as though he would die soon.
• The Sixth Prince apologized, then asked whether he could avoid going to his fief; Emperor Jinyuan told him to keep kneeling.

Cui Rong secretly visited the Crown Prince before leaving with Prince Xuan for his fief, but the Crown Prince recognized his handkerchief and concealed his identity from the guards. At Prince Xuan’s departure, the Crown Prince and Cui Rong exchanged farewells, while Emperor Jinyuan and the Empress watched the party leave and worried over the cost of their imperial family’s choices.

• Cui Rong entered the Eastern Palace after drugging the Crown Prince, covered him with a quilt, and confessed that he was leaving with Xuan’er for Jiangzhou.
• The Crown Prince woke and grabbed Cui Rong, but Cui Rong fled; the prince found Xuanzhi’s handkerchief, recognized his Little Uncle, and told the guards he had seen no assassin.
• Xiao Yu and the Crown Prince saw Prince Xuan off in the snow, and Prince Xuan vowed to return and prove himself worthy of the throne.
• Cui Rong exchanged farewells with the Crown Prince, then Prince Yu kicked Cui Rong’s horse to make it bolt; the Crown Prince and Cui Rong stole final glances as they parted.
• Emperor Jinyuan and the Empress watched Prince Xuan’s party leave, and Emperor Jinyuan admitted he had sent him away to prevent him and the Crown Prince from becoming enemies.

Xiao Yu received Qi Yunheng’s yearning messages and returned to Southern Zhao to reunite with him. Qi Yunheng treasured the quilt Xiao Yu called his “whole lifetime,” then asked him to call him “my darling” again.

• In Southern Zhao, Little Yun Cheng asked Qi Yunheng whether he missed Xiao Yu, but Qi Yunheng denied it and told him to finish his lessons.
• During the Winter Festival meal in Jin Kingdom, Xiao Yu received Qi Yunheng’s message, said goodbye to Emperor Jinyuan and the Empress, and returned to Prince Yu’s Residence.
• Xiao Yu listened to Qi Yunheng’s complaints and replied that he thought of him day and night, while Su Xun, Su Jingxue, and Xiao Zhiyu overheard and teased him.
• Qi Yunheng blushed at Xiao Yu’s reply, then found Xiao Yu waiting for him in his chambers and pretended he had not missed him.
• Xiao Yu gave Qi Yunheng a quilt as his “whole lifetime,” and Qi Yunheng carefully placed it on his bed before embracing him.
• Qi Yunheng asked Xiao Yu to call him “my darling” again, and Xiao Yu did.

Xiao Yu and Qi Yunheng went to a snowy mountain to admire the snow and share a moment together. After they kissed, an unfamiliar voice suddenly spoke, revealing that someone else had been there.

• Xiao Yu asked Qi Yunheng to stand with him in the snow and search for plum blossoms, saying he wanted to grow old together.
• Qi Yunheng rejected the idea that white hair was ugly and assured Xiao Yu that he wanted only him.
• On the snowy mountain, Qi Yunheng warmed Xiao Yu with his robe, a fur cloak, and his embrace.
• Qi Yunheng told Xiao Yu he wanted to touch him, and they kissed as zither music played among the mountains.
• After the kiss, an unfamiliar voice asked whether Xiao Yu had liked the tune it played.

Xiao Yu and Qi Yunheng learned of a Moon God Temple said to bind lovers together forever, but Feng Guangbai warned them the temple was a trap. As a sinister wind confronted Feng Guangbai and swept him away, the danger to the two men remained unresolved.

• Feng Guangbai asked Qi Yunheng whether he had enjoyed the lute piece, and Qi Yunheng coolly said he did not know him.
• Xiao Yu mistook Feng Guangbai for a woman, apologized, and then exchanged affectionate banter with a jealous Qi Yunheng.
• Feng Guangbai told Xiao Yu and Qi Yunheng about a Moon God Temple where lovers could receive the Moon God's blessing and remain together forever.
• Qi Yunheng eagerly agreed to visit the temple with Xiao Yu, and the two promised to stay together through every lifetime.
• Feng Guangbai stopped them at the temple and admitted that he had lied because anyone who entered could not leave.
• A sinister wind accused Feng Guangbai of helping mortals, threatened him, and swept him away when he tried to protect Xiao Yu and Qi Yunheng.

Xiao Yu was swept into the Moon God Temple with someone disguised as Qi Yunheng, but he recognized the impostor and identified him as the vengeful ghost Kuang Wen. Kuang Wen’s memories revealed how his wife and her lover murdered him, while Xiao Yu refused to trade his freedom or Qi Yunheng for the ghost’s promise to release him.

• A gust swept Xiao Yu and the person he believed was Qi Yunheng into the dark, dilapidated Moon God Temple, where the doors slammed shut.
• Xiao Yu noticed the man had no wound at the corner of his mouth and realized he was not Qi Yunheng.
• The impostor demanded that Xiao Yu stay with him forever in exchange for Qi Yunheng’s release, but Xiao Yu refused and insisted he would never abandon A-Heng.
• Xiao Yu identified the impostor as Kuang Wen, a vengeful ghost who had been trapped beneath the temple for a thousand years.
• Kuang Wen remembered that his wife and her lover had deceived him, arranged the attack that disfigured him, and killed and buried him beneath the Moon God Temple.

Xiao Yu summoned a karmic lightning tribulation to punish Kuang Wen for his murders, but Feng Guangbai entered the lightning to shield him. As they faced the final punishment, the two ghosts acknowledged their bond and promised to meet again in another life.

• Xiao Yu told Kuang Wen that his wife and her lover had suffered terrible fates, then summoned nine bolts of heavenly lightning to punish him.
• Kuang Wen accepted the punishment, and the first five lightning bolts tore his soul apart.
• Feng Guangbai entered the tribulation and shattered his zither to shield Kuang Wen from the sixth bolt.
• Feng Guangbai confessed that he had failed to stop Kuang Wen's killings and recounted his tragic past as a court musician and ghost.
• Kuang Wen called Feng Guangbai his only kindred spirit and asked to hear him play High Mountains and Flowing Water in another life, and Feng Guangbai agreed.

After escaping the ruined Moon God Temple, Xiao Yu and Qi Yunheng reaffirmed their love and admired plum blossoms together. They carved their names into a Three-Lives Stone, and both names vanished into it.

• Xiao Yu sealed the weakened soul essences in bottles, while Qi Yunheng emerged unharmed from the shattered Moon God Statue.
• Xiao Yu and Qi Yunheng left the Moon God Temple before it collapsed, burying the bones beneath the ruins and snow.
• Qi Yunheng recalled the tragic history of Feng Guangbai and resolved to protect Xiao Yu and their love.
• Qi Yunheng and Xiao Yu promised to stay together, then walked among the plum blossoms and teased each other affectionately.
• Xiao Yu noticed a Three-Lives Stone, and he and Qi Yunheng carved their names into it.
• Their names flashed, sank into the stone, and disappeared.

At the Ruyi Noodle Shop, Wu Lifeng protected Shen Yuzhu from Zeng Jue, who had come to pressure her into marriage. Wu Lifeng confessed and asked Shen Yuzhu to marry him, and she said she would discuss it with her parents before answering.

• Zeng Jue insisted that Shen Yuzhu accept his proposal, and she threatened him with a rolling pin when he refused to leave.
• Wu Lifeng grabbed Zeng Jue and threw him aside, then warned him to stop threatening them.
• Zeng Jue charged at Shen Yuzhu and Wu Lifeng, but Shen Yuzhu knocked him down with a rolling pin.
• Wu Lifeng pretended his hand hurt, and Shen Yuzhu examined his scarred palm.
• Wu Lifeng asked Shen Yuzhu to marry him, and she said she would speak with her parents before giving him an answer.

Shen Yuzhu cooked noodles for Wu Lifeng while Black Crane joined them, claiming he lived at Prince Yu’s Residence. Three days later, Emperor Jinyuan confronted Xiao Yu about Southern Zhao’s marriage proposal and realized the new king might be Xiao Yu’s lover, leaving him determined to reject the match.

• Shen Yuzhu offered to cook for Wu Lifeng, and Wu Lifeng followed her into the kitchen before reluctantly waiting outside.
• Black Crane begged Wu Lifeng for money, then joined Shen Yuzhu and Wu Lifeng for noodles.
• Three days later, Xiao Yu went to the palace after Emperor Jinyuan summoned him back from Southern Zhao.
• Emperor Jinyuan showed Xiao Yu Southern Zhao’s proposal for a century-long alliance, and Xiao Yu suspected it was meant to provoke conflict over Ning'an.
• Emperor Jinyuan realized Southern Zhao’s new king might be Xiao Yu’s lover and resolved not to approve the marriage.

Qi Yunheng proposed making Southern Zhao a vassal of the Jin Kingdom in exchange for Xiao Yu becoming its queen. Xiao Yu learned of the demand and was asked to decide, but he had not yet answered.

• Qi Yunheng told his chancellor to offer Southern Zhao as a vassal state and demand Prince Yu as the sole condition.
• Emperor Jinyuan received the request, and his officials debated whether the alliance was worth sending Xiao Yu to Southern Zhao.
• Emperor Jinyuan decided that Xiao Yu should choose for himself.
• At Prince Yu's Residence, Xiao Yu admitted to Grand Tutor Su, Su Yan, and Su Xun that he and Qi Yunheng were close.
• Su Yan told Xiao Yu that Qi Yunheng wanted him to become Southern Zhao's queen, and Xiao Yu began to answer when asked what he thought.

Qi Yunheng worried that Xiao Yu had not answered the marriage proposal, while Xiao Yu wrestled with whether to leave the Jin Kingdom. After hearing Qi Yunheng’s affectionate message, Xiao Yu replied that he would answer, and Qi Yunheng decided to act without waiting.

• Qi Yunheng learned that Prince Yu had to personally agree to the marriage alliance and feared that Xiao Yu did not want to become his Queen.
• Xiao Yu told the Crown Prince that he had not decided whether to go to Southern Zhao, and Su Xun and Shen Zhijie suggested that Qi Yunheng move to Jin instead.
• Xiao Yu activated the Voice Transmission Talisman in front of the others, letting them hear Qi Yunheng’s longing message and proposal.
• After the others left, Xiao Yu sent Qi Yunheng a written reply telling him to wait for his answer.
• Qi Yunheng worried that Xiao Yu had not sent a voice reply, then summoned Eleven because he had decided not to wait any longer.

Xiao Yu told Xiao Zhiyu that he loved the king of Southern Zhao, and she supported his choice and promised to defend him if needed. After rejecting Wei Zhiyan’s confession, he left for the Ministry of Revenue, looking forward to reuniting with A-Heng.

• Xiao Yu asked Xiao Zhiyu whether their parents would approve of his love for a man, and she assured him that she supported him.
• Xiao Yu described the king of Southern Zhao fondly, and Xiao Zhiyu realized how deeply he loved him.
• Xiao Zhiyu promised to lead troops against the king if he mistreated Xiao Yu.
• Xiao Yu rejected Wei Zhiyan’s offer to become his concubine, saying he would not wrong the person he loved.
• Xiao Zhiyu and Xiao Qiuxin comforted Wei Zhiyan, while Xiao Yu left and thought of reuniting with A-Heng after reporting to Elder Imperial Brother.

Qi Yunheng abducted Xiao Yu to Southern Zhao, where Xiao Yu woke in Qi Yunheng’s quarters and reunited with him. In the Jin Kingdom, Emperor Jinyuan learned of the abduction and passed the decision to Xiao Yu’s father.

• Qi Yunheng kissed Xiao Yu, knocked him unconscious, and carried him away while Zhu Yan subdued Qinggeng, who then followed them to Southern Zhao.
• Xiao Yu woke in Qi Yunheng’s sleeping quarters, learned that Qi Yunheng had abducted him, and asked where he was.
• Little Yun Cheng complained that Qi Yunheng had made him attend court and review memorials, then told Xiao Yu that Qi Yunheng was afraid to see him.
• Xiao Yu sent Little Yun Cheng to tell Qi Yunheng he was not angry and wanted to see him; Qi Yunheng made Yun Cheng stay behind to review memorials.
• Xiao Yu asked Qi Yunheng why he had abducted him, then embraced him and admitted that he had missed him too.
• Emperor Jinyuan read Qi Yunheng’s note and ordered the Ministry of War to tell the Prince of Zhennan that Southern Zhao’s king had taken his son.