Chapter Summaries

Plot points and events

• Qi Yunheng and Xiao Yu share a playful, affectionate moment before bed. Qi steals a kiss, but Xiao Yu stops him from taking another when little Yun Cheng is watching.
• The next morning, Qi arrives late to court, and the ministers suspect the reason. He cheerfully shows off the mark on his cheek, making his affection for Xiao Yu obvious.
• Ministers ask whether Xiao Yu’s identity should be revealed and whether formal preparations should be made. Qi refuses to decide without asking him, then dismisses court early so he can return to him.
• Xiao Yu arrives with Yun Cheng to meet Qi after court. A minister recognizes him as Prince Yu of Jin and warns Qi about rumors that Xiao Yu is manipulative and unfaithful.
• Xiao Yu answers the accusation by declaring that Qi is the only person he loves. Qi is delighted and proudly repeats the claim to the ministers.

Character developments

• Qi Yunheng is openly lovestruck and increasingly willing to show his affection in public. Though he is king, he defers to Xiao Yu on matters concerning Xiao Yu’s identity and is sensitive to the possibility that Xiao Yu wishes to remain unknown.
• Xiao Yu balances affection with restraint: he responds warmly to Qi but sets limits, especially around Yun Cheng. When challenged, he reassures Qi directly and confidently.
• Yun Cheng playfully covers his eyes and claims not to have seen the kiss, adding comic relief.

Character interactions

• Qi and Xiao Yu exchange secret hand-holding, a kiss, and teasing affection; Xiao Yu later comforts Qi and asks whether the ministers have upset him.
• The ministers try to address protocol around the Queen, but Qi’s reluctance to act without Xiao Yu frustrates them.
• When Xiao Yu’s identity is exposed, Qi instinctively shields him. Xiao Yu then speaks for himself and reassures Qi in front of the court.

Significant themes

• Love and public display: Qi’s private devotion spills into courtly life, amusing and embarrassing the ministers.
• Trust and reassurance: Xiao Yu’s declaration counters suspicion and strengthens Qi’s confidence in their relationship.
• Privacy and identity: Xiao Yu’s arrival is secret, and the question of whether to reveal his identity remains unresolved.
• Duty versus personal happiness: Qi attends court but rushes to end it so he can be with Xiao Yu.

Plot points and events

• A Southern Zhao minister accuses Xiao Yu of pursuing Qi Yunheng for political advantage and repeats rumors about Xiao Yu’s male favorites. Little Yun Cheng defends Xiao Yu, explaining that he saw no such people at Xiao Yu’s residence.
• Xiao Yu declares that he loves Qi Yunheng for himself, regardless of his royal status, and names him as the consort he has chosen. He warns the ministers not to mistreat Qi Yunheng.
• The chancellor tries to use Xiao Yu’s revealed identity to formalize diplomatic ties, but Xiao Yu insists his visit is private. Qi Yunheng had hoped this might give him a reason to keep Xiao Yu in Southern Zhao.
• Xiao Yu and Qi Yunheng part when word arrives that the Crown Prince has disappeared. Xiao Yu rushes back to Jin, promising to visit Qi Yunheng again.
• At Xiao Yu’s residence, he learns the Crown Prince’s carriage went over a cliff during an assassination attempt. A fast-flowing river below has been searched, but neither the Crown Prince nor Cui Rong, the chancellor’s youngest son, has been found.
• Xiao Yu suspects the Cui family’s involvement and connects the incident to the increasingly restless Sixth Prince. At the river, he rejects Shen Zhijie’s pessimism and prepares to use his Divine Sense to search.

Character developments and interactions

• Xiao Yu openly affirms his love and commitment to Qi Yunheng, but his duty to the missing Crown Prince forces him to leave. His concern shifts quickly to the search, where he remains determined and hopeful.
• Qi Yunheng is happy to hear Xiao Yu’s declaration and visibly reluctant to part from him. After Xiao Yu leaves, he is downcast but eager to hear Little Yun Cheng’s stories about Xiao Yu’s residence.
• Little Yun Cheng boldly defends Xiao Yu against the ministers and later tries to comfort Qi Yunheng.
• The chancellor abandons his attempt to arrange official relations after Xiao Yu refuses, but privately sees the political value of bringing Xiao Yu to Southern Zhao and remains determined to pursue it.
• Shen Zhijie fears the Crown Prince may not have survived, but quickly retracts his words when Xiao Yu insists the prince will be safe.

Significant themes

• Love beyond status: Xiao Yu insists his feelings for Qi Yunheng would remain even if Qi lost his throne.
• Duty and separation: Xiao Yu’s obligations interrupt their reunion, showing the tension between personal affection and responsibility.
• Politics entwined with intimacy: The chancellor views Xiao Yu’s relationship and influence as potential leverage for Southern Zhao.
• Loyalty and hope amid crisis: Xiao Yu’s resolve to find the Crown Prince contrasts with the others’ fear and uncertainty.

Key plot points and events

• In the rain-soaked forest, the Crown Prince carries his injured uncle, Cui Rong, after an assassination attempt. Cui Rong had saved him partly to prevent the Cui family from being blamed for the attack.
• The Crown Prince slips, and Cui Rong begins to see past rumors that he is weak and incompetent. He recognizes instead a reserved young man struggling under heavy responsibility.
• Cui Rong reassures the Crown Prince, who worries that he is useless. They agree that the prince will support him as they make their way through the difficult terrain.
• They find a cave to shelter in. The Crown Prince tries to start a fire but repeatedly fails; Cui Rong succeeds on his first attempt, joking that he is lucky.
• While wiping soot from the prince’s face, Cui Rong touches him tenderly. Later, their lips accidentally brush his cheek, leaving both embarrassed and flustered.

Character developments

• Cui Rong begins with a guarded, calculating view of the Crown Prince, whom he had believed the unkind rumors about. He becomes sympathetic after seeing the prince’s effort and vulnerability, and his instinctive tenderness hints at growing affection.
• The Crown Prince shows persistence, kindness, and concern for Cui Rong, but also insecurity about his abilities. Cui Rong’s praise clearly affects him, and his closeness with Prince Yu carries an unspoken emotional weight.

Significant themes

• Appearances versus reality: The Crown Prince is more capable and compassionate than the reputation Cui Rong accepted.
• Vulnerability and reassurance: A small moment of sincere praise helps the prince feel seen.
• Duty and political mistrust: Cui Rong’s rescue was motivated partly by protecting his family from political blame.
• Emerging affection: Shared hardship, gentle care, and accidental intimacy create a new emotional tension.

Character interactions

• The Crown Prince insists on carrying Cui Rong out of duty and affection, while Cui Rong initially resists and later accepts his support.
• Cui Rong comforts the prince’s self-doubt, prompting a shy, grateful response.
• Their awkward attempts to make a fire turn into playful teasing and quiet care, culminating in the accidental cheek kiss and mutual embarrassment.

Key plot points and events

• Trapped together in a cave after falling from a cliff, the Crown Prince and Cui Rong sit by a fire while rain continues outside.
• Cui Rong urges the Crown Prince to kill him, arguing that his loyalty to Prince Yu may eventually make him a threat. The Crown Prince refuses, saying Cui Rong saved his life and he will not repay kindness with betrayal.
• They discuss the struggle for the throne. The Crown Prince claims he would yield the throne to his sixth brother if that served the Jin Kingdom, while Cui Rong warns that a ruler must be willing to fight and kill to protect the country and its people.
• The Crown Prince removes some clothing to dry it by the fire and repeatedly encourages Cui Rong to do the same. Cui Rong becomes flustered, interpreting the teasing as dangerously intimate.
• When Cui Rong turns around, he discovers the Crown Prince is still dressed and had been teasing him. He blushes and silently recites the Heart Sutra, ashamed of his attraction.
• The Crown Prince mistakes Cui Rong’s flushed face for a fever and insists on checking his forehead. Cui Rong, embarrassed and irritated, tells him to leave him alone, but the Crown Prince refuses.

Character developments

• The Crown Prince shows himself to be sincere, compassionate, and unwilling to betray someone who has helped him. He also reveals a playful, mischievous side, using teasing to deflect the political tension.
• Cui Rong remains politically pragmatic and believes survival requires ruthlessness. Yet his concern that the Crown Prince would make a good ruler—and his inability to bring himself to kill him—betray his growing respect and emotional attachment.

Significant themes

• Duty versus conscience: Political loyalties and family survival push Cui Rong toward violence, while the Crown Prince resists treating people as expendable.
• Power and rulership: Cui Rong believes a ruler must be hard enough to fight; the Crown Prince prioritizes the welfare of the kingdom over personal ambition.
• Trust and kindness: The Crown Prince’s refusal to kill Cui Rong challenges Cui Rong’s expectation that politics inevitably demands betrayal.
• Repressed attraction and comic tension: Their serious debate gives way to playful teasing, while Cui Rong’s hidden feelings create embarrassment and humor.

Character interactions

• Cui Rong repeatedly tests whether the Crown Prince would kill him, while the Crown Prince answers with trust and gratitude.
• The Crown Prince challenges Cui Rong’s cynicism and shows confidence in his own judgment.
• Their exchange about drying clothes turns into teasing: the Crown Prince deliberately provokes Cui Rong, who tries to hide his flustered reaction.
• The Crown Prince’s earnest concern about Cui Rong’s possible fever contrasts with Cui Rong’s private embarrassment.

Key plot points and events

• Trapped in a cave after the day’s danger, Cui Rong and the Crown Prince settle in for the night. Cui Rong’s injured leg still hurts, and the Crown Prince feels guilty that he could not protect him.
• The Crown Prince searches the cave for supplies, finding dry grass and catching a mountain rat and a snake. He prepares the rat for Cui Rong, who reluctantly tries it and admits it tastes good.
• Their meal and conversation bring them closer. The Crown Prince recalls that Prince Yu taught him practical survival skills in case his fortunes ever changed.
• The Crown Prince gives Cui Rong most of the dry grass to sleep on. After the Crown Prince falls asleep, Cui Rong covers him with his robe and draws him into his arms, warming him with internal energy.
• Both are secretly awake and blushing as they lie together.

Character developments

• The Crown Prince shows resourcefulness, enthusiasm, and consideration. Though he initially calls himself useless, praise from Cui Rong boosts his confidence. His trust and affection are clear in how eagerly he cares for Cui Rong.
• Cui Rong is surprised by the Crown Prince’s lively, capable nature and grows increasingly fond of him. He struggles with the closeness because the Crown Prince is his sovereign—and belongs to an opposing faction—but his tenderness overcomes his restraint.

Significant themes

• Vulnerability and care: Both men are injured or emotionally lonely, and practical acts of kindness help them feel less alone.
• Looking beyond appearances: The mountain rat becomes a lighthearted lesson in not judging something before trying it.
• Duty versus affection: Cui Rong’s political position conflicts with the personal warmth developing between them.
• Confidence and affirmation: Cui Rong’s praise helps the Crown Prince see himself as capable.

Character interactions

Their relationship shifts from formal courtesy to playful, intimate companionship. The Crown Prince eagerly provides for Cui Rong and seeks his approval; Cui Rong responds with praise, accepts food he would normally refuse, and quietly protects him as he sleeps. Both conceal their feelings, but their shared blushes hint that the growing affection is mutual.

Key events

• The Crown Prince and Cui Rong remain sheltering in a cave as the rain continues. The Crown Prince is calm, confident that Prince Yu will find him; Cui Rong quietly reacts to the strength of their bond.
• Xiao Yu arrives, soaked from searching through the storm. He checks that the Crown Prince is unharmed, reproaches him gently for causing everyone worry, then comforts him.
• The Crown Prince credits Cui Rong with saving his life. Xiao Yu is surprised that Cui Rong is alive, while Cui Rong is unsettled by Xiao Yu’s remark that he should have died by this point.
• Their thoughts reveal that, in a previous life, Cui Rong was murdered after jealous Hanlin Academy colleagues manipulated and isolated him. The Crown Prince also learns that Cui Rong’s death followed his own, when the Sixth Prince became heir.
• Cui Rong has injured his leg, so Xiao Yu arranges for attendants to escort him home and takes the Crown Prince back to his worried parents.
• The Sixth Prince arrives and questions why Cui Rong was with the Crown Prince, calling him useless. Cui Rong rebukes him, insisting that the Crown Prince is his elder brother. The Sixth Prince resents this change in his uncle’s attitude.

Character developments and interactions

• The Crown Prince’s trust in Xiao Yu is unwavering, and he shows concern for both Xiao Yu’s soaked clothes and Cui Rong’s injury.
• Xiao Yu’s relief and affection toward the Crown Prince are clear, but Cui Rong’s closeness to him sparks a flash of jealousy and protectiveness.
• Cui Rong begins to reassess both his own past and his relationship with the Crown Prince. Despite expecting them to become political opponents, he defends the Crown Prince against the Sixth Prince.
• The Sixth Prince’s possessiveness toward Cui Rong and contempt for the Crown Prince surface openly; Cui Rong’s stern correction marks a shift in their relationship.

Significant themes

• Trust and loyalty: The Crown Prince’s faith in Xiao Yu contrasts with the emerging tension between the princes.
• Fate and second chances: Knowledge of the characters’ past-life deaths casts their present survival and choices in a new light.
• Jealousy and isolation: Cui Rong’s remembered fate exposes how envy and social exclusion can turn deadly.
• Family and political rivalry: Cui Rong’s defense of the Crown Prince challenges the loyalties expected within the imperial family.

Plot points and events

• Cui Rong reprimands the Sixth Prince for disrespecting the Crown Prince and reminds him that the Crown Prince is his elder brother. He reassures the boy that their personal bond as uncle and nephew remains unchanged. The Sixth Prince says little, but privately broods over his belief that Xiao Yu’s arrival cost him his father’s affection and his mother’s favor.
• After receiving an order to leave the capital for Jiangzhou, the fourteen-year-old Sixth Prince storms into Prince Yu’s Residence and accuses Xiao Yu of persuading Emperor Jinyuan to exile him.
• Xiao Yu points out that receiving a princely title and territory early is normally an honor. The Sixth Prince rejects this, insisting that he should be allowed to compete to become heir.
• Xiao Yu rebukes him for lacking filial respect and for plotting against the Crown Prince. The Sixth Prince admits he sees the Crown Prince as an obstacle and says he is preparing for the future struggle over the throne.
• Xiao Yu knocks the Sixth Prince to his knees. Before the argument can escalate, Emperor Jinyuan arrives, having anticipated the confrontation. He scolds both of them for speaking casually about his eventual death.
• The Sixth Prince apologizes, and Xiao Yu tries to soothe the emperor with a pear and a change of subject. When the Sixth Prince asks whether he can stay in the capital, the emperor tells him to keep kneeling.

Character developments and interactions

• The Sixth Prince reveals that his ambition is driven by envy and resentment as well as a sense of being overlooked. His hostility toward Xiao Yu and the Crown Prince boils over into an open admission that he is willing to eliminate his brother as a rival. Yet he quickly becomes frightened when Xiao Yu confronts him and hopeful when the emperor appears willing to forgive him.
• Xiao Yu acts as both stern guardian and defender of the Crown Prince. He refuses to excuse the Sixth Prince’s dangerous ambition, but also shows restraint by sitting back down when the boy panics. He later uses humor and food to defuse the emperor’s anger.
• Cui Rong offers the Sixth Prince gentle counsel, balancing correction with reassurance about their relationship.
• Emperor Jinyuan asserts his authority and vitality while showing that, despite his anger, he is not inclined to punish the Sixth Prince harshly—though he does not grant the boy’s request to stay.

Significant themes

• Envy, favoritism, and perceived neglect: The Sixth Prince interprets changes in his family’s standing as proof that he has been displaced.
• Ambition and the dangers of succession politics: His desire to become heir has already led him to view his brother as someone to remove.
• Family duty and respect: Xiao Yu insists that ambition does not excuse betrayal of filial obligations or harm to an elder brother.
• Affection mixed with discipline: Cui Rong and Xiao Yu correct the Sixth Prince without abandoning their personal care for him; the emperor’s anger, too, gives way to a relatively lenient response.

Key events

• Late at night, Cui Rong secretly enters the Eastern Palace while the Crown Prince, Yuanruo, is unconscious from sleeping incense. He tucks him into bed and watches over him, then confesses that he is leaving with Prince Xuan for Jiangzhou and fears Yuanruo may forget him.
• Yuanruo wakes and catches Cui Rong’s hand, but Cui refuses to identify himself and escapes through a window. Yuanruo finds Cui’s handkerchief and realizes who the visitor was. Though he briefly wonders if Cui meant to harm him, he concludes that Cui had no murderous intent and lies to the guards to protect him.
• On the day Prince Xuan departs, Yuanruo and Xiao Yu accompany him. Xuan vows to return and prove himself worthy of recognition. Xiao Yu advises him to become less reckless; Xuan accepts the advice and insists he will earn approval through his own efforts, not charity.
• Cui Rong and Yuanruo exchange a restrained farewell. Xiao Yu, jealous of Cui’s lingering looks, kicks his horse into motion and then tries to block his view of Yuanruo. The two young men nevertheless look back at each other, and Cui hides his feelings by claiming he is only looking at the city.
• From the city wall, Emperor Jinyuan watches Xuan leave with the Empress. He worries that sending away a fourteen-year-old was harsh, but explains that he feared Xuan and Yuanruo would become enemies. The Empress laments that their son, Chang’er, was born into the imperial family; the emperor comforts her, accepting blame for denying her an ordinary family life.

Character developments and interactions

• Cui Rong shows deep affection for Yuanruo but chooses duty—accompanying his nephew Xuan—over staying near him. His careful, secret farewell reveals both tenderness and reluctance.
• Yuanruo trusts Cui despite the suspicious nighttime visit and protects him by denying that he saw anyone. His embarrassment and repeated glances suggest feelings he has not openly expressed.
• Prince Xuan leaves still proud and competitive, but appears more mature and listens to Xiao Yu’s advice. He frames his future success as something he must earn.
• Xiao Yu acts protectively toward Yuanruo and displays jealousy of Cui’s attachment, though his teasing and interference cannot stop their silent farewell.
• Emperor Jinyuan and the Empress reveal the personal cost of imperial decisions: the emperor’s political concern for the princes’ rivalry conflicts with the Empress’s compassion for their young son.

Significant themes

• Duty versus personal attachment: Cui leaves Yuanruo to support Xuan, while the emperor’s political choices separate a child from home.
• Unspoken affection and restrained goodbyes: Cui and Yuanruo communicate mainly through gestures, glances, and concealed feelings.
• Trust and protection: Yuanruo chooses to shield Cui rather than expose him as an intruder.
• Coming of age and self-reliance: Xuan’s departure marks a chance to prove himself and grow into responsibility.
• The burden of the imperial family: Power and succession shape family relationships and prevent the emperor and empress from having an ordinary life.

Plot points

• In Southern Zhao, Qi Yunheng’s younger brother Yun Cheng worries that Xiao Yu has been absent and urges Qi Yunheng to contact him. Qi Yunheng insists he is busy and does not miss Xiao Yu, though his silence hints otherwise.
• During the Winter Festival in Jin, Xiao Yu receives a message alert from Qi Yunheng while dining with the imperial family. Emperor Jinyuan presses him to bring his consort to the palace, but the Empress sends him off with warm clothes and a quilt.
• Back at his residence, Xiao Yu hears Qi Yunheng’s string of wounded, jealous messages: he fears Xiao Yu has forgotten him or found someone else and admits he misses him. Xiao Yu replies affectionately.
• Xiao Yu’s relatives overhear his romantic reply and tease him, leaving him mortified.
• Xiao Yu travels to Southern Zhao and reunites with Qi Yunheng. Qi Yunheng pretends not to have missed him, but rushes to embrace him when Xiao Yu threatens to leave.
• Xiao Yu gives him the quilt as a playful “whole lifetime” gift. Qi Yunheng takes the phrase literally and cherishes the quilt, delaying their embrace. They eventually reunite warmly, and Qi Yunheng asks Xiao Yu to call him “my darling” again.

Character developments and interactions

• Qi Yunheng masks deep longing with pride and coldness. His jealous messages and delight at Xiao Yu’s affectionate words reveal his insecurity and strong attachment.
• Xiao Yu responds with reassurance and playful affection, balancing tenderness with teasing. He is embarrassed when his family overhears him.
• Yun Cheng is openly concerned about the separation and challenges Qi Yunheng’s claims that he does not care.
• Xiao Yu’s relatives—Su Xun, Su Jingxue, and Xiao Zhiyu—lighten the scene by teasing him; the Empress shows him practical, maternal care, while Emperor Jinyuan expresses reluctant affection.

Significant themes

• Longing concealed by pride: Qi Yunheng denies missing Xiao Yu even as his actions and messages prove the opposite.
• Reassurance and devotion: The lovers use affectionate words and gestures to soothe fears of abandonment.
• Playful romance and family warmth: Teasing, the symbolic quilt, and the imperial family’s concern balance the couple’s separation and reunion.

Key plot points and events

• Xiao Yu asks Qi Yunheng to call him “darling,” and Qi happily repeats it. Xiao Yu reassures him that he will always stay by his side.
• Xiao Yu suggests they go out together to watch the snow, explaining that standing beneath falling snow is said to symbolize growing old together.
• Qi initially dismisses the idea of white hair as unattractive, revealing his fear that Xiao Yu might eventually tire of him. Xiao Yu teases him about seeking another partner; Qi firmly declares that he wants only Xiao Yu.
• They travel to a snowy mountain to look for plum blossoms. Xiao Yu quickly gets cold, so Qi lends him his robe and holds him beneath a fur cloak.
• Qi tells Xiao Yu he would look beautiful with white hair. Their affection turns passionate, and they kiss while someone plays a zither nearby.
• Afterward, Xiao Yu realizes they were not alone: an unfamiliar voice asks whether he liked the tune.

Character development

• Qi Yunheng is openly affectionate but still insecure about being loved in the long term. His eagerness to reassure Xiao Yu—and his tender care when Xiao Yu is cold—show how devoted he is.
• Xiao Yu responds to Qi’s vulnerability with warmth and playful teasing. His wish to share the snow reflects his desire for a lasting future together, and he embraces their growing intimacy despite his embarrassment.

Significant themes

• Commitment and growing old together: The snow becomes a symbol of a shared life and future.
• Reassurance amid insecurity: Qi’s fear of being replaced is met with Xiao Yu’s affection and commitment.
• Intimacy and vulnerability: Their teasing, tenderness, and kiss show a love that is both shy and openly passionate.
• Private love disrupted: The unexpected witness punctures their sense of privacy and ends the scene on a cliffhanger.

Character interactions

• Xiao Yu comforts and teases Qi, while Qi answers with passionate devotion.
• On the mountain, Qi protects Xiao Yu from the cold; they exchange affectionate words before kissing.
• An unseen zither player unexpectedly reveals their presence, leaving Xiao Yu stunned.

Key plot points

• Feng Guangbai, the Lute Ghost, asks Qi Yunheng whether he enjoyed his music. Qi coolly claims not to know him, keeping his attention on Xiao Yu.
• Xiao Yu mistakes Feng for a woman, then apologizes when corrected. Feng explains that his delicate appearance often leads to the mistake.
• Feng notices the intimacy between Xiao Yu and Qi. Though wary of royal affection, he tells them of a Moon God Temple said to bless lovers with lifelong devotion.
• Qi eagerly wants to visit. Xiao Yu teases him, then agrees, assuring him they can be together forever. Qi says he needs no future wife or children; having Xiao Yu is enough.
• As they approach the temple, Feng stops them and admits he lied: entering means they cannot leave.
• A sinister wind confronts Feng, accusing him of helping mortals and reminding him of his death. Feng defends the pair, but the force sweeps him away.

Character developments and interactions

• Qi Yunheng shows jealousy when Xiao Yu looks at Feng, then openly reveals his devotion and eagerness to share every lifetime with Xiao Yu. He also protects Xiao Yu from the cold by giving him his cloak.
• Xiao Yu responds warmly to Qi’s commitment and privately imagines a shared future in cultivation, though he hides his embarrassment behind a weak excuse.
• Feng Guangbai shifts from a curious, somewhat judgmental observer to a reluctant protector, despite his distrust of humans and royalty. His warning suggests regret or compassion beneath his suspicion.
• The couple’s affectionate teasing contrasts with Feng’s guarded outlook and the hostile force’s threat.

Significant themes

• Love and permanence: Xiao Yu and Qi wish to remain together beyond this life.
• Trust versus deception: The temple’s false promise and the spirit’s warning about human hypocrisy complicate the couple’s trust.
• Appearance and judgment: Feng is repeatedly misidentified because of his looks, while the spirits caution that appearances can also conceal people’s intentions.
• Devotion in the face of danger: Feng risks conflict to protect people he barely knows, and Qi and Xiao Yu remain united as a supernatural threat emerges.

Plot points

• A gust sweeps Xiao Yu and the person he believes is Qi Yunheng into the ruined Moon God Temple, whose doors slam shut behind them.
• In the darkness, Xiao Yu notices the supposed Qi Yunheng is an impostor: the real Qi Yunheng has a small cut at the corner of his mouth from their earlier kiss, but this man does not.
• The impostor reveals himself as Kuang Wen, a resentful ghost who has taken Qi Yunheng’s appearance. He offers to release Qi Yunheng if Xiao Yu stays with him forever.
• Xiao Yu refuses to abandon either Qi Yunheng or their promise to remain together. He warns Kuang Wen not to mistake his borrowed face for protection.
• Kuang Wen’s memories explain his origins: a thousand years ago, his wife and her lover arranged his disfigurement and later murdered and buried him beneath the temple. Trapped there by his resentment, he now binds visiting couples to an eternal union, echoing the vows he once made with his wife.

Character developments

• Xiao Yu quickly sees through the disguise and proves both perceptive and steadfast. His love for Qi Yunheng outweighs fear, temptation, and even the threat to their future together.
• Kuang Wen is revealed as a betrayed husband whose grief and humiliation hardened into vengeance. His insistence that Xiao Yu choose him suggests he is still trying to reenact or repair his own lost promise.

Significant themes

• Love, loyalty, and choice: Xiao Yu’s devotion is freely chosen, unlike Kuang Wen’s coercive demand.
• Betrayal and appearance: Kuang Wen’s story exposes how a loving façade concealed greed and cruelty; his own disfigurement became the excuse for his wife’s rejection.
• Eternity and resentment: The temple’s promise of lifelong union is twisted by Kuang Wen into captivity, showing how unresolved grief can corrupt the desire to remain together forever.

Character interactions

• Xiao Yu grips the apparent Qi Yunheng’s hand at first, then recoils once he recognizes the deception.
• Kuang Wen tries to win Xiao Yu through comparison, claiming he is more suitable and can offer eternity; Xiao Yu rejects the offer and demands Qi Yunheng’s return.
• When Kuang Wen threatens Qi Yunheng, Xiao Yu challenges him directly, making clear that his loyalty cannot be bought or intimidated.

Key events

• Xiao Yu condemns Kuang Wen for killing innocent visitors, rejects his justification, and summons nine bolts of karmic lightning as punishment.
• Kuang Wen remains bitter over the couple who betrayed and murdered him. Xiao Yu tells him that both later suffered grim fates, bringing Kuang Wen satisfaction and easing his resentment. Kuang Wen then accepts his punishment.
• As the lightning strikes, Feng Guangbai—known as the Lute Ghost—shields Kuang Wen, destroying his beloved zither. He reveals that he knew Kuang Wen was harming people but failed to stop him, and considers himself guilty too.
• Feng recounts his past: a court musician whose beauty made him a target, he was betrayed by the King of Southern Zhao and later abused and abandoned by the other consorts. He died on the snowy mountain and became a ghost.
• Kuang Wen returns to his original appearance and calls Feng his only kindred spirit. They recall how their friendship began with Feng playing “High Mountains and Flowing Water.” Kuang Wen hopes to hear it again in another life, and Feng agrees.

Character developments and interactions

• Kuang Wen moves from rage and fixation on revenge to relief, acceptance, and tenderness. He recognizes Feng’s devotion and affirms their bond.
• Feng Guangbai reveals the name and painful history he had kept hidden. His sacrifice expresses both his affection for Kuang Wen and his remorse for standing by during the killings.
• Xiao Yu remains resolute, distinguishing compassion from excusing wrongdoing: Kuang Wen’s past suffering does not erase the consequences of his crimes. He cannot interfere once the karmic punishment begins.
• The chapter contrasts Xiao Yu’s stern judgment with Feng’s self-sacrificing loyalty and the two ghosts’ intimate, long-standing friendship.

Significant themes

• Justice and karmic consequence: Past suffering may explain wrongdoing, but does not absolve it.
• Companionship and recognition: Feng and Kuang Wen find in each other the understanding they lacked in life.
• Guilt and responsibility: Feng accepts blame for failing to intervene, even as he tries to save his friend.
• Love, betrayal, and suffering: Both characters were wounded by relationships marked by exploitation, but their bond offers genuine care and acceptance.

Key plot points and events

• Xiao Yu preserves the two lightning-weakened soul essences in bottles, intending to restore them later.
• Qi Yunheng emerges safely from the shattered Moon God Statue. The couple leave the temple just before it collapses, burying the bones and the remains of an ancient feud beneath the snow.
• Remembering a secret history about a king whose failure to protect his beloved ended in murder and revenge, Qi Yunheng resolves not to let anyone harm or interfere with his relationship with Xiao Yu.
• The couple exchange promises of lifelong devotion and share affectionate teasing as they admire a grove of red plum blossoms revealed by the ruins.
• They discover a Three-Lives Stone and carve their names into it. Both names glow, then disappear into the stone.

Character developments

• Qi Yunheng’s memories of the tragic former king deepen his determination to protect Xiao Yu and choose their love openly. His tenderness is also evident in their playful, intimate exchange.
• Xiao Yu remains trusting and affectionate, reassuring Qi Yunheng that they will stay together. Though skeptical of the stone’s significance, he gladly joins in the romantic gesture.

Significant themes

• Love and protection: Qi Yunheng vows not to repeat the former king’s failure to defend his beloved.
• The past and its consequences: The fallen temple and buried bones mark the end of an old conflict, while the secret history warns how fear of outside pressure can destroy love.
• Destiny and commitment: The couple’s names vanishing into the Three-Lives Stone suggests a mysterious bond and gives symbolic weight to their promise.

Character interactions

• Xiao Yu checks Qi Yunheng’s wellbeing and takes his hand as they leave; Qi Yunheng responds with reassurance and a vow to remain together.
• They flirt while sharing warmth beneath the snowfall and admiring the plum blossoms, with Qi Yunheng openly doting on Xiao Yu.
• Xiao Yu notices Qi Yunheng’s momentary daze before the stone, then suggests carving their names; Qi Yunheng makes the first inscription, and Xiao Yu adds his own.

Chapter Summary

Key plot points

• At the Ruyi Noodle Shop, Shen Yuzhu rejects Zeng Jue, who insists she should accept his marriage proposal and insults her when she refuses.
• Wu Lifeng intervenes, frightening Zeng Jue into backing down. Zeng boasts that his uncle is the Chancellor, but Wu is unimpressed.
• When Zeng suddenly attacks the pair, Shen Yuzhu knocks him down with a rolling pin.
• Wu admits his hand hurts, giving Shen a chance to tend to it. As she examines the scars on his palm, they share an intimate, awkward moment.
• Wu impulsively asks Shen to marry him. He quickly reassures her that she need not answer immediately and sends the curious townspeople away so they will not pressure her.
• Shen says she wants to consult her parents before deciding. They part shyly, both visibly flustered.

Character developments

• Shen Yuzhu stands her ground against an unwanted suitor and shows both courage and tenderness. Her concern for Wu reveals her growing affection, though she wants to make her decision thoughtfully.
• Wu Lifeng is protective and formidable when confronting Zeng, but becomes shy and vulnerable around Shen. He is careful to respect her choice despite his sudden proposal.
• Zeng Jue is entitled and domineering, assuming Shen should be grateful for his proposal. His threats and attempted attack expose his cowardice and arrogance.

Significant themes

• Consent and agency: Shen is entitled to refuse a proposal and decide for herself; Wu explicitly gives her time and space.
• Respectful affection: Wu’s protectiveness is paired with consideration for Shen’s feelings, in contrast to Zeng’s coercive behavior.
• Strength and vulnerability: Both Shen and Wu show strength, while their tender, awkward exchange reveals their softer sides.
• Community support: The townspeople cheer for the match, though Wu prevents their encouragement from becoming pressure.

Character interactions

• Shen and Zeng clash over his unwanted proposal, with Shen refusing him and ultimately stopping his attack.
• Wu confronts Zeng to protect Shen, then turns gentle and concerned when speaking to her.
• Shen tends Wu’s scarred hand; their mutual attraction becomes evident through their lingering gaze and embarrassment.
• Wu proposes, but prioritizes Shen’s freedom to consider the offer.

Plot points and events

• Shen Yuzhu offers to cook Wu Lifeng noodles. Zeng Jue objects to what she said earlier, but Wu Lifeng knocks him unconscious with a pebble and follows Shen into the kitchen.
• Wu imagines a future marriage and family with Yuzhu. Their quiet moment is interrupted by Black Crane, who appears dressed as a beggar. Wu gives him silver and insists he is not his son—claiming instead that he is Prince Yu’s son.
• Black Crane explains he now lives at Prince Yu’s Residence and says he is not trying to separate Wu and Yuzhu, but wants to join them. Yuzhu warmly agrees to make him a bowl of noodles, while Wu remains delighted by her domestic care.
• Three days later, Xiao Yu is summoned to the palace. Emperor Jinyuan reprimands him for disappearing, missing court, and neglecting his duties as Minister of Revenue.
• The emperor reveals a letter from Southern Zhao proposing a century-long bond of friendship. Xiao Yu suspects it implies a marriage alliance and immediately rules out his elder sister, Ning’an, as a bride.
• Xiao Yu and the emperor interpret the proposal as a political maneuver, though Xiao Yu privately suspects A-Heng may simply want a queen. The emperor realizes A-Heng may be Xiao Yu’s lover and fears Southern Zhao could be seeking a marriage alliance with Xiao Yu himself; he resolves to oppose it.

Character developments and interactions

• Wu Lifeng is openly devoted to Shen Yuzhu, imagining a shared domestic future and eagerly accepting her attention. His jealousy and insecurity surface when Black Crane arrives, though he tries to disguise them.
• Shen Yuzhu is considerate toward Wu and affectionate toward Black Crane, treating the boy kindly without grasping the significance of Wu’s hopes.
• Black Crane acts resourcefully and playfully, using a beggar’s disguise to seek food and companionship. His easy familiarity with Yuzhu unsettles Wu.
• Xiao Yu remains casual about his official duties but is protective of Ning’an. His private thoughts reveal his connection to A-Heng, Southern Zhao’s new king.
• Emperor Jinyuan shifts from reprimanding Xiao Yu to worrying about the political and personal implications of the alliance, especially the possibility that Xiao Yu might marry A-Heng.

Significant themes

• Romance and domestic longing: Wu’s fantasies contrast with the awkward, humorous reality of sharing Yuzhu’s attention.
• Family and belonging: Black Crane’s place at Prince Yu’s Residence and his wish to “join” Wu and Yuzhu blur the boundaries of family.
• Political duty versus private love: Xiao Yu’s relationship with A-Heng may collide with diplomatic expectations.
• Misunderstanding and comic irony: Characters conceal or misread relationships, while the reader sees more than the emperor does.

Summary

Key plot points and events

• Southern Zhao’s chancellor first requests a marriage alliance with Jin without specifying a bride. Jin rejects the proposal.
• Southern Zhao’s King Qi Yunheng reproaches the chancellor—not because he sent the request, but because he failed to name the person Qi Yunheng actually wants: Prince Yu, Xiao Yu (Qi’an).
• Qi Yunheng proposes making Southern Zhao a vassal of Jin, both to secure peace and to strengthen his claim to Xiao Yu. The chancellor agrees that the arrangement could benefit both kingdoms and their people.
• Qi Yunheng sends a second letter directly asking for Xiao Yu.
• In Jin, Emperor Jinyuan is distressed by the request and consults his ministers. Su Yan objects, insisting Xiao Yu must not be treated as a bargaining piece; another minister argues that the alliance could prevent war and protect civilians.
• The emperor decides the choice belongs to Xiao Yu.
• At Prince Yu’s residence, Xiao Yu’s maternal grandfather, uncle, and cousin confront him about his connection to Southern Zhao’s king. Xiao Yu admits that he and Qi Yunheng are close, then learns that Southern Zhao’s offer is conditional on his becoming its queen.
• Xiao Yu asks what the emperor thinks and is told he may decide for himself. The chapter ends before he answers.

Character developments

• Qi Yunheng openly prioritizes Xiao Yu, turning a diplomatic proposal into a direct request for him. His longing is reflected in his recollection of the persimmon trees they share.
• Xiao Yu is revealed to have a close, romantic history with Qi Yunheng, including having kissed him. He firmly rejects the idea that Qi Yunheng is merely a “male favorite,” but has not yet chosen whether to leave Jin.
• Emperor Jinyuan struggles with the prospect of losing Xiao Yu, yet ultimately respects his right to decide.
• Su Yan and the Su family are protective of Xiao Yu and uneasy about his becoming a queen abroad. Su Xun’s initial teasing gives way to alarm when he learns who Qi Yunheng is.

Significant themes

• Personal choice versus political necessity: The proposed union could secure peace, but Xiao Yu’s future should not be decided as a diplomatic transaction.
• Peace and the welfare of ordinary people: Supporters of the alliance argue that vassal status could spare both kingdoms the suffering of war.
• Love across political boundaries: Qi Yunheng’s personal attachment drives a major state proposal.
• Family protectiveness and emotional reluctance: Xiao Yu’s relatives and the Jin emperor care for him, but must confront the possibility that he may choose a life elsewhere.

Character interactions

• Qi Yunheng corrects the chancellor’s vague diplomacy and makes his desire for Xiao Yu explicit.
• Su Yan and the pro-alliance minister clash over whether Xiao Yu’s marriage is an acceptable price for peace.
• Emperor Jinyuan mediates the disagreement by giving Xiao Yu the final say.
• Xiao Yu’s family presses him about Qi Yunheng, while Xiao Yu defends their relationship and faces the decision together with their concern.

Summary

The Southern Zhao chancellor reports that Jin will not confirm the marriage alliance until Prince Yu personally agrees. King Qi Yunheng is discouraged, worrying that Xiao Yu—whom he calls An An—does not want to become his Queen. After three days without a reply, Qi asks Uncle Fu what Xiao Yu’s silence means. Uncle Fu suggests Xiao Yu may be shy and advises Qi to reach out first.
In Jin, Xiao Yu admits to the Crown Prince that he has not decided whether to leave for Southern Zhao. He loves Qi, but is attached to his homeland and the people there, and doubts that their relationship needs a formal title. Su Xun and Shen Zhijie jokingly suggest that Qi could move to Jin instead. Before Xiao Yu can respond, Qi’s voice message arrives. His companions insist on listening, and Xiao Yu reluctantly plays it. Qi’s affectionate, yearning message—ending with a plea for Xiao Yu to come become his Queen—leaves everyone embarrassed and surprised by the king’s clinginess.
After the others leave, Xiao Yu sits blushing and eventually sends Qi a brief written reply: “A-Heng, wait for my reply.” Qi worries that Xiao Yu did not send a voice message and takes the silence as a sign of distance. He then decides he has waited long enough and summons Eleven, apparently preparing to act.

Character developments and interactions

• Qi Yunheng is deeply in love but increasingly anxious about whether Xiao Yu will accept the marriage. His longing leads him to send a vulnerable, intimate message, and his final decision shows he intends to take the initiative rather than keep waiting.
• Xiao Yu remains torn between love for Qi and loyalty to his homeland and relationships in Jin. Hearing Qi’s heartfelt message clearly affects him, though he has not yet given his answer.
• The Crown Prince, Su Xun, and Shen Zhijie tease Xiao Yu and push to hear his private message. Their curiosity becomes playful embarrassment, while the Crown Prince privately recognizes how deeply the couple care for each other.
• Uncle Fu supports Qi with practical advice and understands his decision to summon Eleven.

Significant themes

The chapter explores the tension between romantic commitment and attachment to home, as well as the contrast between private affection and formal political titles. Misread silences heighten the couple’s insecurity, while Qi’s candid message reveals the tenderness beneath his royal authority.

Key plot points and events

• While sparring, Xiao Yu confides in his sister Xiao Zhiyu that he loves a man—the new king of Southern Zhao—and worries their parents may disapprove.
• Zhiyu accepts his choice and reassures him that their parents will support him. She also offers to lead troops against the king if he ever mistreats Xiao Yu.
• Xiao Yu describes his beloved, A-Heng, with obvious affection. Zhiyu recognizes how deeply he loves him.
• Zhiyu reflects on how Xiao Yu has grown warmer and more connected to the world since they were reunited. He jokes about her saying he has become “more like a person.”
• Wei Zhiyan arrives with Xiao Qiuxin. Xiao Yu keeps his distance and explains that he loves someone else. He refuses Zhiyan’s offer to become his concubine, saying he will not subject the person he loves to that injustice.
• Zhiyan breaks down in tears. Xiao Yu, uncomfortable about consoling her, calls Zhiyu over and leaves. Zhiyu and Qiuxin comfort Zhiyan, and Zhiyu suggests a meal and a snowy boat outing to cheer her up.
• As Xiao Yu departs, he thinks of A-Heng and looks forward to going to Southern Zhao after reporting to his elder imperial brother.

Character developments and interactions

• Xiao Yu is firm and sincere about his love for A-Heng. He is considerate toward Zhiyan even while rejecting her, but his strict propriety makes him awkward when she cries.
• Xiao Zhiyu becomes a supportive confidante and protective elder sister. Her memories of Xiao Yu’s childhood highlight how much more lively and emotionally present he has become.
• Wei Zhiyan openly pursues Xiao Yu and offers to accept a secondary position, but his rejection leaves her heartbroken. Zhiyu and Qiuxin try to reassure her.
• Xiao Qiuxin attempts to comfort Zhiyan, though her phrasing initially makes matters worse.

Significant themes

• Love and acceptance: Xiao Yu’s family bond is shown through Zhiyu’s immediate support of his same-sex relationship.
• Loyalty and emotional commitment: Xiao Yu remains devoted to A-Heng and refuses to compromise that relationship, even by taking a concubine.
• Boundaries and compassion: He maintains propriety with Zhiyan, while Zhiyu offers her comfort and companionship.
• Growth and belonging: Zhiyu sees Xiao Yu as having moved from youthful detachment toward greater warmth and connection.

Key plot points and events

• Xiao Yu works late, hoping to finish his affairs so he can reunite with Qi Yunheng. Before he can answer Qi’s demand that he agree to become his queen, Qi kisses him and knocks him unconscious.
• Qi takes Xiao Yu to Southern Zhao, leaving a note in Jin saying, “This King has taken his Queen home.” Qinggeng follows after Qi orders Zhu Yan to knock him out and bring him along.
• Xiao Yu wakes in Qi’s quarters and confirms that Qi abducted him. He asks for Qi, but first speaks with the young Prince Yun Cheng, who complains that Qi has made him attend court and review memorials.
• Xiao Yu tells Yun Cheng to assure Qi that he is not angry and that he wants to see him. Qi rushes to Xiao Yu, but makes Yun Cheng stay behind to finish reviewing memorials.
• Xiao Yu asks why Qi did not wait for him to say goodbye. Qi says he left a note, then admits how much he missed him. Xiao Yu embraces him and says he missed him too.
• In Jin, Emperor Jinyuan learns of the abduction and sends word to Xiao Yu’s father, the Prince of Zhennan, leaving him to handle the matter.

Character developments

• Qi Yunheng acts on his fear of losing Xiao Yu, choosing to take him home without waiting for his consent. Though anxious that Xiao Yu will be angry, he is relieved by the reunion and openly expresses his longing.
• Xiao Yu responds to Qi’s impulsive act with questions rather than rejection. His affection remains clear, and he reassures Qi by returning his embrace.
• Yun Cheng is comically burdened with adult responsibilities and feels neglected by Qi, though he hopes the couple will reconcile.
• Emperor Jinyuan is irritated by Qi’s audacity but recognizes that Xiao Yu chose him, so he passes the problem to Xiao Yu’s father.

Significant themes

• Love and possessiveness: Qi’s devotion is sincere but expressed through controlling, unilateral action.
• Reunion and reassurance: Both men’s longing is relieved when they finally acknowledge that they missed each other.
• Family and political duty: Personal relationships unfold against royal responsibilities, from Yun Cheng’s forced work to the diplomatic consequences of the abduction.
• Humor amid tension: Yun Cheng’s complaints and Qi’s insistence that he finish the memorials lighten the emotional conflict.

Character interactions

• Qi and Xiao Yu reunite in an intense kiss and later reconcile through an honest conversation and mutual embrace.
• Xiao Yu comforts and indulges Yun Cheng, who confides in him about Qi’s demands.
• Qi uses Yun Cheng as a messenger, then keeps him from joining the reunion by assigning him more work.
• Qinggeng challenges Qi’s actions but ultimately follows Xiao Yu to Southern Zhao; Zhu Yan’s obedience to Qi surprises him.
• Emperor Jinyuan discusses the incident with Marquis Yongchang and delegates the response to Xiao Yu’s father.