Chapter Summaries

The Second Prince attacked Zhou Yunshen after accusing him of hiding food, but the Grand Tutor intervened and sent the troublemakers away. Later, Jiang Shuyue treated Zhou Yunshen’s swollen cheek, and he quietly accepted her care.

• The Second Prince slapped Zhou Yunshen and ordered his lackeys to strip and hang him, but Zhou Yunshen fought back.
• Luming called for the Grand Tutor, who rebuked the Second Prince and ordered him and the lackeys to leave.
• The Grand Tutor arranged for the Second Prince to return to the Imperial Palace, then went to speak with His Majesty.
• Luming told Zhou Yunshen that a girl had worried about him, and he realized Jiang Shuyue had watched from nearby.
• Zhou Yunshen slipped away from class and found Jiang Shuyue waiting by the well with a peeled egg to soothe his cheek.

Jiang Shuyue coached Zhou Yunshen to play the pitiful victim so he could deal with the Second Prince after being bullied at the Imperial Academy. She left him with a flushed face and began making him look injured, asking whether he had ever seen a puppy roll around.

• Zhou Yunshen invited Jiang Shuyue to come to his palace, but she explained she could help him better by staying where she was.
• Jiang Shuyue advised Zhou Yunshen to go to His Majesty and act like a pitiful victim, then demonstrated how to cry and complain.
• Jiang Shuyue persuaded Zhou Yunshen to say he was heartbroken over the Second Prince bullying him and stealing his food.
• Jiang Shuyue noticed Zhou Yunshen had no injuries, rubbed his face with chili-stung hands, and asked if he had ever seen a puppy roll around.

Jiang Shuyue coached Zhou Yunshen to look pitiful and speak up about being wronged. He returned to the palace and exposed Zhou Yunrui’s assault before the emperor, who struck Consort Chen for threatening him.

• Jiang Shuyue dirtied and tore Zhou Yunshen’s clothes, then told him to act pitiful and not silently endure injustice.
• Zhou Yunshen complimented Jiang Shuyue before returning to the Imperial Palace.
• Consort Chen and Zhou Yunrui pleaded with the emperor and accused Zhou Yunshen of framing the Second Prince.
• Zhou Yunshen arrived looking bedraggled and said Zhou Yunrui had disciplined him for eating a steamed bun.
• Zhou Yunrui admitted he had hit Zhou Yunshen, and Consort Chen tried to stop him from speaking.
• The emperor saw Zhou Yunshen hide behind him and slapped Consort Chen for threatening the prince.

Zhou Yunshen exposed Consort Chen and the Second Prince’s wrongdoing, and the emperor punished them before realizing Yun Shen was neglected by Noble Lady Li. The emperor arranged for Consort De to adopt Yun Shen, who accepted the change and asked for food.

• Zhou Yunshen pretended to defend the Second Prince while the emperor rejected Consort Chen’s pleas and ordered her demoted and confined, the Second Prince beaten and restricted, and the other boys punished.
• The emperor noticed Zhou Yunshen’s hunger and thinness, while Noble Lady Li claimed he was simply picky.
• The emperor decided that Consort De would adopt Zhou Yunshen because Noble Lady Li had failed to care for him.
• Zhou Yunshen reminded Noble Lady Li that he had followed her lessons and said he was happy to have two mothers.
• The emperor ordered roast chicken for Zhou Yunshen and told Noble Lady Li to send his belongings to Consort De.

After dining with the emperor, Zhou Yunshen received gifts, servants, and Jiang Shuyue’s appointment as a Third Rank Palace Maid. At Consort De’s residence, he followed Jiang Shuyue’s advice to turn Noble Lady Li’s accusations against her, leaving Consort De furious with Li.

• The emperor rewarded Zhou Yunshen with fine goods and lesson supplies, assigned him four servants, and appointed Jiang Shuyue a Third Rank Palace Maid at his request.
• Jiang Shuyue and Zhou Yunshen arrived at Consort De’s residence and heard Noble Lady Li crying as she complained about him.
• Jiang Shuyue advised Zhou Yunshen to act fragile, and he entered the hall and praised Consort De while presenting the emperor’s gift of jade chess pieces.
• Noble Lady Li criticized Zhou Yunshen, but he implied that she thought him unfit to be seen and feared he would bring shame on the emperor.
• Consort De rebuked Noble Lady Li and demanded to know whether she was dissatisfied with how Consort De raised Zhou Yunshen.