Chapter Summaries

First Prince Xia Qianhui presented evidence that Steward Qiao and his son had abducted and abused young girls, forcing Qiao Zhishu to confront crimes committed under his authority. As Qiao Zhishu realized his parents might have knowingly protected Qiao Tianci, he began to suspect Steward Qiao’s true relationship to the family.

• Xia Qianhui explained that he had arrested Steward Qiao after investigating a dead child bride’s family and catching the steward trying to murder two girls.
• Qiao Zhishu denied knowing about the child brides, while Steward Qiao claimed he had paid for the girls and Old Master Qiao dismissed their accusations.
• Sheng Yue revealed her wounds and testified that Steward Qiao and his son had abused her and the other girl.
• Constable Xiao presented the thorn-studded whip found in Steward Qiao’s hidden compartment, and Qiao Zhishu condemned the steward.
• Qiao Zhishu recalled his father preventing a maid from speaking to him and began to suspect that Steward Qiao was connected to Qiao Tianci in a shocking way.

Qiao Zhishu confronted Old Master Qiao over the suspicion that Steward Qiao was his biological son and that the Qiao family had tried to harm Youling’s unborn child. Xia Wanwan proposed a blood kinship test, and the result exposed a shocking connection between Steward Qiao and Madam Qiao.

• Qiao Zhishu accused Old Master Qiao of protecting Steward Qiao because the steward was his true son, while Old Master Qiao insisted that he had raised Qiao Zhishu as his own.
• Xia Wanwan suggested a blood kinship test, and Old Master Qiao agreed while plotting to turn the test against her.
• Old Master Qiao insisted that he and Steward Qiao should be tested with the prepared water, and Xia Wanwan reluctantly agreed.
• Old Master Qiao’s and Steward Qiao’s blood mingled in the bowl, prompting Yuanbao to declare them biological father and son.
• Old Master Qiao claimed the water was faulty and tested another drop, which mingled with Steward Qiao’s blood; he then realized he had pricked Madam Qiao’s finger.

Xia Wanwan proved the Qiao family’s blood ties with an unaltered water test, then Old Master Qiao demanded that Qiao Zhishu seek justice for Qiao Tianci’s severed leg. Xia Qianhui learned that Xia Wanwan really had cut it off and was left unsure whose side to take.

• Zhong Youyan’s blood test showed that Old Master Qiao and Steward Qiao were related, and the physician confirmed the water was ordinary and the test genuine.
• Xia Wanwan revealed that Old Master Qiao had been tricked into demanding the test because he assumed she had tampered with the water.
• Old Master Qiao urged Qiao Zhishu to bring charges against Xia Wanwan for severing Qiao Tianci’s leg and appealed to Qiao Zhishu’s sense of obligation to the Qiao family.
• Old Qiao Woman and Steward Qiao wept over Qiao Tianci’s injured body and vowed to seek justice from the Imperial Court and Imperial Family.
• Xia Qianhui offered to stand up for Xia Wanwan, then learned she had cut off Qiao Tianci’s leg and became unsure whose side to take.

Xia Wanwan exposed the Qiao family’s attempt to drug her, and Qiao Zhishu testified against Old Master Qiao. Duke Yan arrived to ask Xia Qianhui and Xia Wanwan to spare the family, but Xia Wanwan warned him that the Qiao family had hidden a harmful betrayal from him.

• Xia Wanwan accused the Qiao family of drugging her, and Constable Xiao found the medicine bottle in Old Master Qiao’s robes.
• Qiao Zhishu testified that Master Qiao had put the drug in Princess Ximing’s food, while Lord Yuanbao was present and Steward Qiao had supplied the bottle.
• Old Master Qiao threatened that the Qiao family would survive because of a powerful backer, then Duke Yan arrived at the trial.
• Madam Qiao begged Duke Yan to save her family, and he asked Xia Qianhui and Xia Wanwan to spare their lives in return for the Qiao family’s kindness.
• Xia Wanwan told Duke Yan that the Qiao family had concealed a terrible deed that would make him turn against them, and he asked what it was.

Xia Wanwan exposed the Qiao elders’ poisoning of Zhong Youling and her unborn child, while Qiao Zhishu renounced his family and rushed to his wife’s side. When Zhong Youling went into dangerous premature labor, those around Xia Wanwan feared the Qiao elders would blame her for the child’s death.

• Xia Wanwan told Duke Yan that the Qiao elders had poisoned Zhong Youling and her unborn child, and Qiao Zhishu confronted his parents before declaring he would sever ties with them.
• Qiao Zhishu removed his official hat and robe, declared he would resign after failing to protect his people and wife, and ran from the Courtroom.
• A servant reported that Zhong Youling had gone into labor and was bleeding heavily; Zhong Youyan whipped the Qiao elders and raced to her sister.
• Duke Yan ordered the Qiao elders taken to the Qiao Residence, and Xia Wanwan left with Xia Qianhui and the others.
• On the roof, Xia Siheng and Liu Wan worried the Qiao elders would blame Xia Wanwan, while Liu Zimu warned Liu Zi Xing that the elders might use the blessing to set a trap for her.

Zi Mu arranged for Constable Xiao to prevent the Qiao family from spreading news while Xia Wanwan faced accusations over Zhong Youling’s dangerous childbirth. Xia Wanwan entered the birthing room to save Zhong Youling and her baby, leaving Steward Qiao bound to his boast that he would eat shit upside down if she succeeded.

• Zi Mu instructed Constable Xiao to arrest anyone who tried to leave the Qiao Residence with a message.
• Qiao Zhishu returned to find Zhong Youling hemorrhaging, and the midwife warned that both mother and baby might die.
• Madam Qiao objected to a male physician treating Zhong Youling, but Zhong Youyan and Qiao Zhishu forced the physician to help.
• Master Qiao and Old Qiao Woman blamed Xia Wanwan for the crisis, while Zhong Youyan defended her and Duke Yan offered to deal with the Qiao elders if she saved the child.
• Xia Wanwan agreed to try to save Zhong Youling, and Steward Qiao wagered he would eat shit standing on his head if she succeeded.
• Xia Wanwan skipped into the birthing room as Yuanbao predicted the world would gain another stool dog who ate shit upside down.

Xia Wanwan delivered Qiao Zhishu’s child safely and exposed Old Master Qiao’s plot to blame her for the birth. The Qiao elders faced the consequences of their abuse as the Zhong family prepared to reclaim and support Youling.

• Xia Wanwan emerged from the delivery room and falsely told Qiao Zhishu that both his wife and baby had died, then revealed that mother and child were safe.
• The physician and midwife explained that Xia Wanwan’s medicine stopped the bleeding and that the baby began crying after the midwife cleared his airway.
• Constable Xiao brought in a servant who confessed that Master Qiao had ordered him to spread the lie that Princess Ximing had killed the child.
• Qiao Zhishu confronted the Qiao elders about poisoning his wife and child, then hurried into the delivery room to see Youling.
• The midwife revealed that the Zhong family had never abandoned Youling and would arrive with a vast dowry, while Madam Qiao begged her to put in a good word.

After the Qiao family’s crimes were exposed, Madam Qiao, Steward Qiao, and Old Master Qiao died, while Xia Wanwan reflected on the complexity of human nature. As Qiao Zhishu prepared to demolish the Abandoned Infant Pagoda, Duke Yan warned Xia Wanwan of an approaching crisis, and a crowd gathered to oppose the demolition.

• Duke Yan refused to spare the Qiao family, and Old Master Qiao killed himself after admitting that sincerity might have prevented his downfall.
• Xia Wanwan used golden light to send Old Master Qiao’s soul to hell, while Madam Qiao and Steward Qiao also died and pleaded for Qiao Tianci to be spared.
• After three bodies were carried from the Qiao Residence, Xia Wanwan ordered Qiao Zhishu to gather government soldiers and explosives to destroy the pagoda.
• Duke Yan confronted Xia Wanwan about concealing that Qiao Zhishu was his son, and Xia Wanwan condemned Duke Yan for betraying the Imperial Court.
• Duke Yan warned Xia Wanwan to consider the crisis ahead, as a crowd gathered and shouted against blowing up the Abandoned Infant Pagoda.

Xia Wanwan prepared to demolish the Abandoned Infant Pagoda despite the angry crowd, while Qiao Zhishu argued that poverty was driving families to abandon girls and proposed opening a trade road through the mountains. The crowd still pressed toward the pagoda as Xia Wanwan entered to dismantle its Soul-Locking Formation.

• Xia Wanwan sent Zhong Youyan to fetch her eldest Imperial Elder Brother and the troops, ordering Qiao Zhishu to hold the crowd back until she could destroy the pagoda.
• Xia Wanwan defended using force against those who abandoned girls and declared that the practice had to be stopped.
• Yuanbao retrieved the Compass, and Xia Wanwan entered the pagoda to dismantle the Soul-Locking Formation.
• Qiao Zhishu and the Government Soldiers tried to keep the crowd from approaching the pagoda, while its leaders accused him of betraying Hezhou.
• Qiao Zhishu explained that poverty lay behind child abandonment and proposed building a road south so Hezhou could trade its silk and cloth with Jiangnan.

Xia Wanwan freed the infant souls trapped in the Abandoned Infant Pagoda, while Duke Yan revealed that he had spent ten years cultivating Gu Ming there for his own ambitions. The chapter ended with Duke Yan calling on Gu Ming to appear and help him.

• Qiao Zhishu's plan to improve Hezhou was rejected by the commoners, who refused to work more and demanded money instead.
• Little Lucky Star condemned the commoners for abandoning their baby girls, and the crowd surged against the Government Soldiers.
• Black energy broke the Soul-Locking Formation as Xia Wanwan recited Sanskrit inside the pagoda, opening a golden road that carried the infant souls toward reincarnation.
• Gu Ming marveled at Xia Wanwan's power, while Yuanbao said Heaven had hidden the sun to let the souls pass safely.
• Duke Yan recalled that he had arranged for Daoist Huiyue to summon Gu Ming's Divine Soul and let it absorb resentment for ten years.
• After the final infant soul departed, Duke Yan knelt before the pagoda and called on Gu Ming to appear and aid him, promising rank, glory, and riches.

Xia Wanwan confronted Duke Yan at the Abandoned Infant Pagoda while Gu Ming hid rather than reveal himself. After the wronged spirits were guided onward, the crowd resisted the pagoda’s demolition, and Xia Wanwan decided they were not worth saving.

• Duke Yan repeatedly kowtowed to summon Gu Ming, and Gu Ming stayed hidden while Yuanbao and Xia Wanwan watched.
• Duke Yan recounted how Gu Ming had become a demon to avenge the villagers who raised him, moving Gu Ming and prompting Yuanbao to apologize for mistreating him.
• Xia Wanwan told Duke Yan that Gu Ming was not home, and Gu Ming backed her up rather than reveal himself.
• Xia Wanwan’s people planted explosives as the dark clouds cleared and the common people believed the wronged spirits had departed.
• The crowd pushed against the soldiers and cursed Xia Wanwan for trying to demolish the Abandoned Infant Pagoda, while Little Lucky Star reported that they refused to work and demanded money from the Imperial Court.
• Xia Wanwan concluded that the people would keep abandoning children even if they received money, and decided to give up on them.

Xia Wanwan and Xia Qianhui drove the commoners away from the Abandoned Infant Pagoda so it could be demolished. With the mountain cleared, Xia Wanwan ordered the pagoda blown up.

• Zhong Youyan arrived on horseback to protect Xia Wanwan, and Xia Qianhui brought soldiers to surround the commoners and demand they leave.
• Xia Qianhui stabbed Yuanbao and Jing Wu during their staged attempt to frighten the crowd, but he accidentally used a real blade and wounded Yuanbao.
• Xia Wanwan threatened to massacre the commoners, while Xia Qianhui ordered the soldiers to chase them off the mountain.
• Xia Wanwan secretly used spiritual power to heal Yuanbao, then told Jing Wu and Lord Qiao to take everyone down the mountain.
• After Duke Yan challenged her over using military force against the commoners, Xia Wanwan dismissed him and ordered the pagoda blown up.

Xia Wanwan watched the Abandoned Infant Pagoda collapse and reunited with Liu Wan, while her family and allies shared a tender moment. In Hezhou City, Duke Yan stirred the people against Xia Wanwan, but a child’s voice challenged him from beyond the gate.

• Xia Wanwan reflected that destroying the Abandoned Infant Pagoda would not end the killing of baby girls and considered seeking Heaven’s help to change people’s beliefs.
• Liu Wan embraced Xia Wanwan, who realized her mother had secretly followed to protect her; Xia Siheng and Liu Zi Xing were left out of the reunion, and the family ended up weeping together.
• Qing Da and Qing Sheng watched the family from a distance and affirmed their willingness to protect Liu Wan’s family in return for their past care.
• After the Abandoned Infant Pagoda fell, Hezhou’s people rioted and demanded justice, while Duke Yan used their anger to turn them against Princess Ximing and the First Prince.
• Duke Yan encouraged the people to petition for Princess Ximing’s expulsion from the Imperial Family, but a child’s voice from beyond the city gate declared that it would be easy.

Xia Wanwan provoked the Heavenly Dao to appear by pretending to threaten Hezhou’s commoners with lightning. After the Heavenly Dao punished her strike and Duke Yan claimed Heaven favored men, a majestic woman appeared in the sky.

• Xia Siheng and Xia Wanwan confronted Duke Yan and the angry commoners, while Qiao Zhishu announced that the court would open a road through the mountains.
• Qiao Zhishu revealed that Xia Siheng had another answer for the people, and Xia Wanwan summoned lightning as a riot broke out.
• Xia Wanwan sent a bolt toward the commoners to force the Heavenly Dao to appear, but the Heavenly Dao redirected it and struck her.
• Zhong Youyan caught Xia Wanwan as she fell from the wall, and Xia Wanwan admitted she had provoked Heaven to demand justice for Hezhou.
• Duke Yan declared that the Heavenly Dao was male and favored men, and a five-colored radiance revealed the female Heavenly Dao in the sky.

Xia Wanwan summoned the Heavenly Dao and asked her to ensure every child born in Hezhou was a boy so no girls would be abandoned. The Heavenly Dao rejected the wish, and Qing Da’s defense of exploiting and discarding girls provoked the people’s fury.

• The Heavenly Dao appeared over Hezhou City, forced Duke Yan and the people to kneel, and declared her identity.
• Xia Wanwan refused to show deference, but knelt just before the Heavenly Dao’s lightning struck, causing it to veer away.
• The Heavenly Dao sensed the divine soul within Xia Wanwan and asked what she wanted.
• Xia Wanwan asked the Heavenly Dao to make every child born in Hezhou a boy, but the Heavenly Dao rejected the wish as contrary to Heaven’s laws.
• The people objected because they wanted to sell daughters and use their bride prices to obtain wives for their sons.
• Qing Da openly described abandoning, exploiting, and killing daughters, leaving the crowd to suspect he was a spy.

The Heavenly Dao punished Hezhou for abandoning baby girls, then erased the people’s memories of the incident and entrusted Xia Wanwan with upholding justice. Afterward, Duke Yan calmed the crowd, supported Qiao Zhishu, and gave his newborn daughter a jade pendant and a name suggestion inspired by her mother.

• The Heavenly Dao reclaimed her protection and the rules from Hezhou, declaring that no more girls would be born there after Xia Wanwan revealed the abandoned infant souls.
• The Heavenly Dao erased everyone’s memories, told Xia Wanwan not to wield heavenly lightning again, and urged her to carry on her Grandmaster’s work.
• After the crowd’s memories vanished, Xia Siheng carried the soot-black Xia Wanwan away while Duke Yan warned that making an issue of the incident could ruin Qiao Zhishu’s career.
• Duke Yan calmed the people by promising to pay for the Abandoned Infant Pagoda’s construction and advised Qiao Zhishu to remain firm in his duties.
• Duke Yan learned that Qiao Zhishu had a daughter, gave him a jade pendant for her, and suggested the name character Shu, which was his own mother’s name.

After leaving Hezhou City, Liu Wan and Xia Wanwan visited the Self-Rescue Home, where Zhong Youyan and the Empress Dowager cared for abandoned girls. The women shared how they had built a safe, orderly home for the children, and the chapter ended with Xia Wanwan praising them all.

• Xia Siheng told Qiao Zhishu that Xia Qianhui had left ahead of the family, and the party set out for the Capital.
• Zhong Youyan stopped the party and invited Liu Wan and Xia Wanwan to visit the Empress Dowager.
• Zhong Youyan led Liu Wan and Xia Wanwan to the Self-Rescue Home, where the Empress Dowager and Imperial Consort Dowager greeted them.
• Mama Qing explained how Zhong Youyan had brought abandoned girls to the courtyard and how the women there cared for and taught them.
• Liu Wan admired Zhong Youyan’s work, and Xia Wanwan told the gathered women that they were all the best.

Xia Wanwan and Zhong Youyan shared their hopes for protecting women and changing Great Xia, then discovered they were both transmigrators. The chapter ended with Xia Wanwan whispering a secret code to confirm their shared past.

• The Empress Dowager praised Xia Wanwan's work in Hezhou and brought her to see the girls studying under the new protections.
• Li Qian invited Liu Wan to explain passages in the classroom, while Zhong Youyan took Xia Wanwan up the mountain for a private talk.
• Zhong Youyan told Xia Wanwan she wanted to help liberate women and asked her not to leave her out if she took on that responsibility.
• Zhong Youyan spoke of promoting democracy and science, and Xia Wanwan realized that Zhong Youyan was also a transmigrator.
• Xia Wanwan hugged Zhong Youyan in tears, then whispered, "Odd changes, even stays the same."

Xia Wanwan learned that Zhong Youyan had died in 1931 after fighting the invading enemy, and told her that their country eventually won and became strong. Zhong Youyan prepared to leave for Nanmei to study women’s independence, while Xia Wanwan promised to protect the Self-Rescue Home and work toward freedom and equality in Great Xia.

• Xia Wanwan realized Zhong Youyan was a transmigrator from 1931, and Zhong Youyan revealed she had sacrificed herself on the battlefield.
• Xia Wanwan reassured Zhong Youyan that their country had won the war and become strong, easing her long-held regrets.
• Xia Wanwan cautioned Zhong Youyan to consider the era before promoting democracy and science, and they agreed that women should pursue freedom and equality.
• Zhong Youyan told Xia Wanwan she planned to expand her business into Nanmei and asked her to protect the Self-Rescue Home after she left.
• Xia Wanwan promised Zhong Youyan they would meet again and work toward freedom and equality in Great Xia.
• Xia Siheng worried that Liu Wan’s newfound purpose meant she might abandon him, then hurried after her carriage.

Duke Yan returned to the Capital and secretly summoned Guardian Gu Ming’s divine soul to help with his plan. Gu Ming was torn away from Xia Wanwan, who pursued him with Yuanbao and arrived as Duke Yan asked the guardian to deal with her.

• Duke Yan found Yu in his private chamber and left in anger, ordering Chen Pei to replace the bed after Yu departed.
• Chen Pei overheard Yu and a man being intimate in the duke’s room, then saw Yan Song and Yan Ming leave after failing to visit their father.
• Duke Yan met Daoist Huiyue at a villa and asked him to summon Guardian Gu Ming’s divine soul before the Ruler of Eastern Lin arrived.
• Gu Ming’s soul was pulled away while he pleaded with Xia Wanwan to take him as her underling.
• Xia Wanwan and Yuanbao chased Gu Ming’s soul to the villa, where Duke Yan asked the guardian to deal with Xia Wanwan.