Recaps

Jiang Yingcheng and Jiang Yanchuan exposed Wang Xiuxian’s child-trafficking scheme, rescued the missing children, and helped bring down the Wang brothers. As the group returned toward the capital, Jiang Yingcheng helped undermine Prince Xin’s rebellion with rumors and uncovered court intrigues, leaving the ministers anxious about whose secrets she would reveal next.

• Jiang Yanchuan brought Jiang Yingcheng and Guan Zhili into a crowd where they met Ji Fuguang, then protected the boy from Wang Qizhi and learned he wanted to escape the Wang Family.
• Jiang Yingcheng uncovered that Wang Xiuxian was abducting children and framing mountain bandits, so Jiang Yanchuan sent Xu Jiu to investigate the planned kidnapping at the Pei Residence.
• Wang Qizhi led hired thugs to the inn to reclaim Ji Fuguang, but Jiang Yingcheng, Guan Zhili, and Ji Fuguang fought them off before Chu Zian heard the case.
• Chu Zian questioned Wang Qizhi and Wang Xiuxian, while Jiang Yingcheng revealed their crimes and Shadow Guards brought evidence linking Wang Xiuxian to the child trafficking.
• Chu Zian arranged for Ji Fuguang to join the Ji family and help establish an orphanage, while Jiang Yanchuan left Xiyuan City with Jiang Yingcheng and the others.
• Jiang Yanchuan enlisted Yu Xingmian’s Ink Rain Association to spread damaging rumors about Prince Xin, and reports of the gossip reached Jiang Silin.
• Jiang Yingcheng discovered that two of Yun Xing’s missing companions were alive and working in the palace, then learned that Prince Xin’s followers were selling treasures to fund rebellion.
• Jiang Yingcheng reviewed the court’s records for Jiang Yanchuan and began identifying Prince Xin’s agents among the ministers, leaving them afraid she would expose their secrets.

Jiang Yingcheng’s revelations exposed Prince Xin’s rebellion and helped Jiang Yanchuan defeat Jiang Silin, while Guan Zhili’s identity and loyalty came to light. After the court punished the rebels and rewarded its allies, Jiang Yingcheng joined her family and ministers on a Lantern Festival outing that uncovered more secrets.

• Jiang Yanchuan learned from Lu Yao that a faction was watching Capital City’s entrances, and the ministers gathered intelligence while Jiang Tinghuai finally released his fears about his family.
• Jiang Yingcheng learned that Prince Xin had raised an army and reached Zhuoping County, while Jiang Silin set out for Beiming after discovering he had a child there.
• Jiang Yanchuan confronted Jiang Silin in Chongyun Hall, where Jiang Silin declared his rebellion and claimed the Late Emperor had named Jiang Yi'an as heir.
• Jiang Yingcheng and the consorts faced Pan Jingwan at Lingxi Palace, while Jiang Yanchuan revealed his forces and defeated Prince Xin’s soldiers with help from hidden allies.
• Guan Zhili revealed himself as Jiang Silin’s son and betrayed him to protect Jiang Yingcheng, but Jiang Silin gravely injured him before surrendering.
• Jiang Yingcheng used Merit Shop medicines to save Guan Zhili, and Jiang Yanchuan punished the rebels while Emperor Mingze rewarded Kan Ruifeng and his soldiers.
• Jiang Yanchuan took Jiang Yingcheng and her siblings to the Lantern Festival, where officials followed and tried to keep her from exposing their secrets.
• Jiang Yingcheng uncovered Chu Jiaxu’s family scandal and the ministers’ efforts to hide their private affairs while the group visited the Lantern Festival.