Chapter Summaries

Jiang Yanchuan and Yu Xingmian arranged for the Ink Rain Association to spread damaging stories about Prince Xin, mixing gossip with serious allegations. Jiang Silin traced the rumors to Jiang Tinghuai and realized the Crown Prince had underestimated how effectively he could turn public opinion against him.

• Jiang Yanchuan summoned Yu Xingmian and asked the Ink Rain Association to help target Prince Xin through rumors.
• People across several towns spread gossip that Prince Xin took concubines to conceal his infertility and ate human flesh.
• Scholars amplified the rumors by composing poems condemning Prince Xin, and reports of the stories reached Jiang Silin.
• Jiang Silin and Zuo Wei read allegations that Prince Xin had poisoned Prince Jing's soldiers, let his troops prey on the people, and brought plague back from Beiming.
• Jiang Silin concluded that Jiang Tinghuai had released the information and noted that Jiang Yi'an seemed to have lost interest in the throne.

Jiang Yingcheng discovered that two companions Yun Xing's group believed dead had survived and were now living in the palace, leaving Yun Xing shocked by what “entering the palace” meant.

• Jiang Yingcheng laughed at Prince Xin being blamed as the mastermind while riding with Yun Xing, then gave him candy after nearly falling from the horse.
• Jiang Yingcheng wondered what Yun Xing needed as an apology gift and found information revealing that two of his companions had survived.
• Yun Xing and his companions realized the survivors included men they had believed lost after being struck by arrows, and Zhang Xiao admitted he had forced the others to flee without them.
• Jiang Yingcheng searched further and discovered that the two survivors had entered the palace and were living on imperial wages.
• Yun Xing stopped sobbing and went rigid, alarmed by what he thought entering the palace meant.

Jiang Yingcheng secretly listened to court as the ministers debated rumors about Emperor Mingze’s disappearance and Prince Xin. Her thoughts revealed that Prince Xin was preparing to besiege the palace and that his followers were selling valuable possessions cheaply, leaving the ministers eager to profit and Jiang Yingcheng planning to inform her father.

• Minister Tan implied that Prince Xin had spread rumors about Emperor Mingze’s disappearance, but another minister argued that the accusations lacked evidence.
• Jiang Yingcheng listened from the roof with Uncle Liaochen and thought that Emperor Mingze had originally spread rumors about Prince Xin.
• Jiang Yingcheng revealed that Prince Xin’s followers were selling valuable paintings, calligraphy, and treasures to fund his rebellion.
• The ministers realized they could buy the possessions cheaply and resell them after Prince Xin’s rebellion failed.
• Jiang Yingcheng asked System Bro for the sellers’ names and planned to slip the list into Emperor Mingze’s purse.

Jiang Yanchuan secretly returned to the palace and questioned his ministers about events during his absence. Jiang Yingcheng praised Jiang Tinghuai’s accomplishments, then discovered that Prince Xin had sent a young woman to bewitch one of the ministers.

• Jiang Tinghuai secretly gathered trusted ministers in Wuyang Hall, where Jiang Yanchuan returned with Liaochen and Jiang Yingcheng.
• Jiang Yanchuan asked whether major events had occurred while he was away, but the ministers hesitated to answer.
• Jiang Yingcheng used the System to review the court’s records and enthusiastically listed Jiang Tinghuai’s achievements to her Imperial Father.
• Jiang Yingcheng decided to praise a minister to encourage the others to mention their own accomplishments, then realized that Prince Xin’s agent was trying to bewitch him.

Jiang Yingcheng’s thoughts exposed suspicious women and an adopted son who had recently approached Chu Dong and Chu Jiaxu, forcing both ministers to explain their actions to Emperor Mingze. She rejected both as possible targets and began considering another minister, leaving the court officials terrified they might be implicated next.

• Jiang Yingcheng’s thoughts described how a woman had met Chu Dong and drawn close to him, while Chu Dong silently insisted he had only played along to investigate her.
• Chu Dong reported that the woman had deliberately approached him and claimed he had risked his reputation to uncover a threat to the court.
• After Jiang Yingcheng ruled Chu Dong out, Chu Jiaxu reported that a boy had engineered his adoption by staging an attack on his wife and daughter.
• Jiang Yingcheng decided Chu Jiaxu was unsuitable too, then reacted to another thought and left the ministers fearing she would expose someone else.

Jiang Yanchuan’s ministers reported on suspicious incidents and a faction watching the capital’s entrances, then urged him to stay near Green Smoke Alley. After the reports, Jiang Tinghuai’s fear and exhaustion surfaced in tears, and Jiang Yingcheng offered him her favorite candy as an apology gift.

• Pu Mingxu and Ran Hongyi knelt to explain themselves after Jiang Yingcheng’s thoughts mentioned them, prompting the other ministers to plead their cases too.
• Jiang Yanchuan told Lu Yao to investigate the ministers’ reports, and Lu Yao revealed that a faction had been watching important entrances to Capital City.
• Jiang Yingcheng listened as the ministers analyzed the situation and asked System Bro to record the intelligence for later review.
• Tan Wenhan suggested that Jiang Yanchuan stay near Green Smoke Alley, where underground tunnels could help protect the family, and Jiang Yanchuan agreed.
• After the ministers left, Jiang Tinghuai began crying from fear and worry that had built up while he thought Jiang Yingcheng and Jiang Yanchuan were lost or in danger.
• Jiang Yanchuan explained that Jiang Yingcheng had brought her crown prince brother an apology gift, and she gave Jiang Tinghuai her favorite piece of candy.

Jiang Yingcheng secretly stuffed rare treasures into Jiang Tinghuai’s robe before leaving with Jiang Yanchuan. At Tan Wenhan’s residence, officials distracted her from a forgotten concern by revealing they owned nearby properties, but her System exposed the sacrifices they had made to help her—and the domestic trouble it caused.

• Jiang Yingcheng secretly packed Jiang Tinghuai’s arms with treasures from the System Shop while clinging to him, and Jiang Tinghuai kept a blank face until she left.
• After Jiang Yanchuan and Jiang Yingcheng departed, palace servants noticed Jiang Tinghuai’s robe bulging, and he sat down with joy in his eyes.
• Jiang Yingcheng worried she had forgotten something important while officials gathered at Tan Wenhan’s residence to report to Jiang Yanchuan.
• Jiao Hongmiao offered the nearby properties for Jiang Yanchuan’s use, distracting Jiang Yingcheng and making her curious about the officials’ sacrifices.
• Jiang Yingcheng learned through the System that officials had spent heavily to help her, then revealed that Jiao Hongmiao and Chu had faced trouble at home while raising the money.

Jiang Yingcheng discovered that more officials had joined Prince Xin and shared the intelligence with the ministers, who prepared to act through Lu Yao. The report that Prince Xin’s forces had already reached Zhuoping County left Lu Yao confronting the danger of an advance they had failed to detect.

• The ministers recognized that Chancellor Tan had also been exposed by Jiang Yingcheng’s revelations and quietly agreed to keep one another’s secrets.
• Jiang Yingcheng decided to repay the ministers by finding information that could help them earn merit, and she asked System Bro to search for it.
• Jiang Yingcheng found that more provincial officials, including Shu Lang, Xi Chang, and Gong Pengcheng, were following Prince Xin.
• The ministers looked to Lu Yao to help act on the intelligence, and he stepped forward to report.
• Jiang Yingcheng discovered that Prince Xin had mustered another force after learning Imperial Father was missing, and that the army had reached Zhuoping County without warning.

Zuo Wei brought Jiang Silin an urgent letter reporting trouble with his army, but Jiang Silin decided to go to Beiming to find a child. In Emperor Mingze’s study, Jiang Yingcheng revealed that Prince Xin’s forces had been delayed by rumors and that the child Jiang Silin sought was already with her.

• Zuo Wei tried to deliver a secret letter to Jiang Silin, but the guard refused to disturb him while Qiu Suxin was inside.
• Jiang Silin emerged and ordered preparations to go to Beiming, then read Ke Ming’s letter about complications and suspicious officials along the army’s route.
• Zuo Wei warned that Prince Xin’s troops were stationed in Zhuoping County and urged Jiang Silin to let him handle the Beiming matter, but Jiang Silin said he needed to find a child in the capital.
• Jiang Yingcheng revealed that rumors started by Emperor Mingze had frightened the Jingchuan County magistrate, forcing Prince Xin’s army to detour and wait in Zhuoping County.
• Jiang Yingcheng revealed that Jiang Silin had learned he had a child in Beiming, but said she had already brought Brother Zhili back and urged him to go anyway.

Guan Zhili learned that Prince Xin was his birth father and panicked when he heard Prince Xin was to be executed for rebellion. After Liaochen reassured him that the court already knew his identity, Guan Zhili tried to tell Jiang Yingcheng, who was stunned to hear that someone had called him a likeness of the emperor.

• Guan Zhili heard Jiang Yingcheng reveal that Prince Xin was his birth father and that Prince Xin would be executed for rebellion.
• Guan Zhili panicked and tried to flee, but Liaochen carried him away from the courtyard.
• Liaochen told Guan Zhili that the court had known his true identity long before he could hear Jiang Yingcheng's thoughts.
• Jiang Yingcheng visited Guan Zhili's room to look for snacks, and he told her an uncle had given him candy after saying he resembled His Majesty.
• Jiang Yingcheng nearly fell from her chair and wondered who was playing so dirty.

Jiang Yingcheng’s thoughts about keeping Lu Yao occupied nearly distract him from the chance to earn achievements, while Guan Zhili realizes she recognized his identity early. Fearing Emperor Mingze may eventually punish him, Guan Zhili seeks out Liaochen to propose a deal.

• Jiang Yingcheng learns Lu Yao has discovered Guan Zhili’s identity and decides to find him official matters to keep him too busy to investigate further.
• Guan Zhili asks Jiang Yingcheng why he resembles Emperor Mingze, and she reveals she noticed the resemblance when they first met.
• Guan Zhili worries that Emperor Mingze knows he is the son of a Rebel and may punish him, then lies awake imagining his death.
• Guan Zhili goes to find Liaochen and asks whether he would like to make a deal.

As Prince Xin’s forces neared Capital City, Jiang Yanchuan prepared to infiltrate court in disguise, while Jiang Yingcheng discovered he had left early. During a court confrontation over rumors that Emperor Mingze had disappeared, Jiang Yanchuan arrived with a sharp challenge.

• Jiang Yingcheng woke to find Jiang Yanchuan gone and used System Bro to learn he had gone to the palace as Prince Xin prepared to act.
• Jiang Yanchuan abandoned his plan to impersonate several ministers after Jiang Yingcheng’s inner voice revealed their habits and secrets could expose him.
• At court, Zhao Yan demanded that Jiang Tinghuai provide concrete evidence that Emperor Mingze had not disappeared.
• Jiang Tinghuai challenged Zhao Yan to explain whether his father had to appear in person, and Jiang Yanchuan’s voice answered from outside Chongyun Hall.

Jiang Silin returned to court and openly declared that he had rebelled, challenging Jiang Tinghuai’s authority as Acting Regent. Jiang Tinghuai ordered the guards to seize him, but synchronized footsteps sounded outside Chongyun Hall.

• Jiang Silin entered Chongyun Hall and said he had returned to reassure the people because Jiang Yanchuan had not appeared since the battle.
• Jiang Tinghuai asked why Jiang Silin had suddenly returned, recalling their warm childhood bond while struggling to believe he had betrayed Great Rui.
• An official allied with Jiang Silin argued that the court needed him to lead if Jiang Yanchuan was in peril, and the two factions argued over Jiang Tinghuai’s authority.
• After an official asked if he was rebelling, Jiang Silin calmly confirmed that he had rebelled.
• Jiang Tinghuai ordered the guards to seize Jiang Silin, and Jiang Yanchuan moved with the Imperial Guards as synchronized footsteps sounded outside the hall.

Prince Xin Jiang Silin surrounded the court and presented a supposed final edict naming Prince Jing as heir, while Jiang Yingcheng’s thoughts exposed his plans. Jiang Yi'an and the Prince of Nanyang arrived to reject his claim, and figures hiding above the hall fled as Jiang Yingcheng prepared to act.

• Jiang Silin surrounded the officials in Chongyun Hall and claimed the Late Emperor’s final edict named Jiang Yi'an as heir.
• Jiang Yingcheng’s thoughts revealed that Jiang Silin had planned to put an incapable ruler on the throne, alarming the officials who could hear her.
• Jiang Yi'an and the Prince of Nanyang entered the hall, and Jiang Yi'an told Jiang Silin he did not want the throne and asked him to withdraw his troops.
• Several figures hidden above the hall fled while Jiang Silin turned his attention toward Jiang Tinghuai.
• Jiang Yingcheng resolved to do something, and the people on the roof beams openly flew out over the court.

Jiang Yingcheng arrived at Lingxi Palace expecting to find Empress Kan Nianzhen and the other consorts in danger, but they greeted her unharmed. Kan Nianzhen revealed that the wrecked courtyard was a trap she had prepared for someone.

• Liaochen flew Jiang Yingcheng and the others openly through the palace, despite her plan to arrive after the fighting ended.
• Jiang Yingcheng and her companions reached Lingxi Palace and found its courtyard badly damaged, prompting her to believe something had happened to Empress Auntie.
• Kan Nianzhen, Cheng Yunmeng, and the other consorts emerged unharmed and checked Jiang Yingcheng for injuries.
• Jiang Yingcheng pinched Liaochen to confirm she was not dreaming, then asked what had happened in the courtyard.
• Kan Nianzhen explained that the courtyard was a trap she had prepared for someone.

Jiang Yingcheng learned that the women of Lingxi Palace had provoked Consort Shu into coming to them so they could expose her role in the rebellion. As Consort Shu arrived, Jiang Yingcheng had to stay hidden while the others carried out their plan.

• Kan Nianzhen explained that the women had refused to evacuate and had spent days provoking Consort Shu to make her act rashly.
• Jiang Yingcheng learned that Consort Shu had ignored Pan Jifeng's warning and was approaching Lingxi Palace.
• Kan Nianzhen and Noble Consort Qing staged an attack while Cheng Yunmeng carried Jiang Yingcheng to an inner room.
• Jiang Yingcheng gave Cheng Yunmeng medicine bottles before Cheng Yunmeng returned to the front hall to keep Consort Shu from suspecting the trap.
• Liaochen stopped Jiang Yingcheng from going out, then announced that Consort Shu had arrived.

Pan Jingwan tried to use Prince Xin’s uprising to secure her own escape, but Kan Nianzhen’s staged attack forced her to reveal her allegiance. The Empress and the other consorts rose unharmed, exposing that Pan Jingwan had walked into a trap.

• Pan Jingwan arrived at Lingxi Palace and concealed Prince Xin’s jade token while pretending soldiers had driven her there.
• Kan Nianzhen rallied the consorts to fight Prince Xin’s Army, and Pan Jingwan was dragged into the apparent battle before hiding in a corner.
• When a soldier approached, Pan Jingwan revealed her identity and showed the jade pendant, claiming her family supported Prince Xin.
• The army’s leader questioned Pan Jingwan about her advance knowledge of the operation, and she admitted she knew about it.
• Pan Jingwan saw Kan Nianzhen and the consorts rise unharmed and stare at her.

Kan Nianzhen and Qi Zhen exposed Pan Jingwan’s betrayal, and Jiang Yingcheng revealed that Jiang Huai'an had been secretly taken out of Capital City. Pan Jingwan attacked Yu Xingmian in a panic and was stopped at swordpoint.

• Kan Nianzhen confirmed that Qi Zhen had witnessed Pan Jingwan’s involvement, and Pan Jingwan realized her betrayal could be exposed at court.
• Pan Jingwan admitted that she had sided with Prince Xin and threatened Kan Nianzhen and the others with Prince Xin’s expected victory.
• Jiang Yingcheng ran to Kan Nianzhen and revealed that Yu Xingmian’s men had seen Jiang Huai'an being secretly taken out of Capital City and had followed him.
• Pan Jingwan screamed at Yu Xingmian and rushed toward him, demanding to know what they had done to Jiang Huai'an.
• The Imperial Guards drew their blades and warned Pan Jingwan to behave because the blade before her was sharpened.

Kan Nianzhen revealed that Chengcheng had returned safely from searching for Jiang Yanchuan, alarming Pan Jingwan. In Chongyun Hall, the Prince of Nanyang exposed Jiang Silin’s forged claim to the throne, but Jiang Silin’s ministers remained loyal until Jiang Yanchuan revealed himself.

• Kan Nianzhen told Pan Jingwan that Chengcheng had gone to Beiming to find His Majesty, and Pan Jingwan realized Jiang Yanchuan might be alive.
• Jiang Yi'an dismissed the figures who had rushed past as butterflies and urged Jiang Silin to consider why he and the Prince of Nanyang had come to the Capital.
• The Prince of Nanyang revealed that Jiang Silin had planted a letter claiming the Late Emperor chose him as heir, and urged the ministers to reject Jiang Silin’s claim.
• Jiang Silin’s ministers refused to switch sides, insisting that the final edict proved his claim and that the Prince of Nanyang’s letter was not enough to discredit him.
• Jiang Silin declared that the victor would determine how history recorded the struggle, but Jiang Yanchuan emerged from the Imperial Guards and removed his disguise.

Jiang Yanchuan revealed that he had returned with Zhu Qian and the imperial forces, thwarting Prince Xin’s coordinated rebellion across the palace. Jiang Silin rallied his supporters to attack, leaving the confrontation poised to become a battle.

• Jiang Yanchuan revealed Zhu Qian and his concealed soldiers after Jiang Silin realized they were nearby.
• Zhu Qian entered Chongyun Hall and reported that the rebels Prince Xin had sent to the other halls were subdued.
• An official accused Pan Jifeng of funding Prince Xin’s treason, and Pan Jifeng stabbed him to deter others from turning against Prince Xin.
• Pan Jifeng reminded the officials that Jiang Silin held their families as leverage, and they fell silent.
• Jiang Silin claimed his drilled soldiers could overcome Jiang Yanchuan’s exhausted troops and ordered them to attack.