Chapter Summaries

Yuan Shiqing hosted Hu Xiaotian, Murong Feiyan, and Zhan Peng at Swallowcloud Tower, where they learned about blind singer Fang Fang’s desperate search for a cure. Fang Fang’s moving performance captivated Hu Xiaotian, while Murong Feiyan mistakenly suspected he was lusting after her.

• Yuan Shiqing arranged a meal for Hu Xiaotian, Murong Feiyan, Zhan Peng, and their attendants, and gave Zhan Peng’s wild geese to Boss Song.
• Murong Feiyan questioned whether Zhan Peng’s feat of killing two geese with one arrow was mere luck, and Hu Xiaotian’s remark about character angered her.
• Boss Song brought in Fang Zhitang and his blind daughter Fang Fang to sing for the guests.
• Yuan Shiqing explained that Fang Zhitang had brought Fang Fang to Capital City seeking treatment, but the medical halls had failed to restore her sight and Heavenly Mystery Hall’s fee was beyond their means.
• Fang Fang sang A Spray of Plum Blossoms, moving Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan, though Murong Feiyan wrongly assumed Hu Xiaotian was staring at Fang Fang lustfully.

Hu Xiaotian promised to give the performing father and daughter five taels of gold, and Murong Feiyan agreed to go with him to ensure he kept his word. As the group ate and bickered over drinks, a commotion outside interrupted them.

• Yuan Shiqing, Murong Feiyan, and Zhan Peng tipped the father and daughter, while Hu Xiaotian discovered he had brought no money.
• Hu Xiaotian promised to send the father and daughter five taels of gold, and Murong Feiyan insisted on accompanying him home to collect it.
• Zhan Peng poured wine for the group, and Hu Xiaotian cautiously tested his tolerance while Zhan Peng toasted him repeatedly.
• Murong Feiyan challenged Hu Xiaotian to drink, but he backed down when he saw the large jars of wine.
• When a commotion sounded outside, Zhan Peng went to investigate.

Zhan Peng intervened when Shi Xuedong and his companions harassed Fang Fang and injured her father, Fang Zhitang. As Hu Xiaotian and Yuan Shiqing treated Fang Zhitang, Zhan Peng confronted the young men, while Murong Feiyan recognized their powerful connections and anticipated trouble.

• Shi Xuedong accused Fang Fang of breaking his jade pendant, struck away Fang Zhitang’s money, and shoved him down the stairs.
• Shi Xuedong blocked Fang Fang and sexually harassed her until Zhan Peng vaulted down and rescued her.
• Zhan Peng found Fang Zhitang bleeding on the landing, and Yuan Shiqing and Hu Xiaotian worked to stop the bleeding and move him for treatment.
• Shi Xuedong and his companions tried to leave, but Zhan Peng stopped them and charged at them.
• Murong Feiyan recognized Shi Xuedong as a notorious official’s son with influential family backing as Zhan Peng began fighting him and his companions.

Hu Xiaotian saved Fang Zhitang by stitching his head wound, then joined Murong Feiyan in dealing with Shi Xuedong and his men. After Murong Feiyan concealed Shi Xuedong’s rank and left his mute acupoint sealed, Hu Xiaotian struck him, setting up a conflict that Murong Feiyan began to regret.

• Hu Xiaotian used instruments from the Brocade Box to stop Fang Zhitang’s bleeding and stitch his scalp while Yuan Shiqing assisted.
• Fang Zhitang woke and reunited with his daughter, Fang Fang, while Hu Xiaotian told them he needed two days of rest.
• Murong Feiyan entered as Fang Fang knelt to thank Hu Xiaotian, and Hu Xiaotian asked whether she had caught the troublemaker.
• Hu Xiaotian found Shi Xuedong and five others subdued by Murong Feiyan, Zhan Peng, and his servants, then learned Shi Xuedong was an official’s son.
• Murong Feiyan concealed Shi Xuedong’s true standing, and Hu Xiaotian slapped him before demanding that Murong Feiyan release his mute acupoint.
• Shi Xuedong threatened Hu Xiaotian after the acupoint was released, and Hu Xiaotian kicked him while Murong Feiyan began to feel guilty about setting him up.

Shi Jingde arrived at Swallowcloud Tower and tried to control the dispute between Shi Xuedong and Hu Xiaotian, while Murong Feiyan’s account was challenged by Shi Xuedong. Hu Xiaotian questioned Shi Xuedong’s claim that the broken jade pendant was an imperial gift, leaving the dispute poised to escalate into a charge of treason.

• Boss Song returned to Swallowcloud Tower as Shi Jingde arrived with constables, and Murong Feiyan urged Zhan Peng to leave before he was drawn into trouble.
• Shi Jingde freed Shi Xuedong from Murong Feiyan’s pressure-point seal, and Shi Xuedong accused Hu Xiaotian and the others of plotting rebellion.
• Murong Feiyan explained that Shi Xuedong had injured someone, but Shi Xuedong and his companions claimed Fang Fang had tried to steal his jade pendant.
• Shi Jingde questioned Fang Fang, who tearfully insisted she was blind and had been wronged, while Shi Xuedong called her a liar.
• Hu Xiaotian examined the broken pendant, challenged Shi Xuedong’s claim that it was an imperial gift, and dared him to prove it.
• Shi Xuedong threatened Hu Xiaotian with execution for damaging the supposed imperial gift.

Hu Xiaotian exposed Shi Xuedong’s fake imperial jade pendant and learned that Shi Xuedong was the son of his father’s close friend, after Murong Feiyan had misled him about the family. Shi Jingde reconciled the two young men, and the chapter ended with Shi Xuedong asking Hu Xiaotian to become sworn brothers.

• Hu Xiaotian threatened to expose Shi Xuedong for using a fake jade pendant, and Shi Xuedong’s cronies abandoned him.
• Shi Jingde learned Hu Xiaotian was Hu Buwei’s son, while Hu Xiaotian realized Murong Feiyan had misled him about Shi Xuedong’s father.
• Shi Jingde paid Fang Zhitang and his daughter twenty taels of silver to keep quiet, then brought Hu Xiaotian and Shi Xuedong to the Wind and Rain Pavilion.
• Shi Jingde urged the two young men to put aside their dispute, and they exchanged insincere apologies and shook hands.
• Shi Xuedong asked Hu Xiaotian to become his sworn brother, and Hu Xiaotian privately recoiled at the idea.

Shi Xuedong and Hu Xiaotian became sworn brothers in public while privately plotting against each other, and Hu Xiaotian left before Shi Xuedong could persuade him to drink. Hu Xiaotian then checked on the rescued Fang family and arranged support for Fang Zhitang and Fang Fang before preparing to leave town.

• Shi Xuedong proposed sworn brotherhood, and Hu Xiaotian accepted under pressure from Shi Jingde and the Shi family’s status.
• Shi Xuedong and Hu Xiaotian exchanged elaborate oaths while secretly cursing and distrusting each other.
• Hu Xiaotian declined Shi Xuedong’s invitation to drink and left the Wind and Rain Pavilion; Shi Xuedong vowed to avenge his humiliation.
• Hu Xiaotian visited Easy Origin Hall, where Fang Zhitang’s condition had stabilized, and stopped him and Fang Fang from kowtowing.
• Hu Xiaotian told Yuan Shiqing he might leave town, asked him to remove Fang Zhitang’s stitches, and promised to send the father and daughter five taels of gold.

Hu Buwei ordered Hu Xiaotian to leave the Capital City for Western Sichuan, where he would serve as a low-ranking county deputy. Hu Xiaotian accepted the posting after learning his father meant to keep his identity secret, while Hu Buwei privately hoped the move would protect the family from approaching political danger.

• Hu Buwei summoned Hu Xiaotian and demanded that he kneel over his clash with Shi Xuedong.
• Hu Xiaotian deflected his father's anger with jokes and arguments about how Hu Buwei had repeatedly sacrificed his happiness.
• Hu Buwei confirmed that Hu Xiaotian would depart for Western Sichuan in three days.
• Hu Buwei explained that Hu Xiaotian would serve as Azure Cloud County Deputy and that the Li Family would not know his identity.
• Hu Xiaotian complained that the post was only Principal Ninth Rank, lower grade, and Hu Buwei told him not to claim him as his father.
• Hu Xiaotian accepted the decision as Hu Buwei privately considered the family's stolen Iron Deed of Redemption and the political danger at court.

Hu Xiaotian prepared to leave the Capital City for his new post in Azure Cloud while reflecting on his father’s plans for him and his low rank as an official. Before she left, Murong Feiyan reminded him to send the promised gold to the Fang father and daughter, and he ordered Liang Dazhuang to deliver it.

• Hu Buwei encouraged Hu Xiaotian to leave the Capital City and gain experience, while warning him not to rely too much on brotherhood or loyalty.
• Hu Xiaotian reviewed the meager grain allowance and low rank attached to his new post, and understood that his father wanted him to gain experience while staying clear of court politics.
• Murong Feiyan visited Hu Xiaotian at the Minister’s Residence and reminded him that he had promised five taels of gold to the Fang father and daughter.
• Hu Xiaotian remembered the promise and ordered Liang Dazhuang to take the gold to Mr. Yuan at Easy Origin Hall for the Fang family.
• Murong Feiyan accepted that Hu Xiaotian had likely forgotten the payment and left after seeing him fulfill his promise.

Hu Xiaotian invited Murong Feiyan to share a drink before he left the Capital City, and she agreed despite their mutual suspicion. As they traveled toward the Natural Residence, his borrowed verse softened her view of him, and he stopped the carriage to stroll with her in the rain.

• Hu Xiaotian questioned Murong Feiyan about setting him up, while she blamed him for her suspension from the Capital Prefecture.
• Hu Xiaotian invited Murong Feiyan to the Natural Residence before leaving the Capital City, and she accepted.
• Hu Xiaotian told Liang Dazhuang to deliver money to the Fang father and daughter and took banknotes from Old Qin.
• Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan rode toward the Natural Residence with Hu Fo, Li Jinhao, and Shao Yijiao escorting them.
• Hu Xiaotian recited a line about rain on Heavenly Street, and Murong Feiyan was surprised by its beauty.
• Hu Xiaotian stopped the carriage and invited Murong Feiyan to walk with him in the rain while he composed a poem.

Hu Xiaotian impressed Murong Feiyan by reciting a fitting spring poem, then met Wan’er near Powder Alley and went with her and Murong Feiyan to the Cloud Music House to visit Huo Xiaoru. There, they watched young dancers practice and learned about the hardship and low status of their profession.

• Hu Xiaotian recited Han Yu’s spring poem and persuaded Murong Feiyan to honor her wager by holding his umbrella.
• Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan passed Powder Alley, where Murong Feiyan doubted his claim that he had never visited.
• Wan’er recognized Hu Xiaotian and invited him to visit Huo Xiaoru at the Cloud Music House, and Murong Feiyan agreed to accompany him.
• Wan’er led Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan into the Cloud Music House, where they watched dancing girls train.
• Murong Feiyan explained that many dancers came from poor or disgraced families and faced bleak prospects as they grew older.

Hu Xiaotian joined Murong Feiyan and Huo Xiaoru for a meal at the Natural Residence after watching Huo Xiaoru rehearse her dance. The proprietor challenged Hu Xiaotian to complete a famous couplet, and Hu Xiaotian prepared to offer an answer that could earn him free meals for life.

• Wan'er brought Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan to Clear Shadow Hall, where Huo Xiaoru rehearsed a dance and stopped to reconsider part of its choreography.
• Huo Xiaoru greeted Hu Xiaotian and agreed to join him and Murong Feiyan for a meal after changing clothes.
• Huo Xiaoru emerged in a lake-green dress, and Murong Feiyan teased Hu Xiaotian about his claim that women dressed for the men who delighted in them.
• Hu Xiaotian and the two women walked to the Natural Residence, where proprietor Yang Sanqi welcomed Murong Feiyan.
• Hu Xiaotian said he could complete the unanswered couplet at the restaurant and learned that a fitting answer would earn him free meals for as long as the establishment existed.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Xiaoru offered answers to the Natural Residence’s couplet, but Yang Sanqi rejected them both, and the group shared a meal. Over drinks, Hu Xiaotian revealed he was leaving for an official post in Western Sichuan, while Murong Feiyan left in frustration over her suspension.

• Huo Xiaoru presented her matching couplet, and Hu Xiaotian answered with the humorous line, “Poor men have no meat to eat; no poor men eat meat!”
• Yang Sanqi judged Hu Xiaotian’s answer unsuitable and Huo Xiaoru’s answer flawed, so Hu Xiaotian took Huo Xiaoru and Murong Feiyan upstairs to dine.
• Huo Xiaoru praised Hu Xiaotian’s line, and he explained that vulgarity could return to simplicity as they ate and drank together.
• Hu Xiaotian told Huo Xiaoru and Murong Feiyan that he would become a county deputy in Western Sichuan, and Murong Feiyan criticized the ease with which privileged men entered officialdom.
• Murong Feiyan drank gloomily over her suspension, then left the restaurant, and Hu Xiaotian remarked that officials who refused to hide their sharp edges would be crushed.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Xiaoru reconciled over wine and shared a flirtatious exchange before leaving the Natural Residence. Huo Xiaoru walked away after giving him a couplet about corrupt officials and suffering commoners, while Hu Xiaotian called after her with a question about dancing on tiptoe.

• Huo Xiaoru apologized for leaving Hu Xiaotian at the Misty Waters Pavilion, and he explained that he understood why she had gone.
• Hu Xiaotian invited Huo Xiaoru to visit Azure Cloud County in Western Sichuan, and she said she might have time to travel there next year.
• Hu Xiaotian and Huo Xiaoru left the Natural Residence after admiring the rainbow and exchanging matching couplets.
• Hu Xiaotian gave Huo Xiaoru a flirtatious couplet that incorporated her name, and she blushed at its meaning and clever construction.
• Huo Xiaoru gave Hu Xiaotian a couplet warning of a county master's greed and the hardship facing common folk, then walked away.
• Hu Xiaotian called after Huo Xiaoru to ask whether she had ever thought of supporting her weight on her toes while dancing, and she turned to look at him.

Hu Xiaotian prepared to leave the capital for an official post in Western Sichuan and persuaded Hu Buwei to arrange for Murong Feiyan to accompany him. Murong Feiyan accepted the transfer to Azure Cloud County, leaving the story with her set to travel alongside Hu Xiaotian.

• Hu Buwei insisted that Hu Xiaotian leave the capital for Western Sichuan because he feared for his safety.
• Hu Xiaotian asked Hu Buwei to assign Murong Feiyan as his escort, arguing that she was capable and had saved his life during the attack on Camel Street.
• Hu Buwei agreed to speak with Lord Hong about transferring Murong Feiyan, while suspecting his son had personal interest in her.
• Hong Baiqi assigned Murong Feiyan to accompany Hu Xiaotian to Azure Cloud County as a constable.
• Murong Feiyan accepted the transfer, seeing it as a chance to leave the capital and reconsider her future in government service.

Hu Xiaotian left the capital for his post in Western Sichuan, after saying goodbye to Hu Buwei and arranging for his servants to return home after escorting him. At the Long Pavilion, he was surprised when Shi Xuedong arrived to see him off, while Murong Feiyan watched with contempt.

• Hu Xiaotian said goodbye to Hu Buwei, asking him to look after himself and Hu Xiaotian's mother.
• Hu Xiaotian reassured Hu Fo, Li Jinhao, and Shao Yijiao that they could return home after escorting him to Western Sichuan.
• Hu Xiaotian rode out with his servants and found Murong Feiyan waiting outside the Minister's Residence; she ignored his attempts to speak with her.
• The group passed the Long Pavilion and encountered Shi Xuedong, who called out to Hu Xiaotian and came to see him off.
• Hu Xiaotian dismounted and greeted Shi Xuedong as his sworn elder brother, wondering what had brought him there so early.

Hu Xiaotian and Shi Xuedong exchanged insincere farewells as Hu prepared to travel from the capital to Azure Cloud County in Western Sichuan. After accepting Shi’s gifts and offering him a carriage in return, Hu rode off with Shao Yijiao’s help.

• Shi Xuedong greeted Hu Xiaotian at the wayside pavilion and toasted his journey with three bowls of wine.
• Shi gave Hu a map marking entertaining stops and courtesans along the route, an illustrated scroll, and a bottle of Three-Whip Pills.
• Hu offered Shi a fine carriage that Vice Minister Xu Zhengying had promised him.
• Hu missed the stirrup while mounting, but Shao Yijiao helped him into the saddle before he rode away.

Hu Xiaotian stopped at Fifteen-Li Pavilion to speak with Huo Xiaoru, who had come to ask about his idea of dancing on the tips of the toes. He explained ballet shoes and sketched dance poses for her before continuing his journey to Azure Cloud County.

• Murong Feiyan rode ahead after seeing Hu Xiaotian part warmly from Shi Xuedong, and Hu followed at a distance.
• Murong Feiyan recognized Huo Xiaoru waiting at Fifteen-Li Pavilion and let Hu Xiaotian ride over to meet her.
• Huo Xiaoru told Hu Xiaotian she had come to confirm how to dance while supported on the tips of the toes.
• Hu Xiaotian explained the construction of ballet shoes and drew a pair for Huo Xiaoru on xuan paper.
• Hu Xiaotian sketched several ballet poses, impressing Huo Xiaoru and hoping she would remember him after he left.

Hu Xiaotian said goodbye to Huo Xiaoru and left Fifteen-Li Pavilion, then continued the journey toward Azure Cloud with his companions. His fall from the Snowflake Horse left him sore, while Murong Feiyan warned that they needed to travel two hundred li a day to reach their destination on time.

• Hu Xiaotian gave Huo Xiaoru a few ballet movements, received her painting, and bid her farewell.
• Hu Xiaotian fell while trying to mount the Snowflake Horse, then left the pavilion after climbing aboard with help.
• Hu Xiaotian ordered Liang Dazhuang to squat so he could use his shoulders to get down, and threatened to settle accounts with him in Western Sichuan.
• Murong Feiyan urged the group to hurry, and Hu Xiaotian rode in the carriage because his backside hurt.
• Murong Feiyan explained the distance to Azure Cloud and the need to cover at least two hundred li each day, while Hu Xiaotian argued that they should enjoy the journey.

Hu Xiaotian and Murong Feiyan led their party toward Wangjing Post Station, with Murong enforcing a brisk pace and Hu enduring the journey. When armed men ambushed them in a forest, Murong ordered everyone to flee, and Hu was left at the rear after several servants escaped ahead.

• Murong Feiyan refused to stop for a midday meal and ordered the party to continue toward Wangjing Post Station.
• Hu Xiaotian rode beside Murong Feiyan and learned they were still about thirty li from the post station.
• Murong Feiyan stopped the party after birds burst from the trees and leapt onto a pine to scout.
• More than twenty black-clad men charged from the woods with swords and sabers.
• Murong Feiyan ordered everyone out of the woods, while Hu Xiaotian struggled to turn his horse and discovered that four servants had fled ahead, leaving him behind.