Chapter Summaries

Wang Yang amused Xin Yi with a fabricated martial-arts affliction, then used information about the Prince of Badong’s dealings with the barbarians to bargain with Xiao Baoyue for protection and a secure identity. When Xiao Baoyue dismissed his leverage, Wang Yang challenged her to remember her own involvement, and her teacup fell.

• Wang Yang convinced Xin Yi that dancing under his Arcane Curve Finger had caused dangerous symptoms, until Xiao Baoyue angrily sent her away.
• Wang Yang stopped Xiao Baoyue’s outburst by offering information about the Prince of Badong’s route to the barbarians.
• Wang Yang told Xiao Baoyue that Kong Changyu favored the Yongning Barbarians and opposed the Wuning and Yidu Barbarians.
• Wang Yang demanded that Xiao Baoyue help establish his Langya Wang identity and document that he had acted on her orders.
• Xiao Baoyue refused his demands, but Wang Yang argued that she had helped him impersonate a Langya noble and asked whether she had forgotten who she was.
• Xiao Baoyue dropped her teacup after Wang Yang challenged her.

Wang Yang used a lesson on acting and psychology to unsettle Xiao Baoyue and strengthen his influence over her. Xiao Baoyue deduced how he had discovered her identity and threatened him, but he stopped her by revealing a manuscript titled “A Few Things Between Me and Miss Xiao.”

• Wang Yang criticized Xiao Baoyue’s attempt to conceal her identity and taught her how expressions and gestures could reveal emotions.
• Xiao Baoyue became curious about Wang Yang’s knowledge, accepted his offer to teach her, then accused him of leading her on.
• Wang Yang’s manipulation had gradually shifted their relationship from Xiao Baoyue’s control toward a contest for influence.
• Xiao Baoyue regained her composure and deduced that Xie Xinghan had revealed her identity to Wang Yang.
• Xiao Baoyue threatened Wang Yang, who unfurled a manuscript titled “A Few Things Between Me and Miss Xiao.”

Wang Yang used his book about Xiao Baoyue and the threat of exposing her political actions to pressure her into revealing the Man route and helping establish his identity. Xiao Baoyue rejected his demands, and the chapter ended with Wang Yang warning her not to stop him from leaving.

• Xiao Baoyue read Wang Yang’s book about her and grew furious at his plans to make her deeds public.
• Wang Yang threatened to show his book to the Prince of Jingling and accused Xiao Baoyue of meddling in imperial succession and investigating the Prince of Badong without authority.
• Xiao Baoyue pretended her old illness had flared up, then agreed to Wang Yang’s conditions and asked him to explain the Man route.
• Wang Yang produced a written deposition for Xiao Baoyue to sign, and she tore it up before angrily refusing his demands.
• Wang Yang reduced his demand to adding his name to household registration records, but Xiao Baoyue challenged his ability to leave without her permission.
• Wang Yang invoked Liu Yin’s overturned carriage and warned Xiao Baoyue not to test him.

Wang Yang and Xiao Baoyue negotiated over his household registration and the defective crimson jackets, with each demanding a concession from the other. Wang Yang walked away to force Xiao Baoyue to make the next move, and she had him brought back.

• Xiao Baoyue agreed to help arrange Wang Yang’s household registration if he arranged for three hundred crimson jackets to be dyed with color that would run when wet.
• Wang Yang rejected her terms and offered to hold a statement about helping him impersonate a Langya noble as collateral until she completed the registration.
• Wang Yang left when Xiao Baoyue refused his revised offer, believing his departure would make her yield rather than risk their cooperation ending.
• Xiao Baoyue waited for Wang Yang to return, then discovered he had actually left and ordered someone to bring him back.
• Wang Yang calmly asked Xiao Baoyue why she had called him back, leaving her feeling humiliated.

Wang Yang negotiated with Xiao Baoyue over a written agreement, the Crimson Padded Jacket, and a route through tribal territory. Xiao Baoyue got revenge by demanding an expensive Abalone Banquet, but Wang Yang arranged payment on delivery, and that night Baoyue ate the feast and unleashed the evil dragon’s roar again.

• Wang Yang spotted a hidden message in Xiao Baoyue’s first draft and made her rewrite and sign the agreement with her household affiliation and personal seal.
• Xiao Baoyue and Wang Yang agreed that he would arrange the Crimson Padded Jacket within seven days and send her the route through tribal territory, while she would return the document after the household registration was settled.
• Xiao Baoyue demanded that Wang Yang send her an Abalone Banquet from Fragrant Snow Tower, along with the Ten-Thousand-Cash Feast, and arranged for Ruyi Tower to receive the delivery.
• Wang Yang obtained a note from Manager Zhao and ordered the banquet on payment-on-delivery terms, leaving the note as security with Fragrant Snow Tower.
• That night, Baoyue ate the Grand Abalone Banquet and unleashed the evil dragon’s roar once more.

The Prince of Badong and his advisers debated how to handle an imperial envoy who was coming to Jingzhou, with disagreement over whether to halt trade with the tribes or complete an imminent weapons shipment. Li Jingxuan proposed killing the envoy and Wang Yang, shocking everyone in the chamber.

• Tao Rui argued that the envoy’s mission to the tribes was routine, while Chen Qiming warned that he might investigate Jingzhou.
• Guo Wenyuan urged the Prince of Badong to halt trade and destroy records, but Feng Quanzu and Liu Chaozhi opposed him, insisting that the weapons shipment was vital.
• Tao Rui challenged Feng Quanzu and Liu Chaozhi’s boasts about defeating the court’s forces, and the Prince of Badong stopped their quarrel.
• Kong Changyu proposed completing the trade before the envoy arrived, then temporarily closing the Barbarian Route and monitoring the envoy closely.
• Li Jingxuan called the proposal ordinary and said his strategy required killing the envoy and Wang Yang.

Li Jingxuan proposed killing the court envoy and provoking a barbarian rebellion so the Prince of Badong could gain control of Jingzhou’s military forces. After the advisers argued over the risks, the Prince of Badong ordered the envoy killed.

• Li Jingxuan argued that the envoy’s death in Wuyang Gorge would spark war and let the Prince of Badong take command of Jingzhou’s forces.
• Xue Shao, Chen Qiming, Guo Wenyuan, Tao Rui, and Kong Changyu warned that the scheme was dangerous and could bring investigation or the Prince’s dismissal.
• Li Jingxuan urged the Prince of Badong to seize the opportunity, citing the Emperor’s illness and the danger of losing his command.
• Feng Quanzu supported killing the envoy, and Liu Chaozhi pledged to obey the Prince’s orders.
• The Prince of Badong struck his saber against the floor and ordered the envoy killed.

The Prince of Badong accepted Li Jingxuan’s plan to kill the imperial envoy and decided to act before the court could investigate his dealings with the Barbarian Tribes. After his allies argued that Wang Yang also had to die, the prince reluctantly ordered his death and erupted in anger.

• The Prince of Badong startled Li Jingxuan by naming him as the man to kill, then revealed it was a joke and praised his plan.
• Li Jingxuan argued that the prince should act decisively, and the Prince of Badong stopped the dispute and confirmed that the court might be investigating him and his dealings with the barbarians.
• Kong Changyu warned that the prince could not erase every trace of those dealings, and the Prince of Badong chose to seize the initiative rather than wait for the court to act.
• The Prince of Badong’s allies argued that Wang Yang should be killed along with the imperial envoy, citing his knowledge, uncertain allegiance, and ties to the court.
• The Prince of Badong hesitated over killing Wang Yang, but after Kong Changyu and the others pressed him, he agreed and kicked over the table in anger.

Wang Yang left Ruyi Tower and encountered Xin Yi, who attacked him after demanding to learn the Arcane Curve Finger. He and Chen Qing Shan tricked Xin Yi into believing she had been poisoned, and she ended the chapter convinced she was in danger.

• Chen Qing Shan waited outside Ruyi Tower, bought two jin of donkey meat, and watched Wang Yang leave the restaurant.
• Xiao Ning spotted Wang Yang leaving with Xin Yi, startling Xie Xinghan, while Wang Tai questioned why Wang Yang had left so quickly.
• Xin Yi chased Wang Yang and attacked Chen Qing Shan when she tried to stop her.
• Wang Yang claimed Chen Qing Shan had poisoned Xin Yi with Japanese Fox Transformation and described symptoms that made Xin Yi believe she was poisoned.
• When Xin Yi recalled Xiao Baoyue's warning that Wang Yang always lied, Wang Yang said his claims were false, which convinced Xin Yi that they were true.

Wang Tai ordered Yuanyuan to lead a team to investigate Ruyi Tower that night, while Xie Xinghan tried to locate Xiao Baoyue there. Convinced Wang Yang knew where Xiao Baoyue was, Xie Xinghan redirected her carriage to Good Well Lane to question him.

• Wang Tai discussed the fighting skills of Xie Xinghan and Xiao Ning with Yuanyuan, then ordered him to investigate Ruyi Tower with backup and avoid a fight.
• Xie Xinghan finished her fish and went to see Xiao Baoyue, who learned of the visit and angrily demanded that Xin Yi come see her despite being poisoned.
• Xie Xinghan questioned Proprietor Zhao about Xiao Baoyue, then left after remarking that the tea was poor and Sister Xiao's thoughts were elsewhere.
• Xiao Ning wondered whether Xiao Baoyue was at Ruyi Tower, but Xie Xinghan insisted she was nearby and said Wang Yang would have to explain.
• Xie Xinghan told the driver to go to Good Well Lane, confident she could coax Wang Yang into revealing even his childhood nickname.

Wang Yang discussed poetry and prose with Xie Xinghan, then beat her at flicking chess and Rock-Paper-Scissors. After wagering questions on the hand game, he won four rounds and learned Xie Xinghan’s childhood nickname.

• Xie Xinghan praised Emperor Wen’s poetry, and Wang Yang explained how the rhyme scheme of “Yan Ge Xing” created a restrained, lingering effect.
• Wang Yang discussed Emperor Wen’s plain but heartfelt writing with Xie Xinghan and recited a carefree poem about wine, wealth, and flicking chess.
• Xie Xinghan challenged Wang Yang to flicking chess, and he won their first game despite not having practiced.
• Xie Xinghan proposed wagering questions on flicking chess, but Wang Yang suggested ten throws of Rock-Paper-Scissors per round instead.
• Wang Yang used his skill at reading opponents’ habits to win all four rounds, and Xie Xinghan revealed her childhood nickname.

Liu Cheng remained trapped among the barbarians, enduring mockery and unwanted attention from four women who protected him. Meanwhile, Wang Yang learned that Liu Tan had been appointed Governor of Wenyang to pursue a hostage exchange, then discovered that the imperial envoy was Wang Yang’s uncle.

• Three barbarians mocked Liu Cheng, but four women intervened, drove the men away, and carried Liu Cheng off to recite poetry with them.
• Liu Tan received a letter from Feng Yiling at the Liu family estate and hurriedly read it.
• Wang Tai learned that Wu Qian was missing from Ruyi Tower and ordered his men to keep searching and watch for Manager Zhao.
• Lian San reported that Zhao Quan had gone to Wenyang and Ruyi Tower’s transfer had been moved up, while Xiao Baoyue told him to proceed with the original plan.
• Liu Tan told Wang Yang that the Son of Heaven had appointed him Governor of Wenyang but would not authorize a written hostage-exchange agreement.
• Liu Tan revealed that the imperial envoy was Wang Yang’s uncle, startling Wang Yang.

Wang Yang tried to leave before his distant uncle Wang Yi arrived, but the Prince of Badong summoned him and brought the two together. Wang Yi recognized Wang Yang’s wit and accepted him as family, while their convoluted genealogy left the Prince of Badong baffled.

• Wang Yang told Liu Tan that he would help rescue Liu Cheng after his uncle arrived, then ordered his household to prepare for an immediate journey.
• Wang Yang delayed the Prince of Badong’s guards long enough to give Xiao Shan and Black Han instructions in case he did not return.
• Wang Yang arrived at the Prince’s Residence tipsy and discovered that the Prince of Badong had summoned him to meet Wang Yi.
• Wang Yi tested Wang Yang with questions about their last meeting, and Wang Yang answered with a witty explanation based on Wang Yi’s letter.
• Wang Yang and Wang Yi traded clever remarks and described their tangled family relationship until the Prince of Badong cut them off, concluding that they were uncle and nephew.

Wang Yi explained that he wanted to tour Jingzhou’s historic sites before carrying out his court mission to the Southern Man, and Wang Yang helped him justify delaying his departure. The Prince of Badong then tried to persuade Wang Yang to join the mission, leaving Wang Yang under pressure from both men.

• Wang Yi told the Prince of Badong that his court duties were to deliver an edict and investigate the Man incursion, while his private aim was to visit Jingzhou’s sights.
• Wang Yang described local historic sites and food, prompting Wang Yi to plan a six-day sightseeing tour before departing on his mission.
• When the Prince of Badong asked when Wang Yi would leave, Wang Yang argued that careful planning was part of serving the sovereign, and Wang Yi agreed to depart after six days.
• The Prince of Badong offered Kong Changyu to accompany Wang Yi and cover the tour’s expenses, then urged Wang Yang to join the mission and promised him a future important position.
• Wang Yi enthusiastically invited Wang Yang along to share the journey’s scenery, and both men stared at him as he began to respond.

Wang Yang accepted the Prince of Badong’s order to join Wang Yi’s mission to the Southern Man, then used a supposed business penalty to press the prince for money. The prince challenged him to a wager, and Wang Yang won by blowing air against his palm to send a coin back across the table.

• Wang Yang declined the Prince of Badong’s invitation to accompany Wang Yi, but the prince ordered him to assist the mission and gave him six days to prepare.
• Wang Yang accepted the appointment while claiming that leaving Jiangling would cost him a hundred thousand cash under a verbal business agreement with Fourth Lady Xie.
• The Prince of Badong rejected Wang Yang’s claim that a verbal promise should be trusted and challenged him to blow a copper coin back across the table for a hundred thousand cash.
• Wang Yang raised the wager, took the prince’s seat, and blew against his upright palm so the coin slid back across the table.
• The Prince of Badong stared in disbelief after losing the wager, while Wang Yang demonstrated that air could indeed blow the coin back.

The Prince of Badong teased Wang Yang before discussing Liu Yin’s and Wu Xiuzhi’s punishments, then tested Li Jingxuan on how to make a coin blow back toward him. He ordered Kong Changyu to watch Wang Yi during his six-day visit and revealed that he would marry Wang Zao’s daughter, while dismissing concerns about the political match.

• The Prince of Badong joked that he would marry Xie Ling’s fourth daughter, and Wang Yi clarified that his intended bride was Wang Boccai’s daughter from the Black-Clothed House branch.
• Wang Yi told the Prince of Badong that Liu Yin had been demoted to Waterworks Army Advisor and Wu Xiuzhi had forfeited three months’ salary; the prince reacted coldly to Wu Xiuzhi’s lenient punishment.
• After Wang Yang left, the Prince of Badong tried to reproduce Wang Yang’s coin trick, then asked Li Jingxuan and Kong Changyu how to make a coin blow back toward him.
• Li Jingxuan suggested searching Wang Yang’s house after his death, and the Prince of Badong ordered him out; he then instructed Kong Changyu to accompany Wang Yi and keep watch during his six-day tour.
• The Prince of Badong told Kong Changyu that he would marry Wang Zao’s daughter, and Kong Changyu explained the match’s political value among Liu Song’s former officials.

Wang Yang questioned Wang Yi about a letter and an estate, but Wang Yi dodged the matter by insisting that he would avoid investigating anything beyond his diplomatic mission. After parting on friendly terms, Wang Yang’s smile faded, and he went with Chen Qing Shan to Linjiang Freight Depot.

• Wang Yi lectured Wang Yang about mountains, waters, and reclining travel until Wang Yang interrupted to ask whether they had really met before.
• Wang Yang pressed Wang Yi about his letter promising an estate, while Wang Yi alternated between saying the request was acceptable and unacceptable.
• Wang Yi urged Wang Yang to ignore anything beyond his diplomatic mission, and Wang Yang agreed to help him enjoy his stay.
• Wang Yang declined to join Wang Yi in announcing the decree against Liu Yin and listed several vulgar acts he avoided.
• Wang Yi invited Wang Yang and Zhongtong to a banquet at Fragrant Snow Tower, and the two parted laughing.
• Chen Qing Shan met Wang Yang after he left, and he took her to Linjiang Freight Depot.

Liu Yin was stripped of his offices and demoted to Waterworks Army Advisor, while Wang Yang weighed the risks surrounding his identity and asked Liu Tan to trust him alone if he wanted Liu Cheng freed. After Steward Zhai arrived to take custody of the Prince of Badong’s accounts, Liu Yin ambushed and stabbed him, declaring that his life would not be taken easily.

• Wang Yi read the edict demoting Liu Yin to Waterworks Army Advisor and assigned him responsibility for Jingzhou’s waterways.
• Wang Yang found the Linjiang Freight Depot’s goods gone and Ruyi Tower’s secret passage blocked, then accepted Sesame Candy from Chen Qing Shan.
• Wang Yang told Liu Tan he could get Liu Cheng out only if Liu Tan trusted him alone, leaving Liu Tan uncertain.
• Steward Zhai told Liu Yin the Prince of Badong planned to transfer him to Jiangzhou after the scandal subsided and asked him to hand over the accounts.
• Liu Yin stabbed Steward Zhai as his men attacked the guards and laborers in the courtyard.

Wang Yang joined Wang Yi and Wang Tai for a family banquet, where he used disputed genealogies and exaggerated recollections to force Wang Tai to acknowledge him as kin. Wang Yi backed Wang Yang throughout their verbal performance, leaving Wang Tai baffled about their relationship.

• Chen Qing Shan guarded the banquet room while Wang Tai's guards and Wang Yi's servants waited in the corridor.
• Wang Yang addressed Wang Yi as Clan Uncle and Wang Tai as Elder Brother, citing a branch division in the genealogy; Wang Yi let them choose which generations to follow.
• Wang Yang praised Wang Tai for affirming their family ties and checking the genealogy, while Wang Tai repeatedly denied having done so.
• Wang Yang recounted Wang Tai's past inquiries about his background, and Wang Yi endorsed each account as modest and reserved praise.
• Wang Yi and Wang Yang traded poetic lines and emptied their cups together, leaving Wang Tai confused about which two were truly uncle and nephew.

Wang Yang turned Wang Tai’s uncertain investigation into proof that Wang Tai had accepted him as a relative, while Wang Yi gleefully reinforced the claim. Wang Tai ended the meal trapped by Wang Yang’s emotional defense of his elder brother, and Wang Yi asked to be spared further shocks.

• Wang Yi and Wang Yang composed a rhapsody about family bonds, preventing Wang Tai from explaining his doubts about their kinship.
• Wang Yang portrayed Wang Tai as the diligent elder brother who had traced the genealogy and welcomed him into the Wang Clan, while Wang Yi praised Wang Tai’s virtue.
• Wang Yi and Wang Yang treated Wang Tai’s checks of the genealogy and household registers, their visits, and twenty-two chests of gifts as evidence that Wang Tai had accepted Wang Yang as kin.
• Wang Yang declared that anyone who called him a counterfeit Langya Wang would also be accusing Wang Tai of helping conceal a fraud.
• Wang Yang said Wang Yi was now another relative, and Wang Yi clutched his chest and asked to be spared sudden shocks.