Recaps

Jia Huan’s promotion and Concubine Zhao’s court investiture prompted a lavish banquet, while Madam Wang swallowed her anger after Jia Mu warned her against challenging the Embroidered Uniform Guard. At the feast, Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu clashed over Daiyu’s closeness with Jia Huan and left vowing to return each other’s gifts.

• Jia Huan told Concubine Zhao he had been promoted, and she announced plans to celebrate her investiture with a banquet.
• Jia Mu warned Madam Wang that protesting Concubine Zhao’s title would provoke the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Madam Wang abandoned her plan to submit a memorial.
• Concubine Zhao hosted a lavish banquet attended by Daiyu, Baochai, Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, and others.
• Lin Daiyu left the banquet with Jia Huan, and Xue Baochai followed after seeing them depart together.
• Xue Baochai reproached Lin Daiyu for having Jia Huan escort her, and the two exchanged insults until Wang Xifeng and Li Wan intervened.
• Lin Daiyu ordered Zijuan and Xueyan to return Xue Baochai’s gifts, while Xue Baochai told Ying'er to remove Daiyu’s belongings from Hengwu Court.

Jia Huan persuaded Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai to reconcile, while Jia Baoyu grew furious at their closeness to Jia Huan and smashed his precious jade. Later, Jia Huan warned Wang Xifeng about possible trouble from her family and gave her a seven-colored jade hairpin, leaving her deeply unsettled by her feelings for him.

• Jia Huan persuaded Lin Daiyu to meet Xue Baochai, and the two women apologized and made up at the Introduction Pavilion.
• Jia Baoyu saw Lin Daiyu smiling with Jia Huan, then found her and Xue Baochai happily walking beside him; he hurled his precious jade to the ground in rage.
• Jia Huan visited Wang Xifeng and warned her that her legal mother might seek help from the Wang Family against him.
• Jia Huan gave Wang Xifeng illicit valuables to sell and invest in property, then placed a seven-colored jade hairpin in her hair.
• Wang Xifeng defended Jia Huan's intimate gesture to Ping'er, admired the hairpin in her mirror, and struggled to find peace.

Qin Zhong asked Jia Huan to free two former Water Mirror Theater performers, and Jia Huan released them after confirming they had committed no crimes. At the Northern Commandant Office, Jia Huan joined the Hundred-Household Commanders as they were assigned a sensitive murder case in Langya Commandery, where Commandery Princess Shouning had been assaulted and killed.

• Qin Zhong asked Jia Rong to introduce him to Jia Huan so he could seek help for two friends held in the Imperial Prison.
• Jia Huan reviewed the friends' records, found that neither had broken the law, and released them; Qin Zhong invited him to dine with his father, the Qin Construction Director.
• Twin Whips told Jia Huan that Thousand-Household Commander Qiu had summoned the office's Hundred-Household Commanders to discuss a major case.
• Qiu announced that Commandery Princess Shouning had been sexually assaulted and killed in her residence in Langya Commandery, then asked who would investigate.
• Seven Hundred-Household Commanders volunteered, and Nie Youshen offered to lead the investigation, citing his influence among the jianghu's various groups.
• Another Hundred-Household Commander volunteered after Qiu had considered Nie Youshen's offer.

Jia Huan accepted an eight-day deadline to solve the murder of an imperial princess, risking demotion if he failed. Jia Zhen, Jia Baoyu, and Madam Wang celebrated the prospect of his failure and planned to strip Concubine Zhao of her court-honored title, while Concubine Zhao and Wang Xifeng were left puzzled by Madam Wang’s confidence.

• Jia Huan pledged to solve the murder case within eight days or accept demotion to General Banner, and the Southern Office official gave him the case files.
• Jia Huan summoned Scholar, Twin Whips, and four other men, ordering each to bring five Strongmen and leave for Langya Commandery.
• Jia Zhen told Madam Wang and Jia Baoyu that Jia Huan had taken the case and faced demotion if he failed, prompting them to anticipate his downfall.
• Jia Zhen proposed impeaching Concubine Zhao’s Ninth-Rank Confucian Lady title after Jia Huan’s expected failure, and Madam Wang eagerly welcomed the plan.
• Madam Wang visited Concubine Zhao and cryptically promised more good news in eight days, leaving Concubine Zhao, Wang Xifeng, and Ping'er confused.

Jia Huan investigated the murder of Commandery Princess Shouning and used the Misty Rain Tower to identify the Four Poisons Sect’s young sect master as the likely killer. Facing a powerful sect and an eight-day deadline, he decided to recruit the Silver Moon Manor by offering more money.

• Jia Huan took charge of the crime scene, examined the bodies and footprints, and concluded that the killer had large hands, a damaged right index finger, and powerful jumping-based leg techniques.
• Scholar reported that Shouning had been respected and generous, while the residence showed no signs of theft, leaving revenge and profit as unlikely motives.
• Jia Huan offered the Misty Rain Tower two martial arts manuals and supplied his clues about the killer in exchange for help investigating.
• The Misty Rain Tower identified the Four Poisons Sect’s young sect master as a strong suspect, but warned Jia Huan that the sect master and his elders were formidable.
• With reinforcements from the Capital out of reach, Jia Huan chose the Silver Moon Manor as an ally and said he would offer enough money to secure its help.

Jia Huan recruited Duanmu Yuan with martial arts manuals and led the attack that destroyed the Four Poisons Sect and captured the commandery princess’s killer. After gaining a new martial art and reaching the fourth layer of the Innate Realm, Jia Huan ordered the evidence reviewed and prepared to return to the Capital.

• Jia Huan asked Duanmu Yuan to help eradicate the Four Poisons Sect, then persuaded him with martial arts manuals and the revelation that the sect had murdered a commandery princess.
• The Four Poisons Sect’s master learned that his son Lin'er had killed the princess and ordered his disciples to fight the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
• Duanmu Yuan and nine other martial arts leaders stormed the sect’s valley while Jia Huan waited outside, then Jia Huan and his men finished slaughtering the sect’s survivors.
• Jia Huan’s men identified Lin'er by his height, footprints, and missing finger, and Jia Huan ordered him tortured after the sect was wiped out.
• Jia Huan received the Nine Yin White Bone Claw and enough experience to reach the fourth layer of the Innate Realm.
• Twin Whips reported Lin'er's confession and the evidence against him, and Jia Huan ordered the evidence reviewed before the group rested and returned to the Capital.

Jia Huan returned to the Capital after capturing the murderer and was promoted to a sixth-rank post, while the Imperial Clan Court arranged an honorary title for his birth mother. Jia Zhen and Madam Wang mistakenly believed he had deserted and prepared to celebrate his disgrace as officials arrived at Rongguo Mansion.

• Jia Huan told Officer Guo that he had captured the murderer, and Officer Guo took his case dossier to report the successful investigation.
• Officer Fu and Southern Office officials promoted Jia Huan to a three-thread Hundred-Household Commander, gave him a new uniform and appointment, and assigned thirty more strongmen to his garrison.
• Officer Fu told Jia Huan that the Imperial Clan Court had secured an Imperially Appointed Lady title for his birth mother, and Jia Huan accepted the reward.
• Jia Zhen heard a false rumor that Jia Huan had deserted, then rushed with Jia Rong to Rongguo Mansion to tell Jia Baoyu and Madam Wang.
• Jia Baoyu and Madam Wang believed Jia Huan had fled and expected the visiting officials to punish him and revoke his birth mother's title.
• Lai Da reported that officials from the Ministries of Rites and Personnel and a eunuch had arrived at Rongguo Mansion, and Madam Wang ordered Concubine Zhao and the master summoned to receive them.

Jia Huan’s success in solving the imperial princess’s murder earned his mother Zhao the title of Lady of the Seventh Rank, humiliating Madam Wang and Jia Zhen after they expected disgrace. Jia Huan returned to the Jia household, punished Jia Baoyu and Jia Rong for slandering him, and left with Zhao as the family reacted to his rising status.

• Jia Baoyu told the household that Jia Huan had abandoned the murder investigation and would lose his post, while Li Wan and the young ladies worried about him.
• The Ministry of Rites official announced that Jia Huan’s mother, Lady Zhao, had been granted the title of Lady of the Seventh Rank, stunning Madam Wang, Jia Zhen, and Jia Baoyu.
• The old eunuch explained that Jia Huan had captured and killed the perpetrators of Commandery Princess Shouning’s murder, earning imperial favor for defending the Imperial Family’s honor.
• Lady Zhao confronted Madam Wang with thanks for supposedly foreseeing the good news, and Wang Xifeng announced that Jia Huan had returned.
• Jia Huan slapped Jia Baoyu for spreading rumors and struck Jia Rong after he admitted starting them, while Jia Zhen swallowed his anger and left with his son.
• Jia Huan led Lady Zhao away as she celebrated his sixth-rank official status, while Tanchun regretted her past cruelty and Jia Mu tried to comfort the humiliated Madam Wang.

Jia Huan visited Qin Zhong’s family, where he met Qin Keqing, then agreed to take Lin Daiyu to Mount Miaofeng to see its Purple-Leaf Thread Lotuses. He carried the exhausted Daiyu to the summit, where they reached the flowers and looked out over the Divine Capital.

• Jia Huan accepted Qin Zhong’s invitation to dinner and asked Qin Ye to design a residence for him.
• Qin Zhong introduced Jia Huan to Qin Keqing, then praised him and suggested she would be better matched with him than Jia Rong.
• Concubine Zhao told Jia Huan that Lin Daiyu had asked him to visit Xiaoxiang Hall, where Daiyu offered him her savings to fetch Purple-Leaf Thread Lotuses from Mount Miaofeng.
• Jia Huan proposed taking Daiyu to the mountain that night, and she agreed despite her nervousness about breaking the rules.
• Jia Huan took Daiyu out of Rongguo Mansion after the second watch and carried her up the mountain when her frail body grew tired.
• Jia Huan and Daiyu reached the summit, admired the blooming Purple-Leaf Thread Lotuses, and gazed toward the Divine Capital.

Jia Huan learned that Flower Devotee needed a Dragon-Tiger Ranking expert to assist with a major case and tried to replace Nie Youshen, the Southern Office’s chosen investigator. After officials rejected his request, Jia Huan challenged Nie Youshen to meet him at the Martial Arts Practice Ground.

• Scholar told Jia Huan that Flower Devotee had requested a Dragon-Tiger Ranking expert to help investigate a major case, and the Southern Office had assigned Nie Youshen.
• Jia Huan confirmed with Officer Guo that Flower Devotee had not named Nie Youshen specifically, but Officer Guo refused to change the assignment because Nie ranked higher than Jia Huan.
• Nie Youshen prepared to leave the capital with four General Banners and elite guards to investigate the case with Flower Devote.
• Jia Huan entered Nie Youshen’s office and demanded that he hand over the case, claiming Nie was too weak to assist effectively.
• Nie Youshen angrily ordered Jia Huan out, and Jia Huan calmly challenged him to meet at the Martial Arts Practice Ground.

Jia Huan defeated Cold-Blooded Chasing Life in a public sparring match and won the right to assist Flower Devotee with the investigation. He received orders to leave for Xingyang Prefecture and began preparing his team and case files.

• Jia Huan challenged Cold-Blooded Chasing Life and defeated him by catching his saber bare-handed before throwing him into a wooden post.
• Jia Huan told the Southern Office officials he wanted to assist Flower Devotee, and they ordered Cold-Blooded Chasing Life to return the case document.
• Jia Huan dismissed Scholar’s concern about Cold-Blooded Chasing Life’s powerful backer and brushed off the Dragon-Tiger Ranking.
• Two Southern Office officials delivered Jia Huan an order to set out for Xingyang Prefecture that day.
• Jia Huan ordered Fathead Fish and three others to gather five elite men each, then planned to visit the Experiences Office’s Case File Archive.

Jia Huan helped Flower Devotee capture Sima Lin at Dragon Gate Inn, but the discovery of a purple jade pendant linked to Commandery Princess Shouning’s case opened a greater investigation. The chapter left Jia Huan and his companions realizing the two cases might be connected.

• Flower Devotee told Jia Huan that Sima Lin, the White Lotus Cult deputy leader’s son, was hiding at Dragon Gate Inn, and Jia Huan agreed to assist.
• Jia Huan rang the stone stele six times with a casual punch, while Flower Devotee passed the Bamboo Grove Sword Dance trial.
• Dragon Gate Inn revealed Sima Lin’s whereabouts, and Flower Devotee’s party found him in a guest room beside a woman who killed herself rather than be captured.
• Flower Devotee took Sima Lin away, intending to use him to pressure the White Lotus Cult’s deputy leader into submitting to the court.
• Twin Whips found a purple jade pendant in the dead woman’s scented sachet, and Jia Huan’s companions recognized it from Commandery Princess Shouning’s case.

Jia Huan searched the Prince of Xingyang’s residence without official authorization and uncovered the prince’s ties to the White Lotus Cult and a stockpile of armor. After arresting the prince, Jia Huan moved to investigate an estate outside the city, while Commander Xie sent an urgent report to the capital.

• Jia Huan connected a purple jade pendant and a lotus tattoo to the Prince of Xingyang, then ordered a covert search of the prince’s residence.
• Jia Huan and his subordinates entered the residence under the pretext of catching thieves, and Twin Whips and Scholar found White Lotus Cult women there.
• Jia Huan seized the Prince of Xingyang and produced the jade pendant as evidence, while his men uncovered secret letters, a cache of armor, and the prince’s connection to the cult.
• Jia Huan ordered his men to bring a woman who had confessed and accompany him to the prince’s estate outside the city.
• An adviser told Commander Xie that Jia Huan had arrested the prince without official documents, and Commander Xie sent an urgent report to the capital.

After Jia Huan detained the Prince of Xingyang without authorization, the Directorate of Ceremonial warned Rongguo Mansion that he faced severe punishment and the Jia family could be implicated. The family panicked and argued over whether he should return to face trial or flee, while Jia Mu ordered the Eastern Mansion to investigate.

• Southern Commandant Office officials condemned Jia Huan's unauthorized detention of the Prince of Xingyang and warned that his fate depended on whether he uncovered conclusive evidence of a crime.
• Two Directorate of Ceremonial eunuchs told Jia Mu and Jia Zheng that Jia Huan faced exile or execution if he returned to stand trial, while fleeing could expose the Jia Family to charges of deceiving the emperor and plotting rebellion.
• Madam Wang demanded that the family disown Jia Huan and keep him out of the mansion, but Jia Zheng argued that he should return and explain himself to the authorities.
• Jia Baoyu complained that Jia Huan's actions would ruin him, while Concubine Zhao silently feared for her son's safety.
• Jia Zheng warned that Jia She and Jia Lian might lose their posts and Jia Baoyu and Jia Lan might be barred from the imperial examinations, and Jia Mu ordered the Eastern Mansion father and son to make inquiries.

Jia Huan faced a joint trial before the Three Judicial Offices after arresting the Prince of Xingyang Commandery, but his evidence of treason turned the case in his favor. As he slept in the interrogation room, his family and friends reacted to news of his imprisonment, and Lin Daiyu wept over his fate.

• Jia Huan admitted arresting the Prince of Xingyang Commandery, then presented confessions and evidence that the prince had secretly stockpiled weapons and colluded with rebels.
• The eunuch and officials of the Three Judicial Offices left to verify the evidence at the Imperial Prison, while Jia Huan fell asleep in the empty interrogation room.
• Jia Zhen and Jia Rong told Jia Mu that Jia Huan had been taken to the Ministry of Justice prison, and Jia Rong gloated over his troubles.
• Wang Xifeng reassured Concubine Zhao that Jia Huan must have been confident when he arrested the prince and would return home safely.
• Jia Baoyu told the young women that Jia Huan was doomed and offered to visit him, while Lin Daiyu left in tears, remembering his kindness.

The court rewarded Madam Wang with a fifth-rank title for raising Jia Baoyu, while Jia Rong and Madam Wang expected Jia Huan to die in prison. The decree left Madam Wang triumphant and Concubine Zhao fearing that Jia Huan would never return.

• Hanlin scholars refused to draft a fifth-rank Imperial Mandate for Jia Wangshi until Eunuch Wei announced the emperor's decision to reward service to the state.
• Jia Rong had a rosewood coffin brought to the Rongguo Mansion and assured Madam Wang that Jia Huan would not survive his case.
• Lai Da announced that the court had sent an edict, and the Jia family assembled in the reception hall to hear it.
• The eunuch decreed that Jia Wangshi would receive a fifth-rank title and gifts for raising her son well.
• Madam Wang accepted the decree with delight, Jia Baoyu believed the court had praised him, and Concubine Zhao feared Jia Huan would remain imprisoned.

The Jia Family received imperial rewards for Jia Baoyu and Jia Huan, but the unexpected grant of a fifth-rank Imperial Mandate to Concubine Zhao humiliated Madam Wang. Censors then arrived to challenge the grant, leaving Madam Wang eager to voice her grievance despite Jia Mu's objections.

• Madam Wang accepted the imperial decree and gifts, and Jia Baoyu thanked her and Jia Mu for raising him.
• The eunuch announced an honorary title for Jia Zheng, prompting Madam Wang and Jia Baoyu to believe the court had rewarded Baoyu.
• The eunuch proclaimed that Jia Huan's service had earned Concubine Zhao a fifth-rank Imperial Mandate and lavish gifts, shocking the family.
• Concubine Zhao accepted her title and gifts while taunting Madam Wang, and Jia Baoyu blamed Jia Rong for misleading the family.
• Steward Lai Da reported that Censors had arrived to condemn the grant to a concubine, and Madam Wang declared she had a grievance before Jia Mu ordered her to be silent.

After his release from prison, Jia Huan was promoted and his men became General Banners. He drove the censors away from the Rongguo Mansion when they tried to make Concubine Zhao relinquish her imperial mandate, but Madam Wang remained convinced that Jia Baoyu’s legitimate status would prevail.

• Jia Huan left the Ministry of Justice prison with a new Silver Flying Fish Uniform, a Command Token, and a promotion to Hundred-Household Commander, while Scholar, Twin Whips, and four others were promoted to General Banners.
• Xue Pan told Jia Huan that censors had gathered at the Rongguo Mansion to demand that Concubine Zhao give up her imperial mandate, and Jia Huan ordered his men to ride there.
• The censors pressured Concubine Zhao to lower her title, but she told them to discuss the matter with her son when Jia Huan arrived with more than a hundred Embroidered Uniform Guards.
• Jia Huan threatened to investigate a censor and his kin, prompting the censors to praise Concubine Zhao’s fifth-rank mandate and leave the mansion.
• Jia Mu and the Rongguo Mansion’s ladies watched Jia Huan depart, while Concubine Zhao embraced him and Madam Wang left with Jia Baoyu, still believing legitimate sons outranked concubine-born sons.

Madam Wang raged over Concubine Zhao's imperial title, then joined forces with Madam Xing to counter the second branch's growing influence. Jia Huan backed Wang Xifeng against nobles threatening her businesses and promised to seek an imperial title for her, before teasing Qingwen in private.

• Madam Wang smashed her belongings and scolded Jia Baoyu over Concubine Zhao's fifth-rank title, and Jia Baoyu fled to Old Madam for comfort.
• Madam Xing told Madam Wang that Master She would return soon and could teach Jia Huan to respect his father's principal wife, and the two sisters-in-law formed an alliance.
• Concubine Zhao wore her imperial regalia proudly while Jia Huan ate the meal she had cooked for him.
• Wang Xifeng told Jia Huan that noblemen were attacking her businesses, and Jia Huan promised to have them dragged to the Imperial Prison.
• Jia Huan said he would try to get Wang Xifeng an imperial title, and she left delighted despite doubting it could happen.
• Jia Huan teased Qingwen about her rouge, causing her to flee in embarrassment before returning to his room.

Thousand-Household Commander Yue arranged for Jia Huan to investigate a dangerous case in Tianjin, hoping the assignment would bring him trouble with Eunuch Mei. Jia Huan set out with his trusted subordinates and elite riders, determined to solve the case and remember Yue’s role in it.

• Thousand-Household Commander Yue told Cold-Blooded Chasing Life that he had recommended Jia Huan to investigate Eunuch Mei’s missing nephew in Tianjin, expecting the Gu Poison Sect case to damage Jia Huan’s standing.
• Cold-Blooded Chasing Life celebrated the prospect of Jia Huan failing and earning Eunuch Mei’s resentment.
• Officer Guo informed Jia Huan that Eunuch Mei had demanded him by name to investigate the death and disappearance of his nephews in Tianjin.
• Officer Guo warned Jia Huan about the Gu Poison Sect and advised him to stay six days and keep a low profile.
• Jia Huan suspected Thousand-Household Commander Yue had set him up, accepted the assignment, and left for Tianjin with his six trusted subordinates and thirty elite riders from the Celestial Pivot Office.

Jia Huan recruited the Jinmen Beggars' Gang Branch with valuable martial arts manuals to help him destroy the Gu Poison Sect in Tianjin. The Seventh Manager refused, warning that the sect's poisonous insects made it too dangerous to fight.

• Cold-Blooded Chasing Life ordered a subordinate to spread a false rumor in Tianjin that Jia Huan planned to slaughter Gu Poison Sect disciples.
• Jia Huan arrived in Tianjin and ordered Twin Whips to examine a corpse while Scholar sought out the Jinmen Beggars' Gang Branch.
• Twin Whips reported that Heart-Eating Worms had gnawed through the corpse's heart, pointing to the Gu Poison Sect.
• Jia Huan gave a captured beggar a martial arts manual and invited the Beggars' Gang leader to meet him.
• The Seventh Manager led dozens of beggars to Jia Huan, but rejected his request to wipe out the Gu Poison Sect after warning of its deadly venomous insects.

Jia Huan used the Beggars' Gang to destroy a Gu Poison Sect stronghold in Tianjin, rescue Eunuch Mei's nephew, and capture dozens of sect members. His swift success thwarted Thousand-Household Commander Yue's scheme and left Yue and Cold-Blooded Chasing Life furious and humiliated.

• Jia Huan persuaded the Seventh Shopkeeper and the Beggars' Gang to attack the Gu Poison Sect, promising they could keep the confiscated wealth.
• The Beggars' Gang stormed the sect's stronghold, and Jia Huan sent the Celestial Pivot Office's riders to arrest the survivors and search for Eunuch Mei's nephew.
• Scholar found Scholar Mei and reported that more than a hundred civilians had been held inside, so Jia Huan ordered them escorted to the Thousand-Household Guard Office.
• Thousand-Household Commander Yue scolded Cold-Blooded Chasing Life for secretly trying to frame Jia Huan by provoking the Gu Poison Sect.
• A subordinate reported that Jia Huan had rescued Scholar Mei and captured several dozen sect members, and Yue crushed his teacup as the prison wagons arrived.

After raising his participation and reaching the seventh layer of the Innate Realm, Jia Huan completed the Gu Poison Sect case and saved Mei Qin. Eunuch Mei repaid him with evidence of Vice Director Gu Sihui’s embezzlement, leaving Jia Huan determined to bring the official down.

• Jia Huan executed the Gu Poison Sect members and two other criminals, raising his participation to 56 percent and advancing to the seventh layer of the Innate Realm.
• Jia Huan reported the completed mission to the Southern Office, where Officer Fu said it would earn him merit but not a promotion.
• Eunuch Mei thanked Jia Huan for saving Mei Qin and sent his nephew outside to speak with him privately.
• Eunuch Mei gave Jia Huan a booklet documenting Vice Director Gu Sihui’s suspected embezzlement of disaster relief silver and warned him not to reveal the source.
• Jia Huan studied the accounts and resolved to bring Gu Sihui down.

Jia Huan investigated Gu Sihui, a celebratedly upright official suspected of embezzling more than eight hundred thousand taels in disaster relief silver, and sent six General Banners to gather evidence. After searching Gu Sihui’s modest home, Jia Huan found no trace of the stolen silver and returned to prioritize the case.

• Scholar reported that Gu Sihui was the Ministry of Revenue’s Vice Director, a respected scholar, and the son-in-law of the Duke of Xiu’s Mansion, while Jia Huan revealed that he had embezzled disaster relief funds.
• Jia Huan insisted that Gu Sihui would be arrested regardless of his connections and ordered Scholar to notify the other five General Banners.
• Jia Huan assigned six General Banners to investigate independently, giving them resources and instructions to protect witnesses and evidence.
• Jia Huan staked out Gu Sihui’s shabby home overnight, watched Gu leave for work, and searched the house after Gu’s wife departed to buy vegetables.
• Jia Huan found no hidden silver in Gu Sihui’s home and returned to the Embroidered Uniform Guard Office to focus on the case.

After learning that the Celestial Pivot Office was investigating him, Gu Sihui planned to strike first by using his court connections, his father-in-law’s influence, and Imperial College students to discredit Jia Huan. Meanwhile, Old Master Hou confronted the Jia Family over Jia Huan’s investigation of Gu, leaving the family stunned by the accusations.

• Jia Huan received a message from Yu warning that their investigation had been exposed and angrily blamed him for alerting Gu Sihui.
• Gu Sihui decoded a hidden message that the Celestial Pivot Office was investigating him, then resolved to bring Jia Huan down.
• Gu Sihui planned to complain to court officials, enlist his father-in-law’s ducal household, and stir public opinion among Imperial College students.
• Old Master Hou arrived at Rongguo Mansion and demanded that the Jia elders and members of Ningguo Duke’s Mansion gather.
• Old Master Hou’s family accused Jia Huan of secretly investigating Gu Sihui to frame him and have him imprisoned, while Jia Baoyu believed the charges matched Jia Huan’s methods.