Recaps

Jiang Xiaobai answered Lin Fengshuo’s challenge by turning it back on him, then was accepted as Lin’s disciple. After Xiao Qingxiu left, Jiang Xiaobai approached Li Zhiwei to discuss the rules of his new school, teasing her about marriage.

• Jiang Xiaobai challenged Lin Fengshuo to decide whether his door could welcome ambitious people and stand for the world’s doors.
• Lin Fengshuo praised Jiang Xiaobai’s answer and accepted him as a disciple after Jiang Xiaobai knelt before him.
• Lin Fengshuo asked Li Zhiwei to explain the rules to Jiang Xiaobai, while Gu Zhiyan and the other elders congratulated him.
• Xiao Qingxiu left, and Jiang Xiaobai’s guard warned him to be careful around the young prince.
• Jiang Xiaobai approached Li Zhiwei to discuss the rules and joked that they might discuss their marriage.

Jiang Xiaobai became Lin Fengshuo’s disciple, thanked Li Zhiwei for her help, and learned the rules and expectations attached to the position. As Jiang Xiaobai left, Lin Fengshuo approved of him and looked forward to his first essay, while Jiang Xiaobai anticipated his father’s reaction.

• Jiang Xiaobai teased Li Zhiwei about marriage, then thanked her for helping him become Lin Fengshuo’s disciple.
• Li Zhiwei explained Lin Fengshuo’s three rules and warned Jiang Xiaobai that his Top Graduate title would require more than poetic talent to defend.
• Lin Fengshuo gave Jiang Xiaobai half a month to submit his first essay, but Jiang Xiaobai promised to deliver it the next day.
• Lin Fengshuo told Li Zhiwei that Jiang Xiaobai was clever and worthy of his title, and asked her to persuade Qin'er to return home.
• Jiang Xiaobai walked through the capital with Zhang Xinnian and said his poetic display had helped silence his critics.
• Zhang Xinnian wondered how Jiang Jingcheng would react to Jiang Xiaobai becoming Lin Fengshuo’s disciple, and Jiang Xiaobai suspected his father would be furious.

Jiang Xiaobai returned to the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate and told Jiang Jingcheng and Shen Yun that he had become Elder Lin's disciple. Jiang Jingcheng berated him for choosing a literary teacher, but after Jiang Xiaobai left, he secretly laughed with pride.

• Jiang Jingcheng and Shen Yun worried when Jiang Xiaobai had not returned, though Jiang Jingcheng pretended not to care.
• Jiang Xiaobai returned with Zhang Xinnian, and Shen Yun checked that he was unharmed.
• Jiang Xiaobai announced that he had become Elder Lin's disciple, and Zhang Xinnian confirmed it.
• Jiang Jingcheng scolded Jiang Xiaobai for becoming Lin Fengshuo's disciple, while Shen Yun praised the opportunity.
• After Jiang Xiaobai left to write an essay, Jiang Jingcheng emerged from the rear hall and laughed to himself.

Jiang Xiaobai wrote the first half of an essay titled “On the Teacher” to strengthen his connection with Lin Fengshuo and arranged for it to be delivered with an invitation to visit. He expected Lin Fengshuo and the Li Family to come to the Jiang Residence the next day, setting up a lively confrontation.

• Jiang Jingcheng and Shen Yun discussed Jiang Xiaobai’s new prospects and worried about protecting their only remaining son.
• Jiang Xiaobai decided that becoming Lin Fengshuo’s disciple was not enough to secure his support, so he wrote an essay to impress him.
• Jiang Xiaobai ordered Zhang Xinnian to deliver the first half of “On the Teacher” and invite Lin Fengshuo to the Jiang Residence for the rest.
• Jiang Xiaobai anticipated that the Li Family would also visit and expected Jiang Jingcheng to be surprised by the coming events.

Lin Fengshuo read the first part of Jiang Xiaobai’s essay, “On the Teacher,” and was overwhelmed by its insight. The unfinished essay left him eager to visit the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate the next day to learn the rest.

• Two attendants mocked Jiang Xiaobai for sending an essay so soon after becoming Lin Fengshuo’s pupil.
• Lin Fengshuo praised the essay’s opening and recited its arguments about teachers and the Way.
• Lin Fengshuo realized the essay ended abruptly after its first part and accused Jiang Xiaobai of stopping it on purpose.
• Lin Fengshuo ordered a carriage to the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate, then decided to wait until morning.
• Lin Fengshuo continued praising the essay as the attendants left in shock at Jiang Xiaobai’s talent.

Jiang Xiaobai told Jiang Jingcheng that Li Bingzhang and Elder Lin would visit, and Li soon arrived at the Marquis's Residence. Jiang Xiaobai insisted that Li wait at least two hours, leaving Jiang Jingcheng puzzled about his plan.

• Jiang Xiaobai told Jiang Jingcheng that Li Bingzhang and Elder Lin would come to the Marquis's Residence that day.
• Jiang Jingcheng doubted that Elder Lin would visit, while Shen Yun hurried off to prepare after Jiang Xiaobai confirmed the guests were coming.
• A servant announced that Li Bingzhang had arrived, and Jiang Jingcheng ordered him to wait.
• Jiang Jingcheng asked whether the Li Family had come to discuss a marriage, and Jiang Xiaobai confirmed it.
• Jiang Xiaobai told Jiang Jingcheng to make Li wait at least two hours.

Jiang Xiaobai told Jiang Jingcheng to make Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei wait outside the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate, and Jiang Jingcheng reluctantly followed his advice. After two hours, Lin Fengshuo arrived, explained that Jiang Xiaobai's essay had brought him there, and revealed that he was furious with the young man.

• Jiang Xiaobai persuaded Jiang Jingcheng to wear his General's Uniform and keep the visiting Li family waiting outside.
• Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei waited in their carriage while Jiang Jingcheng left them outside the estate.
• After two hours, Li Bingzhang lost patience and prepared to enter the estate with Li Zhiwei.
• Lin Fengshuo arrived, and Li Zhiwei and Li Bingzhang recognized him as her teacher.
• Lin Fengshuo told Li Bingzhang that the Jiang Family needed to preserve its dignity and that he had come because Jiang Xiaobai sent him an essay the previous night.

Lin Fengshuo arrived at the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate after Jiang Xiaobai submitted an essay, leaving Jiang Jingcheng and Shen Yun anxious about his displeasure. As Lin Fengshuo began to address Jiang Jingcheng, the reason for his visit remained unrevealed.

• Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei accompanied Lin Fengshuo to the Marquis's Residence after learning he had come over Jiang Xiaobai's essay.
• Jiang Jingcheng and Shen Yun waited in the main hall while Jiang Xiaobai remained relaxed, and they were startled when Lin Fengshuo arrived.
• Jiang Jingcheng and Lin Fengshuo exchanged greetings, but Lin Fengshuo snorted at Jiang Xiaobai and went inside without explanation.
• Li Bingzhang and Jiang Jingcheng exchanged cold snorts, while Shen Yun warmly welcomed Li Zhiwei.
• After everyone sat down, Lin Fengshuo looked at Jiang Jingcheng and said he had raised a fine son.

Lin Fengshuo visited the Jiang residence to demand the second half of an essay Jiang Xiaobai had written, astonishing the family by saying it was exceptionally good. Jiang Xiaobai claimed he had hidden his literary ability to avoid his father’s disapproval, and Li Bingzhang asked to read the essay.

• Jiang Jingcheng questioned Lin Fengshuo about the essay Jiang Xiaobai had sent him, while Li Zhiwei and Li Bingzhang tried to excuse the young disciple’s supposed mistake.
• Lin Fengshuo revealed that he had come because Jiang Xiaobai’s essay was so good that he wanted its missing second half.
• Jiang Jingcheng and the others doubted that Jiang Xiaobai could have written such an essay, given his reputation and history of avoiding study.
• Jiang Xiaobai admitted that he had written the essay and explained that he had concealed his literary ability because his father disliked scholars.
• Li Bingzhang asked Lin Fengshuo to let him read Jiang Xiaobai’s essay.

Jiang Xiaobai's essay astonished Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei, prompting Li Bingzhang to ask why he had bought the title of Top Graduate. Jiang Xiaobai revealed his suspicions that someone had engineered the purchase to ruin the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate, and resolved to follow the scheme to expose its mastermind.

• Li Bingzhang read Jiang Xiaobai's essay, praised it as extraordinary, and asked whether Jiang Xiaobai had truly written it.
• Li Zhiwei read the essay and was astonished by Jiang Xiaobai's skill in prose.
• Li Bingzhang asked why Jiang Xiaobai had bought the title of Top Graduate despite his literary talent.
• Jiang Xiaobai said he suspected his brothers' deaths and his purchase of the title were part of a plot against the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate.
• Jiang Jingcheng reacted grimly, while Shen Yun grew tearful as Jiang Xiaobai explained his suspicions.
• Jiang Xiaobai said he would accept the role intended for him and expose whoever was behind the scheme.

Jiang Xiaobai explained how his risky plan would protect the Jiang Family and pressure Li Bingzhang, then laid out his demands for marrying Li Zhiwei. The chapter ended with him asking what the Chancellor's Residence would say.

• Jiang Xiaobai admitted that he had used Lin Fengshuo's visit to shield the Jiang Family and help strengthen Li Bingzhang's resolve.
• Lin Fengshuo agreed to overlook being lured to the estate but demanded that Jiang Xiaobai finish the second half of his essay that day.
• Jiang Xiaobai warned Li Bingzhang that exposing the Official-Purchase Scandal would damage the civil administration and his standing as chancellor.
• Jiang Xiaobai proposed settling the marriage between the Jiang and Li families and listed conditions that made Li Bingzhang responsible for the alliance's apparent coercion.
• Jiang Xiaobai demanded a grand wedding procession that would make it seem the Chancellor's Residence had forced him into the marriage, then asked Li Bingzhang for his response.

Li Zhiwei set out strict conditions for her partnership marriage with Jiang Xiaobai, including a firm demand that he remain loyal to her and the Li Family. Jiang Xiaobai accepted them all and asked whether their first child could bear the Jiang surname if they eventually fell in love.

• Li Zhiwei told Jiang Xiaobai they would live in separate quarters and set rules for his conduct after he entered the Chancellor's Residence.
• Li Zhiwei gave Jiang Xiaobai six months to resolve the threat to the Li Family and required him to help the Chancellor's Residence when needed.
• Li Zhiwei warned Jiang Xiaobai not to act rashly against the person behind the plot and forbade him from taking liberties with her in private.
• Li Zhiwei demanded that Jiang Xiaobai never betray her or the Li Family, while allowing a woman he loved to enter the household only as a concubine.
• Jiang Xiaobai accepted Li Zhiwei's conditions and asked if their first child could take the Jiang surname if they fell in love.

Jiang Xiaobai and Li Zhiwei’s families finalized their betrothal, and Jiang Xiaobai presented the second half of “On the Teacher.” Lin Fengshuo decided to recommend the essay to the Imperial College, while Jiang Xiaobai asked him to keep his name off it for now.

• Li Zhiwei confirmed that Jiang Xiaobai had already obtained a betrothal letter, and Lin Fengshuo agreed to serve as their matchmaker.
• Jiang Xiaobai, Jiang Jingcheng, and Li Bingzhang discussed the wedding arrangements, then Jiang Jingcheng and Li Bingzhang awkwardly shared a toast.
• Jiang Xiaobai had a servant bring the second half of “On the Teacher,” and Lin Fengshuo, Li Bingzhang, and Li Zhiwei read it.
• Lin Fengshuo and Li Bingzhang praised the essay, and Lin Fengshuo said he would recommend it to the Imperial College.
• Jiang Xiaobai agreed to the recommendation but asked Lin Fengshuo to leave his name off the essay for now.

Jiang Xiaobai persuaded Lin Fengshuo to publish “On the Teacher” without his name, then faced his father’s concerns about the risks behind his actions. Jiang Jingcheng acknowledged his son’s resolve and began to tell him something important.

• Jiang Xiaobai convinced Lin Fengshuo that publishing “On the Teacher” anonymously would let the essay speak for itself, and Lin Fengshuo agreed to take it.
• Lin Fengshuo left the Marquis’s Residence, followed by Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei, who exchanged farewells with the Jiang family.
• Jiang Jingcheng ordered Jiang Xiaobai into his study and demanded to know what else he was hiding.
• Jiang Xiaobai explained that he was taking risks to survive and protect the Jiang Family, and Jiang Jingcheng admitted his son was starting to look like a man.
• Jiang Jingcheng turned to the bookshelf and said there were things he ought to tell Jiang Xiaobai.

Jiang Xiaobai learned that his eldest brother had sent a bloodstained letter warning him to beware of the Elder Princess, Xiao Yunshu. He took responsibility for investigating his brothers’ deaths and told Jiang Jingcheng to stay home on the day of his imperial audience.

• Jiang Jingcheng retrieved a hidden box and showed Jiang Xiaobai his eldest brother’s bloodstained letter, which warned, “Beware of the Elder Princess!”
• Jiang Xiaobai and Jiang Jingcheng discussed whether Xiao Yunshu was connected to the plot against Jiang Xiaobai and his brothers, but Jiang Jingcheng had found no concrete leads.
• Jiang Xiaobai warned that his eldest brother might have been deceived into writing the letter and said he would investigate what happened to his eldest and second brothers.
• Jiang Jingcheng cautioned Jiang Xiaobai not to act impulsively or trust people from the Imperial Palace, and asked him to keep the letter from his mother.
• Jiang Xiaobai told Jiang Jingcheng to pretend to be ill and stay home during the upcoming imperial audience, then left to consider how many forces might be targeting the Jiang Family.

Li Zhiwei visited Jiang Xiaobai and invited him to the Imperial College, where the Elder Princess was expected to appear after his essay caused a stir. Jiang Xiaobai agreed on the condition that Li Zhiwei act along with him, and they set out while Shen Yun warmly encouraged their pairing.

• Shen Yun welcomed Li Zhiwei and praised her, while Jiang Xiaobai noticed the jade bracelet Li Zhiwei had given her.
• Jiang Xiaobai teased Li Zhiwei about missing him, and she insisted she had come on serious business.
• Li Zhiwei explained that Jiang Xiaobai's essay had stirred discussion at the Imperial College and that the Elder Princess might visit, then invited him to go with her.
• Jiang Xiaobai agreed to visit the Imperial College but told Li Zhiwei she would have to act along with him, leaving her uneasy about his plan.
• Shen Yun made Jiang Xiaobai change into tidier clothes, urged him not to bully Li Zhiwei, and watched them leave the Marquis's Residence with delight.

Jiang Xiaobai entered the Imperial College after Li Zhiwei arranged for him to get past the guards and planned to maintain his arrogant reputation. Inside, an attendant deliberately collided with him and accused him of breaking a tray, while Zhang Xinnian mistook a snort and a brief saber draw for overwhelming displays of power.

• Li Zhiwei brought Jiang Xiaobai to the Imperial College to meet last year's top graduate and help him prepare for his audience with the emperor.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Zhang Xinnian to act as if he were invincible under heaven so they would preserve his established reputation.
• Li Zhiwei spoke to the guards, and Jiang Xiaobai entered the Imperial College without being stopped.
• A young attendant collided with Jiang Xiaobai, then blamed him for a shattered wooden tray.
• Zhang Xinnian claimed the attendant had withstood his thunderous shout and terrifying saber intent after merely snorting and drawing his saber slightly.

Jiang Xiaobai and Zhang Xinnian clashed with an Imperial College page over a broken counting tray, then left after Zhang crushed it and threatened the college staff. The teaching assistant vowed to report them to the instructor.

• The page accused Zhang Xinnian and Jiang Xiaobai of breaking the counting tray and insulting him, while Zhang pretended his aura had shattered it.
• A teaching assistant arrived, ordered Jiang Xiaobai to apologize, and demanded compensation for the tray.
• Jiang Xiaobai questioned whether the tray had already been broken, but the page demanded proof.
• Jiang Xiaobai said they could simply claim he had broken it, and Zhang stamped the tray into splinters.
• Zhang pulled Jiang Xiaobai away and warned the page and teaching assistant not to trouble his young lord.
• The teaching assistant promised to explain the incident to the instructor and report Jiang Xiaobai and Zhang for causing trouble.

Jiang Xiaobai visited the Imperial College and found his essay, “On the Teacher,” ranked first on the public board. After a woman he had angered warned him that their business was not over, Zhou Chaomian revealed she might be the essay’s author and advised Jiang Xiaobai to leave before he could no longer do so.

• Jiang Xiaobai told Zhang Xinnian not to act on his own without permission.
• Jiang Xiaobai and Zhang Xinnian reached a lake where Imperial College students had gathered around a board discussing essays.
• Zhang Xinnian pointed out that Jiang Xiaobai’s “On the Teacher” held the top spot on the board.
• Jiang Xiaobai encountered Zhou Chaomian, whom he had met at the Poetry Gathering at the Chancellor's Residence, and forgot his name.
• The woman Zhang Xinnian had angered warned Jiang Xiaobai that their business was not over, then walked away.
• Zhou Chaomian advised Jiang Xiaobai to leave the Imperial College and suggested that the woman had written “On the Teacher.”

At the Imperial College, Jiang Xiaobai learned that Lin Qinrou, Elder Lin’s granddaughter, had written “On the Teacher,” while Zhou Chaomian used the essay to belittle him. Jiang Xiaobai then staged a public scene in which Li Zhiwei pretended to confess her love for him, ending with her grabbing his clothes as he protested that he was a respectable man.

• Zhou Chaomian told Jiang Xiaobai that Lin Qinrou, Elder Lin’s granddaughter, had written “On the Teacher” and praised prose over poetry.
• Zhou Chaomian warned Jiang Xiaobai that Li Zhiwei would not fall for him over a few poems, but Jiang Xiaobai walked away to approach her.
• Jiang Xiaobai accused Li Zhiwei of following him because she liked him, drawing the attention of the surrounding students.
• Li Zhiwei joined Jiang Xiaobai’s act by declaring that she liked him and would follow him wherever he went.
• Jiang Xiaobai pretended to flee, and Li Zhiwei grabbed his clothes as he protested that she was making things difficult for a respectable man.

Jiang Xiaobai staged a public scene with Li Zhiwei to keep his talents from drawing too much attention before his imperial audience. After explaining his plan, he learned that the former Top Graduate Li Zhiwei wanted him to meet was Lin Qinrou, whom he had already clashed with, and Li insisted he follow her.

• Jiang Xiaobai recoiled from Li Zhiwei in public, then left with her while Zhou Chaomian and the onlookers reacted with shock and jealousy.
• Li Zhiwei confronted Jiang Xiaobai in a secluded corridor and demanded an explanation for his embarrassing performance and his sudden dodge.
• Jiang Xiaobai explained that the scene would make people assume Li Zhiwei had coached him, drawing less attention to his abilities at the imperial audience.
• Li Zhiwei told Jiang Xiaobai that the Elder Princess had taken his essay and praised its author, then revealed that the former Top Graduate was Lin Qinrou.
• Jiang Xiaobai tried to avoid meeting Lin Qinrou, but Li Zhiwei insisted and said she had a way to get him there.

Jiang Xiaobai impressed Master Song by instantly calculating a complex set of accounts at the Imperial College. Master Song tested him with a second calculation, and Jiang Xiaobai began giving its total.

• Li Zhiwei brought Jiang Xiaobai to meet Master Song, an arithmetic teacher who also oversaw the state treasury.
• Jiang Xiaobai glanced at Master Song’s calculations and announced that the total was 3,763.
• Master Song finished calculating and confirmed that Jiang Xiaobai’s answer was correct, astonishing both him and Li Zhiwei.
• Master Song invited Jiang Xiaobai to calculate a new set of figures, and Jiang Xiaobai said its total was 2,800.

Jiang Xiaobai impressed Master Song by correctly calculating two results and teaching him Arabic numerals and basic arithmetic. Master Song offered to recommend him to the Ministry of Revenue, but Jiang Xiaobai refused, and the chapter ended with Lin Qinrou calling Master Song to his lesson.

• Jiang Xiaobai correctly calculated 2,800, leaving Li Zhiwei, Zhang Xinnian, and Master Song astonished.
• Jiang Xiaobai introduced Arabic numerals and basic arithmetic, and Master Song quickly recognized their usefulness.
• Master Song asked whether Jiang Xiaobai had developed the methods himself, and Jiang Xiaobai claimed he had worked them out in his spare time.
• Master Song praised Jiang Xiaobai as a genius and offered to recommend him to the Ministry of Revenue, but Jiang Xiaobai refused and revealed that Jiang Jingcheng was his father.
• Lin Qinrou knocked and told Master Song that it was time for his lesson, and Jiang Xiaobai recognized her voice.

Jiang Xiaobai asked Master Song to conceal his revolutionary Numerical Arts methods until the next morning’s court, then admitted he had broken Master Song’s Numerical Disc. Master Song left without reprimanding him, leaving Lin Qinrou bewildered by his unusual reaction.

• Jiang Xiaobai asked Master Song to keep his Numerical Arts methods secret, hinting that their significance would become clear at morning court.
• Master Song agreed to keep the methods under wraps and invited Lin Qinrou to stay with Jiang Xiaobai and Li Zhiwei while he taught his lesson.
• Lin Qinrou entered and told Master Song that his Numerical Disc had been broken.
• Jiang Xiaobai admitted that he had accidentally broken the Numerical Disc.
• Master Song accepted Jiang Xiaobai’s admission without questioning or scolding him, and Lin Qinrou was astonished by his reaction.

Li Zhiwei told Lin Qinrou that she and Jiang Xiaobai were pretending to be together, but Jiang Xiaobai revealed they were already betrothed. The pair asked Lin Qinrou to explain the imperial audience etiquette before Jiang Xiaobai met His Majesty, and he shocked her by claiming he had placed first as Top Graduate—then admitted he had bought it.

• Li Zhiwei told Lin Qinrou that she and Jiang Xiaobai were only putting on an act, easing Lin Qinrou’s concern about Li Zhiwei’s feelings.
• Jiang Xiaobai revealed that he and Li Zhiwei were already betrothed, leaving Lin Qinrou stunned.
• Li Zhiwei asked Lin Qinrou to explain the circumstances and etiquette of her audience with His Majesty so Jiang Xiaobai could prepare for his own audience the next day.
• Jiang Xiaobai told Lin Qinrou that he had made the list as Top Graduate, astonishing her.
• Jiang Xiaobai admitted that he had bought his place as Top Graduate.