Recaps

Jiang Xiaobai forced his way into the Minister's Residence to investigate the Ministry of Rites, while Minister Chen Zhanqiu and Young Master Zhao plotted to discredit him by claiming Lin Qinrou wrote his essays. Jiang Xiaobai headed toward Pavilion Lake, where the conspirators expected their scheme to ruin his reputation and end his appointment as Imperial Inspector.

• Jiang Xiaobai challenged the residence guards to draw their sabers, then kicked open the gates and entered with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang.
• The lead guard explained that the guards had let Jiang Xiaobai pass because he was the son of the Marquis Who Guards the North and carried an Imperial Silver Tally.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked a maid where Minister Chen Zhanqiu was and followed her gesture toward Pavilion Lake.
• At Pavilion Lake, Chen Zhanqiu met with Zhou Chaomian and Young Master Zhao, who claimed Lin Qinrou had written “On the Teacher” and “On the Horse.”
• Young Master Zhao and Chen Zhanqiu planned to expose Jiang Xiaobai as a plagiarist so Lin Qinrou would publicly denounce him and his reputation and Imperial Inspector appointment would be destroyed.

Jiang Xiaobai confronted Chen Zhanqiu over An Zhiyuan’s poisoning and challenged Zhao Sheng, his newly revealed senior fellow disciple, about his ties to Chen. Zhao Sheng disclosed that he served as an adviser to the Elder Princess.

• Chen Zhanqiu laughed with Zhao Sheng about the scandal they hoped would ruin Jiang Xiaobai, until a servant announced Jiang’s arrival.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Chen whether he had poisoned An Zhiyuan and forced him to turn himself in, and Chen denied it while accusing Jiang of buying his Top Graduate title.
• Jiang Xiaobai learned that Zhao Sheng was also Elder Lin’s disciple and mocked him for chatting with Chen amid the Ministry of Rites scandal.
• Zhao Sheng calmly invited Jiang to investigate him and said he served as an adviser to the Elder Princess.

Jiang Xiaobai used the Silver Tally to compel Chen Zhanqiu to let him inspect the Minister's Residence, despite Zhao Sheng's warning. While walking through the grounds, Jiang Xiaobai found a locked, deserted courtyard, and the servant tried to stop him from approaching it.

• Jiang Xiaobai challenged Zhao Sheng over his ties to the Elder Princess and mocked the tea at Chen Zhanqiu's residence.
• Chen Zhanqiu refused Jiang Xiaobai's request to inspect the residence until Jiang Xiaobai produced the Silver Tally, which represented the Emperor's authority.
• Zhao Sheng warned Jiang Xiaobai to stop stirring up trouble and said he would not call him Junior Brother again; Jiang Xiaobai replied that he would no longer call Zhao Sheng Senior Brother.
• Jiang Xiaobai toured the Minister's Residence with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang and learned that Steward Qian had been away on business for several days.
• Jiang Xiaobai approached a locked courtyard that the servant called abandoned, but the servant blocked him and insisted he could not go there.

Jiang Xiaobai entered the courtyard where Chen Zhanqiu’s supposedly mad son was confined and fought off Chen Jian when he rushed at him. After they introduced themselves, Chen Jian became eager to learn about Jiang Xiaobai’s martial arts.

• Jiang Xiaobai had Zhang Xinnian cut the chain on the courtyard gate and entered with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang.
• Chen Jian burst from his room and grabbed Jiang Xiaobai by the neck after Jiang Xiaobai shot him in the arm.
• Jiang Xiaobai stopped Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang from attacking, and Chen Jian released him after asking about the technique that wounded him.
• Jiang Xiaobai introduced himself and claimed to have studied numerous extraordinary martial arts.
• Chen Jian praised Jiang Xiaobai’s attainments and asked him for guidance.

Jiang Xiaobai befriended Chen Jian by promising to discuss supreme martial arts with him and persuaded him to leave his quarters and exercise. Chen Zhanqiu arrived too late to stop his son, who rejected his father and walked away, leaving Chen Zhanqiu furious at Jiang Xiaobai.

• Jiang Xiaobai invited Chen Jian to visit the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate to discuss martial arts, and Chen Jian declared him his closest friend.
• Jiang Xiaobai advised Chen Jian to leave his quarters and walk around, then departed with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang.
• A servant reported to Chen Zhanqiu that Jiang Xiaobai had entered Chen Jian's quarters after Zhang Xinnian cut through the lock.
• Chen Zhanqiu reached the courtyard and found Chen Jian walking out, but Chen Jian praised Jiang Xiaobai and dismissed his father's concerns.
• Chen Jian called his father a worldly hindrance and walked away, while Chen Zhanqiu vowed revenge against Jiang Xiaobai.

After Chen Zhanqiu and Zhao Sheng plotted to ruin Jiang Xiaobai’s reputation, Jiang explained that he had befriended Chen Jian to keep the powerful martial artist from becoming a threat. The carriage then turned toward the Chancellor’s Residence so Jiang could visit Miss Li.

• Zhao Sheng told Chen Zhanqiu that the Elder Princess planned to invite Jiang Xiaobai to a literary gathering, and Chen agreed to spread damaging rumors about him.
• On the ride back, Jiang Xiaobai told Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang that he had won Chen Jian over because he feared Chen Jian might be sent to kill him.
• Jiang explained that Chen Jian’s martial arts obsession made him easier to approach by offering guidance rather than trying to control him.
• Jiang Xiaobai told Zhang Xinnian to stop at the Chancellor’s Residence so he could visit Miss Li.

Jiang Xiaobai arrived at the Chancellor's Residence with Tang Ningshuang and confronted Lu Feng, an arrogant eunuch delivering a decree from the Elder Princess. After Jiang Xiaobai struck Lu Feng and challenged his behavior, Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei arrived, and Jiang Xiaobai urged the eunuch to deliver the decree.

• Jiang Xiaobai and Tang Ningshuang arrived at the Chancellor's Residence, where Lu Feng barged in with two guards to deliver the Elder Princess's decree.
• When a guard tried to shove Jiang Xiaobai, Jiang Xiaobai ordered Zhang Xinnian to act, and Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang quickly knocked both guards down.
• Lu Feng identified himself as a personal attendant of the Elder Princess, but Jiang Xiaobai slapped him and demanded that he behave politely at the Chancellor's Residence.
• Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei arrived, and Li Zhiwei reacted shyly when Jiang Xiaobai teased her about missing him.
• Jiang Xiaobai turned to Lu Feng and told him to deliver the decree now that everyone had gathered.

Lu Feng delivered the Elder Princess’s invitation for Jiang Xiaobai to attend the Orchid Pavilion’s reopening, where an unknown person had matched his four couplets and left a new opening line. Li Bingzhang explained the Azure Robe Society’s influence and the Orchid Pavilion’s role, leaving Jiang Xiaobai wondering whether the mysterious poet belonged to the Society.

• Lu Feng announced that the Elder Princess would reopen the Orchid Pavilion Tower in seven days and invited Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei to attend.
• Lu Feng told Jiang Xiaobai that someone had matched all four of his Clear Pavilion couplets and left a new opening line, then invited him to the gathering.
• After Lu Feng left, Jiang Xiaobai asked Li Bingzhang about the Orchid Pavilion Tower and learned that only a Brush Holder of the Azure Robe Society could reopen it.
• Li Bingzhang explained that the Azure Robe Society assessed Senior Scholars, sent Brush Holders to judge literary disputes, and held authority among scholars despite remaining outside the Imperial Court.
• Li Bingzhang recounted the Society’s role in founding Great Hua, and Jiang Xiaobai wondered whether the person who answered his couplets belonged to it.

Jiang Xiaobai visited Li Zhiwei’s courtyard and drew her portrait with charcoal. Pleased with the result, Li Zhiwei rewarded him with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

• Li Bingzhang told Jiang Xiaobai that Li Zhiwei had once turned down an invitation to join the Azure Robe Society, and Jiang Xiaobai remained undecided about visiting the Orchid Pavilion.
• Li Bingzhang left Jiang Xiaobai and Li Zhiwei alone, and Li Zhiwei invited Jiang Xiaobai to her courtyard.
• Li Zhiwei hurriedly hid the drawings on her table when Jiang Xiaobai spotted them, and he offered to draw her portrait with charcoal.
• Jiang Xiaobai spent nearly an hour sketching Li Zhiwei, capturing her pose and shy expression.
• Li Zhiwei called the portrait beautiful and kissed Jiang Xiaobai’s cheek through her veil as his reward.

Jiang Xiaobai teased Li Zhiwei, who kissed him and accepted his offer to teach her drawing before he tricked her into sketching a pig's head. On their return to the Marquis's Residence, Tang Ningshuang said the Emperor had ordered her to protect Jiang Xiaobai and announced she would stay at his place that night.

• Li Zhiwei kissed Jiang Xiaobai, leaving Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang stunned by her affection for him.
• Jiang Xiaobai offered to teach Li Zhiwei to draw, then guided her hand to make a pig's-head sketch and ran off laughing.
• Li Zhiwei scolded Jiang Xiaobai, then smiled as she kept the pig drawing with his portrait.
• Tang Ningshuang told Jiang Xiaobai that the Emperor had ordered her to stay close and protect him.
• Tang Ningshuang followed Jiang Xiaobai into the Marquis's Residence and said she would stay at his place that night.

Tang Ningshuang moved into Jiang Xiaobai’s quarters to protect him while he investigated the Ministry of Rites case. The next morning, Jiang Xiaobai received an invitation from the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop’s Young Workshop Master and decided to visit.

• Tang Ningshuang agreed to stay in Jiang Xiaobai’s quarters under the imperial decree and asked him to resolve the Ministry of Rites case quickly.
• Jiang Jingcheng welcomed Tang Ningshuang at dinner, and servants set up a bed for her in Jiang Xiaobai’s outer room.
• Jiang Xiaobai wondered whether Zhao Sheng and Ministry of Justice director Zhao Bintian were related and whether their connection pointed to a deeper plot.
• Jiang Xiaobai secretly read the Dragon-Phoenix Harmonizing Qi Art, then lay awake thinking about Li Zhiwei’s kiss.
• Zhang Xinnian delivered an invitation from the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop’s Young Workshop Master, and Jiang Xiaobai prepared to visit.

Jiang Xiaobai visited the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop, where Chang Ying learned that his numerical calculation methods went far beyond what she had seen. He was welcomed to the tenth floor and met the Young Workshop Master.

• Jiang Xiaobai arrived at the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang, drawing attention from the crowd.
• Chang Ying greeted Jiang Xiaobai with new reverence after Master Song confirmed that Jiang Xiaobai had taught him the Numerical Calculation Method.
• Jiang Xiaobai offered to teach Chang Ying and revealed that he knew calculation techniques far more advanced than the ones she had seen.
• Chang Ying led Jiang Xiaobai, Zhang Xinnian, and Tang Ningshuang to the quiet tenth floor of the workshop.
• The Young Workshop Master opened the door and courteously invited Jiang Xiaobai inside.

Jiang Xiaobai negotiated with Mo Li over the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop, offering advanced Numerical Calculation Methods in exchange for half ownership. He demonstrated the value of his knowledge by introducing the Triangulation Method, leaving Mo Li to consider the offer.

• Jiang Xiaobai learned that the handsome young man was Mo Li, the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop's Young Workshop Master, and joined him for a meal.
• Mo Li said the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop wanted Jiang Xiaobai's Numerical Calculation Method and asked him to name his terms.
• Jiang Xiaobai offered the basic method for free but demanded half ownership of the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop in exchange for his advanced methods.
• Mo Li questioned Jiang Xiaobai's demand, so Jiang Xiaobai asked how the workshop would measure a tower's height when its shadow crossed water.
• Jiang Xiaobai drew a diagram and explained that the Triangulation Method could calculate the tower's height from a wooden pole, a reflection, and an angle.

Jiang Xiaobai demonstrated how his Numerical Calculation Method could improve the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop’s designs and negotiated a partnership. The Workshop agreed to make him its joint master.

• Jiang Xiaobai challenged Mo Li and Chang Ying with gear calculations, then explained that his methods could help craftsmen predict designs instead of relying on trial and error.
• Jiang Xiaobai offered to share his methods in exchange for half the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop and warned that he could build a rival workshop and recruit its craftsmen.
• Mo Li left to consult the senior stewards and the Workshop Master while Jiang Xiaobai waited with Zhang Xinnian.
• Mo Li returned about an hour later and confirmed that the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop had agreed to the partnership.
• Mo Li named Jiang Xiaobai a joint master of the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop.

Jiang Xiaobai signed a contract to become Co-Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop and began teaching Mo Li the Triangulation Method. Mo Li saw how it could improve the workshop’s measurements and mechanisms, then asked in surprise whether Jiang Xiaobai had more to teach.

• Mo Li presented Jiang Xiaobai with a contract making him Co-Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop, granting him half its earnings while preserving the workshop’s internal control and restricting use of his methods.
• Jiang Xiaobai and Mo Li signed the contract, and Mo Li stamped it with the Seal of the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop.
• Jiang Xiaobai celebrated the agreement with Mo Li over Green Bamboo Brew, and Mo Li blushed after drinking a cup.
• Jiang Xiaobai explained how the Triangulation Method could calculate heights and distances, and Mo Li quickly connected it to measuring sites and planning city-defense ballista platforms.
• Mo Li praised the method’s potential for the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop, and Jiang Xiaobai hinted he could teach something even more interesting, prompting Mo Li to ask, “There’s more?”

Jiang Xiaobai impressed Mo Li with the reach of the Numerical Calculation Method, and the two celebrated their new partnership over wine. Mo Li got drunk and gave Jiang Xiaobai his Soft Armor, while Jiang Xiaobai left promising to send over the method.

• Jiang Xiaobai explained that the Numerical Calculation Method could calculate curves, forces, and where falling objects would land, making Mo Li realize how valuable his knowledge was.
• Jiang Xiaobai noticed Mo Li's pleasant scent, and the two drank together while discussing calculations, mechanisms, and crafted objects.
• The conversation turned to the Mystic Scale Armor, and Mo Li offered Jiang Xiaobai his own Soft Armor as a temporary substitute.
• Chang Ying took Mo Li into the inner room, then returned with the armor and told Jiang Xiaobai that Mo Li had fallen asleep.
• Jiang Xiaobai accepted the Soft Armor, promised to send the Numerical Calculation Method, and left with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang.
• After Jiang Xiaobai left, Mo Li briefly woke and confirmed he did not regret giving away the armor before falling asleep again.

After drinking too much at the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop, Jiang Xiaobai traveled to the Chancellor’s Residence and woke the next morning to find Li Zhiwei asleep beside his bed. When he gently lifted her, he felt her body stiffen and realized she might be awake.

• Jiang Xiaobai grew dizzy from the Green Bamboo Brew, while Tang Ningshuang wondered whether he had noticed that Mo Li was disguised as a man.
• Jiang Xiaobai told Zhang Xinnian to take the carriage to the Chancellor’s Residence so he could ask Li Bingzhang about Zhao Sheng and Zhao Bintian.
• Jiang Xiaobai passed out during the journey and later woke in a bed at the Chancellor’s Residence with Li Zhiwei keeping watch beside him.
• Jiang Xiaobai realized Li Zhiwei had apparently watched over him all night and gently lifted her into his arms.
• Jiang Xiaobai felt Li Zhiwei stiffen and wondered whether she was awake.

Jiang Xiaobai thanked Li Zhiwei for caring for him, kissed her forehead, and went to meet Tang Ningshuang and Zhang Xinnian. Zhang Xinnian revealed that Jiang Xiaobai had clung to Tang Ningshuang while drunk, leaving Jiang Xiaobai to wonder whether his dream about the carriage had been real.

• Jiang Xiaobai noticed Li Zhiwei was pretending to sleep, covered her with a quilt, and resisted lifting her veil.
• Jiang Xiaobai thanked Li Zhiwei for caring for him, kissed her forehead, and left to see his Father-in-Law.
• Li Zhiwei opened her eyes after Jiang Xiaobai left and felt embarrassed but pleased by his kiss and thanks.
• Jiang Xiaobai found Tang Ningshuang waiting in the courtyard and worried that his dream about the carriage might have been real.
• Zhang Xinnian arrived and told Jiang Xiaobai that he had kept burrowing into Tang Ningshuang's arms while drunk.

Jiang Xiaobai tried to smooth over Tang Ningshuang’s anger after Zhang Xinnian revealed he had told others about Jiang’s drunken behavior, then met Imperial College Chancellor Fan Xinghe. Fan reacted coldly to Jiang’s name and abruptly left, leaving Jiang and Li Bingzhang confused.

• Zhang Xinnian told Tang Ningshuang that Jiang Xiaobai had burrowed into her arms while drunk, and Jiang apologized while trying to quiet him.
• Tang Ningshuang declared the matter over, but Zhang revealed he had told Li Bingzhang, the madam, Elder Liu, Uncle Wang, and others, prompting her to chase Jiang with her sword drawn.
• Jiang fled toward the front courtyard, where he found Li Bingzhang arriving with Fan Xinghe, the Imperial College Chancellor.
• Jiang introduced himself as being from the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate, and Fan Xinghe recognized his name, reacted with a cold snort, and left abruptly.

Fan Xinghe condemned Jiang Xiaobai as unworthy of Li Zhiwei and urged Li Bingzhang to cancel their engagement. When Li Bingzhang asked who the Orchid Pavilion Tower’s assessment targeted, Fan Xinghe revealed that it was for Jiang Xiaobai.

• Fan Xinghe criticized Jiang Xiaobai for his idle reputation, his purchased Top Graduate title, and the couplet challenges he claimed Jiang could not have written.
• Fan Xinghe told Li Bingzhang that he was harming Li Zhiwei by letting her marry Jiang Xiaobai, then agreed to discuss matters in the inner hall.
• Fan Xinghe urged Li Bingzhang to cancel the engagement, while Jiang Xiaobai stayed quiet rather than challenge the senior scholar.
• Li Bingzhang asked Fan Xinghe who the Brush Holder’s assessment at Orchid Pavilion Tower was for.
• Fan Xinghe said the assessment was for Jiang Xiaobai.

Fan Xinghe accused Jiang Xiaobai of falsely claiming authorship of two famous essays, prompting Jiang Xiaobai to confirm the accusation. The chapter ended with Jiang Xiaobai admitting the essays were his.

• Fan Xinghe told Li Bingzhang that the Orchid Pavilion Tower assessment was aimed at Jiang Xiaobai because he had claimed authorship of On the Teacher and On the Horse.
• Li Bingzhang questioned where the rumor had come from, and Fan Xinghe said it was spreading at the Imperial College and the Clear Pavilion.
• Jiang Xiaobai suspected Zhao Sheng had deliberately spread the rumor, while Zhang Xinnian struggled not to laugh at Fan Xinghe's accusation.
• Fan Xinghe insulted Jiang Xiaobai, Zhang Xinnian, and Tang Ningshuang, and Jiang Xiaobai said he had something to explain.
• Jiang Xiaobai admitted that the accusation was true.

Jiang Xiaobai confirmed that he wrote “On the Teacher” and “On the Horse,” then decided to publicize the claim and turn his enemies’ scheme against them. He suspected Zhao Sheng had helped spread the rumor, though he and Li Bingzhang could not determine whether the Elder Princess was involved.

• Fan Xinghe warned Li Bingzhang about Jiang Xiaobai and stormed out, while Jiang Xiaobai stayed behind rather than pursue him.
• Jiang Xiaobai admitted to Li Bingzhang that he wrote “On the Horse” and ordered Zhang Xinnian to spread the news that he wrote both essays.
• Jiang Xiaobai said he would make his opponent’s attempt to target him into a larger public game.
• Jiang Xiaobai suspected Zhao Sheng after recalling that he had seen him talking with Chen Zhanqiu at the Minister’s Residence.
• Li Bingzhang explained Zhao Sheng’s ties to Elder Lin and the Elder Princess, and Jiang Xiaobai asked whether Zhao Sheng was connected to Zhao Bintian.

Jiang Xiaobai asked Li Bingzhang to investigate whether Zhao Sheng and Zhao Bintian were connected, while Li Bingzhang warned him and Li Zhiwei to prepare for the Orchid Pavilion Literary Gathering. Jiang Xiaobai left wearing the Soft Armor, and Mo discovered it was missing.

• Jiang Xiaobai asked Li Bingzhang to find out whether Zhao Sheng and Zhao Bintian were connected, and Li Bingzhang agreed to investigate.
• Li Bingzhang told Jiang Xiaobai to prepare for the Orchid Pavilion Literary Gathering, which might not be peaceful.
• Li Zhiwei arrived after Jiang Xiaobai had left, blushed when Li Bingzhang teased her about him, and agreed to watch carefully at the gathering.
• Jiang Xiaobai put on the Soft Armor in the carriage, while Tang Ningshuang warned that its owner might demand it back.
• Mo shrieked from the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop after discovering his Soft Armor was missing.

After discovering he had drunkenly given his Soft Armor to Jiang Xiaobai, Mo Li considered how to get it back. Meanwhile, rumors praising Jiang Xiaobai spread throughout the Capital City, alarming Chen Zhanqiu, though Zhao Sheng believed the false claims would eventually collapse.

• Mo Li learned from Chang Ying that he had given his Soft Armor to Jiang Xiaobai while drunk and planned to seek its return after the Mystic Scale Armor was finished.
• Jiang Xiaobai stayed at the Marquis's Residence while rumors about his essays spread from scholars to people across the Capital City.
• Chen Zhanqiu worried that the rumors he had arranged to spread were reaching the whole city too quickly.
• Zhao Sheng suggested that the Jiang Family or another enemy of the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate might be amplifying the rumors.
• Zhao Sheng told Chen Zhanqiu that the claims would remain false no matter how widely people believed them.

Chen Zhanqiu and Zhao Sheng decided to intensify rumors crediting Jiang Xiaobai with two essays, expecting the Orchid Pavilion Tower reopening to expose him. Jiang Xiaobai continued sending numerical methods to the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop and planned to attend the event, leaving Tang Ningshuang asking whether he truly had a world-shaking essay.

• Zhao Sheng assured Chen Zhanqiu that the Orchid Pavilion Tower assessment would expose Jiang Xiaobai even if Lin Qinrou credited him with the essays.
• Chen Zhanqiu decided to spread the rumors about Jiang Xiaobai throughout the Capital City, and Zhao Sheng welcomed the plan.
• Jiang Xiaobai spent two days at the Marquis's Residence writing numerical calculation methods and sending them to the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop through Zhang Xinnian.
• Zhang Xinnian told Jiang Xiaobai that rumors praising his talent and promising another essay were spreading across the streets, then warned him that the praise might be a trap.
• Jiang Xiaobai said he would attend the Orchid Pavilion Tower event, and Tang Ningshuang asked whether he really had a world-shaking essay.