Chapter Summaries

Jiang Jingcheng asked Jiang Xiaobai to help fund the Northern Frontier Army and doubted his plan to start a business. The chapter ended with Jiang Jingcheng secretly enjoying the romantic lines Jiang Xiaobai wrote while pretending to inspect his calligraphy.

• Jiang Jingcheng teased Jiang Xiaobai for romantic advice, then asked him to arrange funds through the Heavenly Mechanism Tower for the cash-strapped Northern Frontier Army.
• Jiang Xiaobai agreed to seek funding and proposed trying to start a business, but Jiang Jingcheng doubted he could succeed.
• Jiang Xiaobai began writing calligraphy at Jiang Jingcheng's request, while Jiang Jingcheng insisted he wanted no lovey-dovey content.
• Jiang Xiaobai returned briefly, remembered the Hidden Edge Token, and left without discussing it after seeing Jiang Jingcheng eager to read his writing.
• Jiang Jingcheng read the sheet after Jiang Xiaobai left and praised the romantic lines aloud.

Jiang Xiaobai sought a way to fund the Northern Frontier Army and decided to develop a stronger liquor using modern distillation methods. After the Heavenly Mechanism Tower delivered equipment and eight million taels, Jiang Xiaobai sent the money to his father and realized he owed Mo Li a great debt of gratitude.

• Jiang Xiaobai asked Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang what people liked to buy, and their answers about food, swords, and wine gave him the idea to make liquor for profit.
• Jiang Xiaobai wrote instructions and drawings for the Heavenly Mechanism Tower, then asked Tang Ningshuang to buy samples of every kind of wine sold in the Capital City.
• Jiang Xiaobai tasted the wines and judged them ordinary as Heavenly Mechanism Tower artisans arrived with the materials and components he had requested.
• Zhang Xinnian told Jiang Xiaobai that Mo Li had arranged for the Heavenly Mechanism Tower to provide eight million taels, and Jiang Xiaobai sent the money to his father.
• Jiang Xiaobai thought of Mo Li and recognized that he owed him an enormous debt of gratitude.

Jiang Jingcheng received eight million taels from the Heavenly Mechanism Tower through Zhang Xinnian, easing the Northern Frontier army’s money troubles. Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaobai prepared to make wine for sale and proposed forcing people to buy it, promising they would thank him.

• Jiang Jingcheng flirted with Shen Yun until Zhang Xinnian arrived with a bundle from the Heir Apparent.
• Jiang Jingcheng learned the bundle held eight million taels from the Heavenly Mechanism Tower and realized it could ease the army’s financial strain.
• Zhang Xinnian returned to Jiang Xiaobai’s courtyard and found him directing the Heavenly Mechanism Tower’s workers as they set up equipment for making wine.
• Jiang Xiaobai said he planned to sell his wine, then proposed using troops to force people to buy it.
• Zhang Xinnian warned that forced sales could anger the people and the Imperial Court, but Jiang Xiaobai insisted they would thank him.

Jiang Xiaobai began brewing liquor with modern techniques, and its first batch impressed Tang Ningshuang and Zhang Xinnian with its flavor and strength. He named it Top Graduate Liquor, then returned to his room to write Journey to the West and decided to publish several more classic novels as well.

• Jiang Xiaobai explained that forced sales would help launch his liquor before customers learned to seek it out themselves.
• Jiang Xiaobai began distilling liquor at the Marquis's Residence, and its aroma soon drew the attention of Tang Ningshuang and Zhang Xinnian.
• Tang Ningshuang and Zhang Xinnian tasted the liquor and praised its quality, while Jiang Xiaobai said he would sell it at the price of ordinary liquor.
• Jiang Xiaobai named the liquor Top Graduate Liquor, and Zhang Xinnian volunteered to supervise the brewing so he could keep drinking it.
• Jiang Xiaobai returned to his room to write Journey to the West and decided to write Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, and Dream of the Red Chamber too.

Jiang Xiaobai finished writing four novels, and Tang Ningshuang eagerly asked him to continue Romance of the Three Kingdoms. After scaling up liquor production, he prepared to forcefully sell the liquor across Capital City and took his manuscripts to the Azure Robe Society.

• Tang Ningshuang read Jiang Xiaobai's stories and asked him to write more of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but he postponed until the next day because he was tired.
• Jiang Xiaobai found Zhang Xinnian drunk from drinking his liquor and ordered him to have the Heavenly Mechanism Tower make more production equipment.
• Jiang Jingcheng learned that Jiang Xiaobai was entering the liquor trade and doubted he could succeed, while Shen Yun suggested he might prove them wrong.
• Over the following days, Jiang Xiaobai and the Marquis's Residence's servants produced liquor in large quantities, and he spent much of his time writing.
• After more than 420 jars of liquor were ready, Jiang Xiaobai ordered Zhang Xinnian to bring soldiers and distribute it to restaurants, even if they had to force people to buy.
• Jiang Xiaobai gathered his manuscripts and set out with Tang Ningshuang for the Azure Robe Society, while she eagerly looked forward to reading more of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Li Zhiwei struggled to hide how much she missed Jiang Xiaobai, then accompanied him and Tang Ningshuang to the Azure Robe Society’s estate in the Imperial Garden. When they arrived, Jiang Xiaobai spotted the Azure Robe Drunken House nearby and worried that Zhang Xinnian might be there forcing people to buy wine.

• Li Zhiwei blushed over a painting that reminded her of Jiang Xiaobai, while Qingyi teased her about missing him.
• Jiang Xiaobai arrived with Tang Ningshuang and asked Li Zhiwei to guide him to the Azure Robe Society’s estate.
• Li Zhiwei explained that the estate stood inside the Imperial Garden, which the imperial family maintained, and that the Fourth Worthy Prince chaired the Capital City society.
• The group reached the Imperial Garden and saw Imperial Guards posted at its gates, which Li Zhiwei said indicated an imperial family member was visiting.
• Jiang Xiaobai noticed the nearby Azure Robe Drunken House and wondered whether Zhang Xinnian had gone there to force people to buy wine.

Jiang Xiaobai, Tang Ningshuang, and Li Zhiwei entered the Imperial Garden to visit the Azure Robe Society while the emperor was present. After Lu Chenshan escorted them past the guards, Tang Ningshuang hinted that he had ties to the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate.

• Jiang Xiaobai and his companions approached the Imperial Garden, where guards initially told Tang Ningshuang to surrender her sword.
• Lu Chenshan recognized Jiang Xiaobai and Tang Ningshuang, explained their official positions, and persuaded the guards to let them pass.
• Jiang Xiaobai learned that the emperor was visiting the garden and that security was unusually tight.
• Lu Chenshan escorted Jiang Xiaobai, Tang Ningshuang, and Li Zhiwei into the garden, then returned to his post.
• Tang Ningshuang told Jiang Xiaobai that Lu Chenshan had ties to the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate.

Jiang Xiaobai learned more about Lu Chenshan and Qin Zhaoye from Tang Ningshuang before a eunuch told him that His Majesty had summoned him. Jiang Xiaobai followed the eunuch to a pavilion where members of the Azure Robe Society had gathered, and he heard Xiao Jinxuan praising him from inside.

• Tang Ningshuang told Jiang Xiaobai that Lu Chenshan’s father had served in the Northern Guardian Army and that Lu Chenshan had entered the Military Examination on his own.
• Tang Ningshuang explained Qin Zhaoye’s past with the Cloud-Swallowing Manor and said she suspected he was hiding something, while Jiang Xiaobai vowed to kill him if he got the chance.
• Jiang Xiaobai noticed the heavily guarded pavilion but continued toward the Azure Robe Society to avoid meeting the emperor.
• A young eunuch caught up with Jiang Xiaobai and told him that His Majesty wanted to see him, then added that Azure Robe Society members were at the pavilion.
• Jiang Xiaobai followed the eunuch to the pavilion, where Xiao Jinxuan’s laughter came from inside as he said Jiang Xiaobai could do it.

Jiang Xiaobai attended an audience with Xiao Jinxuan alongside Tang Ningshuang and Li Zhiwei, where he met the Fourth Prince, Xiao Jinfeng, and saw the Little Princess, Xiao Zijing. Xiao Jinxuan challenged Jiang Xiaobai to persuade a secluded musical master on an island to perform, promising a generous reward.

• Jiang Xiaobai, Tang Ningshuang, and Li Zhiwei entered the lakeside pavilion and paid their respects to Xiao Jinxuan and the assembled officials.
• Xiao Jinxuan praised Jiang Xiaobai's poems and essay, while Li Bingzhang recalled Jiang Xiaobai's familiar claim that he had merely given his words a little flourish.
• Jiang Xiaobai met Xiao Jinfeng, the Fourth Prince, and noticed Xiao Zijing and Crown Prince Xiao Qingheng among the guests.
• Xiao Jinxuan pointed out a secluded master in a pavilion on an island and asked Jiang Xiaobai to persuade the master to perform a piece in exchange for a handsome reward.

Jiang Xiaobai was ordered by Xiao Jinxuan to persuade the veiled figure in the lake pavilion to perform, despite having no idea how to reach them. He secured Xiao Jinxuan’s promise that Chen Zhanqiu would serve him tea if he succeeded, then refused to proceed when Chen demanded a consequence for failure.

• Xiao Jinxuan told Jiang Xiaobai that everyone, including the emperor, had failed to persuade the person in the pavilion to perform.
• Chen Zhanqiu mocked Jiang Xiaobai, who asked Xiao Jinxuan to have Chen beheaded if he succeeded.
• Xiao Jinxuan rejected the beheading request but agreed that Chen would serve Jiang Xiaobai tea if Jiang succeeded.
• Chen Zhanqiu asked what would happen if Jiang failed, and Jiang demanded that Xiao Jinxuan rescind the decree rather than accept new stakes.

Jiang Xiaobai decided to compose a piece to win the attention of the person in the lakeside pavilion, after learning the basics of musical notation from Li Zhiwei. He took up a brush but paused to choose which song to write.

• Chen Zhanqiu grew furious at Jiang Xiaobai, but Xiao Jinxuan ordered him to follow Jiang Xiaobai's plan.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Li Zhiwei how musical scores were written and learned the basics of notation.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Xiao Jinxuan for permission to write a piece and have it delivered to the pavilion.
• Xiao Jinxuan warned Jiang Xiaobai that the pavilion's master had rejected Chen Zhanqiu's costly piece, while Chen Zhanqiu noted that the master had already performed Jiang Xiaobai's song from Orchid Pavilion Tower.
• Jiang Xiaobai sat down with brush and paper, then deliberated over which piece to compose.

Jiang Xiaobai wrote a composition for the master at Lakeheart Isle and wagered that the master would play it, trading barbs with Chen Zhanqiu as they waited. The master finally struck a note from the pavilion, leaving everyone shocked by the sound’s reach and apparent power.

• Jiang Xiaobai finished writing his composition and sent it to the master at Lakeheart Isle through Xiao Jinxuan and a Shadowguard Bureau expert.
• Jiang Xiaobai challenged Chen Zhanqiu to jump from Terrace Tower if the master played the piece, but Chen Zhanqiu refused to accept the wager.
• The group waited as no sound came from the pavilion, and Chen Zhanqiu mocked Jiang Xiaobai’s composition.
• Jiang Xiaobai declared that anyone unmoved by his piece did not count as a master in his eyes.
• The master played a clear zither note from the pavilion, and Tang Ningshuang marveled at the person’s terrifying internal energy.

Jiang Xiaobai’s composition, “Daughter’s Love,” moved the guests at Terrace Tower and earned their praise. The performance ended with the pavilion’s musician still concealed behind gauze, while Jiang Xiaobai basked in the acclaim.

• A musician in the lakeside pavilion performed Jiang Xiaobai’s piece, captivating everyone at Terrace Tower with its tender melody.
• Li Zhiwei blushed as she remembered Jiang Xiaobai had written the music, while Tang Ningshuang and Xiao Zijing watched him with admiration.
• Chen Zhanqiu grew more irritated as the guests praised Jiang Xiaobai and remembered he would soon have to serve him tea.
• After the music ended, Li Bingzhang asked Jiang Xiaobai for the piece’s name, and Jiang Xiaobai called it “Daughter’s Love.”
• Li Bingzhang, Xiao Jinfeng, and Xiao Jinxuan praised the composition, and Jiang Xiaobai modestly accepted their compliments.

Jiang Xiaobai presented lyrics for Daughter's Love after the pavilion's mysterious musician played the piece again, and Xiao Jinxuan sent them over to ask her to sing. The lady agreed to consider singing if Jiang Xiaobai composed another piece.

• Chen Zhanqiu reluctantly poured tea for Jiang Xiaobai after Xiao Jinxuan ordered him to honor their agreement.
• Xiao Jinxuan rewarded Jiang Xiaobai with a thousand taels of silver, while the pavilion's musician played Daughter's Love again.
• Jiang Xiaobai explained the song's connection to Tang Sanzang and the Daughter Kingdom, then wrote lyrics for the melody.
• Chen Zhanqiu suggested Jiang Xiaobai sing, but Jiang Xiaobai proposed asking the pavilion's musician instead.
• Xiao Jinxuan sent the lyrics to the pavilion, and the lady there said she might sing if Jiang Xiaobai composed another piece.

Jiang Xiaobai wrote a second song for the master in the pavilion, and Xiao Jinxuan eagerly sent it to her. The master agreed to sing “Daughter’s Love,” but said Jiang Xiaobai would have to sing the new song himself, leaving him stunned.

• Xiao Jinxuan asked Jiang Xiaobai to write a song for the master in the pavilion, and Jiang Xiaobai quickly finished one.
• Chen Zhanqiu wagered that the master would refuse to sing, while Jiang Xiaobai bet that Chen Zhanqiu would pour his tea if she agreed.
• The Shadowguard Bureau expert returned and reported that the master would sing “Daughter’s Love,” prompting Chen Zhanqiu to insult Jiang Xiaobai’s new song.
• The expert added that the master wanted Jiang Xiaobai to sing the next song himself, and Jiang Xiaobai reacted with disbelief.

Jiang Xiaobai sang “Daughter's Love” and “A Laugh over the Boundless Sea” while the mysterious master in the Lakeside Pavilion accompanied him on the zither. After his second song ended, the master spoke and asked its name.

• Xiao Jinxuan ordered Jiang Xiaobai to sing, and the master in the Lakeside Pavilion accompanied “Daughter's Love” with a beautiful voice.
• The Terrace Tower's guests were captivated by the song, and Xiao Jinxuan praised Jiang Xiaobai's melody and lyrics.
• Xiao Jinfeng reminded Jiang Xiaobai to sing his second song, and the master began playing a bold, free-spirited tune.
• Jiang Xiaobai sang “A Laugh over the Boundless Sea,” impressing the listeners as his voice harmonized with the master's zither.
• After the song ended, the master in the Lakeside Pavilion asked Jiang Xiaobai what the song was called.

Jiang Xiaobai was ordered to cross the lake and answer the master in the pavilion, while Xiao Jinxuan's hostility made the trip tense. After Tang Ningshuang brought him safely to Lakeheart Isle, Jiang Xiaobai refused to speak from outside, then tried to leave when the master invited him in, leaving the master calling him back.

• Xiao Jinxuan threatened Jiang Xiaobai and ordered him to go tell the master the songs' names in person.
• Jiang Xiaobai accepted the order, and Tang Ningshuang volunteered to take him across the lake.
• Tang Ningshuang carried Jiang Xiaobai over the water and scolded him for being heavy when they reached Lakeheart Isle.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked to enter the pavilion, but the master told him to speak from outside, so he immediately asked Tang Ningshuang to take him back.
• The master changed her mind and invited Jiang Xiaobai inside, but he declared it was too late and urged Tang Ningshuang to return with him.

Jiang Xiaobai defied Xiao Jinxuan’s order to stop investigating the Ministry of Rites, while Zhang Xinnian followed Jiang’s supposed instructions by wrecking the Imperial Family’s tavern. The emperor summoned the men responsible and demanded to know whether the destruction was a misunderstanding.

• Jiang Xiaobai returned to the Terrace Tower with Tang Ningshuang after leaving the pavilion without speaking to its sect master.
• Xiao Jinxuan told Jiang Xiaobai to halt the Ministry of Rites investigation because An Zhiyuan had killed himself, but Jiang insisted that Chen Zhanqiu was the real culprit and the case should continue.
• An Imperial Guard reported that men from the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate were smashing up the tavern outside the Imperial Garden, and Xiao Jinxuan ordered them to come before him with Jiang present.
• Zhang Xinnian directed his men to wreck the Azure Robe Drunken House, believing Jiang Xiaobai had meant for him to target the Imperial Family's tavern as a warning to other businesses.

Zhang Xinnian was summoned before Xiao Jinxuan after leading soldiers to smash an imperial tavern, and Jiang Xiaobai called for his beheading while warning the emperor against punishing the Marquis’s Estate. Xiao Jinfeng intervened and proposed tasting the wine Zhang had brought before deciding whether to let the matter go.

• Zhang Xinnian brought soldiers from the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate into the Imperial Garden after learning Jiang Xiaobai was there.
• Xiao Jinxuan questioned Zhang Xinnian about smashing the tavern, and Zhang claimed he had acted out of anger after offering the tavern wine brewed by Jiang Xiaobai.
• Xiao Jinxuan asked Jiang Xiaobai how Zhang should be punished, and Jiang Xiaobai demanded that Zhang be dragged out and beheaded.
• Jiang Xiaobai warned that executing Zhang could draw the Marquis's Estate and the Northern Frontier into the dispute, while Xiao Jinxuan stared him down.
• Xiao Jinfeng said the tavern was his and proposed tasting Zhang's wine, settling the matter if it was good and demanding an explanation from Zhang and Jiang Xiaobai if it was not.

Xiao Jinfeng tasted Jiang Xiaobai’s wine and helped defuse the confrontation with Zhang Xinnian, but Jiang Xiaobai insisted on investigating the Ministry of Rites. After Xiao Jinfeng invited him to speak about the Azure Robe Society, a maid demanded the name of Jiang Xiaobai’s tune and he left after mocking her.

• Xiao Jinfeng tasted Jiang Xiaobai’s wine, praised its strength, and persuaded Xiao Jinxuan to let the dispute with Zhang Xinnian rest with a warning.
• Jiang Xiaobai told Xiao Jinxuan that he still intended to investigate the Ministry of Rites, and Xiao Jinxuan ordered him to investigate thoroughly.
• Xiao Zijing introduced herself to Jiang Xiaobai as a princess and invited him to visit before Xiao Qingheng led her away.
• After Xiao Jinxuan and most of the guests departed, Xiao Jinfeng asked Jiang Xiaobai whether he had come to report to the Azure Robe Society, then invited him to talk elsewhere.
• A maid rushed in from the Lakeside Pavilion and demanded the name of Jiang Xiaobai’s last tune, but he mocked her and left.