Chapter Summaries

Jiang Xiaobai brought Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess to the Spring Moon Tower, claiming he wanted to drink and listen to music despite the women’s suspicions about his past visits. Xie Yuniang recognized him as a regular and offered him a new girl’s company, but Jiang Xiaobai insisted he was only waiting for people and headed upstairs.

• Jiang Xiaobai led Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess to the Spring Moon Tower, which they realized was a house of pleasure.
• Several women greeted Jiang Xiaobai as a returning patron, but he claimed it was his first visit and continued inside.
• Jiang Xiaobai heard a woman singing his Prelude to Water Melody in the Spring Moon Tower’s grand hall.
• Xie Yuniang recognized Jiang Xiaobai and offered to arrange company with a new girl, but he said he had come to drink, listen to music, and wait for people.
• Xie Yuniang noticed Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess, pretended she had mistaken Jiang Xiaobai for someone else, and called for wine at his usual spot upstairs.

Jiang Xiaobai waited at Spring Moon Tower, planning to use the two foreign delegations’ visit to damage their reputation and keep them under public scrutiny. When he spotted Zhou Chaomian arriving alone, he sent Peach Red to learn what she could from him.

• Jiang Xiaobai explained to Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess that he had chosen Spring Moon Tower to draw the foreign delegations there and make their actions a public spectacle.
• Jiang Xiaobai said the delegations would struggle to move around Capital City without him escorting them, while Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess recognized his plan’s leverage.
• Peach Red approached Jiang Xiaobai and offered to keep him company, but he declined and told her he already had someone to attend to him.
• Jiang Xiaobai spotted Zhou Chaomian sitting alone downstairs and asked Peach Red to drink with him, listen for useful information, and report back for a reward.

Jiang Xiaobai and Tang Ningshuang watched Zhou Chaomian meet Zeng Qingchi and a secretive man in black at Spring Moon Tower. After the man left, Peach Red reported that she had overheard references to a “Third Master” and forging, then recalled that she had heard something else.

• Jiang Xiaobai recognized Zeng Qingchi from the Poetry Gathering, and Tang Ningshuang identified him as the grandson of a Hanlin Academy reader-in-waiting.
• A black-clad man who had been with the Envoy Delegations entered Spring Moon Tower and spoke privately with Zhou Chaomian and Zeng Qingchi.
• Tang Ningshuang offered to investigate the man, but Jiang Xiaobai refused so they would not alert him.
• Peach Red told Jiang Xiaobai that the men had mentioned a Third Master and forging, but neither Jiang Xiaobai nor Tang Ningshuang could identify the Third Master.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Peach Red to think harder, and she suddenly remembered hearing one more thing.

Jiang Xiaobai tried to make sense of Peach Red’s overheard words and teased Tang Ningshuang about their wager. Meanwhile, Helian Zhaoyue’s delegation was repeatedly stopped by officials, and she learned Jiang Xiaobai was waiting at Spring Moon Tower, a pleasure quarter.

• Peach Red told Jiang Xiaobai she had vaguely heard someone say it was time to change masters, but she could not be sure.
• Jiang Xiaobai had Tang Ningshuang give Peach Red silver, then tried to raise the stakes of their wager by asking Tang to speak sweetly to him if he won.
• Helian Zhaoyue complained to Ding Fangtong that officials had detained and questioned her delegation despite his vouching for them.
• Helian Zhaoyue sent servants to find Jiang Xiaobai, and one returned with news that he was at Spring Moon Tower.
• Ding Fangtong explained that Spring Moon Tower was a pleasure quarter, and Helian Zhaoyue angrily resolved to go find Jiang Xiaobai there.

Jiang Xiaobai arranged to clear out Spring Moon Tower and used the arrival of the Northern Yu and Qi envoy delegations to make it seem as though they had paid for the booking. He left the departing guests with a pointed request not to spread rumors.

• Helian Zhaoyue, Ding Fangtong, and the others arrived at Spring Moon Tower, and Teng Zixiu went inside to find Jiang Xiaobai.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Xie Yuniang to clear the tower for ten thousand taels, promising the payment would be made at the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate.
• Xie Yuniang told the guests to leave, prompting them to grumble about whoever had booked the whole place.
• Jiang Xiaobai came downstairs and loudly suggested that the two nations' envoy delegations had paid for the booking, while Teng Zixiu denied it.
• Jiang Xiaobai told the departing guests that the delegations had not booked Spring Moon Tower and asked them not to spread rumors.

Jiang Xiaobai retaliated against the Northern Yu and Qi delegations by having the Spring Moon Tower’s women publicly usher them inside, ruining their reputations. Helian Zhaoyue tried to attack him, but the women restrained her while Jiang Xiaobai watched from upstairs.

• Jiang Xiaobai denied responsibility to Teng Zixiu, then ordered the Spring Moon Tower’s women to invite the envoys inside.
• The women went outside and pulled Helian Zhaoyue, Ding Fangtong, and the members of both delegations into the Spring Moon Tower.
• Teng Zixiu realized the delegations’ reputations were ruined as Jiang Xiaobai laughed at his revenge.
• Helian Zhaoyue broke away and charged at Jiang Xiaobai, but he fled upstairs with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess.
• The women surrounded Helian Zhaoyue, seated her with liquor and snacks, and left her furious as Jiang Xiaobai watched from the second floor.

Jiang Xiaobai had the Northern Yu and Qi delegations plied with wine while watching for concealed experts among them. When the drunken Helian Zhaoyue confronted him, she began to reveal who the Third Master was before passing out in his arms.

• Women at Spring Moon Tower pressured Helian Zhaoyue and members of both delegations to drink.
• Tang Ningshuang worried that Jiang Xiaobai’s treatment of the delegations might bring complaints to the emperor, but he said the delegations had booked the entire tower.
• Jiang Xiaobai noticed three inconspicuous people among the delegations whose clear eyes and steady breathing suggested they were experts.
• Jiang Xiaobai watched Teng Zixiu continue drinking without passing out.
• Helian Zhaoyue staggered upstairs and lunged at Jiang Xiaobai, who stopped her and asked who the Third Master was and why the delegations had come to Great Hua.
• Helian Zhaoyue began to say the Third Master was Jiang Xiaobai’s something, then fainted before finishing.

Jiang Xiaobai left the two countries' drunken envoy delegations at Spring Moon Tower and returned to the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate. When he asked Jiang Jingcheng about the Third Master, his father denied knowing the name, but Jiang Xiaobai suspected he was hiding something.

• Jiang Xiaobai entrusted Xie Yuniang with the envoy delegations and told her to collect the ten thousand taels from them when they woke.
• Jiang Xiaobai returned to the Marquis's Residence with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess, where Zhang Xinnian gave him the Silver Tally and reported that Jiang Jingcheng was still out.
• After Jiang Jingcheng returned, Jiang Xiaobai went to the Main Hall and asked him about the Third Master.
• Jiang Jingcheng denied knowing the Third Master and suggested the envoys might have used the name to mislead Jiang Xiaobai.
• Jiang Xiaobai recalled his father's fleeting reaction and concluded that Jiang Jingcheng knew the Third Master well but had chosen not to tell him.

Jiang Xiaobai sent Zhang Xinnian to discreetly investigate the mysterious Third Master, whom Jiang Jingcheng seemed to know from long ago. The next morning, Jiang Xiaobai made the envoys from Northern Yu and Qi wait while he ate, then enraged Helian Zhaoyue by teasing her about spending the night at Spring Moon Tower.

• Jiang Xiaobai asked Zhang Xinnian to question trusted old Northern Guardian Army soldiers about the Third Master without drawing attention.
• Jiang Xiaobai suspected the envoys from Northern Yu and Qi planned to use the Third Master to stir up trouble in Great Hua.
• The envoys arrived at the Marquis's Residence, but Jiang Xiaobai finished breakfast before going out to meet them with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess.
• Helian Zhaoyue accused Jiang Xiaobai of tricking her delegation into spending ten thousand taels at Spring Moon Tower, but Elder Dong stopped her from attacking him.
• Jiang Xiaobai mocked Helian Zhaoyue and offered to take the delegation back to Spring Moon Tower, prompting her to demand that Elder Dong let her hack him to death.

Jiang Xiaobai agreed to accompany Helian Zhaoyue and her delegation, then provoked her during their carriage ride until she proposed a lecture contest at the Imperial College. He agreed to a 10,000-tael stake, then asked if they could simply not compete.

• The old man apologized to Jiang Xiaobai and persuaded him to accompany the delegation, so Jiang Xiaobai joined them in their carriage with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess.
• Helian Zhaoyue chose the Imperial College as their destination, while Jiang Xiaobai repeatedly suggested other places until she nearly drew her saber over his mention of Spring Moon Tower.
• Jiang Xiaobai agreed to go to the Imperial College after the old man stopped Helian Zhaoyue from attacking him.
• Helian Zhaoyue proposed that Great Hua, Northern Yu, and Qi compete to see whose lecture attracted more students.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked for a 10,000-tael stake, and Helian Zhaoyue accepted before he asked whether they could skip the contest.

Jiang Xiaobai brought the Qi and Northern Yu Envoy Delegations to the Imperial College for a debate while probing Helian Zhaoyue about a suspicious missing envoy. There he reunited with Li Zhiwei, and Helian Zhaoyue tried to provoke her by revealing Jiang Xiaobai had visited Spring Moon Tower, but Li Zhiwei calmly offered him silver.

• Jiang Xiaobai decided to take part in the debate himself and led the Envoy Delegations into the Imperial College.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Helian Zhaoyue about Lord Ding and a black-clad man, but she denied that the man was with her delegation.
• Jiang Xiaobai spotted Lin Qinrou and Li Zhiwei, and Lin Qinrou said Li Zhiwei had waited at the Imperial College since the previous day.
• Jiang Xiaobai held Li Zhiwei's hand and promised to spend time with her after the delegations left.
• Helian Zhaoyue mentioned Jiang Xiaobai's visit to Spring Moon Tower, and Li Zhiwei asked whether he had enough silver and offered to give him some.

Jiang Xiaobai traded barbs with Helian Zhaoyue before she proposed a lecture contest between Northern Yu, Qi, and Great Hua at the Imperial College. Helian Zhaoyue took the stage herself and announced her topics, ending with a pointed declaration about her admiration for Jiang Xiaobai.

• Jiang Xiaobai teased Helian Zhaoyue about the envoy delegations' lavish visit to Spring Moon Tower, then chatted with Li Zhiwei.
• Helian Zhaoyue reflected on Jiang Xiaobai's reputation and his literary talent as Fan Xinghe arrived to greet the envoys.
• Helian Zhaoyue proposed a lecture contest, and Fan Xinghe arranged for the students to vote after both sides had spoken.
• Jiang Xiaobai let Northern Yu go first, and Helian Zhaoyue personally stepped forward to lecture.
• Helian Zhaoyue announced the topics “What makes a foe, what earns respect!” and “On how deeply I, Helian Zhaoyue, admire the Jiang Family's Young Heir Apparent.”

Helian Zhaoyue praised Jiang Xiaobai during her lecture, leaving him suspicious that she was trying to sow discord between the Jiang Family and Northern Yu. After a Qi envoy lectured, Jiang Xiaobai took the stage and announced his provocative lecture topics.

• Helian Zhaoyue argued that enemies could serve as mirrors and praised the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate as a worthy adversary.
• Helian Zhaoyue praised Jiang Xiaobai's talents and his Border Market plan, then hinted that her visit was a bond ordained by fate.
• Jiang Xiaobai suspected Helian Zhaoyue was trying to make Xiao Jinxuan believe the Jiang Family had ties to Northern Yu.
• An elderly envoy from Qi lectured on using trade to end war while Jiang Xiaobai remained distracted by Helian Zhaoyue's motives.
• Li Zhiwei reminded Jiang Xiaobai that it was his turn, and he announced lectures on how women should act around handsome men and how men should protect themselves when out and about.

Jiang Xiaobai teased the women around him by presenting a mock lesson on how to restrain themselves around handsome men, then delivered a more serious admonition about keeping desire in check. He ended by warning the men at the Imperial College to guard their chastity, lamenting how exhausting it was to protect his own.

• Jiang Xiaobai cited Li Zhiwei's public confession as an example of a woman staring too much, embarrassing her in front of the Imperial College students.
• He mocked Helian Zhaoyue for admitting she admired him and suggested she would have to wait years in line for his favor.
• Jiang Xiaobai praised the Elder Princess's bamboo hat and Tang Ningshuang's long stay beside him, prompting both women to glare at him in anger.
• He urged the students to keep desire within bounds, saying true restraint meant having a ruler in the heart and measure in one's actions.
• Jiang Xiaobai warned the men to carry daggers, avoid walking alone at night, refuse drinks from women, and guard their chastity, then complained that protecting his own was exhausting.

Jiang Xiaobai won the Imperial College debate with a speech about affection and restraint, then teased Li Zhiwei before warning her that the visiting envoys might have ulterior motives. As the delegations departed for the Imperial Garden, Helian Zhaoyue revealed they planned to visit a musical master there.

• Jiang Xiaobai praised his own looks during his speech, then urged people to show affection without crossing boundaries, earning applause and the debate's top vote.
• Li Zhiwei, Tang Ningshuang, and the Elder Princess confronted Jiang Xiaobai over using them as examples, and the Elder Princess stamped on his foot twice.
• Jiang Xiaobai walked with Li Zhiwei, who warned him to be careful because the envoys might have come for more than the border market; they teased each other about who was in love.
• After the delegations finished touring the Imperial College, Jiang Xiaobai joined them and asked Helian Zhaoyue where they would go next.
• Helian Zhaoyue proposed visiting the Imperial Garden to see a master known for playing little tunes.

Jiang Xiaobai accompanied Helian Zhaoyue and the envoy delegations to the Imperial Garden, where she asked him to compose music for the reclusive qin master. He refused until Helian Zhaoyue hinted she had news about his two elder brothers, leaving him to reconsider.

• Helian Zhaoyue delayed paying Jiang Xiaobai the ten thousand taels, saying she would pay when he looked upon her with favor.
• Jiang Xiaobai and the envoy delegations arrived at the Imperial Garden, where Xiao Jinfeng welcomed them and led them inside.
• Helian Zhaoyue learned that the Azure Robe Society stood within the Imperial Garden and asked about the qin master in the Lake Pavilion.
• Xiao Jinfeng explained that the qin master had last played after Jiang Xiaobai wrote two pieces.
• Jiang Xiaobai refused Helian Zhaoyue's request to write music, but she offered news about his two elder brothers, making him sit up and reconsider.

Jiang Xiaobai challenged Helian Zhaoyue to reveal what she knew about his missing brothers by writing a tune that would move her to tears. The white-dressed Sect Master prepared to play his new piece on a hu fiddle, but admitted she did not like that sort of tune.

• Helian Zhaoyue hinted that Jiang Xiaobai’s eldest and second brothers might still be alive, but demanded he write a piece for the master on Lakeheart Isle before she would explain.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked the master to perform, and she played “High Mountains and Flowing Water” on the zither.
• Helian Zhaoyue rejected the performance as not meeting her condition and promised another piece of information if Jiang Xiaobai could write a tune that made her cry.
• Jiang Xiaobai quickly wrote “Thinking of You, Lost in Sorrow” and sent the score to the woman in the Lakeside Pavilion.
• The white-dressed Sect Master judged that the piece did not suit the zither, called for her hu fiddle, and said she did not like that sort of tune.

Jiang Xiaobai’s sorrowful composition moved the Lake Pavilion sect master and the guests at Terrace Tower, prompting Helian Zhaoyue to reveal that Jiang Yunce and Jiang Linquan might have survived their fall from Snow Cliff. The sect master invited Jiang Xiaobai to Lakeheart Isle, where he wrote a request she agreed to fulfill, though he left feeling that something about her was off.

• The woman in white played Jiang Xiaobai’s composition on the Hu String, and Jiang Xiaobai recited lines that deepened its sorrow for everyone listening.
• Teng Zixiu cried, while Helian Zhaoyue admitted that Jiang Yunce and Jiang Linquan had jumped from Snow Cliff and that their bodies were never found.
• Helian Zhaoyue withheld further information, then the Lake Pavilion maid invited Jiang Xiaobai to meet the sect master.
• Jiang Xiaobai traveled to Lakeheart Isle with Tang Ningshuang and wrote down a request for the woman in white.
• The woman in white agreed to Jiang Xiaobai’s request as repayment for his piece, and he left the pavilion wondering about her.

After the Imperial Garden visit, Jiang Xiaobai accompanied Helian Zhaoyue toward the Court of Diplomatic Relations, while the Elder Princess confronted her senior sister about the cliff incident three years earlier. The chapter ended with Jiang Xiaobai agreeing to follow Helian Zhaoyue, suspicious of what she had prepared for him.

• Helian Zhaoyue left the Terrace Tower with the delegations, while the Elder Princess stayed behind and spoke with a white-dressed woman she called Senior Sister.
• The Elder Princess accused her senior sister of being behind the incident three years earlier and admitted she had saved the two survivors, but refused to reveal where they were.
• Jiang Xiaobai rejoined the delegations, and Xiao Jinfeng guided them around the Imperial Garden and the Azure Robe Society's courtyard until evening.
• At the garden entrance, Helian Zhaoyue thanked Xiao Jinfeng and departed with Jiang Xiaobai in her carriage.
• Jiang Xiaobai joked that Helian Zhaoyue was luring him into her bedroom, then agreed to go with her to the Court of Diplomatic Relations so he could learn what she had prepared.

Helian Zhaoyue revealed that Jiang Jingxuan had betrayed the Jiang Family and Northern Yu had used him to lure Jiang Jingcheng into a deadly trap. She incapacitated Jiang Xiaobai and Tang Ningshuang with Drunken Immortal Incense, but the Elder Princess moved to seize Jiang Xiaobai.

• Helian Zhaoyue told Jiang Xiaobai that Northern Yu had once trapped Jiang Jingcheng, who escaped only because his generals fought to protect him.
• Helian Zhaoyue named Jiang Jingxuan as the Jiang Family traitor who defected to Northern Yu, and said Jiang Jingcheng had concealed his betrayal by declaring him dead in battle.
• Jiang Xiaobai realized the black-clad man in the bamboo hat was his youngest uncle and understood that Helian Zhaoyue's mission involved a plot against his father.
• Helian Zhaoyue released Drunken Immortal Incense in the carriage, draining Jiang Xiaobai and Tang Ningshuang of their strength.
• The Elder Princess resisted the incense long enough to reach for Jiang Xiaobai and try to take him away.