Chapter Summaries

Jiang Xiaobai explained how he trapped Jiang Jingxuan into appearing to rebel, clearing the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate of false charges and raising it to a ducal estate. After arriving at Li Bingzhang's residence, he rewarded Zhang Mu and reunited with Li Zhiwei.

• Li Bingzhang praised Jiang Xiaobai's strategy, which forced Xiao Jinxuan to declare Jiang Jingxuan a rebel and cleared the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate's name.
• Li Bingzhang told Jiang Jingcheng that Tang Kui had taken his wife to the Tang Residence for safety, and they agreed to notify them after reaching the Chancellor's Residence.
• Jiang Xiaobai stopped at the entrance and summoned Zhang Mu, praising him for exposing Zhao Bintian and assigning him to serve at the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate.
• Jiang Xiaobai entered the Chancellor's Residence, where Li Zhiwei rushed into his arms, while Li Bingzhang and Jiang Jingcheng went to the Main Hall for tea.

Jiang Xiaobai reunited with Li Zhiwei and reassured her after the dangerous events surrounding Jiang Jingxuan’s rebellion. At the Chancellor’s Residence, they discussed his upcoming marriage and the investigation into Jiang Jingxuan, then met Jiang Jingcheng’s family, where Tang Ningshuang insisted she had slept soundly.

• Li Zhiwei clung to Jiang Xiaobai and asked him not to take such dangerous risks again, and he promised he would be careful.
• Li Bingzhang urged Jiang Xiaobai to arrange the Ministry of Rites so he and Li Zhiwei could marry soon, and Jiang Xiaobai said he would act after seeing off the two countries’ envoys.
• Jiang Xiaobai said Jiang Jingxuan likely had accomplices in Great Hua, and Li Bingzhang promised to petition the emperor to investigate him at Morning Court.
• Tang Kui, Shen Yun, and Tang Ningshuang arrived at the Chancellor’s Residence, and Shen Yun checked that Jiang Xiaobai was unharmed.
• Tang Kui said Tang Ningshuang had not slept all night, and Tang Ningshuang awkwardly insisted she had slept soundly.

After returning to the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate, Jiang Xiaobai was praised for his plan and Zhang Xinnian was commended for carrying it out. The Elder Princess returned to the courtyard disguised as a deaf-mute maid, and Jiang Xiaobai planned to meet her again at the Court of Diplomatic Relations the next morning.

• On the ride home, Jiang Jingcheng told Tang Kui what had happened at court, and Tang Kui celebrated Jiang Jingxuan's imprisonment and praised Jiang Xiaobai's plan.
• At the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate, Jiang Xiaobai and Tang Kui praised Zhang Xinnian for his role in bringing the troops to the palace.
• Tang Kui departed after teasing Tang Ningshuang, and Jiang Xiaobai and the others ate dinner at the estate.
• Zhang Xinnian told Jiang Xiaobai that the Elder Princess had returned, and Jiang Xiaobai found her waiting in the courtyard disguised as a deaf-mute maid.
• Jiang Xiaobai praised the Elder Princess without exposing her disguise and said he would meet Her Highness at the Court of Diplomatic Relations the next morning.

Jiang Xiaobai wrote a tune for the White-Dressed Woman, who played it for the Elder Princess and impressed everyone who heard it. The next morning, the Imperial Palace began renaming the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate the Duke of the State's Estate, and Jiang Xiaobai prepared to visit the Court of Diplomatic Relations.

• Jiang Xiaobai wrote Cloud Palace Swift Melody and left the score for the White-Dressed Woman.
• The White-Dressed Woman played the tune on her flute for the Elder Princess, while Tang Ningshuang and Jiang Xiaobai listened from their rooms.
• The White-Dressed Woman praised the tune and said a guqin or pipa could bring out different qualities in it, then departed after the Elder Princess teased her about smiling.
• Zhang Xinnian announced that the Imperial Palace had sent people to change the estate's plaque to the Duke of the State's Estate.
• Jiang Xiaobai told Zhang Xinnian to prepare a carriage so they could go to the Court of Diplomatic Relations.

Jiang Xiaobai visited Helian Zhaoyue at the Court of Diplomatic Relations to mock her for inadvertently helping the Jiang Family rise in status. He provoked her until she lunged at him, threatening to bite him to death.

• Jiang Xiaobai left the newly renamed Duke of the State's Estate with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess to visit Helian Zhaoyue.
• At the Court of Diplomatic Relations, Helian Zhaoyue learned that Jiang Xiaobai had arrived and tried to ignore him.
• Jiang Xiaobai laughed at Helian Zhaoyue and thanked her for helping the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate become the Duke of the State's Estate.
• Helian Zhaoyue told Jiang Xiaobai that he had won this time, but he continued teasing her.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked whether Helian Zhaoyue was still wearing her white embroidered undergarment, and she lunged at him, shouting that she would bite him to death.

Jiang Xiaobai confronted Helian Zhaoyue over the Desert Eagle she had taken, then tricked her into handing it back. He left with the gun while Helian Zhaoyue was left furious and vowing revenge.

• Helian Zhaoyue bit Jiang Xiaobai and insisted Northern Yu would not be defeated easily.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Helian Zhaoyue to return the Desert Eagle, but she denied having it.
• Jiang Xiaobai had Tang Ningshuang block Helian Zhaoyue and demanded a search, prompting Helian Zhaoyue to challenge him to search her himself.
• Jiang Xiaobai proposed a bet, promising Desert Eagle blueprints if he lost, and Helian Zhaoyue revealed the gun from her robes.
• Jiang Xiaobai snatched the Desert Eagle from Helian Zhaoyue and left with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess.
• Helian Zhaoyue shouted angrily after Jiang Xiaobai and threatened that he would pay.

Jiang Xiaobai left the Court of Diplomatic Relations pleased after outmaneuvering Helian Zhaoyue, who vowed to make him suffer before she left Great Hua. Outside, he spotted Xiao Qingxiu arriving with an unfamiliar young man, and Tang Ningshuang appeared to recognize the newcomer.

• Jiang Xiaobai left the Court of Diplomatic Relations with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess, satisfied that he had angered Helian Zhaoyue.
• Helian Zhaoyue cried in the lakeside pavilion as Teng Zixiu recalled how Jiang Xiaobai had repeatedly defeated their schemes in Great Hua.
• Helian Zhaoyue vowed to make Jiang Xiaobai suffer a loss before she left Great Hua.
• An elderly attendant told Helian Zhaoyue that her invited guests would arrive shortly and noticed her reddened eyes.
• Jiang Xiaobai saw Xiao Qingxiu arrive at the Court of Diplomatic Relations in a luxurious carriage with an unfamiliar young man.
• Tang Ningshuang reacted with surprise, and Jiang Xiaobai asked whether she knew the young man.

Jiang Xiaobai traded barbed remarks with Li Jingxing, the Elder Princess's fiancé, after Li mocked the deaths of Jiang Xiaobai's elder brothers. Li and Xiao Qingxiu entered the Court of Diplomatic Relations, and Jiang Xiaobai unexpectedly followed them back inside.

• Tang Ningshuang told Jiang Xiaobai that Li Jingxing was the Dingyuan Duke's son, a commander from the Li Family, and the Elder Princess's fiancé.
• Xiao Qingxiu and Li Jingxing confronted Jiang Xiaobai, and Li mocked the deaths of Jiang Yunce and Jiang Linquan.
• Jiang Xiaobai retorted by mocking Li's deceased mother and questioning why Li had left the Western Pass for Capital City.
• Li Jingxing's energy surged, but Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess stepped between him and Jiang Xiaobai before Li left with Xiao Qingxiu.
• After Li taunted Jiang about the Jiang Family's new ducal title and entered the Court of Diplomatic Relations, Jiang Xiaobai changed his mind about going home and followed them inside.

Jiang Xiaobai followed Xiao Qingxiu and Li Jingxing into the Court of Diplomatic Relations and listened as Helian Zhaoyue asked Li Jingxing to trade her a Hidden Edge Token. The chapter ended before Li Jingxing answered.

• Jiang Xiaobai followed Xiao Qingxiu and Li Jingxing back into the Court of Diplomatic Relations, irritating both men.
• Teng Zixiu and Helian Zhaoyue reacted with annoyance when Jiang Xiaobai entered the hall and seated himself in the place of honor.
• Xiao Qingxiu invited Li Jingxing to discuss his business with Helian Zhaoyue before they talked about the Border Market.
• Helian Zhaoyue asked Li Jingxing whether he had returned to the capital for Hidden Edge Mountain, and he confirmed that he had.
• Helian Zhaoyue asked Li Jingxing to trade her one of Dingyuan Prefecture's Hidden Edge Tokens.

Helian Zhaoyue tried to obtain a Hidden Edge Token from Li Jingxing, who refused, while Jiang Xiaobai revealed that he had three and offered to trade one for information about Great Hua officials corresponding with Northern Yu. Xiao Qingxiu then proposed another possible source for a token: Great Hua’s Elder Princess.

• Helian Zhaoyue offered Li Jingxing goods and warhorses for a Hidden Edge Token, but he said the Li Family could not spare one.
• Xiao Qingxiu explained that Hidden Edge Tokens were rare and that having one was necessary to attempt the climb at Hidden Edge Mountain.
• Jiang Xiaobai revealed that he had three Hidden Edge Tokens and offered Helian Zhaoyue one in exchange for a list of Great Hua officials corresponding with Northern Yu.
• Helian Zhaoyue denied knowing what Jiang Xiaobai meant, and Xiao Qingxiu recommended the Elder Princess as someone who had a token and connections to the Hidden Edge Sect.

Helian Zhaoyue discussed the Elder Princess and the coming border market with Xiao Qingxiu, who promoted his firms’ scented balm and announced plans to sell liquor. Jiang Xiaobai recognized Xiao Qingxiu’s challenge and declared he would enter the scented balm business, leaving Xiao Qingxiu amused and confident he would fail.

• Helian Zhaoyue asked Xiao Qingxiu to introduce her to the Elder Princess, unaware that the veiled Elder Princess stood nearby.
• Xiao Qingxiu described his firms’ scented balm as unmatched and offered Northern Yu favorable prices when the border market opened.
• Xiao Qingxiu announced that his firms would soon sell liquor that he claimed would be stronger, tastier, and cheaper than Jiang Xiaobai’s.
• Jiang Xiaobai accused Xiao Qingxiu of targeting his liquor business, but Xiao Qingxiu called it ordinary competition.
• Jiang Xiaobai said he would enter the scented balm business, and Xiao Qingxiu laughed, believing the venture would cost him money and fail.

Jiang Xiaobai challenged Xiao Qingxiu over entering the scented balm trade after Xiao tried to dissuade him. Xiao left determined to punish Jiang Xiaobai through his liquor business if necessary, convinced Jiang was inexperienced.

• Jiang Xiaobai told Xiao Qingxiu that he intended to make perfume for the women of Great Hua, and Xiao dismissed his plan as ignorant of the scented balm trade.
• Xiao Qingxiu and Li Jingxing agreed with Helian Zhaoyue to visit the First-Rank Tower to examine Great Hua's goods for the Border Market.
• Jiang Xiaobai tried to get Helian Zhaoyue to see him out, but she walked back into the hall and Teng Zixiu followed her.
• Outside the Court of Diplomatic Relations, Xiao Qingxiu provoked Jiang Xiaobai again, and Jiang accepted the challenge to compete in business.
• In his carriage, Xiao Qingxiu told Li Jingxing he would target Jiang Xiaobai's liquor business if Jiang avoided scented balm, and boasted that Jiang was still wet behind the ears.

Jiang Xiaobai decided to challenge Xiao Qingxiu’s scented balm business by making perfume with flowers and liquor. After working through the afternoon, he emerged carrying a delicate osmanthus fragrance that surprised Tang Ningshuang, the Elder Princess, and Zhang Xinnian.

• Jiang Xiaobai asked Tang Ningshuang about scented balm, and she warned him that Xiao Qingxiu had monopolized fragrance ingredients in the Capital City.
• Jiang Xiaobai bought scented balm to examine and concluded that his perfume-making method could produce a lighter, more convenient fragrance.
• Jiang Xiaobai ordered Zhang Xinnian to gather flowers, sealed jars, filtering cloth, and small bottles, then shut himself in his room to work.
• Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess watched as Jiang Xiaobai spent the afternoon making perfume with flowers, liquor, and salt.
• Jiang Xiaobai emerged carrying a natural osmanthus scent, and Zhang Xinnian exclaimed that he smelled good.

Jiang Xiaobai learned that Jiang Jingxuan had been poisoned to death and rejected his father’s suggestion to honor him as a Jiang family member. A week later, Jiang Xiaobai produced fragrant flower extracts, just as an invitation arrived for him to attend the Elder Princess’s Hidden Edge Banquet.

• Jiang Xiaobai guessed that Jiang Jingxuan had died, and Jiang Jingcheng confirmed that he had been poisoned in custody.
• Jiang Xiaobai said Jiang Jingxuan no longer deserved a place in the Jiang family’s ancestral shrine, and Jiang Jingcheng accepted his decision.
• The Elder Princess ordered her attendant to arrange a Hidden Edge Banquet and invite the people on her list, along with anyone bearing a Hidden Edge Token.
• Jiang Xiaobai spent the following week experimenting with flowers while keeping people watching the Court of Diplomatic Relations.
• Jiang Xiaobai opened four jars of flower extracts and began filtering them after their scents filled the room.
• Zhang Xinnian arrived and told Jiang Xiaobai that the Elder Princess had invited him to a Hidden Edge Banquet at her outer residence.

Jiang Xiaobai prepared to attend the Elder Princess's Hidden Edge Banquet, gave Tang Ningshuang a bottle of perfume, and arrived at the outer residence with her and the Elder Princess. Two unusual elderly experts approached and asked whether he was Jiang Xiaobai.

• Zhang Xinnian told Jiang Xiaobai that the Hall of Martyrs was complete and that the Court of Diplomatic Relations remained quiet.
• Jiang Xiaobai sent Zhang Xinnian to the Heavenly Mechanism Tower to check on the cannon and investigate whether the liquor equipment design had leaked.
• Jiang Xiaobai finished making perfume, gave Tang Ningshuang jasmine perfume, and showed her how to apply it.
• Jiang Xiaobai took the Hidden Edge Token and his Desert Eagle, then rode with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess to the outer residence.
• Tang Ningshuang sensed experts as two strange elderly men approached, and the man in white asked Jiang Xiaobai if that was his name.

Jiang Xiaobai received two Hidden Edge Tokens from a pair of strange old men before entering the Elder Princess's residence for the Hidden Edge Banquet. After taking a seat of honor, he was challenged by a young man demanding an explanation.

• Two old men dressed in black and white recognized Jiang Xiaobai, insulted him, and each gave him a Hidden Edge Token.
• Jiang Xiaobai entered the Elder Princess's residence with Tang Ningshuang, while the Elder Princess slipped away.
• A maid led Jiang Xiaobai to a courtyard where Zhou Chaomian, Zhao Sheng, Gu Zhiyan, and the two old men were gathered.
• The maid seated Jiang Xiaobai near the seat of honor, prompting a young man to stand and demand an explanation for his place.

At the Hidden Edge Banquet, Jiang Xiaobai silenced a young man who challenged his place by invoking the military strength of the Duke of the State's Estate. He reunited with Chen Jian, who chose to sit beside him against Chen Zhanqiu's orders, then asked Jiang to confirm that he was right to follow his heart.

• A young man challenged Jiang Xiaobai's place at the banquet, and Jiang silenced him by citing the troops under the Duke of the State's Estate.
• Jiang Xiaobai observed the arriving guests and spotted Chen Zhanqiu entering with Chen Jian.
• Chen Jian hurried over to greet Jiang, who asked why he had never visited; Chen Jian admitted he had gotten lost and been too embarrassed to ask for directions.
• Chen Zhanqiu ordered Chen Jian to sit with him, but Chen Jian refused and took the seat beside Jiang Xiaobai.
• Chen Jian told Jiang that he was his closest friend and asked whether Jiang agreed that even his father could not keep him from following his heart.

Jiang Xiaobai watched Chen Jian demonstrate a powerful finger technique he had developed after seeing Jiang's fake One Yang Finger, then described several other martial arts to him. The Princess of Northern Yu arrived, and Jiang Xiaobai asked Tang Ningshuang to scratch his back with a Hidden Edge Token.

• Chen Jian defended Jiang Xiaobai from Chen Zhanqiu and revealed that he had studied Jiang's One Yang Finger.
• Chen Jian struck an old tree from a distance with his finger, blasting a hole through its trunk and astonishing the onlookers.
• Jiang Xiaobai praised Chen Jian's technique as merely passable, and Chen Jian asked him about the Star-Absorbing Great Technique, Heartbroken Palm, and Great Shift of Heaven and Earth.
• The Princess of Northern Yu arrived dressed in Great Hua clothing, and Jiang Xiaobai laid out five Hidden Edge Tokens and asked Tang Ningshuang to scratch his back.

Jiang Xiaobai flaunted his five Hidden Edge Tokens to Helian Zhaoyue while Tang Ningshuang scratched his back with them. Chen Jian took Chen Zhanqiu’s token and insisted Jiang Xiaobai keep it, leaving Chen Zhanqiu furious as his son defended the gift.

• Helian Zhaoyue and Teng Zixiu saw Jiang Xiaobai’s five Hidden Edge Tokens, and Jiang Xiaobai invited Helian Zhaoyue to admire their weight.
• Tang Ningshuang tried the tokens on Jiang Xiaobai’s back while Helian Zhaoyue grew angrier at his showboating.
• Chen Jian offered to fetch Chen Zhanqiu’s Hidden Edge Token for Jiang Xiaobai to try.
• Chen Jian took the token from Chen Zhanqiu and gave it to Jiang Xiaobai, who declared that it felt just right.
• Chen Zhanqiu demanded his token back, but Chen Jian insisted Jiang Xiaobai keep it and told his father not to spurn the kindness.

Jiang Xiaobai watched the Elder Princess’s gathering fill with powerful guests, including the Crown Prince and Shadowguard commander Jin Sheng. When the Elder Princess arrived, he recognized the veiled woman beside her as the Lake Pavilion Expert, leaving him wondering why she had come too.

• Jiang Xiaobai gave Chen Jian a Hidden Edge Token in return, and Chen Jian accepted it gratefully.
• The Crown Prince, the Little Princess, the Third Prince, Li Jingxing, and Shadowguard commander Jin Sheng arrived at the gathering.
• Jiang Xiaobai recognized Lin Che among the attendees, while Tang Ningshuang told him Jin Sheng had reached the eighth rank.
• More Wulin People arrived, and the courtyard fell silent when the Elder Princess entered.
• Jiang Xiaobai noticed the Lake Pavilion Expert walking beside the Elder Princess and wondered why she had come.