Chapter Summaries

Elder Lin Fengshuo arrived at the Lin Estate and praised Jiang Xiaobai, then asked Li Zhiwei to present four poems and lyrics that he considered equal to the celebrated works of the age. The courtyard’s attention turned to Jiang Xiaobai when he suddenly coughed.

• Lin Fengshuo arrived with Li Zhiwei and Xiao Qingxiu, and his praise of Jiang Xiaobai silenced the students and elders.
• Li Zhiwei and Jiang Xiaobai exchanged awkward glances, while Xiao Qingxiu looked at Jiang Xiaobai with apparent disdain.
• Zhang Xinnian warned Jiang Xiaobai that Xiao Qingxiu seemed hostile, and Jiang Xiaobai wondered whether the prince’s attitude involved Li Zhiwei or another grievance.
• Lin Fengshuo took the seat of honor and asked Li Zhiwei to show everyone four poems and lyrics he had admired the night before.
• Jiang Xiaobai suddenly coughed, drawing everyone’s gaze toward him.

Jiang Xiaobai and Zhang Xinnian struggled to hide their laughter as the scholars praised four poems that Jiang Xiaobai had written. After an angry student confronted them, Li Zhiwei revealed that Jiang Xiaobai was the poet.

• Li Zhiwei displayed the four poems and invited everyone to appraise them before revealing their author.
• Jiang Xiaobai and Zhang Xinnian laughed as the scholars admired the poems and praised their unknown poet.
• Gu Zhiyan guessed that Li Zhiwei had written the poems, but she denied it.
• A student angrily rebuked Jiang Xiaobai and Zhang Xinnian for laughing and mocked Jiang Xiaobai's ability to write poetry.
• Li Zhiwei revealed that Jiang Xiaobai had written all four poems.

After Li Zhiwei revealed that Jiang Xiaobai had written the four poems, the young prince Xiao Qingxiu suggested testing him on the spot. Jiang Xiaobai turned the challenge into a chance for Lin Fengshuo to set a topic, and Lin Fengshuo accepted with a warning not to regret it.

• Li Zhiwei said Jiang Xiaobai had written the four poems, astonishing the gathering and earning Gu Zhiyan's admiration.
• A young scholar rejected Li Zhiwei's claim, and Xiao Qingxiu proposed that Jiang Xiaobai prove his talent by composing a poem on the spot.
• Jiang Xiaobai challenged the fairness of the demand, then said he would write if Lin Fengshuo personally set the topic.
• Lin Fengshuo showed interest in Jiang Xiaobai and agreed to set the topic, warning him not to regret it.

Jiang Xiaobai impressed Lin Fengshuo by writing a poem on the topic of “doors,” and Lin declared that he had passed the test. Jiang Xiaobai moved to pay his respects as Lin’s student, but an unseen speaker interrupted him.

• Lin Fengshuo gave Jiang Xiaobai the topic of “doors” and warned that a poor poem would make his visit pointless.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Li Zhiwei to grind ink, and she complied despite the crowd’s surprise.
• Jiang Xiaobai wrote a poem linking the Lin Estate’s gate to the barriers facing talented young people, earning praise from Gu Zhiyan and the other elders.
• Lin Fengshuo admired the poem and declared that Jiang Xiaobai had passed his test.
• Jiang Xiaobai prepared to pay his respects to Lin Fengshuo as his teacher, but an even voice told him to wait.

At the Lin Estate, Xiao Qingxiu challenged whether Jiang Xiaobai deserved to become Lin Fengshuo’s disciple based on one poem, and Jiang countered by provoking him into a contest. Lin Fengshuo asserted his right to choose his own disciples and left Jiang with one final question about what door he truly wished to enter.

• Xiao Qingxiu argued that Jiang Xiaobai’s poetic talent alone did not prove he was worthy of becoming Lin Fengshuo’s disciple.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Xiao Qingxiu what made someone worthy, then mocked his imperial jade pendant and challenged him to compete.
• Jiang Xiaobai wagered that if he lost, he would abandon his bid to become Lin Fengshuo’s disciple, while Xiao Qingxiu would have to defend Jiang’s learning whenever it was insulted if Xiao lost.
• Lin Fengshuo stopped the confrontation and declared that only he could decide whether to accept a disciple.
• Lin Fengshuo told Jiang Xiaobai that his poem was good but becoming his disciple was an ambitious wish, then asked whether Jiang wanted to enter Lin’s door or the door to all the world.

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.