Chapter Summaries

Huo Qilang recounted Princess Baozhu’s condition to the ailing Li Yuanying, then met Princess Consort Cui and learned of the strained marriage between them. After Huo revealed her skill at disguises, Li Yuanying showed himself, leaving her stunned by his beauty.

• Huo Qilang told Madam Li and the others that Princess Baozhu was healthy, lively, and traveling with only a few companions.
• Princess Consort Cui brought Li Yuanying clothes she had sewn, refused his suggestion that she return to Chang'an, and asked him to bring Lady Jing back.
• Cui Lingrong glared at Huo Qilang and accused her of arriving just as Li Yuanying’s illness began to improve.
• Li Yuanying questioned Huo Qilang about her abilities, and she explained that she could disguise herself and would need time to imitate someone’s movements and voice.
• Madam Li and Li Chengyin realized Huo might be able to impersonate Li Yuanying, so Li Yuanying ordered the screen removed.
• Huo Qilang saw Li Yuanying’s face and, stunned, blurted out, "Fuck me."

Huo Qilang became Li Yuanying’s body double and stayed beside him as he lay gravely ill. She told him stories of his sister Baozhu’s journey and victories, and he finally fell asleep.

• Huo Qilang agreed to imitate Li Yuanying, gathered cosmetics, and painted a convincing version of his face.
• Li Yuanying asked Huo Qilang to remove the disguise, and Madam Li explained his insomnia, headaches, and dislike of comments about his appearance.
• Huo Qilang began keeping watch in Li Yuanying’s room and learned that he could not sleep and often coughed at night.
• Li Yuanying asked where his sister had reached, and Huo Qilang told him Baozhu was likely in Luoyang and recounted her exploits at the Battle of Jade City.
• Li Yuanying reflected on Huo Qilang’s words about rising after reaching rock bottom, then gradually fell asleep.

Huo Qilang settled into her role as Prince Shao’s overnight guard as Li Yuanying received an imperial provincial-posting allowance that stirred speculation about his standing and future. The chapter left Huo listening to the guards gossip about crows and Li Yuanying’s household before Yuan Shaobo silenced them.

• Huo Qilang guarded Li Yuanying, whose health stabilized enough for the residence to put away its funeral preparations.
• An imperial eunuch delivered silk and raw silk to Li Yuanying, along with news that Li Yuanyi had been made Prince Huai and Xue Wenyao had been made a duke.
• Li Yuanying sent silk to Liu Kun and Ruan Ziming, who visited with gifts and greater respect, and Liu Kun later presented him with a seal for the Regional Governor of Youzhou.
• Huo Qilang asked the guards why crows were allowed to remain in the residence, and Yuwen Rang suggested they might be an auspicious sign while Xu Lai warned that they held grudges.
• The guards gossiped about Cui Lingrong’s unhappiness and Li Yuanying’s favored woman, Lady Jing, until Yuan Shaobo burst in and threatened them with military staves.

Huo Qilang observed Li Yuanying’s failing health and discovered he was using Lü Qingguang’s medicine to investigate the medicinal scent in a pouch of soil, which was connected to an old internal bleeding injury. As Li Yuanying struggled to sleep and endure his confinement, he reflected on his enemies’ surveillance and the family love and hatred that kept him fighting.

• Huo Qilang watched Lü Qingguang repeatedly brew and discard medicines after Li Yuanying smelled them, while the physicians failed to improve his condition.
• Li Yuanying asked Huo Qilang to compare the medicine dregs with the soil in his treasured pouch, and she identified notoginseng and agrimony in both.
• Li Yuanying revealed that the pouch’s contents were not his medicine and hinted that his bleeding had been internal.
• Li Yuanying struggled to undo his jade belt, startled when Huo Qilang readied her saber to help, and managed to dismiss her before she entered.
• Li Yuanying and Huo Qilang discussed the crows guarding the residence, and Li Yuanying drew strength from thoughts of hatred and family love.

Huo Qilang continued serving as Prince Shao’s guard and learned that he and Princess Consort Cui had agreed to live separately. After a quiet night exposed his vulnerability, she made a bold move toward him, leaving their encounter poised to turn dangerous.

• Cailu and Cailian brought Prince Shao clothes from Lady Yu, while Madam Li asked after her and discussed hand cream.
• Princess Consort Cui visited Li Yuanying, but left after realizing that he and Lady Jing’s household still exchanged handmade clothes and gifts.
• Huo Qilang questioned Li Yuanying about his marriage, and he explained that he and Princess Consort Cui had agreed not to interfere in each other’s affairs.
• Huo Qilang told Li Yuanying that Baozhu had spoken of becoming a Daoist nun and keeping young lovers, prompting him to reflect on his sister after a year apart.
• After an incense burner toppled during the night, Huo Qilang brushed ash from Li Yuanying and, despite his rebuff, drew her saber and moved closer to him.

Huo Qilang stayed with the ill Prince Shao through the night, and Li Yuanying slept until noon. After learning that his younger sister, the Princess, had survived being buried alive, he ordered Yuan Shaobo to investigate the Setting Sun Courtyard.

• Huo Qilang restrained Li Yuanying and forced herself on him, then checked his pulse for two hours after he fell asleep.
• Madam Li found Prince Shao still sleeping in the morning, and Li Yuanying woke at noon and went about his routine without acknowledging what had happened.
• Yuan Shaobo told Li Yuanying that the Xianbei woman had left Chang'an and delivered him a palace message naming the Blood-Smeared Ghost.
• Li Yuanying learned that the Princess had survived but had been buried alive, and his hatred over her suffering resurfaced.
• Li Yuanying ordered Yuan Shaobo to find people from the Rivers and Lakes and investigate the Setting Sun Courtyard's reputation.

Huo Qilang captured a spy sent to Prince Shao’s residence and carried out a scheme to turn Liu Kun and Ruan Ziming against each other. After the others left, she helped the exhausted Li Yuanying find relief and fall toward sleep.

• Huo Qilang heard suspicious movement on the roof, protected Li Yuanying, and captured one of two intruders while the other escaped.
• Yuan Shaobo identified the captured spy as likely Hu, and Li Yuanying suspected Liu Kun had sent him to watch the residence.
• Huo Qilang proposed leaving the spy at the Military Commissioner's residence to make Ruan Ziming and Liu Kun suspect each other, then carried out the plan unnoticed.
• Li Yuanying decided not to search the residence for the other hidden traitor yet, and Huo Qilang returned after completing her mission.
• Huo Qilang offered to help Li Yuanying sleep, and he ordered her to wash her hands before she drew him into an intimate encounter.

After Prince Shao's health improved, he learned that Ruan Ziming had turned against Liu Kun, easing the pressure on his household while leaving him confined to Youzhou. Huo Qilang asked for leave rather than a military reward, and after the prince drove out the replacement night guard, she went back to attend him herself.

• Yuan Shaobo concealed the scout's visit, while Madam Li realized Li Yuanying's nightclothes had been torn and quietly prepared fresh clothes for him.
• Huo Qilang asked Steward Zhou where she could gamble, then ate the late-night meal Madam Li had prepared without understanding her hints.
• Ruan Ziming visited Li Yuanying, who told his confidants that Ruan and Liu Kun had fallen out and that he could act freely so long as he stayed in Youzhou.
• Huo Qilang learned that Li Yuanying was forbidden to leave Youzhou and declined a military commendation, asking instead for days off; Li Yuanying granted her ten-day leave.
• After Li Yuanying drove Huo Qilang from the hall, Huang Xiaoning took her night shift but was soon sent away, and Huo Qilang returned to attend the prince.

Prince Shao’s health continued to improve, and he decided to attend the banquet after Youzhou’s Military Tournament rather than risk sitting through the competition. On her day off, Huo Qilang went drinking and exploring with Yuwen Rang, whose covert duty was to keep watch on her, and she noticed a suspicious-looking merchant in the tavern.

• Li Yuanying’s condition improved enough for him to read, write, and briefly stand outside, while those around him credited the change to the Carp Letter and Huo Qilang’s arrival.
• Liu Kun invited Li Yuanying to the Military Tournament, but Li Yuanying declined to attend the competition and agreed to come to the banquet afterward; he also rejected Huo Qilang’s plan to impersonate him.
• Huo Qilang visited the Jade-Bridle Steed and reflected that it was Li Yuanying’s most treasured possession.
• Yuwen Rang joined Huo Qilang on her day off, explaining that her leave was tied to his and offering to pay their expenses with residence funds.
• Huo Qilang and Yuwen Rang walked through Youzhou, then went to a tavern where she ordered food and wine and drank freely.
• Huo Qilang noticed a familiar-looking merchant whose full beard was false, but she soon turned her attention to the Silla dancers.

Huo Qilang spent her day off gambling and drinking with Yuwen Rang, who was assigned to keep watch over her. After staying out all night at an underground gambling den, she returned to Prince Shao's Residence at dawn with her winnings and Yuwen Rang slung over her shoulder.

• Huo Qilang led Yuwen Rang from cockfighting to dog racing, drinking and betting as he struggled to keep up with her.
• Huo Qilang insisted they spend the night out and brought Yuwen Rang to an underground gambling den, where she renamed him Yu Liulang to keep his identity secret.
• Huo Qilang won several rounds of Five Woods, drank her opponents' wine, and mocked a gambler who insulted her.
• Huo Qilang recognized a group of gamblers as soldiers likely heading to war, and Yuwen Rang observed that she acted as if she might die soon.
• Huo Qilang gambled through the night, won more than twenty catties' worth of tokens, and carried the hungover Yuwen Rang back to Prince Shao's Residence at dawn.

Huo Qilang returned to the Main Hall and eased Li Yuanying’s severe headache after discovering that repeated acupuncture had made it worse. As they grew close, she reassured him about Baozhu and spoke lightly of the emperor’s limited power, leaving Li Yuanying laughing and receptive to her kiss.

• Huo Qilang returned to the Main Hall and found Li Yuanying suffering through another painful acupuncture treatment.
• After Li Yuanying ordered the physician to withdraw, Huo Qilang removed the needles and used her internal energy to massage his pressure points.
• Huo Qilang comforted Li Yuanying about Baozhu, telling him that Wei Da would obey the princess rather than control her.
• Li Yuanying told Huo Qilang that the investigation had identified only four ingredients in the bleeding medicine and that they were ordinary remedies.
• Huo Qilang joked that the emperor was merely the Military Governor of Chang'an, making Li Yuanying laugh despite his pain.
• Huo Qilang kissed Li Yuanying, and he responded by lightly pressing the back of her head.

Huo Qilang helped Li Yuanying dress and learned that he planned to honor his mother at Minzhong Temple, while warning him of suspicious soldiers gambling in Youzhou. After Li Yuanying left on his outing and spent the night with Lady Jing, Huo Qilang was sent into the Western Courtyard, where she hoped to meet Princess Consort Cui.

• Huo Qilang dressed Li Yuanying in a crimson robe and heard him explain that he would prepare for the anniversary of his mother's burial.
• Huo Qilang warned Li Yuanying that soldiers gambling recklessly might signal trouble in Youzhou, and he sent someone else to investigate.
• Li Yuanying visited Minzhong Temple in ceremonial robes, then went to Lady Jing's residence and stayed the night.
• Huo Qilang declined to go out with the Xu brothers and spent the evening playing cards with the guards.
• Matron Xu recruited Huo Qilang to move heavy objects in the Western Courtyard, and Huo Qilang happily followed her, hoping to meet Princess Consort Cui.

Huo Qilang visited Cui Lingrong in the Western Inner Residence and learned how deeply the princess consort still cared for Li Yuanying. When Cui Lingrong recognized the embroidery on Huo Qilang’s sleeve, she ordered her to leave, exposing that Huo Qilang had worn a garment tied to her past.

• Huo Qilang carried Bath Beans into the Western Inner Residence and waited while Nanny Xu arranged for her to serve tea to a person of rank.
• Cui Lingrong met Huo Qilang and asked about Li Yuanying’s health, clothing, medicines, and meals, while Huo Qilang advised her to keep pursuing him.
• Huo Qilang offered to read Cui Lingrong’s palm, and Cui Lingrong agreed after washing her hands.
• Cui Lingrong saw the distinctive embroidery on Huo Qilang’s sleeve, turned pale, and ordered her to leave.

Prince Shao’s illness worsened after he returned to his manor, and he struggled with Huo Qilang’s bluntness and the secrets surrounding his household. After their intimacy ended in a furious sword chase, he told her to keep her past to herself, and she understood that he wanted her to stay.

• Prince Shao returned to his manor ill, and Madam Li urged him to keep Huo Qilang at his side while she sought shamans to ward off evil.
• Huo Qilang tended to Prince Shao and admitted that the princess consort had asked about his health, prompting him to criticize her for sharing information.
• Li Chengyin brought Liu Kun’s seating request and mentioned a possible marriage alliance, but Prince Shao refused to take a secondary consort and confirmed he would attend the banquet.
• Huo Qilang and Prince Shao became intimate, but her suggestion that she disguise herself as Lady Jing or Prince Shao enraged him, and he chased her with a sword.
• Huo Qilang disarmed Prince Shao after his nose began bleeding, cared for him, and reassured him that she wanted only him.
• Prince Shao told Huo Qilang not to reveal her past or former partners, and she accepted his terms before kissing him.

Huo Qilang disguised herself as Xu Xing to accompany Li Yuanying to Liu Kun’s banquet, where she witnessed Li Yuanying turn aside a Khitan marriage proposal by suggesting the khan send him a son to adopt. The banquet continued, and Huo Qilang learned that Princess Dongyi had also been a substitute in a political marriage alliance.

• Huo Qilang failed to wash the blood from Li Yuanying’s robe, then disguised herself as Xu Xing so she could join the four-person party attending the banquet.
• Huo Qilang and Li Yuanying arrived at Liu Kun’s residence, where they joined the banquet with Liu Kun, Ruan Ziming, foreign envoys, and local officials.
• When the Khitan envoy offered Ugu Khan’s daughter as a bride, Li Yuanying refused and proposed adopting one of the khan’s sons instead.
• After the banquet resumed, Kang Simo explained that Princess Dongyi had been sent to Tubo in place of the emperor’s daughter, and Huo Qilang recalled seeing her bridal procession years earlier.

At Liu Kun’s banquet, Huo Qilang protected Li Yuanying when fireworks concealed inside a roast ox exploded, and her swordsmanship impressed the assembled generals. After the banquet, a quarrel over her loyalty gave way to Huo Qilang’s warning that Liu Kun’s guards had reacted to the blast as if they suspected him; Li Yuanying ended by telling her she was worth more than a thousand gold pieces.

• Liu Kun’s whole roast ox exploded, and Huo Qilang shielded Li Yuanying, split the ox and its copper platter with her saber, and extinguished the remaining fuses.
• Liu Kun had the cooks and servants beheaded, then praised Huo Qilang’s strength and offered a thousand gold pieces to recruit her; Li Yuanying refused to part with either of his trusted retainers.
• In the carriage, Huo Qilang joked about taking Liu Kun’s offer, angering Li Yuanying, and she explained that she served for pay rather than lifelong loyalty.
• Huo Qilang told Li Yuanying that two of Liu Kun’s household soldiers had looked toward him and reached for their swords when the fireworks exploded, suggesting they suspected him of causing the danger.
• At Prince Shao’s Residence, Li Yuanying told Huo Qilang that her worth exceeded a thousand gold pieces.

Huo Qilang and Li Yuanying spent the night together after she kept watch over his sleeplessness. The next day, an investigation into poisoned sparrows led Huo Qilang to suspect Li Yuanying’s clothes had been poisoned, and she stripped him to protect him.

• Huo Qilang confronted Kang Simo for fleeing, but he claimed he had gone to seek reinforcements before running off again.
• Li Yuanying privately discussed Huo Qilang’s report about the headquarters troops with Yuan Shaobo, then kept her on night duty beside him.
• Li Yuanying pulled Huo Qilang behind the curtains, and they became intimate before falling asleep together.
• Yuan Shaobo reported that Liu Kun’s headquarters troops were likely preparing a mutiny, and Li Yuanying’s council discussed how to respond.
• Huo Qilang noticed that sparrows had died after eating poisoned scraps near a soakaway well; she connected the poison to wastewater from pounding silk in the Western Courtyard.
• Huo Qilang tore off Li Yuanying’s clothes and wrapped him in bedding, declaring that his clothes were poisoned.

Li Yuanying and his allies uncovered that Cui Lingrong had poisoned him through his clothes, and Cui admitted she was the mastermind. She revealed that her motive was tied to Li Ciyin, the imperial clanswoman sent to Tubo as Princess Dongyi.

• Testing Prince Shao's garments in a silver basin revealed poison, and Lady Xu confessed to poisoning him while claiming she had acted alone.
• Li Yuanying and Huo Qilang realized that his illness had eased whenever he stopped wearing the poisoned clothes, and he changed into Huo Qilang's garments.
• Cui Lingrong arrived at Li Yuanying's residence and openly acknowledged that she had planned to kill him.
• Song Yinghui found arsenic in Cui Lingrong's dressing case, and Cui said she had masterminded the poisoning without her relatives' involvement.
• Cui Lingrong explained that she could not return to the person she loved, Li Ciyin, whom Li Yuanying had sent to Tubo as Princess Dongyi.

Cui Lingrong confessed that she had poisoned Li Yuanying to avenge her friend Li Ciyin, who had been sent to marry into Tubo in place of Princess Wanshou. Li Yuanying ordered the conspirators executed and Cui Lingrong kept alive, while the crows at Prince Shao's Residence celebrated the deaths of those who had poisoned their companions.

• Cui Lingrong revealed that Li Ciyin was her childhood friend, forced to marry the son of the king of Tubo after being sent in Princess Wanshou's place.
• Cui Lingrong said Li Yuanying's wedding-night offer that she befriend his sister Baozhu sparked her desire for revenge, and she described poisoning his clothes with arsenic.
• Cui Lingrong condemned the imperial family for sacrificing women to settle political conflicts and admitted she had targeted Li Yuanying to weaken Li Tang.
• Cui Lingrong prepared to leave and die by poison or white silk, but Li Yuanying ordered his men to guard her and keep her alive as a hostage.
• Li Yuanying ordered the conspirators and their accomplices executed, and the crows celebrated as their enemies' blood spread toward the poisoned well.

After the arsenic plot was exposed, Li Yuanying developed a severe fever and learned that Huo Qilang had fought as a Hexi soldier. Despite his illness and despair, he set out for Yandu Ward, with Huo Qilang accompanying him to see Lady Jing.

• Li Yuanying refused to keep wearing old clothes meant to evade Chang'an's scrutiny, then developed a fever from years of arsenic poisoning.
• While tending him, Huo Qilang told Li Yuanying that her family’s bones rested in Lingzhou and explained that she had served in the Hexi Army.
• Li Yuanying reflected on the Hexi Army's losses and Princess Dongyi's marriage to Tubo, then asked where Baozhu had reached.
• Huo Qilang coaxed Li Yuanying out of bed by threatening to send him to marry a foreign chieftain.
• After Yuan Shaobo requested an audience, Li Yuanying prepared to visit Yandu Ward, and Huo Qilang joined him in hopes of seeing Lady Jing.
• On the carriage, Li Yuanying ate a little medicinal sheep-lung soup and Huo Qilang finished the rest, joking that he had been testing it for poison.