Chapter Summaries

Chen Caozhi learned from Ran Sheng that fifty thousand jin of gold had been buried beneath Xuanguang Hall in the Ye palace, and the two planned to recover it if Yan fell. At Longgang Temple, Ji Pi revealed his bitterness toward the Jin court and insisted the treasure must never go to it.

• Ran Sheng told Chen Caozhi that Ji Pi had recognized him and disclosed that Ran Sheng's father had buried fifty thousand jin of gold beneath Xuanguang Hall.
• Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng agreed to wait for Yan's fall before asking Ji Pi to identify the burial site, and Chen Caozhi planned to visit Ji Pi at Longgang Temple.
• Shen Chiqian reported that the Jin envoy Xi Bao had been sent home, while Ran Sheng warned that a Xianbei princess might want to marry Chen Caozhi.
• Murong Ke refused to meet Chen Caozhi, so Chen Caozhi asked Murong Ling to escort him and Ran Sheng to Longgang Temple.
• Chen Caozhi met Ji Pi, who asked whether he would help Ran Sheng restore his kingdom and condemned the Jin court for abandoning Ran Min.

Chen Caozhi learned from Ji Pi how to locate the gold hidden beneath Ye Palace and promised not to give it to the Jin court. With Murong Chong’s help, he entered Bronze Sparrow Garden to inspect the palace grounds, while Murong Ping plotted to use Princess Qinghe and Chen Caozhi’s political position against Murong Ke.

• Chen Caozhi examined Ji Pi and learned the old monk had at most a year to live; Ji Pi described Xuanguang Hall’s landmarks and urged Chen Caozhi to keep the hidden gold from the Sima Clan.
• Chen Caozhi returned to Ice Well Terrace and sought a way into the western palace district, then Murong Chong promised to help him see the Heavenly Maiden Magnolias.
• Chen Caozhi wrote to Murong Ke asking why he remained detained after the Qin envoy Xi Bao had been released.
• Kezuhun Yi learned that Murong Ke planned to exchange Xuchang for the Qiantang Chen Clan, while Murong Ping considered Princess Qinghe’s marriage to Chen Caozhi as a means to undermine Murong Ke.
• Murong Chong brought Chen Caozhi a Patrol Fish Tally and led him into Bronze Sparrow Garden, then left him alone near the northern garden path.

Chen Caozhi climbed the ruined Golden Phoenix Terrace to locate Xuanguang Hall and map the surrounding palace. As he prepared to leave, he saw Murong Ping enter the tower and then encountered the Empress Dowager of the Kezuhun Clan.

• Chen Caozhi explored the palace garden and crossed the lake to reach the Golden Phoenix Terrace.
• Chen Caozhi climbed to the terrace’s highest story and used the view to determine Xuanguang Hall’s location and memorize nearby landmarks.
• Chen Caozhi descended and hid behind a stone qilin when Murong Ping approached.
• Murong Ping entered the abandoned tower and climbed to its second floor, while Chen Caozhi waited nearby.
• Chen Caozhi saw the Empress Dowager of the Kezuhun Clan approach across the covered bridge.

Chen Caozhi accidentally discovered the Empress Dowager of the Kezuhun Clan secretly meeting Murong Ping at the Golden Phoenix Terrace and found himself trapped nearby. Princess Qinghe Murong Qinchen arrived looking for Chen Caozhi, and he asked her to help him escape notice.

• Chen Caozhi realized the Empress Dowager of the Kezuhun Clan had come alone to meet Murong Ping on the Golden Phoenix Terrace.
• Chen Caozhi found the Covered Bridge guarded and considered escaping over a dilapidated wall, but feared alerting the pair upstairs.
• Princess Qinghe Murong Qinchen entered the garden while searching for Chen Caozhi.
• Chen Caozhi emerged from behind the Stone Qilin and asked Murong Qinchen to walk back onto the Covered Bridge, call "Phoenix, Phoenix," and then leave.
• Murong Qinchen agreed and set off toward the Covered Bridge after Chen Caozhi asked her to wait beneath the Heavenly Maiden Magnolias.

Murong Qinchen realized Chen Caozhi had discovered her mother’s secret meeting with Murong Ping and trusted him to keep it quiet, while Murong Chong teased her about Chen. Chen later received a palace map identifying the former Xuanguang Hall, and Yuan Hong arrived to negotiate his release, only to learn Yan intended to exchange Xuchang for Chen’s clan and keep Chen as an official.

• Murong Qinchen saw her mother and Murong Ping leave the Golden Phoenix Terrace, then confronted Chen Caozhi and asked him to swear not to reveal what he had witnessed.
• Chen Caozhi promised to keep the matter secret, and Murong Chong interrupted them before guiding Chen to the Heavenly Maiden Magnolias.
• Chen Caozhi picked a Heavenly Maiden Magnolia fruit and returned to his lodgings, where he drew a sketch map of the Ye palace.
• Chen Caozhi left the map with Ji Pi during a visit to Longgang Temple, and Ji Pi later marked the former Xuanguang Hall on it.
• Yuan Hong presented Huan Wen’s letter to Murong Ke and asked for Chen Caozhi’s release, but Murong Ke revealed Yan’s plan to exchange Xuchang for Chen’s clan and retain Chen as an official.
• Murong Ke agreed to arrange a meeting between Yuan Hong and Chen Caozhi the next day.

Yuan Hong arrived in Ye City to negotiate Chen Caozhi’s return, but Murong Ke offered Xuchang in exchange for the Qiantang Chen Clan and Yan officials pressed Chen Caozhi to stay. Chen Caozhi rejected the offers and warned Murong Ke that relocating his clan would endanger them.

• Yuan Hong reached Ye City, learned he could not meet Chen Caozhi until the next day, and sent word that he had arrived.
• Chen Caozhi heard that Murong Ke meant to exchange Xuchang for his clan and decided to visit Murong Ping before speaking with Murong Ke.
• Murong Ping and Kezuhun Yi offered Chen Caozhi high office and Princess Qinghe in marriage, but he said he wished to return to Jiangdong and already loved someone there.
• Murong Ping told Kezuhun Yi that he planned to turn Chen Caozhi against Murong Ke.
• Murong Ke urged Chen Caozhi to serve Yan and revealed that he had already issued an edict arranging the exchange of Xuchang for Chen Caozhi’s clansmen.
• Chen Caozhi objected that the exchange would endanger his clansmen, and Murong Ke asked him to explain.

Chen Caozhi persuaded Murong Ke to let him return to Jiangdong as Yan prepared to send an envoy to Jin. As Chen Caozhi set out for home, he learned of Wei Rui’s ordeal and was confronted by Murong Chong on the road.

• Chen Caozhi argued that detaining him would only create resentment, and Murong Ke eventually agreed to let him return to Jiangdong.
• Murong Wei formally received Chen Caozhi and Yuan Hong as envoys and appointed Huangfu Zhen to accompany them to Jin to negotiate friendly relations.
• Yuan Hong told Chen Caozhi that Lu Shi had tried to send Wei Rui into the palace, but Wei Rui had submitted a remonstrance declaring she would marry only Chen Caozhi.
• Chen Caozhi and Yuan Hong departed Ye Capital with Huangfu Zhen after Murong Ke gave Chen Caozhi gifts and received a folding fan in return.
• A troop of Rouge Warriors blocked the party’s road, and Murong Chong rode out to confront Chen Caozhi and his companions.

Murong Chong blocked Chen Caozhi’s departure from Ye and accused him of breaking his promise to marry Murong Qinchen. Murong Qinchen threatened to expose Chen’s knowledge of the secret at Golden Phoenix Terrace, but after he explained his love for a woman in Jiangdong, she let him go and vowed to wait until Yan conquered Jiangdong.

• Murong Chong confronted Chen Caozhi on the road and accused him of abandoning his promise to marry Murong Qinchen.
• Murong Chong returned the Jade Cong Horse by whipping it, then shot an arrow into its rump as it ran away.
• Murong Qinchen arrived and demanded to know why Chen Caozhi would not marry her.
• Murong Qinchen privately threatened to have Chen detained and reveal the Golden Phoenix Terrace secret unless he stayed in Ye.
• Chen Caozhi told Murong Qinchen he loved a woman in Jiangdong and could not marry her, and she wept before agreeing to let him leave.
• Murong Qinchen said she would wait until Yan conquered Jiangdong and then carry off Chen Caozhi and the Lu Clan Lady.

Chen Caozhi continued his journey home after leaving Ye City, while rumors about Fu Jian’s parentage reached Chang’an and threatened to destabilize Di Qin. Wang Meng tried to counter the scandal with rumors against Yan, then discovered ants forming the same prophetic oracle in Chang’an.

• Chen Caozhi sent Shen Chiqian back to Luoyang with advice for Shen Jin to prepare for upheaval in Qin and Yan.
• Chen Caozhi met Zhao Hong in Junyi and encouraged him to consider returning to Jin, while Zhao concealed their conversation from Murong Zhu.
• Fu Jian consulted Wang Meng about the rumor that Fu Jian was the son of a shaman, and Wang Meng advised him to control Xi Bao’s soldiers and spread counter-rumors about Yan.
• Wang Meng proposed a rumor accusing the Kezuhun Empress Dowager of seeking an affair with Murong Chui and Murong Ping, and Fu Jian approved the plan.
• Wang Meng went to Zhicheng Gate and found a crowd gathered around ants that appeared to form the oracle about Fu Jian’s parentage.

Chen Caozhi returned to Su Family Fort with Su Qi and reunited with Ran Sheng and Shen Chiqian after their journeys north. He left the next day for Jiangdong, eager to reach Wei Rui, while Su Qi and his father discussed the Su clan’s future and Su Hui grew curious about Chen Caozhi.

• Ran Sheng and Shen Chiqian traveled south with their soldiers and horses, visited Gao Rou in Yingchuan, and reached Su Family Fort on the same day as Chen Caozhi and Su Qi.
• Su Daozhi welcomed Chen Caozhi’s party and heard Su Qi praise Chen Caozhi’s accomplishments, while Su Qi proposed that the family consider Su Hui as Chen Caozhi’s concubine.
• Su Qi told Su Daozhi that Chen Caozhi intended to return to Jiangdong because of his deep feelings for the Lu Clan Lady, and Su Qi decided to accompany him.
• Su Hui listened eagerly as Su Qi recounted Chen Caozhi’s deeds and asked about his encounter with Princess Qinghe Murong Qinchen.
• Chen Caozhi stayed an extra day at Su Daozhi’s request, rode through the countryside with Su Qi, Ran Sheng, and Shen Chiqian, and watched Huang Xiaotong fly Murong Ke’s white falcons.

After leaving drought-stricken Kuaiji, Xie Daoyun visited Chen Family Fort and reassured Chen Xian and Ding Youwei that Chen Caozhi had not been abducted and would return safely. As she prepared to leave, Run'er revealed that she knew Xie Daoyun was a woman, bringing her concealed identity into the open.

• Xie Daoyun left Shanyin after warning Dai Shu to prepare for possible floods and continued toward Jiankang with Xie Shao.
• At Chen Family Fort, Xie Daoyun learned that Chen Xian feared Chen Caozhi had been abducted by the Xianbei, and she read Chen Shang's letter.
• Xie Daoyun told Chen Xian that Chen Caozhi had deliberately gone to meet Murong Ke and Murong Chui, persuading him not to travel to Jiankang in alarm.
• Xie Daoyun reassured Ding Youwei that Chen Caozhi would return and said Lu Weiwei would not be forced into the palace and would be reunited with him.
• Run'er told Xie Daoyun that she knew she was Xie Daoyun, the Lady of the Xie Family, and Xie Daoyun realized her secret was exposed.

After rumors exposed Xie Daoyun’s identity and alleged love for Chen Caozhi, she fell ill at Chen Family Cove and traveled back to Jiankang. Taoist Li Shouyi privately diagnosed her with incurable consumptive exhaustion, leaving Ding Youwei hoping Caozhi could save her.

• Chen Shang’s letter revealed that Jiankang was abuzz with rumors about Xie Daoyun’s identity and her supposed devotion to Chen Caozhi, and Ding Youwei confirmed that she had known the truth.
• After Xie Daoyun fainted, she asked Ding Youwei about the rumors and recognized that they might be intended to hurt Lu Weiwei and create enemies for Caozhi.
• Xie Daoyun climbed Nine Luminaries Mountain with Run'er, but her weakness and coughing worsened on the ascent and descent.
• Taoist Li Shouyi privately told Ding Youwei that Xie Daoyun had incurable consumptive exhaustion, and Ding Youwei urged her to seek treatment in Jiankang.
• Xie Daoyun and Xie Shao left Chen Family Cove, received Xie An’s order for her to resign and return, and reached Jiankang a month later with her illness worsening.

As Chen Caozhi’s return approached, Lu Weiwei learned that Xie Daoyun was gravely ill and visited her at the Xie Residence. The chapter ended with Xiao Chan going around the screen to see Xie Daoyun.

• News spread that Chen Caozhi had returned from Ye City with the Yan envoy Huangfu Zhen, while Lu Shi refused to let Lu Weiwei marry him.
• Lu Weiwei received the birthday gift Chen Caozhi had arranged before leaving and later learned he would soon return to Jiankang.
• Zhang Tongyun told Lu Weiwei that Xie Daoyun was the Lady of the Xie Family, and news then spread that Xie Daoyun had an incurable illness.
• Lu Weiwei asked Xiao Chan whether visiting Xie Daoyun would upset her, then traveled with Xiao Chan to the Xie Residence.
• Xie Daoyun agreed to speak with Lu Weiwei from behind a screen, and Xiao Chan walked around it to see her.

Xie Daoyun explained to Lu Weiwei that her bond with Chen Zizhong was one of friendship, not a desire to marry him, and urged Lu to marry him instead. Chen Caozhi returned to Huan Wen with six hundred warhorses, learned that Huangfu Zhen had reached Jiankang, and was asked to help Huan Wen achieve a great military victory.

• Xie Daoyun recounted how she came to know Chen Zizhong and described the lifelong friendship she had hoped to preserve with him.
• Lu Weiwei offered to step aside so Xie Daoyun could marry Chen Zizhong, but Xie refused and affirmed that Lu was his ideal match.
• Chen Caozhi worried over the rumors about Xie Daoyun and Wei Rui as he traveled back toward Jiankang.
• Chen Caozhi crossed the Yangtze and met Huan Wen, who praised his return and welcomed six hundred warhorses.
• Huan Wen appointed Duan Si Cavalry Commander and Ran Sheng cavalry Army Sima to lead a new heavy cavalry force.
• Chen Caozhi asked about Huangfu Zhen, and Huan Wen explained Yan's plan to fight Qin before urging Chen to help him achieve an unrivaled feat.

Chen Caozhi returned to Gushu, where Gu Kaizhi questioned him about Xie Daoyun and his feelings for Wei Rui, and Huan Wen publicly defended him against Hao Long’s insults. In a private meeting, Chen Caozhi explained his plans for destabilizing Di Qin and predicted Murong Ke’s early death, leaving Huan Wen to consider the threat posed by the Xianbei.

• Gu Kaizhi welcomed Chen Caozhi back and pressed him about Xie Daoyun’s identity and what he intended to do about her, while Chen said he planned to return to Jiankang the next day.
• Chen Caozhi reunited with Ding Licheng and brought him to Huan Wen’s banquet, where Huan promised to recommend him for a county post near Qiantang.
• Hao Long mocked Chen Caozhi’s achievements at the banquet, but Chen ignored him, and Huan Wen had the attendants remove Hao Long.
• Huan Wen told the assembled officials that Chen Caozhi’s mission had involved secret achievements, praised his service, and ordered them not to discuss it or speak of it to outsiders.
• In a private meeting, Chen Caozhi described his honey-written prophecies and predicted that Murong Ke would die young, while Huan Wen worried that the Xianbei might then threaten Jiangdong.

Lu Song confronted Lu Weiwei and Chen Caozhi’s attendants on New Pavilion Mountain, using his disciples to seize the men and drive away Huang Xiaotong’s falcons. Lu Weiwei protected them despite Lu Song’s threats, and Chen Caozhi arrived with Ran Sheng and Shen Chiqian as the confrontation escalated.

• Lu Song recognized Lu Weiwei at the Hillside Pavilion and ordered his disciples to seize Banli while Zhu Lingbao and his companions demanded revenge.
• Lu Song’s disciples tried to take Huang Xiaotong’s two white falcons, which escaped during the struggle, and Lu Song struck Huang Xiaotong while his men subdued a Western Headquarters soldier.
• Lu Weiwei blocked Lu Song from taking the two men, but his disciples broke both captives’ left elbows before claiming they had spared them.
• Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng arrived with Shen Chiqian and more than ten Shen Clan Private Soldiers, while Lu Song and his companions retreated into the Hillside Pavilion.

Chen Caozhi reunited with Lu Weiwei on New Pavilion Mountain and punished Lu Song and his followers for injuring Huang Xiaotong and stealing his falcons. The chapter ended with the white falcons returning to Huang Xiaotong.

• Chen Caozhi reunited with Lu Weiwei, then learned that Lu Song's men had injured Huang Xiaotong and let his white falcons escape.
• Chen Caozhi ordered Ran Sheng and Shen Chiqian's soldiers to make Lu Song and his followers kneel and break their left arms.
• Ran Sheng forced Lu Song to his knees, and Zhu Lingbao and Ji Hao helped bind Lu Song and the others.
• Chen Caozhi ordered Ran Sheng to escort the captives to the office of the Minister of the Five Armies, while he returned to the city with Lu Weiwei.
• Huang Xiaotong blew his whistle, and his male and female white falcons returned to settle on his shoulders.

Chen Caozhi reunited with Lu Weiwei and learned that Xie Daoyun had returned to Jiankang gravely ill with suspected consumption. Unable to promise a cure, he went to the Xie Residence, where his arrival gave Xie Daoyun and her attendants renewed hope.

• Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei reunited in the carriage, and she told him Xie Daoyun was gravely ill with suspected consumption.
• Chen Caozhi considered how little he could do to treat tuberculosis and agreed to visit Xie Daoyun immediately.
• Chen Caozhi warned Lu Weiwei to stay cautious because Lu Song might retaliate, and she urged him to cure Xie Daoyun.
• Chen Caozhi escorted Lu Weiwei home, sent Xiao Chan and Huang Xiaotong to the Gu Residence, and rode to the Xie Residence with Shen Chiqian.
• Xie Shao welcomed Chen Caozhi and led him to Xie Daoyun, whose attendants asked whether he could cure her.
• Chen Caozhi assured Liu Xu and Yinfeng that Xie Daoyun would recover, and his arrival filled Xie Daoyun with hope.

Chen Caozhi examined Xie Daoyun and concluded that her illness was likely a treatable form of debility rather than serious pulmonary tuberculosis. He prescribed medicine and left her hopeful as Xie Shao invited him to meet his returning father and third uncle.

• Chen Caozhi greeted the frail Xie Daoyun and addressed her by name, then took her pulse despite her concern that her illness might be contagious.
• Chen Caozhi questioned Xie Daoyun about her symptoms and examined her tongue and chest, finding signs that her illness was not severe.
• Chen Caozhi told Xie Daoyun that she likely had a treatable form of debility, prescribed medicine, and planned to examine her again in three days.
• Xie Daoyun and her maids were relieved by Chen Caozhi's assessment, and Liu Xu sent the prescription to be filled.
• Xie Shao told Chen Caozhi that his father and third uncle had returned and wanted to meet him.

Chen Caozhi gave Xie Daoyun hope that her illness could be treated and promised to visit her regularly. After leaving the Xie Residence, he planned to address the danger from Lu Song, while his feelings for Xie Daoyun continued to change.

• Chen Caozhi told Xie Daoyun he would bring her gifts in three days and urged her to rest.
• Yinfeng celebrated Chen Caozhi’s confidence that Xie Daoyun’s illness could be treated, while Xie Daoyun questioned whether her complexion could improve before she took medicine.
• Chen Caozhi reassured Xie Wan and Xie An that Xie Daoyun had a chance of recovery and promised to treat her every two or three days during the critical first fortnight.
• Chen Caozhi confirmed that he had beaten Lu Song and Zhu Lingbao over the Lu Clan Lady, and said he would discuss the matter with Attendant Minister Xi and visit the Prince of Langya.
• After lunch at the Xie Residence, Chen Caozhi left with Shen Chiqian and reflected on the changing feelings stirred by his encounter with Xie Daoyun.