Chapter Summaries

After overhearing Ren Hanzhong admit that he had deceived her and married her to spite his cousin, Wan Ning withdrew from him and went to Anzhi Hall. Jin Shanyao brought her to a guest room to talk, but their conversation had not yet begun.

• Ren Hanzhong told his mistress that his cousin had saved Wan Ning, while he stole the credit and married her to spite his cousin.
• Madam Ren overheard his confession, spent the night alone grieving, and realized that his past devotion had been a lie.
• The next morning, Wan Ning refused to fetch Ren Hanzhong for breakfast and ignored him as she left for Anzhi Hall.
• At Anzhi Hall, Wan Ning asked for Jin Shanyao and told Meng Anzhi to call her Lady Wan.
• Jin Shanyao offered Wan Ning walnuts, then led her to a guest room when Wan Ning suspected she was mocking her.

Wan Ning sought Jin Shanyao’s advice after learning that her younger brother-in-law, not her husband, had saved her life, and left with a plan for handling the household. More than a month later, Meng Anci entered the nine-day metropolitan examination, where a heavenly light stripped away the warmth from his protective Spiritual Power.

• Wan Ning told Jin Shanyao that she had mistaken her younger brother-in-law for her benefactor and asked what she should do; Jin Shanyao lent her a household-intrigue guide and explained its five methods.
• Wan Ning thanked Jin Shanyao and left, while Jin Shanyao wondered whether she had understood the advice.
• On the ninth day of the second month, Jin Shanyao and Meng Anzhi accompanied Meng Anci to the examination compound, where he entered after reassuring them.
• An official verified Meng Anci’s information and encouraged him to do his best; Meng Anci recognized him as Zhen Shiqing, a former top scholar from Qingzhou Prefecture.
• As the cold examination began, Spiritual Power from Meng Anci’s wooden hairpin shielded him, but a pillar of light descended and shattered the protection; he continued writing despite the cold.

Jin Shanyao encountered Taishang Laojun after sensing two streams of destiny Qi clash above the examination compound, and he warned her not to use Spiritual Power while Lord Wenchang was observing the examinations. Taishang Laojun went with Jin Shanyao and Meng Anzhi to Anzhi Hall, where Meng Anzhi learned that Jin Shanyao had a master and a home.

• Jin Shanyao sensed her Spiritual Power link to Meng Anci had been severed and saw purple and azure destiny Qi merge above the examination compound.
• Taishang Laojun grabbed Jin Shanyao and took her aside, then warned her that Lord Wenchang might discover her if she used Spiritual Power during the examinations.
• Taishang Laojun recalled raising Jin Shanyao and agreed to stay with her for a few days to keep her from using Spiritual Power.
• Meng Anzhi worried about Jin Shanyao's sudden disappearance, but Jin Shanyao returned safely with Taishang Laojun.
• Taishang Laojun introduced himself to Meng Anzhi as Jin Shanyao's master, and Jin Shanyao invited them to go home.

Meng Anci completed the nine-day metropolitan examination, enduring the cold and sickness before reuniting with Jin Shanyao and Meng Anzhi. He met Taishang Laojun, Jin Shanyao’s master, and watched Zhao Zhiyuan eagerly greet Meng Anzhi.

• Taishang Laojun scolded Dahuang and Xiaoli until Jin Shanyao threatened him from inside the room.
• Qin Baitang met Taishang Laojun, admired him, and spent the next few days playing chess and discussing medicine with him.
• Meng Anci answered the metropolitan examination’s frontier-defense question by proposing military farms, capable generals, gradual fortification, and funding that would not burden the people.
• Meng Anci endured the examination’s nine days of cold, slept through a fellow examinee’s breakdown, and finished as the gong announced the end.
• Jin Shanyao and Meng Anzhi met Meng Anci outside the examination compound and introduced Taishang Laojun as their grandmaster.
• Zhao Zhiyuan greeted Jin Shanyao and Meng Anzhi before returning to his waiting family, while Taishang Laojun watched him closely.

While Meng Anci worried over his metropolitan examination answers, Taishang Laojun reassured him and offered to prepare for the palace examination with him. Taishang Laojun then accompanied Meng Anzhi to a free clinic, where he knocked out a man who harassed her, and the man's fingertips began turning black after they left.

• Taishang Laojun saw Zhao Zhiyuan's family confidently assess Zhao Zhiyuan and Zhao Yushan's examination papers, then went to encourage Meng Anci.
• Taishang Laojun told Meng Anci that his answers were good and suggested they prepare for the palace examination together, but Meng Anci went to ask his teacher at the Su Household for an assessment.
• Taishang Laojun accompanied Meng Anzhi to hold a free clinic near the pleasure houses and brought her a table and chair.
• A man harassed Meng Anzhi and tried to grab her, so Taishang Laojun slapped him unconscious.
• Taishang Laojun and Meng Anzhi left the clinic, and the unconscious man's fingertips gradually turned black.

After learning that Meng Anzhi had poisoned Xu Zhuo, Taishang Laojun confronted Jin Shanyao about her contradictory nature. Xu Dingshan then surrounded Anzhi Hall and demanded that Meng Anzhi come with him, but she challenged him to explain his reason.

• Meng Anzhi told Jin Shanyao she had poisoned Taishang Laojun with Half-Month Disablement after he insulted her aunt.
• Xu Zhuo’s hand remained black and bloodless despite physicians’ efforts, and Xu Dingshan offered a reward for a cure.
• At Anzhi Hall, Meng Anzhi admitted to Taishang Laojun that she had poisoned Xu Zhuo when she took his pulse because he touched her palm.
• Xu Dingshan learned Xu Zhuo had met a physician from Anzhi Hall and brought soldiers to surround the shop.
• Jin Shanyao confronted Xu Dingshan, who singled out Meng Anzhi and ordered her to come with him.
• Meng Anzhi calmly asked Xu Dingshan to state his reason, warning that otherwise he could be accused of abusing his authority.

Meng Anzhi went with Xu Dingshan to treat Xu Zhuo’s poisoned hand after Xu Dingshan apologized and offered a thousand taels. After the family left the Xu residence, Jin Shanyao warned that she should avoid using Spiritual Power until the examination results were posted in five days.

• Xu Dingshan accused Meng Anzhi of poisoning Xu Zhuo, but she challenged his account and refused to hand over an antidote without confronting his son’s harassment.
• Xu Dingshan apologized and offered a thousand taels for Meng Anzhi to cure Xu Zhuo, and Meng Anci accompanied her as a provincial graduate.
• Meng Anzhi cut Xu Zhuo’s palm and squeezed out the black blood until it turned red, saving his hand, though she said his lost memories would return only as he recovered.
• Xu Dingshan paid Meng Anzhi a thousand taels and let her group leave, while Meng Anci resolved to gain power to protect his family.
• Taishang Laojun warned Jin Shanyao not to use Spiritual Power before the examination results were posted in five days.

Meng Anci placed third in the metropolitan examination, and he and Zhao Zhiyuan entered the palace examination with Jin Shanyao watching over them. After reading the top essays, the Sheng emperor summoned Zhao Zhiyuan, Meng Anci, and Cheng Yuchuan and began announcing a decree, but their final ranks were not yet revealed.

• Meng Anci discovered that he had placed third in the metropolitan examination, while Zhao Zhiyuan had placed fourth.
• Taishang Laojun stopped Jin Shanyao from giving Meng Anci further help, and she reflected that her connection to the Meng Household had been set in motion by fate.
• Jin Shanyao sent Meng Anci into the palace examination, where he wrote an essay in the Hall of Preserving Harmony.
• The Sheng emperor read the top ten essays and selected Zhao Zhiyuan, Meng Anci, and Cheng Yuchuan to meet him.
• The Sheng emperor praised the three young candidates and began issuing a decree as they knelt before him.

The emperor named Meng Anci the top scholar, Zhao Zhiyuan second, and Cheng Yuchuan third, then assigned Meng Anci and Zhao Zhiyuan to serve under Zhen Shiqing. During the parade, Meng Anci shared his achievement with his family’s memorial tablets, while Cai Wenyan became interested in Zhao Zhiyuan; the chapter ended with Anzhi Hall preparing a celebratory banquet.

• The emperor awarded Meng Anci first place, Zhao Zhiyuan second, and Cheng Yuchuan third in the palace examination.
• The emperor ordered Zhen Shiqing to train Meng Anci and Zhao Zhiyuan after they returned from visiting home, and Zhen Shiqing agreed.
• Jin Shanyao and Meng Anzhi watched the scholars’ parade while holding memorial tablets, and Meng Anci proudly announced to his late parents that he was the top scholar.
• Cai Wenyan noticed Zhao Zhiyuan during the parade and told her maid to investigate the young woman at Anzhi Hall and her relationship with him.
• Meng Anzhi offered incense for her parents, and Meng Anci returned to Anzhi Hall, where Jin Shanyao congratulated him and Meng Anzhi arranged a banquet.

Meng Anci thanked Su Wenqian for his guidance before setting out with Meng Anzhi and Jin Shanyao for Qingzhou Prefecture. When they arrived, Jin Shanyao found two burly men blocking Anzhi Hall and struck one of them.

• Meng Anci visited Su Wenqian, who advised him to gain experience at the Hanlin Academy and avoid rushing into court affairs.
• Jin Shanyao left Qin Baitang in charge of Anzhi Hall's shops while she traveled with Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci.
• Madam Qin packed food and quilts for the travelers and warned them to stay safe on the road.
• Meng Anci teased Meng Anzhi on the journey, and she beat him on the ox cart for acting important as the top scholar.
• The ox cart reached Qingzhou Prefecture on the third morning, where two burly men ordered them away from Anzhi Hall.
• Jin Shanyao slapped one of the men, knocking him to the ground.

Jin Shanyao returned to Anzhi Hall and confronted the men harassing Shen Huaiyu, who explained how Abundant Celebration Hall’s owner had tried to make her his concubine. Meng Anzhi defended Shen Huaiyu as an Anzhi Hall employee and accused the men of starting the conflict.

• Jin Shanyao returned to Anzhi Hall and learned that Abundant Celebration Hall’s men had been intimidating customers for five days to force Shen Huaiyu’s dismissal.
• Shen Huaiyu arrived and told Jin Shanyao that she had risen from servant to head shopkeeper at Abundant Celebration Hall before its owner pressured her to become his concubine.
• A burly man accused Shen Huaiyu of trying to seduce the owner, and Jin Shanyao struck him when he interrupted and threatened them.
• Jin Shanyao asked Meng Anzhi how he would handle the harassment, and he said Anzhi Hall had to protect its workers.
• Meng Anzhi told the burly man that Abundant Celebration Hall had provoked the dispute by blocking the shop and threatening its staff.

Meng Anci used his first-place scholar status to drive off Abundant Celebration Hall’s men, and Anzhi Hall kept Shen Huaiyu on despite the danger. As the household prepared to return to Little River Village, Meng Anci asked to move his parents’ graves and rebuild their old courtyard on Jin Shanyao’s mountain; the chapter ended with Shiyan visiting Meng Anzhi.

• Meng Anci revealed his first-place scholar scroll, forcing Abundant Celebration Hall’s men to retreat and report back to their proprietor.
• Meng Anzhi assured Shen Huaiyu that Anzhi Hall would keep her, and she returned to work managing the medicine drawers.
• Shopkeeper Wang announced Meng Anci’s palace examination result, drawing excited neighbors around Jin Shanyao and Meng Anzhi.
• Jin Shanyao told Meng Anci they would return to Little River Village the day after tomorrow, and offered to move his parents’ graves and rebuild his old courtyard on their mountain.
• Shiyan rushed into the back courtyard to see Meng Anzhi, while Zhou Xiaosi wondered why Zhao Zhiyuan had not returned with them.

After becoming the top scholar, Meng Anci gave Shiyan his examination books and traveled with Jin Shanyao and the siblings back to Qingzhou Prefecture. As they prepared to return to Little River Village, Meng Anzhi admitted she feared their old home might be gone and could no longer remember what her parents looked like.

• Shiyan visited Meng Anci, who encouraged him to keep studying and gave him stacks of examination books.
• Meng Anci sent the books below the xiucai level to Xiao Huzi and packed with his family for their journey.
• The family traveled to Qingzhou Prefecture, where Meng Anzhi and Jin Shanyao recalled their early days working together.
• Jin Shanyao and the siblings arrived at Anzhi Hall, where Tao Yunshan welcomed them and congratulated Meng Anci on becoming the top scholar.
• That night, Meng Anzhi confessed she was afraid to return to Little River Village and told Jin Shanyao she could not remember what her father and mother looked like.

Jin Shanyao returned to Little River Village with Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci, where villagers crowded around to greet the siblings and Old Woman Li ushered them into their carefully maintained home. The siblings found their childhood belongings unchanged, and Jin Shanyao silently wondered how they had survived the years without Spiritual Power protecting them.

• Jin Shanyao arrived in Little River Village with Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci, and the villagers recognized the siblings and remarked on Meng Anci becoming a juren.
• Matchmaker Gao tried to greet them, but the villagers crowded her out as they gathered around the Meng family's courtyard gate.
• Old Woman Li opened the gate, brought Jin Shanyao and the siblings inside, and chased the curious villagers away.
• Old Woman Li offered to prepare lunch and tried to send her frightened big black dog to mate with Dahuang, but the dog repeatedly fled back into its kennel.
• Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci found their childhood belongings still in place, and Jin Shanyao suspected Spiritual Power had kept them from weathering.

Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci paid their respects to their parents and decided to move the graves and rebuild their childhood home on Lush Mountain. Jin Shanyao arranged to sell the siblings’ village land and house plot to Old Woman Li, while the siblings began recording the house’s layout.

• Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci burned joss paper, honored their parents, and told them they planned to move their graves to Lush Mountain.
• Old Woman Li welcomed the group back with a meal, and Jin Shanyao told her that Meng Anci had placed first in the imperial examination.
• Jin Shanyao explained that the siblings planned to move their house to Lush Mountain and offered to sell Old Woman Li their farmland and house plot for fifteen taels.
• Old Woman Li accepted the siblings’ plans and recalled how Meng Anzhi had suffered after her father died, prompting Meng Anzhi to leave the room in tears.
• Meng Anzhi remembered cooling sweet melons in the well with her father, then asked Meng Anci to help draw the house’s layout so they could rebuild it.

Meng Anci and Meng Anzhi chose a burial site on Lush Mountain and returned to Little River Village to move their parents’ graves. Meng Anci rejected the headman’s offer to buy the old burial plot and warned Meng Hongyi that the household division had ended their claim to kinship.

• Meng Hongde rejected Diao Siniang’s plan to approach Jin Shanyao for money and went to seek out his third brother.
• Meng Hongyi urged Wang Guihua to send their children to visit Jin Shanyao, but she refused and made him help weave a straw mat instead.
• Meng Anzhi chose a burial site on Lush Mountain, and the siblings ordered coffins and hired workers to prepare the ground.
• Meng Anci and Meng Anzhi returned to Little River Village in mourning clothes with a procession to move their parents’ graves.
• The headman asked to buy the burial plot, but Meng Anci said it had already been sold to the Li Household.
• Meng Hongyi and Diao Siniang challenged Meng Anci over the sale, but he cited the household division document and warned that he could have Meng Hongyi jailed.

Meng Anci and Meng Anzhi moved their parents’ graves to Lush Mountain and dismantled their childhood home in Little River Village. They rebuilt it at First Manor exactly as it had been seven years earlier.

• Old Woman Li defended Meng Anzhi’s ownership of the land, and Meng Anci and Meng Anzhi moved their parents’ remains to new graves at Lush Mountain.
• Meng Anci and Meng Anzhi joked with their parents at the graveside, each exposing the other’s embarrassing secrets.
• The siblings moved their belongings to First Manor and had their old house dismantled while Little River Village watched.
• Magistrate Yang visited Lush Mountain to congratulate Meng Anci, who insisted on overseeing the rebuilding of his parents’ home.
• After the new house was completed, Meng Anci and Meng Anzhi restored its furnishings so it looked just as it had seven years earlier.

Meng Anci returned to Qingzhou Prefecture with Jin Shanyao and the others, where visitors crowded Anzhi Hall to see the newly famous top scholar. Xiao Huzi slipped past Jin Shanyao with candy and a pouch of silver, then persuaded Meng Anci to write names for his classmates for a fee, starting with his own.

• Meng Anci warned Zhao Zhiyuan to stay away from his sister, then noticed Meng Anzhi's gaze darken when he told her about their encounter.
• Jin Shanyao returned to Qingzhou Prefecture with Meng Anzhi, Meng Anci, Qing He, and the others, while Yasheng followed overhead.
• The group delayed their departure for the capital because it was time to plant medicinal herbs, and Anzhi Hall grew crowded with visitors seeking Meng Anci.
• Jin Shanyao stopped Xiao Huzi and checked his bag and money pouch before allowing him into the rear courtyard.
• Xiao Huzi offered Meng Anci candy and proposed splitting the money from writing classmates' names for them.
• Meng Anci agreed and wrote Hu Zhizhao's name first.

Xiao Huzi’s copybook scheme was exposed, while Jin Shanyao negotiated with Zhu Huaizhang over helping investigate a string of ghost-marriage cases involving stolen corpses. She proposed a plan to lure the grave robbers into the open, though Zhu Huaizhang worried it was dangerous and costly.

• Jin Shanyao found Xiao Huzi’s register of copybook buyers and pressured him into giving her eighty percent of his profits.
• Zhu Huaizhang told Jin Shanyao that several corpses had been stolen from graves after families refused ghost-marriage proposals, and that one coffin had been filled with a skinned black dog.
• Zhu Huaizhang asked Jin Shanyao to divine where the grave robbers were hiding, but she argued they needed to catch them with the stolen bodies as evidence.
• Jin Shanyao proposed faking a death and spreading word of a burial to lure the thieves out, then asked Zhu Huaizhang for fifty taels to help.
• Zhu Huaizhang objected that Jin Shanyao’s plan was too dangerous and struggled with the price even as she urged him to trust her.

Jin Shanyao learned that Li Mei, known as Ghosts' Bane, arranged forced ghost marriages by killing her victims, and she prepared to confront her. After Jin Shanyao promised the mass-grave ghosts they could earn reincarnation, she recruited Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci for a mysterious plan, while Li Mei overheard talk of a dead girl and began asking about her family.

• Ghost Three identified Ghosts' Bane as Li Mei, a ruthless ghost-marriage matchmaker who killed people to pair them with the dead.
• Jin Shanyao learned that the mass-grave ghosts had been helping victims of abuse and other crimes, warned them not to kill, and promised they could soon be reincarnated.
• Ghost One asked to be reincarnated with Tang Qiao, and Jin Shanyao agreed if they balanced their Merit.
• Jin Shanyao located Li Mei's house in Bingzi Lane, told Zhu Huaizhang what she had learned, and returned home at daybreak.
• Jin Shanyao asked Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci to help with a major task, then told them to burn paper offerings and mourn at her grave.
• Li Mei overheard two men discussing a girl who died in a cellar and pressed them to reveal the girl's family.