Chapter Summaries

Shen Yuxi resisted going to court after Emperor Xuanzhao ordered her to serve as an official, but her family persuaded her to get dressed and go. She left for court with Minister Shen, while her worried mother and siblings hoped the system would keep her safe.

• Shen Yuxi hid beneath her quilt and protested that she did not want to attend court, while the system reminded her that the emperor's decree could not be ignored.
• Minister Shen and the rest of Shen Yuxi's family arrived and explained that her summons followed her saving the fourth prince.
• Shen Yuxi pretended to be ill and asked for six months to a year of leave, but Minister Shen warned her that deceiving the emperor could endanger the whole family.
• The system promised to entertain Shen Yuxi with court gossip, and she agreed to attend so she could hear the latest rumors.
• Shen Yuxi put on her custom official robes and boarded the carriage with Minister Shen as Madam Shen and her other children worried about her safety.

Shen Yuxi rode to court with Minister Shen, teased him through her thoughts, and persuaded him to share his buns. After arriving at the Hall of Supreme Polarity, she knelt for the emperor, unsettled by the unfamiliar act.

• Shen Yuxi watched Minister Shen eat his buns and insisted he should offer her one without her having to ask.
• Minister Shen handed Shen Yuxi some buns to keep her from going hungry and from complaining to her mother.
• The system reminded Shen Yuxi of her childhood mischief, and Minister Shen recalled how often she had caused trouble.
• Minister Shen and Shen Yuxi arrived at the palace as the officials entered the Hall of Supreme Polarity.
• Shen Yuxi knelt when the emperor arrived, but felt uncomfortable kneeling to him.

Shen Yuxi complained about being appointed to court while the ministers learned that she could hear and speak with a system. Her private assessment praised Emperor Xuanzhao as a capable ruler, leaving him visibly pleased as a censor stepped forward to report.

• Shen Yuxi lamented that her new post might leave her kneeling for years, while the system explained that Emperor Xuanzhao had appointed her because she saved the Fourth Prince.
• The ministers overheard Shen Yuxi's conversation with the system, and Minister Shen explained that the unseen voice belonged to a spirit called a system.
• The ministers recalled their failed attempts to stop Shen Yuxi's appointment and planned to watch for a chance to remove her from her court historian post.
• Eunuch Yang announced the start of court business, and Yan Bosen stepped forward to report a matter as the system offered Shen Yuxi gossip.
• Shen Yuxi privately judged Emperor Xuanzhao a diligent and capable emperor, and he sat proudly at her praise.

During court, Shen Yuxi and the system revealed that the Second Princess had been murdered by Noble Consort Wei and that the Third Princess was not Emperor Xuanzhao’s daughter. Emperor Xuanzhao was shaken by the revelations, while the ministers listened in secret and the court proceeded with a report.

• The system recalled how Emperor Xuanzhao and the late empress grieved the death of their Eldest Princess, then revealed that the Third Princess did not resemble the emperor.
• The system explained that Consort Xi had given birth to the Second Princess and that the girl had died from a fatal peanut allergy.
• Shen Yuxi guessed that someone had poisoned the Second Princess, and the system confirmed that Noble Consort Wei was responsible.
• The system revealed that the Third Princess was not Emperor Xuanzhao’s daughter, shocking the emperor and the court.
• Grand Tutor Wei tried to defend Noble Consort Wei, but other officials restrained him and Emperor Xuanzhao warned him with a look.
• After Emperor Xuanzhao’s teacup shattered, Shen Yuxi asked whether he had Parkinson’s; the system said he was healthy, and another minister began a report.

Shen Yuxi learned through the system that Noble Consort Wei’s third princess was fathered by her childhood sweetheart, who had become her personal eunuch, and that Wei had also arranged the second princess’s poisoning. Emperor Xuanzhao concealed his fury and continued court business, while Shen Yuxi later discovered that Mo Xuanchen was absent because he was recovering from grave injuries.

• Shen Yuxi asked who had fathered Noble Consort Wei’s third princess, and the system identified Wei’s head personal eunuch.
• The system explained that Wei had entered the palace after falling for Emperor Xuanzhao, then arranged for her childhood sweetheart to serve as her personal eunuch and secretly fathered her third princess with him.
• The system revealed that Wei had bribed the second princess’s wet nurse to poison the girl with peanuts, then silenced the wet nurse by threatening her daughter.
• Emperor Xuanzhao suppressed his murderous anger and carried on discussing state affairs while Shen Yuxi worried that she had no evidence to expose Wei.
• After four hours, Shen Yuxi took Lord Shi’s place recording court proceedings and sat down to rest.
• Shen Yuxi asked why Mo Xuanchen was absent, and the system said he was recovering from his grave injuries on the emperor’s special leave.

At court, Shen Yuxi learned more about Mo Xuanchen’s fearsome reputation and spoke with Crown Prince Mo Jingyu, while insisting she had no desire to become involved with the Fourth Prince. When she returned home, she found Mo Xuanchen had come with gifts to thank her for saving his life.

• The system told Shen Yuxi that Mo Xuanchen was torturing the assassins who had tried to kill him, and she privately dismissed the idea that she would spend time with him.
• After morning court, Crown Prince Mo Jingyu stopped Shen Yuxi and thanked her for saving his younger brother; she soon excused herself to avoid attracting gossip.
• Shen Yuxi returned to the Shen residence and saw carriages from Mo Xuanchen’s household loaded with gifts for her family.
• Shen Yuxi entered the main hall, where Mo Xuanchen greeted her, and she met his deep gaze.

Shen Yuxi returned home after receiving gifts from Mo Xuanchen, joked with her family over lunch, and left Minister Shen working late at the Ministry of Rites. In the imperial garden, Emperor Xuanzhao confronted Noble Consort Wei and demanded that she confess what she had hidden from him.

• Mo Xuanchen gave Shen Yuxi gifts and declined Madam Shen’s invitation to stay for lunch.
• Shen Yuxi told Shen Tinglan and Madam Shen that court had been boring, then teased her family during their meal.
• Minister Shen continued working at the Ministry of Rites without taking lunch.
• Noble Consort Wei complained about the Empress’s rules for the imperial garden and plucked a peony.
• Emperor Xuanzhao arrived and threatened Noble Consort Wei, giving her one chance to confess everything she had concealed.

Emperor Xuanzhao confronted Noble Consort Wei over her affair with Cheng Ji and learned that Princess Ping'an was not his daughter. He ordered Noble Consort Wei to be sent to the cold palace and given poisoned wine, while Cheng Ji was sentenced to death, leaving the fate of the third princess undecided.

• Noble Consort Wei tried to dismiss Emperor Xuanzhao's suspicions and invoked Princess Ping'an, but he struck her and accused her of deceiving him about the princess's parentage.
• Emperor Xuanzhao rejected Noble Consort Wei's denials, citing a palace servant who had witnessed her affair with Cheng Ji.
• Emperor Xuanzhao ordered Noble Consort Wei sent to the cold palace and given poisoned wine, and sentenced Cheng Ji to be torn apart by five horses.
• Noble Consort Wei and Cheng Ji pleaded for mercy as Eunuch Yang's men dragged them away.
• Eunuch Yang asked Emperor Xuanzhao what should be done with the third princess.

Emperor Xuanzhao confirmed that Noble Consort Wei had deceived the palace about the Third Princess’s parentage and ordered poisoned wine for them both. The next morning, Shen Yuxi was dragged to court by Minister Shen after sleeping through the journey, leaving her mortified in front of the other officials.

• Emperor Xuanzhao’s investigation confirmed that Noble Consort Wei had carried the Third Princess to full term and falsified her pregnancy with an imperial physician’s help.
• Emperor Xuanzhao ordered poisoned wine for Noble Consort Wei and the Third Princess, and refused to see the princess.
• Mo Xuanchen learned that Shen Yuxi had exposed the affair and ordered Han Ying to watch Grand Tutor Wei and secretly protect her.
• Minister Shen woke Shen Yuxi early and lectured her about her late-night habits before taking her to court.
• When Shen Yuxi slept through the carriage ride, Minister Shen dragged her out in front of the waiting officials, and she panicked that her colleagues would mock her.

At court, Shen Yuxi learned that Grand Tutor Wei resented her for exposing Noble Consort Wei, then inadvertently revealed his affair with a young concubine and his plan to send his youngest daughter into the palace. The chapter left Grand Tutor Wei caught between his ambitions and his rebellious daughter, while Emperor Xuanzhao reconsidered his opinion of him.

• Shen Yuxi asked the system about Grand Tutor Wei, and it explained that he blamed her for Noble Consort Wei and the Third Princess being executed.
• Minister Shen pulled Shen Yuxi behind him as she learned that Grand Tutor Wei had not slept after losing his daughter.
• Mo Jingyu warned Grand Tutor Wei not to act rashly and praised Shen Yuxi for exposing Noble Consort Wei's corruption of the imperial bloodline.
• Shen Yuxi and the system revealed that Grand Tutor Wei had spent the night with his young concubine, embarrassing him before Emperor Xuanzhao and the ministers.
• The system revealed that Grand Tutor Wei planned to send his youngest daughter into the palace, though she wanted a husband her own age and resisted her father's plans.

Shen Yuxi’s thoughts exposed Jia Kun’s indulgence of his son, prompting Emperor Xuanzhao to order an investigation into the young man’s abuse of commoners. The court then debated Ruo Qiang’s surrender and whether the kingdom should be punished for its attacks on Mo Xuanchen.

• Shen Yuxi praised Minister Shen as a devoted husband, and he basked in the officials’ admiration.
• Minister He impeached Jia Kun for letting his son beat and threaten a commoner, and the system revealed Jia Kun knew of the wrongdoing but repeatedly excused it.
• Emperor Xuanzhao ordered Lu Song to investigate the allegations against Jia Kun’s son and enforce the law if they were true.
• The crown prince reported that Ruo Qiang had offered to surrender and pay tribute after General Wei sent word of its defeat.
• An official urged Emperor Xuanzhao to destroy Ruo Qiang for poisoning and sending assassins after Mo Xuanchen.

At court, Shen Yuxi argued that the Mo Kingdom should accept Ruo Qiang’s offer of peace rather than risk more casualties and strain the treasury. Emperor Xuanzhao accepted the peace request and ordered the Crown Prince to ensure Ruo Qiang paid all reparations.

• Officials in court fiercely debated whether to continue the war against Ruo Qiang or accept its offer to submit.
• Emperor Xuanzhao asked Shen Yuxi for her thoughts, and she advocated peaceful negotiations, citing disasters, military costs, neighboring threats, and the lives of soldiers and commoners.
• Emperor Xuanzhao praised Shen Yuxi’s reasoning and accepted Ruo Qiang’s request for peace.
• Mo Jingyu agreed to convey the decision and ensure Ruo Qiang paid every item of reparations.

Shen Yuxi slept through morning court under Emperor Xuanzhao’s indulgent protection, then stopped to watch Jia Kun’s son quarrel with his wife, Liu Mengnuan. Lu Song arrived with soldiers to arrest Jia Kun’s son for investigation, leaving the public confrontation on the verge of official action.

• Emperor Xuanzhao silenced the officials so Shen Yuxi could sleep through court, and the officials lowered their voices until the session ended.
• Shen Yuxi rode with Minister Shen to the Drunken Immortal Abode, then left the carriage to watch Jia Kun’s son arguing with Liu Mengnuan.
• After Jia Kun’s son slapped and insulted Liu Mengnuan, Shen Yuxi urged her inwardly to strike back, and Liu Mengnuan slapped him in front of the crowd.
• Shen Yuxi and the system discussed Jia Kun’s son’s behavior, and the gathered onlookers laughed at his expense.
• Lu Song arrived with soldiers from the Court of Judicial Review to arrest Jia Kun’s son for questioning about bullying commoners.

Shen Yuxi watched Lu Song arrest Jia Weihe, while Emperor Xuanzhao discussed the growing fear of her investigations and Mo Xuanchen’s interest in her. Mo Xuanchen returned to court early, where Shen Yuxi privately mocked his work ethic and defended her own desire to enjoy life.

• Lu Song arrested Jia Weihe on accusations of oppressing commoners and abusing Liu Mengnuan, who promised to provide evidence against him.
• Emperor Xuanzhao and Eunuch Yang discussed how Shen Yuxi had made officials attend court and investigate their own households, and the emperor considered secretly protecting her.
• Eunuch Yang told Emperor Xuanzhao that Mo Xuanchen had personally visited the Shen residence with gifts to thank Shen Yuxi for saving his life.
• Mo Xuanchen returned to court early despite having a month of leave because his injuries had healed, prompting Shen Yuxi to envy his work excuse and criticize his diligence.
• Mo Xuanchen threatened Mo Yao for laughing, while Shen Yuxi insisted that enjoying each day was not the same as lying flat.

During court, Shen Yuxi and the system exposed Vice Minister of War Wen Xingyuan’s habit of cuddling piglets, then Prefect Cui Mingjian reported that a deadly epidemic had erupted in flood-stricken Qingzhou. Emperor Xuanzhao faced an urgent plea to send aid as hundreds had already died and the disease was spreading rapidly.

• Shen Yuxi and the system revealed that Wen Xingyuan secretly slept with piglets, embarrassing him before the court.
• The system explained that Wen Xingyuan’s wife had forbidden pigs in their bed, but he still sneaked out at night to cuddle them.
• Cui Mingjian arrived at court after rushing back from Qingzhou, and Emperor Xuanzhao asked why he had left the relief effort.
• Cui Mingjian reported that an epidemic had broken out after the floods, killing several hundred people and spreading beyond control.
• Cui Mingjian begged Emperor Xuanzhao to send aid to Qingzhou.

As Qingzhou’s epidemic threatened to spread, Emperor Xuanzhao ordered relief supplies, medical support, and a quarantine, but the court feared that doctors would not develop a treatment in time. Shen Yuxi bought an epidemic prescription from her system shop and presented it to Director Han for examination.

• Shen Yuxi learned that the late emperor had once abandoned an infected village, while the system explained that Qingzhou’s larger outbreak could not be concealed or ignored.
• Emperor Xuanzhao ordered silver, rice, and medicinal herbs sent to Qingzhou, dispatched ten imperial physicians, offered rewards for doctors and a cure, and sealed the region against departures.
• The system told Shen Yuxi she could buy an epidemic prescription, and she redeemed one for seventy thousand points.
• Shen Yuxi told Emperor Xuanzhao that a divine physician had given her the prescription in a dream and handed it over for testing.
• Emperor Xuanzhao sent Director Han to have the Imperial Medical Academy examine the prescription, and Director Han accepted it with excitement.

Shen Yuxi defended herself when Grand Tutor Wei challenged her, and he collapsed during the argument. The system then claimed Emperor Xuanzhao intended to match Shen Yuxi with the Fourth Prince, leaving Mo Xuanchen visibly nervous as everyone awaited her response.

• Emperor Xuanzhao ordered the Imperial Medical Academy to test Shen Yuxi’s epidemic prescription and promised her one request if it worked.
• Grand Tutor Wei objected to the emperor’s promise, and Shen Yuxi accused him of making trouble while he insisted she had insulted him.
• Grand Tutor Wei suffered a sudden, unexplained attack and fainted despite Imperial Physician Han finding no clear cause.
• Emperor Xuanzhao ordered Grand Tutor Wei carried away and allowed morning court to continue without blaming Shen Yuxi.
• The system told Shen Yuxi that Emperor Xuanzhao meant to match her with the Fourth Prince, and Mo Xuanchen grew nervous as she fell silent.

After morning court, Shen Yuxi was summoned to meet the Empress Dowager and Empress, who welcomed her warmly and gave her a precious jade bangle. When Shen Yuxi and the system exposed Emperor Xuanzhao’s embarrassing reason for visiting, the chapter left him red-eared and humiliated.

• After court, a palace maid summoned Shen Yuxi to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility to meet the Empress Dowager and Empress.
• Shen Yuxi learned through the system that the Empress had brought the Empress Dowager a thousand-year-old ginseng root to support her health.
• The Empress Dowager welcomed Shen Yuxi warmly and gave her an ice-grade jadeite bangle once bestowed on her by the late emperor.
• The system revealed that Emperor Xuanzhao had come hoping to get some of the ginseng for himself after suffering an intimate failure with a consort.
• Shen Yuxi joked internally about the emperor seeking a boost, while Emperor Xuanzhao listened and blushed with embarrassment.

Shen Yuxi and the system exposed that Consort Xuan had poisoned the empress dowager to avenge the miscarriage she suffered after kneeling to pray for Mo Xuanchen. Shen Yuxi diagnosed the empress dowager with poisoning and offered to treat her, just as Consort Xuan arrived to seek an audience.

• The system revealed that Consort Xuan had secretly poisoned the empress dowager with a slow-acting toxin, and Emperor Xuanzhao and the empress listened in shock.
• The system explained that Consort Xuan had miscarried after kneeling for a day and a night to pray during Mo Xuanchen's battle against the Ruo Qiang Kingdom, then blamed the empress dowager for her loss.
• Shen Yuxi warned the empress dowager that her symptoms indicated poisoning and offered to take her pulse.
• Shen Yuxi confirmed that the empress dowager had been poisoned and volunteered to treat her.
• A palace maid announced that Consort Xuan had arrived to seek an audience, and Shen Yuxi recognized the chance to confront the danger.

Shen Yuxi cured the empress dowager’s long-standing poisoning, then urged Emperor Xuanzhao and the empress to investigate who had harmed her. Consort Xuan grew increasingly anxious, and Shen Yuxi’s suspicions turned toward her as the empress dowager woke safe.

• Consort Xuan arrived and tried to undermine Shen Yuxi’s claim that the empress dowager had been poisoned, but Emperor Xuanzhao and the empress trusted Shen Yuxi.
• Shen Yuxi bought an antidote, had Liuying bring her supplies, and treated the empress dowager in a private chamber for nearly four hours.
• Shen Yuxi announced that the poison had been neutralized, while Consort Xuan questioned her cure and Emperor Xuanzhao ordered Consort Xuan to be silent.
• Shen Yuxi noticed Consort Xuan’s alarm when asked about her sachet and urged Emperor Xuanzhao and the empress to investigate the people who had access to the empress dowager.
• The empress dowager awoke feeling greatly improved, and she and Emperor Xuanzhao rewarded Shen Yuxi with valuable gifts.