Arc 3Court Cases and New Year
Tong Aning helped expose crimes and family betrayals while her friends and relatives faced new choices and revelations. The stretch ended with the Tong family discovering Su Huamo dressed in women's clothes.
- Tong Aning helped expose Feng Cheng's murders, and Cen Yu ordered him taken away.
- The emperor condemned a couple who had driven their daughter to suicide, then announced that the examination results would determine entry into court service.
- Tong Fengye and Feng Chu left to join the army, while Tong Aning learned that the top examinees had been taken to prison.
- Tong Aning and Xue Lin helped uncover cases involving false identities, hidden affairs, and family crimes, including Yan Jie's scandal and Jiang Yan's paternity.
- Tong Aning exposed Hua Yao and Ke Jing's affair and helped Murong Tao and Sang Yingxin learn that Shao Ling had deceived them.
- At the Ma Clan auction, Mu Hanqin learned what had happened to her three daughters, and Tong Aning helped bring the case to Cen Yu.
- The emperor imprisoned Grand Tutor An and An Jinghuan after Jin Yue testified against them and the Sixth Princess recalled being lured to the pond.
- The Tong family celebrated New Year's, then discovered that Su Huamo had gone to dress in women's clothes.