Recaps

Wu Zhenhai returned to Zhou Xu’s room with noodles, and their teasing turned to Zhou Xu’s forced marriage plans and his growing determination to intervene. He told her to attend an upcoming spring outing and promised to settle the Zhou Family’s scheme, then asked her for help.

• Wu Zhenhai came back to Zhou Xu’s room, woke her, and gave her a bowl of noodles he had made.
• Zhou Xu told Wu Zhenhai that the Zhou Family might marry her off and that she would accept whoever her mother and the other woman chose.
• Zhou Xu said she would make trouble or even butcher her husband’s family if they mistreated her.
• Zhou Xu revealed that the mother and daughter planned to use her to test the princess consort before arranging her marriage to anyone.
• Wu Zhenhai grew angry at the marriage plan, told Zhou Xu to attend an upcoming spring outing, and promised to settle the matter soon.
• Wu Zhenhai asked Zhou Xu to help him with something, and she told him to get on his knees and ask.

Wu Zhenhai asked Zhou Xu to watch over his daughter Wu Chanjuan, who was facing pressure from the Che Family because she had not conceived. At the spring outing, Zhou Xu provoked Old Madam Zhou and Xiu'er before being taken away, while Yanran and Xiu'er prepared to carry out their own plan.

• Wu Zhenhai asked Zhou Xu to observe Wu Chanjuan and find out whether the Che Family was mistreating her.
• Zhou Xu decided to wait and see how Wu Chanjuan was coping before interfering.
• The Prince of Jin brought his family to the spring outing and escorted Tang Zhuyun to the women’s gathering.
• Zhou Xu challenged Old Madam Zhou’s remarks about Tang Zhuyun’s pregnancy, prompting Xiu'er to trade barbs with her.
• Zhou Fu tried to smooth things over, but Old Madam Zhou ordered Zhou Xu taken away.
• Yanran promised to teach the others a lesson, and Xiu'er reminded her to follow their plan.

Tang Zhuyun and the others attended a Zhou Family outing where Zhou Fu tried to impress the Prince of Jin, while Yanran suspected the family had interfered with Linlin’s performance. The outing turned dangerous when roaming bandits abducted a woman, and the Prince of Jin rushed back to Tang Zhuyun with Linlin.

• Yanran played with the other girls while Xiu'er discreetly questioned the Zhou Family's maids, and Old Madam Zhou offered Tang Zhuyun servants from the border city.
• Zhou Fu resented her grandmother and arranged a disturbance so she could show off her riding and archery skills before the Prince of Jin.
• Yanran returned upset that Linlin had performed only averagely, and she and Xiu'er told Tang Zhuyun they had uncovered something about Concubine Yu.
• An arrow flew near the gathering, prompting Zhou Fu to head toward the commotion, but the Prince of Jin arrived carrying Linlin on horseback.
• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun that roaming bandits had abducted one of the women.

During a bandit attack at the spring outing, Zhou Xu was abducted, and Tang Zhuyun insisted that the Prince of Jin go rescue her. The Prince of Jin rode out with Wu Zhenhai, while Xiu'er suspected Wu Zhenhai had been stalling.

• Tang Zhuyun grew alarmed when the group discovered that someone had been taken, and the Prince of Jin said Wu Zhenhai was leading the defenses.
• Tang Zhuyun recognized Wu Zhenhai as a handsome man and watched him answer the Prince of Jin for the confusion.
• Zhou Fu cried out that Zhou Xu had been abducted, and Wu Zhenhai confirmed it.
• Tang Zhuyun urged the Prince of Jin to rescue Zhou Xu, insisting he treat it as if he were saving her.
• The Prince of Jin left with several dozen men alongside Wu Zhenhai, and Xiu'er accused Wu Zhenhai of stalling rather than wanting to save Zhou Xu.

Tang Zhuyun and her family returned to the prince's residence after Zhou Xu was abducted, and Linlin proposed telling Concubine Yu about the danger to draw out the truth. Tang Zhuyun suspected the incident was a secret kidnapping connected to Wu Zhenhai.

• Tang Zhuyun, Linlin, and the others returned safely to the prince's residence after the strange bandit attack.
• Xiu'er reported that Zhou Yushan and Madam Zhou had abused Concubine Yu, causing her to miscarry twice, while Yanran said Zhou Xu had always been treated badly by the Zhou Family.
• Xiu'er suggested Zhou Fu might have followed the Prince of Jin after seeing him visit Zhou Xu, because she had taken a fancy to him.
• Linlin proposed telling Concubine Yu that Zhou Xu was in danger, reasoning that she might reveal her identity to persuade the Prince of Jin to save her daughter.
• Linlin admitted he had deliberately lost the riding and archery contest to encourage the Zhou Family's arrogance, and Tang Zhuyun suspected the bandits had secretly abducted someone rather than staged a robbery.

Tang Zhuyun learned that Concubine Yu was Bai Lu, the prince’s long-lost birth mother, and that Zhou Xu was her daughter by Zhou Yushan. As the prince went to rescue Zhou Xu, Concubine Yu revealed how Xiao Wu and Zhou Yushan had tormented her, while Zhou Xu remained bound in a carriage and feared she might die before the Zhou Family fell.

• Tang Zhuyun and the others considered why Wu Zhenhai might want to marry Zhou Xu, then returned to the residence to question Concubine Yu.
• Linlin spoke privately with Concubine Yu, who ran out in tears and begged Tang Zhuyun to save Zhou Xu.
• Concubine Yu confessed that she was Bai Lu, the prince’s birth mother, and that Zhou Xu was her daughter by Zhou Yushan.
• Concubine Yu explained that Xiao Wu had given her to Zhou Yushan, who abused her to curry favor with Xiao Wu and vent his own feelings.
• Xiu'er grew furious after overhearing Concubine Yu’s story, while Linlin promised that they would not let her suffer again.
• Zhou Xu, still bound in a carriage, searched for a way to escape and worried she would die before seeing the Zhou Family fall.

After Zhou Xu was abducted from a spring outing and taken into the mountains, she tried to seduce her captors to create a chance to escape. She remained bound and blindfolded as a second man threatened her.

• Zhou Xu woke in a moving carriage after being knocked unconscious and suspected someone had helped the kidnappers seize her.
• The carriage carried Zhou Xu into a deserted mountain area, where a large man took her into a forest hollow.
• Zhou Xu pretended to be ill and tried to seduce the man, but strange birdcalls prompted him to gag her and leave.
• The man returned, covered Zhou Xu's eyes, and later groped her chest; Zhou Xu resumed her attempt to charm him.
• A different man slapped Zhou Xu, ordered her to be quiet, and seized her by the throat when she kept speaking.

Zhou Xu endured a staged kidnapping and believed an unknown man was assaulting her, until she recognized Wu Zhenhai and attacked him. Wu Zhenhai revealed that he planned to claim he had rescued her from bandits and marry her, leaving Zhou Xu furious but trapped by his scheme.

• The man freed Zhou Xu's upper body but kept her legs bound and ordered her to slap herself.
• Zhou Xu tried to learn who had abducted her, and the man named Wu Zhenhai as the reason for his actions.
• Zhou Xu secretly took a gold hairpin and waited for a chance to defend herself.
• After recognizing Wu Zhenhai by his touch, Zhou Xu tore off her blindfold and tried to stab him with the hairpin.
• Wu Zhenhai explained that he would present the incident as a bandit kidnapping and marry Zhou Xu as her rescuer.

Zhou Xu and Wu Zhenhai were caught together by the Prince of Jin, who chose not to use the affair against Wu Zhenhai. The Prince of Jin returned to Tang Zhuyun and explained what he had seen, leaving her and Xiu'er to consider Wu Zhenhai's intentions toward Zhou Xu.

• Wu Zhenhai explained that he had arranged the bandit attack and began making his encounter with Zhou Xu look convincing.
• The Prince of Jin arrived with guards, saw Zhou Xu and Wu Zhenhai together, and told them he would not make an issue of it.
• Wu Zhenhai said the Prince of Jin had done him a favor rather than gained leverage, and Zhou Xu realized she was caught in a contest between Wu Zhenhai and the Zhou Family.
• The Prince of Jin returned to Tang Zhuyun and told her Zhou Xu was safe and that Wu Zhenhai seemed to be considering marrying her.
• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er discussed Wu Zhenhai's motives, while the Prince of Jin acknowledged that Wu Zhenhai had given Zhou Xu some thought.

Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er decided they had to rescue Zhou Xu and Concubine Yu from the Zhou Family and Wu Zhenhai, but Tang Zhuyun worried about how to tell the Prince of Jin that Zhou Xu was his sister. She planned to fake the women’s deaths and use Ren Yingying’s technology to give them new faces so they could be brought back unnoticed.

• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er agreed that Wu Zhenhai was unsuitable for Zhou Xu and that the marriage was too far along to stop directly.
• Tang Zhuyun decided they had to bring Zhou Xu and Concubine Yu back without openly acknowledging them as family.
• Tang Zhuyun proposed faking their deaths and changing their faces rather than sending them away or starting a fight with the Zhou Family.
• Tang Zhuyun planned to ask Ren Yingying to alter their appearances, while Xiu'er noted Zhou Xu could imitate others and Concubine Yu rarely went out.
• Tang Zhuyun admitted she was most worried about telling the Prince of Jin the truth, and Xiu'er went to ask around.

Tang Zhuyun learned that Concubine Yu had changed her mind about telling the Prince of Jin the truth, and she decided to tell her husband herself while guarding against Wu Zhenhai. After Linlin left to check on the Prince of Jin’s plan against Zhang Qian, Xiu'er shared news of Wu Zhenhai’s public humiliation, and Tang Zhuyun prepared to visit the Zhou Residence.

• Linlin told Tang Zhuyun that Concubine Yu no longer wanted the Prince of Jin to know she was his birth mother, and Tang Zhuyun resolved to tell her husband that night.
• Linlin warned Tang Zhuyun to be wary of Wu Zhenhai because he knew Zhou Xu too well, then reassured her that he did not resent the delay in restoring his family status.
• Tang Zhuyun let Linlin feel the baby kick, and he went to ask the Prince of Jin how his trap for Zhang Qian was progressing.
• Xiu'er returned with gossip that Wu Zhenhai had been publicly humiliated, while Tang Zhuyun worried about Zhou Xu and acknowledged her resilience.
• Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er to prepare for a visit to the Zhou Residence the next day.

Tang Zhuyun told the Prince of Jin that she had found his mother and explained her plans to help Zhou Xu reunite with family. Their conversation was interrupted when Ren Yingying arrived with the four concubines and Qu Nian, who was still a dog.

• The Prince of Jin noticed Tang Zhuyun was troubled, and she revealed that she may have found his mother, Concubine Yu.
• Tang Zhuyun told the Prince of Jin that Zhou Xu would decide whether to take Concubine Yu to the capital to find Yingying, while they gave mother and son time to adjust.
• A guard reported that someone had arrived to see Tang Zhuyun, and the Prince of Jin went out to bring the visitors in.
• Ren Yingying arrived with Dog Meat and all four concubines, claiming Qu Hua had agreed to let her ask Tang Zhuyun to treat Qu Nian.
• The Prince of Jin left to sleep in his study, while Qu Nian followed him and Ren Yingying kept Dog Meat from wandering off.

Ren Yingying reunited with Tang Zhuyun in the border town and explained that she had come early to help her through her twin pregnancy and childbirth. She planned to stay until Tang Zhuyun gave birth, while Qu Nian worried about his identity and endured Ren Yingying’s teasing.

• Qu Nian asked the system whether revealing his identity to the Prince of Jin would get him punished, but the system said it did not know.
• Tang Zhuyun gave Ren Yingying clothes and arranged a bath while Ren Yingying ate and fed chicken to Dog Meat.
• Tang Zhuyun asked why Ren Yingying had come, and Ren Yingying said she had slipped away early because she wanted to help with Tang Zhuyun’s pregnancy and possible C-section.
• Ren Yingying told Tang Zhuyun that she would stay until the birth, and Tang Zhuyun warned her to wait patiently rather than court danger.
• Ren Yingying said Qu Hua had gone to Liaodong searching for four things, including something connected to the Prince of Liaodong, and joked that she would someday keep three thousand male companions.

Ren Yingying reunited with Tang Zhuyun and revealed her plans for an erotic picture book, while Tang Zhuyun prepared to visit Zhou Xu. At the Zhou residence, Tang Zhuyun and Ren Yingying suspected something was wrong and followed Qu Nian toward the woodshed.

• Ren Yingying told Tang Zhuyun that Lady Deng had come to look for the Xue Family but was waiting at an inn because she feared bringing bad luck to Tang Zhuyun's childbirth.
• Tang Zhuyun told Ren Yingying about the Prince of Jin's mother and sister, and Ren Yingying announced that she planned to print thousands of erotic picture books.
• Ren Yingying offered to help change the faces of Tang Zhuyun's mother-in-law and sister-in-law, then promised to repair her husband's injured hand and prevent a scar.
• The next morning, Tang Zhuyun set out to visit Zhou Xu with Xiu'er, Ren Yingying, and Dog Meat, while Yanran promised to welcome Lady Deng.
• At the Zhou Family residence, Tang Zhuyun noticed Zhou Fu acting strangely, and Ren Yingying sent Qu Nian to follow a maid.
• Qu Nian returned and ran toward the woodshed, prompting Ren Yingying, Tang Zhuyun, and Xiu'er to follow as Zhou Fu called after them.

Tang Zhuyun rescued Zhou Xu from the Zhou Family woodshed after discovering she had been beaten and left with a fever. She punished Zhou Fu and took Zhou Xu away to recover, leaving Old Madam Zhou to deal with the household.

• Ren Yingying kicked open the woodshed and found Zhou Xu injured and feverish.
• Tang Zhuyun confronted Old Madam Zhou, and Zhou Xu claimed Wu Zhenhai had asked the princess consort to come save her.
• Tang Zhuyun said Wu Zhenhai had brought the matter to the Prince of Jin and slapped Zhou Fu four times after Zhou Xu named her as the one who had struck her.
• Ren Yingying and Xiu'er stopped Zhou Fu from defending herself, while Tang Zhuyun told Old Madam Zhou she would take Zhou Xu away for a few days.
• Tang Zhuyun ordered Ren Yingying to help Zhou Xu, who insisted she could walk on her own.

Tang Zhuyun told Zhou Xu that she was the Prince of Jin’s younger sister and that her aunt was his birth mother. After returning to the residence, Zhou Xu accepted medicine and began settling into her new life, though she feared the revelation might be a dream.

• In the carriage, Tang Zhuyun told Zhou Xu that she was the Prince of Jin’s younger sister, and Zhou Xu struggled to believe her.
• Tang Zhuyun examined Zhou Xu and learned that she had been locked in the woodshed overnight and had caught a chill.
• Tang Zhuyun brought Zhou Xu to a prepared courtyard at the prince’s residence and asked whether she wanted to see the old madam.
• Zhou Xu asked Tang Zhuyun not to tell her aunt that she was ill, and Xiu'er urged her to call the old madam Mother instead.
• Ren Yingying provided medicine, and Zhou Xu took it while admitting she was afraid to sleep in case the truth proved to be a dream.

Tang Zhuyun welcomed Zhou Xu and reunited her with Concubine Yu, then spoke with Lady Deng about family matters and the challenges of pregnancy and marriage. She later told the Prince of Jin about Zhou Xu’s arrival, and they agreed to host the newcomers for dinner while Ren Yingying stayed to help until Tang Zhuyun gave birth.

• Tang Zhuyun let Zhou Xu, Concubine Yu, Xiu'er, and Ren Yingying share time together, while she went to greet Lady Deng.
• Lady Deng told Tang Zhuyun she planned to return to Desert City to care for Old Madam Xue and advised her to keep close to the Prince of Jin despite the demands of motherhood.
• Yanran offered to accompany Lady Deng to Desert City, and Tang Zhuyun sent them off with Jiang'er, guards, and two attendants.
• Tang Zhuyun told the Prince of Jin that Zhou Xu had arrived, and they agreed to invite the newcomers to dinner.
• The Prince of Jin massaged Tang Zhuyun’s swollen calves and offered to handle the Prince of Min’s Residence; Tang Zhuyun said Ren Yingying would stay until after the birth.

As the Prince of Jin and Tang Zhuyun welcomed Zhou Xu into the family, Zhou Xu struggled to believe she deserved their kindness. She asked to return to the Zhou Family so she could rely on her own usefulness rather than feel indebted to her new relatives.

• The Prince of Jin and Tang Zhuyun agreed that Ren Yingying and her companions could help manage the residence as Tang Zhuyun’s delivery approached.
• Xiu'er told the Prince of Jin that Zhou Xu wanted to return to the Zhou Family, and he insisted she should stay while she recovered.
• The Prince of Jin hosted Zhou Xu for dinner, where Tang Zhuyun warmly encouraged her to eat and helped her feel more at ease.
• After the Prince of Jin and Linlin left the meal, Zhou Xu admitted she feared disgracing her mother and asked Tang Zhuyun to let her return to the Zhou Family.

Tang Zhuyun tried to persuade Zhou Xu to stay at the Prince of Jin’s residence, but Zhou Xu felt she had to earn the family’s kindness by being useful. Tang Zhuyun explained that the prince would not let his sister sacrifice herself, leaving Zhou Xu to consider whether she could accept a peaceful life.

• Zhou Xu refused to stay at the residence unless she could repay the family’s kindness, and Tang Zhuyun reassured her that they valued her for who she was.
• Zhou Xu worried that her past would tarnish the prince’s reputation now that she was his sister.
• Tang Zhuyun described changing Zhou Xu’s face and identity, and Zhou Xu was tempted by the chance to start over.
• Zhou Xu asked to return to help the Prince of Jin with the Zhou Family or Wu Zhenhai, but Tang Zhuyun explained that the prince would never accept her sacrificing herself for his benefit.

Zhou Xu decided to return to the Zhou Family so she could help her brother and sister-in-law and strike back at the family before her wedding. Tang Zhuyun agreed to let her go, gave her medicine to prevent pregnancy, and planned to bring her back for visits while urging her to put her safety first.

• Zhou Xu told Tang Zhuyun she would return to the Zhou Family, though she would not force herself into anything beyond her strength.
• Zhou Xu said she planned to use the Zhou Family’s concern for its reputation to leave Lady Wang and Zhou Fu disgraced before her wedding.
• Tang Zhuyun worried that Zhou Xu could be confined again and asked who could help her send a message; Zhou Xu admitted she would have to rely on Wu Zhenhai.
• Tang Zhuyun warned Zhou Xu that her abortion and strong medicine could affect her future and gave her medicine with instructions to prevent pregnancy.
• Tang Zhuyun told Zhou Xu to recuperate first, then return to the Zhou house, promising to find an excuse to bring her back for visits.

Zhou Xu spent several happy days recovering at the Prince of Jin's Residence before returning to her courtyard and remembering her resolve to deal ruthlessly with the Zhou Family. Wu Zhenhai sent her a note asking her to meet him, and she recognized that he wanted to exploit her connection to the residence.

• Zhou Xu agreed with Tang Zhuyun to return to the Zhou Residence after recovering, and she enjoyed the household's lively company before leaving.
• Yanran heard that Sanbao's cow was about to give birth and brought it two jin of brown sugar as a gift.
• Ren Yingying arrived at lunch, and Zhou Xu returned to her courtyard afterward, where thoughts of the Zhou Family hardened her resolve.
• A maid delivered Zhou Xu a note from Wu Zhenhai and told her he was waiting at the Dingfeng Teahouse by the back gate.
• Zhou Xu read Wu Zhenhai's message and concluded that he wanted to exploit her connection to the Prince of Jin's Residence.

Zhou Xu met Wu Zhenhai at the Dingfeng Teahouse, where their argument covered her visit to the prince’s residence and his daughter Chanjuan’s marriage troubles. Wu Zhenhai remained suspicious of why Her Highness the Princess Consort had taken an interest in Zhou Xu, while Zhou Xu left him without revealing more.

• Zhou Xu ignored Wu Guang’s insults at the Dingfeng Teahouse, then baited him by hugging him in front of Wu Zhenhai.
• Wu Zhenhai summoned Zhou Xu upstairs and accused her of trying to seduce Wu Guang, but she claimed Wu Guang had seduced her.
• Wu Zhenhai softened his tone and explained that he had not come to help when Zhou Fu made things difficult for Zhou Xu.
• Wu Zhenhai blamed Zhou Xu for failing to learn that Chanjuan’s husband had taken a concubine, and Zhou Xu rejected responsibility for Chanjuan.
• Wu Zhenhai asked why Her Highness the Princess Consort had brought Zhou Xu to the prince’s residence, but Zhou Xu said she did not know.
• Wu Zhenhai wondered whether Zhou Xu possessed some hidden value, while she silently resolved not to hold back when scheming against him.

Zhou Xu and Wu Zhenhai discussed his plans to curry favor with the Prince of Jin’s residence and her demand that he avenge Zhou Fu. Their argument confirmed that they were using each other, and Zhou Xu left while promising to meet Wu Zhenhai the following night.

• Wu Zhenhai urged Zhou Xu to gather information at the residence and asked why the prince had not acted against Zhang Qian.
• Wu Zhenhai warned Zhou Xu not to pursue the prince, and she demanded that he avenge the slaps Zhou Fu had dealt her.
• Wu Zhenhai revealed that the Lu Family had sent him a daughter as a concubine, but Zhou Xu mocked his attempt to make her jealous.
• Wu Zhenhai tried to paw at Zhou Xu, and she reminded him that his exposed backside had become a joke at the Prince of Jin’s Residence.
• Zhou Xu rejected Wu Zhenhai’s advances, said she was leaving, and offered to meet him at the Zhou Family the next night.

Wu Zhenhai learned that Wu Shao had tried to stop him from marrying Zhou Xu because he wanted to marry Zhou Fu, and he stormed off to confront his son. Zhou Xu returned to the prince’s residence feeling reassured by her new allies, where she told Tang Zhuyun and Ren Yingying about Wu Zhenhai’s visit and heard that Yanran had run to Linlin’s courtyard in tears.

• Wu Guang confessed that Wu Shao had ordered him to warn Zhou Xu away from marrying Wu Zhenhai, fearing her reputation would harm the household and his own marriage prospects.
• Wu Guang revealed that Wu Shao liked Ninth Miss Zhou, Zhou Fu, and Wu Zhenhai realized his son wanted to prevent him from marrying Zhou Xu so Zhou Fu would not become his aunt.
• Wu Zhenhai stormed home to confront Wu Shao, while Zhou Xu left the teahouse feeling happy that she had a way out and learned two guards from the prince’s residence had been protecting her.
• Zhou Xu saw Yanran running with red eyes and followed her to Linlin’s courtyard, then went to tell Tang Zhuyun about her meeting with Wu Zhenhai.
• Ren Yingying thanked Zhou Xu for suggesting a mate for Dog Meat, while Qu Nian silently objected to being bred.
• Zhou Xu told Tang Zhuyun and Ren Yingying about Wu Zhenhai’s visit, and Ren Yingying mocked him and offered to provide him with medicine.

Zhou Xu told Tang Zhuyun and Ren Yingying about Wu Guang's sudden hostility, prompting Tang Zhuyun to investigate Wu Zhenhai's eldest son. After witnessing a cow's difficult birth, Yanran feared that her family would die and sought comfort from Tang Zhuyun, who tried to reassure her with an improvised story about souls and reincarnation.

• Zhou Xu explained that Wu Guang had insulted her and blamed his behavior on the eldest young master, Wu Zhenhai's son.
• Tang Zhuyun promised to investigate the son, whose reputation Zhou Xu described as mediocre.
• Xiu'er reported that Yanran had been frightened by watching a cow's difficult birth and thinking of Tang Zhuyun giving birth.
• Yanran asked Tang Zhuyun whether everyone died and said she did not want her family or herself to die.
• Tang Zhuyun suggested she might become Yanran's child after death, and Xiu'er joked that she could give birth to a pearl at fifty.
• Ren Yingying teased Yanran about counting the years, while Qu Nian escaped her jokes and waited nearby.