Recaps

Tang Zhuyun discussed the approaching delegations with Ren Yingying while Yanran recounted helping Cui Xiaoqiu comfort his mother, unaware that he was trying to bring the two of them closer. Yanran remained oblivious to the romantic implications as Tang Zhuyun began reviewing memorials delivered ahead of Emperor Wen’s return.

• Tang Zhuyun told Ren Yingying that Zhou Yanhui would not come to the capital because he would avoid risking a misunderstanding with Emperor Wen and Tang Zhuyun.
• Yanran returned from visiting Cui Xiaoqiu and explained that he had asked her to reassure Madam Cui, who feared being imprisoned again.
• Yanran comforted Madam Cui, who cried with joy, while Cui Xiaoqiu explained that her tears were happy ones.
• Yanran wondered why Dowager Consort De had framed Madam Cui, and Tang Zhuyun realized Yanran still had not noticed Cui Xiaoqiu’s feelings or their closeness.
• Yanran and Ren Yingying discussed finding a tigress for Jiaojiao, while Tang Zhuyun wished her daughter would think seriously about Cui Xiaoqiu.
• Zhao Kuo delivered memorials and said Emperor Wen would return that evening, and Tang Zhuyun began sorting through the papers.

Tang Zhuyun and Yanran amused themselves by answering the censors who impeached them, then joined their family in disguise to watch the Nanyue envoy delegation parade through the capital. As Wuxian spotted something in the procession and called for his mother, the chapter left the unexpected incident unexplained.

• Yanran wrote a cheeky response to a memorial criticizing her zoo, and Tang Zhuyun joined her in mocking the censors.
• Tang Zhuyun and Yanran joked about the censors finding more targets once the younger princes grew up, while Yanran said she missed Linlin in Liaodong.
• Emperor Wen told Yanran that the Nanyue envoy delegation would arrive with rare animals, and he agreed to let Tang Zhuyun go watch in disguise.
• Tang Zhuyun brought Yanran and the little children to a restaurant to watch the delegation's procession of exotic animals pass through the capital.
• Wuxian suddenly called to Tang Zhuyun and pointed downstairs, prompting her to come over and take him from his wet nurse.

Wuxian said he had seen someone who looked exactly like Tang Zhuyun downstairs, but the woman had disappeared. Jinse identified the Yanrong Aristocratic Family as capable of such a disguise, and Emperor Wen ordered an investigation, assigning Qu Nian to receive the Nanyue delegation.

• Wuxian told Guagua that a woman identical to Tang Zhuyun had been downstairs and was now gone.
• Tang Zhuyun and Ren Yingying considered whether someone might be impersonating Tang Zhuyun to cause trouble.
• Jinse said the Yanrong Aristocratic Family of Nanyue had skills sufficient to make a false person look real.
• Ren Yingying said she would ask Qu Nian about the family.
• Tang Zhuyun told Emperor Wen what Wuxian had seen, and Emperor Wen ordered an investigation and put Qu Nian in charge of receiving the Nanyue delegation.

Ren Yingying revealed that she was pregnant with a daughter, delighting Tang Zhuyun and the others as several friends were expecting or had recently given birth. Qu Nian dreamed that the system was leaving after completing its mission, while the Nanyue delegation remained peaceful through the new year.

• Ren Yingying begged Qu Nian to take the danger to Tangbao seriously, and he eventually reassured her that he would protect her.
• Qu Nian dreamed that the system had completed its mission and was leaving, then woke drenched in sweat after Ren Yingying comforted him.
• Cui Xiaoqiu continued investigating the matter, and Emperor Wen's gathering of foreign delegations passed peacefully through the new year.
• On Linlin's birthday, Tang Zhuyun celebrated with Xiu'er, Ren Yingying, and others while babies filled the palace.
• Ren Yingying announced that she was pregnant with a daughter and urged her friends to have sons so their children could marry.

Yanran visited Cui Xiaoqiu and discussed the Nanyue threat while Little Tangyuan called him her brother-in-law. Linlin investigated Lang Xuan, who encountered Wei Jun’s party and later woke from a nightmare about him.

• Yanran visited Cui Xiaoqiu with Little Tangyuan, and they discussed whether the Yanrong Aristocratic Family was behind the trouble with Nanyue.
• Little Tangyuan called Cui Xiaoqiu her brother-in-law, delighting him, before Yanran took them out near Great Xiangguo Temple.
• Mu Ziyu apologized to Linlin for his father’s behavior, and Linlin asked Zhao Qing to keep watching Lang Xuan.
• Lang Xuan and Lang Wu were splashed with snow and mud by a passing party of riders, and Lang Wu identified Wei Jun among them.
• Lang Xuan woke from a nightmare that night and thought of Wei Jun.

Lang Xuan feared Wei Jun might be Wei Zihan, the man who had betrayed Yuwen Duo in her previous life, and quietly investigated his identity. Her inquiries revealed little, while Linlin learned of her interest and asked Wei Jun about her.

• Lang Xuan recalled how Wei Zihan had lured wolves against Yuwen Duo in her previous life and resolved to learn whether Wei Jun was the same person.
• Lang Xuan asked Lang Wu about Wei Jun, but he knew no other name and mistakenly thought she had fallen for him.
• Lang Xuan discreetly questioned people about Wei Jun and learned he was eighteen, came from the Wei Family, and was Wei Xuan's nephew, but everyone praised his loyalty to Yuwen Duo.
• Lang Xuan considered warning Yuwen Duo but doubted he would believe her over Wei Jun.
• Zhao Qing told Linlin that Lang Xuan had been asking about Wei Jun, and Linlin asked Wei Jun whether he knew her.

Linlin investigated why Lang Xuan had been asking about Wei Jun, while Wei Jun suspected she was trying to get close to him. After hearing Lian’er recount Lang Xuan’s questions, Linlin suggested she might be interested in Wei Jun’s father instead.

• Wei Jun told Linlin that he barely remembered Lang Xuan and joked that she might have taken a liking to him.
• Wei Jun later reported that Lang Xuan had approached his maid Lian’er and asked about him, then asked Linlin whether he should deal with her.
• Linlin summoned Lian’er and asked her to explain exactly how Lang Xuan had approached her.
• Lian’er explained that Lang Xuan had sold duck eggs, then praised Wei Jun and asked many questions about him.
• Linlin dismissed Lian’er and told Wei Jun that Lang Xuan might be more interested in his father.

Lang Xuan concluded that Wei Jun was the future Wei Zihan and planned to protect Yuwen Duo by getting close to him and investigating Wei Jun. She persuaded her parents to let her seek the marriage decree’s fulfillment, then the story shifted to Linlin as Zhao Qing arrived urgently on Lantern Festival.

• Linlin told Wei Jun that Lang Xuan’s questions had centered on his name, while Wei Jun remained curious about her motives.
• Lang Xuan realized Wei Jun was likely the man who would harm Yuwen Duo and decided to investigate him, even considering killing him if necessary.
• Lang Xuan chose to reach Yuwen Duo by invoking the retired emperor’s marriage decree and insisting that she would marry Prince Ming.
• Lang He, Madam Lang, and Lang Wu objected, but Lang Xuan pleaded until her parents reluctantly agreed to let her try.
• On Lantern Festival, Linlin read a letter from Yanran when Zhao Qing hurried to his residence.

Lang Xuan staged a threat to force Linlin to acknowledge their arranged marriage, while secretly trying to warn him about Wei Jun. Linlin accepted that the retired emperor had decreed the match and told her he would seek his parents’ consent, leaving Lang Xuan waiting for his answer.

• Zhao Qing told Linlin that Madam Lang had put a rope around Lang Xuan’s neck and was demanding that he acknowledge their marriage, and Linlin went outside to see what was happening.
• Lang Xuan struggled against the rope while trying to get close enough to warn Linlin that Wei Jun was dangerous, but she instead claimed that the late emperor had decreed their marriage.
• Linlin corrected Lang Xuan, saying the retired emperor had issued the decree, and confirmed that he had never said the marriage would not stand.
• Linlin told Lang Xuan that she needed his parents’ consent to marry him, and he would ask them about it.
• Lang Xuan demanded an answer within three months and made the onlookers witness Linlin’s acknowledgment; Linlin calmly agreed to ask his parents.

Lang Xuan secured her marriage to Yuwen Duo and received medicine for her neck wound, while privately struggling with her renewed feelings for him. As Madam Lang began preparing for the wedding, Tang Zhuyun learned of the marriage and reacted with alarm.

• Linlin gave Lang Xuan medicine to prevent a scar on her neck and arranged for her and Madam Lang to be escorted home.
• Lang Xuan wondered whether Yuwen Duo had planned for the marriage all along and realized she was falling for him again.
• Madam Lang offered to spend the family’s savings on a grand wedding, but Lang Xuan said they should keep their arrangements modest and claimed she had almost no silver left.
• Madam Lang began preparing for Lang Xuan’s wedding in the following days.
• Tang Zhuyun heard Emperor Wen mention the wedding and urgently asked who Linlin was marrying.

Tang Zhuyun worried that Linlin’s sudden marriage to Lang Xuan had been rushed, but accepted his decision and began preparing the wedding. With no suitable person available to attend in Liaodong, Ren Yingying and Qu Nian decided to go there, visit Qu Hua, and help settle her relationship with Mu Ziyu.

• Tang Zhuyun questioned Emperor Wen about Linlin’s brief letter and considered going to Liaodong, but Emperor Wen urged her to trust their son.
• Tang Zhuyun agreed not to attend Linlin’s wedding herself and began arranging proper wedding gifts and preparations as the Ministry of Rites also got to work.
• Yanran volunteered to go to Liaodong, but Tang Zhuyun refused because she feared Yanran would cause trouble or put others in danger.
• Ren Yingying and Qu Nian argued about Qu Hua’s feelings for Mu Ziyu and her departure for Liaodong.
• Ren Yingying and Qu Nian decided to travel to Liaodong, see Qu Hua, and help resolve her marriage with Mu Ziyu.

Tang Zhuyun and Ren Yingying discussed the unresolved mystery of the woman who looked exactly like Tang Zhuyun, while Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu talked about Linlin's wedding. After Yanran got her first period, Cui Xiaoqiu confessed his feelings, leaving her stunned.

• Ren Yingying insisted she could travel to Liaodong while pregnant and stay through the winter, while Tang Zhuyun worried about her plans and the missing lookalike.
• Tang Zhuyun and Ren Yingying acknowledged that they still had no leads on the person Wuxian had seen.
• Yanran ate rice balls Cui Xiaoqiu brought and asked why his mother had started liking her.
• Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu discussed Linlin's engagement to Lang Xuan, and Cui Xiaoqiu tried to tell Yanran he loved her.
• Yanran realized she had started her period, and Cui Xiaoqiu gave her a pouch, shielded her with his cloak, and prepared red date tea.
• Cui Xiaoqiu confessed his long-held feelings to Yanran, who covered her face in shock.

Cui Xiaoqiu confessed his feelings to Yanran, who asked for time to think before returning to the palace. Restless as he waited for her answer, he sought out Cui Run, while Yanran arrived just as Tang Zhuyun was struggling to entertain the children and asked to speak with her privately.

• Yanran told Cui Xiaoqiu she needed time to consider his confession, and he agreed while asking whether they could remain friends.
• Cui Xiaoqiu visited Cui Run, who burned a painting, discussed Lady Gao, and listened as Cui Xiaoqiu admitted he was anxious about Yanran's answer.
• Cui Xiaoqiu arranged to drink wine with Cui Run while snow fell outside.
• Yanran returned to the palace and found Tang Zhuyun telling stories to the children, including Wuxian, who kept questioning her account of the Trojan Horse.
• Yanran played with her younger siblings, then asked their wet nurses to take them into the snow so she could speak privately with Tang Zhuyun.

Yanran told Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er that Cui Xiaoqiu had confessed his feelings, and she said she would be happy to be with him. Tang Zhuyun agreed that they could continue their relationship but asked them to wait several years before discussing marriage.

• Yanran told Tang Zhuyun that she had gotten her period and that Cui Xiaoqiu had said he liked her.
• Yanran said she thought a relationship with Cui Xiaoqiu could work because she was happy with him, and she explained that she would not be marrying into his family as a princess.
• Yanran told Tang Zhuyun that she would refuse Cui Xiaoqiu if her mother objected, since her family's happiness mattered more to her.
• Tang Zhuyun said she did not object to Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu being together but told Yanran to wait a few years before considering marriage.
• Tang Zhuyun stopped Yanran from visiting Cui Xiaoqiu that night because it was snowing and Yanran felt unwell, while Xiu'er noted that both families already knew how they felt.

Yanran agreed to court Cui Xiaoqiu after learning that Tang Zhuyun had approved, and she told him so when she found him at the Cui residence. She then asked Cui Xiaoqiu to help her attend her eldest brother’s wedding in Liaodong, and he promised to find a way.

• Little Tangyuan entertained the children by cracking walnuts with her bare hands while Yanran asked Xiu'er what she thought of her and Cui Xiaoqiu.
• Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er she had not discussed Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu with the emperor, and Yanran had already left to tell Cui Xiaoqiu she agreed.
• Yanran climbed over the wall into the Cui residence and found Madam Cui, who assumed Yanran had come because Cui Xiaoqiu was hungover.
• Yanran told Cui Xiaoqiu she had agreed to court him and that Tang Zhuyun had agreed too; Cui Xiaoqiu promised to remain devoted while Yanran said they should let things take their course.
• Yanran asked Cui Xiaoqiu to help her attend her eldest brother’s wedding in Liaodong, and he said he would think of a way despite her parents’ objections.

Yanran teased Cui Xiaoqiu until he kissed her cheek, then learned he intended to accompany her to Liaodong. Cui Xiaoqiu sought Emperor Wen’s permission and revealed that four legendary treasures might be connected to Liaodong, leaving the fourth treasure’s location unconfirmed.

• Yanran teased Cui Xiaoqiu about being shy, and he kissed her cheek before they joked about what counted as a kiss.
• Cui Xiaoqiu told Yanran he would accompany her to Liaodong, and they entered the palace together.
• Emperor Wen made Cui Xiaoqiu wait in the snow before granting him an audience.
• Cui Xiaoqiu told Emperor Wen that the Cui Family had once held a jade pendant he gave Yanran, while two other treasures belonged to the Empress.
• Cui Xiaoqiu said the fourth treasure was an agate Buddha’s hand and guessed it might be in Liaodong, where Emperor Gaozu’s daughter had married into the ruling family.

Cui Xiaoqiu persuaded Emperor Wen to let Yanran accompany him to Liaodong, and the emperor summoned her to explain the journey and give her instructions. Yanran prepared to visit her mother before leaving, while the next day she carried food to Xiu'er, who had become ill with pregnancy symptoms.

• Cui Xiaoqiu persuaded Emperor Wen to let Yanran go to Liaodong with him, arguing that she should visit her brother while she still had the freedom to travel.
• Cui Xiaoqiu sent a message to Jiang'er that he had made the arrangements, while Emperor Wen reluctantly agreed and summoned Yanran.
• Yanran told Zhao Kuo that she and Cui Xiaoqiu had gotten together, and Zhao Kuo congratulated her while hiding his sadness.
• Emperor Wen told Yanran about the four treasures Cui Xiaoqiu had mentioned and instructed her not to interfere with her brother's choice of Lang Jiu.
• Emperor Wen told Yanran to ask her mother for instructions before leaving, and Yanran said Cui Xiaoqiu would look after things in Liaodong.
• The next day, Xiu'er stayed home after developing pregnancy symptoms, so Tang Zhuyun sent Yanran to bring her appetizing side dishes.

Yanran visited Xiu'er, where Baoxuan and her adoptive mother sought help after a Guo Family son died protecting Baoxuan and local officials took the family’s silver. Yanran planned to leave for Liaodong and offered to take Baoxuan into her service, then went to visit Jiang Ruo but learned she had moved out.

• Yanran brought treats to Xiu'er and learned Baoxuan and her adoptive mother had come to the capital seeking justice and a new home for Baoxuan.
• Baoxuan’s adoptive mother explained that someone had taken the Guo Family’s silver through threats and enticements, and a Guo son had died protecting Baoxuan.
• Yanran proposed taking the pair to the Court of Judicial Review, while Xiu'er decided to ask Her Majesty before arranging for Baoxuan to serve Yanran.
• Yanran told Xiu'er she planned to go to Liaodong and left to visit Jiang Ruo with pastries.
• Yanran arrived at the Third Princess’s residence and discovered that Jiang Ruo had moved out.

Yanran visited Jiang Ruo, teased her about reconciling with Wen Heng, and told her she was going to Liaodong for her brother’s wedding. Later, she met Cui Xiaoqiu and learned his former bedmaids now served his father, before Cui Run arrived with news concerning Yanran’s grandfathers.

• Yanran visited Jiang Ruo and learned that Wen Heng had told her he liked her; Jiang Ruo admitted their reconciliation began when she threw herself into his arms.
• Yanran told Jiang Ruo she was going to Liaodong because her brother was getting married, and Jiang Ruo urged her to keep an eye on Cui Ling.
• Yanran ate lunch with Jiang Ruo, then found Cui Xiaoqiu sorting books and asked about his two bedmaids.
• Cui Xiaoqiu explained that the bedmaids had gone to serve his father and promised he would have no women in his household unless Yanran brought them herself.
• Cui Run arrived with news he had overheard concerning Yanran’s paternal and maternal grandfathers.

Yanran returned to the palace after hearing that the retired emperor was gravely ill, while Tang Zhuyun confirmed that he had only days or weeks left. The retired emperor said farewell to Tang Mingfan, Pei Shen, and Emperor Wen, then asked to be buried with Xiao Wu.

• Yanran learned that Tang Mingfan had hurried to the palace and suspected the retired emperor was dying, so she postponed her departure to visit him.
• Zhao Kuo stopped Yanran from entering the retired emperor's chamber, and she waited in the tea room while Tang Zhuyun examined him.
• Tang Zhuyun told Emperor Wen that the retired emperor had little time left, then warned Yanran to act sad in front of her imperial father.
• The retired emperor thanked Tang Mingfan for his daughter's kindness and urged Pei Shen to serve Emperor Wen and protect the Yuwen Family's realm.
• The retired emperor asked Emperor Wen to bury him with Xiao Wu, and Emperor Wen agreed before the retired emperor closed his eyes to sleep.

Yanran welcomed Baoxuan into her household, while Yuan Yi warned Tang Zhuyun that people might send women to the capital to attract the emperor. Yanran left with Baoxuan, and ten days later the emperor emeritus died.

• Yanran agreed to let Baoxuan stay in the palace and assigned her to follow Jiang'er.
• Yuan Yi privately warned Tang Zhuyun about rumors meant to bring beautiful women to the emperor and urged her to stay alert.
• Yanran played with Doudou and Jiang'er, then comforted Baoxuan when she saw her watching Yuan Yi care for Doudou.
• Before leaving, Yanran decided to take Baoxuan with her, and Cui Xiaoqiu accepted the girl after hearing her story.
• Ten days after Yanran left, funeral bells rang as the emperor emeritus passed away.

After the late emperor’s death, Tang Zhuyun supported Emperor Wen through the mourning rites and worried over her gravely ill father. A month later, Yanran and Ren Yingying reached Liaodong, where Yanran learned Linlin was busy and wondered why no news about the retired emperor had arrived.

• Emperor Wen suspended court for a month, and Tang Zhuyun led the titled ladies in mourning while caring for the children in the palace.
• Tang Mingfan grieved so intensely for the late emperor that he fell gravely ill, and Emperor Wen asked Tang Zhuyun to bring Jinse when she visited him.
• Emperor Wen admitted that he felt a sadness he could not explain, and Tang Zhuyun comforted him in silence.
• Yanran and Ren Yingying arrived in Liaodong after a month on the road, and Zhao Qing told Yanran that Linlin was busy with military affairs and an envoy from Goryeo.
• Yanran asked Zhao Qing whether he had news about the retired emperor, but he said none had arrived; she questioned whether messages had been sent by express courier or Xiao Ye.

Yanran reunited with Linlin at the prince’s residence and asked about news from the capital, but he avoided answering. Meanwhile, Lang Xuan worried that Yuwen Duo’s gifts concealed a scheme, and Cui Xiaoqiu recognized that Linlin was pretending not to know about Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu’s relationship.

• Qu Nian took Ren Yingying to stay with Qu Hua, while Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu went to the prince’s residence.
• Yanran greeted Linlin warmly, and he welcomed her inside with Cui Xiaoqiu.
• Lang Xuan worried that Yanran’s presence would disrupt her plans against Wei Zihan and feared Yuwen Duo’s frequent gifts were part of a plot.
• Madam Lang urged Lang Xuan to appreciate Yuwen Duo’s gifts, but Lang Xuan asked her to tell him to stop sending them.
• Yanran asked Linlin about the retired emperor, and he claimed there was no news; Cui Xiaoqiu realized Linlin was deliberately changing the subject.

Yanran arrived in Liaodong and wondered whether Linlin had concealed news of the Imperial Grandfather’s death while deliberately advancing her marriage to Lang Xuan. In the palace, Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er discussed Emperor Wen’s prolonged grief, the national mourning period, and contraception before Tang Zhuyun sent Hanxiang to check on Nanxing.

• Zhao Qing took Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu to their quarters, and Yanran questioned whether Linlin had agreed to her marriage with Lang Xuan on purpose.
• Cui Xiaoqiu concluded that Linlin had willingly helped arrange the marriage, while Yanran worried that Lang Xuan might suffer if they later divorced.
• Yanran told Zhao Qing she would rest in her courtyard and then write to Mother Empress about reaching Liaodong.
• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er discussed Tang Mingfan’s poor health and decided to send children to visit him in hopes of lifting his spirits.
• Xiu'er reminded Tang Zhuyun to keep taking contraception during the mourning period, and Tang Zhuyun explained that she had a contraceptive implant.
• Tang Zhuyun sent Hanxiang to take medicine and tonics to Nanxing, and Jinse arrived shortly afterward with something to report.

Jinse warned Tang Zhuyun that Hanxiang had secretly met Emperor Wen twice, prompting Tang Zhuyun to confront her husband. Emperor Wen admitted he had not told her and teased her for being jealous, leaving her stunned.

• Jinse accepted Tang Zhuyun’s offer to teach music at the women’s academy and said she wanted to live openly and leave a mark.
• Jinse warned Tang Zhuyun that Hanxiang had met Emperor Wen privately twice without telling her, though Jinse had no proof of wrongdoing.
• Tang Zhuyun thanked Jinse and said she would ask Emperor Wen about it immediately, promising not to reveal Jinse as her source.
• Tang Zhuyun went to the imperial study and told Emperor Wen she had heard Hanxiang visited him privately twice.
• Emperor Wen admitted he had not told Tang Zhuyun about the visits and laughed, teasing her for being jealous.