Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin reached the border city, where Tang uncovered Zhou Xu’s plea for help and navigated a gathering of local families. At the Prince of Min’s residence, Ren Yingying protected Qu Nian, learned more about Qu Hua’s plans, and waited for a chance to act while preparing medicine for the border city.
Tang Zhuyun sheltered Concubine Yu while investigating whether she was Bai Lu, and Zhou Xu maneuvered between Wu Zhenhai and the Zhou Family to protect her aunt. The search remained unresolved as Linlin prepared to investigate through the Zhou Family’s spring outing.
Tang Zhuyun and her companions uncovered Concubine Yu’s identity and rescued Zhou Xu from the Zhou Family, while Wu Zhenhai’s schemes pushed Zhou Xu to plan her own return. The arc left Zhou Xu preparing to use the Zhou Family’s concern for its reputation against them, as Tang Zhuyun’s household faced her approaching childbirth.
Zhou Xu escaped the Zhou Family by faking her death, took the name Huo Mingzhu, and returned openly at her own funeral. As the Prince of Jin’s household welcomed newborn children and Song Jingyang returned to Xiu'er, Mingzhu settled into her new life and remained uninterested in marriage.
Wu Zhenhai destroyed the Zhou Family and learned that Mingzhu was Ruanruan, while she chose to move on with Cui Run. The Prince of Jin gained Wu Zhenhai’s loyalty, Song Jingyang prepared to leave for Xia, and Qu Nian’s feelings for Ren Yingying deepened as their outing ended in an alarming place.
Ren Yingying learned Qu Nian had returned to human form, but his reunion with her was strained as he tried to regain her trust and uncover the mystery of his transformations. Meanwhile, Mingzhu ended things with Cui Run and rejected Wu Zhenhai’s renewed pursuit, while Wu Zhenhai reported a Northern Yi spy’s offer to the Prince of Jin.
With the Prince of Jin away, Tang Zhuyun and her companions faced a Northern Yi invasion, and Tang Zhuyun and Ren Yingying were captured before Qu Nian brought them home. After the Prince of Jin returned wounded and revealed a plot against him, he negotiated with Leertai and prepared to leave for the capital, while Tang Zhuyun managed the border city.
As the Prince of Jin prepared for the struggle over the throne, Yanran traveled to the capital and navigated court hostility while Tang Zhuyun managed the border household and became pregnant. A suspicious letter from Tang Zhuyun brought Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu to the Prince of Jin, who weighed the capital’s dangers and possible allies.
Tang Zhuyun foresaw and managed a devastating earthquake while Yanran secured funds for the border city and helped defend her family’s interests. The family welcomed Tang Zhuyun’s son Wuji, while Ren Yingying and Qu Nian’s relationship shifted and Linlin returned home.
Tang Zhuyun returned to the capital with Linlin and reunited with her family, while the Prince of Jin sought recognition for Linlin and Yanran received a new title. Around them, Mingzhu resisted Wu Zhenhai, Yanran and her friends faced romantic and political complications, and Ren Yingying and Qu Nian exchanged gifts and rescued a foreign prisoner.
Ren Yingying and Qu Nian grew closer through their journey and the search for Dog Meat, then returned to the capital amid political schemes around Mingzhu. Tang Zhuyun treated Yuan Yi’s daughter Doudou and learned how Yuan Yi had concealed the child’s birth after Fan Chun assaulted her.
Tang Zhuyun uncovered doubts about Doudou’s birth, while Yanran and Linlin investigated poisoned wheat seed tied to the Lang Family. As the court prepared to punish the family, Cui Xiaoqiu suffered a sabotaged examination and Yanran helped him recover.
Linlin helped bring down the Prince of Ding and became Prince Ming, while Emperor Wen took the throne and sent Linlin toward Liaodong. Lang Xuan tried to protect her family and drew closer to Linlin, as Yuanyang prepared to join him and the fourth Lang branch began its journey north.
Tang Zhuyun and her family faced a Tatar attack, an assassination attempt on Yanran, and the exposure of Dowager Consort De’s schemes. As Mingzhu married Wu Zhenhai and Xiu'er returned to the capital pregnant, Tang Zhuyun and Ren Yingying advanced plans for a women’s academy.
Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu began courting, then traveled to Liaodong for Linlin’s wedding as the retired emperor’s health failed. After his death, Tang Zhuyun mourned in the capital while Yanran reunited with Linlin and Tang Zhuyun confronted Emperor Wen about Hanxiang’s secret visits.
Lang Xuan married Yuwen Duo and gradually grew closer to him while struggling with memories of her previous life and suspicions about Wei Jun. During her homecoming visit, her drunken confession revealed her love and warnings about Wei Jun, leading Linlin to suspect she had foreseen events from another life.
Lang Xuan grew closer to Linlin during a seaside trip while helping search for the legendary treasures, and news of Tang Zhuyun’s injury brought their concerns back to the capital. Tang Zhuyun recovered, addressed the academy with an edict opening the imperial examinations to women, and encountered signs of a possible rebellion.
Tang Zhuyun learned the White Lotus Sect's plans to discredit her, while its Nanyue gu attacks endangered Yanran and Lang Xuan in Liaodong. Cui Xiaoqiu stayed beside Yanran through her confinement and ultimately told her that the gu worm had been lured out.
Linlin and Lang Xuan faced a disaster, uncovered Emperor Gaozu’s seal, and defended Jinzhou against Goryeo while their relationship grew. Yanran and Cui Xiaoqiu returned from war, married, and joined the family as Tang Zhuyun welcomed a daughter and Linlin established reforms.
No recap yet. An arc gets one once it has 25 chapters.