Chapter Summaries

The Prince of Jin had arranged to send Tang Zhuyun a lamb as a gift, but she had not received it. Meanwhile, the empress sent two maids to Tang Zhuyun, who accepted them and began deciding how to handle their presence.

• The Prince of Jin told Song Jingyang that he had bought a lamb for Tang Zhuyun, while Song Jingyang reluctantly agreed she would probably like it.
• Tang Zhuyun learned that the empress had sent her two maids, and Xiu'er worried they were meant to come between Tang Zhuyun and the prince.
• Tang Zhuyun decided to accept the maids and leave the prince to handle his own family’s schemes.
• The empress’s female official delivered Yingzhu and Wanxiu, and Tang Zhuyun thanked the empress with pointed politeness.
• Tang Zhuyun renamed Wanxiu Wan'er and asked the two women whether they were willing to serve the princess consort.

Tang Zhuyun struggled to understand the Prince of Jin’s gift of a flower-decorated sheep, then learned he had sent it so she could taste Hexi mutton. After she slaughtered and enjoyed it, his second letter arrived demanding an explanation, leaving her eager to see what he wanted.

• Tang Zhuyun put the two dowry maids to work making bedding while Xiu'er promised to watch them.
• Tang Zhuyun received a restless white sheep decorated with a red flower from the Prince of Jin and let it roam around the residence.
• The children fed the sheep while Jiaojiao tried to get at it, worrying the servants.
• Tang Zhuyun learned from the Prince of Jin's letter that he had sent the sheep so she could taste Hexi mutton, then had it slaughtered and sent half to the Xue Family.
• Tang Mingfan praised the mutton, and Tang Zhuyun began writing the Prince of Jin a reply.
• The Prince of Jin sent a second letter demanding an explanation, and Tang Zhuyun eagerly opened it.

The Prince of Jin and Tang Zhuyun exchanged letters as he investigated Governor Sun, while his failure to mention the empress’s two maids left her irritated. After finding evidence on a snow mountain, the Prince of Jin raided the Sun residence, where a maid called for the missing Third Young Master.

• The Prince of Jin warned Tang Zhuyun not to use herself as bait again and told her to stay out of Xiao Pang’s complicated situation and watch Yanran.
• Tang Zhuyun sent the Prince of Jin medicine for mosquito bites, then grew uneasy that he had not mentioned the maids the empress gave him.
• The Prince of Jin rejected Governor Sun’s offered courtesan, and he and Song Jingyang each received letters tied to Xiao Ye’s leg.
• The Golden Scale Guard found evidence of Governor Sun’s crimes on a snow mountain, and the Prince of Jin spent three days and nights there retrieving it.
• The Prince of Jin led the Golden Scale Guard in arresting Governor Sun’s household and told him he should have known his crimes put his family at risk.
• A maid cried out for the missing Third Young Master as the Sun household knelt before the Prince of Jin.

The Prince of Jin showed mercy to the Sun family’s doomed lovers, then raced back toward the capital to see Tang Zhuyun before Qixi. Tang Zhuyun prepared for the wedding and wondered why he had stopped writing, just as Madam Wang arrived to see her.

• The Prince of Jin granted the third young master and Zhu'er half a shichen together, and they later hanged themselves; he ordered them buried together.
• The Prince of Jin dismissed Song Jingyang’s suggestions and went to a jewelry shop, where Song Jingyang found him while shopping for Xiu'er.
• The Prince of Jin ordered his men to return to the capital at a punishing pace because he wanted to arrive before Qixi.
• Tang Zhuyun assigned two maids to clean the garden and noticed she had not received a letter from the Prince of Jin for several days.
• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er discussed how to keep the wedding rooster from making a mess, then Tang Zhuyun went out to welcome Madam Wang.

Tang Zhuyun heard rumors that the Prince of Jin had been impeached for sparing a maid, but she doubted the story. The Prince of Jin returned home in the middle of the night and gave her a bracelet, leaving her stunned by the gift.

• Madam Wang told Tang Zhuyun that the Prince of Jin had been impeached and was accused of making an exception for a maid named Zhu'er.
• Tang Zhuyun dismissed the rumor as unlikely and celebrated Qixi by making qiaoguo and floating needles with Yanran.
• Tang Zhuyun stayed up reading until the Prince of Jin arrived home, dusty and exhausted from his journey.
• Tang Zhuyun made the Prince of Jin ham fried rice while he kept watching her and asked her to close her eyes.
• The Prince of Jin slipped a bracelet onto Tang Zhuyun's wrist, and she widened her eyes when she saw it.

Tang Zhuyun endured the Prince of Jin’s costly glass-bead gift and tried to get him to wash up, but accidentally saw him undressed and fell into his arms. The Prince of Jin teased her and confessed that he had lovesickness.

• The Prince of Jin gave Tang Zhuyun an expensive glass-bead bracelet, and she hid her dismay at what she feared it had cost.
• Tang Zhuyun told the Prince of Jin she would manage the silver and warned him to ask before buying anything.
• After eating, the Prince of Jin borrowed Tang Zhuyun’s bathing tub and stayed to talk while she dozed off outside the room.
• Tang Zhuyun entered the side room after he called her, saw him undressed, and fell backward into his wet embrace.
• The Prince of Jin teased Tang Zhuyun about seeing him as a physician would see a patient, then said his illness was lovesickness.

The Prince of Jin stayed secretly with Tang Zhuyun, but a small kitchen fire nearly exposed him before she helped him slip away. After the commotion ended, Yanran welcomed him back and revealed that he had brought Tang Zhuyun a bracelet.

• The Prince of Jin admitted he had no clean clothes, so Tang Zhuyun let him sleep in the adjoining room while she rested nearby.
• Xiu'er arrived after hearing the Prince of Jin was there, and Song Jingyang spotted flames in the kitchen.
• Tang Zhuyun rushed to get the Prince of Jin out, but he urged her to leave first so no one would discover him with her.
• Song Jingyang put out the small fire, which had started when embers from the Prince of Jin's firewood flared up.
• Yanran greeted the Prince of Jin and revealed that Tang Zhuyun was wearing a bracelet he had brought her; he then asked about her missing prayer beads.

Tang Zhuyun learned why the Prince of Jin reacted so strongly to the word “zhu” and heard about the incident in Gannan that led to his impeachment. He left her reassured that his fixation was with her, whom he called Tang Zhuzi.

• Chang Zhi escorted Tang Mingfan to court while carrying food Tang Zhuyun had prepared for the Prince of Jin’s visit.
• Xiu'er urged Tang Zhuyun to dress up before Yingzhu and Wan'er could attract the Prince of Jin’s attention, but Tang Zhuyun chose to keep resting.
• Yingzhu and Wan'er greeted the Prince of Jin at the ornamental gate, and he coldly told Yingzhu to change her name because it contained “zhu.”
• Tang Zhuyun met the Prince of Jin and asked why pigs seemed to affect his behavior; he told her she was the pig he meant and called her Tang Zhuzi.
• The Prince of Jin explained what had happened in Gannan and said he had given the people there only one or two shichen, which had led to his impeachment.

Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin talked about his punishment, the emperor eating her cooking, and their upcoming wedding, while Tang Zhuyun planned a visit to the Great Xiangguo Temple. After the Prince of Jin left, Xiu'er reminded Tang Zhuyun that they had forgotten to discuss how he would deal with the two people being forced on him.

• Tang Zhuyun learned that the emperor had docked the Prince of Jin's salary for six months, though he said the emperor had treated him leniently.
• The Prince of Jin described how Tang Mingfan accompanied him before the emperor, who ate Tang Zhuyun's food while hearing the account of the Gannan affair.
• Tang Zhuyun protested that the Prince of Jin deserved a reward for his work, and he teased her about how much the emperor had enjoyed her cooking.
• Tang Zhuyun told the Prince of Jin she would visit the Great Xiangguo Temple the next day to speak with her mother, and he reluctantly said goodbye.
• Xiu'er asked how the Prince of Jin planned to handle the two people being forced on him, and Tang Zhuyun admitted she had forgotten to ask.

Tang Zhuyun set aside concerns about the empress’s two appointed maids and accompanied Meng Yulan to Great Xiangguo Temple, where she unexpectedly encountered Zong Heng and Jiang Beihan. Zong Heng revealed that he had come specifically to see her, leaving his business with her unresolved.

• Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er to let the two maids stay for now, reasoning that she would deal with them after her wedding and did not want to cause trouble before the ceremony.
• Meng Yulan and Tang Zhuyun visited Great Xiangguo Temple, where Meng Yulan reunited with her old friend Qiangqiang, Madam Lu.
• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er went to the back mountain, but Tang Zhuyun chose not to visit Linlin to avoid being thanked in person by Great Confucian Scholar Kong.
• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er discussed Jiang Beihan and Yingxue before Zong Heng and Jiang Beihan appeared nearby.
• Tang Zhuyun mocked Zong Heng’s leg and traded sharp remarks with him, then asked whether he and Jiang Beihan were visiting on business.
• Zong Heng said he had come specifically to speak with Tang Zhuyun, while Jiang Beihan had only encountered him by chance.

Zong Heng told Tang Zhuyun that he knew the truth about the Prince of Jin’s origins and gave her three days to consider his demand. When the Prince of Jin refused to visit her, Tang Zhuyun climbed over the wall into his residence to discuss the matter with him.

• Jiang Beihan left the pavilion, and Zong Heng asked Tang Zhuyun to dismiss her servants so they could speak privately.
• Zong Heng revealed that he knew the Prince of Jin’s identity, listed Tang Zhuyun’s achievements, and gave her three days to consider his proposal.
• Tang Zhuyun acted angry to mislead Zong Heng, then secretly sent Xiu'er to ask the Prince of Jin to come see her.
• After the Prince of Jin refused to come, Tang Zhuyun decided to climb over the wall into his residence.
• Tang Zhuyun got past the wall with Song Jingyang’s help and called for the Prince of Jin to come out.

Tang Zhuyun told the Prince of Jin about Zong Heng’s threat regarding his parentage, and he reassured her that his past was already known to those who mattered. After they laughed and teased each other, the Prince of Jin asked to hold her, and Tang Zhuyun told him to hurry up.

• The Prince of Jin tried to keep Tang Zhuyun from entering, but she came in and teased him until they both laughed.
• Tang Zhuyun told the Prince of Jin about meeting Zong Heng and Jiang Beihan and repeated everything Zong Heng had said about his parentage.
• The Prince of Jin explained that his past as Xiao Jianqi was known, though people pretended otherwise out of deference to the emperor.
• Tang Zhuyun felt reassured and asked whether she should turn Zong Heng’s scheme against him, but the Prince of Jin said he would handle it and wanted to protect her.
• The Prince of Jin admitted he regretted not breaking Zong Heng’s third leg, then asked to hold Tang Zhuyun; she told him, “Fool, hurry up!”

Tang Zhuyun teased the Prince of Jin with a fake wet-clothes misunderstanding, then exchanged playful letters with him about her authority after marriage. As she prepared for their wedding, Qin Sang visited in disguise to offer advice and a useful gift.

• Tang Zhuyun made the Prince of Jin believe she had wet her clothes because of him, then laughed and ran away while he vowed to get even.
• The Prince of Jin sent Tang Zhuyun letters asking whether she would exercise authority over him after they married, and she replied, "You won't get away!"
• Tang Zhuyun dreamed of ruling over the Prince of Jin, then woke from her nap when Xiu'er said Qin Sang had arrived.
• Qin Sang came disguised as a vegetable seller and thanked Tang Zhuyun for helping her rouge shop with recipes.
• Qin Sang said she had come to share useful advice before Tang Zhuyun's wedding, and Tang Zhuyun eagerly anticipated her instruction.

Tang Zhuyun married the Prince of Jin, and they began their wedding night together in the bridal chamber. The Prince of Jin suggested they go to the wooden bathing pool, while Tang Zhuyun proposed they stay inside and take things slowly.

• Qin Sang taught Tang Zhuyun how to protect herself, and Tang Zhuyun eagerly prepared to put her lessons into practice.
• Tang Zhuyun remembered her family's tearful farewell and the Xue brothers' warning to the Prince of Jin as she left for the wedding.
• The Prince of Jin found Tang Zhuyun scrambling after the ceremonial vase in the bridal sedan and helped her complete the procession.
• The Prince of Jin lifted Tang Zhuyun's veil, removed her heavy phoenix crown, and left her to change and eat with Xiu'er.
• The Prince of Jin returned quickly from greeting the guests, and Xiu'er left the newlyweds alone together.
• The Prince of Jin suggested taking Tang Zhuyun to the wooden bathing pool, but she asked to stay in the room and proceed slowly.

On their wedding night, Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin consummated their marriage, then woke to tease each other and prepare to visit the emperor and empress. The Prince of Jin confronted Tang Zhuyun about the two maids the empress had sent, leaving her trying to explain why she had kept them.

• Tang Zhuyun teased the nervous Prince of Jin until he took the lead on their wedding night.
• The Prince of Jin cared for Tang Zhuyun afterward, and they joked together when she woke the next morning.
• The Prince of Jin delayed their palace visit by arranging for the emperor's court session to run late.
• Xiu'er told Tang Zhuyun that the two maids bestowed by the empress were waiting outside and had nearly entered her chambers the previous night.
• The Prince of Jin went to the courtyard, confronted the two maids, and returned to ask Tang Zhuyun why she was still keeping them.

Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin negotiated how to handle palace intrigues and agreed on three ground rules for their marriage. Before heading to the palace with Yanran, they also promised to keep their private devotion hidden from outsiders.

• Tang Zhuyun tested the Prince of Jin about keeping women in their household, but he saw through her and warned her not to provoke him.
• Yanran arrived late to pay her respects, and the Prince of Jin invited her to accompany them to the palace.
• The Prince of Jin drew Tang Zhuyun's eyebrows, and she asked him to tell her if anything threatened the Tang Family or the Xue Family; he promised he would not put her in a difficult position.
• The Prince of Jin set three rules: only Xiu'er could help in their courtyard kitchen, Tang Zhuyun should send anyone who tried to place people by her side to him, and she should discuss problems with him instead of suffering alone.
• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun they would act like an ordinary married couple in public, keeping his devotion to her private.

Tang Zhuyun, the Prince of Jin, and Yanran visited the empress, where they rebuffed pressure to produce heirs and traded barbs with the crown princess. The emperor favored the Prince of Jin and summoned the family to Purple Tenuity Palace to give him something.

• Tang Zhuyun, Yanran, and the Prince of Jin arrived at the palace and paid their respects to the empress.
• The empress urged Tang Zhuyun to help the Prince of Jin have more descendants, but Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin deflected her remarks.
• The crown princess flaunted her pregnancy, and the Prince of Jin insulted her while defending Tang Zhuyun from the empress's invitation to speak with her.
• Yanran answered the crown princess's insinuations about her stepmother with pointed remarks and nearly demonstrated her whip before Tang Zhuyun stopped her.
• The emperor arrived, praised Yanran, gave the couple gifts, and then led Tang Zhuyun, Yanran, and the Prince of Jin to Purple Tenuity Palace to give the Prince of Jin something.

Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin left the emperor's palace after he allowed his son to handle the women taken from the empress, and they decided to send them to the crown prince. At home, the Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun she could not bear children because her body had been damaged when she gave birth to Linlin, leaving her stunned.

• Yanran asked Tang Zhuyun whether the crown princess was pregnant and said she hoped for a younger sibling.
• The emperor asked the Prince of Jin whether he loved Tang Zhuyun and whether he still wanted a secondary consort; the prince said he wanted Tang Zhuyun to be the only woman in his life.
• Yanran claimed she heard a rat scratching in the palace, but she found nothing when she searched.
• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun that the emperor had left him to deal with the two women, and he planned to give them to the crown prince.
• Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin agreed they did not need another child, but he then told her that she could not bear children because her body had been damaged when she gave birth to Linlin.

Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin discussed having another child and prepared gifts for her family visit, while Yanran went out to spar with Young Master Cui. The chapter ended with the Prince of Jin carrying Tang Zhuyun to bed, and her diary recording their first two days of marriage.

• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun that the midwife had warned her childbirth might have damaged her health, but Tang Zhuyun insisted she could have children and wanted a son.
• Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin discussed Linlin's future and the Prince of Jin said he did not want to become crown prince or have another child yet.
• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er selected return gifts for the visit to the Tang Family and Xue Family, then the Prince of Jin sent the gift lists to Nanny Rong.
• Yanran asked to go out and spar with Young Master Cui, and Tang Zhuyun warned her about fighting and using Jiaojiao to help.
• The Prince of Jin carried Tang Zhuyun to bed, and Tang Zhuyun's diary recounted their married life and her wish to have a son.

On the third day after her wedding, Tang Zhuyun visited her family and learned that Wei Xuan had returned to the capital. The Prince of Jin and Wei Xuan unexpectedly got along, while the prince later left their bedroom after Tang Zhuyun fell asleep.

• Tang Zhuyun visited the Xue Family with the Prince of Jin and asked about Sister Yuan, whom her relatives were passing around.
• Xiu'er told Tang Zhuyun that Wei Xuan had arrived, reminding her of her past attempts to marry her father’s disciple.
• Tang Zhuyun learned that the Prince of Jin was holding Sister Yuan and that she was laughing happily with him.
• Xiu'er saw Wei Xuan drinking on the Prince of Jin’s behalf while Xue Lie and his brothers tried to get the prince drunk.
• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun that he pitied Wei Xuan for failing to recognize her worth, and said Wei Xuan pitied him in turn.
• Tang Zhuyun fell asleep after writing in her diary, and the Prince of Jin quietly left the room.