Chapter Summaries

Tang Zhuyun asked Song Jingyang to take Xiu'er with him to Qingzhou, but he refused because she wanted to remain by Tang Zhuyun's side and he did not want her to suffer there. As Song Jingyang prepared to leave, Tang Zhuyun urged him to return alive to Xiu'er.

• Xiu'er told Tang Zhuyun that Song Jingyang was at the residence, and Tang Zhuyun summoned him.
• Song Jingyang said he would visit the Prince of Jin in the imperial prison the next day and would welcome the Xia Kingdom delegation that day.
• Tang Zhuyun sent Xiu'er to fetch Qin Sang, then privately asked Song Jingyang whether Qingzhou was dangerous and suggested he take Xiu'er with him.
• Song Jingyang refused to bring Xiu'er, explaining that she wanted to stay with Tang Zhuyun and that life in Qingzhou might force her to endure mistreatment.
• Song Jingyang knelt and asked Tang Zhuyun to look after Xiu'er, and Tang Zhuyun told him to return alive no matter how difficult things became.

Xiu'er visited Qin Sang, who explained that she was content with her life in the Xu residence and was carefully building relationships for her future. Their carriage was stopped by the Xia Kingdom’s envoy procession, and the Prince of Jin wondered why its crown prince had come.

• Xiu'er told Qin Sang that Tang Zhuyun wanted her to leave so she could speak with Song Jingyang alone, but Xiu'er planned to stay with Tang Zhuyun.
• Qin Sang told Xiu'er that Old Lord Xu treated her well and that she was getting along with his family to secure her future.
• Qin Sang said Old Lord Xu had offered to let her have a child but worried it would burden her if he died.
• Xiu'er and Qin Sang’s carriage stopped for the Xia Kingdom’s envoys, and Qin Sang said the Xia crown prince had come in person.
• The Prince of Jin frowned when he heard that the Xia crown prince had arrived and wondered what he wanted.

Tang Zhuyun spent the evening with Yanran before the Prince of Jin secretly returned home and reunited with her. The next morning, he explained that the emperor had sent him back to receive the Xia Kingdom’s crown prince, Zhou Yanhui, whose arrival left him privately suspicious.

• Yanran told Tang Zhuyun she wanted to learn from her, then left to take Jiaojiao back to her own room.
• The Prince of Jin surprised Tang Zhuyun in the dark, and she teased him before heating water for his bath.
• Tang Zhuyun fell asleep after the Prince of Jin asked for meat, so he dried her hair, ate a roasted sweet potato, and joined her in bed.
• Tang Zhuyun woke beside the Prince of Jin and asked why he had returned; he said the emperor had sent him to receive Zhou Yanhui, the Xia Kingdom’s crown prince.
• The Prince of Jin suspected Zhou Yanhui was attracted to men but kept the suspicion to himself because he had no proof.

The Prince of Jin and Tang Zhuyun discussed Zhou Yanhui’s ties to the Prince of Jin before Song Jingyang departed for his new post, leaving Xiu'er heartbroken. Zhou Yanhui then arrived at the Prince of Jin’s Residence and met Tang Zhuyun.

• Tang Zhuyun teased the Prince of Jin about Zhou Yanhui’s gratitude and the Prince of Jin admitted he had saved him by chance.
• Song Jingyang told the Prince of Jin that Zhou Yanhui had come to the Central Plains and seemed genuinely concerned about him.
• The Prince of Jin sent Song Jingyang off, and Xiu'er tearfully watched him ride away before Tang Zhuyun comforted her.
• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er saw a carriage arrive at the residence and realized Zhou Yanhui had come.
• Zhou Yanhui stepped from the carriage, recognized Tang Zhuyun as the Consort of the Prince of Jin, and she identified him in turn.

Tang Zhuyun grew suspicious of Zhou Yanhui's unusual interest in the Prince of Jin and went to the outer study to observe him. The Prince of Jin, meanwhile, began to regard Zhou Yanhui as a potential rival for Tang Zhuyun's affection.

• Tang Zhuyun dismissed Xiu'er and went inside after Zhou Yanhui stared at her, then described him as an intriguing hermaphrodite.
• Xiu'er secretly watched the Prince of Jin receive Zhou Yanhui and heard Zhou complain about the prince marrying a tearful princess consort.
• Xiu'er concluded that Zhou Yanhui liked the Prince of Jin, and Tang Zhuyun went with her to bring tea to the outer study.
• The Prince of Jin blocked Tang Zhuyun at first, then let her enter and grew wary that Zhou Yanhui's handsome looks might attract her.

Tang Zhuyun confirmed that Zhou Yanhui was a woman disguised as a man, but chose not to reveal the truth to the Prince of Jin. She decided to maintain their cooperation with the Xia Kingdom and observe Zhou Yanhui before taking action.

• Tang Zhuyun spilled tea on Zhou Yanhui and examined her while the Prince of Jin grew jealous of their closeness.
• Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er that Zhou Yanhui's fixed fake Adam's apple, fine arm hair, and gaze revealed she was a woman.
• Xiu'er urged Tang Zhuyun to expose Zhou Yanhui, but Tang Zhuyun refused because the Prince of Jin believed Zhou Yanhui was a man and their alliance remained important.
• Tang Zhuyun said Zhou Yanhui was burdened by responsibilities and had not crossed a line, so she would wait and watch before deciding what to do.

Tang Zhuyun dismissed Xiu'er’s worries about Zhou Yanhui and said she trusted the Prince of Jin to keep proper boundaries. Nanxing then warned her that Zhou Yanhui was a woman who had once seemed fond of the Prince of Jin and wanted to keep him in the Xia Kingdom.

• Tang Zhuyun said she would not suspect the Prince of Jin or compete with other women, and that she would leave if he ever betrayed her.
• Nanxing returned with Pei Shen and told Tang Zhuyun she had come to warn her and urge her to trust the Prince of Jin.
• Nanxing explained that she recognized Zhou Yanhui as a woman because she had once dressed as a man herself.
• Nanxing said Huaishang had told her Zhou Yanhui seemed fond of the Prince of Jin and had wanted him to stay in the Xia Kingdom.

Tang Zhuyun discussed Zhou Yanhui’s past with Nanxing and heard how Lady Yao planned to find Huaishang a wife. She accepted that Linlin should travel with the Prince of Jin, while offering to help Nanxing prepare for the future.

• Nanxing told Tang Zhuyun that she had not revealed Zhou Yanhui’s identity as a woman to Huaishang, and Tang Zhuyun accepted that Zhou Yanhui might remarry.
• Nanxing recounted how Lady Yao scolded Huaishang for being stingy and said she would find him a poor girl who would stay for the food.
• Nanxing told Tang Zhuyun that the Prince of Jin might leave the capital and asked whether Linlin should remain behind to study.
• Tang Zhuyun argued that travel and hardship could teach Linlin about the lives of ordinary people, and Xiu'er agreed that the family should stay together.
• Tang Zhuyun reassured Nanxing that she would still need her help and offered to take her pulse, hoping Nanxing would have a child.

Nanxing accepted Tang Zhuyun’s prescription and gifts while Xiu'er urged her to prepare for a future with children. After the Prince of Jin drove Zhou Yanhui away, he asked Tang Zhuyun whether Zhou might be a woman in body or mind, suspecting something about him felt feminine.

• Tang Zhuyun prescribed medicine to improve Nanxing’s health and gave her ten thousand taels, a shop, and land as a dowry.
• Xiu'er went to check on the men, while Tang Zhuyun prepared a welcoming meal for Pei Shen as her new son-in-law.
• The Prince of Jin escorted Zhou Yanhui out of the inner courtyard after suspecting he wanted to get close to Tang Zhuyun.
• Pei Shen left with Nanxing after the meal, and Tang Zhuyun and the Prince of Jin discussed their plans to leave the capital.
• The Prince of Jin asked Tang Zhuyun whether a person could have a man’s body and a woman’s mind, explaining that Zhou Yanhui seemed unusually feminine to him.

Tang Zhuyun teased the Prince of Jin about Zhou Yanhui’s feelings for him, then learned how the Prince had rescued Zhou and confirmed Zhou was a woman. The Prince planned to keep working with Zhou, while Nanxing and Xiu'er discussed their hopes for having children before Nanxing suggested Zhou might simply be indulging her feelings.

• Tang Zhuyun joked with the Prince of Jin about Zhou Yanhui’s attraction to him, and he resolved to send Zhou away soon to prevent misunderstandings.
• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun how he had rescued Zhou Yanhui, and Tang Zhuyun revealed that Zhou was a woman.
• The Prince of Jin said Zhou’s gender would not affect their work, and Tang Zhuyun approved of his practical attitude.
• Nanxing visited Tang Zhuyun and said she had given Pei Shen the prescription intended to help her conceive; Xiu'er asked what name Pei had chosen for their child, and Nanxing said Pei Ban.
• Tang Zhuyun told Nanxing and Xiu'er about Zhou Yanhui, and Nanxing suggested Zhou might be indulging her feelings for the Prince of Jin.

Tang Zhuyun took Nanxing, Yanran, and Xiu'er shopping and dining, then saved a young child who was choking on a peanut at the Four Seas Tower. Madam Yan witnessed the rescue but turned away to discuss something with her husband.

• Tang Zhuyun stayed out of the palace banquet while Pei Shen kept Nanxing company at the residence.
• Tang Zhuyun took Yanran, Nanxing, and Xiu'er shopping, where they encountered the gaunt Zong Xueci.
• Xiu'er recognized Madam Yan at the Four Seas Tower, and the group wondered what troubles she was facing.
• Tang Zhuyun used the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge a peanut from a choking child's throat.
• Madam Zhao thanked Tang Zhuyun, while Xiu'er asked her to speak fairly of the Prince of Jin's Residence if the need arose.
• Madam Yan started toward Tang Zhuyun but changed her mind and hurried off to discuss the matter with her husband.

The Prince of Jin told the emperor he was ready to leave the capital, but refused to make Tang Zhuyun apologize to Noble Consort Jia. After leaving Purple Tenuity Palace, he stopped to hear Nanny Rong’s urgent request, and the chapter ended before she revealed what she wanted to say.

• Tang Zhuyun returned to the prince's residence with roast goose and learned that the Prince of Jin was speaking with the emperor.
• The Prince of Jin told the emperor he was ready to leave the capital and rejected the idea that Tang Zhuyun should apologize to Noble Consort Jia.
• The Prince of Jin agreed to stay through New Year and bring A-Yun to examine the emperor.
• Nanny Rong stopped the Prince of Jin as he left Purple Tenuity Palace and pleaded to speak with him.
• The Prince of Jin followed Nanny Rong aside, and she began to cry before saying what she wanted to tell him.

After hearing Nanny Rong’s account of his origins, the Prince of Jin went to Qingfeng’s brothel and asked for a discreet woman to accompany him away. Tang Zhuyun woke from her nap believing the emperor had kept the prince for a banquet, then learned Zong Heng had been waiting to see her.

• Nanny Rong told the Prince of Jin about his origins and begged him to visit Noble Consort Jia, but he refused and vowed they would never meet again.
• The Prince of Jin rode to Qingfeng’s brothel and demanded a woman who could serve him and keep the matter secret.
• Qingfeng brought his sworn younger sister Qiaoniang, who agreed to go with the Prince of Jin.
• Tang Zhuyun woke near sunset and learned the Prince of Jin had not returned, while Xiu’er told her that Zong Heng had been waiting for her.

Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er confronted Zong Heng when he came to warn her that the Prince of Jin had taken a woman to a private residence, but Tang Zhuyun dismissed his warning and mocked his attempts to recruit her. The Prince of Jin returned, threw Zong Heng out, and explained that he had used a woman posing as Xiao Mo to question Xiao Pang, leaving Tang Zhuyun wondering what he wanted to learn.

• Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er went to the second gate to confront Zong Heng, who had come while the Prince of Jin was away.
• Zong Heng proposed that he and Tang Zhuyun work together against Noble Consort Jia, but she refused and mocked him.
• Zong Heng told Tang Zhuyun that he had seen the Prince of Jin take a woman to a private residence, but she dismissed his warning and ordered him to leave.
• Zong Heng tried to provoke Tang Zhuyun by warning about the residence's future children, and she taunted him before the Prince of Jin returned.
• The Prince of Jin had a guard throw Zong Heng out, then told Tang Zhuyun that he had used a woman pretending to be Xiao Mo to trick Xiao Pang into talking.
• Tang Zhuyun realized that Xiao Pang was being held but wondered what the Prince of Jin wanted to ask him.

The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun Nanny Rong’s suspicions that Bai Lu was his birth mother and that Xiao Wu had driven her away and possibly tried to kill her. He and Tang Zhuyun decided to investigate the truth in the northwest and discussed whether Xiao Pang might know what happened.

• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun that Nanny Rong suspected Bai Lu, Xiao Wu’s maid, had been his birth mother.
• Nanny Rong’s account suggested that Xiao Wu learned Bai Lu was her father’s illegitimate daughter, turned against her, and drove her away after she became pregnant.
• The Prince of Jin said Nanny Rong suspected Xiao Wu had sent an assassin after Bai Lu, but the assassin and Bai Lu had both disappeared.
• Tang Zhuyun comforted the Prince of Jin and agreed they would investigate Bai Lu’s fate when they went to the northwest.
• The Prince of Jin explained that Nanny Rong thought Xiao Pang might know the truth, and Tang Zhuyun asked whether they had tried to make him believe a woman was Xiao Mo.

After an unsuccessful attempt to make Xiao Pang reveal what he knew, the Prince of Jin remained determined to uncover his origins, while Tang Zhuyun decided to pursue medicine and plan a clinic for life beyond the capital. At the palace, the Prince of Jin was praised for defeating Xia Kingdom’s greatest warrior as Tang Zhuyun checked whether Xiu'er might be pregnant.

• The Prince of Jin told Tang Zhuyun that Xiao Pang had rejected Qiaoniang’s attempt to win his trust, but he planned to speak with him again about the Prince’s origins.
• The Prince of Jin reflected on his complicated ties to the Xiao Family, while Tang Zhuyun resolved to help him learn the truth about his birth.
• After the Prince of Jin left for the palace, Tang Zhuyun decided to focus on becoming a doctor and began designing a clinic for after she left the capital.
• Xiu'er asked Tang Zhuyun to check whether she was pregnant, and Tang Zhuyun examined her wrist while noticing the old gold bracelet Nanny Jing had given her.
• At the palace, Tang Mingfan praised the Prince of Jin for defeating Xia Kingdom’s greatest warrior, and the Prince of Jin excused himself to change clothes.

Tang Zhuyun discovered that Xiu'er was pregnant and told her to rest while she continued planning ways to advance medicine. Meanwhile, the Prince of Jin was hurt and confused when Lord Yan judged him for disrespecting his birth mother.

• Tang Zhuyun confirmed Xiu'er's pregnancy, and Xiu'er decided to wait until the baby was settled and Song Jingyang was settled in Qingzhou before telling him.
• Xiu'er described her siblings who had died young, leaving Tang Zhuyun shocked by how common child deaths were.
• Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er to rest and began considering taking apprentices or opening a medical school.
• The Prince of Jin learned that Lord Yan despised him because he believed the Prince had disrespected his birth mother.
• Lord Yan later told the Prince of Jin that he would never beg him, leaving the Prince baffled.

Zhou Yanhui followed the Prince of Jin outside the palace banquet and confessed that she was a woman, hoping he would understand her feelings. He rejected her, declaring that he loved only Tang Zhuyun, and Zhou Yanhui’s unrequited love ended in heartbreak.

• The Prince of Jin grew irritated by Zhou Yanhui staring at him and went outside for air, with Zhou Yanhui following him.
• Zhou Yanhui thanked the Prince of Jin for his help, and he told her to seek Song Jingyang if she ran into trouble again.
• Zhou Yanhui tried to reveal her secret, but the Prince of Jin interrupted and said he did not care whether she was a man or a woman.
• Zhou Yanhui asked why he did not like her, and the Prince of Jin said he loved only his princess consort, Tang Zhuyun.
• Zhou Yanhui watched the Prince of Jin smile as he thought of Tang Zhuyun and felt her heart shatter.

The Prince of Jin rejected Zhou Yanhui’s love and urged her to focus on her duties as Xia’s crown prince. After composing herself, Zhou Yanhui agreed to consider Zong Heng’s offer of cooperation, while the Prince of Jin returned to the feast thinking about Tang Zhuyun and her past.

• The Prince of Jin told Zhou Yanhui he admired her strength but would never love her, and warned her not to let her feelings harm his princess consort.
• Zhou Yanhui accepted his rejection, recognized that she had acted impulsively, and wept as he left.
• Zong Heng learned that Zhou Yanhui had spoken privately with the Prince of Jin and approached her to discuss cooperation.
• Zhou Yanhui rejected Zong Heng’s first offer but agreed to meet him for a drink another day.
• The Prince of Jin returned to the great hall, replaced his wine with tea, and wondered about Tang Zhuyun’s past and family.

Tang Zhuyun scolded Yanran for playing in the snow without a coat, then told her and the others the story of Liu E. Yanran concluded that marriage was a trap just as the Prince of Jin returned to the residence.

• Tang Zhuyun scolded Yanran for staying out in the snow and letting Cui Xiaoqiu watch without her coat, then softened and let Yanran stay in the warm chamber.
• Xiu'er explained that she was embroidering Nanxing's dowry because Nanxing would marry Pei Shen sooner or later.
• Yanran asked Tang Zhuyun for a marriage story, and Xiu'er and Linlin joined them to listen.
• Tang Zhuyun told them how Liu E rose from hardship to become empress and later ruled as empress dowager.
• Yanran decided marriage brought trouble and said she would rather live alone; the Prince of Jin entered as she finished.