Chapter Summaries

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.

Tang Zhuyun comforted Yanran after she feared her mother would die young, then Zhou Xu learned Wu Shao liked Zhou Fu and decided to return to the Zhou Family to carry out her plan. She left with Tang Zhuyun’s blessing and money, promising to come back soon.

• Tang Zhuyun reassured Yanran that she would stay with her for a long time, and Yanran stopped crying and planned to watch another calf being born.
• Yanran decided to find Sanbao and learn to lasso horses before leaving.
• Tang Zhuyun told Zhou Xu that Wu Shao liked Zhou Fu and urged her not to get caught up in their affairs.
• Zhou Xu accepted five hundred taels from Tang Zhuyun and decided to return to the Zhou Family, accomplish one thing, and then come home.
• Zhou Xu promised Tang Zhuyun she would return within days or weeks and set off with a plan to confront the Zhou Family.

Zhou Xu returned to the Zhou Family and provoked Zhou Fu while laying plans to use Lady Wang’s birthday against the household. After spending the night with Wu Zhenhai, she accepted his jade hairpin for Lady Wang and prepared for the next day’s scheme.

• Old Madam Zhou questioned Zhou Xu about the princess consort’s attention, then told her to visit the prince’s residence often so she could help win Wu Zhenhai over.
• Zhou Fu confronted Zhou Xu, who taunted her about the Prince of Jin and sent her away to consult her mother.
• Wu Zhenhai visited Zhou Xu late that night, and she treated their encounter as a farewell while concealing her intentions.
• Zhou Xu told Wu Zhenhai that the princess consort had asked about him, and he boasted about his importance.
• Wu Zhenhai gave Zhou Xu an emerald-green jade hairpin for Lady Wang’s birthday and reminded her to speak with Chanjuan about her family.
• Zhou Xu flirted with Wu Zhenhai and hinted she would find someone else if he did not return, then resolved to spring her trap at Lady Wang’s birthday.

At Madam Wang’s birthday celebration, Zhou Xu clashed with Zhou Fu, was shoved into the courtyard, and then greeted Yanran, who had come to see her. Zhou Xu took Yanran away to talk, but Zhou Fu challenged her, and Yanran questioned why Zhou Fu’s mother mattered.

• Zhou Fu tried to usher Zhou Xu aside before the young masters arrived, but Zhou Xu refused and accused her of hypocrisy.
• Zhou Xu watched the young masters enter and noticed Wu Shao, who regarded her with distaste.
• Someone shoved Zhou Xu over the threshold, and Wu Shao stepped back instead of catching her; Zhou Xu rose calmly and apologized to the onlookers.
• Yanran arrived and explained that Jiaojiao had been stopped at the entrance, then happily accepted Zhou Xu’s invitation to talk in her room.
• Zhou Fu objected to Zhou Xu taking Yanran away, and Yanran asked who Zhou Fu was and why her mother mattered.

Yanran helped Zhou Xu humiliate Zhou Fu and gave her Wu Shao’s jade pendant, which Zhou Xu used to lure Wu Zhenhai to her courtyard. Zhou Fu heard that Wu Zhenhai had entered Zhou Xu’s inner courtyard and prepared to catch them together.

• Yanran helped Zhou Xu leave Zhou Fu embarrassed, then visited Zhou Xu and revealed that Wu Shao wanted to meet Zhou Fu.
• Yanran gave Zhou Xu Wu Shao’s stolen jade pendant and stayed in the Zhou Family to gather potential witnesses.
• Zhou Xu sent a maid to summon Wu Zhenhai, dressed to entice him, and threatened to die when he tried to leave.
• Wu Zhenhai dismissed Zhou Xu’s complaint about Zhou Fu and hurried away from her courtyard.
• Zhou Fu’s maid reported seeing Wu Zhenhai enter Zhou Xu’s inner courtyard, and Zhou Fu decided to catch them together.

Zhou Xu staged a trap that left Zhou Fu and Wu Zhenhai naked together, then arranged for Wu Shao to discover them. The scene ended with Zhou Xu publicly accusing Zhou Fu of meeting both father and son, while Yanran and the gathered onlookers watched.

• Zhou Fu tried to expose Zhou Xu to Grandmother, but Zhou Xu and a bribed maid knocked her unconscious and prepared her as part of a scheme.
• Zhou Xu drugged Wu Zhenhai, stripped him, and placed Wu Shao’s jade pendant in Zhou Fu’s hand.
• A maid lured Wu Shao to the secluded spot, where he found his father and Zhou Fu naked together.
• Zhou Xu secretly scattered a powder over the pair, and Wu Shao pulled Wu Zhenhai awake as Yanran arrived with onlookers.
• Zhou Xu pretended to stumble upon the scene and accused Zhou Fu of arranging meetings with both Wu Zhenhai and Wu Shao.