Chapter Summaries

Emperor Wen and Tang Zhuyun learned how Linlin saved Jinzhou after the Prince of Liaodong’s brother-in-law betrayed the city, though a thousand soldiers were killed or wounded. With the Tatars expected to retreat and Madam Xi gravely wounded, Emperor Wen decided the Prince of Liaodong could no longer remain in power.

• Emperor Wen told Tang Zhuyun that the Prince of Liaodong’s brother-in-law had opened Jinzhou’s gates to the Tatars.
• Linlin used gunpowder to cut off Tatar reinforcements, close the gates, and wipe out the Tatars who had entered, while Jinzhou suffered a thousand casualties.
• Tang Zhuyun wondered how Linlin had acted so quickly, but Emperor Wen said the Tatars would withdraw because they relied on swift attacks and carried few supplies.
• Emperor Wen decided to remove the Prince of Liaodong, who had tried to shield his brother-in-law from punishment.
• Tang Zhuyun learned that Madam Xi had been gravely wounded defending Jinzhou and that Mu Ziyu had confronted the Prince of Liaodong over it.

Tang Zhuyun left Emperor Wen to go to the Marquis Champion's residence after Nanxing went into labor. Nanxing seemed calm as she ate noodles, but Tang Zhuyun's expression changed at the end of the chapter.

• Emperor Wen explained that Linlin had to reconcile Mu Ziyu and the Prince of Liaodong while managing the threat from outside Liaodong.
• Tang Zhuyun worried about Linlin and considered going to Liaodong to treat Madam Xi, but Emperor Wen told her that Qu Hua and a skilled physician were already there.
• Hanxiang told Tang Zhuyun that Nanxing had gone into labor, and Tang Zhuyun hurried to the Marquis Champion's residence.
• Tang Zhuyun found Nanxing eating noodles beside Pei Shen and learned that her water had broken and she felt only slight pain.
• Tang Zhuyun said she had thought Nanxing was about to give birth, then her expression suddenly changed.

Nanxing gave birth to a healthy boy, whom she named Pei Zheng, while Tang Zhuyun and Yanran celebrated with her. On the carriage ride back to the palace, Yanran shielded Tang Zhuyun from something cutting through the air, leaving them in danger.

• Tang Zhuyun examined Nanxing and found that she was already close to giving birth despite feeling only mild pain.
• Nanxing gave birth to a boy about a quarter of an hour later, and she named him Pei Zheng because she hoped he would grow up upright.
• Yanran arrived and held Pei Zheng, while Nanxing teased her about making him a future son-in-law and Yanran refused.
• On the ride back, Tang Zhuyun asked Yanran why she had stayed out late, and Yanran explained that she had walked by the river with Cui Xiaoqiu, who was upset over Madam Cui.
• Yanran suddenly threw Tang Zhuyun down and shielded her as something sliced through the air.

Tang Zhuyun and Yanran survived an ambush when their arrowproof carriage shielded them from the attackers. After returning to the palace, Emperor Wen investigated the attack while Yanran and the others wondered whether she had been the target; the chapter left the culprit unknown.

• Assassins fired arrows at Tang Zhuyun and Yanran, but Yanran activated the carriage’s iron defenses and the guards killed the attackers, capturing three who poisoned themselves.
• Emperor Wen met Tang Zhuyun and Yanran at the palace gates, then skipped morning court to investigate the assassination.
• Yanran questioned how the attackers could have anticipated Tang Zhuyun’s sudden departure and considered whether she had been the target.
• Xiu'er suggested the Cui Family or Cui Xiaoqiu’s mother might be behind the attack, but Yanran dismissed both possibilities.
• Tang Zhuyun told Xiu'er that Nanxing had given birth to a son named Pei Zheng, and recalled that the retired emperor continued to favor Pei Shen.

Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er discussed family and children while Emperor Wen investigated the attack on Yanran, whose trail pointed to the Cui Family. The chapter ended with Emperor Wen spending time with the children and Tang Zhuyun learning that Mingzhu had received a generous title and fief.

• Tang Zhuyun thanked Pei Shen for keeping the retired emperor company and explained that he always returned home to care for Nanxing.
• Tang Zhuyun asked Xiu'er to help choose a childhood name for Pei Zheng, and they agreed to wait for Linlin to name him.
• After returning from the battlefield, Linlin considered Lang Xuan's warnings and the gunpowder that had helped defeat the Tatars.
• Emperor Wen told Tang Zhuyun that the evidence pointed to the Cui Family and Madam Cui in the attempt on Yanran, and that he had referred the case to the Court of Judicial Review.
• Emperor Wen invited the children to the palace, where Wuji and Wuji fought over a wooden ball while Tang Zhuyun struggled to manage them.
• Emperor Wen told Tang Zhuyun that he had sent Mingzhu her dowry and granted her a first-rank title with a fief of three thousand households in Jiangnan.

After Emperor Wen identified Madam Cui as the suspected assassin, Yanran met Cui Xiaoqiu and urged him to investigate his family while she tried to reassure him. Back in the palace, Tang Zhuyun gave Yanran a detailed puberty guide, leaving Yanran stunned by what Cui Xiaoqiu already knew.

• Yanran learned that Emperor Wen’s evidence pointed to Madam Cui and insisted that Cui Xiaoqiu’s mother could not have carried out the plot.
• Yanran summoned Cui Xiaoqiu to meet her at the palace gates, while Tang Zhuyun arranged for shadow guards to watch over her.
• Cui Xiaoqiu warned Yanran not to trust anyone from the Cui Family who might approach in his name, and Yanran promised to stall Emperor Wen while he investigated.
• Cui Xiaoqiu watched Yanran return through the closing palace gates and resolved to prove his family innocent so he would not lose the right to stand by her side.
• Tang Zhuyun gave Yanran a puberty guide and supplies for her first period, and Yanran realized Cui Xiaoqiu already knew far too much about them.

Yanran stayed in the palace while Tang Zhuyun investigated the attempt on her life, and she asked her mother to spare Madam Cui if she proved responsible. Yanran spent her time with her younger siblings and teaching Wu Yu archery and riding, while Xiu'er visited Nanxing and discussed family, children, and the investigation.

• Yanran told Tang Zhuyun that she would ask her to spare Madam Cui if she had targeted Yanran, and agreed to remain in the palace until the matter was investigated.
• Yanran played with Wuji and her other younger siblings, then ordered Wu Yu to begin martial arts training and taught him a horse stance.
• Xiu'er brought Nanxing food made by Yanran and told her that Song Jingyang had been made the Earl of Liyang, while worrying about pressure on him to have a son.
• Nanxing reassured Xiu'er that daughters were just as welcome as sons, and the two joked about their children and possible future marriages.
• Xiu'er said Cui Xiaoqiu would uncover the truth about the attempt on Yanran's life, but Nanxing remained unconvinced.

Cui Xiaoqiu visited his mother, who was confined in the Cui Family's Buddhist hall after being accused of plotting against Yanran. He reassured her that Yanran had pleaded for her and promised they would find the real culprit, leaving Madam Cui overwhelmed by Yanran's kindness.

• Xiu'er and Nanxing discussed how Cui Xiaoqiu needed to resolve his family troubles before he could pursue Yanran.
• Madam Cui lamented her confinement in the Buddhist hall but believed Cui Xiaoqiu should protect his future rather than speak up for her.
• Cui Xiaoqiu used Old Master Cui's token to enter the Buddhist hall and comfort his mother over food and wine.
• Cui Xiaoqiu told Madam Cui that Yanran had pleaded for her and that the emperor and empress had only relented after Yanran threatened to kill herself.
• Madam Cui realized Yanran had shown her kindness despite her past opposition, and Cui Xiaoqiu promised they would clear her name.

Cui Xiaoqiu comforted Madam Cui and presented his findings to Emperor Wen, who confronted the retired emperor and Dowager Consort De about her crimes. Dowager Consort De admitted her role and revealed that she had planted more sleeper agents near Emperor Wen.

• Cui Xiaoqiu reassured Madam Cui that he would investigate the accusations and asked her to rest while Yanran helped him.
• Cui Xiaoqiu presented his evidence to Emperor Wen, who dismissed him and went to meet the retired emperor at the Purple Tenuity Palace.
• Emperor Wen told the retired emperor he would replace Dowager Consort De’s attendants, provoking the retired emperor’s anger.
• Emperor Wen accused Dowager Consort De of arranging Mingzhu’s portrait to be sent to the Prince of Ding and ordering the attack on Yanran.
• Dowager Consort De admitted her actions and explained that jealousy over Xiao Wu’s favor had fueled her hatred.
• Dowager Consort De warned Emperor Wen that she had planted more than one sleeper agent near him.

Tang Zhuyun and Ren Yingying planned a women's academy, discussing its construction, funding, curriculum, and staffing. They left with plans to investigate the Lei Family’s unexpected support and prepare for the academy’s challenges.

• Tang Zhuyun, Yanran, and Xiu'er discussed Dowager Consort De’s death and the retired emperor’s condition, then joked about whether Yanran would marry.
• Ren Yingying showed Tang Zhuyun detailed plans for a three-hundred-mu women's academy, drawn by Lei Qun of the Lei Family.
• Ren Yingying explained that Lei Qun and his craftsmen would contribute their work for free, while Tang Zhuyun suggested privately investigating the family despite Qu Nian’s earlier inquiry.
• Ren Yingying proposed giving donors priority admission and inviting poor families to contribute labor; Tang Zhuyun discussed subjects, female teachers, and adding her own savings.
• Ren Yingying asked whether Zhou Yanhui would come to the capital with the foreign envoys, and Tang Zhuyun said she would not.

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.