Chapter Summaries

Yanran visited Lang Xuan after she was frightened and helped her set aside her painful jealousy toward Baoxuan. Back home, Yanran discovered Zhao Qing’s feelings for Yuanyang, and Linlin revealed that he already knew about them and approved.

• Lang Xuan ran away in fright, so Yanran went to the Lang Family with Jiang'er and Baoxuan to check on her.
• Lang Xuan struggled with memories of envying Baoxuan in her previous life, then realized Baoxuan was different now and calmed down.
• Yanran overheard Zhao Qing tell Yuanyang that he would not call her sister and would return to see her, while Yuanyang insisted he was not allowed to come again.
• Yanran teased Yuanyang about Zhao Qing before leaving, and Yuanyang praised Lang Xuan as a good girl.
• Linlin asked whether Yanran had visited Lang Xuan, and Zhao Qing thanked him for approving of his relationship with Yuanyang.

Yanran encouraged Zhao Qing to pursue Yuanyang openly, then Linlin took her to witness gunpowder’s destructive power and revealed that Lang Xuan had provided its formula. He recalled Lang Xuan’s nervous visit, during which she tried to warn him about a spy and offer a weapon but became flustered and forgot what she meant to say.

• Yanran told Zhao Qing to pursue Yuanyang himself, and Zhao Qing left determined to court her openly.
• Linlin told Yanran that Lang Xuan was the woman he would marry and took her to see gunpowder demonstrated outside the city.
• Zhao Qing struck a bronze gong, and a massive explosion sent black smoke billowing across the northern horizon.
• Linlin revealed that Lang Xuan had given him the gunpowder formula and remembered her anxious visit to warn him about a spy and offer a weapon.
• Lang Xuan spilled tea, scalded her hand, and then forgot what she had been trying to tell Linlin, breaking into tears.

Lang Xuan’s gunpowder formula had helped Linlin win a decisive victory, and Yanran learned to accept Lang Xuan as her future sister-in-law. As the women grew closer, Yanran invited Lang Xuan and the others on an outing to the seaside.

• Lang Xuan gave Linlin the gunpowder formula, which he later used against the Tatars to win a resounding victory.
• Yanran questioned Cui Xiaoqiu about the formula, and he urged her to get along with Lang Xuan and not put Linlin in a difficult position.
• Yanran admitted she felt jealous about her brother’s marriage, and Cui Xiaoqiu comforted her until she felt at ease.
• Yanran opened her heart to Lang Xuan, who became more comfortable spending time with her and the others and gave them embroidered handkerchiefs.
• Yanran suggested a spring outing to the seaside and asked Lang Xuan whether she had ever been there.

Yanran tricked Lang Xuan into agreeing to visit the seaside, then tried to persuade Linlin to take them there, but he postponed the trip until after the wedding. Cui Xiaoqiu took Yanran to a restaurant, where a young man approached her and challenged Cui Xiaoqiu.

• Yanran coaxed Lang Xuan into agreeing to go to the seaside by telling her a story about mermaids.
• Yanran told Linlin that Lang Xuan wanted to see the sea and tried to arrange a trip for herself, Lang Xuan, and Baoxuan.
• Linlin saw through Yanran’s story and said he would take them to the seaside after the wedding, once his work was finished.
• Cui Xiaoqiu took Yanran to a restaurant, where she noticed local couples holding hands and learned that people confessed their feelings in public.
• A sturdy young man approached Yanran, asked if she was betrothed, and provocatively asked whether Cui Xiaoqiu was her intended.

Cui Xiaoqiu accepted a boastful man’s archery challenge and astonished Yanran by piercing the target with three shots that passed through the man’s arrows. On the way back, Yanran struggled to reconcile his skill with the weakling she had always thought him to be.

• A burly man mocked Cui Xiaoqiu and challenged him, but Yanran defended Cui Xiaoqiu before he accepted an archery contest.
• The man leaped down from the restaurant and shot three arrows into the target’s center, while Yanran followed him down gracefully.
• Yanran offered to compete in Cui Xiaoqiu’s place, but Cui Xiaoqiu insisted on shooting himself.
• Cui Xiaoqiu fired three arrows that struck the backs of the man’s arrows and carried them through the target, stunning Yanran and the crowd.
• Yanran asked whether Cui Xiaoqiu had used gunpowder, and Cui Xiaoqiu questioned why she assumed he was too weak to learn archery.

Yanran discovered that Cui Xiaoqiu was an exceptionally skilled archer and began to feel flustered by his affection for her. The next day, she visited Lang Xuan, who blushed while discussing her upcoming wedding, before an urgent summons called Yanran back to the commandery prince's residence.

• Cui Xiaoqiu demonstrated his archery skill to Yanran, who excitedly told Linlin and spread the news through the residence.
• Yanran praised Cui Xiaoqiu until he asked her to be modest, then blushed when he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at her affectionately.
• Yanran privately realized she might be developing feelings for Cui Xiaoqiu and smiled to herself while thinking about him.
• Yanran told Lang Xuan they would postpone their seaside trip until after the wedding, and Lang Xuan agreed she wanted to go with Linlin.
• Baoxuan shared a warm conversation with Lang Xuan, who reflected that she was no longer jealous of her as she had been in her previous life.
• A guard summoned Yanran back immediately because the commandery prince had an urgent matter.

Lang Xuan followed Yanran back to the commandery prince’s residence, where Jiaojiao frightened her into Yuwen Duo’s arms and left her mortified when he helped her put on her shoe. After Lang Xuan hurried away, Yuwen Duo brought Yanran and Baoxuan into his study to discuss the urgent matter.

• Lang Xuan followed Yanran into her carriage, worried that something had happened to Yuwen Duo.
• At the residence, Jiaojiao startled Lang Xuan, who ran into Yuwen Duo’s arms and lost a shoe.
• Yuwen Duo steadied Lang Xuan and put her shoe back on while she blushed and struggled to refuse his help.
• Baoxuan recited auspicious wishes for Lang Xuan and Yuwen Duo, and Lang Xuan left with Jiang'er.
• Yuwen Duo asked Yanran to bring Baoxuan into his study, where Yanran asked what the urgent matter was.

Linlin told Yanran that Baoxuan’s birth mother, Yuan Yi, was alive and coming to see her, and Yanran quickly broke the news to Baoxuan, who happily accepted it. Meanwhile, Lang Xuan treasured a moment when Yuwen Duo had helped her put on her shoe and found hope in her unrequited love.

• Linlin asked Baoxuan what she remembered about her mother and learned that she barely recalled her.
• Linlin told Yanran that Yuan Yi had learned Baoxuan was her daughter and was traveling to reunite with her, while Doudou’s parentage had been exposed as the result of a baby swap.
• Linlin asked Yanran to explain the situation to Baoxuan gently, and Yanran immediately told her that her birth mother was alive and wanted to see her.
• Baoxuan accepted the news with happiness and looked forward to meeting Yuan Yi.
• Lang Xuan could not sleep because she kept remembering Yuwen Duo helping her put on her shoe, and she took comfort in the memory.

Lang Xuan married Yuwen Duo, still troubled by her feelings and guilt toward her parents. Left alone with him in the wedding chamber, she misunderstood his intentions before he helped her with her heavy phoenix coronet and went outside.

• Baoxuan visited Lang Xuan and excitedly shared her background, while Lang Xuan concealed her bitterness and congratulated her.
• On her wedding day, Lang Xuan wept as she said goodbye to Madam Lang and blamed Wei Zihan for her conflicted feelings.
• Lang Wu carried Lang Xuan to the bridal sedan, and she and Yuwen Duo completed the wedding bows before entering the wedding chamber.
• Linlin dismissed the guests, leaving Lang Xuan alone with him despite her silent hope that Yanran would intervene.
• Linlin assured Lang Xuan he would not force consummation, and she blushed and argued with him before admitting she was not ready.
• When Lang Xuan struggled to remove her phoenix coronet and began to cry, Linlin wiped her tears and left to check on the guests.

Lang Xuan and Linlin shared a meal after their wedding, awkwardly learning each other’s habits and preferences. Linlin offered to sleep on the couch, leaving Lang Xuan stiff with nerves as they spent their wedding night in the same room.

• Lang Xuan changed clothes alone and panicked when she thought Yuwen Duo was coming back, but Linlin entered with Yanran.
• Linlin had the servants replace the cold ceremonial dishes with a hot meal, then stayed to eat with Lang Xuan.
• Lang Xuan accidentally ate ginger, and Linlin offered her soup and explained his food preferences.
• Lang Xuan realized they should communicate directly as strangers learning to live together, then ate beside Linlin in silence.
• Linlin suggested a walk, but Lang Xuan chose to sleep, so he offered the bed to her and said he would take the couch.
• Lang Xuan lay stiffly beneath the bed curtains, nervous about sharing a room with Yuwen Duo.

After their wedding night, Lang Xuan was surprised when Yuwen Duo promised to visit her parents and reassured her that she would have authority over the household. The next morning, she arrived late to meet the family and fell into Yuwen Duo’s arms when Yanran startled her with a gecko.

• Lang Xuan admired Yuwen Duo as he read by candlelight, and he offered to take her home to visit her parents the day after tomorrow.
• Yuwen Duo told Lang Xuan she could take over the inner household when ready and urged her to tell him about any concerns or mistakes.
• Lang Xuan woke late and learned from Nanny Hou that Yuwen Duo had instructed the servants to respect her as their mistress.
• Lang Xuan found Yingying, Qu Nian, Qu Hua, Yanran, and Wei Jun gathered for the family meeting, but Yuwen Duo had not yet arrived.
• Yanran startled Lang Xuan with a gecko called Little Lovely, causing Lang Xuan to stumble into Yuwen Duo’s arms as he hurried in.

After Dog Meat recovered, Ren Yingying returned to social gatherings and welcomed Lang Xuan as a new bride. Linlin asked Lang Xuan whether she liked Wei Jun, and she denied it, saying she found him repulsive and questioned why he was allowed to remain by Linlin’s side.

• Ren Yingying recalled how an impoverished Daoist priest’s talisman had helped Dog Meat recover after veterinarians failed to treat him.
• Qu Nian and Qu Hua had fought after Qu Hua complained about the turmoil caused by Dog Meat, but afterward they acted as if nothing had happened.
• Linlin reassured Lang Xuan after she was frightened, while Yanran apologized and Ren Yingying gave Lang Xuan a red envelope on Tang Zhuyun’s behalf.
• After the guests dispersed, Linlin took Lang Xuan and her gifts to breakfast and asked whether she liked Wei Jun.
• Lang Xuan denied liking Wei Jun and said she found him repulsive, prompting Linlin to ask whether Wei Jun had offended her.

Lang Xuan tried to explain why she distrusted Wei Jun, while Linlin reassured her and offered to deal with anyone who upset her. Their conversation turned affectionate as Lang Xuan recognized how Yuwen Duo had protected her family, and Linlin left to handle his duties before their return visit to her family.

• Lang Xuan failed to explain her dislike of Wei Jun, and Linlin promised to address any future discomfort she had with him.
• Linlin offered to teach Qu Hua a lesson, but Lang Xuan argued that she did not want to antagonize the Prince of Min's Residence.
• Lang Xuan thanked Linlin for protecting her family during their exile, and he joked that her betrothal had repaid him.
• Linlin said he would handle his work and join Lang Xuan for dinner, then told her the steward would ask about gifts for their return visit.
• Lang Xuan asked Linlin not to make trouble for Qu Hua.

Lang Xuan reflected on Yuwen Duo’s care for her while Yanran introduced her to the imperial family and invited her to go hunting. Yanran also revealed that the empress of Goryeo had secretly visited Yuwen Duo, recalling rumors about Zhao Yingzhu’s past visit to the Eastern Palace.

• Lang Xuan realized she had begun to understand how to persuade Yuwen Duo and thought about how he had stood up for her.
• Yanran joined Lang Xuan for lunch at Yuwen Duo’s request and reassured her that Qu Hua’s complaints did not matter.
• Yanran described the imperial family and her relatives to Lang Xuan, who felt overwhelmed by the introductions.
• Yanran invited Lang Xuan to go hunting with her and Yuwen Duo the next day, but Lang Xuan said she would wait to see whether Yuwen Duo agreed.
• Yanran told Lang Xuan that Zhao Yingzhu, the empress of Goryeo, had slipped into the envoy delegation and secretly visited Yuwen Duo.
• Lang Xuan remembered rumors from her previous life that Zhao Yingzhu had spent a night in the Eastern Palace before later becoming empress.

Lang Xuan mistook a private encounter involving Wei Jun and Zhao Yingzhu for Yuwen Duo’s and burst into the study, then fled after realizing her mistake. Yanran helped her cover up the visit, while Lang Xuan quietly renewed her resolve to deal with Wei Jun.

• Lang Xuan worried that Zhao Yingzhu would seduce the fourteen-year-old Yuwen Duo and followed Yanran to spy on her.
• Zhao Qing claimed Yuwen Duo was absent, but a woman’s moan came from the study, prompting Lang Xuan to shove open the door.
• Lang Xuan saw Wei Jun with Zhao Yingzhu, mistook him for Yuwen Duo, and ran away in embarrassment.
• Yanran teased Lang Xuan about being jealous and promised to keep Zhao Qing and Wei Jun quiet about the incident.
• Lang Xuan asked Yanran about Wei Jun’s weaknesses, remembering that he had once lured the wolf pack and badly injured Yuwen Duo.

Lang Xuan asked Yanran about Yuwen Duo’s tastes, while Yanran teased her about Zhao Yingzhu and Wei Jun. Zhao Yingzhu then requested an audience, and Lang Xuan and Yanran received her as she explained that she had learned Chinese in case she was sent to the Central Plains.

• Yanran told Lang Xuan that Yuwen Duo liked crispy roast pork belly and hard food, and urged her to serve him soft meals instead.
• Yanran teased Lang Xuan about Zhao Yingzhu’s figure and joked that Wei Jun had accompanied her in Goryeo.
• Jiang’er announced that Zhao Yingzhu had requested an audience, and Lang Xuan agreed to receive her.
• Zhao Yingzhu entered, exchanged formal greetings with Lang Xuan, and calmly answered Yanran’s questions.
• Zhao Yingzhu said she had learned Chinese as a child because she might have been sent to the Central Plains.

Yanran questioned Zhao Yingzhu’s plea for help, while Lang Xuan agreed to raise it with Yuwen Duo as part of a cautious plan to keep Zhao from turning to another ally. At home, Lang Xuan cooked Yuwen Duo shredded chicken congee and told him about Zhao’s visit, while Yanran watched Cui Xiaoqiu practice copying lines.

• Yanran asked Zhao Yingzhu whether she had been trying to assert her dominance, and Zhao claimed she had only been seeking help after being driven into a corner.
• Zhao Yingzhu knelt and begged Lang Xuan to plead her case to Yuwen Duo; Lang Xuan promised to bring it up, and Yanran doubted Zhao’s story.
• Lang Xuan reasoned that keeping Zhao Yingzhu from leaving could preserve a useful alliance, and Yanran praised her for thinking strategically.
• Lang Xuan made shredded chicken congee for Yuwen Duo, who pretended his stomach hurt after eating only one bowl; she resolved to make him congee regularly.
• Lang Xuan recounted Zhao Yingzhu’s visit to Yuwen Duo, who encouraged her decision, while Yanran watched Cui Xiaoqiu imitate her handwriting as punishment.

Cui Xiaoqiu and Yanran discussed Zhao Yingzhu and the possibility of marrying when Yanran turned fifteen, while Yanran looked forward to spying on her eldest brother’s return visit with his wife. At Yuanyang’s home, Yanran discovered Zhao Qing’s feelings for Yuanyang and offered to help them, then witnessed Linlin and Lang Xuan return holding hands.

• Cui Xiaoqiu suggested that he and Yanran marry when she turned fifteen, and Yanran said she would think about it.
• Yanran went to Yuanyang’s home to eavesdrop and overheard Zhao Qing confess that he liked Yuanyang and threaten to stay so he could forcibly marry her.
• Yanran teased Yuanyang about her feelings for Zhao Qing and promised to help make Yuanyang worthy of him.
• Linlin returned with Lang Xuan, helped her down from the carriage, and interlaced their fingers as Lang He waited with his family.

Lang Xuan returned to her family home with Yuwen Duo, who won her parents over with thoughtful gestures and joined her in the kitchen. At dinner, Lang Xuan protected him from drinking by taking his wine herself, surprising her family.

• Lang Xuan let Yuwen Duo show affection in front of her family while Lang Wu warned him not to bully his sister.
• Yuwen Duo arranged for guards to hand out candy and copper coins to the crowd gathered for Lang Xuan's homecoming.
• Yuwen Duo offered to help in the kitchen, then asked Lang Xuan to cook while he tended the fire and pretended he had exaggerated his cooking skills.
• Lang Xuan prepared the meal and porridge, and Yuwen Duo repeatedly served her food at the family table.
• When Lang He urged Yuwen Duo to drink, Lang Xuan insisted he could not because of his bad stomach, then drank the cup herself.
• Madam Lang pointed out that Lang Xuan had never drunk wine before.

Lang Xuan got drunk after tasting sorghum liquor, and Yuwen Duo carried her to her room and stayed by her side. Her sleep-talking revealed that she remembered a past life and feared she had once harmed him, while Yuwen Duo realized she might know something about his future.

• Lang Xuan drank sorghum liquor, quickly became drunk, and leaned against Linlin as her family watched.
• Linlin carried Lang Xuan to her room, tucked her into bed, and stayed beside her while she slept.
• Lang Xuan called Yuwen Duo's name and apologized, then confessed in her sleep that she loved him but feared she would bring him harm.
• Lang Xuan spoke of her last life and warned that Wei Jun would hurt Yuwen Duo, leading Linlin to suspect she had foreseen events from another life.
• Lang Xuan slept until evening, and Linlin refused to leave her even when Madam Lang said it was time to go back.