Recaps

Wu Zong negotiated for Zhao Ruxi to teach drawing to officials and secured Wei Qiu’s remaining estate for her, while Zhang Changshen tried to recruit her to the Court of Judicial Review. Their plans were threatened when the second young master of the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence arrived to buy the same estate.

• Wu Zong arranged for Zhang Changshen to seek an imperial decree requiring officials to learn drawing from Zhao Ruxi, with tuition set at fifteen hundred taels per person.
• Zhang Changshen agreed to sell Zhao Ruxi Wei Qiu’s remaining estate after explaining that Wen’s family had already claimed shops and another estate.
• Zhang Changshen urged Wu Zong to persuade Zhao Ruxi to join the Court of Judicial Review, but Wu Zong said she did not seem interested.
• A subordinate reported that the second young master of the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence wanted to buy Wei Qiu’s estate, and Zhang Changshen worried he might be pressured to sell it.

Fu Yunlang visited Zhang Changshen to buy a farm estate for the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence, but learned that Zhao Ruxi had already bought it. Their dispute over the sale grew tense, while Fu Yunlang’s request was revealed to be part of his elder brother’s test of how civil officials treated military officers.

• Zhang Changshen invited Wu Zong to accompany him when he met Fu Yunlang, then told Fu that Wei Qiu’s properties had all been sold.
• Fu Yunlang asked who had bought the remaining Beining estate and offered to negotiate a higher price or exchange shops for it.
• Zhang Changshen said Zhao Ruxi had purchased the estate and explained that victims received priority when the Court of Judicial Review sold confiscated property.
• Fu Yunlang challenged whether the Earl of Huanping’s Residence counted as a victim, and Zhang Changshen sharply demanded to know whether he meant to teach him how to do his work.
• Fu Yunlang grew angry as he recalled that his elder brother had sent him to test whether civil officials’ attitudes toward military officers had changed.

Fu Yunlang questioned Zhang Changshen about the estate sale, but Wu Zong used Fu’s inquiries about Lady Wei to undermine him and helped steer the estate to the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence. Wu later told Zhao Ruxi he had arranged painting classes for her, pending an imperial decree, and she eagerly imagined the income.

• Fu Yunlang challenged Zhang Changshen’s view that Zhao Ruxi was a victim and asked why the Earl of Suiping’s Residence should be allowed to buy the estate.
• Wu Zong revealed that Fu Yunlang had been asking about Lady Wei and suggested he had tried to clear her name, leaving Fu flustered and denying that he had done so.
• Wu Zong told Zhang Changshen that Zhao Ruxi would give up the estate to avoid gossip, and Zhang agreed to let the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence take it instead.
• Fu Yunlang left confused about Wu Zong’s junior sister and decided not to tell his elder brother that the estate matter had been settled.
• Wu Zong told Zhao Ruxi he had arranged one painting class per province, subject to the emperor’s decree, and Zhao excitedly anticipated the fees.

Zhao Ruxi invited Wu Zong and Master Kang’s disciples to join her planned jade business, while Zhang Changshen presented her lifelike criminal portrait to Emperor Xiao Ge and sought funding to teach her technique to investigators. Xiao Ge approved the technique’s use but refused to compel Zhao Ruxi to teach, and Zhang explained how the Fu Family had ended up with Wei Qiu’s remaining estate.

• Zhao Ruxi told Wu Zong she planned to trade in colorful southern jade and invited him and Master Kang’s disciples to join her.
• Zhang Changshen showed Emperor Xiao Ge Zhao Ruxi’s realistic portrait of a serial murderer and proposed teaching the technique to government investigators.
• Xiao Ge praised Zhao Ruxi’s talent and approved training officials, but refused to issue a decree forcing her to teach.
• Zhang Changshen said Mister Kumu and others had paid Zhao Ruxi three thousand taels each for lessons, and admitted he wanted the emperor’s help reducing the cost.
• Zhang Changshen explained that he had planned to sell Wei Qiu’s remaining estate to Zhao Ruxi, but gave it to the Fu Family after the second young master of the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence demanded it.

Zhang Changshen persuaded Xiao Ge to ask Kang Shilin to intervene over Zhao Ruxi’s price, then Xiao Ge summoned Fu Yunkai and reprimanded him over Fu Yunlang’s conduct at the Court of Judicial Review. Fu Yunkai left to bring his brother home, while Fu Yunlang learned how Zhao Ruxi became Mister Kumu’s final disciple.

• Zhang Changshen urged Xiao Ge to approach Mister Kumu rather than pressure Zhao Ruxi directly, and Xiao Ge agreed to speak to Kang Shilin.
• Xiao Ge learned Mister Kumu was in Beining and summoned Fu Yunkai while waiting for him to return.
• Xiao Ge reprimanded Fu Yunkai because Fu Yunlang had pressured Lord Zhang to sell an estate at the Court of Judicial Review.
• Fu Yunkai promised to make Fu Yunlang return the estate and apologize, and Xiao Ge warned him to have his younger brother take on responsibility.
• Fu Yunkai sent an attendant to find Fu Yunlang and bring him home.
• Fu Yunlang heard that Zhao Ruxi had painted a lifelike portrait of Mister Kumu, who took her as his final disciple.

Fu Yunkai punished Fu Yunlang for offending the Court of Judicial Review and embarrassing their family before the emperor. He ordered that Yunlang be sent to the army after his injuries healed, despite their mother’s pleas.

• Fu Yunlang learned that his actions at the Court of Judicial Review had angered Fu Yunkai and embarrassed their family before the emperor.
• Fu Yunkai ordered Fu Yunlang to kneel in the courtyard and be punished under the family rules.
• Fu Yunlang received five lashes before the Marchioness of Pingnan arrived and tried to shield him.
• Fu Yunkai invoked the emperor’s warning against spoiling a son and declared that he would send Fu Yunlang to the army once he recovered.
• Fu Yunkai had the maids and matrons pull the Marchioness of Pingnan away from the whipping.

Fu Yunkai punished Fu Yunlang and explained to the Marchioness of Pingnan why the residence had to show the emperor its resolve. He then insisted on choosing his own wife and prepared to apologize to Zhang Changshen and Mister Kumu.

• Fu Yunkai completed Fu Yunlang's whipping after warning the Marchioness not to plead for him, then had the wounds treated.
• Fu Yunkai knelt outside his mother's room and apologized, but she told him she had spoiled Fu Yunlang because he was her only close family at home.
• Fu Yunkai reminded the marchioness that the emperor expected the residence to punish Fu Yunlang, and she said she had only wanted him to understand her sadness.
• Fu Yunkai told his mother not to arrange his marriage without his consent and said he would choose a wife himself.
• Fu Yunkai learned Zhang Changshen had returned to the Court of Judicial Review and Mister Kumu had been summoned from Beining, then sent people to await Kumu and went to apologize to Zhang.

Fu Yunkai visited the Court of Judicial Review to apologize for his younger brother’s offense against Zhang Changshen and asked to make amends to Wu Zong and Zhao Ruxi as well. Zhang Changshen accepted his apology, while Wu Zong and Zhao Ruxi remained away from the court.

• Zhang Changshen learned Zhao Ruxi had finished four portraits and told Zhong Shengrong to make the Marquis of Pingnan’s heir wait.
• Fu Yunkai asked after Wu Zong, and his servant discovered that Zhao Ruxi was painting portraits in a rear courtyard.
• Zhang Changshen received Fu Yunkai, who apologized and explained that he had whipped his younger brother.
• Zhang Changshen’s impression of Fu Yunkai improved after Fu presented gifts and completed his apologies.
• Fu Yunkai asked where Wu Zong and Zhao Ruxi were so he could apologize to them too.

Zhao Ruxi refused to meet Fu Yunkai when he came to apologize, choosing to stay away from the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence. Fu Yunkai became increasingly interested in her as a potential bride and waited for someone after leaving the Court of Judicial Review.

• Fu Yunkai apologized to Zhang Changshen and asked to meet Zhao Ruxi, while Zhang praised her new painting method.
• Zhong Shengrong invited Zhao Ruxi to meet Fu Yunkai and advised her that the connection could benefit her family, but she declined.
• After hearing about Zhao Ruxi's talent and accomplishments, Fu Yunkai considered her a possible marriage match and resolved to propose if she suited him.
• Zhong Shengrong relayed Zhao Ruxi's refusal, which impressed Fu Yunkai further, and Zhang Changshen praised her tact.
• Fu Yunkai left the Court of Judicial Review and told his coachman to wait for someone.

Zhao Ruxi finished the portraits for Yangzhou and learned that the emperor planned to appoint her to teach painting. After she accepted Fu Yunkai’s apology gift, he became convinced she was the woman he wanted to marry and set out to seek the favor of her master, Mister Kumu.

• Zhang Changshen praised Zhao Ruxi for finishing nine portraits and told her the emperor would issue a decree appointing her to teach painting once her master consented.
• Zhao Ruxi finished the final portrait, gave it to Zhong Shengrong, and left the Court of Judicial Review with Qingfeng and Ma Sheng.
• Fu Yunkai approached Zhao Ruxi, apologized for his younger brother’s discourtesy, and offered her a gift of fabric from the border.
• Zhao Ruxi accepted Fu Yunkai’s gift and promptly boarded her carriage, while Fu Yunkai admired her direct manner and decided she was the woman he wanted.
• Fu Yunkai told Chang'an to take him to the Kang Residence so he could consider how to win the favor of Zhao Ruxi’s master, Mister Kumu.

Wu Zong told Kang Shilin how the Marquis of Pingnan's family had taken the Beining estate intended for his junior sister, Zhiwei. Kang Shilin used an elaborate performance to turn the painting students against the injustice and secure their public offers of property, then asked where Zhiwei was.

• Wu Zong went to Beining and told Kang Shilin that Zhang Changshen had sold the estate to the Fu Family after the Marquis of Pingnan's second son accused him of favoritism.
• Kang Shilin grew genuinely angry about the Marquis of Pingnan's entitlement, then pretended to despair over being powerless and unable to compensate Zhiwei.
• Moved by Kang Shilin's words, Zhou Wenbai and the other students offered Zhiwei estates, shops, and a residence.
• Kang Shilin rejected the offers and threatened to stop the class and leave with his young disciple, prompting Wu Zong to usher the students out.
• Wu Zong praised Kang Shilin after they were alone, then told him Zhiwei was at the Court of Judicial Review drawing a criminal's portrait and planning to post copies around the city.

Kang Shilin met Xiao Ge in the palace to discuss Zhao Ruxi teaching drawing to government officials and the Fu Family’s seizure of an estate. Xiao Ge secured Kang Shilin’s agreement to accept the estate, then raised his suspicions about the Marquis of Pingnan’s actions.

• Wu Zong told Kang Shilin that Zhao Ruxi had calmly drawn a portrait for the case and had declined Lord Zhang’s offer to join the Court of Judicial Review.
• Xiao Ge summoned Kang Shilin and gave him a shop deed as a gift for Zhao Ruxi, which Kang Shilin approved as useful income.
• Xiao Ge asked Kang Shilin to let Zhao Ruxi teach officials her practical drawing method, and Kang Shilin explained his anger over the Fu Family taking an estate she had wanted to buy.
• Xiao Ge promised that Fu Yunkai would apologize and return the estate, but Kang Shilin said Zhao Ruxi would not accept it because others might accuse her of taking it from the Fu Family.
• Xiao Ge persuaded Kang Shilin to accept the estate to spare the Fu Family from being trapped in the dispute, and Kang Shilin agreed to do him the favor.
• Xiao Ge said the Marquis of Pingnan had sent Fu Yunlang to stir trouble in the Court of Judicial Review and asked Kang Shilin what the marquis intended.

Kang Shilin rejected Fu Yunkai’s apology after Fu Yunkai’s younger brother caused trouble, leaving Fu Yunkai worried that Kang Shilin would obstruct his marriage proposal to Fifth Miss Zhao. Fu Yunkai sought out Xiao Lingpu, who approved his plan for Fu Yunlang and sent Xiao Fuzi to look for the Fifth Prince.

• Kang Shilin told Xiao Ge to pay his youngest disciple for teaching at the yamen and keep the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence away from her.
• Fu Yunkai apologized to Kang Shilin, who refused to make further amends because His Majesty had already apologized on the residence’s behalf.
• Fu Yunkai reflected that Kang Shilin’s words had criticized the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence and worried that he had become an obstacle to marrying Fifth Miss Zhao.
• Fu Yunkai went to Xiao Lingpu’s residence and said he would send Fu Yunlang to the border after his injuries healed; Xiao Lingpu approved.
• Xiao Lingpu asked Xiao Fuzi to find out why the Fifth Prince had not arrived, then told him to check next door before going to the palace.

Xiao Lingyan’s growing interest in Zhao Ruxi and her painting brought the princes and Fu Yunkai into a quiet meal, while Fu Yunkai decided to pursue a marriage proposal without seeking their advice. Xiao Lingpu then confronted Xiao Lingyan about how much he had changed since returning from Jiangnan.

• Fu Yunkai remarked that Xiao Lingyan had grown more mature and less attached to Xiao Lingpu, leaving Xiao Lingpu troubled by his younger brother’s distance.
• Xiao Lingyan examined Cen Song’s sketches and asked him to recount everything he knew about Zhao Ruxi.
• Xiao Lingpu and Fu Yunkai arrived, and Fu Yunkai asked Cen Song about the unusual painting style without learning who had taught it.
• Fu Yunkai decided to send a matchmaker to propose to Zhao Ruxi’s family without consulting the princes or Cen Song.
• After the meal, Xiao Lingpu asked Xiao Lingyan whether something had happened in Jiangnan to change him.

Xiao Lingyan visited Noble Consort Cen to ask whether she still wanted a portrait painted by Miss Zhao, and explained that Mister Kumu’s protection would make the visit safe. Noble Consort Cen agreed to request a portrait for her birthday in two months, while Xiao Lingyan accepted the delay despite his disappointment.

• Xiao Lingpu noticed that Xiao Lingyan had grown more mature and felt a pang of sadness at his younger brother’s independence.
• Xiao Lingpu insisted that Xiao Lingyan ride back to the palace with him, and the brothers parted at the junction of their residences.
• Xiao Lingyan went to visit Noble Consort Cen, telling her he remembered her wish to have a portrait painted by Miss Zhao.
• Noble Consort Cen explained that inviting a young noblewoman into the palace without a proper reason could put her at risk.
• Xiao Lingyan reassured Noble Consort Cen that Mister Kumu had taken Miss Zhao as his final disciple, and she decided to request a portrait for her birthday in two months.
• Xiao Lingyan accepted Noble Consort Cen’s cautious decision, understanding her precarious position in the palace.

Xiao Lingyan learned that Xu Xi was the switched Zhao daughter and arranged to find her at the Court of Judicial Review. Zhao Ruxi received an imperial edict to teach drawing, went to the court the next morning, and encountered a young man arriving at her courtyard.

• Xiao Lingyan learned from Wang Tong that Fifth Miss Zhao had been raised as Xu Xi and ordered him to watch the Earl of Suiping's Residence and report where she would draw.
• Zhao Yuanxun and the old madam celebrated the imperial edict appointing Zhao Ruxi to teach officials drawing, while she explained Zhang Changshen's plans and agreed to teach Zhao Jingtai.
• Zhao Ruxi arrived at the Court of Judicial Review, where Zhong Shengrong had arranged a safe place for her to draw.
• Zhao Ruxi finished a portrait and began another as a young man in a blue brocade robe stepped into the courtyard.

Zhao Ruxi discovered that Fifth Highness Xiao Lingyan was Xiao Ke, her former-life academic rival who had also died in the car accident that brought them both to this world. They argued over their past and the blind date that had led to the accident, leaving their old rivalry unresolved.

• Zhong Shengrong warned Xiao Lingyan that the courtyard was near the prison, but Xiao Lingyan had his attendants remove everyone except Zhao Ruxi, Qingfeng, and Ma Sheng.
• Xiao Lingyan quietly told Zhao Ruxi that he was Xiao Ke, and Zhao Ruxi sent Qingfeng and Ma Sheng outside so they could speak alone.
• Xiao Lingyan explained that he had come because Zhao Ruxi’s portrait had drawn attention, and the two traded insults about their temperaments and appearances.
• Xiao Lingyan recalled that he and Zhao Ruxi had both been hit by a car, prompting Zhao Ruxi to accuse him of arranging their blind date and getting her killed.
• Zhao Ruxi remembered that Xiao Ke had been her academic rival and that she had stormed away from their blind date before being struck by a car.

Zhao Ruxi told Xiao Lingyan that they had transmigrated into a romance novel and that he was doomed cannon fodder, then arranged to meet him in Beining. She finished Noble Consort Cen’s portrait and went to Beining, where she had business to discuss with Xiao Lingyan before taking the Xu Family to a meal.

• Zhao Ruxi teased Xiao Lingyan about their transmigration and revealed that he was a short-lived cannon fodder in the novel, offering to share more if he paid her.
• When Zhang Changshen and the others entered, Xiao Lingyan claimed he had come to ask Zhao Ruxi about her painting and told her to prepare in case the Empress Dowager summoned her.
• Zhang Changshen asked Zhao Ruxi to plan painting classes for the Court of Judicial Review, and she proposed teaching three groups in a large residence over about a month.
• Zhao Ruxi finished Noble Consort Cen’s portrait and handed it to Zhong Shengrong.
• Zhao Ruxi traveled to Beining with Qingfeng, planning to meet Xiao Lingyan and then collect the Xu Family for the Earl of Suiping’s meal.

Zhao Ruxi welcomed Xiao Lingyan as the scapegoat who could take on the looming military crisis and went to meet him at Gathered Treasures Studio. Their conversation ended with Zhao Ruxi mocking his prospects for survival.

• Zhao Ruxi resolved to pass the information about the future supply disaster and war to Xiao Lingyan so she could avoid shouldering the crisis herself.
• Zhao Ruxi arrived at Gathered Treasures Studio, where Shopkeeper Wang told her that a veiled man called Fifth Master had bought two of her jewelry designs.
• Zhao Ruxi confirmed that she knew the man and asked Shopkeeper Wang and her attendants to keep others from disturbing them.
• Xiao Lingyan uncovered himself after Zhao Ruxi entered the room, and he complained about the trouble he had gone to for her.
• Zhao Ruxi denied that Xiao Lingyan’s disguise was for her and teased him for being cannon fodder who would not survive past the third episode.

Zhao Ruxi negotiated with Xiao Lingyan for a shop and twenty thousand taels in exchange for helping him, then revealed the plot of the romance novel they had entered. Xiao Lingyan learned that several princes, including himself, were fated to die and began considering the danger.

• Xiao Lingyan asked Zhao Ruxi what had happened, and she used his hidden Jiangnan assets as leverage for her help.
• After Zhao Ruxi threatened to leave, Xiao Lingyan agreed to give her one shop and twenty thousand taels, and promised her two favors if he survived the disaster.
• Zhao Ruxi told Xiao Lingyan the plot she knew, including that Fu Yunlang was the male lead and Zhao Ruyu was the heroine.
• Xiao Lingyan learned that he, Xiao Lingpu, Fu Yunkai, the crown prince, and the fourth prince were all supposed to die.
• Xiao Lingyan suspected the third prince was behind the deaths, while Zhao Ruxi told him to investigate his own family.

Zhao Ruxi warned Xiao Lingyan about future political disasters and refused to let their connection be known publicly. After she left, Xiao Lingyan ordered Liu Mian to investigate why Fu Yunkai’s men were asking questions in Beining.

• Zhao Ruxi told Xiao Lingyan that she could protect herself and her family from the dangers he feared, and she planned to send her master and senior brother south.
• Zhao Ruxi reminded Xiao Lingyan that she only remembered the major events from the romance novel, then told him to arrange the Jiangnan property deed and keep their acquaintance secret.
• Zhao Ruxi left the Gathered Treasures Studio and told Shopkeeper Wang she would continue designing jewelry when she had time, asking him to send gems the next morning.
• Xiao Lingyan left the studio in disguise, and Liu Mian reported that Fu Yunkai’s men were asking questions in Beining.
• Worried that Fu Yunkai might be investigating something connected to the political disasters, Xiao Lingyan ordered Liu Mian to find out what his men were asking without alerting them.

Xiao Lingyan learned that Fu Yunkai planned to propose to Zhao Ruxi and worried the match would not benefit their faction. He persuaded Xiao Lingpu to consider Eighth Miss Mu instead, while Fu Yunkai continued preparing his proposal without telling the Marchioness of Pingnan.

• Liu Mian told Xiao Lingyan that Fu Yunkai was investigating Xu Xi and Zhao Ruxi, and Xiao Lingyan realized Fu Yunkai was interested in Zhao Ruxi.
• Xiao Lingyan returned to the capital and told Xiao Lingpu that Fu Yunkai planned to propose to Fifth Miss Zhao.
• Xiao Lingyan argued that Zhao Ruxi was too young and that Fu Yunkai should marry Eighth Miss Mu; Xiao Lingpu agreed to summon Fu Yunkai.
• Fu Yunkai sent people to investigate Zhao Ruxi and asked his steward to find a reputable matchmaker.
• Fu Yunkai's steward warned him that proposing without first telling the Marchioness of Pingnan might be improper.

Fu Yunkai informed his mother that he intended to marry Zhao Ruxi, then left to answer Xiao Lingpu’s summons. Xiao Lingyan instead asked Xiao Ge to let him begin learning official duties in a government office.

• The steward warned Fu Yunkai that his mother’s opposition could jeopardize his marriage to Zhao Ruxi, so Fu Yunkai decided to tell her first.
• Lady He objected to Fu Yunkai marrying a woman from the lower-ranked Earl of Suiping’s family, but he insisted the decision was his and left after she backed down.
• Fu Yunkai heard Fu Yunlang protest that he also wanted to marry a girl from the Earl of Suiping’s Residence, and instructed the steward to watch the rear courtyard before answering Xiao Lingpu’s summons.
• Xiao Lingyan had already left the Cloud-Gazing Pavilion after arranging to trouble Fu Yunkai, and returned to the palace to seek an audience with Xiao Ge.
• Xiao Lingyan told Xiao Ge that, at sixteen, he wanted to learn official duties in a government office, and Xiao Ge asked which office he wanted to join.

Xiao Lingyan negotiated with Xiao Ge over which ministry he could join, using his apparent reluctance and interest in business to secure a large sum of money. He agreed to enter the Ministry of Works after Xiao Ge offered him five hundred taels of gold.

• Xiao Ge considered the princes’ abilities and decided he would not let Xiao Lingyan enter an important ministry that might threaten Xiao Lingheng’s prospects.
• Xiao Lingyan asked to join the Ministry of Personnel or the Ministry of War, but Xiao Ge refused and directed him toward the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Works.
• Xiao Lingyan pretended to be tempted by a shop and then rejected Xiao Ge’s offers, asking instead to enter the Ministry of Revenue.
• Xiao Ge offered Xiao Lingyan five hundred taels of gold, and Xiao Lingyan agreed to join the Ministry of Works.

Xiao Lingyan secured the Ministry of Works and began planning to develop weapons there, while Xu Xi returned home to find her family preparing for a banquet. Xu Xue encouraged Xu Chongwen to study so he could protect the family from future threats.

• Xiao Lingyan thanked Xiao Ge for the deed and gold, then planned to use the Ministry of Works’ craftsmen to secretly develop weapons for the coming war.
• Xu Yongyi, Madam Xie, Xu Xue, and Xu Chongwen dressed in new clothes for the banquet, and Xu Yongyi praised Xu Xue’s growing confidence and judgment.
• Xu Yongyi urged Madam Xie to spend more freely now that the family had money, but she insisted their children’s needs came first.
• Xu Xue told her parents that she could earn money from her storybooks, and they proudly praised her success.
• Xu Xue noticed Xu Chongwen’s shame about depending on the family and reminded him that studying for an examination degree was his duty and the family’s best protection.