Recaps

Zhao Ruxi used the system to learn about Zhao Yuankun’s prospects, the Duke of Wei’s political neutrality, and the Princess of Zhennan’s intervention in the dispute with the Earl of Zhongqin’s Residence. At Beining, she explained her plan to conceal the purpose of her work by splitting the craftsmen into isolated groups and sending them to separate workshops.

• Zhao Ruxi persuaded the system to investigate Zhao Yuankun, learning that the crown prince had noticed his work but was still observing him, while He Zhengtao was trying to suppress him.
• Zhao Ruxi asked the system about the Duke of Wei’s Residence and learned that it was neutral and had no ties to any prince.
• The system told Zhao Ruxi that the Princess of Zhennan had pleaded on her behalf, and that the Earl and Countess of Zhongqin had been unable to take their son to the palace that night.
• Zhao Ruxi went to Beining the next morning and asked Zhou Chun and Ma Sheng why she was dividing the craftsmen among three locations.
• Zhou Chun correctly guessed that Zhao Ruxi was splitting up the work to keep the valuable, confidential product from being identified or leaked.
• Zhao Ruxi ordered Ma Sheng and Wushi to transport the craftsmen to separate workshops without letting the groups or drivers learn the other locations.

Zhao Ruxi arranged protections for her workshops and guards, then received Xiao Lingyan’s promise to punish the Earl of Zhongqin’s Residence. At court, Censor Pan impeached Jia Songlin and condemned Jia Junze’s abuse of Zhao Ruxi and ordinary people.

• Zhao Ruxi explained to Ma Sheng how to keep the workshop secrets safe and assigned Ma Sheng, Uncle Zhou, and Uncle Gao their tasks.
• Qingfeng delivered Xiao Lingyan’s note to Zhao Ruxi, who replied in German and directed Qingfeng to hide it beneath a flowerpot at their meeting house.
• Zhao Ruxi told Gao Weiqiang to take Lady Luo and Lei Daniu back to the estate, leaving Gao Sheng as her guard.
• A man in gray retrieved Zhao Ruxi’s reply and sent it to the capital while Xiao Lingyan attended court.
• Censor Pan impeached Jia Songlin, recounting Jia Junze’s treatment of Ge Wu’s family and his threats against Zhao Ruxi.

Censor Pan impeached Jia Songlin for his son's abuse of Zhao Fifth Miss, and Jia Songlin pleaded for mercy while officials debated whether to protect him. Jia Songlin's glance toward the princes made Xiao Ge suspicious, leaving the commander's fate uncertain.

• Censor Pan accused Jia Songlin of enabling his son to commit violence and insult a noblewoman, then called for Jia Songlin to lose his title and post.
• Jia Songlin knelt before Xiao Ge, admitted failing to discipline his son, and begged the emperor to treat the incident as a youthful misdeed.
• Officials allied with the Third Prince hesitated to defend Jia Songlin, fearing they would expose his ties to the Palace Guards, while other factions seconded Censor Pan's motion.
• Jia Songlin looked toward the princes for help, but the Third Prince stayed still to conceal their connection.
• Xiao Ge had not planned to remove Jia Songlin over the quarrel, but Jia Songlin's glance made him suspicious.

Xiao Lingyan punished Jia Songlin and followed Zhao Ruxi’s advice to investigate the Palace Guard factions and improve textile machines. Zhao Ruxi learned that Jia Songlin had been demoted and was warned to guard against the Jia Family’s retaliation, then heard that Kang Shilin was troubled by the affair.

• Xiao Lingyan stripped Jia Songlin of his Palace Guards post and demoted him in nobility, then ordered the ministers to recommend a replacement.
• Xiao Lingyan received Zhao Ruxi’s note, resolved to study the Palace Guard factions, and went to the Ministry of Works to examine looms and plan improvements.
• Wu Zong told Zhao Ruxi that Jia Songlin had lost his post and rank, and advised her to take precautions against the Jia Family.
• Zhao Ruxi reassured Wu Zong that her parents had assigned her more guards and prepared for the provincial painting training class.
• Kang Shilin entered Zhao Ruxi’s room looking grim and said the Jia Family’s affairs had been disgusting, though they had caused him no trouble.

Zhao Ruxi and Kang Shilin went out to receive Jia Songlin and Jia Junze, who had come to apologize after the Jia family’s punishment. Zhao Ruxi’s tearful performance turned the courtyard against the Jias, and Wu Zong exposed Jia Junze’s hidden anger just as Kang Shilin began to lose his temper.

• Qingfeng reported that Jia Songlin had brought Jia Junze to apologize, and Wu Zong warned Kang Shilin that rejecting them could endanger Zhao Ruxi’s safety and reputation.
• Kang Shilin agreed to meet the Jias, reassured Zhao Ruxi that she had done nothing wrong, and went outside with her and Wu Zong.
• Jia Songlin bowed to Kang Shilin and Zhao Ruxi, then had his injured son placed face down on the ground and asked Zhao Ruxi to forgive him.
• Zhao Ruxi pretended to weep over being unable to face anyone after the insult, moving Kang Shilin and the painters in the courtyard.
• Jia Junze clenched his fists and glared resentfully, and Wu Zong pointed out his expression, making Kang Shilin fly into a rage.

After Kang Shilin threw out the Jia father and son for their failed apology, Zhao Ruxi showed him a new painting technique combining his teachings with sketching. Kang Shilin praised her breakthrough and announced it to the gathered painters, leaving them eager to see it.

• Kang Shilin rejected Jia Songlin and his son’s apology and ordered his servants to throw them out.
• Zhao Ruxi showed Kang Shilin her unfinished painting and explained that she had created a new technique by blending his instruction with sketching.
• Kang Shilin recognized Zhao Ruxi’s technique as a distinct new school and praised her talent.
• Zhao Ruxi argued that experiencing life would help her art, and Kang Shilin enthusiastically agreed.
• Kang Shilin emerged with Wu Zong and told the gathered painters that Zhao Ruxi had created a new painting technique, stirring their curiosity.

Zhao Ruxi finished a landscape painting that combined Kang Shilin’s teaching with sketching techniques, and her fellow painters gathered to examine it. The chapter ended with them engrossed in studying the painting while Zhao Ruxi quietly slipped away.

• Kang Shilin told the waiting painters that Zhao Ruxi would finish her painting before he showed them her new technique.
• After Zhao Ruxi completed and signed the painting, the painters crowded around her and followed Kang Shilin into her studio.
• The painters saw Zhao Ruxi’s sweeping landscape, which differed sharply from Kang Shilin’s style and conveyed a vast, majestic view.
• Zhou Wenbai questioned how Zhao Ruxi had painted such a grand work, and Kang Shilin defended her when his question sounded like a doubt about her authorship.
• Chen Zhongqiu and Lu Junyu discussed the painting’s three-dimensional effect and use of heavy ink as the others studied it.
• Zhao Ruxi quietly slipped out while the painters, including Wu Zong, remained absorbed in her work.

Zhao Ruxi unveiled a landscape painting that fused traditional Chinese painting with sketching and techniques she had developed herself, earning praise from Kang Shilin and the other artists. The group recognized her as the only one among them capable of combining the styles and innovating further.

• Zhao Ruxi explained how her earlier artistic experience and Kang Shilin's instruction had shaped the new techniques in her landscape painting.
• Kang Shilin and the others admired the painting's bold inkwork, distinctive perspective, and imposing mountains.
• Zhao Ruxi modestly pointed out flaws in her brushwork, but Kang Shilin said her original technique mattered more than its remaining imperfections.
• Kang Shilin dismissed Zhou Wenbai's attempt to explain his earlier remarks and said he understood what Zhou had meant.
• Kang Shilin and the others agreed that Zhao Zhiwei alone had mastered both sketching and traditional painting well enough to fuse them and innovate.

Zhao Ruxi’s new painting technique won lavish praise, earning her 2,000 Wisdom Points and bringing her closer to buying an Agility Pill. Kang Shilin urged her to refine the painting before showing it to collectors, hoping to build her reputation without exposing her to risky portrait commissions.

• Fang Jingye praised Zhao Ruxi’s artistic talent and bowed to her, while Kang Shilin told him not to bow to someone so young.
• The people present joined in praising Zhao Ruxi, and the system awarded her 2,000 Wisdom Points.
• Kang Shilin noticed Zhao Ruxi had gone blank during the praise, called her back to herself, and she thanked the group before asking for advice.
• The visitors left without asking Zhao Ruxi to teach them her techniques, leaving her with Kang Shilin and Wu Zong.
• Kang Shilin told Zhao Ruxi to polish her painting before he invited painting enthusiasts to see it, explaining that commissions could bring unwanted risks and burdens.

Zhao Ruxi reassured her master that she understood her shortcomings, then discussed the Jia Family affair and her new painting method with Xiao Ruotong. On the carriage ride home, she negotiated with her system to preserve points for restocking after buying an Agility Pill.

• Kang Shilin and Wu Zong saw that Zhao Ruxi remained aware of her flaws, and Kang Shilin scolded Wu Zong for calling himself useless.
• Xiao Ruotong visited Zhao Ruxi to see her new painting method, and Zhao thanked her for helping with the Jia Family affair.
• Kang Shilin, Wu Zong, and Zhao Ruxi left the academy with Xiao Ruotong and Nanny Yun, then Zhao checked that her system balance exceeded 21,600 points.
• Zhao asked what the Agility Pill would do and learned that spending 20,000 points would repair some of the system's damage.
• Zhao warned the system to reserve points for restocking, then persuaded it that buying and selling goods would keep its business running.

Zhao Ruxi bought and ate an Agility Pill, discovering that it made her unusually quick and tireless. After dinner, she went to Slender Bamboo Courtyard to study a loom so she could improve it.

• Zhao Ruxi agreed to let the system report the names and prices of goods before stocking anything besides Great Strength Pills.
• Zhao Ruxi tapped the Agility Pill icon, spent twenty thousand points, and caught the pill as it appeared.
• Zhao Ruxi ate the pill and found that she could jump repeatedly without tiring, while the system celebrated that it worked.
• Zhao Ruxi walked so quickly that Matron Yuan and Yicui struggled to keep up, revealing the pill's effect.
• Zhao Ruxi told Lady Zhu that the Jia Family had apologized at the painting academy and learned that the loom she requested had been moved to her courtyard.
• After the meal, Zhao Jingtai went with Zhao Ruxi to Slender Bamboo Courtyard, where she studied the loom while he painted.

Zhao Ruxi received Xiao Lingyan’s loom drawings, trained her bookkeepers and Qingfeng, and continued practicing painting to earn Wisdom Points. After comparing the rewards for large and small paintings, she suspected smaller paintings were more efficient, while the system urged her to focus on improving her skills.

• Zhao Ruxi received Xiao Lingyan’s loom drawings and sent him a reply before going to train the bookkeepers.
• Zhao Ruxi guided the painting academy students, then completed a large painting that earned her 80 Wisdom Points.
• Kang Shilin praised Zhao Ruxi’s progress and advised her to practice both small paintings and large compositions.
• Zhao Ruxi painted a small picture at home and earned 60 Wisdom Points after spending only two quarters of a shichen on it.
• Zhao Ruxi questioned the system about its changed attitude and saw that the Great Strength Pill had replaced the Agility Pill at a price of 23,000 points.

Xiao Lingyan and Xiao Lingpu turned the suspicions surrounding Jia Songlin’s removal toward the Crown Prince, prompting Xiao Lingheng to retaliate by having the right vice minister of personnel impeached. The Crown Prince’s investigation then led his people to suspect Zhao Yuankun and Zhao Ruxi had been used to frame the Jia family.

• Xiao Lingyan delivered the plan from Beining to Xiao Lingpu, who arranged for word implicating the Crown Prince to reach Xiao Lingheng.
• Xiao Lingheng concluded the Crown Prince had used Zhao Yuankun and Zhao Ruxi to bring down Jia Songlin, then ordered an attack on the right vice minister of personnel.
• A censor impeached the right vice minister of personnel, and the official fell after Xiao Lingheng’s long investigation uncovered ample evidence.
• The Crown Prince angrily ordered an investigation, and Xiao Lingpu and Xiao Lingyan spread word connecting the attack to Zhao Yuankun.
• The Crown Prince’s people reported that Zhao Yuankun’s ties to Zhao Ruxi and his recent assignments suggested the Crown Prince had set a trap for the Jia family.

The Crown Prince ordered Zhao Yuankun beaten after learning that Zhao Yuankun and his niece had caused him trouble. Zhao Yuankun invoked his ties to Zhao Yuanxun and Zhao Ruxi to seek mercy, but the beating intensified, and his attendant failed to find anyone willing to intervene.

• The Crown Prince learned that Zhao Yuankun was Zhao Ruxi's uncle and ordered him to receive thirty strokes of the paddle.
• Eunuch Fu and guards seized Zhao Yuankun at the Office of the Grand Steward while Li Bo watched.
• Zhao Yuankun pleaded with Eunuch Fu and named Zhao Yuanxun and Zhao Ruxi as his family.
• Eunuch Fu told Zhao Yuankun that Zhao Ruxi had brought trouble upon the Crown Prince and ordered the guards to beat him harder.
• A Qi told Zhao Wen about the beating and begged him to save Zhao Yuankun, but Zhao Wen feared intervening.

After Zhao Yuankun was beaten and dismissed from the Office of the Grand Steward, his household treated his injuries and learned the punishment stemmed from court factional strife connected to Fifth Miss Zhao. He left the chapter determined to discover the full reason, while Zhao Wen warned A Qi to keep away from her.

• Zhao Wen refused to help Zhao Yuankun further and hurried away to protect herself from the scandal.
• A Qi arranged to carry the unconscious Zhao Yuankun home, where Lady Su summoned physicians to treat his severe injuries.
• After waking, Zhao Yuankun ordered Lady Su to prepare a generous gift and sent A Qi to ask Zhao Wen why he had been punished.
• Zhao Wen told A Qi that a dispute between Fifth Miss Zhao and Jia Junze had led to Jia Songlin's fall and suspicion that the crown prince was behind it.
• Zhao Wen explained that the crown prince had Zhao Yuankun beaten and dismissed, then warned A Qi not to visit her again.

Zhao Ruxi revealed that she had arranged for Zhao Yuankun to be punished, explaining that he posed a danger to her family. After her elders accepted her actions, she warned them that Lady Su and the third branch would soon come to make trouble.

• Lady Su hid the truth from Zhao Yuankun and followed the steward's plan to settle the score with the first branch.
• Zhao Ruxi told the old madam, Zhao Yuanxun, and Lady Zhu that she had orchestrated Zhao Yuankun's punishment to weaken him.
• Zhao Ruxi refused to reveal how she had arranged it and told her elders to treat the matter as though it had nothing to do with them.
• Zhao Ruxi warned the family that the third branch would come to accuse them and urged them not to back down.

Zhao Ruxi anticipated that Lady Su would confront her at the lane entrance and arranged for her family to be nearby. Lady Su blocked Zhao Ruxi’s carriage and ordered her servants to attack, while Zhao Ruxi’s guards tried to protect her.

• Zhao Ruxi persuaded the elders to let Lady Su make trouble at the lane entrance, where they could intervene, and Lady Zhu agreed to watch for her.
• Zhao Ruxi spent the next day at class and work before returning to the capital with Kang Shilin, Wu Zong, and the others.
• Gao Weiqiang spotted a servant from the third branch watching the lane, and Zhao Ruxi told Lady Luo to protect her and Gao Sheng to fetch the earl and madam.
• Lady Su blocked the lane with a crowd and ordered Gao Sheng stopped as Zhao Ruxi stepped down from the carriage.
• Lady Luo caught Lady Su’s raised hand, but Lady Su ordered her servants to beat Zhao Ruxi, and Gao Weiqiang kicked away one attacker before another burly woman reached Zhao Ruxi.

Zhao Ruxi used her agility and a staged display of tears to turn Lady Su’s attempted public attack against her, while Lady Luo and bystanders backed her up. The confrontation was interrupted when Lady Zhu arrived to defend her daughter.

• Lady Su charged at Zhao Ruxi, but Zhao Ruxi dodged and tripped her before pretending she had been slapped.
• Lady Luo pinned Lady Su down and accused her of attacking Zhao Ruxi and abusing her family’s newfound status.
• Lady Su tried to win sympathy by blaming Zhao Ruxi for her husband’s ruined post, but the crowd sided with Zhao Ruxi.
• Zhao Ruxi challenged Lady Su’s accusations and questioned why she had publicly blocked and humiliated her.
• Lady Luo accused Lady Su of bullying the first branch, and Lady Zhu arrived as Zhao Ruxi called out to her.

Lady Zhu confronted Lady Su for trying to ruin Zhao Ruxi’s reputation and publicly explained how Zhao had become entangled in the Earl of Zhongqin’s affairs. Lady Su was left unable to answer as the crowd turned against her.

• Lady Zhu arrived at the alley entrance and slapped Lady Su for bullying Zhao Ruxi and attacking her reputation.
• Lady Su accused Zhao Ruxi of provoking the Earl of Zhongqin’s Residence and causing her husband to be beaten and lose his office.
• Lady Zhu explained that Zhao had hired Ge Wu without knowing his history and that the Earl of Zhongqin’s punishment had nothing to do with her.
• Lady Zhu questioned why the Earl of Zhongqin would target Lady Su’s husband instead of Zhao Ruxi, and noted that he risked the crown prince’s anger by doing so.
• People planted in the crowd reinforced Lady Zhu’s argument, and the onlookers began to suspect Lady Su wanted to extort money.
• Lady Su could not refute Lady Zhu and burst into tears as the crowd scorned her.

After Lady Su’s confrontation with Zhao Ruxi ended with Lady Zhu proposing to sever ties, Zhao Yuanxun brought the dispute to the Zhao clan and declared he would no longer acknowledge Zhao Yuankun as his brother. The clan elders refused to witness his document, and Zhao Xingyun secretly went to Zhao Yuankun’s courtyard.

• Lady Zhu proposed that the first and third branches sever ties, then took Zhao Ruxi home while Lady Su worried about her husband’s reaction.
• Lady Su ordered her servants to keep the incident secret, but Zhao Yuanxun reported it to the clan head and elders.
• Zhao Yuanxun wrote and signed a document severing ties with Zhao Yuankun, but the elders refused to witness it.
• Zhao Yuanxun said he would submit the document to the authorities and left, insisting the clan not associate him with his younger brother.
• Zhao Xingyun left the clan meeting and secretly went to Zhao Yuankun’s courtyard.

Zhao Yuankun learned that Zhao Yuanxun had sought to sever ties with him and, despite his injuries, insisted on going to the Earl of Suiping's Residence. Zhao Ruxi returned home and learned that her family had moved to cut ties with Zhao Yuankun, approving of their plan.

• Zhao Xingyun visited Zhao Yuankun, and the steward explained how Lady Su had confronted Zhao Ruxi at the mouth of the lane.
• Zhao Yuankun discovered that Zhao Yuanxun had asked the clan leader to sever ties with him and ordered a stretcher so he could confront his eldest brother.
• Zhao Xingyun and the steward tried to dissuade Zhao Yuankun, but he threatened the steward until he agreed to prepare the stretcher.
• Zhao Yuanxun learned that Zhao Xingyun had visited Zhao Yuankun and reflected bitterly on how quickly the clan had turned against him.
• Zhao Ruxi returned to the residence, learned that her grandmother and parents planned to sever ties with Zhao Yuankun, and approved of their decision.

Zhao Yuanxun’s family prepared to sever ties with Zhao Yuankun to protect themselves from his future misconduct. After Zhao Yuankun signed and fingerprinted the document at the residence gates, Zhao Yuanxun sent it back to the clan head to request that he witness it.

• Lady Zhu reassured the old madam that the document would help protect the family from Zhao Yuankun, and Zhao Ruxi left the hall to eat.
• A servant reported that Zhao Yuankun had been carried to the residence gates, and Lady Zhu and Zhao Yuanxun went out to meet him.
• Zhao Yuankun demanded the severance document, then signed and fingerprinted it before being carried home.
• Zhao Yuanxun sent Liu Quan to ask the clan head to witness the signed document.

Zhao Ruxi explained why her family had severed ties with Zhao Yuankun’s household and taught Zhao Jingtai about the danger of the struggle for the throne. Meanwhile, Zhao Jingli took charge of the second branch’s household affairs after Zhao Yuanliang encouraged him to accept his place and value a contented life.

• Liu Quan brought Zhao Yuanxun the clan patriarch’s signed document, and Lady Zhu sent Caidie to inform Zhao Ruxi.
• Zhao Ruxi discussed the severed ties with Zhao Jingtai, who questioned whether the decision was fair to Zhao Yuankun’s family.
• Zhao Ruxi told Zhao Jingtai about Zhao Yuankun’s actions and the threat his involvement in the struggle for the throne posed to the family.
• Zhao Jingli recounted how Zhao Yuanliang had readily handed him authority over the second branch’s household affairs and urged him to be content with his lot.

Zhao Jingli reorganized the second household and learned that Zhao Yuanliang had formally severed ties with Zhao Yuankun. Zhao Jing'an and Zhao Ruyu then suspected Zhao Ruxi was behind the disasters striking those around her, with Zhao Ruyu convinced that Zhao Ruxi had returned for revenge.

• Zhao Jingli promoted Song Fang, dismissed troublesome servants, and reorganized the second household.
• After hearing that Zhao Yuanliang and Zhao Yuankun had signed a document severing ties, Zhao Jingli told Zhao Jing'an what had happened.
• Zhao Jing'an compared Zhao Yuankun's downfall to the misfortunes of his own family and the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence, and suggested Zhao Ruxi's involvement.
• Zhao Ruyu overheard the brothers and rushed in, declaring that Zhao Ruxi had caused everything.
• Zhao Ruyu privately concluded that Zhao Ruxi had returned for revenge and despaired at how much more powerful she seemed.

Zhao Jingli confronted Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Jing'an for suspecting Zhao Ruxi of bringing misfortune, then urged them to change their behavior. He left unconvinced that Zhao Ruyu would heed his warning, while she continued crying over her thwarted hopes of marrying Fu Yunlang.

• Zhao Jingli demanded proof when Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Jing'an suggested that Zhao Ruxi caused the misfortunes of those who crossed her.
• Zhao Jing'an admitted his suspicions were unfounded, and Zhao Jingli warned him that resentment could turn him against innocent people.
• Zhao Jingli told Zhao Jing'an to accompany him to inspect the family’s estates and shops, and Zhao Jing'an agreed.
• Zhao Jingli ordered Zhao Ruyu to return to the academy and focus on her future instead of schemes and marriage.
• Zhao Jing'an tried to comfort Zhao Ruyu as she cried, but Zhao Jingli left, suspecting she would ignore his advice and continue secretly corresponding with Fu Yunlang.