Recaps

Xiao Ge investigated a discrepancy in the grain transport figures, as Zhou Zhao accused Guo Jitong of miscalculating the provisions. Unwilling to trust either man without verification, Xiao Ge asked Qi Xugu to find someone in Great Jin who could quickly check the arithmetic.

• Xiao Ge compared the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Works memorials with Guo Jitong's figures and summoned Qi Xugu to explain the mismatch.
• Qi Xugu said he had based his memorial on Guo Jitong's calculations, and Guo Jitong blamed Zhou Zhao for altering the figures.
• Xiao Ge ordered Zhou Zhao and Gu Shanyue brought in and questioned; Zhou Zhao said he had changed the figures because he believed Guo Jitong was wrong.
• Guo Jitong insisted his calculations were correct, while Zhou Zhao defended his decision to take the matter to Xiao Ge.
• Xiao Ge worried that the grain shortfall could endanger soldiers at the border and asked Qi Xugu who could quickly verify the figures.

Xiao Ge ordered Guo Jitong, Gu Shanyue, and Zhou Zhao sent to the Court of Judicial Review after Guo denied tampering with the grain and fodder calculations. With the border supplies urgent, Xiao Ge summoned Gan Lun and the student he had praised to calculate the figures.

• Qi Xugu said he knew of a skilled mathematician but had never met him, and worried about entrusting confidential supply figures to a stranger.
• Xiao Ge challenged Guo Jitong to confess, warning that the correct figures could expose his tampering and endanger his household.
• Guo Jitong denied wrongdoing and claimed he had used his usual method, while Gu Shanyue and Zhou Zhao were also taken into custody.
• Xiao Ge ordered the three men escorted to the Court of Judicial Review for Lord Wu Zong to try the case.
• Qi Xugu explained how Gan Lun had boasted about his student, and Xiao Ge ordered Gan Lun to bring the student to court.

Zhao Ruxi was summoned to the palace to recalculate the grain and fodder figures tied to a border supply plot, and her results exposed a massive discrepancy in Guo Jitong’s calculations. After the emperor ordered an investigation into the people behind the scheme, Zhao Ruxi was sent to Noble Consort Cen’s quarters for protection, where she unexpectedly met Xiao Lingyan’s mother.

• Eunuch Xie summoned Zhao Ruxi to the palace after Gan Lun reported her mathematical ability to the emperor.
• Xiao Ge instructed Gan Lun and Qi Xugu to prepare the factors for Zhao Ruxi’s calculations, while Xiao Lingyan sent ten more hidden guards to protect her.
• Zhao Ruxi worked with Gan Lun and Qi Xugu until the hour of the dog and produced figures matching the Ministry of War’s memorial.
• Xiao Ge learned that Guo Jitong’s figures understated the grain and fodder supplies and ordered the imperial guards to investigate the people connected to him.
• Eunuch Xie arranged for Zhao Ruxi to stay with Noble Consort Cen overnight, and Zhao Ruxi was surprised to meet Xiao Lingyan’s mother.

Zhao Ruxi stayed in Noble Consort Cen’s palace after helping calculate figures, and the two women grew close while they waited for the emperor. Xiao Lingyan arrived to bid his mother farewell after volunteering to deliver grain to the troubled border.

• Noble Consort Cen welcomed Zhao Ruxi, arranged food and lodging for her, and explained that she would need to wait until after morning court to leave.
• Zhao Ruxi declined a palace tour and spent the morning chatting with Noble Consort Cen, who gave her jewelry and fabric.
• Xiao Lingyan arrived and told Noble Consort Cen that he had volunteered to deliver grain to the border, leaving the next day.
• Noble Consort Cen worried about the danger, and Xiao Lingyan explained that he wanted to protect his family’s position and had chosen to go himself.

Xiao Lingyan volunteered to go to the border in place of Xiao Lingpu, and Noble Consort Cen began preparing for his dangerous journey. Zhao Ruxi secretly gave Xiao Lingyan two pills before he left, hoping they would help protect him.

• Noble Consort Cen realized the other princes were using public pressure to force Xiao Lingpu toward danger at the border, and Xiao Lingyan offered to go in his place.
• Zhao Ruxi urged Noble Consort Cen to arrange trusted physicians, medicine, warm clothing, supplies, and guards for Xiao Lingyan.
• After Noble Consort Cen went to prepare, Zhao Ruxi wondered whether she and Xiao Ke could return to the modern world if they died in Great Jin, but the system could not answer.
• Zhao Ruxi bought an Agility Pill and a Great Strength Pill with her points and asked Zhixue to bring Xiao Lingyan to her privately.
• Xiao Lingyan came to see Zhao Ruxi, and she secretly fed him both pills.

Zhao Ruxi prepared Xiao Lingyan for his dangerous journey to the border and promised to wait for his return. After he left her, she learned that Xiao Ge cared about his safety and began considering how to gather information to help him survive.

• Zhao Ruxi gave Xiao Lingyan an Agility Pill and a Great Strength Pill, reviewed his preparations, and urged him to keep in contact and retreat if danger became overwhelming.
• Xiao Lingyan promised to return alive and marry Zhao Ruxi, then hid behind the bed curtains when Zhixue announced that the emperor had summoned her.
• Xiao Ge blamed the crown prince and the third prince's factions for forcing Xiao Lingyan toward the border and worried that sending Xiao Lingpu would leave Xiao Lingyan more vulnerable.
• Xiao Ge briefly praised Zhao Ruxi and gave her gifts, while she overheard him asking Xiao Lingpu whether another general should command the troops.
• Zhao Ruxi recalled that the original book offered little detail about the coup, then resolved to earn more system points and gather information for Xiao Lingyan's journey.

Zhao Ruxi waited anxiously for news of Xiao Lingyan at the frontier while farming points and sending him occasional letters through Xiao Lingpu. After learning the letters could not be traced back to her, she asked Wu Wei whether she could secretly warn Xiao Lingpu if he were in danger.

• Zhao Ruxi returned home after working through the night, then spent the following days farming points instead of attending banquets.
• Xiao Lingyan and Zhang Changshen left the capital with grain, fodder, and other supplies for the frontier.
• The system reported several failed attempts to harm Xiao Lingyan and told Zhao Ruxi that his weapons had helped Fu Yunkai win a major victory without casualties.
• Zhao Ruxi sent occasional letters to Xiao Lingyan through Xiao Lingpu and learned Xiao Lingyan had told him a young lady he admired would write.
• Wu Wei assured Zhao Ruxi that intermediaries kept her letters and any warnings she sent from being traced back to her.

Zhao Ruxi warned Xiao Lingpu of a plot to poison him, and he survived the attempt while Xiao Ge ordered an investigation. After the New Year, Xiao Lingyan returned victorious from the border and was named Prince of Qi, while Xiao Ge’s new edicts weakened the factions of the crown prince, Third Prince, and Fourth Prince.

• Zhao Ruxi arranged for Wu Wei to warn Xiao Lingpu that someone would drug his food at the New Year banquet, then spent the year-end settling accounts and agreed to celebrate New Year with the second and third branches.
• Xiao Lingpu turned the poisoning scheme against its maker, but the culprit killed himself before questioning; Xiao Ge ordered a thorough investigation, and Xiao Lingpu retained evidence.
• Zhao Ruxi asked the system whether Xiao Lingpu was alive, learned that he had survived, and paid fifty points for the answer.
• Xiao Lingyan helped secure victory at the border by improving weapons and capturing enemy provisions, and Xiao Ge bestowed on him the title Prince of Qi and a residence.
• Zhang Changshen presented Xiao Ge with his investigation results, after which Xiao Ge summoned Wu Huaisi and issued edicts that reassigned officials and dismissed or executed border generals.
• The crown prince and Third Prince smashed cups in anger over Xiao Ge’s actions, while the Fourth Prince became even less visible at court.

Xiao Lingyan returned from the border and reunited with Zhao Ruxi, telling her about his experiences and discussing the political dangers ahead. He persuaded her not to remain in the capital, but agreed to arrange for her to live closer so she could pass him information.

• Qingfeng led Zhao Ruxi to the message room, where Xiao Lingyan appeared and embraced and kissed her.
• Xiao Lingyan told Zhao Ruxi about his dangerous experiences at the border and credited her with helping him survive.
• Xiao Lingyan predicted that the emperor would maintain the political status quo and that another coup would likely happen next winter.
• Xiao Lingyan said he would arrange an official post outside the capital for Zhao Ruxi’s father after the spring examinations.
• Zhao Ruxi asked to stay in the capital to help Xiao Lingyan, but he argued that she would be vulnerable and expose their relationship.
• Xiao Lingyan agreed to arrange for Zhao Ruxi to live somewhere closer to the capital so she could pass him information.

Zhao Ruxi refused the County Princess title offered in recognition of her contribution, explaining that she wanted to earn an official position through her own ability. She asked Kang Shilin to request a suitable local post for her father, Zhao Yuanxun, and Kang agreed to present her wishes to Xiao Ge.

• Kang Shilin told Zhao Ruxi that Xiao Ge wanted to grant her the title of County Princess for her service.
• Zhao Ruxi declined the title, saying it could make others think her future office came from imperial favor rather than her ability.
• Zhao Ruxi asked Kang Shilin to request a local appointment for Zhao Yuanxun if the emperor judged him capable, preferably in Jiangnan.
• Kang Shilin agreed to convey her request and later presented it to Xiao Ge, describing Zhao Ruxi as modest and filial.

Xiao Ge approved Wu Huaisi’s plan to appoint Zhao Yuanxun as assistant prefect of Gusu in Jiangnan. Qi Xugu agreed to the personnel arrangements and asked Xiao Ge to give the Ministry of Revenue first consideration if Zhao Ruxi wanted an official post after the spring examination.

• Xiao Ge learned that Zhao Yuanxun was capable of serving as an assistant official and asked Wu Huaisi to find him a post in Jiangnan.
• Wu Huaisi proposed a chain of appointments that placed Zhao Yuanxun in Liu Zineng’s assistant prefect position in Gusu.
• Xiao Ge approved Wu Huaisi’s arrangement and said he would consult Qi Xugu about the Ministry of Revenue vacancies.
• Qi Xugu agreed to the appointments and asked Xiao Ge to promise the Ministry of Revenue first consideration if Zhao Ruxi sought an official post after the spring examination.
• Xiao Ge said the decision depended on Zhao Ruxi, and Qi Xugu decided to have Gan Lun persuade her.

Zhao Ruxi’s aunts visited to celebrate their husbands’ recent advancement, which they believed she had helped bring about. Zhao Ruxi then told Lady Zhu and the Old Madam that she had declined a county-princess title in exchange for an official post for her father, and they learned the decision could no longer be changed.

• Lady Meng and Lady Cao praised Zhao Ruxi and explained that Zhu Heyu had been promoted and Zhu Hehuai had received guidance from Lord Peng, which they credited to her connections.
• After the aunts left, Lady Zhu asked Zhao Ruxi whether she had spoken to Minister Wu and Lord Peng, and Zhao Ruxi denied influencing her uncles’ fortunes.
• Zhao Ruxi told Lady Zhu and the Old Madam that Xiao Ge had intended to make her a county princess, but she had instead requested an official post for Zhao Yuanxun.
• Lady Zhu and the Old Madam scolded Zhao Ruxi for giving up the title and urged her to change the decision.
• Zhao Ruxi told them the decision could no longer be changed.

Zhao Ruxi persuaded the old madam and Lady Zhu that the family should leave the capital for Jiangnan to avoid the coming struggle for the throne. Just as they discussed how to arrange the move around Zhao Ruxi’s spring examination, Zhao Yuanxun arrived and announced that His Majesty intended to appoint him to Jiangnan.

• Zhao Ruxi suggested sending Zhao Yuanxun to Jiangnan, but the old madam refused to leave the capital.
• Lady Zhu worried about leaving the old madam behind and about Zhao Yuanxun’s health if he went without her.
• Zhao Ruxi warned that the princes’ struggle for the throne could endanger the family and urged them to leave the capital for a year or two.
• Zhao Ruxi persuaded the old madam to go to Jiangnan, and proposed that Lady Zhu and Zhao Jingtai travel first while she stayed for the spring examination.
• Zhao Yuanxun entered and announced that His Majesty intended to send him to serve in Jiangnan.

After Zhao Yuanxun learned he would take up a post outside the capital, Zhao Ruxi and the family quickly arranged who would travel with him and prepared for the move. Zhao Jingtai chose to go with his father, while the family awaited the imperial edict and the destination.

• The old madam approved of Zhao Yuanxun leaving the capital and decided to remain with Zhao Ruxi until after the spring examination, then join him.
• Lady Zhu agreed to travel ahead with Zhao Yuanxun and settle the household before he arrived.
• Zhao Ruxi revealed that she had bought residences and silk shops in Hangzhou Prefecture and Gusu Prefecture the previous summer and autumn.
• Lady Zhu summoned Zhao Jingtai from clan school and asked whether he wanted to go with his father or stay in the capital.
• Zhao Jingtai chose to accompany Zhao Yuanxun, and Lady Zhu told everyone to begin preparing for the move and farewell gatherings.

Zhao Yuanxun received an appointment as assistant prefect of Gusu Prefecture and moved there with Lady Zhu and Zhao Jingtai, leaving Zhao Ruxi in the capital. After noticing Zhao Ruyu’s transformed beauty, Zhao Ruxi investigated her plans and learned that Fu Yunkai intended to marry Mu Qingqiang while Fu Yunlang still planned to wed Zhao Ruyu.

• Lady Zhu urged Zhao Ruxi to focus on her studies and earn a jinshi degree while the household prepared to leave the capital.
• Zhao Yuanxun received an imperial appointment as assistant prefect of Gusu Prefecture, and his family departed with their servants.
• After seeing Zhao Ruyu’s striking new beauty, Zhao Ruxi suspected she had bought a Beauty Pill with system points.
• Zhao Ruxi wrote to Xiao Lingyan, who told her Fu Yunkai planned to propose to Mu Qingqiang and Fu Yunlang still intended to marry Zhao Ruyu.
• Zhao Ruxi decided not to question Mu Qingqiang about Fu Yunkai’s proposal and wondered whether Zhao Ruyu wanted more than marriage to Fu Yunlang.

Zhao Ruxi decided not to force Zhao Ruyu to marry Fu Yunlang after Xiao Lingyan argued that their changed fates made new choices possible. With the system away upgrading, she relied on herself and went to ask her grandmother about servants in Second Uncle’s household who might know what Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Ruyu’s sister were planning.

• Zhao Ruxi asked the system whether the world would collapse if Zhao Ruyu did not marry Fu Yunlang, but the system admitted it did not know.
• Zhao Ruxi sent Xiao Lingyan a letter about Zhao Ruyu’s sudden change in appearance and received his reply that night.
• Xiao Lingyan advised Zhao Ruxi to let Zhao Ruyu choose her own path rather than force her into the original plot.
• Zhao Ruxi agreed to let Zhao Ruyu do as she pleased and realized she would have to investigate without the upgrading system.
• Zhao Ruxi comforted her grandmother about missing Lady Zhu and the rest of their family, then asked whether they had placed trusted servants in Second Uncle’s household because Fourth Sister and Sixth Sister seemed suspicious.

Zhao Ruxi discussed Zhao Rurui and Zhao Ruyu’s situations with the old madam, who tried to arrange a match for Zhao Rurui but gave up after repeated failures. Zhao Ruxi continued preparing for the spring examination, then received a letter from Xiao Lingyan about the Fu Family.

• Zhao Ruxi warned the old madam that Zhao Rurui’s resentment and unsettled marriage could cause trouble, and asked her to watch Zhao Ruyu’s relationship with the Marquis of Pingnan’s second son.
• The old madam told Zhao Ruxi about the household’s informants in the second and third branches and shared her experience with inner-household struggles.
• The old madam took Zhao Rurui on visits to find her a husband, but most families rejected her and Zhao Rurui turned down the one man who was interested.
• The old madam abandoned the search, and Zhao Ruxi suggested asking Eldest Brother to find Zhao Rurui a jinshi after the spring examination.
• Zhao Ruxi told the old madam she was having teachers review her essays and had reread her books.
• Qingfeng brought Zhao Ruxi a letter from Xiao Lingyan describing the Fu Family’s recent situation.

Fu Yunlang argued with the Wife of the Marquis of Pingnan over his wish to marry Zhao Ruyu, but she opposed the match and urged him to accept Tenth Miss Cen instead. She used the Cen Family’s power and the prospect of wealth and status to persuade him, leaving his response unstated.

• Fu Yunlang insisted that Zhao Ruyu was a suitable bride for him and argued that her talent and education made her a better match than Mu Qingqiang.
• The Wife of the Marquis of Pingnan warned Fu Yunlang that marrying Zhao Ruyu would leave him without powerful in-laws or a substantial dowry.
• She revealed that she had already proposed a match with Tenth Miss Cen, and that the Cen Family had agreed.
• The Wife of the Marquis of Pingnan claimed Tenth Miss Cen would be an ideal bride because of her beauty, family connections, and likely deference to her mother-in-law.
• She tearfully compared Fu Yunlang’s likely future with Zhao Ruyu to the wealth and status his elder brother would gain, pressing him to reconsider.

Fu Yunlang reconsidered marrying Zhao Ruyu after Lady He urged him to pursue a match with Tenth Miss Cen for the status and support it could bring. When Fu Yunkai offered to help arrange his marriage to Zhao, Fu Yunlang refused, leaving his brother alarmed by their mother's influence.

• Lady He persuaded Fu Yunlang that marrying Zhao Ruyu would leave him at a disadvantage and urged him to marry Tenth Miss Cen instead.
• Fu Yunlang asked whether the Cen Family would accept his taking a concubine, and Lady He told him to wait until after the wedding to bring it up.
• Fu Yunkai told Fu Yunlang that Prince of Qi and Noble Consort Cen were willing to help him marry Zhao Ruyu.
• Fu Yunlang declined their help and said he would let Lady He arrange his marriage as she wished.
• Fu Yunkai questioned what Lady He had told Fu Yunlang and urged him to marry the woman he wanted.

Fu Yunkai told Xiao Lingyan that Fu Yunlang had rejected Noble Consort Cen’s help, then discussed his own upcoming marriage. Xiao Lingyan refused Noble Consort Cen’s proposed political match with Miss Qi Xuan and left after challenging her to stop treating his happiness as a sacrifice for Xiao Lingpu.

• Fu Yunlang told Fu Yunkai to stay out of his affairs and asked him to thank Xiao Lingyan for the offer of help.
• Fu Yunkai visited Xiao Lingyan, explained what had happened, and apologized for Fu Yunlang’s response.
• Xiao Lingyan congratulated Fu Yunkai on his planned fifth-month wedding, while Fu Yunkai teased him about Noble Consort Cen pressuring him to marry.
• Xiao Lingyan went to the palace and told Noble Consort Cen about Fu Yunlang, then tried to leave without discussing marriage prospects.
• Noble Consort Cen urged Xiao Lingyan to marry Miss Qi Xuan of the Duke of Wei’s Residence to secure an ally.
• Xiao Lingyan objected that she was using him to advance Xiao Lingpu’s future and left the palace.

Noble Consort Cen realized she had overlooked Xiao Lingyan’s feelings when arranging his marriage and summoned him back to discuss his intentions. Xiao Lingyan assured her he had no desire to contend with Xiao Lingpu for the throne, leaving her convinced that he meant what he said.

• After Xiao Lingyan left, Noble Consort Cen reflected on his words, and Auntie Yu cautiously agreed that his feelings were understandable.
• Noble Consort Cen recognized that Xiao Lingpu had protected and raised his younger brother, then asked for Xiao Lingyan to return so she could prevent a rift between them.
• Xiao Lingyan returned to his quarters, expecting his words to trouble his mother and intending to reassure her and Xiao Lingpu that he had no ambitions against his brother.
• Noble Consort Cen told Xiao Lingyan she would reject the marriage proposal involving the Duke of Wei’s Residence if he did not want it, and asked him not to let the matter affect his relationship with Xiao Lingpu.
• Xiao Lingyan openly denied wanting the throne and said he would refuse it even if it were offered to him; Noble Consort Cen believed him.

Xiao Lingyan comforted Noble Consort Cen over her fears that her sons might fight for the throne and promised to marry only one woman, never taking a concubine. After learning he might not like the Duke of Wei’s daughter, Noble Consort Cen assured him she would not force the match and hoped he would marry someone he loved.

• Noble Consort Cen wept as she confessed her fear that Xiao Lingyan and Xiao Lingpu might turn against each other over the throne.
• Xiao Lingyan let his mother cry, then comforted her and promised that he and Xiao Lingpu would stand together and protect her.
• Xiao Lingyan vowed to marry only a woman he loved and never take a concubine, moving Noble Consort Cen to tears.
• Xiao Lingyan asked whether Noble Consort Cen could bear to have him marry someone he disliked.
• Noble Consort Cen said she would not force him to marry the Duke of Wei’s daughter and would seek an imperial decree for a woman he chose.

Xiao Lingyan rejected the marriage arranged by Noble Consort Cen and visited Zhao Ruxi to tell her about it and discuss his future after Xiao Lingpu takes the throne. Zhao Ruxi offered to support him whether he pursued the throne or stayed cautious, leaving their political plans undecided.

• Noble Consort Cen promised to end the proposed match with the young lady from the Duke of Wei's Residence after Xiao Lingyan said he wanted to choose his own marriage.
• Xiao Lingyan left a shadow guard in his place at the Prince of Qi's Residence and secretly went to visit Zhao Ruxi at the Earl of Suiping's Residence.
• Xiao Lingyan told Zhao Ruxi about the marriage arrangement and his conversation with Noble Consort Cen.
• Zhao Ruxi asked whether Xiao Lingpu would become suspicious of Xiao Lingyan once he became emperor, and Xiao Lingyan said he could not be certain.
• Xiao Lingyan asked whether Zhao Ruxi wanted him to take the throne, and she said she would support his choice while urging caution and noting he had kept gunpowder in reserve.

Zhao Ruyu learned that Fu Yunlang had agreed to marry Tenth Miss Cen and left the Capital Women's Academy in tears, while Qi Xuan discovered Xiao Lingyan had rejected the proposed match with her. Qi Xuan resolved to find out why he refused and whether he loved someone else.

• Zhao Ruxi reassured Xiao Lingyan that they could protect their peaceful lives and that he could rule temporarily if necessary; he thanked her before leaving.
• Zhao Ruyu learned through her system that Fu Yunlang had consented to a match with Tenth Miss Cen, then waited for the news to spread at the academy.
• After students mocked her over Fu Yunlang's engagement, Zhao Ruyu left the academy and told Fushu to retrieve her belongings because she would stop attending.
• Fushu went to the Duke of Wei's Residence to ask Qi Xuan for help but was left waiting outside her rooms.
• Qi Xuan learned that Xiao Lingyan had rejected the marriage proposal, despite the Cen Family's interest and her own willingness to marry him.
• Qi Xuan asked her mother to investigate whether Xiao Lingyan loved someone and where he went, insisting the match would benefit their family.

Qi Xuan’s parents investigated the Prince of Qi as a possible match, while Zhao Ruyu learned that Qi Xuan’s marriage plans had changed and tried to discover why. The Second Master and Second Madam ended the chapter wondering whether the Prince of Qi had a problem because he had refused a bedchamber maid.

• Qi Xuan urged the Second Madam to ask her husband to investigate the Prince of Qi, and the Second Master went out without consulting the Duke of Wei.
• Qi Xuan dismissed Zhao Ruyu’s request for help, and Fushu returned home after waiting for a reply.
• Zhao Ruyu recalled that Qi Xuan’s marriage had followed a different course in her previous life and considered how events connected to Zhao Ruxi often changed.
• Zhao Ruyu sent a servant to investigate Qi Xuan’s marriage arrangements and counted her savings to plan new clothes and jewelry.
• The Second Master told the Second Madam that the Prince of Qi had refused a bedchamber maid, and they wondered whether he had a problem in that regard.