Chapter Summaries

After learning that she ranked first among all North Academy examinees, Zhao Ruxi went with Wu Zong to the Court of Judicial Review. Zhang Changshen asked her to draw the likeness of a serial killer from an eyewitness’s account, and Zhao Ruxi agreed.

• The system told Zhao Ruxi that she had placed first among all North Academy examinees, and she celebrated her result.
• Wu Zong brought Zhao Ruxi to the Court of Judicial Review, where Zhang Changshen welcomed her and asked about her painting technique.
• Zhang Changshen explained that Lady Wei remained on death row while the other Wei Family members had been exiled; Zhao Ruxi said she had no intention of visiting Lady Wei.
• Zhang Changshen described six unsolved murders in Yangzhou and explained that a surviving boy had witnessed the killer leaving a bloody palm print.
• Zhang Changshen asked Zhao Ruxi to draw the killer from the eyewitness’s description, and she agreed to help.

Zhao Ruxi prepared to draw a portrait of the murderer in the Yangzhou serial murder case while Zhang Changshen watched her skills. She began with Sun Jiawang’s description, and her method impressed Zhang Changshen and Wu Zong.

• Zhang Changshen explained that he had arranged for Zhao Ruxi to draw the murderer’s portrait after learning she had drawn the midwife’s portrait.
• The system offered to investigate the case for 3,500 points, then lowered its price to fifty, but Zhao Ruxi refused because it could not act quickly enough.
• A jailer brought the frightened Sun Jiawang in, and Zhao Ruxi gently asked him to describe the murderer.
• Sun Jiawang described the murderer’s narrow, long eyes, and Zhao Ruxi drew five options for him to identify.
• Sun Jiawang selected a pair of eyes, and Zhang Changshen and Wu Zong recognized the promise of Zhao Ruxi’s portrait method.

Zhao Ruxi used Sun Jiawang’s memories to create a portrait of the murderer, and Sun Jiawang recognized the man immediately. She began drawing a larger copy, anticipating that many portraits would be needed to help the yamen runners find him.

• Zhao Ruxi asked Sun Jiawang about the murderer’s features and drew options for his mouth and facial hair.
• Sun Jiawang chose a mouth and mustache from memory while Zhao Ruxi kept the drawings out of his sight.
• Zhao Ruxi combined Sun Jiawang’s remembered features into several portraits with different noses.
• Sun Jiawang recognized one portrait and trembled in terror, while Zhang Changshen and Wu Zong saw how closely it resembled the murderer.
• Zhao Ruxi began drawing a larger copy, knowing the yamen runners would need many portraits to search for the criminal.

Zhao Ruxi helped the Court of Judicial Review create a detailed portrait of the murderer, prompting Zhang Changshen to invite her to work there. She declined a permanent position but agreed to draw more portraits, while Wu Zong explained how his master had paid her to learn her drawing method.

• Zhao Ruxi refined the murderer’s portrait as Sun Jiawang recalled more details, impressing Zhang Changshen and Wu Zong with her ability to draw and guide a witness.
• Zhang Changshen invited Zhao Ruxi to work at the Court of Judicial Review, but she declined because she had promised to take the imperial examinations and wanted to keep her freedom.
• Zhao Ruxi agreed to draw thirty more portraits without payment and to return on the ten-day rest day; Wu Zong arranged for Qin Chong to assist her.
• Zhang Changshen asked Wu Zong whether there had been conditions for learning Zhao Ruxi’s drawing method, and Wu Zong explained that his master had paid her three thousand taels to teach him.

Wu Zong and Zhang Changshen negotiated how the Court of Judicial Review could train artists in Zhao Ruxi’s drawing technique. They agreed that the court would send four people and local offices could send students who paid their own fees, while Wu Zong insisted Zhao Ruxi must not be punished for teaching them.

• Wu Zong explained that Zhao Ruxi had endured mistreatment from Lady Wei and was still earning money by drawing jewelry designs.
• Zhang Changshen learned that Zhao Ruxi was charging three thousand taels per student and asked Wu Zong to help train court artists.
• Wu Zong refused to promise anything without consulting Kang Shilin, prompting Zhang Changshen to withdraw his demand.
• Zhang Changshen proposed paying one thousand taels per student, but Wu Zong suggested that local offices pay four thousand taels each so the court could train four artists without spending its own money.
• Zhang Changshen accepted the arrangement and agreed to reimburse Wu Zong’s three thousand taels.
• Wu Zong warned that Zhao Ruxi must not be blamed or punished for teaching the students.

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.