Chapter Summaries

Zhao Ruxi recruited women as bookkeepers, gave Yunjin the name Zhao Jin, and planned to train the new staff in her bookkeeping methods. At the painting academy, she told Kang Shilin and the others how Jia Junze had insulted and threatened her, and she urged her furious master not to confront him directly.

• Zhao Ruxi confirmed that Yunjin and Zhou Kui'er were willing to become bookkeepers, while Zhou Chun agreed to let his family discuss Kui'er's choice.
• Yunjin asked Zhao Ruxi for a new name, and Zhao Ruxi granted her the surname Zhao and named her Zhao Jin.
• Zhao Ruxi instructed the prospective bookkeepers to leave with Steward Zhou the next morning for special training, then returned to Beining with Ma Sheng and Zhou Chun.
• Kang Shilin summoned Zhao Ruxi and asked whether Jia Junze had bullied her, so she described how she had taken Ge Wu and how Jia Junze had insulted and threatened her.
• Kang Shilin set out to confront Jia Junze, but Zhao Ruxi stopped him and suggested that the Earl of Zhongqin should discipline his own son.

Zhao Ruxi persuaded Kang Shilin to appear to apologize to the Earl of Zhongqin while quietly rallying the painting academy to support her. Kang Shilin sent Kang An to investigate and deliver the message, and Zhao Ruxi returned to the capital with extra caution about Jia Junze.

• Zhao Ruxi asked Kang Shilin to send Kang An to apologize to the Earl of Zhongqin, and her wink revealed she was plotting against them.
• Kang Shilin enlisted Zhou Wenbai and the painting academy members to plead for Zhao Ruxi and establish that they would support her if she was bullied.
• Wu Zong explained that the academy members owed Zhao Ruxi for teaching them painting, and they promised to help her in the future.
• Kang Shilin sent Kang An and a guard to find the Earl of Zhongqin and deliver his message.
• Kang Shilin traveled back to the capital with Zhao Ruxi and Wu Zong, advising Zhao Ruxi to bring extra guards.

Kang An confronted Jia Songlin with Jia Junze’s threats against Zhao Ruxi and the Earl of Suiping’s household, forcing Jia Songlin to recognize the political danger of offending Kang Shilin. Jia Songlin promised to punish his son, but Kang An insisted that Jia Junze’s conduct had left powerless people with no way to live.

• Kang An visited Jia Songlin and recounted how Jia Junze had coerced Ge Wu and threatened Zhao Ruxi and her family.
• Kang An knelt and begged Jia Songlin, in Kang Shilin’s name, to spare the Earl of Suiping’s household and Zhao Ruxi.
• Jia Songlin hurriedly helped Kang An up, disavowed his son’s threats, and pleaded that they not be taken seriously.
• Jia Songlin realized Kang Shilin’s public appeal had left him unable to dismiss the matter without damaging his family’s reputation and standing.
• Jia Songlin vowed to break Jia Junze’s legs, but Kang An warned that Jia Junze’s humiliation of Zhao Ruxi and treatment of Ge Wu showed how people without power could be left with no way to live.

Jia Songlin punished Jia Junze after Kang An warned him of the danger to the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence, while Zhao Ruxi rejected Zhao Ruyu's matchmaking advice and threatened to send her back to Little Banyan Village. Back at the residence, Zhao Ruxi told Lady Zhu that someone had leaked their family's news and warned that public gossip could have serious consequences.

• Kang An left after warning Jia Songlin to protect the Earl of Suiping's Residence and the Zhao Family, and Jia Songlin feared the emperor might hear of the matter.
• Jia Songlin gave his departing friends imperial palace silk in exchange for their silence, then ordered Jia Junze beaten for offending Zhao Ruxi.
• Zhao Ruyu stopped Zhao Ruxi's carriage and urged her to accept the Heir of the Marquis of Pingnan, but Zhao Ruxi refused and rejected her suggestion that she marry Fu Da.
• When Zhao Ruyu mentioned the Heir of the Earl of Zhongqin, Zhao Ruxi threatened to send her back to Little Banyan Village if she brought up the match again.
• Zhao Ruxi returned to the residence and told Lady Zhu that someone had leaked news about their household, warning that wider gossip could bring serious consequences.

After Zhao Ruxi explained her dispute with the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence, her family tightened plans to protect their household and sought help from the Duke of Wei's Residence. Zhao Yuanxun and Lady Zhu left that night with a gift, while Zhao Ruxi reassured the old madam that the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence would not dare retaliate.

• Lady Zhu vowed to investigate the servants and restrict those with relatives in the other branches, and Zhao Yuanxun agreed the household needed a purge.
• Zhao Ruxi told the old madam, Lady Zhu, and Zhao Yuanxun about her dispute with the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence, prompting the elders to demand that the family stand up for her.
• Lady Zhu urged Zhao Yuanxun to ask the Duke of Wei's Residence to plead their case, and the old madam suggested he give them her wild ginseng root.
• Zhao Ruxi advised Zhao Yuanxun to choose another gift, explaining that whether the Duke of Wei's Residence helped depended on its political ties and goodwill.
• Zhao Yuanxun and Lady Zhu decided to send a suitable gift that night, before the Duke of Wei's Residence became occupied with court.
• Zhao Ruxi reassured the old madam that the Earl of Zhongqin's Residence would not retaliate while the capital watched, then prepared to return to her courtyard.

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.