Chapter Summaries

Zhao Ruxi entered the metropolitan examination and wrote confidently, while Lady Zhu and Xiao Lingyan’s guards protected her from interference. An attempted poisoning at home was foiled, and Ma Sheng took charge of the captured servants as Zhao continued her examinations.

• Zhao Ruxi entered the examination compound and completed the first session with confidence, drawing on extensive preparation in state affairs and frontier matters.
• Lady Zhu arranged separate, simple meals for Zhao Ruxi and kept the household on guard against anyone trying to sabotage her examinations.
• A secret guard stopped Granny Wang from drugging Zhao Ruxi’s soup before the second session, and Lady Zhu had Granny Wang taken away for questioning.
• Gao Weiqiang learned that Granny Wang had been coerced by a masked man using her son’s gambling debt, though she did not know his identity.
• Ma Sheng offered to handle Granny Wang and her son, and Lady Zhu entrusted them to him after Zhao Ruxi sent word asking what had happened at home.

Zhao Ruxi completed all three metropolitan examination sessions safely after Ma Sheng’s men foiled an attempt to drug her. Xiao Ge ordered the Imperial Guards to investigate the plot, and Ma Sheng shared the leads uncovered by Xiao Lingyan’s shadow guards.

• Ma Sheng handed Granny Wang and her sons over to a man claiming to serve Xiao Lingyan, then tightened security around Zhao Ruxi.
• Zhao Ruxi completed the three examination sessions without incident and emerged in good health.
• Eunuch Xie told Xiao Ge that someone had tried to sabotage Zhao Ruxi’s examinations by forcing Granny Wang to drug her food.
• Xiao Ge ordered the Imperial Guards to investigate the plot as an attempt to disrupt the imperial examinations and court order.
• An Imperial Guard questioned Ma Sheng, who explained why he had moved Granny Wang’s family and gave the guard the leads Xiao Lingyan’s shadow guards had found.

The imperial guard confirmed Ma Sheng’s account and reported that Princess Pingyang and Lady Dong had arranged to sabotage the imperial examinations, while Princess Xiangyang had instigated them. Xiao Ge ordered punishments and further investigation into whether Consort Jin or the Prince of Ming had directed Xiangyang, then heard Qi Xugu request Layperson Zhiwei’s help with grain accounts.

• Ma Sheng refused the imperial guard’s offer to join their ranks, saying Miss Zhiwei had given him a new lease on life.
• The imperial guard verified Ma Sheng’s findings and reported them to Xiao Ge, who ordered Princess Pingyang stripped of her title and punished, Lady Dong exiled and punished, Song Chengfang dismissed, and Song Qinghe’s examination results voided.
• The imperial guard revealed that Princess Xiangyang had instructed Lady Dong, and Xiao Ge ordered him to investigate whether Consort Jin or the Prince of Ming had directed her.
• Xiao Ge flung aside the memorial in anger, then admitted Qi Xugu, who reported grain shortages and asked him to have Layperson Zhiwei help the Ministry of Revenue calculate distributions.

Qi Xugu sought Xiao Ge’s permission to invite Zhao Zhiwei to check Ministry of Revenue accounts and later asked that she be assigned there if she passed the jinshi examination. He and Gan Lun arranged to visit the Earl of Suiping’s Residence, where Zhao Ruxi agreed to receive them while taking a break from writing.

• Xiao Ge questioned Qi Xugu’s timing and motives, then allowed him to invite Zhao Zhiwei without pressuring her.
• Qi Xugu asked Xiao Ge to assign Zhao Zhiwei to the Ministry of Revenue if she passed the jinshi examination, but Xiao Ge made no promise.
• Qi Xugu enlisted Gan Lun to accompany him to the Earl of Suiping’s Residence and explained why they should send calling cards first.
• Lady Zhu received their calling cards and arranged for Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an to receive the visitors the next morning.
• Caidie told Zhao Ruxi about the planned visit, and Zhao Ruxi agreed to her mother’s arrangements before Matron Yuan urged her to rest.

Zhao Ruxi discussed her plans to take an official post outside the capital with Qingfeng, reassuring her that she would return and arrange her marriage to Wang Tong. Xiao Ruotong visited with pastries and decided to ask her mother to let her accompany Zhao Ruxi, while Zhao Ruxi considered whether her senior brother could take a post in the same place.

• Qingfeng urged Zhao Ruxi to take a position in the capital, but Zhao Ruxi said she had reasons to leave and promised to arrange Qingfeng’s marriage to Wang Tong.
• Zhao Ruxi reassured Qingfeng that she would be away for no more than a year and a half before returning to marry Xiao Lingyan.
• Xiao Ruotong visited Zhao Ruxi with pastries from the Prince of Zhennan’s Residence and asked what she planned to do after the metropolitan examination.
• Zhao Ruxi told Xiao Ruotong she wanted to serve outside the capital, and Xiao Ruotong decided to ask her mother for permission to go with her.
• Zhao Ruxi suggested that her senior brother might take a post in the same place, and Xiao Ruotong asked her not to tell him she planned to accompany them.

Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Ruotong discussed marriage before Mu Qingqiang arrived and revealed that Qi Ying had exposed the truth about Wei Zheng’s son at the Duke of Ying’s Residence. The revelation left Zhao Ruxi wondering why Xiao Ruotong had been blamed for failing to conceive.

• Xiao Ruotong told Zhao Ruxi that her mother expected her to marry a successful palace examination candidate, and Zhao Ruxi encouraged her to move on from the past.
• Mu Qingqiang arrived alone and hinted that something had happened at the Duke of Ying’s Residence.
• Mu Qingqiang’s maid explained that Qi Ying had discovered the boy born to Wei Zheng’s concubine was actually fathered by a household guard.
• At the duchess’s birthday banquet, Qi Ying presented evidence of the affair and demanded a divorce after the duchess criticized her.
• Zhao Ruxi asked Xiao Ruotong whether she had ever had an imperial physician examine her properly.

Xiao Ruotong admitted that something was wrong with her health and left despite Zhao Ruxi’s offer to shelter her from gossip. Mu Qingqiang confided her fear of marrying into the Marquis of Pingnan’s family, but Zhao Ruxi’s advice helped her decide to stand firm against her future mother-in-law.

• Xiao Ruotong told Zhao Ruxi she had been examined and that something was wrong with her, then went home despite Zhao Ruxi urging her to wait until dark.
• Mu Qingqiang told Zhao Ruxi that she had agreed to marry Young General Fu after he saved her and later proposed, but she feared living with the Wife of the Marquis of Pingnan.
• Zhao Ruxi reassured Mu Qingqiang that Young General Fu’s support and her own principles would help her deal with his mother’s unreasonable demands.
• Mu Qingqiang decided she would fulfill her duties but ignore Lady He’s unreasonable demands and return to her parents if Lady He went too far.
• Zhao Ruxi offered Mu Qingqiang a place to visit if she needed help, and Mu Qingqiang concluded that becoming strong would let her live as she wished.

Zhao Ruxi and Mu Qingqiang discussed their plans for love, marriage, and living on their own terms. The old madam then reproached Zhao Jing'an for protecting Zhao Ruyu, warning that her conduct could damage the whole family and urging him to let her return to the Xu Family.

• Mu Qingqiang said she admired Fu Yunkai but would not entrust her happiness to him or give up the life she wanted.
• Zhao Ruxi told Mu Qingqiang she would postpone considering marriage until after pursuing an official post outside the capital.
• Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an visited the first branch, where the old madam asked about Zhao Rurui and Zhao Ruyu.
• Zhao Jingli said Zhao Rurui had agreed to consider a match among the new jinshi after the palace examination.
• The old madam warned Zhao Jing'an that Zhao Ruyu's behavior could ruin his siblings' reputations and marriage prospects, and said Zhao Jingli would have sent her back to the Xu Family if he were not protecting Zhao Jing'an's feelings.

The old madam admonished Zhao Jing'an to take responsibility for disciplining Zhao Ruyu, and he promised to do so. In the front courtyard, Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an were surprised by how much Zhao Ruxi's calligraphy had improved.

• The old madam told Zhao Jing'an that keeping Zhao Ruyu meant he had to manage her conduct and not leave the burden to Zhao Jingli.
• Zhao Jingli stayed silent, agreeing that Zhao Ruyu's behavior had made the household harder to manage.
• Lady Zhu urged Zhao Jing'an to consider Zhao Jingli's burdens, and Zhao Jing'an apologized to the old madam and promised to correct his conduct.
• On the way to the front courtyard, Zhao Jing'an asked Zhao Jingli if he had caused him trouble, and Zhao Jingli urged him to focus on Zhao Ruyu's affairs.
• Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an found Zhao Ruxi practicing calligraphy, and both were astonished by how much her writing had changed.

Zhao Ruxi impressed Zhao Jing'an and Zhao Jingli with her distinctive calligraphy, then met Qi Xugu and Gan Lun, who wanted her to help audit urgent Ministry of Revenue accounts. She refused so she could prepare for the palace examination and recommended Zhao Jingli instead, leaving Gan Lun to call her outside for a private talk.

• Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an marveled at Zhao Ruxi's calligraphy after she said Commandery Princess Qingyang had praised it as forming a school of its own.
• A servant announced that Lord Qi and Lord Gan had arrived, and Zhao Ruxi went to welcome them with her cousins.
• Zhao Jing'an reflected on how Zhao Ruxi and Zhao Ruyu's lives and achievements had diverged, and resolved to work harder himself.
• Zhao Ruxi met Qi Xugu and Gan Lun in the outer courtyard and told them she had performed as usual in the metropolitan examination.
• Qi Xugu asked Zhao Ruxi to help check urgent Ministry of Revenue accounts, but she declined to study for the palace examination and recommended Zhao Jingli instead.
• Gan Lun called Zhao Ruxi outside to speak with her privately.

Zhao Ruxi declined Qi Xugu’s offer to serve in the Ministry of Revenue because she wanted a posting outside the capital. After she explained her choice to Zhao Jingli, he and Zhao Jing'an reflected on how her clear goals and diligence set her apart.

• Zhao Ruxi told Gan Lun she wanted to seek a posting outside the capital if she passed the jinshi examination.
• Gan Lun returned with Zhao Ruxi and told Qi Xugu that she had refused his offer; Qi Xugu left displeased.
• Zhao Ruxi assured Zhao Jingli that she had chosen an outside posting for herself, not to make room for him in the ministry.
• Zhao Ruxi urged Zhao Jingli to study diligently and be ready for future opportunities before he and Zhao Jing'an departed.
• Zhao Jing'an asked why Zhao Ruxi had advanced so far ahead of them, and Zhao Jingli attributed the gap to her talent, clear goals, and persistence.

As the metropolitan examination results approached, the Old Madam and Lady Zhu worried about Zhao Ruxi’s prospects and the challenges she might face if appointed far from the capital. In Gusu Prefecture, Zhang Shun invited Zhao Yuanxun for a drink while remaining uneasy about his powerful new subordinate and the evidence of his own corruption.

• Zhao Jingli and Zhao Jing'an decided to discipline Zhao Rurui and Zhao Ruyu, each taking one sister aside for a talk.
• Xiaole prepared to check the metropolitan examination results after training with a servant experienced in reading the lists.
• The Old Madam and Lady Zhu discussed preparations for Zhao Ruxi’s possible appointment outside the capital, and the Old Madam privately worried she might be mistreated there.
• Zhao Yuanxun became distracted at the Gusu Prefecture yamen while awaiting his daughter’s examination results.
• Zhang Shun invited Zhao Yuanxun to his residence for a drink and recalled his fear of the powerful official, whose brother-in-law held evidence of Zhang Shun’s grain-transport embezzlement.

Zhang Shun learned that Zhao Yuanxun was a capable, modest colleague and tried to help him with his worries about Zhao Ruxi’s future. He offered to use his connections to find her a suitable local posting, and the two men grew closer.

• Zhang Shun befriended Zhao Yuanxun after seeing that he was diligent, respectful, and did not interfere with Zhang’s duties.
• Zhang Shun invited Zhao Yuanxun home for wine, where Zhao confided that he feared Zhao Ruxi would face hardship if she took an outside post.
• Zhang Shun suggested Zhao Ruxi serve in the capital, but Zhao explained that she wanted to experience local life and learn about the common people’s hardships.
• Zhang Shun offered to ask trusted officials in other places to look after Zhao Ruxi and wrote down several possible postings for Zhao Yuanxun.
• Zhang Shun asked Zhao Yuanxun to address him as Brother Yifan, and the two agreed to grow closer.

Zhao Ruxi learned that she had placed second in the metropolitan examination, while her younger uncle Zhu Hehuai passed in thirty-seventh place. She explained to the Old Madam and Lady Zhu why second place was safer than first, then said she would accept whatever appointment the emperor chose for her.

• Caidie told Zhao Ruxi that she had passed the metropolitan examination in second place.
• Zhao Ruxi learned that Zhu Hehuai had also passed, ranking thirty-seventh, and the Old Madam sent congratulatory gifts to the Zhu family.
• Lady Zhu lamented that Zhao Ruxi had narrowly missed first place, but Zhao Ruxi argued that second place would avoid putting the emperor in a difficult position.
• Zhao Ruxi said she would accept whatever appointment the emperor gave her and asked the Old Madam and Lady Zhu to describe Eldest Senior Brother as an upright official who never showed favoritism.

Zhao Ruxi declined to use Kang Shilin and Wu Huaisi’s influence to arrange an appointment, then joined the old madam and Lady Zhu in receiving congratulatory visitors. The clan members crowded around her with flattery, while she slipped away to speak with Madam Xie and Xu Xue.

• Zhao Ruxi explained that seeking help with an appointment could harm Wu Huaisi and put Kang Shilin in a difficult position, and the old madam and Lady Zhu agreed to wait.
• Lady Zhu prepared a letter for Zhao Yuanxun, and the old madam decided to write one too, but a servant announced that relatives and clan members had come to congratulate them.
• Lady Zhu stopped Zhao Ruxi from leaving and brought her to receive the female guests, while Ma Sheng arranged for Zhao Yuanliang and his son to receive the men.
• The clan head’s wife praised Zhao Ruxi and claimed her success had benefited the Zhao clan, while Zhao Ruyu remembered how the clan had once mocked Zhao Ruxi.
• Lady Zhu redirected the guests’ attention to mandarin duck milk rolls, and Zhao Ruxi sat with Madam Xie and Xu Xue and asked about Brother Chongwen’s wedding at the end of next month.

After Zhao Ruxi discussed Xu Xue’s marriage prospects with Madam Xie, she was summoned to Kang Shilin’s residence after passing the palace examination. The chapter ended with Kang Shilin asking to see her latest painting.

• Zhao Ruxi told Xu Xue she hoped to return for her wedding and asked Madam Xie about finding her a match.
• Madam Xie said she hoped to find a suitable husband for Xu Xue among the new jinshi, while Zhao Rurui and Zhao Ruyu listened.
• A maid reported that Mister Kumu had summoned Zhao Ruxi, and Ma Wushi explained that Kang Shilin already knew she had passed.
• Zhao Ruxi traveled to the Kang Residence with Lady Luo, Qingfeng, and an escort of guards.
• Kang Shilin asked Zhao Ruxi to show him her painting, and she handed him a spring pond scene.

Zhao Ruxi told Kang Shilin she wanted an outside posting in Anzhou Province, even if it meant giving up a chance to place among the top three in the palace examination. Kang Shilin agreed to tell the emperor of her wishes, and Zhao Ruxi hoped he would visit her at her post.

• Kang Shilin asked Zhao Ruxi whether she had refused the Ministry of Revenue’s recruitment, and she confirmed she did not intend to join it.
• Zhao Ruxi said she wanted an outside posting and understood that this meant giving up a first-class jinshi placement and entry into the Hanlin Academy.
• Kang Shilin agreed to tell the emperor that Zhao Ruxi wanted an outside post.
• Zhao Ruxi asked to serve in Anzhou Province, near the capital, because her father was in Gusu Prefecture and she wanted to remain close to Kang Shilin and Xiao Lingyan.
• Zhao Ruxi told Kang Shilin she expected to stay at the post for only a year or half a year and invited him to visit her there.

Zhao Ruxi planned to take a nearby provincial posting and tried to persuade her senior brothers to join her. The chapter ended with Gong Cheng explaining that Wu Zong was the one who had never served in the provinces.

• Zhao Ruxi explained why she wanted a post in nearby Anzhou Province, and Kang Shilin agreed to speak with her eldest senior brother.
• Wu Zong and Gong Cheng congratulated Zhao Ruxi on placing second in the metropolitan examination, and Wu Zong told her that Duan Chen had won because Lord Jin preferred his writing style.
• Zhao Ruxi asked Wu Zong to consider taking a provincial post with her, arguing that the experience would help his career and give him a break from the capital.
• Zhao Ruxi also invited Gong Cheng to seek a provincial posting, but he said he had already spent six years serving in the provinces and suggested she ask her third senior brother instead.

Zhao Ruxi persuaded Wu Zong to take an outside posting, and Xiao Lingyan told her how the metropolitan examination scandal had damaged Xiangyang’s standing with the emperor and her family. Xiao Lingyan promised to avenge Zhao Ruxi when the time was right.

• Zhao Ruxi explained why an outside posting would help Wu Zong’s career and keep him safer, and Wu Zong agreed to go with her.
• Gong Cheng revealed that Wu Zong had already decided to take an outside post so he could look after Zhao Ruxi, while Kang Shilin warned that Wu Zong could not be her direct superior.
• Zhao Ruxi hid her painting from Kang Shilin, hoping Wu Zong would work out the technique himself.
• Kang Shilin met with Wu Huaisi, then visited the palace and spoke quietly with Eunuch Xie as he left.
• Xiao Lingyan told Zhao Ruxi that Song Qinghe had been struck from the examination list and that Xiangyang’s actions had angered the emperor, Consort Jin, and the Prince of Ming.
• Xiao Lingyan promised to avenge Zhao Ruxi, but said they had to wait for the right moment.

After Zhao Ruxi explained that Xiao Ruoyu had already been punished by losing the emperor’s favor, Xiao Lingyan admired her understanding. In Gusu, Zhao Yuanxun learned that his daughter had placed second in the metropolitan examination and invited his colleagues to celebrate at his residence, leaving them surprised when they discovered it was in the prestigious Ningxi Lane.

• Zhao Ruxi told Xiao Lingyan that Xiao Ruoyu’s loss of the emperor’s favor was already a fitting punishment, and Xiao Lingyan admired her insight.
• Gao Sheng brought Zhao Yuanxun the news that his daughter had placed second in the metropolitan examination.
• Zhang Shun and the yamen officials congratulated Zhao Yuanxun, who invited everyone to celebrate at his home that evening.
• Zhao Yuanxun’s colleagues agreed to go to his residence, while Chen Xin identified its location as Ningxi Lane.
• The officials and clerks were surprised to learn that Zhao Yuanxun’s residence was in the exclusive Ningxi Lane, home to wealthy merchants and powerful nobles.