Chapter Summaries

After Zhao Ruxi rejected Duan Chen, he left the Qionglin Banquet, while Lu Shanchu reconsidered pursuing her because of the risk to his career. Outside the square, household stewards swarmed to recruit Duan Chen and Lu Shanchu as sons-in-law, and Lu Shanchu weighed the offers cautiously.

• Duan Chen accepted Zhao Ruxi’s rejection, declined to go to Taibai Tower, and walked away claiming he had a headache.
• Lu Shanchu decided not to pursue Zhao Ruxi, fearing she might use her connections to harm his official appointment, and thought someone else might choose him as a groom.
• Stewards from prominent households surrounded Duan Chen with invitations, prompting the other jinshi to envy his prospects in the capital.
• The crowd shifted to Lu Shanchu when they recognized him, and stewards began competing to bring him to their households as a potential son-in-law.
• The other jinshi suggested that Duan Chen or Lu Shanchu would be better matched with Zhao Zhiwei, while Lu Shanchu suspected the offered brides might come with unfavorable circumstances.

After Duan Chen was cornered by families seeking him as a son-in-law, Eunuch Wang summoned him to the palace on Consort Jin’s orders. Consort Jin offered him marriage to Princess Xiangyang, while Duan Chen faced the threat of refusing and endangering his family.

• Duan Chen used his uncle’s advice to fend off matchmaking families, and Lu Shanchu followed his example while collecting calling cards.
• Eunuch Wang summoned Duan Chen to speak with Consort Jin, and Duan Chen reluctantly followed him into the palace.
• Lu Shanchu fled the remaining matchmaking families, who turned their attention to him after Duan Chen left.
• Consort Jin tried to persuade Xiao Ruoyu to consider Duan Chen, but Xiao Ruoyu agreed only to look at him before refusing.
• Consort Jin questioned Duan Chen about his age and family, then asked whether he would marry her daughter as her imperial son-in-law.

Duan Chen refused Consort Jin’s offer to marry Xiao Ruoyu by claiming an old prophecy forbade him to wed before twenty-two. Consort Jin arranged for Xiao Ruoyu to marry Lu Shanchu instead, while Duan Chen’s uncle approved his refusal and explained that the match would have harmed his prospects.

• Duan Chen told Consort Jin that marrying before twenty-two would cost him his life and bring about his wife’s death, so she dismissed him and ordered Lu Shanchu summoned.
• Consort Jin insisted Xiao Ruoyu marry Lu Shanchu, and Lu gladly accepted the match, pleased that he would gain a princess’s residence and generous dowry.
• After leaving the palace, Duan Chen went to Duan Boheng’s home and explained how he had refused Consort Jin’s proposal.
• Duan Boheng planned to send someone to Jiangnan to cover any gaps in Duan Chen’s story, then told him that refusing the marriage had been the right choice.
• Duan Boheng explained that the Prince of Ming’s faction had declined and that marrying Xiao Ruoyu would have restricted Duan Chen’s independence and official prospects.

Duan Chen learned why marrying a princess would harm his career and discussed his hopes of marrying Zhao Zhiwei with Duan Boheng. After Zhao Ruxi was named top scholar, she went to consult Kang Shilin because she wanted to avoid an appointment at the Hanlin Academy.

• Duan Boheng explained that Consort Jin and the Prince of Ming would avoid retaliating against Duan Chen because it could provoke the emperor and their political enemies.
• Duan Chen told Duan Boheng he wanted to marry Zhao Zhiwei, and Duan Boheng offered to have his wife sound out her family.
• Zhao Ruxi returned to the Earl of Suiping's Residence after the Qionglin Banquet and learned that Lady Zhu had sent word to Kang Shilin and her father.
• Zhao Ruxi decided to visit Kang Shilin to discuss her unexpected top-scholar appointment and how to secure a provincial posting.
• Zhao Ruxi resolved to avoid the Hanlin Academy because working in the palace could threaten her reputation and safety.

Zhao Ruxi visited Kang Shilin to learn why the emperor had named her top scholar despite her request for an appointment outside the capital. She warned Kang Shilin that serving in the Hanlin Academy near the emperor could put her in danger, and he began to consider the risk that the emperor might desire her as a wife.

• Zhao Ruxi arrived at the Kang Residence, and Kang Shilin noticed her anxiety and brought her into his study.
• Zhao Ruxi asked why Eunuch Xie had not secured her an appointment outside the capital, and Kang Shilin explained that the emperor had named her top scholar after admiring her calligraphy and essay.
• Kang Shilin questioned whether Zhao Ruxi truly wanted to leave the capital, while she argued that entering the Hanlin Academy would place her near the emperor and expose her to palace rivals.
• Zhao Ruxi reminded Kang Shilin that Consort Jin and Princess Xiangyang had already plotted against her, and Kang Shilin realized the emperor might be attracted to her talent and beauty.
• Kang Shilin wondered whether Zhao Ruxi had sought an appointment outside the capital because she feared the emperor might try to make her empress.

Zhao Ruxi asked Kang Shilin to prevent Xiao Ge from appointing her to the Hanlin Academy, while Xiao Lingyan told Noble Consort Cen that he wanted to marry Zhao Zhiwei. He asked his mother to persuade Xiao Ge to approve Zhao Zhiwei’s request for a post outside the capital, leaving Noble Consort Cen to raise the matter during the emperor’s visit that night.

• Zhao Ruxi asked Kang Shilin to speak to Xiao Ge and dissuade him from placing her in the Hanlin Academy.
• Zhao Ruxi told Qingfeng that Xiao Lingyan should not interfere because Kang Shilin was the proper person to appeal to Xiao Ge.
• Xiao Lingyan privately told Noble Consort Cen that he wanted to marry Zhao Zhiwei and explained that he wanted to keep their match secret until they were married.
• Xiao Lingyan asked Noble Consort Cen to persuade Xiao Ge to grant Zhao Zhiwei a posting outside the capital, warning that her work near him could endanger her.
• Noble Consort Cen agreed to raise the request when Xiao Ge spent the night in her palace.

Zhao Ruxi reconsidered how Kang Shilin should request an appointment outside the capital, and Xiao Ge approved her wish before Kang could ask. The chapter left Kang discussing Anzhou Province as a possible posting, close enough for him to visit Zhao.

• Xiao Lingyan sent Zhao Ruxi a message through one of Prince Qi’s subordinates, and she returned to the Kang Residence to advise Kang Shilin to consult Eunuch Xie before approaching Xiao Ge.
• Kang Shilin asked a palace eunuch to sound out Eunuch Xie, who indicated that Kang could safely make the request the next day.
• Kang Shilin went to the palace, where Xiao Ge said he had already agreed to grant Zhao Zhiwei an appointment outside the capital.
• Xiao Ge explained that he admired Zhao Zhiwei’s talent and did not want to damage her reputation by keeping her near him in the palace.
• Kang Shilin said Zhao had first wanted Jiangnan but proposed Anzhou Province instead, since Zhao could not serve in Gusu while the Earl of Suiping was there.

Xiao Ge promised Kang Shilin that Zhao Zhiwei would receive a suitable official posting, while Zhao Ruxi revealed how she had developed her distinctive calligraphy. At the examination compound, Zhao Ruxi discovered her essay had been framed above the other papers, and learned that people defended its placement by citing the emperor’s words.

• Xiao Ge promised Kang Shilin he would have Wu Huaisi seek a suitable posting for Zhao Zhiwei.
• Kang Shilin asked Zhao Ruxi how she had developed her calligraphy, and she credited the County Princess of Qingyang’s advice and her own practice.
• Zhao Ruxi wrote a poem for Kang Shilin, who praised her calligraphy and ordered it mounted.
• Kang Shilin urged Zhao Ruxi to look at the examination compound entrance, then teased her about finding a husband if she could not get an appointment.
• Zhao Ruxi went to the examination compound and saw her paper displayed in a glass frame above the others.
• Ma Wushi told Zhao Ruxi that people praised her essay and calligraphy, and that someone had defended her honor by repeating Xiao Ge’s words.

At a family banquet celebrating Zhao Ruxi placing first in the palace examination, Zhao Rurui pressed Lady Zhu to help her find a husband among the new jinshi, while Zhao Ruxi made clear she had no intention of choosing one that way. When Lady Zhu questioned Zhao Ruxi about her own marriage, Zhao Ruxi promised to bring home a son-in-law next year and slipped away.

• Zhao Rurui told Lady Zhu that families were already competing to recruit new jinshi as sons-in-law and asked her to help find a match.
• Zhao Ruxi argued that sensible candidates would avoid being snatched and that the men left unmarried were more promising.
• Zhao Rurui asked whether Zhao Ruxi planned to choose a husband among the new jinshi, and Zhao Ruxi said she would not.
• Lady Zhu asked Zhao Ruxi about the men who had sent calling cards and pressed her to explain her marriage plans.
• Zhao Ruxi promised to bring Lady Zhu a son-in-law next year, then hurried away before her mother could question her further.
• Matron Zhou reassured Lady Zhu that Zhao Ruxi could choose a suitable husband for herself.

The court finalized appointments for the newly successful jinshi, approving Zhao Zhiwei’s request to serve outside the capital as deputy magistrate of Nanyang Prefecture. Xiao Ge then proposed appointing Wu Zong prefect of Linjiang Prefecture, and Zhang Changshen supported the move.

• Xiao Ge had the ministers review the proposed appointments for the newly successful jinshi.
• Qi Xugu questioned why top scorer Zhao Zhiwei was assigned an outside post instead of entering the Hanlin Academy, then accepted the emperor’s decision after understanding her request and the reasons behind it.
• The ministers raised only a few appointments for associate jinshi, and Xiao Ge approved the proposals.
• The finalized list appointed Zhao Zhiwei deputy magistrate of Nanyang Prefecture in Anzhou Province at Subordinate Sixth Rank.
• Xiao Ge asked Zhang Changshen to remain and proposed appointing Wu Zong prefect of Linjiang Prefecture; Zhang Changshen agreed.

Zhang Changshen and Wu Huaisi discussed Wu Zong’s outside posting and the careful choice of his successor, while the capital quietly accepted Zhao Ruxi’s appointment as a prefect. Zhao Ruxi planned to leave in five days with Lady Zhu and her grandmother, but Lady Zhu asked whether Kang Shilin had agreed to accompany her.

• Xiao Ge asked Zhang Changshen and Wu Huaisi to suggest a replacement for Wu Zong, and Zhang Changshen invited Wu Huaisi to recommend a suitable local official.
• Zhang Changshen explained that Wu Zong’s successor should be chosen carefully so the post would remain available when Wu Zong returned.
• The capital’s officials and princes tacitly accepted Zhao Ruxi’s appointment because they wanted her kept away from the palace and capital.
• Zhao Ruxi told Lady Zhu they needed to leave in five days to reach Gusu, settle her grandmother, and arrive at her post on time.
• Zhao Ruxi said she would postpone a banquet for her master and senior brothers and planned to give them paintings and calligraphy instead.
• Lady Zhu asked Zhao Ruxi whether Kang Shilin had agreed to accompany her to her post.

Zhao Ruxi told Lady Zhu that Wu Zong would serve as her superior at her new post, prompting her mother to wonder whether they were romantically involved. Zhao Ruxi denied it and said she planned to help Xiao Ruotong and Wu Zong become a couple, while Lady Zhu remained worried about her daughter's marriage and discussed Zhao Rurui's poor prospects.

• Zhao Ruxi told Lady Zhu that her master and senior brothers had arranged for Wu Zong to become her immediate superior at her new post.
• Lady Zhu privately asked whether Zhao Ruxi and her third senior brother were romantically involved, but Zhao Ruxi denied it and explained that Xiao Ruotong liked Wu Zong.
• Zhao Ruxi said Wu Zong had refused her attempt to match him with Xiao Ruotong, and Lady Zhu agreed that the pair seemed well suited.
• Lady Zhu worried that Zhao Ruxi's career as an official could hurt her marriage prospects, while Zhao Ruxi insisted she would find someone when the time came.
• Lady Zhu told Zhao Ruxi that Zhao Rurui had few suitable marriage prospects and kept the Earl of Suiping's Residence and Zhao Zhiwei out of the matchmaking effort.

Zhao Ruxi and Lady Zhu discussed Zhao Jingli’s difficult marriage prospects, and Zhao Ruxi rejected Xu Xue as a match because she would struggle in the second branch. Zhao Ruxi considered He Yuqi instead and tested whether Lady Zhu would accept a daughter-in-law who worked outside the home.

• Zhao Ruxi dismissed Zhao Rurui’s marriage troubles and told Lady Zhu to leave the capital with her.
• Lady Zhu explained why Zhao Jingli’s family position, limited means, and household complications made finding him a wife difficult.
• Lady Zhu suggested Xu Xue, but Zhao Ruxi argued that Xu Xue was too gentle and inexperienced to manage the second branch.
• Zhao Ruxi considered He Yuqi, whose character, family background, and work at the newspaper seemed suitable for Zhao Jingli.
• Zhao Ruxi proposed asking Madam Cui about capable women at the newspaper and watched Lady Zhu’s reaction to see whether she would accept a working daughter-in-law.

Zhao Ruxi sought a suitable wife for Zhao Jingli and, on Madam Cui’s recommendation, visited the He family to meet He Yuqi. Watching her family defer to Zhao Ruxi’s achievements, He Yuqi realized she could earn respect through her own abilities and resolved to pursue independence and success.

• Lady Zhu told Zhao Ruxi that Zhao Jingli had agreed to let her choose his wife, so Zhao Ruxi wrote to Madam Cui for a recommendation.
• Madam Cui recommended He Yuqi, whose father had confined her at home and was seeking a marriage for her, and Zhao Ruxi arranged to visit the He family.
• Master He welcomed Zhao Ruxi with formal deference, while He Yuqi’s father and eldest brother treated her with conspicuous respect.
• He Yuqi recognized that Zhao Ruxi’s achievements had earned her family’s respect and resolved to improve herself and pursue a self-reliant life.

Zhao Ruxi visited He Yuqi and proposed a match between her and Zhao Jingli, candidly explaining the complications in his family. He Yuqi considered the match acceptable because Zhao Jingli would let her work, while her brother warned her to weigh the burdens carefully.

• Zhao Ruxi impressed Master He and his son with her knowledge, then asked to speak privately with He Yuqi.
• Zhao Ruxi asked about He Yuqi's arranged matches and proposed her cousin Zhao Jingli.
• Zhao Ruxi explained Zhao Jingli's family circumstances and urged He Yuqi to consider the match without agreeing for her sake.
• He Yuqi told her parents and brother about the proposal after Zhao Ruxi left.
• He Yuqi said the match seemed acceptable, but He Zhi warned her that managing the complicated household could interfere with her work.

The He Family investigated Zhao Jingli and considered whether He Yuqi should marry him. After confirming Zhao Ruxi's account and hearing He Yuqi's wishes, Master He accepted the match in principle and arranged for the families to meet Zhao Jingli the next day.

• Master He agreed with He Yuqi that the family should investigate the Zhao Family's second branch and meet Zhao Jingli before deciding.
• He Yuqi explained that she could accept the match despite its complications if Zhao Jingli was reasonable and supported her working.
• Master He judged Zhao Jingli a strong prospect and said he would accept the match if the servants' reports confirmed Zhao Ruxi's account.
• He Yuqi asked to meet Zhao Jingli, and Master He told her to ask Zhao Ruxi to arrange it.
• The servants returned with reports confirming Zhao Ruxi had told the truth, and Master He decided the family would visit Zhao Ruxi the next afternoon.
• He Yuqi sent a calling card to Zhao Ruxi to arrange the visit.

Zhao Ruxi arranged for the He family to visit so Zhao Jingli and He Yuqi could meet, and both families approved of the prospective match. The chapter left Zhao Jingli and He Yuqi getting acquainted in the garden while Zhao Jingli reflected on the kind of wife he hoped to have.

• Zhao Ruxi told Lady Zhu that the He family planned to visit, and Zhao Jingli agreed to receive them.
• Zhao Yuanliang and Zhao Jingli waited at the residence before the He family arrived, and Zhao Jingli and He Yuqi were pleased with each other at first sight.
• Lady Zhu found He Yuqi capable and agreeable, then arranged for her and Zhao Jingli to stroll together in the garden.
• Zhao Ruxi drew He Zhi into a scholarly conversation so Zhao Jingli and He Yuqi could talk privately.
• Zhao Jingli reflected that Zhao Ruxi’s self-reliance had shaped his preference for a capable, thoughtful wife rather than one like Zhao Rurui or Zhao Ruyu.

Zhao Jingli and He Yuqi grew closer during their marriage meeting, and he promised never to take a concubine. After the He family left, Lady Zhu told Zhao Yuanliang to prepare generous betrothal gifts for his eldest son.

• Zhao Jingli told He Yuqi that he would never take a concubine, and she accepted his promise.
• He Zhi challenged Zhao Jingli to prove his sincerity, and Zhao Jingli asked him and Zhao Ruxi to witness his commitment.
• Zhao Ruxi agreed to be a witness and teased Zhao Jingli and He Yuqi, easing He Yuqi's unease.
• After the He family departed, Zhao Yuanliang told Lady Zhu that Master He had been very pleased with Zhao Jingli.
• Lady Zhu instructed Zhao Yuanliang to prepare generous betrothal gifts himself rather than leave the task to Zhao Jingli.

The He Family considered Zhao Jingli’s marriage to He Yuqi and decided to proceed with the match after hearing Master He’s assessment of Zhao Yuanliang and the Zhao household. Zhao Ruxi then prepared invitations for a banquet thanking her mentors and supporters before meeting her master and senior brothers to learn about serving as a local official.

• Lady Zhu pressed Zhao Yuanliang to arrange Zhao Jingli’s betrothal properly, and Zhao Yuanliang promised to prepare a gift list for her approval.
• Lady Zhu advised Zhao Jingli to secure his fair share of the family property, and he silently resolved to treat her and Zhao Ruxi well for life.
• Master He praised Zhao Yuanliang’s clearheaded approach to family matters, and the He Family agreed to settle He Yuqi’s match with Zhao Jingli.
• Master He sent He Zhi to inspect the Zhao household and deliver a letter to the Earl of Suiping’s Residence if all seemed well.
• Zhao Ruxi planned a thank-you banquet and wrote invitations before going to meet Wu Huaisi and her senior brothers.

Zhao Ruxi discussed the challenges of her Nanyang Prefecture appointment with Kang Shilin and her senior brothers, then visited supporters and teachers to give them calligraphy. Gan Lun told her that Qin Zhe had withdrawn after seeing her palace examination paper, leaving Zhao Ruxi feeling guilty and eager to leave the capital.

• Zhao Ruxi gave Kang Shilin her invitation, painting, and calligraphy, then discussed her future duties in Nanyang Prefecture with him, Wu Huaisi, and Gong Cheng.
• Wu Huaisi and Gong Cheng warned Zhao Ruxi that taking a lucrative salt or grain post could upset her colleagues, but said her connections would discourage them from bullying her.
• Zhao Ruxi assured Kang Shilin and her senior brothers that she would establish herself without relying on their protection.
• Zhao Ruxi visited Grand Princess Shangde, Madam Cui, several teachers, and Gan Lun, giving them calligraphy as gifts.
• Gan Lun told Zhao Ruxi that Qin Zhe had studied her palace examination paper for two days and then shut himself away, making Zhao Ruxi feel guilty and more eager to leave the capital.