Chapter Summaries

Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Lingyan prepared for their wedding amid growing turmoil in the capital, while Zhao Yuanxun’s hoped-for transfer back to the capital was delayed. Zhao Ruxi planned to return before the new year despite Xiao Lingyan’s fears for her safety, because she wanted to protect Xiao Ge.

• Zhao Yuanxun convinced the old madam that Zhao Ruxi’s talent and existing property made a modest dowry sufficient, and predicted the emperor would transfer him back to the capital for her wedding.
• Zhao Ruxi told her family that Zhao Yuanxun would not be transferred until the following spring because Xiao Lingyan was holding back the transfer amid unrest in the capital.
• Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Lingyan argued over delaying their wedding, as Xiao Lingyan feared the crown prince’s and third prince’s factions might target her, while Zhao Ruxi wanted to help protect him and Xiao Ge.
• The Imperial Astronomical Bureau set Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Lingyan’s wedding for the sixteenth day of the second month, and Zhao Ruxi arranged for Zhao Yuanxun to attend the banquet before returning to Gusu.
• Xiao Lingyan urged Zhao Ruxi to spend the new year in Gusu and return to the capital later, but Zhao Ruxi said she did not want to see Xiao Ge die.

Zhao Ruxi convinced Xiao Lingyan to let her return to the capital, where she reunited with her family as political turmoil unsettled the city. The old madam learned of the unrest and heard that Zhao Rurui had returned to the family for a dowry, while Zhao Ruxi rested after the journey.

• Zhao Ruxi persuaded Xiao Lingyan that she should return to the capital to protect the emperor and the people, and he agreed to ask the emperor to send an escort.
• Xiao Lingyan returned to the capital and reported to the emperor, who sent twenty imperial guards to escort Zhao Ruxi.
• Lady Zhu refused to leave Zhao Ruxi behind, and the old madam brought Zhao Jingtai to Nanyang before joining the escorted journey to the capital.
• Zhao Yuanliang welcomed the old madam, Lady Zhu, and Zhao Ruxi at the city gate and escorted them to the Earl of Suiping's Residence.
• Lady Su told the old madam that several families had suffered dismissals and confiscations, prompting the old madam to resolve to ask Zhao Ruxi about the unsettled capital.
• Lady Su warned the old madam that Zhao Rurui, who had become a concubine, might come asking the family for more gifts.

Zhao Ruxi warned her family about the escalating struggle between the crown prince and the third prince, then visited Kang Shilin and discussed the danger surrounding her upcoming marriage to the Prince of Qi. She believed the conflict would soon reach its decisive end.

• Zhao Ruxi told the old madam and Lady Zhu about the princes' feud and advised that her father remain in Gusu, away from political traps.
• The old madam discussed Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Rurui, and Zhao Ruxi suggested letting them visit before having the household firmly send them away.
• Zhao Ruxi promised to stay home after visiting her master and brought the imperial guards with her to the Kang Residence.
• Kang Shilin explained that the emperor's attachment to family ties kept him from stopping his sons and said Zhao Ruxi's eldest senior brother was caught in the conflict.
• Kang Shilin voiced concern about Zhao Ruxi's marriage to the Prince of Qi, while Zhao Ruxi privately anticipated that the succession struggle would soon erupt into a coup.

Zhao Ruxi received an invitation to tea from Princess of An Cen Peixuan and consulted Xiao Lingyan before accepting. She arrived at the Prince of An's Residence the next day, where a delayed welcome hinted at a deliberate slight.

• Zhao Ruxi received Cen Peixuan's invitation and considered whether it was meant to build relations or serve another purpose.
• Zhao Ruxi reflected on Xiao Lingyan's growing rift with Xiao Lingpu and how Xiao Lingyan shared capital affairs with her.
• Zhao Ruxi wrote to Xiao Lingyan asking how to respond, and Xiao Lingyan sent her a reply.
• Cen Peixuan's maid complained that Zhao Ruxi had asked the Prince of Qi before accepting, but Nanny Wan defended her choice.
• Zhao Ruxi selected jade hair ornaments and visited the Prince of An's Residence as scheduled.
• Nanny Wan explained that Cen Peixuan could not greet Zhao Ruxi because of her pregnancy, and Zhao Ruxi entered the residence by sedan chair after waiting at the gate.

Zhao Ruxi visited the Prince of An’s Residence, where Cen Peixuan tried to assert authority over her and warn her against working around men. Zhao Ruxi refused to accept Cen Peixuan’s interference, recognizing that she had no reason to defer to the Cen Family.

• Nanny Wan realized Zhao Ruxi was more composed and imposing than Cen Peixuan had expected, and worried her mistress would offend her.
• Zhao Ruxi arrived at the hall and greeted Cen Peixuan, who looked her over without rising to welcome her.
• Cen Peixuan criticized Zhao Ruxi for staying in Nanyang and working with men, but Zhao Ruxi replied that the Prince of Qi respected her choices.
• Nanny Wan tried to redirect the conversation by praising Zhao Ruxi’s improvements to farming tools and the emperor’s approval.
• Cen Peixuan continued by warning Zhao Ruxi to stay within the household and threatened that the Cen Family’s elders might discipline her.
• Zhao Ruxi decided not to indulge Cen Peixuan’s attempt to control her, knowing Xiao Lingyan did not depend on the Cen Family’s support.

Zhao Ruxi refused to be drawn into Cen Peixuan’s affairs, and Xiao Lingyan sent her gifts in support. Xiao Lingpu recognized that his test had widened the rift with his younger brother and invited him to dinner, where Xiao Lingyan made clear he wanted Zhao Ruxi and Cen Peixuan to keep their distance.

• Zhao Ruxi left Cen Peixuan after telling her not to worry about her affairs, then wrote to Xiao Lingyan, who sent fruit to the Earl of Suiping's Residence.
• Cen Peixuan grew furious over Xiao Lingyan’s gift and asked Noble Consort Cen to summon and scold Zhao Ruxi, but Noble Consort Cen sent pregnancy supplements instead and left Zhao Ruxi alone.
• Xiao Lingpu concluded that Xiao Lingyan had turned away from him after the test involving Zhao Ruxi, and invited him to share a drink.
• Xiao Lingyan invited Xiao Lingpu to dinner at the Prince of Qi's Residence that evening.
• Xiao Lingpu apologized on Cen Peixuan’s behalf, while Xiao Lingyan explained Zhao Ruxi’s intentions and suggested the two women see less of each other.

Xiao Lingyan and Xiao Lingpu reconciled on the surface, and Xiao Lingyan accepted gifts for Zhao Ruxi from his sister-in-law. At home, Zhao Ruxi learned that Zhao Rurui had visited to gain the Zhao Family’s support and argued that they should first investigate whether she was truly being mistreated.

• Xiao Lingpu apologized for his wife’s behavior and gave Xiao Lingyan inkstones, paper, and brushes for Zhao Ruxi.
• Zhao Ruxi stayed home after visiting the Kang Residence and the Prince of An’s Residence, while Zhao Rurui came to pay her respects to Lady Zhu.
• The old madam recognized that Zhao Rurui was borrowing Zhao Ruxi’s influence to improve her standing at the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence.
• Lady Zhu described Zhao Rurui’s complaints about being mistreated by Lady He and Tenth Miss Cen at the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence.
• Zhao Ruxi said the family should verify Zhao Rurui’s claims before sending gifts, since Zhao Rurui might misuse her name.

Fu Yunkai and Mu Qingqiang discussed Zhao Ruxi and the political risks facing the Fu Family. Mu Qingqiang warned him that his family’s treatment of Zhao Rurui could offend Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Lingyan, so Fu Yunkai needed to address the matter with his mother and younger brother.

• Fu Yunkai asked Mu Qingqiang about her friendship with Zhao Ruxi and explained that Xiao Lingpu had suggested she visit Zhao Ruxi.
• Fu Yunkai told Mu Qingqiang he had declined the suggestion because she was pregnant and suffering from morning sickness.
• Mu Qingqiang agreed with his decision and reminded him not to take sides too openly in the struggle for the throne.
• Mu Qingqiang told Fu Yunkai that Lady He and Lady Cen had been tormenting Zhao Rurui.
• Mu Qingqiang warned Fu Yunkai that the Fu Family could offend Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Lingyan, and urged him to speak with Lady He and Fu Yunlang.

Fu Yunkai explained how Zhao Rurui had switched places with Zhao Ruyu and was forced to remain as Fu Yunlang’s concubine. Meanwhile, Zhao Ruxi used her system to investigate the princes and briefed Xiao Lingyan on their plans, leaving them prepared to respond as the political situation shifted.

• Fu Yunkai recounted how Zhao Rurui had entered the Marquis of Pingnan's Residence in Zhao Ruyu’s place, and how Fu Yunlang had been compelled to let her stay after sleeping with her.
• Mu Qingqiang guessed that Zhao Rurui had chosen concubinage to preserve her children’s noble status rather than marry a commoner.
• Zhao Ruxi used her system to investigate the Crown Prince and the Second, Third, and Fourth Princes, then shared her findings and plans with Xiao Lingyan.
• Xiao Lingyan asked why Zhao Ruyu had become a concubine despite having a system, and Zhao Ruxi guessed that Zhao Ruyu had hoped to become the Consort of Prince of Jingping.
• Zhao Ruxi told Xiao Lingyan to keep communication open and promised to alert him when she received new information.

As New Year approached, Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Lingyan agreed to let the planned coup unfold while protecting Xiao Ge and themselves. Meanwhile, Zhao Ruyu remembered the coming crisis but felt trapped and powerless to use it to improve her position.

• Xiao Lingyan worried that Zhao Ruxi would consider him ruthless for allowing the coming bloodshed, but Zhao Ruxi argued that stopping the coup would leave the Crown Prince and Third Prince as future threats.
• Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Lingyan agreed to stay away from the conflict during the emperor's birthday celebration and planned for Zhao Ruxi to pretend to be ill.
• Zhao Ruyu paced in her courtyard as she recalled the coming coup and considered using her knowledge to gain favor with the Prince of Jingping.
• Zhao Ruyu feared that revealing her information would expose her system and leave her trapped as a tool, while she believed Zhao Ruxi would use the coup to help the Prince of Qi become emperor.
• Zhao Ruyu lamented that their fortunes had reversed since their previous lives, when she had enjoyed high status and Zhao Ruxi had suffered a miserable death.

At Emperor Xiao Ge’s Longevity Festival banquet, Zhao Ruxi navigated a tense meeting with Noble Consort Cen and Cen Peixuan while protecting her family’s dignity. Noble Consort Cen reminded Cen Peixuan that Xiao Lingpu had been the one to seek marriage with Zhao Ruxi.

• Emperor Xiao Ge held a grand birthday banquet and hoped his sons would renew their brotherly bonds despite their rivalry for the throne.
• Zhao Ruxi arranged for Lady Luo and Lu Yun to guard the old madam and Lady Zhu, while Ma Ling'er accompanied her.
• Noble Consort Cen welcomed Zhao Ruxi’s family and explained that Cen Peixuan would join them after resting; Zhao Ruxi answered her veiled apology firmly.
• Lady Zhu offered Noble Consort Cen Zhao Ruxi’s sealed-jar wine as a possible remedy for her sleeplessness, and the old madam praised its effects.
• Cen Peixuan arrived and failed to greet Zhao Ruxi’s family warmly, prompting Lady Zhu to leave with Zhao Ruxi and the old madam.
• Cen Peixuan complained about their departure, but Noble Consort Cen told her that Xiao Lingpu had begged to marry Zhao Ruxi.

At the Longevity Festival banquet, the Consort of the Prince of Ming insulted Zhao Ruxi for serving in government, and Zhao Ruxi answered by invoking Empress Shengyao and the emperor’s support. Grand Princess Shangde joined her, turning the dispute against Consort Jin and her leadership of the Capital Women's Academy.

• Noble Consort Cen left Cen Peixuan to rest, and Cen Peixuan complained that Zhao Ruxi had no right to look down on princes.
• Zhao Ruxi was seated among the imperial family’s principal wives and consorts, while the Consort of the Prince of Ming blamed her for the Third Prince’s recent misfortunes.
• The Consort of the Prince of Ming mocked Zhao Ruxi for being a female top scholar and accused her of fooling around with men.
• Zhao Ruxi replied that the emperor had named her top scholar, granted her an office, and approved her marriage, while Empress Shengyao had secured women’s right to study and hold office.
• Grand Princess Shangde praised Zhao Ruxi, rebuked the Consort of the Prince of Ming, and threatened to ask the emperor to divorce her; she then criticized Consort Jin’s management of the Capital Women's Academy.
• The Dowager Princess of Zhennan supported Grand Princess Shangde and said Empress Shengyao had been right to insist that the empress lead the academy.

At the imperial celebration, the Princess of Ming attacked Zhao Ruxi after their dispute escalated, but Noble Consort Cen intervened and forced an apology. Xiao Lingyan arrived just as the matter seemed settled and stood beside Zhao Ruxi, asking who had bullied his fiancée.

• The Princess of Ming threw tea at Zhao Ruxi, who dodged and accidentally splashed the Princess of Qian.
• The Princess of Ming tried to slap Zhao Ruxi but struck the Princess of Qian instead, prompting Noble Consort Cen to stop her and reprimand her.
• Noble Consort Cen threatened to send the Princess of Ming to the Imperial Clan Court, while Consort Jin pleaded for the matter to end and the Princess of Ming apologized.
• Xiao Lingyan arrived and stood beside Zhao Ruxi, confronting the Princess of Ming over bullying his fiancée.

The Consort of the Prince of Ming renewed her attack on Zhao Ruxi, but Xiao Lingyan defended his fiancée and condemned Lady Lu’s accusations. Consort Jin and Noble Consort Cen ended the quarrel and began the banquet.

• The Consort of the Prince of Ming taunted Xiao Lingyan about Zhao Ruxi spending time among men at the Nanyang yamen.
• Xiao Lingyan defended Zhao Ruxi and argued that Lady Lu’s standards would condemn women for dealing with male servants and guards.
• Xiao Lingyan praised Zhao Ruxi’s service to Great Jin and told Lady Lu she was unworthy to call herself his third sister-in-law.
• Lady Lu warned Xiao Lingyan that he would regret his words when her husband found out.
• Consort Jin urged everyone to end the quarrel, and Noble Consort Cen agreed to let the matter rest and start the banquet.

At a palace banquet, the Crown Prince killed the Prince of Qian and injured the Prince of An, throwing the succession into turmoil. Zhao Ruxi returned home safely with her family, but the violence left her and her mother questioning whether her marriage to Xiao Lingyan could still be called off.

• A eunuch reported that the Crown Prince had attacked the princes, and the Consort of the Prince of Qian fainted before being taken to the scene.
• Xiao Lingyan went to check on the wounded while Noble Consort Cen sent guards to protect him; Zhao Ruxi learned from the system that the commotion had been quelled.
• A messenger reported that the Prince of Qian had died, the Prince of An had lost three fingers, and the Crown Prince had stabbed the Prince of Qian after an argument.
• Noble Consort Cen and Cen Peixuan were devastated as guests realized the attacks had reshaped the succession and left the Third and Fifth Princes as the remaining candidates.
• After two hours, Xiao Lingyan escorted the women to the palace gates, and Zhao Ruxi rode home with Lady Zhu and the old madam.
• At home, Lady Zhu asked whether Zhao Ruxi could call off her marriage to Xiao Lingyan, and Zhao Ruxi admitted that the palace violence had frightened her.

Zhao Ruxi accepted that her marriage to Xiao Lingyan could not be undone and sought to learn whether he had harmed Xiao Lingpu during the banquet. The system explained how the crown prince killed the Fourth Prince and the Second Prince lost three fingers, then revealed Xiao Lingyan’s plan to expose the Third Prince, leaving Zhao Ruxi worried that the emperor’s response would not prevent a future coup.

• Zhao Ruxi persuaded the old madam and Lady Zhu that Xiao Lingyan was a devoted husband and that she would accept the imperial marriage.
• After returning to her courtyard, Zhao Ruxi asked the system whether Xiao Lingyan had engineered Xiao Lingpu’s injury at the banquet.
• The system said the Third Prince had used the crown prince’s suspicion and a stolen dagger to provoke him into attacking the Fourth Prince, while the Second Prince lost three fingers trying to intervene.
• The system revealed that Xiao Lingyan had arranged for the emperor to discover the Third Prince’s role in supplying the dagger and drugging the crown prince.
• Zhao Ruxi worried that the emperor would imprison the princes rather than prevent the Third Prince from escaping and starting a coup.

Xiao Lingyan told Zhao Ruxi he planned to use the third prince’s planted spy to turn an assassination scheme against him, while Zhao Ruxi worried over the princes’ dangerous struggle and the emperor’s grief. After several quiet days, an attacker disguised as an imperial guard burst into Xiao Ge’s hall and swung a sword at him.

• Xiao Lingyan visited Zhao Ruxi and explained that he would feign illness and let the third prince’s spy into his inner circle to seize the initiative.
• Xiao Lingyan told Zhao Ruxi that the emperor suspected the Prince of Ming and that the Prince of An had survived but lost his fingers.
• Xiao Lingyan and Zhao Ruxi shared their grief over Second Brother and their longing for their former age before he left, warning her to stay home.
• Zhao Ruxi worried as the capital fell quiet and Kang Shilin was summoned daily to drink with Xiao Ge, but Xiao Lingyan remained safe through the sixth day.
• Xiao Ge resumed court, handled delayed affairs, and stayed behind to review memorials before a man disguised as an imperial guard attacked him with a sword.

Assassins attacked Xiao Ge, and the crown prince was exposed as one of them before killing himself. Xiao Ge then ordered the guards to seize Xiao Lingheng, whose deathsworn men awaited his command.

• Assassins attacked Xiao Ge, but Eunuch Xie, Eunuch Zhang, and the concealed guards protected him and subdued the attackers with Xiao Lingheng's help.
• Xiao Ge's guards unmasked the crown prince among the captured assassins, and Xiao Ge ordered him returned to prison.
• The crown prince used a dagger to slit his throat, while the captured assassins died from poison.
• Xiao Ge realized Xiao Lingheng had manipulated events and ordered the guards to seize the Prince of Ming.
• Xiao Lingheng's deathsworn men waited for his signal to fight the emperor's guards.

Xiao Ge captured Xiao Lingheng after the crown prince died, then feared Xiao Lingyan was in danger and sent a guard to check on him. At the Earl of Suiping's Residence, Zhao Ruxi learned that Xiao Lingyan had taken a drug that would leave him unconscious for three days and require a long recovery, while the system assured her he had an antidote and was being watched.

• Xiao Lingheng admitted defeat and asked Xiao Ge why he was being treated this way, but Xiao Ge ordered the guards to take him away and sent a trusted guard to check on Xiao Lingyan.
• The system told Zhao Ruxi that Xiao Ge had been rescued, the crown prince had died, Xiao Lingheng had been captured, and someone had tried to poison Xiao Lingyan.
• The system explained that Xiao Lingyan had discovered the poisoning plot and switched the poison for a drug that would keep him unconscious for three days.
• Zhao Ruxi considered going to the Prince of Qi's Residence, but the system warned that she could not explain how she knew Xiao Lingyan was unconscious.
• The system revealed that Xiao Lingyan would need a year or two to recover but could take an antidote to wake immediately, and promised to watch over the people around him.

After the failed coup, the emperor stripped the crown prince of his title and punished his supporters, while ministers privately suspected the Prince of Ming had played a role in the night’s events. When Zhao Ruxi learned Xiao Lingyan had been poisoned and fallen unconscious, she went to the palace to visit him and tried speaking to him in hopes of waking him.

• At court, Eunuch Xie announced that the crown prince had been stripped of his title, his family confined, and his supporters punished.
• After court, Wu Huaisi sent word to Zhao Ruxi that the Prince of Qi had been poisoned and fallen unconscious.
• Zhao Ruxi asked Lu Yun to seek permission for her to visit Xiao Lingyan, and Noble Consort Cen later sent a palace maid to escort her.
• At Xiao Lingyan’s palace residence, Noble Consort Cen told Zhao Ruxi that the imperial physicians could not identify the poison and that the emperor was searching for miracle physicians.
• At Noble Consort Cen’s request, Zhao Ruxi spoke to Xiao Lingyan about their impending wedding and his interest in mechanisms, but he did not stir.