Chapter Summaries

Zhao Ruxi learned that Mu Qingqiang and Zhao Rurui were both trapped in miserable marriages at the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence, but she refused to intervene for Zhao Rurui. He Yuqi and Xu Xue then visited with the news that Xu Xue was pregnant, while Zhao Ruxi’s family’s writing and newspaper ventures continued to prosper.

• Zhao Ruxi learned from the system that the Wife of the Marquis of Pingnan had caused Mu Qingqiang to miscarry and continued making her life difficult.
• The system told Zhao Ruxi that Zhao Rurui was confined and mistreated at the Marquis of Pingnan’s Residence, and Zhao Ruxi refused to help her seek a divorce.
• He Yuqi and Xu Xue visited Zhao Ruxi, and He Yuqi announced that Xu Xue was pregnant.
• Zhao Ruxi reflected on Zhao Jingli’s work in the Ministry of Revenue, Zhao Jing’an’s success as a writer, and the flourishing newspaper business she had funded and her family managed.

Zhao Ruxi learned that her brothers had established themselves through their own efforts, while He Yuqi explained why Zhao Jingli had decided not to intervene in Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Rurui’s lives. Zhao Ruxi ignored Zhao Ruyu’s attempt to lure her into a meeting with a Beauty Pill, leaving Zhao Ruyu puzzled at Prince Jingping’s Estate.

• Zhao Jingtai improved his studies, passed the preliminary and county examinations with Zhao Jing'an, and became a young scholar.
• He Yuqi explained that she had stopped Zhao Jingli from asking Zhao Ruxi to help Zhao Ruyu and Zhao Rurui, since doing so could damage Zhao Ruxi’s reputation.
• Zhao Ruyu sent Zhao Ruxi a letter offering a meeting and claiming an old Daoist priest’s Beauty Pill had made her beautiful and delayed aging.
• Zhao Ruxi burned the letter and told the system she would ignore Zhao Ruyu rather than help her become the heir’s consort.
• After five days without a reply, Zhao Ruyu wondered why Zhao Ruxi was not worried that the crown prince might favor a future consort.

Zhao Ruyu wondered why Zhao Ruxi ignored her letter and planned to speak with her in person, while questioning whether her pursuit of status had been worthwhile. After her confinement, Zhao Ruxi returned to the Ministry of Works, where she discussed harvester sales and the possibility of appointing an assistant.

• Zhao Ruyu asked Nanny Zhang about delivering her letter to Zhao Ruxi and learned that the Crown Princess's maid had accepted it but sent no reply.
• Zhao Ruyu asked the system for information about Zhao Ruxi, but declined to spend thirty thousand points and instead told Fushu to watch for Zhao Ruxi leaving the palace.
• Zhao Ruyu reflected that she might have been happier if she had followed Zhao Ruxi's earlier advice instead of seeking high status.
• After her confinement, Zhao Ruxi visited the Ministry of Works and asked Zuo Tang about harvester sales and statistics on purchases by the capital's great families.
• Zhao Ruxi suggested finding an assistant at the Ministry of Works, and Gong Cheng agreed that they should discuss the idea.

Zhao Ruxi visited the Ministry of Works to discuss choosing an assistant, then visited her master Kang Shilin and returned to the palace. Grand Princess Shangde arrived and asked her to choose a day to visit the Women's Technical College together.

• Gong Cheng agreed to prepare a list of Ministry of Works officials who could serve as Zhao Ruxi's assistant, while Zuo Tang hoped she would choose him.
• Zhao Ruxi planned to visit Kang Shilin, and Gong Cheng told her how worried her master had been during her pregnancy.
• Zhao Ruxi left the Ministry of Works and visited Kang Shilin, who showed her his recent paintings and praised her skill with color.
• After seeing that Kang Shilin was healthy, Zhao Ruxi returned to the palace without visiting her family.
• Grand Princess Shangde visited Zhao Ruxi and asked her to pick a day to visit the Women's Technical College together.

Zhao Ruxi visited the Capital Women's Technical College with Grand Princess Shangde and reviewed how its workshops and shops funded its work. She saw the college thriving, though Madam Cui explained that family opposition still made it difficult to recruit some married students.

• Grand Princess Shangde invited Zhao Ruxi to visit the Women's Technical College and show her the results of its teaching.
• Zhao Ruxi and Grand Princess Shangde traveled to the college, where Madam Cui welcomed them and described the shops and workshops that supported its expenses.
• Madam Cui explained that the clothing and pastry businesses were successful, while embroidery sold less well and the capital's printing workshop had been discontinued.
• Zhao Ruxi toured the college's teaching and dormitory areas and was pleased by its organization and its students.
• Madam Cui said some husbands and mothers-in-law opposed married women studying, so the college sent experienced older women to persuade families.

Zhao Ruxi toured the Women's Technical College, then returned to the Earl of Suiping's Residence to meet Zhao Ruyu, who wanted to speak with her. After visiting her grandmother and Lady Zhu, Zhao Ruxi went to see Zhao Ruyu in the side hall.

• Madam Cui showed Zhao Ruxi the college departments and explained how students trained for work and found jobs after graduating.
• Lady Luo told Zhao Ruxi that Zhao Ruyu had come to the Earl of Suiping's Residence and wanted to see her, and Zhao Ruxi agreed to return there.
• Zhao Ruxi arrived at the residence, where Zhao Ruyu waited and meekly agreed to wait in the side hall.
• The old madam and Lady Zhu warned Zhao Ruxi against associating with Zhao Ruyu, but Zhao Ruxi said she had come to visit them and invited them to see her infant son.
• Zhao Ruxi asked about Zhao Yuanxun and Zhao Jingtai, then went to the outer courtyard to meet Zhao Ruyu.

Zhao Ruyu admitted she regretted becoming a concubine and asked Zhao Ruxi how she had gained such abilities after death. Zhao Ruxi urged her to develop her qin playing while living at Prince Jingping's Estate, leaving Zhao Ruyu newly hopeful but uncertain whether her status would keep her from competing.

• Zhao Ruxi entered the hall after ordering the guards to keep their distance, and Zhao Ruyu told her she felt lost and regretted pursuing a wealthy marriage.
• Zhao Ruyu explained that she could not return to her family, marry respectably, or become an academy teacher, and she asked how Zhao Ruxi had remained a ghost after death and become so capable.
• Zhao Ruxi said she did not know how she had become a ghost and questioned why Zhao Ruyu was waiting until her next life to learn something.
• Zhao Ruxi suggested Zhao Ruyu devote herself to the qin and become a master, which reminded Zhao Ruyu that she could use her system to obtain a Pitch Discrimination Pill.
• Zhao Ruyu worried that a concubine could not attend banquets or competitions, and Zhao Ruxi asked whether any rule barred concubines from the year-end skills competition.

Zhao Ruxi urged Zhao Ruyu to build a life beyond men, then planned new machinery and factories to expand women’s employment. She gave Xiao Lingyan plans for a sewing machine and handheld reaper and proposed releasing the reaper plans while opening a clothing factory with Grand Princess Shangde.

• Zhao Ruyu asked whether anyone would marry her if she left Prince Jingping's Estate, and Zhao Ruxi warned her that the crown prince would not help a future husband advance.
• Zhao Ruxi told Zhao Ruyu to pursue learning, business, and independence, then said she would end her marriage if Xiao Lingyan took a concubine and favored another woman.
• After returning to the Eastern Palace, Zhao Ruxi considered how growing numbers of Women's Technical College graduates would need jobs and decided to develop factories for them.
• Zhao Ruxi drew plans for a sewing machine and a handheld reaper and gave them to Xiao Lingyan when he returned home.
• Zhao Ruxi proposed releasing the handheld reaper plans for public benefit and building a ready-made clothing factory with Grand Princess Shangde to produce garments and later embroidery using female workers.

Xiao Lingyan presented Zhao Ruxi’s handheld harvester to Xiao Ge, who recognized that she had released it after the court had sold the larger harvesters. Xiao Lingyan also secured punishments for officials who schemed to approach him and asked Xiao Ge to protect his marriage, leaving Xiao Ge promising to deter anyone who tried to interfere.

• Xiao Lingyan brought Xiao Ge Zhao Ruxi’s handheld harvester plans and explained that they would be distributed for free.
• Xiao Ge realized Zhao Ruxi had waited until the large harvesters had sold before releasing the handheld version, and praised her ingenuity.
• Xiao Lingyan urged Xiao Ge to remove or demote two officials who had schemed to get their daughters close to him and Zhao Ruxi.
• Xiao Ge approved Xiao Lingyan’s proposed punishments and ordered Duan Chen to draft the decree.
• Xiao Lingyan told Xiao Ge that Zhao Ruxi planned to make a sewing machine with Grand Princess Shangde and asked him to keep people from interfering with their marriage.
• Xiao Ge promised to move anyone who harbored improper intentions toward Xiao Lingyan to another post.

Zhao Ruxi learned how Xiao Lingyan had discouraged powerful families from trying to send their daughters to him, then discovered the system was close to leveling up and might eventually help her return to modern times. She remained unwilling to leave Little Duo'er behind and considered what the system’s pills could do as a baby grew up.

• Zhao Ruxi played with Little Duo'er while the system told her that Xiao Lingyan had demoted one minister and dismissed another to stop them from pursuing a connection through their daughters.
• The system charged Zhao Ruxi two hundred points for the news and prompted her to check the light screen, where she saw she was only a hundred thousand points short of the system’s next level.
• Zhao Ruxi asked what new functions the system might gain, and it suggested it might be able to take her and Xiao Lingyan back to modern times.
• The system explained that Little Duo'er could not return with them because he had been born in ancient times, so Zhao Ruxi imagined waiting until he was grown before going back.
• Zhao Ruxi asked about giving Little Duo'er or herself an Agility Pill, and the system urged her to consider other items in the store.

Zhao Ruxi visited Kang Shilin and secretly gave him a Recovery Pill, claiming a physician had prepared it for her. After taking it, Kang Shilin noticed that his eyesight had become clearer.

• Zhao Ruxi decided to buy a pill for her master and went to the Kang Residence.
• Kang Shilin told Zhao Ruxi that her third senior brother and the County Princess of Qingyang were returning to the capital, but she said she had not known.
• Zhao Ruxi sent Kang An away and secretly selected a Recovery Pill from the system.
• Zhao Ruxi told Kang Shilin the pill came from a physician and gave it to him, and he trusted her enough to take it without question.
• Kang Shilin said the pill had vanished as soon as it entered his mouth, then noticed that his eyes felt brighter and his vision clearer.

Zhao Ruxi gave Kang Shilin a Recovery Pill, which improved his eyesight and eased his wrist pain, inspiring him to paint and make a major breakthrough. Wu Huaisi and Gong Cheng learned what had happened from Kang An, and the chapter ended as Wu Zong and Xiao Ruotong arrived.

• Kang Shilin discovered that the Recovery Pill had improved his eyesight, eased his wrist pain, and made his body feel stronger, and Zhao Ruxi told him she wanted him to live a long life.
• Kang Shilin compared a new painting with an old one and became tearful as he realized his painting had advanced again.
• Wu Huaisi and Gong Cheng asked Kang An why Kang Shilin had been overcome with emotion, and Gong Cheng concluded that Zhao Ruxi had inspired another breakthrough.
• Wu Zong arrived at Kang Shilin's residence with a child in his arms, followed by Xiao Ruotong.

Zhao Ruxi welcomed Wu Zong, Xiao Ruotong, and their son Wu Yi after their return to the capital, and the group discussed Wu Zong’s future position at the Court of Judicial Review. Wu Zong chose to wait rather than succeed Zhang Changshen immediately, while Xiao Ruotong praised Zhao Ruxi’s contributions to Linjiang Prefecture and women’s education.

• Zhao Ruxi greeted Wu Zong and Xiao Ruotong, met their son Wu Yi, and gave him gifts after he called her aunt.
• Kang Shilin joined the reunion and was comforted to see that Wu Zong and Zhao Ruxi remained close despite her changed status.
• Wu Huaisi told Wu Zong that Zhang Changshen wanted to retire and hand him the Court of Judicial Review position, but Wu Zong agreed it was better for Zhang to stay and guide him for now.
• Wu Zong recognized that taking the position immediately could draw suspicion because Gong Cheng had recently become minister of works.
• Wu Zong praised Zhao Ruxi for increasing Linjiang Prefecture’s tax revenue, and Xiao Ruotong celebrated the success of the Women's Technical College.

At the Kang Residence, Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Ruotong discussed expanding the Women's Technical College and creating a federation to help women. Xiao Lingyan came to escort Zhao Ruxi home, and she decided to stay in their life in the Great Jin rather than tell him they could return to the modern era.

• Xiao Ruotong described how women's participation in education and production had changed their circumstances, and Wu Zong discussed its social and economic effects.
• Xiao Ruotong told Zhao Ruxi that she planned to help bring the Women's Technical College to the counties, and Zhao Ruxi proposed inviting Mu Qingqiang to help establish a Great Jin Women's Federation.
• A maid announced that Xiao Lingyan had come to escort Zhao Ruxi home after paying his respects to the old master and welcoming Wu Zong.
• Xiao Lingyan greeted Zhao Ruxi's senior brothers and left the Kang Residence with her after a brief visit.
• In the carriage, Zhao Ruxi rested against Xiao Lingyan and decided not to tell him that the system's upgrade meant they could return to the modern era.

Xiao Lingcong met his young nephew Xiao Shaoduo in the garden and was surprised by the boy’s memory, learning, and manner. After Xiao Shaoduo left for the Eastern Palace, Xiao Lingcong returned to the princes’ quarters.

• Xiao Lingcong approached Xiao Shaoduo as the child finished bouncing a ball and corrected Xiao Lizi’s counting.
• Xiao Shaoduo recognized Xiao Lingcong from the New Year banquet and recalled the gold neck ring he had received from him.
• Xiao Shaoduo told Xiao Lingcong about his reading and arithmetic lessons, including his confusion about the chickens-and-rabbits problem.
• The wet nurse prepared Xiao Shaoduo to return to the Eastern Palace because he had worked up a sweat.
• Xiao Lingcong offered Xiao Shaoduo milk candies, and Xiao Shaoduo accepted them before hurrying back to the Eastern Palace.
• Xiao Lingcong watched Xiao Shaoduo leave, then returned to the princes’ quarters.

As Zhao Ruxi went into labor with twins, Xiao Shaoduo returned to the Eastern Palace and learned that his mother was having the babies. Xiao Lingyan waited anxiously outside the birthing room, while Xiao Shaoduo stayed in his courtyard and waited for news.

• The wet nurse brought Xiao Shaoduo back to his courtyard, where he asked if Zhao Ruxi was having the babies.
• The wet nurse helped Xiao Shaoduo change and persuaded him to wait in his courtyard instead of going to the birthing room.
• Xiao Lingyan sent word explaining that Zhao Ruxi was in labor, and Xiao Shaoduo obediently played with his blocks while watching for news.
• Xiao Lingyan paced outside the birthing room and vowed that Zhao Ruxi would have no more children after the twins.

Xiao Lingyan anxiously waited as Zhao Ruxi delivered twins, then learned she had safely given birth to a healthy boy and girl. Xiao Shaoduo eagerly went to meet his younger siblings, while Xiao Ge still worried the twins might be identical boys.

• Xiao Lingyan recalled how he had agreed to a second child despite fearing the dangers of childbirth, then panicked when he learned Zhao Ruxi was carrying twins.
• Zhao Ruxi gave birth first to a boy and then to a girl, and Yueniang told Xiao Lingyan that both babies were healthy and Zhao Ruxi was well.
• Xiao Lingyan relaxed, sent Xiao Liuzi to inform Xiao Ge, and asked him to bring Xiao Shaoduo to meet the babies.
• Xiao Liuzi told Xiao Shaoduo that he had a younger brother and sister, and the delighted boy ran to see them.
• Xiao Ge remained restless while reviewing memorials, worrying that Zhao Ruxi might have delivered identical twin boys.

Xiao Ge learned that Zhao Ruxi had given birth to boy-girl twins and rewarded her and the people who cared for her. In the Eastern Palace, Xiao Shaoduo promised to protect his new siblings while Xiao Lingyan helped Zhao Ruxi rest.

• Xiao Ge praised Zhao Ruxi's child-rearing and worried that identical imperial twins could be exploited to destabilize Great Jin.
• Xiao Shaoduo visited Xiao Ge each day, learned to tell time, and showed that he could recognize and report attempts to trick him.
• Xiao Liuzi announced that Zhao Ruxi had given birth to boy-girl twins, with the boy as the elder sibling.
• Xiao Ge celebrated and ordered an edict granting Zhao Ruxi estates, shops, money, and silk, while also rewarding the imperial physicians and servants.
• Xiao Shaoduo looked at the newborns and promised Zhao Ruxi he would protect his younger brother and sister.
• Xiao Lingyan fed and tended to Zhao Ruxi, then took Xiao Shaoduo away so she could sleep.

Xiao Shaoduo analyzed the young women at Empress Cen’s flower-viewing banquet for Wu Huaisi, who tested his judgment and attitude toward marriage. After lessons, Xiao Shaoduo and Xiao Ziya planned to visit Sister Miao'er, who had missed the banquet because she had caught a chill.

• Wu Huaisi asked Xiao Shaoduo to assess the personalities and family connections of the young women who attended the banquet.
• Xiao Shaoduo explained that he had observed the young women and gave Wu Huaisi a fair, objective analysis of them.
• Wu Huaisi reviewed the families’ connections and ended the lesson, and Xiao Shaoduo left without interrupting his younger brother’s painting lesson.
• Xiao Shaoduo visited Xiao Ziya and Wu Zong, asked whether Sister Miao'er was seriously ill, and learned she had caught a mild chill.
• Xiao Ziya asked Xiao Shaoduo to visit Sister Miao'er with her after lessons, and Wu Zong teased her about wanting the peach blossom cakes.

Xiao Shaoduo and his siblings joined the imperial family for a meal, as Xiao Ge reflected on the secure succession and his family’s growing closeness. The chapter ended with Zhao Ruxi serving ginseng soup while Xiao Ge continued to consider Xiao Lingyan and Xiao Shaoduo excellent heirs.

• Wu Zong revealed that he had arranged Xiao Shaoduo’s assignment to test whether his attention wandered from Wu Miao, then Xiao Shaoduo took Xiao Shaohui and Xiao Ziya to the empress’s palace.
• The narration explained that Xiao Ge had made Empress Cen empress and Xiao Shaoduo heir to secure Xiao Lingyan’s line and discourage Xiao Lingcong from seeking power.
• Xiao Lingyan’s family began sharing daily meals with Xiao Ge and Empress Cen, helping the older couple grow closer.
• At the family meal, Xiao Ge again urged Xiao Lingyan to take the throne, but Xiao Lingyan offered to handle more state affairs instead of accepting abdication.
• Xiao Ge considered Xiao Lingyan and his grandchildren capable and well raised, and Zhao Ruxi served him and Xiao Lingyan ginseng soup.