Chapter Summaries

Zhao Ruxi decided not to give Xiao Ge a Recovery Pill and reminded Xiao Shaoduo to choose a wife carefully. Years later, Xiao Shaoduo married Wu Miao, and the chapter recounted the family’s reigns and deaths during Great Jin’s golden age.

• Zhao Ruxi and Xiao Lingyan agreed not to give Xiao Ge a Recovery Pill because it could make him suspicious and cause trouble.
• After a meal with Xiao Ge and Empress Cen, Zhao Ruxi asked Xiao Shaoduo about the flower-viewing banquet and reminded him to choose a wife carefully and wait until he was at least eighteen to marry.
• Xiao Shaoduo told Zhao Ruxi he would share his feelings when he had someone in his heart, while keeping his affection for Wu Miao to himself.
• Two years later, Xiao Shaoduo married Wu Miao.
• Xiao Ge died at seventy-five, Xiao Lingyan ascended the throne, and Great Jin entered a golden age; later Xiao Shaoduo succeeded his father and ruled for thirty years.
• Zhao Ruxi died peacefully in the thirtieth year of the Longhe era, and Xiao Lingyan died of grief the same day.

Xu Xi woke from her coma in the modern world and learned that Xiao Ke had also awakened after shielding her in the accident. As she considered whether their life together in ancient times would carry over to the modern world, she wondered whether they would still choose each other.

• Xu Xi woke in the hospital as the system used up its energy and unbound itself after bringing her back.
• Xu Xi learned that she and Xiao Ke had been unconscious for a week after being hit by a car, and that Xiao Ke had suffered worse injuries while protecting her.
• Yun Xin returned and told Xu Xi that Xiao Ke had awakened and immediately asked about her.
• After doctors confirmed Xu Xi was doing well, Yun Xin urged her to give Xiao Ke their relationship a proper chance.
• Xu Xi agreed inwardly that she might marry Xiao Ke soon, but worried that their relationship could change now that they were back in the modern world.

After waking from a week-long coma, Xu Xi visited Xiao Ke, who had also regained consciousness after saving her in a car accident. When he called her by her ancient name and asked about their son, she pretended not to remember their past life so he could decide whether to pursue her again in modern times.

• Yun Xin told Xu Xi that Xiao Ke was conscious, recovering well, and staying in a VIP room with his parents.
• Xu Xi tidied herself before visiting Xiao Ke and greeted his parents, whose mother privately resented the accident despite knowing Xu Xi was not to blame.
• Xiao Ke called Xu Xi by her ancient name, Zhao Ruxi, and asked whether she knew Xiao Shaoduo.
• Xu Xi feigned confusion, leaving Xiao Ke to wonder whether their life in ancient times had been only a dream.
• Xu Xi decided to let Xiao Ke choose whether to begin a new relationship with her, and she would marry him again only if he pursued her out of genuine love.

After waking from his coma, Xiao Ke told Xu Xi that he remembered their shared lifetime in ancient times and confessed that he had loved her for years. Xu Xi admitted that she remembered their past life too, leaving them to face their feelings in the modern world together.

• Xiao Ke asked his parents to leave him alone with Xu Xi, and they went outside with Yun Xin.
• Xiao Ke told Xu Xi about his dream of their transmigration and confessed that he had arranged their blind date because he loved her.
• Xu Xi asked whether Xiao Ke wanted a different life after spending decades with her, and he firmly said he wanted to be with her for lifetime after lifetime.
• Xiao Ke suspected Xu Xi still remembered their ancient life, and Xu Xi confirmed that she did.

Xu Xi and Xiao Ke agreed to marry, start separate companies, and raise a child while competing in their careers. After Xu Xi left his room, Xiao Ke told his parents that she had accepted his confession and explained their long history.

• Xu Xi teased Xiao Ke about finding someone new, then asked about their plans for the future.
• Xiao Ke proposed marriage, starting a company, and sharing the work of raising a child; Xu Xi agreed to start a competing company.
• Xu Xi returned to her hospital room while Xiao Ke stayed behind to explain their relationship to his parents.
• Xiao Ke told Mother Xiao and Father Xiao that Xu Xi had agreed to be his girlfriend and recounted their history.
• Mother Xiao learned that Xu Xi liked Xiao Ke too and went to see her.

After recovering from their car accident, Xu Xi and Xiao Ke reunited in modern life, started separate companies, and quickly registered their marriage. Xu Xi planned to move into the home Xiao Ke’s parents bought and skip a wedding, leaving Yun Xin reassured by the couple’s commitment.

• Xiao Ke’s mother gave Xu Xi and Yun Xin gifts after learning Xu Xi had agreed to be Xiao Ke’s girlfriend, and Xu Xi promised her aunt they might marry soon.
• After Xu Xi was discharged, she stayed at the hospital to care for Xiao Ke while they planned their companies and prepared to rent out their homes.
• Xu Xi and Xiao Ke found offices and staff, then registered their marriage after dating for two months.
• Xu Xi told Yun Xin she and Xiao Ke had married without telling his parents yet and planned to move into the apartment they had bought.
• Xu Xi said they would skip a wedding and invite relatives and friends to a meal instead, and she showed Yun Xin the diamond ring Xiao Ke had given her.

Xu Xi and Xiao Ke married, established successful companies, and prepared for a family together. After Xu Xi gave birth to twin boys, she accepted that they were new children rather than the children from their ancient life, and Xiao Ke promised to stay by her side.

• Xiao Ke agreed to let his parents arrange and pay for a wedding, and Xu Xi and Yun Xin accepted.
• Over six months, Xu Xi and Xiao Ke's companies became successful, and Xu Xi prepared to become pregnant.
• Xu Xi learned she was expecting twins, while Xiao Ke supported her through the pregnancy and comforted her about their children from ancient times.
• Xu Xi went into labor, and Xiao Ke took her to the hospital, where she gave birth to identical twin boys.
• Xu Xi recognized the babies as their modern-world children, and Xiao Ke kissed her forehead and promised to stay by her side.

After meeting the Crown Princess, Zhao Ruyu returned to Prince Jingping's Estate and endured suspicion and insults from the household. Resolved to change her status, she sent Zhao Jingli a letter, and He Yuqi saw him reading it at home.

• Zhao Ruyu left the Earl of Suiping's Residence after meeting the Crown Princess and returned to Prince Jingping's Estate, where the consort's maid questioned her long absence.
• Concubine Qiao mocked Zhao Ruyu, who ignored her and went back to her courtyard.
• Zhao Ruyu wrote Zhao Jingli a letter and sent Fushu to wait for him outside the Earl of Suiping's Residence.
• Fushu told Zhao Jingli that Zhao Ruyu had met the Crown Princess, and he took her back to the Zhao Family's second household while he read the letter.
• He Yuqi saw Zhao Jingli opening Zhao Ruyu's letter and reacted darkly when he named its sender.

Zhao Ruyu decided to leave Prince Jingping's Estate and asked the Zhao Family to help her find work teaching at a women's academy. Zhao Jingli and He Yuqi agreed to meet her, while Zhao Ruxi arranged for her to teach in Gusu and secured Zhang Shun's continued appointment there.

• Zhao Jingli and He Yuqi read Zhao Ruyu's letter, and He Yuqi suggested bringing her back in two days to discuss her decision and consult Zhao Ruxi.
• Zhao Jingli replied that he would meet Zhao Ruyu, and Zhao Ruyu was delighted to learn she would not have to wait long.
• Zhao Jingli wrote to Zhao Ruxi, who was happy about Zhao Ruyu's decision and told Xiao Lingyan what was happening.
• Zhao Ruxi proposed sending Zhao Ruyu to teach music at Gusu Women's Academy under Zhang Shun and his wife's care.
• Xiao Lingyan agreed with Zhao Ruxi's plan, and Zhao Ruxi decided Zhang Shun would remain prefect of Gusu for another three years.

After Zhao Ruxi arranged for Zhao Ruyu to teach in Gusu, Zhao Ruyu decided to leave the Prince Jingping's Estate and start anew. She told the consort she wanted to part from Xiao Sijie peacefully, but the consort refused to take her request seriously.

• The Consort of Prince of Jingping considered making Zhao Ruyu Xiao Sijie's principal wife and sent her personal matron to accompany Zhao Ruyu to the Zhao Family home.
• Zhao Jingli told Zhao Ruyu that Zhao Ruxi had arranged for her to teach in Gusu, where Prefect Zhang and his wife would look after her.
• Zhao Ruyu agreed to leave the estate and followed Zhao Ruxi's advice to tell the consort and Xiao Sijie directly that she wanted to go.
• Zhao Ruyu returned to the estate and asked the consort for a peaceful separation from Xiao Sijie.
• The consort reacted with shock, then laughed and insisted that Zhao Ruyu must not joke about leaving because she planned to make her Xiao Sijie's principal wife.

Zhao Ruyu told the Consort of Prince of Jingping that she wanted to leave the estate and had her family’s support, while the consort assumed she was using Zhao Ruxi’s influence to force her promotion. When Zhao Ruyu persisted, the consort tried to delay her and offered to make her principal wife instead.

• Zhao Ruyu explained that she had sought her family’s support to begin a new life and leave Prince Jingping’s Estate.
• The consort suspected Zhao Ruyu was using Zhao Ruxi’s position to pressure the estate into elevating her.
• The consort privately recalled that she had tampered with Zhao Ruyu’s restorative medicine to prevent her from conceiving.
• The consort agreed to let Zhao Ruyu’s family come, but then insisted that Xiao Sijie’s consent was also required.
• When the consort claimed Xiao Sijie was away and urged Zhao Ruyu to reconsider, Zhao Ruyu warned that her family would come if they did not hear from her.
• The consort praised Zhao Ruyu and offered to elevate her to principal wife, urging her to abandon her plan to leave.

Zhao Ruyu refused the offer to become Xiao Sijie's principal wife and insisted on leaving Prince Jingping's Estate. After the Prince of Jingping decided it was not worth offending the crown princess to keep her, the estate prepared to let her go.

• Zhao Ruyu rejected the Consort of Prince of Jingping's offer to elevate her and said she would leave regardless of Xiao Sijie's wishes.
• The Consort of Prince of Jingping sent for Xiao Sijie and told him to persuade Zhao Ruyu to stay, while keeping the offer from Concubine Qiao.
• Xiao Sijie tried to coax Zhao Ruyu, but she demanded that he dismiss his concubines and pledge never to take another; he refused, and she reaffirmed her plan to leave.
• Zhao Ruyu warned Xiao Sijie and Concubine Qiao not to harm or drug her, and offered to take her servants with her when she left.
• The Consort of Prince of Jingping received notice that Zhao Ruyu's sisters-in-law would visit, and the Prince of Jingping agreed to let Zhao Ruyu go rather than anger the crown princess.

Zhao Ruyu left Prince Jingping's Estate after the Consort of Prince Jingping helped her gather her belongings and servants. He Yuqi and Xu Xue welcomed her into their home and encouraged her to support herself through writing and work at their newspaper office.

• The Consort of Prince Jingping gave Zhao Ruyu a thousand taels of silver, but Zhao Ruyu refused it and accepted the indentures for her maids and older servant.
• Xiao Sijie tried to stop Zhao Ruyu from leaving, but the older servants restrained him and Zhao Ruyu walked past without responding.
• He Yuqi told Zhao Ruyu she would live with her family rather than in a rented house, and Xu Xue encouraged her to earn money by writing.
• Zhao Ruyu cried as her sisters-in-law reassured her and offered to take her to their newspaper office.
• He Yuqi offered Zhao Ruyu a chance to help manage the newspaper office in Gusu and submit articles for pay, which Zhao Ruyu gladly accepted.

Zhao Ruyu arrived in Gusu after receiving generous support from the Zhao Family and was welcomed by Madam Zhang, who had arranged a modest residence for her. Zhao Ruyu approved of the home and arranged to begin teaching at the Women's Academy the next day.

• Zhao Ruyu left the Zhao Family with money, property, and guards accompanying her to Gusu.
• A servant from Prefect Zhang's household welcomed Zhao Ruyu at the city gate on Madam Zhang's behalf.
• Zhao Ruyu reached the rented residence and thanked Madam Zhang for arranging it.
• Madam Zhang offered to find Zhao Ruyu a grander home after seeing her beauty, but Zhao Ruyu said she liked the convenient, affordable residence.
• Zhao Ruyu asked to begin teaching at the Women's Academy the next day, and Madam Zhang agreed to escort her.

Zhao Ruyu built a reputation in Gusu through her qin teaching while living modestly and supporting herself. When Madam Zhang offered her private students and a marriage prospect, Zhao Ruyu agreed to teach only if students came to her and declined to consider marriage until she had established herself.

• Zhao Ruyu kept her distance from Gusu's social circles, taught at the women's academy, and exchanged her saved points for a Pitch Discrimination Pill to improve her qin skills.
• Young ladies flocked to Zhao Ruyu's music classes, and qin players who challenged her were convinced by her skill, spreading her fame throughout Gusu.
• Madam Zhang told Zhao Ruyu that prominent families wanted to hire her to teach their children, and Zhao Ruyu said she would accept students only if they came to her home.
• Madam Zhang raised a marriage proposal from an admirer, but Zhao Ruyu declined for now, wanting to establish herself and avoid men who sought her connection to the crown princess or her beauty.

Zhao Ruyu refused a marriage proposal for herself and asked Madam Zhang to arrange a match for her maid, Fushu. She freed Fushu from service, made her a sworn younger sister, and promised her a dowry, while Madam Zhang agreed to find her a kind and upright husband.

• Madam Zhang regretted that Zhao Ruyu had rejected a widower whose daughter had recommended her as a wife.
• Zhao Ruyu asked Madam Zhang to arrange a marriage for Fushu, explaining that she had delayed Fushu's marriage while they lived at Prince Jingping's Estate.
• Zhao Ruyu offered to free Fushu from servant status, make her a sworn younger sister, and give her two hundred taels of silver as a dowry.
• Fushu protested that Zhao Ruyu should keep the money, but Zhao Ruyu insisted on making up for the delay and helped her to her feet.
• Fushu said she wanted a kindhearted, upright man, and Zhao Ruyu insisted she should not be made a stepmother.
• Madam Zhang agreed to find Fushu a suitable match and said she regarded both women as her daughters.

Zhang Shun told Madam Zhang that Yu Zilü wanted to marry Zhao Ruyu, and she approved of the possible match. They also found Liu Chang suitable as a marriage prospect for Fushu, leaving both proposals for Zhao Ruyu to consider.

• Zhao Ruyu learned that Yu Zilü had sent her another calling card, and Madam Zhang left so Zhao Ruyu could deal with the matter.
• Madam Zhang reported the visit to Zhang Shun, who explained that Yu Zilü had won Zhao Ruyu's attention after she defeated him in a qin contest.
• Zhang Shun revealed that Yu Zilü had privately told him he wanted to marry Zhao Ruyu, and Madam Zhang approved of the match.
• Zhang Shun said the decision rested with Zhao Ruyu and that Yu Zilü would not behave improperly toward her.
• Zhang Shun and Madam Zhang agreed that Liu Chang, Steward Liu's widowed grandson, could be a suitable match for Fushu.

Fushu married Liu Chang, and Zhao Ruyu married Yu Zilü after he proposed with Madam Zhang’s help. While Zhao Ruyu built a respected life with Yu Zilü, Zhao Rurui grew resentful of her own circumstances, but Zhao Ruyu ignored her hateful letter and continued teaching and writing.

• Madam Zhang arranged a meeting between Fushu and Liu Chang, and Fushu agreed to marry him.
• After months of exchanging letters with Zhao Ruyu, Yu Zilü asked Zhang Shun and Madam Zhang to act as matchmakers, and Zhao Ruyu accepted his proposal.
• Zhao Ruyu’s family celebrated her wedding, and she later became pregnant after exchanging points for a Recovery Pill.
• Zhao Rurui asked to leave the Fu Family after hearing of Zhao Ruyu’s marriage, but Zhao Ruxi refused to help, and the family told Zhao Rurui to remain with her children.
• Zhao Rurui sent Zhao Ruyu a hateful letter, which Zhao Ruyu burned without replying, then continued her work at the Women’s Academy and the newspaper.

After Sun Baogen beat Yuan Meiniang and caused her to miscarry, she decided to leave the abusive Sun family with her two daughters. She lay bleeding outside the family home and called for help from the Women's Federation, while neighbors gathered around her.

• Sun Baogen beat Yuan Meiniang, causing her to miscarry, and the Yuans accepted rice and meat from the Suns as compensation.
• Mother Yuan left Yuan Meiniang behind, and Mother Sun and Sun Baogen ordered her to get up and work while threatening her daughters.
• Yuan Meiniang led her daughters outside the Sun family gate and collapsed, bleeding as passersby gathered.
• Yuan Meiniang declared that she wanted a divorce and asked Auntie Wang to fetch someone from the Women's Federation.
• Auntie Wang rushed to get help, while Yuan Meiniang resisted Mother Sun's attempts to take her back inside.

Yuan Meiniang sought an amicable divorce from Sun Baogen and protection for her daughters, and the Women's Federation arrived to investigate her abuse. Lady Ma prepared to invoke the Great Jin Code against the Sun family.

• Yuan Meiniang refused to leave the Sun home after miscarrying, while neighbors condemned Sun Baogen and Mother Sun and brought her quilts.
• Auntie Wang summoned the Women's Federation, whose members arrived with Lady Ma, Lady Wen, and Lady Wei.
• Yuan Meiniang showed the crowd her scar and her daughters' bruises, then asked to divorce Sun Baogen and take the girls with her.
• Lady Ma asked Lady Wen to read the Great Jin Code's article on punishments for abusing women and children.