Chapter Summaries

Xu Xi agreed to help Madam Xiao develop jewelry for Gathered Treasures Studio, which was opening opposite Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion. After school, Xu Xi and Xu Xue visited the shop, where they met its staff and Shopkeeper Wang.

• Xu Xi explained to Madam Xiao that jewelry designs had to account for the materials and the craftsman's skills.
• Madam Xiao told Xu Xi that the shop was called Gathered Treasures Studio and invited her to inspect the materials after school; Xu Xi agreed.
• Xu Xue asked why Xu Xi had not warned Madam Xiao about the powerful rival behind Abundant and Prosperous Pavilion, and Xu Xi explained Madam Xiao's family standing.
• Xu Xi told Xu Xue that many Women's Academy teachers came from similarly prominent families, then took her to Gathered Treasures Studio after school.
• Xiaoru introduced Xu Xi and Xu Xue to the assistants, and Madam Xiao introduced them to Shopkeeper Wang, who greeted both girls respectfully.

Xu Xi examined the Prince of Zhennan’s Residence’s jewels as she and Xiao Ruotong prepared to go into business together. She found no jadeite among the materials and asked Shopkeeper Wang about the jewelry shop’s plans.

• Xu Xi invited Xu Xue to examine the raw jewelry materials with her and Shopkeeper Wang.
• Nanny Yun explained to Xiao Ruotong why Xu Xi’s loyalty to the Xu Family showed her good character, and Xiao Ruotong understood why her elders approved of their partnership.
• Xu Xi realized that jadeite was absent from the jewels she had seen and decided she might need to obtain it from the southwestern border.
• Xu Xi asked Shopkeeper Wang about the shop, and he said its decorations and first batch of jewelry would be ready before they chose an opening day.

Xu Xi arranged to work on jewelry designs for Gathered Treasures Studio and agreed to visit after school. At the Marquis of Suiping's Residence, she learned that Lady Zhu had found the midwife in Jiangnan, leaving the old madam terrified that the household would fall apart.

• Shopkeeper Wang explained how he planned to produce and sell the jewelry designs, then offered Xu Xi payment and a share of the profits for more designs.
• Xu Xi asked to look through existing jewelry albums and arranged to visit Gathered Treasures Studio after school, with a guard from the Prince of Zhennan's Residence escorting her home.
• Xu Xi returned to Rongxi Hall and found the old madam trembling while the eldest madam was absent.
• The old madam told Xu Xi that Lady Zhu had found the midwife in Jiangnan and had gone to the Zhu Family with her eldest uncle.
• The old madam feared that Lady Zhu would not spare Lady Wei if she was responsible, and wept that the marquis's household might fall apart.

Xu Xi warned the old madam that Third Master’s growing connection to the crown prince’s circle could draw the Marquis of Huanping’s Residence into a succession struggle and bring disaster upon the family. The old madam, shaken by the warning and memories of her own family’s political downfall, realized the danger of allowing the household to remain divided and politically exposed.

• Matron Jin urged Xu Xi to comfort the old madam, who grieved over the family’s impending division and the loss of its wealth and status.
• Xu Xi warned the old madam that the household faced ruin if it did not divide, then asked Matron Jin to guard the door before revealing her concern.
• Xu Xi told the old madam that Third Master had grown close to an adviser connected to the crown prince.
• Xu Xi explained that the crown prince’s uncertain position could make the Zhao family a scapegoat if Third Master aligned himself with him.
• The old madam recalled how her own Tang Family had suffered after backing the wrong side in a succession struggle, and she trembled at the risk of Zhao family members becoming involved.

Xu Xi warned the Old Madam that Zhao Yuankun’s ambitions and ties to the Crown Prince could endanger the marquis’s residence, and urged her to let the First Madam divide the family. The Old Madam accepted the decision, while her view of Xu Xi grew more favorable and her regard for Zhao Ruyu diminished.

• Xu Xi explained that Zhao Yuankun could target the Old Madam and the first branch if they obstructed his ambitions, and that his involvement in a succession struggle could implicate the entire marquis’s residence.
• Xu Xi urged the Old Madam to let the First Madam divide the family if the investigation confirmed that the Second Madam had tampered with things, explaining that separation would limit the danger to the Marquis and the Zhu family.
• After a long hesitation, the Old Madam decided to accept the family division and focus on keeping her children and grandchildren safe.
• Xu Xi reassured the Old Madam that the family could still prosper after the division, then left to eat after the Old Madam remembered she had not yet had a meal.
• The Old Madam watched Xu Xi leave and compared her consideration for the whole family with Zhao Ruyu’s self-interested choices, which made Zhao Ruyu seem less lovable to her.

Xu Xi used her foresight to win the old madam’s support for dividing the family and preventing the Marquis of Suiping’s Residence from meeting its doomed fate. The eldest madam agreed to hold those involved accountable and arrange a family recognition banquet after the search for the midwife was resolved, while Xu Xi also asked permission to design jewelry for Xiao Ruotong’s shop.

• The old madam reflected on Xu Xi’s intelligence and accepted that the legitimate branch might have to settle for a safe, modest life if Xu Xi proved to be Lady Wei’s daughter.
• Xu Xi recalled that Zhao Yuankun’s alliance with the crown prince would lead to the residence’s confiscation, and resolved to gain influence in the family by advocating for a division.
• The eldest madam told Xu Xi that her portraits had helped locate the midwife and that the marquis had gone to Jiangnan to investigate.
• The eldest madam promised to hold those responsible accountable and divide the family after the marquis returned, and said the family recognition banquet would follow once the matter was cleared up.
• Xu Xi told the old madam and eldest madam that Xiao Ruotong wanted her jewelry designs for a shop in Beining, and they considered her request.

Xu Xi finished a jewelry design at the shop and warned the first madam and old madam to stay composed while they prepared to confront the second branch. Lady Wei arrived seeking an audience, and Xu Xi’s presence left her appearing pleased as she waited for Xu Xi to greet her as “Mother.”

• Xu Xi designed jewelry at the shop while Xu Xue watched, then asked Shopkeeper Wang to prepare drawing supplies for her next visit.
• Xu Xi urged the first madam to hide her distress from the eldest young master and warned that Lady Wei might suppress their efforts if she became suspicious.
• The first madam and old madam regained their appetites after Xu Xi reminded them they would need their strength for the turmoil ahead.
• A maid announced Lady Wei’s arrival, and Xu Xi reassured the old madam that the visit did not mean Lady Wei had discovered anything.
• Lady Wei entered, paid her respects, and waited for Xu Xi to call her “Mother,” distressing the first madam.

Xu Xi avoided Lady Wei’s attempt to take her to the Wei Residence by saying she had already promised to help the County Princess of Qingyang during the holiday. Lady Wei’s plan to introduce Xu Xi to her family and arrange a marriage was thwarted, while the old madam was left with little room to insist.

• Lady Wei asked the old madam why the residence had not arranged a celebration for Xu Xi and Miss Yu’s academy admissions, and the old madam postponed it until the marquis returned.
• Lady Wei asked to take Xu Xi to the Wei Residence to meet her maternal family, and the old madam considered agreeing.
• Xu Xi said she had promised to help the County Princess of Qingyang at her silver shop during the holiday, and the first madam backed her up by noting the powerful households involved.
• Lady Wei asked whether Xu Xi could visit the Wei Residence for dinner after helping at the shop, and Xu Xi said the County Princess might need her all day and guards from the Prince of Zhennan’s Residence would escort her home.

Xu Xi realized Lady Wei intended to take her to the Wei Residence to arrange her marriage to a Wei son, likely to keep the truth about their identities from coming to light. The old madam had already agreed to the visit, leaving Xu Xi to face Lady Wei’s plan once she was free of the silver shop.

• Lady Wei secured the old madam’s agreement to take Xu Xi to the Wei Residence for a meal after Xu Xi finished helping with the County Princess of Qingyang’s silver shop.
• After Lady Wei left, Xu Xi reflected on her cold sneer and searched her memories of the novel for clues about her intentions.
• Xu Xi recalled maids saying that even the Wei Family’s shu-born young masters looked down on the original host.
• Xu Xi concluded that Lady Wei had previously taken the original host to the Wei Residence to arrange a marriage with a Wei young master.
• Xu Xi suspected Lady Wei now wanted to marry her into the Wei Family to prevent the first madam from exposing the truth about their identities.

Xu Xi warned the old madam and the first madam that Lady Wei might use a forced marriage scheme to make her part of the Wei Family, and they agreed to protect her without raising suspicion. Meanwhile, Lady Wei investigated Xu Xi’s escort and summoned Zhao Yuanliang to discuss an urgent matter.

• Xu Xi suspected Lady Wei wanted to take her to the Wei Residence and have a young Wei master defile her to force a marriage.
• The first madam and the old madam realized the danger and feared Lady Wei had uncovered their plans.
• Xu Xi proposed staying at the academy and using Madam Xiao’s silver shop as cover while guards secretly protected her.
• The first madam agreed to Xu Xi’s plan and told her to ask Madam Xiao for protection.
• Lady Wei learned that guards from the Prince of Zhennan’s Residence had escorted Xu Xi and dismissed her as someone currying favor with the powerful.
• Lady Wei summoned Zhao Yuanliang, who returned smelling of rouge and powder and impatiently demanded to know what she wanted.

Lady Wei tried to arrange for Xu Xi to visit the Wei Residence and marry into her maiden family, while Zhao Yuanliang agreed to persuade their daughter. After ordering an investigation into Xu Xi, Lady Wei heard that Fourth Miss might have exchanged a handkerchief with Seventh Young Master Wei.

• Lady Wei told Zhao Yuanliang she wanted to take Xu Xi to the Wei Residence so her family could consider a marriage match for her.
• Zhao Yuanliang agreed to speak with Xu Xi, and Lady Wei ordered him to meet her after school the next day.
• Lady Wei instructed Matron Wang to have Wang Gui investigate the County Princess of Qingyang’s silver shop and Xu Xi’s standing at the academy.
• Lady Wei planned to visit the Wei Residence to discuss Xu Xi’s marriage and considered arrangements for Miss Rui as well.
• Matron Li told Lady Wei that Fourth Miss had spoken privately with Seventh Young Master Wei and given him a handkerchief, prompting Lady Wei to demand why she had not heard sooner.

Zhao Yuanliang waited for Xu Xi to return, then grew worried when she was nearly an hour late and decided to go look for her. As he set out, he learned that the first madam had also sent a maid to ask about Xu Xi.

• Lady Wei decided to wait until she had spoken with Zhao Yuanliang before choosing how to bring Xu Xi back to the Wei Residence.
• Zhao Yuanliang waited in a pavilion for Xu Xi, but she did not return at her usual time.
• After learning Xu Xi was nearly an hour late, Zhao Yuanliang realized he had neglected his daughter and ordered a carriage to go search for her.
• A young maid from the first madam's courtyard refused a manservant's request to carry a message to the kitchen because she was on an errand to ask about Xu Xi.
• Zhao Yuanliang set out in the carriage and learned that the first madam's maid had asked the gatekeeper about Xu Xi but had not found her.

Zhao Yuanliang learned that Xu Xi was staying at the academy to draw jewelry designs for the County Princess of Qingyang and worried she had taken on too much. The Old Madam and First Madam maintained Xu Xi’s cover story, while the First Madam tightened control over the servants to keep Lady Wei from discovering the truth.

• Qingfeng told Zhao Yuanliang that Madam Xiao had kept Xu Xi at the academy to design jewelry for the County Princess of Qingyang’s new silver shop.
• Zhao Yuanliang worried that Xu Xi might offend the county princess and told Qingfeng to urge her to apologize and avoid exceeding her abilities.
• Zhao Yuanliang sent the food away, ordered fresh dishes for the outer study, and decided to sleep there rather than return to Lady Wei.
• Qingfeng reported to the Old Madam and First Madam that Xu Xi was safe at the academy and had made no special requests.
• The First Madam sent Caidie with Qingfeng to warn Matron Yuan to keep the servants quiet, and the Old Madam remarked that their choice of Xu Xi’s servants had proved fortunate.

Lady Zhu set a quiet trap to distract Lady Wei from Xu Xi while the marquis was away. That night, news that a woman had climbed into Zhao Jing'an’s bed sent Lady Wei and Matron Li rushing to his courtyard, where Qingliu’s sobs suggested she was involved.

• Lady Zhu praised Xu Xi’s careful arrangements and told the old madam she was returning to the first household’s courtyard.
• Lady Zhu checked that Matron Zhou had prepared the trap, then removed her jewelry so she would not look suspicious when she went to watch it unfold.
• A maid alerted Lady Wei that someone had climbed into Zhao Jing'an’s bed, and Lady Wei hurried to investigate.
• Matron Li feared the woman was her granddaughter Qingliu, whose ambitions were directed at Zhao Jingli rather than Zhao Jing'an.
• Lady Wei and Matron Li reached Zhao Jing'an’s courtyard and heard Qingliu sobbing as the first madam scolded her.

Qingliu explained how she had mistakenly entered Zhao Jing'an’s room while trying to reach Zhao Jingli, and Matron Li suspected someone had arranged the confusion. Lady Wei tried to save Qingliu from punishment, but the first madam insisted the household rules applied while she held authority.

• The first madam ordered Qingliu tied up, given thirty strokes, and sold, but Lady Wei intervened.
• Matron Li embraced Qingliu and asked how she had ended up in Zhao Jing'an’s room.
• Qingliu explained that at Qingxue’s birthday feast she heard the first madam planned to select a bedchamber maid for Zhao Jingli, so she went looking for Zhao Jingli after drinking.
• Qingliu said she followed Zhao Jingli’s manservants into his courtyard but entered Zhao Jing'an’s room by mistake, where Zhao Jing'an struck her and the commotion drew the servants.
• Matron Li suspected someone had manipulated events, while Lady Wei argued that Qingliu had been promised as Zhao Jing'an’s bedchamber maid and should be spared.
• The first madam rejected Lady Wei’s appeal and declared that Qingliu and Zhao Jing'an would be dealt with under the residence’s rules.

The First Madam resisted Lady Wei’s attempt to shield Qingliu by arguing that household rules had to apply equally, and the servants sided with her. Zhao Jingli arrived and challenged Lady Wei’s position, after which Zhao Jing'an chose to punish Qingliu according to the rules.

• Lady Wei accused the First Madam of treating the second branch harshly and defended her right to show Qingliu leniency.
• The First Madam argued that excusing serious misconduct would make the household unsafe, and the servants agreed that rules should be followed.
• Zhao Jingli arrived and asked Lady Wei whether she would risk encouraging another maid to seek Zhao Jing'an’s bed.
• Zhao Jingli called Zhao Jing'an out and asked him whether Qingliu should be dealt with according to the rules or his mother’s wishes.
• Zhao Jing'an chose to follow the household rules, explaining that he had no interest in Qingliu and believed she wanted Zhao Jingli instead.

After Qingliu’s attempt to get into Zhao Jingli’s bed led her into Zhao Jing'an’s instead, the family debated her punishment. Zhao Jing'an offered to take twenty strokes in her place, leaving Matron Li to choose between her position and her granddaughter’s life as Lady Wei demanded her answer.

• Zhao Jing'an said he despised Qingliu and refused to take her as his bedchamber maid.
• Lady Wei reminded Zhao Jing'an that Matron Li had served her faithfully and asked whether he would let Qingliu die under the manor’s punishment.
• Zhao Jing'an offered to take twenty strokes himself so Qingliu could receive ten and be sold.
• The first madam left the decision to Lady Wei, who waited for Matron Li to reject Zhao Jing'an’s proposal.
• Lady Wei coldly asked Matron Li what she had to say, and Qingliu begged her grandmother to save her.

Matron Li and her family pleaded with Lady Wei and the first madam to spare Qingliu’s life, but the first madam ordered the family punished and sold. Lady Wei accepted the ruling while resenting the first madam, and the chapter ended with the punishment about to begin.

• Matron Wu and Matron Li’s family knelt and begged Lady Wei to save Qingliu, with her parents and younger brother offering to take some of her punishment.
• Lady Wei accused Matron Li of trying to make Zhao Jing'an take Qingliu’s beating, while Matron Li insisted she only wanted Qingliu’s life spared.
• The first madam ordered Li Mu and Li Mu's Wife to receive ten strokes each, Qingliu to receive ten strokes, and the entire family to be sold from the manor.
• The Li family feared Lady Wei might retaliate if she bought them back, while Lady Wei regretted losing her trusted aides but accepted the first madam’s decision.
• The first madam ordered Li Mu's Wife and Qingliu taken to the inner courtyard and left Li Mu to Zhao Jingli.

The first madam delayed punishing Li Mu's wife and Qingliu, following the residence's rules and exposing Lady Wei's urgency to remove them. She accused Qingliu of pursuing the heir, while Qingliu claimed she had entered Zhao Jing'an's room by mistake, leaving the dispute unresolved.

• Zhao Jingli ordered Li Mu's wife and Qingliu confined in the inner compound woodshed and Li Mu taken to the outer compound woodshed.
• Lady Wei demanded that the first madam punish Li Mu's wife and Qingliu immediately so she could have them removed from the residence.
• Lin Song's Wife explained that servants had to witness punishments and that nighttime offenders were kept in the woodshed until the following noon.
• The first madam said Qingliu had been pursuing the heir, Zhao Jing'an, and asked whether she had tried to enter his bed or the second young master's.
• Qingliu denied seducing anyone and claimed that she had been drunk and entered the second young master's bedroom by mistake.
• An older servant who had helped Qingliu dress accused her of stripping naked and throwing herself at the second young master.

Lady Zhu imprisoned Qingliu and her mother over Qingliu’s alleged advances toward Zhao Jingli, then secretly tried to extract information about Lady Wei from them. When their statements revealed nothing about the children being switched, Lady Zhu arranged to move the family to a guarded courtyard, while Xu Xi heard about the affair the next morning.

• Lady Zhu ordered Qingliu and Li Mu’s Wife locked in the woodshed until their punishment the next day, and Lady Wei returned to her quarters without challenging the order.
• Lady Zhu secretly sent Old Woman Liu and Matron Yue to question Qingliu and her mother, offering leniency, safe passage, and silver for an honest account of their dealings with Lady Wei.
• Old Woman Liu returned with their statements, which mentioned no child-switching, and Lady Zhu ordered the family moved to a guarded courtyard before dawn.
• Lady Zhu arranged for Wu Da’s Wife and Granny Qian to be drugged and replaced the household’s night guards with her own trusted people.
• Qingfeng told Xu Xi about the previous night’s commotion, and Xu Xi admired Lady Zhu’s methods.