Youthful Glory Recap, Plot, Synopsis

Youthful Glory Synopsis

In the eleventh year of the Chengkang reign, Jiang Xu, who has been guarding the border for eight years, returns to the Da Xian dynasty to investigate the embezzlement of military funds in the Dingbei Army. Unexpectedly, the case of embezzlement involves a vast conspiracy, and to uncover the real culprit and purge the court, Jiang Xu voluntarily marries Ming Tan, a noblewoman from another military family, to protect the Ming family from being used as a pawn.

As the conspiracy gradually unravels, Jiang Xu realizes that the embezzlement case is tied to the economic lifeline of the entire Da Xian dynasty. He must root out all those involved in the plot. However, due to Jiang Xu's thorough investigation, the Ming family is framed, resulting in the destruction of their household. Jiang Xu fights to prove the Ming family's innocence.

Amidst trials and tribulations, he and Ming Tan gradually develop genuine affection for each other. Together, they vow to dismantle the enemy forces, uncover the truth, and bring the culprits to justice. In the end, they protect the safety of the common people while finding love.

Youthful Glory Recap

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The news of the marriage alliance between the Duke Ling's Residence and the Marquis Jing'an's Residence spread throughout the streets and alleys. Miss Ming of the Ming family was the most distinguished lady in the capital, and the betrothal gifts sent by the Duke Ling's Residence became the talk of the town. When Miss Ming, Ming Tan, learned that Madam Li Lingyi from the Duke Ling's Residence had entered the household, she did not rush but calmly dressed herself.

The Liang family had ill intentions in arranging this marriage—they were clearly after the military power of the Marquis's Residence. Moreover, Liang Zixuan had long been privately involved with his cousin. How could she possibly agree to such a marriage? Li Lingyi began to grow impatient. When she saw Ming Tan arrive, she quickly put on a smile, eager to welcome her into the residence immediately.

However, when Ming Tan saw the betrothal gifts brought by Li Lingyi, she pointed out that the matchmaker had mixed in inferior items. It wasn’t that she was being picky, but the betrothal gifts had their own significance. To outsiders, it might seem as though she was trying to climb above her station. Upon hearing this, Li Lingyi hurriedly held her hand and promised to send new betrothal gifts and not let her suffer any grievance.

But now that the whole city had seen the betrothal ceremony, if it were to fall through, it would not look good. As Li Lingyi handed her the marriage contract, Ming Tan signaled to her maid, who deliberately knocked over a screen. Taking the incident as an ill omen, Nanny Li used it as a reason to temporarily reject the marriage.

Hearing that Liang Zixuan was taking his cousin Zhu'er to pray for blessings, Ming Tan quickly ordered her servants to prepare a carriage. On his way back to the capital, the General of Dingbei, Jiang Xu, was ambushed by assassins. He suspected they were sent by the Liang family. Due to injuries sustained in battle, Jiang Xu was unable to fight back and had to flee in haste to Hanyan Temple.

Liang Zixuan arrived at the temple with his cousin Zhu'er. Zhu'er was already pregnant with his child and feared that life would become unbearable for her and the baby once Ming Tan entered the household, causing Liang Zixuan to feel deeply distressed. Ming Tan watched secretly and resolved to obtain the wooden prayer plaque they had used together, as it would have their names on it and could serve as proof should they deny the affair during the engagement annulment.

Ming Tan had her maid stand guard outside while she waited for them to leave and entered the main hall to search for the wooden plaque. Jiang Xu happened to be in the corner of the hall and, seeing her nearly fall from a chair, rushed over to save her. When Ming Tan noticed that her silk stocking was torn, she quickly freed herself from his arms and thanked him.

At that moment, sounds came from outside—the county constable had arrived to arrest thieves. The maid hurriedly presented a token to stop them from entering. Ming Tan suspected Jiang Xu had led them there. To protect both their reputations, she loudly threatened the constables and forced them to leave, fearing the power of the Marquis Jing'an's Residence. After Ming Tan left, Jiang Xu picked up a jade pendant she had dropped.

He intended to return it but, upon encountering a group of soldiers searching the area, quietly hid on the roof of Ming Tan's carriage. On the way, before Ming Tan even realized what was happening, a flying dagger suddenly struck. Jiang Xu told her to leave quickly, but the frightened coachman had already fled. Jiang Xu killed all the assassins and returned to ask for a ride into the city.

However, Ming Tan refused, saying it would be inappropriate for a man and woman to share a carriage, especially since they were strangers and she didn’t even know who he was. Jiang Xu, clutching his wound, looked angrily at the water pouch and medicine that had fallen from her carriage. Bai Minmin, upon hearing that Ming Tan had encountered assassins at Hanyan Temple, hurried over.

Only then did Ming Tan realize the prayer plaque she had taken was missing—now she had no evidence. Bai Minmin suggested they infiltrate the residence to find proof of Liang Zixuan's affair with his cousin. Ming Tan went to see her adoptive parents, the Left Chancellor Su Wenchun and Zhang Yunru, hoping that Zhang Yunru would accompany her to the Duke Ling's Residence to offer an apology.

While Zhang Yunru conversed with Li Lingyi, Ming Tan made an excuse to go find Miss Rong'er and left. She dismissed her maid and quietly entered the study. After an unsuccessful search, she stumbled into a hidden room. Suddenly, a sword was pressed to her neck—it turned out to be Jiang Xu from that day. Ming Tan mistook Jiang Xu for a thief and suggested they each take what they needed and part ways.

When Li Lingyi heard that Ming Tan had disappeared, she quickly instructed Zhu'er to stay put and not cause any trouble. In the secret chamber, Jiang Xu found a large amount of government silver. Ming Tan tried to take a silver ingot as evidence but was knocked unconscious by Jiang Xu. She later woke up in the residence, confused. Bai Minmin was extremely worried.

Ming Tan realized that if the engagement wasn’t annulled, the Ming family would be dragged into a disaster! Back at the Liang Residence, Liang Qiwei discovered that all the silver in the secret room had vanished. The General of Dingbei, Jiang Xu, had left a letter accusing him of embezzling military funds and claiming that what he found was just the tip of the iceberg.

During the Lantern Festival banquet at the palace, Li Lingyi smiled and greeted Ming Tan enthusiastically, trying to bring up the marriage between the two families. But Ming Tan deliberately ignored her. Suddenly, the General of Dingbei returned to the capital and appeared at the banquet, stirring up a wave of discussion among the guests.

At the banquet, Jiang Xu held a memorial for the soldiers who had died in the chaos of war, which made Liang Qiwei look even more embarrassed. Trying to steal the spotlight, Liang Ronger stood up to perform, but Jiang Xu didn’t show her any kindness and told her not to make a fool of herself. Liang Qiwei quickly stood up to apologize, but Jiang Xu embarrassed him as well.

Feng Zhao, who had always harbored ill intentions toward Ming Tan, then stood up and mentioned that the capital’s top zither artist was also at the banquet. Ming Tan, known throughout the capital as the foremost talent in zither playing, should perform a piece for Jiang Xu. Ming Tan said she didn’t bring her instrument, so Feng Zhao offered to send someone to the Empress Dowager’s palace to fetch it.

Jiang Xu couldn’t help but interject, saying he hadn’t returned to the capital to listen to such indulgent music. Jiang Xu then said he had brought someone back with him for the emperor to see. A guard carried in a corpse, shocking Ming Tan and Bai Minmin—they hadn’t expected the legendary General of Dingbei to be so violent and rude, just as the rumors said. Seeing this, the Empress led the ladies away from the banquet.

Liang Ronger cried nonstop along the way, and Li Lingyi comforted her by saying the General of Dingbei was just using this as a pretext to cause trouble. Ming Tan deliberately asked why the General of Dingbei was targeting the Duke’s manor—could something have happened? Li Lingyi quickly distanced herself from the issue. In the grand hall, Jiang Xu lifted the white cloth covering the corpse—it was the county constable who had tried to search Hanshan Temple that day.

Jiang Xu explained that he had returned to the capital to investigate collusion between some officials and mountain bandits, but this constable obstructed him in every way. When Jiang Xu went to arrest him, he was already silenced. The real perpetrator behind it had accepted bribes and committed injustice, disregarding the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers of the Dingbei army.

Jiang Xu fixed his gaze on the Duke Ling and Marquis Cheng'en; the two were so frightened they began to stammer. After the banquet, Shu Jingran and Lu Ting hurried to catch up with Jiang Xu to reconnect—they had been his longtime friends. Jiang Xu asked Lu Ting to lend him some men; his target was Duke Ling. Su Wenchun, upon learning that the illicit silver had fallen into Jiang Xu’s hands, lost his calm demeanor and became anxious.

Jiang Xu was a man who never gave up until his goal was achieved. Liang Qiwei worried that Su Wenchun might abandon him because of this, but Su Wenchun reassured him otherwise, as he had left him the Marquis Jing’an’s manor as a life-saving trump card. Therefore, the marriage between Liang Zixuan and Ming Tan must not go wrong. Li Lingyi feared that Ming Tan might become suspicious and discover the truth about Zhu'er.

Liang Qiwei considered Zhu'er a liability that had to be eliminated as soon as possible. In a restaurant, Ming Tan and Bai Minmin were discussing the marriage with the Liang family, while in the next private room, Jiang Xu, Shu Jingran, Lu Ting, and Zhang Huaiyu silently listened in. Ming Tan was certain that the Liang family was rushing the engagement to drag the Ming family into the mess.

If she could leverage the power of the General of Dingbei, maybe breaking off the engagement wasn’t impossible. Jiang Xu hadn’t expected the matter to involve the Ming family either, and it was precisely because the Ming family hadn’t retaliated against the Liangs that he refrained as well—after all, a broken engagement could damage a woman's reputation.

Ming Tan said that if she could successfully break off the engagement, she would choose her husband herself and not allow others to interfere again. Bai Minmin thought there were few in the capital who could match her—Shu Jingran, for example, had both status and looks. But after hearing all of Ming Tan’s criteria, Bai Minmin concluded that only one man matched them: the General of Dingbei.

However, Ming Tan thought the General’s conduct was too violent and reckless, his character questionable—he even publicly embarrassed Liang Ronger and implicated innocent family members, though she did find it quite satisfying. In short, the General of Dingbei was not an ideal husband for her. Shu Jingran and the others tried to defend Jiang Xu, but Jiang Xu said that not being Ming Tan’s ideal match was actually his good fortune.

When Zhang Huaiyu heard that Ming Tan and Bai Minmin were going to visit the flower street parade, he said he wanted to go take a look, but immediately set eyes on Bai Minmin, who was laughing and talking. Upon learning of their plan to go lantern viewing, Liang Qiwei and Li Lingyi decided to take some actions to make the engagement irreversible. Over the years, Jiang Xu had brought back many orphans and handed them over to Zhang Huaiyu.

Zhang had taken care of them without complaint, but now he wanted to stop. On the road, Ming Tan and Bai Minmin ran into Liang Zixuan, who called them “sisters” repeatedly. Bai Minmin quickly pulled Ming Tan away. Suddenly chaos erupted in the street, and Ming Tan was pushed into the water by Liang Zixuan’s men. To solidify the engagement, Liang Zixuan jumped in to “rescue” her.

Bai Minmin realized something was wrong and shouted for several swimmers to dive in—they must not let Liang Zixuan get close to Ming Tan, and under no circumstances could people know it was Ming Tan who had fallen into the water. Jiang Xu had just finished capturing someone when he saw a woman calling for help in the water. He pulled her out and discovered it was Ming Tan again. Jiang Xu sent Ming Tan to Zhang Huaiyu’s restaurant.

Zhang told Jiang Xu about the Liang family’s plans, and Jiang naturally would not allow the marriage to go through. Jiang Xu ordered someone to send Ming Tan’s hairpin to the Ming residence as a cover, claiming she had returned home, and sent someone to the pier to cover the situation. Bai Minmin was anxiously searching for her when Lü'e suddenly told her that Ming Tan was waiting at the residence.

Bai Minmin quickly caught on, and together they successfully smoothed over the incident. When Ming Tan woke up, she saw Zhang Huaiyu telling Jiang Xu that he was the one who saved her, and she looked very displeased. No matter why Jiang Xu saved her today, they would both pretend nothing had happened. Seeing their tense exchange, Zhang Huaiyu was curious about what had occurred between them.

Just as Ming Tan was about to leave, she saw men and women outside the door and quickly shut it—it turned out they were at Zhang Huaiyu’s Huayu House. Unable to leave, Zhang Huaiyu had Shui Ying stay to take care of her. Someone came to report to Jiang Xu that there was movement at the Liang residence. Ming Tan immediately perked up her ears. Bai Minmin came to Huayu House to find Ming Tan.

Zhang Huaiyu eagerly tried to impress her but got punched by Bai Minmin. He took her to Ming Tan’s room, but Ming Tan was no longer there. She had overheard that Liang Qiwei had sent Zhu’er out of the capital overnight. Ming Tan questioned Jiang Xu about why he was investigating the Liang residence. Regardless of his reason, they were now in the same boat. Jiang Xu refused to let her come along, citing concerns about her reputation.

Su Wenchun hadn’t expected Liang Qiwei to have such sinister thoughts. Luckily, Ming Tan was unharmed—otherwise, their whole family would have to be buried with her. Liang Qiwei didn’t understand why Su Wenchun was so anxious. Only then did Liang Qiwei reveal what had happened between Liang Zixuan and Zhu’er. To avoid further trouble, Su Wenchun told him to silence Zhu’er.

Su Wenchun ordered Liang Qiwei to silence Zhu’er and make her disappear. Bai Minmin stared at Zhang Huaiyu all night, insisting on seeing Ming Tan in person. Zhang Huaiyu’s eyes turned red from exhaustion. Hearing that the household was in chaos due to Bai Minmin’s disappearance, Bai Minmin, however, showed no fear and even asked her maid to summon the Duke, wanting to see if Zhang Huaiyu could give an explanation in front of him.

Zhu’er was arranged to temporarily stay in the countryside. Along the way, she didn’t get a single bite of meat, feeling extremely wronged. By chance, she saw a diner grab a ginseng root and offered money to buy it, but it was snatched by Ming Chu, the third young lady of Marquis Jing’an’s household. Dissatisfied, Zhu’er was nearly frightened into falling by Ming Chu’s whip, but was rescued by Jiang Xu.

Ming Chu quickly distanced herself and instantly fell in love with Jiang Xu at first sight. A concubine in the Marquis Jing’an household warned her that returning to the capital wasn’t easy, and she must restrain her temperament. That night, Ming Tan came to the inn to take Zhu’er back to the capital but happened to encounter an assassin sent to kill Zhu’er. To protect her evidence, Ming Tan nearly got hurt.

Jiang Xu appeared again and saved both of them. Zhu’er still didn’t understand what was going on, and Jiang Xu bluntly exposed the truth: those people were sent to kill her, and Li Lingyi had promised her to Lizhou as a concubine. The Liang family never intended to let her return. Amidst Jiang Xu and Ming Tan’s quarrel, Zhu’er went into premature labor, and they urgently summoned a midwife.

Upon hearing that Zhu’er was about to give birth, Ming Chu rushed to deliver ginseng to curry favor with Jiang Xu. Ming Tan, assisting with the delivery inside the room, found Ming Chu’s name strange but, in order to save Zhu’er’s life, quickly grabbed the ginseng from her hand and shouted to Jiang Xu outside to pay for it quickly. Zhu’er gave birth to a boy.

Ming Tan urged her to return to the capital to fight for what she rightfully deserved, and she didn’t want to marry Liang Zixuan. As soon as the child was born, Jiang Xu had him taken away. Zhu’er’s father would arrive in the capital tomorrow. Whether the child would live a good life with Zhu’er or not, she knew in her heart. Realizing Jiang Xu was right, Zhu’er decided to return to the capital with Ming Tan.

Zhang Huaiyu tried to sneak away when Bai Minmin finally fell asleep, only to find a rope tied to his foot. A maid reported that Ming Tan had not returned yet, and with Marquis Jing’an about to arrive, they didn’t know how to explain the situation. Ming Tan woke up early to find that Zhu’er had already been taken away by Jiang Xu.

Ming Chu and Liu Shi had left even earlier, but Jiang Xu had left a carriage for Ming Tan. Ming Chu and Liu Shi returned to the Marquis Jing’an residence, but their carriage stopped at a side gate. Dissatisfied, Ming Chu insisted on entering through the main gate. On the road, Lu’e encountered Ming Chu and Liu Shi and was terrified. Years ago, she had offended Liu Shi and was saved by Ming Tan.

Seeing her again, Ming Chu threw a tantrum and even tripped her. During the family banquet that day, Ming Tan was preparing when she received word that Lu’e had been punished by Liu Shi and Ming Chu. She rushed to intervene. Liu Shi and Ming Chu remained arrogant upon seeing Ming Tan. After years on the border, they returned to the capital eager to suppress her.

The court didn’t want Jiang Xu involved in the case and hoped he would return to the frontier, but for once, the two ministers agreed on leaving him in the capital to continue investigating. To appease the ministers, the emperor ordered Jiang Xu to be punished with twenty military canes. Marquis Jing’an returned to the capital today, and Jiang Xu decided to act against Liang Qiwei today.

Ming Tingyuan returned home, and Ming Chu immediately ran up to him coquettishly, complaining about the lack of welcome. Ming Tan was busy preparing the banquet with Bai Minmin by her side. Hearing that she had gone to find Zhu’er, Bai Minmin was very worried. Ming Tan was overjoyed to see Ming Tingyuan but still greeted him respectfully — they hadn’t seen each other in five years.

The Bai family uncle and aunt also came, and everyone sat down for a reunion dinner. Suddenly, Ming Chu threw her chopsticks, saying there was nothing she wanted to eat, and lost her temper in front of everyone. The next moment, Ming Tan had the dish brought out, explaining that the kitchen had just put out the fire, hence the delay.

Ming Tan handled everything with composure and grace, even having her mother’s usual bowls and chopsticks brought out to express her longing. Ming Chu and her mother looked displeased. Liu Shi quickly stood up, saying that the customs in the capital differed from the border, and she shouldn’t have attended the banquet. Ming Chu was unconvinced, but after Ming Tan's reasoning, she had nothing to say.

With Ming Tingyuan’s return, countless eyes were on the Marquis’ household; they needed to be extra careful and considerate. Ming Tan received a letter from the manager of Wentao Pavilion, stating that Chen Si — the one who had pushed her into the water on Lantern Festival night — was in a private room. Ming Tingyuan and Bai Jingyuan hurried to check it out with Ming Tan.

Upon hearing about her fall into the water that night, both were deeply worried. Ming Tingyuan beat up Chen Si after learning that Liang Zixuan was having an affair with his cousin and even planned to marry her. Ming Tingyuan and Bai Jingyuan immediately took people to the Liang family to annul the engagement.

Ming Tingyuan and Bai Jingyuan went to the Liang family to withdraw the engagement. Naturally, the Liang family was unwilling to let go of this marriage, but unexpectedly, Zhu'er came forward crying and complaining. This was exactly Jiang Xu's arrangement—he would never let the Liang family get their way. With this turn of events, the Liang family had nothing left to say, and the engagement was finally over.

After returning to the residence, Ming Tingyuan spoke to his late wife's memorial tablet, vowing to find a suitable husband for Ming Tan. Shu Jingran curiously asked if Jiang Xu had arranged a better match for the Ming family lady. Jiang Xu stared at him relentlessly. The Empress would definitely arrange a marriage for Zhang Huaiyu, and Lu Ting was too sentimental—thus, Shu Jingran was the best candidate. Shu Jingran was indignant, questioning why Jiang Xu wouldn’t marry her himself.

At this point, Ming Tan was devastated and tearless—after such a commotion today, who would still be willing to marry her in the future? The Emperor decided to bestow a marriage on the Ming family before the Empress Dowager could. Jiang Xu rejected all of the Emperor’s proposed candidates one by one, claiming that those civil officials would never be able to control Ming Tan. The Emperor then began to worry about Jiang Xu's own marriage.

After all, both he and the Marquis Jing'an held heavy military power, and the Su family would not sit idly by. Jiang Xu put on a righteous front and proposed marrying Ming Tan himself, speaking of sacrifice for the country and duty above all—naturally, the Emperor was delighted, thinking this was an excellent solution.

Liu Mo reported to Su Wenchun that the entire Liang family had been exiled, but Jiang Xu insisted on thoroughly investigating the corruption case, being the type to never stop until he achieved his goal. Jiang Xu heard that Su Wenchun and his wife had visited the Marquis Jing'an and Ming Tan for a small gathering, and both sides seemed to be getting along well. Jiang Xu grew concerned that Su Wenchun's visit was for the purpose of discussing marriage.

Because of the marriage matter, Ming Tingyuan was very displeased with Su Wenchun, but Ming Tan quickly intervened, saying that she was grateful to her adoptive parents for taking care of her during his absence from the capital. Su Wenchun decided to take Ming Tan to the palace to have the Empress Dowager grant the marriage, but Ming Tan said she wanted to pray for blessings at Hanyan Temple for forty-nine days.

That night, Ming Tan took five carriages and set off for Hanyan Temple. If she left during the day, Ming Chu would surely lash out verbally—rather than endure humiliation, it was better to leave early. Hanyan Temple was austere and peaceful. Ming Tan changed into plain monastic garments. There were rumors that the vegetarian meals at Hanyan Temple were delicious, but the food had nothing to do with “delicious.

” She couldn’t eat much and was invited by a young monk to the Buddha Hall for self-reflection. There were too many Buddha Halls, and Ming Tan didn't know where to go, so she randomly picked one—unexpectedly, the Emperor and Jiang Xu were playing chess there. This was the spot they used to play at in childhood during their leisure time.

Hearing Ming Tan’s prayers to find a suitable husband and her many wishes, Jiang Xu couldn't help but smile, while the Emperor teased her for having such high standards, thankful that Jiang Xu had claimed her. Jiang Xu lost interest in the chess game and left in a hurry. Gu Jinzhong’s son was a major problem.

Shen Yu, deputy general of the Dingbei Army, was ordered to escort Zhu'er and her child out of the capital, a task that should’ve only taken a day, but was suddenly delayed. Just as Jiang Xu was wondering why, he heard Shen Yu calling out for Ming Tan not far away. Shen Yu was Ming Tan's cousin. He had long harbored feelings for her and rushed over to propose upon hearing she had withdrawn from the Liang engagement.

Ming Tan was so startled she repeatedly declined. Everything she said and did now had to be extremely cautious. Shen Yu should have known the proper proposal etiquette—if he had shown even a modicum of formality, he wouldn’t have come today. Jiang Xu, enraged, ordered Shen Yu to return to camp immediately and come see him. Ming Chu, hearing that Shen Yu had returned to the residence, hurried to find him.

She knew Shen Yu had always admired Ming Tan and urged him to talk to Jiang Xu, thinking perhaps Jiang Xu would bestow the marriage. She didn’t know that Jiang Xu was already aware of Shen Yu's intentions and had sent him to the stables to clean horse manure. Su Wenchun and the Empress Dowager were discussing the marriage between Jiang Xu and Ming Tan. The imperial decree had to come quickly—at least faster than the Emperor’s.

Bai Minmin came to visit Ming Tan. Ming Tan guessed that her father and adoptive father would still try to find her a husband, so she wanted to choose one first. Bai Minmin had already found out that tomorrow’s horse parade would include Shu Jingran, the third-place scholar in the imperial exam, along with the top scorer and the second-place scholar—perhaps Ming Tan's future husband was among them. But Ming Tan wasn’t interested in going.

Bai Jingyuan worried that Ming Tan would become despondent and become a nun. Recently, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had frequently summoned Ming Tingyuan to the palace to discuss the engagement, but they had yet to settle on a candidate. At this moment, the Emperor summoned them again, claiming it was extremely urgent. Ming Tan said she didn’t want to go but still came along with Bai Minmin.

Bai Minmin was deeply smitten with Shu Jingran, and so was Princess Fengzhao. Bai Minmin was chatting about what kind of wife Shu Jingran might marry in the future when suddenly someone spoke up from the next private room. Bai Minmin and Ming Tan lifted the curtain and saw—it was Jiang Xu and Zhang Huaiyu again.

When they saw Jiang Xu and Zhang Huaiyu, both Ming Tan and Bai Minmin’s faces dropped. The emperor urgently summoned Ming Tingyuan into the palace, saying he had chosen a husband for Ming Tan. The one chosen by the Empress Dowager could not compare with the one chosen by the emperor. But when Ming Tingyuan saw Jiang Xu's name, it was as if he had received a hot potato and wanted to throw it away immediately.

However, the emperor said that the Empress Dowager had already issued an edict to force the marriage, and the decree had already arrived at the Marquis Jing'an’s residence. Since the edict had yet to be announced and Ming Tan was not home, Ming Tingyuan knew a knife was at his throat and had no choice but to accept Jiang Xu as his son-in-law.

After Shu Jingran finished his horseback parade through the streets, he did not leave but returned to the restaurant. Seeing this, Feng Zhao became excited. Shu Jingran met Ming Tan and Bai Minmin, and Feng Zhao couldn’t resist stepping out to make snide remarks. Zhang Huaiyu quickly tried to smooth things over. Not to be outdone, Ming Tan deliberately brought up the Empress Dowager’s plan to bestow a marriage between Feng Zhao and the General of Dingbei.

Bai Minmin added fuel to the fire by speaking of the General’s bloodshed on the battlefield. Jiang Xu, who was behind the screen, couldn’t help but laugh when he overheard. Just as Ming Tan was about to leave, the matchmaker arrived and bestowed Ming Tan’s marriage to the General of Dingbei, Jiang Xu. Ming Tan stood stunned for a long time before fainting on the spot. Back at home, Ming Tingyuan told Ming Tan what had happened.

He knew the Empress Dowager valued tradition, so when Ming Tan was not at home that day, he informed the emperor that she had been at Wentao Pavilion, which publicly locked in the marriage. Ming Tan and Bai Minmin were utterly dismayed—this marriage was even more troubling than the one with the Liang family. The General of Dingbei was a brute, and his appearance surely unsightly. This marriage must be called off!

The next morning, Ming Tan and Bai Minmin pestered Ming Tingyuan about breaking off the engagement and subtly inquired about Jiang Xu’s character. Ming Tingyuan spoke of his great military accomplishments on the battlefield, saying that to receive such a fine son-in-law was the fortune of the Marquis Jing’an’s household. Furthermore, although a general, this suitor was handsome and not inferior to the ranking scholar parading the streets the previous day.

After thinking it over, Ming Tan decided she had to meet Jiang Xu. If he really was as rumored, she would insist on rejecting the marriage—even if it was imperial. To meet Jiang Xu without being recognized, Ming Tan and Bai Minmin dressed as maids and used the excuse of delivering food to Bai Yu to sneak into the General’s camp.

When Jiang Xu saw Ming Tan in a maid’s outfit, he understood immediately and deliberately turned his back so she could get a good look at his figure. But when Ming Tan saw Jiang Xu’s face clearly, she was shocked—him again? Ming Tan hadn’t expected that the man she kept running into was actually the General of Dingbei. She couldn’t understand why Jiang Xu wanted to marry her.

Jiang Xu listed all the wishes she made before Buddha, saying that he was the only one in the world who could meet her standards. Ming Tan replied that even so, it didn’t mean she had to marry him. They had no emotional bond, and if they wed, their home would not be peaceful. But Jiang Xu told her that only by becoming the General of Dingbei’s consort could she have the best possible outcome in the current political climate.

Ming Tan, however, misunderstood his words, thinking he meant it was a contractual marriage. Bai Minmin anxiously waited for Ming Tan to come out. When she did, she felt overwhelmed by the unexpected developments and needed time to think. The officials around the General of Dingbei, upon hearing that Ming Tan was the one chosen for the marriage, praised it highly. Among the capital’s noblewomen, Ming Tan was exceptional—virtuous, gentle, and kind.

Jiang Xu couldn’t help but react when he heard this. Fushu added that a few years ago, when there was a shortfall in military funds, Ming Tan frequently came by with reasons to donate, and that this was a match made in heaven. Ming Tan was restless over the marriage. Ming Tingyuan reassured her that Jiang Xu was a good man.

Back during the late emperor’s reign, it was Jiang Xu who fought through enemy lines to save the current emperor. Everything Jiang Xu did had its reasons. Ming Tan worried that Su Wenchun would be hard to explain things to, but Ming Tingyuan wasn’t concerned. The Ming family had his support, and both she and Ming Chu only needed to choose the one they truly liked.

In the entire Da Xian, aside from the emperor, if even Jiang Xu couldn’t protect her, then no one could. Shu Jingran thought Jiang Xu wasn’t sincerely pursuing the marriage and was concerned the emperor might have misgivings, but Jiang Xu had already made up his mind to protect Ming Tan for life. Ming Tan went to the ancestral hall to speak to her mother.

She said Jiang Xu matched her well in family background, looks, and talent, and seemed worthy of trust. However, she knew very little about him and wasn’t sure if he was truly as Ming Tingyuan described. She asked her mother if she approved of the marriage. Ming Tan also brought up how she and Ming Tingyuan had grown distant after years apart. Hearing this outside the door, Ming Tingyuan felt deeply guilty.

Ming Chu was angry because Ming Tan had been granted in marriage to the General of Dingbei. Madam Liu knew her daughter's marriage couldn't compare to Ming Tan's. If Ming Chu had been born to the main wife, she would have been the one marrying the General of Dingbei. Since Ming Chu was the elder sister, her wedding had to be held before Ming Tan's.

Ming Tingyuan had been busy arranging matches lately, and Madam Liu even suggested bringing Ming Tan along so that no one would look down on Ming Chu. When Ming Chu saw her own shabby carriage, she was furious. The man she was meeting turned out to be Lu Ting. Lu Ting was extremely nervous—Shu Jingran had spent a long time encouraging him before he dared come.

Under the matchmaker's introduction, Lu Ting and Ming Chu met, but Lu Ting, due to his nerves, spoke clumsily. Ming Chu had no desire to marry and took the opportunity to criticize Lu Ting's background, claiming he had no future and that his official career was already at its peak. Compared to other highborn sons, Lu Ting’s conditions were poor. He didn’t even have a residence—what confidence did he have to seek a match?

Lu Ting could no longer stay silent. He hadn’t prepared a residence because he wanted his future wife to make the decisions. In the past, His Majesty had granted him a three-courtyard residence. Upon hearing this, Ming Chu’s expression changed, but Lu Ting said that since they couldn’t get along, there was no need to continue the conversation. Shu Jingran had accompanied Lu Ting to the matchmaking event and was swarmed by a group of noble ladies.

Lu Ting arrived just in time to rescue him, prompting Shu Jingran to praise his powerful presence. Jiang Xu and Zhang Huaiyu were also offering incense there. As Ming Chu passed by, she recognized Jiang Xu as the handsome man she had seen on the road and quickly followed him. At the temple, Bai Minmin received a sachet for warding off misfortune, but accidentally collided with a passerby, and they exchanged sachets by mistake. Ming Tan was playing the guqin.

Zhang Huaiyu immediately recognized the artistry as hers, though she hit a wrong note at the end. He told Jiang Xu to go meet his future princess. Bai Minmin, seeing Zhang Huaiyu from afar, took the opportunity to deliver something. When Ming Tan saw Bai Minmin coming out, she walked over and greeted Jiang Xu, at which point Bai Minmin realized that he was the General of Dingbei.

Ming Chu followed after Jiang Xu, clearly valuing appearances, unaware that he was Ming Tan’s betrothed. Coincidentally, Lu Ting and Shu Jingran also arrived. Since Ming Chu and Lu Ting were clearly not meant to be, Lu Ting bluntly stated that she had looked down on him. Jiang Xu invited Ming Tan to enjoy tea and music.

Seeing this, Ming Chu was upset and loudly claimed that Ming Tan had fallen into the water during the Lantern Festival and was now flaunting herself despite being engaged. Bai Minmin quickly covered her mouth—on that day, she hadn’t even returned to the capital and hadn’t seen anything herself! Ming Chu, unwilling to let it go, claimed they had disguised themselves that night just to catch a glimpse of the General of Dingbei.

Seeing her reputation ruined in front of Jiang Xu, Ming Tan fainted on the spot. When Ming Chu wouldn’t stop talking, Jiang Xu tapped her pressure point to shut her up. Back in her room, Ming Tan paced anxiously. She had been publicly humiliated and didn’t know what Jiang Xu would think. Bai Minmin could tell that she wanted to marry Jiang Xu, and noted that he didn’t seem as cold and unapproachable as rumors suggested.

Seeing everyone agree that Jiang Xu was a fine match, Ming Tan cried in frustration, saying she had been disgraced. Zhang Huaiyu took out a protective charm that Bai Minmin had dropped during the scuffle. Bai Minmin quickly said she had specially requested it for Zhang Huaiyu, but he misunderstood her intentions, believing she liked him. His heart was stirred.

On the way back to the capital, Ming Tan was still full of regret, but they were suddenly ambushed by mountain bandits clearly targeting them. Ming Chu recalled Madam Liu’s words to prioritize her own safety and deliberately revealed Ming Tan’s whereabouts, letting the bandits take her away. Jiang Xu arrived in time to rescue her again, and Ming Tan instinctively called out “husband.

” The bandits were taken away under Jiang Xu’s command, and Ming Tan resolved in her heart that Jiang Xu was indeed someone she could entrust her life to. Jiang Xu also promised not to report today’s incident to the authorities. On the side, Ming Chu saw Ming Tan’s ring and remembered that the hand that had taken her ginseng at the inn had also worn this ring. Her thoughts turned malicious.

Zhang Huaiyu tied the charm Bai Minmin had given him to his fan. A woman at the tower noticed and remarked it was a token from Hanshan Temple. Zhang Huaiyu grinned broadly and even began offering it incense, declaring he would personally sweep and clean as a gesture of sincerity.

After today’s incident, where both Ming Tan and Ming Chu were in danger, Ming Tingyuan punished Ming Chu for failing to protect her sister and ordered her to kneel at the ancestral hall. Ming Chu was indignant, crying and yelling that they treated her like a bodyguard. Ming Tan, who had remained silent until now, finally asked: when the bandits tried to take her, why did Ming Chu deliberately block the guards? Ming Chu was at a loss for words.

Ming Tingyuan, furious, ordered her to be taken to the ancestral hall. In a desperate move, Ming Chu exposed that Ming Tan had been secretly meeting a man, claiming that they had seen her acting intimately with someone during their return to the capital. Madam Liu added fuel to the fire. Ming Tingyuan, enraged, questioned Ming Tan about the man’s identity. Ming Tan hesitated, unsure of what to say—just then, Jiang Xu walked in to defend her.

That man was him. Jiang Xu also revealed the results of his investigation: the person behind today’s ambush was Madam Liu. Ming Tingyuan was confused—how could harming Ming Tan benefit Ming Chu at all? Jiang Xu made him see the truth. The marriage alliance between the two families had to happen. If Ming Tan lost her reputation, then no one would be more suitable than Ming Chu.

Ming Tingyuan then decided to seek a lower-status husband for Ming Chu, preferably someone outside the capital. Jiang Xu had already chosen someone—the third son of General Xuanwei. Ming Tingyuan was very satisfied.

Jiang Xu selected a husband for Ming Chu. As for Liu-shi, Ming Tingyuan had originally intended to deal with her leniently, but Jiang Xu insisted on giving Ming Tan a proper explanation. Only then did Ming Tingyuan agree to send her away to Mei’an. When Ming Tan heard that after Jiang Xu left, Ming Tingyuan had swiftly resolved three matters, she repeatedly exclaimed how clever it was.

Upon hearing that the Feng family upheld strict family values and that the young General Feng was upright and resolute, she thought that Ming Chu marrying into the Feng family might help temper her personality. When she learned Liu-shi had been sent away, Ming Tan was surprised and quickly suspected that Liu-shi might have colluded with the bandits. Ming Tingyuan might not have been so thorough on his own—it must have been Jiang Xu’s guidance.

With this marriage alliance, the Ming family could rest easy. The wedding date between Jiang Xu and Ming Tan was fast approaching. Liu-shi had been sent away, and Ming Chu also left the Ming household alone to marry into the Feng family. Gu Wenyan had assaulted an examinee and was caught cheating in the imperial examination. The Marquis of Cheng'en was exposed for accepting bribes and embezzling military funds.

Su Wenchun was extremely displeased, especially about Ming Tan and Jiang Xu’s marriage—he was determined not to let it happen. As Ming Tan was busy preparing for her wedding, Bai Minmin invited her to Bieyulou to join in the excitement and to have a musical exchange with Shui Ying. Although Ming Tan felt that it wasn't proper for young ladies to go to such a place, she was persuaded by Bai Minmin and agreed.

Ming Tan and Bai Minmin, wearing bamboo hats, arrived at Bieyulou under Bai Haoyu’s guidance. Shui Ying seemed to recognize Ming Tan and invited her to her room for a short chat. Ming Tan stated her intention—to seek advice on playing the qin. Bai Minmin, meanwhile, ran into Zhang Huaiyu again. Today, Zhang Huaiyu was unusually courteous. Not only did he have imperial wine served, but also laid out a sumptuous feast. He continuously tried to please Bai Minmin.

Bai Minmin couldn’t help but ask what had gotten into him today—had he been possessed? Zhang Huaiyu became shy—they both knew the unspoken truth. Bai Minmin thought hard about it and concluded that with such wine and food, he must have had some ulterior motive. She only wished that they would go their separate ways and never have anything to do with each other again.

In a fit of anger, Zhang Huaiyu pulled out the peach blossom charm and asked her what she meant by it. Bai Minmin, unaware it was a peach blossom charm, left in a huff. When Jiang Xu heard that Ming Tan had gone to Bieyulou, he immediately got up to find her. With the wedding drawing near and undercurrents stirring, Bieyulou, filled with all sorts of people, was too dangerous for her.

When Ming Tan saw that it was Jiang Xu, she was so startled that she covered the picture book on the table. In the scuffle, she accidentally fell into Jiang Xu’s arms. Jiang Xu insisted on escorting her back to the residence. Ming Tan walked behind him all the way back, grumbling that the mighty General of Dingbei couldn’t even provide a carriage.

Ming Tan asked why Jiang Xu visited Bieyulou so often, and why he had entered her room just now without knocking. Jiang Xu explained frankly that Bieyulou was one of his covert guard stations and that Shui Ying was one of his agents. Ming Tan, believing they were in a contract marriage, invited Jiang Xu into the residence to sign an agreement. She wrote down all her conditions.

Though Jiang Xu found it both amusing and exasperating, he still placed his handprint on it. The next day was the wedding. Ming Tan looked at her bridal robe, feeling as though it were all a dream. But once she married, the vast marquis’ residence would be left with only her father. That night, she needed to try on her wedding attire, and she even had the Eastern pearls gifted by the General of Dingbei brought out to try on.

As she was about to marry, Ming Tan decided to wear the hairpin her mother had loved most when she was alive. Suddenly, there was a disturbance in the room, and Ming Tan vanished. Ming Tingyuan searched the residence thoroughly but couldn’t find her. He quickly sent someone to consult with Jiang Xu. Ming Tingyuan knew that someone must not want the wedding to take place.

Jiang Xu received word that the Haiyoumen were stirring up trouble and suspected that their target was him. He asked Ming Tingyuan to stay and oversee the big day while keeping Ming Tan’s disappearance a secret. When Ming Tan awoke, she found herself bound in a carriage, and the driver completely ignored her cries for help.

Ming Tan, helpless in the carriage, could only pray that Jiang Xu would appear soon. She didn’t want to die young with her beauty unfulfilled. On the day of the wedding, there was still no word from Jiang Xu. Ming Tingyuan had no choice but to settle the female guests in the courtyard for tea.

Su Wenchun and his wife also arrived, and Ming Tingyuan hurried to welcome them, afraid they would find out that Ming Tan wasn’t in the residence. Still, he couldn’t stop Lady Su from going to visit Ming Tan. Lvyue said that Ming Tan had a headache and didn’t want to see anyone, suggesting she go to the back garden first. However, Lady Su insisted on entering the room.

Fortunately, the maid had dressed in the wedding gown to impersonate Ming Tan and temporarily fooled Lady Su. Bai Minmin came to help with Ming Tan’s bridal makeup, but when she saw the room was empty, she was stunned. Lady Su discovered that Ming Tan wasn’t in the residence and immediately sent word to Su Wenchun. Ming Tingyuan forced himself to remain calm.

When the auspicious hour arrived and the bride was to bid farewell to her parents, Lady Su deliberately stepped forward to talk with her, wanting to see her adopted daughter. Bai Minmin quickly rushed forward to stop Lady Su from removing the bridal shoe, warning that it would be a bad omen. Su Wenchun and Lady Su insisted on seeing Ming Tan.

Just then, Jiang Xu arrived personally to escort the bride and asked her to receive the bridal shoe herself. Fortunately, the one in the wedding gown was not Lvyue, but Ming Tan. Last night, Jiang Xu had followed the trail left by Ming Tan’s fallen hairpin and successfully brought her back. Ming Tingyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her.

Ming Tan, wearing the bracelet gifted by Lady Su, came to bid farewell to the couple, though her tone had grown more distant. As she was leaving the residence, Ming Tan twisted her ankle due to nerves. Jiang Xu simply lifted her into the bridal sedan chair. Through the curtain, Ming Tan looked at the handsome and elegant Jiang Xu—this man was now her husband. Zhang Huaiyu, Lu Ting, and Shu Jingran stood by watching the lively scene.

They had thought Jiang Xu, with his cold personality, would be the last among them to marry. Unexpectedly, he was the first—and had married such a dignified, graceful, and delightfully witty woman. Bai Minmin also joined the festivities and cheekily asked the group for lots of wedding money. At the General of Dingbei’s residence, Ming Tan was officially conferred the title of Princess Consort of Dingbei, and the wedding rites continued.

Jiang Xu originally wanted to skip the tedious formalities so that Ming Tan could rest earlier, but the steward insisted that proper rites must be observed. Jiang Xu wrote a poem for the first time; Ming Tan, pretending to be unwilling, refused the fan. Jiang Xu had to write another poem. Ming Tan was moved—he even remembered that they first met at Hanshan Temple. Still, she held on to the fan until she heard his second poem.

Everything she had hoped and longed for—Jiang Xu remembered it all. After the ceremony, Jiang Xu and Ming Tan sat awkwardly on the wedding bed. Jiang Xu summoned Lvyue and another maid to help remove Ming Tan’s phoenix crown, then went to the outer hall to host the banquet. Ming Tan, though uneasy, also felt sweetness in her heart. With how Jiang Xu acted, he must truly care for her.

Among the guests, Jiang Xu noticed a pair of eyes that looked strikingly similar to those from the previous night. He recognized Liu Mo as the one who had kidnapped Ming Tan. Zhang Huaiyu, Lu Ting, and Shu Jingran deliberately called Jiang Xu over to advise him on how to get along with his wife, worried he wouldn’t win her favor. Ming Tan sat alone in the room for a long time, finally waiting for Jiang Xu’s return.

Jiang Xu admitted that she had been abducted last night because of him, but Ming Tan wished she could offer herself in return. Jiang Xu turned to prepare the bedding, saying that they hadn’t slept the whole night and should rest early. Ming Tan was startled—were they sleeping already? She clenched her hands.

Jiang Xu took a pillow and quilt from the bed and went to sleep on the side, but accidentally knocked over an erotic painting left by the servants. Ming Tan nervously explained that it wasn’t placed there by her, inwardly regretting the contract they signed, afraid Jiang Xu would think she was being coy—saying one thing but meaning another. Ming Tingyuan and Su Wenchun were drinking. Ming Tingyuan, feeling uneasy, brought up how Ming Tan had been kidnapped by Hai Youmen the night before.

Ming Tingyuan asked what Madam Su meant by insisting on lifting Ming Tan’s wedding shoe during the bridal send-off. When Su Wenchun heard this, he claimed they regarded Ming Tan as a treasured daughter and simply couldn’t bear to part with her. They didn’t want Ming Tan to marry the General of Dingbei and end up entrusting her life to the wrong person. Seeing Ming Tingyuan pressing further, Su Wenchun pretended to be drunk and slumped over the table, unmoving.

Late at night, Jiang Xu received word that Gu Wenyan had been kidnapped and was now missing. Ming Tan woke early and found that Jiang Xu was not at the residence. According to custom, she was supposed to enter the palace today to express gratitude.

Lü’e and Suxin were upset on her behalf because Jiang Xu had left her alone on their wedding night, but Ming Tan said he was the General of Dingbei, and as his princess consort, she should be understanding. All the servants at Jiang Xu’s residence were men.

Uncle Fu explained that the residence had previously only employed male staff, but Jiang Xu had specifically ordered him to select some maidservants to make it easier for Ming Tan to move about the inner courtyard. Jiang Xu had already sent word to the palace, saying he had matters to attend to today and would express gratitude tomorrow instead. Ming Tan saw a swing in the courtyard.

Uncle Fu said it was specially made by Jiang Xu for her, so she could feel more at ease here. Uncle Fu handed over all the detailed financial records of the residence to Ming Tan, but she said that Uncle Fu had managed the estate extremely well and should continue to do so. However, since Uncle Fu had no talent for business, he asked Ming Tan to help manage two shops.

He even had Chai Gui share some of Jiang Xu’s preferences with her. Jiang Xu was interrogating the Marquis of Cheng'en, who insisted on seeing his daughter. He promised that once he saw her, he would speak without reservation. Ming Tan went out with Lü’e and Suxin to shop and even bought some of Jiang Xu’s favorite cheese for him. He had saved her several times, yet she had never clearly expressed her feelings.

Although their marriage was arranged by contract, she still needed to fulfill her duties as a wife. The Marquis of Cheng'en’s daughter, Jiu Rou, specially came to see Ming Tan. Ever since the Cheng'en Residence fell into trouble, only Ming Tan had visited and even given them some silver. But now that the Marquis wanted to see her, Jiu Rou felt uneasy because she had never been favored.

She had no choice but to ask Ming Tan to accompany her, and Ming Tan agreed without hesitation. Ming Tan went to the military camp to distribute food. Bai Yu was also there. When Jiang Xu saw him coughing several times, Bai Yu was so startled he immediately backed off and left, not even taking the food Ming Tan brought. Ming Tan brought the extra portion to Jiang Xu. Jiang Xu told her to come here less often.

Ming Tan feigned grievance, saying that if she didn’t show up, people outside would make up all sorts of rumors. Now that they were married, she wanted to help improve Jiang Xu’s reputation. Someone came to report, and Ming Tan quickly put on a loving display, feeding Jiang Xu. But while she spoke of marital affection, Jiang Xu spoke of the spirit of their contract.

Ming Tan brought up accompanying Jiu Rou to see the Marquis of Cheng'en, saying that Jiu Rou was her close friend and she was only going along as company, not to interfere, though she truly wanted to know whether Jiu Rou would be implicated. Before leaving, Ming Tan blinked and asked whether he wouldn’t see her off. After some thought, Jiang Xu still got up to walk her out.

After marrying Jiang Xu, Ming Tan had fallen completely in love with him. Yet she found herself trapped in the constraints of the marriage contract, not knowing when Jiang Xu would finally understand her heart. No one had ever taught her how to manage a relationship between husband and wife. At night, Ming Tan carefully decorated their room and changed into clothes she had specially prepared. But when Jiang Xu returned, he went straight to the study.

Ming Tan took the initiative to visit him in the study, bringing bird’s nest porridge she had personally made. But Jiang Xu had official business to handle and planned to sleep in the study that night. Ming Tan immediately brought up her dignity—official duties were important, but so was her dignity. Even if he didn’t want to come back, he had to!

Jiang Xu saw how Ming Tan had decorated the room and assumed she liked it more refined, then began sorting through his documents. Ming Tan sat on the bed, complaining that the candlelight was too bright. Jiang Xu deliberately approached to lower the bed curtain for her. Still unwilling to give up, Ming Tan said she wanted to keep him company and relieve his fatigue, but she soon fell asleep herself.

Jiang Xu saw she was fast asleep and carried her back to the bed. Ming Tan grabbed his hand and wouldn’t let go. Jiang Xu, being oblivious, tucked her hand back under the covers and even wrapped her in the quilt. Ming Tan was completely defeated and began to wonder whether Jiang Xu might have a hidden illness.

Today, they needed to enter the palace to express gratitude, but Jiang Xu had left again before dawn, saying it was for military affairs. Still, he hurried back in time to accompany her into the palace. Speaking of the Marquis of Cheng'en’s case, Ming Tan explained that Jiu Rou and her mother had never been favored and that the Marquis’s actions had nothing to do with them.

Ming Tan hoped Jiang Xu would explain this to the Emperor to spare them from exile. Ming Tan went to meet the Empress Dowager with Feng Zhao and was surprised to find the Empress also present. She quickly offered her greetings. She suspected that the Empress Dowager was displeased over the imperial marriage decree and, thinking Ming Tan didn’t recognize the Empress, was trying to set her up to make a mistake.

Marquis En'en was not the final target. Jiang Xu believed that no matter how meticulous he was, there would always be a slip somewhere. Jiang Xu inquired about the disposition of the Gu family following Marquis En'en's conviction, and rare as it was, he spoke on their behalf, hoping to spare the innocent—this was Ming Tan's wish.

The Emperor commented that Jiang Xu and Ming Tan didn’t seem like a couple brought together by imperial decree, but rather like two people secretly in love. As Jiang Xu rose to leave, the Emperor invited them to dine in the palace, but Jiang Xu quickly declined, recalling how Ming Tan had fed him. Ming Tan met with the Empress Dowager and the Empress.

Feng Zhao deliberately made things difficult for Ming Tan, but Ming Tan was articulate and left Feng Zhao speechless. Feng Zhao believed Ming Tan had married someone everyone avoided—The General of Dingbei, who cared only about the Dingbei army and nothing else, let alone Ming Tan. When Jiang Xu arrived, Feng Zhao deliberately tried to trip Ming Tan. Jiang Xu quickly caught her and carried her back, advising Feng Zhao to conduct herself properly.

Ming Tan accompanied Jiu Rou to the military camp to visit Marquis En'en. As an outsider and the wife of The General of Dingbei, she could only see Jiu Rou to the entrance. Jiu Rou brought some food for Marquis En'en, who whispered some important words to her, urging her not to delay as it was a matter of great urgency.

Jiu Rou had not expected that the only reason Marquis En'en called her was for this matter, with no thought of her or her mother’s future. Before he could say more, Marquis En'en died from poisoning. At the time of the incident, only Jiu Rou was present. Jiang Xu needed to question her, but Jiu Rou was overwhelmed and didn't know what to say. Ming Tan calmly suggested they start by investigating the Gu residence.

Jiu Rou had to go to the Court of Judicial Review, and Ming Tan specially requested Jiang Xu to look after her. As they left, Ming Tan grumbled that Jiang Xu was focused only on solving the case, like a fierce demon who showed no tenderness toward women. That night, Jiang Xu had Uncle Fu prepare Ming Tan’s favorite dishes, but Lüyue reported that she wasn’t feeling well and couldn't join the meal.

Finding it odd, Jiang Xu went to check and saw Ming Tan sound asleep. He urged her to eat, but Ming Tan was nearing her monthly cycle and had no energy. Jiang Xu then had water prepared for her to bathe. Seeing his thoughtfulness and personal attention, Ming Tan began to wonder if she had misunderstood him all along. She thought he might bathe with her, but to her surprise, he turned and walked away.

Lüyue explained that Ming Tan had been frail since childhood and her condition had never fully improved. The next day was the day for Ming Tan and Jiang Xu to return to her maiden home. Bai Minmin was already waiting for Ming Tan in the garden. Jiang Xu met with Ming Tingyuan and Bai Jingyuan. Bai Jingyuan had just learned about Ming Tan’s disappearance on her wedding day and was very worried.

Ming Tingyuan had intended to return Yangxi Route to the court before the wedding, at the very least to keep Ming Tan out of danger. Jiang Xu said the matter needed further discussion, but as for Ming Tan, he would protect her no matter what. Bai Minmin gossiped about Jiang Xu and Ming Tan’s relationship and asked if they had consummated the marriage.

Ming Tan quickly stopped her and stammered that Jiang Xu didn’t like her and might even have some… issues. Just as Jiang Xu was about to knock, he overheard this and turned livid. At the evening banquet, Ming Tingyuan had specially prepared many nourishing dishes for Jiang Xu and Ming Tan, eager to have a grandchild. Suddenly summoned by the Emperor, Jiang Xu had to leave, telling Ming Tan to stay home and spend time with her family.

Jiu Rou’s maid came rushing to Ming Tan, saying she had gone missing shortly after leaving the Court of Judicial Review and had no one else to turn to but Ming Tan. The Marquis En'en residence had been dealt with, and the mastermind had effortlessly wiped their hands clean. Jiang Xu learned of Jiu Rou’s departure from the capital as soon as he left the palace gates.

Ming Tan also heard that Jiu Rou had gone out of the city alone, which she found strange, and decided to look for her with Bai Minmin. Jiu Rou had left the city to save her brother. Marquis En'en had told her before his death that there was a hidden compartment under the bonsai in the study, containing a ledger that could ensure their safety. But the other party had already killed her brother.

Fortunately, Jiang Xu arrived in time to save Jiu Rou, and they ran into Bai Minmin and Ming Tan who had hurried over. As they were pursued by men in black, Ming Tan immediately recognized one of them as the man who had kidnapped her that night.

Zhang Huaiyu arrived just in time with reinforcements to rescue Ming Tan and Bai Minmin, but his arm was accidentally cut. When Bai Minmin looked at Zhang Huaiyu, her gaze became noticeably suggestive. She barged into Zhang Huaiyu’s carriage with medicine in hand. Zhang Huaiyu, bare-chested, was struggling to apply ointment to his wound and quickly put on his clothes upon seeing her. But Bai Minmin didn’t care about such decorum and helped him apply the medicine.

Ming Tan believed Jiang Xu had let Jiu Rou risk herself just to draw out the murderer. Had it not been for Zhang Huaiyu’s timely rescue, none of them would have survived. Jiang Xu tried to explain, but Jiu Rou quickly stepped in, saying his plan had been thorough, and he had arranged shadow guards to follow her—it was her failure to follow the plan that caused the danger, not Jiang Xu's fault.

She further explained that Jiang Xu had done all this to give her a chance to earn merit, so that she could plead for clemency for herself and her mother before the Emperor. Only then did Ming Tan realize she had spoken out of turn and quickly made up an excuse to run off. Zhang Huaiyu was too injured to eat, so Shui Ying tried to feed him with chopsticks.

Bai Minmin arrived just in time to witness this and immediately became jealous. She tried to take back the black-bone chicken soup she had brought. Zhang Huaiyu quickly asked her to stay, told Shui Ying to clear the dishes, saying he only wanted the soup. It was made by Bai Minmin herself. After taking a sip, he found it a bit salty and hesitated to comment, his face practically burning under Bai Minmin's stare.

Su Wenchun was concerned that the position of Magistrate of the Capital could not remain vacant for long. The best candidate was the Marquis of Jiangyang, though he was known to be rigid and difficult to manipulate. However, it was rumored that the Marquis’s legitimate eldest son, Gao Chen, had just lost his wife and was eager to remarry. If they could arrange a political marriage, it would certainly bring about a closer alliance.

That day, Ming Tan also injured her hand. Jiang Xu gently helped her apply medicine, and upon seeing the bloodstains on her hand, his eyes softened noticeably. Ming Tan wondered inwardly—was this truly the same man, so tender and thoughtful? She instinctively pulled her hand back, saying she needed to bathe and rest. Jiang Xu ordered the servants to prepare water, and Lü'e and Suxin, after some deliberation, assumed it was for a couple’s bath and only brought one tub.

Seeing the single bath bucket before her, Ming Tan was dumbfounded. She made an excuse that her wound couldn’t get wet, so Jiang Xu started undressing to bathe himself. Ming Tan fled in a hurry but returned to peek from behind the screen. Seeing Jiang Xu's strong arms, her face flushed red, and she sat restlessly on the edge of the bed. After bathing, Jiang Xu appeared fresh and striking, every movement captivating. Ming Tan didn’t know where to look.

Jiang Xu took her hand and said he had something to tell her. He told her his health was perfectly normal. Though he had previously avoided women, he was completely normal in all aspects of marriage. Ming Tan's face turned crimson. As Jiang Xu opened his collar, her thoughts drifted to who knew where. The next day, the Emperor appointed the Marquis of Jiangyang as the new Magistrate of the Capital.

However, some courtiers raised concerns that the alliance between Jiang Xu and Ming Tingyuan gave them too much power and military strength. They proposed that Ming Tingyuan be reassigned. Ming Tingyuan had already considered this and asked the Emperor to appoint another capable official. Another proposal suggested transferring Ming Tingyuan to serve in the Privy Council. Meanwhile, Jiang Xu discovered that Liu Mo had indeed left the city the night before the wedding.

Records only began from when he was twelve years old upon entering the capital; prior to that, there was barely any documentation, which was highly suspicious. Jiu Rou and her mother were granted a pardon and left the capital. Ming Tan came specifically to see them off. Jiu Rou was very grateful to both Ming Tan and Jiang Xu. The Empress Dowager wanted Feng Zhao to marry Gao Chen as a second wife.

Naturally, Feng Zhao was unwilling, especially since Gao Chen wasn’t even her type. But to her surprise, this was a plan the Empress Dowager had already discussed with Su Wenchun. Ming Tan bought many things for Jiang Xu, and since he explained that the past misunderstandings were just that—misunderstandings—Bai Minmin felt reassured. Bai Minmin’s parents had arranged many suitors for her, but she wasn’t in a hurry.

As she and Ming Tan were on their way to Wen Tao Pavilion to listen to music, a little beggar accidentally bumped into Ming Tan. Seeing how pitiful he looked, Ming Tan quickly asked Suxin to give him some money. When Bai Minmin and Ming Tan looked up, they were shocked to find that the capital had quietly filled with refugees. Upon returning to the residence, Ming Tan ordered some unused belongings to be gathered for relief efforts.

When Jiang Xu heard about it, he went to check on the situation. These people had come from Lizhou, where floods had devastated the area and the people were in dire straits, while the local officials tried to cover up the disaster. They had begged their way to the capital, just to seek justice. Jiang Xu immediately reported the matter to the Emperor. Su Wenchun suggested sending Ming Tingyuan to Lizhou for disaster relief.

Although Jiang Xu knew Su Wenchun’s intentions were far from pure, he couldn't stop it in time. Ming Tan and Bai Minmin thought long and hard and felt there needed to be a more sustainable way to help the refugees. Since Bai Minmin was good at writing storybooks, she decided to write the story of Ming Tan and Jiang Xu, which could also help restore Jiang Xu’s reputation.

At dinner, Jiang Xu noticed Ming Tan was distracted and specially picked out a piece of fish for her, reminding her to eat well. Ming Tingyuan was set to depart that night, and Jiang Xu went to see him off. Ming Tan didn’t go but asked Suxin to bring kneepads for Jiang Xu to deliver to Ming Tingyuan.

Ming Tan had been unable to eat river fish since childhood, and after eating the fish Jiang Xu prepared today, she broke out in a rash. Susin asked her why she hadn’t refused, but Ming Tan understood Jiang Xu’s rare thoughtfulness and didn’t want to disappoint his kind intentions, believing she would recover in a few days.

Ming Tan instructed Susin and Lüyue to pack away any unused items when tidying up and said there was no need to purchase more in the future. Jiang Xu hurried to see Ming Tingyuan off, bringing the kneepads Ming Tan had bought, along with some ointment and concealed weapons. Thinking of how Ming Tan had always feared partings, Ming Tingyuan felt heavy-hearted.

This mission had been strongly recommended by Su Wenchun, and Jiang Xu advised Ming Tingyuan to be extremely cautious on the journey. Returning home, Jiang Xu saw Lüyue applying ointment to Ming Tan and learned for the first time that she couldn’t eat river fish, but had done so for his sake. Jiang Xu took the medicine and entered her room, where Ming Tan was already fast asleep. As he thought back over their acquaintance, Jiang Xu’s heart stirred.

After everything they’d been through, he no longer knew whether marrying Ming Tan had been a convenient strategy—or if the strategy had merely been an excuse to marry her. The next morning, Jiang Xu rose early and told the maids not to disturb Ming Tan too soon. He also inquired about the foods she avoided and passed the information to the kitchen. When Ming Tan woke, her rash was gone.

Lüyue and Susin praised Jiang Xu’s careful care, and only then did Ming Tan learn that Jiang Xu had spent the night there. That day, Ming Tan had plans to meet Bai Minmin. To help the refugees, the two of them allowed the displaced people to perform on stage, using stories Bai Minmin had written based on Ming Tan and Jiang Xu.

Wentao Pavilion was always full, and after losing business to Bai Minmin since coming to the capital, Zhang Huaiyu decided to see for himself. Bai Minmin invited Ming Tan to dine out and shoved Zhang Huaiyu aside when he came to spy. That day, Bai Minmin and Ming Tan earned quite a bit of money, which could help fund a relief hall. But the funds still weren’t enough.

Ming Tan thought that if the private businesses owned by the royal residence could bring in more income, it would help. She gave the decorative hairpin from the Gilt-Inlay Pavilion to Shu Jingran and even invited someone to make a portrait—ensuring the business at Gilt-Inlay Pavilion would flourish. Seeing this, Jiang Xu grew jealous. He had come home early to spend time with Ming Tan, only to find her too busy with business to pay him any attention.

Frustrated, Jiang Xu deliberately lingered around Ming Tan, confused about why she needed Shu Jingran’s help and why it had to be him. In the end, he stormed off to his room alone. Sensing something strange in Jiang Xu's behavior, Ming Tan figured he was probably jealous, so she decided to prepare something for him. While Bai Minmin was busy distributing Shu Jingran’s portrait, she was due to meet a suitor the next day—though she herself wasn’t interested.

Ming Tan had Jiang Xu’s clothes fumigated with mosquito incense to keep insects away. The more Jiang Xu thought about it, the more annoyed he became. He remembered how Bai Minmin once said Ming Tan and Shu Jingran were a perfect match. Uncle Fu then brought him the clothes Ming Tan had prepared for him, which turned out to be a matching set. Delighted, Jiang Xu asked Uncle Fu to bring out jewelry from Gilt-Inlay Pavilion that suited him.

The next day, after returning from the training grounds, Jiang Xu wore the jewelry and the new outfit and went to see Ming Tan. She asked him to pick her up later that day—using their couple’s matching attire as a way to attract business. Ming Tan gave him back the sash he had once used to save her twice, saying she had scented it with mosquito incense as a return gift.

In return, Jiang Xu drew her eyebrows for her, confidently claiming he had some talent in painting and calligraphy. After drawing her brows, Jiang Xu left brimming with confidence. But when Ming Tan looked in the mirror and saw two thick black lines like mosquito smudges on her face, she turned red with anger.

That day, Bai Minmin was to meet a suitor from the Zhou family, and Ming Tan went with her for support, even asking Jiang Xu to inform Zhang Huaiyu. Bai Minmin was very unwilling throughout the trip. Ming Tan asked Susin to find out whether Zhang Huaiyu had shown up. If he had, Bai Minmin’s marriage prospects might no longer be a worry.

Fengzhao had also been arranged by the Empress Dowager to meet a suitor and was just as reluctant—until she saw that Ming Tan was also there, at which point she changed her mind, dismissed her nanny, and said she wanted a private meeting. When Bai Minmin met the Zhou young master, she couldn’t understand a word of his refined scholarly talk.

Bai Minmin couldn’t understand a word of what Young Master Zhou was saying—his scholarly rambling was like a monk chanting sutras, putting people to sleep. She quickly interrupted. Young Master Zhou continued to lecture on the ways of husband and wife when Zhang Huaiyu arrived. Susin immediately led away Bai Minmin’s maid, explaining that this way Bai Minmin was essentially meeting with both young men at once.

After a round of debate with Young Master Zhou, Zhang Huaiyu pulled Bai Minmin away. Bai Minmin pretended to complain that Young Master Zhou wasn’t so bad, and asked if Zhang Huaiyu would marry her if she couldn’t find a match. Zhang Huaiyu suddenly grew serious and spoke his true feelings without thinking. Hearing that Zhang Huaiyu wanted to marry her, Bai Minmin was momentarily stunned, but when he mentioned wanting to talk business, she quickly regained her sharpness.

Zhang Huaiyu wanted to buy Bai Minmin’s storybooks, and he agreed to all her terms. Susin returned to the pavilion but found that Ming Tan was nowhere to be seen, and quickly reported this to Bai Minmin and Zhang Huaiyu. Jiang Xu had confirmed what happened before Liu Mo entered the capital. While there was no open connection between Liu Mo and Su Wenchun, no matter how well someone hides, the past cannot be entirely erased.

Ming Tan had been kidnapped. Bai Minmin and Zhang Huaiyu searched everywhere but couldn’t find her. When Jiang Xu heard she was missing, he was deeply worried. Changchun Garden was an imperial property, and only the side wing had not been searched. The kidnapping was orchestrated by Feng Zhao, who tied up Ming Tan and threw her into the side wing—aiming to both ruin the marriage and destroy Ming Tan’s reputation.

When Ming Tan saw Gao Chen, she tried to explain she wasn’t Feng Zhao. But Gao Chen was no gentleman and didn’t care whether she was a noble lady or not. Feng Zhao had thick smoke lit, intending to draw people in and expose Ming Tan in a scandal. Jiang Xu arrived just in time and kicked Gao Chen away, rescuing Ming Tan.

After Bai Minmin took Ming Tan away, Jiang Xu drew his sword and turned Gao Chen into a eunuch. Bai Minmin quickly realized Feng Zhao was behind today’s events. Without hesitation, she told Nanzhi to report it to the authorities. Since Feng Zhao was meeting Gao Chen by the Empress Dowager’s order, Bai Minmin threw her into the side wing to meet Gao Chen and made sure everyone knew about it.

Zhang Huaiyu couldn’t help but sigh—when women become ruthless, men really have no say. Jiang Xu gently cleaned Ming Tan’s wounds. Ming Tan was still shaken by the day’s events. Jiang Xu didn’t blame her, only regretting that he hadn’t protected her well enough. He had to enter the palace to deal with the aftermath, and Ming Tan was reluctant to see him go. Because of what happened today, Jiang Xu was harshly reprimanded in court.

The Emperor had a headache over it all but didn’t expect that Jiang Xu had already imprisoned Feng Zhao to threaten the Empress Dowager. This show of thunderous resolve pleased the Emperor greatly. Though Jiang Xu couldn’t escape punishment and received sixty cane strokes, the Emperor was satisfied. Suddenly, the Emperor noticed a strange smell and traced it back to Jiang Xu—only then did Jiang Xu realize that what Ming Tan had given him had gone rancid.

Though the marriage didn’t go through, the Marquis of Jiangyang and the General of Dingbei would never form an alliance, so Su Wenchun wasn’t concerned. Bai Minmin was happy to see Jiang Xu so attentive to Ming Tan, but she grew worried upon hearing that the Empress Dowager planned to place someone in Jiang Xu’s household.

She specifically sent a message to Ming Tan, reminding her that heirs were most important in a noble household, and that she should start thinking ahead. Ming Tan wasn’t too worried, but the next second, someone came to report that Concubine Yun had come to pay her respects. The new Concubine Yun was named Yun Yi. Ming Tan forced herself to calmly sip her tea, but Bai Minmin couldn’t hold back and slammed the table.

She hadn’t expected Yun Yi to be a trained martial artist. Ming Tan couldn’t help but worry—could this be the kind of woman Jiang Xu truly liked? After receiving sixty cane strokes, Jiang Xu returned to the residence and instructed Uncle Fu not to tell Ming Tan. Uncle Fu agreed, but immediately exaggerated the whole thing and told her anyway. Though Ming Tan was angry, she was still very concerned.

Yun Yi, without saying a word, brought out the wound medicine Jiang Xu normally used—even Uncle Fu didn’t know where this concubine had come from. Ming Tan was upset and told Yun Yi to tend to Jiang Xu’s wounds, and learned that Yun Yi had been following Jiang Xu for several years. Enraged, Ming Tan took the medicine herself and stormed off to the study. Shu Jingran also brought up the matter of the Empress Dowager wanting Jiang Xu to take a concubine and asked how he planned to respond.

Shu Jingran asked Jiang Xu how he planned to deal with the matter. Just then, Ming Tan arrived, speaking with barbed words that left Jiang Xu completely confused. In a fit of anger, Ming Tan said she would help Jiang Xu take a concubine; he would have to take one sooner or later, so instead of troubling the Empress Dowager, he might as well find someone he liked himself.

Only then did Jiang Xu realize Ming Tan was in a strange mood. Seeing this, Shu Jingran found an excuse to leave, but Ming Tan stormed off angrily on her own. Shu Jingran was confused as well but still advised Jiang Xu to learn to be more tolerant—when it comes to relationships, men are always at fault.

After leaving the study, Shu Jingran happened to see Yun Yi on the rooftop gnawing on a chicken leg and found the scene quite amusing. Since when did the Prince's manor have such a girl? Uncle Fu was preparing to bring food to Jiang Xu, but Ming Tan had replaced his dishes with cabbage. Uncle Fu wanted to advocate for some meat for Jiang Xu, but he had to swallow his frustration for now.

When Jiang Xu saw that his meal contained only one plate of vegetables, he thought the household must be going through hard times. Though Ming Tan had a sharp tongue, she had a soft heart. She still had someone deliver some incense to Jiang Xu, after all, he had gotten injured because of her. Lü'e suggested that Ming Tan take a walk to clear her mind.

Unexpectedly, Yun Yi came along, saying it was Jiang Xu’s order—whenever Ming Tan left the residence, she was to stay by her side at all times. Ming Tan felt uncomfortable and asked Suxin to come up with an excuse to send Yun Yi back; she wanted to walk alone. Yun Yi didn’t understand why Ming Tan didn’t want to see her, while Ming Tan wandered alone, lost in thought, filled with memories of her days and nights with Jiang Xu.

Jiang Xu couldn’t eat anymore, so he asked someone to buy him a roast chicken. Just then, news came that Liu Mo had gone to Nanyu River Street—coincidentally, Ming Tan was there that day too. When Liu Mo saw Ming Tan, he greeted her and mentioned that she no longer recognized him, bringing up the time they met at a zither shop.

Back then, Liu Mo was just a poor scholar, and Ming Tan, seeing his deep passion for music, gave him her zither. Although Liu Mo repeatedly declined, Ming Tan still gave him her old zither. From that moment on, Liu Mo never forgot her. Ming Tan explained that giving the zither had been a moment of generosity, and now that she was married, she urged Liu Mo to abandon such foolish thoughts and take care of himself.

Eager to leave, she suddenly smelled a familiar scent—the same one from the day she was kidnapped. Jiang Xu arrived in haste, warned Liu Mo, and took Ming Tan back to the residence without another word. To spite Jiang Xu, Ming Tan deliberately said that she and Liu Mo were old acquaintances. Only then did Jiang Xu realize that Ming Tan was jealous because of Yun Yi.

He quickly explained that Yun Yi was a secret guard pretending to be a concubine to protect her. Ming Tan broke into a joyful smile, all her resentment vanishing at once, and she playfully demanded Jiang Xu make it up to her. Jiang Xu kissed her on the forehead, then moved down to her nose, lips, and finally to the bed. But because of his injuries, they did not take things further.

The next morning, Ming Tan specially asked the kitchen to prepare pastries for Jiang Xu. Jiang Xu wanted Ming Tan to become stronger and told her to start getting up early to exercise, but Ming Tan had always been weak and pleaded with him to spare her. She made plans with Bai Minmin to go out and distribute supplies to refugees. Jiang Xu reminded her to bring Yun Yi along.

In the carriage, Ming Tan told Bai Minmin about Yun Yi’s identity and asked about the day Bai Minmin met her suitor. Shu Jingran also came to help distribute supplies and happened to meet Yun Yi, whom he had seen at the Prince's manor the day before. But Yun Yi completely ignored him.

She had grown up alone and destitute and only survived thanks to Jiang Xu’s help, so she was absolutely loyal to him and followed his arrangements to stay by Ming Tan’s side. Suddenly, a large wave of refugees surged at the gates of the capital, accusing Ming Tingyuan of failing in disaster relief. While distributing supplies, Ming Tan was also questioned by the refugees, nearly sparking a riot.

The refugees accused Ming Tingyuan of conscripting able-bodied men and even assaulted Ming Tan. The number of refugees kept increasing, and Su Wenchun, along with several officials, jointly impeached Ming Tingyuan for mishandling disaster relief. Jiang Xu volunteered to escort Ming Tingyuan to the capital, but he still couldn't stop control of Yangxi Road from changing hands. Jiang Xu suspected someone had framed Ming Tingyuan—if that was the case, someone would surely attempt to silence him on the way.

During the escort to the capital, someone claimed to be sent by Jiang Xu and tried to quietly open the prison carriage at night to let Ming Tingyuan escape. However, Ming Tingyuan was well aware of Jiang Xu's meticulous ways and remained on guard. Ming Tan had been in a state of panic lately. Outside the Marquis Jing'an's residence, crowds of refugees gathered, demanding a search and seizure. Worried, Ming Tan insisted on returning to take charge.

Lu Ting was ordered to seal the residence. Ming Tan, not wanting to put him in a difficult position, asked him to pass on a message to the old maidservants in the residence: the Emperor had not yet made a final judgment, so they should live in peace for now.

But if disaster did befall them, they were to return the servant contracts to the household staff and give each an extra two taels of silver, so they could seek a livelihood elsewhere. Jiang Xu had captured several people who were inciting the refugees. The Court of Judicial Review verified that these three had no household registration and unknown origins. The three still refused to speak.

Jiang Xu killed two of them on the spot, leaving the last one terrified enough to confess—they were members of Hai Youmen. Shen Yu later reported that someone had indeed made an attempt on Ming Tingyuan’s life during the escort, and the attacker was a soldier from the General of Dingbei’s army. The man swallowed poison after being captured. Jiang Xu was furious.

Su Wenchun was convinced that Ming Tingyuan had failed in disaster relief, but given his past merits, he proposed stripping him of his title and demoting him to commoner status. The Emperor had no choice but to comply and confiscated the Marquis's personal property for public use. The Marquis Jing'an's residence was seized. After leaving the residence, Nanny Zhang went to inform Ming Tan. With nowhere else to go, she thickened her skin to ask Ming Tan for shelter.

Ming Tan quickly kept her at the residence. Nanny Zhang did not believe that Ming Tingyuan would ever treat human life so cheaply. After all, she had served in the household for many years and knew the Marquis’s character well. The Emperor met Jiang Xu in private, and Jiang Xu reported the findings of his investigation.

Though the truth behind the case remained elusive, Jiang Xu believed the person behind the plot couldn't have gone to such lengths just to have Ming Tingyuan demoted. Jiang Xu had discovered that the soldier who attacked Ming Tingyuan had only recently joined the army—likely coerced, as his child was seriously ill. Ming Tan waited at the camp all day for Jiang Xu.

When she finally saw him, she anxiously asked why Ming Tingyuan confessed so readily, and why the Emperor passed judgment so hastily. Ming Tingyuan was innocent, and the court should have sought the truth for her father. Jiang Xu reminded her of their original agreement, urging her to trust him, and told her to rest for a while—they would go together to welcome Ming Tingyuan into the capital the next day.

Ming Tingyuan was escorted back to the capital in shackles. Refugees threw vegetable leaves and eggs at the prison carriage. Ming Tan felt heartbroken seeing this, but Ming Tingyuan urged her to leave—this was not something she should witness. Jiang Xu told Ming Tan he would make proper arrangements to ensure Ming Tingyuan wouldn’t suffer in the Court of Judicial Review.

Ming Tan prepared many dishes to send to her father, but just then, the Prefect of the Capital arrived with men to search the residence. Ming Tan stood in defense of the Prince's estate, and Jiang Xu rushed over to help. However, the Prefect claimed that the Ming family’s assets were to be confiscated and that even the General of Dingbei's estate would be implicated.

Jiang Xu stationed guards at the General's estate and went to the palace himself to inquire further. The night before, Ming Tan had questioned Jiang Xu if the matter involved Su Wenchun, and whether Liu Mo was working for Su Wenchun. She had encountered too many coincidences, and there had to be a connection. Ming Tan went to see Su Wenchun, hoping he could save Ming Tingyuan from ruin.

But Su Wenchun claimed that Ming Tingyuan had colluded with the enemy in smuggling operations, and no one could save him. Ming Tingyuan had been framed for treason and smuggling. Jiang Xu also found it hard to believe, but even the Emperor felt helpless. Naturally, Ming Tan couldn’t accept it either. She pleaded bitterly with Su Wenchun to show mercy and spare her father, but Su Wenchun insisted it was Jiang Xu who wanted to solidify the charges against Ming Tingyuan.

Ming Tan no longer wished to hold out hope—just one last question: could Su Wenchun truly not offer a helping hand for the sake of the bond they once shared? Seeing Su Wenchun remain unmoved, Ming Tan left in disappointment. She had always sincerely respected Su Wenchun and had believed that the bond between a father and daughter would not change because of personal interest, but in the end, she had been too naive.

Ming Tan took off the bracelet Su Wenchun had given her—she was nothing more than a token he used to win people’s hearts. But she was a person of loyalty and emotion, not to be manipulated at will. The Emperor had urgently summoned Guo Bingmao to the capital. If he could prove Tingyuan’s innocence, there might still be a sliver of hope in this case.

Ming Tan asked Shen Yu whether the escort of Ming Tingyuan to the capital by the General of Dingbei's army encountered any danger. Shen Yu answered truthfully, but Ming Tan was left completely disheartened. After Guo Bingmao arrived in the capital, the Emperor privately summoned him and Jiang Xu. When asked whether he had any dealings with Nanlü, Guo Bingmao also answered honestly, though vaguely—it was not enough to prove Ming Tingyuan’s innocence.

In truth, Guo Bingmao was one of Su Wenchun’s men. That very night, he went to meet Su Wenchun. After this night, he would succeed the position of Commander of Yangxi Route. After running around tirelessly, Jiang Xu returned to his residence in agony. Ming Tan asked whether the incriminating evidence found in the Ming household was truly targeting Ming Tingyuan. Jiang Xu had no choice but to answer truthfully—the evidence of treason and smuggling against Ming Tingyuan was conclusive.

The imperial decree had been issued: Ming Tingyuan would be executed in three days. Ming Tan immediately burst into tears and begged Jiang Xu to let her see Ming Tingyuan one last time. Jiang Xu went to the prison to visit Ming Tingyuan. At this point, overturning the case within three days seemed impossible. Ming Tingyuan knew Jiang Xu had done his best but was still disheartened that years of friendship could not withstand the lure of power and benefit.

His only lingering concern was Ming Tan—he only hoped Jiang Xu would take care of her. Jiang Xu was not willing to give up yet; in his eyes, there was still a path to save Ming Tingyuan. He told the Emperor that the Su family’s foundation lay in Lingzhou—if Lingzhou fell, the Su family would lose their support. Lu Ting and Shu Jingran rushed to Bieyulou, saying they wanted Zhang Huaiyu to meet someone.

When Zhang Huaiyu saw that the person was the Emperor, he was so frightened that he knelt and begged for forgiveness. The Emperor said he wanted Zhang Huaiyu to help audit some accounts. Zhang Huaiyu had long been devoted to commerce and could see through fake accounts with ease. The tax issues in Lingzhou were deeply entrenched, and getting the Su family to hand over tax revenue would not be easy.

They needed someone deeply familiar with the inner workings of this matter. Only after repeated clarification did Zhang Huaiyu realize the Emperor meant him. Regarding Lingzhou’s taxes, every official sent there had never returned—the hope in Zhang Huaiyu's heart was already half gone. Su Wenchun was not concerned when he received news of Zhang Huaiyu being sent to Lingzhou. Instead, he wrote a letter to Er Rong—she knew what to do.

Before leaving, Zhang Huaiyu treated Bai Minmin to wontons and handed her the key to Bieyulou, even giving her the jade pendant he always carried. Bai Minmin was confused as to why a long trip required such a solemn gesture. Zhang Huaiyu explained that officials sent to Lingzhou in the past either went mad or died mysteriously. Bai Minmin smiled and said he should take up the burden of the nation—that was the kind of man women liked.

Zhang Huaiyu thought she still liked Shu Jingran and couldn't help saying that Shu Jingran was not suited for her, while he was a much better match. Bai Minmin was moved and accepted everything he gave her. Yun Yi, seeing Ming Tan heartbroken, brought Bai Minmin to comfort her. Ming Tan hadn’t eaten, drunk, or slept for a day and night.

Nanny Zhang brought out the cloth tiger doll that Ming Tingyuan had given her—it had stayed with him all these years. For Ming Tingyuan’s sake, she had to pull herself together. But Ming Tan recalled Su Wenchun’s words and began to suspect Jiang Xu. Ming Tingyuan once said that if Jiang Xu couldn’t protect someone in Daxian, no one else could either. Yet who would have thought her marriage had become a death sentence for her father.

Ming Tan was determined to see Ming Tingyuan once more, but Bai Jingyuan had pulled some strings and Ming Tingyuan said he didn’t want to see her. Out of compassion for Ming Tan, Bai Jingyuan still decided to take her inside. Jiang Xu had arranged tonight’s plan, ordering someone to deliver a message to Su Wenchun in Ming Tingyuan’s name, saying he wanted to see him one last time.

Ming Tingyuan sent someone to deliver a message to Su Wenchun, saying he wished to meet alone. Su Wenchun brought some wine and dishes, appearing deeply emotional. He claimed this outcome was not what he wanted, but what the Su family demanded. Ming Tingyuan saw through everything—how was he any different from the Su family? Su Wenchun insisted that he had always treated Ming Tingyuan like a brother and regarded Ming Tan as his own daughter.

Ming Tingyuan laughed aloud, firmly believing that black is black and white is white—Su Wenchun could not reverse black and white. Jiang Xu had already arranged everything, but then learned that Ming Tan was coming. Bai Jingyuan brought Ming Tan and Bai Minmin to see Ming Tingyuan one last time. Jiang Xu rushed to stop them, leading to a confrontation. Su Wenchun asked if Ming Tingyuan had any last wishes.

Ming Tingyuan replied that he was most concerned about the vermin wreaking havoc in the court. Enraged and humiliated, Su Wenchun’s face twisted with fury. Suddenly, Ming Tingyuan coughed up blood and lunged at Su Wenchun, who was so frightened that he kept backing away. The jailers discovered this and quickly reported to Jiang Xu. Seeing his strange reaction, Ming Tan followed him.

When she saw Ming Tingyuan’s lifeless body on the ground, her eyes widened in disbelief, but she had to accept that her father was gone. Then she realized: Ming Tingyuan had been poisoned by Su Wenchun. He had no way out—why must Su Wenchun still drive him to death? Jiang Xu asked Bai Jingyuan to escort Ming Tan home, even though she couldn’t understand Jiang Xu’s actions.

Since only Ming Tingyuan and Su Wenchun were present, Jiang Xu ordered Su Wenchun to be detained for investigation. The coroner determined that Ming Tingyuan had died from poisoning. Jiang Xu specially sent someone to request imperial permission to bury him properly. Ming Tan was devastated, and Bai Minmin stayed by her side without leaving.

At the third quarter of the hour past midnight, Bai Minmin remembered that Zhang Huaiyu was leaving for Lingzhou the next day and asked Yun Yi to help her with a favor. Shu Jingran gave Zhang Huaiyu many parting instructions, but Zhang Huaiyu kept waiting for Bai Minmin to appear. She didn’t come herself, but sent Yun Yi to see him off, along with a message: to stay vigilant in all matters and come back alive.

Zhang Huaiyu quickly asked Yun Yi to pass a message to Bai Minmin in return, telling her to take care of herself as well. Shu Jingran’s eyes lingered on Yun Yi, but she rode off without even glancing at him. After the pain of losing her father, Ming Tan appeared much more weathered. She tore up the contract they had signed together—there was no longer any Marquis Jing’an's residence in the world.

Jiang Xu need not do anything he didn't wish to, nor say anything he didn’t mean. Jiang Xu could only watch Ming Tan do so and bury everything in his heart, for he could never speak the truth. Ming Tan went alone to Hanyan Temple to keep vigil for Ming Tingyuan's spirit tablet. Jiang Xu did not disturb her, but stayed nearby to quietly watch over her. Ming Tan had said she would pray at Hanyan Temple for two days.

When the time was up, Bai Minmin went to fetch her, only to discover she had left early that morning, causing panic. Yun Yi immediately sent someone to notify Jiang Xu. Jiang Xu calmly deduced that she must have gone to the sealed Marquis Jing’an’s residence. Sure enough, Ming Tan had returned there. But the place was no longer what it used to be.

She went to the ancestral hall—tonight, she would go nowhere else, just wait for Ming Tingyuan to come home. Jiang Xu, Bai Minmin, and Yun Yi found her in the Ming family’s ancestral hall but couldn’t bear to disturb her too much. Ming Tan had heard that on the third day, the departed would return home. She feared he wouldn’t find her in the dark, so she came. Bai Minmin decided to wait with her.

Ming Tan then expressed a question she had always wanted to ask: when Ming Tingyuan went on assignment back then, he took only his concubine and Ming Chu, leaving her behind in the capital. All these years, she had managed the marquis's household, only hoping to earn a little more recognition from him. When he returned to the capital, she thought there would still be time—but unexpectedly, they were now forever separated. Yun Yi stepped forward.

Though she had never met Ming Tingyuan, she believed that when he took Ming Chu with him, it wasn’t out of favoritism. Ming Tingyuan had met Jiang Xu privately and explained why he hadn’t taken Ming Tan. She had lost her mother young, and Ming Tingyuan hadn’t wanted her to suffer at the border. But from that point on, Ming Tan never went to see him off again, which showed that she had been disappointed and had held resentment in her heart.

After Ming Tingyuan’s death, Ming Tan didn’t know how to face Jiang Xu—she didn’t even want to share a meal with him. Every time Jiang Xu approached, Ming Tan would turn and walk away. People from Haiyou Gate had been lurking outside the General of Dingbei’s manor, so Jiang Xu ordered heightened security, warning them not to alert the enemy.

Su Wenchun was always cautious and suspicious; they had to make sure his people saw everything clearly if they were to believe it. Jiang Xu also wanted to tell Ming Tan the truth, but revealing it now might only ease her temporary grief—this matter involved Ming Tingyuan, and he could not risk Ming Tan’s safety. Su Wenchun had been monitoring the General of Dingbei’s manor, but hadn’t discovered anything substantial.

Still, he was worried, unable to understand Jiang Xu’s true intentions. Shu Jingran ran into Yun Yi on the street again, his eyes widening as he followed her—only to be mistaken for an assassin and nearly thrown into the river by Yun Yi. When Yun Yi asked why he was following her, Shu Jingran said they were at least acquainted. Yun Yi was puzzled, so Shu Jingran mentioned they had met at the relief hall.

Yun Yi ignored him, preoccupied with buying food for Ming Tan, who hadn’t eaten in three days since Ming Tingyuan’s death. To prolong the conversation with Yun Yi, Shu Jingran recommended several well-known food shops in the capital. Yun Yi bought everything she could and brought it all to Ming Tan. Still, Ming Tan had no appetite.

Yun Yi then told Ming Tan about her own past—how she had grown up without parents, and only later realized that the light within a person would always ignite again. Even if Ming Tan’s light had gone out now, it was okay, because they would remain by her side. At Shu Jingran’s home, a matchmaking meeting had been arranged for him, but he refused to go and asked Lu Ting to attend in his place.

Jiang Xu had invited the two over to discuss strategies for winning back the woman he loved. Lu Ting and Shu Jingran offered their advice, which essentially boiled down to: be willing to give everything for Ming Tan. Back at the manor, Jiang Xu saw Ming Tan trimming a bonsai plant. He picked up a pair of shears and began cutting haphazardly, as if he were bent on destruction.

Su Xin and Lu E quickly stepped in to stop him and took the shears away. Jiang Xu then called in Bai Minmin, even addressing her as cousin, hoping she could lift Ming Tan’s spirits. Bai Minmin, taking the silver Jiang Xu gave her, said she would cover all of Ming Tan’s expenses for the day.

Yun Yi wanted to buy roast chicken and happily ran off with the money Bai Minmin gave her, inadvertently stealing Shu Jingran’s heart along the way. Yun Yi was happily carrying the roast chicken when she turned and ran into Shu Jingran. Thinking he liked roast chicken too, she reluctantly shared a drumstick with him. But when Shu Jingran heard Yun Yi was Su Er Rong’s concubine, his heart shattered.

Bai Minmin and Ming Tan passed by a shop selling hairpins. The totems on the pins didn’t resemble anything from the Da Xian dynasty, which made Ming Tan suspicious. She decided to buy all of them and also asked for the shopkeeper’s address. Bai Minmin thought Ming Tan wanted to partner with him, but Ming Tan suspected the items were smuggled. Ming Tingyuan’s case involved smuggling—perhaps the two were connected.

Da Xian had only one sea trade route, and that was Lingzhou. Two men, claiming to be former subordinates of Ming Tingyuan, came to see Jiang Xu. They said they had been sidelined by Guo Bingmao, but had taken part in the disaster relief efforts in Lizhou. Jiang Xu kept them in camp and sent people to investigate their backgrounds. Ming Tan invited Lu Ting and asked him to help stage a scene.

Lu Ting detained the shopkeeper and interrogated him about the source of the smuggled goods. The man quickly revealed his supplier. Zhang Huaiyu had gone missing. Jiang Xu was summoned to the palace by the Emperor and the Empress. The Empress was in a state of panic, and Jiang Xu decided to go to Lingzhou himself to bring Zhang Huaiyu back. Worried about his upcoming journey to Lingzhou, Jiang Xu wasn’t sure whether he should take Ming Tan along.

When Ming Tan returned to the manor, Jiang Xu brought it up and reminded her to be careful while in the capital. Bai Minmin, clearly worried about Zhang Huaiyu’s safety, wondered if he would return unharmed. Ming Tan had already packed her things and decided to accompany Jiang Xu to Lingzhou. Bai Minmin advised her to treat it as a relaxing trip. After all this time, Ming Tan still hadn’t forgiven Jiang Xu.

Jiang Xu usually traveled light, but with Ming Tan coming, he prepared ten carriages. Every piece of luggage was carefully sorted, and he even brought an empty one to shop properly in Lingzhou. Bai Minmin and Shu Jingran cheered him on, but Ming Tan unexpectedly ordered him to scale down the entourage—one carriage for her, and one for Jiang Xu would suffice.

Jiang Xu still followed Ming Tan's wishes and simplified the carriages, but kept one empty carriage. When Ming Tan was bidding farewell to Bai Minmin and the others, Shu Jingran couldn’t help but ask about the relationship between Yun Yi and Jiang Xu—he had never heard Jiang Xu mention this concubine before.

As Ming Tan was about to get into the carriage, Jiang Xu hurried forward to help her up, but Ming Tan got in on her own, completely ignoring him. Hai Shen’s people continued watching the General of Dingbei's residence closely. Liu Mo was convinced that Jiang Xu’s journey to Lingzhou would stir up trouble, so Su Wenchun’s intention was to ensure he never returned. Yun Yi and Shu Jingran rode on horseback in front of the carriage.

Shu Jingran asked Yun Yi many questions and felt more at ease after learning that her only responsibility at the residence was to keep Ming Tan safe, realizing she was from the Jin Yun Guard. Inside the carriage, Jiang Xu had prepared many of Ming Tan’s favorite foods, but she didn’t even bother to look at them. Ming Tan didn’t blame Jiang Xu; she just had some unresolved doubts.

Since Jiang Xu had asked, she wanted to get to the bottom of them. Ming Tan voiced her questions, and though Jiang Xu remained silent at first, he eventually spoke up and explained. Her last question was why Jiang Xu had stopped her from seeing Ming Tingyuan in prison that day. If he hadn’t, she could have seen her father one last time!

Jiang Xu lowered his head, confirmed that no one was following them after leaving the capital, and then took Ming Tan on horseback to find the answer that could resolve her inner turmoil. After leaving with Ming Tan, Jiang Xu noticed someone tailing them. The two abandoned the carriage and went to a rural courtyard, where they found Ming Tingyuan working. Upon seeing each other, father and daughter were moved to tears.

Everything that happened in the prison had been planned by Jiang Xu in advance. Even Zhang Huaiyu’s departure from the capital had been to take Ming Tingyuan away. Ming Tan finally understood that she had misunderstood Jiang Xu and had failed to realize all that he had done for her. Ming Tingyuan prepared a table full of dishes, and for the first time in many days, Ming Tan finally ate properly.

Shu Jingran and Yun Yi were roasting fish in the forest. Shu Jingran kept trying to help but ended up making things worse. Yun Yi was simple-minded, focused solely on fulfilling her master’s tasks and sincerely cared for Ming Tan. However, seeing Shu Jingran constantly asking about Ming Tan, Yun Yi thought he was coveting the princess consort and refused to let him eat any of the roasted fish. Ming Tan tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The bedding was too hard, and without bathing before bed, she couldn’t fall asleep. Jiang Xu held her, telling her to think of him as a soft cushion from home—at least something familiar. The next morning, Jiang Xu helped Ming Tan wash her hair. The two were sweet and affectionate. Zhang Huaiyu and Yun Yi followed the signs left by the Jin Yun Guard.

Shu Jingran was convinced Zhang Huaiyu would rather die in Lingzhou than let the Su family escape responsibility, so they all hurried on to Lingzhou. Before Ming Tan and Jiang Xu set off, Ming Tingyuan found a carriage in such a remote area and reminded Jiang Xu to take good care of Ming Tan. Ming Tan chatted nonstop along the way, while Jiang Xu contemplated drawing up another agreement.

Ming Tan quickly acted playfully, saying that since they now cared for each other, what need was there for a contract? Yun Yi and Shu Jingran waited for two days without seeing Zhui Ying arrive. Instead, Yun Yi got obsessed with feeding chickens. Shu Jingran, seeing this, bought one, but ended up in a mess trying to catch it, making Yun Yi laugh heartily.

Though he wasn’t good at catching chickens, Shu Jingran had learned to roast chicken from the family chef. Seeing Yun Yi eat happily, Shu Jingran even caught a firefly and placed it in her palm, making Yun Yi smile especially sweetly. Bai Minmin was pulled along by a child who insisted on taking her to see someone. Along the way, she had no idea who it was until someone began performing a story onstage.

Bai Minmin realized that the play on stage was telling the story of her and Zhang Huaiyu. It was a birthday gift from Zhang Huaiyu, and Bai Minmin was delighted. But then news reached the capital claiming that Zhang Huaiyu had been killed in Lingzhou. Bai Minmin waited for a day, only to have Lu Ting confirm the truth—she was heartbroken.

As Shu Jingran and Yun Yi were preparing to meet up with Jiang Xu, they received word that news of Zhang Huaiyu’s death had already reached the capital. Jiang Xu and Ming Tan’s carriage was ambushed on the road. Jiang Xu fought the assassins alone and warned Ming Tan to stay in the carriage no matter what. As more and more attackers arrived, Yun Yi and the others arrived just in time to help.

In the chaos, Jiang Xu was injured while protecting Ming Tan. When Shu Jingran saw Yun Yi nearly killed, he charged in recklessly and was stabbed in the back. Ming Tingyuan, protecting them in secret, helped them escape danger, but Yun Yi was captured by Hai Shen’s men. Jiang Xu sent people to rescue her. He believed Yun Yi’s life wasn’t in danger for now, but she would likely suffer.

Shu Jingran was so anxious he was pacing in circles, blaming himself for never having learned martial arts—now he couldn’t even protect the one he wanted to protect. In a moment of recklessness, he tried to go rescue her alone but was stopped by Jiang Xu. Their friendship nearly shattered, and Ming Tan quickly stepped in to mediate, reminding them that the greater the crisis, the more they needed to keep calm. Jiang Xu decided to enter Lingzhou overnight.

On that freezing cold night, a firefly landed on Yun Yi’s nose. Bound at the feet, Yun Yi recalled that night and smiled. Jiang Xu was angry at Shu Jingran—for a friend of many years to still doubt him was deeply hurtful. Ming Tan quickly played peacemaker between Jiang Xu and Shu Jingran. In the carriage, Jiang Xu kept complaining, while Shu Jingran admitted his earlier impulsiveness.

After a night, the carriage reached the outskirts of Lingzhou but was stopped by soldiers demanding a bribe to allow entry. After entering Lingzhou, Jiang Xu, Ming Tan, and Shu Jingran discovered that the Su family ruled Lingzhou with unchecked power, and corrupt individuals were everywhere. Ming Tan urged Jiang Xu and Shu Jingran to investigate Yun Yi’s whereabouts as quickly as possible. She felt she would only slow them down, and each should focus on what they do best.

Though Jiang Xu was worried, he agreed for the sake of Ming Tan’s safety. The troublemakers Jiang Xu had just dealt with showed up again to stir up trouble in a teahouse. A certain Lord Zhang had also ruled carelessly in court. Without a word, Jiang Xu beat them all up. Shu Jingran, well-versed in the Da Xian officials’ records, caused Lord Zhang to realize who he was dealing with and promptly withdrew his arrogance.

Su Wenchun’s daughter Su Er Rong and her husband Yu Bozhong rushed to greet Jiang Xu and Shu Jingran. Upon entering the Su residence, they first dealt with the gate soldiers and the troublemakers. Su Wenchun, upon hearing the news, wrote to Su Er Rong, instructing the couple to treat the guests well. Since hearing the news of Zhang Huaiyu’s death, Bai Minmin had been in constant sorrow.

She even closed Wentaoge and grew despondent whenever she thought of her past with Zhang Huaiyu. But then she remembered how Zhang Huaiyu had entrusted Wentaoge to her, and she resolved to make it even more outstanding. Since it had been entrusted to her, she had to guard it well. Ming Tan disguised herself as Miss He and swaggered into Lingzhou. The city was full of treasures, and she was determined to enjoy shopping around.

To host Jiang Xu properly, Su Er Rong brought out many fine goods. In her eyes, what men valued most were either wealth or women—she assumed Jiang Xu was no different.

Yu Bozhong said that after Zhang Huaiyu arrived in Lingzhou, he lingered at the 180 Pavilion and disappeared after accidentally falling into the water one day. Jiang Xu and Shu Jingran kept a close watch on Yu Bozhong—now that they had come to Lingzhou, they would see who ought to be more careful. Ming Tan found the gold shop mentioned by the smuggler, but since she had already bought a lot today, she couldn’t act rashly.

That night, Su Er Rong received news that a "wealth-spreading fairy" had visited several shops in Lingzhou. This woman was said to have a sharp eye, but Su Er Rong didn't think much of it and simply ordered people to keep watch. Jiang Xu demanded that Su Er Rong and Yu Bozhong pay up the missing taxes, but Su Er Rong instead asked about Ming Tan.

He had heard she had arrived in Lingzhou together with them, and mentioned that they used to meet often in childhood. Jiang Xu replied that Ming Tan had felt unwell and returned to the capital early. Su Er Rong prepared a banquet to welcome Jiang Xu and Shu Jingran. The prefect and assistant magistrate were also present. They brought up Zhang Huaiyu's case and claimed they wanted to see justice done for him.

Jiang Xu responded that he would memorialize the Emperor that very night, so Zhang Huaiyu could rest and recover in the capital. If he hadn't kept Zhang Huaiyu’s whereabouts a secret, he likely wouldn’t have made it back to the capital safely. As soon as he said this, the expressions of everyone present changed. Lingzhou was thriving. That night, Ming Tan visited the famous 180 Pavilion. Deals were struck over just a few rounds of drinks—very different from the capital.

Ming Tan overheard a conversation in the next room about a business deal and noticed something odd about the silk fabric. She voiced her opinion, pointing out that the boss was passing off inferior goods as high quality. Wen Zong was very grateful and invited her to a meal to show his appreciation. At the Su family banquet, Su Er Rong deliberately arranged for the peerless beauty Qing Yu to serve Jiang Xu.

Seeing Jiang Xu eat the food Qing Yu picked without any change in expression, the others finally relaxed. Shu Jingran used the excuse of taking a walk to gather intel. The undercover guard reported that Yun Yi was not at the Su residence. Ming Tan was targeted by Boss Wu, but luckily Wen Zong appeared to help her. Zhui Yu also returned in time to save her, though Wen Zong was reluctant to part.

Seeing that Jiang Xu didn’t reject Qing Yu, Yu Bozhong brought up the matter of the back taxes, hoping for some leniency. To test Yu Bozhong's identity, Jiang Xu had Qing Yu serve wine to Su Er Rong, and sure enough, he noticed Yu Bozhong had extraordinary skills. Su Er Rong couldn’t figure out what Jiang Xu’s true intention was, but he knew for certain that Jiang Xu couldn’t stay in Lingzhou long.

What happened on Jiang Xu’s way back to the capital would be another matter entirely. Zhang Huaiyu had not returned to the capital but was still in Lingzhou, injured. If not for deceiving the Su family, he would never have stayed hidden. In the southern part of the city, traces of Hai You Sect were discovered near Dong Temple. Jiang Xu and Shu Jingran rushed over only to fall into an ambush.

Shu Jingran didn’t hesitate and rushed in to save someone. Yun Yi was already extremely weak, and Hai You Sect had many people. Jiang Xu ordered Zhui Ying and Shu Jingran to take Yun Yi and escape first, while he stayed to fight them off. Hai You Sect was willing to cooperate with Jiang Xu, but he drew his sword and removed their leader’s mask—sure enough, it was Yu Bozhong.

Shu Jingran handed the severely wounded Yun Yi to Ming Tan for care. Yun Yi bit her lip and said nothing, but in her mind, all she could see was Shu Jingran shielding her from the blade. When Jiang Xu heard that Ming Tan had encountered someone named Wen Zong, he sent Zhui Yu to investigate everything about him.

Shu Jingran wanted Yun Yi to leave Jin Yun Guard and asked Jiang Xu for her, but Jiang Xu said Yun Yi now belonged to Ming Tan and the decision wasn’t his. Shu Jingran was sincere, but Ming Tan advised him to think clearly about his own path first. After all, he still had parents to consider, and the decision wasn't hers either—it was Yun Yi who had to decide.

Jiang Xu grabbed Ming Tan and pulled her away, a fire faintly smoldering in his heart. But Ming Tan spoke only about the smuggling case, never mentioning Wen Zong. Yun Yi slept uneasily due to her injuries, so Shu Jingran stayed by her side. Ming Tan saw that the jade Jiang Xu had used to block the sword for her was her own Wuheng jade—the very one they had dropped during their first meeting at Hanshan Temple. Jiang Xu had picked it up then and had worn it every day since.

Ming Tan smiled as she reached for the jade in Jiang Xu’s hand, only to be pulled into his arms. After the kiss, Jiang Xu gazed deeply at the one he loved, full of affection. Yun Yi awoke to find Shu Jingran watching over her all night. She was touched but also a bit angry. He clearly couldn’t fight, yet when the assassins came yesterday, he didn’t try to dodge.

If he had been hurt, how could she explain to Jiang Xu—or to his family? But for Shu Jingran, nothing mattered more than her safety. Su Er Rong was very displeased about the tax repayment, but he couldn’t show it in front of Jiang Xu. Ming Tan saw Boss Wu deceiving other customers and couldn’t help but speak out. Then she bought all the fabric he had, saying she only needed him to answer a few questions.

When she asked what the material was made from, it turned out to be the work of Manager Luo from Fulu Gold House. Boss Wu also said that Wen Zong must have recognized the material as well. Ming Tan suspected Wen Zong was involved in smuggling and had Zhui Yu investigate. Zhui Yu had already found out that Wen Zong had deep ties with the Su family.

Ming Tan decided to visit Fulu Gold House herself to see what was really going on. At Fulu Gold House, Ming Tan said she wanted to buy a unique piece of jewelry. As expected, the shop assistant brought out some top-quality items.

Ming Tan took a liking to a hairpin, but just then a maid ran out saying her young lady had already set her eyes on it—and that her young lady was the elder sister of the Princess Consort of the General of Dingbei. Ming Tan was instantly intrigued. She hadn’t expected Ming Chu, married far away in Lingzhou, to still behave so arrogantly, flaunting her royal connection to bully and deceive. Ming Tan bought the hairpin.

When the maid tried to attack, Zhui Yu quickly threw her to the ground. But the maid wouldn’t give up and went to call Manager Luo, who, not wanting to offend the General’s residence, quickly sent someone to inform them. Jiang Xu and Su Er Rong went out to inspect and saw Su Er Rong’s exaggerated entourage. Jiang Xu couldn’t help making sarcastic remarks. Shu Jingran went out to meet with guards from Jin Yun Guard.

Yun Yi had given him the secret signal in advance, and the guards had seen portraits of Shu Jingran, so they would recognize him. Upon hearing there was trouble at Fulu Gold House, Su Er Rong rushed over and encountered the disguised Ming Tan. Lingzhi was relentless, but Jiang Xu directly bought the hairpin and told Lingzhi to go back and warn Ming Chu—if she didn’t learn to behave, she’d be properly disciplined.

Ming Tan was thrilled to see Jiang Xu slap her in the face so directly. Jiang Xu gave the hairpin to Ming Tan. They pretended to be meeting for the first time and chatted cheerfully. Su Er Rong, observing this, believed Ming Tan might be the key and invited her to a banquet. He also had someone inform Wen Zong that if Ming Tan truly was the "wealth-spreading fairy," then Wen Zong should take a closer look at her.

Jiang Xu and Ming Tan rode in the same carriage. Ming Tan hoped Jiang Xu would issue an order for her, but Jiang Xu, whose military merit came from real blood and battle, would not allow her to make light of it. He playfully reached out to tap Ming Tan’s nose. Just then, Su Er Rong suddenly lifted the carriage curtain. Ming Tan was startled and quickly distanced herself, scolding him for being clingy like a plaster.

At the banquet, Su Er Rong deliberately left Ming Tan and Jiang Xu alone. Hearing their playful banter, he left satisfied. Su Er Rong was deeply scheming, and Jiang Xu reminded Ming Tan to be extra careful. Su Er Rong invited many ladies and even called Qing Yu to serve. Seeing the affection between Jiang Xu and Ming Tan, Su Er Rong deliberately praised how well-matched they were and mentioned, seemingly offhandedly, that he was already married.

Wen Zong, upon seeing Ming Tan, felt an inexplicable connection. Meanwhile, Jiang Xu was already fuming, clenching his fists tightly. Su Er Rong brought out many accessories for Ming Tan to appraise. Seeing Wen Zong staring at her intently, Jiang Xu drank several more cups of wine. The corner of Ming Tan’s mouth twitched—she wondered if he was drinking wine or vinegar. Jiang Xu sent someone to the General of Dingbei's residence to reprimand Ming Chu. The old general flew into a rage, and Ming Chu was left anxious and uneasy.

General Feng was furious about Ming Chu’s overbearing behavior. Ming Chu refused to accept it and claimed that Jiang Xu and Ming Tan, as a married couple, were targeting her, which led General Feng to place her under house arrest. Su Er Rong summoned Qing Yu, telling her to serve properly. Jiang Xu was not entirely indifferent to women—it just depended on whether she had the ability.

Wen Zong’s eyes were fixed on Ming Tan, which made Jiang Xu visibly displeased. Su Er Rong left for a while due to other matters, leaving Qing Yu to attend to Jiang Xu. Ming Tan’s expression changed drastically when she saw Jiang Xu eat the dish Qing Yu had picked for him. She was furious inside, blaming Jiang Xu for lacking the self-awareness of a married man.

When Ming Tan and Wen Zong talked about business, Jiang Xu was gnashing his teeth in frustration and unknowingly snapped the chopsticks in his hand, startling the musicians nearby. Wen Zong dismissed the singing girls and played the zither by himself, guessing Ming Tan’s favorite type of zither. Jiang Xu once again couldn’t hold back. Su Er Rong received news that Yu Bozhong had moved quite a few boxes today, with a nanny helping to cover for him.

She rushed to deal with the matter immediately. Jiang Xu and Wen Zong drank together and unknowingly became quite drunk. Qing Yu thought she had a chance and tried to help him rest, but Ming Tan stormed off in anger upon seeing this, and Jiang Xu hurriedly chased after her while still under the influence.

Shu Jingran came to see Su Er Rong and reminded her that Yu Bozhong was not merely a live-in son-in-law; he had been pretending all this time and actually had another identity. Yu Bozhong had arranged to meet Jiang Xu outside the city, but didn’t expect Jiang Xu to go back on his word and bring Su Er Rong’s people along. Only then did Yu Bozhong realize that Jiang Xu had never intended to work with him from the beginning.

As Ming Tan was leaving, she ordered someone to send up two bowls of hangover soup and reminded them to add more vinegar, since both men liked it that way. Jiang Xu rushed to catch up—he was already somewhat drunk. If time could turn back, Jiang Xu would wholeheartedly devote himself to her, disregarding any betrothal. Only Ming Tan’s own words would count. In the carriage, Ming Tan angrily asked why he ate the dish Qing Yu offered.

Clearly, he lacked self-control and was swayed by desire, while Jiang Xu could only look at her longingly. Hai Shen’s faction was wiped out by the joint forces of Jiang Xu and Su Er Rong, but Yu Bozhong took advantage of the chaos and escaped. As for the money from the Su family, it had already passed through legitimate channels. Today, Su Er Rong would surely hand it over willingly.

Shu Jingran mentioned that the hangover and stomach-soothing soup had been specially arranged by Ming Tan for Jiang Xu, and also brought up how yesterday Ming Tan had found it inappropriate for Wen Zong to be drunk alone at the restaurant and had sent him back. Jiang Xu immediately flew into a rage, dragging Shu Jingran into the mess as well, prompting Shu Jingran to sigh at how strange Jiang Xu’s temper had become lately.

Ming Tan brought a hairpin to Shopkeeper Luo to ask if it was sold by him. Shopkeeper Luo repeatedly denied it, and Wen Zong appeared again to smooth things over for him. After leaving Fulujin Tower, Ming Tan intentionally brought up some things she had experienced in Lingzhou, prompting Wen Zong to volunteer as her guide. Wen Zong said that truly good things in Lingzhou were extremely hard to find. The two arrived at a remote tea stall.

Though it was shabby, Ming Tan was surprised by how good the taste was. Shu Jingran and Yun Yi made roast chicken together. Yun Yi had wanted to learn how to make roast chicken for a long time, but no one had been willing to teach her. Yun Yi said Shu Jingran was different from Jiang Xu—there was a bigger smile on Shu Jingran’s face.

Zhui Yu had felt something odd the entire way and was shocked to find out it was Jiang Xu. Jiang Xu was extremely unhappy about Wen Zong and Ming Tan being together and had been secretly following them the whole day. Jiang Xu only collected the proper amount of additional taxes. Su Er Rong was surprised to find that such a man who didn’t love money truly existed. Upon hearing that Jiang Xu had followed Ming Tan for a whole day, Su Er Rong decided to invite Ming Tan to her residence tonight for a talk.

Wen Zong invited Ming Tan to attend a public auction hosted by the Su family in Lingzhou City. Meanwhile, Su Wenchun received news that although Ming Tan had supposedly turned back on the way, the scouts had yet to find any trace of her returning to the city. What Su Wenchun least expected was that Yu Bozhong turned out to be the leader of Haiyou Sect, and now had even repaid kindness with betrayal.

Wen Zong had released smuggled goods intending for the authorities to notice and trace them back to the Su family, but now with Ming Tan showing up uninvited, Wen Zong was convinced she was no ordinary person. Especially since Jiang Xu was in Lingzhou as well—he clearly came for the Su family. Wen Zong had been scheming in Lingzhou for years, and now the time had come to close the net.

Yun Yi was very angry that Shu Jingran didn’t make roast chicken for her during this meeting. The two argued in public, becoming a laughingstock, and Shu Jingran was even punched by Yun Yi. Su Er Rong instructed her people to prepare a room and snacks to go with wine—tonight she intended to set a trap for Jiang Xu.

Zhang Huaiyu had still not shown up in the capital, and Su Er Rong suspected that Jiang Xu was using a diversion tactic. She ordered a special investigation, as what Zhang Huaiyu held must never fall into anyone else’s hands. Su Er Rong had someone tail Shu Jingran, only to find him driving a carriage to a remote area.

The ones following Shu Jingran and Yun Yi realized too late that the two had boarded a carriage and left them far behind. Shu Jingran had brought plenty of food this time but was still silent, seemingly upset. Yun Yi quickly explained that their argument at the inn was just an act to confuse those two fools and shake them off. Jiang Xu returned to his room that night and found Ming Tan inside.

Ming Tan was also puzzled—she had clearly been summoned by Su Er Rong to meet here. The two were clearly jealous and spared no words, with Jiang Xu blaming Ming Tan for being fickle and Ming Tan blaming him for lacking restraint. Jiang Xu forcefully kissed Ming Tan, but Su Er Rong’s spies were still eavesdropping outside. The two ended up on the bed, turning the fake scene into reality.

After much detouring, Shu Jingran and Yun Yi finally arrived at a courtyard that night. Their pursuers only then realized they’d been fooled. Yun Yi and Shu Jingran had come to visit an elder, but Su family guards, brandishing knives, were about to enter when they discovered Zhang Huaiyu wasn’t inside, leading to an awkward moment. They quickly explained they were under orders to protect them.

Yun Yi, unable to tolerate any more, fought back and soon took down everyone in the courtyard. Late at night, Jiang Xu went to see Zhang Huaiyu, who had been imprisoned for several days and was extremely impatient, eager to return to the capital immediately. Shu Jingran felt guilty for not being able to help Yun Yi, but Yun Yi said that everyone had their own strengths, and by being together, they could complement each other.

Shu Jingran was filled with sweetness, already imagining their future child being both scholarly and martial. By the time Su Er Rong realized she had fallen for a diversion, it was too late. She rushed to Jiang Xu and Ming Tan’s room, only to be told by the maid that they hadn’t stepped out once. Su Er Rong knocked but received no reply.

Upon entering, she found Ming Tan kneeling and pleading guilty to Jiang Xu, who lay on the bed—making things awkward for Su Er Rong. Ming Tan put on a show of rejecting Jiang Xu, while Jiang Xu had intercepted a letter from the capital meant for Su Er Rong that very night. Inside was a portrait of Ming Tan, indicating the Su family was planning to take action.

Jiang Xu decided to take a risk—if the Su family discovered Ming Tan’s true identity, they would surely try to kill her. He was extremely uneasy, worried that Ming Tan was in danger, but Ming Tan said they were husband and wife and should share both hardships and joys. Shu Jingran and Yun Yi returned to the mansion with Su family members, and once again Su Er Rong looked embarrassed.

The letter from the capital stated that the consort of the General of Dingbei was in Lingzhou, and so they began plotting to take action against Jiang Xu—he could no longer be kept around. At the auction, Su Er Rong deliberately arranged for Ming Chu to sit up front and ordered Qing Yu to set a trap for Jiang Xu.

At that time, Ming Tan was seated in Wen Zong’s reserved area, while Qing Yu brought Jiang Xu before Master Yin. But unexpectedly, Jiang Xu presented memorials indicting several people and used them to threaten the officials into producing evidence of the Su family’s crimes—only then would he let them remain in the Maritime Trade Office in peace.

The first item up for sale was a treasure box, rumored to have once contained a relic. Ming Chu immediately called out a high price of four hundred taels. Ming Tan, watching from afar, was puzzled—why wasn’t Ming Chu staying at home reflecting on her actions but had come here instead? When the second item was presented, Ming Tan also placed a bid, but Wen Zong, noticing her interest, bought the sachet for 1,500 taels.

Ming Tan confirmed that these items were not related to smuggling and were indeed genuine. However, she noticed that the incense burner’s stand was not from Daxian. It turned out the sale of genuine goods was just a front; the real business was smuggling contraband. Qiu Yue, posing as a maid, approached Jiang Xu. Zhang Huaiyu had said that Qiu Yue carried a list of officials bribed by the Su family. The two of them even encountered an assassination attempt.

Jiang Xu deliberately knocked over his tea cup, but once Qiu Yue left the room, she was quickly discovered by the Su family. In order to protect themselves, the officials agreed to hand over the evidence to Jiang Xu. After they hastily left, Qing Yu chased after them to see them off and even flirted with the officials.

She then pulled Lord Yin into another room, warning that the Su family’s roots were still strong and they would not let Lord Yin go if they discovered his betrayal. Lord Yin passed out shortly after drinking Qing Yu’s wine, and at the same time, Jiang Xu also suddenly felt drowsy and collapsed onto the desk. Su Er Rong, having received word, left the front hall to begin reeling in the net.

Qiu Yue appeared at that moment, and Su Er Rong, fearing unforeseen complications, ordered her to be dealt with immediately. When Jiang Xu awoke, he found a bloodied sword in his hand, Qing Yu lying half-naked on the couch, and Lord Yin’s corpse on the floor. Su Er Rong arrived promptly with local officials, claiming that Qing Yu had specifically warned her of potential danger before attending the banquet.

Now that person and evidence were both present, Jiang Xu was accused of murdering a high-ranking imperial official without authorization. Ming Tan sent Zhui Yu to follow Su Er Rong while she directly confronted Wen Zong, asking if he was working for Boss Su. Wen Zong had long suspected she was no ordinary woman but hadn’t expected her to be so forthright. Ming Tan stated that his opponent was not her but the General of Dingbei.

Soon after, soldiers surrounded the area. Ming Chu panicked upon hearing she was about to be detained, and upon seeing Ming Tan, she immediately tried to cling to her. Only then did Wen Zong realize that the woman before him was the Princess Consort of Dingbei—Ming Tan. Wen Zong, however, was unconcerned about being linked to the Su family; after all, he was merely a bystander and not directly involved.

Jiang Xu had already stationed secret guards to watch over Ming Tan, fearing for her safety if her identity were exposed. Despite being trapped, Jiang Xu remained calm. The regional inspector and Su Er Rong were determined to arrest and convict him, but they didn’t expect the arrival of soldiers. Lord Tan, the Imperial Secretariat official, arrived just in time and ordered the inn to be sealed, forbidding anyone from leaving.

Su Wenchun was not worried even after hearing this—he believed Su Er Rong’s scheme to be foolproof. At the auction venue, Ming Tan requested that the Commandant personally interrogate Wen Zong, asserting that he was certainly no ordinary man. She also asked someone to summon Ming Chu’s husband. General Feng, aware of Ming Chu’s unruly behavior, admitted she had caused much trouble. Yet Ming Chu showed no gratitude and even blamed Ming Tan for letting her be humiliated earlier.

Ming Tan said that the items Ming Chu had recently purchased were all smuggled goods, which implicated their father—she should feel deep hatred toward such acts. General Feng quickly asserted that the Feng family had nothing to do with smuggling and promised to punish Ming Chu if she was involved. Ming Chu, still dissatisfied, was reminded by General Feng that Ming Tan had singled her out to preserve the Feng family’s honor. Yet Ming Chu’s eyes still burned with resentment.

Su Er Rong learned that Qiu Yue had escaped. After Qing Yu regained consciousness, she testified that Jiang Xu had threatened the officials, but also clarified that Lord Yin had not been killed by Jiang Xu, nor had she been violated. The entire incident had been orchestrated by Su Er Rong. The wine Jiang Xu and Lord Yin drank had been drugged, and Qing Yu had only gone along with the setup because she had no choice.

Qing Yu identified Su Er Rong as the mastermind, and the witness was none other than Qiu Yue, whom Su Er Rong had failed to eliminate. It was Jiang Xu’s men who had rescued her. Qiu Yue truthfully reported that her lover, Lord Zhou, who held the bribery list, had been killed by the Su family.

Qiu Yue said that the Su family, in their desperate search for the list, had slaughtered the innocent without hesitation. She had finally found a chance to meet Zhang Huaiyu to seek justice, but that very night the two of them were pursued by the Su family. Zhang Huaiyu had someone escort Qiu Yue away, while he himself was injured and fell into the water. When asked about the list, Qiu Yue looked troubled.

She walked behind a screen and removed her clothing—the list was tattooed across her back. Fearing she would fall victim to the Su family's cruelty, this was the only way she could preserve the list and live up to Lord Zhou's trust. Su Er Rong was still unwilling to give up, but she hadn't anticipated that Jiang Xu had a backup plan. At his signal, Qing Yu placed a vial of medicine near Lord Yin’s nose and mouth.

Before long, he awoke and identified the Su family. Shu Jingran followed closely behind with evidence that recorded bribes received by the Maritime Trade Bureau and accounts of the Su family's embezzlement of military funds and rations—sufficient to convict them. The smuggled jewels at Fulujin Tower were confiscated, and the contraband was enough to prove Manager Luo’s guilt. However, Manager Luo stated that Wen Zong was not involved in the case, making Ming Tan think she had misjudged him.

Enraged and humiliated, Su Er Rong drew her sword and lunged at Qing Yu, but was quickly subdued by the Imperial Guards. Qing Yu said that she was of lowly status and no longer wished to live such a life. Since Jiang Xu was willing to give her a chance, she saw no reason not to take it. Ming Tan hadn’t expected that investigating a case could be so interesting.

Zhui Yu trailed behind flattering her while praising Jiang Xu, saying he had always believed Ming Tan could get to the bottom of the case and had repeatedly instructed that her safety must come first. As Ming Tan boarded the carriage to leave, a wave of assassins suddenly appeared atop the city wall, followed by a rain of arrows. Hearing that something had happened at the inn, she rushed to go there.

With Jiang Xu being attacked from both sides, she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Zhui Yu drove the carriage to take Ming Tan over, and sure enough, they too were targeted by the assassins’ arrows. Ming Tan opened the carriage and looked out. Jiang Xu, worried about the danger Ming Tan was in, decided to drive the assassins back first—her safety had to be guaranteed above all else.

After repelling the attackers, Jiang Xu did not go after the agile figure. He knew all too well who it was. Su Er Rong would not dare to rebel lightly, and anyone associated with her would not be ordinary. Wen Zong was a man of Nanlü, and he had not helped the Su family—only with the Su family’s downfall could Nanlü replace them.

Although Ming Chu had not participated in the smuggling, she showed no sign of remorse, blaming Ming Tan for trying to harm her. General Feng then ordered her to be confined. Zhang Huaiyu could finally leave Lingzhou and was full of emotion. He planned to leave with Lord Tan and head to the capital to seek recognition, especially since he had people he cared about there.

Qing Yu had shed her status as a registered prostitute and was planning to explore other places. Ming Tan personally thanked her for helping Jiang Xu. It was also thanks to Jiang Xu’s words of wisdom that she found her way back and gained a life of freedom. Jiang Xu and Ming Tan went out shopping together, but Ming Tan seemed to be in a sour mood and secretly felt jealous.

To console her, Jiang Xu found a street vendor and asked him to sculpt two dough figurines in their likeness. From then on, they would carry them wherever they went, cutting off all other romantic ties. Lord Tan returned to Shangjing with evidence of the Su family’s smuggling and bribery. Su Wenchun looked extremely grim. Though the Su family had committed countless crimes, they still couldn’t be convicted just yet.

Officials said the crimes all appeared to have been carried out by Su Er Rong alone, and on the surface, they had nothing to do with Su Wenchun. Both Su Wenchun and Su Er Rong had originally been removed from the Su family list.

Su Wenchun and Su Er Rong were father and daughter in name only, with no legal ties remaining between them. Over the years, Su Wenchun had also never personally intervened or given others leverage against him. When Su Wenchun learned that the Su family had been seized by the Imperial Guards and that Su Er Rong had already been escorted to the capital, he flew into a rage. However, he still had another matter to attend to.

Gao Chen suddenly brought people to Wen Tao Pavilion to cause trouble. Not only did he hurl insults at Bai Minmin, but the flunkies with him even laid hands on her. Just then, Zhang Huaiyu suddenly appeared and kicked the group out, leaving only Gao Chen behind. The servants, seeing this, hurriedly carried Gao Chen away in a sedan chair. With tears in her eyes, Bai Minmin stared at Zhang Huaiyu, then stormed out of Wen Tao Pavilion in anger. Zhang Huaiyu immediately chased after her. Bai Minmin, filled with resentment and grievance, handed him the key. From the time news of his death had reached her until their return to the capital, Zhang Huaiyu hadn’t sent a single letter. She had guarded Wen Tao Pavilion for him all this time, living in constant fear—was that still not enough?

Zhang Huaiyu quickly explained that he had written many letters, but his subordinates had refused to send them out for fear of revealing his whereabouts. He had also been injured and had to go into hiding to recover. Without another word, Zhang Huaiyu pulled Bai Minmin into his arms and declared he would stay with her for life. Tomorrow, he would wear the imperial-bestowed purple-gold robe to formally propose marriage at the Duke of Chang's residence. Bai Minmin scolded him for being shameless, but in her heart, she was willing.

Ming Tan had racked her brains to plan a surprise, but Jiang Xu had already learned about it from the secret guards and even asked someone to prepare a fine zither. Ming Tan played for him a piece she had composed two years earlier, and Jiang Xu could only think how beautiful his wife was. Shu Jingran and Yun Yi, seeing that the time was right, lit the fireworks Ming Tan had specially prepared. The fireworks here were particularly dazzling. Shu Jingran asked Yun Yi if she ever envisioned the future. Yun Yi hadn’t, because this very moment was already the best of times.

It was the first Mid-Autumn Festival Ming Tan spent with Jiang Xu. Knowing he might miss his parents, she hoped he could find happiness. Jiang Xu was deeply moved. Over the years, others had treated him well, but only Ming Tan truly wished for his happiness.

After a night of passion, Jiang Xu left early to handle affairs. Ming Tan reluctantly let him go, reminding him to return soon. A corrupt official had confessed that the mastermind of the case was Liu Mo, Assistant Minister of Revenue. Liu Mo also confessed and was imprisoned awaiting trial. The Emperor learned of Liu Mo’s background—he was the son of a scout once involved in the death of Prince Minzong. Late at night, the Emperor visited the prison to persuade Liu Mo not to take the blame for someone else. He explained that there was more to his father’s case. Although delaying a military order was a capital offense, his father had claimed he mysteriously lost consciousness for half a day at the courier station. The case had gone cold, but someone else must have been behind the delay.

Liu Mo became emotionally agitated and finally realized that Su Wenchun was the true instigator behind everything.

While in prison, Liu Mo sent word that he wanted to see Su Wenchun. Su Wenchun sent someone in his stead, saying it was time they formally said goodbye after so many years. Liu Mo hadn’t expected that the visitor would be Big Brother Si—the very man who had once provided him with food and money so he could study and train in martial arts. Back then it was an order, and now it was another order to see him off. Liu Mo remained grateful, but he had guessed that this man had also silenced his father.

Brother Si said that they were all people who had no choice, but Liu Mo smiled—he was different from them! Liu Mo handed over Su Wenchun’s token to the Emperor, expressing his willingness to testify against Su Wenchun, only asking His Majesty to reopen the old case and clear his father’s name. Brother Si realized that Liu Mo had betrayed Su Wenchun after all, but the Imperial Guards had already arrived, and he had no way to escape.

Su Wenchun was listening to music at a teahouse when the Imperial Guards suddenly arrived. Under the charge of forming cliques for personal gain, they arrested him and stripped him of his post for investigation. At the Feng residence, Ming Tan reunited with Jiang Xu and Ming Tingyuan, along with the old General Feng. Ming Tan had been running around to uncover the injustice suffered by her father; she was glad that she could finally do something for her family.

As for Ming Chu, Ming Tan said that she was, after all, a daughter of the Ming family—as long as she could turn over a new leaf, the Ming family would always be her support. Jiang Xu received news that Guo Bingmao had raised troops and was marching toward the capital—Su Wenchun was surely the mastermind behind it.

Jiang Xu had no choice but to set off for the capital ahead of time, while Ming Tan would need Ming Tingyuan to accompany her to the capital. Su Wenchun was planning a military rebellion. Jiang Xu hastily left the Feng residence for the capital and instructed that if trouble truly broke out in the capital, Ming Tingyuan and Ming Tan should temporarily take refuge in Jiangnan.

The old General Feng was worried that the Yangxi route had no commanding officer and that the military situation was uncertain—if Ming Tingyuan went alone, his life would be in grave danger. But Ming Tingyuan was determined to go, saying the country was in peril and he must not delay. He entrusted Ming Tan to Shu Jingran, asking him not to let her suspect anything.

Early the next morning, Ming Tan, Shu Jingran, and Yun Yi prepared to return to the capital. No one knew when the Southern Laws’ army would attack the city, but when they did, Lingzhou City would inevitably fall into chaos. Suddenly, a military mutiny broke out outside the Lingzhou city walls. Ming Tan, Shu Jingran, and Yun Yi encountered danger at the wall, and the old General Feng was tied up and hung above it.

Yun Yi decided to protect Ming Tan and help her escape first, but to her shock, the leader turned out to be Wen Zong—he was from the Southern Laws. The city gate was breached, and Lingzhou fell. Zhang Huaiyu received a secret letter from Jiang Xu and immediately became serious. He prepared to enter the palace to investigate, but the palace had already changed hands, and the guards outside blocked him from entering.

The Emperor had gone hunting in the outskirts and knew nothing of the palace situation. Zhang Huaiyu had no choice but to sneak into the palace at night to see his sister, the Empress. Chaos also broke out in the prison, with inmates rising in revolt. Upon learning of it, the Emperor ordered the Imperial Guards to prepare defenses. Rebels from Yangxi, disguised as Imperial Guards, were slain by Zhang Huaiyu and his men.

The Empress knew that Su Wenchun’s rebellion was illegitimate and lacked popular support—therefore, the Empress Dowager must select a new monarch from among the royal clan. The earlier obstruction of Zhang Huaiyu from entering the palace clearly showed the Emperor had already taken precautions. Bai Minmin was chattering nonstop with the Empress, cursing Su Wenchun. Just then, Zhang Huaiyu burst in, covered in blood, crying and complaining in pain.

The Empress saw that it was merely a superficial wound and walked away in exasperation, while Bai Minmin was nearly frightened to tears. Wen Zong placed Ming Tan under house arrest and offered her many rare spices. Ming Tan had no interest in any of it; all she cared about was how he planned to deal with the Feng father and son. Wen Zong’s intention was clear: if they surrendered, their lives would be spared.

Wen Zong wanted Ming Tan to accompany him on an outing that day—perhaps then he would let them live. He even wanted her to return with him to the Southern Laws. Yun Yi and Shu Jingran—along with Zhuifeng and Zhuiyu—were all tied up. The group bickered back and forth, not knowing how to untie the ropes. Wen Zong brought Ming Tan to the top of Lingzhou’s city wall.

It was then that Ming Tan finally realized he was the true mastermind behind the smuggling case—but what was his real goal? All Ming Tan wished for was for the Southern Laws to retreat from Daxian and for Lingzhou to be restored to its former vitality. Wen Zong asked her to return with him to the Southern Laws' royal family, saying she would still be a princess consort.

But Ming Tan was deeply scornful—she was already the princess consort of Daxian, and her husband was the War God of Daxian, the General of Dingbei. Shu Jingran, Yun Yi, Zhuifeng, and Zhuiyu deliberately began quarreling, prompting the guards to come inside. They then used the guards’ blades to cut the ropes. At that moment, Ming Tingyuan, disguised as a Southern Laws general, arrived beneath the walls of Lingzhou City.

Ming Tingyuan led his troops to the gates of Lingzhou City, determined to reclaim Lingzhou from the rebels. Yun Yi and the others took advantage of the guards’ lapse in vigilance to rescue General Feng and his son, joining forces with the Yangxi Route to fight the enemy. Upon seeing her father atop the city gate, Ming Tan’s eyes filled with tears, clearly overcome with worry.

Ming Tingyuan and General Feng fought side by side, and after a fierce battle, the Nanlü troops were almost completely wiped out. When they reached the city wall, Wen Zong’s subordinates held Ming Tan hostage in exchange for Wen Zong’s safety. However, Wen Zong knew that Lingzhou was already lost and there was no way out. Despite this, one of his men still wanted to kill Ming Tan, blaming her for Wen Zong’s downfall.

Unexpectedly, Wen Zong personally killed his own guard to protect Ming Tan. Wen Zong said that if he could not have either Lingzhou or Ming Tan, he might as well die. Ming Tan tried to stop him, but Wen Zong ended his own life, saying that just having known her was enough to leave him with no regrets. General Feng brought Ming Chu to see Ming Tan. Ming Chu thought she was there to mock her and was visibly displeased.

But Ming Tan's goal was to resolve the smuggling case. Ming Chu was fully aware of its implications—why remain stubbornly unrepentant? Over the past few days, General Feng hadn’t truly intended for Ming Chu to suffer; after all, she was now part of the Feng family, sharing both glory and disgrace. Ming Tan sincerely wished for Ming Chu to live a happy life and hoped all members of the Ming family could be joyful.

As Ming Tan helped Ming Chu with her hair, she mentioned that someone had been thinking about Ming Chu all along—if he had seen her just now, he would have been heartbroken. When she saw Ming Tingyuan, Ming Chu was quite surprised. Having grown up in Yangxi Route, she had a straightforward nature, but was not inherently bad. Therefore, both Ming Tingyuan and Ming Tan were willing to be her support going forward.

Guo Bingmao led his troops to the hunting grounds, intending to capture the Emperor effortlessly. However, he didn’t expect the person on horseback not to be the Emperor. By the time he realized the deception, it was already too late. Still unwilling to give up, Guo Bingmao tried to seize Lu Ting, but fortunately, Lu Ting had planned ahead. Guo Bingmao’s forces were vast in number. The Emperor drew his sword, determined to personally fight the traitors to the death.

The imperial guards were outnumbered, and both the Emperor and Lu Ting quickly became overwhelmed. Jiang Xu arrived with the Dingbei Army just in time to rescue the Emperor. Today, he vowed to cleanse the traitors of the Yangxi Route on behalf of Ming Tingyuan. After leaving prison, Liu Mo came before Su Wenchun to send him off. Su Wenchun tried to use years of nurturing as leverage over Liu Mo, but Liu Mo could no longer tolerate his pretentiousness.

Since he had once pledged loyalty to Su Wenchun, he was willing to die for him, but his father had lived a life of integrity and must not die in vain. Just as Liu Mo was about to strike, Brother Si rushed over to protect Su Wenchun. Liu Mo’s martial skills had been taught by Brother Si, but to Liu Mo, not avenging his father would be a disgrace as a son!

Liu Mo killed Brother Si with his own hands. From a corner, Su Wenchun peeked out, only to see Liu Mo stabbed in the chest. With his final breath, Liu Mo killed Su Wenchun to avenge his father, then coughed up a mouthful of blood—three lives were lost. Jiang Xu captured Guo Bingmao, who claimed Su Wenchun had coerced him. But Liu Mo had already made a full confession in prison, making Guo Bingmao’s execution inevitable.

The Emperor was overjoyed—their gamble had paid off once again. But Jiang Xu was upset with the Emperor; if he hadn’t arrived in time, the Emperor might have died for his country. With Su Wenchun dead and Guo Bingmao defeated, news arrived from the palace that the Empress Dowager had taken her own life. A month later, the chaos of war had settled. The Emperor and Jiang Xu were playing chess at Hanshan Temple.

But because Ming Tan had not yet returned to the capital, Jiang Xu was restless and in low spirits. From not far away came Ming Tan’s voice, returning to fulfill a vow. She had prayed that her pregnancy would be free of troubles and that the baby in her womb would be healthy. Jiang Xu was dumbfounded and rushed over without a second thought. The couple, having been apart for so long, missed each other deeply.

Jiang Xu, now knowing he would become a father, was overjoyed beyond words. The next day, Bai Minmin arrived at the residence of the General of Dingbei. Lü’e and Yun Yi spoke softly, afraid of disturbing Ming Tan, saying it was under Jiang Xu’s orders. Zhang Huaiyu was pestering Jiang Xu to discuss wedding preparations. Though national mourning forbade marriage for three years, he was confident that his wedding with Bai Minmin would go ahead as planned.

Just as Jiang Xu was about to handle military affairs, he heard that Bai Minmin had arrived. Worried that Ming Tan might be disturbed, he hurried over at once. Jiang Xu cared for Ming Tan in every possible way, leaving Bai Minmin gritting her teeth in frustration.

Ming Tan quietly told Bai Minmin the news that she was pregnant. Zhang Huaiyu couldn’t help but feel delighted—he didn’t expect that he would also be an uncle now. Bai Minmin and Zhang Huaiyu bickered playfully, and Jiang Xu hurriedly sent the two of them off.

Bai Minmin then went to pick out gifts for her nephew and didn’t forget to complain to Zhang Huaiyu about how overly nervous Jiang Xu was, turning the whole Prince’s residence into a flock of startled birds. However, Zhang Huaiyu felt that Ming Tan seemed to enjoy the attention. When Bai Minmin saw the peach blossom talisman hanging at Zhang Huaiyu’s waist, she mistakenly thought he had become close with some girl back in Lingzhou and got jealous.

Zhang Huaiyu looked completely puzzled—wasn’t that the talisman Bai Minmin had specifically gone to Hanyan Temple to ask for? Only then did Bai Minmin recall that it was indeed a talisman to ward off petty people she had requested back then. Who would have thought it would backfire like this? The Emperor summoned Jiang Xu to discuss important state affairs, but Jiang Xu, distracted by Ming Tan’s pregnancy, couldn't focus on anything.

Regarding the appointment of the commander-in-chief for Yangxi Route, Jiang Xu recommended General Feng and even asked for a leave of absence to accompany Ming Tan properly. Shu Jingran came to request an audience and volunteered to go to Lingzhou. However, taking over Lingzhou was not something that could be done overnight—it would mean being away for many years. But Shu Jingran had already given it careful thought; he wished to bring prosperity to that land.

The Emperor did not understand why he made this decision. Shu Jingran explained that he had fallen for a woman, but due to social hierarchies and family background, there were countless obstacles. Therefore, he hoped to build a future with his own hands and promise it to her. The Emperor granted his wish. Before leaving the capital for his post, Shu Jingran specially arranged to meet Yun Yi, ordering many of her favorite dishes, including her beloved roasted chicken.

Over the recent days they had spent constantly together, Yun Yi already understood Shu Jingran’s feelings. Yun Yi quickly interrupted, saying that his future and marriage had surely been arranged by his family, and just knowing him was already a great joy for her. Regardless of how Shu Jingran felt, she only saw him as a close friend, with no romantic feelings involved. As Yun Yi stood up to leave, Shu Jingran panicked.

What if he said he would never marry anyone but Yun Yi in this lifetime? Yun Yi clenched the hem of her clothes, saying their backgrounds were vastly different, and Shu Jingran deserved someone better. But in Shu Jingran’s heart, Yun Yi was the best. He had already requested to be posted to Lingzhou, and from now on, family status would no longer matter—he was just himself.

Shu Jingran asked Yun Yi if she was willing to go to Lingzhou with him, to build a life of their own, and create a future that belonged to them. Yun Yi felt overwhelmed. Ming Tan came to comfort her and mentioned the time Yun Yi had been kidnapped in Lingzhou—Shu Jingran had gotten into an argument with Jiang Xu because he insisted on going to rescue her.

Yun Yi hadn’t known any of this, nor could she understand why Shu Jingran liked her. Ming Tan told her she didn’t need to figure that out—she just needed to think about whether she felt happy when she saw him, whether he was someone special to her. Yun Yi thought it over. She would never forget the fireworks from that night.

She finally understood her own heart, but she was worried about how Ming Tan would manage if she went to Lingzhou. Ming Tan comforted her, saying Jin Yunwei would always be their home, but they also needed to have their own lives. When Ming Tan returned to her room, she saw the silk Jiang Xu had sent back, while Jiang Xu himself was still in the study handling official matters. He was currently discussing how to retaliate against Nanlü.

Ming Tan went to the study, and Jiang Xu immediately had his men hide in the secret chamber. Ming Tan pouted, made a fuss, and even asked Jiang Xu to carry her back. As she was leaving, she suddenly heard a sneeze from the secret chamber and was so embarrassed she wanted to crawl into a hole.

Ming Tan originally wanted to discuss Shu Jingran and Yun Yi with Jiang Xu, but Jiang Xu said that dealing with Yun Yi only required one move. The next day, Jiang Xu ordered Yun Yi to escort Shu Jingran to Lingzhou and to stay by his side every day without leaving. After receiving the order, Yun Yi was reminded by Jiang Xu to take good care of herself. Yun Yi had no family or close kin.

If she and Shu Jingran truly ended up together in the future, Ming Tan also hoped she could marry with dignity. So Ming Tan specially prepared many items to be saved for Yun Yi as a future dowry. Yun Yi did not say goodbye to Ming Tan in person—she was afraid that Ming Tan would get upset, which wouldn’t be good for the pregnancy. Since meeting Ming Tan and Jiang Xu, Yun Yi had found family and friends.

Reading the letter Yun Yi left behind, Ming Tan felt very reluctant to part with her. Zhang Huaiyu sent someone to deliver a gift, saying it was specially customized according to Bai Minmin’s wishes—a small bed. As for the child's name, Jiang Xu already had an idea: Jiang Ding. The courtesy name would be taken from his own title, “Dingbei Gui”—the return of the General of Dingbei, the greatest honor of his life.

Six years later, the heir of the General of Dingbei’s household, Jiang Ding, already knew how to protect his little sister. Meanwhile, the child of Zhang Huaiyu and Bai Minmin pestered them to give him a younger sister too, leaving the adults both laughing and crying.