Category: Recaps

The bandits kill Magistrate Cheng and pillage Hua County. When they arrive, Ling Buyi orders his guards to kill the bandits.

[Before going outside the city to fight the bandits, Magistrate Cheng told his granddaughter, Cheng Xiaomei, to hide the seal of Hua County until she could give it to the next magistrate.]

An arrow pierces Ling Buyi’s shoulder while he protects Cheng Xiaomei. Liang Qiuqi tells Ling Buyi that Cheng Shaoshang should have arrived at Hua County yesterday.

The bandits breach the hunting lodge, and Fan Chang brags about killing Miao. Ling Buyi and his guards save Cheng Shaoshang’s group.

Liang Qiufei praises Cheng Shaoshang for treating the wounded, including him, without acting squeamish. 

Cheng Shaoshang cauterizes a servant’s wound, causing him to cry out in pain.

Ling Buyi gives Cheng Shaoshang a handkerchief with calming powder to cover her nose if the stench of blood makes her feel ill. Afraid of delaying Ling Buyi, Cheng Shaoshang suggests that he leaves the injured guards behind and she’ll take care of them.

Cheng Shaoshang’s servant doesn’t dare to cut open Ling Buyi’s shoulder because he can’t suture the wound. Cheng Shaoshang wraps the string of her necklace around the arrow’s tip, then pulls the arrow out of Ling Buyi’s shoulder. This type of arrow is reserved for the military, confirming that the bandits are rebels from the Shu region because they use weapons stolen by Granduncle Dong.

Cheng Shaoshang wants to kill the bandits that have been captured. Ling Buyi tells Cheng Shaoshang to rest while he handles the matter.

Disobeying Ling Buyi, Cheng Shaoshang watches him and his guards execute the bandits. Ling Buyi doesn’t want Cheng Shaoshang to see the blood on his sword, so he hides it behind his body.

Outside the hunting lodge, Ling Buyi turns to look at Cheng Shaoshang before leaving.

It takes a long time for Third Uncle and Lou Yao to find Cheng Shaoshang and Third Aunt, and Third Uncle blames Lou Yao for fainting repeatedly. However, Lou Yao’s version of what happened is the opposite.

[Lou Yao found Third Uncle and told him about the bandits’ ambush. Third Uncle fainted.

Lou Yao and Third Uncle arrived at the place of ambush. Third Uncle fainted.

Lou Yao and Third Uncle came across their group’s belongings abandoned by the road. Third Uncle fainted.]

A squad of Ling Buyi’s guards, led by Liang Qiuqi, will escort Cheng Shaoshang’s group to Hua County.

Ling Buyi touches a trail of blood left by Fan Chang, and he decides to wipe his hand on Liang Qiufei’s sleeve instead of the handkerchief used by Cheng Shaoshang.

Liang Qiuqi’s squad escorts Cheng Shaoshang’s group safely to Hua County.

At Hua County, Cheng Shaoshang sees the carnage of battle for the first time. The carnage also shocks Third Uncle, Third Aunt and Lou Yao.

With his betrothal canceled, Lou Yao intends to follow Cheng Shaoshang to Hua County. Cheng Shaoshang explains to Lou Yao that she was kind to him to annoy He Zhaojun.

Despite Cheng Shaoshang’s explanation, Lou Yao continues to follow her.

Third Uncle gives Lou Yao food. Lou Yao eats while looking at Cheng Shaoshang.

Cheng Shaoshang and Third Uncle fight for Third Aunt’s attention. Copying what Third Uncle did for Third Aunt, Lou Yao uses leaves to provide shade for Cheng Shaoshang. Cheng Shaoshang hides in her carriage.

Lou Yao offers to be their guide because he has a map, which he stole from his brother. Third Uncle tries to convince Cheng Shaoshang to give Lou Yao a chance. However, Third Aunt tells Third Uncle that Cheng Shaoshang doesn’t want to see Lou Yao, and he immediately obeys her.

Cheng Shaoshang plans to marry someone like Third Uncle: gentle, considerate and, most importantly, obedient. Third Aunt never thought she would marry Third Uncle because she was betrothed to Yuan Shen’s teacher, Huangfu Yi.

Having had a betrothal that ended after seven years, Third Aunt prefers a husband like Third Uncle. Cheng Shaoshang doesn’t know if Lou Yao is unreliable like Huangfu Yi or reliable like Third Uncle.

To pass the time, Cheng Shaoshang draws mechanical traps, reads Third Uncle’s war books and wants to learn to play the flute like Third Aunt.

A military maid named Miao entertains the group with her singing. Cheng Shaoshang yearns to live a life without constraints, like a hawk soaring in the sky.

The group takes a detour to Qing County so that Third Uncle can visit a friend. Qing County appears strangely desolate, so Third Uncle wants to stay to investigate while everyone else continues to Hua County.

Lou Yao assures Cheng Shaoshang that their route is safe because Emperor Wen, protected by Ling Buyi and his guards, has just passed by. 

Bandits ambush Cheng Shaoshang’s group. The group manages to kill the bandits, but Third Aunt is injured. There could be more bandits, so Cheng Shaoshang assigns Lou Yao to go get help.

Then Cheng Shaoshang checks the map left by Lou Yao to find a place to stay while waiting for help.

There’s a hunting lodge nearby.

Cheng Shaoshang tells everyone to abandon their belongings.

Upon arriving at the hunting lodge, Cheng Shaoshang instructs everyone to build mechanical traps using whatever materials that are available.

Third Aunt worries about Third Uncle. Cheng Shaoshang realizes that the people of Qing County shut the gates to protect themselves against the bandits, so if Third Uncle makes it into the city, he should be safe.

The mechanical traps stop the bandits from breaching the hunting lodge. Miao protects Cheng Shaoshang and is captured by the bandit leader, Fan Chang.

Recalling what Ling Buyi said about the armament case, Cheng Shaoshang thinks the bandits are rebels from the Shu region lying in wait to assassinate Emperor Wen, thus they will kill anyone who crosses their path to keep their plan a secret.

Ling Buyi uses the excuse of looking for robbers so his guards can search Prince Xiao’s residence. Prince Xiao yells at Ling Buyi in frustration.

A plaque at the entrance of Prince Xiao’s residence says “Steadfast Allegiance,” written by Emperor Wen to praise the Xiao family. Ling Buyi warns Prince Xiao not to be an apple that falls far from the tree.

At Old Madam Wan’s birthday banquet, Cheng Shaoshang and her parents notice that Wan Songbai walks awkwardly.

Wan Qiqi tells Cheng Shaoshang that Old Madam Wan beat Wan Songbai until he almost died.

Warned by her mother, Cheng Shaoshang will get a beating if she causes trouble.

Cheng Shaoshang pretends to feel unwell so she can be alone.

Lou Yao sees Cheng Shaoshang removing pieces of wood from under a bridge in the Wan family’s garden.

Lou Yao stops Lou Li from picking on Cheng Shaoshang. Wang Ling makes fun of Lou Yao because He Zhaojun doesn’t want to marry him. Cheng Shaoshang twists what Wang Ling says to make it seem like Wang Ling is criticizing Princess Yuchang and He Zhaojun.

Ling Buyi invites a group of young men, including Yuan Shen, to go look at flowers in the garden.

But in the garden, Yuan Shen doesn’t see any flowers.

Cheng Shaoshang points out Ling Buyi’s group to the young ladies.

Out of the blue, Ling Buyi starts laughing and urges Yuan Shen to laugh with him.

The young ladies, led by Princess Yuchang and Wang Ling, rush toward Ling Buyi’s group to see them more clearly.

Cheng Shaoshang stops Wan Qiqi and Lou Yao from going.

From across the garden, Cheng Shaoshang nods at Ling Buyi.

The young ladies ignore all signs of caution and gather on the bridge.

Cheng Shaoshang counts down to 1, and just as she expected, the bridge collapses.

The young ladies fall into the water, servants and guests scramble to save them while everyone else looks on in shock. Princess Yuchang weeps in humiliation.

Cheng Shaoshang, laughing and dancing, celebrates her victory.

Cheng Shaoshang isn’t surprised when she is summoned by her mother.

Even if the punishment is a military beating, Cheng Shaoshang refuses to apologize.

Cheng Shaoshang puts a piece of cloth into her mouth.

And Cheng Shaoshang endures the beating in silence.

Cheng Shaoshang’s father, Third Uncle and Third Aunt criticize Cheng Shaoshang’s mother for being heavy-handed. Fed up, Cheng Shaoshang’s mother wants Cheng Shaoshang to go with Third Uncle when he leaves for a government position in Hua County.

Cheng Shaoshang’s condition makes her father cry.

Wan Qiqi wonders who tattled to Cheng Shaoshang’s mother. Cheng Shaoshang blames Ling Buyi, so she won’t accept an ointment sent by him.

Liang Qiufei keeps asking what should be done with the ointment, but Ling Buyi focuses on the rebellion instead of answering him. Liang Qiuqi puts his hand over Liang Qiufei’s mouth.

Cheng Shaoshang’s mother is absent when the Cheng family’s members exchange goodbyes as Cheng Shaoshang, Third Uncle and Third Aunt leave for Hua County.

From a distance, Cheng Shaoshang’s mother watches the procession, protected by her military maids, leave the Capital.

Wan Songbai doesn’t recognize Cheng Shaoshang at first because of her bruised face. Seeing Cheng Shaoshang, Ling Buyi changes his mind and accepts Wan Songbai’s invitation to stay for dinner, breaking the habit of never eating at someone else’s residence.

Old Madam Wan scolds Wan Qiqi for misbehaving and not studying.

Wan Qiqi’s grandfather died when Wan Songbai was a child. Old Madam Wan vowed not to remarry to prevent the family’s wealth from falling into the hands of an outsider, but the men in the clan didn’t believe her, so she cut off her left ear and threw it at the leader.

Ling Buyi hears Cheng Shaoshang talking to Wan Qiqi, so he stops to listen.

Wan Qiqi’s grandfather treated Old Madam Wan exceptionally well despite her background, and thus, she was devoted to him. Like Old Madam Wan, Cheng Shaoshang is also loyal to people who treat her well.    

The topic shifts to Cheng Shaoshang and Wan Qiqi’s future husbands.

The Liang brothers want to keep on eavesdropping, but Ling Buyi won’t let them.

It’s unlikely for Cheng Shaoshang to marry into an aristocratic family, which is why her mother doesn’t bother to teach her to manage a household.

A bridge in the Wan family’s garden can’t be repaired, so it will be demolished and rebuilt.

Cheng Shaoshang discovers that removing pieces of wood under the bridge will cause it to collapse.

Wan Songbai insists he doesn’t have a map of the Shu region, even though he conquered the territory. Ling Buyi doesn’t expose Cheng Shaoshang for eavesdropping.

Wan Qiqi picks out a horse for Cheng Shaoshang but doesn’t have time to teach her.

Cheng Shaoshang struggles, learning to ride the horse by herself. 

Ling Buyi teaches Cheng Shaoshang how to control her horse and then adjusts the stirrups for her. Cheng Shaoshang denies eavesdropping on the conversation between Ling Buyi and Wan Songbai.

The Cheng family has survived Granduncle Dong’s indictment, but if Wan Songbai is prosecuted for hiding a map of the Shu region, the Cheng family might not be lucky again. Ling Buyi recruits Cheng Shaoshang to find the map for him, and in return, he won’t reveal her bridge scheme.

Ling Buyi has searched the Wan family’s residence except for Old Madam Wan’s chamber, so Cheng Shaoshang, unconvincingly disguised as Wan Qiqi, starts searching there.

Accepting Cheng Shaoshang’s charade, Old Madam Wan warns her not to touch a sandalwood box that has an item from Wan Songbai. Cheng Shaoshang opens the box and finds the map.

Notified about Cheng Shaoshang’s success, Ling Buyi can finally leave the Wan family’s residence. 

As Cheng Shaoshang is about to go home, she hears Wan Songbai beg Old Madam Wan to stop hitting him.

Cheng Shaoshang tells her parents why Ling Buyi visited Wan Songbai, including his concern about a rebellion brewing in the Shu region. Fearful for Cheng Shaoshang’s safety, her father forbids her from talking about the matter again.

Emperor Wen’s decision to travel to the Shu region can provoke the rebels, so Ling Buyi decides to strike first.

Led by Ling Buyi, guards surround Prince Xiao’s residence.

Princess Yuchang invites everyone to eat golden dates and ridicules Cheng Shaoshang, who has never eaten them. Wang Ling and Lou Li mock Wan Qiqi, whose family always shows off their wealth. Speaking eloquently, Cheng Shaoshang lists the sacrifices of military families to protect the country, but aristocratic families living in luxury in the capital treat them with disrespect.

Wang Ling calls Cheng Shaoshang a country bumpkin for not knowing someone named “Zisheng.” Cheng Shaoshang says “Zisheng” likes her, but the feeling isn’t mutual, so she won’t stay to see him. Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang meet, and he introduces himself by repeating her boast verbatim.

With Cheng Shaoshang gone, Ling Buyi also leaves, despite Princess Yuchang’s plea for him to stay.

Wan Qiqi confirms Cheng Shaoshang’s fear. “Zisheng” turns out to be Ling Buyi. Furthermore, Princess Yuchang has become a joke after her drowning at the Lantern Festival was sabotaged by Cheng Shaoshang. 

Prince Xiao proposes marriage to He Zhaojun.

Yuan Shen asks Cheng Shaoshang why she dresses like an old lady.

He Zhaojun and Lou Yao don’t want to marry each other, but they have been betrothed since they were children.

Weapons have been smuggled into the Shu region, and the extent of the Xiao family’s involvement is unknown.

Cheng Yang cries for help after falling into a pond. Wang Ling and Lou Li hide nearby, waiting for Cheng Shaoshang to trip on their rope and fall into the pond after Cheng Yang. Cheng Shaoshang cuts the rope and saves Cheng Yang. Wang Ling insults Cheng Shaoshang. Cheng Shaoshang beats up Wang Ling and Lou Li, then punches herself in the face.

Cheng Shaoshang and Wang Ling blame each other when they explain what happened to the elders. Ling Buyi threatens everyone with an investigation by the Ministry of Justice. Thus, Princess Consort Ruyang changes her tone from wanting to punish Cheng Shaoshang to dismissing the incident as a prank. Wang Ling wails in despair. Acting more melodramatic, Cheng Shaoshang faints.

In actuality, Wang Ling, a victim of Cheng Shaoshang’s pinching attack, has worse injuries. 

Not fooled by Cheng Shaoshang’s theatrics, her mother orders her to apologize to Wang Ling.  

Cheng Song and Cheng Shaogong urge Cheng Shaoshang to leave home for a while to avoid punishment from their mother. 

Leaving in a hurry, Cheng Shaoshang shivers in the cold and vows to plan better if she were to run away from home again. 

Cheng Shaoshang won’t go to a matchmaking event for Yuan Shen organized by his mother. Yuan Shen says he doesn’t want to marry Cheng Shaoshang either, and although they continue to argue, he gives her ointment to treat the bruises on her face.

Cheng Shaoshang decides to go to Wan Qiqi’s house.

Ling Buyi asks Wan Songbai to hand over a map of the Shu region. Even though Wan Songbai has fought there, he says he doesn’t have the map.

At the Cheng family’s housewarming banquet, Cheng Shaoshang meets her father’s sworn brother, Wan Songbai. Wan Songbai gives Cheng Shaoshang a dagger as a gift and offers his help if she gets into trouble.

Old Madam Cheng shows off a new hairpin, which costs two taels of gold. Wang Ling and Lou Li disdain people who are not from aristocratic families like them, so they belittle Cheng Shaoshang based on rumors they have heard about her. The young ladies are happy to see Yuan Shen, but Cheng Shaoshang remains oblivious to his charms.

Yuan Shen asks Cheng Shaoshang to deliver a message in the form of a rhapsody to Third Aunt.

Cheng Shaoshang only remembers a couple of words. Nevertheless, Cheng Yang can identify the rhapsody and explains it to Cheng Shaoshang.

Cheng Shaoshang is happy to get out of the house, even if she is just accompanying Cheng Yang to pick a birthday present for Princess Yuchang.

The fire destroys Tian Shuo’s restaurant, including any evidence from Prince Xiao. Ling Buyi orders his guards to cause trouble at Prince Xiao’s shops to force Prince Xiao to continue dealing weapons illegally to make money. The sight of Cheng Shaoshang distracts Ling Buyi.

Yuan Shen mocks Cheng Shaoshang for not knowing different types of poetry.

Yuan Shen asks Cheng Shaoshang if she likes him and is playing hard to get. Cheng Shaoshang promises to deliver Yuan Shen’s message so that he will stop bothering her.

Ling Yi and Madam Chunyu are cousins and had an affair while he was married to Ling Buyi’s mother. Pretending not to notice Ling Buyi’s coldness, Madam Chunyu tries to persuade him to attend Princess Yuchang’s birthday banquet.

Liang Qiufei accepts the invitation without Ling Buyi’s permission and gets a flogging as punishment. 

Unable to recite Yuan Shen’s rhapsody, Cheng Shaoshang struggles to explain it to Third Aunt. Third Aunt and Third Uncle realize that the message comes from Yuan Shen’s teacher, an old friend of Third Aunt, wanting to know how she is doing. 

Princess Yuchang has invited the Cheng family and He Zhaojun to her birthday banquet. He Zhaojun and Prince Xiao have been spending a lot of time together, so he’ll likely be there. Ling Buyi decides to go, too. Liang Qiufei could get another flogging if he can’t find the invitation, which he has thrown away.

At Princess Yuchang’s birthday banquet, Cheng Shaoshang meets Wan Qiqi, Wan Songbai’s youngest daughter. Wan Qiqi shares her jewelry with Cheng Shaoshang and Cheng Yang because they can’t dress plainly when meeting their peers.

Princess Yuchang finds out who sabotaged her drowning at the Lantern Festival. If looks could kill, Cheng Shaoshang would be slayed by Princess Yuchang’s glare.  

Cheng Yang’s nanny accuses Lianfang of stealing Cheng Yang’s desk. However, Cheng Shaogong’s desk has a carving of a qilin head, making it a unique item. Cheng Shaoshang’s mother gives Lianfang and Changpu a chance to explain why they fought.

[Seeing Lianfang retrieving a desk for Cheng Shaoshang, Changpu instructed her maidservant friends to grab it and put it in Cheng Yang’s room, promising to return it after Cheng Yang has seen it. Lianfang knew better than to believe Changpu’s lie.]

Cheng Shaoshang’s mother punishes not just Changpu but also Lianfang.

With a few questions, Cheng Shaoshang exposes Changpu for stealing her desk. Cheng Shaoshang’s mother blames Cheng Shaogong for not giving Cheng Yang a desk, too. Frustrated, Cheng Shaoshang points out that she needs a desk, not Cheng Yang, and confronts her mother for disguising favoritism under the name of fairness. Cheng Shaoshang’s brothers support her for speaking out.

Life is unfair for Cheng Shaoshang. Cheng Yang doesn’t have a mother but seems to have a mother everywhere. Ironically, Cheng Shaoshang has a mother but doesn’t seem to have a mother at all.

To make up for what happened, Third Aunt allows Cheng Shaoshang to go to the Lantern Festival.

At the Lantern Festival, Cheng Shaoshang’s mother walks with Cheng Yang. Cheng Shaoshang forms another group with her brothers and father.

Ling Buyi and his guards are at the Lantern Festival to find the person with a lantern made by Xu Jinzhong. From a distance, Ling Buyi sees Cheng Shaoshang for the first time.

Cheng Shaoshang watches as her mother buys hairpins for Cheng Yang.

A restaurant gives out lanterns to people who can solve the riddles on the lanterns. He Zhaojun points to the lantern she wants, but her companion, Lou Yao, doesn’t know the answer.

Like every year, Yuan Shen solves all the riddles. For everyone’s enjoyment, he comes up with his own riddle: how deep is the restaurant’s well?

The restaurant owner, Tian Shuo, will give a jar of Thousand Miles Drunk to the winner.

Cheng Shaoshang figures out the answer, to everyone’s amazement.

The buyer of Xu Jinzhong’s weapons turns out to be Prince Xiao. His father, Prince Yong, is from Fengyi Prefecture like Xu Jinzhong, and has erased all traces of Xu Jinzhong there.

Princess Yuchang’s maidservant begs Ling Buyi to save her mistress.

Lou Yao isn’t Cheng Shaoshang’s only admirer. Yuan Shen throws Cheng Shaoshang an embroidered ball, but she throws it back, not understanding his intention.

Ling Buyi ignores Princess Yuchang’s plea to save her from drowning. Cheng Shaoshang kicks a servant of Princess Yuchang into the water to show that the water isn’t deep.

The restaurant is on fire, so Cheng Shaoshang doesn’t know how she’ll get her jar of Thousand Miles Drunk. Before a burning section falls on Cheng Shaoshang, Ling Buyi saves her. He leaves before she can see his face clearly and thank him.

Xu Jinzhong sold a large batch of weapons quickly, so he must have dealt directly with the buyer. Seeing the Cheng family’s carriage, Ling Buyi feels nostalgic because he will celebrate the Lunar New Year in the capital for the first time. 

Auspicious hours are critical for Old Madam Cheng. Thus, the Cheng family moves to their new residence before dawn and watches an exorcism dance before going inside.

Old Madam Cheng can’t wait for Cheng Shaoshang’s father to get a government position, so she could get monetary gifts and show off by hosting a banquet lasting three days. 

Cheng Shaoshang is tired. Her mother compares Cheng Shaoshang to Cheng Yang, who wakes up early to study every day. Her father is also tired, having to appease Old Madam Cheng.

Cheng Shaoshang speculates that Emperor Wen still needs her father for military matters, hence a title but no government position, so her father will leave home again. Her cleverness impresses her father but worries her mother.

Cheng Shaoshang builds a swing from discarded wood items. Since she has time for carpentry, starting tomorrow her mother expects her to have time to study the classics.

Cheng Shaoshang asks Lianfang to decipher the smile that flashed across her mother’s face. Lianfang is impressed by Cheng Shaoshang’s carpentry skills, so she assumes Cheng Shaoshang’s mother must be, too.     

Old Madam Cheng‘s favorite child, Third Uncle, has come home with her least favorite person, Third Aunt. Cheng Shaoshang also meets her second brother, Cheng Song, and fraternal twin, Cheng Shaogong. Old Madam Cheng pushes Cheng Shaoshang out of the way to fuss over her grandsons, again wishing for more males in the family.  

Old Madam Cheng disapproves of Third Aunt, even though Third Aunt is of higher status because she is Bailu Mountain Master’s daughter. Seeing her three children get along, Cheng Shaoshang’s mother reminds her sons to pay attention to Cheng Yang, too.  

Cheng Shaoshang’s mother teaches Cheng Yang, but not Cheng Shaoshang, how to manage a household. Cheng Shaoshang hears her mother complain about her to Third Aunt.

Ling Yi and Madam Chunyu urge Ling Buyi to marry Princess Yuchang. Like always, Ling Buyi ignores his father and stepmother, despising them for what they have done to his mother. Ling Buyi is certain he’ll know his future wife at first sight, and she isn’t Princess Yuchang.

Lanterns have a bamboo frame, but the lanterns at the blacksmith shop where Xu Jinzhong hid had a metal base.

Princess Yuchang leaves a lantern for Ling Buyi, with a message on it expressing her feelings. Ling Buyi realizes that Xu Jinzhong made lanterns and used them to communicate with the buyer.

Cheng Shaoshang receives an abundance of gifts from her brothers. Outraged that Cheng Shaoshang uses a child’s desk, Cheng Shaogong will let her have his mahogany desk. Cheng Shaoshang sends Lianfang to retrieve it.

Second Aunt yells at Cheng Shaoshang for tricking her. Following what seemed to be sound advice, Second Aunt vowed not to move out of the main quarters until she has a boy. However, the Cheng family, including Second Uncle, will move to another residence. Cheng Shaoshang sees her mother eavesdropping outside, so she goads Second Aunt to air grievances against Second Uncle, who is disabled.

[Cheng Shaoshang’s mother had just given birth to a boy. Ordered by Emperor Wen, Cheng Shaoshang’s parents must go rescue the Huo family at Gu City. Second Aunt said the baby can shield Old Madam Cheng from misfortune, so Old Madam Cheng insisted on keeping the baby. Cheng Shaoshang’s mother gave birth to another child, this time a girl.

Cheng Shaoshang’s parents left with their three sons, leaving newborn Cheng Shaoshang behind.]

Ling Buyi discovers Xu Jinzhong hiding in a secret room of a blacksmith shop. Xu Jinzhong, who has a birthmark on his neck, commits suicide.

[Troops delivered defective weapons to Gu City. Identified by the distinctive birthmark, the troop leader was Xu Jinzhong.]

Ling Buyi orders his guards to arrest anyone connected to Xu Jinzhong and demolish the blacksmith shop.    

Cheng Yang is happy to see her maternal grandfather, Old Master Ge, and Aunt Ge again. 

Old Master Ge apologizes to the Cheng family, then slaps Second Aunt for causing trouble. Although the Ge family helped the Cheng family by providing provisions during the war, Old Master Ge won’t object if Second Uncle divorces Second Aunt.

Second Aunt wants sons, not daughters, so Cheng Yang was raised by the Ge family. Cheng Shaoshang used to think Cheng Yang was unlucky, but the Ge family provided a loving environment. It’s Cheng Shaoshang who is unlucky. 

Cheng Yang wants to live with the Ge family, but by law, she belongs to the Cheng family. Aunt Ge tells Cheng Yang that children are not at fault for their parents’ misdeeds and that females need to be independent and self-reliant. Agreeing wholeheartedly, Cheng Shaoshang offers Aunt Ge buttermilk.

[Cheng Shaoshang didn’t offer Aunt Ge buttermilk to shift everyone’s attention from Cheng Yang to her. Despite Cheng Shaoshang’s explanation, her mother doesn’t believe calculative people will act without wanting something in return.  

Her mother intends to apply methods she used to train stubborn soldiers to turn Cheng Shaoshang into a carbon copy of Cheng Yang, who is gentle and diligent.]

Steeling her heart, Cheng Shaoshang would rather depend on herself than change to please people who don’t like her.

Old Master Ge and Aunt Ge will take Second Aunt back to the Ge family. Divorced from his wife, Second Uncle is free to go to Bailu Mountain to study. Cheng Shaoshang’s mother assures them that she will treat Cheng Yang like her daughter. Cheng Shaoshang sees her mother comfort Cheng Yang.

Granduncle Dong sold weapons to Xu Jinzhong. Ling Buyi will let Granduncle Dong say goodbye to the Cheng family before being exiled to the frontiers.

Over the years, Cheng Shaoshang’s mother accumulated gifts until she could give them to Cheng Shaoshang. Cheng Shaoshang likes everything except books. To her parents’ horror, she is illiterate.

Unlike Cheng Shaoshang, Second Aunt’s daughter, Cheng Yang, is educated and well-mannered.

Granduncle Dong blames the Cheng family for his predicament, so he makes the farewell memorable by revealing some secrets. Old Madam Cheng mistreated Cheng Shaoshang because she hates Cheng Shaoshang’s mother. Second Aunt didn’t educate Cheng Shaoshang on purpose, and she stole all the money Cheng Shaoshang’s father had sent home over the years.

Xu Jinzhong is hiding somewhere, probably a place familiar to him. Since Xu Jinzhong comes from a family of blacksmiths, Ling Buyi dispatches guards to blacksmith shops to find him.

Second Aunt refuses to move out of the main quarters even though Cheng Shaoshang and her parents should live there because her father is the patriarch of the family.

Cheng Shaoshang is too hungry to memorize anything. Her father brings her food, but her mother forces her to study instead of letting her eat.

Cheng Shaoshang wants to study the mechanics of how things work in the real world, not the classics. Her mother fears that if she doesn’t teach Cheng Shaoshang right from wrong, a troublemaker like Cheng Shaoshang can cause the family’s downfall.

Cheng Shaoshang contemplates why her mother allows Second Aunt to live in the main quarters.

Cheng Shaoshang teaches Second Aunt how she can remain in the main quarters. If Second Aunt says living there is auspicious and helps her to conceive a son, Old Madam Cheng will believe her. Second Aunt takes Cheng Shaoshang for a fool. It seems Cheng Shaoshang will help an enemy to get back at her mother.

Cheng Shaoshang modifies brushes to write multiple words at the same time so she can copy books faster. Her mother scolds her for taking revenge on Second Aunt. Cheng Shaoshang has figured out that Emperor Wen will reward her parents for fighting in the war, so they will move to a better residence, which explains why her mother doesn’t care who lives in the main quarters.

Emperor Wen promotes Cheng Shaoshang’s father to Marquis Quling, responsible for 500 households.