Novel (long) summary. Beware SPOILERS!

Middle Part of the Novel : Outside Lin’An Town. They move along with every Battle. 

• XZ actually already join with his guard and his military advisor Gong Su Yin (GSY). Then, he got news that Lin’An Town being ambush.
• FCY, along the way while being kidnapped manage to escape. She run to river and take a boat but assassin still chase to her boat. Then she fell to icy water, she thought this is the end of her but saved by XZ
• When woke up, she doesn’t know that XZ save her, so she run away. She found governor’s man and go with them to find CN
• FCY went to shelter where CN and other neighbor supposed to be there, only to find out that the shelter was on fire and CN being kidnapped
• SYQ that come to FCY house before find a picture of XZ, FCY and CN. He thought that CN is their daughter, so kidnapped CN to threaten XZ.
• CN arrest in SYQ mansion where she met Yu Bao Er (YBE). YBE turns out is SYQ’s brother – Sui Yuan Huai (SYH) son. Yu Qian Qian is SYH’s runaway Concubine. When Lin’An town in chaos, SYH manage to catch them back. SYH has broken face because the fire in Eastern Palace happened 16 years ago.
• 16 years ago, after Crown Prince Chengde dead, Crown Princess knew that she and their son will be next target, so she orchestra this fire. At the end the one who die in fire in Eastern Palace is Prince Chang Xin eldest son while imperial grandson still alive although burn his face. Since that fire, imperial grandson swap place to Prince Chang Xin Palace become his eldest son SYH.  
• Back to now, FCY keep looking for kidnapped CN. But, on her way she captured to help build dam. There, she met old man, Grand Tutor Tao (XZ’s teacher)
• When the dam almost finish, FCY help to chase and kill runaway spy who want to leak the news about the dam. She helped to succeed General He Jing yu’s plan with Jizhou army and save the people
• On the other side, CN being drag by SYQ to the fight between him and XZ. XZ manage to save CN but heavily injured.
• In short, HJY with Jizhou army win the battle at the dam and XZ with Yanzhou army also win the battle at Yixia Gorge.
• There FCY know that XZ is with Yanzhou army at Yixia Gorge. She looks for him and found him lay covered in blood in wounded soldier tent. There, her eyes reddened and said to her husband, “Don’t serve army anymore, come back home, I’ll raise pig to support you.” No divorce needed.
• Other soldier cheer and envy them said if I have wife that travel thousand miles to find me, even if I die, I won’t regret
• Later FCY knew that XZ hurt is to help CN. She felt sad and guilty
• GSY help XZ hide his real identity in the meantime
• FCY in headquarters admired by many. She shows her strength and ability in many things.
• Later because he was injured and the soldier need to get ready for next battle, she deliberately dose XZ and went to war on his place
• In short, they manage to win the battle. After XZ awake, he managed to kill the enemy general and catch up FCY. FCY also manage to kill enemy general’s brother. XZ angry with FCY reckless that she went to the battle in his place. But, here FCY also found out that her husband actually Marquis Wu’An.
• Know the gap of their status, FCY want to leave the army and go back with CN, after all their marriage should be null because by name her husband is Yan Zheng, not Xie Zheng. But, from XZ side, his heart no doubt FCY is the only lady he loves and want her to stay
• After win the battle, Grand Tutor Tao arrive to headquarter. XZ ask his teacher to adopt FCY as his Goddaughter to give her status.
• Besides, XZ give her a sword which he asks blacksmith specifically made for her that in process XZ himself consecrate it with his own blood, leave him a deep sword scar across his back
• FCY actually already fall for XZ too, only doubt about their big status gap. Hence, she accepts Grand Tutor Tao as her Godfather, decide to leave XZ for now to join Jizhou army (under HJY). To XZ she said that she wants to achieve military merits, gain status by her own feet. She wants to find confidence to stand beside XZ openly and honorably.
• In Jizhou army, Grand Tutor Tao met HJY. Here, we know (‘We’ as reader but not FCY)
  • FCY’s father name actually is Wei Qilin (WQL). He was a servant bought by Wei family and trained as assassin. He is a strong and talented man.
  • Wei Yan originally had no military power. It is WQL and HJY who gain military achievements on battlefield for Wei Yan
  • Later, Wei Yan married his sister (XZ mother) to Xie Linshan (XZ father). WQL then work under Xie Linshan and earn appreciation from Xie Linshan’s old general, Meng Suyuan (MSY)
  • MSY only had one daughter, then WQL married into Meng family
  • WQL later known as Fan Er’niu to hide his status and his wife pretend has no surname that her background was only a maid
  • So, FCY parents actually are WQL and Old general MSY’s daughter
  • 17 years ago, at the Battle of Jinzhou, MSY accused delayed military supply delivery. This cause Crown Prince Chengde, XLS and hundred thousand troops starving. When enemy ambush, soldiers was too weak allowing enemy win. Jinzhou fall. CP Chengde and XLS die, hence the power in court shift to Wei Yan
  • Learned XLS died, MSY knelt and took his own life. MSY labeled as a traitor, being cursed even after more than a decade      
  • After XLS dead, XZ mother commit suicide, then XZ had to live with his Uncle Wei Yan. Everyone knew that Wei Yan always been cold towards this nephew. XZ hate his mother for being too weak, leaving him alone. He often has nightmare seeing his mother skirt hanging.
  • But Grand Tutor Tao said that at that time Wei Yan try very hard to persuade him to take XZ as student. This gesture to invite highly Grand Tutor Tao is a treatment that even Wei Yan’s son Wei Xuan could not receive    
• Finally, Grand Tutor Tao said that he will go to Capital first for there might be some hidden circumstances from what really happened 17 years ago
• Politic in Palace
  • 17 years ago when Crown Prince Chengde fall, Wei Yan chose this young prince to succeed the throne as next Emperor
  • This young Emperor has teacher call Grand Tutor Li. He agreed to married a Li family girl as Empress to support the Li family against Wei Yan
  • At that time Empress only 13 years old. But until now Empress still no conceive
  • Grand Tutor Li suspect that Emperor himself doesn’t want to have descendant from Li
  • With Wei Yan begin to downfall, The Emperor doesn’t want Li family become next Wei Yan controlling Him
  • Even The Emperor plan to marry Imperial Princess to Marquis Wu’An. This is to keep Li family in check after Wei Yan falls
  • After all, 17 years has passed, The Emperor’s wings had gradually grown strong. He wanted to seize power from Wei Yan’s hands.
• Back at Jizhou army. There was fierce battle between Jizhou army and Prince Changxin army in Chongzhou. FYI, Prince Changxin occupied Chongzhou always want to rebel, especially after Jinzhou fell 17 years ago.
• In short, HJY severely wounded but save by FCY. FCY who supposed to be low in rank but manage to do merits in war. FCY fight directly with Prince Changxin and succeed killed him (although no one know the last arrow that killed Prince Changxin actually blow by XZ in disguise), then FCY fainted from exhaustion. 
• FCY wake in her tent then summoned to HJY tent where HJY finally explained all the background of her family (HJY feels better to explain now than bring it to grave). She feels so heavy learning the truth about her background. Her grandfather was Meng Suyuan, the one all people call traitor, the one who cause XZ’s father killed. That kind of grudge, how should she face XZ
• Outside the tent, disguise XZ hear all the conversation then he run
• FCY just realize, the one who bring her back to tent, the one who actually killed Prince Changxin was XZ in disguise and he might hear everything outside the tent. She then chased him.
• Meet with him, they cried for this unfunny fate. XZ said he will let her go that it impossible for him to still be with the granddaughter of his father’s killer. XZ said that after his revenge to WY he will stay in north and never meet her again. FCY, still cried but had to let him go and swear that she will find the truth    
• In short, Prince Changxin dead on Battle. XZ went to Kang City (Capital of Chongzhou) to Prince Changxin mansion. Sui Yuan Huai manage to flee with Yu Qian Qian and Yu Bao Er. Sui Yuan Qing captured by XZ. SYQ want to kill himself but XZ told him that Sui Yuan Huai is impostor and his mother killed by SYH. Hence, SYQ become XZ’s prisoner live only wait to kill SYH. 
• In this a while, XZ decide to go to Xie Family old home alone. There, in Xie ancestral hall XZ ask Xie family housekeeper to give him heaviest punishment which is 108 lashes. XZ ask this for his love to FCY (descendant of his father killer). Although he already left her but his heart can’t stop missing her. 108 lashes in front of his old wound that hasn’t fully heal make the scene become pool of blood. He endures the pain thought after this he could find her 
• From the capital, current Emperor issue an edict for Grand Princess marriage with XZ, bring by Eunuch. Despite still not fully heal, XZ rush back to military camp, XZ cut Eunuch ear and told him to back before Eunuch could announce any. From XZ point of view, no one could use him as pawn, if current Emperor is a bad person, impostor SYH (son of CP Chengde) also crazy bad person, he could rise another better one to sit the Throne
• SYH working together with Li Family, manage to run and secretly regroup with rest of Prince Changxin army. Now he held 20.000 army with him. SYH plan to attack back, start from Lu City. Lu City, guard by sick HJY not ready for such an attack
• FCY at this time positioned quiet near Lu City. She was sent with small cavalry to aid first, while bigger Jizhou army with General Tang Pei Yi behind
• Arrived at Lu City, Battle already started with Lu City hard to hold enemy, even civilian died at the fort defending the city. When FCY manage to arrive, she cut the way of enemy army in front of the gate to get inside. She found HJY die standing at the fort.
• Enemy army step back for a while to regroup. FCY said it could take 2 hours for Jizhou army to come. So, they need to hold as best as possible
• XZ with his army who supposed to be further got a tip and hurry to Lu City
• To hold rebel army longer FCY and dozen soldier decide to get out for one vs one combat to delay next attack. FCY scream that she is Meng Suyuan descendant, hope that at least she could do some merit for Meng family name
• SYH send dozen of his shadow guards. They were not military man but more trained assassin. No need long time other soldiers who come out with FCY been killed. It became FCY alone versus 16 of them, she hurt badly but still try hard to hold on
• Just in time, XZ come and turn the condition
• In short, with XZ help Lu City save. Enemy army lost. SYH flee again with YQQ and YBE but manage to fake it with dead body double for everyone know he dead. Everyone can be lied but not with XZ
• FCY seriously injured but alive. XZ thought if he late she could die (1 vs 16 SYH trained shadow guards)
• XZ meet FCY said he regret it and want to get back like before. FCY thought that the gap between them not only deep grudge but the bestowed marriage from Emperor. Only now she learns that XZ cut Eunuch ear before Eunuch could announce any
• Finally, they get back together again. They will investigate and find the truth for what happened 17 years ago
• XZ Red Blood Guard manage to trace SYH and kidnap back YQQ and YBE. FCY happy she could meet them again. CN who already arrive at Lu City too also happy that she could reunite with YBE
• XZ went to investigate 17 years ago incident since he received the news from his guard that they found and save Zhu You Chang, one of old general Meng’s general who has been Wei Yan’s prisoner this 17 year
• What really happened 17 years ago:
  • Old General Meng supposed to send military supply to Jinzhou (to XLS & Crown Prince Chengde)
  • Sixteenth Prince insist to attack Luo City to save civilian from rebel and ignore Old General Meng advice. At the end Sixteenth Prince capture by rebel in Luo City
  • Sixteenth Prince is Old Emperor favorite son. He wanted to achieve something to fight with Crown Prince
  • Not aiding Luo City could result many civilian deaths, but losing Jinzhou would have left Great Yin wide open, allowing the foreign enemy attack easily that could cause ten or a hundred times more deaths
  • Hence Old General Meng continue to go to Jinzhou for supply, leave small group to negotiate in Luo City while sent an urgent report to capital
  • In Chongzhou (located between Luo City and Jinzhou) rule by Prince Changxin, Wei Qi Lin sent an imperial tiger tally with personal letter from Wei Yan, said His Majesty had ordered the Old General Meng to return to Luo City immediately to rescue the Sixteenth Prince and that Prince Changxin’s troops would escort the supplies to Jinzhou
  • Old General Meng didn’t believe it at first because there was no imperial edict, but when he told that Old Emperor want to cover up his favorite son, Sixteenth Prince mistake hence no imperial edict only tiger tally, then Old General Meng buy it
  • Old General Meng depart to Luo City, but not long after that, there was a news that Jinzhou fall. CP Chengde and XLS dead. All mistake pointed out to Old General Meng said it all because he delayed military supply.
  • Feels guilty Old General Meng kill himself face to Jinzhou, tell his subordinate General Zhu to keep the tiger tally, only to show when the time is right
  • After the rebel in Luo City know that Jinzhou fall and military mental down, they immediately kill Sixteenth Prince and civilian to raise their flag
  • After Old Emperor knew that his two sons dead, He passed away due to excessive grief
  • With this condition, Wei Yan quickly raise Nineteenth Prince (current Emperor) to ascend the throne. Nineteenth Prince at that time has no foundation, only follow Wei Yan
  • General Zhu, hold tiger tally as evidence try to clean Old General Meng name, but Eastern Palace also fall very quick. General Zhu then went to Madame Xie (Wei Yan Sister, General Xie wife, Xie Zheng mother)
  • Wei Yan overheard General Zhu conversation with his sister, detained General Zhu, but Madam Xie threaten Wei Yan with her life to protect General Zhu life. General Zhu become Wei Yan prisoner but not killed. The reason is tiger tally is still with him, Wei Yan couldn’t find it because General Zhu sewed it inside his broken leg
  • At the end, Madam Xie commit suicide after arrange all Xie attendant back to Xie old house and let Xie Zheng raised by Wei Yan. She chose to die not because weak in the face of grief but to protect her son and her husband relatives
• Although YQQ and YBE guard by XZ’s Red Blood Cavalry but SYH or actually Qi Min – son of CP Chengde managed to kidnap them back. QM instruction clear, he want YQQ alive but shadow guard could kill YBE. For QM before he could ascend the throne, YBE could be his rival for throne
• FCY manage chase them and rescue YBE, but could not rescue YQQ

Extra & Side Story

Song Yan Story

• In novel there was this Song family (I not include it in main summary, but here is their story). This happened in Lin’An town, start when FCY’s parents still alive
• Song family was very poor and cannot buy a coffin for dead husband. FCY’s parents help Song family to buy coffin and many other things.
• Mother Song promised to pay Fan family kindness that her son, Song Yan will study hard to become a scholar. She then betrothed SY to FCY, said so FCY would have a bright future with scholar husband.
• Everyone knew that Song family indebted to Fan family, even SY’s tuition is helped by FCY’s parent. SY resented Fan family kindness for people looks down at him, always need to be help
• Later SY passed town exam and there is accident caused FCY’s parent sudden death
• After FCY’s parent died, her uncle wants to seize her family’s property including their house.
• To secure it, the only way is for FCY take in a husband. Take in a husband means male status will inferior to female
• Mother Song is very cunning didn’t want her son who just passed town exam married to orphan girl, especially as take in husband. She eyed high now and look down on FCY. She quickly canceled the engagement, spread the rumor that FCY bring bad luck
• SY also secretly felt a sense of satisfaction for disaster happen in Fan Family. He thought that FCY would bow her head to him asking for help
• SY had been waiting, but in the end, he only received news of FCY marrying someone else
• Mother Song & SY didn’t stop here. Knew the one FCY married was a man who background unknown, Mother Song often bully FCY’s family bring many dispute
• Some years later, now, SY went to capital for imperial examination and failed
• SY’s friend recommend him to be a noble family little girl tutor while waiting for next exam. Once he arrived to noble family house, he just knew that the noble is FCY, Great General Huaihua
• FCY coldly said “You should know that I could never employ you” and sent him out
• SY could only bow hard, trembling and embarrassed
• At the exit gate, XZ arrived. SY bow very down, his face pale. He knew that FCY married King Regent who reputation was ruthless and could kill without blinking. But only when he heard XZ’s voice he knew King Regent is the same person as the one FCY married in Lin’An town

Xie Zheng Jealousy 

• First, XZ just found that the man he met at the gate was actually SY who once engage with FCY in Lin’An town.
• Second, while XZ organize FCY’s book in the shelve he found one book that neatly annotate not by him. Later he found out it was a gift from Li Huai An and LHA annotate it himself
• With this XZ who still look calm outside vent his jealousy to FCY at night. It was a rough whole night between them
• Next day, XZ let FCY rest, ask a leave for her at the court. FCY woke up almost dawn, still confused why XZ behave like that
• FCY then decide to bring CN to Empress Dowager (YQQ) said YQQ miss CN. FCY said to YQQ to let her stay in Palace for a couple of days
• FCY talk this domestic problem with YQQ (we get fun girl talk involving e**tic book etc that YQQ taught her) only to find next morning FCY decide to trained more her fist think that more practical
• Next day YQQ suggest to let CN study together with Yu Bao Er – Qi Yu (QY). QY feel lonely and only happier when CN came. FCY agree
• FCY and CN stay in Palace for 2 days. CN study together with QY, GSY was their teacher
• Later, XZ came said want to pick his wife and CN home. QY said that his mother and Aunt Changyu arrange a polo match to help Grand Princess chose husband. Upon hearing that, XZ & GSY face turned green, especially GSY
• At the polo game, YQQ, FCY and Grand Princess Qi Shu (QS) sit together. There was young man called Shen Shen who YQQ tease QS that SS is prospective candidate
• QS decide to play in next round. FCY in charge to protect QS follow to play. Knew that SS & QS will play on next round, GSY ask XZ to also join with him
• The game doesn’t stay long. QS horse startled on the field causing chaos. GSY & SS seeing QS’s horse panic both spurred their horse and collided. FCY manage to save QS. XZ arrived in time to control the horse. FCY & QS save but GSY & SS broke their leg
• YQQ furious, immediately investigate and found it was because some noble lady grudge to some duchess. It happened that Duchess horse used by QS
• That day FCY & CN went back home with XZ. It turns out XZ arm got injured while controlling the horse. FCY apply medicine to him. FCY look that XZ is annotate military book, still doesn’t know that her same book actually annotated by LHA.
• Only later she found out that XZ jealous because of that. Then, FCY set a puppet show in XZ’s window, explain everything with the show
• FCY felt that she rarely expressed her feeling to her husband, so after the show, she stood up from below lattice and said “Xie Zheng, having seen my lord, how can I not be joyful!” means even in wind and rain, seeing you brings joy to my heart

Gong Sun Yin & Qi Shu Story

• After polo match QS talk with her mother. Her mother said that Shen family held high position for generations. SS has good reputation in court and excellent temperament, should be a good match for QS. GSY, though now he is Imperial Tutor, GS family of Hejian hasn’t entered official service for hundred years, he has wild spirit of scholar that you can’t hold onto
• QS first encounter with GSY was when she was 14 years old. That time, she went to pray at a temple in Hejian with her mother. Being bored, she wandered and found a stone Chinese chess, she moved the black stone piece. Couple days later she back and found white stone piece had been moved. So, she moved the black one again and leave. For almost a month she come everyday to play chess
• Later she found out that the one play chess with her was young master Gong Sun
• QS ask her mother to stay in An family house. QS has a good-for-nothing cousin name An Xu who enter Luyan Academy but often skip school. QS pretend as him, enter Luyan Academy (academy owned by Gong Sun family)
• QS get bad score and punish to copy book, supervise by GSY. GSY known as a genius from Hejian. While supervise her, GSY play chess and QS brave herself to join. They play a good match until dawn. GSY invite her to continue the game next day
• Because of their chess game, QS became thoroughly acquainted with GSY. QS ask a rare chess manual that happened GS family had it, but because it’s private collection of GSY’s grandfather so GSY couldn’t lent it to her. GSY promise will copy it for her  
• Not long, QS’s impersonation of her cousin discovered. QS picked home by her nanny. QS jumped out carriage to find GSY. QS think that she need to explain it or she would regret it for the rest of her life
• Meet with GSY, GSY actually already knew that she was a young lady and the one who play chess with him in temple. But only today GSY also learn that she is the princess. GSY just finish the chess manual copy and want to give it to her, but she run
• On the day QS back to capital, there was a letter from academy for her which was that chess manual copy
• Back to now, QS had been trapped by that chess manual copy for years. She had returned the manual to GSY through FCY and she think that this was time for her to move on
• QS mother start to have meeting with SS mother and arrange QS & SS to many occasion
• On Qixi festival, GSY give flower to QS which QS reject. SS knew that she has feeling for GSY said that although he didn’t know what misunderstanding exist between QS and GSY but marriage is big matter and shouldn’t be decided in a moment of anger
• Then, there was a news that there was turmoil in north. Being occupied with daily court issue, XZ couldn’t go to north. General TPY and FCY will go there
• CN continuously cry that she would separate from FCY. YQQ said to let CN stay in Palace. QS then come to Palace to cheer up CN
• Only now QS learn from QY that GSY sick for over a month, couldn’t come to teach him and CN
• QS counting over a month ago should be after Qixi festival
• While FCY in north, XZ will meet CN every half month at Chongwen Hall (where QY & CN study with GSY). This time the maid who usually take CN there suddenly ill, so QS take CN there instead
• QS met GSY, learn that hundred years ago Gong Sun family was once at its peak with two Empress from Gong Sun family. Then suddenly dragon robes found in Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince was demoted to commoner. Two generation Empress committed suicide in the Palace, entire Gong Sun family exiled. In the end it was discovered to be false accusation by a Prince
• But from that, Gong Sun family set rules ‘do not enter official service’
• GSY also said that the first day QS came to academy, he knew she was a girl. When QS play chess with him, he knew that she was the one who play chess with him in temple. GSY admired QS, only later learn that she was Princess. GSY said “I will never enter official service in this life, how could I dare to mislead her?”   
• GSY can be Imperial Tutor is because he persuaded his grandfather but promise him, once QY power grows in future, it will be time for him to resign
• GSY then boldly ask QS when he resign and return to hometown, would QS willing to be a pair of free spirits with him
• QS then reply that she wanted Gong Sun family’s library of ten thousand books as a betrothal gift, which agree by GSY
• After meet with XZ, QY and CN hiding behind fake mountain eavesdropping QS and GSY. CN said that she also wanted to become a princess like Aunt QS. QY said why don’t CN be his Empress instead. Then they make pinky promise, a hundred years no changes allowed, whoever lies is a puppy
• The following autumn QS married with GSY
• After new year General TPY and FCY returned triumphantly. This year QY turns 12 years old. XZ resigned from his position as King Regent. He will back to north to guard border with his wife FCY
• On the day they left capital, QY went out to bid farewell. QY hand farewell gift to CN and said to remember their promise

Qi Min Story

• Before Jinzhou fall Qi Min was still a carefree eldest grandson. He only 4 years old, his daily concerns were merely how to complete lessons left by his father – CP Chengde and how to sweet talk his mother to let him play cuju longer
• When Jinzhou fall, his father was dead. People in Eastern Palace were constantly dying
• He was very sad but his mother’s grief seemed more profound than his own. She always crying. At night she always watched him and not sleep, murmuring that he must survive
• Later, she orchestra fire in Eastern Palace. She pressed QM face to charcoal brazier. It was a great pain that QM cried until his throat could no longer produce sound. That time QM only thought it hurts so much, living is too painful and it would be better to die
• Then Imperial Guard carried QM to safety. As he got further, he saw his mother smiled gently through the flames and from her lips ‘survive’
• When QM regained consciousness, he heard from a servant name Lan that from now on his mother not Crown Princess but Princess Consort of Changxin. From then on QM live in Prince Changxin Mansion as Prince Changxin eldest son, Sui Yuan Huai
• QM afraid of fire and warm, that’s why his courtyard all dark, his food cold, even water for bathing had to be cold
• Once bandage could be removed from his face, all maid frightened, only Aunt Lan serve him. Aunt Lan order to move all reflective objects in his room
• Princess Consort’s sister who then married to Prince Changxin came to see him. She was frightened too that she didn’t dare to enter the room
• One day QM finally could see his face through water in basin, he shock to his ugly face, it’s a monster face he not recognize. Then his temperament became dark, solitary, sensitive
• Later Aunt Lan found a miraculous doctor who said the burned skin, once replaced, could heal well. The pain of skin grafting is one of the most cruel torture. QM had to endured it several years to completely replace all dead skin on his face & body
• It was too painful that countless times QM thought it would be better to die, but he just couldn’t die. He decided to seek revenge for all the pain, for his mother had to die for him
• Years later, new Princess Consort already has a son name Sui Yuan Qing, a healthy and lovely son. QM hate him for SYQ could practice martial arts, ride horses, shoot arrows, while he was constantly ill and need to drink medicine everyday
• Physician said that maybe they shouldn’t let QM undergo skin grafting again which damaged his health. But Aunt Lan said without skin grafts, with his disfigured appearance, how could he ever sit on dragon throne. Aunt Lan also said that while QM body still functional, they should choose women for him to leave offspring
• QM had never felt such irony before. His heart turned cold. And after all, it never for him but for that dragon throne, for bloodline of CP Chengde
• Then Aunt Lan start arrange women for QM, QM randomly chose one timid girl. Later, Aunt Lan even give drug for him do the deed. QM felt sick and disgusted. Every time he frustrated he couldn’t contain his violence. QM want kill that woman but she truly lucky that she diagnosed pregnant
• Next, QM start his plan for revenge. He knew that it all start from his father death at the hand of WY and Prince Changxin. He hated them to bone but their power still strong so he needed to escalate conflict between them, let them fight each other first. Then to win Li family at court to back him, he needed to dismantle alliance between Li family and current Emperor
• QM then forced himself to face his fear of fire. He chose cruel method by burn people in front of him, feel the heat, hear the scream, face nightmare. Day after day he became madman. He also start train martial art secretly with his father shadow guard
• One day pain make QM jumped into cold pond. At the moment QM thought he would die, there was a slender yet warm hand helped him
• Docile. This was QM’s thought of the woman who saved him. Her eyes revealed a fearless and unrestrained spirit as if she had never been bound by any rules. For the first time QM understood what it felt to have his heart caught by a single glance
• That woman was actually the one who carrying his bloodline. He just wondered that she seems has different personality with the timid girl he chose and how could she not recognize him at first
• That woman surname is Yu. Whenever QM went to her place, she looked obedient, she not afraid with him like she used to be. QM like her. However, not long, that woman escape. Whatever QM’s effort to catch her back, he couldn’t find her. Only after five years later, there was news of that woman in Qingping county
• Then it’s the main story we knew. That woman give herself name Yu Qian Qian. She bore son name Yu Bao Er. She run tavern in Qingping County. That night of rebellion she sold his tavern and run with her son. QM caught and prison them. Then the battle at Lu City. FCY at that time fought alone against his shadow guard. It for the first time YQQ beg QM to spare FCY life, distract QM, brought enough time to XZ’s unexpected arrival
• Then we got to know some politic and maneuver from every party – WY, Prince Changxin, Li family, current Emperor, XZ
• Later, when QM could kidnap YQQ back but failed to kill YBE, YQQ despise him so much. YQQ said “You won’t let me die, but one day, I will kill you.” He answered “Everyone dies eventually. Dying by your hand seems not bad compared to dying at the hands of others. When the time comes, make me a soup and put poison in it”
• Then Palace coup failed, but the failure didn’t hit QM very hard. His life has been too tiring. He had burned his face and body, watching his mother perish in flames and that only to steal a few decades of precarious survival
• For over 10 years he endured phantom of pain, walk on thin ice. He often felt that this was no different from being dead, but he couldn’t die. His life was what his mother trade with her own. Now, actually he finally feels free
• Later, YQQ indeed come with the soup she made, fulfill their promise. He only wanted an answer of who she really was. But she didn’t give the answer
• Only after poison corroding his internal organ, large amounts of fresh blood spilling from his mouth, in daze he heard YQQ said to FCY that she came from a place very far, it would take thousands of years from now on
• At the end, the emptiness in QM’s chest didn’t feel as painful anymore. He slowly closed his eyes. He had gotten the answer he wanted

Li Huai An Story

• After Li & Wei factions attempted rebellion failed, all involved were brought to justice, executed or exiled
• LHA – grandson of Grand Tutor Li, after being captured by XZ, he was continuously imprisoned and tortured
• GSY came to interrogate him, but his lips tight. He only said that Li family can be fall but he couldn’t be the cause of its fall. 20 years protection and nurturing grace LHA received enough for him to say nothing, determined to die
• After Qi Yu ascension, he and other Li faction embark for exile. The journey was very difficult. Many cursed and resented Li family. Once, his nephew sick, he couldn’t do anything, only hug him until he died. He thought this was what common people felt because of Li family crimes
• Along the way, LHA also sick. Escorting official thought he would die, but he stubbornly lived on. He saved his minimal food, give it to beggar, sometimes he would teach beggar few characters and even help name some beggars
• One official then asked him, you had fallen so low yourself, who are you trying to impress with this benevolence? Li family had caused great drought in Guanzhong, flood in Jiangnan, bloody incident in Lu City. LHA then answered, Li family’s crimes indeed involve thousands lives of common people, impossible to atone. But LHA feels guilty in his heart, rather than dying, he chose to do something for common people, repay sins
• After harsh journey, they arrived in Suzhou. Suzhou located in northwest border region, was desolated, harsh & bitterly cold.
• In Suzhou, LHA do hard labor repairing city wall. He always felt guilty. Not long, Suzhou face enemy attack, many people died. LHA injured his leg but alive. LHA manage to save infant for civilian woman who died under barbarian’s blade. That infant turns out to be orphan since his father also die. LHA adopt him, name him Chen Lang
• Later, because turmoil in north he heard that General TPY come and FCY followed. LHA then learn that FCY and XZ had married, his heart feels slight bitter. But in this world, besides Marquis Wu’an, he indeed couldn’t think of a second person worthy FCY
• After the attack, LHA helped new city commander organize documents and strategize on how to build city defenses. Despite still being criminal, LHA promote to a minor official. Seeing LHA leg was not good, he no longer needed to do hard labor repairing city wall, but LHA still went to city gate everyday move bricks or assist craftsmen. Only when his body and mind exhausted he feel somewhat at peace, atoning his sins
• After war end, LHA started a private school in his humble farm yard, teaching local children to read and write without charging tuition
• Later, he heard news that female general and her husband retreated from court, returning to northwest. LHA located not far from them but he felt unworthy to face old acquaintances
• But he heard many stories of them. On the sixth year of new emperor ascend, FCY gave birth to twins. The eldest daughter’s name was Xie Cong Yun and the son’s name was Meng Xing Chuan
• Sixteen years later, LHA in his forty had serious illness. His temples as white as sixty-year-old man. His body frail and he had been bedridden for half a month without improvement
• Chen Lang, the child he adopted had now come of age. CL said that there was two distinguish guest at city lord mansion want to meet LHA
• LHA then meet the twins. The young lady (resemble FCY) seemed to know who he was said that he already done enough, though cannot erase Li family past mistake but should allow LHA to be at peace, which nodded by the young man (resemble XZ)
• LHA seemed to see old acquaintances through them, his eyes filled with tears but he smiled. A smile of relieved liberation
• That night LHA left this world with smile. Funeral kept simple on the back of mountain just like he wanted. Many who had been educated by him plant peach or plum tree where he was buried. The following spring, the entire mountain bloomed with peach and plum blossoms

Wei Yan Story

• After the Battle of Jinzhou. After WY’s sister commit suicide, at Wei Yan’s residence. A steward knocked WY room said young master (XZ) having nightmare again, crying inconsolably, called for his Uncle
• WY went to little XZ, rather than console him, WY scold him with harsh word, said if you this weak how can you avenge your father who hung on city walls by Beixi. Xie family doesn’t produce cowards, nor does Wei family. Relying on your father’s military achievements will only make you like a dog
• 4 years old XZ stunned. He thought Uncle hate him because he left his mother alone in the room to eat cake so give a chance for his mother to hang herself, take her own life
• The steward, name Wei Quan come to WY explain that XZ might misunderstood him, but WY said let XZ think so
• WQ ask why WY torment himself and WY reply if I don’t harden him, I’d be sending him to be slaughtered by others. If he’s not ruthless, he’ll never sit on my position. WQ could only feel bitter for WY
• Jinzhou incident has been pinned to WY by Old Emperor. In this while many intruders and spies come to Wei residence. Jia family spies had pushed little XZ to lotus pond to create illusion that WY want to kill XZ. This result XZ’s mother leave a suicide note and hang herself to protect XZ and other Xie family. WY hate Sui and Jia family so much. Since direct retainer of Xie family had been sent to old mansion per her sister will, WY instruct to kill others intruder either from Sui, Jia or Xie
• Since WY had become Chancellor, he had already survived more than 10 assassination attempts, everyone was looking for his mistakes and his weakness. Along with that, WY also settle the matter in north (Beixi, enemies and rebels after Jinzhou fall). Not infrequently, the path he stepped on was a pool of sticky, dark red blood
• This journey last for 18 years. Pacifying the realm, eliminating traitors and he had also forged the sharpest blade in the world, one that even he couldn’t break
• Now, as he went to meet old acquaintances, he had no regrets. Whether jade terrace or hell, he was at peace