The Glory – Chen Duling, Xin Yunlai

Zhuang Hanyan was originally the third young lady of the Zhuang family, but she was abandoned and raised in the countryside from a young age. Her status did not bring her wealth and glory; instead, she suffered beatings from her uncle and aunt. Her uncle was a drunkard, and her aunt could not afford to buy him more alcohol. When she could no longer endure the beatings, she pushed Zhuang Hanyan out, intending to sell her for money.

At that moment, her uncle noticed Zhuang Hanyan’s beauty and attempted to violate her. Zhuang Hanyan resisted with all her might, and in the end, she was left barefoot, wearing thin clothes, and covered in wounds, collapsing outside the Zhuang family’s gates, thousands of miles away. A young girl discovered the unconscious Zhuang Hanyan. The attending nanny recognized her and joyfully informed the family head that the third young lady had returned.

Fu Yunxi, the Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, rushed over upon hearing the news to question Zhuang Hanyan. When Zhuang Hanyan woke up, she claimed that her uncle and aunt had encountered bandits and were unfortunately killed. Fu Yunxi quickly realized she was lying but did not expose her immediately. Instead, he warned her to tell the truth, or the law would not spare her once the real facts were uncovered.

As Fu Yunxi was leaving, Zhuang Hanyan heard a maid call him "Guye" (brother-in-law), making her realize that Fu Yunxi was actually her brother-in-law. The maid spoke highly of Fu Yunxi, saying that even the most complex cases in the capital were solved by him. Fu Yunxi raided Minister Huang’s residence. Minister Huang cursed at Fu Yunxi without any awareness of his crimes.

Fu Yunxi revealed the long list of his offenses and informed him that his powerful backer had already been executed in prison. In desperation, Minister Huang accused Fu Yunxi of raiding his home merely to seize his wealth. The moment those words left his mouth, Fu Yunxi executed him on the spot. Zhuang Hanyan stayed anxiously at the Zhuang residence, unsure if this place was truly her home.

Zhou Ruyin hurriedly came to befriend the legitimate third young lady, Zhuang Hanyan. Though Zhou Ruyin was only a concubine in the Zhuang family, if she could get closer to Zhuang Hanyan, her own status would improve. Seeing Zhuang Hanyan dressed in thin clothing in the courtyard, Zhou Ruyin quickly wrapped a cloak around her and took her to pay respects to the elders. The Zhuang family matriarch was undergoing a strong tonic treatment due to her weak blood circulation.

However, the excessive supplementation caused a nosebleed. Upon hearing that Zhuang Hanyan had come to pay respects, she pretended to be asleep and dismissed her. Zhuang Hanyan then went to visit her mother. Madam Zhou knocked on the door to announce the visit. Overjoyed at the chance to see her mother, Zhuang Hanyan carefully adjusted her hair and attire. However, she was met with a cold and unyielding gatekeeper who refused her entry.

Just as she was about to leave, she vaguely heard an argument inside the courtyard, which piqued her curiosity. What worried her even more was the fact that her mother’s door was locked. That night, Zhuang Hanyan overheard Madam Zhou scolding the maids in the courtyard. From the scolding, she could tell that the maids held strong resentment toward her. Only Madam Zhou seemed to sincerely take her in.

However, before the scolding was over, something happened in the front yard, and Madam Zhou hurried away. Meanwhile, the lead maid intentionally instigated conflict between Zhuang Hanyan and the fourth young master, Zhuang Yuchi, even going so far as to insult her, claiming she was a curse upon the Zhuang family. Zhuang Hanyan remained composed and expressionless. Zhuang Yuchi threw Zhuang Hanyan’s belongings out and even pushed her into the pond.

He blamed her for ruining his arranged marriage, insisting that she had brought misfortune upon the Zhuang family and disrupted its prosperity. Madam Zhou rushed back to the courtyard and scolded her son, Zhuang Yuchi, before apologizing to Zhuang Hanyan. She sincerely revealed that she only entered the household after Zhuang Hanyan’s eldest sister had passed away. In the middle of the night, Zhuang Hanyan brought medicinal soup to visit her grandmother, only to stumble upon an assassination attempt.

In her panic, she protected her grandmother and helped her escape. Fu Yunxi arrived just in time, scaring off the assassin. From the look in his eyes, he was deeply suspicious of the incident. The prime suspect, Zhuang Yuchi, defended himself, claiming he had nothing to do with the attack and, though he had clashed with Zhuang Hanyan during the day, he was not a killer. Zhuang Yuchi was to be taken to the Court of Judicial Review.

Madam Zhou pleaded for leniency, hoping to wait for her husband to return and preside over the matter. At that moment, Ruan Xiwen, the Zhuang family’s matriarch, suddenly appeared. Her presence was imposing, and she immediately ordered that Zhuang Hanyan be punished with thirty strikes for disrupting the family rules. Zhuang Hanyan never expected her first meeting with her mother to be under such circumstances.

She had thought her mother would be her refuge, but instead, she was punished without question. As the whip lashed across her back, leaving bloodstains, Madam Zhou couldn't bear it and tried to plead for mercy, only to be scolded by the matriarch’s attendant. Zhuang Yushan, defying her house arrest, secretly ran out to protect her younger sister.

Meanwhile, the grandmother had been tricked into the back courtyard, and upon witnessing the scene, she was furious but dared not speak against Ruan Xiwen. Finding an excuse about feeling unwell, she left in a hurry. Seeing her grandmother refuse to intervene, Zhuang Yushan angrily blamed Zhuang Hanyan, calling her a bringer of misfortune who had harmed their younger sister. Realizing she had spoken too rashly, she immediately knelt and admitted her mistake.

Zhuang Hanyan was once again expelled from the family by her mother through the enforcement of family discipline for no apparent reason. Since childhood, she had believed that as long as she studied hard and conducted herself with propriety, her mother would eventually cherish her. Just as she was being dragged out by the servants, Master Zhuang, who had returned home drunk, stumbled upon the scene. Seeing his beloved daughter beaten so severely, he was heartbroken.

He wanted to take her back to his room for treatment, but was scolded by Mistress Ruan, who reminded him that all the misfortunes that had befallen the Zhuang family were brought by Zhuang Hanyan. Master Zhuang pleaded with Lady Ruan to show some mercy to her own daughter, but Zhuang Hanyan had never blamed her mother for being so harsh on her. Instead, she had longed for her noble mother since childhood.

However, when Lady Ruan's status was mentioned, she suddenly flew into a rage, screaming like a resentful woman trapped in the inner chambers. She cried that if it weren’t for giving birth to Zhuang Hanyan, she would not have become crippled, nor would her maiden family have been ruined. At this moment, Zhuang Hanyan finally realized that her mother’s personality was far from what she had imagined. Zhuang Hanyan was taken in by her father.

Meanwhile, Fu Yunxi was investigating the case of the deaths of Zhuang Hanyan’s uncle and aunt in Danzhou. Coincidentally, he witnessed her being punished. Ignoring her injuries, he immediately interrogated her about the day's events, seeing through her scheme—she was using family discipline as a way to test who would truly accept her. He even suspected that the person involved in today's events had been lured by her.

Fu Yunxi couldn’t understand why she insisted on stepping into the abyss of the Zhuang family. Zhuang Hanyan explained that she simply wanted a home. Seeing her tears, Fu Yunxi remained indifferent and handed her a box of medicine, warning her that the capital was not as simple as she imagined. This small gesture brought her a sliver of warmth.

That night, Master Zhuang visited his daughter, telling her that her uncle had been his closest friend and a great benefactor of the Zhuang family. Once she recovered, she should return to the countryside to handle her uncle and aunt’s funeral affairs. He comforted her, promising that the family’s hidden wealth would be passed down to her in the future, ensuring she would not be mistreated.

Zhuang Hanyan stared blankly at the medicine given by Fu Yunxi when suddenly, Chai Jing appeared. As an assassin from Danzhou, Chai Jing staged an assassination attempt with Zhuang Hanyan. Had it not been for Zhuang Hanyan saving her in the past, Chai Jing would have already died.

Through this staged assassination, Zhuang Hanyan was able to grasp the true nature of each member of the Zhuang family—Aunt Zhou was gentle, the mistress was stern, but reality was not as it seemed on the surface. What truly worried her was not the Zhuang family but rather the Court of Judicial Review. She repeatedly instructed Chai Jing to protect herself, saying that as long as Chai Jing was safe, she herself would be safe.

The next morning, Zhuang Hanyan woke up to find that the maids were suddenly courteous to her, waiting early to dress her. Zhuang Yuchi, outraged on his sister’s behalf, resented Zhuang Yushan for protecting Zhuang Hanyan, only to be scolded by their mother. Zhuang Yushan, seeing her foolish younger brother, revealed the truth—if not for this commotion, how could she have escaped confinement? During a family meal with his wife and Zhou Ruyin’s family, Master Zhuang discussed Zhuang Hanyan’s future.

He truly felt sorry for her and hoped the family would accept her. However, Zhuang Yuchi, still bitter over his ruined marriage arrangement, did not want Zhuang Hanyan to stay. Although Master Zhuang was an official, he held no real power and was even blackmailed by his superiors—if Zhuang Hanyan did not leave the Zhuang family, his son's marriage prospects would be ruined.

Just as everyone was at a loss for what to do, a close maid suggested that since Zhuang Hanyan had already passed the age of maturity, they might as well consider her marriage prospects. The family found this idea feasible, but matchmakers refused to take up the task upon learning that it was for Zhuang Hanyan. Meanwhile, Zhuang Hanyan heard from Chai Jing that Fu Yunxi had gone to Danzhou.

She too was preparing to rid herself of the infamous "Barefoot Ghost" reputation; otherwise, she might truly never be able to marry. While Master Zhuang and Aunt Zhou were discussing Zhuang Hanyan’s marriage in the greenhouse, word suddenly came that the Old Madam had been possessed. She was lying in bed in a daze, shouting incoherently, just like Grandfather had back in the day.

With a family banquet scheduled for the next day, Master Zhuang instructed everyone to keep quiet about the incident and prevent rumors from spreading. That night, Zhuang Yushan suddenly barged into Zhuang Hanyan’s room, pretending to care for her by changing her charcoal and adding warm blankets. However, she took away the brazier and blankets and never returned them. Zhuang Hanyan, fully aware of Zhuang Yushan’s tricks, remained unbothered, while Zhuang Yuchi thanked his sister for standing up for him.

As the cold night set in, Zhuang Hanyan initially wanted to seek help from her father, but the maids refused to let her see him. Left with no choice, she wrapped herself in a cotton cloak to endure the cold. Chai Jing discovered that the rumors of the "Barefoot Ghost" had originated from the Daoist priest Duan. He had now reappeared in the capital, and the Old Madam’s illness was undoubtedly connected to him.

In a candle, Chai Jing found a hidden note, signaling that it was time to turn the tables. Having been branded as the "Barefoot Ghost" since childhood, it was finally time for her to cast off this name once and for all.

Zhuang Hanyan lay in the heavy rain, clutching a hairpin in shock, staring at the bodies of her uncle and aunt before her. She declared that she was the one who had killed them, but she insisted on returning to the capital, as that was her true home. She then threw the hairpin into the bottom of the well, only for it to be discovered by Fu Yunxi.

Zhuang Hanyan deliberately waited in the corridor for Daoist Master Duan—the very man who had falsely branded her with the infamous "Barefoot Ghost" stigma. At this moment, Master Zhuang was trying to conceal the Old Madam’s illness to avoid implicating Zhuang Hanyan, but she openly revealed the Old Madam’s serious condition.

As expected, after taking her pulse, Daoist Master Duan declared that the Old Madam had been afflicted by an evil force from seventeen years ago and that only he could exorcize it. He then performed a ritual in the courtyard. Meanwhile, government officials and the family’s future in-laws, who had come for the banquet, insisted on staying to witness Daoist Master Duan’s powers.

The Daoist took out a talisman and claimed that the person with a certain birth chart was the very source of the evil spirit. The crowd was astonished, refusing to believe that the "Barefoot Ghost" infamy from seventeen years ago had actually been pinned on Zhuang Yushan. At that moment, Zhuang Yushan arrived with her people, claiming that Daoist Master Duan had been manipulated by Zhuang Hanyan to frame her.

She even testified that she had personally witnessed a secret meeting between Daoist Master Duan and Zhuang Hanyan the night before, during which they exchanged a bundle. Upon hearing the commotion in the front yard, the matriarch handed the account book to a servant and instructed her to investigate. Under torture, Daoist Master Duan confessed everything.

Realizing that the "Barefoot Ghost" stigma had finally been pinned on her, Zhuang Hanyan retorted, "If he could be bribed today, then why not seventeen years ago? " However, the crowd refused to listen to her explanation. Just then, Madam Chen brought forth the chef and the Old Madam’s meal records, proving that her food had been laced with an incompatible mix of horse bean and clove cake, which had led to her illness.

The cook insisted he knew nothing of medicinal properties, while the only person in the household knowledgeable in medicine was none other than Concubine Zhou. Realizing that she had been exposed, Concubine Zhou immediately knelt and admitted to her poor judgment in trusting the wrong person. Master Zhuang, unwilling to let the family scandal spread, sought to downplay the incident and merely dismissed it as a misunderstanding, sparing Concubine Zhou from punishment.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhuang Hanyan had the Old Madam take the antidote and invited the uncles present to bear witness. To clear herself of the "Barefoot Ghost" stigma, she pointed out that criminals always had the character "thief" carved into their arms—and that the so-called Daoist Master was nothing more than a fraud.

In an attempt to distract the crowd, Daoist Master Duan began spouting doomsday prophecies, but Madam Chen, ignoring all restraints, tore open his clothing to reveal his mark of disgrace. Exposed as a thief, Daoist Master Duan, unwilling to be handed over to the Court of Judicial Review, tried to make Concubine Zhou confess instead. Zhuang Hanyan then questioned Concubine Zhou’s maid, pressing her on whether the person she encountered the night before was indeed her mistress.

The maid stammered and failed to give a clear answer. Desperate to absolve herself, Concubine Zhou chose to take her own life. In the end, Zhuang Hanyan was finally freed from the "Barefoot Ghost" accusation—it had all been a scheme by Concubine Zhou to frame her in order to seize the family inheritance. Due to the family’s tarnished reputation, a marriage engagement was annulled.

Concubine Zhou received only a light punishment—merely a few months of salary deduction and confinement—while a maid took the fall for all the crimes. Through this ordeal, Zhuang Hanyan vaguely sensed that her mother had been aiding her in secret, and she grew increasingly curious about the person who had secretly passed her a note. When the Old Madam awoke, she sought to make amends for years of neglect toward Zhuang Hanyan.

Concubine Zhou personally dressed her up, hoping that she would shine in the upcoming Plum Blossom Gathering. Zhuang Yushan, waiting in vain for Zhuang Hanyan to appear, eventually went looking for her. She caught sight of Zhuang Hanyan smiling at her reflection, admiring her jewelry. Seizing the moment, Zhuang Hanyan gifted Zhuang Yushan an expensive set of accessories under the guise of generosity.

However, Zhuang Yushan dared not wear them, and even Zhuang Yuchi could tell the jewelry was gaudy and tasteless. On the way to the gathering, Zhuang Hanyan was suddenly abandoned by her coachman, who fled in fear. Just then, she happened to encounter the Left Censor-in-Chief, Yuwen Changan, who sincerely offered her a ride. Sensing her wariness, he revealed his identity. Upon hearing his name, Zhuang Hanyan hurriedly saluted him as "Uncle Yuwen.

"During the journey, they engaged in a pleasant conversation, and Yuwen Changan even praised Zhuang Hanyan for resembling her mother in her youth. As expected, Zhuang Hanyan arrived at the Plum Blossom Gathering, much to Zhuang Yushan’s shock—her scheme had failed. Meanwhile, Fu Yunxi, having returned from Danzhou, had found Zhuang Hanyan’s hairpin and personally placed it on her hair. Only the two of them knew the true story behind it, each lost in their own thoughts. Zhuang Yushan, witnessing her beloved man’s intimate gesture toward Zhuang Hanyan, was utterly heartbroken.

Fu Yunxi retrieved the hairpin from the well and confronted Zhuang Hanyan, certain that it belonged to her and was the weapon used to kill her uncle and aunt. Facing his questioning, Zhuang Hanyan firmly denied ownership of the hairpin. However, Fu Yunxi was in no rush to verify her claim. Instead, he stated his intention to send the hairpin to the Court of Judicial Review.

Realizing that he was not planning to execute her on the spot—otherwise, he could have taken the hairpin there directly—Zhuang Hanyan had no choice but to accept it and even thanked him. On the way out of Meiyuan, Zhuang Yuchi and Zhuang Yushan had been waiting for some time. Their words were filled with reverence for Fu Yunxi's status and warnings for Zhuang Hanyan to stay away from him, implying that his position was far beyond her reach.

Zhuang Hanyan felt a whirlwind of emotions. She had not expected Fu Yunxi to be so persistent in investigating the case and was increasingly worried that her hidden secrets might be exposed. Thus, she planned to have her subordinate, Chai Jing, eliminate Fu Yunxi to remove the threat. Chai Jing, having been saved by Zhuang Hanyan in the past, was deeply grateful and had vowed to protect her for life.

However, Zhuang Hanyan knew this action was highly risky and could drag her into even greater danger, so she decided to proceed cautiously. As night fell, on his way home, Fu Yunxi encountered an old man selling candied hawthorn. Out of kindness, he bought two skewers as a small gesture. Unexpectedly, the old man reacted with fear upon seeing the copper coins and fled in a panic. Sensing something was amiss, Fu Yunxi grew alert.

Soon, he fell into a meticulously planned ambush, surrounded by hidden traps and flying weapons. It turned out that Chai Jing had initiated the assassination on her own to protect Zhuang Hanyan. After an intense fight, Fu Yunxi, though slightly injured, used his exceptional martial skills and intellect to lure his attackers into the Fu family estate. Meanwhile, Zhuang Shiyang quietly entered Zhuang Hanyan's room and tactfully brought up her past engagement with Fu Yunxi.

It turned out that Zhuang Hanyan and Fu Yunxi had once been betrothed, but due to a misunderstanding, she was labeled as the "Barefoot Ghost" and sent away to Danzhou, while her elder sister married into the Fu family in her place. However, the happiness was short-lived.

After the death of the Fu family patriarch, her sister was poisoned and died, leaving behind only a young daughter, A-Zhi—the very same girl who had first discovered Zhuang Hanyan when she fainted at the entrance. Learning this, Zhuang Hanyan felt an overwhelming mix of emotions. She hesitated, knowing that A-Zhi would now be left without any family. Chai Jing returned to the Zhuang residence after the failed assassination attempt.

However, she managed to lock Fu Yunxi inside his own house and set it on fire. Upon hearing the news, Zhuang Hanyan was overcome with panic and rushed to the Fu estate. When she saw Fu Yunxi emerging from the flames, carrying A-Zhi safely in his arms, she felt an indescribable sense of relief. Fu Yunxi caught a fleeting moment of tenderness in her expression before she hastily fled.

In a secluded alley, she confronted Chai Jing, demanding to know why she had hidden the truth about Fu Yunxi's family affairs. As she looked at the little girl in the distance, memories of her sister’s tragic fate resurfaced, filling her with guilt and self-reproach. The next day, Zhuang Hanyan prepared travel arrangements for Chai Jing, hoping she would leave the capital to avoid further trouble. However, just as everything was set, she was summoned to the main hall.

Fu Yunxi had arrived at the Zhuang residence with A-Zhi, requesting temporary lodging in their side courtyard under the pretext that his estate had been destroyed. Overjoyed by his brother-in-law’s arrival, Zhuang Yushan eagerly offered him the best room. However, Fu Yunxi, citing the need to investigate the case, insisted on staying in Zhuang Hanyan’s courtyard so he could question her at any time. Everyone in the Zhuang family noticed the unusual way Fu Yunxi looked at Zhuang Hanyan.

At the same time, Zhuang Hanyan finally understood why Zhuang Yushan had always been hostile toward her—she had been mistaken for a romantic rival in Zhuang Yushan’s feelings for Fu Yunxi. Meanwhile, Chai Jing did not actually leave the capital but instead hid nearby, determined to continue protecting Zhuang Hanyan. A-Zhi adored the wooden rocking horse that Fu Yunxi had made for her.

Whenever Zhuang Hanyan was near, she would pull her hand, hoping the beautiful sister would play with her. Because of his busy official duties, Fu Yunxi entrusted A-Zhi to Zhuang Hanyan’s care, knowing that although she might be reluctant, she would not harm the child outright. Zhuang Yushan, displeased with Zhuang Hanyan looking after A-Zhi, forcibly took the girl away and, in the process, accidentally stepped on and broke Zhuang Hanyan’s kite. This time, Zhuang Hanyan did not remain silent.

She directly confronted Zhuang Yushan, stating that she had no intention of competing for Fu Yunxi’s affection. Left with no other choice, Zhuang Yushan left in frustration. Later, A-Zhi unintentionally mentioned the fire at the Fu estate, and Zhuang Hanyan suddenly realized the truth—Fu Yunxi had deliberately set the fire for some unknown purpose. Chai Jing was not the true culprit. This revelation gave her a new understanding of Fu Yunxi’s depth and scheming nature.

That night, when Fu Yunxi came to pick up A-Zhi, Zhuang Hanyan finally gathered the courage to ask about her elder sister’s death. Fu Yunxi revealed the truth: his wife had unknowingly consumed poisoned wine that had been intended to assassinate him. This revelation deepened Zhuang Hanyan’s understanding of Fu Yunxi’s complex nature, filling her mind with more uncertainties and speculations about what the future might hold.

The officials of the Hanlin Academy, having accepted bribes from Lord Pei in private, now feared that these unlawful actions would be exposed by the newly appointed Minister of Justice, Fu Yunxi, which could cost them their positions and even implicate their families. They turned to Zhuang Shiyang for help, hoping he could use his connection as Fu Yunxi’s father-in-law to plead on their behalf and quell the impending storm.

Faced with their pleas, Zhuang Shiyang felt deeply conflicted and was ultimately forced to admit that he, too, had once shown favoritism in the imperial examinations at Pei Dafu’s request. As night fell, Zhuang Shiyang gazed at the famous painting hanging on the wall—a piece he had cherished all his life. However, he knew it had now become a leverage used by Pei Dafu to threaten him. Keeping it any longer would bring disaster upon the Zhuang family.

Resolute, he decided to confess everything to Fu Yunxi, including the bribery scandal. Kneeling before Fu Yunxi, Zhuang Shiyang revealed how Pei Dafu had exploited his obsession with art to make him turn a blind eye during the examinations. Fu Yunxi helped his father-in-law up, stating that he had long suspected Pei Dafu. Though Pei appeared to be incorruptible on the surface, the origins of his immense wealth were dubious, defying all logic.

At that moment, Zhuang Hanyan quietly entered the study, intending to ask Fu Yunxi about his true purpose in traveling to Danzhou. Unexpectedly, she stumbled upon this scene and hid in the shadows, secretly listening to their conversation. She was deeply unsettled when she learned that Fu Yunxi's journey was to investigate Pei Dafu’s hidden wealth.

But what shocked her even more was when Fu Yunxi spoke of a baby girl taken to Danzhou seventeen years ago, recounting her tragic fate. Zhuang Hanyan’s heart pounded—she refused to acknowledge that she was that ill-fated child. However, just as she tried to suppress her fears, Fu Yunxi suddenly exposed the scar on her arm. At that very moment, Zhuang Yushan arrived and witnessed the scene, storming off in anger. The guards were puzzled by Fu Yunxi’s actions.

They couldn't understand why he was secretly supporting Zhuang Hanyan while simultaneously inciting Zhuang Yushan’s jealousy and resentment toward her. But Fu Yunxi knew that true strength was forged through adversity. He wanted Zhuang Hanyan to learn to protect herself rather than rely on others. Yet, to his surprise, Zhuang Hanyan was far from the fragile woman he had assumed. She not only sensed his true purpose in visiting Danzhou but also displayed an intelligence and foresight beyond his expectations.

Filled with resentment, Zhuang Yushan secretly ordered the servants to hide a smallpox-infected pillow in Zhuang Hanyan’s quarters. Fortunately, Chai Jing happened to witness this and grew increasingly anxious for Zhuang Hanyan’s safety. However, Zhuang Hanyan did not retreat; instead, she took the initiative by burning the pillow and instructing Chai Jing to investigate the truth at the Southern Medical Hall.

As the Lunar New Year approached, Zhuang Yushan, eager to please their grandmother, spent a fortune to acquire a rare fox-fur cloak. However, Zhuang Hanyan, unaware of New Year customs, had not prepared any gifts and instead requested the cloak from their grandmother. Though hesitant at first, the elderly woman ultimately gave the cloak to Zhuang Hanyan, albeit with a heavy heart. Seeing this, Zhuang Yushan was furious and stormed off.

After obtaining the cloak, Zhuang Hanyan devised a plan—she intended to use Doujia powder to infect herself with smallpox, thereby gaining immunity. She sent Chai Jing to uncover the mastermind behind the scheme while she waited for the right moment. Before long, Zhuang Hanyan contracted smallpox. Upon hearing the news, Zhuang Shiyang hurriedly summoned Doctor Wu from the Southern Medical Hall.

While questioning Zhuang Hanyan about any new items she had come into contact with, Doctor Wu specifically mentioned the pillow. Taking the opportunity, Zhuang Hanyan pointed out that she had only received a fox-fur cloak. When Doctor Wu examined the cloak, he indeed found traces of smallpox. Doctor Hu arrived soon after, apologizing to Zhuang Shiyang, claiming that one of his apprentices had unknowingly sold a smallpox-infected pillow, prompting him to rush over to treat Zhuang Hanyan.

Although he had not seen the pillow himself, he discovered that the fox-fur cloak carried the virus. Their grandmother was relieved that she had not kept the cloak herself, or else she would have been the one to suffer the consequences. Learning the truth, Zhuang Yushan finally confessed to their father, admitting that she had acted out of jealousy because she loved Fu Yunxi and could not bear to see Zhuang Hanyan take him away.

The revelation left the elderly woman furious—she never imagined her granddaughter could be so ruthless. Seizing the moment, Zhuang Hanyan, now gravely ill, bid farewell to her family. Her frail appearance and weak voice made their grandmother’s heart ache. However, rather than blame Zhuang Yushan, Zhuang Hanyan claimed it was her own fault for insisting on taking the fox-fur cloak.

This led their grandmother to suspect that Zhuang Hanyan had known all along that the cloak was contaminated with Doujia powder and had deliberately taken it to protect her. Zhuang Hanyan then expressed her sincere wish to return to Danzhou, hoping her grandmother would stop calling her a “barefoot ghost.

”Zhuang Yushan, growing increasingly irritated with Zhuang Hanyan’s feigned weakness, attempted to approach her but was caught off guard when Zhuang Hanyan dramatically collapsed, making it impossible for her to defend herself. As a result, she was once again placed under house arrest. Meanwhile, Zhuang Hanyan was taken back to the courtyard by her mother.

It was only the second time she had seen her mother, yet she had finally achieved her long-cherished wish of living under the same roof as her. Late at night, Zhuang Hanyan was summoned to the main hall, where Nanny Chen handed her a box of medicinal ointment that could both cure smallpox and neutralize Doujia poison—proof that her mother had already seen through her plan.

Her mother then presented her with a sum of private savings, intending to send her away. However, Zhuang Hanyan resolutely refused, using her illness as an excuse to stay. She remembered her aunt’s words—her temperament was exactly like her mother’s when she was young. Seeing that her daughter was determined to remain in the capital, Ruan Xiwen ordered Nanny Chen to place a bell on Zhuang Hanyan’s ankle, both as a punishment and a form of surveillance. Yet, Zhuang Hanyan had already steeled herself—she was determined to gain a foothold here and become a true noblewoman.

Zhuang Yushan kept serving dishes to A’Zhi in an attempt to please Fu Yunxi, hoping that she could become A’Zhi’s stepmother. However, Fu Yunxi saw through her little scheme at a glance and bluntly stated that her escape from confinement was all due to jealousy over Zhuang Hanyan’s beauty.

He had already summoned the old matron, who immediately dragged Zhuang Yushan to the ancestral hall, fearing that if the master of the house discovered her escape, she would surely be punished. Zhuang Shiyang was busy organizing this year’s cured meat in the kitchen when Zhou Ruyin deliberately brought up their confined daughter, Zhuang Yushan, remarking that she had no luck enjoying good food.

At the same time, she pretended to show concern for Zhuang Hanyan’s health, though in reality, she was trying to probe for information. Ever since Zhuang Hanyan was taken away by her birth mother, Ruan Xiwen, she had completely disappeared from sight. Even the old madam of the Zhuang family could only try to gather news through the maids in Ruan Xiwen’s courtyard, but none of them dared to reveal a single word.

Chen Momo entered Zhuang Hanyan’s room, holding three portraits. By this time, Zhuang Hanyan, who had been surviving only on rice soup to prolong her stay in the capital, was already weak and frail due to her illness. Looking at the portraits in front of her, she realized that her mother was determined to drive her away.

Summoning what little strength she had left, she stood up and swore that she would never marry and would stay in the capital no matter what. The old madam of the Zhuang family specially sent someone to deliver food to Zhuang Hanyan, but Chen Momo intercepted it, insisting that Ruan Xiwen, the mistress of the household, must approve it first. Enraged, Zhuang Hanyan fought to reclaim her meal.

When Ruan Xiwen found out, she not only fed the food to the fish but also expelled Zhuang Hanyan from her quarters on the spot. Heartbroken, Zhuang Hanyan confronted her birth mother, questioning why she treated her this way. She lamented that she had never received a shred of motherly love growing up, relying only on occasional silver sent by her father. As she spoke, she became increasingly agitated, blurting out words she could not take back.

Furious, Ruan Xiwen locked her daughter in her room once again. Recently, Yuwen Changan had been frequently associating with court officials, which aroused Fu Yunxi’s suspicion. Using business dealings as a pretext, Yuwen Changan deliberately invited two officials from Danzhou to gather information. However, the two officials, well aware of the gravity of the matters in Danzhou—where even a powerful figure like Pei Dafu could not escape doom—dared not get involved.

They quickly made excuses about urgent family matters and left. Zhuang Hanyan managed to remove the bell on her leg. By now, she was so famished that she barely had the strength to move. But with the doors and windows locked, she had no way out. In desperation, she let out a loud cry and pretended to faint. When Chen Momo came to check on her, she struck her unconscious and took the opportunity to escape.

Just as she reached the entrance, she heard a noise and quickly hid. She saw Yuwen Changan secretly sneaking into Ruan Xiwen’s room through the back door and overheard fragments of their conversation. However, her eavesdropping was soon discovered by the newly awakened Chen Momo. When Zhuang Hanyan was caught by Ruan Xiwen and Chen Momo and was about to be expelled from the manor again, Fu Yunxi intervened, taking her away under the pretense of investigating the Danzhou murder case.

He brought Zhuang Hanyan to the prison, where the sounds of wailing and the sight of tortured prisoners made her shudder. But when they reached the inner section, she was surprised to see a table filled with her favorite dishes. It turned out that Fu Yunxi had deliberately used the prison as a means to protect her. Fu Yunxi then recounted to Zhuang Hanyan the entangled past between Ruan Xiwen, Zhuang Shiyang, and Yuwen Changan.

In their youth, Ruan Xiwen and Yuwen Changan were deeply in love, but not long after, the Ruan family fell into decline. At the same time, Yuwen Changan left on an inspection mission to a distant place. Taking advantage of the situation, Zhuang Shiyang proposed marriage to Ruan Xiwen, and by the time Yuwen Changan returned, it was already too late. From then on, he remained unmarried and became a lifelong rival to Zhuang Shiyang.

Fu Yunxi hoped that Zhuang Hanyan could help him uncover what Ruan Xiwen and Yuwen Changan were plotting. He even used the Danzhou murder case as leverage to coerce her. Left with no choice, Zhuang Hanyan reluctantly agreed. Chen Momo later came to the prison to demand Zhuang Hanyan’s release, but Fu Yunxi draped his cloak over her shoulders, and the two secretly agreed to use music as a signal.

Zhuang Hanyan had already hidden in her mother’s quarters in advance. Before long, Yuwen Changan arrived, handing Ruan Xiwen a secret letter. The letter contained a request from the president of the Danzhou Chamber of Commerce to meet with Yuwen Changan. Ruan Xiwen remarked that if this president could truly testify against their target, along with her own evidence, they would be able to bring him down.

To prevent her daughter from getting entangled in this matter, she needed to send Zhuang Hanyan away as soon as possible. Zhou Ruyin, upon learning that Yuwen Changan had visited Ruan Xiwen late at night, deliberately stole Zhuang Shiyang’s official seal, aiming to have the manor sealed off for a thief hunt. She claimed she was worried that intruders might harm the family, using this as an excuse to lead the servants in sealing off the main courtyard.

This left Yuwen Changan temporarily trapped in the Zhuang residence. Chen Momo urged Yuwen Changan to leave quickly to at least preserve the mistress’s reputation. Ruan Xiwen was momentarily at a loss for what to do, but just then, Zhuang Hanyan stepped forward and suggested that "Uncle Yuwen" hide in her room. She believed that only by preserving her mother’s reputation and influence could she, as her daughter, remain safe.

Ruan Xiwen was shocked that her daughter was willing to sacrifice her own name for her. However, she was not the type to use her daughter as a shield. Resolving to handle the situation herself, she stepped outside alone to face the crisis.

Zhou Ruyin brought servants with her, ostensibly to rescue Ruan Xiwen, but in reality, she was leading people to catch an affair. Fu Yunxi was well aware of Zhou Ruyin's intentions and secretly arrived to ensure Zhuang Hanyan's safety. Zhou Ruyin ordered her people to break down the door and search the main courtyard.

Zhuang Shiyang rushed over upon hearing the commotion, outwardly showing concern for Ruan Xiwen’s well-being, but in truth, he also wanted to see if the "intruder" was Yuwen Changan, as he was a well-known figure. Ruan Xiwen allowed him to search but demanded that he write a divorce letter in exchange. Zhuang Shiyang hesitated, and at that moment, Fu Yunxi arrived at the main courtyard with the lost-and-recovered official seal.

Seeing that the seal had been found, Zhuang Shiyang and Zhou Ruyin abandoned their search and left. Before leaving, they stripped Ruan Xiwen of her authority over the household and ordered Zhuang Hanyan to move back to the side courtyard. Zhuang Shiyang had been waiting at the back gate for Yuwen Changan, and their old grudges only deepened their hatred for each other.

Zhuang Shiyang understood that if not for Yuwen Changan's time away on official duties, Ruan Xiwen would never have married him—something he could never make up for. Zhuang Hanyan returned to her grandmother's side. Her grandmother held her frail little hands, heartbroken over all the suffering she had endured, vowing to compensate her double in the future. Ruan Xiwen was overwhelmed with turmoil, so much so that she did not even notice when Nanny Chen entered.

Nanny Chen carried a new prescription from the imperial physician and prepared a foot soak for Ruan Xiwen, hoping she would recover soon. However, Ruan Xiwen no longer held onto any hope. At the family banquet the next day, Zhuang Shiyang handed over the household authority to Zhou Ruyin. Zhou Ruyin pretended to decline but was secretly delighted and eventually accepted with feigned reluctance. With the renovations of Fu Yunxi’s residence completed, he suggested moving out.

Zhuang Hanyan seized the opportunity to propose moving into his courtyard instead, so as not to trouble her elderly grandmother. Zhuang Shiyang, impressed by her filial piety, agreed to allocate the courtyard to her. After gaining control of the household, Zhou Ruyin dressed extravagantly and went to the kitchen.

She took a liking to the head maid in charge and not only promoted her to the chief steward of the Zhuang household but also secretly ordered her to keep a close watch over Ruan Xiwen. The new steward and her people stormed into the main courtyard, seizing valuable items and account books while speaking harshly and treating Ruan Xiwen with cold disdain. However, Ruan Xiwen paid no attention to their petty tactics.

Zhuang Yushan rode into the main courtyard, eager to witness Ruan Xiwen’s downfall, but was angered by Zhuang Hanyan’s sharp words and stormed off. In private, Zhuang Hanyan asked her mother about her next plan now that she had lost all real power. She had learned from a young age how to survive in dire situations—back then, she had hoped her mother would save her, but in the end, she had relied on herself.

She also knew that her mother had suffered over the years. No matter what had happened, they were still mother and daughter by blood. She begged Ruan Xiwen to share her plans, vowing to assist her. Seeing that her mother still rejected her, Zhuang Hanyan knelt down, swearing that no matter what the future held, she would be her mother’s legs. She also promised that Zhou Ruyin would be her stepping stone to reclaiming household authority.

While playing chess with Fu Yunxi, Zhuang Hanyan’s strategic moves made him realize that she had something to say. She then revealed what she had overheard about Yuwen Changan and her mother’s secret conversation that night. She also confessed to killing her uncle and aunt in Danzhou. Fu Yunxi was shocked but did not arrest her. Instead, he hinted that the arson case was actually committed by a female bandit.

Afterward, Zhuang Hanyan instructed Chai Jing to leave the capital and hide for a few days. Zhou Ruyin used the upcoming imperial examination as an excuse to entertain candidates, intending to select a husband. The next day, all the scholars gathered at the Zhuang residence for a banquet. Zhou Ruyin believed she had planned everything meticulously, only to find that six hot dishes had been served.

In Yinan customs, the numbers four and six were associated with meals given to prisoners before execution. Shocked, Zhou Ruyin stood up in a panic and privately explained to Zhuang Shiyang that there were no more dishes left in the kitchen. Just when the Zhuang family did not know how to handle the situation, Zhuang Hanyan presented a plate of plum blossoms.

Since there was already a "top scholar" dish on the table, it made sense to serve a "flower snatcher" dish as well. The scholars praised Zhuang Shiyang for his thoughtful arrangement. The officials present also took note of Zhuang Hanyan’s intelligence and remarked that she was truly worthy of being a legitimate daughter of the family. It turned out that Zhuang Hanyan had cleverly used the offering plates from the ancestral hall to cover up the Zhuang family's mistake.

By saving the Zhuang family from embarrassment, Zhuang Hanyan was seated to the right of Zhuang Shiyang. Meanwhile, Zhuang Yuchi was sent to sit among the examinees. Just as Zhuang Hanyan was conversing with her father, Yang Ping suddenly stood up from the banquet and walked toward her.

Yang Ping, having lost part of his ear to Zhuang Hanyan’s bite in childhood, took the opportunity at the banquet to slander her reputation, even accusing her of being crude and unruly as a child. Even Zhuang Yuchi stepped forward to criticize Zhuang Hanyan, claiming she was domineering at home. However, instead of denying the incident, Zhuang Hanyan openly recounted the entire story, exposing how Yang Ping had bullied her since childhood.

As a result, Yang Ping not only failed to tarnish her name but also ended up with a reputation for mistreating his young neighbor. Enraged, he stormed off, while Zhou Ruyin, who had expected to enjoy the spectacle, was visibly displeased that her scheme had failed. Zhuang Hanyan brought some food for Chai Jing in a secluded location.

Discussing Yang Ping’s arrival in the capital, Chai Jing knew that Yang Ping had harbored resentment against Zhuang Hanyan for years and would surely try to eliminate her. However, due to Fu Yunxi’s stringent investigations, Chai Jing had to remain hidden. That night, Zhou Ruyin stole the exam questions from the study and had her son memorize them overnight. When her son struggled to understand the questions, she specifically sought out Young Master He to explain them to him.

At this time, Young Master He had already developed feelings for Zhuang Hanyan at first sight, so he was naturally eager to help upon seeing Zhuang Yuchi’s elder sister. The next day, when the exam began, Young Master He saw the question and realized it was the one he had explained to Zhuang Yuchi the previous night. Knowing that answering it would result in a suspicious similarity, he chose to withdraw from the exam.

Later, Zhuang Yuchi’s response impressed the examiners, who praised him in front of Zhuang Shiyang. However, Zhuang Shiyang knew his son was incapable of such talent and could only play along, refusing to reveal any suspicion of cheating. Even Zhou Ruyin doubted her son’s ability, but Zhuang Yuchi adamantly denied any wrongdoing. Due to his performance in the exam, Zhuang Yuchi stood out among the candidates.

While drinking with other students, he became overconfident and failed to recall the original text when challenged. His statements were met with disagreement from the other scholars, leading to a heated argument that nearly escalated into a fight. The others, finding him not worth their time, left first. Coincidentally, Zhuang Hanyan was drinking next door, while Fu Yunxi and his men were discussing a case at the same tavern. They witnessed all of Zhuang Yuchi’s behavior.

Zhuang Hanyan initially intended to leave but was noticed by Zhuang Yuchi. He stubbornly pulled her along, insisting on marrying her off to Young Master You, even making inappropriate jokes about their wedding night, completely disregarding his role as a younger brother. Fu Yunxi, having noticed Chai Jing in hiding, did not act but instructed his men to summon Zhuang Hanyan, both to rescue her and to use her as bait to lure Chai Jing out.

Fu Yunxi questioned Chai Jing’s identity and her connection to Zhuang Hanyan. Seeing that Zhuang Hanyan refused to answer, he pretended to threaten her. Chai Jing, seeing her benefactor in danger, rushed into the room, only to be completely outmatched by Fu Yunxi. Taking advantage of a moment when Fu Yunxi let his guard down, Zhuang Hanyan held him at knifepoint, allowing Chai Jing to escape. Despite being held hostage, Fu Yunxi was not angered by Zhuang Hanyan’s actions.

Just as they were about to leave, they ran into Minister Gao and his colleagues from the Ministry of Justice at the teahouse. The two quickly hid in a secret chamber and overheard them discussing Pei Dafu’s adopted son, who had been hiding in the capital for years. Minister Gao even mentioned that he had met this adopted son once many years ago.

Later, in the back alley, Zhuang Hanyan and Fu Yunxi were in a heated argument when a guard, mistaking them for a quarreling couple, jokingly asked Fu Yunxi whether he should bring both of them in for questioning. Fu Yunxi agreed and suggested that Zhuang Hanyan accompany him to the Court of Judicial Review, hinting that the matter might be relevant to her. Young Master You, having previously harassed Zhuang Hanyan, remained in Fu Yunxi’s memory.

He ordered his men to teach Young Master You a lesson. The next day, officials congratulated Zhuang Shiyang—word had spread that Zhuang Yuchi’s essay had caught the emperor’s attention. Upon reviewing the exam papers, the emperor expressed his desire to meet this young talent. Hearing this, Zhuang Shiyang hurried to court. Zhuang Yuchi, believing his essay had secured his success, excitedly rushed to the kitchen to share the news with his concubine mother, Zhou Ruyin.

To his surprise, Zhuang Hanyan was present. He took the opportunity to boast, completely unaware of the consequences of his cheating. Zhuang Hanyan merely sneered, realizing she no longer needed to act against him—his downfall was imminent. Soon after, several officials arrived at the Zhuang household, questioning whether Zhuang Yuchi’s essay was truly his own work. When he insisted it was original, the officials produced an exam paper from twenty years ago by Minister Han, which was identical to his.

Zhuang Yuchi stammered, unable to explain. The officials deduced that Zhuang Shiyang, as the proctor, must have been involved in favoritism. Zhuang Shiyang knelt, claiming that the family had failed in discipline and that he would punish his son severely. In an attempt to save her brother, Zhuang Yushan accused Young Master He of being the true author. Young Master He, bewildered, explained that he had merely shared his perspective and that his writing was not identical to Minister Han’s.

To prove his innocence, he even presented his original draft. Zhuang Yushan could not understand why Zhuang Yuchi’s essay matched Minister Han’s so precisely. In the end, Zhuang Yuchi was sentenced to a lifetime ban from the imperial examinations and was publicly humiliated for three days, while Zhuang Shiyang was fined six months’ salary.

Zhuang Shiyang and Zhou Ruyin anxiously waited at the gates of the Court of Judicial Review, as today marked the end of Zhuang Yuchi’s three-day public shaming. Seeing their son looking utterly haggard, their hearts ached for him. They quickly helped him back home, while Fu Yunxi secretly speculated that the Zhuang residence would be anything but peaceful tonight. Madam Zhuang watched her grandson return safely and advised her son not to force him into the imperial examinations any longer.

However, Zhuang Shiyang, having lost all face due to this incident, knew his future career in court was ruined, let alone any chance of promotion. As Zhuang Yuchi calmed down and reflected, he began to suspect that Zhuang Hanyan had secretly swapped his answers, especially since she had come to his room that night. Zhuang Hanyan entered to clarify, stating that she had only brought pastries to visit him that night but had been turned away.

The maids present could all testify to this. She even recounted how he had humiliated her at the tavern that evening. Zhuang Shiyang never expected his son to have committed such disgraceful acts. Zhuang Hanyan pointed out that Zhuang Yuchi had long held a grudge against her for interfering with his matchmaking plans, which was why he had resorted to such shameful behavior.

Seeing his son show no remorse, Zhuang Shiyang lashed out at him and even blamed Zhou Ruyin for raising such a son. Zhou Ruyin understood that this was all part of Zhuang Hanyan’s scheme. Now that both Zhuang Yuchi and Zhuang Yushan had been sent to a rural estate, she went alone to Zhuang Hanyan’s courtyard to play a game of chess with her. Zhuang Hanyan was straightforward, declaring that she had come to the capital for revenge.

Zhou Ruyin tried to sow discord between her and her birth mother, Ruan Xiwen, but Zhuang Hanyan not only bore no resentment toward her mother but was even grateful that Zhou Ruyin’s children were so foolish, giving her the upper hand. Ruan Xiwen received a secret letter from Yuwen Changan, stating that everything was ready and they were awaiting orders.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ruyin suspected that Fu Yunxi was assisting behind the scenes, so she had her nanny arrange a meeting with Yang Ping from Danzhou. When Yang Ping learned that it was Zhou Ruyin’s secret message that had brought him to the capital, he recounted his long-standing grudge with Zhuang Hanyan, claiming that if he hadn’t lost half an ear, he wouldn’t have failed the provincial examination. He wished he could kill Zhuang Hanyan to avenge his ear.

Zhou Ruyin hoped Yang Ping would hand over the autopsy report of his aunt and uncle from Danzhou. She, too, despised Zhuang Hanyan and wanted to use this as leverage to recruit Yang Ping, offering a high price for the document. Fu Yunxi arrived at the Zhuang residence, ostensibly to deliver medicine but actually to inform Zhou Ruyin of her noon meeting with Yang Ping, urging her to recall if she had any weaknesses in his hands.

Zhuang Hanyan didn’t understand why he was concerned about this matter, so Fu Yunxi lied, claiming that he had previously covered for her and didn’t want to be implicated. That night, Chai Jing planned to kill Yang Ping, but Zhuang Hanyan, considering his elderly mother, couldn’t bear to see her lose her only son after already losing her husband. Instead, she instructed Chai Jing to tie Yang Ping up before they made their move the next day.

After everything was settled, she hoped he would let go of his hatred and start anew. The next day, during the sacrificial ceremony, Yang Ping’s wristband concealed a hidden mechanism, allowing him to escape, with Chai Jing in close pursuit. During the grand ritual, Zhou Ruyin presented the memorial tablets of the aunt and uncle from Danzhou, urging Zhuang Hanyan to personally pay respects to the people who had raised her. Zhuang Hanyan endured it silently.

Zhou Ruyin had anticipated something happening to Yang Ping during the ceremony, so she had already obtained the autopsy report. The person holding her token was none other than Lang’er, a former maid who had been expelled. Lang’er publicly accused Zhuang Hanyan of murdering her aunt and uncle, claiming that she had harbored resentment since childhood due to their mistreatment. The scars on her arms were undeniable proof, and she even presented the autopsy report as evidence.

Zhuang Hanyan did not deny the abuse she suffered but, out of gratitude for being raised by them, chose not to dwell on the past. Lord Yan, in order to quell the growing gossip, decided to take both parties into custody for further investigation. Lang’er signed and sealed her testimony before leaving. Fu Yunxi, knowing she was acting under someone’s orders, decided not to waste time on her and instead focused on uncovering the mastermind.

A maid from Zhuang Hanyan’s residence sought guidance from Ruan Xiwen on how to rescue her mistress, but Ruan Xiwen had no intention of intervening. She had known the dangers of sending her daughter to Danzhou long ago, and even if she saved her now, it wouldn’t prevent future calamities. Chai Jing, worried about Zhuang Hanyan’s safety, went to Fu Yunxi’s residence to gather information, unaware that Fu Yunxi had been expecting her.

Fu Yunxi questioned her about the true cause of the aunt and uncle’s deaths in Danzhou, and Chai Jing admitted it was an accidental killing. Fu Yunxi then informed her that Zhuang Hanyan would be subjected to twelve rounds of torture that night. Chai Jing was willing to disguise herself as the culprit and confess to save Zhuang Hanyan. Before turning herself in, she pleaded with Fu Yunxi not to tell Zhuang Hanyan, not wanting her to be heartbroken.

Chai Jing's thoughts drifted back to that stormy night. She didn't know who her parents were or where she was born. For a long time, she lived on a boat, where the captain provided her with food and drink. Back then, she had no emotions, only the knowledge that she was meant to be a weapon in her master's hands. However, on that fateful night of thunder and lightning, the ship was suddenly attacked by bandits.

Although she had been trained as a cold-blooded assassin from childhood, she was the only survivor of that brutal raid. In despair, she leaped into the freezing sea, and with sheer will to live, she ultimately survived. When she regained consciousness, she found herself lying next to a shackled young woman—Zhuang Hanyan. It was Zhuang Hanyan who had saved her life.

As she woke up from the waves' impact, Zhuang Hanyan attempted to take Chai Jing’s shoes and leave, but upon hearing Chai Jing’s voice, she hesitated. In the end, she put on one shoe herself and tossed the other to Chai Jing, who, too weak to move, fainted. Unable to harden her heart and leave, Zhuang Hanyan chose to save Chai Jing instead, offering her water.

When Chai Jing awoke, she revealed her name and learned that the girl before her was called Zhuang Hanyan, also known as the "Barefoot Ghost. " Zhuang Hanyan even gave Chai Jing her only ration of food. Zhuang Hanyan's presence was like a ray of light piercing through the darkness, warming Chai Jing’s weathered heart. The two soon became inseparable confidantes, relying on each other for survival.

In gratitude for Zhuang Hanyan’s rescue, Chai Jing used her dagger to remove the shackles from Zhuang Hanyan’s wrists. Chai Jing had once believed she would always remain detached from the world, yet she unexpectedly forged such a deep bond with Zhuang Hanyan. She even crafted an iron hairpin shaped like a wild goose from the broken shackles as a token of their connection.

Before escorting Zhuang Hanyan to the Zhuang family, Chai Jing couldn't understand why she insisted on returning instead of joining her at sea. Zhuang Hanyan explained that she wanted to see her birthplace and urged Chai Jing to continue living freely without being tied down by her. The two had shared an unforgettable four years together, leading Chai Jing to swear loyalty to Zhuang Hanyan.

If Zhuang Hanyan wished to reach for the stars, she would be the ladder; if Zhuang Hanyan was persecuted, she would be her shield. And so, she watched as Zhuang Hanyan collapsed before the Zhuang residence, saw Ah Zhi discovering her, and knew that their paths were diverging. At the Court of Judicial Review, Chai Jing endured branding in Zhuang Hanyan’s place but remained silent throughout the ordeal. When Zhuang Hanyan regained consciousness, visitors flooded her home.

Outwardly, Zhou Ruyin seemed concerned, but Zhuang Hanyan could see the cruelty hidden beneath her gentle facade. At that moment, Fu Yunxi arrived, making the atmosphere even more tense. He revealed the progress of the case—he was implicated and could no longer investigate, but he knew that a woman had confessed.

Zhuang Hanyan grew anxious and wanted to go to the Court of Judicial Review to identify the confessor, but Fu Yunxi stopped her with various justifications, making her even more desperate to uncover the truth. Fu Yunxi's concern was not unwarranted. He knew that if Zhuang Hanyan learned that Chai Jing had confessed, she would go to any lengths to seek death herself. Yet, Zhuang Hanyan did not give up.

She sent secret signals calling for Chai Jing and even hung red lanterns as a sign, but there was no response. By dawn, when she saw the burnt-out lantern, she realized something had happened to Chai Jing. Zhuang Hanyan rushed to the Court of Judicial Review in a panic, but Fu Yunxi deliberately avoided her, claiming he had expected her arrival. She insisted on answers until Fu Yunxi finally appeared, yet he remained evasive.

Desperate, Zhuang Hanyan took a knife and wounded herself, forcing him to tell the truth—Chai Jing had confessed and her fate was unknown. Heartbroken, Zhuang Hanyan confided in Fu Yunxi about her miserable past in Danzhou, the night she saved herself in the rain, and the accidental killing of her uncle and aunt. All she ever wanted was a stable home, and now Chai Jing, her only support, was imprisoned.

She declared she was willing to pay any price to save Chai Jing. Seeing Zhuang Hanyan covered in wounds, Fu Yunxi was moved with pity. He promised to do everything he could to rescue Chai Jing but on the condition that Zhuang Hanyan disclose every detail of the case. In her desperation, she agreed to offer herself as payment. However, Fu Yunxi did not take advantage of her vulnerability.

Instead, he gently covered her with his robe and solemnly vowed to help. After many trials, Zhuang Hanyan finally learned that Chai Jing was still alive—Fu Yunxi had secretly saved her and placed her in a secluded courtyard outside the capital to recover. Seeing Chai Jing in such a frail state, Zhuang Hanyan felt an indescribable pain.

She was deeply grateful for Fu Yunxi’s assistance and decided that Chai Jing should remain there to heal, vowing never to let her return to the capital. Through this near-death experience, the bond between Zhuang Hanyan and Fu Yunxi grew even deeper and more complicated. Though neither had openly expressed their feelings, they both knew that they held a place in each other's hearts.

When Zhuang Hanyan visited her mother, she finally understood the reason behind Ruan Xiwen’s lifelong coldness—her mother had done everything to protect her from harm. However, peace in the Zhuang family was fleeting. With Zhou Ruyin bringing back Zhuang Yushan and Zhuang Yuchi, Zhuang Hanyan sensed that new challenges lay ahead. Though she did not yet know what schemes the mother and daughter would devise, she was prepared to face them head-on. After all, she knew she had two unwavering pillars of support—Chai Jing and Fu Yunxi.