The Legend of Zhuohua – Jing Tian, Feng Shaofeng

Mu Zhuohua pretended to be reading, fearing that Mrs. Mu would accuse her of neglecting her duties. Just as luck would have it, Master Mu was marrying a concubine, allowing Mu Zhuohua to escape scrutiny, and Mrs. Mu was too preoccupied to pay her any attention. Seizing the moment when everyone was focused on the newcomers, Mu Zhuohua, accompanied by her personal maidservant Guo Juli, escaped. Mu Rong wanted to see his 18th wife whom he was marrying, so he lifted the red veil. Mu Zhuohua was also reading in the carriage, and Guo Juli wondered why she was reading while on the move. Mu Zhuohua explained that if she didn't study well, she would end up getting married. She believed that once a woman was married, her life would be ruined. She planned to become a county official in the future and not just a county official's wife.

Mu Zhuohua, along with Guo Juli, arrived in the capital city of Dingjing. They coincidentally met Lord Ding returning to the city. Mu Zhuohua told Guo Juli that Lord Ding was very formidable, and she wanted to get to know him and find out why he was so powerful. When Mu Zhuohua saw her pursuers approaching, she asked Guo Juli to sit tight as she urged the carriage faster. Guo Juli reminded her that they were approaching the Grand Demon, but Mu Zhuohua didn't care and was determined to take a chance. She called out for her mother and acted as an undutiful daughter. As they passed the Grand Demon, the guards, following their master's orders, let her go. Mu Zhuohua hurriedly left, leaving her pursuers in confusion.

Guo Juli couldn't believe Mu Zhuohua had dared to confront the Grand Demon's convoy. She was feeling a bit scared now. After observing the situation, Mu Zhuohua realized that the person in the carriage wasn't Lord Ding. She sensed that Lord Ding's return to the capital this time was out of the ordinary. The person in the carriage was indeed not Lord Ding; he had sent his steward Zhang to pretend to be him and return to the city. Lord Ding himself had other matters to attend to and didn't want to attract attention. Liu Yan stood before Yuan Chengming's grave, instructing his subordinates to find out who had erected the grave, determined to uncover the truth of what happened back then.

Mu Zhuohua arrived at Flower Alley, intending to rent a house and stay there to prepare for an exam. Upon hearing that she was a female scholar, Old Lady Lu thought it was commendable and offered her help. Old Lady Lu took Mu Zhuohua to see the room, explaining that the previous occupant had died. Guo Juli was a bit scared, but Mu Zhuohua assured her that it was fine for them to stay there. Mu Zhuohua noticed that Old Lady Lu's eyes were yellow and her hands were cold, so she gave her a homemade sachet. Guo Juli was puzzled as Mu Zhuohua wasn't supposed to reveal her medical skills, but Mu Zhuohua explained that they needed money due to their expenses and the need to earn a living.

The courtesan Song Yun approached Mu Zhuohua after hearing about her medical skills from Old Lady Lu. Mu Zhuohua invited Song Yun into her room and examined her. Song Yun was surprised that Mu Zhuohua didn't seem curious about her identity. Mu Zhuohua mentioned she probably lived across the street. Song Yun asked if Mu Zhuohua wasn't repulsed by her profession, given that the street was lined with courtesans. Mu Zhuohua replied that, in her eyes, all patients were the same. Mu Zhuohua diagnosed Song Yun's condition as a result of a harsh abortion procedure and inadequate recovery. Song Yun explained that she was an aging courtesan, and no one cared about her.

Liu Yan received a letter from He Xin, which informed him about Yuan Chengming's past travels.

Mu Zhuohua prescribed a treatment for Song Yun, but Song Yun would need to buy the medicine herself. Song Yun gave Mu Zhuohua a silver coin and left. Seeing Song Yun, Mu Zhuohua was reminded of her mother and shared her determination not to end up like a flower (courtesan), but to become a towering tree and protect herself. Mu Zhuohua and Guo Juli were out in the night market when they ran into Song Yun. Song Yun asked Mu Zhuohua if she could come to the Little Qin Palace to provide her expertise, knowing it was a difficult request. Despite the challenge, Mu Zhuohua agreed to visit the palace. Upon arriving at the Little Qin Palace, Mu Zhuohua saw Yun Xiangyue's condition and realized she couldn't compete for the title of "Flower Selection," but Yun Xiangyue was determined to proceed.

Yun Xiangyue, due to her health condition, had her maid Su Yun pose as her to entertain Liu Yan. Liu Yan tasted the tea Su Yun had brewed for him and recounted having had this kind of tea before. He mentioned his close friend surnamed Yuan. Hearing this, Yun Xiangyue thought about using the opportunity to escape, but Liu Yan's subordinates intercepted her. Seeing the situation, Yun Xiangyue explained to Liu Yan that she also had her reasons and was acting in self-defense. Liu Yan viewed her actions as compromising her integrity for survival, and Yun Xiangyue retorted that he wasn't any different.

Liu Yan reflected on a past event where his friend Tan Lin died before him while trying to save him, and he was powerless to help.

Yun Xiangyue revealed to Liu Yan that her father, known for his loyalty and valor, could never have betrayed the country. She began to share her story but was suddenly attacked by assassins. Despite Liu Yan's efforts, she was poisoned and died. Liu Yan ordered his men to guard Yun Xiangyue's body and not let anyone touch her blood. He himself, however, left the scene while feeling the effects of the poison. In his weakened state, he entered a room and was luckily seen by Mu Zhuohua, who mistook him for a villain and was restrained by him. After Mu Zhuohua clarified her intentions, Liu Yan released her. She assumed he was a client from the Little Qin Palace and offered to perform acupuncture on him.

Misunderstanding her intentions, Liu Yan refused to undress, so Mu Zhuohua took the initiative to remove his shirt and noticed his attire was unusual. Mu Zhuohua prescribed medicine for Liu Yan and assured him that following the prescription for a month would bring improvement. She told Liu Yan that if he continued to feel unwell, he could find her at Flower Alley, where Song Yun knew she lived. Liu Yan's subordinates located him, but he dismissed them. He left Yun Xiangyue's body there, hoping that the officials in the capital would investigate the matter.

Returning home, Mu Zhuohua found Guo Juli standing asleep and worried about her. The guards informed Liu Yan that an hour ago, Yun Xiangyue's maid Su Yun had also died from poisoning. Liu Yan thought the perpetrator was ruthless to the point of not sparing even a maid. He Xin was ordered to monitor Mu Zhuohua's house from above and found Guo Juli standing there in a dazed state, finding it amusing. The next day, Mu Zhuohua had a dream about Liu Yan, waking up startled. There was a knocking at the door, as officials came to question her. Liu Yan had a good night's sleep but was concerned about the sachet's safety. He had a doctor examine it and confirm that it was harmless.

Mu Zhuohua was suspected of poisoning Yun Xiangyue and had to explain herself. She told the officials that she had no grudge against Yun Xiangyue, whom she had only met once. Liu Yan consulted Dr. Zhao about the medicine prescription Mu Zhuohua had given him and was impressed by her knowledge and meticulousness. After returning home, Mu Zhuohua pondered how Yun Xiangyue had struggled to survive despite being in a courtesan's life, only to meet her tragic end. Guo Juli asked if Mu Zhuohua knew who killed Yun Xiangyue, and Mu Zhuohua sensed someone on the roof, so she quickly wrote her thoughts and shared them with Guo Juli. The two acted in sync, pretending they were already aware of the culprit's identity.

Liu Yan's subordinate, Zhi Jian, came to find Mu Zhuohua and informed her that a patient wanted to see her. Guo Juli was stopped by another guard, Mo, at the door, so Mu Zhuohua had to go alone to meet Liu Yan. Upon seeing Liu Yan, Mu Zhuohua immediately knelt down and begged for his mercy. Liu Yan was curious about when she had discovered his identity. Mu Zhuohua explained that she had figured it out the previous night by observing his scars and the high-quality materials used for his pants, which indicated his noble status. Liu Yan asked why she hadn't exposed him when she first recognized him. Mu Zhuohua explained that she kept it secret to avoid misunderstandings and because Liu Yan's subordinates were watching, and revealing his identity might cost her life.

Liu Yan brought Mu Zhuohua to see Yun Xiangyue's body and asked her to perform an autopsy. Despite her fear, Mu Zhuohua reluctantly complied. Guo Juli stood outside with Zhi Mo, continuously eating snacks. Zhi Mo's gaze made Guo Juli think he wanted some snacks, so she offered him hers, but he declined. Confused, she muttered that if he wanted them, why didn't he take them? Mu Zhuohua had Liu Yan describe the symptoms Yun Xiangyue experienced before and after being poisoned. Through this conversation, Mu Zhuohua realized that Liu Yan had interacted with Yun Xiangyue. She then checked his pulse and asked about his medical history.

Zhi Jian informed her that Liu Yan had been poisoned by the Abyssal Flower before and had survived by taking Snow Dust Pill. This information clarified things for Mu Zhuohua. She examined Yun Xiangyue's clothes and concluded that the poison was applied to the clothing, specifically using a type of medicine called "Huan Yang Powder." Mu Zhuohua explained that this poison worked by entering the body through the clothing. She suspected that the culprit was well-versed in Liu Yan's medical history, as usual poisons would have been neutralized by the Snow Dust Pill in his system. She found it odd that Yun Xiangyue had exchanged clothing with her maid, which suggested the maid had been bribed.

Mu Zhuohua suggested questioning the maid, but Zhi Jian revealed that the maid had been silenced. Upon hearing this, Mu Zhuohua was greatly frightened. Seeing her fear, Liu Yan ordered Zhi Mo to escort them back home. After returning, Mu Zhuohua told Guo Juli that their days ahead might not be peaceful. Zhi Jian reported the results of the investigation to Liu Yan. Mu Zhuohua marveled at her ability to excel academically despite her father's numerous wives. Liu Yan instructed Zhi Jian to inquire about the Huan Yang Powder and to keep an eye on Mu Zhuohua. Zhang Steward lamented that the Ding Prince's residence was vast and that it would be better with a lady of the house.

Mu Zhuohua and Guo Juli wandered the streets. Guo Juli was curious about Mu Zhuohua's intentions, and she explained that she wanted to establish connections so that if Liu Yan was ever needed, he could assist them. They coincidentally encountered Emperor Liu Jv on the city wall, and he expressed gratitude for Liu Yan's assistance in governing the country. The conversation shifted to Liu Jv's daughter, Princess Rou Jia (Liu Jiao), who had returned. Guo Juli was puzzled by the mention of "Shen Nü" (Divine Maiden) in relation to the princess. Mu Zhuohua explained that Liu Jiao's fiancé had died in a battle five years ago, leading her to open medical clinics to help the people.

While Guo Juli was distracted buying candied hawthorn, Mu Zhuohua was caught by Zhou Steward, and they both ran when they saw him. Mu Zhuohua encountered Liu Jiao while running and joined her in solving riddles, winning a prize together. Liu Jiao invited Mu Zhuohua to choose a lantern first. Mu Zhuohua mentioned that she learned riddles from Liu Jiao during her childhood. Zhou Steward approached but hesitated to intervene. Liu Jiao realized Mu Zhuohua was using her to solve problems, but she wasn't upset and even invited her to a poetry event at the Wen Zheng Tower.

Liu Yan and Emperor Liu Jv enjoyed a drink and conversation. Liu Yan was willing to sacrifice himself for the emperor's health and safety, but the emperor reminded him of his responsibilities and encouraged him to live well. Liu Yan brought Zhou Steward forward, thinking he could be useful. Mu Zhuohua and Guo Juli arrived at the Wen Zheng Tower, where they heard that Shen Jinghong had won five consecutive contests and was a strong candidate for the championship. The topic was about the dangers of nurturing a tiger, and Liu Chen couldn't understand why his uncle, Liu Yan, used his name in the riddle, while Liu Yan found it amusing.

Mu Zhuohua expressed her thoughts on the topic of "nurturing a tiger as a menace," and Liu Yan, sitting next to her, overheard her words. Wen Shi Zong, Mao Sui Jian, volunteered to answer first, stating that tigers were fierce and should be eliminated. Mu Zhuohua sensed that this person dared to disrespect Liu Yan, possibly knowing that Liu Yan had suffered severe injuries. The Battle of Juma River five years ago had surrounded Liu Yan, leaving him gravely injured, but luckily, someone arrived in time to save him. She couldn't understand why so many people accused Liu Yan of seeking glory recklessly. She voiced her doubts, and Liu Yan was drawn into reminiscence, recalling the scene of the Battle of Juma River.

Amidst discussions, Shen Jinghong arrived at the Wen Zheng Tower. Before answering the question, he humiliated Wen Shi Zong and the others. Shen Jinghong then altered the phrase "as a menace" to "to be used" in the topic "nurturing a tiger as a menace." He believed that as long as the tiger-raiser had great ambitions, the tiger could be put to great use. Tigers were naturally fierce creatures, but those who raised them could utilize them fearlessly. Mu Zhuohua sensed that Wen Zheng Tower might have some background, deciding not to confront them. She prepared to leave with Guo Juli but saw Zhou Steward waiting nearby. Unsure of what to do, Mu Zhuohua found Liu Yan walking up behind her, causing Zhou Steward to leave.

Mu Zhuohua approached Liu Yan, who was about to leave, and initiated a conversation. She declared that she was now under his protection. Liu Yan asked what she meant by being "under his protection." He signaled Mu Zhuohua to look across, where Zhi Jian was with Zhou Steward, saluting them. Mu Zhuohua stared at Zhou Steward, surprised. Liu Chen didn't understand why Liu Yan did this, and Zhi Mo explained that Liu Yan was fishing. Liu Yan informed Mu Zhuohua that he had discovered Zhou Steward's intentions and understood that she wanted to attach herself to him for personal gain. Mu Zhuohua questioned what was wrong with pursuing personal gain and shared how arduous it was for a woman like her to reach Wen Zheng Tower, considering the unfriendly environment for women officials in their era.

Hearing her grievances, Liu Yan softened. He instructed Zhi Jian to escort Mu Zhuohua and Guo Juli home. On his way back, Liu Yan met Tan Lin's father. He learned that Tan Lin's son, Xiao Hu, had died of typhoid fever last month. Liu Yan wondered why the father hadn't sought his help. Tan Lin's father believed it wouldn't have made a difference and shared his regret that Tan Lin had died in battle and never returned, despite Liu Yan's promise to bring him back. Liu Yan was deeply saddened by Tan Lin's father's words. Just then, Liu Jiao walked up to him and asked why he was at Ji Shan Tang (Ji Shan Hall).

Liu Jiao had established many pharmacies and schools and had helped many impoverished families. She overheard a girl outside wanting to study but being prevented by her father. Liu Jiao allowed the girl to study and told her father to leave. Shen Jinghong arrived at Ji Shan Tang, hoping to find Liu Jiao. Shen Jinghong had received help from Liu Jiao since childhood and wanted to teach at Ji Shan Tang and assist others. Liu Jiao told him that exams were approaching and advised him to prepare well. Shen Jinghong assured her he would and invited her to join the poetry competition.

Zhi Jian escorted Mu Zhuohua and Guo Juli back home. Mu Zhuohua wanted to thank him and invited him for a meal, but Zhi Jian drew his sword and warned them not to harm Liu Yan. He vowed to kill them both if they posed any threat to Liu Yan. Mu Zhuohua and Guo Juli were frightened, and Guo Juli was furious at Zhi Jian's threat. Zhao Daifu informed Liu Yan that his health was deteriorating and advised him not to be impatient in handling matters. Liu Yan had an inner turmoil, realizing that if he didn't resolve his issues, he wouldn't be at peace even in the afterlife. Zhao Daifu mentioned that he hadn't heard of "Huan Yang San" and Liu Yan wondered if he was being manipulated by Mu Zhuohua.

The imperial examination was only ten days away. Every day, Mu Zhuohua diligently studied at home, focusing on preparing for the exam. Guo Juli hurriedly brought Mu Zhuohua to Fuyun Temple, which was known for its efficacy. Many people came here to seek blessings from the Bodhisattva, hoping for good results in their endeavors. Mu Zhuohua and Guo Juli knelt before the Bodhisattva. Guo Juli prayed for Mu Zhuohua's success in the exam, and Mu Zhuohua was deeply moved by Guo Juli's sincere request. Guo Juli mentioned a poetry competition, hinting that they might witness Shen Jinghong's triumphant scene. Mu Zhuohua caught a glimpse of a figure resembling Liu Yan and quickly found an excuse to leave.

As expected, Mu Zhuohua found Liu Yan on the back hill. Liu Yan inquired about the formula for "Huan Yang San." Mu Zhuohua told him that the key ingredient in the formula was the extremely rare and expensive "Zhi Xian Fruit." She suggested that he inquire about the consumption of Zhi Xian Fruit at the imperial medical institute. Liu Yan thought it was a good idea but still had suspicions about Mu Zhuohua. Shen Jinghong awaited Liu Jiao's arrival and played the qin. Liu Chen quietly stood behind him, listening to his performance.

Liu Yan believed that Mu Zhuohua's visit to Ding Jing was not solely for the imperial examination. Mu Zhuohua revealed that she knew about "Huan Yang San" because of her mother. She found it odd that her mother had so much knowledge. These mysteries puzzled her, and she hoped Liu Yan could help her unravel them. Shen Jinghong's poetry earned praise from everyone. Guo Juli noticed that Mu Zhuohua hadn't arrived yet and was anxious. She found Zhi Mo and asked if he had a good memory. She requested him to write down Shen Jinghong's poems. Zhi Mo claimed his handwriting was ugly, but Guo Juli assured him it didn't matter. After he finished writing, Zhi Jian jokingly said that his handwriting was painful to the eyes.

Mu Zhuohua asked Liu Yan if he could show a bit more concern for her. Liu Yan asked how he could show concern. Mu Zhuohua said she was a bit short on money lately. Liu Yan took out his purse and gave her some money. Mu Zhuohua thanked him with delight. Zhi Mo handed the written poems to Guo Juli. As he was about to leave, Guo Juli tried to stop him, but her grip accidentally dislocated his wrist. Shen Jinghong visited Princess Liu Jiao, and she praised his performance today. She believed it was great that Shen Jinghong had caught Liu Chen's attention and hoped he would excel in the exam and become a valuable talent.

Seeing Mu Zhuohua return with so much money, Guo Juli asked if she had provoked a tiger. Mu Zhuohua told her not to provoke a tiger, and at most, she had just straightened the tiger's whiskers. Mu Zhuohua felt that Liu Yan was very suspicious and hadn't completely trusted them yet. She knew "Huan Yang San" was useful to him, so her goal was to gain Liu Yan's trust. Guo Juli thought Mu Zhuohua was clever for earning so much money, but Mu Zhuohua was troubled by "Huan Yang San." She speculated that Liu Yan was currently investigating three leads: the Zhi Xian Fruit, her mother's gentleman friend, and Vice General Yuan's remains.

Mu Zhuohua told Guo Juli that her mother had informed her that her maternal grandfather had worked at the imperial medical institute. She wondered if "Huan Yang San" might have been developed by her maternal grandfather. She was worried that Liu Yan might seek revenge against her. Just as they were contemplating this, a knock on the door interrupted them. Guo Juli answered and found Zhi Jian. He asked Mu Zhuohua to ride with him. Terrified, Mu Zhuohua confessed that she didn't know how to ride a horse, and Liu Yan reprimanded Zhi Jian for not bringing them properly. Liu Yan instructed Mu Zhuohua to give the medicine box to Zhi Mo and mount his horse. Riding on the galloping horse, Mu Zhuohua felt scared, and Liu Yan held her protectively.

Mu Zhuohua noticed two puncture wounds on the corpse and analyzed the situation to Liu Yan. The person's skull was exceptionally hard, and the only weapon that could pierce it was the "Storm Pear Blossom Needle." This needle was as thin as a cow's hair but capable of piercing bones. Zhi Mo, who had been silent, commented that he knew about it. Zhi Jian added that only the royal family possessed these roaming needles. Liu Yan, feeling upset, asked them not to speak recklessly. He recalled his childhood with his elder brother, Liu Ju, and knew that Liu Ju had such a roaming needle. Seeing Liu Yan in this state, Mu Zhuohua couldn't believe that the usually unshakable prince had moments like this.

As they were about to leave, they encountered assassins at the door. Zhi Jian urged Liu Yan to go ahead while he and the others stayed behind. Liu Yan took Mu Zhuohua and ran into the woods. In a moment of crisis, Mu Zhuohua scattered a powdery substance toward the pursuer. Liu Yan asked if it was poison, and she told him it was lime powder. Mu Zhuohua felt as if she had caught a cold, so Liu Yan took off his cloak and wrapped it around her. Sensing Liu Yan's intention to engage in a "begging the monarch" strategy, Mu Zhuohua scattered the remaining lime powder, and soon, moles appeared. Mu Zhuohua and Liu Yan fought against the attackers and were joined by the royal guards in time.

Liu Ju confronted his mother about her treatment of Liu Yan. She confessed that all she did was for Liu Ju's sake and believed that only if Liu Yan died would Liu Ju be at peace. Liu Ju informed his mother that a mother's debt should be repaid by her son. He reminded her of the time she had intentionally caused Liu Yan to fall into water, leading to his lifelong illness. If she would do the same now, he would also follow suit. The Queen Dowager was furious at Liu Ju's words, feeling that everything she did was for him. Mu Zhuohua was upset as she feared missing the imperial examination. Liu Yan advised her to wait for the next opportunity if she couldn't make it this time. Mu Zhuohua revealed she had been preparing for so many years and couldn't wait for another chance.

Mu Zhuohua injured her foot and limped while walking. Seeing her condition, Liu Yan offered to carry her. Mu Zhuohua felt it was inappropriate, but Liu Yan suggested that if she wanted to miss the imperial examination, she could continue waiting there. Reluctantly, she let Liu Yan carry her. Liu Yan remarked that she was very light, and Mu Zhuohua explained that as a commoner, she had often gone hungry, making her frail. Her goal was to achieve fame to ensure she wouldn't go hungry in the future. Liu Yan advised her to eat more. That night, Mu Zhuohua developed a fever. Liu Yan instructed Zhi Mo and Zhi Jian to prepare medicine.

Zhi Jian instructed Zhi Mo to take the medicine inside. Liu Yan looked at the medicine and then at Zhi Mo. They exchanged looks, and Liu Yan asked if Zhi Mo knew how to administer the medicine. Zhi Mo admitted he didn't, but Zhi Jian was in a bad mood. Liu Yan decided to feed the medicine himself and asked Zhi Mo to comfort Zhi Jian. Zhi Jian felt that Liu Yan didn't trust the Queen Dowager's intention to kill him. He had wagered his life, and fortunately, the result was good. The Queen Dowager had sent someone to save him, but their investigation had still come up empty. Zhi Jian recounted the time when their clan members had ignored their brotherhood while fighting over inheritance. It was Liu Yan who had entered the mansion and saved them, giving them a chance at survival. That night, he lost his mind, Zhi Mo lost his voice, and Liu Yan lost everything.

Liu Yan watched Mu Zhuohua sleeping and felt that the path of the imperial examinations was not an easy one, nor was any path easy. Mu Zhuohua dreamed of her mother, telling her how much she missed her. She now understood the importance of education, as her mother had advised. Her mother felt regretful for not securing a better future for her and urged her to strive for it herself. Mu Zhuohua woke up abruptly, and Liu Yan assured her they were on the way back, telling her not to worry and that she would make it to the imperial examination. Looking at Liu Yan's face, Mu Zhuohua wondered if he had been taking care of her all these days.

Liu Yan rushed back with Mu Zhuohua for the imperial examination, as time was running out. He instructed Zhi Mo to inform Guo Juli to get ready and wait at the entrance of the examination hall, while he quickly accompanied Mu Zhuohua to the exam. Many examinees, including Shen Jinghong, witnessed this scene and wondered if there was something suspicious about Liu Yan personally escorting her. They quickly thought that if there was something fishy, Liu Yan wouldn't openly accompany her like this. To show her gratitude for Liu Yan escorting her, Mu Zhuohua took him aside and told him about her medical skills. Considering Liu Yan's age, Mu Zhuohua felt that he wouldn't resort to unethical actions.

Mu Zhuohua mentioned that her medical skills were good and she could treat him at a reasonable price. This angered Liu Yan, who stormed off. Mu Zhuohua was puzzled by his reaction, and Guo Juli thought it might be because of Mu Zhuohua's offer of affordable treatment. Shen Jinghong approached Mu Zhuohua and commended her, believing that anyone favored by Princess Rou Jia must have exceptional qualities. Scholars like Wenshi Zong overheard their conversation and speculated about Mu Zhuohua's background. Liu Ju told Liu Yan that he would never let go of the person plotting against him from behind, but he hadn't informed the Queen Dowager about the danger Liu Yan faced.

Liu Ju didn't want Liu Yan to approach the Queen Dowager, and Liu Yan understood his intentions and left. However, Liu Yan felt that this matter was connected to the Queen Dowager, so he ordered Zhi Jian to investigate Vice General Yuan's residence and personal belongings again. Mu Zhuohua had complete confidence in the exam questions and answered them calmly. Liu Yan arrived at the examination venue, where Liu Chen told him that it was quite difficult for the female candidates of this session to become scholars. Liu Chen believed that even if women achieved good ranks, they would still be confined to household duties. Liu Yan criticized this as a detrimental cultural norm in their country. While Mu Zhuohua was answering the questions, she noticed Liu Yan patrolling the examination site, and their eyes met, creating ripples in her heart.

Liu Chen looked at the jade pendant hanging from Liu Yan's waist and asked when he could have one for himself, as he had asked many times before. Liu Yan replied that he wasn't short of a jade pendant, as he had promised to give one to Mu Zhuohua as a reward for her good performance. After the exams, a teacher tasked with grading the papers was astonished by the precision of one exam paper. Liu Chen and Liu Yan made a bet on whether it was Shen Jinghong's paper, with Liu Yan's jade pendant at stake. Liu Yan knew that Liu Chen had been eyeing his jade pendant for a long time, and Liu Chen lost the bet. The second round of exams quickly followed. Mu Zhuohua knew this wasn't her strong suit, but she tried to follow her teacher's advice and stay on topic.

After the exam, many candidates had strayed from the topic, while only a few managed to stay on track. During the nighttime exam, many struggled to stay awake. Shen Jinghong looked at the stationery set that Princess Rou Jia had given him before the exam. The decision-making exam followed, and Mu Zhuohua felt anxious as this was her least confident subject. Watching the collected answer sheets, Mu Zhuohua felt anxious. After the exams, Guo Juli came to pick up Mu Zhuohua and noticed that she smelled bad. Guo Juli asked her how the exam went, and Mu Zhuohua believed that regardless of her performance, she had put in her best effort. Now, she just wanted to eat something delicious.

The Queen Dowager learned that Liu Yan had personally used his command token to escort Mu Zhuohua to the examination. She realized that Liu Ju had prevented her from taking action against Liu Yan, but she also couldn't allow him to uncover her secrets. She instructed her maids to investigate Mu Zhuohua's background and lineage in great detail. The Queen Dowager felt justified in her actions, believing that everything she did was for Liu Ju and Liu Chen. However, Liu Ju and Liu Chen continued to side with Liu Yan, which frustrated her. She needed to protect herself while navigating these complex circumstances. The day of the exam results arrived. Mu Zhuohua appeared nonchalant, but she was actually very anxious. Guo Juli urged her to check the list of successful candidates, but Mu Zhuohua hesitated.

Liu Ju inquired about Princess Rou Jia's future plans, as the five-year period of her chastity for her deceased fiancé had come to an end. Princess Rou Jia avoided discussing this topic and quickly left, using an excuse. Liu Ju didn't press further and allowed her to leave. Mu Zhuohua, Mrs. Mu, and Song Yunyun enjoyed drinking, chatting, and dancing together, having a wonderful time. Mu Zhuohua passed the imperial examination, and they celebrated together. Mu Zhuohua felt fortunate in this lifetime, and Mrs. Mu was delighted since Mu Zhuohua had rented her house. They had a joyful time drinking and chatting. Princess Rou Jia's attendant, Man Er, informed Mu Zhuohua that she was invited to participate in a poetry competition the next day. Guo Juli was worried about the quality of Mu Zhuohua's poetry.

Zhi Jian reported to Liu Yan about the situation with the Huan Yang Powder. He assured Liu Yan that Mu Zhuohua and the mastermind behind it were not connected. Liu Yan retorted by asking Zhi Jian if he wanted to link him with Mu Zhuohua, to which Zhi Jian quickly denied.

Liu Yan felt surrounded by crises, but he concluded that since Mu Zhuohua was so afraid of death, it was best to leave it at that. Shen Jinghong attended a gathering of literati, and they all admired him greatly. They felt that Shen Jinghong was ambitious and far-sighted, and they were full of remorse for their own shortcomings. They discussed another remarkable person on the list, and that person was Mu Zhuohua. They believed that she was the highest-ranked female examinee this year. In the Classics category, she was tied with Shen Jinghong, and they all found this remarkable.

They noted that only two individuals had error-free answers in the Classics category, so if Mu Zhuohua's answers were also correct, she could tie with Shen Jinghong. However, Liu Chen believed that this was the extent of women's capabilities this year. Shen Jinghong reasoned that it was natural for young girls to fear death, which was human nature, so it was understandable that Mu Zhuohua hesitated to participate. But to their surprise, Mu Zhuohua appeared before them. The scholars of Wenshi Zong felt humiliated by her presence. Mu Zhuohua congratulated Shen Jinghong for securing the top spot, and some individuals present began to mock Shen Jinghong. Mu Zhuohua felt she had merely praised Shen Jinghong, but the others took this as an opportunity to criticize her. Princess Rou Jia overheard Mu Zhuohua's words and found them admirable.

As the host of the event, Princess Rou Jia believed that Mu Zhuohua had genuine talent. Shen Jinghong apologized to the princess for his behavior, taking responsibility for the incident. Princess Rou Jia agreed that he was at fault and pointed out that as a member of the academy, he should set an example for others. This way, they would avoid inappropriate behavior and refrain from defaming a young girl. Shen Jinghong realized that reading thousands of books paled in comparison to Princess Rou Jia's broad experiences. Her enlightening words made him realize his mistakes. He recognized that Mu Zhuohua's statement wasn't wrong; their disdain for her was not only questioning her abilities but also doubting the examiners' integrity and the fairness of the court.

Liu Chen believed that Mu Zhuohua's metaphors were debatable and her intentions had some differences. Liu Yan told him to express his opinion but not to drag him into it. Princess Rou Jia sided with Mu Zhuohua, stating that one's background shouldn't be used as a basis for judgment. Liu Yan agreed that human nature was inherently biased, making it difficult to disregard a person's appearance and status when evaluating them. Liu Chen also concurred with Liu Yan and established new competition rules. Liu Yan wasn't sure if his newfound inclination towards Mu Zhuohua had influenced the rules he had formulated, which favored her. Liu Yan advised Mu Zhuohua to be cautious as prominence attracted attention.

Liu Chen was determined to prove that the person he admired was undoubtedly superior to any woman. Liu Yan told him to wait and see. Mu Zhuohua participated in the hairpin competition, aware that the grand prize was Cang Ling's Record, the last work of the late Cang Ling. She was willing to risk her life to obtain it, and she decided not to heed Liu Yan's advice to keep a low profile. Mu Zhuohua used all her skills to compete in the event, hoping to secure the prize. She knew she had submitted only four lines of poetry with great effort and wondered if she would win Cang Ling's Record. Princess Rou Jia believed that Mu Zhuohua's participation as a woman was already challenging. She sided with Mu Zhuohua and hoped Shen Jinghong could understand her perspective.

Liu Yan was taking a walk by himself outside and unknowingly arrived at Mu Zhuohua's doorstep. Mu Zhuohua was happily gardening, and upon seeing Liu Yan, she quickly stood up. Liu Yan asked her about her gardening, and Mu Zhuohua told him that she was transplanting. The flowerpot Princess Rou Jia had given her was too valuable, so she moved the peony into her own ceramic flowerpot and kept the one given by Princess Rou Jia as a treasure. Mu Zhuohua felt that although Liu Yan often said he wouldn't help her, he was actually tough on the outside but soft-hearted, and he would still assist her. Faced with her praise, Liu Yan told her that he didn't help for nothing, and Mu Zhuohua gave him the newly planted peony as compensation.

Liu Yan brought the peony back to his residence, and Zhi Jian was amazed that someone had given him flowers. Zhi Mo reported to Liu Yan that the Empress Dowager had not found any clues. Zhi Jian silently rejoiced that Liu Yan had already arranged for Mu Zhuohua's ancestry to be erased. As Mu Zhuohua had the imperial examination the next day, she was very nervous. To ease her tension, Guo Juli took her to burn incense and pay respects to Mu Zhuohua's deceased mother, hoping for a smooth exam. The tense and serious palace examination began, with the topic being "governing by inaction." Mu Zhuohua looked at the question, thought carefully for a moment, and then calmly began answering. Just as she was about to finish, her paper was accidentally knocked over by an inkstone.

Everyone, including Liu Chen, thought that Mu Zhuohua might end up near the bottom in the exam rankings. Mu Zhuohua knew she hadn't touched the inkstone and couldn't understand why it was knocked over. She remembered her mother's words – not to entrust her destiny to others. She thought that even though the situation was challenging, she wouldn't give up. After the exam, Shen Jinghong came to comfort her. In the face of his consolation, Mu Zhuohua felt she had done well in the exam. Shen Jinghong greatly admired her attitude. The second round of the palace examination came quickly, and Mu Zhuohua met with the Emperor.

Upon seeing Mu Zhuohua, Emperor Liu Ju felt that despite her young age, she had a very stable mentality. Regarding the mistakes she made during the exam, Emperor Liu Ju decided to give her another chance. When faced with the questions he posed, she answered with ease, and Emperor Liu Ju was very satisfied with her responses. Liu Yan, following the Emperor's orders, announced the results of the palace examination. As expected, Shen Jinghong took the first place. Mu Zhuohua got the third place. She was surprised and momentarily stunned, but after Liu Yan's reminder, she quickly knelt down to express her gratitude. Mu Zhuohua was extremely happy to achieve the third place; it was a recognition of her hard work.

To celebrate the successful exams, Emperor Liu Ju hosted a banquet. During the banquet, he wanted to arrange a marriage between Shen Jinghong and Princess Rou Jia. Although Shen Jinghong liked Princess Rou Jia a lot, he respected her choice, and she declined the offer gracefully. Mu Zhuohua asked Shen Jinghong why he admired the princess but didn't want to marry her. Shen Jinghong explained that admiration and marriage were two different things. Mu Zhuohua agreed with his perspective and admitted that she also admired the princess. Mu Zhuohua was preparing to leave the palace, and Liu Yan stopped her. He was also leaving the palace, so they left together. Liu Yan felt that what happened today was indeed a crisis, but Mu Zhuohua handled it perfectly, which was no easy feat.

Liu Yan told Mu Zhuohua that he was the one who knocked over her inkstone during the palace exam. Mu Zhuohua was deeply saddened, fearing that if she hadn't managed the situation well that day, she might not have the opportunity to take exams in the future. Liu Yan acknowledged the difficulty of her future path, and if she couldn't even handle this, more challenges would arise. Mu Zhuohua was angry at his actions, and Liu Yan realized he had made a mistake. He apologized to her. Seeing Liu Yan's sincerity, Mu Zhuohua's anger dissipated. Liu Yan explained that he didn't want to involve her in his past affairs. He gave her a jade pendant as he said this.

Princess Rou Jia felt that the rice porridge was too thin; the children were growing, so more rice should be added. Her attendant informed her that the price of rice had risen, and the Jishan Hall didn't have much money left. Princess Rou Jia decided to use her own money. The attendant thought Shen Jinghong might not come to Jishan Hall anymore because Princess Rou Jia had publicly declined the marriage proposal. Unexpectedly, they heard Shen Jinghong's voice as he spoke to the children. The imperial decree had arrived, and Liu Chen came to congratulate him. Liu Chen wanted to celebrate with Shen Jinghong, but Shen Jinghong had to give the children a lesson first, so they agreed to meet later.

Mu Zhuohua also completed her exams, and they were preparing to move to Zhujue Street. Guo Juli told her that the rent there was too expensive, and after paying the rent, they wouldn't have much money left. Mu Zhuohua reassured her, saying she would work hard to earn money. She had Guo Juli send some medicine to the Lu family and Song Yun. They moved into their new home, and Guo Juli marveled at how big it was, though it was expensive. Mu Zhuohua promised to earn enough money to indulge herself with plenty of pig trotters. She understood that from now on, she couldn't leave her destiny in the hands of others; she had to take control of her own life.

Outside Mu Zhuohua's door, there was a person in black clothes. Zhi Jian happened to see it from outside the house and threw a stone to wake her up. Mu Zhuohua pushed open the door and looked around, but found no one. The Empress Dowager couldn't find out Mu Zhuohua's ancestry, and she indirectly questioned Princess Rou Jia. Princess Rou Jia wasn't wary and revealed the information. The Empress Dowager's maid Peilan observed Mu Zhuohua for several days and found nothing unusual, so the Empress Dowager decided not to waste more time on her. Mu Zhuohua woke up early and eagerly went to report to the Hanlin Academy.

As soon as Mu Zhuohua arrived at the academy, she heard people talking about how inappropriate it was for a woman to wear official attire. She confronted them, leaving them speechless, and Shen Jinghong also supported her. Liu Chen came to the Hanlin Academy to relay the Emperor's decree. Mu Zhuohua was about to teach at the academy. For some reason, Liu Chen always seemed to dislike her and used the opportunity to criticize her. Shen Jinghong comforted her, believing the planted Cassia flower in the courtyard would eventually grow into a towering tree. Mu Zhuohua was glad he could comfort her, and Shen Jinghong quickly changed the subject, asking her about the content they planned to teach the young princes.

Mu Zhuohua was drawing maps at home, preparing diligently to teach the princes. She felt Shen Jinghong had the support of the Crown Prince Liu Chen, and Sun Yunqian was related to the other two princes, while she was on her own, so she had to work harder. Mu Zhuohua and Guo Juli said they were visiting their neighbors, but they were actually trying to gather information about her mother's whereabouts. After a day of searching, they found houses with apricot trees, but none of them had both apricot trees and a pond. They only had one household left to check – their next-door neighbors, but nobody knew who owned that house. Mu Zhuohua decided to use a ladder to climb over the courtyard wall to find out.

Mu Zhuohua entered the neighboring courtyard and saw a person sitting there, whose back was quite familiar. She heard the person call out "Zhi Mo," and realized it was Liu Yan. Now that she was there, she couldn't leave. Liu Yan eventually noticed her and asked her to follow him. He inquired why she happened to live next door, and Mu Zhuohua made up an excuse about cheap rent. Liu Yan didn't believe her reason, so she finally confessed that it was because she admired him that she chose to live next door, hoping to be close to him.