Pursuit of Jade

Outside town, Changyu discovers a wounded young man half-dead in the snow. Assuming he too was attacked by bandits, she carries him home, even though she doesn't have enough money to feed him. He is very weak, coughing up blood. Her neighbours, Uncle and Madam Zhao, help Changyu take care of him and to keep his presence in her house a secret – against their better judgement.

When he wakes, the young man tells Changyu his name is Yan Zheng and that he has no family left. In flashbacks, we see him fighting with other warriors, the sole survivor of a violent skirmish. A white hawk arrives at his window, bearing a message that asks if he is alive. He manages to scrawl the name of the town and send the reply away with the hawk.

Uncle Zhou warns Changyu that medicine for Yan Zheng will be expensive, and she is already paying a lot for the medicine her sisters needs. Changyu pawns the rare silver hairpin that belonged to her mother, but swears she will return to redeem it.

Soldiers arrive to search houses for refugees without travel passes: anyone caught will be forced to join the army. Changyu comes under suspicion when they find a bloodied cloth by the sickbed but Yan Zheng remains safely hidden in her pig sty.

Changyu has to fight the gangsters herself and Yan Zheng watched from the window above and threw a stick at one of the gangsters to help her. When Changyu privately spoke to her parent's tablet, Yan Zheng came down to talk to her.

Changning called Changyu over as Mr Zhao is looking for her. Mr and Mrs Zhao shared a solution for Changyu to keep the house by taking in a matrilocal husband, Yan Zheng being ideal. Changyu wanted to talk to Yan Zheng but she could not bring herself to it, so she pretended that one of her pigs is Yan Zheng, Yan Zheng overheard it from above.

Changyu brought pig-liver soup for Yan Zheng to norish his blood and noted that he does not like pig offals but that is the best she can offer him for now. Yan Zheng told her he will be her matrilocal husband as she left the room. She offered to provide for him if he stayed.

Changyu went to the fabric shop to have wedding clothes done. Outside people were brawling over whether Marquis Wu'an had. At the palace, the emperor decided to reward Marquis Wu’an, Xie Zheng's army with gold as Marquis Wu’an was a hero of great reputation who made significant military merits for the country. Prime Minister Wei, who is also Xie Zheng's uncle, came into court and told them not to announce Xie Zheng's death so the enemies will be wary.

Changyu sprain her leg outside and two gentlemen offered to return her as they have a carriage. It is Li Huai’an, General He's disciple. They did not think Marquis Wu’an will marry a butcher when he could reject a marriage with the Princess. Changyu returned to take measurements for Yan Zheng's wedding outfit. Yan Zheng noted her leg was sprained and fixed it for her. Changyu changed Yan Zheng's name on the tablet to Xie Zheng and asked Yan Zheng to accompany her to pray for Xie Zheng.

Yan Zheng's falcon was caught by a trap set by Changyu and Yan Zheng freed it and scolded it for falling for such a crude trap.

Mr and Mrs Zhao and neighbours along with Changyu were considering hiring a lawyer or having Song Yan help to fight the case against Changyu's uncle for the house. But both options were not ideal. Yan Zheng offered to help. She was impressed he knows how to write the court process.

Yan Zheng made her memorise what Chageyu needed to say but as she had trouble reading, he suggested a poem with the same intention. She managed to memorise it using her interpretation. Although the words were all mixed up but the intended meaning was there.

Changyu fell asleep on the table while reading and Yan Zheng caught her head with his hands. There was a knock at the door and it was Song Yan coming to offer Changyu a solution for the house by offering her to be his concubine. She was insulted and rejected him. Song Yan wondered why she would marry a crippled refugee, Changyu chided him for looking down on Yan Zheng. When Song Yan tried to approach Changyu, Yan Zheng expelled him the house. Yan Zheng and Changyu put up an act to show Song Yan that they are husband and wife.

In the morning, Mr Zhao helped Yan Zheng to collect silver taels from the bookshop and Yan Zheng purchased the hairpin Changyu pawned.

Changyu returned and saw that her wedding outfit ready. She was shy upon learning the flower embroidery outfit was for her wedding night.

Their wedding day came. Some gossipy aunt speculated that the husband must be ugly or a crippled to marry-in. Song Yan came to make trouble. Yan Zheng exited and his handsomeness surprised everyone. Yan Zheng asked Changyu other than the ingrate she used to care for, did she have others that bite? Changyu said of all the live stock she cared for, Song Yan was the most ungrateful. Yan Zheng thanked Song Yan for not recognising a true gem.

During the rituals, Changyu said Yan Zheng does not need to change his surname, and children do not need to take her surname, they can have more children so can use both surnames, when the last rule about how he has to obey the head of household which is his wife, Yan Zheng agreed and bow to Changyu but she said in the future, they will discuss and make decisions together.

After the wedding dinner, Mrs Zhao gave Changyu an intimacy instruction book. As she went up to the bedroom, Yan Zheng was applying medication on himself.

Changyu was upset and thought about her father telling her no matter the hardship, to always eat well and sleep well. On her way home, Madam Song gave her some money and asked her to return the betrothal letter. Changning called her brother-in-law over as Changyu was being bullied. He displayed a list of items Song family had bought and spent at the expenses of Fan family. The Song family lacked enough money to return, so Cui magistrate's daughter helped the Song family to return the money. But she threw it on the floor and Changning went to pick it up.

As the Fan family walked off, Song family went to retrieve the betrothal letter from under the rock outside their door.

Changyu explained to Yan Zheng that we was upset over losing the hairpin and he pulled it from his sleeve and handed it to her. Changyu told Yan Zheng that he need not work so hard to sell his essays for money as she can butcher pig to feed him.

Falcon flew over the sky to Luyuan Academy and headmaster Gongsun received a note from the falcon about Xie Zheng/Jiuheng's whereabouts.

Changyu went to her shop and saw that someone had smashed her stove as she did not pay protection money. The gangsters did not realise it was her shop and commented that they won't dare to collect protection money from her, so they quickly fixed the stove and swept the shop .. the gangster Jin's grandma came over to hit him thinking that he was collecting protection money. Changyu clarified that they were helping her to sell pork. Grandma was happy for her grandson. After grandma left, Jin told Changyu that his brothers had their own family issues, needed money and with the war, decent jobs were hard to find. Changyu cooked for them and gave them wages. Jin's brother asked Changyu if they could return and help. Changyu welcome them to work. The butcher shop across the street noted that the hooligans work for Changyu because she is the real boss.

Yan Zheng went to the shops to buy groceries and supplies for the Fan family. He also bought clam ointment for Changyu and was looking for wrist guards for her. He told the shop keeper that Mr Fan left some money and ordered the purchases.Yan Zheng saw Changyu approaching a competitor's shop. Shop owner Wang defamed Changyu so she stood up for herself. As she left the shop, shop owner Wang wanted to hurt her but Yan Zheng threw a stone to make him kneel.

At home, the shopkeeper delivered the groceries. Changyu wanted to return the clam moisturiser, but Yan Zheng used it so she could not return it and hoped she would use it on herself instead.

The following day was the court session with Fan's uncle, but he did not arrive and was found dead.

Constable Wang had to arrest Yan Zheng with an arrest warrant for suspected murder. Yan Zheng demanded evidence from the magistrate. They suspected Yan Zheng's travel permit is not sufficient to prove his innocence. Yan Zheng requested they wait a few days for his original travel permit to arrive. Magistrate Cui wanted to cane Yan Zheng for being insolent. Changyu offered to be cane in his place and Yan Zheng stopped the cane. The magistrate asked her to be taken away as this was not her case. Just as Yan Zheng wanted to fight against the magistrate soldiers, Gongsun arrived with Yan Zheng's travel permit. Gongsun declared Yan Zheng is from Luyan Academy and asked to privately speak to Magistrate Cui. Magistrate Cui then declared that Yan Zheng is innocent and acted in self-defense and is acquitted. He also allowed Fan Changyu to be released as there was no evidence that she was a murderer. As the court dismissed, Yan Zheng spat blood and told Gongsun to take care of Fan Changyu.

Changyu visited her grandfather, grandfather Fan wanted to tell Changyu something. Mr Li from Yixang restaurant came to find Changyu to tell her that his manager wanted to talk to Changyu. The owner of Yixiang restaurant Yu Qianqian felt Changyu is honest and wanted to do business with Changyu, she offered more money and a deposit for Changyu to supply pork and cook braised meat for the restaurant. Butcher Guo came to the restaurant to make trouble so Qianqian handled him at the back room. Lord Li noted that the person the assassins had been looking for was Fan Changyu. Mrs Zhao encourage Changyu to consummate her marriage.

Li Huai an explained that he was here to capture the bandits. Changyu ran home to save Yan Zheng as he fainted, Li Huan'an suspected it was Marquis Wu'an but kept quiet. A flashback that Yan Zheng learned the suicide warriors wanted to kill the Fan sisters and retrieve the letter. He also thought of how Changyu ran to get help for him. Back at Li Huan'an's room, they did not believe that the Marquis Wu'an they sought in the front lines were hiding in Li'an being a matrilocal husband. Li Huan'an drew a picture and ask his man to send it to Yanzhuo to verify.

Prime Minister Wei's son Wei Xuan asked General He from Jizhuo for help to tame Xie Zheng's soldiers at Yanzhuo. Li Huai an returned to report to his master General He that he learned PM Wei's suicide warriors had tried to raid Fan house twice. Li Huai an asked his master what if Marquis Wu'an was alive.

General He said then it is a blessing as Prince Changxin's rebellion is looming. Marquis Wu’an is a pillar of stability.

General He sent Prime Minister Wei a box of old letters from sixteen years earlier, using his life to protect the Fan sisters and asking Prime Minister Wei to spare them. 16 years ago, General Wei Yan was the one who sent Wei Qilin (Fan Changyu's father) to Prince Changxin to obtain troops for reinforcement for Prince Chengde but the tiger tally Wei Yan gave Wei Qilin was said to be a fake and so Prince Changxin did not want to send troops. Later Wei Qiling was deemed as a traitor. PM Wei decided to let the daughters live and burn the letters.

Li Huai'an returned to Li'an to let Changyu know that the bandits were after Fan family because of a rumour that Fan Erniu may have possessed a treasure map. They have found the treasure map elsewhere and the bandits will not pursue the Fan family. Li Huai'an also gave Changyu thirty taels from the government presumably instructions from General He. Yan Zheng wonders why Li Huai an will make up a lie to cover the case.

Changyu told her sister they did not have to move now. Changning asked when would Changyu return to her husband's bed as Mrs Zhao said husband and wife need to share the same bed. Yan Zheng wrote a note and sent Falcon to deliver it.

Lord Li moved into Song house opposite Fan house. Changning cried because Falcon disappeared, she asked Yan Zheng to promise her that Falcon will return.

Changyu open her braised meat shop at Yixiang restaurant. Yan Zheng asked the purpose of Lord Li's presence at Fan house. Lord Li said it is for Marquis Wu'an.

Changyu and Qianqian was on the way home when they were attacked by butcher Guo who was hired to sell them. Yan Zheng was nearby and tied Butcher Guo up and returned Changyu. Yan Zheng stabbed butcher Guo's back and beat him into revealing his plans for drugging Changyu. As Yan Zheng was about to kill butcher Guo, Changyu awakened to stop him.

Gongsun's student wanted to play chess with him. She is the Grand Princess in disguise.

Empress Dowager sent for her daughter to come home and the Princess let Gongsun know that she has been playing chess with him mysteriously. Empress Dowager wish for the Princess to marry Li Huai'an.

Qianqian met Mr Qi in her restaurant. Xie Wu told Marquis Wu,an to return and rest not to let his wife become suspicious.

Business at the braised meat store increased and ladies queue up to buy meat and want it to be handed to them by Yan Zheng. Qianqian joked that business had improved because of Yan Zheng not the emblem. Men also came to buy meat for the emblem.

A troublesome customer wanted Qianqian to drink with him and when Qianqian pushed him away, he tried to stab them with a knife. Mr Qi came to save Qianqian.

Changning met Bao er, Qianqian's son and they played together. The children lost and the adults sought them. Yan Zheng found them sleeping in a chest.

General He and Yan Zheng heard from their scouts that someone bought grain at a high price while their army was having the commoners to pay tax in grain. Mr Qi was the one who bought the grains through Zhao Xun. Mr Qi tried to book the restaurant but Qianqian didn't want to do his business so she closed it to hide. Changyu checked in Qianqian and Qianqian asked to borrow Yan Zheng to pretend to be Qianqian's husband to chase Mr Qi away.

Qi returned and told Zhao Xun that he met a dead man claiming to be Qianqian's husband, Marquis Wu’an, Xie Zheng. Zhao Xun reveal that Qi reopen the case sixteen years ago so that Xie Zheng would investigate and drive a wedge between Xie Zheng and Wei Yan. Now that Xie Zheng is not dead, Qi intends to win Xie Zheng to his side for support.

Qianqian encourage Changyu to have a baby before Yan Zheng leaves.

Zhao Xun went to Fan house to present Marquis Wu,an the Crown Prince's seal to offer him support, revealing he knows about the case 16 years ago. Yan Zheng asked for a deposit of 200,000 units of grains.

It is the new year and Yan Zheng was teaching Changning how to write. Yan Zheng helped to write Spring Festival couplets. Changning took Falcon and put his paw print on the couplet.

When neighbours heard that Yan Zheng can write, they asked for a favour to write their Spring Festival couplets and brought food over for Changyu. Soon neighbours formed a queue outside the Fan house for the hand-written couplets by Yan Zheng while Changning helped to grind ink. Changyu thought about the times Yan Zheng was reading to her and explained the meanings of the phrase.

Mr and Mrs Zhao, Changyu, Changning and Yan Zheng celebrated with dinner and watching fireworks.

Yan Zheng returned to his room to find Changyu had left him a red packet at his pillow.

The next day, qianqian and Bao er visited the Fan house. The children went to play and some nanny came to identify Bao er.

Qianqian, Changyu and Yan Zheng sought the children and they all ended up in a snow fight. At night, Changyu and Yan Zheng went for a walk in the streets, Yan Zheng offered to carry Changning.

Song Yan thinks that Changyu still pines for him. Changyu told Yan Zheng that she saved her money on his tuition and did not have money to waste on those candles.

Song Yan saw Changyu and offered her a candle but Ms Cui arrived so he pretended that Changyu could not get over him. Yan Zheng came over to support Changyu.

Yan Zheng, Changyu and Changning were walking around and Gongsun saw them from above and painted a portrait for them. Gongsun and Yan Zheng then had a talk about Wei Xuan putting General He to prison and asked Yan Zheng if it was time for him to return to lead the army.

Changyu brought Yan Zheng to eat noodles and saw that a couple where the women paid for the meals were being gossiped. Changyu let Yan Zheng pay for their meal but didn't have small change, he took out a big silver tale instead.

Changyu visited her grandfather and he told her that her father was not his biological son.Fan Erniu paid Grandfather Fan to assume his lost son's identity so the Changyu's family could lead a low-profile life.

Minister Li told his grandson Lord Li that Wei Yan is hungry for power so he needs to bring Wei Yan down.

Qianqian explained to Changyu that she may not be able to save Yixiang restaurant.

Sui Yuanqing tried to grab Changyu down with him but Yan Zheng shot Sui and saved Changyu. He ran after Sui and told Changyu to meet him at the usual place.

After the fight with Sui, Yan Zheng spoke to Li Huai’an about what happened and their plans.

Yan Zheng went to meet Changyu. He hugged her upon seeing her. As they sat at the campfire to talk, Yan Zheng applied medication on her hand and she told him that she has prepared clothes, shoes, money and the divorce agreement for him. To give both of them closure as he is leaving and will make things easier for him.

Yan Zheng was upset and told her to inform him what kind of men she likes so he can find one for her. She also became upset and said she would want someone not cold and stubborn, he responded by saying he would also marry someone who is gentle and knows how to take care of a home. Both of them were being spiteful and she left. He grabbed her and kissed her and they had a fight.

The male villagers were all summoned to join the war. Changyu passed items to Uncle Zhao for Yan Zheng.

In the Prime Minister's residence, they were discussing the alliance between General He and Xie Zheng. Xie Zheng returned to the camp in his Marquis attire and everyone was elated that Marquis Wu'an is alive.

Qianqian told Changyu she is leaving so Bao er wanted to give Changning a piece of jade he always carries and Changning gave Bao er a grasshopper whistle.

A granny saved Changning from the soldiers and sacrificed her life to let Changning and her grandson escape.

Yan Zheng saw that Falcon had been hurt and came from Li’an, he took his men over and slaughtered the Qingfeng Stronghold bandits. He sent Falcon to look for Changyu using her hair ribbon. Xie Zheng found Changyu hanging between the branches, cold and unconscious. He carried her to a warm shelter to try and warm her up. The elderly lady said Changyu needed to do guasha for bloodflow and Xie Zheng said he is her husband, he can do it.

Changyu woke up and took the granny to run away with her thinking that Xie Zheng's soldiers protecting her were fake soldiers. Changyu sought Lord Li's help and learned that half of the villagers in Li’an were slaughtered. She built tombs for them and decided to seek her missing sister.

Qi took Qianqian and Bao er back to his palace and demanded that Qianqian be happy with him. He discovered that Bao er is his son and Qianqian's weakness.

Changyu mistook a father for a child abductor. The man was unhappy and reported her to the officers. Li Huai'an let her out of prison.

Xie Zheng asked General He to help save Xie Zheng's wife's sister and General He instantly knew it was Changning.

Changyu was caught by some officers as they were suspicious about her identity.

The nanny suggested finding a playmate for Bao er, and suggested Changning, who is caught by Qi's brother.

Changyu met Grand Tutor Tao at the camp and looked out for him. When a gang tried to bully the old man and Changyu, Mr Jin and his brothers rescued Changyu. She was so happy to see them that she cried. They spent time together and discussed Tao's disciple Jiuheng and Changyu's husband Yan Zheng. Xie Zheng kept sneezing.

The nanny took Bao er and Changning to see Qianqian.

Qi and Qianqian remembered when she saved him and he fell in love with her.

Sui demanded an exchange for Changning for Yanzhuo with Xie Zheng.

Qi locked Qianqian up after learning the nanny took Bao er away.

Tao asked Changyu to scout again and realised that the General was planning to use the dam to drown the enemy's army. He suggested better points to drill the holes for the dam to have a better intended effect.

Changyu asked Tao the reasons about their discovery. Tao said he can take her as a disciple if she presented him with tea. The general sent half of them away to save their lives. Tao exchange his lot from leave to stay with Changyu.

Those who stay might perish while those who left would live. Changyu learned of it and returned to save Tao.

Sui brought Changning and expected Marquis Wu'an to save his daughter. When Changning called Xie Zheng brother-in-law to save her.

When it was time, the dam exploded to allow the water to flood the gorge, drowning Sui's men. Changyu and her team stopped the scouts from sending a signal to Sui. They returned and Tao was happy to have a good disciple in Changyu.

Back at camp, Xie Zheng and Gongsun discovered the pig-butchering team were the ones who stopped the scouts from delivering the signal to Sui.

Changyu met Mr Zhao at the camp. Mr Zhao told Changyu that it seems like Yan Zheng had feelings for Changyu so she better sort it out.

Tao saw that Changyu was learning how to build tools with Mr Zhao and became jealous. Mr Zhao recognised it was Tao who traded his lot to save her life, so Mr Zhao wanted to kowtow to Tao.

Lord Li joined the camp and Changyu offered to send food supplies up the mountain for Marquis Wu'an.

Grand Princess as medic tried to help to cure the wounded soldiers.

Changyu saw Gongsun and he brought her to Changning. Gongsun revealed he was the army's strategist and left Changyu to help brew medicine for the wounded soldiers.

Changyu met Princess as a medic and thought her name was "Qi Benggong".

Marquis Wu'an let his main tent for those lightly wounded to rest so the other tent can care for the other wounded ones.

Changyu brought medicine to the lightly wounded soldiers and met Yan Zheng. Yan Zheng was happy to see his wife. Gongsun stayed outside and Xie Wu told the other soldiers to leave the tent quietly.

The couple were happy to reunite and hugged.

Benggong came to cure Yan Zheng and realised he is Marquis Wu’an who is also Changyu's husband Yan Zheng.

Changyu tended to Yan Zheng's wounds.She said she should have divorced him earlier so he did not have to serve in the army. Yan Zheng asked her if she really wanted to divorce. Changyu hugged him and said no she doesn't want to now. Yan Zheng apologised for that night.

Gongsun entered to talk to Yan Zheng so Changyu left the room and will think of a solution for the salt and meat to help him heal better. Gongsun also warned Yan Zheng about his identity, Yan Zheng requested for a private tent.

Changyu brewed medicine and went into Yan Zheng's tent. Princess covered up their conversation and said Yan Zheng was teaching Marquis Wu'an how to hide the secret money and left.

Changyu hugged Yan Zheng and took a nap. When she woke up and tended to him, he looked at her gentleness and wanted to kiss her, she returned the kiss. Yan Zheng smiled as she left.

Mr Jin told his brothers that Changyu found her husband and they split the cash rewards.

As Changyu thought about the kiss with Yan Zheng, she left Changning without a quilt, and cold.

Princess fainted from testing the herbs and Gongsun entered to check on her.

Changyu went to capture Sui and used him to threaten the enemy to exchange for food.

Because she had violated army rules and nearly interrupted their plans, Marquis Wu'an had someone pretend to be him to order punishment for Changyu.

Changyu cooked for the camp and brought food to Yan Zheng. He hinted her of the possibility of him being a high-ranking officer and asked if she would be okay with it.

Gongsun gave Princess the Go chess book and she gave him a hug and told him to return safely from the war.

Changyu helped Yan Zheng to change into his military outfit and suggested she take his place in the war. He kissed her head and said he will take care. Changyu drugged his medicine and substituted for him. She told Changning to watch him and awaken him later.

Xie Wu realised it was Changyu in armor, and told her to be at the reserve team and told the pig-butchering squad to protect her. He then had a man to seek his lordship and tell him that her ladyship has gone to the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Gongsun is confronting one of the army generals of the enemy and taunting Sui while playing music. Meanwhile the rest of the army was losing the battle with another general of the enemy, Shi Hu. To save Xie Wu, Changyu attacked the general. He wanted to kill her as she had thwarted their plans a few times and he recognised her as the woman who insulted their heir apparent. Changyu fought him with her butcher knife and little knife, disarmed his weapon, picked it up and used it against him. She swung it at him and killed him with 2 blows. Everyone cheered for winning as Shi Hu was dead.

By this time, Yan Zheng had awakened, cut his palm to drain the effects of the drug and rushed to the scene, approaching his wife. *cues music from JJ Lin* Everyone cheered for Marquis Wu’an and the pig-butchering team said he looked familiar. At this moment, Changyu was also curious to see how Marquis Wu’an looked like and a look of disbelief was seen across her face as her eyes filled with tears. She ran way with anger as Marquis Wu’an chased after her in his horse and picked her up galloping away as the rest returned to camp. One of the best revealing scenes ever!

Sui was saved by Shi Yue and they learned brother Shi Hu was dead.

Gongsun was injured but sent news to Princess that he was in grave danger. Grand Tutor Tao came to visit Gongsun and they realised they both know Fan Changyu.

Yan Zheng visited Changyu's tent and came to explain himself to her. She did not blame him but felt that as a butcher's daughter she is not a good match for Marquis Wu’an. Xie Zheng took his personal badge, knelt, put it in Changyu's hand and reintroduced himself as Xie Zheng, courtesy name Jiuheng, serve in the army and titled as Marquis Wu’an and asked for her hand in marriage. Changyu removed her hand without the badge and Xie Zheng left the tent in sadness. He went to Gongsun's tent and met his teacher Master Tao, they discussed about the war strategy and Master Tao was surprised that Shi Hu was killed by Xie Zheng's wife. When Master Tao and Jiuheng spoke privately, Jiuheng asked if Master Tao can adopt his wife as a goddaughter. Master Tao agreed and they realised Jiuheng's wife is also Master's Tao disciple, Fan Changyu.

Xie Zheng went night fishing and Changyu went for a night walk because both could not sleep. They met and chatted over the campfire, Xie Zheng suggested they spar and gave her tips on her combat, they then grilled fishes to eat. Xie Zheng explained to her that due to the risks of being in the military, he did not want anyone to be a widow because of him. However, ever since he met Changyu, he is now a little afraid to die. He then asked what her plans were after the war. Chnagyu siad to find Qianqian and Bao er and to bring home the surviving villagers and rebuild to Li’an. Xie Zheng said he will join her as he reminisce the times the spent in Li’an, they were his happiest. Changyu was moved to tears and Xie Zheng hugged her.

Bao er and Zhao Xun are on the run and Bao er identified the road tracks to General Xie and said they should seek help from them.

Tao went to see the Fan sisters and said that Changning will have a noble and honor life in the future. Tao then spoke to Changyu privately and mentioned to adopt her as his goddaughter. He then presented Changyu with a courtesy name “Shanjun”. Changyu told the Princess she will leave and asked her to take her sister Changning and Mr Zhao back. Changyu wrote a letter to Xie Zheng about her leaving, he went to look for her and they had a talk over the campfire. Changyu told Xie Zheng that she wanted to have a clean cut but when he mentioned about the life he wanted to spend with her in Li’an, she was touched. Xie Zheng asked Changyu to say that she likes him, Changyu returned with a kiss.

Xie Zheng and Gongsun decided to head to Lucheng.

Sui Tao scolded Sui Yuanhuai his eldest son who is actually Qi min for two failed battles.

Bao er and Zhao Xun were chased and Xie Zheng manages to save them. Bao er and Uncle Yan are reunited. Zhao Xun informed Xie Zheng that Sui Yuanhuai is the real crown prince.

Princess was helping Changyu put medication on her back and found a new wound on her neck. Changyu suspected it had formed on the night that she and Xie Zheng kissed at the campfire.

Qianqian fled from Qi min and Changyu also went to Lucheng and met her. Qi min wanted to capture Qianqian but one of Xie Zheng's men and General He protected Changyu. General He invited them to Lucheng and spoke to Changyu about her achievement of defeating Shi Hu. He invited her to a match and it was as if her father and General He were sparing. General He gave Changyu some tips on her sparring and mentioned that he and her dad were close friends and would tell her more after the siege is over. General He presented Changyu with a custom made suit of armour as his disciple Lord Li arrived to meet the person who killed Shi Hu, already expecting it to be Changyu, the person his master told him to protect. General He recalled he helped General Wei to name his daughter Changyu.

Changyu consulted her godfather Tao and he explained in war, the less casualties and to win the war in the shortest time and less is more ideal. Not killing is small kindness but in war, had she spared the lives of the three scouts who wanted to warn Sui Yuanqing about the dam earlier, Lucheng would have fallen. Qianqian also encouraged Changyu to follow her heart since she wanted to fight, Quinqian would return to take care of Changning and the Zhao couple. Changyu went to Lord Li's to provide army reinforcement at the rear to eliminate the rebel's stronghold so that Marquis Wu’an can enter at the heart to fight with Sui Tao, Prince Changxin the rebel. As Changyu took Lord Li's flag supporting General He, the rebels were surprised by He's forces.

As Changyu and Xie Zheng forces reunited, Xie Zheng was happy that Changyu was using the swords he forged for her, he then went after Lord Changxin. Sui Quanqing killed Mandi, as the pig-butchering team were calling out to Mandi, Lord Changxin told Sui Yuanqing to invade the city. Lord Changxin then taunt Xie Zheng and Xie Zheng left to chase Sui Yuanqing to protect the city instructing Xie Wu to protect Changyu. As Lord Changxin wanted to chase Xie Zheng, Changyu and Xie Wu stopped and fought against Lord Changxin. Changyu remembering the lessons Xie Zheng and General He taught her not to lose her composure as someone sees through her move, she disarmed him and thought about pig-butchering and her father helping her to kill Lord Changxin.

Princess took care of Changyu's wounds and revealed that she is the Grand Princess Royal.

Lord Li came to visit Cangyu and was unhappy that she kept him out of the battle and he could not avenge his master. He handed her a letter from his master and left declaring that there is no need for Changyu and him to meet again. Lord Li mourned for his master as General He had died from the battle.

From the letter, Changyu learned that her father had written a suicide note and asked General He to protect his two daughters. He was labelled as the traitor Wei Qilin.

Sui Yuanqing managed to escaped from Xie Zheng and went to his cousin's place to hide. His uncle had his cousin to add poison to his soup. Sui killed the whole family, sparing his cousin. His cousin was so upset she took the poison herself. Qi min/ Sui Yuanhuai came to find his brother, Sui Yuanqing.

When Xie Zheng came to look for Changyu in her room, she drew distance as she felt the new information about her father being a traitor would affect him as he is the Marquis Wu’an.

 Lord Li came to look for Changyu the next day to seek apology by kneeling and providing her with thorn sticks. She snapped it as an act of their friendship. Back at Fan house, Changning and Bao er are playing when Qianqian returned.

While cooking, Changyu was called to receive the imperial verdict of their military merits. Lord Li was to take General He's place to lead and Changyu would be his deputy as an official of fifth rank.

Lord Li came to General Fan to go through military studies with her. He also arranged for the best tutor to advise her but most of them gave up after teaching Changyu for a day. Lord Li tried to teach her and he ended up with internal injuries. Changyu wanted to ask her godfather to teach her but Lord Li said not torture the old man. Somehow Changyu can recall the lessons Yan Zheng taught her.

Eunuch went to deliver the message that the Emperor wants the Princess and Marquis Wu’an to marry. Princess did not want to marry Xie Zheng and Xie Zheng was also unwilling to receive the imperial verdict. Xie Zheng cut the Eunuch ear off as a warning.

Sui Yuanqing sought Marquis Wu'an for revenge. When the Sui mother heard that Sui Yuanqing had been captured, she went to confront Sui Yuanhuai/Qi min and he killed her. Changyu and Marquis Wu'an were looking for Sui Yuanhuai who faked his death.

Xie Zheng and Gongsun discussed what had occurred sixteen years ago. Xie Zheng went to look for Changyu in her room and asked if what was bothering was her origins. She was surprised he knows about it and what she is afraid of, he promised he would continue to investigate as he wanted to be with her. She was touched and hugged him.

Xie Zheng told Changyu he would let Sui Yuanqing escape so they can lead him to Sui Yuanhuai/Qi min.

Sui Yuanqing found his brother and a fight ensued. Sui asked why Qi killed his mother and hesitated killing him due to their brotherly relationship while Qi took the chance to kill Sui. Crown Princess killed Princess Consort's son while Princess Consort brought up Qi. Before Sui died, Shi Sanniang found him and he gave her the Tiger Tally to find Fan Changyu giving her a way out. Sui then cut his own throat for Shi Sanniang to take his head.

There was a feast at General fan's house as Princess was returning the capital. Gongsun confessed his feelings to Princess and she wanted his library as her bridal gift.. Xie Zheng pulled Changyu to stop drinking and they ended up kissing against the window on the way back.

Princess came to the Emperor's room and scolded him for trying to match her with Marquis Wu'an.

Emperor heard about Qi min and sought Prime Minister Wei for help, he was advised to bring General Fan into the capital to receive military rewards. Changyu was then given the title of fourth rank.

General Fan had a grand welcome into the capital and was happy to see her husband Yan Zheng watching over her. Emperor was also happy to know that General Fan was able to render Grand Tutor Li and Prime Minister Wei speechless in court.

Lord Li spoke to his grandfather about his concerns about supporting Qi min as Qi min is a cruel man and would not make a good Emperor.

Changyu was socialising with the other officers in court and left to go for a walk on her own. She saw her husband Yan Zheng waiting for her in an alley and went over to hug him.

Princess came to visit General Fan at her mansion and brought her nice clothes and accessories to help her dress up like a lady. Someone sent word that Changyu will receive palace etiquette classes. The person was Song Yan and Changyu sent him away. Song Yan chanced upon Yan Zheng at the door and wanted to insult him for following Changyu's fame and glory without realising that he is the Marquis Wu’an. Song Yan's boss quickly pulled him down and greeted Marquis Wu’an, that is when Song Yan legs gone soft and fainted.

Xie Zheng took Changyu to visit the capital at night. He brought her to a private pavilion to view the fireworks. They reminisce about how Yan Zheng was a jade but he said the real jade is Changyu, so he was glad Song Yan failed to see her worth, allowing him to meet Changyu. Changyu's brothers sent word that Emperor plans to make her his consort. Changyu tries to dissuade him by taking about pig-butchering and also saying she will divorce Xie Zheng. The Emperor became afraid and asked Changyu to forget the proposal happened.

Marquis Wu'an would enter the capital as decreed earlier than expected.

Xie Zheng went to visit his mother's memorial and saw his uncle Prime Minister Wei Yan. His uncle knew he had married the enemy's daughter and punished him according to the family rules. Xie Zheng received 108 whippings as a symbolic act of repaying his uncle for the care and upbringing he received. Changyu came over to help Xie Zheng up, declaring she is the Marchioness, he told her to bow to his parents as he told them how she saved him in the snow as he was dying, and he did not feel life was worth living until he met her. He declared that he loves he and would never betray or abandon her. Xie Zheng's aunt came over and he introduced Changyu as his wife.

Changyu took care of Xie Zheng, and he declared now that he took the 108 beatings he can rightfully wed her and complete the marriage rituals to bring her into his family. She said he used that method to atone for his sins. He asked if she would let him take her as his wife. She said there was no need to as they already did.

Qianqian stole the Tiger Tally from Qi and told her helper to bring it to Changyu and gave her some money to escape the city and lead her life.

Changyu told Yan Zheng not to torture himself over the mistakes of others.

Wei Yan reflected about his past and how he and Qi Rongyin was meant to marry but she was called to the Harem.

Grand Tutor Li captured his grandson Lord Li and locked him up.

The palace Princess was set on fire, Gongsun entered to save her and gave her mouth-to-mouth recucitation. Xie Zheng and Changyu returned to the banquet hall and Lord Li exited and declared that he came into the palace to look for Princess, foiling Grand Tutor Li's plans to harm Xie Zheng. The Emperor made Eunuch take the blame and Xie Zheng borrowed the Emperor's knife to rid of the Eunuch as a warning for traitors. Everyone left the room and Prime Minister told the Emperor not to plot like the late Emperor.

Morning came, it was the aftermath and she crawled from of the sheets tired and defeated and he climbed out and laid on her back. He had a bad dream about his mother and woke up. He told Changyu that he would marry her into the family properly. Changyu said she chose to marry Xie Zheng but Yan Zheng married into her family and they have not yet divorced. Yan Zheng said he will always be her matrilocal husband.

Princess woke up and hugged Gongsun and thanked him for saving her.

Changyu received a Tiger Tally from Qianqian's maid, who died at her doorstep. Soon, Shi Sanniang also came to seek Changyu to hand her the Tiger Tally. Changyu arranged for Shi Sanniang to have a new travel pass and thanked her for taking care of Changning before.

Qi decided to chain himself to Qianqian.

Xie Zheng and Changyu discussed the meaning of the Tiger Tally. Changyu decided to hit the drum of justice to seek an audience with the Emperor to clear her father's name. Xie Zheng went to his parents' memorial to seek forgiveness. He found a note in a box with his mother's favourite osmanthus cake. It was his mother's suicide note, she discovered that her brother Wei Yan had returned to the capital, causing the fall of Jinzhuo thus causing her husband's death too. The then-emperor was pressuring Wei Yan with the lives of others, she was caught between her brother and husband and she hoped that her death would wake her brother up and let Xie Zheng have a chance to live.

The Princess urged her brother, the Emperor, to see Changyu. They all thought that Prime Minister Wei Yan was the true traitor and wanted power. They mentioned how Wei Yan returned to the Capital to save Consort Qi due to a letter and the suicide of his sister, Xie Zheng's mother. Changyu presented the Tiger Tally as they called upon Grand Tutor Tao to identify the authenticity of the Tiger Tally.

Prime Minister Wei Yan was stopped by Grand Tutor Li so as not to threaten the current emperor. Wei Yan then focused on controlling the rebellion from Qi.

As Wei Yan, Li and Marquis Wu'an face off, Qi tried to have Marquis Wu'an join him. It was then revealed that Qi had struck a deal to offer Great Yin to Beijue while the palace that Qi came from would rather die than summit to Beijue. Grand Tutor Li fainted on the spot, realising what Qi had done.

Qi used Wei Yan's wife and son to threaten Wei Yan and Marquis Wu'an shot an arrow to disarm those who intended to hurt his aunt.

Wei Yan and Xie Zheng face off to settle their issues not allowing their men to interfere.

Some soldiers tried to shoot arrow upwards and Qi took the arrow for Qianqian falling off the building. He dragged Qianqian along as they were chained together and Changyu ran to save Qianqian. Qi then twisted his wrist to let go of the chains so Qianqian could be saved. Qi fell to the ground, struck by the arrow.

Wei Yan's men tried to shoot Xie Zheng but Wei Xuan took the arrow in return for Xie Zheng saving his mother. Wei Yan was captured and admitted defeat.

Xie Zheng and Changyu hugged.

Xie Zheng's aunt came to look for him to ask him to be benevolent and explained that Wei Yan married her to save her and her son's lives. So she and her son were not his real wife and son.

With Princess help, Changyu went to seek Empress Dowager for the truth and discovered that while Princess Consort started the fire to let Qi live, the Emperor was the one who killed Consort Qi, the woman Wei Yan loved.

Tao visited Wei Yan in prison to seek the truth as he knew Wei Yan was covering up for the Emperor. Wei Yan explained that his careless words sowed the seeds of disaster. They were Crown Prince people and the Emperor was worried he would be overthrown and Grand Tutor Li betrayed them. Hence the Emperor went to Lord Changxin to promise sharing the crown if Lord Changxin would restrain his troops.

Wei Yan revealed that Emperor forged a letter in Consort Qi's handwriting to Wei Yan so Wei Yan would enter the palace to save her. If he did not cut his losses, he would be labelled a traitor and cause his whole clan's death, so Wei Yan had to stage a coup to survive. He forced the emperor to abdicate to stabilise the Great Yin. The late emperor schemed too meticulously and this pressured Wei Yan to blame Wei Qilin, his most trusted subordinate.

Wei Yan revealed that when Qi tried to have Xie Zheng investigate the case, Wei Yan tried to silence the Fan daughters to protect the bond between uncle and nephew. However, as fate has it, Fan Changyu saved Xie Zheng. Xie Zheng and Changyu heard this from outside and finally learned the truth. Grand Tutor Tao then left Wei Yan's cell.

Emperor Qi Sheng became insane and played pretend court in his own room. Princess entered to give her brother osmanthus cake and asked if he still recognised her.

Yu Qianqian visited Qi min in his cell and presented him with a bowl of soup with poison. Qi knew and drank it willingly. Qi fell in love with Qianqian because she accepted him and did not disregard him because of his looks.

Yu Bao er was then ascended to the throne and named as Qi Yu with his mother as Empress Dowager Yu. Marquis Wu'an was named as Prince regent and Changyu as Grand General, First-Rank Lady Protector of the State.

Behind the throne, Bao er and Changning are still children eating snacks. Changning asked if she could be princess in the future and Bao er asked if she would prefer to be Empress instead. They both hooked pinkies.

Lord Li gave away the family wealth to the empire to seek forgiveness for the Li Clan. Grand Tutor Li then realised he made a mistake seventeen years ago.

In Li’an, Changyu and Yan Zheng returned to visit Mr and Mrs Zhao and their other neighbours. Changyu called Mr and Mrs Zhao her godparents, Jin and the Man brothers also came to acknowledge the Zhao couple.

Bao er told his mother he wanted to make Changning his Empress, his mother said to wait till they are older to ask Changning again.

It was time, Marquis Wu’an prepared poison as a mercy for Wei Yan after visiting him.

The couple visited the matchmaking tree.

Five years later, Beijue is invading so Prince Regent and General Huaihua went to fight. She joked that he could go behind her and he said she is already a mother of two.

The alternative ending is that the coup did not happen seventeen years ago, Xie Zheng's and Changyu's mothers are friends, and Lady Xie asked her son to make Changyu her daughter-in-law.