Jiang Yan reports to Gu Jiu that Xiao Hong has developed red rashes and may be contagious. It turns out Xiao Hong is simply allergic to peanuts. Gu Jiu learns Jiang Yan intentionally made Xiao Hong ill by adding peanut powder to pastries. Before leaving for Tianmen Temple, Gu Jiu gives Jiang Yan a book to copy characters from and learn to read.
Gu Jiu prepares to leave for Tianmen Temple. Gu Jiu learns that Su Zheng will be leaving for the capital as planned. Gu Jiu and Su Zheng exchange meaningful glances before he departs. Xie shi is in a sour mood after learning Gu Jiu will be visiting Tianmen Temple to burn incense for Su shi. Gu Jiu and her brother, Gu Ting, leave for Tianmen Temple. Xie shi is alerted that Xie Xian was arrested after spending the night in a brothel and being unable to pay.
Chapter 33 starts of with Xie shi‘s fury over Xie Xian’s scandal. Gu daren expresses his displeasure and declares that his daughter will not marry “such a shameless person”. Xie shi slaps both her brother and Xie Xian. She also discovers a handkerchief with the character ‘yuè’ (玥) on it, implying a relationship between Xie Xian and her daughter, Gu Yue.
Xie shi interrogates Gu Yue about her relationship with Xie Xian. Gu Yue denies having feelings for Xie Xian. Xie shi confines Gu Yue to transcribe family rules and reflect on her actions. Gu Shan advises against taking immediate action.
Gao Sanfu informs Xie shi about Su Zheng and Xie Xian drinking together before Xie Xian’s incident. Xie shi suspects Su Zheng tricked Xie Xian to ruin the marriage prospects between the Gu and Xie families. Xie shi instructs Gao Sanfu to inform the Xie family that Gu Jiu is at Tianmen Temple and to let Xie Xian finalise the marriage with Gu Jiu through improper means.
Gu Jiu arrives at Tianmen Temple with her brother, Gu Ting. Gu Jiu learns about Xie shi‘s land near Tianmen Temple and Gui mama’s presence there. Gu Jiu decides to visit her. While walking around the back mountain, Gu Jiu and her maids encounter a pavilion occupied by two individuals, one of whom they overhear is named Liu Zhao.
A guard approaches Gu Jiu and requests her presence. Despite her maids’ protests, Gu Jiu agrees to accompany the guard to meet Liu Zhao. Gu Jiu meeting Liu Zhao, who seems to be injured. Gu Jiu reveals her knowledge of medicine. Liu Zhao asks Gu Jiu to treat him. Gu Jiu examines Liu Zhao’s injury. Liu Zhao allows Gu Jiu and her maids to leave. Gu Jiu warns her maids not to speak of the day’s events.
Gu Jiu and her maids return to their courtyard. Meanwhile, Liu Zhao is being attended to by Zhao San. Zhao San suggests inviting a doctor or Gu Jiu to treat Liu Zhao, but Liu Zhao declines.
Chapter 39 shifts the focus to Lu hou Pei Ren and Master Dou, his advisor, discussing Liu Zhao’s presence at Tianmen Temple and the arrival of Zhao wang’s people in Jinzhou. Lu hou Pei Ren instructs Master Dou to send a doctor to Liu Zhao and to tell him to return to the capital. He learns that his daughter, Pei Yun, went to Tianmen Temple to meet Liu Zhao.
Gu Jiu’s health worsens due to the rigorous schedule of the temple rituals. While Gu Jiu is transcribing scriptures, Xie Xian appears in her room, revealing Xie shi’s plan to force Gu Jiu to marry him. Gu Jiu stabs Xie Xian with a dagger. Zhao San arrives and saves Gu Jiu.
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