Gideon Ashford becomes the top scholar and a third-rank official but is falsely rumored to be a eunuch. Percival Vance, son of the Magistrate of Blackwood, attempts to seize Gideon's wife, Adeline Reed. Patriarch Ned Ashford blames Adeline and subjects her to clan punishment. At the critical moment, Gideon makes a glorious return as the top scholar.
