Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Confrontation

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Ning returns the dagger Kang gave her, cleaned of Ruyi’s blood. She tells him she spoke with Zhen and learned that his father orchestrated the poisoned tea bricks, using yellow kūnbù from the Emerald Isles. Kang swears he did not know, but Ning refuses to believe him. She accuses him of lying from the start—using the Golden Key and Silver Needle to get close to the princess and help his father claim the throne. When Kang argues he is not like his father, Ning retorts, “Because you are his adopted son?”—a deliberately cruel jab. He turns away, hurt. Ning confesses that she lied about her loneliness and her wish to leave the palace; she was acting on the princess’s orders to spy on him.

Kang asks if she found what she was looking for. She says no, then twists the knife: she should have pretended to care about his cause. He asks if every word from her was a lie. She stays silent. He laughs brokenly, then insists every word he said was true and that he would have given her the antidote if he had it. Ning wants to believe him but cannot. Kang touches her cheek and offers a blessing: “May the sea be willing. May it bring you what you are looking for.” He leaves. Ning returns to her room, reads a letter from her father saying her sister has little time left, and throws the book of Wondrous Tales against the wall, calling it foolish stories.

Key Events

Ning returns the cleaned dagger to Kang.
She confronts him about his father’s role in the poisoned tea bricks.
Kang denies knowledge and swears on the old gods.
Ning accuses him of plotting to help his father seize the throne.
She reveals that she was spying on him for the princess.
Kang asks if everything she said was a lie; she does not deny it.
He declares that he meant every word and would have given her the antidote.
Ning struggles internally but maintains her cold facade.
Kang offers a sea blessing and leaves.
Ning reads her father’s letter and throws the book in frustration.

Character Development

Ning hardens her heart to protect herself and her mission. She deliberately uses painful truths to sever her bond with Kang, even admitting her own lies. Yet she still feels the pull of the Golden Key and her own longing, showing her inner conflict between duty and emotion.

Kang shows vulnerability. He is shocked by the accusations and deeply hurt by Ning’s comment about his adoption. His laughter turns to brokenness. Despite the betrayal, he gives a sincere blessing, revealing a capacity for grace even when wronged.

Their relationship reaches a breaking point. What was once intimacy and attraction is now shattered by political schemes and mistrust.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust and Deception: Both characters have lied to each other. Ning’s confession that she was spying destroys any foundation of honesty left between them.
The Dagger as a Symbol: Returning the dagger signifies Ning’s rejection of their connection. She wants no reminders of Ruyi’s blood or Kang’s gift.
The Golden Key: It hums and tries to pull them closer, symbolizing a magical bond that may be more than mere attraction—yet Ning resists it.
Adoption and Identity: Ning’s cruelty about Kang being an adopted son strikes at his deepest insecurity, highlighting how family legacies can define or trap a person.
The Sea Blessing: Kang’s parting words invoke the sea as a force of fate, offering a selfless wish for Ning’s success despite their rupture.

Why This Chapter Matters

This is a turning point for Ning’s emotional arc. She chooses her sister’s survival over her budding romance, committing fully to the competition. The trust between her and Kang is irrevocably damaged, raising the stakes for the palace intrigue. Kang’s genuine reaction leaves room for doubt about his complicity, while Ning’s internal struggle deepens her character. The chapter also reinforces the central conflict: the cost of ambition and the pain of sacrifice for family.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Ning return the dagger to Kang?
She wants to sever all ties with him. The dagger was a gift that reminds her of Ruyi’s blood and their shared moments. Returning it is a physical act of rejection.
What does Ning reveal about her true purpose in getting close to Kang?
She admits she was acting on the princess’s orders to spy on him. Her confession of loneliness and her plea to leave the palace were lies designed to gain his trust.
What is the significance of Kang’s blessing “May the sea be willing”?
It shows his continued care for Ning despite her cruelty. He wishes her success in finding what she seeks—the antidote for her sister—without bitterness. The sea motif ties to his Emerald Isles heritage and a sense of fate.