Weakened by illness but strong in mind, Mei Changsu enters court politics to seek justice for a tragedy long forgotten.
Xiao Pingzhang
Xiao Pingjing
Meng Qianxue
Lin Xi
Xiao Tingsheng
Xiao Yuanqi
Empress Xun
Xun Feizhan
Pu Yangying
Emperor Liang
Xun Anru
Qing Shanren
Minister Xu reveals Mei Changsu’s name to Prince Yu, sparking a race to win his loyalty.
Mei Changsu arrives at Ning manor as princes vie for him; Nihuang’s suitor contest begins.
Mei aids Prince Jing to save a boy; Nihuang grows suspicious of his identity at a banquet.
Mei uses children to defeat Baili Qi; Prince Jing allies with him to claim the throne.
Mei’s plan saves Nihuang from poisoning; Noble Consort Yue is demoted for her scheme.
Prince Yu takes credit for saving Nihuang; Mei sets rules for Jing’s alliance.
Xia Dong confronts Xie Yu; Mei uncovers corpses, escalating the Duke of Qing’s case.
Mei fends off an attack; Prince Xian scrambles to save a minister tied to the corpses.
Mei advises Prince Yu to back Jing; the Emperor appoints a neutral Minister of Revenue.
Mei targets Prince Yu’s ally; Jing’s report on Duke Qing is overshadowed by Yu’s reward.
Mei outsmarts Xian’s plan to reinstate Consort Yue; Jing joins the throne fight.
Nihuang learns Mei is Lin Shu; Jing uncovers a gunpowder smuggling plot by Xian.
Mei stops Marquise Yan’s plot to kill the Emperor; Prince Yu saves a minister’s son.
Mei keeps Yan’s secret; Xie Yu’s plan to erode Meng Zhi’s trust with the Emperor begins.
Jingrui suspects Qingyao; Mei foils Xie Yu’s plan to kill Shen Zhui at a birthday party.
Mei protects Shen Zhui; Jingrui’s party invites spark tension with martial arts experts.
Prince Yu’s explosion kills civilians; Mei boosts Jing’s image to sway the Emperor.
Qin Banruo finds Mei’s secret room; Jing recommends a new justice minister.
Meng Zhi aids Jing’s throne bid; Nihuang is sent to the border as Southern Chu arrives.
Xie Yu’s crimes unravel at Jingrui’s party; his Southern Chu ties are exposed.
Prince Yu’s army saves guests from Xie Yu’s trap; Liyang protects the Zhuo family.
Liyang confronts Xie Yu; Xia Jiang suspects a plot behind Xie’s downfall.
Mei uncovers Xia Jiang’s role in the Chiyan case; Jing pushes to reinvestigate it.
Mei mourns the Grand Empress Dowager; Xie Yu’s exile sparks Liyang’s plea for justice.
Jing gains power; Mei uproots Banruo’s spies as Prince Yu grows wary of Jing’s rise.
Jingrui leaves for Southern Chu; Banruo plots to seduce Tong Lu for Mei’s secrets.
The Emperor catches Xian breaking mourning rules; Mei warns Meng Zhi to avoid suspicion.
Jing’s promotion angers Yu; Mei fears Consort Jing knows his true identity.
Mei uses a gift scandal to boost Jing; Yu and Xia Jiang plan to reopen the Chiyan case.
Mei enlists Marquise Yan for Jing; Xia Jiang and Yu plot to undermine the prince.
Prince Yu frames Consort Jing; Wei Zheng’s capture threatens Mei’s plans.
The Emperor frees Consort Jing; Xia Jiang uses Wei Zheng to trap Prince Jing.
Jing loses trust in Mei over Wei Zheng; Mei plans a risky rescue with Xia Dong.
Jing is promoted; Mei and Yan trick Xia Jiang to free Wei Zheng from captivity.
Yan distracts Xia Jiang; Jing’s allies rescue Wei Zheng as Consort Jing faces scrutiny.
Xia Jiang’s plan fails; Jing is accused of Wei’s rescue, escalating royal tensions.
Consort Jing’s secret is revealed as the Emperor’s; Xia Jiang targets Mei for interrogation.
Xia Jiang poisons Mei; Xia Dong’s confession exposes the Xuan Jing Bureau’s plot.
The Emperor arrests Xia Jiang; Mei escapes as Jing’s allies uncover Yu’s corruption.
Jing learns of Mei’s innocence; Xia Dong reveals the Wujin poison to save Mei.
Xia Jiang’s confession clears Mei; Jing picks neutral allies as Yu is demoted.
Prince Yu learns his mother’s fate; Jing discovers the Chiyan truth from Wei Zheng.
Consort Jing uncovers Mei’s illness; Prince Yu plots a rebellion to seize the capital.
Mei and Jing thwart Yu’s rebellion; Nihuang’s reinforcements save the imperial fortress.
Jing captures Yu; Mei’s illness worsens as Nie Feng suffers from the same poison.
Xia Jiang escapes; Jing suspects Mei’s identity as the Emperor considers a new heir.
Mei plans to reopen Chiyan case; Lin Chen captures Banruo to find Xia Jiang.
Xia Dong learns Mei is Lin Shu; Consort Yue’s plot exposes Mei’s identity to the Emperor.
Xia Jiang accuses Mei as Lin Shu; Jing saves Mei from the Emperor’s wrath.
Gao Zhan clears Mei’s name; Jing and Consort Jing dismantle Xia Jiang’s spy network.
Jingrui saves Liyang from Xia Jiang’s disciple; Mei’s allies seek a cure for his poison.
Liyang presents Xie Yu’s confession; ministers urge the Emperor to reopen Chiyan case.
The Emperor relents to reopen Chiyan case; Mei agrees to leave to spare the throne.
Mei leads the army against Chu, taking a fatal pill; Jing honors him as the new Emperor.