Ning Yi gets wind of Ning Sheng's charade -- and a plan to take Wei Zhi's life. Shao Ning swaps the emperor's scroll, falling for Ning Yi's trap.

Chang Zhongxin sets a trap for his brother, Zhongyi, and turns against his own father. Feng Hao steals an artifact from Qiu Mingying's closet.

Wei Zhi advises the emperor to send an envoy to Minhai. Shao Ning asks Ning Qi to help her obtain the emperor's approval to wed Wei Zhi.

Headmaster Xin scrambles to keep Wei Zhi from blowing her cover. After rejecting Shao Ning's proposal, Wei Zhi makes a shocking revelation at court.

Ning Yi keeps up his disguise when Zhiwei arrives at the Prince of Chu's residence. Zhiwei is forced by her mother to swear she'll never marry Ning Yi.

As Zhiwei's execution looms, Qiu Mingying draws up a dangerous rescue plan with the Bloody Pagoda, but Ning Yi intervenes just in time.

Ning Yi brings up Lin Renqi's case when the emperor mentions Lord of Minhai's return to his dominion. Shao Ning suspects Ning Yi caused the blood marks.

Ning Yi visits Ya Le's old home, Yilan Palace, and encounters a former servant. Noble Consort Chang arrives soon after -- and thinks she's seen a ghost.

During an imperial gift ceremony, Lady Wang is agitated by false accusations -- and Ning Yi seizes the chance to reveal the truth about Ya Le's death.

After making a fateful pact, Chief Gu and Ning Yi involve Qiu Shangqi and Qiu Mingying in a scheme to ensnare Ning Chuan.

Helian Zheng tells Ning Yi he intends to ask for Zhiwei's hand in marriage -- right in front of Wei Zhi. Zhiwei urges Shao Ning to keep a low profile.

Zhiwei objects when Lord of Minhai asks the emperor for permission to train Ning Sheng. Headmaster Xin aims to put distance between Ning Yi and Zhiwei.

Shao Ning and Noble Consort Chang collude to keep Lady Wang silent about a past scheme against Ya Le. Wei Zhi is asked to guard the golden box.

Helian Zheng discovers Wei Zhi's secret. Zhao Yuan reports to the emperor that Shao Ning has been orbiting around Noble Consort Chang and Ning Sheng.

After Ning Sheng fails to access the golden box, Shao Ning and Peng Pei plant another distraction -- but someone else lurks in the shadows.

Ning Yi sends Qiu Mingying a message through Chief Gu. Against their father's orders, the Chang brothers set out to block Ning Yi's arrival in Minhai.

Wary of a power struggle, the Tiansheng emperor decides to send away Ning Yi, who spends his days weaving silk and rueing a traumatic event in his past.

Ning Yi warns Zhiwei about the Chang clan and confronts the emperor over his mother's death. Duke Chang and Ning Sheng try to conspire with Ning Chuan.

Ning Yi anticipates Duke Chang and Ning Chuan's next move. Zhiwei struggles to convince Ning Yi to spare Ning Chuan's life.

Zhan Bi falls for Ning Sheng's plot to dishonor Ning Yi in front of the emperor, but the scheme backfires when Zhiwei intervenes.

After Feng Hao escapes from jail, Peng Pei seeks information on the Qiu family's link to the former dynasty -- and reports his suspicions to Ning Qi.

After confronting Qiu Mingying about Feng Hao's identity, Headmaster Xin falls for Ning Qi and Peng Pei's trap, and Qiu Mingying is apprehended.

Feng Zhiwei intervenes when Madam Yuhua bullies courtesan Zhu Yin. An assassination stirs the court. The other princes see Ning Yi as a growing threat.

Headmaster Xin brings the sorcerer to Ning Yan, but an imposter hides behind the mask. The guilt-ridden emperor scrutinizes Ning Chuan's story.

Ning Chuan sees the ring on Zhao Yuan and thinks it's a trap. Ning Yi orders his men to find Zhiwei, but Duke Chang is a step ahead.