Zhiwei forces her way into the emperor's court to defend her family. Ning Yi arrives soon after and implores the emperor to spare Zhiwei's life.

Master Zong tells Zhiwei the truth about her birth origins. To protect Zhiwei, Ning Yi gives the emperor a life-or-death ultimatum.

After granting permission for Helian Zheng to marry Zhiwei and return to Jinshi, the emperor orders Ning Yi to accompany them on the way.

Ning Yi meets with the prince of Dayue with a proposal for an alliance. The emperor orders Gu Heng to keep a close eye on Ning Qi and Peng Pei.

Helian Zheng confronts Helian Lie with an edict to dispute the succession, but Liu Mudan intervenes. Ning Yi investigates the Liu and Si families' past.

Ning Yi frees a prisoner in order to help Zhiwei and Helian Zheng. Ning Qi orders fragrance-maker Yueling to replicate the emperor's incense box.

Zhiwei grabs Liu Meiduo's sleeve and foils Helian Lie's plot against her and Ning Yi. Helian Zheng learns the truth about his father's death.

Yueling steals a talisman from Ning Sheng's box before handing it to Ning Qi. Unrest in Jinshi interrupts Zhiwei and Helian Zheng's nuptials.

Yueling overhears the emperor's conversation with Lingying, Ya Le's former servant. Ning Qi uses Shao Ning to frame Ning Yi.

Ning Yi finds a way out of Zongzheng Temple and takes Lingying with him. To ferret out the real Zhiwei, Jin Siyu makes a deal with Zhiwei and Hua Qiong.

Lingying tells Ning Yi a secret about his mother. Yueling hands the talisman to a man connected to the Dacheng Empire and schemes to expose Ning Qi.

Jin Siyu identifies the real Zhiwei. To aid in Zhiwei's escape from Puyuan, Ning Yi asks Jiarong to deliver the map of a secret exit.

Zhiwei wakes up with little recollection, and Jin Siyu leads her to think she's his consort. Ning Yi demolishes Puyuan with his rescue plan.

The emperor refuses to grant Ya Le's wish to see Ning Yi and plans to make Ning Qi his successor. Yueling and Zhang Sunhong plot to undermine Ning Qi.

Ning Qi delivers gift chests to Ya Le's residence -- but it's a Trojan horse. Ning Cheng arrives at the scene and clashes with Master Zong.

After overhearing Zhang Sunhong and Ning Qi, Gu Nanyi takes matters into his own hands -- with fatal consequences. Two murders stir the palace.

Zhiwei asks Zhang Sunhong to let go of the past. Headmaster Xin mentions Ning Qi's imminent revolt to Ning Ji, who doesn't intend to pursue the throne.

Flanked by courtiers, Ning Qi rounds up troops outside the emperor's room, but Ning Yi and Zhao Yuan walk through the gate with a shocking announcement.

Zhang Sunhong turns Zhiwei against Ning Yi, and Yueling leverages Ning Qi's grudge. Ning Cheng stops Zhiwei and Helian Zheng on their way to Jinshi.

Gu Nanyi asks Yueling to tell Zhiwei the truth about Helian Zheng's fate. Zhiwei accepts Ning Yi's offer to make her empress, but she has other plans.

Ning Chuan reveals to Headmaster Xin his plans to overpower Duke Chang. Disguised as a man, Zhiwei begins work at the House of Lanxiang.

Ning Yan falls for Headmaster Xin's sorcery trick, confirming Ning Chuan's suspicions -- and Headmaster Xin increasingly gains Ning Chuan's trust.

Zhu Yin and Zhiwei suspect a plot by Ning Chuan to poison Ning Yi, but the emperor also falls ill. Duke Chang struggles to regain Ning Chuan's trust.

A mysterious new bodyguard stalks Zhiwei. Ning Yi sends Zhiwei to the East Palace to swap an artifact, resulting in grave consequences for Ning Yan.

Ning Yi confronts Ning Yan about his role in Ning Qiao's downfall. Ning Sheng suspects Ning Yi is involved in the scandal surrounding the wooden figure.