Season
Episodes
The Kirin Genius
Minister Xu reveals Mei Changsu’s name to Prince Yu, sparking a race to win his loyalty.
Grand Empress Dowager
Mei Changsu arrives at Ning manor as princes vie for him; Nihuang’s suitor contest begins.
Sons of Two Families
Mei aids Prince Jing to save a boy; Nihuang grows suspicious of his identity at a banquet.
Choosing a Master
Mei uses children to defeat Baili Qi; Prince Jing allies with him to claim the throne.
Schemes in the Inner Palace
Mei’s plan saves Nihuang from poisoning; Noble Consort Yue is demoted for her scheme.
Principles of Loyalty
Prince Yu takes credit for saving Nihuang; Mei sets rules for Jing’s alliance.
The Abandoned Garden
Xia Dong confronts Xie Yu; Mei uncovers corpses, escalating the Duke of Qing’s case.
A Midnight Visitor
Mei fends off an attack; Prince Xian scrambles to save a minister tied to the corpses.
A Time to Cut Ties
Mei advises Prince Yu to back Jing; the Emperor appoints a neutral Minister of Revenue.
The Next Target
Mei targets Prince Yu’s ally; Jing’s report on Duke Qing is overshadowed by Yu’s reward.
Mentor
Mei outsmarts Xian’s plan to reinstate Consort Yue; Jing joins the throne fight.
Even Without a Trace
Nihuang learns Mei is Lin Shu; Jing uncovers a gunpowder smuggling plot by Xian.
The Missing Gunpowder
Mei stops Marquise Yan’s plot to kill the Emperor; Prince Yu saves a minister’s son.
New Year's Eve
Mei keeps Yan’s secret; Xie Yu’s plan to erode Meng Zhi’s trust with the Emperor begins.
The Eastern Palace Strikes
Jingrui suspects Qingyao; Mei foils Xie Yu’s plan to kill Shen Zhui at a birthday party.
Anguish
Mei protects Shen Zhui; Jingrui’s party invites spark tension with martial arts experts.
The Secret Gunpowder Mill
Prince Yu’s explosion kills civilians; Mei boosts Jing’s image to sway the Emperor.
Silent Movements
Qin Banruo finds Mei’s secret room; Jing recommends a new justice minister.
Guests from Southern Chu
Meng Zhi aids Jing’s throne bid; Nihuang is sent to the border as Southern Chu arrives.
Birthday Banquet
Xie Yu’s crimes unravel at Jingrui’s party; his Southern Chu ties are exposed.
Standoff at the Brink
Prince Yu’s army saves guests from Xie Yu’s trap; Liyang protects the Zhuo family.
A Resolution
Liyang confronts Xie Yu; Xia Jiang suspects a plot behind Xie’s downfall.
The Truth of That Day
Mei uncovers Xia Jiang’s role in the Chiyan case; Jing pushes to reinvestigate it.
Resolution
Mei mourns the Grand Empress Dowager; Xie Yu’s exile sparks Liyang’s plea for justice.
The Fisherman’s Gain
Jing gains power; Mei uproots Banruo’s spies as Prince Yu grows wary of Jing’s rise.
Farewell to a Friend
Jingrui leaves for Southern Chu; Banruo plots to seduce Tong Lu for Mei’s secrets.
"Water Buffalo"
The Emperor catches Xian breaking mourning rules; Mei warns Meng Zhi to avoid suspicion.
Next Opponent
Jing’s promotion angers Yu; Mei fears Consort Jing knows his true identity.
Hazelnut Pastries
Mei uses a gift scandal to boost Jing; Yu and Xia Jiang plan to reopen the Chiyan case.
Trump Card
Mei enlists Marquise Yan for Jing; Xia Jiang and Yu plot to undermine the prince.
Strategic Setup
Prince Yu frames Consort Jing; Wei Zheng’s capture threatens Mei’s plans.
Plot of Alienation
The Emperor frees Consort Jing; Xia Jiang uses Wei Zheng to trap Prince Jing.
Plea in the Snow
Jing loses trust in Mei over Wei Zheng; Mei plans a risky rescue with Xia Dong.
The Right Choice
Jing is promoted; Mei and Yan trick Xia Jiang to free Wei Zheng from captivity.
The Rescue
Yan distracts Xia Jiang; Jing’s allies rescue Wei Zheng as Consort Jing faces scrutiny.
Another Battlefield
Xia Jiang’s plan fails; Jing is accused of Wei’s rescue, escalating royal tensions.
The Strategist's Resolve
Consort Jing’s secret is revealed as the Emperor’s; Xia Jiang targets Mei for interrogation.
Confrontation
Xia Jiang poisons Mei; Xia Dong’s confession exposes the Xuan Jing Bureau’s plot.
Turning the Tables
The Emperor arrests Xia Jiang; Mei escapes as Jing’s allies uncover Yu’s corruption.
Wujin Pill
Jing learns of Mei’s innocence; Xia Dong reveals the Wujin poison to save Mei.
Paving the Way
Xia Jiang’s confession clears Mei; Jing picks neutral allies as Yu is demoted.
Mei Ridge
Prince Yu learns his mother’s fate; Jing discovers the Chiyan truth from Wei Zheng.
Raising the Rebel Flag
Consort Jing uncovers Mei’s illness; Prince Yu plots a rebellion to seize the capital.
Desperate Battle
Mei and Jing thwart Yu’s rebellion; Nihuang’s reinforcements save the imperial fortress.
Reunion
Jing captures Yu; Mei’s illness worsens as Nie Feng suffers from the same poison.
Unworthy Son
Xia Jiang escapes; Jing suspects Mei’s identity as the Emperor considers a new heir.
Fire-Cold Poison
Mei plans to reopen Chiyan case; Lin Chen captures Banruo to find Xia Jiang.
Remaining Time
Xia Dong learns Mei is Lin Shu; Consort Yue’s plot exposes Mei’s identity to the Emperor.
Unveiled Identity
Xia Jiang accuses Mei as Lin Shu; Jing saves Mei from the Emperor’s wrath.
Sweep
Gao Zhan clears Mei’s name; Jing and Consort Jing dismantle Xia Jiang’s spy network.
Xie Yu's Letter
Jingrui saves Liyang from Xia Jiang’s disciple; Mei’s allies seek a cure for his poison.
Five Great Crimes
Liyang presents Xie Yu’s confession; ministers urge the Emperor to reopen Chiyan case.
Beyond Revenge
The Emperor relents to reopen Chiyan case; Mei agrees to leave to spare the throne.
Farewell, Mei Changsu
Mei leads the army against Chu, taking a fatal pill; Jing honors him as the new Emperor.
Cast
Huang Xiaoming
Xiao Pingzhang
Liu Haoran
Xiao Pingjing
Tong Liya
Meng Qianxue
Zhang Huiwen
Lin Xi
Sun Chun
Xiao Tingsheng
Wu Haochen
Xiao Yuanqi
Mei Ting
Empress Xun
Zhang Bo
Xun Feizhan
Guo Jingfei
Pu Yangying
Liu Jun
Emperor Liang
Qiao Xin
Xun Anru