Season pulse
Episodes
54 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.