Season pulse
Episodes
20 episodes
Episode 1
Years after the crown princess delivers forbidden twins, Yi Hwi meets a court maid who looks exactly like him, to his amazement and his mother’s horror.
Episode 2
Dam-i tearfully bears the weight of the crown in guise of her brother. Jung Ji-un races against time to find a herbal remedy for a peeved patient.
Episode 3
Hwi spares Ji-un his life thinking they won't ever cross paths again. Later, she's startled to see him lurking inside the palace walls.
Episode 4
Ji-un proves to be a formidable opponent for Hwi, who's determined to make her newest royal tutor resign. Yi Hyun takes Hwi out on the town.
Episode 5
Ji-un's good-hearted attempt to make his pupil warm up to people in the palace goes awry. Prince Changun tests Hwi with an intoxicating surprise.
Episode 6
A familiar book on the crown prince's desk baffles Ji-un. Running out of time and the means to save his friends, he asks Hwi for help.
Episode 7
Hwi earns a chance to gain the king's trust during the Ming envoys' visit, but an ill-tempered guest tests the limits of her patience.
Episode 8
Ji-un comforts a tearful Hwi in his arms. Hyun and Ji-un team up to figure out the envoy's secret after a suspicious man visits his quarters.
Episode 9
The queen dowager tells the crown prince to wed. As Ji-un recalls previous night's events, he realizes the reason behind his rollercoaster of emotions.
Episode 10
After a joyous day together, Hwi gives Ji-un her answer. Shin So-eun and No Ha-gyeong visit the palace as candidates to become the next crown princess.
Episode 11
Hyun visits Ji-un at his new clinic. A furious Hwi holds Prince Changun accountable for his wrongdoing, and faces staggering backlash as a result.
Episode 12
The king is asked to answer to overwhelming appeals for the crown prince's removal. Reentering the palace, Ji-un promises to protect Hwi no matter what.
Episode 13
Hwi carefully reveals her secret to Ji-un. Lord Sangheon unleashes his royal ambitions and makes way for the future king.
Episode 14
Hwi and Ha-gyeong spend their first night together. Reinstated into a palace operating around Lord Sangheon, Ji-un lies low to serve the wounded king.
Episode 15
Moving in silence, Hwi strategizes retaliation against her grandfather. Kim Ga-on reappears in front of the king with a startling confession.
Episode 16
Yoon Hyeong-seol sets out to find the damning ledger and keep his promise to the king. Prince Wonsan puts two and two together about Hwi's identity.
Episode 17
Rumors about Hwi and Ji-un's close relationship circulate amongst the palace staff. To protect his son, Jung Seok-jo takes matters into his own hands.
Episode 18
Hyun and Lord Sangheon learn of Prince Wonsan's secret ploy to dethrone the king. Hwi prepares to take down her grandfather — alone.
Episode 19
Prince Wonsan ruthlessly proves his ambitions — and worthiness — for kingship to Lord Sangheon. Hwi prepares to abdicate the throne.
Episode 20
Returning to the palace with a vengeance and an army, Lord Sangheon and Prince Wonsan spare no one in their bloody path to the crown.