2. Grand Empress Dowager

Mei Changsu arrives at Ning manor as princes vie for him; Nihuang’s suitor contest begins.

3. Sons of Two Families

Mei aids Prince Jing to save a boy; Nihuang grows suspicious of his identity at a banquet.

4. Choosing a Master

Mei uses children to defeat Baili Qi; Prince Jing allies with him to claim the throne.

5. Schemes in the Inner Palace

Mei’s plan saves Nihuang from poisoning; Noble Consort Yue is demoted for her scheme.

6. Principles of Loyalty

Prince Yu takes credit for saving Nihuang; Mei sets rules for Jing’s alliance.

7. The Abandoned Garden

Xia Dong confronts Xie Yu; Mei uncovers corpses, escalating the Duke of Qing’s case.

8. A Midnight Visitor

Mei fends off an attack; Prince Xian scrambles to save a minister tied to the corpses.

9. A Time to Cut Ties

Mei advises Prince Yu to back Jing; the Emperor appoints a neutral Minister of Revenue.

10. The Next Target

Mei targets Prince Yu’s ally; Jing’s report on Duke Qing is overshadowed by Yu’s reward.

11. Mentor

Mei outsmarts Xian’s plan to reinstate Consort Yue; Jing joins the throne fight.

12. Even Without a Trace

Nihuang learns Mei is Lin Shu; Jing uncovers a gunpowder smuggling plot by Xian.

13. The Missing Gunpowder

Mei stops Marquise Yan’s plot to kill the Emperor; Prince Yu saves a minister’s son.

14. New Year's Eve

Mei keeps Yan’s secret; Xie Yu’s plan to erode Meng Zhi’s trust with the Emperor begins.

15. The Eastern Palace Strikes

Jingrui suspects Qingyao; Mei foils Xie Yu’s plan to kill Shen Zhui at a birthday party.

16. Anguish

Mei protects Shen Zhui; Jingrui’s party invites spark tension with martial arts experts.

17. The Secret Gunpowder Mill

Prince Yu’s explosion kills civilians; Mei boosts Jing’s image to sway the Emperor.

18. Silent Movements

Qin Banruo finds Mei’s secret room; Jing recommends a new justice minister.

19. Guests from Southern Chu

Meng Zhi aids Jing’s throne bid; Nihuang is sent to the border as Southern Chu arrives.

20. Birthday Banquet

Xie Yu’s crimes unravel at Jingrui’s party; his Southern Chu ties are exposed.

21. Standoff at the Brink

Prince Yu’s army saves guests from Xie Yu’s trap; Liyang protects the Zhuo family.

22. A Resolution

Liyang confronts Xie Yu; Xia Jiang suspects a plot behind Xie’s downfall.

23. The Truth of That Day

Mei uncovers Xia Jiang’s role in the Chiyan case; Jing pushes to reinvestigate it.

24. Resolution

Mei mourns the Grand Empress Dowager; Xie Yu’s exile sparks Liyang’s plea for justice.

25. The Fisherman’s Gain

Jing gains power; Mei uproots Banruo’s spies as Prince Yu grows wary of Jing’s rise.

26. Farewell to a Friend

Jingrui leaves for Southern Chu; Banruo plots to seduce Tong Lu for Mei’s secrets.

27. "Water Buffalo"

The Emperor catches Xian breaking mourning rules; Mei warns Meng Zhi to avoid suspicion.

28. Next Opponent

Jing’s promotion angers Yu; Mei fears Consort Jing knows his true identity.

29. Hazelnut Pastries

Mei uses a gift scandal to boost Jing; Yu and Xia Jiang plan to reopen the Chiyan case.

30. Trump Card

Mei enlists Marquise Yan for Jing; Xia Jiang and Yu plot to undermine the prince.

31. Strategic Setup

Prince Yu frames Consort Jing; Wei Zheng’s capture threatens Mei’s plans.

32. Plot of Alienation

The Emperor frees Consort Jing; Xia Jiang uses Wei Zheng to trap Prince Jing.

33. Plea in the Snow

Jing loses trust in Mei over Wei Zheng; Mei plans a risky rescue with Xia Dong.

34. The Right Choice

Jing is promoted; Mei and Yan trick Xia Jiang to free Wei Zheng from captivity.

35. The Rescue

Yan distracts Xia Jiang; Jing’s allies rescue Wei Zheng as Consort Jing faces scrutiny.

36. Another Battlefield

Xia Jiang’s plan fails; Jing is accused of Wei’s rescue, escalating royal tensions.

37. The Strategist's Resolve

Consort Jing’s secret is revealed as the Emperor’s; Xia Jiang targets Mei for interrogation.

38. Confrontation

Xia Jiang poisons Mei; Xia Dong’s confession exposes the Xuan Jing Bureau’s plot.

39. Turning the Tables

The Emperor arrests Xia Jiang; Mei escapes as Jing’s allies uncover Yu’s corruption.

40. Wujin Pill

Jing learns of Mei’s innocence; Xia Dong reveals the Wujin poison to save Mei.

41. Paving the Way

Xia Jiang’s confession clears Mei; Jing picks neutral allies as Yu is demoted.

42. Mei Ridge

Prince Yu learns his mother’s fate; Jing discovers the Chiyan truth from Wei Zheng.

43. Raising the Rebel Flag

Consort Jing uncovers Mei’s illness; Prince Yu plots a rebellion to seize the capital.

44. Desperate Battle

Mei and Jing thwart Yu’s rebellion; Nihuang’s reinforcements save the imperial fortress.

45. Reunion

Jing captures Yu; Mei’s illness worsens as Nie Feng suffers from the same poison.

46. Unworthy Son

Xia Jiang escapes; Jing suspects Mei’s identity as the Emperor considers a new heir.

47. Fire-Cold Poison

Mei plans to reopen Chiyan case; Lin Chen captures Banruo to find Xia Jiang.

48. Remaining Time

Xia Dong learns Mei is Lin Shu; Consort Yue’s plot exposes Mei’s identity to the Emperor.

49. Unveiled Identity

Xia Jiang accuses Mei as Lin Shu; Jing saves Mei from the Emperor’s wrath.

50. Sweep

Gao Zhan clears Mei’s name; Jing and Consort Jing dismantle Xia Jiang’s spy network.

51. Xie Yu's Letter

Jingrui saves Liyang from Xia Jiang’s disciple; Mei’s allies seek a cure for his poison.

52. Five Great Crimes

Liyang presents Xie Yu’s confession; ministers urge the Emperor to reopen Chiyan case.

53. Beyond Revenge

The Emperor relents to reopen Chiyan case; Mei agrees to leave to spare the throne.

54. Farewell, Mei Changsu

Mei leads the army against Chu, taking a fatal pill; Jing honors him as the new Emperor.