S01E01 The Kirin Genius
Minister Xu reveals Mei Changsu’s name to Prince Yu, sparking a race to win his loyalty.
Nirvana in Fire
S01E17: The Secret Gunpowder Mill
Prince Yu’s explosion kills civilians; Mei boosts Jing’s image to sway the Emperor.
Overview
Weakened by illness but strong in mind, Mei Changsu enters court politics to seek justice for a tragedy long forgotten.
Episodes
S01E02 Grand Empress Dowager
Mei Changsu arrives at Ning manor as princes vie for him; Nihuang’s suitor contest begins.
S01E03 Sons of Two Families
Mei aids Prince Jing to save a boy; Nihuang grows suspicious of his identity at a banquet.
S01E04 Choosing a Master
Mei uses children to defeat Baili Qi; Prince Jing allies with him to claim the throne.
S01E05 Schemes in the Inner Palace
Mei’s plan saves Nihuang from poisoning; Noble Consort Yue is demoted for her scheme.
S01E06 Principles of Loyalty
Prince Yu takes credit for saving Nihuang; Mei sets rules for Jing’s alliance.
S01E07 The Abandoned Garden
Xia Dong confronts Xie Yu; Mei uncovers corpses, escalating the Duke of Qing’s case.
S01E08 A Midnight Visitor
Mei fends off an attack; Prince Xian scrambles to save a minister tied to the corpses.
S01E09 A Time to Cut Ties
Mei advises Prince Yu to back Jing; the Emperor appoints a neutral Minister of Revenue.
S01E10 The Next Target
Mei targets Prince Yu’s ally; Jing’s report on Duke Qing is overshadowed by Yu’s reward.
S01E11 Mentor
Mei outsmarts Xian’s plan to reinstate Consort Yue; Jing joins the throne fight.
S01E12 Even Without a Trace
Nihuang learns Mei is Lin Shu; Jing uncovers a gunpowder smuggling plot by Xian.
S01E13 The Missing Gunpowder
Mei stops Marquise Yan’s plot to kill the Emperor; Prince Yu saves a minister’s son.
S01E14 New Year's Eve
Mei keeps Yan’s secret; Xie Yu’s plan to erode Meng Zhi’s trust with the Emperor begins.
S01E15 The Eastern Palace Strikes
Jingrui suspects Qingyao; Mei foils Xie Yu’s plan to kill Shen Zhui at a birthday party.
S01E16 Anguish
Mei protects Shen Zhui; Jingrui’s party invites spark tension with martial arts experts.
S01E17 The Secret Gunpowder Mill
Prince Yu’s explosion kills civilians; Mei boosts Jing’s image to sway the Emperor.
S01E18 Silent Movements
Qin Banruo finds Mei’s secret room; Jing recommends a new justice minister.
S01E19 Guests from Southern Chu
Meng Zhi aids Jing’s throne bid; Nihuang is sent to the border as Southern Chu arrives.
S01E20 Birthday Banquet
Xie Yu’s crimes unravel at Jingrui’s party; his Southern Chu ties are exposed.
S01E21 Standoff at the Brink
Prince Yu’s army saves guests from Xie Yu’s trap; Liyang protects the Zhuo family.
S01E22 A Resolution
Liyang confronts Xie Yu; Xia Jiang suspects a plot behind Xie’s downfall.
S01E23 The Truth of That Day
Mei uncovers Xia Jiang’s role in the Chiyan case; Jing pushes to reinvestigate it.
S01E24 Resolution
Mei mourns the Grand Empress Dowager; Xie Yu’s exile sparks Liyang’s plea for justice.
S01E25 The Fisherman’s Gain
Jing gains power; Mei uproots Banruo’s spies as Prince Yu grows wary of Jing’s rise.
S01E26 Farewell to a Friend
Jingrui leaves for Southern Chu; Banruo plots to seduce Tong Lu for Mei’s secrets.
S01E27 "Water Buffalo"
The Emperor catches Xian breaking mourning rules; Mei warns Meng Zhi to avoid suspicion.
S01E28 Next Opponent
Jing’s promotion angers Yu; Mei fears Consort Jing knows his true identity.
S01E29 Hazelnut Pastries
Mei uses a gift scandal to boost Jing; Yu and Xia Jiang plan to reopen the Chiyan case.
S01E30 Trump Card
Mei enlists Marquise Yan for Jing; Xia Jiang and Yu plot to undermine the prince.
S01E31 Strategic Setup
Prince Yu frames Consort Jing; Wei Zheng’s capture threatens Mei’s plans.
S01E32 Plot of Alienation
The Emperor frees Consort Jing; Xia Jiang uses Wei Zheng to trap Prince Jing.
S01E33 Plea in the Snow
Jing loses trust in Mei over Wei Zheng; Mei plans a risky rescue with Xia Dong.
S01E34 The Right Choice
Jing is promoted; Mei and Yan trick Xia Jiang to free Wei Zheng from captivity.
S01E35 The Rescue
Yan distracts Xia Jiang; Jing’s allies rescue Wei Zheng as Consort Jing faces scrutiny.
S01E36 Another Battlefield
Xia Jiang’s plan fails; Jing is accused of Wei’s rescue, escalating royal tensions.
S01E37 The Strategist's Resolve
Consort Jing’s secret is revealed as the Emperor’s; Xia Jiang targets Mei for interrogation.
S01E38 Confrontation
Xia Jiang poisons Mei; Xia Dong’s confession exposes the Xuan Jing Bureau’s plot.
S01E39 Turning the Tables
The Emperor arrests Xia Jiang; Mei escapes as Jing’s allies uncover Yu’s corruption.
S01E40 Wujin Pill
Jing learns of Mei’s innocence; Xia Dong reveals the Wujin poison to save Mei.
S01E41 Paving the Way
Xia Jiang’s confession clears Mei; Jing picks neutral allies as Yu is demoted.
S01E42 Mei Ridge
Prince Yu learns his mother’s fate; Jing discovers the Chiyan truth from Wei Zheng.
S01E43 Raising the Rebel Flag
Consort Jing uncovers Mei’s illness; Prince Yu plots a rebellion to seize the capital.
S01E44 Desperate Battle
Mei and Jing thwart Yu’s rebellion; Nihuang’s reinforcements save the imperial fortress.
S01E45 Reunion
Jing captures Yu; Mei’s illness worsens as Nie Feng suffers from the same poison.
S01E46 Unworthy Son
Xia Jiang escapes; Jing suspects Mei’s identity as the Emperor considers a new heir.
S01E47 Fire-Cold Poison
Mei plans to reopen Chiyan case; Lin Chen captures Banruo to find Xia Jiang.
S01E48 Remaining Time
Xia Dong learns Mei is Lin Shu; Consort Yue’s plot exposes Mei’s identity to the Emperor.
S01E49 Unveiled Identity
Xia Jiang accuses Mei as Lin Shu; Jing saves Mei from the Emperor’s wrath.
S01E50 Sweep
Gao Zhan clears Mei’s name; Jing and Consort Jing dismantle Xia Jiang’s spy network.
S01E51 Xie Yu's Letter
Jingrui saves Liyang from Xia Jiang’s disciple; Mei’s allies seek a cure for his poison.
S01E52 Five Great Crimes
Liyang presents Xie Yu’s confession; ministers urge the Emperor to reopen Chiyan case.
S01E53 Beyond Revenge
The Emperor relents to reopen Chiyan case; Mei agrees to leave to spare the throne.
S01E54 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
