Ling Cangcang won't marry her enemy, Xiao Huan. On their wedding night, she recalls how he used a fake identity to get close to her.
Ling Cangcang is poisoned and Xiao Huan rushes to her rescue, which leads both of them to be thrown into prison.
Xiao Huan is badly injured while protecting Ling Cangcang. Posing as a married couple during the investigation of a case stirs hidden feelings.
After proposing, Xiao Huan reveals he is the Emperor and kills Li Lu. Heartbroken, Ling Cangcang turns against him but acts affectionate at a banquet.
A humiliated Ling Cangcang poisons Xiao Huan to test him. He hides his feelings because of his power, yet subtly displays his affection.
Xiao Huan triggers a latent poison to pressure Ling Xuefeng and feels guilty as reform stalls. Ling Cangcang discovers a mysterious mark.
Ling Cangcang would rather die than kill Xiao Huan. Xiao Huan questions the cause of his master's death, leaving her disheartened.
Ling Cangcang investigates her master's death. Xiao Huan asks Li Chengtian to come out of seclusion, and Ling Cangcang demands the truth.
Ling Cangcang infiltrates the inner treasury to steal the phoenix seal. Xiao Huan secretly helps her, and she finally grasps his true intentions.
Ling Cangcang is poisoned. Xiao Huan gives her an antidote, and sends her a contraceptive herbal drink, leaving her devastated.
Ling Cangcang steals the jade seal to save Luo Xianxue, and Xiao Huan forces her to choose between them.
Luo Xianxue sets himself on fire, and Xiao Huan grants Ling Cangcang her freedom. When Jiangzhou faces ruin, she leads the troops against the enemy.
Ling Cangcang is captured. Xiao Huan pretends to negotiate a peace treaty, while secretly planning a rescue.
Ling Cangcang refuses to admit she is the empress, which makes Kumoer suspicious and heightens tensions in the camp.
Disguised as Bai Chifan, Xiao Huan attempts to rescue Ling Cangcang. Du Tingxin lowers her guard while Ling Cangcang denies she's the empress.
Ling Cangcang and Xiao Huan team up to steal the troop deployment map. Ling Xuefeng is forced to reveal his hand.
After Xiao Huan is poisoned, Ling Cangcang returns to the camp to share his fate. Xiao Huan reveals his identity and defeats Kumoer.
Zhong Lin fails to assassinate Xiao Qianqing — but Xiao Qianqing helps her escape, saving her life.
Ling Cangcang stays by Xiao Huan as his life hangs by a thread. Xiao Qianqing falls off a cliff, but is rescued.
Xiao Huan survives and reconciles with Xiao Qianqing. Ling Xuefeng and Luo Xianxue conspire to murder Xiao Huan.
Ling Cangcang learns the truth about the poisoning and reconciles with Xiao Huan. The Xiao brothers unite to drive the reforms.
Ling Cangcang urges her father to turn back, but it's in vain. Xiao Huan defeats Ling Xuefeng, leaving Du Tingxin traumatized and heartbroken.
Du Tingxin vows to avenge Xiao Huan. Xiao Qianqing begs Xiao Huan to let her marry Zhong Lin.
Ling Cangcang is pregnant, which Xiao Huan is overjoyed about. Du Tingxin begins plotting, and Li Hongqing rushes from the capital to the rescue.
Xiao Ying tries to assassinate Xiao Huan. Ling Cangcang protects him, but miscarries as a result. Furious, Xiao Huan imprisons Xiao Ying.
Xiao Qianqing cripples Xiao Ying's meridians. Ling Xuefeng secretly plots a coup, which Xiao Huan cleverly foils.
Ling Jueding helps Xiao Huan quell the rebellion, and Lu Qi and Luo Xianxue die in battle. Xiao Qianqing plans to flee with Xiao Ying.
Du Tingxin instigates Empress Dowager Liu, leading to Xiao Ying's sudden death. Li Hongqing rushes back to the palace.
Empress Liu takes her own life. Xiao Qianqing and Xiao Huan turn against each other. Du Tingxin leads her troops, surrounding the palace.
Xiao Qianqing rules as regent while Xiao Huan is imprisoned. Ling Cangcang searches for Zhong Lin in vain. The Xiao brothers make a pact.
Xiao Huan jumps into the river, ending his life and throwing the court into chaos. Ling Cangcang seeks to find out what led to Xiao Ying's death.
Ling Xuefeng dies by suicide. Ling Cangcang plans to counter Du Tingxin's power. Xiao Huan returns, disguised as the Ghost King.
Zhong Lin escapes and frees the Lingbi followers. Xiao Huan uncovers a all-important secret.
Xiao Qianqing finally discovers the cause of Xiao Ying's death. Ling Cangcang is punished for saving Zhong Lin. Lingbi followers rally to Xiao Huan.
Xiao Huan leads an army and crushes Du Tingxin, but dies on the battlefield. Five years later, his son ascends to the throne.
