Season 1 · Episode 21 — Standoff at the Brink

Minister Xu reveals Mei Changsu’s name to Prince Yu, sparking a race to win his loyalty.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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