Episode Guide
Episode 1: Mu Zhuo Hua eloped and traveled to the capital to take the imperial examination.
The Mu Residence was bustling with the sound of gongs and drums. It turned out that Lord Mu was preparing to marry his eighteenth concubine today. When the main wife came over, Mu Zhuo Hua quickly pretended to be engrossed in studying. After the main wife left, Mu Zhuo Hua hurriedly packed her belongings and left with Ju Li. Since today was the day for the Mu Residence to take a new concubine, the entire household was busy and there were fewer people paying attention to Mu Zhuo Hua's actions, allowing her to slip away unnoticed. >>read more
Episode 2: Mu Zhuo Hua treated Liu Yan's illness.
Liu Yan and Yun Xiang Yue meet, but it is actually Yun Xiang Yue's maid who approaches. Yun Xiang Yue disguises herself as a maid and says she needs to go and remind the kitchen about a dish, but she is stopped by Liu Yan's guards outside. It turns out that Liu Yan has already recognized her as the real Yun Xiang Yue and praises her for her clever trickery. >>read more
Episode 3: Mu Zhuo Hua encounters Princess Rou Jia.
Mu Zhuo Hua noticed that Liu Yan was feeling unwell and hurried over to help him apply pressure to acupoints for relief. Liu Yan took Mu Zhuo Hua to see Yun Xiang Yue's body and asked her to assist with an examination. Mu Zhuo Hua was a bit afraid as she had never examined a corpse before, but she knew she had to do it. Guo Ju Li was waiting outside while Zhi Mo observed her. Guo Ju Li kept eating and asked Zhi Mo if she wanted some, but Zhi Mo refused. Guo Ju Li found it strange that Zhi Mo clearly wanted some but wouldn't admit it. >>read more
Episode 4: Mu Zhuo Hua resolves the marriage matter.
Liu Yan grabs Zhou Guan Shi and says that Zhou Guan Shi is still useful and needs to be kept for now. Mu Zhuo Hua brings Guo Ju Li to Wen Zheng Tower and hears people discussing the arrival of a talented scholar. They mention that Shen Jing Hong arrived in Dingjing only six days ago but has already won five consecutive matches. Mu Zhuo Hua reveals the name Rou Jia Gong Zhu, and the attendant leads her to her reserved seat. >>read more
Episode 5: Liu Yan probes Mu Zhuo Hua
With the college entrance examination approaching, Mu Zhuo Hua is studying at home and has brought Shen Jing Hong's collection of poems, which she has printed into a booklet and sent Guo Ju Li to sell on the street, earning a good amount of money. Guo Ju Li takes Mu Zhuo Hua to the Fuyun Temple, claiming that the Bodhisattva there is very efficacious, and many scholars come here to pray, hoping to pass their exams. >>read more
Episode 6: Liu Yan Probes the Mastermind
Mu Zhuo Hua believes that after the person saved his wife and daughter, he deliberately led the pursuers away. The person with the eagle-claw-like weapon wanted to capture him alive, while the person with the needle wanted to kill him. These were two different groups of people. Mu Zhuo Hua doesn't know what kind of weapon could cause such puncture wounds. Zhi Jian recognizes it as the "Youzhou Needle," a unique weapon of the royal An Wei. Upon hearing the origin of this weapon, everyone fell silent for a moment. >>read more
Episode 7: Mu Zhuo Hua passed the imperial examination.
Many people saw Liu Yan bringing Mu Zhuo Hua over, but Liu Yan was one of the main examiners this time. If something fishy was going on, he wouldn't have openly escorted Mu Zhuo Hua to the door. Shen Jing Hong greeted Mu Zhuo Hua when he arrived. Having heard the rumors about Liu Yan's inhumane behavior, Mu Zhuo Hua felt grateful and offered to share a secret formula for enhancing virility at a low price with Liu Yan. However, Liu Yan simply walked away upon hearing this. >>read more
Episode 8: Mu Zhuo Hua participated in the hairpin flower poetry gathering.
Song Yun and others were very happy and invited Mu Zhuo Hua to join them for a drink. One of Princess Rou Jia's maidservants approached Mu Zhuo Hua and informed him that the princess would be hosting a hairpin flower poetry gathering the next day, inviting Mu Zhuo Hua to attend as well. Mu Zhuo Hua was initially delighted, but Guo Ju Li mentioned that he wasn't skilled in poetry and literature. Upon reflection, Mu Zhuo Hua felt dejected. >>read more
Episode 9: Mu Zhuo Hua questioned Liu Yan.
Mu Zhuo Hua felt that the flowerpot given by Princess Rou Jia was too valuable, and he didn't want to display it openly. Therefore, he decided to transplant the peony into a simple earthenware flowerpot to preserve it. Liu Yan approached, and Mu Zhuo Hua expressed his desire to keep both the flowerpot from Princess Rou Jia and Liu Yan's jade pendant. >>read more
Episode 10: Mu Zhuo Hua enters the Hanlin Academy.
The maidservant informed Princess Rou Jia that food prices were high, and the Jishan Hall had spent a considerable amount of silver. Princess Rou Jia mentioned that she had received rewards upon returning to the capital and would use them first. The maidservant believed that Shen Jing Hong probably wouldn't come over anymore, especially after Princess Rou Jia publicly rejected the marriage proposal. However, to their surprise, Princess Rou Jia spotted Shen Jing Hong teaching children to read in that area. >>read more
Episode 11: Mu Zhuo Hua is misunderstood regarding Shen Jing Hong.
Everyone gathered at the Xiaoqin Palace under the pretext of a get-together, but their real intention was to give Mu Zhuo Hua a hard time. If Mu Zhuo Hua showed up, it would tarnish his reputation. Mu Zhuo Hua arrived and joined a few colleagues for drinks. Song Yun approached and said he had some poems and writings he wanted Mu Zhuo Hua to review, taking Mu Zhuo Hua away. >>read more
Episode 12: Mu Zhuo Hua receives a beating.
Upon learning that the Crown Prince and the Third Prince had gotten into a fight, Liu Yan hurriedly rushed over. The Empress Dowager believed that neither the Crown Prince nor the Third Prince had ill intentions, as they had always been on good terms. It was during Mu Zhuo Hua's class that the fight broke out, so she was certain that Mu Zhuo Hua must have done something. Liu Yan discussed the peace talks with the Emperor, expressing the desire to negotiate with Dongxia, which would put Beiliang in a hurry. >>read more
Episode 13: Mu Zhuo Hua as the receptionist.
His Royal Highness came to see Liu Yan and was criticized by her. Liu Yan felt that as the eldest son, he should have avoided making mistakes, but he was so impulsive. Mu Zhuo Hua's injury had almost healed, so she came to bid farewell to Liu Yan. His Royal Highness felt that Mu Zhuo Hua had saved him and wanted to fulfill one of her wishes. However, Mu Zhuo Hua didn't make any requests. Mu Zhuo Hua proposed to go back, and Liu Yan agreed, telling her to go back and rest well. >>read more
Episode 14: Northern Liang wants to form a marriage alliance.
Mu Zhuo Hua believes that the affections of insignificant people are not important to her. Liu Yan asks Mu Zhuo Hua if she is also an insignificant person to her. Liu Yan mentions that Mu Zhuo Hua previously claimed to admire her. Mu Zhuo Hua clarifies that there are different types of admiration, and her feelings for Liu Yan are loyal and unwavering. Liu Yan asks Mu Zhuo Hua how she would react if he were to marry a princess. >>read more
Episode 15: Liu Yan kissed Mu Zhuo Hua
Liu Yan kissed Mu Zhuo Hua, leaving her extremely surprised. Mu Zhuo Hua reflects on how people often say that beautiful women bring calamity, but men can also be quite troublesome. The Crown Prince makes a promise that if he wins, the third prince will no longer be allowed to pursue the princess. The third prince expresses his long-standing desire to compete with the Crown Prince. >>read more
Episode 16: Mu Zhuo Hua avoids Liu Yan
Mu Zhuo Hua avoids Liu Yan and he asks her why she keeps running away, wondering if he is some kind of terrifying beast. Mu Zhuo Hua assures Liu Yan that he is not a terrifying beast, but he unsettles her. The Crown Prince informs Mu Zhuo Hua that he has already spoken to the Emperor, and she can go back to her teaching. Liu Yan asks if Mu Zhuo Hua has made a decision. >>read more
Episode 17: Mu Zhuo Hua goes to Jiangnan for disaster relief.
The Empress Dowager didn't expect that Liu Yan's trip to Jiangnan was to capture Xue Xiao Tang. Pei Lan mentions that this is what the people sent by Zhou Daren said. Princess Rou Jia is surprised to see Xue Xiao Tang. Mu Zhuo Hua comes to meet Mu Lao Ye and asks him to consider whether he wants to continue being a wealthy merchant or take it a step further. Mu Lao Ye finds Mu Zhuo Hua very familiar. >>read more
Episode 18: Liu Yan saves Mu Zhuo Hua.
The steward informs County Magistrate Zhuang that someone has seen Mu Zhuo Hua returning. Mu Zhuo Hua asks how Ba Mei (his sister) is doing, and Ba Mei expresses that she is very happy and thanks Qi Jie (Rou Jia) for that. Ba Mei proposes a toast to Mu Zhuo Hua, and after he drinks it, he faints. Mu Zhuo Hua is then kidnapped, but Liu Yan arrives in time to rescue him. >>read more
Episode 19: Mu Zhuo Hua Takes Away Mother's Ashes
The aunts came to find the lady of the house and talked about the several men Miss Qi brought back. They mentioned that many of them thought Miss Qi was fortunate. The lady of the house believed that men could have several options, so why should women be limited to just one choice? Miss Qi had the right to choose whom she wanted to marry; it was her fortune. >>read more
Episode 20: Mu Ba and Mu Zhuo Hua joined forces.
Liu Yan sensed that they had something to discuss and decided to go out for some fresh air. Mr. Shang asked Mu Zhuo Hua when he started developing feelings for Liu Yan. Mu Zhuo Hua admitted that he hadn't figured out his own feelings yet, but he knew he couldn't like Liu Yan. Otherwise, he would have to give up what he had worked so hard to achieve. >>read more
Episode 21: Sun Yun Yun and Mu Zhuo Hua confronted each other face to face.
Mu Ba mentioned a childhood incident where he had a cat, but because his father had a severe allergic reaction to cats, cats were not allowed in the entire Mu residence. When his father discovered that he had a cat, Mu Ba placed the cat in Mu Zhuo Hua's yard. Mu Zhuo Hua knew that the cat was brought by Mu Ba, but because Mu Ba wanted the cat to live, Mu Zhuo Hua didn't expose the truth. Eventually, Mu Zhuo Hua gave the cat to Mr. Shang to take care of, but it has since passed away. >>read more
Episode 22: Sun Yun Yun and Mu Zhuo Hua had a confrontation.
The Empress Dowager mentioned that Sun Yun Yun was very skilled in music and wanted her to play a piece. She also mentioned Liu Yan's famous flute and suggested that the two of them play a duet. Sun Yun Yun wanted to bring the flute she had not given away to Liu Yan, but Liu Yan asked Zhi Jian to bring the flute given by Mu Zhuo Hua, stating that his favorite was that particular flute and nothing could replace it. >>read more
Episode 23: Liu Yan expressed his feelings to Mu Zhuo Hua.
Mu Zhuo Hua thought that Sun Yun Yun's previous trivial matters could be overlooked, but now it was affecting the normal work of the Ministry of Revenue. If this continued, he couldn't just ignore it. Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager happened to arrive and felt that Mu Zhuo Hua was bullying a newcomer, so she punished him to kneel for an hour. >>read more
Episode 24: Mu Zhuo Hua and Liu Yan agreed on three rules.
Sun Yun Yun discussed this matter with the Empress Dowager, with Liu Yan also present. Sun Yun Yun asked Liu Yan for his opinion on the matter. Mu Zhuo Hua commented that Sun Yun Yun's actions were not honorable and questioned how she could ask for others' opinions when her own conduct was questionable. After Liu Yan spoke, he excused himself. Sun Yun Yun called Mu Zhuo Hua over and asked if she knew her wrongdoing, bringing up the issue of changing her registered status. Mu Zhuo Hua realized that hiding the change of status would not be possible and was surprised that it was exposed today. Mu Zhuo Hua stated that she had nothing to say. The Empress Dowager wanted Mu Zhuo Hua to be taken away, but His Majesty and Liu Yan arrived in time. >>read more
Episode 25: Liu Yan discovers the truth.
Mu Zhuo Hua and Shen Jing Hong were drinking together when Sun Yun Qian arrived and apologized to Mu Zhuo Hua. Sun Yun Qian felt that he had been causing trouble for Mu Zhuo Hua recently, but Mu Zhuo Hua assured him that it had nothing to do with Sun Yun Qian and was something he didn't do. >>read more
Episode 26: Confrontation between Empress Dowager Liu Yan.
Liu Yan did not drink the glass of wine. When she brought up these matters, the Empress Dowager naturally denied them and claimed that Liu Yan had no evidence. Liu Yan asked the Empress Dowager if she knew about the Resurrection Powder and mentioned Fu Shengru's final letter. The Empress Dowager remained composed, suggesting that it was likely a false accusation by Fu Shengru. >>read more
Episode 27: Princess Rou Jia secretly plotted.
Shen Jinghong congratulated Princess Rou Jia for avenging her mother's death. Princess Rou Jia expressed her gratitude to Shen Jinghong for his assistance, and Shen Jinghong stated that without Princess Rou Jia, he wouldn't be where he is today. Princess Rou Jia mentioned that once everything is accomplished, Shen Jinghong would become the prime minister, superior to all others. Shen Jinghong responded that he wanted Princess Rou Jia's heart more than the position of prime minister. >>read more
Episode 28: Liu Yan left Dingjing.
Zhao Yuanshi said that Liu Yan's pulse indicated that his vitality was almost exhausted, but Zhi Jian didn't believe it and asked Zhao Yuanshi to take another look. Liu Yan told them not to trouble Zhao Yuanshi and that Mu Zhuohua should not find out about this matter. Liu Yan felt that hating someone was better than missing them. He believed that with Liu Chen's recent ascension to the throne, various forces in the capital were in turmoil. If he died in Dingjing, it would surely lead to chaos. Liu Yan came to see the Second Prince and the Third Prince. When he saw the house, he felt depressed and asked if Liu Yan had come to pass judgment on him. >>read more
Episode 29: Liu Yan recovered.
Zhi Jian felt that if it continued to rain, Mu Zhuo Hua would definitely get sick. Liu Yan said that Mu Zhuo Hua could leave. Mu Zhuo Hua fainted, and Liu Yan rushed over to support her. Mu Zhuo Hua asked Liu Yan if his kindness towards her was like that towards a cat or a dog. Mu Zhuo Hua said that Liu Yan had always carried a heavy burden, but she believed that they could walk together. Liu Yan asked Mu Zhuo Hua how she got here, and Mu Zhuo Hua asked what his letter meant. Liu Yan said that he had made it clear in the letter that he was tired of love and didn't want to be with her anymore. >>read more
Episode 30: Liu Yan discovered the conspiracy of Rou Jia Gong Zhu.
Liu Chen felt that he had raised a group of loyal ministers who constantly worried for him, almost wanting to make decisions on his behalf. Liu Chen stated that the court had no spare money to support a group of useless individuals. Everyone advised the Emperor to think twice about the situation. When Liu Yan arrived, he asked whether they wanted the Emperor to think for himself or for their own benefit. >>read more
Episode 31: Mu Zhuo Hua and Liu Yan discovered Rou Jia Gong Zhu's intentions.
Mu Zhuo Hua mentioned that Rou Jia Gong Zhu had the title of "Goddess" among the common people, and Shen Jing Hong had quite a reputation among the lower-class scholars. They had a close and intimate collaboration. Liu Yan thought that Shen Jing Hong played the role of a pawn for Rou Jia Gong Zhu quite well. >>read more
Episode 32: Mu Zhuo Hua is being targeted.
Mu Zhuo Hua says that this article was written by Mr. Shang in his early years, but now it is being widely promoted, and it is unclear if someone deliberately orchestrated it. Liu Yan believes that it is not Mr. Shang who is being targeted, but rather Mu Zhuo Hua. Mr. Sun is very angry and didn't expect Mr. Zhang to dare to act recklessly on his territory. >>read more
Episode 33: The Sun family encountered a problem.
Some ministers accused Sun Ru of colluding with Beiliang and smuggling private salt. Each incident was recorded in this ledger, which made Liu Chen very angry when he saw it. Sun Yun Qian was furious and punched Shen Jing Hong, expressing his disappointment that he had promised to protect the Sun family, but what was the result now? >>read more
Episode 34: Mu Zhuo Hua confronts Princess Rou Jia Gong Zhu.
Mu Zhuo Hua expresses that at first, he thought they could walk the same path, then he thought they would at least reach the same destination, but now he realizes they have long been going in opposite directions. Mu Zhuo Hua says he is not sick, just dealing with some minor issues. The Old Master Mo claims that although he is affectionate, every woman he had been with was given a status, whereas Mu Zhuo Hua did not even give one. >>read more
Episode 35: Liu Yan said that Mu Zhuo Hua was Liu Chen's mistress.
Rou Jia Gong Zhu expressed her lack of understanding towards Zhen Guo Da Chang Gong Zhu. She was so close to that position back then, but she didn't have the courage to step up. Rou Jia Gong Zhu stated that she was not Zhen Guo Da Chang Gong Zhu and that she would not be content with staying in that small corner of Jiangnan. >>read more
Episode 36: Shen Jing Hong saw Rou Jia Gong Zhu enjoying herself.
Shen Jing Hong approached Rou Jia Gong Zhu and asked if she was responsible for the matter involving Mu Zhuo Hua. Rou Jia Gong Zhu admitted and said it was indeed her doing. Shen Jing Hong couldn't understand how Rou Jia Gong Zhu could manipulate even Mu Zhuo Hua, and Rou Jia Gong Zhu asked Shen Jing Hong why he cared so much about Mu Zhuo Hua. >>read more
Episode 37: Liu Yan was thrown into prison.
The officials gathered together to discuss how to bring down Liu Yan and felt that the current evidence was not enough. Rou Jia Gong Zhu handed over some documents to the officials, which were records of the palace gates' entries and exits, asking if they were sufficient. These records indicated the day when the late emperor passed away. The officials were delighted upon reviewing the documents and believed that they were definitely enough. >>read more
Episode 38: Liu Yan was murdered.
Princess Rou Jia Gong Zhu visited the dungeon to see Liu Yan and admitted that she was responsible for all these events. She confessed to forging the fake will and instigating the conflict between the noble families and Liu Chen. Rou Jia Gong Zhu believed that because she and her mother lacked power, her mother was killed, and she was sent to Jiangnan to grow up. Thus, what she desired was not revenge but to attain power. >>read more
Episode 39: Rou Jia Gong Zhu staged a palace coup.
A eunuch handed the imperial jade seal to Shen Jing Hong, indicating that his life and fortune were now in Shen Jing Hong's hands. Rou Jia Gong Zhu was also delighted to see the imperial jade seal, feeling grateful to Shen Jing Hong for this opportunity. Rou Jia Gong Zhu met with Zhou Da Ren, who stated that their controlled army was fully prepared. Rou Jia Gong Zhu went to see Ye Mu Zhen, showing great concern for her well-being. However, Ye Mu Zhen told Rou Jia Gong Zhu to stop pretending because she knew her true identity very well. >>read more
Ending 40: Mu Zhuo Hua and Liu Yan got married.
Rou Jia Gong Zhu was shocked to discover that all of this was orchestrated by Shen Jing Hong. Shen Jing Hong urged Rou Jia Gong Zhu to let go, but she refused. She believed that as a woman, she didn't have the right to fight for her position. Liu Chen was born into privilege, and for the sake of his status, her own mother had to die. >>read more
