Episode 1 recap: "Zhao Ruoxi enters the palace for the talent selection."
Due to her father's unjust treatment, Zhao Ruoxi can only enter the palace to participate in the talent selection. Upon entering the palace, Zhao Ruoxi encounters an arrogant and domineering showgirl named Guan Panpan. Guan Panpan believes that Zhao Ruoxi has offended her and wants to trouble her. Since Zhao Ruoxi has just entered the palace, she can only endure for now, which only further inflates Guan Panpan's arrogance, and she ends up scratching Zhao Ruoxi's hand.
After entering the palace, a physical examination is required. Zhao Ruoxi goes to the imperial physician, who notices the injury on her hand and applies medicine, assuring her that it will prevent scarring. While there, Zhao Ruoxi overhears someone discussing the need to give benefits to the painter in order to make oneself look better in the portrait. Zhao Ruoxi finds it strange because her father taught her to be upright and not to bring benefits. The painter also finds it curious.
Zhao Ruoxi expresses that even though she may not possess extraordinary beauty, she has her own principles and doesn't want to taint the painter's work. The painter appreciates that she acknowledges his work as art and promises to paint her well. After this interaction, the nanny comes and instructs them to go to the empress's chamber, where the empress will personally make the selection. Zhao Ruoxi didn't expect to go there and applies light makeup.
The empress finds Zhao Ruoxi to be sensible-looking and asks her about her talents. Zhao Ruoxi mentions her skill in playing chess. The empress suggests that as long as she can serve the emperor obediently, that would be sufficient and allows Zhao Ruoxi to stay. Three days ago, the empress went to the emperor and informed him that she had dealt with the general, which made the emperor very angry.
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