Xie Wei gains the Emperor’s trust concerning a political matter. Yan Lin continues to pursue Xue Ning, biding his time before he asks for her hand in marriage. Xue Ning attends the You Mansion party in order to meet and save You Fang Yin, whom she remembers from her past life. Although Xue Ning attempts to evade Princess Le Yang, who was her study partner in her past life, their paths still cross.

An assassin targets Xie Wei, and Xue Ning inadvertently gets entangled in the scuffle. Wary of Xie Wei, she tries to avoid him and probes Yan Lin for information about their connection. Though Yan Lin professes his feelings to Xue Ning, she does not reciprocate, knowing their turbulent relationship in her past life. She instead focuses on how to right a wrong that happened to his family.

Xue Ning subtly threatens Zhou Yin Zhi to stop his collusion with Duke Xue to frame the Yan family. Despite her attempts to not be the Princess’ study partner, Yan Lin and the Princess work hard to get her admitted. The noble women are given etiquette tests to see if they are worthy of staying at the palace, and though Xue Ning tries to fail miserably, the Princess finds her attempts endearing.

Xue Ning overhears You Yue giving Yao Xi advice on slandering Zhang Zhe so she can break off her engagement with him. Angry, she confronts them, calling them out for slandering an upright gentleman. Determined to fail the literature test by Xie Wei, Xue Ning gives the other women advice on how to pass the test and does the exact opposite. Much to her surprise, Xie Wei is not fazed by her tricks.

Yan Lin confronts his father about burning a letter from King Ping Nan and learns that his cousin, previously thought to be dead, could still be alive. Xie Wei meets with King Ping Nan’s chancellor, who reminds him of his promise to bring the Emperor down. After Duke Xue receives the information that his transport ships have sunk, he puts pressure on Zhou Yin Zhi to get evidence implicating the Yan family.

Zhang Zhe breaks the engagement with Yao Xi, citing his precarious position, making Yao Xi admire his upright manner. The Ministry of Justice provides the Emperor with Duke Xue’s transport dealings, causing him trouble. Gong Yi uses Xie Wei’s spies in the palace to cause him trouble.

The study partners of the Princess learn about the story of the 300 loyal souls. The Jade Ruyi sceptre was, in fact, planted by Gong Yi to put suspicion on Xie Wei. Xue Ning overhears a conversation between Xie Wei and his spy from the Imperial palace but is caught by Xie Wei.

Yan Lin discovers that Duke Xue has a large army encampment, so he and his father investigate him. Knowing the Yan family is being targeted by Duke Xue, he begins to distance himself from Xue Ning to protect her. Xue Shu is becoming increasingly jealous after seeing Xue Ning and Shen Jie constantly interacting. She instigates Wang Jiu, the senior teacher at Hanlin Academy, to teach Xue Ning a lesson.

Xue Ning and Xie Wei work together to get Duke Xue’s cronies expelled from Hanlin Academy, angering Xue Shu. Yan Lin’s father rushes to the palace to report Duke Xue’s private army but is ambushed and severely injured on his way. A paper indicating collusion with the rebels is found in Xue Ning’s room, but she cleverly maneuvers the investigation to be headed by the Ministry of Justice so the Yan family is not implicated if she is found guilty.