Season 1

2015 · 54 episodes · 39h 45m in all

1. The Kirin Genius
19 Sept 2015 · 45 min
Minister Xu reveals Mei Changsu’s name to Prince Yu, sparking a race to win his loyalty.
2. Grand Empress Dowager
19 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Mei Changsu arrives at Ning manor as princes vie for him; Nihuang’s suitor contest begins.
3. Sons of Two Families
20 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Mei aids Prince Jing to save a boy; Nihuang grows suspicious of his identity at a banquet.
4. Choosing a Master
20 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Mei uses children to defeat Baili Qi; Prince Jing allies with him to claim the throne.
5. Schemes in the Inner Palace
21 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Mei’s plan saves Nihuang from poisoning; Noble Consort Yue is demoted for her scheme.
6. Principles of Loyalty
21 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Prince Yu takes credit for saving Nihuang; Mei sets rules for Jing’s alliance.
7. The Abandoned Garden
22 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Xia Dong confronts Xie Yu; Mei uncovers corpses, escalating the Duke of Qing’s case.
8. A Midnight Visitor
22 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Mei fends off an attack; Prince Xian scrambles to save a minister tied to the corpses.
9. A Time to Cut Ties
23 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Mei advises Prince Yu to back Jing; the Emperor appoints a neutral Minister of Revenue.
10. The Next Target
23 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Mei targets Prince Yu’s ally; Jing’s report on Duke Qing is overshadowed by Yu’s reward.
11. Mentor
24 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Mei outsmarts Xian’s plan to reinstate Consort Yue; Jing joins the throne fight.
12. Even Without a Trace
24 Sept 2015 · 45 min
Nihuang learns Mei is Lin Shu; Jing uncovers a gunpowder smuggling plot by Xian.
13. The Missing Gunpowder
25 Sept 2015 · 45 min
Mei stops Marquise Yan’s plot to kill the Emperor; Prince Yu saves a minister’s son.
14. New Year's Eve
25 Sept 2015 · 45 min
Mei keeps Yan’s secret; Xie Yu’s plan to erode Meng Zhi’s trust with the Emperor begins.
15. The Eastern Palace Strikes
26 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Jingrui suspects Qingyao; Mei foils Xie Yu’s plan to kill Shen Zhui at a birthday party.
16. Anguish
26 Sept 2015 · 45 min
Mei protects Shen Zhui; Jingrui’s party invites spark tension with martial arts experts.
17. The Secret Gunpowder Mill
27 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Prince Yu’s explosion kills civilians; Mei boosts Jing’s image to sway the Emperor.
18. Silent Movements
27 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Qin Banruo finds Mei’s secret room; Jing recommends a new justice minister.
19. Guests from Southern Chu
28 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Meng Zhi aids Jing’s throne bid; Nihuang is sent to the border as Southern Chu arrives.
20. Birthday Banquet
28 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Xie Yu’s crimes unravel at Jingrui’s party; his Southern Chu ties are exposed.
21. Standoff at the Brink
29 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Prince Yu’s army saves guests from Xie Yu’s trap; Liyang protects the Zhuo family.
22. A Resolution
29 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Liyang confronts Xie Yu; Xia Jiang suspects a plot behind Xie’s downfall.
23. The Truth of That Day
30 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Mei uncovers Xia Jiang’s role in the Chiyan case; Jing pushes to reinvestigate it.
24. Resolution
30 Sept 2015 · 44 min
Mei mourns the Grand Empress Dowager; Xie Yu’s exile sparks Liyang’s plea for justice.
25. The Fisherman’s Gain
1 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Jing gains power; Mei uproots Banruo’s spies as Prince Yu grows wary of Jing’s rise.
26. Farewell to a Friend
1 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Jingrui leaves for Southern Chu; Banruo plots to seduce Tong Lu for Mei’s secrets.
27. "Water Buffalo"
2 Oct 2015 · 44 min
The Emperor catches Xian breaking mourning rules; Mei warns Meng Zhi to avoid suspicion.
28. Next Opponent
2 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Jing’s promotion angers Yu; Mei fears Consort Jing knows his true identity.
29. Hazelnut Pastries
3 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Mei uses a gift scandal to boost Jing; Yu and Xia Jiang plan to reopen the Chiyan case.
30. Trump Card
3 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Mei enlists Marquise Yan for Jing; Xia Jiang and Yu plot to undermine the prince.
31. Strategic Setup
4 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Prince Yu frames Consort Jing; Wei Zheng’s capture threatens Mei’s plans.
32. Plot of Alienation
4 Oct 2015 · 44 min
The Emperor frees Consort Jing; Xia Jiang uses Wei Zheng to trap Prince Jing.
33. Plea in the Snow
5 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Jing loses trust in Mei over Wei Zheng; Mei plans a risky rescue with Xia Dong.
34. The Right Choice
5 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Jing is promoted; Mei and Yan trick Xia Jiang to free Wei Zheng from captivity.
35. The Rescue
6 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Yan distracts Xia Jiang; Jing’s allies rescue Wei Zheng as Consort Jing faces scrutiny.
36. Another Battlefield
6 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Xia Jiang’s plan fails; Jing is accused of Wei’s rescue, escalating royal tensions.
37. The Strategist's Resolve
7 Oct 2015 · 45 min
Consort Jing’s secret is revealed as the Emperor’s; Xia Jiang targets Mei for interrogation.
38. Confrontation
7 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Xia Jiang poisons Mei; Xia Dong’s confession exposes the Xuan Jing Bureau’s plot.
39. Turning the Tables
8 Oct 2015 · 45 min
The Emperor arrests Xia Jiang; Mei escapes as Jing’s allies uncover Yu’s corruption.
40. Wujin Pill
8 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Jing learns of Mei’s innocence; Xia Dong reveals the Wujin poison to save Mei.
41. Paving the Way
9 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Xia Jiang’s confession clears Mei; Jing picks neutral allies as Yu is demoted.
42. Mei Ridge
9 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Prince Yu learns his mother’s fate; Jing discovers the Chiyan truth from Wei Zheng.
43. Raising the Rebel Flag
10 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Consort Jing uncovers Mei’s illness; Prince Yu plots a rebellion to seize the capital.
44. Desperate Battle
10 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Mei and Jing thwart Yu’s rebellion; Nihuang’s reinforcements save the imperial fortress.
45. Reunion
11 Oct 2015 · 45 min
Jing captures Yu; Mei’s illness worsens as Nie Feng suffers from the same poison.
46. Unworthy Son
11 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Xia Jiang escapes; Jing suspects Mei’s identity as the Emperor considers a new heir.
47. Fire-Cold Poison
12 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Mei plans to reopen Chiyan case; Lin Chen captures Banruo to find Xia Jiang.
48. Remaining Time
12 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Xia Dong learns Mei is Lin Shu; Consort Yue’s plot exposes Mei’s identity to the Emperor.
49. Unveiled Identity
13 Oct 2015 · 45 min
Xia Jiang accuses Mei as Lin Shu; Jing saves Mei from the Emperor’s wrath.
50. Sweep
13 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Gao Zhan clears Mei’s name; Jing and Consort Jing dismantle Xia Jiang’s spy network.
51. Xie Yu's Letter
14 Oct 2015 · 44 min
Jingrui saves Liyang from Xia Jiang’s disciple; Mei’s allies seek a cure for his poison.
52. Five Great Crimes
14 Oct 2015 · 45 min
Liyang presents Xie Yu’s confession; ministers urge the Emperor to reopen Chiyan case.
53. Beyond Revenge
15 Oct 2015 · 44 min
The Emperor relents to reopen Chiyan case; Mei agrees to leave to spare the throne.
54. Farewell, Mei Changsu
15 Oct 2015 · 43 min
Mei leads the army against Chu, taking a fatal pill; Jing honors him as the new Emperor.