The exiled prince of Chu, a weaver of silk brocade for sale, is given amnesty. His step brothers are eyeing the throne. In a move to protect him, the emperor orders his marriage to a Duke's daughter allied to the family of the step sons.
Dang Zhiwei intervenes when Madam Yuhua bullies courtesan Zhu Yin. An assassination stirs the court. The other princes see Ning Yi as a growing threat.
The crown prince orders to kill the Bloody Pagoda people who are harboring a remnant of the Dachengs, the enemy. The emperor continues to favor Ning Yi. Ning Yi sows confusion which makes the emperor furious with the other 3 princes.
The Royal Guards are ambushed by the Bloody Pagoda gang. However, the crown prince arrives with his men to kill all 13 of them. The emperor suspects foul play and wonders how the gang reached the capital. He asks Ning Yi to investigate.
Zhu Yin and Feng Zhiwei suspect a plot by Ning Chuan to poison Ning Yi, but the Emperor also falls ill. Duke Chang struggles to regain Ning Chuan's trust.
Ning Yi confronts Ning Yan about his role in Ning Qiao's downfall. Ning Sheng suspects Ning Yi is involved in the scandal surrounding the wooden figurine.