Sang Qi begins her mission to fulfill her destiny and her brother's last wish but gets off on the wrong foot with a man who will turn out to be important to that quest. Still, a bet is a bet and she is determined to win.
A casual comment sends the rumor mill churning. Students plot to get Sang Qi to leave but she turns the tables, but underestimates the Director's revenge. Her search for her brother's friend, "White", is circumvented by White, himself.
Yan YunZhi assists in an investigation that leads to an awkward encounter. His accompaniment to Sang Qi's impromptu performance hints at his past with her brother. Sang Qi attempts to cook for him but ends up in a dire situation.
Even Sang Qi recovers from poisoning, she sneaks into cold storage and is caught. Yan Yan is unable to get around Lian Pian to visit Sang Qi. Zhuo WenYuan prepares a surprise for New Years Eve but is unknowingly outdone by fireworks.
Lantern Festival arrives and Sang Qi assaults the ears of the audience before the performance is turned around. Later, she helps capture a villain and meets a close-knit group of friends that used to include her elder brother.
Zhuo WenYuan begins to get jealous of Sang Qi's interest in Director Yan. He introduces her to a friend of his, a courtesan, but on the way back she is attacked by members of a criminal organization.
Sang Qi and Su JieYu discuss Yan YunZhi over dinner but are overheard. YunZhi is taken aback when JieYu and Bai Shi concur regarding his actions and feelings for Sang Qi. Yan XiaoLang takes Sang Qi and Lian Pian to the top of Qingfeng.
Sang Qi seeks information to find the mysterious Master who saved her and have him teach her. Yan XiaoLang helps her but ends up competing with her. Meanwhile, Zhuo WenYuan makes his stances clear to Qian Jiu.
Noble Consort Zhuo tells Zhuo WenYuan to take care of business in the south but he follows Sang Qi back up the mountain instead. Sang Qi follows Yan YunZhi's suggestion to convince Yan HeXing to teach her.
Yan HeXing gleefully interferes in Zhou WenYuan's rescue attempts, leaving Yan YunZhi and Sanq Qi trapped in a cave. Noble Consort Zhuo reminds Zhuo WenYuan of his obligations and warns him about letting emotions influence him.
Sang Qi and Yan XiaoLang are tested before they leave the mountain. Invitations to a birthday banquet are received. Yan XiaLang flirts with Lian Pian at the market. Sang Qi admits that she has feelings for Yan YunZhi.
Sang Qi returns to the Academy but doesn't have any luck talking to Director Yan. Zhuo WenYuan returns to school as well. Yan XiaoLang's luck turns after a minor accident. Song LuoTian gets married.
The Academy students are brought to a tea plantation to work and reflect. Sang Qi is given her own room. Lian Pian visits Sang Qi but is really there to see Yan XiaoLang. Su Jie makes an unexpected appearance bearing snacks for everyone.
Three men and one woman make unexpected visits to Sang Qi and an awkward conversation is overheard. Yan YunZhi and Bai Shi search the mountain for particular plants. A romantic confession lightens some burdens but creates others.
Yan YunZhi ans Sang Qi go on a date. Zhou WenYuan meets with Grand Tutor Song and makes plans to secure the future. Yan Yunzhi is dismissed from his post after an incident at the Academy but his students search for him after.
A drunken remark leads to Sang Qi racing to protect Yan YunZhi from a possible double-cross. Yan Yunzhi is injured by Xizhao assassins. Zhou WenYuan steps in at the last second to save his compatriots.
Academy students protest the departure of Yan YunZhi. He returns with a caveat - the imperial exam results must be higher than in previous years. Restrictions are tightened. Sang Qi is granted the right to sit the exam.
The exam results are out but Sang Qi is nervous to check. Yan YunZhi announces their relationship at the after-party and many are not surprised. Zhou WenYuan also makes a confession.
Yan YunZhi is jealous and Sang Wei is against his marriage to Sang Qi. Yan Yan wants to marry Lian Pian so Sang Wei offers to enter her name in the genealogy book as his god-daughter. Sang Wei makes his preferences known.
Sang Qi wants to accept Yan YunZhi's proposal. Her father wants to accept Zhou WenYuan's. When neither can agree and their short duel ends in a draw, Sang Wei declares that the two prospective grooms can battle it out.
A duel is held and a winner declared. Those appointed to positions begin their work. Yan Yunzhi follows up on a clue uncovered during the duel. Sang Qi manages the Archive and Yan Yunzhi decides to open it to the public.
After a minor clash with Sang Qi at the Archive, Song JiaYin finds her interest diverted. Yan Yunzhi wants Sang Qi to celebrate his birthday but doesn't tell her directly. The investigation takes a suspicious turn.
Sang Qi's father is arrested suddenly. Information is scarce and possibilities are shrouded. One possible connection is revealed and an offer to help, with strings, is made.
Sang Wei is convicted and a royal decree for the marriage of Yan YunZhi and Su JieYu is issued. A wedding is prepared and Zhuo WenYuan puts Sang Qi's residence under guard.
The successful plan is explained to Yan SanLang but the Emperor denies Yan YunZhi's request. A clue is found in the ledger and the identity discovered through an unlikely source. Bodies are examined for more information.
Madam Zhang knows she's being followed and acts cautiously. Zhou WenYuan makes arrangements for Qian Ju. Sang Qi visits her to ask about her brother's death.
Noble Consort Zhou is pleased at the way things have turned out. Another trap is set. Sanq Qi and the prefecture search for Yan YunZhi without luck. Evidence surfaces pointing to him as a hidden figure in Xizhao. Sang Qi falls ill.
Sang Qi is ill from a slow-acting toxin hidden in her keepsake. Zhuo WenYuan abolishes all the progressive rules at the Academy until Sang Qi makes a deal with him. Yan YunZhi makes an appearance. Sang Qi collapses.
Sang Qi gets a confession out of Zhuo WenYuan on her deathbed. Yan YunZhi is captured at her funeral. Zhuo WenYuan and Noble Consort Zhuo now feel ready to restart their smuggling business.
