The Rise of Phoenixes

Wary of a power struggle, the Tiansheng emperor decides to send away Ning Yi, who spends his days weaving silk and rueing a traumatic event in his past.

Feng Zhiwei intervenes when Madam Yuhua bullies courtesan Zhu Yin. An assassination stirs the court. The other princes see Ning Yi as a growing threat.

Ning Yi keeps up his disguise when Zhiwei arrives at the Prince of Chu's residence. Zhiwei is forced by her mother to swear she'll never marry Ning Yi.

The emperor confronts his sons about the rumors regarding the Dacheng prince. Yuhua suspects a link between Zhiwei and the fallen Dacheng Empire.

Following Ning Chuan's campaign against the Bloody Pagoda, the suspicious emperor appoints Ning Yi to investigate -- but Chief Gu's cooperation is key.

Chief Gu uncovers the conspiracy behind the Bloody Pagoda. Madam Yuhua goes to town and hears a story about Gu Heng and the infant Dacheng prince.

Ning Yi finds the document inscribed with information about Zhiwei's and Feng Hao's identities. Qiu Shangqi sends out a search party to catch Zhiwei.

After making a fateful pact, Chief Gu and Ning Yi involve Qiu Shangqi and Qiu Mingying in a scheme to ensnare Ning Chuan.

Zhu Yin helps Ning Yi get to the bottom of the killings linked to the Bloody Pagoda. Headmaster Xin suggests a ploy for Ning Chuan to test Ning Yan.

Ning Chuan reveals to Headmaster Xin his plans to overpower Duke Chang. Disguised as a man, Zhiwei begins work at the House of Lanxiang.

Ning Yan falls for Headmaster Xin's sorcery trick, confirming Ning Chuan's suspicions -- and Headmaster Xin increasingly gains Ning Chuan's trust.

Zhu Yin and 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.

A mysterious new bodyguard stalks Zhiwei. Ning Yi sends Zhiwei to the East Palace to swap an artifact, resulting in grave consequences for Ning Yan.

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 figure.

Headmaster Xin brings the sorcerer to Ning Yan, but an imposter hides behind the mask. The guilt-ridden emperor scrutinizes Ning Chuan's story.

Princess Shao Ning complains to Ning Chuan about her encounters at Qingming Academy. Ning Yi struggles to solve the mystery behind his illness.

Ning Chuan sees the ring on Zhao Yuan and thinks it's a trap. Ning Yi orders his men to find Zhiwei, but Duke Chang is a step ahead.

Ning Chuan plans a staged Bloody Pagoda assassination, but a counterscheme is in motion. Zhiwei appears at the imperial ceremony to select top scholars.

At court, Chief Gu reveals Ning Chuan's Bloody Pagoda connections. Disillusioned with Ning Yi, Zhiwei ingratiates herself with the emperor.

The emperor gets to the bottom of Ning Qiao's case. Shao Ning unknowingly helps Zhiwei identify the culprit behind an attempt to poison Ning Yi.

Ning Yi warns Zhiwei about the Chang clan and confronts the emperor over his mother's death. Duke Chang and Ning Sheng try to conspire with Ning Chuan.

Ning Yi anticipates Duke Chang and Ning Chuan's next move. Zhiwei struggles to convince Ning Yi to spare Ning Chuan's life.

The courtiers pass verdict on Duke Chang's fate, but Ning Yi takes matters into his own hands. Shao Ning asks Qiu Shangqi about Zhiwei's past.

With Ning Yi's help, Zhiwei forces Qiu Shangqi to retract his ultimatum and cave into her demands. Shao Ning is determined to avenge Ning Chuan.

Ning Qi's return worries his mother, Lady Wang. Zhiwei comes up with a solution when Ning Qi expresses concerns about the horse market to the emperor.

Suspecting intrigue, Ning Yi secretly sends a crew to capture corsair Chen Shao, who's accused of assassinating courtier Lin Renqi.

Qiu Mingying pressures Zhiwei to resign from the court. Ning Yi helps Ning Qi realize that he's become Ning Sheng's scapegoat in the Chen Shao case.

Zhiwei encounters Helian Zheng on her way back to the Qiu household. Chen Shao tells Ning Yi how he became a mercenary of the corrupt Lord of Minhai.

Posing as Ning Yi, Ning Sheng uses Noble Consort Chang's hairpiece to deceive Zhan Bi, whom Ning Yi confronts about the death of his mother, Ya Le.

Zhan Bi falls for Ning Sheng's plot to dishonor Ning Yi in front of the emperor, but the scheme backfires when Zhiwei intervenes.