The Shadow Sovereign
A low-born scholar rises to power to avenge his father, only to find an unexpected alliance and deep love with the defiant princess he once vowed to destroy.
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Seasons & Episodes
1. The Beautiful Man turns into the Top Scholar
Princess Zhaoyang, acting on the Crown Prince's orders, destroys the examination papers of humble scholars, cutting off their path to official office. Left with no other choice, the humble scholar Shen Xiao disguises himself as a courtesan to approach Zhaoyang in the hope of securing her recommendation.
2. Impeachment in Court
At the Scholar's Banquet, the new Top Scholar, Shen Xiao, impeaches Zhaoyang for being extravagant and suggests the Crown Prince take charge of repairing the Yongtong Canal for disaster relief. The suggestion is accepted by His Majesty.
3. Kill Three Birds with One Stone
The Crown Prince is furious at Zhaoyang because of the Yontong Canal. To ease the Crown Prince's suspicions, Zhaoyang proposes a plan for him to replace money with grains. Not only can she use this chance to drive a wedge between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, but she can also use this chance to eliminate Qing Luo, the mistress who set her up.
4. Princess from the Cold Palace
Shen Xiao learns from the Recluse Le Sheng that Zhaoyang once struggled to survive in the Cold Palace, leaving him even more intrigued by her. As he honors his promise to spend every night with Zhaoyang, he finds himself relentlessly pursued by Princess An Le.
5. Your Highness, Will You Protect Me?
Shen Xiao mourns his father. Zhaoyang hints that his father's death is suspicious. Shen Xiao decides to investigate the truth.
6. Private Treasury Break-Ins
Shen Xiao notices that the Crown Prince is pocketing the grains given for the canal repair. He decides to investigate the Crown Prince's private treasury.
7. More than a Male Companion
When Shen Xiao finds out about the past between Zhaoyang and Cui Jinzhi, he understands that the marriage is out of self-preservation. The Seventh Prince returns to the capital and gains favor from the Emperor with three gifts. It sends the Crown Prince's faction on alert.
8. Blade and Trap
Ordered by the Emperor to lead the grain donation effort, Zhaoyang finds herself caught between a rock and a hard place. To get out of the predicament, she devises a scheme that provokes Shen Xiao into seizing the grain.
9. If I Die, Will You Mourn Me?
Shen Xiao is thrown into prison, and the Second Prince shifts the blame onto him to protect himself. To clear her own name, Zhaoyang is ordered by the Eastern Palace to enter the prison and silence Shen Xiao forever.
10. The Princess Is Imprisoned
Shen Xiao knows that Le Sheng is the Seventh Prince. He also finds out that Zhaoyang is the person who's secretly funding those from humble families. Zhaoyang admits it and gives Shen Xiao a hint about where the Crown Prince's granary is.
11. Before Falling Off the Cliff
Cui Jinzhi finds out that the Crown Prince is planning to silence Zhaoyang. He then intervenes to save her and take the blame for the crime. The Yongtong Canal is finally completed. Zhaoyang, Shen Xiao, and the Seventh Prince have officially formed an alliance.
12. Letting You Use Me Was My Own Choice
Zhaoyang and Shen Xiao survive a fall from a cliff. On a rainy night, they finally confess their feelings to each other. After learning of Zhaoyang's fall, Cui Jinzhi realizes his feelings for her. After nearly losing her, he tries to repair their marriage.
13. No Dignity Left
Shen Xiao and Le Sheng trespass into the Princess Residence to rescue Zhaoyang. Realizing she can't just sit back and await her fate, Zhaoyang decides to enter the palace at night to meet the emperor.
14. Shen Xiao, I Found You a Good Marriage
To maintain the Cui family's support, the Crown Prince forces his younger sister, Princess An Le to marry Cui Jinzhi.
15. Levee Breach
The levee repaired by the Crown Prince is breached. Zhaoyang sees it as an opportunity to get rid of him. Shen Xiao prioritizes the flood victims. Both of them argue over this.
16. Refusing the Marriage
Shen Xiao defies the imperial decree by refusing the marriage and requests a demotion, volunteering to accompany the Seventh Prince to the Yellow River to tackle the flood crisis.
17. Faking His Death
An Le poisons Emperor Zheng Yuan to help the Crown Prince take over the throne. Cui Jinzhi confines Zhaoyang and tells her that Shen Xiao is dead. Zhaoyang tries to escape but is surrounded by the Crown Prince's troops.
18. The Dust Hasn't Settled
Emperor Zheng Yuan appoints the Seventh Prince as the Crown Prince. The noble families try to kill Shen Xiao by accusing him of forging an edict.
