General Ye Zhao defended the border for 8 years. After the war, the Emperor ordered Ye Zhao to return. Ye Zhao wrote a letter admitting that she was a woman. The Dowager Empress was very happy and planned arranging a marriage for Ye Zhao.
The Dowager Empress decreed Ye Zhao to marry Zhao Yujin. Yujin was put on house arrest by the Emperor. Ye Zhao's sister-in-law was worried that Ye Zhao would not know proper conduct, and tried to tutor her into being a good wife.
The Ye army tries to solve the General's bad mood, they send Old General Qiu Lao Hu to talk to the Prince. The Emperor hosts a banquet for the arrival of the Western Xia envoy.
Ye Zhao decides what to do with her cousin. Government officials go over the test answers for the civil examination. The general deals with internal military criminals.
The general solves the issue with the insubordinate soldier. The Empress is angry at Ye Zhao and the royal consort. The Emperor has to solve a family fight.
Ye Zhao helps arrange for the Emperor to visit the dying Consort Dowager Chen, who takes her actual identity to her grave - to the Empress Dowager's relief. Consort Dowager Yang unveils a conspiracy the Emperor was unaware of.
The Emperor seeks reform the corrupt official system. Royals are required to pass the imperial exam in order to maintain their official positions and salaries. Yujin's mother worries excessively but Ye Zhao finds him a good tutor.
Yujin sits for the imperial exam. Ye Zhao confronts Hu Qing but he states his unwillingness to lie to her nor answer her questions. Fan Zhongyan continues with the reform despite abundant resistance from the court and threats to his life.
Important officials begin to plot against Fan Zhongyan. Hong Qian is pressured to put her calligraphy skills to economic use. Royal Consort Zhang makes a request that puts Fan Zhongyan and the Emperor at odds.
Liu XiYin tries to become of nun but encounters much resistance. She is pursued for her beauty. Floods cause disasters around the country. The Emperor seeks a talented official naive enough to lead the disaster relief expedition.
Yujin, Ye Zhao and their contingent leave for disaster-struck areas but travel incognito. Lord Qi tries to make sure that his wife remains ignorant of his actions, though she is aware of his schemes. Local officials scheme for themselves.
Ye Zhao and Yujin discuss how to bring corrupt local officials to justice. Yujin initiates unconventional methods of inquiry. Hu Qing passes clandestine information to Ye Zhao. A trial is held.
Ye Zhao becomes judge, jury and executioner. Officials complain to the Emperor about Yujin's methods. Local nobles plan how to hide their resources but have never met an official like Zhao Yujin before.
Local nobles struggle through their hunger then later plan their revenge. Ministers use superstition to pressure the Emperor into removing Ye Zhao from her position while she is away from court. The Empress adds to the pressure.
Zhao Yujin asks Ye Zhao for children as they journey home. The Emperor scolds Yujin and makes a decision about the General. Ye Zhao receives the imperial edict.
A slightly depressed Ye Zhao is comforted by Yujin's public defense of her. Concubine Yang prays for a child of her own. Yujin defends Ye Zhao to his mother promising strong and beautiful children in the future. A murder is uncovered.
Hong Qiang's murder is investigated. An official is forced to take a bribe. Fan Zhongyan is set up in a fire set to cover evidence and financial corruption. Master Li's counterfeiting and murder comes up again.
Yujin finds his friends more useful and insightful than they used to me. Qiu Shui and Qiu Hua discuss their romantic prospects. Ye Zhao teaches kung fu to her household.
Ministers discuss how to crush a rebellion and Hu Qing is sent to one place and Grand Preceptor Liu is sent to another. Yujin takes care of Ye Zhao but is distracted by the rebellions. She takes the household into battle.
Yujin and Ye Zhao set up a kind of honey trap for the rebelling General. Hu Qing's message to the Emperor is intercepted. Concubine Yang grows extremely jealous Yujin's exclusive attention to Ye Zhao.
Consort Ji Yu shows Concubine Yang some prescriptions that might assist in her plans. Ye Zhao falls ill. An anonymous dancer turns the heads of Lord Qi's guest. Consort Ji Yu notices the attention Lord Qi pays to her.
Ji Yu laments her missing son. Xian Nishang is given some servants, including a young mute. Prince Haerdun tries to convince her to return to Xia with him, making many promises. Lord Qi is delighted. Ji Yu offers advice to the Empress.
YuJin's mother interferes in bedroom arrangements after learning of Ye Zhao's illness. Xian Nisheng sends the mute to pass a message to General Ye. Concubine Yang does her best to serve and tempt YuJin. Xian fights off Haerdun's advances.
Mrs Hai overhears Ji Yu and Concubine Yang talking. Lord Qi takes countermeasures. YuJin's mother visits and breaks down out of guilt. The mute fights his way to see Ye Zhao. Xian arrives in Xia.
The Emperor ignores mounting information against Lord Qi. General Liu visits Ye Zhao unexpectedly. YuJin discovers another of a Master Li's fakes, this one having dire consequences. The Emperor is poisoned.
The Empress is outed and banished. Minister Fan is appointed to lead defense against Western Xia's attacks at the border. Qiu LaoHu is sent to assist. Ye Zhao recovers slowly. Refugees seek shelter and safety at the Silver Stockade.
General Liu ignores Hu Qing's advice. The Qiu sisters can dress feminine but have trouble holding back their fierce natures when confronted with gossip. Xian Nisheng, in Western Xia, grieves secretly for her uncle.
Western Xia advances. Survivors of the ambush encounter messengers going to Western Xia. Ye Zhao grieves the loss of her compatriots. Plots begin to thicken at the court of Western Xia.
The King of Xia executes an old ally, his queen's brother, and covets his widow. Xian Nishang becomes friendly with Princess Yin Chuan but curious about the messengers from Song.