Empress Xie Zhao discovers that the Duke Who Guards the Nation has joined forces with Prince Chu to plot a rebellion. Disguising herself, she visits Taiping Tower to gather evidence of their crimes. Unexpectedly, she is publicly humiliated by Shen Fuzhu, the legitimate daughter of the Shen family, while her brother, Shen Huaiyan, secretly mobilizes the Imperial Guards, intending to have Xie Zhao dealt with as a rebel. Even the Prefect of the Capital is threatened by the Shen family when he steps in to intervene. Their arrogant and overbearing behavior is witnessed by everyone. At the critical moment, Xie Zhao reveals her imperial jade pendant, striking fear into the crowd. She publicly reads the late emperor's imperial edict, revealing her identity as the reigning empress. Prince Chu's rebellion is quickly put down, and Xie Zhao implements new policies and establishes schools for women. When Prince Zhao conspires with foreign forces to invade, she personally leads the female academy's soldiers into battle, captures the enemy, and completely eliminates all rebel factions.