A modern-day PhD travels through time and becomes Jiang Xiaobai, the spoiled young heir of the Marquis of Zhenbei's residence in Dahua. The original Jiang Xiaobai committed the grave crime of deceiving the emperor by buying his way into the top spot in the imperial examinations. In reality, this was a trap set by the emperor, who feared the military power held by the marquis's family, leaving the entire clan on the brink of annihilation. His father plans to have him marry into another family to save his life. Instead, Jiang Xiaobai attends a poetry gathering at the Chancellor's residence, where he reveals his talent and strikes a deal with Li Zhiwei, the Chancellor's daughter, who had originally intended to expose him. The two agree to marry. He becomes the disciple of a renowned scholar and builds his reputation through his knowledge. He also discovers that the deaths of his two elder brothers on the battlefield conceal a deeper mystery, with clues pointing to secret schemes by the Grand Princess. Step by step, Jiang Xiaobai devises his plans, unravels the deadly imperial examination scandal, clears his family's name, exposes the mastermind behind the conspiracy, and turns the tables in the treacherous political arena, protecting his entire family.