As the chancellor's power expands, Chancellor Qin colludes with the Second Prince to embezzle one hundred thousand liang of military provisions in a plot to seize the succession. The Pei family, holding the proof of guilt, refuses to submit and suffers framed charges. Gu Jinnian, daughter of the Minister of Punishments, is well-versed in penal law and highly skilled in martial arts, while Pei Xuanzhi, young master of the Ministry of Rites, excels in strategy. When the two meet on a matchmaking date, they fall right into the alienation trap laid by Chancellor Qin, harboring guard against each other. With the imperial court fraught with crises, assassinations and frame-ups follow one after another, and the two stand shoulder to shoulder against the enemy through multiple life-and-death perils, secretly developing romantic feelings. Joining hands with Dali Temple Shaoqing Shen Mo and Ye Wan'er to gather human and physical evidence, they sound the grievance drum at the golden palace to overthrow the wicked officials. With the major case vindicated, the emperor clears the Ye family's name and bestows their marriage by imperial decree. Having weathered the storms, the bickering couple banters and bares their hearts to each other.