After her evil uncle Jing entraps her, Princess Fuya is deemed guilty of a felony and is sentenced to be beheaded.

The empress wants Fuya to marry Lian Cheng for political reasons; Fuya pays a visit to Lian Cheng and asks him to refuse the marriage.

Before the emperor's birthday party, Princess Fuya runs off and is set upon by would-be killers; Fuya's uncle Jing begins plotting a coup.

Jing begins his bloody coup; the emperor has been poisoned, and Princess Fuya struggles to save his life.

Xiangyun tells Lian Cheng that Fuya is dead, and then tries to kill Fuya; Qiyou agrees to train Fuya to avenge her parents' deaths.

Fuya has taken up residence with an older couple in a nondescript household; Qiyou helps Fuya learn to work her wiles and reveals his own background.