Shin Yoon Bok is a student at the prestigious Dohwaseo, the Royal Academy for Painting. A scandalous painting of the Queen Mother has all of Dohwaseo under scrutiny.

Yoon Bok learns the identity of the stranger she ran into at the marketplace, and discovers that dire consequences await her for her painting of the Queen Mother

King Jeong Jo saves Yoon Bok from her hand being crushed, but at the expense of losing a dear friend. In the aftermath of being saved, Yoon Bok wonders whether it is worth continuing to paint

Hong Do assists Yoon Bok in her recovery after she attempts to smash her hand. A special envoy visits King Jeong Jo, prompting him to commission several paintings from the Dohwaseo

Hong Do is taken aback to find Yoon Bok dressed as a woman. Meanwhile, Yoon Bok prepares for an upcoming exam at the Dohwaseo

King Jeong Jo, impressed with Yoon Bok's rejected painting, appoints her as the official painter of the royal court. Byeok Soo, meanwhile, is determined to discover Yoon Bok's true identity