范閒假死脫離使團，和王啟年喬裝回到京都，沒想到死訊已經傳遍全城，范閒無處藏身，暫住王啟年家中。

范閒冒險入宮見駕，又到東宮見太子，將二皇子和長公主連同北齊走私一事告知，爲對抗二皇子，太子與范閒結成同盟。

王啟年發現妻兒消失，情急之下投誠二皇子，范閒在房梁上等待抱月樓東家現身，沒想到東家竟是自己的弟弟范思轍……

范思轍被范閒痛打後吐露抱月樓的東家還有三皇子。二皇子派人包圍抱月樓，正當雙方對峙，太子也帶人來到抱月樓。

北齊大公主與慶國大皇子被下旨聯姻。范閒和大皇子兩隊人馬在城門相遇，鴻臚寺辛其物希望范閒能避讓。

范閒透露自己查到二皇子與長公主連同北齊走私，惹慶帝震怒。二皇子趁機為靖王世子李弘成求親范若若。

范閒一腔憤懣。陳萍萍將提司腰牌還給范閒，讓他去鑒查院一處上任。言冰雲到鑒查院地牢接父親言若海回家。

范閒命鄧子越帶隊封檢蔬司。戴公公偷偷塞給范閒三千兩銀票欲平息事態。范閒當眾將錢收歸囊中。

范閒請言冰雲帶鑒查院四處查京都外貪腐。諸位都察院禦史彈劾范閒營私舞弊，慶帝下令殿前對峙。

都察院左都禦史賴名成與范閒展開朝堂對峙。陳萍萍出面為范閒作證，借機將鑒查院查到的貪官名冊呈上。

二皇子下令製造抱月樓命案，栽贓范家。死者竟是老金頭的女兒。都察院聽聞抱月樓命案，紛紛上折參范家父子。

二皇子見林婉兒，想挑撥她與范閒的婚事。大皇子帶北齊大公主去集市買騾子，騙她此為戰馬。

范閒查貪，陳萍萍讓范閒也參自己，杜絕他人質疑。抱月樓兇犯落網，供出主謀是范閒。

Fan Wu Jiu leaves the city in secret but he is captured by Fan Xian after losing against Haitang Duo Duo, the Saintess of Northern Qi. Fan Wu Jiu's reappearance in the capital as the murderer at Moon Embracing Pavilion catches Prince Cheng Ze by surprise.

Lai Ming Cheng argues with Emperor Qing several times. In the end, he is flogged to death. Chen Ping Ping says Lai Ming Cheng's death will make the Overwatch Council an enemy of the Censorate. Fan Xian has literally become a lonely official.

The Spring Imperial Examination is nearing. Prince Cheng Ze recommends Fan Xian to host the examination. The Emperor of Qing grants Fan Xian the title of Central Official. He's in charge of overseeing the examination. Fan Xian senses that Prince Cheng Ze will set him up during the examination.

Deng Zi Yue gives a report of Shi Chan Li's surveillance to Fan Xian. Fan Xian has doubts and goes to the exam hall to investigate. All factions in the imperial court start delivering notes to Fan Xian in secret and hope that the name on the note will appear on the ranking of the Spring Imperial Examination.

Fan Xian arrives at Tongfu Inn and encounters Yang Wan Li, who is immersed in his studies. As Yang Wan Li talks about his aspirations for officialdom, Fan Xian finds his blood being stirred. Meanwhile, Fan Si Zhe and Guo Bao Kun stealthily make their way to the capital, evading the attention of others, to meet with Fan Xian.

Guo You Zi thanks Fan Xian for protecting Guo Bao Kun. He checks the rule manual provided to Fan Xian by Guo Zheng on his behalf. The incident with Moon Embracing Pavilion has come to an end. Fan Si Zhe volunteers to help Fan Xian with the business dealings with Northern Qi once Fan Xian takes over the Imperial Treasury.

Fan Xian inspects the area where the exam papers are reviewed. Officials who want to tamper with the exam papers have no choice but to give up. Before the results are released, Fan Xian checks the ranking and realizes the name of the candidate who is supposed to pass the exam has been changed. The crown prince denies changing the name on the list.

Hong Zhu, a eunuch, leads the way for Fan Xian. He expresses that he was harmed by corrupt officials. He's only able to seek revenge all thanks to Fan Xian upholding justice. Fan Xian and Wang Qi Nian return to the First Bureau. Fan Xian expresses that the date of the Spring Imperial Examination result announcement should remain the same. He orders Wang Qi Nian to include Yang Wan Li's name in the roll of honor again.

Fan Xian questions Chancellor Lin about the Spring Imperial Examination name replacement case. Under Chancellor Lin's request, Fan Xian goes with him to meet His Majesty in the palace. When Chancellor Lin meets His Majesty, he says that he can no longer continue and requests to resign.

Shi Chan Li requests Fan Xian to investigate the Shijia Town massacre. He Zong Wei visits Fan Xian and kneels before him. He asks Fan Xian to punish him and he will inform Fan Xian if the Censorate does anything in the future. Fan Xian is disgusted with He Zong Wei's attitude.

The Emperor of Qing summons Fan Xian and Prince Li Cheng Ru to the palace. Fan Xian presents the list of Chancellor Lin's retainers handed to him by Chancellor Lin to the Emperor of Qing. The Emperor of Qing orders Fan Xian to be married three days later, much to Fan Xian's delight.

Princess Yun Rui arrives at Fan Residence. She delivers wedding gifts to Fan Xian, which are the ledgers of the Imperial Treasury. Fan Xian invites Chen Ping Ping to attend his wedding banquet. Chen Ping Ping hands him a red packet, telling him that he won't be able to attend it.

Fan Xian notices that Wu Zhu has shown up. They talk about the murders in Jiangnan. Wu Zhu says that he doesn't remember killing anyone in Jiangnan. Fan Xian excitedly speculates that someone framed him, but Wu Zhu is not as confident in this theory.

Jiangbei is devastated by a locust plague. Fan Xian volunteers to cover the Imperial Treasury's deficit and relieve the disaster victims. The Emperor of Qing states that no delays are allowed. Fan Xian sells treasury bonds to the merchants. The merchants are enticed by the notion.

Fei Jie investigates a murder case. The murderer disappeared in the capital. When the Emperor of Qing's edict regarding the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival is sent, everyone starts rushing to buy the treasury bonds. Thanks to that, Fan Xian gathers an amount of money that exceeds his estimate.

Fan Xian heads to Xuankong Temple to attend the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival. At the temple, various princes and ministers have arrived. Fan Xian quickly notices that there is a fire at Xuankong Temple. In the meantime, the emperor of Qing is at the highest level of the temple...

Fan Xian's messy internal energy surprises the white-robed assassin. The assassin hits hard and causes Fan Xian to be seriously injured.

Fan Xian's background is spread to the public, causing a huge commotion. To make sure her son can ascend the throne, the empress decides to use her remaining power to clear the obstacles in her son's path.

In order to weaken the power of Prince Cheng Ze, the empress frames Princess Yun Rui. Her words infuriate the Emperor of Qing. In order to quell the speculation surrounding Fan Xian's identity from all sides, the Emperor of Qing makes a decision.

Wu Zhu is wounded after the battle with the temple messenger. He instructs Wan Er to relay his message to Fan Xian. He wants him to head southward as soon as possible. Fan Xian hopes that he can enter the Fan Ancestral Hall after he returns from Jiangnan and acknowledge his roots. As the ship sails slowly, Wan Er bids farewell to Fan Xian at the pier. They give each other an air hug.

Fan Xian let go of the old people who attack his boat. It makes the old people feel touched. When the boat stops at the pier, Fan Xian use the gifts from the officials to send the Jiangbei disaster victims back home. The people are grateful.

Fan Xian's ship is intercepted on his journey to Jiangnan. The Ming family promises to give Fan Xian an explanation. However, in Fan Xian's view, the biggest trouble challenge in Jiangnan is not the Ming family, nor the influence of Princess Yun Rui and Prince Cheng Ze, but...

Fan Xian tells Haitang Duo Duo that his internal energy is lost. Fan Xian has made preparations to counter the Ming family's schemes.