After the war ends, Jinshi faces mounting work duties while Maomao goes back to the pleasure quarter.

Jinshi and his forces infiltrate the stronghold, cornering the remaining Shi clan members.

The imperial army camps in front of the fortress while Zicui contemplates a secret strategy.

Maomao is accused of attempting to escape, and is tossed into an ancient method of torture and execution.

Maomao arrives at a mountain fortress and learns many of the Shi clan's secrets.

The village holds a festival. Maomao attends, and Shisui introduces some of the village's history to her.

Maomao has been missing for ten days now. Jinshi's investigations lead him to a forgotten graveyard.

Uirei helps Maomao and Shisui escape the rear palace while Jinshi starts looking for Maomao.

Luomen goes back to the rear palace and what he notices sparks Maomao's interest.

When Xiaolan damages a costly ice block, Maomao devises a tasty alternative solution.

Concubine Lishu reports sightings of a ghost in the baths in her pavilion. Maomao goes to investigate.

After hearing Xiaolan ask Maomao for advise on finding work, Shisui invites them to a bathhouse so Xiaolan can build connections with the women there.

In the cave, Maomao discovers Jinshi's long held secret. Later, she hatches a cunning plan to lure the men who shot at her and Jinshi out of hiding.

Jinshi goes on a hunting trip, and brings Maomao along. He seems ready to share his secret with her.

Maomao joins some women exchanging scary stories on a hot summer night to provide chills.

Maomao's investigation of the "curse" reveals more about the late emperor than anticipated.

Maomao's reputation for resolving conflicts reaches the empress dowager, who will ask for her help to unravel a mystery that won't leave her mind.

Maomao directs her curiosity towards an old, oddly-shaped building.

The woman from the clinic finds out that Maomao knows a thing or two about medicine, and asks for her help.

In order to realize the seemingly impossible request from the foreign envoy, Maomao speaks to the "Moon Fairy" herself.

The special envoy from a foreign land gifts mirrors - a rarity in this country - to the high concubines. However, they bring mysteries as well.

A concubine passes away, and a woman goes missing. Jinshi sends Maomao to investigate - not these incidents, but mushrooms growing in the rear palace.

The caravan stirs up excitement in the inner palace. The merchants bring all kinds of goods. However, something gives Maomao a bad feeling.

Maomao, a food taster, resumes work after a party. Novels rise in popularity in the palace's rear section despite lower-class stigma. Jinshi, the palace manager, appears to manipulate events covertly, suggesting ulterior motives.