Nicole Clark suddenly finds herself transmigrated into a historical drama where the Emperor has no male heir. According to the Empress Dowager's decree, a selection of healthy ladies will enter the palace to bear a prince and save the royal bloodline. Nicole learns that her survival depends on winning the Emperor's heart and giving birth to a prince within a year, or she faces execution. Confronted with this deadly ultimatum, Nicole must navigate this new world while trying to rewrite her doomed fate. The episode ends with Nicole grappling with the impossible pressure to succeed or die.
In this episode, a woman with an imperfect face but a flawless figure is introduced to the royal selection, sparking criticism due to her convict lineage and appearance. Despite harsh judgments from others and doubts about her worth, she reveals she is a renowned actress from another world and plans to win the Emperor's favor. She receives a Newbie Gift Pack, including an Instant Beauty Pill to temporarily enhance her looks. As she prepares to debut and impress the Emperor, officials pressure the monarch to name an heir, highlighting the urgency of securing the royal lineage.
The emperor faces pressure from the empress to select a concubine for the night, feeling trapped despite his power. Meanwhile, a young man stands on the brink of suicide, mistaken by a woman for an imperial guard. She scolds him harshly for contemplating death, contrasting his stable position with the harsh struggles of film extras who survive under tough conditions. The young man denies wanting to die and reveals the misunderstanding, but the confrontation leaves his desperation unresolved, highlighting his fragile state and the looming decision he still must face.
In this episode, a man named Logan confides in a woman named Lily about his struggles with family pressure. As the only son expected to produce an heir, Logan resents his mother's insistence on his 'ugly' wife bearing a child, feeling trapped and powerless in decisions about his own life. Lily listens and shares insights about sacrifices and loyalty, revealing her own background of never having met her mother. Despite Logan's frustration, Lily suggests his mother's harshness stems from a desire for a stable future. The episode ends with Logan hesitantly revealing his name, hinting at a fragile new connection between them.
In this episode, Logan confidently claims ownership of the imperial kitchen, challenging others with his bold attitude. A man criticizes Logan for acting like the kitchen is his personal domain, comparing his arrogance unfavorably even to the emperor. Meanwhile, Logan dismisses concerns about his dark circles, blaming late-night work reviewing memorials rather than health issues. The episode highlights a tense kitchen environment where Logan’s pride clashes with the staff around him. The episode ends with a surprised reaction from those present, implying Logan’s influence or position is stronger than expected, leaving others unsettled and uncertain about what he will do next.
Lily impresses Logan by cooking a fully prepared meal, revealing her unexpected cooking skills despite his initial skepticism. She insists he try her nutritious soup, but he refuses at first, citing pride. After some insistence, he finally accepts, signaling a slight softening in their dynamic. Meanwhile, a reminder is issued that the Instant Beauty Pill’s effects will wear off in three minutes, creating looming tension. As Logan prepares to enjoy the meal, Lily hastily departs, leaving the outcome of her disappearance and the pill’s fading effect unresolved.
The episode opens with the palace searching for a maid named Lily, described as having delicate features and dark hair, by the order of His Majesty. Despite rumors spreading, palace officials find no record or recognition of Lily, causing confusion over her identity and whether her name is an alias. Meanwhile, a woman, possibly Lily, struggles with her appearance and attends to her daily tasks under growing pressure. The episode ends with His Majesty's inquiry into Lily's mysterious existence unresolved, leaving her true identity and role within the palace uncertain.
The palace conducts a thorough search for a mysterious woman who left behind a shoe seen in the Emperor's dream. By order of His Majesty, every concubine and maid must try on the shoe, sparking rumors about the true identity of the woman and the Emperor's strange behavior. A maid who recently lost a shoe fears she is being hunted after sneaking into the imperial kitchen. As tension mounts during the shoe fitting, her anxiety grows over the possibility of punishment if she is discovered, leaving the episode on her uncertain fate as she prepares to try on the shoe.
Ms. Clark from Azure Hall is summoned by Her Majesty amid rumors that her maid seduced the Emperor, a scandal threatening the royal bloodline. Despite her confusion and denial, Ms. Clark faces harsh accusations for neglecting to discipline the maid, while the Empress expresses fury, blaming Ms. Clark for letting this happen. The tension escalates as Ms. Clark’s family is implicated—their imprisonment hints at severe consequences. With her honor and family’s fate on the line, Ms. Clark stands accused, unsure how to defend herself against the palace’s suspicions and looming punishment.
In this episode, Ms. Clark is reprimanded for breaking the harem’s rules and failing her duties by not attending His Majesty, while her maid is accused of seducing the king. The officials debate her punishment, weighing her family background against the need to maintain order. His Majesty ultimately decrees that Nicole, Ms. Clark’s maid, will receive 20 strokes as a warning. Despite Ms. Clark’s apology and plea for leniency, the ruling sets a strict tone. As tension settles, His Majesty’s sudden arrival signals an immediate new development, leaving the outcome uncertain.