Ten years ago, the newly crowned top scholar was full of ambition, and his elder brother was a general leading troops beyond the capital. The Duke of Anguo's household had two outstanding sons, and everyone in the capital praised them. Even Shi Mengzhang, then Minister of Rites and leader of the upright officials who loathed the aristocracy, had intended to marry his legitimate daughter, Shi Yao, to Mu Yunsheng.
The Northern Di invaded the Great Wei, and the border was in crisis. Mu Yunji led the troops into battle, but Northern Di spies obtained the strategic map, resulting in the annihilation of Mu Yunji's entire force. The late emperor was furious and ordered the Chengtian Bureau to investigate the case thoroughly. They discovered that Mu Yunsheng, a Hanlin Academy editor, had leaked the strategic map after getting drunk.
The former darling of heaven became a prisoner, and such a grave crime made him a great villain in the eyes of the public. The once-glorious Duke of Anguo's household was imprisoned from top to bottom. The Duke of Anguo, unable to bear the humiliation, took his own life in prison. The rest of the family died on the way into exile.
The late emperor had sentenced Mu Yunsheng to immediate execution, but Mu Yunsheng somehow escaped death. Now, under the assumed name Shangguan Ruo and posing as a qin player, he has returned to the capital to search for clues and uncover the truth…
