A shocking upheaval in the imperial court sends the realm into turmoil. Yun Zhi hides in the lowest laundry quarters of the Imperial Music Bureau, enduring humiliation and struggling to survive with her faint supernatural ability. While secretly investigating clues to her family's massacre, Yun Zhi's embroidery skills happen to catch the eye of a noble, and she is transferred to a high-class embroidery workshop. There, she can use her position to access more information. During a crisis, she is forced to use her ability, “embroidering fate,” on a small scale for the first time. The backlash leaves her suffering, and draws the attention of the blind Imperial Astrologer Xuan Yu. Factions within the Imperial Music Bureau scheme against one another, while spies from every side keep watch. With an imperial warrant for her arrest putting her under pressure, she must hide her identity at all times. The backlash from her ability brings physical pain and threatens her life. Xuan Yu tests her, while Xiao Jin harbors murderous intent. At a palace banquet, an assassin uses illusions to sow chaos and launch an attack. Xuan Yu “divines” Yun Zhi's location, and Xiao Jin orders her to be thrown out as a “scapegoat.” At the brink of death, Yun Zhi uses her lifeblood to “embroider” a moment of confusion onto the assassin's fate, causing him to make a mistake and get captured, indirectly saving the emperor. Xuan Yu clearly “senses” the entire process. He advises Xiao Jin that this woman possesses supernatural powers, and can be controlled and used to “embroider” away ill omens from the country's fate. Half-convinced, Xiao Jin removes Yun Zhi from the Imperial Music Bureau, keeps her under close guard right in front of him, and puts her to use as a dangerous pawn. Yun Zhi gains a chance to catch her breath and some initial resources for her investigation, but finds herself caught in an even greater vortex.
