Zhou Yan transmigrates into the obscure position of a proofreader in the Eastern Palace and discovers that Crown Prince Li Chengqian is only three years away from being deposed. He stays hidden, passing secret messages through annotations in ancient books. Using modern knowledge of epidemic prevention, agricultural reform, canal transport, and more as his pieces, he helps the lame Crown Prince shake off his reputation for cruelty and win over the hearts of those from humble backgrounds.
As the Crown Prince's reputation rises, Li Shimin, seated on the Dragon Throne, senses something amiss. "Who is behind the Eastern Palace?"
The Imperial Cavalry searches all of Chang'an but finds no one. Prince Wei sets a trap to test him, only to have it turned against him. Every challenge in court becomes a cornerstone of new policies. While everyone assumes a reclusive scholar is pulling the strings, Zhou Yan blows out the candle in the library:
"Your Majesty, the strategist you're looking for"
"is teaching your son how to make his own moves."
The old case of Xuanwu Gate resurfaces, the hidden heir of the Crown Prince Yin appears, and undercurrents churn through Chang'an at the height of its golden age. But the true art of slaying dragons has only just been revealed: the dragon to be slain was never the true dragon, but the evil dragon deep in people's hearts.
Keywords: Mastermind Behind the Scenes / Clash of Ancient and Modern Knowledge / Father-Son Power Struggle / Undercurrents Beneath a Golden Age / The True Art of Slaying Dragons
