Volume 1: Teaching by the Emperor's Master and Encountering Turbulence for the First Time (10,000-120,000 words)
- Opening: The new emperor ascended the throne, and the government was unstable. He was grateful for Shen Qingci's talent and knowledge, and ordered him to concurrently serve as the lecturer of Xiao Jingyuan, Prince Jing. He also ordered Shen Qingci to discipline Prince Jing, who was idle and ignorant all day long.
- The first conflict: Xiao Jingyuan violated etiquette, deliberately pretended to be crazy, skipped classes and made trouble, teasing Shen Qingci many times. Shen Qingci did not get angry or angry, and suppressed him step by step with his talent, knowledge and rules. The two were at odds with each other.
- Turning point: Xiao Jingyuan discovered that Shen Qingci seemed indifferent, but in fact he would secretly help him resolve difficulties caused by the servants in the palace and cover up small mistakes for him, without deliberately targeting him; Shen Qingci also discovered that Xiao Jingyuan was not really a playboy, but just hid his edge.
- Foreshadowing: Undercurrents in the court are surging, relatives are monopolizing power, and suspicions about old cases are emerging. Shen Qingci is caught in court criticism, and Xiao Jingyuan inadvertently helps him resolve a minor crisis, and the relationship between the two breaks through.
Volume 2: Together through thick and thin, feelings arise secretly (120,000-240,000 words)
- Daily interactions: Shen Qingci went to the palace every day to teach, and the two stayed together day and night. Xiao Jingyuan gradually calmed down and listened carefully to his studies. He would deliberately approach Shen Qingci, bring him snacks, cover his drinks, and show his kindness clumsily.
- The conspiracy line unfolds: a local corruption case breaks out, involving the forces in the DPRK and China. Shen Qingci is ordered to investigate the case, but encounters many obstacles and is even framed. Xiao Jingyuan uses his secret power to help silently
- Emotional warming: Walking together on a rainy night, rescuing each other in a dangerous situation, and talking under the lamp, the two broke the identity barrier. Shen Qingci's frozen heart gradually loosened, and he realized that he had a different kind of affection for Xiao Jingyuan, and he was caught in the struggle between etiquette and his true heart.
- Crisis: Shen Qingci's family's old case was uncovered by political opponents, and he was impeached and imprisoned. Xiao Jingyuan ran around regardless of his own safety, trying to keep Shen Qingci innocent.
Volume Three: Behind bars, one's thoughts are clear (240,000-360,000 words)
- Climactic conflict: Shen Qingci was unjustly imprisoned and tortured. Xiao Jingyuan completely put away his playboy disguise, faced the powerful officials in the court, dealt with the new emperor, and did not hesitate to expose his hidden strength in the past.
- Confession of the heart: When they met in prison, Xiao Jingyuan revealed his sincerity, saying that no matter whether he was a noble tutor or a guilty person, he would protect him wholeheartedly; Shen Qingci put down the shackles of etiquette and law and responded to Xiao Jingyuan's affection.
- Clearing the grievances: The two teamed up to find out the truth about old cases and corruption cases, and brought down the traitors in the court. Shen Qingci was vindicated and returned to the court. Xiao Jingyuan also gained the trust of the new emperor for his role in protecting and quelling the chaos.
- Confirm the relationship: The two stay together in secret, relying on each other and redeeming each other in the turbulent court.
Volume 4: Power over the government and the public, guarding the country together (360,000-480,000 words)
- Career line upgrade: Shen Qingci assists the new emperor in reorganizing the imperial court and implementing the New Deal, while Xiao Jingyuan begins to get in touch with military power and manage court affairs. The two of them work together well, both internally and externally.
- Emotional test: The ambiguous relationship between the two was noticed by the people in the court, and rumors spread everywhere. They faced multiple pressures from etiquette, imperial power, and secularity, and encountered many obstacles such as alienation plots and political marriages.
- Branch plots: Border wars, harem interference, princes' struggle for power and other plots unfold. The two work together to quell internal and external troubles, stabilize Dajing, and their mutual trust becomes stronger.
- Emotional deepening: After experiencing many tests, the two no longer hide their feelings. Although they cannot tell the world, they can depend on each other for life and death and become the only light in each other's lives.
Volume 5: The fate has settled and we will stay together year after year (480,000-600,000 words)
- The final crisis: The remaining political opponents make a final counterattack, trying to subvert the government and frame the two people, triggering the biggest crisis. The two fight side by side to completely eliminate the hidden dangers in the court.
- Ending choice: The new emperor takes charge of the government, the government is stable, Shen Qingci retires after success, and wants to stay away from the disputes in the court; Xiao Jingyuan gives up the power of the prince and chooses to retire with Shen Qingci
-Happy ending: The two of them stayed away from the capital, looking for a place in the mountains and rivers, getting rid of the shackles of their identities, not caring about the court affairs, just watching each other, wandering in the clouds and wild cranes, year after year, achieving the perfection of running in both directions.
Purpose: Keep your original intention in the whirlpool of power and intrigue, meet your close friends in the lonely years, and live up to the righteousness of your family and country and your heart's aspirations.