In the fifth year of the Qingli era of the Song Dynasty, the political landscape is in turmoil following the collapse of the Qingli Reforms. Fan Zhongyan, once a Vice Grand Councilor, is forced to resign and retreat from the capital under the guise of illness, while his ally Han Qi prepares to take a regional post. Amidst this political decay, four-year-old Cao Tun, the posthumous son of the deceased Cao Fu and nephew of the current Empress Cao, travels north from Jiangnan to the capital Bianjing with his thirteen-year-old uncle, Cao You. The Cao family, once prestigious descendants of the founding general Cao Bin, is now financially strained and politically cautious due to the Emperor's lingering resentment toward Empress Cao's family.
Upon arrival, the family is greeted by a new tutor for Cao Tun, an elderly scholar named Zhu Shuo. Zhu Shuo displays intense emotion upon seeing the frail child, revealing his deep connection to Cao Tun's late father. Cao Tun, a transmigrator with memories of a past life, recognizes the name Zhu Shuo as the former alias of the legendary statesman Fan Zhongyan. However, he maintains his suspicion, observing that the man's behavior is inconsistent with the dignified historical figure he knows. Meanwhile, Cao You, also a transmigrator who died in his previous life, has dedicated himself to protecting Cao Tun and ensuring their survival in a dangerous court environment. He harbors a deep aversion to political ambition, having learned from his past life that such pursuits lead to tragic ends.
The narrative shifts when Cao You and Cao Tun encounter Han Qi, the remaining leader of the reform faction, at a relay station. Han Qi is initially struck by Cao You's military acumen and literary talent. The situation becomes complicated when Fan Zhongyan, using the identity of Master Zhu, unexpectedly arrives and is physically confronted by Han Qi in a private outburst of frustration over their political failures. During this encounter, Fan Zhongyan reveals a shocking secret to Han Qi: the Emperor has a surviving legitimate son, born to Empress Cao, who is currently being raised in secret within the Cao household. This child is none other than Cao Tun, whose true identity as the Crown Prince remains unknown to him.
Fan Zhongyan, tasked with educating the Crown Prince, is stunned to learn that Cao Tun intends to take the Child Prodigy Examination, a path that would eventually lead to a jinshi degree and official career. This ambition terrifies Fan Zhongyan, as it threatens to expose the Prince's identity prematurely. Cao Tun, however, is driven by practical concerns; aware of his family's poverty and the need for status to secure a comfortable future, he believes the examination is his only viable route to safety and wealth. He hides his true intellectual capabilities from his tutors, performing at a level appropriate for a child his age while internally mocking the simplistic lessons provided by Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan.
As the Cao family settles into their residence in Bianjing, the contrast between the city's superficial prosperity and the underlying suffering of the common people becomes evident. Cao Tun witnesses infanticide and the sale of young girls into entertainment houses with detached indifference, a reaction that worries Fan Zhongyan about the child's moral development. Despite this, Cao Tun remains focused on his goal of passing the Child Prodigy Examination, viewing it as a necessary step to navigate the treacherous political waters of the Song court. The story establishes a complex dynamic where the Crown Prince is unaware of his destiny, his tutor is a disgraced reformer hiding in plain sight, and his uncle is a cautious guardian trying to balance loyalty to the throne with the desire for a peaceful life.
