Did the Crown Prince kneel today?

Su Qingtang is a woman who died suddenly at her workplace and awakened in the body of a noble lady in the supernatural Dayi Dynasty. She is the daughter of the Prime Minister and the wife of a general, but she suffers from a congenital deficiency that shortens her lifespan. Her only advantage is a hereditary gift that allows her to communicate with nature and spirits. On her birthday, she visits Ancient Ferry Temple, where she encounters Yin Guhuai, the Crown Prince. He is a member of the Yinglong clan, the supreme lineage descended from dragons. Su Qingtang feels a strange oppressive sensation that vanishes when Yin Guhuai is near, leading her to suspect that his dragon bloodline might hold the key to her survival.

At the temple, the Bodhi Tree spirit reveals to Su Qingtang that a dragon pearl can cure her illness and extend her life. The spirit suggests that Yin Guhuai is the source of this power. Su Qingtang decides to test this theory by asking Yin Guhuai for one of his shed dragon teeth. He provides her with a dragon tooth necklace, which temporarily alleviates her symptoms. Realizing that her life depends on staying close to him, Su Qingtang resolves to win his affection to secure the dragon pearl. She begins to accompany Yin Guhuai as he investigates cases, using her spiritual abilities to assist the City Patrol Department.

During an investigation at Tianxiang Pavilion, a murder case involving the daughter of Minister Lu, Su Qingtang uses her abilities to detect lies and hidden curses. She discovers that Lu Wanting is using a locust-wood hairpin to suppress a curse and fake a pregnancy. With Yin Guhuai’s help, they uncover a conspiracy involving the Spirit Locust clan, who are using dark magic to manipulate events and protect their family’s interests. The Bodhi Tree spirit and the locust tree spirit provide crucial information, revealing that the Lu family has been draining spiritual energy to sustain their power. Su Qingtang’s heart voice, which can be heard by those with strong spiritual sensitivity, inadvertently exposes her thoughts to Yin Guhuai and the Emperor, creating both complications and opportunities.

After the case is resolved, Su Qingtang is appointed as the Deputy Director of the Patrol Division by imperial decree. Her father, the Prime Minister, is concerned about her health and the dangers of her new role. However, Su Qingtang insists on joining Yin Guhuai on a mission to Mount Wunian, where a friend has disappeared. She believes that staying close to Yin Guhuai is essential for her survival and that he will protect her. Yin Guhuai agrees to let her accompany him, though he remains guarded about his true feelings.

On the journey to Mount Wunian, Su Qingtang encounters various plant and animal spirits. She learns that the mountain is home to a trapped dragon, whose sinew and horn were used by an old woman named Granny Qian to deceive the Patrol Division. Granny Qian claims that the dragon’s energy is needed to restore the mountain’s earth veins, but Su Qingtang and Yin Guhuai suspect she is hiding the truth. As they delve deeper into the mountain, they face traps set by mischievous spirits and uncover a conspiracy that threatens the balance of power in the region. Yin Guhuai reveals his dragon form to Su Qingtang, strengthening their bond, but she remains focused on her goal of obtaining the dragon pearl.

The story follows Su Qingtang’s determination to survive while navigating the complex political and spiritual landscape of the Dayi Dynasty. Her relationship with Yin Guhuai evolves from childhood acquaintances to a partnership built on mutual reliance and growing affection. As they face new challenges and enemies, Su Qingtang must balance her desire for life with the moral implications of her actions. The narrative explores themes of fate, power, and the cost of survival in a world where humans and spirits coexist in fragile harmony.