Shen Yuan is the only daughter of Shen Yun, an Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and the late Madam Shen. Raised in a privileged but strict household in the capital, she is known for her playful and somewhat mischievous nature. Her father, a widower who has never remarried, dotes on her despite his stern official demeanor. Shen Yuan has a brother, Shen Su, who is a diligent student at the Imperial College preparing for the upcoming imperial examinations, and a sister-in-law, He Ying, who comes from a prestigious family of Grand Secretaries and shares a close bond with her husband.
The central conflict begins when Shen Yuan accidentally acquires a supernatural ability to hear the inner thoughts of others, specifically those with malicious or dishonest intentions. This power manifests after she rescues an injured, cat-like creature at Yunjue Temple and subsequently suffers a high fever. Upon recovering, she discovers she can hear the secret, wicked thoughts of people around her, such as street vendors cheating customers or hiding crimes. Initially overwhelmed and unsure how to explain this phenomenon, she keeps it a secret from everyone except her father.
The first major test of her ability occurs when she overhears a rumor regarding the second son of the Minister of Rites, Lord Wang, who is secretly a cut-sleeve engaged to Miss Li, the daughter of Vice Minister Li. Knowing the severity of such a scandal and the potential ruin of the upcoming marriage, Shen Yuan reveals the truth to her father. Although Shen Yun is initially furious at her for spreading such sensitive information, he investigates and confirms the allegations. The Li family, upon verifying the truth, aggressively cancels the engagement, causing a scandal that shakes the capital and results in penalties for Minister Wang.
Following this incident, Shen Yuan’s ability becomes a crucial asset in her father’s professional life. Shen Yun is tasked with investigating a gruesome mass murder case involving the Chen family in the suburbs. The prime suspect is the husband, Lin Yougui, who claims innocence despite suspicious circumstances. Shen Yuan sneaks into the Dali Temple disguised as a servant boy to listen to Lin Yougui’s thoughts. She hears his inner monologue revealing his guilt and his plan to flee to Yunzhou with his mistress, Yu Liniang. She relays this information to her father, who uses it to interrogate Yu Liniang effectively. The confession leads to the arrest of both Lin Yougui and Yu Liniang, solving the case and earning Shen Yun’s reluctant appreciation for his daughter’s unconventional help.
As the story progresses, Shen Yuan’s path crosses with Xie Hui, the Emperor’s nephew and a new Junior Minister at the Dali Temple. Xie Hui is noted for his exceptional talent, handsome appearance, and humble demeanor despite his royal lineage. He observes Shen Yuan’s cleverness during the investigation and develops a professional respect for her. Meanwhile, Shen Yuan’s father grows concerned about the dangers of his daughter’s ability and the potential risks she faces in the capital’s political landscape. He also worries about her social standing relative to powerful figures like Xie Hui, though Shen Yuan herself remains largely oblivious to romantic implications, focusing instead on her family and her unique gift. The narrative sets the stage for Shen Yuan to navigate court politics and criminal investigations while protecting her secret and maintaining her family’s honor.
