When Miss Biao shed a tear the hearts of all the powerful and influential people in the capital broke

Zi Shu Sui, a skilled operative from the rebel Xie faction, infiltrates the Wuning Marquis Manor by impersonating Qi Sui, a distant cousin whose parents died during the Xie rebellion. Her mission is to steal the Imperial Sword, a weapon granted by the late emperor that allows the bearer to execute corrupt officials without prior approval. Arriving in Yanjing, she adopts the persona of a fragile, innocent girl to lower the guards of the household. Her primary target is Xiao Bian, the cold and ruthless heir apparent of the Marquis, who commands the Jingji Garrison. Despite her careful planning, Xiao Bian immediately suspects her identity due to inconsistencies in her backstory regarding the fall of Pingting and her decision to seek refuge with the Wuning Marquis rather than her maternal uncle in Longchuan.

Zi Shu Sui navigates the hostile environment of the manor by cultivating the trust of Madam Cui, the Marchioness, while enduring the contempt of the servants and the suspicion of Xiao Bian. She deliberately maintains her weak and submissive image, even when Xiao Bian shoots an arrow at her as she approaches his study. This incident provides her with an opportunity to feign grievance and demand a maid transfer, subtly inserting herself into his daily life. Her position is further complicated by the arrival of the Zhenguo General’s family, who reveal that the Second Miss of the manor was engaged to the General’s son, only for that son to be exposed as a fake. The real young master, revealed to be Xie Yan, Zi Shu Sui’s former adoptive brother and a rebel commander, appears unexpectedly.

Xie Yan, who led the rebellion that captured Pingting, confronts Zi Shu Sui in her quarters, reminding her of her loyalty to their adoptive father, the King of Dingyang. He warns her to focus solely on stealing the sword and not to deviate from the plan. However, he also manipulates the situation by allowing the manor’s residents to witness them together in the garden, creating a scandal that damages her reputation. The General’s wife mistakes Xie Yan for her lost son, adding a layer of political tension. Xiao Bian, observing the interaction, becomes more convinced of her duplicity but is intrigued by her resilience and cunning.

The conflict escalates when a thief infiltrates the manor at night. Zi Shu Sui uses the chaos to attempt the theft of the Imperial Sword from the Marquis’s study. She is discovered by the Marquis and Xiao Bian but manages to escape by jumping into the lake, leaving behind a broken arrow stained with fake blood to mislead the investigation. The next morning, Xiao Bian suspects her of being the thief and orders a body search. Although the search finds no physical wounds, Zi Shu Sui falls ill from the cold water and exhaustion. During a feverish sleep, she mutters about the Crown Prince, revealing a connection to the imperial family that confuses Xiao Bian.

Xiao Bian’s suspicion deepens as he analyzes the broken arrow, realizing it was a deliberate ruse to distract the guards. He returns to search her room again, finding nothing but her sickly state. The narrative highlights the psychological warfare between Zi Shu Sui and Xiao Bian, as she continues to play the victim while he scrutinizes her every move. Meanwhile, Xie Yan provides her with information about the noble families of Yanjing, disguised as a book on female virtues, indicating his ongoing surveillance and control over her actions. The story sets the stage for a prolonged struggle where Zi Shu Sui must balance her rebel duties with her survival in the enemy’s stronghold, all while navigating the complex web of political marriages and familial secrets surrounding the Wuning Marquis Manor.