The Shadow Sovereign
Season 1
2026 · 18 episodes

1. The Beautiful Man turns into the Top Scholar
2026-07-23 · 32m
Princess Zhaoyang, acting on the Crown Prince's orders, destroys the examination papers of humble scholars, cutting off their path to official office. Left with no other choice, the humble scholar Shen Xiao disguises himself as a courtesan to approach Zhaoyang in the hope of securing her recommendation.

2. Impeachment in Court
2026-07-23 · 25m
At the Scholar's Banquet, the new Top Scholar, Shen Xiao, impeaches Zhaoyang for being extravagant and suggests the Crown Prince take charge of repairing the Yongtong Canal for disaster relief. The suggestion is accepted by His Majesty.

3. Kill Three Birds with One Stone
2026-07-23 · 23m
The Crown Prince is furious at Zhaoyang because of the Yontong Canal. To ease the Crown Prince's suspicions, Zhaoyang proposes a plan for him to replace money with grains. Not only can she use this chance to drive a wedge between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, but she can also use this chance to eliminate Qing Luo, the mistress who set her up.

4. Princess from the Cold Palace
2026-07-24 · 24m
Shen Xiao learns from the Recluse Le Sheng that Zhaoyang once struggled to survive in the Cold Palace, leaving him even more intrigued by her. As he honors his promise to spend every night with Zhaoyang, he finds himself relentlessly pursued by Princess An Le.

5. Your Highness, Will You Protect Me?
2026-07-24 · 23m
Shen Xiao mourns his father. Zhaoyang hints that his father's death is suspicious. Shen Xiao decides to investigate the truth.

6. Private Treasury Break-Ins
2026-07-25 · 25m
Shen Xiao notices that the Crown Prince is pocketing the grains given for the canal repair. He decides to investigate the Crown Prince's private treasury.

7. More than a Male Companion
2026-07-25 · 29m
When Shen Xiao finds out about the past between Zhaoyang and Cui Jinzhi, he understands that the marriage is out of self-preservation. The Seventh Prince returns to the capital and gains favor from the Emperor with three gifts. It sends the Crown Prince's faction on alert.

8. Blade and Trap
2026-07-26 · 25m
Ordered by the Emperor to lead the grain donation effort, Zhaoyang finds herself caught between a rock and a hard place. To get out of the predicament, she devises a scheme that provokes Shen Xiao into seizing the grain.

9. If I Die, Will You Mourn Me?
2026-07-26 · 27m
Shen Xiao is thrown into prison, and the Second Prince shifts the blame onto him to protect himself. To clear her own name, Zhaoyang is ordered by the Eastern Palace to enter the prison and silence Shen Xiao forever.

10. The Princess Is Imprisoned
2026-07-28 · 30m
Shen Xiao knows that Le Sheng is the Seventh Prince. He also finds out that Zhaoyang is the person who's secretly funding those from humble families. Zhaoyang admits it and gives Shen Xiao a hint about where the Crown Prince's granary is.

11. Before Falling Off the Cliff
2026-07-29 · 29m
Cui Jinzhi finds out that the Crown Prince is planning to silence Zhaoyang. He then intervenes to save her and take the blame for the crime. The Yongtong Canal is finally completed. Zhaoyang, Shen Xiao, and the Seventh Prince have officially formed an alliance.

12. Letting You Use Me Was My Own Choice
2026-07-30 · 29m
Zhaoyang and Shen Xiao survive a fall from a cliff. On a rainy night, they finally confess their feelings to each other. After learning of Zhaoyang's fall, Cui Jinzhi realizes his feelings for her. After nearly losing her, he tries to repair their marriage.

13. No Dignity Left
2026-07-31 · 27m
Shen Xiao and Le Sheng trespass into the Princess Residence to rescue Zhaoyang. Realizing she can't just sit back and await her fate, Zhaoyang decides to enter the palace at night to meet the emperor.

14. Episode 14
2026-08-01 · 26m
15. Episode 15
2026-08-02 · 25m
16. Episode 16
2026-08-04
17. Episode 17
2026-08-05
18. Episode 18
2026-08-06
Track it episode by episode
Rate films and shows on two axes — quality and fun — and share taste with friends.