Story of Kunning Palace (宁安如梦)

Jiang Xuening (played by Bai Lu) once schemed ruthlessly to become empress, only to be forced to commit suicide during a palace coup. Waking up in her 18-year-old body with all her memories intact, she vows to stay away from power and rewrite her fate. However, fate has other plans: she enters the palace as a companion student under Xie Wei (played by Zhang Linghe), the enigmatic Imperial Tutor — the very man who orchestrated the rebellion that led to her death in her past life. As she tries to change the tragic futures of those she once loved and betrayed, she finds herself entangled in a web of conspiracy, rekindled emotions, and a looming truth hidden for twenty years. Amid deadly schemes and shifting loyalties, Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei must join forces to uncover the truth — even as their complicated feelings for each other grow into something deeper.

The series consists of 38 episodes (approx. 45 min each). While the drama is serialized with continuous plot development, the narrative can be broadly divided into the following arcs:

• Act 1: Rebirth & Entanglement (Episodes 1-10): Jiang Xuening awakens in her younger self with memories of her tragic past life. She decides to stay away from the palace, but circumstances force her to enter as a companion student under Xie Wei. She begins to subtly alter key events, including attempts to save the Yan family from a "Blood Crown Ceremony" disaster. Meanwhile, her complicated dynamics with Xie Wei and childhood friend Yan Lin begin to unfold.
• Act 2: Palace Intrigue & Rising Stakes (Episodes 11-22): This arc focuses on the deepening political conspiracies within the palace. Jiang Xuening finds herself embroiled in plans to eliminate rebels and uncover hidden threats. A significant portion of the middle episodes is dedicated to her relationships with three key men: Yan Lin (her childhood friend), Zhang Zhe (the upright official who serves as her "pure moonlight" figure), and the increasingly possessive Xie Wei. Princess Shen Zhiyi embarks on a diplomatic marriage mission, and Jiang Xuening decides to head north with Xie Wei to rescue her friend. The stakes escalate as the truth behind past betrayals begins to surface.
• Act 3: Journey to the North & Unmasking the Past (Episodes 23-32): Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei travel north to confront external threats from the Kingdom of Yue. During the journey, they face assassins and harsh conditions, and their bond deepens amidst life-and-death crises. Key revelations occur during this arc, including Xie Wei's vulnerable moments. In Episode 32, as Xie Wei suffers from a high fever and deliriously utters "Ding Fei," Jiang Xuening finally pieces together his true identity — that he is in fact Xue Dingfei, the presumed-dead son of Duke Xue Yuan. Their relationship takes a significant emotional turn as secrets are unveiled.
• Act 4: Final Confrontation & Truth Revealed (Episodes 33-38): The conspiracy from twenty years ago comes to light: Xue Yuan's reckless actions during a siege led to the tragic deaths of three hundred loyal children. Xie Wei orchestrates the final confrontation with his father. In Episode 38, Xie Wei bleeds himself in front of his father to sever their ties, and as Xue Yuan attempts to kill him, Yan Lin and his forces arrive to eliminate the traitor. Justice is served, the truth is exposed, and Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening finally affirm their love for each other. The series ends on a hopeful note, showing their happy life together with children and friends.