This episode of Empresses in the Palace is full of unexpected surprises, and most of them are not good. The main character Zhen Huan is bedridden after falling from favor in the last episode. In an effort to get a doctor to see Zhen Huan, a huge sacrifice is made by one of Zhen Huan's loyal servants. When the doctor finally does arrive, it's revealed that Zhen Huan is pregnant! While this may be the only way Zhen Huan can keep her position in the palace, she is not overjoyed. Later on in the episode, Zhen Huan's friend, the imperial doctor, Wen Shi Chu also tells Zhen Huan that a gift she's been using for a long time contains a very harmful substance which was probably the root cause of her miscarriage many months ago. Zhen Huan is disgusted but it seems that all her enemies have revealed themselves. Her goal now is to make sure her pregnancy comes to term.

Having vanquished the famous Hua Fei, Zhen Huan thought she could have some peace in the Imperial Harem. Little does she know, other people have turned their attention towards her as the next target in the Imperial Harem. Zhen Huan unknowingly falls into a trap set by the scheming Empress. Zhen Huan learns of a heartbreaking secret that might break her spirit in the Imperial Harem.

In our longest episode yet, we close a chapter in Zhen huan's journey in the Imperial Harem with the death of one of our fan favorites. A new Noble Lady joins the ranks but is she an ally or an enemy? We also say farewell to one more woman who was perhaps doomed from the beginning by her own greed and circumstance.

Hua Fei tries desperately to cling onto power and is tricked into believing that her family is in the clear. Zhen Huan makes a scene at a banquet and is banished by the Emperor. Sensing that all is not right, the Empress orders An Ling Rong to join Zhen Huan as a sort of double agent to spy on Zhen Huan. However, the chess pieces are in place for the final checkmate to the Nian family. Huai Fei regains power and continues her lavish ways. Her brother, Nian Geng Yao, even openly mocks the Emperor. The Emperor deals a final blow to the Nian family by capturing the rest of the Nian faction including the 10th, 8th, and 9th Princes.  By the end of the episode, the once powerful Hua Fei is now demoted to a lowly 1st class attendant and her brother has been sentenced to death

The Emperor continues to set his trap for Hua Fei's family. Zhen Huan continues to strengthen alliances in the Imperial Harem as she also plots for Hua Fei's downfall. Hua Fei realizes she's in a precarious position and makes a heart-breaking decision to have one of her maids become a concubine. But is this enough for her?

The 10th Prince is still causing trouble for the Emperor. Zhen Huan again delivers a plan to satisfy all parties. However, she also recognizes that it's time for Consort Nian to be restored back to favor. The Empress Dowager warns Zhen Huan about the dangers in meddling in the affairs of court.

Zhen Huan has successfully recaptured the attention of the Emperor and is now back on top. With the experience of her miscarriage behind her, she is now a transformed woman. Zhen Huan spends the whole episode strategizing to strengthen her position in the palace. This time though, she is much more firm and will not be pushed around again.

Zhen Huan finally recognizes the severity of situation and her own naivety. She hatches a plan to regain favor from the Emperor with the help from some butterflies. The Emperor needs to decide marriage candidates to secure an alliance. The rest of the ladies in Imperial Harem are worried about their own future prospects with Zhen Huan's change in fortune.

While An Ling Rong has recaptured the attention of the Emperor and has now been promoted to a Noble Lady, her friend, the main character, Zhen Huan is still heartbroken over her miscarriage. It's been months but Zhen Huan's depression causes a rift between her and the emperor. These 2 episodes revolve around her friends, allies and even the Empress Dowager, trying to help push Zhen Huan to understand that she needs to snap out of it. Otherwise, more suffering and pain may be in her future. Only until Zhen Huan is quite literally "slapped" out of it, does she finally decide to take some action.