The Shadow Sovereign
A low-born scholar rises to power to avenge his father, only to find an unexpected alliance and deep love with the defiant princess he once vowed to destroy.
What critics are saying
Verdicts use the same scale as your list: highly recommended through avoid — plus optional scores and blurbs.
Nobody on Critic, Sir! has logged a verdict for this title yet. The silence is either respectful or suspicious.
Sign in and use Add to My List below to share your own verdict.
Trailer
Trailer 2 [Subtitled]
Where to Watch(AU)
Streaming data provided by JustWatch via TMDB.
Cast
Seasons
1.The Beautiful Man turns into the Top Scholar
23-07-202632 minPrincess 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, th...
2.Impeachment in Court
23-07-202625 minAt 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 dis...
3.Kill Three Birds with One Stone
23-07-202623 minThe 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...
4.Princess from the Cold Palace
24-07-202624 minShen 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 eve...
5.Your Highness, Will You Protect Me?
24-07-202623 minShen 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
25-07-202625 minShen 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
25-07-202629 minWhen 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...
8.Blade and Trap
26-07-202625 minOrdered 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 pr...
9.If I Die, Will You Mourn Me?
26-07-202627 minShen 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 p...
10.The Princess Is Imprisoned
28-07-202630 minShen 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 S...
11.Before Falling Off the Cliff
29-07-202629 minCui 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...
12.Letting You Use Me Was My Own Choice
30-07-202629 minZhaoyang 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...
13.No Dignity Left
31-07-202627 minShen 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...
14.Shen Xiao, I Found You a Good Marriage
01-08-202625 minTo maintain the Cui family's support, the Crown Prince forces his younger sister, Princess An Le to marry Cui Jinzhi.
15.Levee Breach
02-08-202625 minThe levee repaired by the Crown Prince is breached. Zhaoyang sees it as an opportunity to get rid of him. Shen Xiao prioritizes the flood victims. Both of them argue over this.
16.Refusing the Marriage
04-08-202625 minShen Xiao defies the imperial decree by refusing the marriage and requests a demotion, volunteering to accompany the Seventh Prince to the Yellow River to tackle the flood crisis.
17.Faking His Death
05-08-202631 minAn Le poisons Emperor Zheng Yuan to help the Crown Prince take over the throne. Cui Jinzhi confines Zhaoyang and tells her that Shen Xiao is dead. Zhaoyang tries to escape but is s...
18.The Dust Hasn't Settled
06-08-202629 minEmperor Zheng Yuan appoints the Seventh Prince as the Crown Prince. The noble families try to kill Shen Xiao by accusing him of forging an edict.
Watching Lists
to create and edit public lists.
Loading lists…
Purchase & Discovery
Find this title on Amazon
Digital
Prime Video & digitalAmazon mixes rent, buy, and Prime in one place — one search covers the usual options.
Physical edition
4K Blu-ray & physical releasesSearch on AmazonOfficial merchandise
Official-style merch searchApparel, collectibles, and moreAs an Amazon Associate, Critic, Sir! earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure