The Raven Consort is a special consort who does not perform nighttime duties. Though she accepts all requests including death curses, exorcisms, and finding lost items, it is said that misfortune befalls those who meet her. Despite living in the inner palace, she is a mysterious entity nobody knows much about. The emperor Xia Gaojun enters Ye Ming Palace where the Raven Consort resides. There he encounters Liu Shouxue, a beautiful young girl dressed all in black.

At Gaojun's request, Shouxue investigates the ghost possessing the jade earring. The owner of the earring was Ban Yingnü. Ten years ago, she was suspected of poisoning the Third Consort and hanged herself. In order to discover the truth about her death, Shouxue heads to the wash house with her lady-in-waiting Jiu-Jiu where Ban Yingnü's personal attendant Su Hongqiao resides. However, Su Hongqiao is unable to speak to them as her tongue has been cut out.

The ghost of a skylark visits Shouxue, which leads to her hearing the tale of the Skylark Princess and her tragic death.

Shouxue must solve the mystery of the ghost that appears beneath the willow tree, and the two ghosts that appear in the emperor's chambers.

Gaojun uncharacteristically appears lonely. Though Shouxue is concerned, she is unable to ask why. Several days later, Gaojun visits Ye Ming Palace to show her a haunted mask. The ghost haunting the mask apparently responds to a type of foreign lute. The problem is solved when Gaojun is able to provide such a lute. Gaojun tries to leave, but he is stopped by Shouxue.

Xue Yuyong warns Shouxue against getting too close to Gaojun, and Shouxue sends Wen Ying to Quechao Palace to investigate the Magpie Consort.