Nirvana in Fire Episode 1

In Northern Yan, Minister Xu meets Prince Yu, and tells him that a pouch containing the name of a gifted scholar from Langya Hall will be the key for Prince Yu to become king. He goes to Langya Hall for the pouch, with Prince Xian's people immediately following him, and they both receive a pouch containing the name: Mei Changsu, leader of the Jiang Zuo Alliance and first in Langya Hall's list of gifted scholars. Both princes vow to get Mei on their side. However, instead of accepting the princes' invitations to be a strategist, Mei Changsu decides to enter the capital through an invitation by two young masters, Xiao Jingrui, and his friend Yan Yujin. While the princes fervently search for him, he settles in Jingrui's father, Marquise Ning Xie Yu's manor. Meanwhile, the emperor arranges a martial arts competition and a written exam to help Princess Mu Nihuang find a husband. Her friend, Xia Dong, is ordered to investigate the Duke of Qing, who is suspected of killing and illegally taking land in Bingzhou. (Source: Wikipedia)