Su Li, despite her father's objections, uses the family’s secret technique, sacrificing her beauty to help her lover pass the imperial exams with flying colors. However, she is betrayed when Shen Yong not only abandons his faithful wife but also aligns himself with the powerful Princess Shuanghua, causing the downfall of the Su family. Barely surviving, Su Li vows revenge. She takes on the identity of a minister's daughter and begins advising the emperor, step by step gaining his favor. Along the way, she uncovers more and more secrets within Shen Yong. Fate gives Su Li another chance, and this time, she is determined to take control of her own destiny.