Skye Shaw feigns madness for ten years after her mother's murder by stepmother Madam Shaw and stepsister Phoebe Shaw. Forced to consume her mother's ashes, she severs family ties. Skye becomes Consort Auspice, dropping her pretense to use palace rules against Phoebe Shaw. She aligns with the suppressed Emperor, foiling Empress Dowager's schemes. The Emperor falls in love. Skye punishes her stepmother, and Phoebe is demoted. Skye settles scores, helps the Emperor, and becomes Empress.