Jiang Yang, a poor widow at the bottom of society, takes on a task to bear an heir for condemned prisoner Cen Zhou to earn life-saving silver coins. After their one night together, Cen Zhou’s wrongful conviction is overturned. He insists on taking responsibility for Jiang Yang. Yet burdened by her status as a widow, her two adopted children, and fear of the duke’s powerful household, Jiang Yang deliberately shuns his affection.
Cen Zhou has long plotted for the throne alongside Prince Xie Yan. To break the class divide and win Jiang Yang’s heart, he even injures himself, pretending to be a disgraced outcast cast out by his clan and wandering among common folk. Severely wounded, he is found and rescued by Jiang Yang at a mass burial ground. She sets aside her fears and chooses to accept him.
The pair overcome extortion and humiliation from Jiang Yang’s blood relatives, deep class prejudice within the duke’s mansion, and malicious gossip from townsfolk. They hold a simple wedding in their small courtyard. Secretly, Cen Zhou eliminates political turmoil in the imperial court. When an imperial edict grants him the title of Duke, he publicly declines the honor, forcing his family to accept his wife and children. The Duke finally abandons his snobbery, and the whole family reconciles.
Later, they maintain two homes: one in the marketplace and one at the ducal manor. Their adopted children Shu’er and He’er grow up safe and sound, and Jiang Yang gives birth to a pair of dragon-and-phoenix twins. Having endured countless hardships, the two find a fulfilling life surrounded by their children, bound together in ordinary, warm domestic bliss.
