Form a marital pact with the regent lord

In the final years of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, with the maritime ban strictly enforced, the Xu family—merchants from Ruyi Port in Eastern Zhejiang—were framed by treacherous individuals, and the entire clan was wrongfully accused. Xu Miaoxue, the sole surviving daughter, narrowly escaped death and transformed into a cunning “Black Lotus,” vowing to seek revenge, clear her family’s name, and realize her dream of opening the seas to trade. To break the deadlock and protect herself, she entered into a contractual marriage with the cold-hearted and powerful minister Pei Shuyè. From mutual exploitation to standing shoulder to shoulder, the two outwit the treacherous officials in the imperial court, fend off Japanese pirates along the coast, and shatter a shocking conspiracy. Blending political intrigue, the rise of maritime merchants, and a fated romance, the series follows the couple as they prioritize the welfare of their nation and people. Ultimately, they clear their names