Shen Jiangli, a neglected daughter of a ducal house, becomes Emperor Xiao Jinghuan’s secret lover after he mistakes her for the Empress. Denied a title because the pregnant Empress must not be upset, she decides to escape her substitute role by marrying afar. Instead, her stepmother forces her to serve as a dowry concubine when her sister weds Prince Rui, the Emperor’s brother. Now a concubine to Prince Rui, she provokes the Emperor’s jealous rage — and his realization that he loves her. Still, he refuses to bring her to the palace.
The Empress and Prince Rui conspire to kill her. Shen’s sister accuses her of adultery, and the Empress orders her execution by drowning. The Emperor saves her at the last moment, determined to make her his Noble Consort. But the near-tragedy was Shen Jiangli’s own design. She has secretly allied with Prince Su, a rival for the throne, who alerted the Emperor. Prince Su plans to use her to seize power, but she trusts no one. In the end, Shen Jiangli uses Prince Su’s enchanted poi
