A century after the founding of the Jing Dynasty, its laws are strict but its customs rigid. The rules clearly state that “women may not participate in government” and “government offices do not employ women.” The court is controlled by aristocratic clans and military factions, making it difficult for those from humble families to rise. The inner palace and the court are strictly separated, and the highest “power” women can attain is that of an imperial consort or a woman of the imperial clan, both of which require dependence on men. After her family is destroyed, Su Qingyuan takes the name “Mr. Su” and serves a minor official as an aide. Her extraordinary intelligence soon earns her recognition. While secretly investigating the wrongful case against her father, she also gives birth to three sons. Her husband died young, and the children’s identities are a mystery. As she struggles to survive and raise her children, she quietly builds her strength. In the end, she stays true to herself at the pinnacle of power, while her children each grow into pillars of society.
