Song Zhiwei is the legitimate daughter of the prime minister's household, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is known as the “Most Refined Lady in the Capital.” Her half-sister, born to a different mother, is always finding ways to trip her up. She even plots to ruin Song Zhiwei's coming-of-age ceremony, secretly conspiring with bandits. At the end of her rope, Song Zhiwei beats her half-sister to a pulp right there at the ceremony.
From then on, she earns the title of “wicked woman.” When her betrothed hears what happened, he breaks off their engagement and turns around to marry her half-sister, convinced that his delicate, flowerlike darling is his true love.
Song Zhiwei couldn't be happier. Who wants a filthy man who's blind to the truth?
In the end, she discovers that after becoming a wicked woman, all the cats and dogs give her a wide berth. She gets some much-needed peace and quiet, and even feels a little healthier for it.
