An accident sent Shen Shiye's soul into the Great Liang dynasty, where she became Shen Yuan, the son of a general.
After a palace coup, Shen Shiye was pushed into a pond by the palm force of an assassin sent by the emperor. She died and came back to life, and the emperor summoned her into the palace.
Within the deep palace walls, she met the fifth prince, Rong Qi, the most dazzling and exceptional man she had ever seen.
At their first meeting, he looked down on her. He thought nothing of this notorious playboy of Bianjing and disliked the way she examined him with the gaze of an infatuated admirer.
But after seeing the peerless grace of Young General Shen riding into battle in Mobei, sword in hand as she cut down her enemies, he surrendered to her Moonshadow Sword.
As power changed hands and the princes fought for the throne, schemes and intrigues unfolded one after another. After getting lost in the desert while scouting the enemy, the fifth prince Rong Qi unexpectedly discovered Young General Shen's secret: she was a woman.
Smiling, he waved a jade fan and cornered her in the military tent, threatening her: "I know you're ambitious and no ordinary woman. How about joining forces with me to win the empire?"
Shen Yuan had no choice but to accept his offer of allegiance.
When the new emperor ascended the throne, he placed the empire he had fought so hard to secure into her hands. He had thought she would return with him to the red-walled palace and take the empress's seat, second only to The Outcast and above all others. Instead, the woman swept back her long robe and knelt on the ground, asking only to serve as chancellor.
With red-rimmed eyes, he asked why she refused.
She answered firmly: "These are difficult times. I want the women of this realm to be able to enter schools, take the imperial examinations, and serve among the officials, just like men."
