In the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, eighteen-year-old Chu Qingge is studying medical texts in the study of her father’s residence, the Vice Minister of Rites. Outside the window, the bustle of the marketplace mingles with servants in the household gossiping about her as the “sickly medicine jar young lady.”
News of victory arrives from the border: Xiao Jingyu, heir to the Marquis of Zhenbei, has driven back an invasion by the Northern Di with an outnumbered force. The emperor is delighted and decides to grant Chu Qingge in marriage to the young general.
When Chu Qingge hears about the imperial decree, she appears to comply, but is already plotting her escape. In secret, she prepares medicinal herbs and money.
Xiao Jingyu receives the imperial decree and scoffs at this political marriage. But to avoid defying the emperor, he decides to marry her first and then ignore her.
