[Harem Intrigue] [Historical Romance] [Marriage First, Love Later] [Concubine's Daughter Rises] [Mystery and Machinations]
Shen Zhiwei is the most inconspicuous concubine-born daughter in the Shen household. She thought she would live an ordinary life, but when her elder legitimate sister refuses a marriage, she is forced to take her place and marry into the marquis's household.
Her husband is Xie Heng, a sickly heir rumored to be on his deathbed, with several beautiful concubines already in his household.
On their wedding night, the sickly heir coughs up blood without respite. His concubines compete to make a good impression, while Shen Zhiwei calmly handles the situation and quietly takes note of everyone's intentions.
Beneath the marquis's household, undercurrents churn. Her mother-in-law is spiteful, the concubines plot, and the women in the inner quarters vie for favor. She proceeds cautiously at every turn.
Xie Heng watches from the sidelines at first, but soon discovers that his concubine-born wife is remarkably shrewd: she uncovers discrepancies in the accounts, the source of the poison, and every part of the conspiracy.
When Shen Zhiwei discovers that his years of ill health are actually the result of poisoning, the two join forces to purge the inner household.
He shields her from the family's harassment, while she helps nurse him back to health.
From testing each other to understanding and standing by one another, they face the shifting tides of court politics together.
In the end, he recovers and takes control of power, while she takes charge of the household and becomes its mistress. Those who once looked down on her are all made to eat their words, bowing their heads in submission.
