- Setting: The fictional Great Jing dynasty, where imperial power is deeply entangled with aristocratic clans, vassal princes, and maternal relatives of the imperial family. The border is in constant conflict with the neighboring Northern Shuo, while undercurrents roil at court.
- Heroine Shen Weilan: The daughter of a disgraced minister, she lies low in the palace women’s quarters. In truth, she excels at mathematics, disguise, and reading people. Burdened by the wrongful case against her family, she aims to overturn the existing power structure and clear her loved ones’ names.
- Hero Xiao Che: On the surface, he is the unambitious Prince Duan. His mother died young, and his uncle, a military commander, was framed and killed. In reality, he is secretly building his own forces, determined to reclaim his power and expose the conspiracy behind the imperial throne.
- Central conflict: The two go from testing and using one another to forming an alliance. Amid a transfer of imperial power, clashes between aristocratic clans, and border warfare, they must fight common enemies, such as Wei Yong, the chancellor who dominates the court, and Empress Dowager Li, who seeks to rule from behind the curtain, while balancing their ambitions and trust in each other.
It feels very good. Both the male and female protagonists' minds are online! ! ! ! Love this setting! !