A "little beggar" who is an orphan in the mountains has no father or mother and makes a living by gathering herbs. Because of her outstanding appearance, she is targeted by the village tyrant Zhao Dahu. In order to get rid of the persecution, she ventured deep into the cliff to collect medicine, but accidentally saved the handsome man "Xiao Shan" who was seriously injured and dying. He claimed to be a businessman, but in fact, the prince of the current dynasty married Xiao Yishan, who was being assassinated by his brothers. In order to avoid pursuit, he took advantage of her protection to recuperate and gave her the name "**Ling'er**".
While spending time together in the mountains and fields, the cold and stern prince was attracted by her agility and tenacity, and Ling'er also developed a secret affection for him. However, as the pursuers approached, Xiao Yishan's identity was exposed and he was forced to return to Beijing to quell the rebellion, leaving behind a token promising to marry him.
Ling'er was admitted to the East Palace, but was trapped in a golden cage. The palace was divided, the noble women made things difficult for her, and the red tape suffocated her. What's even more frightening is that the mystery of her life experience has surfaced - the baby pattern is related to the Luo family of the previous dynasty where the rebellion occurred. Political opponents took this opportunity to attack and falsely accused her of rebelling against the party, and Ling'er was thrown into jail.
Xiao Yishan risked his life to overturn the case and clear away the grievances of the Luo family. Ling'er returned to his original name of **Luo Xi'er**. However, she has seen through the hypocrisy of the palace and yearns for freedom in the mountains and wilderness. On the eve of the concubine ceremony, she carefully planned an escape.
The emperor was furious and the whole country pursued him. When Xiao Yishan finally stopped her on the edge of the cliff, Luo Xi'er held her hairpin to her throat: "I would rather be a wild ghost in the mountains than a bird in a cage!"
Between the former orphan girl in the mountains and the current prince, who learned to let go first? And does true freedom have to come at the cost of separation?
