Lan Shi was a modern-day historian who unexpectedly transmigrated into the body of a powerless minor official during the prosperous Kaiyuan era. He keenly sensed the crises lurking beneath the surface splendor: not only were rival factions within the imperial court openly scheming for power, but foreign enemies were also watching, poised to invade. Wu Hua was an unloved illegitimate daughter of a noble family. Though trapped in hardship, she had a strong sense of duty. After the two met, they decided to join forces to protect the people.
However, the antagonists obstructed them at every turn to protect their own interests. Because of Lan Shi's lowly status, the ancient nobility misunderstood his modern ideas and methods, causing one misunderstanding after another. They had to contend with the complicated power struggles within the court while also repelling an invasion on a tight deadline. Along the way, Lan Shi and Wu Hua grew stronger, using modern knowledge to shake up the marketplace and unravel political conspiracies as they gradually built their own power. But the struggle for power forced them into a dilemma: should they hold fast to modern moral principles, or compromise when necessary to achieve their aims? In the end, they successfully repelled the invaders and reshaped the social order, but the journey brought them much bitterness and sacrifice.
