In the turbulent era of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, regimes rose and fell in rapid succession. Dugu Xin, a worthy minister of Northern Zhou, drew widespread attention because of the prophecy that "the world would belong to Dugu." All three of his daughters were renowned beauties. His eldest, Dugu Banruo, was determined to become empress and fulfill the prophecy, so she abandoned love and married into the Northern Zhou imperial family. At last, she achieved her wish and became the most honored woman in the land, only to die tragically in childbirth. Dugu Xin was implicated in the upheaval and framed by political enemies. To protect his family, he had no choice but to take his own life. From then on, the once-glorious Dugu clan began its decline.
