The Pillow of Mountains and Rivers: Plot Explained

Chu Yu, daughter of a great general, returns to the capital to rescue her lover Gu Chusheng, who was implicated in the Prince of Qin’s rebellion. To her dismay, he tries to kill her for Zhao Yue. Wei Yun, the seventh son of the Marquis of Protecting the Nation, unexpectedly saves Chu Yu as she lies dying. Under pressure from the emperor, Wei Jun, the eldest son of the Wei family, steps forward to marry Chu Yu and preserve her reputation, defusing the crisis. On their wedding night, Wei Jun gives her a divorce agreement, and Chu Yu regains her freedom.

When the Northern Di invade, the Wei family marches to war. The crown prince and the emperor’s maternal uncle, Yao Yong, chase glory and cause the deaths of seventy thousand loyal Wei soldiers in Baidi Valley, leaving Wei Yun as the sole survivor. The two men go further, accusing the Wei family of defeat through rash advances, and Wei Yun is arrested upon returning to the capital. Chu Yu returns to the Wei household and uses her status as the eldest daughter-in-law to pull strings and save Wei Yun’s life. From then on, the two vow to uncover the truth and restore the Wei family’s honor.

Chu Yu and Wei Yun endure countless deadly trials and successfully repel the Northern Di, defending Fengling City and Tianshou Pass. As they face hardship, they gradually grow closer, but an imperial edict bestowing titles and honors ensures they can never be together in this life. Zhao Yue conspires with the Northern Di and plots to seize the throne by installing a child emperor. Wei Yun and Chu Yu also discover that Zhao Yue was the true culprit behind the massacre at Baidi Valley. They fight bravely and ultimately kill Zhao Yue, clearing the Wei family’s name. To secure peace for their country and people, the two blow up the secret passage through the snowy mountains, and from then on rely on each other beneath the heavens, with the mountains and rivers as their pillow.