In the chaotic age of the Great Yin, Xie Heng, a concubine-born son, hides half a tiger tally and schemes to seize the throne behind a gentle facade. Shen Che, a general from a poor family who holds the other half, relies on his skill with the spear to avenge his family’s blood feud. They meet at a palace banquet and form an alliance. As they clash in a battle of wits, white plum blossoms bear witness to the affection that quietly grows between them, though neither dares speak of it.
Misunderstandings and cruel truths drive a wedge between them. An old case involving his mother consort and forged letters deepen the rift. When blood stains the palace and the border is under threat, the two halves of the tiger tally are finally joined, yet they are torn between the empire and their love. In the end, beneath a white plum tree, a broken spear is stained with blood. He ascends the throne and remains alone for the rest of his life. The profound love hidden in the tiger tally and the scent of plum blossoms becomes the last song of a palace reduced to ashes.
