Shen Zhiwei was the daughter of a noble civil servant of the Qing Dynasty. She married into the Yongchang Hou Mansion at the age of sixteen and became the head wife of the frail Lord Xie Wei.
Outsiders thought she had climbed a high branch, but in fact she had stepped into a golden cage:
• The mother-in-law is very powerful and has been in control of the central government for many years and refuses to delegate power;
• Concubines and concubines each have their own agenda and secretly covet the title;
• Xie Wei has been sick all year round, has numerous enemies in the court, and may fall at any time.
On their wedding night, Xie Wei held her hand and said softly: "This Marquis Mansion is a tomb. No one who comes in can even think of leaving cleanly."
Shen Zhiwei just smiled faintly: "Then I will be the lamp holder in this grave."
From then on, she grew step by step from a cautious young lady to a high-ranking mistress who was truly in charge of the Marquis's mansion and had influence over the court.
