The Great Yong Dynasty, during the Yongchang era.
The palace appears splendid on the surface, but beneath it lies a treacherous game of power. A selection brings Qiu Yingying, born into a respected scholarly family in Jiangnan, into the most luxurious prison in the land.
She has no desire to compete for favor and wants only a peaceful life. But after an unexpected exchange before the emperor, her intelligence and clear-eyed nature catch the attention of the cold-faced emperor, Yan Kongyong. A young ruler who ascended the throne early, Yan Kongyong understands the art of balancing power. Surrounded by layers of constraints, he seeks to make imperial authority absolute, yet is lonely and suspicious at heart. He sees Qiu Yingying as an uncut gem worth shaping, and as a key piece in breaking the deadlock between the imperial harem and the court.
Theme: Romance, ancient setting, imperial court
