In the Yuan Kang era, the emperor died, leaving the throne to a foolish new ruler. Xie Hui, a powerful court official entrusted with the young emperor's care, sought to save the state by deposing the foolish ruler and installing a wise one. But the new emperor grew wary of him and had his entire clan executed for treason. His wife, consumed by rage, slaughtered her way through the imperial palace, leaving their daughter, Zaixi, gravely wounded by her childhood sweetheart, Prince Jingyi.
After narrowly escaping death, Zaixi fled north and became a slave. By chance, she was rescued by Shi Le, leader of the Jie people. Inheriting her father's military talent, Zaixi used her extraordinary strategic skills to help Shi Le build his empire, intending to use his power to exact revenge.
But in the end, the brutality of war and the people's suffering made her let go of her obsession with revenge. After Shi Le succeeded in his ambitions and became emperor, he grew increasingly cruel and suspicious, and he and Zaixi drifted apart. Utterly disappointed, Zaixi asked to retire. But Shi Le had long since fallen in love with her. He did everything he could to stop her, driving them to a complete falling-out.
Unable to bear the thought of being denied her love, Shi Le angrily sent troops against Liu Song. Zaixi could not stand by and watch the land and people her father had protected be trampled, so she set aside her hatred and joined forces with Prince Jingyi to repel the invaders and protect the peace of Liu Song. After surviving death together several times, they finally let go of their grudges and confessed their feelings to each other.
Theme: If it benefits the country, I will give my life without hesitation.
