Everyone in the palace says Consort Xiang has the Emperor's favor only because her face resembles that of the late Empress.
Xiang Wu thinks so too. She does her best to imitate the late Empress's clothes, appearance, words, and actions, hoping the Emperor will visit her now and then so she won't be left alone and mistreated by others.
Life under the Emperor's thumb isn't easy. On the surface, His Majesty is graceful and refined, but in reality, he's exacting and difficult to please. Every time he visits, Xiang Wu is thoroughly worn out. Fortunately, he's busy with affairs of state and doesn't come often.
The days pass like this, with Xiang Wu diligently playing the stand-in, until a new palace maiden appears who looks exactly like the late Empress. How much does she resemble her? As one of the palace matrons puts it, the girl is the late Empress reborn.
Xiang Wu wants to cry. This is terrible. She's about to lose her livelihood.
*
When Helan Ting ran into danger in Jiangnan, a young girl came to his rescue. She was sweet and gentle, with a soft voice and clear, bright eyes like a deer's. He remembered her after just one glance.
When he saw her again, she had become his consort. But she no longer remembered him, and was clumsily imitating his former wife, Lady Jiang.
Helan Ting found it amusing. He watched coldly, wanting to see how long she could keep up the act.
But as he watched, he fell for her completely.
Theme: There's nothing wrong with living well as a stand-in. Being content is the key to happiness
The heroine is actually not stupid. Come on!