Due to family changes, Shen Qinglan was forced to leave Jiangnan and go north to Bianjing. At her uncle's house, she accidentally got a guqin "Jinse". Its melodious sound attracted the attention of Gu Changfeng and Xiao Yu. Gu Changfeng is an upstart in the imperial court and talented. However, due to the dispute between his family and the imperial court, he has never been able to face his feelings for Shen Qinglan calmly. Xiao Yu is a knight-errant, free and uninhibited. He became associated with Shen Qinglan because of the sound of the piano, and was gradually attracted by her talent and tenacity.
The emotional entanglement between the three people becomes more and more complicated in troubled times. The Jin soldiers marched south, and Bianjing was in danger. Shen Qinglan was forced to get involved in the dispute between the court and the Jianghu. Gu Changfeng chose to tolerate his feelings for the sake of his family and the court; Xiao Yu did not hesitate to become an enemy of the court in order to protect Shen Qinglan. Shen Qinglan gradually grew up in troubled times, transforming from a weak boudoir girl into a strong woman who can stand alone.
In the end, Shen Qinglan made a choice between Gu Changfeng and Xiao Yu. She chose to join hands with Xiao Yu to stay away from the court disputes and live a free life. Gu Changfeng continued his mission in the court, guarding the land he loved deeply.
Purpose: The purpose of "The Golden Age" is to explore love, freedom and responsibility in troubled times. Through the emotional entanglements of Shen Qinglan, Gu Changfeng and Xiao Yu, it shows the conflict and balance between personal emotions and the responsibilities of family and country in turbulent times. Shen Qinglan's growth symbolizes women's awakening and resilience in difficult times, Gu Changfeng's sense of responsibility reflects men's responsibility in troubled times, and Xiao Yu's free spirit represents the pursuit and protection of true love. The novel uses "Jinse" as a clue, and the sound of the piano is like complaining, implying the complex interweaving of fate and emotion, and ultimately conveys the profound theme that although love is fragile, it can transcend the times and destiny.