Shen Jingwan is an exceptionally skilled embroiderer. After one of her works, "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix," catches the palace's eye, she is chosen to enter the imperial court as the lowest-ranking palace maid. She had hoped to live quietly, but gets caught up in the harem's power struggles. Framed and bullied at every turn, she nearly loses her life. At the brink of death, her remarkable composure and embroidery skills pique Emperor Xiao Che's interest, allowing her to survive.
Shen Jingwan sees the cruelty of life deep within the palace and resolves never again to let others have their way with her. Using her embroidery skills and keen understanding of human nature, she creates one-of-a-kind pieces for high-ranking consorts, turning their influence to her advantage and gradually establishing her footing in the palace. Her sharp eye lets her uncover secrets in the wear on a garment or the direction of its stitches. She uses this knowledge as leverage to bring down one enemy after another.
At first, Emperor Xiao Che regards her as nothing more than an amusing plaything. But through their repeated clashes, he is drawn to her unyielding spirit and unfathomable wisdom. His desire to use her gives way to admiration, and then to deep infatuation. Shen Jingwan stays clear-eyed throughout. She does not believe in love; she believes only in the needle and thread in her hands. She allies herself with the forces sidelined at court and secretly cultivates her own trusted followers. At last, amid the turmoil surrounding the empress's removal, she ascends to the position of empress with decisive force, making a stunning leap from embroiderer to ruler of the harem, with both power and emperor in the palm of her hand.
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