Cen Wanlian, daughter of Jiangnan's richest man, helped Xiao Jingheng ascend the throne and became empress, only to be deposed by him under the pretext of her auspicious destiny. She hands over the Nine Phoenix Command, which controls the economy of the Great Liang, in exchange for a letter of divorce, cuts her hair to sever all ties, and leaves the palace for her hometown. Xie Lin'an, heir to the Prince of Zhennan, returns from battle and protects and heals her with his sincere love. After discovering he was deceived, Xiao Jingheng becomes obsessed with pursuing his former wife, even fabricating a treason charge and sending troops to capture her. Yun Jingxian assassinates Xiao Jingheng, while the Empress Dowager frames the two with an imperial edict. On his deathbed, Xiao Jingheng grants Cen Wanlian eternal freedom. In the end, Cen Wanlian and Xie Lin'an marry in Jiangnan, have a daughter, leave court politics behind, and live a peaceful, carefree life.