The He family is convicted of a crime and exiled to Ningguta. To save her husband, Song Yun spends her entire fortune to obtain an imperial edict of pardon. But just as He Xingzhi receives news of the pardon, he conspires with Liu Ruyi, intending to demote Song Yun to the status of a concubine. Heartbroken, Song Yun severs their ties and reclaims her identity as the richest woman in the land. She also falls in love with Emperor Pei Jiuqing, who is secretly investigating the realm in disguise. Unable to accept losing everything, her former husband joins forces with Song Yun's adoptive younger sister to seek revenge against her. Throughout it all, Pei Jiuqing stands firmly by Song Yun's side, helping her settle scores with each of her enemies. When the Prince of Nanyang colludes with foreign forces to raise an army and rebel, Song Yun uses her immense wealth and strategic brilliance to help Pei Jiuqing quell the political turmoil. In the end, they restore peace to the realm, and Song Yun ascends to the position of empress.