On the day of the imperial selection, Song Jiuhe unexpectedly hears the emperor's inner thoughts. In his eyes, every beautiful candidate seems to have the face of an elderly court official, while she alone is the exception. Hoping to be rejected so she can stay alive, she is instead taken directly to Qianqing Palace by the emperor. Faced with a ruler rumored to be violent and to despise women, she can only cling to life by listening to his inner thoughts while trying her best to be a well-behaved palace maid serving at his side. Gradually, however, she discovers that the emperor is not quite as simple as the rumors suggest, and his attitude toward her grows increasingly strange. Then, one day, an urgent letter from outside the palace completely shatters her peaceful life.