Li Chunhong, a 60-year-old retired woman, slips and falls while dancing in the public square, only to find herself transported into the body of the Empress Dowager of the Great Jin Dynasty. Her son, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyuan, threatens to kill himself rather than ascend the throne if he cannot marry Su Lianyue, a commoner. Li Chunhong decides to become emperor herself. She wins Liu Ruyan over as her trusted confidante, eliminates corrupt relatives of the imperial family, personally leads an expedition and crushes 400,000 Northern Qi troops. She introduces education for women, allows women to take the imperial examinations, and abolishes the system of slavery. With the people's overwhelming support, she officially ascends the throne. In the end, she hands power over to the cabinet and enjoys her later years in the imperial gardens alongside a group of female officials.