Jiang Suisheng, a concubine-born daughter of the Jiang family, has suffered cold treatment since childhood. Her legitimate elder sister feigned illness to avoid the imperial selection, forcing Suisheng to enter the palace in her place. Upon first entering the palace, she was framed, but fortunately she was rescued by the powerful eunuch Xie Hanzhou. She took the initiative to form an alliance with him, willingly acting as a chess piece to exchange for a path to survival. Advancing by retreating, she won the favor of Emperor Xiao Chengheng, moved step by step in the inner court, gave birth to the eldest imperial son, and ascended to the position of empress. She severed ties with her endlessly demanding maiden family and also saw through Xie Hanzhou's ambition to control the crown prince. After the emperor passed away, she relied on the imperial edict to counter-control the powerful minister, helped the young emperor ascend the throne, and ruled from behind the curtain. From a chess piece to the one who plays the chess, she finally reclaimed her destiny and established new rules, forbidding female family members from entering the palace to atone for crimes ever again.