The Jiang family of Longcheng County is annihilated by the Li clan. Their daughter, Jiang Longyue, is taken in by a dance troupe and renamed Shen Erjing. Consort Xiao frames the empress to rise in rank, sending Li Jingchu away. After Xiao’s death, Li Run makes Shen empress, and she plots revenge, persuading Li Jingchu to join her. Later, Shen Erjing falls under suspicion and, though she sacrifices herself, develops real feelings. Li Jingchu storms the palace but is poisoned by the not-quite-dead Li Run. Shen Erjing saves him but is later kidnapped by Yi Shanling in exchange for the imperial seal, leading to her suicide. Li Jingchu is left heartbroken.