Gu Qingwan, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Protector-General's family, was deeply in love with Duke Qi Yuan in her previous life and assisted him in ascending the throne alongside her father and brothers. However, Qi Yuan betrayed her, resulting in the execution of the entire Gu family. Only on the brink of death did Gu Qingwan discover that Qi Yuan and her cousin, Gu Qingliu, had been having an affair all along and that Qi Yuan had never loved her, using her from the start. After being reborn, Gu Qingwan decides to ally with the Crown Prince to overthrow Qi Yuan. While she shows goodwill towards the Crown Prince, he suspects her ulterior motives and remains cold. Their relationship begins to develop amidst the pull and push. Noticing Gu Qingwan's change in allegiance, Qi Yuan becomes desperate and frequently schemes against the Crown Prince and Gu Qingwan. Together, Gu Qingwan and the Crown Prince counteract Qi Yuan's moves, gradually eroding the Emperor's favor and trust in him. Their cooperation also warms their relationship. Upon discovering Qi Yuan is actually the illicit son of a favored concubine and the imperial physician, the Emperor, disheartened and disappointed, executes Qi Yuan and his immediate family, abdicates the throne, and appoints the Crown Prince as his successor. The Crown Prince ascends the throne and makes Gu Qingwan his Empress. The Emperor and Empress share a loving and harmonious relationship.
