After a one night stand with the enemy

Yue Si Chao is the low-born daughter of a fifth-rank official whose mother has been cast aside by her father. Living under the oppressive thumb of her stepmother in the Yue mansion, she relies on her own wits and labor to survive. Unlike her elder sister Yue Shu Yao, who enjoys relative privilege, Yue Si Chao earns money by writing stories for clients. When her cousin asks her to write a romantic tale about the renowned Marquis Wu'an, Mu Zhao, she decides to observe him in person to ensure accuracy. At the city gate, she accidentally blocks his horse while retrieving her umbrella, leading to a tense encounter where Mu Zhao accuses her of scheming. She retorts with sharp sarcasm, leaving him annoyed but intrigued by her defiance.

Yue Si Chao writes a story portraying Mu Zhao as a tyrant, which her sister loves, sparking a trend in the capital. Noble ladies begin commissioning similar erotic and romantic stories featuring the Marquis, paying high sums for the chance to discuss him. Yue Si Chao capitalizes on this demand, earning enough to plan her escape from the mansion with her mother. Meanwhile, Mu Zhao receives anonymous letters containing explicit content written in his name. Mistaking the author for a scheming woman trying to seduce him, he investigates and discovers Yue Si Chao is the writer. He confronts her, assuming she is using underhanded tactics to gain his attention. Yue Si Chao, unaware of his assumptions, attempts to pay him off to stop bothering her, which he interprets as further proof of her intentions.

The misunderstanding deepens when Yue Si Chao chases a thief who steals her earnings and accidentally enters a brothel. She hides in a room where Mu Zhao is present, having been tricked there by his uncle. Mu Zhao believes she deliberately seduced him and accuses her of trying to force him into responsibility. However, he ultimately helps her escape the brothel thugs and gives her his robe. Yue Si Chao hides the robe to avoid suspicion from her family, a gesture Mu Zhao misinterprets as her trying to hide evidence of an affair from another man, whom he assumes is her father.

At the Hundred Flowers Banquet in the imperial garden, Yue Si Chao overhears Mu Zhao claiming he is impotent to deter his uncle from arranging a marriage with Princess Huaining. She offers him advice on treatment, which he finds puzzling. Later, Princess Huaining stages a fall into the pond to force a marriage alliance with Mu Zhao. Yue Si Chao jumps into the water to save the princess, ruining the princess's plan and offending the Crown Prince. Mu Zhao, initially cold toward Yue Si Chao, begins to notice her distinct behavior compared to other women. He follows her out of the palace, giving her dry clothes and engaging in a conversation that reveals his growing curiosity about her true motives.

As their paths continue to cross, the dynamic between them shifts. Mu Zhao struggles to categorize Yue Si Chao, as she does not fit the mold of the women who typically pursue him. Yue Si Chao remains focused on her financial independence and escape plan, viewing Mu Zhao as a source of income rather than a romantic interest. However, their repeated interactions and misunderstandings create a complex tension. Mu Zhao's initial contempt gives way to a reluctant fascination, while Yue Si Chao begins to see glimpses of humanity beneath his arrogant exterior. The story sets the stage for a evolving relationship where both characters must navigate their misconceptions and societal expectations.