Lu Jingning, the Fifth Young Lady of the Lu family, wakes from a brutal examination to discover she has been reborn into her younger self. In her previous life, she was deceived by her stepmother, Madam Lu, and her legitimate elder sister, Lu Shiwei, into entering the palace to secure favor for her sister. She was ultimately framed for adultery, executed, and left to die in despair, unaware that her concubine mother had been murdered by Madam Lu. Armed with memories of her tragic fate, Lu Jingning resolves to seize control of her destiny and exact revenge on those who betrayed her.
Upon learning she has been chosen to enter the palace as a concubine, Lu Jingning feigns obedience to Madam Lu while secretly consolidating her power. She identifies a spy among her maids, coerces her into loyalty by threatening her brother, and rebrands her as Xia'er. She also visits her concubine mother, Zhou, who gives her a mysterious pill that enhances her natural beauty and fertility. Lu Jingning enters the palace as Lu Changzai, assigned to Chengqian Palace under the Virtuous Consort, Lu Shiwei. She immediately establishes authority over her staff, using a combination of generosity and strict discipline, while planting her own loyal servants in key positions.
Her first major move is a calculated encounter with the Emperor, Xiao Jingheng, in the imperial garden. She stages a clumsy accident that reveals her admiration for him without appearing overly ambitious. Her innocence and genuine affection captivate the Emperor, who visits her that night. Unlike other concubines who scheme for favor, Lu Jingning actively encourages him to visit the Virtuous Consort, playing the role of the selfless sister. This behavior confuses and intrigues Xiao Jingheng, deepening his interest in her. When the Virtuous Consort discovers the Emperor spent the night with Lu Jingning, she violently slaps her and forces her to take infertility medicine to prevent pregnancy.
Lu Jingning reports the abuse to the Emperor as an accidental fall, eliciting his pity and wrath. He punishes the Virtuous Consort by ordering her to copy Buddhist scriptures and pray for the Empress Dowager. Simultaneously, he promotes Lu Jingning to Noble Lady and keeps her at the Qianqing Palace, swearing to protect her. Lu Jingning exploits this favor by displaying vulnerability and gratitude, reinforcing the Emperor's perception of her as a pure, loving partner rather than a political rival. She also receives a gift from the Virtuous Consort—a jade bracelet laced with musk intended to cause infertility—which she discreetly discards while maintaining a facade of gratitude.
The narrative shifts as Lu Jingning navigates the complex hierarchy of the harem. She visits the Empress, Shen Wanxian, presenting a calming sachet she embroidered, a gesture that reminds the Empress of her own past kindnesses. The Empress, aware of the dangers facing a favored concubine, warns Lu Jingning to be vigilant. Later, while walking in the garden, Lu Jingning is nearly drowned but is saved by a palace guard. The shock of recognition reveals that this is the same guard the Virtuous Consort used to frame her in her previous life. Realizing the conspiracy is unfolding earlier than expected, Lu Jingning orders her maid to investigate the guard's background, suspecting he is being manipulated by the Virtuous Consort. She resolves to turn this threat into an advantage, planning to expose the Virtuous Consort's schemes before they can harm her.
