In Ancient Times the Powerful and Privileged Seized Everything Step by Step

Zhu Qingyu is a modern woman who transmigrated into ancient China three years ago. Lacking family backing in this new world, she survived by practicing medicine, eventually marrying Zhang Shen, a wealthy but physically frail merchant from Yangzhou. Their union began as a mutual arrangement for social protection, yet it evolved into a deep, familial bond. Zhu Qingyu maintains a low profile, dressing plainly and running a modest clinic to sustain herself independently. Her life in Yangzhou is quiet until a snowy day in the capital, where she travels to treat the ailing grandmother of Gu Zhao, the Duke Ding’s heir. Gu Zhao is a man of high status, recently returned from monastic life to serve as Vice Minister of Revenue. He is ambitious, disciplined, and burdened by court politics. When Zhu Qingyu arrives at the Duke’s residence, Gu Zhao notices her striking appearance and unconventional short hair, sparking a fleeting curiosity about whether she might share her modern origins. However, he dismisses the thought, assuming she is merely a bold commoner. His grandmother, eager to secure a companion for him, arranges for a girl surnamed Yan to serve Gu Zhao. Mistaking Zhu Qingyu for this girl due to a misunderstanding, Gu Zhao agrees to the arrangement, unaware that Zhu Qingyu has already departed for Yangzhou.

Back in Yangzhou, Zhu Qingyu continues her medical practice while managing the household with Zhang Shen. Their relationship is marked by mutual care and respect, though Zhang Shen harbors regrets about his inability to provide her with a more traditional, protected status. Meanwhile, Gu Zhao’s life in the capital is disrupted by political intrigue and assassination attempts. During a secret mission to Yangzhou to investigate salt smuggling and corruption, Gu Zhao and his companion, Xie Ze, are attacked. Xie Ze is severely wounded, and Gu Zhao rushes him to the nearest clinic, which turns out to be Zhu Qingyu’s. Upon seeing her, Gu Zhao is struck by a vivid, dream-like familiarity, realizing she is the woman he had mistakenly intended to take as a companion. His feelings intensify, complicated by the knowledge that she is already married. Zhu Qingyu, professional and detached, treats Xie Ze without recognizing the personal implications of their reunion. She maintains a strict boundary, refusing to engage with Gu Zhao’s growing obsession.

Gu Zhao’s internal conflict deepens as he grapples with his desire for Zhu Qingyu. He attempts to approach her, offering financial support and suggesting a relationship, but Zhu Qingyu firmly rejects his advances, reminding him of her marriage to Zhang Shen. Her rejection leaves Gu Zhao humbled and frustrated, yet he cannot erase his fascination with her. He observes her from a distance, noting her dedication to her craft and her modest lifestyle, which contrasts sharply with the opulence of his own world. Xie Ze, recovering from his wounds, develops a crush on Zhu Qingyu, further complicating the dynamics between the characters. Gu Zhao, bound by duty and morality, decides to suppress his feelings and return to the capital, planning to marry a woman of appropriate status. However, his unresolved emotions linger, casting a shadow over his political endeavors.

The story unfolds against the backdrop of Yangzhou’s salt trade corruption and the broader political tensions of the imperial court. Zhu Qingyu remains focused on her medical practice and family, unaware of the extent of Gu Zhao’s inner turmoil. Her life with Zhang Shen continues peacefully, marked by small moments of intimacy and mutual support. The narrative explores themes of duty, desire, and the constraints of societal norms in ancient China. Gu Zhao’s journey is one of self-discovery and moral reckoning, as he navigates the conflict between his personal desires and his responsibilities as a high-ranking official. Zhu Qingyu’s resilience and independence serve as a counterpoint to the rigid expectations placed upon women of her time. The story concludes with Gu Zhao departing Yangzhou, leaving behind the possibility of a relationship with Zhu Qingyu, while she continues her life, steadfast in her choices and committed to her family and profession.