Ying Qingyue is a princess of the Great Qin dynasty, the sixth daughter of Emperor Ying Zheng. Although she appears to be a quiet, unremarkable figure confined to the inner palace, she is actually a transmigrator from the modern era who has lived in this alternate history for seventeen years. She maintains a carefully constructed persona of timidity and insignificance to avoid the lethal succession struggles that define the Qin royal family. Her true nature is revealed through her sharp political acumen, her focus on infrastructure and agricultural development, and her secret correspondence with a contact known as Xuan Ye, who is tasked with smuggling potato seeds into the empire to revolutionize its food supply.
The central conflict begins when a mysterious golden sky screen descends over Xianyang, displaying videos from the future to the entire population of the empire. The screen introduces a content creator who details the life of Ying Zheng, revealing his title as the First Emperor and his posthumous legacy. The broadcast shocks the court and the common people alike, exposing the Emperor’s past as a hostage in Zhao, his rise to power, and the brutal suppression of rebellions. It also reveals that Ying Zheng’s eldest son, Crown Prince Fusu, will eventually become the Zhaosheng Emperor, a title denoting brilliant virtue. This revelation destabilizes the political landscape, as officials scramble to interpret the heavenly mandate while the remnants of the six conquered states react with a mix of fury and despair.
Ying Qingyue’s position is tested as she navigates the immediate aftermath. While her father, Ying Zheng, is consumed by the implications of the sky screen and his own legacy, Qingyue remains observant and cautious. She recognizes that the sky screen is a double-edged sword that could bring either fortune or calamity. During a family banquet held to celebrate the auspicious sign, the tension between Ying Zheng and Fusu comes to a head. Fusu publicly requests a reduction in corvée labor and harsh laws, arguing for the welfare of the people. Ying Zheng reacts with cold anger, viewing the request as a challenge to his authority and a misunderstanding of the necessity of strength for the empire’s survival. In contrast, the youngest prince, Huhai, flatters the Emperor and aligns himself with the court eunuch Zhao Gao, who begins to manipulate Huhai into undermining Fusu’s position.
Amidst this familial and political turmoil, Ying Qingyue makes a bold move. When asked for her request, she feigns a naive desire to leave the palace and see the world, a request that surprises everyone given her usual reclusive nature. Ying Zheng grants her permission, allowing her to exit the palace for half a day. This departure is not merely a leisurely outing but a strategic maneuver. Qingyue uses her time outside to inspect the infrastructure of Xianyang, meeting with loyal guards and craftsmen to advance her plans for agricultural and industrial reform. She seeks to build a power base independent of the succession war, focusing on controlling the empire’s economic lifelines through food security and technological advancement. As the sky screen promises to reveal more about the future, including the potential tyranny of Qin Shi Huang, the court braces for further revelations. Qingyue watches from the shadows, preparing to shape the destiny of Great Qin not through direct political confrontation, but through the quiet accumulation of influence and the implementation of policies that will ensure the dynasty’s longevity.
