Since I’ve already time-traveled, of course I’ll become an empress!

Xie Song, a young general rising through the ranks in a chaotic era of warlordism, returns to his hometown in Xuzhou after a decade of absence. He is accompanied by his wife, Guo Jiao, and their young child. Guo Jiao is a woman of noble birth who actively pursued Xie Song when he was a low-ranking soldier, using her family's influence to secure his position. She is deeply insecure about Xie Song's past, specifically his first wife, Lin Ruo, who was presumed dead during the wars ten years prior. Xie Song reassures Guo Jiao that he intends to bring Lin Ruo back as an equal wife, claiming that Lin Ruo built a massive commercial empire, the Thousand Wonders Pavilion, and that he needs to reclaim it to prevent it from falling into the hands of outsiders. Guo Jiao feigns acceptance but internally resolves to sabotage Lin Ruo once she enters the household, viewing their reunion as a war for dominance within the family.

The narrative shifts to reveal the history between Xie Song and Lin Ruo. Ten years ago, a sixteen-year-old Xie Song encountered Lin Ruo in the mountains while hunting. Lin Ruo was a mysterious woman from the future who had traveled back in time, possessing knowledge of modern science and technology. She claimed to have seven lifetimes of marital destiny with Xie Song. During their first meeting, she saved him from a tiger attack, and he, in turn, helped her survive in this harsh historical period. Lin Ruo taught Xie Song to read and write, introduced him to high-yield crops like Jade Grain, and helped him build a following among displaced refugees. She also used her future knowledge to establish the Thousand Wonders Pavilion, a wealthy enterprise that provided crucial financial and logistical support for Xie Song's military ambitions. Xie Song credits Lin Ruo for his survival and success, acknowledging that without her, he would have died on the battlefield.

As Xie Song and Guo Jiao travel toward Xuzhou, they encounter a group of villagers illegally moving a county boundary marker to bring their land under Xuzhou's jurisdiction. The villagers are motivated by Xuzhou's lower tax rates and better governance compared to the neighboring Qingzhou. Xie Song is initially angry at the disruption but is reminded of Lin Ruo's effective administration, which has made Xuzhou prosperous and popular. Guo Jiao manipulates the situation, suggesting that Lin Ruo mismanages the valuable horse pastures owned by the Pavilion, stirring Xie Song's desire to seize control of these assets. Xie Song agrees that the Thousand Wonders Pavilion is too important to remain solely under Lin Ruo's control and plans to take it over once he reunites with her.

Meanwhile, in Xuzhou City, Lin Ruo and her household react with shock and excitement to the news of Xie Song's return. Lin Ruo is revealed to be the "Lord" of a powerful faction, having built a loyal following of servants and retainers who view her as a wise and capable leader. Her household includes a diverse group of individuals, from elderly advisors to young warriors, all devoted to her. They discuss Xie Song's arrival with a mix of anticipation and skepticism. Some members are eager to see him, while others, particularly those who have grown up under Lin Ruo's protection, are wary of his intentions. They note that Xie Song has remarried and question whether he still cares for Lin Ruo or if he is only interested in reclaiming her wealth and power. The household prepares to welcome him, but the atmosphere is tense with underlying political and personal stakes.

The story sets the stage for a complex confrontation between Xie Song, Guo Jiao, and Lin Ruo. Xie Song believes he can manipulate the situation to his advantage, using his past relationship with Lin Ruo to regain control of her empire while maintaining his marriage to Guo Jiao. Guo Jiao is determined to protect her status and undermine Lin Ruo through subtle schemes within the household. Lin Ruo, however, is no longer the naive girl Xie Song remembers; she is a powerful businesswoman and leader who has built a life independent of him. The central conflict revolves around the struggle for power, loyalty, and identity as these three characters navigate their intertwined pasts and competing interests in a turbulent historical landscape.