Zhi Wan is an orphan who has lived in the Duke of Dingguo's residence for five years under the care of her aunt, Duchess Wei Shi. Although treated well, she is viewed with disdain by the household staff and her cousin, Lu Xin, the Duchess's biological daughter, who frequently bullies her. Zhi Wan is on the verge of coming of age, and her aunt has begun arranging a marriage for her to secure her future. Simultaneously, Zhi Wan has been plagued by recurring, vivid dreams of a mysterious man in a study, with whom she shares an intense and intimate connection, though she cannot see his face. She is deeply embarrassed by these dreams and her growing physical desires.
Lu Zhan, the Duke's heir and the young Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is a cold, strict, and highly capable official who has no interest in marriage despite pressure from his mother. He is unaware that the man in Zhi Wan's dreams is himself. Their paths cross at a flower-viewing banquet hosted by Wei Shi, which is intended to find a wife for Lu Zhan and a husband for Zhi Wan. At the banquet, Zhi Wan is harassed by a lecherous young man named Wang Zeren, who had been sent by Lu Xin to ruin her reputation. Zhi Wan cleverly avoids his advances and pushes him into a pond, saving her honor. Later, she accidentally witnesses Lu Zhan coldly rejecting a plea from Lin Yutang, the daughter of a corrupt official, revealing his unwavering commitment to the law.
Lu Xin, enraged by Zhi Wan's defiance and success, publicly accuses Zhi Wan of pushing Wang Zeren into the water. However, Zhi Wan remains calm and exposes Lu Xin's lack of evidence, turning the guests' sympathy against Lu Xin. Wei Shi, furious at her daughter's recklessness and Zhi Wan's mistreatment, places Lu Xin under house arrest. The incident marks a turning point for Zhi Wan, who decides to stop enduring bullying passively. She confronts her abusers and gains the respect of her aunt and peers. Meanwhile, Lu Zhan begins to notice the changes in his little cousin, finding himself drawn to her newfound strength and beauty. The story sets the stage for a developing romance between Zhi Wan and Lu Zhan, as their dream connection begins to bleed into reality, and Zhi Wan navigates the complex politics of the Duke's household while seeking a husband who is worthy of her.
