Feng Zhao, a martial arts coach from the modern world, transmigrates into the body of the Empress of the Cangyun Empire on the day her husband, Emperor Lingxiao, dies. She finds herself in a precarious position as the nominal Empress, married to a deceased ruler and burdened with an adopted five-year-old son, Xiao Hongyi. A system informs her that she must ensure the boy grows up healthy and ascends to the throne, or face death, as her original body had died of cardiac arrest. The palace is dominated by Concubine Wen and her father, Minister Wen Chenglin, who favor Concubine Wen’s eldest son for the succession. Feng Zhao, initially reluctant, realizes she must fight to survive.
During the mourning ceremonies, Concubine Wen attempts to pressure Feng Zhao into yielding the succession to her son. Feng Zhao, utilizing her martial arts background and sharp wit, physically subdues Concubine Wen and publicly asserts her authority as Empress. She establishes that the legitimate heir, Xiao Hongyi, has priority over the favored but illegitimate son of a concubine. This act shocks the court but stabilizes her initial position. Feng Zhao also discovers a traitor in her own palace, a maid named Fuling, who attempted to poison her. Using a Truth Pill obtained from the system, Feng Zhao forces Fuling to confess, revealing the conspiracy and securing evidence against Concubine Wen.
The political landscape shifts when Feng Zhao’s father, General Feng Ying, returns from the border with a victorious army. Feng Zhao strategically rebuilds her relationship with him, earning his trust and protection. General Feng Ying gifts her a black cat, which is revealed to be the transmigrated soul of a powerful enemy protagonist from the novel she originally read. Meanwhile, Concubine Wen, desperate to maintain her influence, plots to ruin Feng Zhao’s reputation by framing her for adultery with a palace guard. Feng Zhao anticipates the trap, captures the intruder, and exposes the conspiracy during the Emperor’s funeral procession. She presents the evidence, including a gold hairpin linking Concubine Wen to the plot, forcing the court to acknowledge her innocence.
With the Wen faction’s schemes exposed, Feng Zhao demands that Xiao Hongyi preside over the coffin-sealing ceremony, effectively securing his position as the heir. Despite opposition from Minister Wen, the evidence and General Feng Ying’s military presence compel the court to accept the decision. Xiao Hongyi is crowned Emperor, and Feng Zhao assumes the role of Regent Empress Dowager, ruling from behind a pearl curtain. The transition of power marks a significant turning point, as the legitimate heir takes the throne, ending the Wen family’s immediate dominance.
As the new regime stabilizes, Feng Zhao faces the challenges of governance. She utilizes a system reward, a History Book, to access ancient wisdom and efficiently handle state memorials, impressing the court officials. She also ensures Xiao Hongyi’s education by recruiting a tutor, though she quickly dismisses an incompetent candidate who fails to meet basic standards. Feng Zhao balances her role as a regent with her duty to raise Xiao Hongyi, gradually fostering his confidence and independence. The story concludes with Feng Zhao consolidating her power, protecting her son, and navigating the complex political intrigue of the imperial court, while the mysterious black cat observes from the shadows.
