Yun Shuyan finds herself transmigrated into a novel, inhabiting the body of a beautiful but insane concubine who has been banished to the cold palace. The original owner, a daughter of a general convicted of treason, was discarded by the emperor after scheming against the female lead. Yun Shuyan, initially terrified by her dire circumstances, quickly accepts her reality and focuses on survival. The cold palace is desolate, offering little food or warmth, but Yun Shuyan discovers a pond nearby and begins sneaking out at night to catch fish. She also manages to plant a small vegetable patch, securing a basic source of sustenance. Her only companion in this forsaken place is a stunningly beautiful neighbor named Qi Posheng, who appears to be a woman but maintains a cold, indifferent demeanor. Despite his aloofness, Qi Posheng secretly aids Yun Shuyan by lending her warm clothes and quilts during the harsh winter, though he never openly acknowledges these kindnesses.
Yun Shuyan's life changes when she accidentally encounters the emperor, Leng Jun, while lost during the Moon Festival banquet. Instead of reacting with the desperation or malice expected of her character, she simply asks for directions and flees, displaying a pragmatic will to live that intrigues the emperor. Leng Jun begins to secretly observe her from afar, watching her climb the palace walls to fish and her resourceful efforts to survive. This silent observation evolves into a subtle interest, leading the emperor to send winter supplies and heating stoves to the cold palace. Meanwhile, Yun Shuyan remains unaware of the emperor's attention, attributing the gifts to chance or bureaucratic duty, and continues to rely on her neighbor Qi Posheng for emotional support and companionship.
The dynamic between Yun Shuyan and Qi Posheng deepens during the New Year's Eve celebrations. After Yun Shuyan gets drunk and inadvertently reveals her affection, Qi Posheng carries her to bed, marking a shift in their relationship. He begins to show more overt care, preparing hangover soup and engaging in quiet conversations with her. The tension between them is palpable, though Qi Posheng maintains his cold exterior. Later, during the Lantern Festival, the emperor orders Yun Shuyan to attend, hoping to draw her out of obscurity. However, Yun Shuyan, wary of the emperor's unpredictable nature and her own status as a traitor's daughter, deliberately avoids him, choosing to eat candied haws in the corner rather than seek favor. This act of defiance and indifference further captivates Leng Jun, who had expected her to compete for his attention. The story concludes with Yun Shuyan navigating the dangerous politics of the palace while maintaining her focus on survival, unaware that her neighbor Qi Posheng may hold secrets far greater than his rank suggests, and that the emperor's interest in her is becoming impossible to ignore.
