It tells the story of Dugu Jialuo, the youngest daughter of Dugu Xin, a wise minister of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. She relied on her intelligence and perseverance to live tenaciously in the troubled times. Her relationship with Yang Jian, which started as a political marriage, gradually evolved into a mutual understanding. The two affectionate couples finally joined forces to unify the country and became the founding emperor and empress of the Sui Dynasty.