In the first half of the 18th century, the Qing Dynasty ushered in the era of the last long-lived emperor. The young and vigorous Hongli (played by Huo Jianhua) officially ascended the throne and named the reign Qianlong. At the same time, Ruyi (played by Zhou Xun), who had known Hongli since childhood, also entered the palace to confer the title of Concubine Xian. Suddenly in the core of the political struggle, the two people who were in love with each other gradually experienced a huge sense of tearing. The Empress Dowager (played by Wu Junmei) had a deep hatred for Ruyi's family, Ulanala, and naturally regarded Concubine Xian as a thorn in her side. On the political stage, the dictatorship of the harem and the domineering old ministers divided the imperial power from all sides. In the palace with undercurrents, the emperor and Concubine Xian supported each other, advanced and retreated together, and finally cleared the obstacles one by one. Ruyi was promoted to queen, and everything seemed good, but on the bumpy and thorny road, the mature and experienced emperor had already been separated from the old love of life. Everything has a beginning, but few can have an end... This film is adapted from Liu Lianzi's novel.