1400s in ancient China. A despotic tyrant. A cursed imperial palace. One girl's will to survive the palace, the court intrigue — and the emperor himself. Yong Le, the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, power-hungry and unsatisfied with sacking Nanjing and the usurping of the throne, is set on building a new capital and a palace for himself. It would be a massive and monumental undertaking, the construction of what would be the power base of China for the next 500 years — The Forbidden City of Beijing. One young girl, one of the hundreds of women brought to be concubines to the emperor, is caught up in horrific events as the tragic beginnings of the Forbidden City begin to unfold.

Zhou Yan lived many years and saw many things. Reflecting on his past, Zhou Yan's life was full of many colorful people and many interesting events. By luck, he is hand picked by Cao Cao, future Emperor of Wei, to be his general and confidant. As time progresses, many of Zhou Yan's comrades fall to the enemy kingdoms and new people rise up to take power in the kingdom of Wei. When Wei becomes straddled in a war between Shu, Wu, and a corrupt regent Cao Shuang, Yan confides in his mentor and long time friend, the cunning strategist Sima Zhongda, on what course he should take: stay loyal to the family he was picked by or betray them and save the nation he worked so hard to protect. When his wife dies and son too young to be in any jeopardy, Zhou Yan comes to a conclusion when it is clear he has nothing left to lose.