Wen Wan, a concubine in the General’s Mansion, overhears her mistresses discussing a Taoist priest’s prophetic pouch left after a ritual for the Old Madam. The priest wrote “Yin and Yang harmony, only then can one achieve lasting peace.” Wen Wan immediately understands this means the Old Madam should send women to the borderlands to bear the Grand General’s child. The ladies relay her interpretation and receive a reward, sparking a frenzy among the seventeen or eighteen concubines to volunteer. Only Wen Wan remains indifferent, determined to enjoy her comfortable life of eating, sleeping, and playing mahjong after a previous life of overwork. However, Zhao Shi, the mistress, grows suspicious of the eager volunteers and forces Wen Wan and another concubine, Chun Niang, to accompany her to the borderlands.The journey stretches to a month and a half due to Zhao Shi’s delicate constitution. When they stop at a village inn, mountain bandits attack. The bodyguards are slaughtered, and Wen Wan grabs Chun Niang to escape, but the door is kicked open. Wen Wan, realizing resistance is futile, cooperates with the bandits and claims to be the wife of wealthy merchant Zhou Baiwan to ensure a ransom. She is taken with other hostages, including a handsome young man named Achai. Achai is cold and dismissive of Wen Wan’s obvious interest.The bandits separate the hostages. Wen Wan ends up in a carriage and sits next to Achai despite his disdain. They are taken to a temple where the bandits plan to kill the men and sell the women. Wen Wan, desperate to save herself, blurts out that the temple sits atop a large ancient tomb. This prevents her immediate death but draws Achai’s suspicion. She claims knowledge of tomb location from a family skill. The bandits have no choice but to let her live.Unexpectedly, Achai turns out to be an undercover official. He and his men kill most of the bandits and capture the rest. Achai then forces Wen Wan to lead the excavation. They indeed find a tomb filled with gold and silver. Achai gives her a jade pendant as reward. While the squad transfers the treasures, a messenger arrives with news that a thousand Mobei soldiers have ambushed the earlier escort party, killing most. Achai prepares for hopeless battle and initially plans to kill Wen Wan to spare her from Mobei cruelty. Wen Wan quickly proposes a strategy: use fire, divide the enemy with treasure as bait, and break through with fewer forces. Achai sees her value and follows her plan.Before the battle, Achai jokes that if Wen Wan kisses him, he will give her a priceless dagger. She immediately kisses him, shocking Achai. He is flustered, revealing that despite his claim of having many concubines, he has never been touched. Their breakout succeeds, though many soldiers die. Achai leaves his sword in the ground as a vow of revenge. They arrive at a small town and are forced to share a room. Wen Wan becomes anxious about being alone with him, but Achai mocks her appearance. She cleans up and retorts, but their tension remains unresolved. The story follows Wen Wan’s transformation from a lazy concubine to a key figure in helping the general fight the Mobei, entangled with his distrust and growing interest.
