This story is set during the Tang dynasty, under Wu Zetian's rule as the first female emperor of China. Eventually, Emperor Zhongzong takes the throne, but is poisoned by his wife, Empress Wei, and his daughter, Princess Anle. Empress Wei monopolizes the new emperor, and Li Longji and Princess Taiping soon rebelled. Meng Fan and Meng Fu are two sisters who witnessed their father being executed. They enter the palace, and Meng Fan becomes the assistant of Wu Zetian, while Meng Fu is unhappy being a lowly servant. After fighting through many political schemes, they rise to powerful ranks, but on opposite sides of a battle for the throne.