Widow Zhang's Rise to Empress

Zhang Wenxiu, a widow from Xiejia Village, bears the stigma of 'bad luck,' facing humiliation from her mother-in-law and schemes from her younger uncle. After saving the injured Emperor Ying Zhao during a crisis, she receives a coiled dragon jade pendant as a promise. Later falsely accused of adultery and sentenced to the pig-cage, her young son Xie Rui saves her but is severely injured. When she appeals to her biological father, she is framed by her step-sister, until Xie Rui provides intelligence and Ying Zhao appears to rescue her. Returning to the village with Ying Zhao, Zhang proves her innocence, exposes Xie Jia's plot to seize property, and sees the villains brought to justice. After entering the palace, she predicts rain to refute rumors of her 'loss of chastity,' becomes a Concubine of High Rank, foils the poison plot of Concubine Shu, and obtains the太后's party list. When Ying Zhao is captured, she alone holds the court, enters negotiations with the Rong and Di tribes to save him, and fights together to quell the rebellion. Ultimately, she transforms from a fishing village widow into the Empress of the nation.