Conquering the Empress Dowager

Concubine Qin Zhao Yue is assaulted by a lecher who turns out to be the Emperor. When her friend Gu Wanqing tries to convince her to deny the encounter, Zhao Yue discovers Wanqing plans to impersonate her to become the Empress and murder them. Realizing she cannot let wealth go to others, Zhao Yue steps forward before the eunuch to claim the identity. Starting as a favored lady, she rises through her cleverness and her son, eventually outliving the Emperor to become the Empress Dowager.