The love legend of the talented woman Liu Rushi and the scholar Qian Qianyi has been passed down for hundreds of years. Liu Rushi (played by Wan Qian) is the top card of the brothel. She is proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. She advocates equality between men and women and cares about family and national affairs. Qian Qianyi (played by Qin Han), who has experienced intrigues in the political turmoil, is physically and mentally exhausted. He indulges in poetry and wine but has the country in his heart. By chance, they use poetry as a medium, appreciate each other, and come together because of mutual appreciation. However, the storm is coming, and huge changes follow, and a dynasty is about to perish. Faced with the change of dynasties, Qian and Liu have different views on the current situation due to different perspectives on history, and their relationship has cracks: one went to the north to become an official of the Qing court, and the other went south to pursue the Nanming army that resisted the Qing Dynasty. After the prosperity, they reunited and lived an ordinary and plain pastoral life in Hongdou Villa.