Ma Fuya is a princess of the Chu state in 10th-century imperial China during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. In this time of warring kingdoms and political upheaval, Fuya's uncle usurps the throne and brutally kills her father. Ma Fuya is left an orphan, and she escapes with the help of a eunuch. She also falls in love with Meng Qiyou, the Prince of Later Shu. He instead uses her as a political tool, and he brings her back into his kingdom. Many of his brothers are attracted to her, such as Meng Qixing and Meng Qiyun. Due to her resemblance as Meng Qiyun's mother, the Emperor also falls in love with her. Ma Fuya is forced to marry the Emperor, but the procession is interrupted by Liu Liancheng.

In the Great Qi dynasty, young Emperor Xiao Huan assumes the alias Bai Chifan and draws close to Ling Cangcang, daughter of the Grand Tutor, to reclaim power from him and the Empress Dowager. Cangcang, the brave and righteous leader of the Fenglai Pavilion, joins him in investigating the Lingbi Sect. Their bond deepens into love, but her master's death sparks a fatal misunderstanding. Though they become Emperor and Empress, old wounds keep them apart. Refusing to abandon the truth, Cangcang endures betrayal and peril, only to discover Xiao Huan's silent devotion. Together, they restore peace, and prove that neither love nor the realm must be forsaken.

该剧改编自温瑞安的小说《神州奇侠》，讲述了一名酷爱武侠小说却被现实磨平棱角的咸鱼肖明明（成毅 饰），以小说男主角萧秋水的视角游历了一次武林世界，从武力低微、热血冲动的少年剑客，最终成长为有情有义、守护家国的大侠。此后肖明明在工作之余也不忘创作，在小说中继续传递人心因义而聚的信念的故事。