Xu Zhinuo

Zhou Ying is sold to the powerful Shen family by her foster father, yet successfully escapes by sneaking into merchant Wu Ping’s palanquin. The Wu family agreed to take her in after witnessing her remarkable business acumen, and she ends up marrying Wu Ping. The drama will chronicle the life of the Qing Dynasty's richest female merchant, and her struggles to keep the Wu family business afloat during the last years of the Qing Dynasty. Shen Xingyi is a happy-go-lucky young sir who has never known hardship in his life. After meeting Zhou Ying, he eventually decides to change his ways and becomes a mature noble who is willing to protect his country and family from disaster. He has a seemingly unrequited love for Zhou Ying.

After a fallout with his teacher and facing oppression from seniors, Lu Zhiyuan leaves Beiping for Shanghai, where his dedication earns him recognition. When war breaks out in Beiping, he returns, vowing never to create cheongsams for the Japanese. With his talent, he rises to become one of China's top costume designers.