During the early Han Dynasty, young Du YunXi's mother was drawn into a palace conflict which resulted in her entire family being executed. When she grew up, she unexpectedly entered the palace as a maid. She displayed extraordinary talents when she arranged for Lady Li's child to be swapped under the care of the empress. Her intelligence impressed Empress Dowager Lü, and she was sent to Liu Heng, King of Dai, with a new identity as Dou Yifang, so she could spy on him.