Born into poverty, Xiaolan is sent to the imperial rear palace as a servant when her family can no longer support every child at home. Laundry and errands are hard work, but regular meals and the chance to build a life of her own make the palace less frightening than she expected. She soon befriends another unusual servant named Maomao, and the two young women help each other navigate the rules, rivalries, and everyday realities of a place where even low-ranking attendants can be swept into court intrigue.