Legend of the Female General (锦月如歌)

He Yan, the eldest daughter of the He family, is forced to disguise herself as her bedridden elder brother to preserve the family title. As a young girl at the Xinchang School, she first meets Xiao Jue, the destined son of the Fengyun General. Determined to break free from her family’s control, she joins the battlefield and rises through the ranks to become the legendary "Feihong General." Just as she returns home in glory, her brother suddenly recovers and, together with their family, strips her identity and military honors away, ultimately poisoning her. He Yan survives this betrayal and returns with a new face, once again disguising herself as a man to rejoin the military under a different name. Vowing to reclaim everything that was taken from her, she reunites with Xiao Jue — a cold, reserved commander haunted by his own family’s disgrace. Their relationship shifts from wary testing and suspicion to shoulder-to-shoulder trust as they join forces to battle corruption, defend the innocent, and safeguard the nation together.

The 36-episode season can be broadly divided into four main story arcs:

• Act 1: Substituting for the Elder Brother & Fatal Betrayal (Episodes 1–5): From childhood, He Yan is forced to disguise herself as her ailing brother He Rufei, taking his place at the academy and eventually on the battlefield. Through sheer determination and battlefield merit, she becomes the famous "Feihong General." She first meets Xiao Jue as a young girl at Xinchang School. After returning home in triumph, her healthy brother, together with their family, strips her identity and military accomplishments, poisoning and betraying her. Left for dead in the river, she survives and makes her vow of vengeance. 
• Act 2: New Identity & Facing Off in the Military Camp (Episodes 6–12): He Yan assumes a new identity as the daughter of a city gate commander, cuts her hair and disguises herself as a man to re-enlist in the Yezhou Garrison. At the camp, she clashes with Xiao Jue, now a distant and formidable commander who, believing she may be a spy, subjects her to a series of arduous tests — assigning her suicide missions and deliberately leaking false intelligence. Through grit and courage, she proves her worth, even winning his grudging respect on the battlefield. Meanwhile, her true female identity remains under the constant threat of exposure. 
• Act 3: Uniting against Corruption & Budding Romance (Episodes 13–20): Xiao Jue gradually comes to rely on He Yan’s intelligence and tactical insight to solve major conspiracies, including a corruption case involving the Sun family and the kidnapping of the Prince of Jiyang’s daughter. Their relationship deepens as their partnership shifts from suspicion to true trust. Landmark romantic scenes unfold, including a water rescue that forces them to share a breath and an iconic wine fountain scene where He Yan drunkenly falls on Xiao Jue, sparking an intimate connection. 
• Act 4: Reclaiming Identity & The Final War against External Threats (Episodes 21–36): He Yan publicly exposes her brother He Rufei’s usurpation of her military identity, leading to a dramatic confrontation in court. The mastermind behind it all, Prime Minister Xu Jingfu, is revealed, and Xiao Jue vows to clear his family’s name. After He Rufei attempts to have her assassinated, Xiao Jue risks everything to save her. The final war begins as foreign forces lay siege to the capital. He Yan holds the city walls for three days and three nights, while Xiao Jue launches a daring raid on the enemy. He Yan kills the enemy commander, and the Emperor grants her the title of female general while abolishing the old rule forbidding women from serving in the military.