Wang Yulan, Ning Ning’s mother and Guiying’s aunt, is a figure entangled in scandal and seeking reinvention. After enduring years of humiliation from her husband’s infidelity, she has engaged in a reciprocally scandalous affair with an older author, making her the subject of lurid gossip at the palace ball. This affair is part of a bitter custody battle with her husband over their daughter, Ning Ning. Rather than being defeated by her circumstances, Wang Yulan channels her emotional turmoil into a creative outlet: she is secretly composing a groundbreaking instrumental piece. Unbeknownst to her, the main melody is deeply rooted in Guiying’s family history, passed down through generations, revealing a hidden connection to her heritage. Wang Yulan represents a complex portrait of a woman fighting for agency and expression in a society that judges her for breaking convention, even as she suffers from its double standards.
