In 494 BC, during the battle in Kuaiji Mountain, the King of Yue, Goujian is defeated by the King of Wu; with no other options at hand, he promises that Yue would forever submit to Wu. After having been a slave for three years, he is finally released by the King of Wu, Fuchai, and returns to Yue.

In order to defend and revive Yue, Goujian sends two beauties from Yue, Xishi and Zhengdan into the luxurious palace of Fuchai. Despite the love, beautiful jewelries and wines from Fuchai, Xishi still misses her country all the time. General WU Zixu has always opposed Fuchai in releasing Goujian back Yue, and regards Xishi and Zhengdan as Troy's Helen. During a banquet, after another dehortation turns out in vain, he becomes furious and kills Zhengdan. Xishi is so grief that she threatens Fuchai with death, and makes him had WU Zixu beheaded.

The death of WU Zixu increases Yue's faith in conquering Wu. Goujian takes the opportunity to declare a war; his troops sweeps Wu and successfully revenges for past humiliation. After Wu's defeat, in Fuchai's palace, Xishi changes into her own country's costume, hoping to return to homeland, but she ended up with facing the queen of Yue whose supremacy was threatened by Xishi.