Set in 8th-century China, the story tells of the love affair between Emperor Xuanzong, a widower for several years, and a young commoner who bears a striking resemblance to his deceased wife. The Yang family intends to provide the emperor with a consort to consolidate their influence over him after his wife's death. To this end, they decide to groom a relative of General An Lushan, who works in the kitchen. The emperor falls madly in love with her and makes her a princess.