A love-story between a noblewoman and a mysterious man who shows up in her hometown set in the 1600s during the Qing invasion.
Gil-chae is excited for the flower festival as she will be able to see Yeon-jun, her long-time crush. She believes he is the young master who shows up in her dream every night. Meanwhile, a stranger enters the village and interrupts the flower festival. He is already infamous for associating with foreign intruders.
Gil-chae tries everything she can to draw Yeon-jun's attention but gets disappointed when she sees him with Eun-ae. Since Jang-hyun has been to places all over the country, she decides to get help from him to learn about people in Hanyang. Jang-hyun takes Gil-chae to interesting places where noble women are not allowed. Meanwhile, Jang-hyun plans to hold a 60th wedding anniversary for Grandpa Song-chu.
The Great Jin army intrudes on the borders, and the King has been captive at Namhan Fortress. Furthermore, they ask for the crown prince as hostage. Yeon-jun and the scholars from Neunggun-ri volunteer to fight for the country. However, Jang-hyun brazenly announces that he plans to evacuate instead.
Jang-hyun hears the horses and realizes the intruders are near the village. While the ladies pray at the temple for the young masters at war, Gil-chae notices smoke coming from the top of the mountain. When Gil-chae and Eun-ae are about to cross the river to flee from their village, the intruders arrive at Neunggun-ri.
Even though Gil-chae tries to deny her feelings for Jang-hyun, she is worried about him joining the army. Yeon-jun gets stabbed by the enemy, and Jang-hyun takes him to a physician where Gil-chae and Eun-ae are staying. Meanwhile, Khan is on his way to invade Joseon, and the Crown Prince looks for someone who knows well about the foreign intruders.
Jang-hyun and Ryang-eum disguise themselves as intruders to sneak into their troops and meet Khan. However, the enemy was not easy to fool. The King of Joseon wants to make peace with them before they bring further disaster, but his subjects want to fight them instead. Therefore, Khan cannot wait any longer and proceeds to conquer Ganghwa Island.
Jang-hyun saves Gil-chae and the ladies from the intruders. Gil-chae returns to the spot where the intruders are to check if Jang-hyun is there. Despite the objection of his loyal subjects, the King decides to leave the fortress. Therefore, the war is over, and Yeon-jun is about to propose to Eun-ae. Meanwhile, Yeon-jun and Gil-chae have a conversation in private for the last time.
Gil Chae tries to stop Jang Hyun from leaving but does not know how, as she wants to hide her feelings for him. Also, Jang Hyun tells Gil Chae to move on from Yeon Jun, but she cannot forget him easily. Therefore, Gil Chae has to watch Jang Hyun leave the country with the Crown Prince. Meanwhile, Jang Hyun and his friends meet Yong Gol Dae in Simyang.
Jang Hyun catches fleeing prisoners to gain Yong Gol Dae's trust. The Crown Prince finds out about it and summons him right away. Meanwhile, Gil Chae tries everything she can to make a living for her people, even though she is from a noble family. She uses the business tactics that Jang Hyun taught her to trade goods with foreign intruders.
Gil Chae runs into Ryang Eum and asks him about Jang Hyun. When Jang Hyun returns to Joseon, he finds out Gil Chae is engaged to another man, and Ryang Eum lied to her about his death. When Gil Chae tries to push him away as she is about to get married to Officer Gu, Jang Hyun asks her to run away with him.
Gil Chae gets married to Won Moo, and Jang Hyun returns to Qing, heartbroken, as he lost Gil Chae for good. While capturing fleeing prisoners from Joseon, Jang Hyun meets familiar people from his hometown. Meanwhile, the King of Joseon announces to the escapees to turn themselves in.
Gil Chae and Jong Jong get captured by Qing's soldiers along with other runaway captives. They're dragged to Qing upon King's order. Yeon Jun and Ryang Eum head to Qing to rescue Gil Chae. The Qing emperor orders Crown Prince So Hyeon and his subjects to provide for themselves by farming. Jang Hyun proposes using the Joseon slaves as farmers.
Won Moo sells his goods to earn enough money to save Gil Chae, but everyone mocks him as they believe she has become a slave by now. However, Won Moo travels to Simyang to bring her back, and Yeon Jun and Eun Ae look for ways to find her. Meanwhile, Jang Hyun is surprised when he meets the princess of the Qing in Simyang.
Jang Hyun and Gil Chae meet again after a long time in Simyang when Gil Chae is captured and imprisoned by the intruders. Jang Hyun saves her, and Gil Chae sincerely thanks him. However, when he is about to safely send her back to Joseon, the princess of the Qing, Gakhwa, takes her away.
Gu Jam saves Jong Jong, and she returns to Gil Chae. Jang Hyun pretends to be gravely ill so that Gil Chae won't leave for Joseon. Gil Chae is determined to stay until Jang Hyun gets better, and she even helps with farming while she's there. However, Ryang Eum isn't happy with Gil Chae staying with Jang Hyun, so he tells her to leave.
After the Khan's death, Jang Hyun makes a deal with Yong Gol Dae. However, Gak Hwa gets in his way and threatens him with the captives' lives. Therefore, Jang Hyun sends Gil Chae back to Joseon for her safety even though she wants to stay by his side in Simyang.
Gil Chae divorces her husband and lives on her own with Jong Jong. Jang Hyun hears the news that the Qing emperor will send the Crown Prince back to Joseon, and the captives in Simyang are thrilled to go back to their home. However, the King of Joseon is afraid the Crown Prince will take over his place, so he orders him to leave his followers behind.
Lee Jang Hyun takes risks to protect the Korean prisoners of war whom even the king has ignored and to fulfill their wish to return to their hometown.
Gil Chae secretly takes Jang Hyun home, and the eunuchs from the palace are searching everywhere to find him. The King tortures the Crown Prince, his own son, with his unjustified suspicion. Therefore, the Crown Prince suffers from an illness, and the Crown Princess is framed as a traitor. Meanwhile, Gak Hwa travels to Joseon to take Jang Hyun back.
Jang Hyun regains his memory and recognizes Gil Chae. He finds out the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have passed away and left a letter for him. Meanwhile, Gak Hwa comes all the way to Gil Chae's house in Joseon to find Jang Hyun. Since Joseon interpreters are being flogged to death, Gil Chae decides to let him go to Qing for his safety.
Rebels within the captives who have returned face treason and the wrath of His Majesty. Jang Hyun hears of this and sends Gil Chae to Neunggunri as he turns to confront His Majesty's men. Meanwhile, Gil Chae reaches Neunggunri and waits dearly for Jang Hyun to arrive.
