Destined

Liu Yuru had expected to marry Ye Shi'an (叶世安), a son of one of the city's leading families, and had prepared for years to be the kind of daughter-in-law that house would want. Instead she is married to Gu Jiusi, who first assumes she has married him for his money and treats her coldly. She decides not to leave her fate in anyone's hands. She learns business from Gu's mother, and in doing so she sees that the careless young master is sincere and kind.

The couple's private story soon runs into public events. When the region's military governor abuses his power and ordinary people are driven from their homes, the Gu family has to flee, and Gu Jiusi sets out to take on a public role. The series follows the two of them as they rebuild livelihoods and ease the burden on the people around them.

The story takes place in an invented dynasty. Director Yin Tao told Beijing News that the production built its sets and costumes to give the world a convincing historical texture even though it is not a real one.

Destined is adapted from the web novel of the same name by Mo Shubai (墨书白), originally titled Jia Wan Ku (嫁纨绔, "marrying a dandy") before it was renamed, according to The Paper. The Paper's reviewer connected the new title to a line spoken by Liu Yuru, "may I be a long wind that carries you ten thousand miles" (yuan wo ru chang feng, du jun xing wan li, 愿我如长风，渡君行万里).

Reception was divided. A June 26, 2023 review in The Paper called it not a first-rate drama but not a bad one either, praising a firm main line and brisk pacing, while criticizing an idealized hero and a heroine who is made to look less capable as the story goes on.