After Transmigrating, I Set Up a Stall in Ancient Times

After a car accident, Su Yi'an awakens in the body of a young woman with the same name who was on the verge of death. The original Su Yi'an was an orphan raised by a cruel stepmother who stole her childhood betrothal contract and forced her into a marriage meant to bring good luck to the failing He family. Su Yi'an, now inhabiting this body, arrives at Yongyang Village for her wedding to He Yunhuai, a second young master who has been bedridden and unconscious for five days. The He family, once prominent scholars, has fallen into poverty and disgrace after being framed by powerful officials. The village is hostile, with neighbors coveting the family's land and mocking their misfortune. Despite the grim circumstances, Su Yi'an remains composed, having seen through the hypocrisy of her own family and the villagers.

Upon arrival, Su Yi'an faces immediate hostility from the villagers, including verbal abuse from a local bully named Gou Er. She asserts her authority by having her servant, Mama Li, slap the bully and publicly rebuking the crowd for their cruelty. Inside the He residence, she discovers a family in desperate straits: the eldest son is paralyzed, the second son is near death, and the women and children are starving. The debt collectors soon arrive, demanding payment for old debts. Su Yi'an reveals that her dowry chests contain only wood and stones, having swapped her meager belongings beforehand to protect them from seizure. This act frustrates the creditors but also signals her determination to survive on her own terms.

As night falls, Su Yi'an learns the full extent of the He family's tragedy. The patriarch was imprisoned due to a fabricated charge, leading to the loss of their property and status. His sons suffered physical harm while trying to protect the family. Su Yi'an decides to stay, not out of love, but because she recognizes that leaving the family would likely result in their demise, and she intends to secure her own future. The next morning, she sells her wedding dress in town to buy medicine and food. During this trip, she encounters Mama Li, who reveals that the Su family orchestrated the marriage to get rid of her, having originally planned to sell Su Yi'an as a concubine to a high official. Su Yi'an realizes she has been used as a pawn but finds solace in her newfound independence.

Back in the village, Su Yi'an faces further antagonism from relatives who seek to seize the He family's remaining six acres of fertile land. She outmaneuvers them by pretending to sell the land at an exorbitant price, driving them away with greed and anger. Meanwhile, she begins to care for the bedridden He Yunhuai, feeding him medicine and ensuring he receives basic care. The youngest members of the family, He Xingchen and He Ningwen, begin to warm to her, seeing her as a protector against the hostile village. Su Yi'an also discovers a small amount of silver hidden by Mama Li, which she uses to buy more supplies. She plans to start a business, observing the local market in Huai'an Town to find a viable trade. The story follows her efforts to stabilize the He family's finances and protect them from external threats while navigating the complex social dynamics of the village.

As winter approaches, the He family faces the dual threats of starvation and cold. Su Yi'an takes charge of household management, rationing food and finding ways to generate income. She befriends a local woman who helps her sell goods, gradually building a small network of support. The villagers' attitude begins to shift from mockery to cautious respect as they see Su Yi'an's competence and resilience. However, the shadow of the He family's past enemies looms large, and Su Yi'an remains vigilant against potential threats. She discovers that He Yunhuai's condition is deteriorating, and the family's hope rests on whether he will survive the winter. The narrative focuses on Su Yi'an's strategic maneuvers to secure her place in this new life, balancing her desire for autonomy with the practical necessities of survival in a hostile environment.