Gu Leyou, a modern woman with a background in traditional Chinese medicine, transmigrates into the body of a girl bearing the same name in the Yan Kingdom. The original host was engaged to Zeng Sibai, a scholar perceived as a gentleman, but was framed for infidelity after fainting by a river. Gu Leyou wakes up to find herself rescued by Lu Yan, a stoic hunter with a lethal aura who lives with his sickly young son, Lu Yao. Upon returning home, she discovers the village gossip has branded her as shameless. Zeng Sibai arrives to publicly break off the engagement, accusing her of indecency. Instead of submitting, Gu Leyou counters his accusations with sharp logic, exposing his hypocrisy and publicly calling off the engagement herself.
The conflict escalates when her paternal uncle and aunt, led by the greedy Madam Yang, force Gu Leyou into a marriage with Lu Yan to extort a dowry. Madam Yang threatens Lu Yan with false accusations of molestation to coerce him into accepting the match, knowing his secret identity and his son’s condition would be ruined if exposed. Lu Yan reluctantly agrees, and Madam Yang demands ten gold coins as a bride price. Gu Leyou, refusing to be a victim, confronts her uncle’s family and retrieves money they had wrongfully withheld from her parents. During this confrontation, Lu Yan intervenes, revealing his strength and willingness to support her, which shifts the dynamic between them.
A key turning point occurs when Gu Leyou discovers a spiritual spring space after collapsing in the mountains while searching for herbs to treat Lu Yao. This space contains rare medicinal plants and healing water, giving her a significant advantage. She uses this resource to treat Lu Yao’s chronic poisoning and Lu Yan’s wounds, deepening their bond. Lu Yan, initially guarded due to his hidden past, begins to trust her, acknowledging that she is not to blame for the scandal. Meanwhile, Gu Leyou’s younger brother, Gu Leshu, shows unexpected courage in defending her against their abusive relatives.
The family drama intensifies when Gu Leyou’s parents, fearing the burden of caring for a sick stepchild, attempt to cancel the engagement. However, Gu Leyou insists on honoring her word, arguing that breaking the promise would further damage her reputation. The village chief is called in to mediate, and under pressure from the community and her grandmother, her parents are forced to back down. The grandmother, manipulated by Madam Yang, fakes an illness to force the second branch of the family to agree to the marriage. Gu Leyou’s father, deceived, promises the wedding will proceed within three days, later extended to half a month after Lin Shi’s protests.
As the wedding date approaches, Gu Leyou continues to navigate the treacherous family politics. She maintains a close relationship with Lu Yan, helping him care for Lu Yao and uncovering more about his mysterious past, hinted at by the numerous scars on his body. The story follows Gu Leyou’s determination to protect her family and secure her own future, using her medical knowledge and the spiritual spring to overcome obstacles. The narrative sets the stage for her marriage to Lu Yan, not as a submissive bride, but as a partner who brings value and strength to the union, while dealing with the ongoing schemes of her greedy relatives.
