Picked up a treasure — the rugged mountain man turned out to be a true big shot

Zhao Ruhua, a woman from a modern era, transmigrates into the body of an eighteen-year-old girl in Baizhi Village during the Northern Zhou dynasty. The original host had attempted suicide after discovering her fiancé, Li Hongyun, was secretly raising a child with another woman. Upon waking, Zhao Ruhua confronts the Li family as they arrive to formally break the engagement. Instead of displaying the grief expected of her, she coldly demands ten taels of silver as compensation for her wasted youth. The Li family, fearing scandal would damage their business, reluctantly agree and promise to deliver the money within three days. After receiving the compensation, the engagement is officially dissolved, leaving Zhao Ruhua with a small sum of money but a ruined reputation in the village.

With her family in poverty and facing social ostracization, Zhao Ruhua struggles to find a new suitor. Her grandmother, Old Madam Lin, intervenes and arranges a marriage with Yun Shiyue, a reclusive man known for his severely disfigured face. Zhao Ruhua initially despairs, recalling a previous accidental encounter where she saw his muscular physique, which contrasted sharply with his terrifying appearance. However, she soon discovers that Yun Shiyue is not the poor hunter he appears to be. During a private conversation, he proposes a two-year contractual marriage. In exchange for her companionship, he promises to provide her with twenty mu of farmland and one hundred taels of gold upon their separation. Recognizing the immense value of this offer and the stability it brings to her struggling family, Zhao Ruhua accepts the proposal.

The wedding proceeds with Yun Shiyue displaying unexpected wealth, providing lavish betrothal gifts and hosting a grand banquet that outshines the Li family’s upcoming nuptials. Madam Hu, Zhao Ruhua’s mother, proudly displays a jade bracelet gifted by Yun Shiyue, sparking jealousy in Madam Chen, Li Hongyun’s mother. The Li family’s pride is further wounded as they realize their son’s rejection of Zhao Ruhua led to her marrying a man of apparent high status. Despite the public display of wealth, Zhao Ruhua remains cautious, noting Yun Shiyue’s aloof demeanor and the strange, calm confidence he carries.

Shortly after the wedding, Zhao Ruhua returns to her parental home for the traditional visit. There, she encounters Old Madam Lin, who demands the jade bracelet as a tribute due to her status as the matriarch. When Madam Hu refuses, a struggle ensues, and the bracelet is shattered. Old Madam Lin attempts to bully the family into submission, but Zhao Ruhua fiercely defends her mother. She publicly accuses the grandmother of theft and demands compensation for the broken jewelry, refusing to be intimidated by traditional hierarchies. Her sharp tongue and unyielding attitude leave Old Madam Lin speechless and humiliated. Yun Shiyue, present during the confrontation, observes Zhao Ruhua’s boldness with quiet amusement, hinting at a growing respect for his new wife.

As Zhao Ruhua settles into her married life, she begins to plan for economic independence. She decides to utilize her modern knowledge of handicrafts, specifically crochet, to create goods for sale. She requests specific materials from Yun Shiyue, including a specialized hook and high-quality thread. Yun Shiyue, though initially distant, fulfills her requests and provides her with valuable game from the mountains to take to her parents. The relationship between the two begins to shift from a cold contractual arrangement to one of mutual cooperation and subtle affection. Zhao Ruhua realizes that Yun Shiyue’s true identity and capabilities far exceed the modest hunter persona he presents to the village, setting the stage for her to navigate both domestic challenges and the secrets of her powerful husband.