She Quit Being a Young Mistress [Republic of China Era]

Jiang Ci, a low-level ability user from a post-apocalyptic future, transmigrates into the body of a sickly young woman on her wedding night in Republican-era Shanghai. The original host, an orphaned heiress with a substantial dowry, died of anger after overhearing servants reveal that her husband, Qin Huai'an, had abandoned her on their wedding night to spend time with a movie star. Jiang Ci quickly assesses her situation: she is trapped in a declining scholarly family, the Qin household is financially insolvent, and her new husband is hostile and infatuated with another woman. Recognizing that her survival depends on independence, she conceals her true identity and capabilities while formulating a plan to secure her wealth and eventually divorce.

Her first move is to outmaneuver her mother-in-law, Madam Qin, who attempts to seize control of the household finances by exploiting Jiang Ci's supposed illiteracy. Jiang Ci feigns ignorance of reading and arithmetic, claiming she needs her husband to teach her. When Qin Huai'an refuses, she negotiates a deal: she will drop the request if he allows her to attend Huaxi Girls' School, an opportunity she uses to escape the confines of the mansion and gather information. Simultaneously, she investigates her late father's assets, discovering a hidden bank note containing three hundred thousand silver dollars and inspecting a failing jade shop that serves as a front for her father's remaining wealth.

At the jade gambling house, Jiang Ci utilizes her awakened "Mineral X-ray Vision," a power that allows her to see through stone to assess jade quality and absorb spiritual energy to strengthen her body and abilities. She identifies a rare Imperial Purple jade rough that catches the attention of Lu Fengchun, a powerful local gangster and rival of the Qin family. By purchasing the stone and successfully cutting it, she secures a valuable asset while subtly asserting her presence in the city's business circles. Lu Fengchun, intrigued by her beauty and composure, becomes obsessed with winning her affection, viewing her marriage to the unworthy Qin Huai'an as a waste.

The narrative intensifies when Jiang Ci encounters Qin Huai'an and his lover, Liang Manyin, at a department store. The confrontation reveals the public scandal surrounding the marriage and Jiang Ci's calm, sharp rebuttal to her husband's accusations of stalking. Lu Fengchun intervenes, publicly humiliating Qin Huai'an and further complicating the social dynamics. Jiang Ci remains detached, focusing on her education and business expansion rather than engaging in emotional drama. She establishes herself as a competent businesswoman, revitalizing the jade shop and navigating the treacherous political landscape of Shanghai's merchant families.

As Jiang Ci grows stronger, both physically and financially, the power dynamics within the Qin family begin to shift. The Second and Third branches of the Qin family, who control the city's trade and transportation networks, take notice of her success and the attention she receives from Lu Fengchun. While the Main Branch remains in decline, Jiang Ci builds a network of allies and resources independent of her husband. The story moves toward a confrontation where Jiang Ci must leverage her wealth and newfound influence to secure a divorce, protect her dowry from the grasping Qin relatives, and establish her own empire in a city ruled by gangsters and corrupt officials.