The daily life of the villain couple raising children in exile

Tian Shenglai, an ordinary office worker, finds his life disrupted by eerie text messages and a haunting figure in a red cheongsam. After encountering a mysterious old man with a hoe who warns him of a vicious spirit, Tian is directed to Liushu Village to find a man named Zhang De and carve a protective doorstop from a hundred-year-old willow tree. Simultaneously, in the Da Yong Dynasty, Shen Yanrong lives a humble life in Yunshan Village with his wife Lu Yao and their two children, Haohao and Yueyue. Despite their peaceful existence, Shen Yanrong is constantly harassed by the Shen family, particularly by the servant Shen Tao, who acts on behalf of Shen Yanrong’s father, Shen Shiren, a high-ranking official. The Shen family, who cast Shen Yanrong out years ago, summon him back to the capital under the pretense of familial reconciliation.

Shen Yanrong initially refuses to return, determined to protect his family from further abuse. However, after Shen Tao threatens his family and Shen Yanrong recalls past traumas involving his father and grandmother, he decides to confront them. He brings his entire family with him, defying Shen Tao’s orders to leave them behind. Upon arriving at the Shen residence, they are met with hostility. Old Madam Wang, Shen Yanrong’s grandmother, attacks him with a cane, but Lu Yao shields herself and is injured. The family is taken to the main courtyard, where Shen Shiren and his second wife, Wang Yalan, reveal their true intentions. They need Shen Yanrong to take the blame for a crime committed by Shen Yaoming, Wang Yalan’s son, who accidentally killed a child while hunting.

Lu Yao, who had previously suffered from amnesia due to a past trauma, regains her memories after fainting from her injuries. She remembers her previous life as a survivor of an apocalypse who possessed a spatial artifact and was betrayed by her best friend. She also recalls that she has transmigrated into a novel where Shen Yaoming is the male protagonist and her family are the vicious antagonists destined for a miserable end. With her memories restored, Lu Yao realizes the Shen family’s plan to use her husband as a scapegoat. She confronts the family, exposing their scheme and revealing her knowledge of their past attempts to harm her children. Despite the danger, she offers to cooperate with their plan in exchange for protection and resources for her family.

The Shen family, surprised by Lu Yao’s sudden change in demeanor and her apparent understanding of their situation, agrees to her terms. Lu Yao’s confidence and strategic mind unsettle Shen Shiren and the others, who had previously viewed her as a weak and submissive woman. She asserts her authority, demanding respect and better treatment for her family. As the story progresses, Lu Yao begins to plot against the Shen family, using her knowledge of the novel’s plot and her spatial abilities to turn the tables on her enemies. She aims to save her family from their destined fate and expose the true villains, while Shen Yanrong, inspired by his wife’s courage, resolves to stand by her side and protect their family from further harm.

The narrative intertwines the supernatural elements of Tian Shenglai’s story with the historical drama of the Shen family. Tian’s journey to Liushu Village represents a quest for survival against supernatural forces, while Lu Yao’s transformation from a passive victim to an active strategist highlights her determination to change her fate. The Shen family’s internal conflicts and power struggles provide a backdrop for Lu Yao’s rise, as she navigates the treacherous waters of court politics and familial betrayal. The story builds tension as Lu Yao prepares to confront the male protagonist, Shen Yaoming, and dismantle the narrative that seeks to destroy her family. Her actions threaten to alter the course of the novel’s plot, creating a clash between destiny and free will.

As Lu Yao consolidates her position within the Shen household, she carefully manages her relationships with her husband and children, ensuring their safety while she executes her plans. Shen Yanrong, once timid and submissive, becomes more assertive, supported by Lu Yao’s strength and wisdom. The children, particularly Haohao, show signs of maturity and resilience, learning to cope with the hostile environment. The Shen family, aware of Lu Yao’s newfound assertiveness, grows increasingly wary of her. Wang Yalan and Shen Yaoming, feeling threatened by her intelligence and determination, begin to devise new schemes to eliminate her as a obstacle to their success. The story sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation, where Lu Yao’s strategic mind and supernatural abilities will be tested against the combined forces of the Shen family and the novel’s protagonist.