The Demon King Mother and Daughter Have 10,086 Schemes

Lin Qiaolan endures years of brutal domestic abuse at the hands of her husband Wang Dahu and his family, a torment that culminates in her death by fire alongside the Wang family after she poisons their soup. In her final moments, she reflects on the tragedy with a mix of rage and sorrow for her daughter, Liu Xiaoyun. Upon waking, she discovers she has been reborn, transported back to the year 1979, specifically to the day of her daughter's third birthday. The nightmare of her previous life has not yet begun. She finds herself in her father's rural home, where she lives with her stepmother Zhang Qiuju, her father Lin Chaocheng, and various half-siblings and relatives. In her past life, Qiaolan was a passive victim who allowed her family to exploit her labor and resources, eventually forcing her into a disastrous marriage with Wang Dahu that destroyed her life. This time, she resolves to change her fate and protect her daughter from the suffering she endured.

The core conflict immediately centers on Qiaolan's confrontation with her stepmother, Zhang Qiuju, who is depicted as a greedy, cruel, and hypocritical woman. Zhang Qiuju favors her own biological children and stepsons, treating Qiaolan and her daughter as servants while hoarding resources for herself. In this pivotal moment, Qiaolan refuses to submit. When Zhang Qiuju demands the duck egg her daughter found, Qiaolan defiantly cooks it for her daughter and sister-in-law, Xu Shuqing, who is secretly pregnant. The tension escalates when Qiaolan kills the family's chickens and ducks to prepare a celebratory meal for her hardworking father and eldest brother, Lin Shumao, directly defying Zhang Qiuju's orders to save the livestock for sale. She locks Zhang Qiuju in a room to prevent her from interfering, marking a decisive break from her previous submissive behavior.

Qiaolan's transformation continues as she exposes the family's injustices. She reveals to her father that Zhang Qiuju has been stealing their earnings and giving them to her own children, while the eldest brother and Qiaolan have been overworked and underfed. She also confronts her half-sister Lin Chunying, who had previously mocked Qiaolan's suffering, by physically disciplining her for her rude behavior. These actions shock the family and the village, as Qiaolan is no longer the timid widow they expected. She begins to reclaim her agency, ensuring that her daughter and her loyal brother's family eat well and receive the care they deserve. She also discovers that her daughter, Nannan, has also been reborn and retains memories of their tragic past, strengthening their bond as they plan to avoid the mistakes of their previous lives.

The story direction shifts as Qiaolan actively works to dismantle the oppressive dynamics within her family. She secures the house that her deceased husband had left her, ensuring she and her daughter have a safe place to live independent of the Lin family's control. She supports her eldest brother and sister-in-law, helping them navigate the dangers posed by Zhang Qiuju, who attempts to harm Xu Shuqing's pregnancy. Qiaolan uses her knowledge of future events to guide her family toward better decisions, such as encouraging her father to demand that the lazy stepsons work in the fields. Her actions are calculated and ruthless toward those who wronged her, yet protective and loving toward her chosen family. The narrative follows her strategic maneuvers to gain financial independence and social standing in the village, setting the stage for her to escape the toxic environment that once trapped her.

As the chapters progress, Qiaolan's reputation in the village changes from a pitiable widow to a formidable woman who cannot be bullied. She faces continued resistance from Zhang Qiuju and her allies, but she consistently outmaneuvers them through sharp wit, physical assertiveness, and strategic alliances with her father and siblings. The story highlights the stark contrast between Qiaolan's past life of silence and her current life of vocal resistance. She refuses to let her daughter suffer the same fate of neglect and abuse, ensuring Nannan grows up loved and secure. The narrative builds toward Qiaolan's ultimate goal of severing ties with the exploitative members of her family and building a new, happy life for herself and her daughter, free from the ghosts of her past.