Transmigrated as the Vicious Mother of the Villainous Male Lead

Jiang Jingyi awakens on her wedding night to find herself transmigrated into the body of a villainess in a novel, sitting atop her new husband, Ji Qiuyang. The original host had schemed to marry Ji Qiuyang, a poor but brilliant scholar, and attempted to force herself on him. Jiang Jingyi, a modern woman with no memory of the original host's actions, quickly realizes she has become the mother of the story's ultimate villain. Fearing the tragic fate that awaits the villain and his mother, she refuses to proceed with the consummation of the marriage. Instead, she negotiates a contract with the furious Ji Qiuyang, agreeing to a marriage of convenience where they live as husband and wife in name only, with no physical intimacy and no concubines.

Ji Qiuyang, valuing his reputation and integrity, is initially disgusted by Jiang Jingyi's shameless behavior. However, he agrees to the terms to avoid scandal, especially after village gossips nearly discover them. Jiang Jingyi discovers that her dowry and her late mother's inheritance have been embezzled by her wicked stepmother, Madam Ma, and her father, Jiang Dachuan. The original host had been manipulated into handing over these assets to secure the marriage. Determined to reclaim her wealth and secure her independence, Jiang Jingyi decides to contact her maternal grandparents, the wealthy He family, whom she had been estranged from for ten years due to her stepmother's influence.

Jiang Jingyi asks Ji Qiuyang to write a letter to her grandparents, pleading for help and revealing the abuse she suffered. Ji Qiuyang, despite his initial disdain, is moved by her words and agrees to deliver the letter personally to Qingshui County. He encounters He Yan and Madam Li, who are shocked and heartbroken to learn of their granddaughter's plight. They immediately agree to help her reclaim her dowry and punish the Jiang family. Ji Qiuyang returns home with gifts and news of the He family's support, marking a turning point in his perception of Jiang Jingyi.

The next day, Jiang Jingyi, Ji Qiuyang, and the He family relatives arrive at the Jiang residence in Daqiao Town. The He family, led by the formidable Old Master He, confronts Jiang Dachuan and Madam Ma. Old Master He physically disciplines Jiang Dachuan for his neglect and abuse of his daughter. Jiang Jingyi plays the role of a wronged granddaughter, exposing Madam Ma's lies about not sending the wedding invitation and her embezzlement of the dowry. The original host's half-sister, Jiang Jingshan, attempts to shift blame onto Jiang Jingyi, but Jiang Jingyi counters with emotional appeals that gain the sympathy of her grandparents.

Throughout the confrontation, Jiang Jingyi maintains a facade of vulnerability and filial piety, while internally calculating her next moves. She leverages the He family's wealth and power to pressure the Jiang family into returning her mother's dowry. Ji Qiuyang observes her transformation, noting the contrast between the shrewish woman he married and the clever, resilient woman she is becoming. He begins to question his initial judgments of her, sensing that the rumors about her character may have been exaggerated or manipulated by her stepmother.

The story follows Jiang Jingyi's efforts to establish her position within the Ji family and reclaim her financial independence. She navigates the complex dynamics of her new household, including the kind but worried Old Lady Ji and the supportive Lady Yun. Meanwhile, Ji Qiuyang continues his studies, preparing for the imperial examinations, while gradually becoming more involved in Jiang Jingyi's schemes. Their relationship evolves from one of mutual distrust and contractual obligation to a partnership based on growing respect and unspoken understanding. Jiang Jingyi's ultimate goal is to avoid the fate of the villain's mother and create a new future for herself, using her modern knowledge and wits to survive in the ancient world.