Transmigrated to the 1960s with the Imperial Kitchen

Yin Xiaoman, a former Head Maid of the Imperial Kitchen, dies after eighteen years of service only to awaken in the body of a woman with the same name in 1964 China. She finds herself in a dilapidated house in Shuanggui Village, responsible for two young children: Da Bao, a five-year-old boy who has become mute from trauma, and Erniu, a toddler who calls her mother. The original owner of this body had been married to Shen Qingyun, a military officer, but was forced out of her in-laws' home by his eldest sister-in-law, Liu Chunxia, who seized her dowry and property. Now destitute and starving, Yin Xiaoman must navigate the harsh realities of rural life while protecting the two children who fear her.

Upon realizing her situation, Yin Xiaoman discovers she can teleport to a preserved room in her former palace residence, which contains valuable food supplies and silver. This ability becomes her lifeline, allowing her to provide better nutrition for the children and improve their living conditions. She uses palace recipes to make steamed buns and noodle soup, transforming the children's health and demeanor. Da Bao begins to speak again, shedding the muteness that had plagued him, while Erniu gains trust and affection for her new stepmother. Yin Xiaoman's culinary skills and dignified bearing contrast sharply with the original owner's reputation as a difficult woman, slowly winning over her skeptical in-laws, particularly her elderly father-in-law Shen Mancheng and sickly mother-in-law Zhang Jinfeng.

The core conflict arises from the Shen family's internal dynamics. Liu Chunxia, the dominant eldest daughter-in-law, views Yin Xiaoman as a threat to her authority and resources. She initially refuses to return the house assigned to Yin Xiaoman's branch, even locking it and moving her own children inside. Yin Xiaoman counters this by inviting two Educated Youth girls to stay, using their political status to pressure the Shen family. The confrontation escalates until Shen Mancheng, fearing scandal and social disgrace, forces Liu Chunxia to yield. He provides Yin Xiaoman with flour and money, marking a shift in the family power structure.

A pivotal turning point occurs when Gao Chong, a subordinate of Shen Qingyun, arrives with an invitation for Yin Xiaoman and the children to join him at the remote military unit near the coast. Unlike the original owner, who refused due to fear of war and unfamiliarity, Yin Xiaoman accepts immediately. She recognizes that the military unit offers food security and a fresh start, far from the village's hostility. She prepares for the journey by gathering supplies from her palace room, including salted duck eggs and other preserved foods, while also securing train tickets through Gao Chong's assistance.

As Yin Xiaoman plans her departure, she learns that Shen Qingyun is scheduled to die in a combat mission within six months. Determined to alter this fate, she resolves to reach the military unit before the tragedy occurs. Her goal is not only to save her own life and that of the children but also to prevent the cascade of misfortunes that befell the original owner, including Da Bao's death and her own suicide. The story follows her strategic preparation, her growing bond with the children, and her confrontation with the hostile elements in her new environment, all while leveraging her unique ability to access resources from another time period to secure a future for her family.