Luo Chaoyan is a modern woman who transmigrated into the body of a young girl in the Dayong Dynasty. She is the only daughter of Luo Guanqing, a fifth-rank official known for his rebellious nature and deep affection for his merchant wife, Yin Shi. The Luo family is divided into three branches, with the eldest branch holding significant influence and the grandmother, Old Madam Luo, wielding absolute authority over family matters. The story begins with a heated family dispute regarding Luo Chaoyan's marriage. The eldest branch, led by Luo Chaoyan's uncle and aunt, insists that she marry Huo Jin, the cold and powerful head of the Huo Family, to serve as a stepmother to his two young sons. This match is seen as a crucial opportunity to elevate the family's status and secure political alliances. However, Luo Guanqing and Yin Shi vehemently oppose the arrangement, refusing to sacrifice their only daughter for social climbing. Their resistance leads to punishment, forcing them to kneel in the ancestral hall, but the couple remains steadfast in their protection of their child.
Luo Chaoyan herself is reluctant to enter the marriage, primarily due to a deep-seated fear of water stemming from a near-drowning incident in her previous life. Her aversion is compounded by a hostile encounter with Huo Rui, the elder of Huo Jin's two sons. Huo Rui is depicted as a cunning and manipulative child who actively resents any woman who might replace his deceased mother. He orchestrates a scheme at a temple gathering, pushing Luo Chaoyan into a lotus pond to force her into a compromising situation that would necessitate marriage to Huo Jin to preserve her reputation. Despite her terror, Luo Chaoyan survives the incident and is rescued by Huo Jin. The public nature of the event spreads rumors throughout Jingdu, painting her as a scheming woman who used underhanded tactics to secure a powerful husband.
The conflict escalates as the Huo Family, particularly Old Madam Huo, becomes invested in the marriage, partly due to the affection the younger son, Huo An, shows toward Luo Chaoyan. Huo Rui, however, continues his campaign against her, challenging her to a badminton match in an attempt to humiliate her. Luo Chaoyan, utilizing her modern knowledge and competitive spirit, defeats the young master, though the encounter only deepens their antagonistic relationship. Huo Jin, aware of his son's manipulation, approaches Luo Chaoyan directly. He acknowledges the circumstances and proposes a marriage based on mutual benefit and respect, offering her a degree of autonomy within the Huo household. Luo Chaoyan, recognizing the political and social pressures, as well as the potential for a stable and comfortable life, agrees to the terms. She negotiates a clause that she will not be pressured to bear children immediately, a condition Huo Jin accepts.
As the wedding date approaches, Luo Chaoyan navigates the complex dynamics of both the Luo and Huo families. She maintains a close bond with her parents, who continue to support her despite the family's internal divisions. Meanwhile, the Gu Family, who had hoped for a political alliance through Huo Jin's marriage to their daughter, views the union with suspicion and resentment. The story sets the stage for Luo Chaoyan's entry into the Huo Manor, where she must contend with the hostility of Huo Rui, the watchful eye of Old Madam Huo, and the cold demeanor of her future husband. Her modern perspective and strategic mind will be tested as she attempts to carve out a safe and independent existence in a rigid and treacherous aristocratic environment.
