Merchant's daughter Su Wanqing refuses to manage her missing husband Gu Yanzhi's household while he's gone. Instead, she ruins his family's reputation—his sister's marriage prospects, his brother's freedom, the marquisate's standing. When Gu unexpectedly returns with his mistress Liu Meier and FIVE children, demanding the household, Su plays mad to keep them out. With help from imperial power and old allies, she systematically destroys them all—then boards her brother's ship, sailing toward freedom on the open sea.