The Daily Life Of Farming In The Qing Dynasty

An Qing traveled through time in an instant, transforming from a doctoral student at an agricultural college into a Mongolian princess during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, suddenly arranged to marry the Fifth Prince. Looking at the towering walls of the Forbidden City, An Qing couldn’t help but hold her forehead and sigh. Everyone in this palace had minds as intricate as sieves, and in front of them, she was nothing but a naive innocent. Fortunately, An Qing’s luck wasn’t too bad – she was assigned to the Fifth Prince Yinqi, who wasn’t involved in the succession struggle. Her maternal family was also the most capable branch of the Khorchin tribe, highly valued by Emperor Kangxi. Anyway, palace intrigue was impossible for her to engage in. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to simply close the door and live her own wealthy and comfortable life? So, While the side concubines and geges (Low-ranking Concubines) used every means to compete for favor, An Qing ate, drank, and farmed. While her sisters-in-law busied themselves showing off their virtue and filial piety, An Qing ate, drank, and farmed. While the various princes were busy forming factions and fighting for power, An Qing pulled Yinqi along to eat, drink, and farm together. But who would have known that An Qing, whom no one in the palace took seriously, would not only casually save the premium peonies used for sacrificial ceremonies that symbolized good fortune, but also solve the agricultural pest and disease problems like “rice blast” and “ghost wheat” that had troubled emperors and court officials throughout history. Not to mention the succession of high-yield crops that appeared in her estate… Many years later, tales spread throughout the countryside of a renowned “Goddess of Agriculture.” Tens of thousands of common people voluntarily erected monuments in her honor. It was said that this “Goddess of Agriculture” was a precious lady from the Forbidden City, yet she preferred to spend her time in fields and farmlands, simply because she said… she wanted all the children in the world to have enough to eat. — Yinqi had grown up under the Empress Dowager’s care since childhood, deeply influenced by the old lady. From a young age, he had a generous, benevolent nature and disliked conflict. But the imperial family could never escape power struggles. Faced with father-son discord, fraternal conflicts, and factional disputes, Yinqi found himself in a difficult position, walking on thin ice, his heart tormented day and night. Until An Qing came to his side. Gradually, her calm and easygoing nature, every smile and frown, became his salvation. From then on, he devoted all his efforts to withdrawing safely from the sword-like conflicts of this power struggle, just so he could give her a peaceful and smooth life. Three meals and four seasons, spring planting and autumn harvest – looking at the layers of wheat waves in the fields, then turning back to see his wife and children beside him, Yinqi found an unprecedented peace in his heart.