The Daily Life of Farming in Time-Travel to Qing Dynasty

by Usui Takumii

not mine, asia novel dot net. Beware edited mtl.

5. 41 to 50

Chapter 41: The Fifth Consort

Though Perilla did not know the reason behind An Qing's sudden illness, she understood her mistress well. An Qing was never one to act without purpose, and there must be a reason for her actions.

Thus, she did not dare delay and immediately carried out her orders.

In Ningshou Palace.

After hearing Perilla's message, the Empress Dowager pondered for a moment before saying, "Very well, this old woman understands. Let your Consort rest well. There is no need for her to worry about me here; she should focus on recovering first."

Seeing the Empress Dowager's surprisingly calm reaction, Perilla felt uneasy. After all, her mistress was genuinely faking illness—would it be discovered?

But remembering An Qing's instructions, she remained composed and finished speaking, "Yes, Empress Dowager. This servant will convey your words to her."

After saying this, Perilla suddenly looked at Aunt Wu Lan, appearing hesitant to speak.

Aunt Wu Lan was taken aback and asked, "Is there something the Fifth Consort wants to tell this old servant?"

Perilla nodded, glancing instinctively at the Empress Dowager before saying, "Our Consort asked this servant to tell Aunt Wu Lan that if the Empress Dowager does not eat properly again, please send someone to inform her."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Wu Lan was initially stunned but then couldn't help laughing. "Very well, very well. Please tell the Fifth Consort that this old servant will remember."

She then glanced at the Empress Dowager with a teasing look.

The Empress Dowager showed a hint of helplessness before smiling as well.

Though Perilla could not understand the silent communication between the Empress Dowager and her attendant, seeing the Empress Dowager smile relieved her.

Especially when, upon her departure, the Empress Dowager had Aunt Wu Lan personally escort her out—a sign of respect. Of course, this respect was not for her but for her mistress.

The Empress Dowager was using this gesture to publicly acknowledge that the Fifth Consort's absence due to illness was approved by her, thus preventing any accusations of disrespect.

After escorting Perilla out of Ningshou Palace, Aunt Wu Lan hurried back, smiling broadly. "Isn't it a coincidence? Just now, you instructed this old servant to have the Fifth Consort avoid the limelight, and it turns out you both thought the same thing."

Holding a string of jade prayer beads, the Empress Dowager's eyes showed a hint of amusement. "She has always been clever."

"However, even though the Fifth Consort cannot come, she still cares about you and specially sent her maid to pass along a message, worried that you might act like a child and not eat properly," Aunt Wu Lan said with a smile.

Whenever the Empress Dowager had a poor appetite in the past, the Fifth Consort would always try to create new dishes to send over. At first, they thought it was just a coincidence, but after several times, they realized it was intentional.

Indeed, sometimes even Aunt Wu Lan found it amazing how the Fifth Consort's efforts always suited the Empress Dowager's taste, making her eat more.

The Empress Dowager shook her head helplessly. As she aged, her appetite naturally decreased, and occasional loss of appetite was normal. But the Fifth Consort was observant and remembered these things, going to great lengths to cater to her tastes. It was truly commendable.

Initially, the Empress Dowager treated An Qing kindly because of Horqin and the Fifth Prince, but now it was purely because of An Qing herself.

This child was clear-minded and insightful, able to see the crux of matters at a glance. With her by the Fifth Prince's side, even if the Empress Dowager were to pass away someday, she could rest assured.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's listless appearance, Aunt Wu Lan felt a pang of pity and helplessness.

Sigh~ The recent troubles caused by the Crown Princess and the First Consort had truly worn out the Empress Dowager. Twice daily visits, and they came in batches. Who wouldn't be exhausted?

For the other princes, except for the Fifth Prince, the Empress Dowager treated everyone equally. If she were to meet them, she needed a reason to refuse.

"Why don't you pretend to be ill too?" Aunt Wu Lan suggested. "Like the Fifth Consort, we can't fight them, but we can avoid them."

The Empress Dowager glanced at her and laughed slightly. "What kind of idea is that? If I pretended to be ill, wouldn't they insist on serving me, making things worse?"

Now, she only had to deal with them occasionally, but if they stayed in Ningshou Palace all day, it would be truly troublesome.

Seeing that neither option worked, Aunt Wu Lan felt even more resentment towards the Crown Princess and others.

If they truly cared, they should follow the Fifth Consort's example, knowing the Empress Dowager prefers peace. Though she doesn't visit often, she genuinely cares, sending new dishes promptly. Unlike them, who only perform superficial duties, causing the Empress Dowager unnecessary stress.

"In my opinion, it's better to be direct and tell them not to come. You're always worrying so much, exhausting yourself."

The Empress Dowager shook her head meaningfully. "No rush. They won't last long. Why should I be the villain?"

The Empress Dowager understood the Emperor's nature—always balancing punishment and reward. The recent promotions of the princes were a way to diminish the Crown Prince's influence. Now, he is likely trying to bolster the Crown Prince's position, presenting an opportunity.

She must cooperate and provide the Emperor with leverage.

Wait and see; they will soon quiet down.

After leaving Ningshou Palace, Perilla went directly to Yikun Palace.

Upon hearing that An Qing was unwell, Concubine Yi became anxious. "How serious is it? Has a physician been called?"

Then, she summoned Xizhu. "That child is usually as strong as an ox. How could she suddenly fall ill? No, I must go see her myself."

Perilla quickly stopped Concubine Yi. "Your Highness, please don't worry. Our Consort is fine."

Concubine Yi paused, frowning. "What do you mean? First, she's ill, and now she's fine. Can you even deliver messages properly?"

"Please calm down, Your Highness. The Consort told me to say that she's actually fine. She just wants to avoid the limelight for a while, so you don't need to worry about her."

Perilla thought her mistress was indeed perceptive, predicting the reactions of both the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi accurately.

She had instructed Perilla to simply mention her illness to the Empress Dowager but to reveal a bit more to Concubine Yi. The details were all pre-arranged.

Concubine Yi was stunned. Avoid the limelight?

Avoid what limelight?

But she wasn't foolish and quickly connected it to the recent court visits.

"Our Consort said that competing with the Crown Princess is not a good idea. She's backing down, so please don't scold her for being weak," Perilla said.

Hearing this, Concubine Yi was both amused and exasperated. She really backed down with confidence.

However, An Qing's words did remind her of something: competing with the Crown Princess for attention!

Indeed, Concubine Yi had heard about the competition between Dafujin and the Crown Princess. Even because An Qing hadn't visited her in recent days, she was mocked by Concubine Hui yesterday.

She said that as soon as Prince Wu was granted his title, Dafujin had become arrogant, not even respecting her mother-in-law, and stopped coming to pay respects, while praising how filial Dafujin was.

Concubine Yi wouldn't be swayed by such provocations. Her relationship with An Qing was far beyond what ordinary mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships could compare to.

But now she realized something. She had previously thought it was just sibling rivalry, nothing serious, and even the elders were willing to support them, as these were just matters within the imperial harem.

But if it was seen as competing with the Crown Princess, then it took on a completely different meaning.

After all, one should never compete with the Crown Prince or Crown Princess for attention.

"Go back and tell your Fojin to focus on her health. She doesn't need to worry about this palace."

Although Concubine Yi usually acted boldly in the harem, she knew where to draw the line. For example, when there were still Empresses, Imperial Noble Consorts, and Noble Consorts in the palace, she would never overstep her boundaries, even during the years of her greatest favor.

She understood clearly that Emperor Kangxi valued hierarchy and etiquette greatly.

Even if he favored her, he still believed that the Empress and Noble Consorts were superior, and she was inferior, and no one should overstep their bounds. This was the ancestral law.

This principle applied equally to her sons.

Concubine Yi always understood this. Unlike Concubine Hui, she never had such ambitions and didn't want her son to compete with the Crown Prince.

Prince Wu had the Empress Dowager protecting him. Even if only out of respect for the Empress Dowager, the Emperor would not neglect him. So why should she worry?

This was also why she had gone to great lengths to have Prince Wu raised by the Empress Dowager.

To make the act more convincing, An Qing really sent someone to the Imperial Medical Bureau to invite a physician. Whether they could diagnose anything wasn't important; she just claimed she might have caught a cold, faked a few coughs, and said she had a headache and felt weak. The physicians in the palace were all very astute and could adapt easily.

So, as expected, the physician diagnosed Fifth Fojin with a mild cold and prescribed some common remedies before leaving.

This was exactly An Qing's intention. She wanted to make a public show of it, specifically inviting the physician to the princes' residence, just for appearances. She didn't even bother telling the physician to keep quiet; ordinary people wouldn't ask, and those who would already knew the result.

Besides, this situation probably wouldn't last long.

That evening, Yinqi returned to the princes' residence, and Ma Xiang immediately reported An Qing's illness and the physician's visit.

But when Yinqi hurriedly came to the main courtyard, An Qing was happily eating fried chicken freshly cooked by Chunxiao.

Because of her supposed illness, the food from the imperial kitchen couldn't be too greasy. But sometimes, the more one can't have something, the more one craves it. After some mental struggle, An Qing decided that she shouldn't deprive herself, so she asked Chunxiao to cook some fried chicken.

And indeed, after not having fried food for so long, it tasted incredibly good.

"Master, you're here. The fried chicken just came out of the pot. Would you like to join me?" An Qing invited him warmly, sharing the good fortune.

Yinqi frowned slightly, looking her up and down. She didn't look sick at all.

"Aren't you sick?" he asked.

How could she recover so quickly?!

An Qing "ah"ed and then realized he knew about her afternoon visit to the physician. She waved her hand and replied, "No, I was pretending."

Yinqi was taken aback. Pretending to be sick?

Why would she do that?

An Qing didn't keep him guessing. She gestured for him to sit down and explained the whole situation succinctly, including her conclusion.

After listening, Yinqi was stunned, finding it hard to believe. "So, you suspect this is a scheme set up by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess?"

An Qing nodded. "But it's just my suspicion. There's no evidence yet, so it's hard to say for sure."

Yinqi knew she wasn't one to jump to conclusions lightly. If she said this, there must be a reason.

An Qing gave him a thumbs-up. "You understand me well, Master."

Then she explained her reasoning. "Do you think a good reputation in the palace comes easily? Take me, for example. I used to visit Mother and Grandmother frequently, especially Mother, almost every day. That's considered extremely filial, right?"

Hearing this, Yinqi couldn't help but recall the misunderstanding caused by An Qing's frequent visits to Yikun Palace, and a hint of amusement appeared on his face.

An Qing saw the teasing in his eyes and felt a bit guilty.

Okay, she had ulterior motives back then, but...

"Don't worry about my real intentions. To others, wasn't I just showing filial piety to Mother?"

Yinqi nodded. That was true; others wouldn't know the details.

"So," An Qing shrugged, acting as if it were obvious. "Have you heard anything about it in the palace?"

Absolutely nothing!

Of course, An Qing didn't care about such superficial fame. It was the least important thing to her.

But somehow, the Crown Princess managed to gain a reputation for being virtuous and filial simply by visiting Ningshou Palace frequently, and people said the Crown Prince had chosen well.

What nonsense.

Whether it was the Crown Prince or any of the princes, their marriages were arranged by Emperor Kangxi. How dare the servants say anyone married wrong?

Clearly, someone was manipulating things behind the scenes, using the competitive nature among the inner court ladies and the importance of filial piety to lure them into a trap.

Most public opinions are premeditated. People need guidance to form such opinions.

As for their purpose, as she said before, why would anyone seek a good reputation without an ulterior motive?

The Crown Princess demands a good reputation because she is the wife of the Crown Prince, the future Empress of the country!

This virtuous reputation is a standard for her, representing the image of the imperial family.

Or rather, this is also Kangxi's requirement for the Crown Princess.

After An Qing entered the palace, she had always heard that the Crown Princess was renowned for her virtue. However, she had never heard of any other princes' consorts possessing such a reputation. Who could say that there wasn't Kangxi's tacit approval and encouragement behind it all?

But now, as soon as the princes were granted their titles, their consorts began to vie for these special meanings, even daring to compete with the Crown Princess. What does this mean in Kangxi's eyes? It should be clear enough.

Some boundaries are very distinct, like many things that the royal family can use but commoners cannot. If you use them, it's considered overstepping your bounds, punishable by death, and possibly even leading to the extermination of your entire clan.

Similarly, what the Crown Prince and the Emperor can use, other princes cannot touch. Touching them signifies disloyalty, even if they are sons of the Emperor.

This is the protection of the uniqueness of imperial power.

Although Kangxi has recently been intentionally warning the Crown Prince, he still has no intention of deposing him.

In his heart, the Crown Prince remains the rightful heir to the throne. No matter how good the other sons may be, they are still subjects to the Crown Prince. This will not change, and he will not allow anyone to challenge it.

This is why, despite the fierce competition between the Elder Brother Prince and the Crown Prince over the years, he never showed any signs of disloyalty towards the Crown Prince in front of Kangxi.

Yinqi understands these intricacies of the imperial family better than An Qing. She doesn't need to explain everything clearly; just a hint is enough for him to grasp the situation.

Therefore, this seemingly internal struggle among the palace women directly affects them. At worst, it could lead to a severe reprimand from the Emperor, or worse, consequences that are hard to predict.

Undoubtedly, this is the Crown Prince's counterattack against them.

Yinqi's mood darkened. In recent days, the newly titled princes have been enjoying great prestige both in the court and the harem. He was naturally pleased.

After all, who truly wants to remain a bare-headed prince forever?

But amidst his joy, he didn't let his guard down, always wary of the Crown Prince's moves. It wasn't out of malice but an understanding of the ruthlessness of power struggles.

Not only did he stay vigilant, but the other brothers were also on high alert. Everyone in the court was acting cautiously, afraid of leaving any room for mistakes at this crucial time.

However, who would have thought that the Crown Prince would take a different approach, using domestic matters to strike. This was something they couldn't easily defend against.

Fortunately, An Qing noticed it. Otherwise, they would have suffered silently. Yinqi looked at An Qing with gratitude.

An Qing noticed his gaze and immediately became proud. "What do you think? I'm pretty smart, right? Look, my sisters-in-law fell for it, but I didn't. Ha! I'm simply brilliant!"

To be honest, this was her first real encounter with palace intrigue since entering the palace. The incident with Liu Jiashi didn't count; it was more like a minor domestic squabble, with the worst outcome being damage to her reputation and a rift with Yinqi.

But this time was different. A misstep here could lead to suspicions of ambition from Lao Kang. Moreover, she had an additional layer of complexity due to her Horqin background. Her father commanded iron cavalry, which meant real military power.

The actions of the other consorts might implicate their husbands, but if she fell into the trap, it could affect not only Yinqi but also her father and brothers.

Thankfully, her quick thinking saved her. The sense of accomplishment she felt now was even greater than when the crops in the fields were bountiful.

However, amidst her self-congratulation, she was also aware of her limitations. This time, she had the advantage of knowing about the dangers of the Nine Princes' Struggle, which kept her cautious. But if it came to actual palace intrigue, she was still inexperienced.

So, she needed to remain vigilant and cautious.

Every time Yinqi saw An Qing's smug expression, he couldn't help but smile, even feeling the urge to pinch her cheek.

She seemed to effortlessly spread happiness. Even though he should have been depressed after learning about the Crown Prince's move, her mood lifted his spirits, making his lips curl upwards.

At that moment, he suddenly felt grateful to have her by his side, as if they could face everything together. Things he once dreaded now seemed less daunting.

"Luckily, I met you," he murmured.

An Qing blinked, puzzled. "What did you say? You spoke too softly; I didn't hear clearly."

Yinqi froze, surprised that he had spoken aloud. He wanted to say nothing, but when he met An Qing's gaze, he swallowed those words.

Unlike An Qing, he was not good at expressing affection, even if he felt it deeply. But every time she said such things, he felt happy for a long time. So...

After a while, Yinqi gathered his courage and said, "I said, it's good to have married you."

An Qing raised an eyebrow. "Oh, finally recognizing the value of having me as your consort?"

Though she lacked palace intrigue skills, her political acumen was excellent, especially in their complex and dangerous family. Having her as a partner was indeed beneficial.

Feeling quite pleased with herself, An Qing replied, "Right? I agree."

Yinqi: "..."

From that day on, An Qing began to stay indoors, feigning illness.

However, the palace was never short of clever people. While she had an advantage in seeing through some things, others could also notice. Especially in the palace, where people's minds were as intricate as sieves, someone like De Fei might discern the truth.

In Yonghe Palace.

After the Fourth Consort left, De Fei sat there lost in thought.

"Master, is something wrong?" asked a palace maid.

De Fei waved her hand. The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was off, but she couldn't pinpoint what exactly was amiss. Why did this sudden wave of greetings arise?

"You said the Fifth Consort is ill?"

The palace maid nodded. "Yes, Master. The Fifth Consort says she caught a cold."

De Fei frowned even deeper. Caught a cold?

Could it really be that coincidental!

"What's the reaction from Ningshou Palace and Yikun Palace?" De Fei asked.

The palace maid was taken aback for a moment before she realized what Empress Dowager De was referring to. "Everything is normal at Concubine Yi's place; there's no particular reaction. But it's said that yesterday, the Fifth Princess Consort sent a palace maid to Ningshou Palace. It's unclear what exactly happened, but many people saw Mama Wu Lan personally escorting that palace maid out of Ningshou Palace."

Hearing this, Empress Dowager De fell into deep thought, her fingers unconsciously tapping on her knee.

The palace maid stood silently by, knowing that this was her mistress's gesture when pondering something. At such times, she must not disturb her, or there would be consequences.

After a while, Empress Dowager De suddenly lifted her head, her eyes filled with panic.

Oh no!

"Quickly go and inform the Fourth Princess Consort not to come to pay respects in this palace anymore. Also, find an excuse for her not to go to Empress Dowager's Ningshou Palace."

Meanwhile, Yinqi had just left the Ministry of Works and was about to return to the palace when he happened to encounter Yinzhen standing at the gate of the Ministry of Finance, also preparing to return to the palace.

Chapter 42: The Fifth Princess Consort

"Fourth Elder Brother, are we returning to the palace?" Yinqi asked.

Yinzhen was surprised to see Yinqi and nodded slightly. "Fifth Brother, would you like to come along?"

In the end, Yinqi got into Yinzhen's carriage. To outsiders, although the two brothers did not seem particularly close on a daily basis, they were not at all awkward when alone together.

Along the way, they discussed some matters from their respective offices. Yinqi's Ministry of Works had been relatively calm recently, not too busy. However, Yinzhen's Ministry of Finance had been in chaos lately.

The main reason for this was that after the spring, provinces such as Shandong, Henan, and Shaanxi, which were crucial for wheat cultivation, had reported significant frost damage to their crops.

These crops, which had looked promising just before the New Year, now had yellowing and withering leaves due to frost damage. Officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department were constantly worried, knowing that a reduction in yield was inevitable.

When Yinqi heard about the frost damage to the wheat, his heart sank. He hadn't paid much attention to An Qing's fields recently and wondered how her wheat was faring.

However, he hadn't heard her mention anything, so it seemed there wasn't a problem. Could her measures, such as pressing down the wheat before the New Year, really prevent frost damage?

Nonetheless, Yinqi knew the importance of the situation and didn't say much, just as An Qing had said—it was better to see things with one's own eyes.

Moreover, judging by An Qing's demeanor, if her wheat could indeed increase in yield, she must have a plan. Although he couldn't help her much, he wouldn't hold her back. Therefore, he would keep quiet until the matter was settled.

But Yinqi was also conflicted about another issue. He glanced at his Fourth Elder Brother, unsure how to bring it up.

Seeing Yinqi hesitating, Yinzhen proactively asked, "Fifth Brother, is there something you want to tell me?"

Yinqi hesitated for a moment and then nodded. "Fourth Elder Brother, I might be overstepping, but I think it would be best if Fourth Sister-in-Law doesn't go to the palace to pay respects for a while."

He didn't elaborate further, as these matters were delicate and could only be understood implicitly, even among brothers.

Today, he spoke out because his Fourth Elder Brother had always treated him well, and he was certain the other wouldn't misunderstand. If it were his Elder Brother or Third Elder Brother, Yinqi wouldn't have mentioned it, knowing they would think he was trying to obstruct them.

Hearing this, Yinzhen frowned instinctively.

Of course, he wasn't offended by Yinqi's words; he was simply pondering them seriously. He had heard some rumors about this recently but wasn't entirely clear on the details. Matters in his household were usually managed by the Fourth Princess Consort, so he couldn't understand what could be wrong with going to the palace to pay respects. Seeing Yinqi's reluctance to elaborate, he didn't press further. The rest of the journey was silent.

Upon returning to the princes' residence, Yinzhen went straight to the main courtyard where the Fourth Princess Consort resided without changing his clothes.

The Fourth Princess Consort was surprised to see him. "My lord, why are you here so early today?"

Without beating around the bush, Yinzhen asked directly, "Tell me about your recent visits to the palace to pay respects."

Hearing his question, the Fourth Princess Consort's face flushed with discomfort. This involved subtle rivalries among the sisters-in-law, making it difficult to discuss openly.

But knowing her husband's character, she realized there must be something she didn't know prompting his inquiry. So, she didn't hide anything and explained everything, including the less explicit aspects of the women's interactions.

After listening, Yinzhen nodded thoughtfully.

If it were just a rivalry among the inner family members, it shouldn't cause serious consequences. But he knew his Fifth Brother wouldn't mention it without a reason. There must be something he hadn't considered.

The Fourth Princess Consort suddenly hesitated. "My lord, there's one more thing. Mother sent someone earlier to tell me not to visit her palace for a while. She also said not to visit Empress Dowager and added..."

"What else did she say?" Yinzhen asked anxiously.

The Fourth Princess Consort pursed her lips. "She said that no matter what, the Crown Princess is different from us and that I should avoid her."

Avoid the Crown Princess?

Yinzhen's expression hardened. He finally understood!

He realized what he had overlooked. No wonder his Fifth Brother couldn't explain it clearly. The root of the issue lay here.

"Do as Mother said. Has anyone informed Empress Dowager yet?" Yinzhen asked.

The Fourth Princess Consort shook her head, feeling a pang of realization.

Seeing her husband's reaction, she understood that she had misjudged the situation. She had thought the Empress Dowager's message was due to her dislike of her daughter-in-law, even disregarding her son's reputation.

"Not yet, my lady. I'll send someone right away," the Fourth Princess Consort said.

She added, "Fortunately, Honghui has been unwell these past few days. Shall I use that as an excuse to inform Empress Dowager?"

An Qing had already used illness as an excuse, so using it again might seem deliberate. Fortunately, Honghui had fallen ill again, and the imperial physician had been called, making it a reasonable explanation.

Yinzhen nodded. "That's very thoughtful. Do it."

The Fourth Princess Consort quickly summoned her personal palace maid and gave her instructions. The maid hurried off toward Ningshou Palace.

After resolving this matter, the Fourth Princess Consort finally breathed a sigh of relief but remained puzzled about the underlying reasons.

She wanted to ask but felt that if her husband didn't explain, there must be a reason. Pressing him would only make things difficult.

This time, apart from the rivalry with the other princess consorts, the main reason was her concern for her husband.

Both the First and Third Princes had been granted the title of Prince, but her husband was only given the title of Beile, despite being younger than the Third Prince. This always made her feel sorry for him, so she tried to boost his reputation. Now, it seemed she had made a mistake.

Yinzhen noticed her hesitation and briefly explained the seriousness of the situation behind it.

Upon learning the reason, the Fourth Princess Consort was shocked and her face turned pale. She realized how close she had come to causing a major disaster.

"I'm sorry, my lord. I've caused you such great trouble this time," said Princess Consort An Qing, filled with remorse.

Yinzhen gently patted her hand and replied, "Between husband and wife, we don't speak of such things. Just be more cautious in the future."

If it weren't for his mother's final words, he might have been caught up in this mess too. He knew it wasn't Princess Consort An Qing's fault; after all, the pressure of filial piety was immense. If not for realizing the severity of the situation, who would dare to take such risks?

Princess Consort An Qing readily agreed, "I will certainly be more careful in the future."

Yinzhen nodded, then added, "If you're unsure about something, observe how Fifth Sister-in-Law handles it before making a decision."

He didn't think that An Qing had figured out the situation this time. After all, even his mother, who lived in the palace and understood the Emperor well, took several days to realize what was happening. How could anyone else have done better?

However, Fifth Sister-in-Law had the Empress Dowager's guidance. The Empress Dowager always doted on the Fifth Prince, so she would naturally see things more clearly than others.

After years of marriage, Yinzhen understood Princess Consort An Qing's thoughts well. He knew she had lost her composure because she cared deeply for him, which made it harder for him to blame her.

In fact, regarding the matter of the enfeoffment, he initially felt quite upset but also knew that ultimately no one else was to blame.

They had speculated earlier that during the Dzungarian campaign two years ago, the Emperor insisted on bringing all the adult princes to gain some military achievements for their future enfeoffments.

On the battlefield, Eldest Brother and Third Elder Brother's performances were widely recognized. However, due to his poor archery skills, although he nominally led the Right Red Banner camp, he achieved nothing in that war.

So, his father had given him an opportunity, but he hadn't seized it. There was no one else to blame.

Of course, the reason Eighth Brother received an enfeoffment was because his performance on the battlefield earned the Emperor's approval. Although he was too young to be sent to the front lines, he excelled in managing the camp and was praised by the Emperor in a poem written on the battlefield.

Even Yinzhen, upon reading it, thought it impressive. At such a young age, Eighth Brother was composed and diligent, working tirelessly. It was no wonder the Emperor favored him.

The enfeoffment was indeed deserved.

Yinzhen had felt frustrated and resentful at first, knowing that as a Manchu prince, his poor archery skills were a significant flaw.

But he wouldn't wallow in self-pity. He knew some things couldn't be forced. Since childhood, he had lagged behind his brothers in archery, but he could excel in other areas.

For example, in literature or official duties, he would strive to change the Emperor's perception of him. Next time there was an enfeoffment, he would still have a chance.

Princess Consort An Qing withdrew from the competition due to her son's illness, which barely caused any reaction. After all, Honghui's frail health was no secret in the palace.

Moreover, she had previously requested a physician for him.

Thus, the competition to show filial piety continued. A few days later, Seventh Princess Consort also withdrew due to illness, leaving the competition between the Crown Princess, First Princess Consort, and Third Princess Consort.

After a few more days, news finally reached Kangxi.

Inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Upon hearing the report from the servant, Kangxi's face darkened.

He slammed the memorial on the table and sneered, "Empress Dowager has always preferred tranquility. Since I ascended the throne, I exempted the imperial concubines from daily visits, requiring only monthly greetings. Could they not know this?"

No one dared to respond, not even Liang Jiugong, who stood with his head bowed.

After all, how could they not know? They weren't new to the palace.

Fortunately, Kangxi didn't expect anyone to answer and continued, "Hmph! They were never particularly filial before, but now they suddenly become diligent. It seems some people have grown ambitious!"

If they were truly filial, they should follow Fifth Princess Consort's example and show devotion regularly, not just for show. They must have ulterior motives.

No one dared to speak, all cowering like quails.

After a moment, Kangxi asked, "Has Fifth Princess Consort not joined them from the beginning?"

The servant replied, "Your Majesty, yes. It is said that Fifth Princess Consort caught a cold and has been unwell these past few days."

Kangxi nodded slightly, his expression softening.

But he remained silent for a long time, and no one dared to breathe loudly.

Liang Jiugong observed silently, marveling at Fifth Princess Consort's luck or insight.

If it was the latter, she was quite astute.

"Is that girl really sick or faking it?" Kangxi suddenly asked Liang Jiugong.

Liang Jiugong inwardly groaned. How could he answer such a question?

Most importantly, he couldn't gauge Kangxi's mood.

After a moment, he replied, "Fifth Princess Consort did plant wheat last year. With the severe winter, her crops likely suffered frost damage. Given the timing, she may have overexerted herself tending to her fields."

Kangxi paused, surprised by the possibility.

After the New Year, reports from various regions mentioned the severe frost damage to wheat crops. Farmers had been working hard to salvage their fields, though with limited success.

Her fields must have been affected too.

"That's true. That girl loves farming; it's something she would do," Kangxi said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "It's said that those who farm are often pure-hearted. Whether coincidence or not, it shows she has no ulterior motives."

Liang Jiugong breathed a silent sigh of relief.

It seemed Fifth Princess Consort had passed this test, but the fate of the others remained uncertain.

He recalled An Qing's gift of watermelons and decided to mention her love for farming, portraying her as simple and honest.

After all, in the Emperor's mind, those who worked the land were the most sincere and harmless, fitting Fifth Princess Consort's image in Kangxi's heart.

As for An Qing's gift of watermelons to Liang Jiugong, it stemmed from the day Kangxi and the ministers unexpectedly visited her melon field.

That day, she saw everyone picking watermelons in the field. Only Liang Jiugong, who was by Kangxi's side, was standing at the edge of the field. So she asked him to pick one along with the other ministers to take back.

She did this openly in front of the Emperor, and the process was entirely proper.

"Father has already said it. How could I let everyone leave empty-handed? Does 'everyone' not include Eunuch Liang?" An Qing asked, puzzled. "That's great; I save another one..."

When Kangxi heard her say this, he immediately responded, "What are you waiting for? Go pick one quickly. This girl is very stingy; don't let her save anything."

Everyone burst into laughter, and Liang Jiugong happily cooperated, quickly going over to pick one.

But deep down, he knew that if Wu Fu Jin didn't want to give him one, she wouldn't have mentioned it.

This was a sign of respect and kindness from Wu Fu Jin, and Liang Jiugong appreciated her gesture.

After all, although he was the chief eunuch by the Emperor's side, he wasn't the only one. There was fierce competition among them. But in this situation, being treated like the other ministers and receiving a gift from the Emperor was a matter of face—his unique honor in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Of course, An Qing had no idea that her unintentional act that day would bring her such good fortune, truly an unintended benefit.

Since the matter reached Kangxi, he wouldn't let it go easily. He specifically summoned Elder Brother Prince, Third Brother Prince, Fourth Brother Prince, and Seventh Brother Prince to scold them, citing their wives' lack of consideration for the Empress Dowager as the reason for frequent visits that tired her out.

But his words made everyone realize the seriousness of the situation. Apart from Fourth Brother Prince, who knew the reason early on, the other three weren't foolish. Seeing that Kangxi didn't mention the Crown Princess or the Crown Prince, they sensed something was amiss.

Especially when Kangxi said, "The Crown Princess is known for her virtue; who in the court doesn't know this?" They realized where the problem lay, even if they were slow.

However, Kangxi was principled. Since Fourth Fu Jin withdrew in time, Fourth Brother Prince was only scolded a few times. Seventh Brother Prince was next, but the main focus was on Elder Brother Prince and Third Brother Prince, who ended up kneeling and apologizing.

Finally, after each received punishment for their respective wives—copying Buddhist scriptures to pray for the Empress Dowager—they were dismissed by Kangxi.

Of course, the punishments varied in severity. Fourth Fu Jin had the least, followed by Seventh Fu Jin, while Elder Brother Prince and Third Brother Prince had the most, likely taking more than three months to complete.

After scolding his sons, Kangxi went to Ningshou Palace.

"Mother always prefers peace. It's the children's fault for disturbing you," Kangxi said apologetically.

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and replied, "It's not that serious. The children are just worried about me being lonely."

Kangxi disagreed, "I see that Mother looks more worn out recently. It must be because of them. It's truly unacceptable!"

The Empress Dowager didn't defend them further, agreeing with Kangxi's words and smilingly said, "Now that the Emperor has scolded and punished them, let's put this matter behind us. They meant well, but it turned out poorly. It's not a big deal."

Kangxi nodded and said, "But Mother, please don't let this happen again. Taking care of your health is most important. If there's anything you find difficult to say, send someone to me."

The Empress Dowager smiled and agreed.

With that, the matter was settled. Kangxi chatted with the Empress Dowager for a while before leaving Ningshou Palace, citing official duties.

Inside the palace, only the Empress Dowager and Wu Lan remained. The Empress Dowager calmly finished her half cup of tea.

Wu Lan couldn't help muttering, "In my opinion, the Emperor is pretending to be ignorant. He's using you as an excuse to reprimand Elder Brother Prince and the others."

The Empress Dowager smiled, knowing she was also pretending to be ignorant.

As for using her as an excuse, she had anticipated it, which was why she didn't stop Elder Brother Prince's wife from visiting earlier.

The Emperor wanted to elevate the Crown Prince and reprimand the other princes without severe punishment. Using her as an excuse was the perfect cover.

Of course, this was a long-standing tacit understanding between her and the Emperor. She was happy to serve as a cover to help him.

They weren't biological mother and son, but they managed to coexist peacefully over the years, giving and taking in return. Otherwise, their relationship wouldn't have developed as it did based solely on the title of Empress Dowager.

With the punishment of the various wives, a significant stir arose in the imperial harem.

But people weren't foolish. They noticed a key detail: the Crown Prince and Crown Princess emerged unscathed.

This implied that despite the Emperor's favor towards the princes, his preference for the Crown Prince remained unchanged. The weight of this favor was clear to everyone.

Thus, the initial excitement caused by the princes' appointments subsided, and the harem entered a strange balance.

An Qing's "illness" finally improved, but she didn't wander around much, still staying within the courtyard. After all, she was the only one who escaped due to her "illness." Better to keep a low profile.

However, Yinqi couldn't hide. He was in a difficult position.

With this incident, only he and the unmarried Eighth Brother Prince escaped. This naturally drew envy.

Eighth Brother Prince was fine since he had no wife, but Yinqi had a wife who frequently visited Ningshou Palace and Yikun Palace. Now, he escaped due to illness.

How convenient this illness seemed. Who knew if it was real or feigned?

Regardless, it invited resentment, so Elder Brother Prince and Third Brother Prince picked on Yinqi for days.

But they knew the issue lay with themselves and didn't go too far, fearing further trouble with their Father.

March passed tumultuously, and April arrived.

An Qing's wheat field thrived, safely surviving winter and growing better.

She continued to work hard, fertilizing the wheat to promote growth and increase ear formation, paying close attention to pest control.

After several rounds of spraying homemade pesticides, she finally relaxed.

The wheat had entered the earing stage, with young ears emerging from the leaf sheaths, bringing a sense of impending harvest.

While she dreamed of a bountiful harvest, unexpectedly, Kangxi announced he was going to Changchun Garden.

Chapter 43: The Fifth Princess Consort

Changchun Garden is the summer retreat where Kangxi conducts his affairs away from the Imperial City.

The heat in the Imperial City during summer is unbearable, and the palace feels like a giant oven. Therefore, unless there are special circumstances, he usually takes everyone to Changchun Garden for the summer.

But it's only mid-April now, far too early for a summer retreat.

An Qing was puzzled, wondering what had suddenly possessed Lao Kang to make this decision. Could there be some hidden agenda?

However, this question did not linger long. When Yinqi returned that evening, he immediately clarified the situation.

"Father Emperor wants to promote the planting of his imperial rice in places like Yuchan Mountain in the western suburbs and Changchun Garden. He has already issued orders to prepare, and going there now is likely to oversee the process closely."

An Qing immediately understood, thinking it made sense.

Due to water and temperature limitations and the type of rice variety, most northern regions that grow rice plant late rice. However, Kangxi's imperial rice is actually an early rice variety.

This early rice has a significant feature—it matures quickly.

In the twentieth year of Kangxi's reign, he discovered a peculiar rice plant, which became the progenitor of his imperial rice. It was said that the plant was exceptionally tall and already bore heavy grains when other rice plants were still growing. Kangxi was amazed and ordered the seeds collected for trial planting.

From the twenty-first year of Kangxi's reign, he had people plant these seeds in Fengze Garden. By June, the rice matured three months earlier than other varieties, with its grains being slightly longer and reddish in color, and tasting better than ordinary rice. This marked the beginning of imperial rice.

After initial success, Kangxi continued experimenting and improving the imperial rice. One variety, an early drought-resistant rice, was successfully tested in Fengze Garden last year. The one he plans to promote in Changchun Garden and Yuchan Mountain should be this variety.

Compared to the late rice commonly planted in the north, this early drought-resistant rice has two significant advantages: a shorter maturation period and strong drought resistance. Planting it now would be appropriate.

"Was this decision made suddenly? Why haven't we heard about it before?" An Qing asked, puzzled.

It didn't seem right. Given Kangxi's cautious nature, he would typically wait several seasons after a successful trial before promoting it widely. There must be a reason for the urgency.

Yinqi nodded slightly and explained, "I mentioned it before. Last winter, wheat crops in Shandong, Henan, and Shaanxi suffered severe frost damage. I believe this is related."

"In fact, the wheat was growing well before the disaster. Father Emperor had high hopes, but they couldn't withstand the frost."

An Qing understood everything.

So, Kangxi attributed the wheat frost damage entirely to 'natural disasters,' which he deemed uncontrollable. Thus, he turned his hope to rice that doesn't need to survive winter.

Given her knowledge of rice cultivation during Kangxi's reign, An Qing knew that his efforts were not just about promoting imperial rice in rice-growing areas but had a larger ambition.

Historically, Kangxi's major agricultural achievements included breaking the historical barrier against rice cultivation north of the Great Wall and promoting double-cropping rice in the south.

Indeed, at that time, rice cultivation north of the Great Wall had not yet begun. It was only through Kangxi's cultivation and promotion of early drought-resistant rice that this barrier was broken.

As for double-cropping rice in the south, while it wasn't Kangxi's invention, he improved the system by breaking the tradition of planting glutinous and non-glutinous rice together and achieving double-cropping with the same variety.

Both achievements were possible due to the development of drought-resistant rice.

Promoting this early drought-resistant rice in Yuchan Mountain and Changchun Garden is a crucial step. If successful, the next step would be to try planting it north of the Great Wall.

"Sir, can you tell me more about agriculture?" An Qing asked.

Yinqi was taken aback. He knew less about agriculture than An Qing. Wouldn't it be presumptuous to lecture her?

But then he realized she wanted to know about the current state of agriculture in the Great Qing.

"There's no problem with that. It's not confidential," Yinqi replied.

He then briefly outlined the recent agricultural situation and some of his father's policies.

An Qing listened intently, as Yinqi provided detailed information. She gathered several key points:

First, due to rapid population growth in the early Qing dynasty, the imbalance between population and land was becoming evident. Second, Kangxi seemed to have recognized this issue, albeit in its early stages.

In an agrarian society, the 'population-land conflict' is a critical challenge that many dynasties failed to address. However, given Kangxi's long reign and his desire to achieve, he had the opportunity to recognize this serious social issue.

With increasing population and limited land, per capita grain production would decrease, leading to food shortages. Hence, Kangxi had been vigorously encouraging reclamation and farming, focusing on rice cultivation and issuing policies to boost crop yields.

An Qing suddenly realized that her wheat field could be leveraged further.

Given Kangxi's low expectations for winter wheat, if she could solve or mitigate the 'natural disaster' and increase wheat yields, it would be a significant surprise.

Not all regions can grow rice; areas like Shandong, Henan, and Shaanxi are primarily suited for wheat.

They talked for a long time, drifting into broader topics.

Yinqi suddenly remembered something and looked at An Qing, asking, "Can you manage your wheat field? If not, you can find a reason to stay behind, and I'll come back for you later."

Knowing his father was moving to Changchun Garden, he had been considering this. While he had to follow his father, he also knew how much An Qing cared about the wheat. If she couldn't go immediately, it would be fine to join them later.

An Qing waved her hand, replying, "No need. I'll go with you. The wheat is mostly taken care of, so it's fine."

She added, "But when it's time to harvest, I'll need you to bring me back."

This was a rare opportunity to witness the development of rice cultivation, and she wouldn't miss it.

Yinqi nodded. It wouldn't be difficult. Changchun Garden was more accessible than the palace, and he could inform his mother in advance.

Since learning the reason for Kangxi's urgent move to Changchun Garden, An Qing felt inexplicably excited, almost like going on a spring outing.

Of course, this excitement was also mixed with the thrill of leaving the palace. Even though moving there would be similar to living in the palace, where she couldn't freely enter or leave the palace gates, she could still wander around Changchun Garden as she pleased.

The location of Changchun Garden is rich in springs, and the surrounding villagers have a long tradition of growing rice.

When constructing Changchun Garden, Emperor Kangxi had set aside a separate paddy field of about one hundred mu in the western part of the garden. This time, it was likely that they would conduct trials there. Since it was within the garden, she might even get to observe the process on-site.

Emperor Kangxi brought quite a few people with him to Changchun Garden this time. The Empress Dowager was definitely going, and the Four Concubines were also on the list. Additionally, he brought along several favored concubines, such as Concubine Wang.

Furthermore, all his adult sons and those who had already started studying at the Shangshufang were also included.

In Yinqi's household, besides An Qing as the main wife, there was another concubine position available.

As for who to bring, she first asked Yinqi's opinion. After he said it was entirely up to her, An Qing decisively chose Guajia Shi, who had always been well-behaved.

She wasn't someone with a good temper. Ever since Baijia Shi caused trouble last time, she never gave her a good face again. Apart from the normal treatment due to her status as a princess, she didn't give her any special favors.

An opportunity like this, akin to a vacation outside the palace, was certainly not going to fall on her.

For this reason, Baijia Shi was furious in the courtyard, but she didn't dare show it in front of An Qing. She could only vent her anger by criticizing Guajia Shi indirectly for several days. Fortunately, Guajia Shi had a good temper; otherwise, they would have ended up in a fight.

As for who to bring from the household, according to An Qing's initial plan, Perilla and the other three would all go, along with Little Xizi. The rest would stay behind to watch over the courtyard. There were servants at Changchun Garden, so there was no need to bring too many people.

But Perilla volunteered to stay behind, "Mistress, I'll stay here to help you look after the wheat. With them serving you, I'm at ease."

An Qing thought it made sense. Perilla had been with her the longest and had accompanied her during every wheat planting in Horqin, understanding more than others. Having her watch over things was indeed reassuring.

"Alright, then you stay for now. Once the wheat is harvested, I'll bring you over."

The wheat was expected to be ready for harvest by late May or early June, and they would likely stay at Changchun Garden until July or August. It would be nice to get away for a while; otherwise, staying in the palace could drive anyone mad.

Changchun Garden is located in the western suburbs of Imperial City. The carriage swayed out of the palace, and due to the large number of people and carriages, it took half a day to reach their destination.

An Qing sat in the carriage, curiously lifting the curtain to look outside all the way. When she saw the rice fields, she knew they were almost there. These fields were clearly imperial fields, looking very neat and orderly, surely designated by Kangxi specifically for rice experiments.

However, it was the time for transplanting rice seedlings, and many farmers were busy in the fields.

They left at noon and arrived in the evening. The courtyards were pre-assigned, and upon entering Changchun Garden, the carriages headed to their respective residences.

Strictly speaking, the princes did not live inside Changchun Garden but in its affiliated gardens, the West Garden, where the four princes' residences were located.

After sitting in the carriage all afternoon, An Qing was quite tired upon arrival, especially since it was getting dark. She didn't wander around and went to bed early after settling in.

After a night's rest, An Qing was fully refreshed when she woke up the next day.

Since she was here, there was no reason to stay cooped up in the courtyard. So, she used the excuse of paying respects to Concubine Yi and the Empress Dowager to explore the main courtyard of Changchun Garden.

Changchun Garden differed from the palace, adopting the style of southern gardens, emphasizing natural simplicity.

Indeed, as rumored, Changchun Garden was simple and unadorned, even somewhat crude, with no elaborate decorations on the beams.

It was said that when Emperor Kangxi built the garden, he considered minimizing labor and expenses, requiring everything to be kept simple and not extravagant.

While the buildings were plain, the outdoor spaces were filled with garden charm.

There were many ancient trees and vines left over from the Ming dynasty, and various flowers and fruits like waxberry, peony, magnolia, peach, apricot, and grapes were planted. The garden also housed deer, cranes, peacocks, and bamboo partridges, creating a serene atmosphere.

Many courtyards were surrounded by water on three sides, cool and pleasant, making them ideal for summer retreats.

After exploring for a while, An Qing finally found her destination: the neatly planned paddy field inside the western wall of Changchun Garden, cultivated by Emperor Kangxi.

However, although she found it, she couldn't enter.

"Fifth Princess Consort, without the Emperor's permission, I cannot let you in," said the little eunuch guarding the gate.

An Qing sighed silently. Where could she find Emperor Kangxi now?

After all, Emperor Kangxi didn't come to Changchun Garden for a vacation. He still had to attend court and handle official matters. The Nine Classics and Three Affairs Hall in Changchun Garden was where ministers held court, and Yinqi had gone to attend court early in the morning.

An Qing reluctantly glanced inside, seeing the farmers busy transplanting rice seedlings. She wished she could fly in and help.

Sigh~ Since coming here, she had always stayed in Horqin and had never seen how farmers of this era planted rice. Of course, she had another purpose this time.

Emperor Kangxi had already provided her with the imperial rice seeds, but she couldn't plant them. First, there was no suitable place in the palace, and second, Horqin didn't grow rice. If she suddenly knew how to plant rice proficiently, it would be hard to explain.

So, An Qing planned to spend her free time in the garden's rice fields, gaining experience for future reference.

"Mistress, why don't you ask the master to seek an imperial favor?" Cui Liu suggested.

An Qing sighed; that was her only option. She would talk to Yinqi first, and if it didn't work out, she would just wait for another chance.

Although she couldn't enter the rice field, she still had business to attend to. So, An Qing went directly to the Empress Dowager's Ninghui Hall to pay her respects.

Coincidentally, Concubine Yi was also there, paying her respects.

Seeing An Qing looking dejected, Concubine Yi couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Did someone upset you?"

The Empress Dowager also looked over, curious. She had never seen An Qing like this before.

An Qing paused, realizing she hadn't adjusted her mood yet, "Is it that obvious?"

Concubine Yi nodded seriously, very obvious.

Since she was caught, An Qing couldn't hide it anymore. She sighed heavily, "Grandma, Mother, my heart is heavy."

Seeing her like this, both their expressions turned serious, assuming something unpleasant had happened between her and Yinqi.

"You child, what happened? Did the Fifth Prince upset you?" Concubine Yi asked anxiously.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Concubine Yi, finding it amusing.

Previously, it was only rumored that An Qing and Concubine Yi got along exceptionally well, to the point where some in the palace even said their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship rivaled that of mother and daughter.

At the time, she merely listened, but seeing Concubine Yi's reaction just now, one might have thought she was An Qing's mother.

An Qing exclaimed, "Ah!" Seeing that Concubine Yi had misunderstood, she quickly waved her hands. "No, no, we're doing fine."

Then, hesitantly, she recounted how she wanted to visit the rice fields but was blocked at the entrance and not allowed in.

Concubine Yi was both amused and exasperated by her, scolding her for being so unambitious—what was the big deal about not seeing a rice field? Why did she look so dejected?

She had thought something serious had happened and worried for nothing.

Even Empress Dowager looked at An Qing with a mix of exasperation and amusement, thinking it couldn't be that big of a deal.

But An Qing said, quite aggrievedly, "Mother, you don't understand. I had planned to visit those fields before coming here. I was looking forward to it the whole way, but in the end, I wasn't even allowed through the gate."

After saying this, she put on an expression of 'I'm hurt, but I won't say anything,' which made both Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi both helpless and amused.

Empress Dowager lightly tapped her forehead. "You, my girl, alright, alright, I'll fulfill your wish."

Then, she instructed Wu Lan, "It's time for lunch. Go to Qingxi Study yourself and see if the Emperor is available. If he is, ask him to grant this girl permission."

An Qing was surprised by this unexpected joy and immediately stood up to thank her. "Thank you, Empress Dowager, you're the best!"

Empress Dowager gestured for her to sit back down. "Don't thank me yet; your father might not agree."

An Qing waved her hand, feigning seriousness. "Whether Father agrees or not, he has his reasons. But I will always remember your kindness, Empress Dowager, and be forever grateful!"

Empress Dowager laughed and playfully called her a 'mud monkey.'

An Qing chuckled and continued to entertain Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi, making them laugh heartily.

Soon, Wu Lan returned.

As soon as she stepped in, An Qing eagerly asked, "Auntie, what happened? Did Father agree?"

Seeing her eagerness, Concubine Yi teased her, "Oh, weren't you just saying that whether Father agrees or not, he has his reasons? Why are you so impatient now?"

An Qing, known for her thick skin, easily deflected the teasing. "Mother, you truly have keen eyes. I tried to act composed, but you saw right through me. Looks like I need more practice."

Concubine Yi, used to her antics, smiled and gave her a playful glare.

Wu Lan then spoke up, "Fifth Princess Consort, don't worry. The Emperor has granted permission and already sent word. You can go directly next time, and no one will stop you."

An Qing was overjoyed, never expecting such a turn of events after thinking she wouldn't be able to go today.

That noon, she and Concubine Yi had lunch with Empress Dowager. After leaving Ningshui Hall, they went to Concubine Yi's residence, Rizhu Courtyard, for a rest. In the afternoon, An Qing bid farewell to Concubine Yi and headed straight for the rice fields within the western wall.

Both Ningshui Hall and Rizhu Courtyard were located on the west side of the garden, not far from the rice fields. It didn't take long to walk there.

This time, no one stopped her, and An Qing entered the enclosure smoothly.

Upon entering, she saw neatly arranged rice fields, wondering who could have been so meticulous.

Since her attire was not suitable for working, An Qing only walked around the fields. Many people were already busy, likely servants from the imperial farm. At first, they felt uneasy upon seeing her, recognizing her as a master from her clothes.

However, as An Qing circled the fields, many relaxed, realizing she seemed knowledgeable about farming and conversed with them without any airs.

Watching the farmers transplanting rice, An Qing couldn't help but feel a bit envious. So, the next day, she came dressed in more practical clothing.

Without hesitation, she headed into the fields to transplant rice, causing the steward following her to panic. "Fifth Princess Consort, you are too precious to work in the fields. This cannot be done."

An Qing waved him off. "Don't worry, I'm used to fieldwork. Even Father knows this."

Hearing that the Emperor approved, the steward dared not object.

An Qing started working, but then remembered her persona as someone from Horqin who had never planted rice. She humbly sought advice from nearby farmers, who demonstrated the process step-by-step.

Due to her quick learning and good work, she received much praise from the farmers.

Despite her thick skin, An Qing felt embarrassed by their sincerity, feeling like a fraud.

Thus, An Qing visited the rice fields daily, sometimes working alongside the farmers and sometimes chatting with them.

After half a month, she gained a basic understanding of current rice cultivation techniques. For example, during Kangxi's era, they noticed that transplanting seedlings improved growth, and they sprinkled wood ash in the fields before transplanting to fertilize and control pests and weeds.

The techniques here represented the most advanced agricultural practices in Great Qing, giving An Qing a clear picture.

However, she visited less frequently afterward. She had learned enough, and watching the farmers without being able to suggest improvements was frustrating.

For instance, she knew that using soil pesticides during transplantation would prevent common diseases and pests. Also, their transplanting methods could be improved by controlling water levels to promote root absorption of nutrients.

Feeling like a martial arts hero with nowhere to use her skills, she grew melancholic.

Just as An Qing was getting familiar with the rice fields, Kangxi finally completed the early-season rice transplantation at Yushan in Jingxi and Changchun Garden.

One day, while handling state affairs at Danning Residence, Kangxi received reports from southern provinces about their spring planting progress.

The Minister of Finance and officials from the Agricultural Administration Department also reported on the recent conditions of the imperial rice fields near Yushan and Changchun Garden, noting that the seedlings were growing well.

Pleased, Kangxi glanced at his sons listening in and suddenly remembered something, turning to Yinqi.

"Yinqi, didn't your Princess Consort want to visit My rice fields? Has she gone?"

That day, when Wu Lan came to Qingxi Study, Kangxi thought it was something important. Upon hearing it was for Fifth Princess Consort's request, he granted it with a smile, but due to his busy schedule, he hadn't followed up until now.

Yinqi responded promptly, "Father, she went. She went every day for a while."

Kangxi nodded. "What did she do every day?"

Yinqi did indeed know everything An Qing had been doing. Every night when she came back, she would chatter away about what she had learned that day. Today she learned how to transplant rice seedlings, and tomorrow she figured out how to weed and cultivate the rice fields. She certainly hadn't been idle.

After hearing Yinqi's account, Kangxi couldn't help but laugh, "Oh, I didn't expect that girl to actually be learning how to grow rice."

Yinqi also smiled, "She said that once she learns how to grow rice, she'll plant the imperial rice seeds that you, Father Emperor, gave her as a reward."

Kangxi repeated several times, "Good," and even said he was looking forward to eating the imperial rice she would grow.

Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered the promise he made last year in An Qing's melon field to let her visit Fengze Garden. He also glanced at his sons nearby, recalling the harmonious scene they presented in the fields that day.

Kangxi couldn't help but have an idea. He had thought about taking them to Fengze Garden in the spring if there was a chance, and now it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

"Old Fifth, go tell your Fu Jin that the promise I made to let her see the imperial rice in Fengze Garden can be fulfilled now."

Chapter 44: The Fifth Princess

After hearing Yinqi's words, An Qing was completely stunned.

Kangxi still remembered this? She had thought he was just making casual remarks before and would forget about it. She never expected such a surprise.

Ever since she learned that they were going to Fengze Garden the next day, An Qing was excited all night. The following morning, as soon as Yinqi got up, she woke up too.

"It's still early. You should go back to sleep," Yinqi said.

An Qing rubbed her sleepy eyes but chose not to go back to sleep. Instead, she sat up.

Just as Yinqi was about to get out of bed, he noticed she was getting up too and couldn't help but be surprised. "You don't need to get up so early. Father Emperor will still attend the morning court session today; we won't be leaving so soon."

An Qing waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine. I can't stop thinking about going to Fengze Garden today. I probably wouldn't be able to fall back asleep anyway."

Seeing her like this, Yinqi couldn't help but chuckle. This person who loved sleeping in was actually waking up on her own without anyone urging her.

It seemed that Fengze Garden really held a great attraction for her.

"Fengze Garden is just an ordinary garden. Apart from Father Emperor's rice fields, there's nothing particularly special about it. You should manage your expectations," Yinqi reminded her, worried that she might be disappointed if her expectations were too high.

An Qing understood his concern. "Don't worry. I'm just going to see the rice fields. Everything else doesn't matter."

Yinqi felt relieved and got up to freshen up. After having some breakfast, he went to attend the morning court session.

It was still before five o'clock when An Qing got up, and she didn't have much to do. So, she asked Cui Liu to bring her fishing rod. Her courtyard was surrounded by water on three sides, and she often fished during her free time these days.

Although she wasn't very skilled at fishing, it was a good way to pass the time and relax. More importantly, she wanted to catch some fresh food for Snowball. Since she had brought Snowball along to Changchun Garden, she couldn't bear to leave the little one behind in the palace.

Cui Liu found it quite unusual that her mistress had gotten up so early and looked so energetic. She kept staring at An Qing curiously.

An Qing realized she was acting overly excited. As someone with expertise in agriculture, she had seen many experimental fields. Their college's rice field project was world-renowned, far surpassing anything Kangxi could create.

Yet, she was still incredibly excited. Perhaps it was the thrill of witnessing history. The opportunity to see Kangxi cultivating rice firsthand was something few agriculturalists could experience. If her teachers and seniors knew about this, they would be incredibly envious.

Especially her teacher, who was a die-hard fan of Kangxi's identity as an agronomist. Her fascination with this period of history was partly due to her teacher's relentless promotion.

Thinking about her teacher's envious expressions, An Qing admitted she was feeling a bit smug.

After more than half an hour, An Qing had only caught a small fish, barely enough for Snowball. Facing the little cat's discontented meows, An Qing felt guilty.

Sigh~ Everyone has their strengths. She just wasn't good at fishing.

"Alright, alright, stop complaining. I won't fish anymore," An Qing said, looking at the little cat beside her. Though she couldn't understand cat language, she knew it was probably saying something rude.

She resignedly handed the fishing rod to Little Xizi, who had been waiting nearby.

Little Xizi took the rod and started fishing right beside An Qing. Within a minute, he caught a large crucian carp, bigger than an adult's palm.

An Qing: "..."

Was it really necessary for the fish to discriminate against her like this?

Little Xizi scratched his head, puzzled.

He also couldn't understand why his mistress had such difficulty catching fish. The lake was teeming with fish, which were easy to catch. Yet, they refused to bite her hook.

This happened almost every day. An Qing was equally perplexed, wondering if she had somehow offended the fish in a past life.

Deciding to give up, she asked Cui Liu to bring over a wicker chair, settling comfortably into it to enjoy the scenery and watch the sunrise instead.

As Little Xizi continued to catch fish, Snowball practically stuck to him.

An Qing glanced at the little cat silently.

Hmph~ Ungrateful little thing. It truly was a case of "whoever feeds you is your mother."

The morning passed in a blur until Yinqi finished his court duties. Finally, An Qing was ready to head to Fengze Garden.

Since Kangxi had invited An Qing, it wouldn't be fair to exclude the other princess consorts and the empress dowager. He decided to bring everyone along, even including the Empress Dowager and the four favored concubines, creating a family outing atmosphere.

An Qing didn't mind the crowd. Whether it was big or small, it was just social niceties. With the Empress Dowager and Kangxi present, no one would dare cause trouble.

However, she didn't realize that once they arrived at Fengze Garden, it would have a significant impact on her.

The carriage left Changchun Garden smoothly, reaching Fengze Garden in no time.

Stepping out of the carriage, An Qing saw the plaque inscribed with "Fengze Garden" written in Kangxi's bold handwriting. She admired the elegant calligraphy in her heart.

The name "Fengze" symbolized abundant harvests and nourishment for all, representing the wish for yearly prosperity.

After mentally praising the name, An Qing walked calmly towards the Empress Dowager's carriage.

By then, Kangxi had already led the princes and ministers to the entrance of Fengze Garden.

The ladies naturally followed the Empress Dowager's lead. When An Qing arrived, the Crown Princess was helping the Empress Dowager down from her carriage, while the four favored concubines stood nearby. The other princess consorts stood beside their mothers-in-law. An Qing quickly moved to Concubine Yi's side and called her "Mother."

Kangxi led his sons and officials in front, while the Empress Dowager followed with the four concubines, their ladies, and the Crown Princess, walking behind them as they entered the garden directly.

Upon entering, An Qing finally understood why Yinqi had given her that warning earlier in the morning.

It must be said that although Fengze Garden is also a royal park, the simplicity of its pavilions and buildings is truly remarkable—there's not a hint of luxury. In terms of architecture, it's even more rustic than Changchun Garden.

Compared to other royal gardens, this one really is just an ordinary place.

However, the purpose of Fengze Garden naturally differs from other royal gardens. The several acres of rice fields in front and the dozens of mulberry trees at the back are Kangxi's experimental plots and silkworm houses.

Kangxi comes here every year to encourage agriculture and hold various planting ceremonies.

Knowing that Kangxi was coming, the manager of Fengze Garden had gathered the most skilled farmers early on. Kangxi, being straightforward, took a tour of the garden and then directly led everyone towards his rice fields.

An Qing hadn't come here just to stroll through the garden; she was delighted, thinking, "Perfect, perfect. What could be better than getting straight to the point?"

But no matter how eager she was to follow Kangxi, she had to walk slowly with the ladies. Well, haste makes waste; Kangxi's experimental fields wouldn't go anywhere anyway.

Yet, An Qing didn't realize that while the fields wouldn't move, she couldn't get there either.

Kangxi, who had been walking steadily, suddenly stopped at the edge of the field and turned to look at them. An Qing thought he wanted to walk with the Empress Dowager.

However, after the Empress Dowager walked past, Kangxi pointed to a nearby pavilion and said, "Mother, I'll take them to the fields. You can rest there."

An Qing: "?"

She looked at the pavilion in confusion, wondering what was going on. Why couldn't they go over? Who would want to stay in the pavilion when they came all this way?

No, this absolutely won't do. Empress Dowager, please reject Lao Kang's suggestion quickly.

An Qing anxiously looked at the Empress Dowager, but her heart sank when she saw her nodding calmly.

Wah wah wah~ Grandmother, why didn't you resist? And the others seemed to find nothing wrong, as if they knew something beforehand.

Was there something she didn't know? An Qing couldn't figure out where things went wrong.

Concubine Yi noticed her confusion and gestured for her to look at everyone's shoes.

An Qing was initially puzzled but then realized they were all wearing flower pot heels.

Wait, isn't that like wearing high heels to the fields in modern times?

She innocently glanced at her own feet, but she wasn't wearing flower pot heels; she was quite comfortable.

Concubine Yi only now noticed that An Qing wasn't wearing flower pot heels and gave her a disapproving look.

An Qing felt wronged. Since they were here to experience farming, of course, they should wear something convenient. It was strange for them to wear flower pot heels.

But life often doesn't make sense. It's not about being right; it's about having numbers on your side.

After understanding the reason, An Qing looked at Kangxi again. He had promised to keep his word yesterday; he couldn't have forgotten her now.

But it turned out that Kangxi did forget her. Without even looking at An Qing, he turned and left with everyone else.

Lao Kang, Lao Kang, how could you bear my anticipation all night and this morning, only to let me watch from afar?

Tears welled up in An Qing's eyes.

She had hoped to engage in a professional academic exchange with the farmers here, but now she couldn't even enter the fields.

An Qing felt her heart bleeding, but her sad gaze coincidentally met Yinqi's, who was about to leave.

Yinqi paused, somehow understanding her sorrow.

He hesitated for a moment, nodded slightly at An Qing, indicating that he would try to slip away later and bring her around.

An Qing, inexplicably understanding Yinqi's gesture, suddenly felt relieved.

She secretly gave him a thumbs-up. Yinqi, this son, was indeed more reliable than his father.

As for whether Yinqi could slip away later, it was up to fate, but having hope was good.

After Kangxi and the group left, the Empress Dowager didn't delay and led the ladies to the pavilion.

The pavilion was spacious, with two platforms inside. The Empress Dowager sat with the four concubines around one platform, while An Qing and the others sat together.

The serving palace maids and eunuchs had already brought fruits, snacks, and tea. Sitting down, it felt like a proper outing.

However, it was already May, and summer was approaching. The weather was getting warmer, and after walking in the sun, everyone broke into a light sweat, wiping themselves with handkerchiefs.

The four concubines chatted with the Empress Dowager, laughing and talking, while the Crown Princess and the senior ladies occasionally joined in. Only An Qing remained silent throughout.

Mainly because the Crown Princess and the others talked about things she couldn't join in on. An Qing admitted she wasn't adept at palace intrigue, but the sharp exchanges between them were almost palpable. She dared not interrupt.

Thinking about it, this was the first time they had gathered since the recent filial competition. No wonder.

Previously, the third lady and the Crown Princess were allies, but this time, it was clear they had fallen out. As for the senior lady, she had always been at odds with the Crown Princess, so there was nothing unusual.

Another difference was that the fourth lady, who usually acted as a mediator, seemed to have given up this time. Though she didn't target the Crown Princess in her words, she no longer smoothed things over, clearly annoyed by the Crown Princess's schemes.

It made sense, though. After such a significant setback, no one could pretend everything was fine.

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager's table was noisy enough to distract them. Otherwise, it would have drawn the attention of the Empress Dowager and the concubines, and she might have had to intervene.

Of course, it was possible that the Empress Dowager didn't want to hear it. According to An Qing's analysis, this was very likely.

She saw Concubine Yi glancing over several times with a curious expression, which was impossible to hide.

As for the second point, although An Qing was in the pavilion, her heart had already flown away with Kangxi and the others. She had no interest in talking to them at all.

Since entering the pavilion, her gaze had never left them. Kangxi first led a group of people to pause briefly at each experimental field, and the farmers and stewards of Fengze Garden seemed to be introducing something to everyone.

If she guessed correctly, they were probably introducing the varieties of rice and planting conditions in each experimental field.

The more An Qing looked, the more frustrated she became. She really wanted to listen in as well.

After silently lamenting for a while, she made an effort to turn her gaze away, deciding that out of sight meant out of mind.

But unexpectedly, when she turned her head, she found herself the focus of their table. "Why are you all looking at me? Just continue your conversation."

An Qing didn't panic. She calmly smiled at them and then took a sip of tea.

She remained still, knowing that whoever spoke first in this situation would lose.

Sure enough, after a short while, the most impatient of them, Third Princess Consort, spoke up: "Look at Fifth Sister-in-Law; she seems eager to fly over to those fields."

An Qing gave a very official smile. "Third Sister-in-Law is joking. I can't fly. If you can, please teach me."

Third Princess Consort was taken aback. Who was talking about flying? She clearly meant An Qing's eagerness to go to the fields. "Fifth Sister-in-Law is joking. I just noticed you weren't speaking and kept looking at the fields. We might have thought you didn't like us."

An Qing maintained her polite (irritating) smile but inwardly wished she could kick Third Princess Consort out.

She believed she had no grudge against Third Princess Consort, but every time they met, she always tried to make her uncomfortable. So she decided not to be too polite anymore.

"Please forgive me, sisters. I'm not good at talking. I fear that if I speak too much, I might annoy everyone, which would be truly lacking in self-awareness." An Qing said calmly.

Upon hearing this, the faces of the others at the table flashed with amusement, and their gazes subtly glanced at Third Princess Consort.

At first, Third Princess Consort didn't realize what was happening, but when she understood that An Qing was indirectly insulting her, her face darkened.

"Fifth Sister-in-Law, how can you say you're not good at talking? You're quite sharp-tongued," she sneered. "But it makes sense that you don't get along with us. Everyone knows you love working in the fields. It's a pity, though. My family's estate has an old farmer who's great at farming. If he were here, he'd have plenty to talk about with you."

Perhaps feeling provoked by An Qing, Third Princess Consort raised her voice, and since Empress Dowager was silent at the moment, everyone in the pavilion heard her words.

The air suddenly froze.

Concubine Yi immediately reacted, sneering and looking at Imperial Concubine Rong. "Sister Rong, you should manage your daughter-in-law better. Look at her—she doesn't act like a royal consort at all."

Imperial Concubine Rong's face turned sour, but she had to defend Third Princess Consort to prevent any embarrassment for Third Prince.

"Sister, you must have misunderstood. Third Princess Consort is straightforward, but she means no harm. Everyone knows Fifth Princess Consort likes farming. She was probably trying to compliment her."

With that, she gave Third Princess Consort a look, and she immediately claimed she was indeed trying to compliment An Qing's farming skills.

Concubine Yi sneered. "Sister Rong, do you think everyone is stupid? Is that how she compliments people?"

Anyone who wasn't foolish could tell that Third Princess Consort's words were full of malice. Comparing An Qing to an old farmer was a deliberate insult.

Imperial Concubine Rong calmly replied, "Sister, Fifth Princess Consort likes farming, so naturally, she could chat with the old farmer."

She pointed to Kangxi nearby. "Look, even the Emperor is chatting with the old farmer now."

Imperial Concubine Rong used Kangxi as a shield, leaving Concubine Yi speechless but glaring.

"I know you're worried, but children have their own fortunes. Let them handle their own affairs," Imperial Concubine Rong said calmly.

An Qing silently observed everything, sighing inwardly.

Very well, since she said to let them handle it themselves, she wouldn't hold back. If she continued to be passive, she would be letting Concubine Yi down.

Who couldn't be straightforward?

Just as An Qing was about to unleash her sharp tongue, Empress Dowager, who had been quietly sipping tea, suddenly slammed her teacup on the stone table, and the pavilion fell silent again.

"Imperial Concubine Rong, I've heard that Third Prince's courtyard has been behaving improperly lately. Some things need to be managed. Don't always say children have their own fortunes. They are still young and need guidance to avoid making serious mistakes," Empress Dowager said coldly, glancing at Imperial Concubine Rong.

Imperial Concubine Rong, who had seemed to have the upper hand, was stunned. She hadn't expected Empress Dowager to intervene.

After all, Empress Dowager never interfered in the affairs of the imperial concubines. Even though Fifth Prince was under her care, she had never favored Concubine Yi. In the past, both Noble Consort Hui and she had clashed with Concubine Yi in front of Empress Dowager, but she had always remained indifferent, allowing them to resolve their issues.

Why was it different this time...

Imperial Concubine Rong was bewildered and instinctively tried to explain for Third Prince, "Your Majesty, Third Prince..."

But Empress Dowager didn't give her a chance. "If you can't manage it, I don't mind being the bad guy and talking to the Emperor."

Hearing this, both Imperial Concubine Rong and Third Princess Consort turned pale, especially Imperial Concubine Rong, who knew that Empress Dowager rarely publicly embarrassed the four imperial concubines unless she was truly angry.

Imperial Concubine Rong quickly rose to apologize, "Your Majesty is right. It's my fault. I will manage Third Princess Consort and... Third Prince properly."

Third Princess Consort also knelt down.

Empress Dowager glanced at them without saying anything, leaving them kneeling in silence.

After a while, she gestured for them to rise. "Alright, do as you're told."

With Empress Dowager's final word, the pavilion fell silent again, and an eerie atmosphere settled.

Meanwhile, Kangxi's side also experienced some issues.

However, it wasn't really an issue. Kangxi was leading everyone around when a farmer reported that a patch of rice was diseased. Thus, Kangxi led everyone to a diseased rice field.

"Are you sure it's green wind disease?" Kangxi stood in the field, holding a rice seedling and asked.

The nearby farmer replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, this humble peasant is certain. Look at the grayish-green mold spots on the leaves—this is undoubtedly blight."

Kangxi furrowed his brows and sighed heavily, "Then this field is a loss. Clear out all the seedlings in this plot later."

Hearing this, the princes exchanged glances, clearly unsure what blight was.

Elder Brother Prince looked at the seedlings and asked, puzzled, "Father, why do we need to clear them? It seems to me that there are only some gray spots on the leaves, which shouldn't affect anything."

Kangxi waved his hand, gesturing for the farmer to explain.

The farmer hurriedly bowed and replied, "Replying to Prince Zhi, you may not be aware, but blight is very aggressive. If rice plants contract this disease, it can lead to reduced yields or even total crop failure. Now that the seedlings are still so tender and already infected, this field will certainly face a total loss."

"Furthermore, if we don't clear them promptly, the disease could spread to the other rice fields..."

Chapter 45: The Fifth Princess Consort

The farmer explained in great detail, using the simplest and most straightforward language. After everyone listened, they had a basic understanding of the green wind disease affecting the rice.

Kangxi observed from the side, and upon seeing the reactions of the princes, his brows furrowed.

They seemed to understand, but they hadn't grasped the deeper implications. The indifference of the Elder Brother Prince and the Third Prince, who appeared to understand but didn't care, only fueled Kangxi's anger.

The Fourth and Fifth Princes looked thoughtful, though it was unclear what they were pondering. As for the Seventh and Eighth Princes, their positions were further back, and they kept their heads down, making it hard to discern their thoughts.

However, when Kangxi's gaze fell on the Crown Prince, his frown deepened even more.

The other princes were one thing, but as the heir apparent, the Crown Prince showed such apathy towards issues that directly affected the people's livelihood. It was clear he hadn't taken these matters seriously.

Or perhaps, they simply hadn't realized the extent of the hardship caused by the green wind disease in Great Qing.

Kangxi glanced at Ma Qi, the Minister of Finance, who immediately understood and stepped forward to explain the impact of the green wind disease on the court and the entire empire each year.

"Your Highnesses may not be aware, but there is a major concern in the mountainous fields that surpasses both drought and flood. This concern is none other than the green wind disease, which is currently the most severe disease affecting rice crops in Great Qing. Every year, many regions suffer greatly from it..."

Ma Qi, being in charge of the Ministry of Finance, had direct oversight over the nation's farmland, crops, and agricultural taxes. He briefly recounted several examples of reduced or failed harvests due to the green wind disease in recent years, summarizing the national impact.

Faced with these specific and detailed figures, the princes finally realized the severity of the green wind disease and also belatedly noticed their father's displeasure.

Kangxi silently sighed. They had learned from books to worry about the world before enjoying its pleasures, but in reality, his sons, separated by the red walls of the palace, remained oblivious to the people's hardships. How could they rule, govern, and bring peace to the empire?

It seemed he needed to adjust his approach to their education, at least ensuring they experience physical labor firsthand.

In the pavilion, after the Empress Dowager reprimanded Imperial Concubine Rong and the Third Princess Consort, the atmosphere turned cold.

Everyone lowered their heads, clearly not wanting to provoke any further trouble.

Imperial Concubine Rong finally realized where she had gone wrong today. She had thought it was just a spat with Concubine Yi, an issue among the imperial concubines. However, it actually involved the Fifth Princess Consort, who was related to the Fifth Prince.

She suddenly remembered how last year, when the Fifth Princess Consort first entered the palace, there was a commotion over planting flowers. At that time, the Empress Dowager had already shown her support through her actions. The Third Princess Consort's words had thus publicly challenged the Empress Dowager's authority.

No wonder the Empress Dowager reacted so strongly, showing no mercy even in front of the other concubines.

Imperial Concubine Rong glared at the Third Princess Consort. That fool from the Third Prince's household had no reason to provoke the Fifth Princess Consort. Now, she had dragged her into this mess along with the Third Prince.

The Empress Dowager had only said to discipline the Third Princess Consort and the Third Prince but didn't specify how. She would have to think carefully about how to handle this situation to satisfy the Empress Dowager.

An Qing had won this round without doing anything. She once again deeply appreciated the benefits of having powerful allies and resolved to continue seeking such support in the future.

The Crown Princess silently glanced at An Qing, her eyes flashing with an indiscernible expression.

Her emotions were complex. Seeing the Third Princess Consort, who had been causing her trouble lately, get reprimanded brought her joy, but witnessing Concubine Yi and the Empress Dowager protect An Qing made her envious.

Why should she struggle alone in the palace, handling everything herself, while the Fifth Princess Consort received such easy protection? Despite being the esteemed Crown Princess, she felt overshadowed by the Fifth Princess Consort.

Moreover, the previous incident had left An Qing unscathed, despite her frequent visits to the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi. The Crown Princess found this frustrating.

But no matter how resentful she felt, she had to endure, for she couldn't afford to take risks.

The atmosphere in the pavilion was awkward and silent, but An Qing found it peaceful, at least no one was bothering her.

However, when she looked back at the rice fields, she was startled.

Huh? She saw Kangxi entering the field, holding something, with the princes gathered around him.

The Empress Dowager seemed to notice the situation too and gestured to a young eunuch, saying, "Go see what's happening with the Emperor."

The eunuch hurried off toward the rice fields.

After a short while, he returned, panting, and reported, "Empress Dowager, there's a field with rice affected by the green wind disease. The Emperor is showing it to the Crown Prince and the princes."

"Green wind disease?" the Empress Dowager asked, puzzled. "What is that?"

The eunuch, prepared, replied, "It's a disease affecting rice, apparently quite severe."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly.

Upon hearing the eunuch mention the green wind disease, An Qing couldn't sit still.

Historically, the green wind disease was well-known. According to records, it was the most severe disease affecting rice during Kangxi's reign, leading to reduced yields or complete crop failure.

Modern scholars deduced that the historical green wind disease might have been rice blast or sesame leaf spot, but due to limited documentation, they couldn't determine the exact cause, leaving it as a mystery in agricultural history.

Now, having the chance to observe it firsthand, An Qing was eager to do so.

But how could she go over there? She glanced anxiously at Kangxi.

Yinqi wasn't much help right now. Perhaps she could ask the Empress Dowager for permission, but how could she bring it up in public?

Just as An Qing was getting frustrated, the eunuch who had gone to check approached her.

"Fifth Princess Consort, the Emperor asks you to come over."

An Qing exclaimed softly, then realized what the eunuch had said, and her heart filled with joy.

Wah! Lao Kang finally remembered her!

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly. "Did the Emperor say why he summoned the Fifth Princess Consort?"

The eunuch shook his head. "Empress Dowager, the Emperor didn't say anything else, just that the Fifth Princess Consort should come over."

An Qing stood up, trying to keep her excitement in check. "Grandma, I'll go and see what's happening. I'll return later to accompany you."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, signaling her to go ahead.

An Qing received the permission and, like a bird she had just released, walked briskly toward the rice fields. If not for her concern about maintaining her image, she would have run.

The Empress Dowager shook her head helplessly. This child must have been eager to go there all along.

But why did the emperor summon An Qing? What could it be about?

Not only was the Empress Dowager puzzled, but everyone in the pavilion was also curious, their thoughts following An Qing to the rice fields as she left.

An Qing soon arrived at the rice fields. Although she was very excited, she didn't forget the etiquette. She first greeted Kangxi and then curtsied towards the direction of the princes.

"Your Majesty, you summoned me?" she asked, looking at Kangxi.

Kangxi was taken aback. He looked at An Qing, then at the rice seedlings in his hand, feeling somewhat absurd.

Just now, he wasn't sure what had happened. Seeing the diseased leaves of the seedlings, he suddenly recalled the auspicious peony that had fallen ill before. The leaves seemed to have similar brownish-gray spots.

In a moment of impulsiveness, he had ordered someone to bring An Qing over. But now, regaining his composure, he realized how unreasonable it was to compare flowers with rice.

Since he had already called her, he might as well let her take a look.

"First, examine these rice seedlings," said Kangxi.

An Qing wasn't foolish; she instantly understood Kangxi's intention but pretended to be confused. She took the seedling from Kangxi and examined it carefully.

She appeared nonchalant, examining the seedling from top to bottom, but in reality, she quickly identified the symptoms.

It was rice blast!

This problem that had long troubled modern agriculturalists was finally confirmed by An Qing. The prevalent rice disease during Kangxi's reign, known as "qingfengbing," was indeed rice blast.

Rice blast is a fungal disease that can occur throughout the entire growth period of rice, affecting seedlings, leaves, panicles, and nodes. It is classified into seedling blast, leaf blast, panicle blast, and node blast.

Among these, leaf blast and node blast are the most common. Once infected, they can cause varying degrees of yield reduction. Particularly severe cases of panicle neck blast or node blast can lead to white panicles and complete crop failure.

An Qing looked at the rice seedlings in her hand. The rice in this field should be slightly ahead of the ones in Fengze Garden, currently in the tillering stage. Therefore, the current stage of infection was clearly leaf blast.

Leaf blast affects the leaves of rice plants and commonly occurs during the peak tillering stage. It is caused by fungal infection, initially producing water-soaked gray-brown spots, which quickly develop into large round or oval gray-brown lesions. In severe cases, the leaves become scorched and withered, the plants wilt, and the roots rot until death.

There are four types of leaf blast: chronic, acute, white spot, and brown spot.

After careful examination, she determined that the lesions on the plant were diamond-shaped, with a yellow halo outside and gray-brown inside, and a gray-white center, confirming it as chronic type.

However, An Qing could only pretend to be clueless. "Your Majesty, is this the qingfengbing?"

Kangxi was surprised. "Do you recognize qingfengbing?"

An Qing shook her head. "Your Majesty, I've never planted rice and don't know it. I just guessed based on what the little eunuch said."

Kangxi was taken aback. So that was it.

A hint of disappointment flashed across his face. Indeed, this rice disease that had plagued people for centuries couldn't be solved by a young girl who knew a bit about farming. He had been momentarily deluded.

Zhang Ying, the Minister of Rites, and Ma Qi, the Minister of Finance, exchanged glances, reading a hint of surprise in each other's eyes. They knew Kangxi always acted methodically, but his decision to have An Qing examine the seedlings was perplexing.

Was it because the Fifth Princess Consort grew those unique watermelons that the Emperor thought she was good at farming?

"Your Majesty, how do you plan to treat this qingfengbing?" An Qing asked casually.

Kangxi waved his hand, helpless. "There's no way to treat qingfengbing."

He then glanced at the diseased field. "We can only pull out and discard all the affected seedlings."

An Qing exclaimed, "Ah," her voice filled with regret. "They're not dead yet. Isn't it a waste to just pull them out without trying anything?"

She then lowered her head and touched the seedling, murmuring, "When I used to grow flowers, they often got various diseases. But as long as they weren't dead, I always tried different methods to save them. Though I often failed, sometimes I succeeded."

Her implication was clear: one should try to save them, as there's hope in trying.

Kangxi hesitated. "Do you want to try?"

An Qing, realizing her slip, hastily waved her hands. "No, Your Majesty. I don't understand qingfengbing and wouldn't dare experiment in your rice field."

She said she wouldn't, but didn't say she didn't want to.

Yinqi noticed An Qing's reaction and understood her desire to try. "Your Majesty, since you don't plan to keep these rice plants anyway, why not let An Qing give it a shot? She enjoys experimenting with crops. Let her try and see if she can succeed."

Kangxi seemed swayed but hadn't spoken when a farmer interjected.

"That's not possible, Your Majesty. Qinfengbing is contagious. If it spreads to other fields, it will be disastrous."

Kangxi hesitated again upon hearing this.

An Qing knew the farmer's concern was valid. Rice blast is highly contagious, and without a cure, removing the diseased seedlings was the best course of action.

Though she had a method to treat and prevent its spread, she couldn't reveal it.

"Your Majesty, this diseased field is quite isolated from the others. If we remove the surrounding diseased seedlings and leave only the central part, would that work?" Yinqi suggested.

Kangxi pondered for a moment and nodded. "Fine, let's do it as the Fifth Prince suggests."

As An Qing had said, as long as they weren't dead, one should try. Even though the chances were slim, one must try to be at peace.

An Qing, thinking it was hopeless, was pleasantly surprised by Yinqi's intervention.

This diseased field was indeed large, and isolating it was a reasonable approach.

She looked gratefully at Yinqi, who smiled back at her.

In truth, An Qing's insistence on saving these rice plants wasn't motivated by any ulterior motive. She simply knew how harmful and common rice blast was, affecting rice throughout its entire growth period.

Since she knew the method to treat it, she might as well take this opportunity to present it, contributing her modest effort to the farmers of this era.

Although Kangxi agreed to let An Qing give it a try, he didn't actually harbor much hope, knowing all too well how formidable this Qingfeng disease was.

Not just Kangxi, but everyone present, except for Yinqi, barely took it seriously. Even Elder Brother Prince and others secretly mocked the fifth couple for their arrogance.

Even if they wanted to impress the Emperor, they should first see if they had the capability.

Kangxi led everyone away from that patch of rice field and toward the adjacent one. An Qing stayed behind, following the group.

She walked beside Yinqi, listening to the manager of Fengze Garden and the farmers introduce the conditions of the rice fields, occasionally whispering a few words to Yinqi.

Unexpectedly, as they walked, Kangxi suddenly stopped in front and turned to look at An Qing, asking, "Fifth Princess Consort, what do you think of My rice fields?"

An Qing was taken aback, not quite understanding Kangxi's intentions. "Father Emperor, these rice fields are excellent."

Kangxi smiled, somewhat smugly responding, "Then how do you think they compare to your melon patch?"

An Qing immediately understood Kangxi's boastful mindset; he was seeking validation here.

"Of course, they can't compare to Father Emperor's rice fields," she flattered without hesitation. "Father Emperor, you truly honor me. From the outset, there is no comparison between the two."

Kangxi responded with an "Oh," and asked, "Why do you say that?"

An Qing replied, "You see, my efforts with the melon patch were simply to satisfy my own cravings, but Father Emperor, your purpose in cultivating this imperial rice is rooted in concern for the people of the land."

These words struck a chord with Kangxi, lifting his spirits even more.

"You have some insight, girl. Let Me ask you another question: regardless of drought or flood, My rice fields always fare better than others'. Do you know why?"

An Qing nodded slightly. "I understand because these are Father Emperor's rice fields."

Everyone assumed she was about to flatter him, including Kangxi, who showed a hint of disappointment on his face.

He had asked this question before, even to the Crown Prince before An Qing arrived, and the answers were always the same: because these were the Emperor's fields, they naturally surpassed others'.

Thinking she had insight, but...

Unexpectedly, An Qing continued, "Because these are Father Emperor's rice fields, experienced farmers tend to them diligently. During droughts, soldiers bring water to irrigate, and during floods, they work tirelessly to drain the excess water. But ordinary families don't have these resources; they rely more on the heavens."

Her words drew a collective intake of breath from those present.

Especially the officials present; this Fifth Princess Consort really dared to speak her mind.

But Kangxi suddenly laughed, looking at An Qing with admiration. She could say this because she understood farming and... the hardships of the common people.

An Qing chatted with Kangxi for a bit longer before excusing herself, claiming not to interfere with their official business. She was also wary of Kangxi's impromptu quizzes.

Goodness, it was quite a test.

When An Qing returned to the pavilion, she was met with curious gazes. She didn't hide anything and explained the situation, including Kangxi's agreement to let her try treating the rice.

There was no point in hiding it since so many people were present.

Of course, she didn't forget to justify Kangxi's reason for calling her over. "Last year when Father Emperor visited my melon patch, he said he would show me his imperial rice fields someday."

Everyone nodded in understanding. No wonder he only called An Qing over.

However, their attention soon shifted to another issue.

"Fifth's wife, we heard that this rice is suffering from Qingfeng disease, which is quite troublesome. Even the most experienced farmers in Fengze Garden are at a loss. You've never even planted rice, so perhaps you shouldn't cause trouble."

Concubine Hui's eyes flashed with disdain, thinking An Qing was merely trying to gain attention from Kangxi.

An Qing smiled and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Mother Hui. Don't worry; I'm just giving it a try. If I can't save it, I won't be disappointed."

Concubine Hui: "..."

Who was concerned about her!

An Qing ignored Concubine Hui and turned to the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi. "Grandmother, Father Emperor just said that he's giving me that patch of rice. If I manage to save it, I'll invite you and Mother to taste the imperial rice!"

The Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi supported her, engaging in conversation, leaving others unable to interject.

An Qing thought she would return soon, but unexpectedly, Kangxi decided to personally lead the princes in weeding the rice fields in Fengze Garden alongside the farmers.

They finally returned to Changchun Garden in the afternoon. As soon as An Qing entered the courtyard, she called Cui Liu to prepare ink and paper.

At the desk, she first made a list and then called Maid Mai Dong over, instructing, "Quickly gather everything on this list as soon as possible."

Mai Dong took the list, not daring to delay, and immediately went to arrange it.

Indeed, the items on the list were what An Qing needed to treat the rice blight. Although she listed many things, she only needed one specific ingredient—tallow tree leaves—the rest were just to mislead others.

Tallow tree leaves are a traditional Chinese medicine known for their diuretic, swelling-reducing, and insecticidal properties. They can also detoxify and treat various ailments like edema and skin conditions. Moreover, they are used to make a natural pesticide specifically for rice blight.

The method involves crushing tallow tree leaves and soaking them in water for twenty-four hours before filtering and spraying the solution on the affected areas of the rice plants.

While Mai Dong gathered the items, An Qing pondered how to reasonably explain the discovery of this method.

Meanwhile, far away in Jiangnan, Governor Fan Chengxun was leading a group, riding horses urgently to the outskirts of the city.

When he squatted by the field and saw the rice seedlings, his heart finally settled.

It was indeed Qingfeng disease!

Chapter 46: The Fifth Consort

With Kangxi's permission, An Qing was now free to enter and leave Changchun Garden and Fengze Garden as she pleased.

The next morning, she brought everything she needed to Fengze Garden.

When An Qing arrived, Li, the steward of Fengze Garden, was already waiting at the gate with two farmers behind him.

"Consort Wu, these are Old Farmer Zhang and Old Farmer Wang. Both are experienced in farming. If you need anything, just let them know," Li said with a smile, introducing them.

"Commoners pay our respects to Consort Wu," the two farmers bowed respectfully.

An Qing gently raised her hand, signaling them to rise.

She had seen these two farmers yesterday; anyone who could stay by Kangxi's side must have some skill.

"How is the task I assigned you yesterday coming along?" she asked Li.

Li replied, "In response to Consort Wu, this servant has followed your instructions and had the seedlings on the edge of the field cleared out. Shall we go take a look? If there's anything unsatisfactory, I'll have it fixed immediately."

An Qing nodded slightly and pointed behind her. "Alright, then find a few people to help unload the things from the carriage behind me onto that field."

Li readily agreed and turned to instruct a few people to help An Qing move the items.

However, when he saw a row of covered wooden buckets in the carriage, he couldn't help but wonder what they contained. Could it be that Consort Wu planned to use these items to treat the green wind disease?

An Qing led the group to the rice field. She noticed that the diseased seedlings adjacent to the neighboring fields had been cleared and that wood ash had been sprinkled as instructed before she left yesterday.

She nodded unconsciously. "Good job, well handled."

Seeing An Qing's satisfaction, Li breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't know Consort Wu's temperament and feared displeasing her, which might anger the esteemed one. Therefore, he personally supervised the work after An Qing gave her instructions yesterday, ensuring no mistakes were made.

Standing at the edge of the field, An Qing observed the diseased rice paddies, estimating it to be about half an acre. Dividing it into eight sections, each would be less than a tenth of an acre, yet still sizable enough for experimentation.

Yesterday, she had asked Mai Dong to prepare eight items: salt, realgar, arsenic, quicklime, chili peppers, garlic, leaves of the Chinese tallow tree, and tobacco. These could all be used to make homemade pesticides, though each targeted different pests.

For example, salt diluted in water and sprayed on wheat could prevent rust disease, while realgar boiled and diluted in water could control aphids.

An Qing planned to experiment with these eight items in varying proportions across the eight small plots, gradually increasing the dosage and creating a scenario where success came after repeated trials.

This time, she used only single-plant-based homemade pesticides, which were simpler to handle. There were also mixed formulas combining different plant-based pesticides, but those were more complex and inappropriate for now. For this rice blight, single-plant-based pesticides should suffice.

It was a step-by-step process, akin to a broken window effect. Once Kangxi and others accepted her expertise in farming and her unique talents, any future actions would surprise but not doubt her.

An Qing called Cui Liu and Little Xizi over to divide the field into eight roughly equal plots and mark them accordingly. Then she could begin.

Opening the eight wooden buckets revealed the homemade pesticides she had prepared. Li and the two farmers couldn't help but crowd around.

"Consort Wu, what are these?" Li couldn't resist asking.

One bucket was red and smelled pungent, likely chili water. Another had a strong garlic scent, and another had a tobacco smell. He couldn't identify the rest.

Before An Qing could explain, Old Farmer Zhang leaned forward to sniff one of the buckets. She quickly warned, "Don't touch it; that's arsenic water."

What? Arsenic!

Old Farmer Zhang recoiled several steps, his face turning pale.

Thankfully, it was arsenic. If accidentally ingested, it would be disastrous.

Li was equally shocked. No wonder Consort Wu had instructed everyone to handle the buckets carefully, and the palace maid watched closely to ensure nothing spilled.

Seeing their reactions, An Qing didn't elaborate further. "I have everything under control. You can go attend to His Majesty's affairs."

Li hesitated, concerned about the poison. "Consort Wu, perhaps I should find some people to assist you. Just tell us what needs to be done, and we'll do it."

An Qing waved him off. "No worries, I know what I'm doing."

Seeing her insistence, Li reluctantly led the two farmers away, glancing back frequently.

Once they were far enough, the farmers began whispering.

"Hey, Old Zhang, do you think those things will work?" Old Farmer Wang asked.

Old Farmer Zhang shook his head. "I don't think so. It's just a waste of effort. Chili and garlic can repel pests, but how can they cure such a severe disease?"

Old Farmer Wang nodded in agreement. "Exactly. I smelled realgar earlier. Poisonous substances like arsenic and realgar can be used to trap pests, but pouring them directly on crops would kill the rice."

"That's true. We've never seen such methods in our lifetime."

Li, walking ahead, overheard their conversation and shook his head.

Even he, having overseen the rice fields for over a decade, had never seen such unconventional methods.

But since the Emperor approved, they had no choice but to follow orders.

Well, it was probably just a passing fancy. Perhaps Consort Wu wouldn't come back in a few days.

"Since Consort Wu said she doesn't need your help, make sure to tend to His Majesty's fields properly. No more problems," Li sternly instructed.

One plot had already been affected. They couldn't afford any more mishaps.

The two of them hurriedly responded and immediately perked up, rushing toward the rice fields.

After the three of them left, An Qing also got busy.

Today, she had brought along Cui Liu, Maidong, and Little Xizi. Cui Liu and Maidong were already very familiar with these tasks.

Although Little Xizi didn't know as much as the other two, he was quick-witted and could understand what An Qing said quickly, executing her instructions strictly.

Next, An Qing used moderate spraying or root irrigation to apply the herbal pesticide from the bucket onto the diseased rice seedlings.

Knowing which methods were effective, An Qing secretly made some adjustments. For example, she initially prepared the Triad leaves in the correct ratio, but for the rest, she was more casual, as those ingredients were just for show.

As long as her experimental and statistical data looked reasonable, that would be enough.

Since the disease was caught early, the rice blight wasn't too severe. She estimated that three applications of the herbal pesticide would suffice, with each application spaced five days apart, effectively curing it within half a month.

Even so, An Qing still came to Fengze Garden every day. It was important to make it look like she was actively trying to find solutions. Besides, she preferred being out in the fields rather than cooped up in the courtyard.

Fortunately, Fengze Garden had a resting area, so she usually came in the morning and returned in the evening.

An Qing's life was peaceful and carefree, while Yinqi was swamped with work. Since receiving his title, the princes had gradually started participating in court affairs, making the adjustment period particularly challenging.

One evening, Yinqi returned quite late, having been pulled into a meeting by Kangxi.

After dinner, he continued reading as usual. Seeing how exhausted he looked, An Qing urged him to take a bath and get some rest.

"Why push yourself so hard when you're already so tired? Taking care of your health is the most important thing."

Yinqi went to the bathhouse and took a bath. When he came out, An Qing was playing with Snowball on the couch.

He walked over with a smile and gently stroked the little cat's head. "Has Snowball grown bigger?"

An Qing lifted the cat and chuckled. "It hasn't grown much, but it has gained weight. It's almost spherical now."

Ever since they moved here, Snowball had been pestering people to catch fish for it, leading to its weight gain.

The cat seemed to understand An Qing's words and meowed softly, as if protesting.

An Qing laughed and petted it again, while Yinqi joined in her amusement.

"How is the rice blight coming along?" he asked.

An Qing waved her hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. Another patch of seedlings died today."

She had just completed the second application of the pesticide, and the arsenic test plot was completely ruined. Although she had expected this, seeing it happen still made her feel disheartened.

She shook her head vigorously, trying to shake off the bad memories. "Enough about me. How are you doing? Did something happen tonight?"

Yinqi hesitated, then decided not to burden her further. "Nothing much. Just got held up by Father Emperor."

An Qing nodded. "That's good. I'm going to take a bath now. I've been working all day and need to rest early."

With that, she put Snowball down and headed to the bathhouse.

Yinqi watched her leave, sighing heavily.

In truth, he hadn't told her the whole story. He had been called to a meeting with his father and several high-ranking officials. Not only he, but his brothers and key ministers were present.

Yesterday, the Viceroy of Liangjiang reported that several counties under his jurisdiction had rice crops affected by the blight. Today, the Viceroy of Fujian-Zhejiang also reported similar issues.

These were key rice-growing regions in the Great Qing, and the widespread blight would significantly reduce this year's harvest, potentially leading to widespread famine.

Yinqi knew An Qing had been trying various methods to combat the blight. Though he couldn't accompany her to Fengze Garden due to his busy schedule, he had seen her records on the table.

He decided not to add pressure on her. She had never planted rice before, and there was little she could do in such a short time. This wasn't her burden to bear.

His father had already ordered the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department to find solutions. They were given a diseased rice field to work on, hoping for positive results.

At the edge of a field near Yushan Mountain in western Beijing, a group of people stood gathered.

Ma Qi, the Minister of Finance, sighed heavily, gazing at the diseased rice field.

Since the Emperor's order, he had not been home for ten days. He and the team from the Agricultural Administration Department had been working tirelessly in this field, consulting countless agricultural texts and trying every possible method, but nothing worked.

The diseased rice seedlings were getting worse, and they could only watch helplessly.

"Minister Ma, why don't we try the water washing method?" suggested an official from the Agricultural Administration Department.

Ma Qi shook his head, dejected. "The water washing method is for rinsing pests off crops. The blight isn't caused by pests, so it probably won't work."

They had already tried the fumigation method, which proved ineffective against the blight.

The official looked troubled. "But, Minister, we have no other options left."

Ma Qi sighed. "Let's try it then. At this point, we can only hope for the best."

The Emperor had ordered them to save at least 30% of the crop, even if they couldn't fully revive it.

But... they truly had no other options.

If anyone could tell him how to cure the blight, he would do anything, even give his own life!

Days passed slowly, and An Qing's mood improved.

Yesterday, she had completed the third application of the herbal pesticide. Now, most of the rice in the field had been saved, though a few leaves still had gray spots, but they would likely clear up soon.

This morning, as An Qing was about to leave for Fengze Garden, she suddenly remembered that Yinqi was on leave today. So, she changed her direction and headed to the study in the front courtyard.

"Sir, do you have anything planned today?" An Qing asked.

Yinqi nodded, "The Emperor just sent someone to tell me to return to the capital for an assignment. Why, do you need something?"

Hearing this, An Qing couldn't help but inwardly scoff.

How unreasonable Lao Kang is! Even if he treats his son like a donkey, he should at least let the donkey catch its breath. It's hard enough to get a day off, yet he still sends him on an errand. Is there any justice?

"Oh, never mind then," she waved her hand and said, "I thought since you were on leave today, we could go to Fengze Garden together. I think I've managed to save the Emperor's rice plants."

Yinqi wasn't paying much attention at first, but when he heard the latter part of her sentence, he suddenly stood up and grabbed her arm, "What did you say?!"

Seeing his reaction, An Qing was taken aback, "I said, I think I've saved the Emperor's rice plants. Isn't that good?"

Yinqi confirmed that he had heard correctly. He excitedly hugged An Qing and spun around with her.

Of course it's good! This is fantastic!

In recent days, the entire court had been driven mad by the green wind disease, and the Emperor's mood had grown worse each day.

Of course, that wasn't the most important thing. The most important thing was that the common people's rice plants finally had a chance of survival!

Inside the Danning Palace, Kangxi was sitting at the head of the hall, raging. The officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department were being berated mercilessly.

"What are you all paid for? All these days, not a single solution has been found. Are you even trying?"

After his tirade, he threw down the documents in his hand.

Ma Qi and the other officials, along with the Fourth Prince, quickly knelt to beg for forgiveness, "Please calm down, Your Majesty/Father. We dare not."

Yinzhen felt helpless. Among his brothers, only he was currently serving in the Ministry of Finance, so he was the only prince implicated.

Kangxi was still furious and showed no signs of calming down.

He took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes, trying to quell his anger.

Last winter, wheat crops suffered frost damage, leading to reduced yields. If this year's rice crop also failed, he couldn't imagine what would happen next.

He didn't ask for much; even saving thirty percent would be good. They couldn't just watch the crops fail and leave the people without food.

If the people had no food, there would be widespread suffering and unrest. Kangxi dared not think further, knowing too well the bloody examples from history.

If it weren't for the drain caused by the wars with Dzungaria over the past two years, the government could have provided relief grain. But now, the treasury was empty.

Outside the Danning Palace, Liang Jiugong intercepted An Qing and Yinqi.

"Fifth Beile, Fifth Princess Consort, I advise you to come another day. The Emperor is very angry right now, and whatever your business, it might not be received well."

As soon as he finished speaking, another outburst from Kangxi echoed inside the palace.

Yinqi paused and asked, "Can Eunuch Liang reveal whether the Emperor is angry about the green wind disease?"

Liang Jiugong hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly.

Yinqi, now certain of the matter, felt relieved, "Thank you for the warning, Eunuch Liang, but we came here precisely because of this."

With that, he looked towards the palace and said, "Perhaps we can resolve the Emperor's current predicament."

Liang Jiugong was stunned, then turned to look at An Qing, disbelief in his eyes, "Could it be that Fifth Princess Consort...?"

An Qing nodded lightly and smiled, "Please inform the Emperor that I have found a way to treat the green wind disease."

Liang Jiugong, realizing the significance, was overjoyed, "Fifth Princess Consort, you're too kind. Please wait a moment while I inform the Emperor."

Without delay, he turned and rushed toward the palace.

But after a few steps, due to his haste, he stumbled, and a nearby eunuch quickly steadied him.

An Qing, having learned the full story from Yinqi, understood why Liang Jiugong reacted so strongly.

Honestly, she hadn't expected such a coincidence. In recent days, she had been shuttling between Changchun Garden and Fengze Garden, completely unaware of the court's troubles.

If she had known earlier, she could have presented the solution sooner. After the second application of the treatment, the rice plants showed visible improvement, giving her a convincing case.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late.

She was grateful for her sudden impulse to visit Yinqi in the study today. Otherwise, she had planned to report to Kangxi only after fully curing the rice fields.

"I think Eunuch Liang is calmer than you," An Qing teased, turning to Yinqi.

Hearing this, Yinqi recalled how he had excitedly spun An Qing around and felt a flush of embarrassment.

Well, he had to admit that compared to him, Liang Jiugong was indeed calmer.

Inside the palace, Liang Jiugong hurried to Kangxi's side, "Your Majesty, Fifth Beile and Fifth Princess Consort have urgent matters to report."

Kangxi, already furious, shot him a glare, "How do you serve? Can't you see I'm busy? Tell them to come back later."

Liang Jiugong quickly bowed to apologize, "Your Majesty, Fifth Princess Consort says she has found a way to treat the green wind disease. I dare not delay."

Kangxi was stunned, taking several seconds to react, "You said... she found a way to treat it?!"

Everyone below raised their heads to look at Liang Jiugong, momentarily forgetting proper etiquette.

Liang Jiugong swallowed nervously, "Fifth Princess Consort says she has found a way to treat the rice plants affected by the green wind disease."

When An Qing and Yinqi entered, they were met with the eager, grateful, and disbelieving gazes of the ministers.

Fortunately, she knew the reason; otherwise, she would definitely have been scared.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty..."

"Enough, both of you get up." Kangxi impatiently interrupted their greetings. "Fifth Princess Consort, tell me quickly, did you really save the rice in that field?"

An Qing replied carefully, "Your Majesty, we managed to save part of the rice in that field."

Upon hearing it was only part, Kangxi assumed the method could only save some of the rice. However, saving some was better than losing everything.

"How much is part?" he pressed.

An Qing couldn't help but be taken aback. She didn't understand why Kangxi cared about this detail. Shouldn't he be asking about the method?

"Well, roughly half."

Although she divided the field into eight sections, her method included two treatments for rice blight. When the effects became apparent, she adjusted the method accordingly, ultimately saving half of the rice in the field.

When Kangxi heard that half could be saved, he instantly stood up, excited. "Good, good, saving half is excellent."

The people below also visibly relaxed upon hearing this.

An Qing looked bewildered.

Was that field of rice so important? Why did Lao Kang seem so concerned about saving half?

Yinqi, observing from the side, also found something amiss. He suddenly remembered his father's instruction to the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department to save at least thirty percent...

"No, Father, there might be a misunderstanding. An Qing means that half of the rice in that field was saved."

It wasn't that her method could only save half.

Kangxi frowned, confused. "Fifth Son, explain yourself. What's the difference?"

Yinqi paused, realizing... there didn't seem to be any difference.

But the issue was that An Qing's experiment wasn't calculated that way. He struggled to explain clearly and turned to An Qing instead: "If your method were used to treat rice blight, how many percent of the diseased rice could be saved?"

An Qing exclaimed softly, "Ah," but after a moment, she understood what he meant. This was about survival rate.

She hesitated for a moment before responding cautiously, "About seventy to eighty percent."

Chapter 47: The Fifth Princess Consort

"What? Seventy to eighty percent?!"

A sharp, somewhat aged voice echoed through the hall, startling An Qing.

She followed the sound and saw an old man among the officials standing unsteadily, his face filled with disbelief.

"Princess Consort, are you sure you're not joking?"

An Qing nodded lightly. Despite being questioned, she wasn't angry because she could sense that the official had no ill intent; he was simply too surprised.

"This official, I know where we are and would not dare to speak falsely," she said calmly.

Kangxi, who had been agitated earlier, suddenly became composed. He sat quietly at the head of the hall, watching An Qing for a long time without speaking, lost in thought.

No one in the hall dared to make a sound, but they couldn't help wondering what the Emperor was planning. Shouldn't he be more concerned about the method first?

Seeing his father's demeanor, Yinqi moved closer to An Qing, seemingly trying to provide her with some reassurance.

In contrast, An Qing remained calm because she knew she was well-prepared and had nothing to fear from Kangxi's questions. This was why she had been so meticulous.

Anyone with even a basic understanding of history knew that emperors were inherently suspicious, and even the great Kangxi was no exception. Perhaps it was due to the loneliness of power that made him wary even of his own sons, let alone trusting someone else's word.

After a while, Kangxi finally spoke, "Fifth Princess Consort, you may not fully understand, but this green wind disease is no laughing matter. It has always been a greater calamity than floods or droughts. Therefore, there are some things I must clarify."

An Qing responded respectfully, "Your Majesty, on the way here, His Highness also mentioned some things to me. I understand the gravity of the situation. Please ask whatever you need, and I will answer truthfully."

Kangxi nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with her response. "Then tell me, where did you learn the method to treat the green wind disease?"

He didn't doubt the effectiveness of the method, as such a thing couldn't be hidden. Both An Qing and Yinqi were intelligent enough to know that if it didn't work, they wouldn't present it.

An Qing replied, "Your Majesty, I discovered the method through my own trials."

Kangxi raised an eyebrow. "Through trials?"

An Qing nodded and took out a notebook containing her experimental data. "Your Majesty, this notebook contains the records of my various attempts. You can take a look before I explain further."

She handed the notebook to Liang Jiugong.

Liang Jiugong, without delay, passed it to Kangxi.

The cover of the notebook read "Experimental Data on Rice Green Wind Disease." The title was straightforward.

Kangxi flipped to the first page, and his expression changed immediately, finally understanding what An Qing meant by "trials."

The notebook was organized clearly, divided into sections with tables summarizing the data. Even a layperson could understand it easily.

For someone like Kangxi, who could extract key points from lengthy documents, reading this notebook was effortless.

As he turned each page, his expression fluctuated, sometimes frowning, sometimes nodding in realization. Everyone in the room held their breath, curious about the contents of the notebook.

An Qing remained calm, confident in her expertise in field crop experiments and statistical data. She knew her work was logically sound and free of any flaws.

After about half an hour, Kangxi reached the last page. Although the experiments were still ongoing, the notebook provided a clear picture of her methods.

When Kangxi looked up again, his gaze held a hint of admiration. "I've finished reading. Now, please explain."

An Qing began summarizing succinctly, "Your Majesty, as you can see in the notebook, I divided your rice field into eight smaller plots and tested eight different methods to treat the green wind disease. Each plot was further divided into eight parts, using varying doses of each method. In total, there are sixty-four samples."

"So far, six methods have proven ineffective, while two—namely, the leaves of the Chinese tallow tree and garlic—have shown effectiveness. Based on the results, the Chinese tallow leaf extract is more effective than the garlic extract in treating the green wind disease."

"For the ineffective methods, such as arsenic and realgar, the strong toxicity killed all the seedlings in those plots. For the others, after a second round of application, we confirmed their ineffectiveness and promptly adjusted our approach, saving many crops..."

Her explanation was concise and clear, making it easy for everyone in the hall to understand, even those who hadn't seen the notebook.

Still, some confusion lingered. Kangxi handed the notebook to Liang Jiugong, signaling him to pass it around to the officials.

Liang Jiugong gave the notebook to Yinzhen, and the officials gathered around to examine it.

Kangxi continued questioning, "Why did you choose these eight substances, and how did you determine their potential effectiveness?"

An Qing answered smoothly, "To be honest, Your Majesty, these substances were ones I had previously used on crops in Horqin. Though not specifically for rice, I thought they might be useful since they are all plants. I was fortunate enough to find something that worked."

"As for why I chose them initially, I studied various agricultural texts and medical books, experimenting with numerous substances, including traditional Chinese medicines and other miscellaneous items. I've been interested in this since childhood. If Your Majesty wishes to hear more, I can elaborate."

Kangxi understood everything now. Indeed, it wasn't achieved overnight.

Given the vast array of herbs and plants available, why choose these specific ones? And how did she determine the correct proportions? Everything made sense now.

"Let's not go into too much detail today," he waved his hand. "But I do have one question: I've read many agricultural texts, which mostly use these strong substances to combat pests. How did you think to apply them to crops and plants?"

This question echoed the thoughts of everyone present.

Indeed, her method was unprecedented.

While ancient texts did mention using certain plants to repel pests, such as using arsenic to treat soybean and wheat seeds against underground pests in the Ming Dynasty's *Tiangong Kaiwu, or using *aconite* and *mugwort* to prevent pests and store seeds in the Western Han Dynasty's *Fan Sheng Zhi Shu, and *Compendium of Materia Medica* describing the insecticidal properties of arsenic, realgar, *bupleurum, and *veratrum, these methods were primarily for pest control.

Using these substances directly on crops was unheard of. However, many plant diseases, like rice blast (green wind disease), are caused by fungal infections, and these plants often have antifungal properties. Thus, when applied correctly, they can effectively treat the disease.

Explaining this scientifically would be difficult, so An Qing decided to fabricate a story.

"Replying to Your Majesty, I was thinking that when people fall ill, they can be treated. Even the cattle and horses on our grasslands receive treatment from veterinarians when they get sick. So, at that time, I wondered why crops couldn't be treated when they fell ill?"

After saying this, she scratched her head in embarrassment. "I apologize for making a fool of myself before Your Majesty. Back then, I was young and somewhat stubborn, so I delved into it, flipping through agricultural and medical books, trying bit by bit. Every time I tried something, I would record it and learn from the experience. After countless attempts and wasting a lot of my father's resources, I finally managed to save a diseased chrysanthemum. To be honest, I am rather slow-witted, using such time-consuming and labor-intensive methods."

Upon hearing this, Kangxi's expression towards An Qing changed. He used to think she was just a simple but clever girl, but now he realized he had underestimated her. Regardless of other things, her patience and perseverance in the face of failure were far beyond what most people could achieve.

"No, you are not foolish; you are wise in a subtle way!" he declared firmly.

Her methods might seem crude, but she was able to draw lessons from repeated failures. How could that be considered truly foolish? This was a necessary process for breaking new ground.

The others also chimed in with their praise, and the hall was filled with admiration for An Qing.

An Qing suddenly felt a bit awkward and instinctively hid behind Yinqi.

No, please don't do this. What I said earlier was just bragging. Don't make it sound like I did something extraordinary or groundbreaking. At best, I stood on the shoulders of giants and got lucky.

Seeing An Qing's reaction, Yinqi couldn't help but smile slightly but still spoke up to ease her discomfort: "Your Majesty, seeing is believing. Why don't we go take a look at the rice fields now?"

Kangxi agreed, as he wanted to see it firsthand. Although he trusted An Qing and Yinqi, such a significant matter needed verification.

Thus, everyone in the room followed Kangxi to Fengze Garden.

However, just as they stepped out of the hall, An Qing was flipping through the book Kangxi had returned to her and noticed the date on the last page. She suddenly realized something and let out a low exclamation.

This caught everyone's attention, and Kangxi turned around anxiously. "Fifth Princess Consort, is there a problem?"

Yinzhen and the officials held their breath, hoping nothing had gone wrong at the last moment.

"Your Majesty, today is the fifteenth. I was in such a hurry to come here that I forgot to pay respects to Empress Dowager. Should I go greet her first and then catch up with you?"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. As long as nothing went wrong, that was fine.

Kangxi looked at An Qing with a hint of helplessness. "Alright, I thought it was something serious. Don't worry, you don't need to go. Just send someone to inform her. She will understand."

He signaled Liang Jiugong, who promptly called over a small eunuch and gave him instructions. The eunuch hurried off to the Empress Dowager's residence, Ninghui Hall.

Coincidentally, Ninghui Hall was bustling with activity today, as many people had gathered to pay their respects.

The main hall was filled with people, including Concubines Hui, Yi, De, and Rong, followed by the Crown Princess, the Princess Consorts of the First, Third, and Fourth Princes. Among them, only An Qing was missing, apart from the Seventh Princess Consort, who was recuperating due to illness.

Concubine Yi glanced repeatedly at the entrance, wondering where An Qing was.

Why hasn't she arrived yet? Could something have delayed her?

Concubine Yi hadn't seen An Qing for days since she had been busy at Fengze Garden. She had planned to invite An Qing to visit after paying respects to the Empress Dowager.

"Crown Princess, why isn't Fifth Sister-in-Law here with you? It has been a while since we've seen her," the Crown Princess suddenly asked.

Concubine Yi looked at her strangely. "She's been quite busy lately and might arrive a bit later."

The Crown Princess nodded lightly. Just as Concubine Yi thought the conversation was over, the Crown Princess continued, "Is Fifth Sister-in-Law still working on treating the green wind disease in the rice fields? Has she made any progress?"

Concubine Yi frowned. Why was the Crown Princess suddenly interested in An Qing? They didn't usually have much interaction.

Before Concubine Yi could respond, Concubine Hui laughed. "Crown Princess, you must be joking. Everyone knows how severe the green wind disease is. That little Fifth Princess Consort can't possibly have a solution. It's just a waste of time."

Concubine Rong chimed in sarcastically, "Indeed. The green wind disease is more severe than drought and flood. Even the officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department have failed to find a solution. How could a little Princess Consort be better than them? People should stick to what they know."

Concubine Hui added, "Concubine Rong is right. With the current severe disasters across the country, we should stay out of trouble."

Concubine Yi retorted, "By your logic, if it's all futile, then the Emperor's orders to the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department are pointless too. Besides, because of the severe disasters, shouldn't Fifth Sister-in-Law try her best to help?"

Concubine Hui 'humphed' and said, "Don't put words in our mouths. No one here is afraid of anything."

Concubine Yi sneered, "With Prince Zhi's current status, Concubine Hui, you have nothing to fear."

Concubine Hui was furious at the mention of her son. "Prince Beile is no better. His Princess Consort is overly ambitious. We'll see how they handle it when the rice fields fail."

Concubine Yi shrugged indifferently. "What's the big deal? As you said, the green wind disease is severe, and even officials can't solve it. It's normal for a young Princess Consort to fail."

She glanced at them coolly. "If you think she's causing trouble, tell the Emperor to stop her."

Concubine Hui and Concubine Rong were silenced.

Everyone knew the Emperor was already stressed about this issue. They weren't foolish enough to bring it up now.

Concubine Yi felt triumphant. An Qing's advice to avoid self-justification traps really worked.

Feeling strong, she wanted to continue the argument, but Concubine Hui and Concubine Rong backed down, leaving her feeling a bit disappointed.

As the three quieted down, the hall fell silent again, but everyone's thoughts were active.

With reports of the green wind disease spreading, the situation had escalated. News of An Qing's attempt to treat the disease had reached the palace, leading many to mock her for being overambitious.

Many were waiting to see the Fifth Prince's household and Concubine Yi embarrassed. Concubine Yi's words sounded good, but they would see how the couple handled the situation.

The Fourth Princess Consort glanced subtly at the Crown Princess, pondering silently.

When did my fifth sister-in-law offend the Crown Princess? The incident just now seemed to be initiated by Imperial Concubine Hui and Imperial Concubine Rong against Concubine Yi and my fifth sister-in-law, but in fact, it was the Crown Princess who lit the fuse.

If this were just an accident, then why did I see that smug look in the Crown Princess's eyes when Imperial Concubine Hui and Imperial Concubine Rong were belittling my fifth sister-in-law?

The Princess Consort of the Fourth Prince couldn't help but hesitate. Should she find an opportunity to remind her fifth sister-in-law?

In the eastern warm pavilion of the Hall of Condensed Splendor, the Empress Dowager finally finished her preparations and, supported by Nurse Wu Lan, entered the main hall.

Seeing the Empress Dowager enter, everyone hurriedly stood up to greet her, "Greetings to Your Majesty."

After sitting down, the Empress Dowager raised her hand to dismiss the formalities. Seeing everyone present, she was somewhat surprised.

"Oh, what a coincidence today."

Everyone smiled in response, but no one dared to use An Qing's tardiness as a topic after all the talk about her earlier.

After all, following the incident at Fengze Garden last time, they realized that the Empress Dowager had already taken a clear bias. Even if the Fifth Prince and his consort were wrong, the Empress Dowager would not tolerate any criticism.

Everyone engaged in casual conversation, going through the motions of the greeting ritual without saying much.

Suddenly, Nurse Wu Lan led a young eunuch into the hall. Everyone recognized him as one of Kangxi's attendants.

The Empress Dowager directly asked, "What does the Emperor want?"

The young eunuch quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I am not here on behalf of the Emperor, but for the Princess Consort of the Fifth Prince."

Upon hearing An Qing's name, everyone looked over, their expressions filled with surprise.

Why is someone from the Palace of Heavenly Purity delivering a message to An Qing?

The Empress Dowager said, almost to herself, "I thought so. That girl is usually the first to arrive for greetings. Why hasn't she come today? Turns out she's been summoned by the Emperor."

Everyone: "..."

Good thing they didn't say anything earlier!

"What did the Princess Consort of the Fifth Prince tell you to convey to me?" the Empress Dowager asked.

The young eunuch replied, "The Princess Consort of the Fifth Prince is accompanying the Emperor to Fengze Garden. She sent me to inform you that she will greet you upon her return."

Everyone was stunned. What is An Qing doing at Fengze Garden with the Emperor?

Could it be... Imperial Concubine Hui and Imperial Concubine Rong exchanged glances, both having a bad feeling.

The young eunuch, instructed beforehand, did not hide anything from the Empress Dowager: "It's said that the Princess Consort of the Fifth Prince has found a cure for the green wind disease. The Emperor and the ministers are rushing there to see it."

Everyone: "!"

What?!

She actually found it!

This sudden turn of events left Imperial Concubine Hui and Imperial Concubine Rong looking grim, but they had to maintain their composure in front of the Empress Dowager.

The others were equally shocked, staring at each other in disbelief. Even Concubine Yi hadn't expected An Qing to succeed.

After all, the green wind disease had plagued scholars and emperors throughout history. Could she really have the solution?

An Qing had no idea that even before arriving, she had caused such a stir in the imperial harem!

Chapter 48: The Fifth Princess Consort

At Fengze Garden, Kangxi hurriedly led everyone over.

Although they had already believed An Qing's words, it wasn't until they stood at the field and saw the revived rice seedlings with their own eyes that they truly felt the reality of the situation.

Kangxi himself went down into the field, squatting to examine the condition of the rice plants, while the others followed suit.

An Qing also explained in detail the conditions of each plot of land, allowing them to see for themselves.

When they saw that the rice fields treated with tallow tree leaves had fully recovered, while those treated with garlic still showed some residual damage, everyone suggested using the tallow tree leaf method as it was more reliable.

Though both methods were effective, the tallow tree leaf solution was clearly more potent. Why settle for second best?

Kangxi clearly agreed, but then he suddenly turned to An Qing and asked, "Why did you insist on testing both methods until the end? Was there any particular reason?"

From the overall situation, she had switched ineffective methods to the more effective tallow tree leaf solution in the second round, except for the garlic, which she continued to use despite its lesser effectiveness.

Of course, it could simply be that she wanted to test it to the end to see the specific results, but for some reason, Kangxi felt that An Qing had another consideration.

An Qing nodded lightly and replied with a smile, "Father Emperor is indeed perceptive. Although tallow tree leaves are common medicinal herbs found in many places, they are not as widely available as garlic. If the situation is urgent and tallow tree leaves cannot be found, the garlic solution can still be useful."

She paused, "Therefore, my suggestion is to provide both methods to local officials, as emergencies do not wait. We should handle each situation accordingly."

Everyone instantly understood, realizing the mistake they had made. They had been too hasty in their assumptions.

They only thought about the better effect of tallow tree leaves, forgetting that garlic is a common household ingredient, readily available and cost-effective for the common people.

While tallow trees are common in the south, they are not everywhere. If people had to buy tallow tree leaves from pharmacies, it would impose a significant financial burden.

Thus, the Fifth Princess Consort's consideration truly came from the perspective of ordinary people. Moreover, after seeing the rice fields, they realized that her claim of reviving seventy to eighty percent of the crops was based on the garlic-treated fields, not the tallow tree leaf-treated ones.

Understanding this, everyone looked at An Qing with newfound respect.

Ma Qi stepped forward from the crowd, bowed deeply to An Qing, and said sincerely, "Compared to the Fifth Princess Consort, we are truly unworthy."

The other officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department followed suit, saying together, "We are truly unworthy."

An Qing was startled by their actions and quickly moved aside, "Your Excellencies, please don't do this; I am not worthy of such respect."

Kangxi shook his head and said, "Fifth Princess Consort, there is no need for modesty. Your consideration is very thorough, and you deserve their respect."

Apart from finding a cure for the green wind disease, her words alone were enough for these officials to reflect upon.

Since realizing that the Crown Prince and the princes were unaware of the hardships of the common people, Kangxi had been leading them to understand these matters. But now, he had to admit that none of his sons could match An Qing's empathy for the people.

With all the evidence before them, everyone finally felt relieved.

An Qing proposed writing a detailed report for Kangxi, including the preparation methods for both solutions and the precautions during application or root irrigation. Additionally, she would specify the intervals based on the severity of the disease.

In short, the more detailed, the better, ensuring that local officials could implement the methods effectively and the people could easily grasp the techniques.

Kangxi readily agreed and assigned Yinqi as her assistant, with one requirement: speed.

An Qing understood the urgency and promised to start writing immediately without delay.

Kangxi led everyone back to Changchun Garden. As they got off the carriage, they encountered the Elder Brother Prince and the Crown Prince, who were rushing over anxiously.

After paying their respects to Kangxi, the Crown Prince eagerly asked, "Father Emperor, I heard that the Fifth Prince and the Fifth Princess Consort have found a cure for the green wind disease?"

The Elder Brother Prince also looked anxious, clearly concerned about the same matter.

Kangxi's mood was excellent, and his voice carried joy, "Yes, they found a cure. The southern rice fields can finally be saved."

Hearing this, their faces stiffened, and their gazes towards An Qing and Yinqi became somewhat meaningful.

But mindful of Kangxi's presence, they put on expressions of joy and praised An Qing.

Kangxi, eager for An Qing to write the detailed report, waved them away and led the others to Danningju for discussions, including the Elder Brother Prince and the Crown Prince.

On the way back, An Qing sighed quietly and turned to Yinqi, "I've dragged you into having to keep a low profile again."

Yinqi smiled and shook his head, "Don't talk about dragging me into anything. This time, I benefited greatly from your efforts."

An Qing smiled without saying anything.

She knew Yinqi was intentionally saying this. He usually kept a low profile to avoid getting involved in sibling rivalries, but she could see the fear in the Elder Brother Prince and the Crown Prince's eyes, indicating future trouble.

Initially, she just wanted an opportunity to present the cure for the green wind disease, but coincidentally, the southern rice fields suffered a widespread outbreak, leading to this situation.

Seeing her silent, Yinqi took her hand and said seriously, "An Qing, a gentleman knows when to act and when not to. What you did was for the benefit of the country and the people. Even if we had to choose again, we would still do it, wouldn't we?"

An Qing looked at him quietly, and they both smiled.

Indeed, even if they had to choose again, she would likely do the same. She couldn't stand by and watch so many people suffer from famine when she had a solution.

Since the outcome was the same, there was no point in dwelling on it. They would face challenges as they came, at least with a clear conscience.

An Qing worked efficiently, especially since this was within her expertise. By that afternoon, she submitted the detailed instructions for treating the green wind disease to Kangxi's desk.

Kangxi promptly had two copies transcribed and sent urgently to the Viceroy of Liangjiang and the Viceroy of Fujian-Zhejiang.

At the Viceroy of Liangjiang's office, the Viceroy Fan Chengxun convened his officials and advisors upon receiving the letter.

One advisor frowned, "My Lord, is this method really effective against the green wind disease? I have searched through medical books of various dynasties but have never seen such a method. Is it safe to directly apply medicine to the crops?"

However, an official responded, "I think we should give it a try. We have exhausted all our options, and since His Majesty has issued an edict, this method must have been verified and should be reliable."

At least it offers hope, better than watching the rice die helplessly.

Fan Chengxun nodded slightly and said, "That's right. Whether this method is effective is secondary; the Emperor's decree has been issued, and we must follow it."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "But the current issue is how to successfully implement this method."

The Emperor's decree was clear: they were to overcome all difficulties and implement this method. However, this method completely overturned the people's previous understanding, and they might not accept it.

If they forced the people to use it, it could incite public resentment, making it even harder to control.

After a moment of contemplation, Fan Chengxun gave an order, "Local officials must personally intervene, using the credibility of their offices to ensure that the people agree to use this method. As for the first batch of spraying agents, the government will produce them according to the formula and distribute them directly to the people."

"Furthermore, soldiers from each prefecture must supervise the process to ensure that everything is done exactly as described in the letter. They must watch the people apply the agents to the diseased crops."

Everyone immediately agreed and began to assign tasks diligently.

Due to delays in various regions, An Qing adjusted the schedule based on the actual situation. While keeping the dosage of the agents unchanged, she changed the spraying frequency from once every five days to once every three days, with 3 to 5 applications, depending on the specific situation.

With the authority of the local government, the people did not dare to openly resist, and the implementation process went relatively smoothly. Another important reason was that as the crops worsened, many had given up hope and were willing to try anything.

However, after the first round of spraying, many still held their breaths. Although they had given up hope, as long as the rice seedlings remained in the fields, there was still a glimmer of hope. But if these agents harmed the crops, causing them to die, everything would be lost.

For three days, Fan Chengxun was on edge, almost living in the fields. But after one, two, and finally three days passed, the rice seedlings did not die; instead, they showed signs of improvement, albeit minimal. There was finally hope.

When the people saw the results, they no longer needed prompting from the government and began the second round of spraying on their own. After three rounds, the previously dying rice plants finally regained vitality.

Fan Chengxun and the officials were overjoyed, and the farmers in the fields celebrated with tears of joy.

They were saved; their crops were saved, and their families would no longer go hungry.

Seeing the villagers hugging and crying in the fields, Fan Chengxun felt a pang in his heart and was deeply moved.

He turned to the attendant beside him and said in a trembling voice, "Go back to the office. I must personally write a report to the Emperor to thank the benefactor who found the cure for the green wind disease for our people in the Two Rivers region!"

At Changchun Garden, since An Qing's method was presented, Kangxi sent copies to the governors of the Two Rivers and Fujian-Zhejiang regions, as well as to the Ministry of Finance and the Agricultural Administration Department, instructing them to conduct experiments on the rice fields at Yushan Mountain in the western outskirts of Beijing.

Meanwhile, news of An Qing solving the rice green wind disease quickly spread throughout the imperial court and the palace. Initially, people were skeptical, but as reports from Yushan Mountain came in, everyone had to believe.

Then, reports from the Two Rivers and Fujian-Zhejiang regions arrived, all bearing good news. Kangxi praised An Qing several times in court.

Only then did everyone truly realize that the "green wind disease," which had plagued generations, had indeed been solved by the Fifth Princess Consort!

In recent days, Concubine Yi had become quite prominent in the palace, always glowing and frequently visiting Concubine Hui and Imperial Concubine Rong, deliberately causing trouble.

As An Qing put it, her ability to irritate others had improved greatly.

Indeed, An Qing had become incredibly prominent in the palace recently. Who would have thought that farming, which everyone usually looked down upon, could create such a stir? Not only had she gained fame in the imperial court, but she had also caught the Emperor's attention.

Such an achievement would undoubtedly earn her a significant reward.

But at the same time, many in the palace began to secretly emulate An Qing.

Initially, some minor palace maids started growing flowers and plants in their courtyards, hoping to learn and perhaps achieve something similar to the Fifth Princess Consort. Later, this trend spread to the ladies of the palace.

One day, at the Crown Princess's residence.

The Crown Princess stood by the window for a long time, while the palace maid beside her hesitated several times but dared not speak.

Just now, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had a heated argument because the Crown Prince's favorite concubine had spoken disrespectfully to the Crown Princess and was punished to kneel for an hour.

In a fit of anger, the Crown Prince said that the Crown Princess was inferior to the Fifth Princess Consort and that as the wife of the Crown Prince, she should be better than his brother's consort.

After the argument, the Crown Princess stood motionless by the window for over an hour.

Just as the palace maid gathered the courage to approach and console her, the Crown Princess suddenly turned around.

"Fetch a few potted plants from the flower room and find some seeds for fruits and vegetables."

The palace maid was clearly taken aback, unsure of what the Crown Princess intended.

The Crown Princess continued without waiting for a response, "Also, get some agricultural and medical books. What are you waiting for? Go!"

The palace maid finally snapped out of her daze and hurriedly responded, "Yes, yes, I'll go right away."

But just as she took a few steps, the Crown Princess called her back, "Wait, be discreet and don't draw attention."

After the palace maid left, the Crown Princess heavily sat down on a nearby couch.

She felt dejected; the Crown Prince had increasingly disrespected her, especially since the Emperor had shown less favor toward her recently.

His words in the heat of the moment had truly hurt her.

She refused to believe that An Qing could do it and she could not. Farming was not that difficult; even illiterate farmers could manage it. She was determined to succeed as well.

Coincidentally, the Third Princess Consort had the same idea and was also secretly gathering seeds to plant in her courtyard. She was simply jealous of An Qing's prominence.

Especially after the incident at Fengze Garden, where Imperial Concubine Rong was blamed by the Empress Dowager and returned to scold her severely, punishing her to kneel for hours and copy a large number of Buddhist scriptures. Her hands were nearly worn out from copying.

The Third Princess Consort had already considered An Qing her rival and wanted to compete with her in every way. Seeing An Qing gain so much recognition through farming, she was determined to achieve something similar to diminish her prestige.

Thus, a strange trend of farming emerged in the palace, with many joining in.

Since the incident, the Fourth Princess Consort no longer dared to make decisions on her own regarding matters involving her sisters-in-law and sought Yinzhen's opinion.

"Sir, should I also plant something in my courtyard?" the Fourth Princess Consort asked.

Yinzhen felt somewhat helpless. They were oversimplifying farming, thinking that planting anything would yield results. If it were that easy, the Agricultural Administration Department would be redundant.

Moreover, when he read the manual prepared by his fifth sister-in-law, he was genuinely impressed. She did not do things casually; her methodical and planned approach, sustained over years, was something few could achieve.

Of course, the most important thing is that even his Emperor Father had said that Sister-in-Law Fifth has an extraordinary talent for farming that others don't possess.

Trying to learn from her is difficult indeed.

"There's no need. Sister-in-Law Fifth likes farming, but you don't. There's no need to follow them and get involved in this," Yinzhen said.

Hearing this, Princess Consort Fourth couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief. She had always felt it was inappropriate to learn from Sister-in-Law Fifth, but seeing everyone else doing it, she feared that not participating might hold their lord back.

Ever since all the rice in the paddy field at Fengze Garden was saved, An Qing finally had some real downtime and no longer needed to shuttle between places.

However, because the fame of curing Qingfeng disease was too great, Yinqi had become more low-key, and naturally, she wouldn't go around boasting either. Thus, she resumed her life of staying within the courtyard.

Fortunately, the garden at Changchun Garden was far more interesting than any of the princes' residences. With its three sides surrounded by water, fishing naturally became An Qing's best way to pass the time during her leisure hours.

However, aside from being often criticized by Snowball for her poor fishing skills, An Qing still enjoyed the activity mainly because it was relaxing. Occasionally catching one or two fish gave her a sense of accomplishment.

For example, right now, she had actually caught a big carp weighing five or six pounds!

"Haha, the heavens are indeed fair. The fishing rod didn't move all day, but I knew something big was coming." An Qing said proudly, "Chunxiao, keep this one for me to make fish soup tonight. Hmph, I won't give any to Snowball, that ungrateful little thing!"

After saying this, she glared at Snowball, who was lying next to Little Xizi with a round belly, but the little one was dozing off and didn't even lift an eyelid.

Very well! This little cat knows how to upset her.

But before An Qing could get angry at being ignored, Cui Liu suddenly ran over angrily, "I'm so mad! I'm so mad!"

An Qing looked confused. Wasn't she just asked to deliver some pastries to the Empress Dowager and Concubine Yi at the main garden? Who had upset her this time?

Cui Liu was never one to keep things bottled up, so without An Qing asking, she blurted out the whole story.

It turned out that she discovered that everyone in the palace was learning to farm like An Qing.

Cui Liu said irritably, "Hmph! They used to look down on our mistress, saying that farming is a job for peasants and making fun of you behind your back. Especially Third Princess Consort, who publicly mocked you a few days ago. Now they're secretly learning from you. They have no shame at all."

An Qing was genuinely surprised but then understood. After all, when the benefits are significant, anyone would be tempted.

Although she hadn't gone out recently, she had heard from Yinqi that Kangxi had publicly praised her several times, which was indeed a significant temptation for the imperial harem.

"Mistress, why aren't you angry?" Cui Liu asked, puzzled.

An Qing shrugged, feeling helpless. "Why should I be angry, Cui Liu? We can't be so domineering. Just because we started farming first, doesn't mean others can't do it. After all, farming isn't my patent."

"Mistress, it's not the same," Cui Liu said anxiously. "They're just envious of the praise you received from the Emperor, so they're copying you."

After saying this, she glanced at Maidong and added, "And you, Maidong, how can you act as if nothing happened?"

Maidong glanced at her and calmly replied, "No worries. They're not the mistress; they won't cause any trouble. No need to worry."

Cui Liu paused, then suddenly realized.

That's right; they're not the mistress, so they won't cause any trouble.

"Exactly, they're just imitating us. Not everyone has the talent for farming like our mistress. Dream on!"

Maidong nodded in agreement, "Our mistress is a farming genius, a once-in-a-century talent."

"A century is an understatement. Didn't you say that Qingfeng disease has been a headache for generations? But our mistress solved it effortlessly. It's more like a once-in-a-thousand-years talent."

"That's true, then it's a once-in-a-thousand-years talent..."

An Qing couldn't help covering her face in embarrassment, wishing she could find a hole to hide in.

Please, ladies, can you stop praising me in front of me? I have my pride too.

"By the way, Mistress, why hasn't the Emperor rewarded you this time?" Cui Liu suddenly asked.

Hearing this, An Qing also paused. That's right; previously, Kangxi had been quick to reward her, but this time, after so many days, there was still no sign of anything.

Could he be waiting to see if her method could completely cure the Qingfeng disease?

Or perhaps he's waiting to see if the rice will relapse?

Hmm~ It's quite possible. In that case, Lao Kang really is someone who waits to see results before acting.

Well, she didn't expect anything this time anyway. She simply wanted to improve the resilience of farmers in this era.

She heard from Yinqi that the Viceroy of Liangjiang and the Viceroy of Minzhe had reported that the people had mastered the method through word of mouth and would no longer fear crop failure due to Qingfeng disease.

For An Qing, that's enough. Through this incident, she had firmly established her reputation for farming in front of Kangxi, making future endeavors easier.

However, compared to the affairs at Changchun Garden, what An Qing truly cared about was something happening in the palace.

Because... her wheat was about to ripen!

Chapter 49: The Fifth Lady

It was quite a coincidence. Just the other day, An Qing and Yinqi were discussing how to find an excuse to return to the palace. Unexpectedly, the very next day, Yinqi encountered a task that required him to go back to the palace due to some issues with the renovations at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Indeed, it was like finding a pillow when you're sleepy. With Yinqi's problem solved, things became much easier for An Qing as well.

According to the rules, she only needed to inform Concubine Yi and the Empress Dowager. Both agreed immediately upon hearing that she would be returning with Yinqi, without even asking for the reason.

Although they were only leaving for a few days, An Qing still had to make arrangements for their courtyard before departing.

This time, she planned to take Cui Liu alone. Perilla was still in the palace, where there were plenty of attendants. However, here, she needed to leave a few capable people behind, especially since Hongsheng, Yinqi's only son, would remain here.

Liu Jiashi was still under house arrest, but her confinement was nearing its end. It had been almost a year since Hongsheng had been living in the front courtyard. An Qing didn't know what Yinqi intended, but she didn't ask.

To put it bluntly, since she didn't want to raise children herself, she didn't pry. She fulfilled her duties as a mother diligently, but didn't interfere otherwise.

After all, the child would always be raised by his father; he wouldn't suffer any injustice.

"Milady, Princess Guanjia and Little Aoge Hongsheng have arrived," Cui Liu reported.

An Qing responded with an "Oh" and promptly reeled in her fishing rod, handing it to Chunxiao. As she passed by Snowball, who was sleeping on a straw mat, she couldn't resist petting it.

The little cat protested with a few meows, clearly upset at being disturbed.

An Qing chuckled, satisfied with her mischief, and left happily.

Chunxiao shook her head helplessly, put away the fishing rod, and hurried after her.

An Qing had specifically invited Guanjia and Hongsheng over for a visit. She had been busy with rice cultivation and hadn't had them come over symbolically last month, so she decided to make up for it today.

"Greetings, Milady," Guanjia said, rising to bow.

An Qing waved her hand, signaling her to rise.

Hongsheng was now over two years old and could walk steadily without needing to be carried by a wet nurse. He walked to the center with short arms and legs and performed a somewhat unsteady bow. "Hongsheng greets Mother."

His soft, childlike voice melted everyone's hearts, and the room erupted in laughter.

An Qing smiled and beckoned him over. "Hongsheng, come here. Mother will give you some cake."

Hongsheng obediently approached An Qing, looked at the cake in her hand, and shook his head, pointing to his stomach. "Mother, my tummy is full. I can't eat anymore."

An Qing gently patted his small belly and laughed. "Oh, it really is full, like a little watermelon. If you can't eat, then we won't."

She placed the cake tray back on the table and began entertaining him.

Hongsheng was a very well-behaved child, always smiling. Although he resembled Liu Jiashi more in appearance, his character seemed to lean towards Yinqi, his father.

Of course, this might be because he had been raised by Yinqi for the past year. After all, proximity influences behavior.

However, one downside was that he was still somewhat frail. While he had improved over the year and no longer fell ill frequently, he still got sick every season change. The imperial physician said it was a congenital condition that could only be managed over time.

"Mother, where's the kitty?" Hongsheng asked, looking around the room for Snowball.

An Qing smiled. "Snowball is outside sunbathing. Mother will have someone take you to see it. How about that?"

Hongsheng's eyes lit up. "Okay! Thank you, Mother!"

An Qing couldn't resist patting his little bald head. "You're such a good boy."

She then had someone lead Hongsheng out to find Snowball, instructing Chunxiao and Maidong to watch over him closely. She wasn't worried about anything else, but her courtyard was surrounded by water on three sides, so caution was necessary.

"The little master really likes your cat, Milady. On the way here, he kept saying he wanted to play with Snowball," Guanjia commented with a smile.

An Qing nodded in agreement. Indeed, Hongsheng loved Snowball and always sought it out whenever he came to pay respects.

Initially, she had been concerned that Snowball might hurt Hongsheng, but she soon realized that Snowball was a gentle cat, and Hongsheng was a well-behaved child. They got along harmoniously.

Strangely enough, sometimes Snowball would growl at her, but it was always patient with Hongsheng. This confirmed the popular saying that cats respect the elderly and adore children, while adults get scratched.

"I noticed that Hongsheng seems quite close to you lately," An Qing remarked casually after taking a sip of tea.

When Hongsheng left earlier, he had specifically said goodbye to Guanjia, indicating a familiar relationship.

Guanjia's expression turned nervous. "Milady, please forgive me. My courtyard is next to the little master's, and I occasionally played with him these past few days. I know it was wrong, and I will..."

An Qing waved her hand to interrupt. "Don't worry, I was just making an observation. There's no hidden meaning."

Seeing that An Qing genuinely had no ulterior motives, Guanjia relaxed slightly. "I enjoy playing chess in my courtyard. When the little master saw me once, he seemed interested, so I taught him a few times."

An Qing was surprised. She knew Guanjia was skilled at chess, but teaching Hongsheng?

"He's so young, can he understand?"

Guanjia smiled. "The little master is very smart. I didn't teach him deeply, but he understood some of it."

An Qing was still amazed but didn't dwell on it too much. Everyone around Hongsheng was Yinqi's people, and he probably already knew about it. Since he didn't object, she had no reason to interfere.

"I called you here today to tell you something," An Qing said directly. "Tomorrow, Yinqi and I will return to the palace for a few days. Chunxiao and Maidong will stay behind. If you need anything, you can find them."

Guanjia quickly acknowledged. "Thank you, Milady. Please rest assured, I will not cause any trouble."

An Qing lightly "Hmm"ed, knowing she was a sensible person, and didn't give further instructions.

They chatted briefly, and when the time was right, Guanjia suggested leaving.

Before Guanjia departed, An Qing called her back with a meaningful tone. "Guanjia, you are Yinqi's princess and part of our household. If you ever encounter difficulties, you can come to me or Yinqi."

Hearing this, Guojia obviously paused for a moment. After a while, she looked at An Qing with gratitude, "Thank you, Furen. I'll remember your words."

Watching Guojia and her servant leave, Cui Liu couldn't help but be confused, "Master, you made it so clear. Why didn't she take the opportunity to speak up?"

An Qing shook her head, "I don't know. Maybe it's resolved now."

Yesterday, Little Xizi accidentally ran into Qing'er, a senior palace maid serving Guojia, trying to sell some jewelry. It turned out that the eunuch she was talking to was an acquaintance of Little Xizi. From their conversation, they learned that Guojia's family urgently needed money.

That's why An Qing had said what she did earlier. She had always known that Guojia's family wasn't well-off, as Guojia regularly sent money outside the palace. However, selling jewelry was something new.

As she had said, Guojia was part of their household after all, and she had always been very diligent. If there were any real issues, An Qing was willing to lend a hand.

Even if not for the sake of kindness, she was still Guojia's superior, and sometimes helping subordinates with their problems was only natural.

On the way back, Qing'er looked at Guojia anxiously, "Princess, do you think Furen knows something?"

"Probably," Guojia said, lowering her eyebrows, "But don't worry. Furen doesn't seem to blame us."

Thinking about it, Guojia felt ashamed. She didn't have many valuable pieces of jewelry; the only one worth anything was the gold hairpin Furen had given her before. This time, she had no choice but to ask Qing'er to sell it for money.

Hearing that Furen didn't blame them, Qing'er breathed a sigh of relief but then asked in confusion, "Then why didn't you ask Furen for help just now? It seemed like she was willing to help you."

Guojia shook her head, "I've already gathered enough money. The issue is resolved, so there's no need to trouble Furen or Yinqi anymore."

Qing'er couldn't understand Guojia's reasoning. Furen had offered help, so why was she being so stubborn? Given Furen and Yinqi's status, supporting their entire family wouldn't be a problem. Why struggle alone?

But Guojia had her own considerations. Their family's problem wasn't complicated; it was mainly due to her father's irresponsibility. Her siblings were young, but with her mother doing laundry for others and the money she sent home monthly, they could manage.

If Furen and Yinqi sent money, her father might assume she was favored in the household, which could lead to more trouble.

Moreover, she didn't want her siblings to grow up expecting easy gains like her father. If they couldn't support themselves or their family, they would end up like her family after her grandfather's death.

Also, she wasn't favored in the household. Even if she relied on Yinqi and Furen's pity, how far could that go? Ultimately, one must rely on oneself.

An Qing didn't dwell too much on Guojia's situation. She had said what she needed to say. If Guojia encountered any insurmountable obstacles, she would come to her. There wouldn't be any major issues.

She arrived at the courtyard and saw Hongsheng playing with a cat toy, entertaining Snowball. They were having a great time together.

However, soon Hongsheng started yawning, so An Qing called the wet nurse to take him back inside.

Watching the little one look back every few steps, she couldn't help but laugh.

"Ah, Little Hongsheng is so adorable," Cui Liu said with a fond smile, but then her expression fell.

"Liu Jiashi will be coming back soon. We probably won't be able to play with Little Hongsheng like this anymore."

An Qing paused but understood Cui Liu's concern.

Liu Jiashi was Hongsheng's birth mother, and eventually, he would return to her. Given her previous wariness, she would likely keep Hongsheng away from An Qing, his official mother.

However, An Qing remained open-minded. Playing with children was enjoyable while it lasted, and if she couldn't, she could still play with Snowball.

Cui Liu sighed, "If only Master could have a little boy. He'd be so cute."

As soon as she said this, Chunxiao pinched her.

Cui Liu let out an "ah" and realized what she had said.

Both of them looked at An Qing nervously, and Cui Liu hurriedly tried to explain, "Master, don't misunderstand. I meant—"

Seeing their worried faces, An Qing couldn't help but laugh, "Alright, alright. Don't worry. I'm not thinking too much about it."

She knew Cui Liu and the others had been secretly worried about her childbearing issue but never mentioned it to her face.

Sometimes, An Qing herself wondered. In the past year, she hadn't taken any contraceptive herbs, and she and Yinqi had shared a bed frequently. Yet, she hadn't conceived. Mai Dong had checked her, and the imperial physicians confirmed she was healthy. So, it must be a matter of timing.

An Qing had always been relaxed about having children. If it happened, it happened; if not, she wouldn't force it. Her primary goal was to live well, and that was the right path.

The next day, after Yinqi finished his court duties, they took a carriage back to the palace.

Yinqi went straight to Taihe Palace for his official business, while An Qing returned to the Prince's residence.

Although it had only been a month since her last visit, when she returned, she felt a sense of nostalgia. Seeing the plants and trees in the courtyard, she felt a deep connection.

"Master, you're back!" Perilla rushed out of the house, her voice filled with excitement upon seeing An Qing and Cui Liu. "I guessed you'd be back these days."

An Qing was delighted to see Perilla and gave her a big hug.

They had been together for years, growing up together. This was the first time they had been apart for so long.

"Good Perilla, I missed you so much. You can't imagine how much I missed you. Without you, I couldn't eat or sleep, almost getting lovesick."

Unexpectedly, before Perilla could respond, Cui Liu interrupted, "Perilla, don't believe her. She had a great appetite every day, always asking Chunxiao to cook delicious food for her."

An Qing: "..."

This annoying girl, ruining the moment. She wanted to be sentimental, but Cui Liu wouldn't give her a chance.

Feeling frustrated, An Qing reached out to pinch her, but Cui Liu, anticipating her move, immediately ran away.

Thus, they chased each other around the courtyard, laughing and playing.

Perilla, who had been feeling sentimental, couldn't help but laugh at their antics.

After settling down, An Qing didn't forget her main task. She quickly tidied up and headed straight for her wheat field.

When she stood before the golden waves of wheat, her heart suddenly felt an immense sense of relief. An Qing knew that this was the joy and confidence brought by a bountiful harvest.

The heavy wheat heads bent low, each grain plump and full. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of wheat and earth from time to time.

An Qing's previously anxious heart finally settled. When they left, the wheat was in its late milking stage, a critical period for yield formation. Although she had done everything she could, not seeing it through with her own eyes still made her uneasy, fearing any mishap. Fortunately, there were no mishaps.

Looking at the wheat field, she roughly estimated that the yield would far exceed her initial expectations.

"Madam, shall I fetch the farming tools?" Perilla had already prepared everything—the sickles for cutting wheat and the tools for threshing.

An Qing waved her hand and replied, "No need. We won't harvest today; we'll do it tomorrow."

Perilla was taken aback, somewhat puzzled. Given her mistress's usual nature, once the crops were ripe, she wouldn't wait a moment. Why was she acting so differently today?

An Qing noticed her confusion and explained.

It turned out that Yinqi wanted to experience harvesting wheat himself. If he hadn't repeatedly emphasized it, she might not have waited.

After checking the wheat, An Qing felt completely reassured. Everything was ready now; all they needed was for Yinqi to be free tomorrow. Truly, everything was set except for one thing.

The weather in June was already hot. After traveling for half a day and running around outside, An Qing was drenched in sweat. She couldn't stand the stickiness, so she hurriedly asked Perilla to prepare bathwater.

However, before she could bathe, Princess Eight arrived.

Zhangjia Shi was unwell and didn't go to Changchun Garden this time. Princess Eight had the chance to go but stayed behind because she was worried about her mother.

"Sister Eight, how did you know I was back?" An Qing asked, surprised.

How did she get such quick news? It shouldn't be possible.

Princess Eight smiled and sat down, explaining, "I just ran into Fifth Brother in the palace."

An Qing responded with an "Oh," understanding why. "What a coincidence. If you hadn't come, I was going to send someone to find you."

She winked exaggeratedly at Princess Eight and then dramatically exclaimed, "Wow, looks like Sister Eight and I are truly in sync!"

Seeing her mistress's playful demeanor, Cui Liu couldn't bear to watch and quickly stepped in front of Princess Eight, worried that her mistress might scare the young girl: "Mistress, Princess Eight is still young; please be more restrained."

But Princess Eight was no longer the same girl who blushed easily. She had become much livelier and more confident.

"It's okay, I understand. Fifth Sister-in-Law is just joking with me," Princess Eight said, smiling at Cui Liu.

Hearing this, An Qing felt immensely pleased.

However, she was genuinely happy about Princess Eight's transformation. Compared to a timid girl, this change would make her more capable when she marries into Mongolia.

After chatting for a while, An Qing also inquired about Princess Eight's situation in the palace.

"How is your mother feeling lately?"

Princess Eight nodded and smiled, saying, "She's been better recently. The imperial physician prescribed new medicine, and Mother says she feels much better after taking it."

Seeing Princess Eight's joyful expression, a hint of complexity flashed in An Qing's eyes.

She had sent Mai Dong to check on Zhangjia Shi under the pretense of delivering pastries. Her condition was indeed dire, as Mai Dong described it, nearing the end.

As for the prescriptions from the imperial physician, they were mostly ineffective, merely prolonging her life a bit.

However, Zhangjia Shi's will to live was strong, likely due to her concern for her three young children.

"That's good. Spend more time talking with your mother. She must be quite bored staying indoors all day," An Qing said.

This way, there would be fewer regrets later.

Although Princess Eight didn't understand An Qing's deeper meaning, she nodded obediently, "Don't worry, Fifth Sister-in-Law. I visit Mother every day now."

Then, she added, "And Lady Guo."

Mentioning Lady Guo, An Qing also showed concern. This time, Lady Guo remained in the palace.

Usually, she went to Changchun Garden with Concubine Yi, but since Princess Four's marriage last year, Lady Guo had fallen seriously ill and her health declined further. She fell ill twice this spring, and although Concubine Yi wanted her to recuperate at Changchun Garden, she refused.

So, Lady Guo was also in the palace, and Princess Eight often visited both sides, showing filial piety to Princess Four.

Mentioning Lady Guo reminded Princess Eight of her urgent purpose for coming. She slapped her forehead in frustration, "Oh, how forgetful I am! I almost forgot the main reason I came."

She took out a letter she had with her, "Fifth Sister-in-Law, Fourth Sister wrote me a letter. Before her marriage, she said to show you any letters she sends me."

An Qing was momentarily stunned upon hearing about Princess Four's letter.

This was the first letter she had written since marrying into Khalkha, aside from the official reports to Kangxi. She meant personal letters.

It was indeed sad. Great Qing princesses had strict rules about visiting family and even communicating with relatives in Imperial City. Letters usually had to pass through the emperor's scrutiny.

However, Princess Four seemed to have understood Kangxi's stance from the wedding arrangements. She cleverly wrote her message in a letter to Princess Eight instead of directly to her.

An Qing was genuinely pleased. Such alertness would help her take care of herself in Mongolia.

She took the letter from Princess Eight and read it carefully. From a casual letter between sisters, she extracted three key pieces of information.

First, Princess Four got along well with her husband, Dambudorji. While they weren't yet deeply in love, they respected each other.

Second, Princess Four adapted well to the climate and diet in Mongolia. She was actively trying to embrace and integrate into their customs.

Lastly, and most importantly, Princess Four mentioned getting along well with Dambudorji's family members.

Dambudorji's father had passed away, but his mother was still alive. The term "family members" likely included others, and An Qing had a guess—probably Dambudorji's grandfather and uncle.

While Dambudorji was only a prince in Khalkha, his grandfather was the Khan of the Tusheet Khanate, wielding significant political influence in Northern Desert. Additionally, his uncle, Lobzang Danbeijanzan, was a living Buddha of the Yellow Sect in Mongolia, holding considerable religious influence in Northern Desert.

As one can imagine, the status of his entire family in the Northern Desert is exceedingly high. Of course, this is also why Kangxi arranged the marriage between them.

If the Fourth Princess can establish good relations with everyone there, it will only be beneficial for her. It seems she truly understood the meaning behind An Qing's words back then.

Naturally, at the end of the letter, the Fourth Princess expressed her anticipation of meeting them at the Mulan Autumn Hunt in August.

When An Qing's gaze fell on the words 'August' and 'Mulan Autumn Hunt,' her mood improved considerably.

Counting the days, it is already June, and there aren't many days left until August. Finally, she will get to see her parents and brothers again.

Chapter 50: The Fifth Princess

In the evening, after Yinqi returned, An Qing briefly told him about the letter from the Fourth Princess. He felt greatly relieved and reassured.

"If you have time these days, could you go check on Aunt for me?" Yinqi said.

An Qing nodded. Even if he hadn't mentioned it, she had already planned to visit Lady Guo in the coming days. "Eighth Sister said that since Aunt received the Fourth Sister's letter, she has become much more spirited. The imperial physician also said that her illness was primarily due to worry. Now that she knows the Fourth Sister is doing well, she can be at ease."

Moreover, for the Mulan Autumn Hunt in August, Lady Guo needed to take good care of herself, otherwise, how could she meet with the Fourth Princess?

Yinqi softly acknowledged, "If Aunt is more cheerful, Mother will also be more at ease."

After having dinner and chatting about some family matters, they went to bed early to prepare for the next day's wheat harvest.

The next morning, just past dawn, An Qing and Yinqi appeared at the edge of the wheat field, dressed as farmers and holding sickles, eager to start harvesting the golden wheat.

The sky was bright but not yet hot, making it the perfect time to work in the cool morning air.

Harvesting wheat now was nothing like using modern combine harvesters that cut, thresh, and separate the grain all at once, leaving behind neatly arranged stubble while simultaneously crushing the straw back into the soil.

But in the agricultural era, each step—cutting, threshing, and separating—had to be done manually, which was both time-consuming and labor-intensive.

The first step was manual harvesting.

An Qing demonstrated for Yinqi, bending down, leaning forward, grabbing the mature wheat stalks with her left hand, and inserting the sickle at the base with her right hand. With a swift pull, the wheat stalks were cut, and she gently placed them on the ground. She repeated this process continuously.

Yinqi, despite never having harvested wheat before, quickly got the hang of it after a few attempts. Soon, his speed matched An Qing's.

This small plot of land wasn't too large; even if An Qing did it alone, it would take no more than two hours. With their combined efforts, it went even faster.

An Qing and Yinqi were responsible for cutting the wheat in the field, while Perilla and Cui Liu led others to transport the harvested wheat to the threshing ground, spreading it out to dry in preparation for threshing.

The threshing ground was where the harvested wheat was separated from the stalks. It was usually located near the fields and prepared by hardening and smoothing the ground before the harvest.

However, since An Qing's plot was small, she chose a stone-paved area in the courtyard as the threshing ground.

After about an hour, An Qing and Yinqi finished harvesting the entire plot. Their pants were wet from the morning dew, their foreheads covered in sweat, and their clothes stuck with wheat chaff. Despite their disheveled appearance, they looked at each other and laughed genuinely.

This was the joy of a bountiful harvest.

Harvesting was only the first step. Next, the wheat needed to be dried and then repeatedly rolled to separate the straw, ears, and grains.

While harvesting could avoid the midday heat, rolling had to be done during the hottest part of the day when the wheat was thoroughly dried. This made it easier for the grains to fall off.

Yinqi had official duties and couldn't spare the time during the day, so the subsequent tasks were carried out by An Qing and the servants under her guidance.

The drying and rolling were heavy physical labor, so An Qing mainly supervised while the servants took turns doing the work.

After months of hard labor, they finally reached the final step: weighing the harvested wheat. This was the last step described in An Qing's book, *Experimental Guide to Wheat Cultivation*.

That day, Yinqi brought a special measuring container used for weighing grain.

They didn't let anyone else help and personally weighed the wheat themselves.

When they finished, Yinqi looked at An Qing in disbelief. "There are three and a half bushels!"

An Qing was also surprised. She had expected a good harvest but not this much—it far exceeded her expectations.

One bushel was approximately 17.4 pounds, so three and a half bushels would be around sixty pounds.

A typical yield for one acre of wheat was between 150 to 220 pounds, with higher yields in the south and lower yields in the north.

So, a yield of over a hundred pounds per acre was normal, and disaster-stricken areas might produce only thirty to forty pounds or less.

Modern wheat yields of over a thousand pounds per acre were due to the widespread use of fertilizers, pesticides, and hybrid breeding.

Even in modern times, the cultivation of superior wheat varieties began in the 1960s, with successful breeding in the 1970s and widespread use of fertilizers starting in the 1980s. Before that, yields were consistently low.

An Qing's plot was about one and a half tenths of an acre, so based on this calculation, her yield was estimated to be between 350 to 400 pounds per acre. How could this not be exciting?

Yinqi stood there stunned for a moment. Recently, his father had been taking them to learn about national affairs related to agriculture, so he understood the significance of this yield.

He grabbed An Qing's hand, full of anticipation. "If we follow your methods for growing wheat, could we achieve similar yields?"

Things like soaking seeds, fertilizing, and pressing the wheat—all strictly following the instructions in her book!

An Qing shook her head. "Those methods can improve yields somewhat, but not to the extent seen here."

Yinqi paused for a few seconds, suddenly remembering what An Qing had said about why his father's imperial rice always grew better than others'.

Could the same reason apply to her wheat?

An Qing didn't know what Yinqi was thinking, but she explained straightforwardly, "The key lies in the wheat seeds."

Ancient people didn't know how to breed seeds, so poor seeds meant that no amount of effort would make a difference. She had been working on cultivating better seeds for years, but progress was slow due to various limitations.

Yinqi paused, then realized something. "Are you planning to keep this method secret from Father for now?"

"There are many aspects involved, and I need to organize my thoughts," An Qing said. "Besides, I have other plans."

She paused. "These results are from years of experimentation with my brothers in Horqin. So, I want to share them with my father..."

Yinqi gently shook his head and smiled, patting her hand. "You don't need to explain to me. I understand. If you need any help, just tell me."

An Qing felt warmth in her heart and nodded. "Alright, once I sort everything out, I'll explain it to you in detail. We are one, and I won't hide anything from you."

Yinqi smiled. "Good."

He seemed hesitant for a moment before asking, "May I ask when that would be?"

An Qing replied, "During the autumn hunt in Mulan."

By then, his second brother should also have some news.

It wouldn't be wise to present it to Kangxi piecemeal. When combined, it would strengthen their case, making it impossible for him not to take action.

Upon hearing this, Yinqi felt relieved.

If it's during the autumn hunt in Mulan, there will still be time for the winter wheat this year. At least An Qing's measures for planting wheat can be implemented more widely. Hopefully, the severe frost damage from last year can be mitigated, and the lives of the common people can improve.

An Qing understood Yinqi's intentions and couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.

Recently, she had heard that Kangxi was intentionally exposing his sons to the hardships of the common people. She didn't know about the others, but it seemed Yinqi truly empathized with them.

Perhaps only someone like him, who has no interest in power struggles and is inherently kind-hearted, could easily connect with the impoverished.

They stayed in the palace for five days. When they returned to Changchun Garden, An Qing truly felt the difference between the garden and the palace.

No wonder Kangxi comes here to escape the summer heat. It really is much cooler here.

Especially with her courtyard surrounded by water on three sides, the natural coolness at night is far more comfortable than having ice indoors. She could sleep through the night without waking up due to the heat.

Compared to last summer, this one was much more bearable.

An Qing wasn't as lazy anymore. Now, she spent her free time fishing or visiting Concubine Yi and the Empress Dowager. Of course, she still frequently visited the rice fields within the western wall, leading a rather pleasant life.

Last year, Kangxi generously allocated a melon field in the southern gardens for her. Although An Qing couldn't personally plant watermelons, she gave the seeds she saved to Yinqi, who assigned skilled melon growers to cultivate them for her.

These people were trained by An Qing before being assigned to the task and had to report regularly on the growth of the watermelons. She would occasionally send Little Xizi to check on them.

In the end, the results were quite satisfactory, though most of the watermelons ended up in Kangxi's possession.

This was something An Qing had anticipated. After all, it was his land, and he ultimately had the final say.

But An Qing didn't mind. As long as she had enough watermelons to eat, and enough to share with Yinqi, she was content.

It was said that Kangxi continued to distribute watermelons this year, but they weren't as novel as last year. Many recipients had saved seeds, but since they were imperial gifts, they were still highly valued.

Besides, these watermelons were genuinely delicious.

Days passed slowly, and before they knew it, it was mid-July.

With the arrival of the scorching summer, even Changchun Garden became unbearably hot during the day. An Qing resumed spending her days near ice basins.

She really hated the heat and often found herself longing for air conditioning from her past life.

However, compared to the palace, evenings here were cooler, allowing her to venture out. Her activities, however, were limited to sitting by the riverbank and fishing.

Over time, her fishing skills improved, and she began to enjoy it more. Whenever the weather wasn't too hot, she would faithfully appear by the river with her fishing rod.

One cloudy day, An Qing sat by the river from morning until afternoon, catching a good haul.

Looking at the fish in the bucket, she suddenly craved grilled food.

When she wanted something, she indulged herself. Of course, sometimes Mai Dong would restrict her, like not letting her eat ice, which made summers difficult.

Mai Dong wouldn't interfere with her grilling, though. After all, Mongolians were accustomed to eating grilled meat, and given her lack of appetite during the hot summer, her desire for grilled food was welcomed.

Not only did Mai Dong welcome it, but everyone in her courtyard sprang into action upon hearing her request. Soon, a grill and rack were set up in the courtyard.

Chunxiao prepared side dishes according to her taste and mixed garlic and various seasonings.

While Mongolians typically grilled beef and mutton, An Qing preferred vegetables—grilled eggplant, leeks, chicken wings, and potato slices were her favorites.

Of course, she would include some beef and mutton, but the highlight was the grilled fish she caught earlier.

When Yinqi arrived, An Qing was busy at the grill, just placing a few skewers of grilled eggplant over the charcoal.

"Sir, come and have some grilled meat," she called out cheerfully.

Yinqi was surprised, knowing how much An Qing disliked the heat. Seeing her standing by the charcoal fire was unexpected.

"Why did you suddenly want grilled meat today?" he asked as he approached.

An Qing shrugged, "I don't know, I just suddenly craved it."

Yinqi smiled and took a few skewers of meat, starting to grill them himself: "Then let me show you my skills."

An Qing raised an eyebrow, "Oh, looks like Sir is quite skilled at grilling."

Before Yinqi could respond, Ma Xiang chimed in, "Madam, you don't know, our Sir is the best at grilling. Every time we went hunting, the Emperor praised his cooking."

An Qing was impressed, "Then I'll have to eat more."

After grilling for a while, they moved to a nearby table to eat and chat, mainly exchanging grilling tips.

Yinqi's grilling skills were indeed impressive, and An Qing praised him both verbally and by eating several skewers. Yinqi also complimented her vegetable skewers.

Their mutual praise felt a bit commercial.

Soon, Chunxiao's garlic-grilled fish was ready, and its aroma was intoxicating.

Seeing the grilled fish on the table, Yinqi seemed momentarily stunned.

An Qing didn't notice; her attention was entirely on the fish. Taking a bite, she found the flesh tender and the skin crispy. "This grilled fish is excellent. Let's have Chunxiao make more tomorrow and send some to Mother and the Empress Dowager."

Yinqi paused for a moment, then suddenly turned to look at her and said, "For the next few days, don't go to Mother."

An Qing let out a surprised "Ah," somewhat taken aback. "Why? What happened?"

But she quickly thought of something. "Is it the anniversary of Eleventh Brother's passing..."

Yinqi nodded slightly. "Eleventh Brother passed away in Changchun Garden."

An Qing immediately understood. Last year at this time, she had just entered the palace and visited Concubine Yi frequently during that period. It was Yinqi who reminded her not to go to Yikun Palace on that day.

At that time, seeing Concubine Yi acting normally, she thought she had come to terms with it. But now, looking back, she realized that Concubine Yi must have been putting up a brave front.

Eleventh Prince did not pass away as an infant; he lived until he was eleven years old under Concubine Yi's care. She taught him to speak, held his hand as he learned to walk, and listened to him read. How could one be so detached when such a living child left them?

Now, being in Changchun Garden, Concubine Yi must find it even harder to bear.

As night fell, lanterns were lit in the courtyard.

The two sat on the steps in front of the house, gazing at the starry sky, lost in their thoughts.

An Qing didn't know how to comfort him and could only sit quietly by his side.

After a long while, Yinqi suddenly said, "Actually, Eleventh Brother also liked watching stars. When he was young, he often begged Xiao Jiu and me to watch them with him."

An Qing turned to look at Yinqi, seeing the sorrow in his profile. "Sir, do you miss Eleventh Brother very much?"

He was someone who deeply valued relationships. Even witnessing sibling rivalry would make him feel sad. How could he not be heartbroken over the loss of his own brother?

Yinqi's breath hitched, and he suppressed a sob before softly saying, "Yes."

How could he not miss him? That was the brother he carried on his back since childhood, the one who gave him candy when he was down, the one who...

Though An Qing had never experienced the loss of a close family member, seeing his restrained expression, she knew he must be in great pain.

Perhaps speaking about what was buried deep inside might bring some relief.

"Sir, if you're willing, you can tell me about Eleventh Brother," she said, gently holding his hand.

Yinqi was silent for a moment, then returned her grip and said, "Okay."

After this simple "okay," he gazed at the night sky in silence for a long time, seemingly trying to decide where to start or perhaps lost in those memories.

An Qing didn't rush him, waiting quietly.

After a while, Yinqi finally began slowly, "Eleventh Brother was always a very understanding child..."

He started recounting trivial matters, without any particular order, as if sharing whatever came to mind.

But strangely, through Yinqi's descriptions, the image of the late Eleventh Prince became more vivid in An Qing's mind.

Yinqi spoke for a long time, then suddenly turned to An Qing and said, "If Eleventh Brother were still alive, you would definitely like him."

An Qing was taken aback and asked, "Why?"

Yinqi looked at her quietly and then smiled. "Because Eleventh Brother looks most like Mother."

An Qing blinked and couldn't help but smile. "Does Sir have a portrait of Eleventh Brother? I want to see for myself."

Yinqi gave her a helpless look, but then led her to the study and took out a carefully preserved portrait from a camphorwood box, handing it to An Qing.

An Qing opened the portrait carefully. Seeing the handsome young man depicted on the paper, though they had never met, her heart still ached.

Yinqi was right; he indeed looked most like Concubine Yi, despite being male, with a striking resemblance in demeanor.

"Yes, Sir is right. I like Eleventh Brother very much."

The next morning, shortly after Yinqi left, An Qing got up.

"My Lady, you slept so late last night. Why not rest a bit longer?" Perilla suggested.

An Qing waved her hand. "No need. I have something to do."

After getting dressed and having breakfast, she asked someone to fetch her charcoal pencils.

In her previous life, besides farming, An Qing's other passion was drawing comics. Although she hadn't formally studied art, she had a natural talent for it, honed by following tutorials online.

Her senior once joked that if farming didn't work out, she could become a comic artist.

That day, An Qing spent most of her time at the drawing table, recording all the fun stories Yinqi shared with her in a cute comic format.

There were scenes of the brothers catching fish in the river, Xiao Jiu and Eleventh playing with spinning tops in the courtyard of Yikun Palace, with Yinqi and Concubine Yi watching and laughing.

Sometimes memories fade with time, but drawings preserve them, capturing moments to revisit whenever desired—a way to keep memories alive.

Before Yinqi returned, An Qing had Perilla bind the edges of the sketchbook with needlework.

When he received the sketchbook, he didn't know what was inside. But upon opening it, he was immediately drawn to the little figures within—Eleventh Brother.

Although the style was unfamiliar and the facial features unrecognizable, the expressions and gestures made it clear who it was.

As he flipped through the pages, the memories seemed to come alive again. Seeing the lively and playful depictions of young Eleventh, Yinqi felt a rare absence of sadness.

After a long while, he looked up at An Qing and asked, "Why did you draw these?"

An Qing smiled and replied, "Sir, when I was young, I often asked my mother where people go after they die. She said they go to the heavens. Later, I heard some Han people say they go to the underworld. But no one knows for sure whether there is an underworld or heavens. So I wondered where the deceased truly go. The only certainty is that they remain forever in our memories."

She paused here, looking quietly into Yinqi's eyes, and said, "So I believe that in this world, as long as someone still remembers, one continues to exist."