Wen Yan used to think being a corporate wage slave was the most miserable thing in the world. After working for a year, he quit and went back to his hometown to farm and make handicrafts.
Wen Yan after transmigrating: Turns out I didn't know how good I had it :)
Good news: He has transmigrated into the body of a newly appointed top scholar, so at least he'll have food and clothes.
Bad news: The original owner came from a poor family and had been sponsored by a powerful traitor. In the emperor's eyes, that made him one of the traitor's people.
Even worse news: Come rain or shine, he has to get up at four in the morning to attend court. Wen Yan's daily resentment could keep ten evil sword immortals alive!
As a government official, every word and action of his is watched by the emperor and his political enemies. Unless he has no other choice, Wen Yan never starts conversations or approaches anyone first, afraid that someone will catch him making a mistake and cost him his head.
Sometimes he just can't hold back, and lets loose in his thoughts. Little does he know that every word reaches the emperor loud and clear.
Qi Mingcang ascended the throne at ten, with the chancellor assisting him in governing. At seventeen, he personally led a military expedition and took control of the army. For years, he has walked on thin ice, advancing one careful step at a time.
In court, the emperor watched the scheming below with cold eyes.
[They've been arguing for so long and still haven't reached a conclusion. Great, the whole court just wasted half a day! I'm so jealous that His Majesty gets to sit down... Speaking of which, that dragon throne looks cold and hard. Doesn't His Majesty's butt hurt after sitting on it for so long?]
Qi Mingcang: "..."
One spring day, at the Flower Banquet...
[The weather is so nice today. Blue skies, white clouds, flowers in every color, warm sunshine.]
"?" Qi Mingcang frowned. He had never heard such plain language in his life.
He turned toward the voice. The young man's face was as beautiful as jade. He gazed blankly at the sky. [I really want to go back to my hometown and herd cattle. No more getting up early for court or dealing with old geezers. I'd only have to worry about whether my cow was still there. Given my energy, I should only herd one. I couldn't keep an eye on any more than that. It eats grass, I sleep. I could sleep on its back. If the cow gets lost, I'll get lost too. So much less trouble!]
Qi Mingcang: "???"
[Day thirteen without potatoes or chili peppers. I don't want to live anymore.]
Qi Mingcang: "..." What are those?
The ministers all say the current emperor is cautious and suspicious, unreasonable, and bloodthirsty. He orders entire families executed several times a year! He's also cold and distant, impossible to approach.
Wen Yan thinks he's not so bad. When Wen Yan presents policy ideas, the emperor discusses them seriously with him. When Wen Yan submits new inventions, the emperor quickly arranges for them to be put to use among the people and rewards him handsomely. What's more, Wen Yan is still green in government, so the emperor patiently explains what those old foxes really mean.
When Wen Yan is framed, the emperor firmly takes his side and thoroughly investigates the matter!
They joke around and exchange gifts. Only a few months after transmigrating, Wen Yan thinks: This guy's a keeper!
One day, at court, Qi Mingcang once again rejects the ministers' pleas for him to take consorts.
[For an emperor, he sure doesn't care about his harem or heirs. Could His Majesty be a die-hard romantic? Probably not... Wait, could His Majesty be impotent?!]
Qi Mingcang smiled.
After court that day, Wen Yan was summoned to the inner palace.
Later, Wen Yan could testify from personal experience that His Majesty was indeed a die-hard romantic, and very much up to the task!
After transmigrating, Wen Yan only wants to make some good food. He grows vegetables and raises pigs, makes tofu and refines snow-white salt. He can't do without soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar either. While he's at it, he offers the recipes to the emperor to curry favor with a powerful patron.
With war raging and the people struggling to make ends meet, Wen Yan can't stand by and watch. He has no choice but to reveal even more useful inventions, attracting countless covetous eyes. Luckily, someone shields him from the wind and rain, protecting his kind and earnest heart.
[Farm-life and traditional crafts blogger bottom x deep, suspicious emperor top]
Synopsis screenshot taken on December 12, 2025
Theme: Work hard to build a better life
