The Emperor's Farming Diary

When she was fourteen, Qi Shu received the decree appointing her Crown Princess in the cornfield her grandmother had left her.

Afterward, she often wondered just how desperate her late imperial father must have been when he wrote it. Getting her to grow a field of corn and taro was easy enough, but asking her to govern the realm and balance the court was pure fantasy.

So her late father thoughtfully arranged for two people to assist her. Two years later, one of them rebelled…

After being bitten once, the young empress was afraid of ropes for ten years. She resolved to reclaim real power and become an independent woman of the modern age!

Xiao Min: You’re a good-for-nothing novice at political intrigue. Just stick to farming… Stop causing trouble…

Reading guide:

1. The heroine is a good-for-nothing, not the assertive type.

2. Less political intrigue, more personal growth.

Scene 1:

I: Ah, there are so many memorials. I don’t want to review them.

Wanwan: Your Majesty, why not ask Lord Xiao to help? He’s more experienced.

I: …You get better at it with practice!

(head down, working hard) One incense stick later

I: Someone, bundle these up and send them to Xiao Min…

Scene 2:

Xiao Min and several senior ministers were heatedly discussing state affairs. As usual, they acted like the Empress wouldn’t understand even if they explained it, and planned to tell her once they had reached a decision. I was furious. Absolutely furious.

“This is osmanthus and lotus-seed taro paste made with taro I grew myself. My dear ministers, would you care to try some?”

“Mmm, delicious! Thank you for the royal gift, Your Majesty.”

Qi Shu, thinking: Now that you’ve eaten my food, can I get a word in? (smirks)

The ministers, thinking: Alas, Her Majesty really is only suited to farming… Um, could we have another bowl?

Xiao Min, thinking: Didn’t you say you’d make it just for me?