Chapter 1483: Her Highness the Princess (29)

Hearing the old farmer's words, Lü Qing couldn't help asking, “Could the second step be digging holes?”

“No, Second Prince Consort. Tell me, does this field feel level when you step on it? Is it hard?”

“It is fairly flat, and it's quite hard.”

“Exactly. If the soil is this hard, digging a hole and planting seeds directly won't produce good growth. It will affect the harvest. Your Highness knows about growing flowers, right? Even flowers need the soil loosened regularly to help them grow.”

Listening to the old farmer, Lü Qing found his words reasonable and asked, “Then what is the second step?”

No sooner had he asked than he heard a cow moo.

Looking up, he saw two oxen being led over. He had seen oxen before and had heard of plowing fields.

Seeing the look of realization on Lü Qing's face, the old farmer smiled. “It seems Second Prince Consort has already figured out what the second step is. That's right, next comes plowing the field.”

Lü Qing: I shouldn't have come. Who knew there'd be plowing? I don't know how, I don't want to, can I leave?

When Tang Zhi and Yun Buxiu arrived, they immediately spotted the most eye-catching figure in the field.

The ox walked in front while Lü Qing held the plow and followed behind. Even with a straw hat on his head, his face had been roasted red by the sun, and bead-sized drops of sweat continuously dripped from his forehead into the soil.

His coarse linen clothes had long since become soaked through.

Tang Zhi: ...

If he wasn't mistaken, the person who looked completely out of place among the old farmers and was currently plowing the field was Lü Qing, right?

Yun Buxiu merely glanced at Lü Qing before turning his gaze toward Tang Guo, who was sitting beneath the shade of a tree, enjoying the cool breeze while a palace maid fanned her with a palm fan and she leisurely sipped chilled tea.

Her Highness the Eldest Princess looked exceptionally pleased.

Tang Zhi hurried over and sat beside Tang Guo, lowering his voice. “Guo'er, is this what you were talking about yesterday?”

“That's right. Second Brother-in-law said he wanted to learn how to cultivate crops, so naturally I arranged for the old farmers to teach him properly. These old farmers are masters at growing grain. You won't find anyone this skilled outside.”

Tang Zhi suppressed his laughter. His little sister really was something. Even her excuses sounded so righteous and dignified.

“Mm, Second Brother-in-law's posture while plowing is very practiced and standard. It seems he has put in considerable effort.” Tang Zhi wore a serious expression as he praised him.

Tang Guo waved her fan. “Exactly. I had doubted whether Second Brother-in-law could handle it, but I didn't expect him to be this capable. I truly underestimated him.”

“Imperial Brother, in the middle of summer, he's plowing under the blazing sun. Such determination is enough to earn anyone's admiration.”

“Indeed. Second Brother-in-law is truly remarkable. Worthy of being a top scholar—modest and eager to learn. Not only does he excel in scholarship, he even plows better than others.”

The brother and sister sat beneath the shade, taking turns showering him with praise.

One lofty compliment after another was placed on Lü Qing's head, leaving him miserable beyond words.

Especially when he saw the old farmers around him looking at him with admiration as well, he found himself unable to put down the plow and could only continue.

By the time noon finally arrived, the field was nearly finished, and the old farmers called him to eat.

Lü Qing had managed to persist this far purely because of his pride. He didn't want to become a laughingstock.

If he gave up after just one day, how would he obtain the seeds?

To ensure today's efforts weren't wasted, he had to grit his teeth and persevere.

Three months would be enough for him to master many of the essentials.

At lunch, Lü Qing directly ate three large bowls of white rice. His manner was rough and completely devoid of the refinement he had once displayed.

“Second Brother-in-law, are you still holding up?” Tang Guo asked again.

Lü Qing hurriedly replied, “No problem.”