Eldest Sister of a Farming Family: Managing the Household, Farming and Opening Shops

Lin Qinghe, a modern woman who transmigrated into the body of a young girl in ancient times, finds herself in a dire situation. The original owner of the body, Lin Qinghe, was the eldest daughter of a hunter named Lin Dazhuang. After her father died saving a village child, her mother, Mrs. Su, remarried Butcher Wang, a violent man known for his bad temper. Mrs. Su took only the youngest daughter, Lin Qingmiao, leaving the other three siblings—Lin Qingsong, Lin Qinghe, and Lin Qingbai—behind to fend for themselves. The family had no farmland and no income, facing starvation.

Upon awakening, Lin Qinghe immediately assessed the situation. She confronted her mother, who was preparing to leave for her wedding, and demanded the family's savings. Mrs. Su, who had mismanaged the household finances despite her husband's steady income, could only produce five taels of silver out of the twenty-five she claimed to have. Lin Qinghe accepted the money and allowed her mother to leave, realizing that the promises of future support were empty. With her mother gone, Lin Qinghe took on the role of the family head, vowing to protect and provide for her younger siblings.

Lin Qinghe began working immediately, chopping firewood and selling it in the county town. Her strength and determination impressed Aunt Yu, a tofu shop owner who became a reliable customer. Lin Qinghe also used her modern knowledge to invent fermented tofu, turning unsold fresh tofu into a profitable product. She sold the recipe to Aunt Yu for ten taels of silver, a significant sum that allowed the family to buy food and essentials. This entrepreneurial spirit marked the beginning of their recovery from poverty.

Meanwhile, Lin Qinghe's engagement to Zhao Zhengping, a scholar from a wealthy family, faced a crisis. Zhao Zhengping's mother, Mrs. Qian, looked down on the Lin family's poverty and insisted on breaking the engagement. Zhao Zhengping, though reluctant, came to discuss the matter with Lin Qinghe, suggesting that she send her younger siblings to their mother so she could marry into his family without burden. Lin Qinghe firmly refused, stating that she would not abandon her siblings for the sake of marriage. She accepted the broken engagement, recognizing that marrying into a family that despised her would only lead to suffering.

The siblings, particularly Lin Qingsong and Lin Qingbai, matured quickly under Lin Qinghe's guidance. Lin Qingsong began practicing martial arts to protect the family, while Lin Qingbai focused on his studies, hoping to improve their social status. Lin Qinghe also taught them the importance of education and self-reliance. Despite the hardships, the family remained close-knit, with Lin Qinghe serving as both a sister and a parent figure.

As the story progresses, Lin Qinghe continues to navigate the challenges of her new life. She faces threats from local bullies, including the children of Butcher Wang, who resent the Lin family's independence. However, with her martial arts skills and strategic mind, she manages to protect her siblings and build a stable livelihood. The narrative follows her efforts to elevate her family's status while maintaining their integrity and unity in a society that often looks down on the poor.