The Metaphysics Expert is Farming

Xiang He, a soul reaper from the modern world, finds herself trapped in the body of a young woman who has just died from self-inflicted wounds on her wedding day. The original Xiang He was a victim of her cruel extended family, forced into a marriage with a wealthy but dangerous man named Master Xu after being framed and abused. Upon awakening in this new body, Xiang He discovers she is in an ancient Chinese setting and must navigate life while searching for a way back to her own world. Her immediate priority is protecting her biological family—her gentle mother Mrs. Su, her injured father Xiang Dayong who has been mute since childhood, and her two young siblings, Xiang Yang and Xiang Yun. These family members have been exploited and mistreated by the patriarchal head of the household, Old Fourth Xiang, and his wife, Mrs. Shi, who favor the eldest branch of the family.

The story begins with chaos as the wedding procession returns with Xiang He’s corpse. Instead of remaining dead, she rises from the bridal sedan, revealing she has survived. She confronts the matchmaker and her abusive grandmother, Mrs. Shi, who had orchestrated the forced marriage to secure twenty taels of silver. Xiang He demonstrates surprising physical strength and combat skills, easily repelling attacks from her relatives. She exposes her sister Xiang Lianhua’s secret affair, revealing that the second sister has lost her virginity, which ruins the marriage arrangement and saves Xiang He from being sold to Master Xu. This act of defiance shocks the village and marks a turning point in the family dynamics.

Following the failed wedding, Xiang He demands that her immediate family split off from the main household. She negotiates with the village chief and her grandfather, securing one acre of land, a small amount of money, and basic supplies. Despite her father’s initial silence due to his injury, he eventually agrees to the separation. Xiang He moves her family to a dilapidated thatched hut near their new land. Throughout these events, she maintains a communication with the soul of the original Xiang He, who has not yet moved on. The original soul expresses gratitude and asks Xiang He to protect her family, a promise Xiang He makes before the soul departs.

Life in the new hut is difficult. The family lacks basic necessities, and Xiang Dayong’s injuries require medical attention that they cannot afford. Xiang He takes on the role of protector and provider, using her knowledge and skills to manage their survival. She faces continued harassment from Mrs. Shi and the rest of the extended family, who resent the loss of their free labor and the silver from the wedding. In one incident, Mrs. Shi attempts to sabotage their newly acquired land at night, but Xiang He foils the attempt using her supernatural abilities and a spectral figure. Later, Mrs. Shi attacks Mrs. Su with slop and violence, prompting Xiang He to intervene forcefully, establishing her dominance and warning her relatives against further aggression.

As the story progresses, Xiang He begins to explore her new abilities and the mysteries of this ancient world. She realizes that her soul-reaping background gives her unique advantages, such as seeing and interacting with spirits. She also discovers that her father’s muteness may be linked to a past trauma or spiritual issue. The narrative follows her efforts to stabilize her family’s economic situation while dealing with the constant threats from their relatives. Xiang He’s transformation from a timid victim to a strong, decisive leader inspires her family and earns the respect of some villagers, while making enemies of others. The central conflict revolves around her struggle to survive in a hostile environment while uncovering the secrets of her transmigration and finding a path home.