Grand Minister of Agriculture Wang Yueting stood on the edge of the paddy field, rubbing his eyes hard as he gazed at the golden rice paddies before him, afraid he was seeing things. The last harvest was in April, and the speed at which the rice ripened had already astonished him, leading him to believe it was an early rice variety improved by the Emperor.

But just over a month later, the rice paddies were already full of heavy ears of rice again!

"This...how is this possible?" Wang Yueting squatted down, trembling as he picked a grain of rice and examined it carefully in his palm.

The rice grains are plump and golden in color, just like ordinary rice, but their growth rate is far beyond what is expected.

He suddenly stood up, looked around, and made sure he wasn't dreaming.

"God bless the Qing Dynasty!" His voice trembled with excitement. "If this is the case, after harvesting this crop, we can plant another crop, wouldn't we be able to harvest four times a year? Or even five times?" Thinking of this, his heart suddenly raced, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

If such a miracle is true, it will surely be recorded in history!

Wang Yueting took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. Afraid that he was hallucinating, he squatted down and parted the rice stalks to carefully examine the rice plants and roots.

Everything was normal, even more robust than ordinary rice. He could no longer contain himself and turned to his attendants, shouting, "Prepare the horses! I must go to the palace immediately to see the Emperor!"

Throughout the journey, Wang Yueting's mind was filled with countless thoughts. He recalled that the Emperor had secretly given him a batch of seeds, saying they were superior varieties found overseas, and asked him to try planting them himself.

He thought it was just a routine task, but he never expected it to be so effective.

If this rice variety could be promoted throughout the country, the Qing Dynasty's grain production would increase several times over, and the people would no longer have to worry about hunger!

"Your Majesty is wise!" he couldn't help but exclaim, then frowned. "But this matter is too bizarre. If I report it rashly, won't I be seen as spreading heresy?" He gritted his teeth and made up his mind: "In any case, this matter concerns the foundation of the country, and I must report it to His Majesty personally!"

---

Inside the Forbidden City, Emperor Yongzheng had just finished the morning court session and was sitting in the Hall of Mental Cultivation reviewing memorials. Su Peisheng tiptoed in and whispered, "Your Majesty, Grand Minister of Agriculture Wang Yueting requests an audience, saying he has important matters to report."

Without even raising his head, Yongzheng said indifferently, "Summon them."

A moment later, Wang Yueting strode into the hall and knelt down as soon as he entered. His voice trembled slightly with excitement: "Your Majesty, I have an important matter to report! The batch of rice seeds you bestowed upon me has... has ripened again in just over a month! I dare not act on my own authority, so I have come to ask Your Majesty for instructions."

Emperor Yongzheng paused slightly with his vermilion brush, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He put down his pen and slowly said, "Minister Wang, is anyone else aware of this matter?"

Wang Yueting quickly shook his head: "I dare not make it public. Only a few trusted followers know about it. I fear this matter is too shocking and may cause unnecessary commotion."

Yongzheng nodded, his tone approving: "You have done a good job." He stood up, walked to Wang Yueting, and said in a deep voice: "This matter is of great importance. I order you to continue the secret trial planting, record the growth cycle and yield of each season. Once the data is complete, I will make arrangements. All the harvested rice should be threshed and dried for use as seed."

Wang Yueting kowtowed heavily: "Your Majesty, I obey! I will certainly not fail in your trust!"

Yongzheng waved his hand: "You may leave."

After Wang Yueting left the hall, Yongzheng turned to look out the window, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He knew perfectly well that the miraculous effect of this rice seed was due to Yun'er's magic water.

When the seeds are distributed throughout the country and the people are well-fed and clothed, what a magnificent sight it will be!

---

Inside Yanxi Palace, Lin Yun was taking a nap on a soft couch. Granny Li tiptoed in and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has sent some fresh fruits, saying they were just tribute from the South."

Lin Yun opened her eyes and smiled slightly: "Put it down." She touched her slightly protruding belly, feeling a sense of peace in her heart.

Since the poisoning incident, the Emperor has been even more protective of her, not only increasing the number of secret guards he has assigned, but also personally overseeing her diet.

Li Mama hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, I heard that Consort Xi went to see the Emperor yesterday, crying and begging for the Fourth Prince to return, but was rebuffed by the Emperor."

Lin Yun said calmly, "The Emperor will decide matters concerning the harem; we need not say more."

Li Mama nodded in agreement, but inwardly she sighed: "No wonder the Emperor favors Her Highness so much, with such composure."

Even after Consort Nian and the Empress fell from power, the Empress remained composed and did not act arrogantly. She simply looked at the account books and drew pictures in her daily life, without showing any pride or trying to undermine other concubines.

The more this was the case, the more respect the concubines and their servants in the harem held for Consort Shu.

No wonder the Emperor favors her; Consort Shu is truly dignified and elegant.

What they didn't know was that Lin Yun was lazy. The days of lying around and collecting money were too wonderful, and she was too lazy to think about anything that required effort or energy.

Her top priority now is to give birth to the baby safely. She's not asking about anything else.

---

As night deepened, the candlelight flickered inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

At this moment, Su Peisheng hurriedly entered and whispered, "Your Majesty, we just received news that the Fourth Prince seems to be acting strangely at the Imperial Mausoleum."

Yongzheng frowned: "Explain yourself clearly."

Su Peisheng said cautiously, "Besides keeping vigil every day, the Fourth Prince also secretly contacts some monks and Taoist priests, seemingly inquiring about something. This servant is afraid..."

Yongzheng raised his hand to interrupt him: "Keep an eye on him. I want to see what kind of trouble he can cause."

Su Peisheng bowed and withdrew, and the hall returned to silence.

Emperor Yongzheng thought to himself, "Hongli is only ten years old, yet he already knows how to scheme?"

The last time he saw Hongli was more than half a month ago when he tested his studies at the Qianqing Palace.

Back then, he was a silly, chubby boy, far less shrewd than he appears now.

Could something have changed? Like... the same thing that happened to him?

Thinking of this, he tapped on the table.

The guard leaped down from the roof beam and knelt on one knee.

"master."

"Send about ten people to the imperial mausoleum to keep a close watch on the Fourth Prince for 12 hours a day, and send word back if there is any unusual activity," Yongzheng calmly ordered.

"Yes." The guard immediately accepted the order and left.

Yongzheng stared at the departing figures of the secret guards, the candlelight in the hall casting flickering shadows on his cold, stern face. He stood with his hands behind his back, a sharp glint in his eyes.

If Hongli were to truly be reborn like him, then things would become complicated.

In his previous life, Hongli ascended the throne as emperor. Now, he is in his prime and has Yun'er by his side. How could he possibly hand over the country to a son who might threaten the safety of him and his mother?

Unless Yun'er gives birth to a daughter, or the son is too incompetent, Hongli will never be able to inherit this vast empire.

Yongzheng walked to the window and gazed at the dark night sky. In his previous life, he was a lonely man who eventually succumbed to illness due to overwork and died at the age of fifty-eight. In this life, with Yun'er and their unborn child, he would never repeat the same mistakes.

"Two tigers cannot share one mountain..." A flash of murderous intent crossed his eyes.

If Hongli behaves himself, he might spare his life; but if he dares to make any trouble, then he shouldn't blame his father for being ruthless.