When Yongzheng entered Yanxi Palace, dinner had already been prepared inside.

Lin Yun stepped forward, took off his cloak, and said softly, "Your Majesty must be tired today. I specially asked the kitchen to make chicken soup for you to nourish your body."

Yongzheng took her hand, the weariness between his brows easing slightly: "You've been very thoughtful."

After the two were seated, Lin Yun served the dishes and said, "Sister Qi Fei came today and asked about Hongshi's marriage. She said she had taken a liking to a girl from the Fucha family and would like to ask you to make the decision."

Upon hearing this, Yongzheng paused slightly with his chopsticks and said calmly, "This matter is not urgent. Let's talk about it after I'm done with this busy period."

He sneered inwardly. In his previous life, Hongshi was adopted by the Eighth Prince when he was 22 years old, and he had never cared about him since. There was no need to rush things now.

Lin Yun observed his expression and, seeing that he was indifferent, stopped talking and instead began to talk about the children's recent amusing incidents.

As Yongzheng listened, his brows gradually relaxed, and he occasionally chuckled softly.

After finishing his meal, Yongzheng got up and went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where there were still many things waiting for him to handle.

---

Two weeks later, in the eastern suburbs of Beijing.

Banners fluttered in the breeze, and the air was filled with the sounds of people.

The imperial fleet was fully prepared for its voyage, its scale unprecedented in its kind.

Emperor Yongzheng, dressed in a dragon robe, stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping over the dark mass of people below.

He declared in a loud voice: "This voyage is of national importance. I hope that you will all work together to uphold the prestige of our Great Qing Dynasty!"

The crowd below shouted in unison, "Long live! Long live! Long live forever!" The sound was deafening.

In the procession, Eighth Prince Yinzhi and Tenth Prince Yinzhi stood at the front.

Yinzhi looked up at the high platform and met Yongzheng's deep gaze. He felt a chill in his heart and solemnly kowtowed. His expression was calm and his eyes were firm, as if he had already cast aside the past disputes.

Yunze was beaming with excitement, rubbing his hands together, eager to board the ship and set sail immediately. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Don't worry, Fourth Brother! I'll definitely bring you back a ship full of South Sea gems!" This drew a burst of laughter from those around him.

Ninth Prince Yuntang stood to the side and whispered, "Eighth Brother, Tenth Brother, the sea is dangerous, please be careful."

Yun Si nodded slightly: "Ninth Brother, rest assured."

Since being released, Eighth Prince has brought his exiled wife and children back to the capital, all thanks to Ninth Brother's help. Now, he owes Ninth Brother more and more favors.

Yongzheng looked at Yinzhi and noticed that his gaze was much more reassuring than before.

He had already instructed the guards on board that if the Eighth Prince harbored any ill intentions, he would be killed without mercy!

Don't blame him for being ruthless; two tigers cannot share one mountain. If he doesn't repent, there's no need to give him another chance.

But now... Yongzheng walked up to Yinzhi, handed him a token, and said in a deep voice, "Eighth Prince, this journey is fraught with danger, but I believe you can live up to my expectations."

The Eighth Prince accepted the gift with both hands and bowed solemnly: "Your subject will do his utmost."

Yongzheng patted Yunzhi on the shoulder again, a rare smile appearing on his face: "Tenth Prince, do a good job, I'm waiting for you to bring back good news."

Yun's eyes were slightly red, and he clasped his hands tightly, saying, "Fourth Brother, don't worry!"

The entire procession was vast and impressive, including not only officials and merchants, but also elite naval forces, accompanying physicians, artisans, and others, totaling tens of thousands of people.

Some of them traveled by carriage, some by horse, but most traveled on foot.

The team then set off in batches.

Merchants rode in horse-drawn carriages, laden with goods such as silk and porcelain; naval soldiers escorted them on horseback, muskets at their waists; doctors and craftsmen followed on foot, carrying medicine chests and tools.

People lined the road to see them off, and children chased and laughed, creating a lively scene.

After reaching Tongzhou, the fleet would transfer to grain transport boats and travel south along the Grand Canal, then change to ocean-going vessels to travel south to Taicang Port to join the main fleet.

The entire procession stretched for miles, kicking up clouds of dust, creating a spectacular sight.

Emperor Yongzheng watched the procession depart until the last figure disappeared on the horizon before turning back to the capital.

---

Back in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, just as Yongzheng sat down to rest, Su Peisheng hurriedly entered and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince has sent someone to say that he has something to say to you."

Yongzheng frowned, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "What is he trying to say?"

Su Peisheng said cautiously, "The Fourth Prince said that this matter is of great importance and must be reported to the Emperor in person."

Yongzheng pondered for a moment, then snorted coldly, "Granted. I'd like to see what tricks he can pull."

About an hour later, Hongli was brought in.

He was simply dressed and looked haggard, but his eyes gleamed with an unusual light.

As soon as he entered the room, he knelt down and loudly proclaimed, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Yongzheng said coldly, "Get up. What do you want?"

Hongli raised his head, took out a talisman and a booklet from his robes, and said in a trembling voice, "Father, I recently received guidance from a Taoist priest and discovered that Consort Lin is a demoness! She is possessed by the spirit of a later generation, who came here specifically to bring disaster to the Qing Dynasty! These are the evidences; please take a look, Father!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongzheng flew into a rage and slammed his fist on the table: "Insolence!"

He couldn't be bothered to even look at the so-called evidence, and shouted sternly, "Guards! Drag him away!"

Hongli said urgently, "Father! What I have said is true! Lin is skilled in strange and ingenious arts, and talismans can verify her identity. If Consort Lin is truly a demon, the talisman will surely work!"

"Shut up!" Yongzheng slammed his fist on the table, his eyes blazing with fury. "I have spared your life out of consideration for our father-son relationship, yet you have shown no remorse and have repeatedly harmed the Imperial Concubine!"

He shouted sternly, "Gag him! Drag him away and give him thirty lashes! Lock him up in the Imperial Clan Court and keep him under strict guard!"

The guards rushed in immediately and lifted Hongli up.

Hongli struggled and screamed, "Father! You have been deceived by her! The Qing Dynasty will be destroyed by her sooner or later—" Before he could finish speaking, his mouth was gagged with a strip of cloth, and he could only make muffled whimpering sounds.

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