Luo Yu’s prediction was quickly verified.

Not long after the news of Jia Yuanchun’s pregnancy spread, the Jia family learned of it. First they were stunned, then wildly overjoyed. Second Madam Wang wept tears of extreme joy.

“My Yuanchun, my daughter, she’s finally made it through!”

Even when times were difficult, Second Madam Wang had never cut off her daughter’s expenses in the palace. She had known that her daughter was destined for success—born on New Year’s Day, she was blessed with good fortune!

Now it proved true—she was going to give birth to an imperial prince!

From this perspective, the Emperor was indeed still vigorous and robust. If he were already aged and physically weak, how could he still get a palace woman pregnant with an imperial heir?

What if the current Emperor was an exceptionally long-lived person?

Second Madam Wang knew these words couldn’t be spoken aloud, but she could think them in her mind.

The Emperor was now fifty-nine years old. If he could live another twenty years, that would be seventy-nine. There were plenty of people who lived to seventy-nine!

By that time, these princes now in their prime would all be old, and some might have already gone to their next reincarnation. It would be the perfect opportunity for the younger princes ranked lower to rise!

If—if the current Emperor’s lifespan was limited, though regrettable, that wouldn’t be a major problem either. No matter who seized the throne, they wouldn’t have designs on a little brother. They might even, to demonstrate brotherly affection and respect, be particularly generous in bestowing noble titles…

The more she thought about it, the more excited Second Madam Wang became.

Jia Zheng was also very excited, his face glowing, showing rare joy toward Second Madam Wang. Seeing this made her heart want to weep.

Her daughter had made it through, and so had she!

Even Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng were happy about this matter. This was a joyous occasion for their household and their entire clan.

Then they all went joyfully to report the news to Grandmother Jia. Although she couldn’t speak, she could hear. Knowing of such happy news, she would surely be glad for Yuanchun.

Grandmother Jia was indeed happy to hear this. Worthy of being the granddaughter she had raised with her own hands—she was capable! She hadn’t misjudged her!

Tears flowed from the corners of her eyes, and the look she gave Second Madam Wang softened considerably.

Though she had many complaints about the Wang family, Grandmother Jia had nothing to say about the children she had borne.

Now that the Jia family’s power had waned and Yuanchun had risen, with her help and support, the Jia family’s days could continue.

So the Jia family joyfully set off firecrackers. The sound was deafening, and thus everyone knew.

The Jia family made such a grand display because the eldest daughter in the palace was with child!

Then they became arrogant. Some people were disdainful, some envious, but at this juncture, no one said anything. This was the Emperor’s imperial heir, the princes’ younger brother—what was wrong with celebrating joyfully? The Jia family was somewhat boastful, but did the Jia family still have anyone in court?

To impeach at this time would only displease the Emperor. Most people understood this.

When Kangxi learned of it, he said nothing and wore a smile on his face.

As an emperor who had to admit he was already aged, having a consort pregnant with a child was undoubtedly pleasing. He didn’t lack children, but being able to have children now proved his vigor was undiminished. This was a joyous occasion worth celebrating, so seeing the Jia family’s happiness pleased him.

The Xue family, hearing this news, quietly accelerated the marriage discussion process between the two families. Hearts that had wavered somewhat became firm at this moment, becoming even more active and proactive.

In the struggle between Second Madam Wang and Wang Xifeng, she increasingly gained the upper hand. Although her niece belonged to the first branch and held some advantages, between the two of them she was still the aunt. Now that Yuanchun had risen, this was when her power was at its peak.

Wang Xifeng, suffering in silence: “…”

She had been happy too soon. Even if Yuanchun got ahead, she would favor the second branch. Hearing that Jia Lian had gone out drinking with others and drunkenly spoke of being “imperial relatives,” Wang Xifeng grew even more angry.

Imperial relatives?

That was the second branch! What did it have to do with their first branch?

Indeed, they should empty the Old Ancestor’s storehouse sooner. Only what you held in your hands was truly yours!

Thus the Jia family became lively again. Yun Shuyao’s pawnshop reaped another harvest. Then she suddenly remembered: “Which prince is the Jia family currently supporting?”

Before the Crown Prince was deposed, they supported the Crown Prince. After the Crown Prince’s first deposition, they followed the Eighth Prince. When the Crown Prince was reinstated, they returned to him. Later, everyone knew the Crown Prince was deposed again and confined. Moreover, this time the Crown Prince’s supporters were all dealt with by the Emperor, with few remaining active. The Jia family, seeing things going badly, though fearing the Crown Prince might be reinstated again, secretly switched to supporting the Eighth Prince.

Yun Shuyao: “…”

Honestly speaking, the Jia family didn’t carry much weight now. Military connections? They had basically all been consolidated by Wang Ziteng.

Silver? The Jia family was now living off their reserves and could give out limited amounts.

Manpower? Not just the Rong and Ning mansions—expanding to the entire Jia clan, how many capable people were there?

What mattered were the Jia family’s in-laws. Not counting the Lin family, whether the Wang family or the Shi family, they were currently in a detached, wait-and-see attitude. At least that’s how it appeared on the surface.

Of the four great families—Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue—the Jia family had previously been the leader. Now the leader had long since become the Wang family. Whomever the Jia family supported couldn’t represent the other families.

On Lin Daiyu’s side, after entering the household, perhaps because of her son’s joyous occasion, Madam Chen’s condition improved for a while. But dragging on until now, she ultimately couldn’t hold on.

She passed away. Daiyu had to report the mourning to her natal family. The Jia family received the mourning notice, and Second Madam Wang immediately frowned. “How inauspicious!”

Her daughter was pregnant here, and now a funeral matter had brought ill fortune.

“Go, have Sister Feng come.”

She wouldn’t handle this herself.

For the Lin family, the news of Madam Chen’s death was like the other shoe finally dropping.

Within expectations.

That she had persisted until now had already surprised the Lin family.

Chen Li had already taken the spring imperial examinations and passed as Tanhua. However, because of his mother’s critical illness, he hadn’t been granted an official position.

He returned home to attend his sick mother, and thus his reputation for filial piety spread throughout the land.

Now receiving the mourning notice, there was naturally a set procedure. This had little to do with Yun Shuyao, who spent most of her time staying at the estate.

Occasionally returning to the capital to see her grandson and her daughter and grandchildren, in a flash, another year passed, arriving at the fifty-third year of Kangxi’s reign.

This year, Jia Yuanchun successfully gave birth to a young prince. Then, when Kangxi was chatting casually with Lin Ruhai, Kangxi mentioned that a palace consort had borne him a young son. He then brought up their families’ kinship relations and naturally spoke of Lin family matters.

In his words, there was much meaning that the Lin family children’s harmony and success was a blessing.

The emphasis was on children’s harmony—that is, sons’ harmony.

Lin Ruhai understood. It was probably because the situation of the various princes competing for the succession that made the Emperor speak with such feeling. But if it were truly the case that the Emperor only had one son under his care, he would definitely be even more dissatisfied.

The risk of having only one son was too high.

So Lin Ruhai just listened, not taking it seriously at all, and very regretfully stated: “Your subject would hope for flourishing descendants, not daring to imagine having imperial offspring as abundant as Your Majesty’s. Having even a fraction would be sufficient.”

Kangxi smiled. He didn’t doubt these words either. He wasn’t unaware of the Lin family’s heir issues. Then he mentioned something he’d heard in passing: “I heard that Minister Lin’s mother-in-law frequently goes to the estate on the outskirts. What is the reason?”

Was it something heard in passing, or had the Emperor been continuously monitoring their household situation?

Lin Ruhai didn’t know which it was, but if he said it was nothing, then when the quality seeds matter was reported later, wouldn’t that be the crime of deceiving the sovereign?

So he could only speak now.

Though things weren’t completely secure, they could indeed be reported now. So Lin Ruhai knelt down: “Your subject has a matter requiring report to Your Majesty.”

Seeing his posture, with one glance from Kangxi, most of the attending eunuchs and palace maids quietly withdrew. Those who remained were all his trusted confidants.

Then their party left the palace in plain clothes.

Kangxi didn’t want to wait even one more second.

Kangxi wasn’t only skilled in governance and administration—he also placed great importance on agriculture. He had personally discovered and cultivated quality rice varieties, and had issued imperial edicts promoting double-cropping rice cultivation in the south.

He had also been continuously promoting rice cultivation in the north.

Now knowing that the Lin family was researching quality seeds and had already made considerable progress with wheat, he was naturally impatient.

It was fortunate the day was still early. Riding swiftly all the way, they could make the round trip in one day.

Thus Yun Shuyao on the outskirts of the capital suddenly received news that the Emperor was coming and she should clear the area.

Yun Shuyao was somewhat surprised. So soon? So sudden?

Surprised though she was, what needed to be done still had to be done.

When Kangxi arrived, what he saw was a heavy sea of wheat.

The wheat ears hung heavy, bringing joy at the mere sight.

Kangxi was skilled in agricultural matters. Looking at this vast expanse of wheat, seeing those wheat ears, he knew Lin Ruhai spoke no falsehood.

He had received such gifts before—entire stalks of particularly outstanding wheat dried and made into specimens, presented as auspicious omens by local officials. He had been pleased to see them but knew they were accidents and chance occurrences. Here, in this vast wheat field, any single stalk within sight could serve as an auspicious offering.

He reached out his hand and weighed the nearest wheat ear. It was nearly mature and ready for harvest. The recent weather had been good. As long as there were no accidents, a great harvest was at hand!

Kangxi’s mood was stirred by this. The expression on his face remained composed, but his eyes betrayed something.

When his weighty gaze fell upon Yun Shuyao, her heart turned solemn. His presence far exceeded that of ordinary people.

“Yun Shi, explain in detail.”

Yun Shuyao presented a booklet that recorded detailed data from recent years.

He flipped through it while listening to the explanation. This was more intuitive.

The more Kangxi listened, the brighter his eyes became.

Then a trace of regret appeared in his eyes.

Why was this person female?

Of course, not everything in this estate was bumper harvest wheat. Most of it was, but another portion consisted of varieties Yun Shuyao had planted suitable for promotion in other regions.

For instance, varieties suited to the climate, soil quality, and moisture content here might not be suitable further north, much less in the hot and humid south.

Additionally, besides wheat, there was also rice.

Those main fields weren’t located here. Kangxi had people record the information and then sent people there. This estate was immediately surrounded—no outsiders permitted.

Yun Shuyao was also ordered to station herself here. The time until wheat harvest wasn’t long. On harvest day, Kangxi would personally come.

His importance was abundantly clear.

When harvest day arrived, Kangxi brought the Fourth Prince with him.

The harvesters included the estate’s original workers, but most were brought by Kangxi. Each one wielded their sickles with impressive momentum. Even Kangxi himself went into the fields holding a sickle.

The harvested wheat was placed aside, where others continued processing it. Then, taking advantage of these days of good weather, it was dried in the sun. When the wheat’s yield per mu came out, Kangxi immediately laughed heartily. His joy overflowed, and he proclaimed loudly: “Yun Shi, you have rendered great merit!”