No one dared confirm what the Emperor was thinking. Previously, he had mentioned having everyone recommend candidates for Crown Prince. As a result, when the ministers made their recommendations, the Emperor went back on his word and reinstated Second Prince as Crown Prince. Meanwhile, Eighth Prince, whom they had recommended, was scolded by the Emperor and even vomited blood. With this precedent before them, Prince Yong showed no particular reaction to the Emperor’s special treatment of his son. He remained very steady, immersing himself in farming at his estate.

However, although he remained steady, others couldn’t necessarily say the same.

Many people were eager to speculate and take sides. If they went to pledge allegiance too late, would there still be a place for them?

It didn’t matter if they couldn’t find Fourth Prince for the moment—there were always some people they could reach.

For instance, Fourth Prince’s wife’s family, his protégés, and so on.

As the wife’s family, the Ulanara household had been bustling with visitors during this period, but some in the Ulanara family felt uncomfortable.

This year the Empress Dowager passed away, and Prince Yong’s eldest daughter also passed this year.

Now seeing Prince Yong’s Fourth Prince having such favor with the Emperor, one couldn’t help but entertain certain imaginings.

If that day truly came, Yahui would be a princess, and he would be an imperial son-in-law in the future!

But now…

The Lin household also had many visitors at this time. Lin Ruhai closed his doors to guests, finally achieving some peace and quiet.

In his heart, Lin Ruhai worried for his grandson—he was only eleven years old.

Although children of the imperial family were always precocious, he was still a child.

Lin Ruhai only hoped Hongli could maintain his true heart amid this prosperity.

If he couldn’t maintain it… Lin Ruhai thought of the late Crown Prince’s second son, actually the common-born eldest son Hongxi. He was the Emperor’s eldest imperial grandson. When the Crown Prince was still in position, he had unlimited glory. Since the Crown Prince was deposed, his status became awkward. But he had never suffered hardship—the Emperor gave him much care and attention. Now he was also in the Upper Study Room like the other young princes.

Only… he seemed to still be intoxicated with the days of the past.

——

Events in the capital were dazzling and overwhelming, but Yun Shuyao’s days at the southern estate were very peaceful. With her grandson and nephew both having gone to Daiyu’s side, leaving her as the only master made her even more free and unrestrained.

The servants here wouldn’t contradict her opinions either. Moreover, when she first arrived, she went through all the accounts here and tightened the reins on these estate managers, so there was even less to worry about.

This was the same everywhere—as long as they didn’t cross the line, she turned a blind eye. When water is too clear, there are no fish.

She stayed here using her ability to continue催生, hoping to obtain more good news.

Had the improved wheat varieties reached their limit for increased production?

No.

There was also rice, and its limit couldn’t even be seen.

Although her visit to the south was leisurely, she also had a mission. The Emperor had even sent personnel to assist.

This person was also tactful. Whatever Yun Shuyao did, he didn’t interfere at all. Whatever instructions she had, he would do his best to fulfill them.

In the eyes of the people on the estate, this marquis had a somewhat unconventional temperament.

She brought her own people to attend to her daily needs and didn’t require them to get too close to curry favor. She liked quiet and disliked noise. Those baskets upon baskets of invitation cards were all set aside. What she required of them was to provide sufficiently fresh ingredients. In some ways, she was a very easy master to serve.

Moreover, because of what she did, the people on the estate also felt honored. They had previously planted improved wheat here. Seeing those heavy wheat heads, their hearts filled with boundless joy. Now seeing the marquis continuing to research wheat and rice, each of them became excited. If achievements were made here and they had contributed some effort, it would be enough for them to proudly recount to their descendants.

Time here seemed to pass especially quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was the fifty-seventh year of Kangxi’s reign. This year, another major event occurred—the warfare in Tibet wasn’t going smoothly. Then Kangxi enfeoffed Fourteenth Prince as Pacification General, which meant Great General Prince.

Kangxi chose him from among his many sons and repeatedly expressed his regard for Fourteenth Prince. Supposedly, the possibility of Fourteenth Prince being established as heir was very high.

When Yun Shuyao learned of this matter, everything was already settled. Yun Shuyao knew this news, and then what?

She had self-awareness—she didn’t understand politics or warfare.

Even if her personal martial prowess was high, what she didn’t know, she didn’t know.

This didn’t matter. Play to strengths and avoid weaknesses. Now her strength was being skilled at cultivating seeds, which was no less meritorious than expanding territory.

For her, it was even easier.

Using her special ability to催生, then wandering around the fields, making notes, directing others to work, putting on an appearance of diligence—she could get by with this.

Most of the time, she could freely allocate her schedule. She could peacefully cultivate, and during leisure moments when she was in the mood, she would also visit nearby temples or take boat rides on lakes. Her days passed very leisurely.

On rest days, her nephew would come to see her. Seeing her like this and then looking at himself, he couldn’t help but sigh.

For the imperial examinations, he couldn’t stop working. If one day he truly passed and became an official, for the sake of the common people under his jurisdiction, he would also have to do his utmost. To live such comfortable days, he would have to wait until he retired.

Yun Shuyao smiled without comment at his envy. She was determined to return to the capital only after achieving certain results here.

Actually, it wasn’t far off.

Because she was working on wheat and rice together, wheat showed results first, rice was slower, but there had been direction before. Now she was just continuing to extend in that direction.

A few years’ time was sufficient.

So once she stayed here, she stayed until the fifty-ninth year of Kangxi’s reign. She obtained results that satisfied her. Looking at the year, feeling it was about right, and also missing her son and daughter, she could return.

When she said she was going back, Daiyu: “…”

She was very reluctant.

Yuan’er was studying at the academy and living in her home. She liked her nephew very much.

Now with his return, who knew how many years later they would meet again.

Yuan’er was already twelve, grown into an elegant young gentleman with a face like jade, brilliant literary talent. After years of Chen Li’s careful instruction, he had said more than once that if he had a daughter or niece, he would definitely arrange a marriage alliance with him, making Yuan’er both amused and embarrassed.

He was good at studying, true, but judging from his grandfather and father, who wasn’t?

He wasn’t as good as his aunt and uncle claimed.

In this regard, Yuan’er felt he had to thank his grandmother’s “critical education,” which let him know how vast the world outside was and how insignificant he was.

When he received praise, one factor was kinship, another was family background. What reached his ears was naturally more compliments.

When Yun Shuyao returned to the capital, she first went to have an audience with the Emperor.

Over these years, she had improved rice seeds. This rice’s yield increase was about the same as the previous wheat—it could also increase harvests by thirty to fifty percent depending on the fertility of the land.

Moreover, she had researched another direction. Although its yield didn’t increase much, it had a huge advantage—drought resistance. In some water-scarce regions, rice could now be planted too.

When reporting to the Emperor at close range, Yun Shuyao paid attention to Kangxi’s condition and discovered that over these years, Kangxi had… aged considerably.

Hearing such good news, he only had someone go look on his behalf. His face looked excited, but something was off.

Yun Shuyao’s perception was beyond comparison with ordinary people, so she noticed that under his sleeves, Kangxi’s half-concealed hands were trembling slightly beyond his control. Then he completely covered them.

Even though Yun Shuyao noticed, she acted as if she hadn’t. Had something happened recently?

Kangxi had previously suffered a stroke. Now it seemed it had become more severe.

What Yun Shuyao had done these years, Kangxi knew very clearly—everything had been carefully reported to him. So it didn’t take too long before Yun Shuyao left the palace.

As soon as she returned, she entered the study and asked if anything she didn’t know about had happened.

Lin Ruhai was silent for a while, then sighed: “Some matters cannot enter others’ ears, nor can they be written down.”

So he hadn’t told her.

To speak of it, no great disturbance had erupted.

It was just that the late Crown Prince, while confined, heard that Fourteenth Prince had been enfeoffed as Pacification General. Due to some unknown grievance, he gathered some of his uncleansed die-hard loyalists and launched a palace coup.

This rebellion was nipped in the bud at its very beginning. Then the Crown Prince directly committed suicide. It didn’t shake the current Emperor, but for a father, having a son he personally raised do such a thing undoubtedly wounded his heart.

In this aspect, Kangxi was relatively soft-hearted.

No matter which prince it was, at most he would confine them—he hadn’t killed any sons. When that incident occurred and Second Prince died, the people around him suffered bloody misfortune, with blood flowing like rivers.

Afterward, the Emperor’s health developed some problems.

Ministers in close attendance could more or less sense something, but all kept it deeply secret and never mentioned it outside.

Yun Shuyao sighed: “I see.”

“So now in the capital, who has the highest support?”

Lin Ruhai: “Fourteen.”

Fourteenth Prince had achieved victory in Tibet. The Emperor was greatly pleased and erected a stele inscription in commendation. With Imperial Concubine De and the Eighth Prince faction supporting him from behind, his support was the highest.

Yun Shuyao nodded thoughtfully: “What about Fourth Prince?”

Lin Ruhai fell silent.

Not contending was itself contending.

In his view, Fourth Prince’s possibility was actually the highest.

For no other reason than that Fourth Prince’s governing philosophy was most beneficial to the nation.

And the current Emperor had a reputation for sagacity.

Even if he had been more tolerant in his later years, indulging quite a few people, did he not know where the drawbacks lay? It was just for the sake of reputation, and also because he was old and no longer as ambitious. But he certainly had a clear understanding in his heart.

If positions were reversed and he were in the Emperor’s position, he would only choose Fourth Prince.

Of course, speculating on the Emperor’s intentions was a grave crime. Even to his pillow companion, Lin Ruhai wouldn’t speak it aloud. Any secret, once spoken, had the risk of exposure.

But this was enough for Yun Shuyao.

This showed Lin Ruhai wasn’t optimistic about Fourteen.

Right after Yun Shuyao’s commendation came down, Lin Ruhai went directly to the palace and didn’t come out.

Not just Lin Ruhai—all important ministers were in the palace and hadn’t come out. Then other princes also entered the palace one after another—entering but not exiting.

Chen Yu’s expression was very grave: “Mother, we’re closing our doors to guests.”

Because they had just received commendation, the alley outside their house was blocked. The situation was very ominous now.

He speculated that something had happened to the Emperor. This was the most chaotic time.

They weren’t the only household closing doors to guests. There were many people with keen senses in the capital.

Seeing the situation wasn’t good, each one withdrew.

Outside the door, soldiers occasionally passed by. The atmosphere in the capital was tense. Unless absolutely necessary, common people also stayed behind closed doors. This situation continued for three days. Finally, the palace gates opened.

Someone came out, and with them came earth-shattering news.

A few days ago, the Emperor had another stroke. The cause was still unclear. He was unconscious, so ministers and princes all kept vigil by the dragon bed. The imperial physicians used all their skills, and the Emperor finally awakened.

But his condition still hadn’t escaped the danger period and he couldn’t govern. So he designated Fourth Prince to ascend the throne on an auspicious day!

For Fourth Prince, this was more shocking than joyous. He knelt and said he dared not accept, declining three times with three refusals. But the Emperor had his trusted confidants draft the edict, stamp it with the imperial seal, and announce it to the world. The matter was already settled.

How shocked the other princes were needn’t be said. Even Yun Shuyao, hearing this news, doubted her ears. Looking at the exhausted Lin Ruhai, “Truly?”

Lin Ruhai was weary from not having closed his eyes much these days, yet also very excited: “Truly. The Imperial Observatory has already selected the date. The Emperor circled three days hence—in three days, the enthronement ceremony will be held!”

Fourth Prince ascending the throne—it was indeed Fourth Prince ascending! His speculation was correct!

Yun Shuyao: “…”

She hesitated before asking: “The Emperor’s health…”

At this mention, Lin Ruhai frowned without speaking. The situation wasn’t good.

Yun Shuyao understood.

No wonder it was so urgent.

If Kangxi died without establishing an heir, given his sons’ capabilities, it would be strange if the realm didn’t fall into chaos. That Fourteenth Prince with the highest support was still leading troops in Tibet.

Now it was settled. He didn’t need to worry so much about the Aisin Gioro family’s future.

This was great joyous news for Fourth Prince’s faction. For others, it might not be.

Such a major matter spread throughout the entire capital at the first opportunity and was spreading outward at flying speed.

The Jia family also learned of this matter.

Grandmother Jia, struggling on her sickbed, heard this news and immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.

It was actually Fourth Prince!

She never imagined it would be Fourth Prince!

Grandmother Jia regretted it—regretted until her heart, liver, and lungs ached. If only she had let Yuanchun go to Fourth Prince’s household back then, where would the Lin family’s business be?

This regret made her unable to maintain her previous state of mind.

A physician was urgently summoned. After taking her pulse and looking at the unconscious Old Madam of the Jia family, he couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh: “The Old Madam has little time left. Everyone should prepare for funeral arrangements.”

Given her age, this would also be a joyous funeral.

The Jia household members: “???”

They were both shocked and afraid. At the very moment news spread that Fourth Prince was ascending the throne, their family’s old ancestor heard it, vomited blood, and died. If this got out, could their family still come to any good?!