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“I already know about your achievements in cultivating high-yield rice, which is crucial for our kingdom,” the emperor said as he held a child in his arms, sitting on a chair and looking at Wang Jinhe.
“The current yield is not the highest yet; it should exceed 1,500 catties next year. As for the grain I harvested this time, I’ve kept it aside. One hundred and fifty thousand catties can be allocated to the court for distribution as seed grain for the people,” Wang Jinhe said, taking the matter seriously when the emperor mentioned it.
“Can you really harvest that much using your grain as seed?” The emperor was also serious.
“At least nine hundred catties.”
“Good. In previous years, we purchased seed grain at fifteen wen per catties. Since your yield is high, I can buy it at twenty cents per catties. As for the land, let the magistrate in your area check if there’s any available near your home,” the emperor considered and said.
“No rush for the land. I managed to get over a thousand mu of land in my area, all allocated by wealthy merchants from our side,” Wang Jinhe explained the situation with Luo Boss and the land allocation.
After Wang Jinhe finished speaking, Su Yu spoke, “And the governor and county magistrate on Xiao He’s side are also very competent.”
“I know. They will stay there for three more years. When they can be promoted, it will also be convenient for you to handle matters in your area. In addition to cultivating high-yield crops and taking care of the health of the empress dowager and the queen to ensure a safe birth for Hong Yi, you also invented a threshing machine for the benefit of the country and the people. I had thought of rewarding you earlier, but the queen mother, the Empress Dowager said to wait until you have more merits before rewarding you together,” the emperor said as he looked at Wang Jinhe.
Wang Jinhe was momentarily stunned, looking somewhat bewildered at the emperor. “There’s really no need…”
“That won’t do. Xiao Yu is my sworn brother, a prince. Once Xiao Yu’s identity is exposed, some people will undoubtedly use your identity to create issues. The Empress Dowager initially wanted to adopt you as an adopted daughter, but there are too many problems with that. The officials at the censorate won’t agree. So, after discussing it, we decided to confer upon you the title of County Princess, with your fief located in your area,” the emperor explained, referring to an arrangement made last year after the Empress Dowager returned.
Wang Jinhe looked surprised at the emperor. The queen mother actually considered treating her like a daughter?
“The imperial edict will arrive at your residence during tomorrow’s morning court.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You should address me as Imperial Brother, just like Xiao Yu does,” the emperor said sternly, looking at Wang Jinhe.
Wang Jinhe felt helpless in the face of the emperor’s serious demeanor. “Imperial Brother.”
The emperor nodded in satisfaction. “That’s more like it.”
“Daddy, Uncle Emperor is very good,” Xiao Bao whispered to Su Yu.
Just as good as Grandma Empress Dowager.
He liked them both.
Upon hearing Xiao Bao’s words, the emperor’s smile became even more pronounced. He truly liked this child.
“Xiao Yu, your son is quite impressive.”
“This son of mine is naturally outstanding. However, be cautious with the Xie family’s side. After all, Hong Yi is in the palace now. Although this year, I had Wan Gu find a way to make Hong Yi’s body immune to most poisons, there are still some extraordinary toxins he can’t resist. Later, I will have Wan Gu stay by Hong Yi’s side just in case. Hong Yi is still too young and lacks the ability to protect himself. Returning to the palace is a life-and-death situation for him,” Su Yu explained.
The emperor nodded, not opposing Su Yu’s arrangement. “Xiao Yu, I’ll rely on you for this.”
“No need to be so polite with me,”
Su Yu said to the emperor. Both the Emperor and Duan Chenxuan were benefactors from his past life, people he wanted to help in this lifetime at all costs.
He decided to treat Duan Chenxuan better in the future, not bullying him anymore.
After spending some time in the palace, Su Yu took Wang Jinhe and the others to see the empress dowager. The emperor, carrying Hong Yi, went to the empress’s chamber.
When Concubine Ling learned about the news, the return of the Second Prince had already become the talk of the town.
Concubine Ling fiercely smashed the object in her hand, her eyes filled with gloom. “They are really heartless.”
Such a young child was sent away without any hesitation. That so-called young master even dared to oppose her.
“Since the person has returned, there will always be an opportunity. There’s no need for Your Ladyship to be so angry.”
“Yes, it’s good that he’s back.” Last time, that child was remarkably lucky, surviving the poisoning incident without harm.
It was also their good luck to have invited the apprentice of a divine doctor to come and detoxify the child.
In the presence of the empress dowager, the queen burst into tears upon seeing the child the emperor was holding. She stumbled over to the emperor, trembling as she reached out to hold the child, afraid that the child would feel estranged from her.
“Mommy, hug,” Hong Yi reached out his hand to embrace the queen.
The queen was dumbfounded when she realized that Hong Yi, who was not at all unfamiliar, wanted to hug her. “Your Majesty, this…”
“It’s Xiao Yu who painted our portraits, and when Hong Yi learned to recognize people, he made him recognize us,” the emperor explained, feeling satisfied that the child was not at all unfamiliar with them.
“Grandma Empress Dowager,” Xiao Bao, holding Zhang Zhilin, ran to the empress dowager and whispered something to her.
Although the empress dowager also wanted to hug Hong Yi, the queen and the emperor probably wanted the child more.
Now, seeing the two little ones running to her and talking to her with smiles on their faces, the empress dowager said, “You two little ones are here too? Are you tired from the journey?”
Xiao Bao nodded repeatedly, “Very tired.”
The empress dowager felt sorry for the two children and asked the servant to bring them some snacks.
The servant was somewhat surprised to see the two children interacting so casually with the empress dowager. It seemed that the empress dowager truly liked these two children.
After spending some time in the empress dowager’s chamber, Su Yu prepared to leave with the two children. Hong Yi, upon hearing that Xiao Bao was leaving, kept calling him “brother.”
Su Yu reached out and rubbed Hong Yi’s head. “Did you forget what Master told you? You have to stay with your parents. They haven’t seen you in a long time. Master will bring your brother to visit you in a few days.”
Hong Yi nodded. “Okay.”
The emperor and the others looked at Su Yu in surprise. “Hong Yi can understand?!”
“He’s not a silly kid. What can’t he understand? Imperial Brother, don’t underestimate Hong Yi. He’s such an obedient child.”
The emperor looked at his obedient and sensible son, feeling both gratified and complex. “Xiao Yu, thank you.”
For taking care of the child so well.
If they were in the capital, could Hong Yi be so innocent? Probably not.
Not only would he not grow up well, but there might also be…
“Don’t think too much. Later, I’ll have Wan Gu come over. Concubine Ling won’t miss this opportunity.” If they could catch evidence against Concubine Ling , that would be excellent. They just hoped it wouldn’t end up like last time, finding nothing.
“I understand.”
The queen, holding Hong Yi, had a slightly cold look in her eyes. “She dares.”
Her son was so obedient and well-behaved. If Concubine Ling dared to harm Hong Yi, she would not spare Concubine Ling.
Princess Chang Le was brought over and saw the child the queen was holding. Her eyes immediately lit up. “Little brother, has little brother come back?”
“Yes, little brother has come back.” The queen, seeing her daughter approaching with a smile, didn’t neglect her daughter just because her son had returned.