Perhaps the sacrificed soldiers were unaware, but the living ones would surely be emboldened to protect their family and country fearlessly. Their families, whether grieving or relieved, would find solace, thus supporting the soldiers wholeheartedly in their loyalty to Dong Chu.

Xiao Hongtao said respectfully, "The Emperor is wise, benevolent, and righteous. Your humble servant has always followed Your Majesty's virtuous governance and fulfilled my duties, I am truly unworthy of such praise from Your Majesty."

The Emperor smiled briefly and, without saying anything further, continued walking forward. Upon seeing the lush green sprouts on both sides of the road within the fields, his brows furrowed deeply.

"Beloved Xiao, what is going on here? Why have this year's wheat and rice not matured yet?" He recognized they were wheat and rice seedlings and knew the harvesting season for both crops had already passed.

Aside from Doctor Luo, Old Hai, and Long Xuanmo who knew the reason, the expressions of the others were grave, but all remained silent.

"Reporting to the Emperor," Xiao Hongtao knelt on the ground respectfully and said, "The wheat and rice of this county have already been dried and stored away. The crops currently in the fields are the second season's wheat and rice."

The second season?

Not only was the Emperor shocked and surprised, but Grand Prince and Prince Ning also had drastic changes in their expressions, and the other high-ranking officials were equally astonished.

"Father, what Sir Xiao says is true," Long Xuanmo intervened, "I was already aware of this matter. However, Sir Xiao and the others are still in the experimental phase, and the outcome is not yet clear. Therefore, I instructed Sir Xiao not to report to the Imperial Court to avoid disappointing you, Father. I made this decision on my own, please punish me as you see fit."

The Emperor had recovered from his astonishment and raised his hand for them to stand up, "Both of you have been very considerate in your thinking, I naturally will not blame you. Let us return to the Yongchang Hotel at once, Beloved Xiao, you must tell me more about this matter."

Indeed, as Momo had said, if they had reported to him before the experiment succeeded and it failed, he would have been furiously disappointed. They were right to act with caution.

But now he was eager to learn the details, for although Dong Chu was a major grain-producing country, the yield of crops had always been low. If the two-season wheat and rice experiment was successful, the grain output would double, an occurrence that would greatly benefit both the nation and its people.

"This servant obeys!" Xiao Hongtao responded respectfully and then quietly glanced at Long Xuanmo. Seeing his nod, he followed the Emperor back to the Yongchang Hotel.

Meanwhile, in the exquisite suite of the Yongchang Hotel.

The Empress held Long Yingtong with one hand and Long Jingxi with the other, her dignified and gentle face brimming with a loving smile.

"The things Tongtong has sent several times have been greatly appreciated by your father, the Royal Grandmother, and me. Tongtong has really become more thoughtful and filial."

"I only mentioned it once to my sister; she arranged for everything to be sent back to the palace afterwards," Long Yingtong explained truthfully.

The Empress raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Long Jingxi laughed, "Mother doesn't know, Ms. Yang is very fond of Yingtong. As long as Yingtong's requests are reasonable, Ms. Yang grants them."

"Is Xixi about to give birth?" The Empress looked at Long Jingxi's significantly large belly. Momo had long told the Emperor that the Mother Empress and she were expecting, but by the calculation of time, it should still be early, right?

"The due date is still over two months away." Seeing the Empress's brow creased with worry, Long Jingxi smiled and reassured, "Mother, don't worry, I and the baby are both well. Doctor Luo said that I am carrying twins, which is why my belly is larger than that of other women at the same stage of pregnancy."

"Is that true?" The Empress exclaimed with joy.

Long Jingxi nodded gently.

Beside her, Long Yingtong also spoke up to confirm, "Eldest Imperial Sister is indeed carrying twins."

"Twins, that's wonderful, that's wonderful!" The Empress was overjoyed and relieved. Xixi finally had children, and there were two of them. Her guilt towards Xixi lessened a bit, "Midwife, nurse, and Imperial Physician, have you found good ones? I could simply send a few from the palace."

Long Jingxi smiled and shook her head, "There's no need, Mother. Ah Mo said he would find the midwife and nurse. Ms. Yang also suggested that I nurse the children myself, which would be good for both me and the babies, and it would also strengthen my bond with them. Moreover, Doctor Luo and Ms. Yang's medical skill surpasses that of the Imperial Physician.

With them around, I feel very reassured."

Upon hearing her daughter say she wanted to nurse the children herself, the Empress's expression subtly changed, but she quickly regained her composure.

The women of famous aristocratic families, by rule, cannot nurse their own children, let alone a princess; such an act would break from tradition.

Upon further thought, apart from exceptional circumstances, no one wants others to nurse their children and give away the affection meant for a mother.

Her four children were taken from her bedchamber soon after they were born, spending most of their time with the nurse. As their true mother, she spent even less time with them than a nursemaid. Although her children were not estranged from her, the thought still pained her heart deeply.

Moreover, in many famous aristocratic families, there is the phenomenon where grown children, while respectful and obedient to their biological mothers, are closer to their nursemaids. She empathized with this feeling and did not want her daughter to experience the same loss and sadness.

"I often hear you mention Ms. Yang. I would truly like to meet her. Did you bring her today?" the Empress asked.

Long Yingtong blurted out, "Sister is not here."

"Mother, please allow me to report." Seeing the Empress's expression darken slightly, Long Jingxi quickly explained, "Last time, Ms. Yang accompanied Master Yang Si to Qinghe Prefecture to participate in the rural examinations. Seeing some local people living in poverty, Ms. Yang, with her kind heart, took people to deliver food and clothing a few days ago and has not yet returned."

She knew that Ms. Yang had deliberately left, and although she was indebted to the Royal family, she sought no repayment. Jingxi deeply admired such magnanimity.

The Empress nodded approvingly, "It seems that Ms. Yang is indeed a charitable and kind young lady. Well, if we can't meet her this time, there will be other opportunities in the future."

"Sister was always a good person!" Long Yingtong said with pride.

Gently touching her daughter's forehead, the Empress's eyes shone with indulgence, her curiosity about Ms. Yang growing even more.

Meanwhile, the Emperor and his entourage returned to Long Xuanmo's room at the Yongchang Hotel.

After dismissing the guards and attendants, the Emperor said to Xiao Hongtao, "Beloved Xiao, tell us all about the double-cropping of wheat and rice." His tone was slightly urgent.

"As for the specifics of double-cropping wheat and rice, I am not clear, please forgive me, Your Majesty!" Xiao Hongtao knelt to the ground with a thud.

The countenances of several high officials varied, and some even sighed with relief in secret.

"I truly do not know the specifics." Seeing signs of the Emperor's growing anger, Xiao Hongtao quickly added, "However, there is one person who knows very well. If Your Majesty wishes, you can summon him here, and all will be clear upon inquiry."

The Emperor frowned slightly, his demeanor commanding without anger, "Who?"

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