After a round of cheers, thirty eunuchs, twenty palace maids, and twenty guards permanently vanished from the Grand Emperor Yang Zhong's Hall of Supreme Filial Piety.
They had merely overheard a piece of potentially sensitive information or seen something that could betray intelligence.
"This is still not safe enough. Should I increase the guards in the cold palace?"
"No, no, absolutely not. If I make any unusual moves, the enemies in the shadows will surely notice. That would make Yang Hong's secret even more likely to be exposed. Maintaining the current situation is the best course of action."
"However, I can still steer things in a beneficial direction. For instance, Yang Hong is already twenty years old but has not yet had his capping ceremony, nor has he married. This matter must be utilized well."
"So be it."
Meanwhile, Yang Hong was unaware that Grand Emperor Yang Zhong planned to hold his capping ceremony and find him a wife. He was happily admiring the ginseng that had sprouted small buds.
"I didn't expect ginseng to survive the winter. It's truly an accident, especially with an entire patch of ginseng seedlings sprouting. Once they grow a bit larger and can accept the baptism of infusion, I can start cultivating them."
The reason for valuing ginseng so highly was actually Yang Hong's predicament. He had discovered that the Jade Grape had its limits. Aside from the premium Jade Grape outside his small pavilion, he had cultivated two more Jade Grapes of Grade 1 Mid-tier. However, these two could only be infused once every three days, and each infusion granted only 20 days of cultivation. Furthermore, they possessed no emotional feedback capabilities whatsoever.
This realization made Yang Hong lose interest in cultivating more Jade Grapes. Although further cultivation might lead to their evolution, the time required would be excessively long, proving to be a net loss. Thus, he had begun searching for cultivation targets for the past two days.
Leaving the small medicinal garden, he arrived at the tea plantation.
"Ding~ You infused 40 days of true qi into an ordinary tea tree and received a 50-fold return, yielding 2000 days of true qi cultivation."
"Ding~ The ordinary tea tree has met the evolutionary standard and is beginning to evolve~"
"Ding~ Evolution successful. The ordinary tea tree has evolved into a Grade 1 Low-tier spiritual plant: Moonlight White Tea Tree."
The tea tree, originally only two feet tall, rapidly grew to nearly three feet before stopping. This was Yang Hong's first infusion, and this tea tree directly reached the infusion limit of 40 days, successfully evolving on the first try.
"This is a premium grade, even better than the Jade Grape!"
Looking at the tea tree before him, Yang Hong was filled with surprise and joy. In the past half-month, he had infused 52 new plants. Among them were 17 tea trees, and this was the first plant that could be maximally infused and evolve directly. With anticipation, he used his last infusion of the day on this new tea tree, hoping for another pleasant surprise.
However, it was regrettable, no further surprises appeared.
"This Moonlight White must be transplanted. All those reaching Grade 8 and 9 must also be transplanted. Those below Grade 8 can remain in the tea garden."
The entire tea garden was not large, less than an acre, with 49 tea trees planted neatly. They were currently just saplings, so their density was not yet apparent. However, these were all graded plants, requiring significant nutrients and space, thus necessitating transplantation.
He had already made plans: after all tea trees had undergone one infusion, all those above Grade 8 would be transplanted and scattered along the outer wall of the Hall of Ignored Whispers, appearing like ornamental trees. The Moonlight White would be transplanted to the left side of the small pavilion, opposite the Jade Grape, so they could collectively provide him with spiritual energy.
Just as Yang Hong was directing a few old eunuchs to dig up the tea trees, Grand Emperor Yang Zhong arrived again.
"Good grandson~ Good grandson~ Xiao Liu."
He began shouting the moment he entered the courtyard. This boisterous habit was very similar to Yang Zixuan. It seemed this was a deeply rooted trait, perhaps a custom of the Great Sui imperial family.
"Xiao Liu~ I have some good news for you."
"Imperial Grandfather~ Are you talking about how delicious that wine is? If so, take the 'Fireworks' and leave the rest. Just give me a few days of peace."
Yang Hong rolled his eyes, not particularly curious about any good news. Trading wine for peace was acceptable. However, Yang Hong intended to use the 'Fireworks' for Yang Zixuan's baths. Yang Zixuan was still young and did not need her cultivation immediately improved; instead, she needed her body nurtured to lay a solid foundation for her future practice.
"Really? Bah~ It's not something real, it's about you."
Yang Zhong's eyes lit up, and he was about to eagerly move the wine, then remembered the important matter. He paused his speech, looking expectantly at Yang Hong, hoping he would ask.
However, Yang Hong paid him no mind, continuing to carefully dig up the Moonlight White tea tree. Seeing Yang Hong's demeanor, Yang Zhong felt bored himself.
"Sigh~ You're no fun. I'll get straight to the point. Three days from now is an auspicious date, and I've decided to hold your capping ceremony."
Upon hearing this, Yang Hong finally looked up, giving Yang Zhong a strange glance, and then resumed digging.
"Today is the eighth day of the eleventh month. Three days from now is the eleventh day of the eleventh month, or Singles' Day. Imperial Grandfather, I know I'm a prince in the cold palace and have no right to marry, but must you hint at it so obviously?"
"What Singles' Day?"
Yang Zhong was also taken aback, but Yang Hong didn't explain, continuing instead.
"Also, my birthday is on the fifth day of the tenth month. According to custom, the capping ceremony is held on one's birthday, unless..."
The 'unless' that Yang Hong left unspoken referred to the customs of this world: unless a close relative had died, the capping ceremony must be held on one's birthday.
Hearing Yang Hong's unspoken exception, Yang Zhong's expression also darkened. Emperor Yang Jian refusing to hold Yang Hong's capping ceremony was indeed excessive. Even if he himself couldn't attend, he could have easily appointed a civil official to preside.
"Ahem~ I misspoke. The auspicious date is the day after tomorrow. I will personally go and fetch your courtesy name now, and the day after tomorrow, I will personally preside over your capping ceremony."
"Mm~"
Yang Hong was indifferent to the capping ceremony. As a person from a modern era, he had no interest in such matters as capping ceremonies and courtesy names. Transplanting spiritual plants was far more interesting.
However, after Yang Zhong left the cold palace, he went to Yang Jian's Hall of Cultivating the Mind, dismissed the attendants, and berated Yang Jian fiercely.
"This unfilial son! What skills does he possess that the Grand Emperor values him so highly? Zhou Neng, tell me."
"Your Majesty, it's like this: the Sixth Prince is skilled in agriculture and has also learned to brew wine..."
Zhou Neng did not reveal that Yang Hong could practice martial arts, only mentioning his farming and winemaking skills. He had always paid attention to Yang Hong's safety and naturally knew these things, including the special properties of Yang Hong's wine.
"I see."
Yang Jian's eyes flickered, and he became intrigued. He knew that over seventy people had died in the Hall of Supreme Filial Piety yesterday. It now appeared that the Grand Emperor had ordered the killings to maintain secrecy.
"Zhou Neng, set aside your current tasks and go to the Royal Library today to find some agricultural books and wine recipes. Be sure to find rare and precious ones."
"Yes, this servant will go immediately."
Zhou Neng promptly accepted the order and left. He was naturally very dedicated to selecting books for Yang Hong.
Yang Jian felt it was still not secure enough, so he made another trip to the Empress's Hall of Tranquil Nurturing.