Is His Majesty going to make a move on the Crown Prince?

With great anticipation, he entered the Imperial Secret Vault.

The Imperial Secret Vault truly did not disappoint him.

There was actually a natural spiritual root with twelve-star potential.

This potential could even rival the Imperial Endless Divine Wood.

Fang Heng suddenly felt his mouth go dry and his heart race.

He looked at the Glazed Flat Peach as if it were his goddess.

"Twelve-star potential."

"Could the Glazed Flat Peach be related to the Flat Peach of the Queen Mother of the West from legends?"

Fang Heng clicked his tongue, thinking to himself.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was possible.

Such high potential indicated that this immortal root, the Glazed Flat Peach, had an extraordinary origin.

Fang Heng picked up the pot in which the Glazed Flat Peach was planted.

The Glazed Flat Peach wasn't tall; it was still a small sapling.

Its leaves were like jade, as if carved from exquisite emerald.

Just looking at it gave one a feeling of vibrant life.

As for flat peaches?

No flat peaches, let alone any peaches at all.

It simply hadn't borne any fruit.

Fang Heng carried the Glazed Flat Peach and met up with Eunuch Su.

Eunuch Su's face froze for a moment when he saw Fang Heng's choice, then showed a strange mix of approval and emotion.

The expression on his face was extremely complex, a medley of feelings.

"Your Highness, this peach tree..."

"What, can't I choose this peach tree?"

"Of course not!"

"Your Highness can choose any treasure in the Secret Vault."

"It's just that this peach tree has quite a story."

Fang Heng nodded slightly and cupped his hands.

"I trouble you, Eunuch, to enlighten me."

"Your Highness is too kind. This humble one cannot bear the word 'trouble'."

"This peach tree was brought out of a secret realm by the Founding Emperor."

Founding Emperor? Secret realm?

These two words together made Fang Heng instinctively think of the Endless Divine Wood.

"Endless Divine Wood..."

"Your Highness guessed correctly!" Eunuch Su nodded and continued, "This peach tree was brought out by the Founding Emperor along with the Endless Divine Wood."

"The Endless Divine Wood has now become the foundation of our dynasty."

"As for this peach tree, it's a pity..."

"It cannot be cultivated."

"Even the Founding Emperor was helpless."

"It was like this ten thousand years ago, and it's still like this ten thousand years later."

"Not a single change."

A hint of understanding dawned in Fang Heng's eyes.

So that was it.

It couldn't be cultivated, which was why he got such a great bargain.

Indeed, there were capable people in Great Qian.

They naturally saw that the Glazed Flat Peach had extraordinary potential.

It was just that since it couldn't be cultivated, they had no choice but to give up on it.

"Previously, there were also imperial descendants who knew this peach tree had an extraordinary origin and tried to cultivate it, but they all failed in the end."

"Your Highness, you..."

Eunuch Su hesitated, wondering whether to persuade Fang Heng to choose another treasure.

"I'll take this peach tree," Fang Heng said, his voice decisive, his expression resolute, exuding an air of confidence.

Seeing Fang Heng's self-assurance, Eunuch Su couldn't help but recall his track record in the Seed Selection Department.

Perhaps His Highness the Ninth Prince truly can cultivate Sacred Emperor Rice… Maybe… it's really… possible…

"Your Highness's ability to cultivate plants is unparalleled, unprecedented."

"I wish Your Highness every success."

"Thank you for your kind words, Eunuch Su."

After leaving the Imperial Secret Vault, Fang Heng returned to his residence.

He couldn't wait to perform his first enlightenment.

After the enlightenment, he noticed a subtle change in the Glazed Flat Peach – perhaps it was just his imagination, but it seemed to possess a newfound spiritual energy.

Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your Majesty, these are the memorials submitted by the civil and military officials."

"Tell me, who did the court officials recommend for the position of promoting the Sacred Emperor Rice?"

"Your Majesty, all Six Department Ministers were recommended by someone."

"Among them, Minister Yan of the Ministry of Revenue received the highest number of votes, with a total of thirty-nine."

Eunuch Su reported everything to Emperor Yuanchu in detail.

Why Six Department Ministers, and not Seven Department Ministers?

That was because the Minister of Agriculture had already been rejected by Emperor Yuanchu, so naturally, no one would dare to offend Emperor Yuanchu by recommending him.

"Besides the Six Department Ministers, the Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review received five votes, and the Left Censor-in-Chief and Right Censor-in-Chief each received three votes."

After listening to Eunuch Su's report, Emperor Yuanchu remained noncommittal, offering no instructions. Instead, he changed the subject and asked, "What did Heng'er choose from the vault today?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it was the peach tree that the Founding Emperor brought back from a secret realm."

"That peach tree?" Emperor Yuanchu furrowed his brows, forming deep creases. "Never mind. Let him do as he pleases."

"Prepare my carriage for the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. I have nothing to do today, so I'll go play chess with the Director of Imperial Astronomical Bureau."

"Your Majesty, what about these memorials?"

"Hold them all!"

"All the memorials are being held?"

"What does Father mean by this?"

The Second Prince, who was playing chess with the Right Prime Minister, paused his right hand.

Thump!

A black chess piece slipped from his fingers and landed on the board.

The Right Prime Minister glanced at the chessboard and said calmly, "Your Highness, your mind is unsettled."

"Thank you for your guidance, Right Prime Minister."

"It's just…"

The Second Prince's heart was heavy.

He had been very invested in the selection of the person to promote the Sacred Emperor Rice.

This was a feat that would be recorded in history.

No matter which of the Seven Department Ministers completed this important task, they would surely be promoted upon their return to the capital.

Most likely, they would even become a Prime Minister.

Therefore, the Second Prince had used all his influence to recommend the Minister of Revenue.

He had successfully secured the highest number of votes for the Minister of Revenue in one fell swoop.

In contrast, the three ministers under the Crown Prince, despite their numbers, had their votes scattered, making them less competitive than the Minister of Revenue.

The Second Prince had thought that this selection was a sure thing.

But Emperor Yuanchu's decision to hold all the memorials introduced an element of uncertainty into the matter.

Compared to the distressed Second Prince, the Right Prime Minister appeared calm and composed.

It was as if he had everything under control, just like the situation on the chessboard.

Seeing the Right Prime Minister's expression, the Second Prince immediately realized he must have discovered something.

"Please enlighten me, Right Prime Minister."

The Right Prime Minister looked up, his gaze leaving the chessboard, and nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his face.

"Congratulations, Your Highness."

"Congratulations for what?"

The Second Prince frowned, growing even more confused by the Right Prime Minister's statement.

"The Seven Department Ministers, the Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the Left Censor-in-Chief, and the Right Censor-in-Chief—all of them have been rejected by His Majesty."

"Your Highness, who else do you think is capable of such a momentous task?"

"The vice-ministers of each department?"

"No, although a vice-minister holds a third-rank position."

"This time, the promotion is not only for the common people but also for the aristocratic families and the Ten Great Dao Courts."

"This matter is too significant; the vice-ministers of each department are not up to the task."

"Precisely!"

The Right Prime Minister nodded, revealing a shocking answer to the Second Prince's face.

The Second Prince's expression shifted from astonishment to delight.

The change happened almost instantaneously.

"Such a monumental undertaking, one that will benefit future generations, can only be handled by the Left Prime Minister."

"The Left Prime Minister promoting Sacred Emperor Rice... Father Emperor is actually considering this."

The Second Prince understood immediately, grasping Emperor Yuanchu's plan in an instant.

Is promoting Sacred Emperor Rice a good thing?

Of course, it's a good thing!

Is it good for the Left Prime Minister?

It's a mixed bag!

The good part is immense merit and a place in history.

The bad part is losing power by leaving the central government.

Is it good for the Crown Prince?

That's definitely terrible news.

His biggest supporter would be transferred from the central government to a local post.

A huge loss!

Most importantly, the excuse of promoting Sacred Emperor Rice was simply too compelling.

Could the Left Prime Minister refuse?

He couldn't refuse!

Because in the eyes of the world, asking the Left Prime Minister to promote Sacred Emperor Rice would be seen as a sign of great trust and importance.

The Second Prince stood up excitedly, his face beaming with joy, his voice trembling slightly.

"Right Prime Minister, are you saying Father Emperor is making a move against the Crown Prince?"