As Tong Wanyan had predicted, the loss of two concubines in Yuqing Palace caused a stir in the court.

Mingzhu's faction secretly encouraged people to say that Yinreng was of poor character, which was why his two concubines died one after another.

Fortunately, Yinreng was very popular at this time, and Kangxi protected him as if he were his own precious son.

The rumor did not spread, and all those suspected were arrested and imprisoned.

In fact, that claim is completely untenable.

Don't forget that Consort Tong of Yuqing Palace was personally ordained by the abbot of Tanzhe Temple as a person with great fortune. Furthermore, the first pair of royal twins, a boy and a girl, also came from Yuqing Palace—what an auspicious sign!

With the new year's imperial concubine selection imminent, high-ranking officials, after court, all urged their wives to properly educate their daughters. Perhaps they could catch the Crown Prince's eye and bring honor to their families.

Even if she couldn't be the sole favorite, having a son and a daughter would make her family members royalty.

As for the Li Jia clan who were convicted, the winner takes all and the loser is condemned. They were just unlucky and incompetent, so they deserved it!

Some ministers who caught the eye of Emperor Kangxi would directly recommend themselves to him, praising their daughters as if they were flowers.

Upon hearing this, Kangxi secretly pursed his lips. Could she be as beautiful as the Crown Prince's daughter, Lady Tongjia? Could she be as fortunate as the Crown Prince's daughter, Lady Tongjia?

Virtue and family background? Those are unimportant! No matter how virtuous you are, you're not going to become a saint or a crown princess. And can a good family background compete with the Aisin Gioro clan?

Emperor Kangxi's unusual decision not to appoint concubines for his sons surprised many who were concerned about the matter.

To be honest, Kangxi also wanted to try again. He felt that he had good eyesight and that his judgment of people was not that bad.

But just as he secretly set his sights on a candidate, before anyone mentioned it, the girl fell seriously ill. One second she was lively and energetic, the next she was barely breathing, which terrified him so much that he dared not doubt that Heaven was truly protecting Tong Wanyan.

To avoid harming the beloved daughter of one of his ministers, Kangxi had no choice but to abandon the idea.

At least there's still the Crown Princess, so there's no rush.

Not long after the case of Li Jia's conviction was settled, Tong Guozhu returned from Shengjing with his wife, Tong Fujin.

Looking at the bustling capital, so lively, even the air felt different from that of Shengjing.

Sitting in the carriage, Tong Fujin looked disdainfully at Tong Guozhu, who kept peeking out from behind the curtain.

He's such a grown man, and he's lived in Beijing for decades, yet he still acts like a country bumpkin from the countryside.

If she hadn't been there to keep an eye on him, he probably would have burst into tears by now.

"If you really want to see, get out of the carriage and go horseback riding." After seeing Tong Guozhu lift the carriage curtain six or seven times, Tong Fujin couldn't hold back any longer.

Tong Guozhu touched his increasingly large belly: "I'm getting old, what if I fall off a horse? My wife, you don't care about me anymore."

Consort Tong sneered: "Who was it that called me a wicked woman and wanted to divorce me?"

Tong Guozhu felt guilty and moved to the corner. Such a big man was standing in a small space in the carriage.

"Isn't it because you're under a spell? The person I hate isn't you, it's you being under a spell. Besides, even if you've become like that, the children and I at home still try our best to tolerate you. We're all doing great, my dear wife, don't be ungrateful." The more Tong Guozhu spoke, the more convinced he became that he was right.

He held his head high and chest out, feeling incredibly proud of himself.

Tong Fujin let out a cold laugh: "Heh."

Tong Guozhu shrank back into a ball, not daring to make a sound.

After being diagnosed by Tong Guozhu's elusive friends, it was confirmed that Tong Fujin had indeed been infected with a Gu poison. She recovered because Tong Wanle, who was raising the mother Gu poison, died.

Originally, Consort Tong should have died with Tong Wanle. Fortunately, Tong Qinian had obtained some tonics from somewhere, which greatly improved her health and neutralized the slightest bit of the Gu poison.

Such a fantastical thing, no one would believe it if I told them.

Since things returned to normal, Tong Fujin has once again regained her absolute dominance over Tong Guozhu.

She said, "Then go down and walk back. We've only lived in Shengjing for a little over six months, it's not like you've forgotten where your home is."

"My lady, I'm getting old. My legs are weak and I don't have the strength. I might faint on the way," Tong Guozhu said softly.

Tong Fujin glanced at him sideways: "When you were slamming your fist on the table earlier, why didn't you say you were getting old?"

Tong Guozhu was at a loss for words when faced with Tong Fujin's tendency to bring up old grievances at the drop of a hat.

Tong Fujin said that she had done wrong things in the past year and was sorry to her two children, Tong Qinian and Tong Wanyan, but she had not wronged her husband, Tong Guozhu.

"Go down," said Consort Tong.

"I'm just letting you off the hook. I'm not going to hold it against you because you've just recovered from a serious illness," Tong Guozhu said stubbornly.

Tong Guozhu timidly stopped the servant driving the carriage and jumped off.

With his broad shoulders and thick back, you really can't tell that he says he's old.

This time, Tong Fujin lifted the carriage curtain herself and looked back at Tong Guozhu's back.

Tong Guozhu stood in front of a stall, chatting with an old man with a smile, and bought some pastries.

That pastry shop has been making its pastries in Beijing for over a century. The stall isn't big, but the taste is excellent.

Tong Fujin remembered the first time she met Tong Guozhu, he foolishly bought her some pastries from this shop.

"We've been married for so long, I just hope there won't be any more troubles," Tong Fujin muttered to herself.

Tong Guozhu, saying one thing but meaning another, bought a portion of pastries that Tong Fujin liked, and then bought one for himself, eating them as he walked.

However, things are different now.

He used to be just a minor official, and no matter what he did on the street, no one would pay attention to him.

Now, he has two successful sons and a daughter who is favored by the crown prince and is the maternal grandfather of the eldest grandson of the emperor.

"Isn't this the Crown Prince's father-in-law, Lord Tong? I haven't seen you for the past few months, you seem to have aged quite a bit!" A square-faced middle-aged man greeted Tong Guozhu warmly, but the words he uttered were a little off.

Tong Guozhu looked at him coldly: "My daughter is merely a concubine of the Crown Prince, and I am not worthy of being called father-in-law. Furthermore, I have already resigned from my official post and am now a commoner, so I am not worthy of being called 'sir' by you."

This man used to be Tong Guozhu's mortal enemy. They were both spoiled brats born out of wedlock. He couldn't stand that Tong Guozhu could marry a virtuous wife, while his own wife was a shrew.

"Oh dear, Brother Tong, you're being too polite. I've heard your wife treats Consort Tong quite badly. Why don't you divorce her yet? I've been keeping a young lady at the Drunken Flower Pavilion, but she hasn't been seen by any guests yet. Why don't I give her to you? Consider it a welcome feast!" said the square-faced middle-aged man.

Tong Guozhu's ears twitched slightly. He gave the person opposite him a sheepish smile and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Of course. It's a thousand taels of silver, which is a bit much, but what is your status now, Brother Tong? I have to bribe you first so you can put in a good word for me with the Crown Prince later." The square-faced middle-aged man smiled lewdly and moved closer to Tong Guozhu.