Tong Cheng'er chatted with her sisters-in-law, and time passed quickly. Before they knew it, it was getting dark, and then everyone went to the Hall of Union and Harmony under the Empress Dowager's guidance.

When they arrived, there were already quite a few people in the hall. Tong Cheng'er spotted Yinzhen in the crowd at a glance and couldn't help but smile.

Yinzhen also saw her, and their eyes met. The Third Prince's wife, who was standing to the side, felt extremely jealous.

"I'm telling you, Fourth Sister-in-law, you and Fourth Brother are really something else."

Tong Cheng'er chuckled: "Third sister-in-law, let me help you sit down. My little nephew is still in your belly, so you can't get tired."

Seeing her make a joke, the Third Prince's wife smiled, then found her seat and sat down.

After settling the Third Princess Consort in, Tong Cheng'er went to find Yinzhen. She had just turned her head when she saw him. It was no wonder, as Yinzhen had thought of coming over when he saw her earlier. Before he could even take a step, he saw her helping the Third Princess Consort find a seat.

He followed her over, and since they were sitting right next to the Third Princess Consort, Tong Cheng'er saw him as soon as she turned her head.

"Why are you here?" The tone was a mixture of surprise and delight.

Undeniably, it was a very happy thing for Tong Cheng'er to turn around and suddenly see Yinzhen appear in front of her.

Yinzhen: "I came as soon as you were here. By the way, how were your trips to Yonghe Palace and Cining Palace? Were you not bullied?"

He wanted to ask the last question, but it was inappropriate to say it in public.

Tong Cheng'er understood what he meant. She smiled and said, "My mother treats me very well, and the people I meet in Cining Palace are all very kind and easy to get along with." She probably forgot about Consort Hui when she said this.

Yinzhen understood; it meant he hadn't been bullied.

It's good that I wasn't bullied!

"That's good." After saying that, he pulled out a chair for Tong Cheng'er: "Sit down and let's talk."

Tong Cheng'er didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly.

The Third Princess Consort watched the two of them showing off their skills from a short distance away, gave a look of relief, and then couldn't help but smile.

If the Third Princess Consort were from later generations, she would probably understand that her smile at this moment is the legendary "aunt's smile."

After seeing his young wife, Yinzhen didn't leave his seat. The two sat down and started chatting. Although the conversation was about everyday things, Yinzhen thought it was very pleasant.

After a while, a sharp, thin voice rang out in the hall: "His Majesty has arrived."

At this sound, everyone knelt down, and Kangxi's figure appeared at the head of the hall.

"No need for formalities, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After everyone stood up, Kangxi sat down and said, "Please sit down, everyone!"

Yinzhen attended the New Year's Eve banquet every year, but found it rather dull. Tong Cheng'er, on the other hand, was attending for the first time and found it quite novel.

The banquet had just begun when Yinzhen and his brothers started presenting New Year's gifts.

The long list of gifts took almost the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, which shows how extensive the list was.

When Tong Cheng'er heard the list of gifts from Yinzhen, she was a little surprised that he had prepared them before, as she hadn't noticed at all.

After the gift list was submitted, the New Year's Eve dinner officially began. During the meal, glasses clinked and the atmosphere was lively. Tong Cheng'er was able to exchange a few words with Yinzhen. She asked curiously, "When did you prepare the gift list? I didn't even know."

Logically speaking, she should be the one preparing the gift list.

“You’re busy with the academy’s affairs. This is a small matter. Su Peisheng can just add or subtract from the usual quotas. I didn’t ask anyone to beg you.”

For Yinzhen, this was not a big deal.

Tong Cheng'er nodded: "I see. Su Peisheng must be working hard." He shared her workload, so he deserves an extra chicken leg.

"How about this, we'll give Su Peisheng double his monthly salary when we get back."

Yinzhen was taken aback upon hearing this, then realized what he meant, and said with a slightly sour tone, "It's all what he should do. Besides, although he does a lot, I've given him quite a lot too." So there's no need to give him anything more.

When Tong Cheng'er thought of the money in the ledger, she shook her head firmly: "No, I have to pay. Your payment is your payment, and mine is my payment. They are not the same."

Yinzhen immediately felt uneasy: "How is it different? Didn't I say that husband and wife are one? You and I are husband and wife, we are one, why are you and I distinguishing between you and me?"

Tong Cheng'er: What he said makes sense, but something just feels off.

In the end, Su Peisheng's double monthly allowance was dropped, but Yinzhen did not treat him unfairly and gave him many rare rewards.

After the gift list was presented, Emperor Kangxi ordered the dishes to be served.

The capital was very cold. Even though the charcoal fire in the main hall hadn't gone out, the dishes that were served on the table looked unappetizing.

However, even if she had no appetite, she couldn't not eat. Yinzhen knew she was a picky eater; he found the food on the table hard to swallow, let alone his little princess, who certainly wouldn't be able to eat it.

Fortunately, there was a chicken soup that looked pretty good, so he served her a bowl: "Have a bowl of soup to warm yourself up. If you don't want to eat anything else, you don't have to. You can eat it when we get back."

Tong Cheng'er looked at the chicken soup, which was still a little hot to the touch, and her heart warmed as well: "Okay."

After a bowl of chicken soup, my stomach felt warm and comfortable.

After finishing their New Year's Eve dinner, the princes and other princes who had already left the palace to establish their own residences departed together.

Yinzhen and Tong Cheng'er returned to the mansion by carriage. Yinzhen was experienced in this matter, and since he didn't know how to eat well at the New Year's Eve banquet, he had instructed the kitchen to prepare in advance.

As soon as they returned, Su Peisheng came over and said, "Master, Madam, the kitchen has prepared a table full of food, which is still hot. Would you like to eat now?"

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!