Kangxi beckoned to Qingqing, "You are Duanjing's daughter, you should call me Guo Luoma Fa, why call me Emperor."

Qingqing stepped forward happily to greet him, and said in a coquettish tone, "Qingqing will remember, Guo Luo Ma Fa."

Everyone could tell at a glance that Qingqing had caught the Emperor's eye, which explained why she was granted the title of Princess Heshuo on her first day in the palace and was granted residence in Yuqing Palace.

Hongxi glanced at his own son as he watched the women of some high-ranking officials below, seeing how much Kangxi valued Qingqing.

In families with sons of marriageable age, the women's faces are always filled with calculation.

Families without a son of school age often look on with regret.

Hongxi couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly. What were those women thinking?

With your bunch of ugly, good-for-nothing kids, all you do is laze around all day. You might not even be as good as Qingqing at riding and archery, yet you still want to climb the social ladder?

Are they judging whether the Emperor is blind or the Empress Dowager is hard of hearing, unable to see or hear the sordid affairs of your household?

Hongyu caught a glimpse of Hongxi's annoyed expression out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but raise his glass and chuckle to himself.

Hongxi felt embarrassed when he heard Hongyu's laughter, so he quickly adjusted his expression, looked up at the center of the hall, and put on a serious face.

Upon closer inspection, they spotted Galdan among the guards.

Hongxi was shocked.

He rubbed his eyes, and after confirming he hadn't misread it, he was completely stunned.

Is this kid really that bold?

How dare he show up so brazenly at the palace banquet? Does he really think no one in the hall will recognize him?

After all, Uncle Qi had dealt with him before.

etc.

Hongxi glanced around, then looked at Hongyu and asked, "Why isn't Seventh Uncle here?"

Hongyu said regretfully, "I heard that Seventh Uncle caught a cold yesterday, and it's a bit serious. So Grandfather didn't let his family come."

No wonder.

Emperor Kangxi and the Empress Dowager both praised Qingqing highly and affirmed the development of the Horqin Grassland in recent years.

Finally, with a wave of his hand, the maids and guards turned to leave.

Hongxi suddenly stood up. "Wait."

We absolutely cannot let him escape again.

Hongxi stood up abruptly, pointed at Galdan, and said angrily to Kangxi, "Grandfather, that person bullied me in the restaurant."

His shout caused the maids and guards of Khorchin to stop in their tracks.

Galdan's expression changed drastically, but seeing that Hongxi was only putting on a show of arrogance, he was slightly relieved.

Emperor Kangxi, who had been all smiles, immediately understood Hongxi's meaning upon hearing these words.

He glared at Galdan and roared, "How dare you, a mere lackey, bully my grandson? Guards, take him out and execute him!"

His words shocked everyone present, causing their expressions to change.

Only a few people knew that the Mongolian writer had managed to sneak into the capital. Upon hearing Kangxi's words, they knew that this person was probably the audacious writer.

However, most people were unaware of the situation and became even more terrified upon hearing that Emperor Kangxi was going to execute an envoy from Mongolia at the New Year's Eve banquet.

The censors stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Today is New Year's Eve; it is not a suitable time for a massacre."

Qingqing was still puzzled, but when she saw Hongxi's serious expression and thought about the person she hadn't been able to track down before, she immediately understood.

So she knelt down as well, pleading, "Guo Luo Ma Fa, please calm down. He is a Khorchin warrior sent by Mother Consort, who has been protecting Qingqing all the way. That day at the restaurant, he didn't recognize Brother Hongxi, which is why he talked back to him. Qingqing begs Guo Luo Ma Fa to beat him up to appease her brother, please don't kill him."

This way, Galdan could be safely brought out of the main hall without arousing suspicion from the other party, and it would also put everyone's minds at ease.

If we were to reveal the other party's identity here, it would likely cause unnecessary disturbance.

Hongxi looked at Qingqing, their eyes met across the distance, and they both gave each other a reassuring look.

When Galdan heard that he was to be executed, his hand was already on the curved sword at his waist. But after Qingqing finished speaking, he quietly lowered his hand.

Although being beaten was undignified, he was currently in a dangerous situation, and if he continued to be defiant, he feared he would not be able to leave the palace safely.

So he knelt on one knee and apologized in Mongolian.

After understanding, the Empress Dowager looked at Kangxi with a meaningful expression. He sullenly stood there for a long time before waving his hand and saying, "Remember, I spared your life today only because of the Khorchin. If you dare to appear before me again, I will kill you."

Galdan suddenly looked up and met Kangxi's hateful gaze.

For a moment, he even thought that Kangxi had guessed his identity before saying such a thing.

Hongxi didn't want to cause any more trouble, so he snorted, "I'll let you off this time, hmph."

At Liang Jiugong's signal, four guards immediately stepped forward and dragged Galdan away.

Hongxi glanced at Yinreng subconsciously, only to find that the other was also looking at him. After giving him a reassuring look, he got up and left.

This incident was like a trivial little episode, which came and went quickly at the palace banquet.

Only a careful observer noticed that after Galdan was dragged out, the Crown Prince, Soetu, and Mingzhu left one after another and did not return until the end of the banquet.

Meanwhile, Emperor Kangxi, seated at the head of the main hall, wore a subtle air of satisfaction, as if he were enjoying the relief and triumph of eliminating a formidable enemy.

After more than two hours, the banquet finally came to an end.

Guarjia had already received Yinreng's instructions, but only brought Hongyu and Wenxi back to Yuqing Palace, while He Yuzhu, who had been waiting for a long time, took Hongxi and Qingqing away.

"Eunuch He, how is it progressing?" Hongxi asked.

He Yuzhu shook his head. "This servant watched as the man was subjected to many torture instruments, yet he remained silent. Before this servant came out, Minister Suo and Minister Ming were discussing how to torture him."

Hongxi frowned. "Where is Father?"

He Yuzhu recalled the image of Yinreng personally holding the whip and subconsciously swallowed.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is... exercising."

It wasn't until Hongxi and Wenxi entered the Ministry of Justice prison that they understood what the so-called physical training meant.

"Father, why are you covered in blood?"

The Crown Prince was attending the New Year's Eve banquet today, wearing his bright yellow ceremonial robes. At this moment, the front of the robes was covered with scattered bloodstains, making Hongxi's eyelids twitch.

Yinreng, looking utterly exhausted, slumped unceremoniously on the soft couch, with Suo'etu and Mingzhu standing on either side of him.

"I am innocent; that blood is not mine."

Hongxi quickly figured out what was going on.

Qingqing stepped forward, "Second Uncle, do you suspect that person isn't from our tribe? Or perhaps, is he a student from another tribe who infiltrated our tribe?"

Seeing the little girl's thoughtful expression, Yinreng smiled and said gently, "Perhaps, he is the famous... Galdan?"