The little eunuch behind Hongshi was sweating as he watched his master's appearance, but he didn't dare to interrupt when the two masters were talking.

In the end, Hongyu came to the rescue, saying, "We're all brothers, what's there to be afraid of? Uncle Thirteen is over there, let's go take a look."

Hongyu handed Hongsheng to the wet nurse and pulled Hongxi toward his uncles.

The younger generation naturally went to Shou Kang Palace with their mother, but the older uncles all went to Qian Qing Palace.

Therefore, Yinxiang was unaware of what had just happened in Shou Kang Palace.

On his way here, Yinxiang had already heard about what had just happened from the people sent by Consort Min. He was thinking of giving Wen Ke some pointers when he saw the two brothers, Hongyu and his brother, walking towards him.

"The nephews wish their thirteenth uncle a Happy New Year."

The two brothers bowed with smiles, then simultaneously extended their hands, saying, "New Year's money."

It's pitiful that Yinxiang was only a few years older than them, even just one year older than Hongyu, yet he had to spend money.

"Good, good, good. No wonder you were all so eager to wish me a Happy New Year; you were waiting here all along."

Yinxiang had prepared many red envelopes in advance, and almost every junior member of the family received one.

After distributing the red envelopes, Yinxiang looked at the two of them and asked, "I heard that Grandmother was very angry just now?"

The two nodded.

Hongyu explained, "Qingqing is from Khorchin, after all. Wenke's words are a slap in the face to Khorchin."

Yinxiang was also quite helpless, "Wen Ke is not usually the type to talk nonsense like this, I don't know what's wrong with him today."

Hongyu glanced at Hongxi and muttered under his breath, "He's probably envious of Princess Qingqing's rank."

Yinxiang shook his head and sighed, "The new rank is also due to marriage alliances. Back then, Duanjing married into the Khorchin from the capital. Although she is doing quite well now, only she knows the hardships she has endured. Now, sending Qingqing to the capital is another kind of hardship."

Hongxi glanced at Yinxiang subconsciously, silently marveling at how Uncle Thirteen's profound understanding of life seemed to be innate.

They chatted over there, while Wenxi introduced Qingqing to her new girlfriends.

At the small table, Wenxi pointed to a charming young girl dressed in formal attire and introduced her: "This is Manzhu'er, the granddaughter of Prince Gong. She is a year older than us and should be called 'elder sister'."

Although Manzhu'er's status was not as noble as that of a princess, Prince Gong had always been respected by Emperor Kangxi and was now a highly respected member of the imperial clan. His granddaughter's status was even more noble than that of some unfavored princesses.

The reason Wenxi asked Qingqing to call her "elder sister" was because she thought that even if Qingqing married as a princess in the future, she would only be a high-ranking wife, and her status at that time would depend on her husband's family. It would be better to establish a good relationship now.

Qingqing wasn't quite sure about the social hierarchy, but since Wenxi told her to call her "elder sister," she did.

"Greetings, elder sister. I didn't prepare any gift today, and everything I have with me was a gift from the Empress Dowager and the Crown Princess these past few days. It's really inappropriate to give it to you. Would you mind sending the things I brought to your residence later?"

Manzhu'er was a true noblewoman, only slightly lower in status than the favored princess in the royal family, so she didn't care about ordinary people.

Even before Qingqing said those words, she didn't have a good impression of this girl from the grasslands.

Yet, these very words sounded so sincere and unpretentious, truly embodying the carefree spirit and boldness of the people of the grasslands.

Manzhu was delighted and smiled as she pulled out a red gold, ruby, and glass hairpin from her hair. "Since my younger sister has said so, I, as the older sister, cannot be stingy."

She then inserted the hairpin directly into Qingqing's hair bun, saying, "This is a gift from your older sister to you. I really like your personality."

Wenxi laughed from the side, "I knew my sister would like it, that's why I introduced you two."

The three of them sat there chatting, so it wasn't appropriate for others to come and disturb them.

Wen Ke was chatting with several young princesses from the imperial clan not far away, but his eyes kept glancing over here, full of envy.

"Eighth Princess, what's so great about that girl? Why should she be named a Heshuo Princess?"

The other princesses chimed in indignation, "That's right! Was it really necessary for the Empress Dowager to look so upset? You're the Empress Dowager's own granddaughter!"

Upon hearing this, Princess Dunke, who shared the same mother, retorted sharply, "What nonsense are you spouting? There must be a reason why Father Emperor has promoted you. Is it any of your place to be indignant?"

Wen Ke glared angrily at his younger sister, "Whose side are you on? We're the real sisters, and you're boosting the morale of others while diminishing your own."

The argument that was taking place was quickly quelled by the young princesses around them, but Wenxi and the others still learned the whole story.

Qinghe replied in a low voice, "This servant thinks that those princesses from the imperial clan clearly have the intention to sow discord, otherwise the Eighth Princess wouldn't be so angry. Fortunately, the Tenth Princess is a reasonable person."

Manzhu glanced at the young princesses. Their fathers held no real power or favor within the imperial clan. The only reason they were invited to palace banquets was because Kangxi had very few brothers left, and they were treated as mascots for show.

Wenxi was furious, but she was a generation younger than the Eighth Princess. If she were to step forward now to teach those young princesses a lesson, she would be in a very passive position.

Manzhuer stood up abruptly, touched the hairpin at her temple, and sneered, "What kind of pheasant dares to bark in front of the princess?"

After saying that, he charged aggressively toward that table.

The young princesses surrounding Wen Ke and Dun Ke were terrified when they saw Man Zhu'er heading towards them.

The Eighth Princess, still in a bad mood, saw Manzhuer approach and said first, "Is the Princess here to wish me a Happy New Year?"

Manzhu sneered, "I may offer New Year's greetings, but is the Eighth Princess sure she can accept them?"

She spoke softly, only a few people around her could hear her, but they didn't dare to shout at that moment.

Everyone knows that Prince Yu and Prince Gong were the two brothers most valued by Emperor Kangxi. Compared to the steady Prince Yu, Prince Gong received more of Emperor Kangxi's protection and care.

Even if this matter were to be publicized, Emperor Kangxi might reprimand Manzhu'er a few times according to etiquette and law, but he would turn around and punish their fathers with even greater crimes.

At this moment, Wen Ke glared angrily at Man Zhu'er, "Why shouldn't I, the princess, be able to accept this? Although you are a princess, you are only a member of the royal family. It seems you are not qualified to show off in front of me."

Manzhu smiled slightly, then bowed respectfully to the two princesses and said loudly, "Manzhu wishes the Eighth Princess and the Tenth Princess a Happy New Year and all the best."

The Tenth Princess hurriedly turned aside to avoid the bow, but the Eighth Princess looked at Manzhu'er with pride. She originally wanted to make things difficult for her for a while, but Manzhu'er stood up on her own before she could ask her to get up. Then she walked towards the little princesses with a murderous look on her face.