Upon arriving at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Qing Yanmin noticed that there were many more imperial guards in the courtyard. At the entrance, they also encountered several princes and their wives or future wives.

Qingyan's eyes darkened. Kangxi really wanted to use her to warn those who were not up to par. Why should she be used as an example? She could disregard her reputation, but if it involved Yin, he would absolutely not allow it.

"Little darling, don't cause any trouble. Just watch my expression." Seeing Qingyan's annoyed look, Yin couldn't help but worry. Little darling had to behave, otherwise, Kangxi would definitely take action.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager's sedan chairs were parked in the courtyard. Yin was even more worried that those people had been bribed by the Empress Dowager or the Mongols.

If she behaves herself, the Empress Dowager won't be able to find any fault with her, and there probably won't be any problems.

Under his intense gaze, Qingyan had no choice but to nod in agreement.

When the two of them entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, Emperor Kangxi, and Consort Tong were seated in the seats of honor, while Fei Yanggu and others were seated in the seats of honor. Everyone's expressions were solemn. Yin and Qingyan respectfully bowed to everyone, and the Empress Dowager couldn't help but purse her lips.

Qingyan secretly became more vigilant. The Empress Dowager was definitely looking for an excuse to severely punish her.

"Let's kowtow." Kangxi planned to use today's events to severely suppress the arrogance of the Borjigit clan, and also to dig out those people the Grand Empress Dowager had hidden in the Imperial Household Department.

After Li Dequan's secret investigation, he reported back that the culprit was none other than the Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, Princess Ulanara encountered such a thing while out of the palace. She even ran into some scoundrels in the bustling city center. Those who know her might think she's trying to scam them, but those who don't might think she has some kind of connection with those people." As soon as the Empress Dowager spoke, everyone from Emperor Kangxi to Fei Yanggu frowned.

Recently, the Empress Dowager has been unwell and has become increasingly unruly in her speech.

To ensure the Empress Dowager could spend her final days comfortably, Emperor Kangxi remained silent. He was reflecting on whether he had been too lenient with her.

Qingyan sneered inwardly; the Empress Dowager was courting death!

Every time, the old lady would use her as a scapegoat. Fei Yanggu pondered how to contact his friends in the Northwest after returning to his mansion, and how to make them vent their anger on Wei Xiaoguai.

"I have already sent people to investigate. There are other matters involved. Also, Yin went out on business and used Xiao Guai's carriage. She was not in the carriage!" Kangxi heard from Li Dequan that Yin had arranged for Qingyan to hide behind the screen in advance, so no one else saw her.

Qingyan stood obediently to the side, thankful that Yin had made preparations in advance; otherwise, she would have been in real trouble.

The Empress Dowager was speechless at Kangxi's words and began to dislike those servants, who had taken the princes' money but failed to get things done.

Inside the hall, Yin Genjueluo and the others were secretly shocked. Xiao Guai had run into a rogue outside. Fortunately, Yin had been by her side the whole time, otherwise... the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Your Majesty, this matter must be dealt with seriously." The Empress Dowager was preparing to label Qingyan as indecent, while Fei Yanggu clenched his fists, having already prepared appropriate traps for the princes of Khorchin.

Qingyan smiled coldly. The old lady hadn't grasped the situation yet. Qingya was being sent to marry a Mongolian man, and even if her reputation was ruined, she wouldn't go to Mongolia again. Besides, Yin was always blocking her way.

“Grandma Angguma, Qingyan didn’t leave the manor. I went to the manor and she was doing needlework in her study.” Yin was relieved. Seeing that the sun was too strong, he had Su Peisheng drive the carriage directly to Qingyan’s study courtyard. The two of them had gone out in the carriage, so outsiders definitely couldn’t see them.

The Empress Dowager was taken aback. Her spies at the Ulanara residence had not sent back any useful information in the past two days. As soon as Qingyan's carriage moved, she assumed that Qingyan had left the residence.

“Father, those people just think that Xiao Guai’s carriage is luxurious and that they can take advantage of it.” Yin was annoyed, and his words were inevitably somewhat sarcastic.

The Empress Dowager was so angry that her eyes turned black. Kangxi was an emperor, and after he came of age, the Empress Dowager was basically restrained and absolutely not allowed to get involved in court affairs.

The princes before us have all entered the court, and they are all capable of handling matters independently.

Today, none of them chose to stand by the Empress Dowager's side, and even Yin stood on Yin's side.

Lady Guarjia frequently complained about the difficulties caused by the Imperial Household Department, which resulted in the dowries of several of her brides being replaced with heavy jewelry. Neither Lady Yingenjueluo, Lady Guarjia, nor even Lady Dong'e dared to directly file a complaint.

They didn't have the confidence that Qingyan possessed.

“Your Majesty, I have not left the palace. I asked Sulan to return the betrothal gifts from the Imperial Household Department. The Fourth Prince is merely preparing to visit Linglang Pavilion,” Qingyan said directly.

The Empress Dowager's secret arrangement with the Imperial Household Department was despicable; she sent most of the replaced jewelry and valuable items to Mongolia.

On several occasions, when the Mongol princesses came to court, the exquisite headdresses they wore were deducted from the allowances allocated to the princesses of the princes.

Some of the less favored imperial concubines even received substandard allowances.

Li Dequan had been secretly investigating, but today, Qingyan's actions were a bit too much, which finally allowed him to expose the lackey behind the scenes.

"Li Dequan, bring up the betrothal gifts prepared by the Imperial Household Department for Xiao Guai!" Kangxi ordered the guards to escort the stewards of the Imperial Household Department into the hall.

When the three mahogany chests side by side were opened, the imperial concubines and several wives, including Lady Yin Genjue Luo, all gasped in surprise.

The jewelry in the box was very heavy, and some of it didn't look very good.

Qingyan glanced at the faces of the concubines out of the corner of her eye. Consort Yi's face was even worse. The Tatara clan had a very low status in the court, and now she was very worried that the dowry that Yinqi's wife would receive would be even worse.

Yinqi lacked Yin's confidence and certainly couldn't order new betrothal gifts for his future fifth wife.

Some of the lower-ranking concubines who had just entered the hall to watch had tears in their eyes. Many of them had been cheated out of their money by those wicked servants from the Imperial Household Department.

Qingyan glanced at their slightly red eyes and couldn't help but want to complain. This place that devours people is indeed a place of praising the powerful and belittling the weak. Everything is changed according to Kangxi's favor.

"Not bad, they even dared to withhold the betrothal gifts for the prince's wife?!" Kangxi looked down at the people on the ground, whose bodies trembled slightly.

Qingyan watched the farce indifferently. If these lackeys weren't given a warning, they would only become more brazen.

Now that she's causing trouble, Emperor Kangxi has severely punished the servants of the Imperial Household Department, and they dare not underestimate Qingyan even more.

Fei Yanggu has a bad temper and dotes on Xiao Guai. If she is wronged, he will go to her door to confront her.

"Your servants dare not!" The stewards kowtowed one after another. They dared not bear this responsibility, even though each of them had taken a share of the profits. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)