Early in the morning, Qingyan went to pay her respects to Consort Tong, and Dong'e looked at her with a cold smile.

"Third sister-in-law, are you not resting well?" The banquet was still early, and Consort Tong had not yet come out. The three sisters-in-law sat in the tent chatting.

At the beginning, Qingyan was chatting with Yingenjueluo about Songkelierha when Dong'e's gaze was too intense, making her feel uncomfortable all over.

"Who can be as capable as Fourth Prince Consort, who can even order around her own master?" Dong Eshi smiled contemptuously.

In Dong E's eyes, Qingyan was nothing more than someone who depended on men, unlike the other wives who could live in the inner courtyard even without their husbands' protection.

Yin Genjue frowned. Dong Eshi's words were somewhat inappropriate, and Qingyan hadn't offended her.

Qingyan tilted her head, trying hard to recall whether she had offended the Third Princess Consort yesterday.

Suddenly, she remembered that when she and Yin smiled at each other last night, a faint look of hatred shot into her eyes. After regaining her composure, she looked around, but could not find the owner of that look.

"Third Sister-in-law, didn't Third Uncle take you for a walk under the night sky?" Qingyan covered her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled. If she didn't tease Dong Eshi every day, her mood would turn sour.

Consort Rong was about to enter when she heard the Fourth Prince's wife belittling Dong E, and her expression turned even more unpleasant.

Consort Tong lived with Emperor Kangxi in the imperial tent. The other concubines who were brought out became mere decorations, only able to watch Consort Tong and Emperor Kangxi's affectionate relationship from afar.

"Fourth Consort, I don't understand why you want Yinzhi to take you out tonight. My daughter-in-law is very well-behaved, unlike some restless ones who even try to monopolize their master at night!" Consort Rong spoke sharply, causing Qingyan to frown.

What does it mean to be restless?

Last night, it seems that Emperor Kangxi also took Consort Tong out for a walk.

"Huh?!" Qingyan asked, puzzled. "I remember Father Emperor also brought Mother along, but not you?"

Yin Genjueluo secretly praised Qingyan, saying that Consort Rong was petty and often embarrassed people.

As soon as Qingyan opened her mouth, she directly said that Consort Rong was not favored and was also jealous.

In the imperial harem, the concubines were not allowed to be jealous. Apart from Consort Tong, Emperor Kangxi probably didn't want anyone else to be jealous.

"My little darling!" Consort Tong came out of the inner chamber and couldn't help but laugh as she listened to Qingyan nagging beside her.

Yin Dao has trained Qing Yan quite well; she's known to be used as a shield outside. Although the words were clearly directed at Qing Yan, they ultimately implied that Consort Rong was only saying it because of jealousy and vying for favor.

"Mother!" Qingyan greeted Consort Tong according to etiquette, then went over and helped Consort Tong to sit in the seat of honor.

"Consort Rong, my little darling is young and speaks very casually, please don't mind him!" Consort Tong had to say, Qingyan had spoken her mind.

Qingyan caught a glimpse of the smile in Consort Tong's eyes out of the corner of his eye, and couldn't help but sigh that all women are the same, eager to announce to the whole world that they are favored.

In fact, she was also a member of the secular world. Yin doted on her, and among her sisters-in-law, she showed off in various ways, which deeply stimulated Dong E Shi, who would never give up so easily.

"Your Majesty, you're exaggerating!" Consort Rong dared not be angry. Emperor Kangxi treated Consort Tong very specially. Once, Empress Niohuru bullied the newly arrived Consort Tong. In the end, wasn't it Kangxi who secretly took action and sent her to the underground palace ahead of time?

Over the years, seeing Consort Tong being pampered and favored by Emperor Kangxi, none of the other concubines were in a good mood.

In particular, the incident at Qingyan left everyone feeling uneasy.

Inside Chenggan Palace, Emperor Kangxi arranged for Consort Tong to live alone. Each time, Yin would bring Qingyan to dine there, just like a commoner's home.

"Yeah?"

"Your Majesty, why haven't I seen the Crown Prince's concubine today?" Consort Rong smiled awkwardly, but Qingyan's distrustful gaze sent a chill down her spine.

Consort Tong took her seat, and Qingyan stepped back and stood behind Lady Yingenjueluo to pay her respects.

"Get up and kowtow," Consort Tong smiled, "The Crown Prince's concubine hasn't gone through the selection process, so His Majesty specially sent a nanny to teach her manners. This tea is going to be used in the palace by your daughter-in-law!"

Consort Tong smiled. As the one in charge of the Phoenix Seal, she said that serving tea to her daughter-in-law was barely acceptable.

Consort Rong was different. She was only a consort, while Yin was the crown prince. If they went to Chengqian Palace to pay their respects, apart from Consort Tong, everyone else had to return half a bow.

"Your Majesty, you are overthinking it. I just felt that the concubine should serve you tea first. If she enters the royal family and doesn't serve you tea, wouldn't she be disrespected?" Consort Rong said provocatively.

Qingyan sat obediently to the side, listening to the back-and-forth between Consort Tong and Consort Rong, and couldn't help but feel a little ashamed.

When she and Lady Dong'e bickered, it was more like a children's argument.

The two men wore smiles, but uttered sarcastic remarks.

"Only by being selected for the Imperial Household can one truly enter the royal family. Have you forgotten this rule?" Consort Tong glanced at Consort Rong. "How could I forget that Consort Rong was selected from among the lower-ranking concubines? Her nanny probably didn't teach her any manners!"

The noblewomen of the Eight Banners were inherently proud, and there was a great difference between general elections and minor elections.

Consort Rong's expression changed instantly. Qingyan secretly admired Consort Tong, whose words were like daggers, each one aimed at Consort Rong.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has arrived with three princes!" Shu walked in, looked at Consort Rong's pale face, and secretly shook her head.

Consort Tong and her mother-in-law teamed up to bully people, which was absolutely infuriating.

"Let's welcome him." Consort Tong nodded, stood up, and led everyone to greet Emperor Kangxi.

In fact, Kangxi had been eavesdropping with his men. When Qingyan and Consort Dong'e were arguing, he overheard Qingyan's words and couldn't help but glare at Yinzhen. His own son, however, looked like he had taught him well, which infuriated him.

Yinzhi carefully observed Kangxi's mood and was greatly alarmed. The mother and son of Chenggan Palace held great importance in Kangxi's heart. If the crown prince had not already been established, their positions would have been very uncertain.

"Rise and kowtow!" After helping Consort Tong to her feet, Kangxi led her directly to the seat of honor.

Consort Rong was thoroughly humiliated by Emperor Kangxi. Being disliked by her husband in front of her son and daughter-in-law was undoubtedly a direct blow to her dignity.

Just now, Consort Tong mentioned her background again. Even if the Dong E clan fell into poverty, they were still among the top three banners of the Eight Banners. Compared to Consort Rong's family, they were worlds apart.

"Consort Rong, when you get back you need to keep a close eye on the Third Prince's family. Is it any of her business to comment on the affairs of her elders?" Kangxi took the teacup from Consort Tong's hand and looked at Consort Rong, who was kneeling on the ground with a flushed face.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand!" Qingyan looked at Consort Rong in astonishment.

Consort Tong had instructed her that when Yinzhen ascended to the throne of Kangxi, she should not address him as "your subject" (臣妾).

That wasn't a compliment. Consort Rong, having come from a humble background, was unaware of the teachings given by the matrons during the general election.

"Hmm, the third prince's family, his backyard needs to be properly managed. Not everything can be brought in!" Kangxi's mood worsened as he listened to the reports from his spies on the grasslands regarding the Crown Prince and Yinzhi's every move. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)