Normally, Consort Tong would receive the imperial concubines and wives in the inner palace's reception room, while Emperor Kangxi and the princes would sit in the outer hall. The two of them were preparing to jointly deal with the matter of Gegenhas and Wuyun. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince had taken Mongolian concubines, which would be an obstacle to the relationship between the Qing Dynasty and Mongolia.

"Your Majesty, you've been back for several days now. Shouldn't we offer tea to Gegenhagen and Wuyun? Their identities..." Consort Rong kept focusing on the two women's identities. As the mother-in-law, she looked down on her daughter-in-law, Qingyan.

Consort Tong coldly stared at Consort Rong, whose face was full of reluctance. What woman would want another woman by her husband's side?

“Mother, the master likes Wuyun, and as his first wife, I should take good care of him!” the Third Princess Consort quickly replied.

To the outside world, the Third Princess Consort was very considerate, displaying the demeanor of a first wife. But in private, everyone knew that the Third Princess Consort was extremely jealous. Previously, almost all the female relatives bestowed upon her by the palace had been dealt with by the Third Princess Consort.

"Li Dequan, let Consort Tong and the others come out." Kangxi had a headache. "Summon the Crown Prince's concubine and the Third Prince's daughter to an audience."

Qingyan frowned slightly. Yin must not have finished speaking. She could only hope that Kangxi would not bring up the quarrel.

Consort Tong, along with the other concubines and wives, knelt on the ground. Emperor Kangxi's face was gloomy, and the princes also knelt on the ground, all with their heads bowed.

"I rarely concern myself with matters of the inner palace. Just two days ago, news of the incident at Cining Palace reached outside the palace. Where is the dignity of the imperial family now?" Kangxi angrily questioned.

During the morning court session, the censors repeatedly suggested that Emperor Kangxi bestow a concubine upon Yinzhi.

From the very beginning, the powerful families never gave up on Yin. They were merely observing the situation. As soon as Kangxi loosened his grip slightly, the powerful families rushed forward.

The princes all lowered their heads, and the Crown Prince and the Third Prince both felt a lot of pressure.

Qingyan knelt behind Yin, his sleeves.

Yin glanced back at her, telling her she'd better behave herself.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong!" Consort Rong quickly apologized.

Yin Zhi was in a state of unease. On the grassland, he felt that the Crown Prince was showing him goodwill, and that the dark clouds had been transferred to him.

The concubines present dared not utter a sound. Even Consort Tong had not been pardoned by Kangxi. Qingyan instantly understood that Kangxi was merely using this as an opportunity to make trouble.

Kneeling on the cold gold bricks, Qingyan shuddered as she recalled everything that had happened at Cining Palace.

"This servant greets His Majesty, the Empresses, and the Consorts!" Gegenhas and Wuyun entered, and upon seeing the people kneeling in the hall, they trembled slightly, yet a sliver of expectation remained in their hearts.

After they entered the palace, many of the concubines said that neither of them had been served tea. In particular, the Crown Prince's wife had never even seen Emperor Kangxi.

Today, the two of them finally have a chance; they need to perform well to leave a good impression on Emperor Kangxi.

Kangxi didn't say a word, just watched the two kneeling at the back. Kangxi had heard Li Dequan report that these two were very close to the Empress Dowager.

“Father, Gegenhas is very well-behaved, and I think he is also very dutiful!” the Crown Princess quickly said.

As soon as the Crown Princess finished speaking, Qingyan couldn't help but feel a little strange.

Normally, Emperor Kangxi would give the Crown Princess face, but at this moment, he smashed the teacup on the ground and his face darkened.

"Shut up!" As soon as Kangxi helped Consort Tong up, she scolded, "Does the Crown Prince's primary consort not even respect palace rules?"

Hearing that the Crown Princess had been publicly reprimanded, Qingyan's heart pounded wildly. The Crown Princess was very concerned about her reputation and often used rules to reprimand her sisters-in-law.

"Your Highness, I only wished for the Crown Prince to be happy, and I had no other intentions!" the Crown Princess said with a wronged expression.

As soon as she finished speaking, the concubines and wives of the princes had different expressions, and even the princes felt that what the Crown Princess said was too official.

"No other thoughts?" Consort Rong smiled coldly. "It's enough to resolve the tea-serving issue at Yuqing Palace. Why bring up status?"

Consort Rong felt resentful. Wu Yun had always been arrogant and haughty around Yin Zhi, and even Consort Rong looked down on him.

"This servant wouldn't dare!" Gegenhas and Wuyun realized that Kangxi was angry, so they quickly shrank back.

"Get up, both of you." Kangxi pointed at the two women. "Kneel!"

Consort Tong had managed official duties for many years and had never been reprimanded by Emperor Kangxi; the two of them were also exceptions.

After the princes and their wives rose, they all took their seats, and Yin held Xiao Guai's little hand.

Consort Tong sat beside Emperor Kangxi, looking down at everyone's expressions. Apart from Yinzhi and Qingyan, everyone else wore gloating expressions.

"Father, I don't think the Crown Prince and Third Brother did it on purpose!" Yinqi looked up at Kangxi. He hadn't gone hunting or on the southern tour, so he was the one who took the lead in that.

Qingyan was secretly surprised that Yinqi actually pleaded for him.

The Empress Dowager raised Yinqi in a very proper manner; he would not participate in the princes' struggles. Today, Qingyan noticed an ambitious glint in Yinqi's eyes.

"Yes, the Crown Prince and the Third Prince were just confused for a moment!" Yin also said from behind.

During his inspection tour, Emperor Kangxi specifically instructed that the princes should not get entangled with the noble ladies from the grasslands. The crown prince and the third prince were left behind, and Kangxi still thought there would be no problems.

"Fourth Prince, what do you mean?" Kangxi noticed that Yinzhi had become increasingly quiet since returning to the palace.

Yin hesitated for a moment before standing up.

"Father, I think that the Crown Prince and Third Prince were forced to go. Going to the grasslands is not the capital. The Crown Prince and Third Prince were unwilling, but they had no way to refuse." Yin said subtly, but he was actually implying that the Crown Prince and Third Prince hoped to gain the support of the Mongol tribes.

Gegenhas and Wuyun were noble ladies from a large tribe. Even though they were concubines, they were still favored. Otherwise, the clan chief would not have sent them to the princes' side.

The Crown Prince and Yinzhi felt a pang of unease. The fourth prince's words were rather direct. Kangxi had ordered the princes not to get entangled with the Mongols, and they had disobeyed the order. When the tribal chiefs hinted at it, they readily agreed.

"Father, we were just confused for a moment!" The Crown Prince and Yinzhi, disregarding their presence, quickly and sincerely apologized.

Gegenhas and Wuyun were panicked. Their families were thousands of miles away and could not provide them with any support. Even the Empress Dowager had abandoned them.

"Serve tea!" Kangxi said coldly.

They breathed a sigh of relief; after all, His Majesty still had some reservations.

"Shu, prepare tea!" Consort Tong knew that Kangxi was just trying to scare them to prevent unrest in the palace.

"!" Shu left the main hall, and Qingyan quietly followed her out. She simply couldn't bear the tense atmosphere inside.

"Fourth Princess Consort, what brings you here?" Shu arrived at the tea room and turned around to find Qingyan standing at the door.

"Aunt Shu, I can't stand the atmosphere in the hall!"

"Fourth Princess Consort, you have done very well."

Shu felt that Qingyan had grown up. Before, when something happened, she could only watch silently, unable to control her gaze. Today, however, she was shocked by any reprimand she heard. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)