As dinner time approached, the matter was fully resolved, and the managers returned to their posts. The extra income was distributed to the artisans as compensation.

"Master, we will never make these mistakes again!" Manager Fu and the others felt their previous disappointment instantly lifted when they saw that the principal wife and daughters had returned.

The only ones who truly remained loyal to them were their first wife and their legitimate children; they were a family, sharing both honor and disgrace.

“Next time, if something similar happens again, I won’t be the one to handle it; you should all resign,” Qingyan said directly.

The shopkeepers were all beaten and fined all their extra property, but they felt much more at ease.

The shopkeepers readily agreed. This lesson had left a deep impression on them, and they were determined to avoid such trouble again.

After handling the matter and giving them instructions, he inquired about the situation from the Mongol leaders, asking them to provide a reasonable explanation.

"Don't reveal our identities!" Qingyan gave this special instruction before leaving.

The shopkeepers understood that they were implicated by the Mongol leaders; otherwise, they wouldn't have suffered so much.

After the carriage left, they couldn't help but smile bitterly. Their master would keep them around only because the Northwest still needed them, and the Mongol leaders couldn't accept a new manager.

In the carriage, Qingyan leaned back on the cushions, her face tense. The problems with the shopkeepers had been resolved, but she had begun to distrust them.

"Fourth Brother, should we monitor Linglong Pavilion and Yuelai Inn here?" E Shuo has solved a lot of problems at Yuelai Inn. All the managers have been beaten to death, and the confiscated property is more than 10 times the turnover. There is no need to keep them.

"The Yuelai Inn directly used the Blood Droplets to impersonate people, and their every move was flawless." Yin sent out the Blood Droplets early on, and before Kangxi's Dragon Guards noticed, he had directly replaced the people.

Her worries and fears were completely unnecessary to consider.

"Huh? Disguise?" Qingyan was stunned. Those who disguised themselves needed to imitate others, and if there was a mistake, all their efforts would be in vain. The shopkeepers often dealt with the Mongol leaders, and there must be secret codes hidden among them. Without thorough preparation, she didn't want anyone to make unnecessary sacrifices. "No, Fourth Brother, we don't know what kind of mysterious agreement they have with the Mongol leaders."

“There’s no need. Xiren has been hiding in the Northwest for many years and has personal relationships with these shopkeepers. Some people have even witnessed their interactions.” Yin directly denied it.

“Little darling, I won’t risk my men’s lives unless absolutely necessary. Besides, do you have a better idea?” If they can’t infiltrate the Mongol leader’s ranks, the mission assigned by Kangxi cannot be completed. Using these people’s lives to obtain the last piece of information is worth it for Yin.

Now, he dares not risk his life alone; Xiao Guai's safety is the most important thing.

Now that the emperor is far away and the mountains are high, even if the camp learns the news, Xiao Guai's side has no way to deal with it.

"Hmm, are we leaving the county town today?" She thought she would be staying in the county town for a while, but she didn't expect to leave so soon.

"Yes, that's for sure." Yin nodded. They should be leaving tomorrow morning. "We'll leave directly at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) tomorrow."

Yin didn't want to alarm too many people. Today, their actions had already sent a signal to the Mongol leaders.

"Okay!" Qingyan was worried about Yin's safety; otherwise, she wouldn't have considered leaving again.

"Little darling, prepare your things for today, and be ready to leave at any time!" Yin looked out the window and saw several furtive figures following the carriage not far away. Those people were basically the Mongolian leader's confidants, and their appearance already spoke volumes.

ah?!

She looked at him with some confusion. Why did he contradict himself just now?

"Someone is following us." Yin originally wanted to leave directly, but then realized that they hadn't prepared anything yet, and if they left immediately, they would definitely alert the enemy.

"Su Peisheng, arrange for your departure as soon as possible!" Yin ordered.

Su Peisheng beckoned Erlu over, whispered a few words to him, and then continued walking forward, pretending to go shopping.

Erluzhe rode back quickly to prepare to leave the area, as they would meet at the city gate later that evening.

"Aren't we going back?" Qingyan asked, puzzled. They were all leaving, weren't they going back to pack their things?

"Let Sulan handle things. We need to distract those people and keep them from waking up." Every time the princes left the palace, they were always very careful, afraid of being followed. Their safety was always a worry for Kangxi.

Ministers from different factions would keep a close eye on the princes, but they wouldn't take action if the situation got out of control.

"Shall we go shopping?" Qingyan's eyes lit up. Since arriving, she hadn't had time to go out, as she had been busy dealing with things.

Today, all the problems have finally been resolved, and now it's time to leave.

"Okay!" Yin tried his best to meet Xiao Guai's requests. After coming here, he arranged his time very tightly. Even when he went out shopping, he had a purpose.

"I'm going to buy some local things to surprise my mother when I get back!" Whenever Qingyan went to a new place, she would bring back some local trinkets for Consort Tong. These weren't very valuable, but they were Qingyan's thoughtful gesture.

"Okay!" Yin nodded.

Consort Tong rarely left the palace, and even when she went out with Emperor Kangxi, she could not go shopping at will.

“Every time I go out, my mother’s envious eyes make me have no choice but to agree.” Yin said that many things he bought would only be of interest to his mother for a short time. In the palace, what wasn’t the best?

"Um!"

"Besides, those things have a certain rustic charm. Even if Mother can't come out, seeing those little toys can help her think about what's happening outside!" Qingyan was trying to persuade Yin, hoping he would take her side.

"Yes, buy it!" Yin became less talkative. The men who had been following them had not yet realized their intentions and did not follow Erlu back.

On the contrary, it was better for them all to follow behind the carriage; at least they wouldn't have to worry about these people causing trouble along the way.

"Hehe, these wine sacs are pretty good!" Qingyan likes camel wine sacs. In modern times, when she traveled to Inner Mongolia, she actually brought one back with her, and she has treasured it ever since.

"A wine bag?!" Yin was stunned. Shouldn't this be brought for his mother? "It's better to bring some women's things."

Ugh!

After the banquet, she and her mother had already agreed to buy two identical items to treasure separately. (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.)