Later that evening, many officials' wives arrived at Changchun Garden one after another. They were all a little surprised to see that the Crown Princess had come to pay her respects to Consort Tong ahead of time, which was unusual for her. One of them played the zither, while the other stood aside, listening intently to hear the royal gossip.

When they came in to pay their respects, Consort Tong, her mother-in-law, and the Crown Princess all looked displeased. It seemed there was some gossip to be had about them, and something must have happened before they arrived.

"Your Highness, with the year drawing to a close, when does Father Emperor plan to return to the palace?" The Crown Princess hoped that Consort Tong would return to the palace, where palace rules would restrict Qingyan's access.

"His Majesty hasn't said yet, but is the Crown Princess unable to stay in the villa any longer?" Consort Tong asked the Crown Princess coldly.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere instantly became awkward, and the officials' wives dared not meet the Crown Princess's gaze.

They listened intently to the battle between Consort Tong and the Crown Princess, not wanting to become cannon fodder.

Outside, the Guarjia clan clashed with the Linglong Pavilion several times, and the Crown Princess could only suffer defeat.

"Your Highness, are you preparing for the New Year at the villa?" The women are the heads of the household and must prepare for the New Year in advance. If His Majesty plans to spend the New Year at the villa, two sets must be prepared this year.

"Shu, go and ask His Majesty." Consort Tong noticed that all the women were looking at her, hoping to get a definite answer as soon as possible.

The women were somewhat worried when they saw Consort Tong send someone to inquire directly, fearing that the Emperor would be angered.

The Crown Princess twirled the handkerchief in her hand, hoping that Kangxi would give Shu a good thrashing, which would completely humiliate Consort Tong.

"Since we've been at the other courtyard for a while, everyone should behave better." Changchun Garden doesn't have as many rules as the palace, and the families of some of the imperial concubines are gradually sending their name tags into the garden.

After she finished speaking, many people became nervous. Some of them became slightly arrogant, which made Consort Tong somewhat displeased.

Consort Hui and the others lowered their heads. A few days ago, when Emperor Kangxi brought the Empress Dowager into the garden, they bypassed Consort Tong and asked the Empress Dowager to allow their family members to come in and pay their respects.

The Empress Dowager was a mild-mannered woman. When she saw the concubines trying to curry favor with her and even sending her many nice gifts, her heart began to stir.

Last night, Emperor Kangxi specifically instructed Consort Tong to strictly enforce palace rules and ensure that such a situation never recurred.

"Yes, we concubines are awake." The women present felt a jolt of fear. Was Consort Tong about to unleash her power?

Consort Hui was dejected. Orders from Consort Tong were usually issued personally by Emperor Kangxi. Kangxi was worried about displeasing the Empress Dowager, which is why he spoke privately with the concubines.

"Furthermore, the Crown Princess assists in managing many palace affairs. Although I hold the Phoenix Seal and handle palace affairs in place of the Empress, I am aware that some people believe that it is illegitimate for someone who is not the Empress to exercise palace power, especially since there are also legitimate sons and heirs in the palace." Consort Tong said, only glancing at Consort Tong out of the corner of her eye.

Those present instantly understood that these people were there for the Crown Princess.

Qingyan sat to the side, watching the Crown Princess sitting awkwardly, feeling secretly delighted.

"Your Majesty, this servant is back!" Shu walked in from outside the palace and first bowed to Consort Tong. "His Majesty said that we will spend the New Year at Changchun Garden this year."

After he finished speaking, the women breathed a sigh of relief. Spending the New Year in Changchun Garden would make things much easier for them. The concubines in the mansion didn't need much, and the few who were favored were serving in a separate courtyard.

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. We won't delay the audience. Consort Hui, you should take your families back and send them out of the garden at the appointed time according to palace rules!" Seeing that Consort Hui and the others were not in good spirits, Consort Tong didn't say anything more.

Consort Hui and the others quickly rose and bowed. The Crown Princess gave Qingyan a deep look before turning and leaving.

After everyone left, Qingyan leaned back wearily in her seat, and the twins ran out happily from the inner chamber.

"Mother..." Yiken'e, wearing an apron, drool dripping from the corner of her mouth, opened and closed her pink little mouth one by one.

Consort Tong quickly bent down and picked up Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen. The twins arrived at Changchun Garden, and the little girl had always been taken care of by Consort Tong.

"Mother, are we going to spend the New Year at Changchun Garden?" Qingyan asked uncertainly.

This year, too many things have happened, and the Crown Prince has further chilled Kangxi's heart, which is why Kangxi made this choice.

"Little darling, get your New Year's things ready. There won't be too many people visiting this year!" The rules in the courtyard are relaxed, so you can celebrate the New Year according to your own wishes.

"Yes!" Qingyan pondered for a moment. Preparing for the New Year at the mansion was far too complicated. "Mother, what about Grandmother's side..."

The concubines bypassed Consort Tong and met directly with their families, which was against the rules.

"When the children come here, you can go over there to pay your respects with the main group every five or ten days." Consort Tong realized that Kangxi was angry, and that the Empress Dowager was challenging Kangxi's authority.

Qingyan nodded, and the children stared with their big, watery eyes. Consort Tong couldn't help but kiss them as she looked at them.

"The New Year is just around the corner. Make more new clothes for the two children. From the 23rd to the 15th of the first lunar month, it's best not to wash clothes. Let the children wear new ones." Qingyan is a frugal person and has high requirements for her children's clothes.

Unlike other wives, her children never wore new clothes. While the princes and princesses of the royal family were also able to afford new clothes, Qingyan did not want her children to develop such a habit.

"Mother, I understand," Qingyan said, sticking out her tongue.

Yin Genjue Luo said that the children's clothes should be changed every day in case the servants below take action.

"In a little while, the fourth prince will also come over. Since it's not busy during the New Year, he can accompany his mother to stroll around the garden." Consort Tong hadn't been to a temple fair for many years.

Each time Emperor Kangxi took Consort Tong to the temple fair, they would rush back to the palace before lunch, so they could never enjoy themselves.

She finally had the chance to have a peaceful and happy Lunar New Year.

"Yes!" Qingyan was uncertain. If Consort Tong went out, there would probably be a lot of people with her, and they would have to accompany her, so she definitely wouldn't be able to have fun.

Every year on the first day of the Lunar New Year, people rush to offer the first incense, and very few people go to the temple fair.

"Mother, are we going on the first day of the lunar month?" Qingyan had never seen the temple fair on the first day of the lunar month.

Consort Tong shook her head. On the morning of the first day of the lunar new year, Emperor Kangxi was to go to the Fengxian Hall to worship his ancestors. By the time all the ceremonies were completed, it would be close to noon.

"There should be fewer people at the temple fair on the first day of the lunar new year when we worship our ancestors. We can leave after lunch and come back from the night market." Kangxi walked in from the doorway and happened to hear Qingyan's words.

Consort Tong quickly stood up and bowed to the Emperor. The two chubby little ones toddled towards Emperor Kangxi and grabbed his legs.

"Get up." Kangxi bent down, taking one in each arm, the twins nestled securely in his embrace. "This year, we'll celebrate the New Year at Changchun Garden. Lanya and Xiaoguai will come along before the ancestral worship ceremony on the first day of the Lunar New Year!"

After taking her seat, Consort Tong looked slightly embarrassed. The other concubines knew that she would be going to the ancestral worship ceremony with them, even if she didn't show up, she was still prepared to go with them.

"Xuan Ye, won't this... give others leverage against us?" Consort Tong didn't want to cause trouble for Emperor Kangxi.

Kangxi shook his head, gave Yinzhi some instructions, and then released the two. (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.)