On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, the servants of the Yuanmingyuan Garden got busy and thoroughly cleaned all the palaces. Qingyan specially sent Suju to the residence to keep an eye on things.

At this time, Changchun Garden was already decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Qingyan was also celebrating the Spring Festival in the villa for the first time, which made her feel more relaxed and radiated joy.

"Your Highness, the people from Linglong Pavilion have brought tribute and imported goods." Su Lan walked in and saw Qing Yan examining the screens that were to be presented to Consort Tong.

This screen is a "Hundred Children Celebrating Spring" painting. It was specially created by Qingyan by incorporating some modern embroidery patterns. In addition, she had the embroiderers make it using double-sided embroidery, making it a first even in the imperial palace.

"Take good care of this screen, make sure it's not touched or stained at all." After Qingyan finished inspecting it, he had it sent to the storeroom. On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, the screen would be sent to the palace along with other tribute items.

Yin walked in and saw the screen placed in the hall.

"The 'hundred children celebrating spring' that Mother desired?" Consort Tong favored many children for good fortune, and her mood had become even more cheerful after the birth of her twins.

Qingyan nodded. Consort Tong had always wanted a similar screen. Back then, Emperor Kangxi promised Consort Tong that after the Galdan War, the screen that had been brought into the palace from the south would be moved from the private treasury to the Chenggan Palace.

When Consort Xin entered the palace, the Empress Dowager opened the storeroom and gave away the screen depicting a hundred children celebrating the spring. When Emperor Kangxi returned to the capital and learned of this, he merely smiled coldly and turned to go to Chenggan Palace.

Consort Xin received the screen, but she did not have a child.

The Empress Dowager had no idea that the Khorchin had a chance to get a prince, but the commotion caused by the screen ruined it.

Yin circled the screen twice, then nodded in satisfaction. This screen was quite nice.

"Don't send it in with the tribute. Su Peisheng, Erlu, you two find someone to send this to Changchun Garden." Yin Baizi's Spring Festival Screen was a hindrance; he had to think about Qingyan's future.

Qingyan was completely bewildered. Everything was prepared, so why send it over ahead of time?

This screen was specially prepared for Consort Tong. Could it be that it was to be displayed during the New Year?

“Back then, your mother was clumsy and had a chance to have one. At that time, it was during the imperial concubine selection. When Consort Xin entered the palace, the Empress Dowager directly opened her private treasury and gave Consort Xin the screen depicting a hundred children celebrating the spring.” Yin was worried that the little girl would break a taboo.

The Empress Dowager came along, and it's hard to guarantee that she wouldn't grumble in her heart, thinking that Xiao Guai didn't respect her.

The highest-ranking woman in the palace was the Empress Dowager. If she had only given this screen to Consort Tong, the Empress Dowager would inevitably have felt resentful. If it had been given to the Empress Dowager herself, she might have felt that Xiao Guai was mocking her for being childless.

"Won't this end up pleasing neither side?" Qingyan sighed and lightly rubbed her head, her little face scrunched up in worry.

Yin pinched her little cheek to reassure her; the item had been sent ahead of time, and Consort Tong would handle it properly.

"Su Peisheng, quietly send this screen over, don't make a big fuss," Yin instructed. Su Peisheng then found a few guards, who carried the screen out.

Qingyan leaned on his shoulder, relaxing, and said, "From now on, you'll be in charge of arranging the delivery of the New Year's gifts." Qingyan was a little tired; from November to December, he had been incredibly busy.

Every day there are various things to deal with. From breakfast onwards, she must remain highly focused, ready to receive reports from servants on various matters requiring decisions.

When the servants went out to purchase goods, Su Lan had to inspect each item upon their return. Even if some items were not satisfactory, Su Lan had to oversee the process, as these items were to be presented as tribute, and she had to confirm repeatedly that the tribute items were free of any defects.

"Fourth Prince, Sulan has personally inspected all our tribute items. Go and take another look in a couple of days. The imported goods are the most important. Some of those imported goods are specifically for the Empress Dowager. I can't completely control the Empress Dowager's preferences yet." The Empress Dowager's tastes can change at any time.

In the past, many imported goods were sent to Qing banquets, but very few of them were favored by the Empress Dowager; most were sent to Mongolia.

"Little darling, send some of the Empress Dowager's imported goods, and some jewelry from Linglong Pavilion would be fine." Yin thought to himself that when the Consorts of the Mengu family came, they would mostly receive gifts from the Empress Dowager, so those imported goods were rare items.

The headdress of Linglong Pavilion?

Compared to imported jewelry, Linglongge jewelry is likely more valuable, while the latter is not particularly valuable.

"Fourth Brother, I bring in some jewelry every year. I can't let the Empress Dowager reward me with these exquisite pieces. Instead, I use the Empress Dowager's jewelry."

Emperor Kangxi tacitly approved the presentation of imported goods at banquets, presumably as a reward for the Empress Dowager. The Mongol women were becoming increasingly audacious, with imported goods often being directly bestowed as gifts.

"There's no need to send too many imported goods," Kangxi specifically instructed Yinzhi. "Father also instructed that the rewards be reduced."

During the Golden Festival, very few Mongol women were invited, which was Kangxi's intention. This caused discord among the various Mongol tribes. Now, a new army has been established, which is even more powerful than the Mongol cavalry.

If the Mongol tribes are too united, Kangxi's power will be fragmented. The growing strength of the new army may threaten the power of the Mongol leaders, who will then unite to fight against Yin Jitai's army.

During the Spring Festival, the Mongol leaders and their wives only sent their sons to deliver gifts. They had no intention of coming to the capital. The Empress Dowager prepared many rewards, and after the Lantern Festival, she would have the sons leave directly with the rewards.

"Won't we have to keep an eye on those Mongolian wives for the New Year's Eve dinner?" Qingyan asked, blinking her eyes.

Yin nodded. Xiao Guai could finally relax a bit. Every New Year's Eve dinner was like a battle. They would go out to eat happily, only to return feeling annoyed.

"That's wonderful!" Qingyan exclaimed.

She would be happier if these problems weren't there for the New Year's Eve dinner.

She had to deal with all the struggles between her sisters-in-law.

"You will also need to discuss the situation in Mongolia in front of the Empress Dowager." Yin had learned about the situation in Mongolia beforehand, preparing to ensure that Qingyan would have something to say to the Empress Dowager.

Qingyan sighed in frustration. Linglong Pavilion had been sending her a lot of news about Mongolia. The weather in Khorchin was cold, and some yaks and sheep had been lost.

"We also need to use Mongolian." Qingyan instantly deflated. Mongolian was her weakness. Every time she accompanied the Empress Dowager and the Mongolian wives, she had to be on high alert at all times to avoid being tricked or framed by the Mongolian wives.

Yin patted her back to help her relax.

"Yes, in front of the Empress Dowager, try to speak Mongolian as much as possible, and it's okay to speak slowly." Dong E's Mongolian was the worst among the wives, and she always made a fool of herself when they chatted.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)