Saito sighed. He couldn't keep a secret. Seeing his sister's business being controlled by his mother, he felt somewhat annoyed. His sister had worked so hard for so long, but his mother was reaping the benefits without lifting a finger.

As the elder brothers, they were heartbroken to be unable to help their sister protect her business; the feeling of being caught in the middle was truly awful.

After speaking, Li Dequan, with great tact, came out to inform them that they should prepare to enter the imperial tent to receive the banquet.

Today, the soldiers who entered the imperial tent were mostly those who performed exceptionally well during this campaign. Some were even promoted and ennobled. In their hearts, they were all thinking of their young children. If they could gain the favor of Emperor Kangxi, would they be as fortunate as Qingyan?

The jokes about Ulanara spread throughout the capital, and many upper-class families were considering whether to arrange marriages with their household. With the only legitimate daughter designated by Emperor Kangxi as his fourth consort, many wondered if Qingyan could hold onto that position securely.

The curtain of the imperial tent was lifted, and the heat wafting out made her shiver. The temperature difference between inside and outside the tent was enormous, and she began to sweat as soon as she entered.

"Qingyan has arrived?" Consort Tong was dressed in a peach-colored palace gown, but her head was adorned with bright red jewelry, as specially ordered by Emperor Kangxi.

Qingyan stepped out of Fei Yanggu's arms and respectfully bowed to Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong to pay her respects.

Many ministers had entered the hall one after another. Looking at Qingyan's smiling face, they all envied Fei Yanggu. Not only was the young Qingyan a business whiz, but he had also solved a lot of trouble for the army during this expedition.

"Your Highness, there's something delicious to eat today." Qingyan's skill in pretending to be a child has now reached a level of perfection. Standing next to Yin, the two are worlds apart. Yin's stern little face is really not something to be complimented.

Yin was speechless. He had never let her go hungry before? He had embarrassed himself here. All those officials were shrewd and wise. Looking at Qingyan's happy appearance, they all admired the little girl's quietness.

Just now, Kangxi was furious about the news coming from the capital. But as soon as Qingyan's voice rang out, Kangxi's expression immediately changed, becoming more and more peaceful. Qingyan is indeed quite capable.

"Fourth Prince, where shall we sit?" After bowing to Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong, Yin stood respectfully beside Qingyan. Fei Yanggu and his two sons were considered subjects and should sit below.

Qingyan shook her little head from side to side, wondering whether she should sit with her father or be placed next to Yin.

At this moment, Yin carried Qingyan's soft body and walked to the seat below the dragon throne, where Yin's seat was located. She was placed on the inner chair, and the ministers all gasped.

The seats above were for the royal family of three. Now, Qingyan was sitting on the inside, and Yin was clearly trying to save face for Qingyan.

"Fourth Prince, I can't sit here." Qingyan raised her head and whispered to Yin. The ministers had seen her presumptuous behavior and would definitely not let her get away with it.

"Sit here obediently." Yin had obtained Kangxi's permission before he acted directly; otherwise, he would not have been so presumptuous.

Seeing that the person who had risen to power didn't make any further comment, Qingyan felt completely relieved. The ministers all followed Kangxi's lead, and now Qingyan was considered by Kangxi to be a member of the royal family.

Inside the imperial tent, the floor was heated to a high temperature. Qingyan removed her cloak, revealing a bright red cheongsam underneath, which stunned everyone. This color was something that no one but the primary consort could possibly wear.

Many military officers whispered among themselves that Kangxi had made his stance clear: unless something went wrong at the banquet, he would assume the position of the Fourth Prince's Consort.

The throne of the prince's primary consort was coveted by everyone. While the military officers weren't as calculating as some might think, they still harbored their own schemes. Qingyan looked down at the officials, observing every subtle expression on their faces.

Looking at their boring expressions, she sighed inwardly; these people were truly wooden.

The military officers rushed out of the tent one after another. Under the throne, there were three rows of seats, and in front of each officer was a small table. When the banquet began, they would all receive a piece of meat bestowed by Emperor Kangxi.

As the time for the banquet drew near, the training ground began to throng with people. Qingyan looked at the lively scene outside, her large, watery eyes flashing with longing. Kangxi and the others ignored that look, as the temperature outside was too low, and they were worried that Qingyan would catch typhoid fever if she went out.

Consort Tong specially arranged for wine that the children could use. It was freezing cold, and Qingyan and Yin wouldn't be able to go back to sleep until late at night. For at least two hours, they would need to represent the royal family and stand outside the tent watching the fireworks being lit.

In previous years, Qingyan went to the palace for festivals, but because she was still young, she did not participate in these activities.

Today, she was wearing rather thin clothes and a cloak, and had been standing outside. She was going to call the imperial physician tomorrow.

"Prepare for the feast, Fourth Prince, are you ready?" Kangxi looked at Yinzhi in his prince's robes and felt a surge of pride.

The young Yin was to represent him in toasting the meritorious officials, an honor that belonged to the Crown Prince in the capital. As his suspicions of Yin grew, he came to see many of Yin's character flaws.

"Father, I'm ready." Yin was very excited. In his previous life, he did not have such an opportunity to demonstrate his status. After he ascended the throne, many ministers launched attacks, and his days were extremely difficult.

Now that Kangxi has paved the way for him, Yinzhi is becoming increasingly unruly. Under the instigation of Suo'etu, he has done quite a few immoral things.

Qingyan sat in her chair, took out a pocket watch from Yin's purse and played with it. At six o'clock sharp, the banquet officially began. A rich aroma of meat wafted from the large pots outside. Inside the imperial tent, a song and dance performance began in the central open space. She watched coldly as the servants brought out dish after dish of food, and the dancing girls did not become chaotic.

The singers wore brightly colored cheongsams and exquisite makeup. Their tall, flowerpot-shaped shoes made their figures exceptionally graceful. Some of them came from noble families, but the clan chief's unforgivable mistake turned them from high-ranking noble ladies into servants of the Shengping Bureau. The difference between these two was not small.

Some of the ministers present were friends of their fathers, yet today, they might be rewarded by Emperor Kangxi for their meritorious service. Qingyan's little mind conjured countless miniature scenarios; would this ill-fated relationship become a legendary tale?

Their eyes held either sorrow or joy, and their faces were radiant with sweet smiles. Qingyan thought to herself that if her identity were reversed with these people, she definitely wouldn't be able to smile.

"Fourth Prince, are all these people to be given to ministers?" Qingyan remembered that on the way here, Yinzhen kept telling her not to obstruct Kangxi's decree to bestow people, even if some of them were given to Fei Yanggu and his two sons.

The emperor was expected to accept the gifts with a smile. Kangxi's bestowal of these gifts was a form of recognition, and only truly meritorious officials could receive this honor.