The gathering on the fifth day was in the evening. Qingyan had lunch with the twins in Consort Tong's courtyard. After coaxing the two children to sleep, Qingyan changed into a well-fitting bright red dress with a stand-up collar and phoenix design in a side hall. This was the kind of dress that the primary consort could wear.

"Little darling, sit down and rest for a while. It must be tiring to take care of two children." Consort Tong felt sorry for Qingyan. "You should also take care of your health. You and the baby in your belly are important too."

It's rare to find a mother-in-law as understanding as Consort Tong in the royal family. The concubines value the number of offspring, and the primary wives of the princes are there to ensure the continuation of the royal line.

Qingyan listened to Consort Tong's words with a smile on her lips, feeling truly warm inside.

"Mother, my body can handle it. When spring comes, there will be another selection of ladies. Has the noble lady of the Jue Luo clan been decided?" Qingyan also had some gossipy thoughts, but under Yin's suppression, they had gradually disappeared.

Consort Tong nodded. She rarely managed the affairs of the Eighth Prince, but Emperor Kangxi had already made his decision.

"Of course, it was Jue Luo Shi who personally pleaded for it. His Majesty couldn't very well refuse the requests of his subjects. Those with good family backgrounds would be even less likely to value Yin Si!" Jue Luo Shi was sent to the border by Yue Le, and she lived a very comfortable life there. Compared to being in the capital, she preferred that kind of world.

Even if it was a fake death, families that were worthy of a prince would still get some word of it.

"My dear, the matter of Yinsi is already causing us a headache. The two princesses we prepared for Yinsi have also fallen ill and are waiting for the next imperial concubine selection!" When Kangxi learned of this, the Imperial Household Department had already granted the two of them the qualifications to be selected in person.

Consort Tong needed a place to vent, and the other concubines were not the best targets. Everyone had their own thoughts, and even Consort Hui would be more concerned about Yin Xing.

"Mother, this is resolved. All that's needed is for Lady Jueluo to make the request. You don't need to worry about it anymore!" Qingyan advised Consort Tong from the side.

When spring arrives, Consort Tong will be able to relax a bit. After the marriage, she will be married again and enter the mansion, which will only take half a year, just in time for the preliminary selection.

After listening to Consort Tong's analysis, Qingyan couldn't help but feel amused. The Jueluo clan had always valued this girl highly, hoping she could enter the royal family and bring benefits to their household.

He had barely settled into his new marriage when the royal family plotted against him, requiring them to find a concubine for Yinsi.

"Little darling, are you sure Lady Ulanara won't plead for her?" Consort Tong was worried about Lady Jue Luo. If the noble lady went to her and cried, would Lady Jue Luo soften her heart?

“Mother said it’s definitely not going to happen!” Qingyan replied directly. “When I left home today, Mother specifically told me that this matter is the royal family’s decision, and she will not have any objections!”

Consort Tong was slightly relieved after hearing Qingyan's words. Regardless of whether Yin and Jue Luo's relationship was harmonious or not, many people thought that Jue Luo was the cunning version of the Fourth Prince. Now that the Fourth Prince had given up, Jue Luo had directly sided with the Eighth Prince.

The Eighth Prince's residence was like a dragon's den and a tiger's lair. Many officials pleaded with Emperor Kangxi not to betroth their daughters to him. He was troubled for a long time in order to maintain balance in the court.

"Moreover, the head of the Jue Luo clan will be promoted!" Consort Tong secretly told Qingyan something. Kangxi still felt a little guilty about the sacrifice of the noblewoman of the Jue Luo clan.

A promotion?!

"Mother, this noble lady isn't from the clan chief's family?" Qingyan smiled wryly. "If she were given to the clan chief, his father would be furious."

Consort Tong smiled mysteriously: "Wouldn't it be a good thing if we could instigate infighting among the old imperial clansmen?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qingyan felt a chill run down his spine. Consort Tong's political acumen was no less than that of an ordinary man, and Kangxi was definitely going to take action against the imperial family.

Whenever a problem arose, it was almost always because members of the imperial family and servants of the Imperial Household Department were involved.

"Mother, I don't want to get involved!" Qingyan said vaguely, her physical condition was simply not suitable for her to get involved any further.

"Yes!" Consort Tong nodded. His Majesty had also considered that it would be better if Qingyan could participate, but considering her health condition, he had no choice but to let her make the decision herself.

"Your Majesty, Consort Hui and Consort Yi have arrived, but Consort Yi's eyes are red!" Shu hurriedly came in and said.

A hint of embarrassment appeared on Qingyan's face. It was best not to meddle in palace affairs.

"You stay here too. I'll keep an eye on Lady Yin Genjue Luo, Fifth Princess Consort, and Ninth Princess Consort. They'll be here soon!" Consort Tong knew perfectly well that if the two of them had a conflict, they would definitely bring up their daughters-in-law.

Qingyan had no choice but to sit down to the side, her little face stern, watching the two imperial concubines walk in from outside. Behind them were indeed their respective daughters-in-law. Consort Tong was right; these two would indeed not let their daughters-in-law off the hook.

After everyone exchanged greetings, Consort Tong was the first to make her move.

"Consort Yi, you're a veteran in the palace, how come your manners are worse than those of someone who just entered?" Consort Tong was furious when she saw Consort Yi's teary eyes.

If someone cries during the Lunar New Year, it's considered bad luck.

"Your Highness, I couldn't bear it any longer, that's why I did this!" Consort Yi quickly said.

Consort Hui snorted coldly. Are there really no people allowed to talk about what the Fifth Prince has done?

"Consort Hui, you are a few years older than Consort Yi, it would be good if you gave way a little!" Consort Tong had no choice but to persuade her in order to save face for the royal family.

Consort Hui sighed, "Your Highness, it's not that I went too far. Consort Yi spoke to Yin first. Putting aside everything else, my son is just too straightforward. After saying a few words to the Fifth Prince, he went directly to the Empress Dowager to complain. Consort Yi was even more sarcastic. How could I let her off the hook?"

Consort Hui had spent her entire life in the palace, so she was only helping her own son vent his anger.

"Enough, you two. Since you clearly know you're supposed to be attending the banquet, why are you still making such a fuss? Does His Majesty not have enough business to attend to?" Consort Tong complained.

The catalyst for Consort Hui and Consort Yi's conflict was their son; the incident at the naval port clearly became the catalyst.

"Fifth Prince was framed, that's why he was called back from the military port in Guangdong and Guangxi!" Consort Yi quickly explained for her son, determined not to let Yin Qi tarnish his reputation.

According to Consort Hui, Yinqi went to complain, which is why he was scolded by the Empress Dowager. Even though Lady Yingenjueluo was pregnant, he still had to kneel on the gold bricks in the main hall for half an hour.

"Heh, you make it sound so easy. Lady Yin Genjue Luo is pregnant and was punished by the Empress Dowager for half an hour. If she conceived a child, let's see how you explain that," Consort Hui said directly.