"This heartless, unfilial son! He climbed up the social ladder to the Tongjia clan, and now he's kicking his own mother in the back. Doesn't he realize that without me giving birth to him, he wouldn't have been born from that short-lived womb?" Consort Wuya's expression was ferocious, her words dripping with venom.
The palace maids who served her were already tired of hearing her curses.
She curses people over and over again every day. She used to be a gentle bodhisattva, but now she's become like a demon.
No one responded to her, which made Consort Wuya even angrier.
She said to the caring servant who had served her for many years, "Aman, do you think what I said is true? If he really cared about me and his brother, he should have asked the Emperor to lift my confinement. What is the point of just saying that Yinzhen can have a small gathering with me during the New Year? How can we deepen our mother-son relationship in just three or five days? Yinzhen is my lifeblood. How can I live without him?"
Aman didn't answer, but listened quietly to Wuyapin's complaints.
These heartless nagging words easily reached the ears of Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Yinzhen.
Emperor Kangxi was furious. After bestowing all sorts of gifts upon Yinzhen, he bluntly said, "Don't even think about Consort Wuya anymore. She is not worthy of you."
Yinzhen felt a chill in his heart and obediently listened to Kangxi's orders.
The Lunar New Year is a lively and joyous time, and few people would be foolish enough to cause trouble at this time.
Even the bandits outside the palace choose to temporarily cease their activities on such days, so that they can have a good New Year and others can have a peaceful one.
The palace was even more particular, with everyone wearing cheerful smiles and getting along harmoniously.
Not long ago, when the Imperial Concubine was conferred her title, some lower-ranking concubines were promoted one rank as a result. Those higher-ranking concubines who couldn't be moved yet also received generous rewards.
With money in their pockets, the concubines became much more generous with their rewards.
The backyard of Yuqing Palace is the same; now, apart from Tong Wanyan, there are only two terrified princesses left.
After discussing it with Granny Ling, Tong Wanyan not only rewarded them with clothes and jewelry, but also sent gifts to their families to bring them honor and make them happy.
Ultimately, it's utterly heartless to force someone into a life of forced widowhood, confining them to the harem for the rest of their life, and subjecting them to poverty.
Granny Ling didn't take it seriously. She thought that those who lived like widows in the palace were lucky; the unlucky ones all died inexplicably.
"The concubine is kind-hearted," Ling Mama said sincerely.
Tong Wanyan smiled but did not reply.
She wasn't kind-hearted at all; she was clearly living too well and condescendingly giving them handouts. She couldn't accept praise that went against her conscience.
Ling Mama turned around and brought up the matter again with Yinreng. Yinreng said, "Xiao Yan is pure and kind. Please take good care of her, Ling Mama."
“Granny Ling, Ling Pu will not be returning to the capital for the New Year; he will stay in Yangzhou on official business. Since there is no one at your home, you should stay in the palace for the New Year.” A hint of filial piety appeared in Yinreng’s eyes.
Granny Ling said happily, "This servant thanks you for your kindness, Master."
Yinreng felt guilty: "Lingpu really behaved out of line this time. Don't worry, Granny, I promise I won't let him leave the capital after the New Year until you find him a wife, then I'll let him go."
This guarantee truly touched Ling Mama's heart.
With everyone in the palaces working non-stop, Lunar New Year's Eve arrived in the blink of an eye.
This year brought both joy and disaster to the Qing Dynasty, but overall it was a peaceful year. In particular, the destruction of the Dzungar Khanate, the deepest hatred of the Qing Dynasty, brought a sense of relief to the entire Qing Dynasty, from the royal family to the common people.
On the morning of New Year's Eve, Emperor Kangxi shared breakfast with his concubines and other imperial consorts at the Qianqing Palace.
Breakfast includes dishes such as lala, steamed buns, and rice cakes, with nearly twenty different items.
Yinreng had breakfast with Tong Wanyan at Yuqing Palace. It wasn't as much as the Qing Palace, but the taste was more to their liking.
Breakfast is nothing compared to the real New Year's Eve dinner.
At Shenshi (3-5 PM), the evening glow filled the sky, a magnificent and grand sight.
The servants of the Imperial Household Department and the kitchen helpers were busy running around.
Emperor Kangxi had his own table, a grand banquet table with a golden dragon design, and the table was surrounded by a tablecloth embroidered with gold, showcasing the emperor's nobility in every way.
A long table was placed between the main banquet table and Kangxi's seat. The dishes were placed on the main banquet table, and when the banquet began, the servants would take the dishes from the main banquet table to the long table for Kangxi to taste.
Apart from the imperial table used by Emperor Kangxi, which was prepared by the Imperial Household Department, all other banquet tables were provided by members of the imperial family themselves.
Each prince was to have eight tables, three sheep, and three bottles of wine; a duke was to have five tables; a beile was to have three tables, and a beizi was to have two tables. This rule of donating money for banquets reduced the burden on the national treasury and was established during the reign of Emperor Taizong.
Tong Wanyan was unaware of these things and even remarked to Yinreng on the extravagance of the royal family and the lavishness of the New Year's Eve banquet.
When they learned that members of the imperial family were bringing their own food and drink to the palace for New Year's Eve, they were truly astonished and their eyes were opened.
"Emperor Taizong was extremely farsighted." Tong Wanyan greatly admired Huang Taiji.
Yinreng smiled and adjusted her headdress, looking at the elegant Tong Wanyan with a beaming smile.
"It's a pity that Xiao Yan can't wear the Crown Princess's court dress," Yinreng said regretfully.
The Crown Princess had already been chosen, and her presence was not a thorn in the side between Yinreng and Tong Wanyan, allowing them to discuss things openly.
Tong Wanyan held her neck; she hadn't dressed so formally for many days. The pile of jewels on her head made her head and neck ache.
"Thank goodness I can't wear it. The Crown Princess's court dress is even heavier than mine. Just the pearls alone require several strings to hang on. Please, Your Highness, have mercy and don't scare me," Tong Wanyan said sweetly.
"I find it strange that you, who are clearly incredibly strong, are so unable to withstand any force. It's truly bizarre," Yinreng said.
Tong Wanyan chuckled: "It's probably because of some extraordinary talent."
The once empty Qianqing Palace gradually filled with people.
The timing of attending the banquet was also very particular.
Those of lower rank should arrive early to wait.
Conversely, figures such as the Crown Prince, Imperial Concubine, Emperor Kangxi, and Empress Dowager would only enter just before the banquet began.
When Tong Wanyan arrived, it was already getting dark.
Two longevity lanterns are placed on the left and right sides of the steps of the Qianqing Palace, and two more lanterns are placed below the steps.
The faint light was not particularly noticeable at this time. But the exquisite sky lantern was enough to demonstrate royal wealth.
Tong Wanyan followed a step behind Yinreng and said, "Last year we were so careful, we didn't dare to ask or look at anything. The food tasted bland. This year we can finally be carefree."
Yinreng did not hide his love for her: "You can be even more unrestrained in the future. If there is anything you don't know, just ask me, and I will answer everything I know."
Consort Yi, sitting at the table, looked at the increasingly beautiful Tong Wanyan and said to Consort Hui beside her, "Look at our Crown Prince's concubine, she is as beautiful as a fairy. Last year, she was very reserved. Even though she was exceptionally beautiful, she was not as elegant and carefree as she is now."
Consort Hui smiled and said, "We've all been through this together. I remember when I first entered the palace, everything was new and exciting. But I didn't dare to ask questions about things I didn't understand, for fear of being laughed at. I was always on edge, and it was exhausting."
"Indeed, we've finally made it through the tough times, and now we can enjoy the blessings of our children and grandchildren," Consort Yi replied.
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