With Lady Orondai warming up the atmosphere, the atmosphere in the hall was quite lively.
Yinzhen's occasional childlike remarks elicited constant laughter.
When Consort Tong arrived, she had changed into a pomegranate-red cheongsam embroidered with peonies, exuding elegance and grace.
Her hair was adorned with a light-colored jade ornament and two silk flowers, exuding gentleness and kindness.
"Which two women are doing my hair and dressing me? They deserve a reward!" When Tong Wanyan saw Tong Fujin arrive, she got up and hurried over to her, taking her hand.
Consort Tong gave her a loving smile, and then bowed to Yinreng and Yintang to pay her respects.
Considering Tong Fujin's multiple identities, Yinreng called her to stand up when her knees were slightly bent.
Yinzhen turned his body slightly to the side, refusing to accept her greeting.
Yin Tang is still a young prince and hasn't even entered the imperial court yet, so it's better for him to act like a junior in front of Consort Tong.
The fact that Yinreng and Yintang valued her made Consort Tong extremely happy.
She knew perfectly well that everything was done for the sake of her Yuanbao'er.
After everyone took their seats, Consort Tong replied to Tong Wanyan: "If Consort Tong says to reward, then reward."
The two maids serving her stood up, their expressions restrained but unable to hide their excitement, and bowed to Tong Wanyan to express their gratitude.
Having received a compliment from the concubine, they became the most favored among the servants in the Tong family.
The previous statement was merely a starting point for the narrative, a casual remark as a reward; it was nothing more than that.
Tong Wanyan sat intimately with Tong Fujin, leaving Yinreng aside.
“Mother, this is my first time visiting my parents’ home,” Tong Wanyan said.
Tong Fujin, Orondai Fujin, and Kuadai Fujin immediately had red eyes, on the verge of tears.
Poor Yuanbao, what kind of life did she live before? If she had grown up in the Duke's mansion, she would never have waited until she had three children to return to her parents' home.
The Tong family already had few daughters, and their precious daughter suffered all kinds of grievances in other people's homes, which made them feel more and more heartbroken.
Princess Kuadai was the first to be unable to hold back her tears of heartache.
In terms of sister-in-law affection, they didn't have much. But anyone with such a beautiful, well-behaved, and supportive sister-in-law would surely have a soft heart.
Moreover, putting myself in their shoes, as a married woman, I naturally feel the same way.
When Consort Kuadai shed tears, Yinzhen was dumbfounded.
"Second Brother treats Second Sister-in-law very well," Yin Tang hurriedly said, praising Yin Reng.
“What the Ninth Prince says is true. But our daughters didn’t have to be concubines. It’s fortunate that the secondary consort met the Crown Prince, and it’s also thanks to her meeting the Crown Prince,” Consort Kuadai sobbed.
Her tears fell like stars, just a drop or two, a slight expression of her sorrow. If she had wailed and cried, it would have been annoying.
Consort Tong and Consort Orondai glanced at Consort Kuadai with knowing look, their eyes showing approval.
In that case, only Kuadai Fujin is suitable to speak in their family.
Yinreng was well aware of the unspoken meaning behind Kuaida Fujin's words, and he readily agreed, saying, "Meeting Xiaoyan is also my good fortune. I heard from Duke Tong and Father Emperor that Xiaoyan's courtyard has always been kept in the mansion. I wonder if I may have a look?"
Mentioning this made Tong Fujin even more cheerful.
She held Tong Wanyan's hand and said, "It's been kept all along. In the past, the furnishings in the courtyard were changed every year, but it never felt right, and I felt empty inside. Over the past year, seeing what the concubine likes, we've gradually added new furnishings to the courtyard, and the flowers and plants are all things the concubine likes. When family members have time to go over and stroll around, they don't even need to open the door; just standing at the door and looking at the plants makes them happy."
Such a loving mother's heart is truly touching.
As Yinzhen munched on the pastries, he finally understood why his father, the Emperor, had been so indulgent towards the Tong family.
An emperor, being a lonely figure, needs to draw upon the pure warmth of family.
The Tong family was extremely prosperous, and all the families they associated with through marriage were prominent families with extraordinary backgrounds and considerable wealth.
When they don't need to take a position or claim credit for their success, they have almost no desire for power or money.
Because they have everything, their families are thriving, and their direct descendants are few, so they don't need to fight for it themselves.
In this way, they value relationships more than ordinary families, and their actions are imbued with a childlike innocence and sentiment.
In short, compared to other prominent families in the capital, the Tong family, with its rather eccentric behavior, was Kangxi's favorite.
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