Consort De glanced awkwardly at Emperor Kangxi and quickly said, "Yinti, don't be silly. You're about to leave the palace. Your residence is under construction. After you leave the palace, you will be the head of your own household. Go to court with your brothers to discuss politics."
"No, Mother, I don't like attending court and discussing politics. I want to go to the battlefield," the Fourteenth Prince said stubbornly. He had always felt somewhat inferior; people said he was only favored because of his young age, protected by his father, and had no real ability. Therefore, he wanted to prove to everyone that he, Aisin Gioro Yinti, was not a child hiding behind his mother; he was already a man.
"Yinti, let's not talk about this today. Your father has your mind on your going to the battlefield. Let me think about it and give you an answer later." Kangxi was not angry. After all, the Fourteenth Prince wanted to make a name for himself, not do anything else.
Fourteen agreed, took his wine glass, and withdrew.
The palace banquet continued until 7 PM, when Emperor Kangxi withdrew, and Consorts De and Yi also left. The ministers and princes could continue, and the banquet was still going on. Those who wished to leave early could leave as well, since the emperor and empresses had already departed.
Thirteen walked to Fourth Master's table and said to him, "Fourth Brother, it's been a long time since I've been to your residence. How is your wife?"
Fourth Master laughed and said, "Are you still entangled with that Luo Ge?"
Thirteen gave a bitter smile and said, "I'm afraid we'll have to part ways. Someone has already complained about me to Father Emperor."
Fourth Master was taken aback, then patted Thirteen on the shoulder and said, "It's just a minor matter, but Luo Ge's status is still a bit too low."
Thirteen gave a wry smile and drank another cup with Fourth Master.
In Yonghe Palace, Lanqin, Lady Shu, and Consort Cheng sat at one table, while the Fourth Prince's wife, the Thirteenth Prince's wife, the Fourteenth Prince's wife, the First Princess, and the Second Princess sat at another, each eating around their own pot. When Consort De returned, they were still eating in the main hall. Seeing Consort De enter looking exhausted, they all stood up and bowed to her.
"Mother, are you hungry? Why don't we have some more?" Lanqin noticed that Consort De's expression was not very happy, and guessed that she probably didn't eat well at the palace banquet earlier either.
"Now that you mention it, I am indeed a little hungry. I'll go change my clothes first, you may continue." Consort De waved her hand and then took the hand of her maid Su Xin as she walked towards her bedroom.
Seeing this, the Fourth Princess said to the First and Second Princesses, "Now that you've finished eating, go and play. Don't stand in the wind, lest you get food in your mouth."
Seeing this, Lanqin knew that the Fujin was planning to serve Consort De her meal later, and thought to herself, "Serve her if you want, I'm not going to take this from you anyway."
"Princess, Second Princess, why don't you come and sit here? It's chilly outside. Even though everything is ready, it's nice to sit and chat," Lanqin said.
When the Fujin heard Lanqin say this, she nodded to the two princesses.
When Consort De came out dressed in her family clothes, Fourth Prince's wife hurriedly stepped forward to serve her, supporting Consort De's arm and saying, "Mother, your concubine and Fourteenth Prince's wife have never served you a meal before. Let us do our best today."
Consort De also intended to talk to the Fourteenth Prince's wife about the Fourteenth Prince, and naturally planned to sit at their table.
After serving Consort De a few bites, the Fourth Prince's wife personally served her food, and the Fourteenth Prince's wife followed suit. Consort De smiled and put down her chopsticks after a few bites, then said to the Fourteenth Prince's wife, "Jinyu, do you know that the Fourteenth Prince wants to go to the North?"
Upon hearing that the Fourteenth Prince wanted to go to the north, Lady Wanyan said with a wronged expression, "Mother, I heard the Fourteenth Prince say that I strongly opposed him going to the north, but he..."
Upon hearing this, Consort De understood. She knew that the Fourteenth Prince did not particularly like this Wanyan woman, but as his principal wife, it was her duty to advise her husband and take good care of the household. How could she be so ungrateful?
Immediately, Consort De's face turned cold, and she reprimanded him: "Since he told you, why didn't you try to dissuade him? At least you could have come to me and told me beforehand. Do you know that he told the entire court and the Emperor today that he was going to the North?"
Upon hearing this, Wanyan felt both aggrieved and frightened. The fact that the Fourteenth Prince spoke in front of so many people showed that he was determined to go.
“Mother, Fourteenth Brother is still young, Father Emperor will definitely not agree. You don’t need to worry too much,” Fourth Princess Consort comforted her.
"I hope so." Consort De felt really annoyed seeing that Wanyan seemed like she would never grow up. Marrying such an arrogant princess might not be a blessing for the Fourteenth Prince.
Just then, footsteps could be heard outside. It turned out that the Fourth Prince, the Thirteenth Prince, and the Fourteenth Prince had all arrived at Yonghe Palace.
"Mother, I want to eat more. I'm hungry." Fourteenth Prince walked in first and saw that the group had split into two tables, so he immediately went to Consort De and sat down next to her.
Seeing that it was crowded, the Thirteenth Prince's wife apologized and moved to Lanqin's side.
Then, Thirteen and Fourth Prince arrived. Fourth Prince saw that Lanqin's table was empty, so he sat down there. Thirteen saw that his wife was at this table, so he naturally sat down with her.
Suddenly, it seemed that there wasn't enough food, so Lanqin stood up and prepared to go to the kitchen to add more food for everyone.
The Fourth Prince hurriedly followed her out. The Fourth Princess Consort sat beside the Consort De, watching them leave together, unable to say anything.
As Lanqin and Fourth Master walked along the veranda, they saw a dazzling firework bloom in the sky.
"So beautiful, Master," Lanqin said, stopping and looking at the fireworks.
"Thank you for your hard work today, taking care of everyone," Fourth Master said.
"It's just arranging a meal, what's so difficult about it?" Lanqin said.
"I heard that one of the third prince's concubines made things difficult for you?" the fourth prince asked in a deep voice.
Lanqin had already forgotten about that incident, but when Fourth Master brought it up again, she deliberately pouted and said, "I don't know if that Guarjia clan member has some kind of grudge against me from a past life, but every time she sees me, she wants to fight me."
Fourth Master said coldly with displeasure, "It seems her father has done something wrong and still doesn't know how to restrain himself. Humph."
Lanqin had only spoken casually, but upon hearing Fourth Master's words, she couldn't help but ask, "What happened to her father?"
The Fourth Prince watched the fireworks and said calmly, "It's nothing but corruption. The glory of the Guarjia clan is probably coming to an end."
Lanqin looked at the fireworks that had burned out on the horizon and said, "Master, she was just making a few sarcastic remarks; she didn't do anything."
“I am not the kind of person who would settle personal scores under the guise of public duty. It is their insatiable greed that has led them to already possess titles and honors, yet they are still not content and not satisfied. My father specifically ordered me to investigate some matters, and the more I dig, the bigger the case becomes. Alas, I fear it will begin after the Golden Festival,” said the Fourth Prince.
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