In the end, everyone at the banquet was focused on Qingyin, with only a few secretly glancing at Emperor Kangxi, who sat at the head of the table. This Lady Lin was a concubine when she became a secondary consort; if she hadn't married the Ninth Prince, the Emperor would definitely have made her a concubine.
Not only were the shrewd courtiers observing, but even Consort Yi was secretly gauging Emperor Kangxi's expression.
Unable to discern his emotions, Kangxi's face remained calm, bearing only a hint of the smile from the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Consort Yi, unaware of anything amiss, felt slightly relieved.
Kangxi glanced in Qingyin's direction as if by accident. That glance was extremely complicated, but it disappeared quickly, so that no one could notice it.
If he were young, he would definitely have taken her as a concubine, but now he is old. Oh well, this Lin family member has entered his Aisin Gioro family, which is a good deal for that brat Yinzhen. He probably even tricked the Crown Prince out of a lot of money.
Emperor Kangxi glanced at the Crown Prince sitting below him. Sure enough, the Crown Prince lacked the composure that Kangxi had honed over time. He was staring intently in Qingyin's direction, his eyes sharp and infatuated.
Seeing the Crown Prince's pale face, Kangxi found it somewhat amusing, but he was still displeased to see his son's change of expression. He knew that the Crown Prince had helped Yinzhen marry Lin Shi, but hadn't the Crown Prince also taken over most of Yinzhen's fortune?
The Crown Prince had no idea that his father, the Emperor, was secretly observing him. At this moment, he only felt a strong sense of being deceived. Looking at the breathtakingly beautiful Lin Qinrou, he felt both lost and infatuated. If, if Yinzhen hadn't said those things to him, he could have let her marry him.
Yinzhen, receiving the Crown Prince's jealous and resentful gaze, smirked slightly. Asking for favors was always a one-for-one exchange. Now that the Crown Prince had accepted his money, how could he possibly covet his wife? Ha, the Crown Prince has really been spoiled by his father, wanting a bite of everything good. I just wonder if he can successfully ascend the throne.
Qingyin watched the dancers' performance with appreciation. The dance, rehearsed for the celebration banquet, was neat and beautiful. In particular, the dancers were all good-looking and slender, and their dance was simply a feast for the eyes. She enjoyed watching it to the fullest.
Yinzhen's expression darkened. The court officials and guests were staring at Rou'er, and these dancers were quite bold, even throwing flirtatious glances at Rou'er. He was furious.
Qingyin was quite used to these gazes and didn't notice Yintang's expression. It wasn't until a while later, when water spilled from Yintang's cup onto her fingers, that she noticed Yintang's sour face.
Qingyin found it amusing and whispered in Yinzhen's ear, "If you pour any more water, I'm going to be drowned in your vinegar water."
Upon hearing this, Yinzhen's ears turned red, and he realized his mistake. He quickly stopped the teapot and began whispering to Qingyin.
"Rou'er looks at them, but not at me. Am I not pretty?"
"My lord is truly... My lord is my husband, they were just dancing."
The sweet words "husband" were all that appeared in Yinzhen's mind; everything else was blocked out. The man, who was overjoyed, no longer cared about the dancers and guests.
Ah, those people are just passersby in Rou'er's life. He is Rou'er's rightful husband. Thinking this, he looked around at the people with a sense of superiority.
After the performance was over, and seeing the crowd gathering around, Yinzhen, holding his beloved wife's hand, casually left under the pretext of her pregnancy.
Seeing Yinzhen's smug actions, Consort Yi, sitting above him, felt that he was a bit annoying. However, looking at Qingyin, whose belly was slightly protruding, her eyes were gentle and expectant.
Qingyin definitely supports leaving. She has always supported the Buddhist philosophy. Dealing with so many people would probably leave her speechless. Thinking of this possibility, Qingyin held Yintang's hand even tighter.
Yinzhen thought his young wife was nervous, so he walked even further outside.
After they left, everyone present couldn't help but start criticizing the Ninth Prince.
"Ninth Prince is too stingy. He left with his concubine so quickly." Guarjia Yuqi stared infatuatedly in the direction Qingyin had left in the distance. When she turned her gaze back, she met her father's eyes. Her eyes froze, and she lowered her head guiltily, no longer participating in the discussion.
Even if Guarjia Yuqi is gone, there are others.
"Yes, Ninth Prince is truly blessed to have a beauty like Lin Gege."
"If you ask me, Lin Gege is a position that even a primary consort would be in; a secondary consort is still too low a rank."
"Yes, yes, the Ninth Prince is really something."
...
A little girl in blue, who was watching from the sidelines, came to her senses a bit. Looking at the group of people who were having an excited discussion, she thought, "Wasn't that the girl in green just saying that Lin Gege is not good enough for the Ninth Prince?"
And what about that Madam Fu? Didn't she say that Lin Gege's status was too low, and that a concubine's wife shouldn't be taken by the daughter of a county magistrate? ... The little girl in blue listened and fell into deep thought.
Indeed, Lin Gege's beauty is unparalleled.
Without Qingyin's presence, everyone lost their focus at the banquet, some lost in thought, others simply standing there. Kangxi then ended the banquet early.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
"Let me tell you, the Ninth Prince's concubine is incredibly beautiful; the Ninth Prince is completely unworthy of her," the pretty Guarjia Yuqi boasted to the pink-clad girl in front of her.
This little girl in pink is He Jiayu, a close friend of Guarjia Yuqi and the illegitimate daughter of He Ling, the Minister of Rites.
Unable to resist the urge to share, Guarjia Yuqi couldn't help but extend an invitation to her friend He Jiayu.
He Jiayu is also beautiful, and the two have similar personalities, so they get along well.
He Jiayu couldn't help but place her hand on Guarjia Yuqi's forehead and said suspiciously, "Are you crazy? Didn't you say just a few days ago that Lin was not good enough for the Ninth Prince?"
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