However, Consort Tong's illness was quite serious during this period, which also presented a good opportunity to get closer to that young girl. After some thought, Kangxi decided to give Tong Guogang, that old fox, some hints. He thought the young girl was pretty, so as to prevent some ignorant and presumptuous people from reaching out.
And so, Qingyin spent the month peacefully and returned to the Tong residence.
Perhaps thanks to the Qingyin Pills, Consort Tong's condition worsened, but she didn't feel much discomfort and even had her life extended by a few days.
On the third day after Qingyin returned, she heard the news of Consort Tong's death. She remained quiet for several days, which prompted the worried Lady Tongjia to offer her much advice.
Compared to Tong Jia Wanying, who has been involved in other businesses outside these days, Qingyin's personality undoubtedly makes them feel much more sorry for her. However, the older Tong Jia couple had already noticed Tong Jia Wanying's strange behavior and had secretly tested her several times, realizing that the person in front of them was no longer their eldest daughter.
They didn't tell Qingyin or the young Kuadai about this; they only told the eldest son, Orondai, and the second son, Fahai.
However, Qingyin understood from Madam Tongjia's eyes and the commotion in the mansion that Tongjia Wanying's identity had been exposed.
The wisdom of the ancients should never be underestimated, especially that of powerful officials or women who have spent years navigating the officialdom and the inner court. They can always find discrepancies by following the slightest clues. The disappearance of Tong Jia Wanying in her previous life was most likely due to the involvement of Tong's father and wife. Had they not chosen the wrong side, the Tong family could have definitely reached its peak again through their own strength.
At first, Orondai found the situation absurd, but under his father's stern gaze, he understood its gravity. He wasn't close to his siblings, as he was much older than them. He only remembered his two younger sisters as very well-behaved. He had also noticed Tong Jia Wanying's unusual behavior lately, but he never imagined his sister's body would be possessed by a wandering ghost. He said angrily, "Father, what about that person?"
Tong Guogang was silent for a while before speaking, "She is arrogant and willful, and she will bring trouble upon herself sooner or later. I found a master who said that Wanying's soul has already disappeared. Wanying passed away from that cold. As long as she doesn't affect the family, let's leave it at that."
"Father! Are we just going to let her occupy my sister's body?" Orondai said, somewhat agitated.
“Dai’er, I’ve spoken to your mother, and I don’t want to see Wanying’s body collapse in front of us again.” Tong Guogang, whose body had always been upright, now appeared somewhat hunched.
Hearing this, Orondai looked at his slightly hunched father with reddened eyes, realizing more deeply than ever that his father, the general he had admired since childhood, had grown old.
“Father, it was my fault.”
Tong Guogang gently hugged Orondai, whose eyes were red, and said, "Spend more time with your mother and younger sister during this period. Your younger sister's path lies in the palace."
"?" A look of bewilderment appeared on Orondai's usually composed face, which had been disrupted by a series of messages.
The next morning, Qingyin was greeted by the concern of her elder brother, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. Various precious calligraphy and paintings, new clothes, and other items flooded into her Qinghuan Courtyard, crowding the entire courtyard so much that there wasn't a single comfortable spot to stand. Qingyin was somewhat shocked.
Where did these things come from?
He Lu replied happily, "Miss, these were all brought over by the eldest young master. He said they were gifts for you."
Indeed, the simple and unpretentious Orondai's love for Qingyin was evident in his giving her whatever was suitable from his private treasury, and replacing the unsuitable ones with beautiful clothes and jewelry. He also extended his affection for his younger sister to Qingyin, which led to the shocking scene that Qingyin witnessed this morning.
"It was a gift from my elder brother. Where is my elder brother?" Qingyin asked.
"The eldest young master is sitting in the side courtyard outside the gate, waiting for the young lady."
Qingyin was a little puzzled as to why her older brother suddenly sent so many things, but since he was here, she could find out the answer.
On the other side, Orondai, who hadn't slept all night, sat anxiously in a chair with dark circles under his eyes. Suddenly, he heard the soft footsteps of a woman, and he knew that his younger sister, Qingyu, had arrived. He looked up and froze on the spot along with his maid, Ajiu. In an instant, he forgot all the words he had prepared.
Orondai's mind was in a state of confusion and blankness. Looking at the face in front of him, he mumbled to Ajiu, "This is my little sister, Tongjia Qingyu?!"
Ajiu replied in a trembling voice, "Young master, the only one accompanying Sister Helu is the second young lady."
Qingyin had finally seen her elder brother's face in person. Orondai's appearance bore little resemblance to Tong Guogang; rather, he resembled Tong Jia's wife more—a man with feminine features. Although he was dressed in a formal black wooden-patterned robe, it couldn't conceal the wicked charm of his devilishly handsome face. Qingyin nodded inwardly. No wonder he was hailed as one of the four most handsome young men in the capital, the "Charming Gentleman"—her elder brother's appearance truly lived up to that title.
"Big brother, you've sent too many gifts today." Seeing her older brother looking a bit dazed, Qingyin raised her voice.
Coming to his senses, Orondai blushed slightly. He had lost face by being so unruly in front of his younger sister. He coughed lightly and pretended to be composed, saying, "What's wrong with a young lady having a few more gifts? If Yu'er needs anything, just tell your older brother, and I'll find it for you."
"..."
Facing her generous older brother, Qingyin smiled sweetly and said, "Thank you, brother, but I don't need anything."
Orondai laughed heartily, "That's right, Mother has prepared everything so carefully, there's definitely nothing missing."
After talking for a long time, Orondai reluctantly left. Suddenly, he regretted not having properly communicated with his sister all these years. If he hadn't spent more time with and cared for such a wonderful sister as her older brother, his communication with Yu'er wouldn't have been so awkward, and there was also his older sister. Thinking of this, a trace of sadness flashed in Orondai's eyes.
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