In summer, pots of icebergs are placed around the main hall, with some dried jasmine flowers on them. As the hot wind blows in from outside, it passes over the icebergs and cools the hall.
"Master!" Su Lan came in from outside and, seeing Qing Yan's appearance, quickly called out, "It's time to go to the palace to watch the play!"
Today, an imperial decree was issued from the imperial palace, ordering the female members of the imperial entourage to go and watch the play together.
"Fine, change into that light green palace dress!" Qingyan said directly.
Qingyan disliked going to the palace to watch plays, but the concubines who accompanied the emperor would summon her every few days, making Qingyan feel extremely uncomfortable.
Some of the concubines were older than her, and every time Qingyan saw their youthful faces, she would pretend to be mature. She would secretly call Kangxi shameless old man.
After washing and dressing, Qingyan sat in the imperial carriage and headed towards the imperial palace. Inside the carriage, there was also a icy atmosphere, with a comfortable temperature that wouldn't make Qingyan feel cold.
Half an hour later, the imperial palanquin of Qingyan slowly descended and arrived at the stage of the imperial palace. At the entrance, there were many female relatives competing in the palanquin.
"Qingyan, you've come over too?" The First Princess Consort, holding a round fan, had just stepped out of the carriage.
"Okay, let's go inside first!" Qingyan put the fan on her forehead, hoping not to get too tanned.
After the two went inside, they found that many people had already arrived, some of whom were sitting in the assigned seats and starting to chat.
"You've certainly had your fun!" Seventh Prince's wife sat in her seat in Seventh Prince's residence, watching the two of them arrive.
"Pfft!" Qingyan covered her mouth with her fan and burst into laughter.
"What you're saying? We came as fast as we could." Qingyan had clearly arrived right on time.
Qingyan would use this as an excuse whenever there was a banquet in the palace.
"Why are we watching a play again today? Has the palace stopped showing plays lately?" Qingyan asked curiously.
"Of course not. That person is very favored. I don't know how he managed to coax His Majesty into giving him the opportunity to perform," the First Princess Consort said helplessly.
These concubines seemed to be competing to see who was the most favored, so they used this as a way to show their superiority.
"Let's not get involved. Who can predict what's going on in the palace? That person is unpredictable; they might be favored today but suddenly fall out of favor tomorrow!" Qingyan shook her head.
Fei Yanggu had specifically advised Qingyan to avoid getting involved in the power struggles, especially the competition for the emperor's favor among the women. He warned that taking sides would mean losing the emperor's affections.
The Fourth Prince was definitely a very proper person. He was so well protected by Consort Tong that he suffered a lot at the hands of Consort De. Although Consort Tong punished him personally later, he still suffered.
Years of suppression had made Fourth Master mature, and with one move, he cleared away the biggest obstacle in his path.
Qingyan sat comfortably in the corridor, chatting casually with the two wives beside him.
She raised her hand and looked around. In the corridors on both sides, everyone was seated, and there was no one absent. Behind them, servants began to serve them quickly.
"According to reports, today is Consort Mi's performance!" The Third Princess Consort, after listening to these people muttering for a while and realizing that they were not saying the right thing, came out directly.
"Hmm?!" Qingyan raised an eyebrow. It was said that Consort Mi and Li Xu's family had a connection with Qin Juan.
"Isn't this Li Xu's niece or nephew?" Consort Li Jia asked.
"Whoever it is, this person is even older than Fourth Brother's wife! Why isn't the Crown Princess here?" Third Princess Consort said directly.
After he finished speaking, everyone felt awkward. Qingyan lowered his head and looked at the bluestone bricks in front of him. As long as people like it, why make such a fuss?
"We have some time these next few days, why don't we go for a visit to a temple in the suburbs?" After they headed south, they were all confined to the villa, and no one went out.
"Temples? You didn't get enough of them before you came here!" the First Princess Consort asked.
They accompanied the princes on their strolls, and none of them wanted to go any further.
"Haven't you all copied Buddhist scriptures? We need them for the fifth day of the fifth lunar month!" Fifth Princess Consort looked at them.
Ugh!
Qingyan suddenly remembered that this year's Dragon Boat Festival would be spent in the summer!
"Pfft!" Consort Li Jia laughed. "You really think we can go out?"
Didn't they notice that the surrounding area of the villa was being watched by spies when they went out? The wives were all a little annoyed by the arrogant tone of the Crown Prince's concubine.
Those people were all sent by the families of officials from the south. They had just left the house when those people followed them.
The group looked at her with suspicion, waiting for her to explain.
"Didn't you see? There are spies all around the mansion?" Consort Li Jia smiled bitterly. "Our master's villa probably has the most spies. I accompanied him out before, and less than a quarter of an hour later, someone came over."
"What, none of you noticed?" Consort Li was taken aback.
"Yeah, we didn't really notice, but since you're like this, it must be you!" Nobody else was around; there was practically no one around the mansion.
While everyone was still discussing, the sound of gongs and drums began, and Qingyan fell silent, her mind going blank.
In the middle of the corridor, there were three armchairs, and a woman of about sixteen or seventeen was sitting on them. She carefully examined the other person's shoes.
OMG!
Qingyan was secretly shocked; it really was bound feet.
"My dear, have you seen Consort Mi?" The First Princess asked, nudging Qingyan's left arm.
Qingyan nodded: "Rules..."
"It is said to be the lotus feet that dance in the palm of the hand, a legend passed down through generations!" the First Consort muttered.
The banquet wasn't long enough; if it continued like this, it would truly be interesting.
"Stop talking, is this the place for you to discuss things?" said Consort Li Jia.
Recently, a woman has appeared in the Crown Prince's backyard, known as the Palm Dancer. However, since Lady Li Jia has always been favored, she hasn't really stood out.
Qingyan was stunned. This dance... wasn't it long gone?
As evening approached, Qingyan returned to the villa and saw Yin sitting in the dining room, waiting for her to come back.
"Did you see Consort Mi?" Qingyan's tired appearance made Yin slightly worried.
"Sisi, do you also like watching palm dances?" Qingyan asked curiously.
Yin rolled his eyes at her: "I don't have that kind of hobby!"
Qingyan burst out laughing. Yin really does have a straightforward temper.
“There’s another concubine, Lady Li Jia, at Yuqing Palace!” Qingyan’s words made Yin frown. If it was true, it must have been a gift from the south.
"Alright, rest peacefully in the villa for the next few days and don't go out again!" Yin said to Qingyan.
"Of course, it's so hot, Fourth Prince, is there enough ice in the study?" Qingyan had specially sent someone to buy a lot of ice in advance, so that Yin's supply would be sufficient before the start of summer.
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