Dong E's remarks gave Qingyan a headache. Consort Rong, of the Ma Jia clan, had chosen one of her daughters from among the concubines in her family, and one of them was even from the Ma Jia clan, who had been bondservants for generations.
"The Imperial Concubine will surely miss the Fourth Prince. We can't keep the princes locked up in their residences all the time." Qingyan blinked her big eyes, her face filled with disdain. Dong Eshi really has no brains. How long can she stay at her maiden home? She'll be staying at her husband's family home for the next few decades.
Dong Eshi caught a glimpse of Qingyan's expression out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help but criticize Qingyan for being brainless, lacking even the slightest spirit of resistance.
The maids in the hall all hung their heads, afraid of crossing their mistresses' lines. These two princesses were clearly at odds, and Dong E's reputation was even worse. When the late emperor was alive, Dong E's status as a princess was extremely high. The one before them hadn't been so fortunate; her two older sisters, on the other hand, had married very well.
"Hmph, everyone looks out for themselves. You'll have your day later." Lady Dong'e ate her tea and snacks. Lady Dong'e always told her to learn some of Qingyan's skills, such as making delicious food or being better at needlework than Qingyan. At the very least, she should have a skill that Qingyan was better at.
In this way, the parents would feel proud to say it, but Dong Eshi found it extremely offensive.
During this period, she was in a bad mood and often caused trouble for Qingyan, which was the root cause of the problem.
"Then what brings you here?" Qingyan detested arrogant people; this man had come looking for trouble.
Dong Eshi pursed her lips. She really thought she wanted to come. If her mother hadn't insisted that she come, she definitely wouldn't have come.
"Mother said to let me come and see you. When Lady Ulanara attended our family's banquet, she said that you didn't seem to care much about her." Dong E Shi quietly said to Qing Yan, "You have such a good mother, yet you don't seem to like her."
Qingyan was stunned. What was her mother up to? His Majesty had already issued a secret decree ordering that Ulanara should see Fei Yanggu less often, and now this woman was even more willing to slander her reputation.
"Hmph, your own behavior is shameful. Your mother also said that if the Fourth Prince knew what kind of person you are, would he still care about you?" Dong Eshi spared no effort to attack Qingyan. She disliked Qingyan and always wanted to suppress him. Now that she finally had something to hold against him, Dong Eshi would definitely not give up.
Qingyan pouted. Recently, the Jueluo clan has been causing a lot of trouble. Some people who don't get along with the Jueluo clan are even looking forward to seeing the Ulanara family make a fool of themselves. Her mother doesn't seem to notice at all and is even thinking about how to use public opinion to suppress her.
At this moment, Qingyan felt a chill in her heart. Whether it was her mother or daughter who had a bad reputation, it would tarnish the reputation of the Ulanara clan. Her mother was the clan chief's legal wife and had to be especially careful about her reputation.
Seeing that Qingyan remained silent, Dong'e felt secretly pleased. Qingyan's mother must have a grudge against her, otherwise, she wouldn't have used such a method to slander her daughter.
Is she her biological mother or her stepmother?
The noble ladies outside have inquired about the two of them quite a bit, and some even secretly suspect that Qingyan is not the legitimate daughter but Fei Yanggu's illegitimate daughter.
"Do you have anything else to say? After showing off your relationship with the Third Prince, what else do you want to do?" Qingyan's face hardened, and she felt even more upset. She never expected that no matter how hard she tried, her mother would resort to such methods to slander her.
"Hehe, consider this a reminder. Without a good reputation, His Majesty may not be on your side." Dong Eshi slammed down her teacup and turned to leave the hall.
Qingyan looked up at Dong E's back, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. Did the Dong E family want to harm her? Kangxi would never allow a family to have two primary consorts. Therefore, even if Dong E suppressed her, she would probably only be a secondary consort.
"Little darling!" Fei Yanggu frowned when he heard from the servant that Princess Dong'e had arrived. He quickly finished his errands and rushed back.
Upon reaching the entrance, Fei Yanggu overheard Dong Eshi's mocking remarks about Qingyan. Fei Yanggu was extremely disgusted by Jue Luoshi's behavior and even began to consider whether to confine her to her quarters again.
The Qingyan banquet represents the legitimate princesses of the Ulanara clan, and even more so, the fourth consort in the eyes of Emperor Kangxi. The slightest mistake would damage the face of the imperial family, which would be a capital offense!
"Father, let's go horseback riding!" Qingyan was unhappy and always wanted to find something to do.
Recently, she's been learning manners, and her nanny rarely lets her go to the horse farm, always saying that it wouldn't be good if she left any marks on her body.
"Sulan, you can go down first." Feiyanggu still wanted to hear Qingyan's plans. Before the wedding, Jueluo would definitely find various excuses to make Qingyan return to the Ulanara mansion, which made Feiyanggu very annoyed.
Qingyan looked up at him. Could it be that the Jue Luo clan had caused new trouble again?
The nanny had taught her that a noblewoman should leave the family's old residence when she gets married, and it would be best if her own mother could comb her hair. Hearing this, she couldn't help but feel a little troubled. How could her mother possibly agree so easily? She wondered how many benefits she would have to promise.
"Little darling, your father might have your mother confined to her quarters, and then people outside will say some bad things." He really disliked his wife's behavior; no matter what others said, she should protect Qingyan.
Qingyan nodded. Those noble ladies must have gossiped about the mother and daughter quite a bit. Even so, Qingyan still hoped that Fei Yanggu would let Jue Luo Shi go.
“Father, I don’t think there’s any need to argue with Mother.” Qingyan looked at Fei Yanggu; she had long since lost the will to protest.
Filial piety!
Back then, how difficult it was for the Fourth Prince after he ascended the throne, and how he was almost forced to commit suicide by Consort De, Uya Clan, was all because of those two words.
"Little darling..." Fei Yanggu hoped that Qingyan could consider things more for him, but... he didn't want her to bear a bad reputation. Now, the little one has really grown up and has her own ideas.
"Father, I can protect you all, and I can protect this family now," Qingyan murmured. After all, her status was somewhat awkward. Recently, many noblewomen had been gossiping behind her back about Qingyan's expedition, making it difficult for her to hide even if she wanted to.
Fei Yanggu's eyes welled up with tears. He, as a father, hadn't handled things well at home, forcing his daughter to shoulder this responsibility.
"Little darling, your father knows!" In terms of military merit, Qingyan's contribution was the greatest. She spoke directly to Kangxi, hoping to exchange it for her mother's safety. Fei Yanggu and his two sons felt as if their hearts were being cut by a knife.
In front of Emperor Kangxi, they dared not utter a word, for fear that any unnecessary action would lead to punishment of the Jue Luo clan.
Fei Yanggu carried Qingyan step by step towards the horse farm. He loved watching Qingyan happily galloping on horseback. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
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