In the evening, Yin returned with Fei Yanggu, and Qingyan prepared a large table of food.
After dinner, he took her hand and strolled in the garden, telling her about the Jue Luo family mansion and even some of their interpersonal relationships.
Qingyan secretly admired Yin's memory. The princes were so young, yet they had memorized all the information about the ministers, and this was only information about their in-laws.
"Sisi, you're so amazing!" Qingyan blinked her big eyes, her gaze full of admiration.
Instantly, Yin felt satisfied. In his previous life, Qingyan wasn't this cute. He squeezed her chubby little hand and felt even more comfortable.
“Little darling, these people are all connected, forming a vast network of relationships. Sometimes they may seem unrelated, but in reality, with the dark side of these generations, there might be a powerful minister standing behind someone.” Yin was giving Qingyan a good lecture.
In the future, Xiao Guai will have to deal with these women. If she doesn't understand the connections between them, she might be bullied and unable to find anyone to help her. Although he can protect her under his wing, Xiao Guai is the primary consort, not a secondary consort. He can't let her live in the mansion forever. There are some things that Xiao Guai must handle herself.
"Do I need to know all this?" Qingyan underestimated the position of the primary wife. Women usually stay in the mansion, at most attending gatherings of noblewomen. She didn't have many close friends.
"Definitely. Perhaps someone will help the mastermind behind the scenes to cause you trouble. At that time, you should not overthink it, but instead foolishly fall into the trap." Yin instructed Xiao Guai as they walked.
After today, they will really be separated for a while. Once Qingyan enters the palace, apart from the Empress Dowager keeping a close watch on him, which of the concubines in the harem is easy to get along with?
Qingyan's little face scrunched up. The two nannies beside her were basically using palace intrigue as a story, constantly instilling a sense of danger in Qingyan, making her somewhat afraid to enter the palace.
"Apart from Cining Palace, none of the women in the harem are easy to deal with. Little darling, if you want to survive, besides being wary of your trusted confidants betraying you, you also need to have access to inside information." Yin secretly taught Qingyan how to live in the palace. Little darling was protected too well by them, and there were some dark places she needed to know.
She lowered her head, feeling that her married life was shrouded in darkness.
Those women fought with their half-sisters at home, and within the palace, they fought for the emperor's favor; some even fought for their sons.
Historically, the Fourth Prince Consort only had one son, Honghui. It is likely that she fell victim to those people's conspiracy. Many people say that Consort De, of the Uya clan, was very cunning, and that the Fourth Prince Consort was harmed by Uya's secret medicine.
Qingyan shared the same view: now that the Uya clan had been completely defeated and Consort Tong was still alive, the people in the Imperial Household Department probably wouldn't cause any trouble.
"Sisi, what if I don't do it well?" Qingyan tugged at his sleeve and said aggrievedly.
The Fei Yanggu father and his two sons were worried that she would be mistreated, so they kept her in the new house. The struggles in the old house didn't concern her much. She was already a little scared when the struggles in the old house were only just beginning to unfold, let alone these other things.
"No, I'll teach you step by step!" Yin shook his head. "I'm here!"
These three words gave Qingyan strength, and the two of them would stand together through thick and thin from now on.
"Tomorrow, I will return to the palace. I will have Granny Liao tell you about the situation inside the palace. For the time being, we cannot resist the Empress Dowager. Her health is not as good as the outside world says." Yin whispered to Qingyan, "However, she will probably be fine in the few months since our marriage."
Emperor Kangxi decided that Yinzhi's wedding would take place after Yinzhi's wedding. This time difference was calculated by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. If the Empress Dowager were to die before Yinzhi's wedding, the reputation of Qingyan would be damaged.
Therefore, Emperor Kangxi hoped that the Qingyan banquet could gain a better reputation.
"Fourth Brother, even the nannies at Cining Palace are being too serious," Qingyan pouted, looking displeased.
“Little darling, you should learn from your nanny. Those are the skills you will need to survive in the future.” Yin looked at Qingyan. “The situation in the palace is becoming more and more chaotic. Before the Empress Dowager passes away, she will definitely clear the obstacles for the noble ladies of Mongolia. At that time, you will be in danger.”
Yin was very worried that the Empress Dowager was causing trouble for Consort Xin and others, and that his mother and Xiao Guai would be the first to be affected.
"Yin, I'm scared!" Qingyan looked at him with concern.
In both her lives, Qingyan had never fought with a woman. Now, however, she would have to live in a world of deceit and treachery, and it was inevitable that she felt a sense of panic.
"Don't be afraid!" Yin looked at Qingyan, knowing he would take care of her worries before she entered the palace. "Granny Liao has lived in the palace for many years; she sees things more clearly than anyone else."
Yin led Qingyan by the hand and explained the matters concerning the Cining Palace little by little. Everything was ready except for Kangxi's decree.
"Does Consort Tong also have to go through these things?" Qingyan asked Yin.
Yin nodded helplessly. Consort Tong held a high position, and many people were watching her. Many of the concubines hoped to remove her from her position.
"My dear, the palace may seem glamorous, but one wrong step can lead to an abyss." Yin looked at Qingyan with a serious expression. They were both too young back then, and he didn't know what those people would do to a girl.
Honghui was a victim of that struggle, and by the time he truly understood, everything was beyond redemption.
"Yin, I understand." Qingyan smiled. Everything else was easy to talk about, but the sorrow in Yin's eyes was impossible to ignore.
Fei Yanggu and his two sons were in the study discussing how to deal with the Jue Luo clan. Even if they wanted to confine the Jue Luo clan to their quarters, the royal family probably wouldn't agree.
"Father, should we ask Qingyan to plead with Fourth Master?" Eshuo asked Feiyanggu.
In private, they dared not call Yin by his name directly, for he was a prince.
"No need. The Jue Luo clan's sins are their own doing and have nothing to do with outsiders. She has taken too much from Xiao Guai." Fei Yanggu shook his head helplessly. The Fourth Master had been keeping a close eye on Qing Yan's side for a long time, and he would know immediately if she acted strangely.
Saito kept his head down. The Jueluo clan had been nominally appointed by the emperor, and it was likely that his mother's family would not be able to hold official positions.
“Father, don’t tell Mother. Have the betrothal gifts delivered by the Jue Luo clan and placed in the new house,” Saito said directly. “We need to make our stance clear; His Majesty is probably watching.”
Xiao Guai's betrothal gifts were the most generous among those of the primary consorts, with each item being a masterpiece. Otherwise, Lady Jue Luo wouldn't have kept her eye on him and refused to let go.
"It's all because of greed!" Fei Yanggu sighed. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
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