During the first month of the lunar calendar, there were numerous imperial celebrations. On the seventeenth day, Emperor Kangxi personally ordered a grand ceremony, and all the court officials gathered in the courtyard of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The censors seized the opportunity to passionately recount the affairs of the Mongol leaders. (Please search on Baidu for the most complete information!)
Wearing a sable cloak, Emperor Kangxi half-closed his eyes as he watched the imperial censor present his report, feeling quite pleased with himself.
The rumors circulating in the capital deliberately singled out the Mongol leaders, which greatly annoyed Emperor Kangxi.
"Your Majesty, this servant believes these people should be severely punished. We cannot allow the imperial reputation to suffer such a blow," the censor said with great distress.
In the nearby Cining Palace, Qingyan listened to the wife of Prince Yu comforting the Empress Dowager. Her words of condemnation made her want to laugh.
The Empress Dowager has been in a bad mood lately, mostly because the Mongolian women have been coming to pay their respects, and they always use similar excuses.
As the Mongol wives begged for mercy, the Empress Dowager's mood worsened. When Emperor Kangxi came to pay his respects several times, the Empress Dowager repeatedly instructed him to block the path to promotion for the Mongol leaders.
Previously, Kangxi thought that the Empress Dowager was using a strategy of advancing as a retreat. However, after the incident at the Court of Colonial Affairs, the Empress Dowager's series of swift and decisive actions shocked the inner palace and the Mongol tribes. They realized that someone who could help them was now preparing to abandon them.
"Your Majesty, are you really not going to close it?" Princess Consort of Prince Yu asked the Empress Dowager.
"Well, it's been so many years since they left. Who knows if these princesses are human or ghosts? You girls are all of marriageable age. How could these people let you go? So many years have passed. How many princesses have gone to the various tribes of Mongolia to shoulder the mission of the Qing Dynasty? In the end, what is the fate of these princesses?" The Empress Dowager's face was filled with helplessness. When she was being questioned, this old lady hoped that her actions could dispel the misunderstanding.
After repeated acts of assistance, the Empress Dowager was truly disappointed.
Qingyan sat down beside the Third Princess Consort. After listening to the Empress Dowager's words, he turned his head and saw that the Empress Dowager's expression was not good, and even somewhat dejected.
"Grandma, do you think the Mongol leader and his primary wife would agree to this? They always say that the Manchu-Mongol marriage alliance is a national policy." The Third Princess Consort jumped out, and the Empress Dowager's eyes sharpened. If they could, none of them would want to sit with the Third Princess Consort.
"What do you mean?" the Empress Dowager sneered.
The Third Princess Consort understood the Empress Dowager's meaning, trembled slightly, and quickly knelt on the gold-brick floor.
"You sisters-in-law are all capable of handling things on your own. The Mongol wives must have all gone to your residences to look for people, right?" The Empress Dowager's face darkened. The Mongol wives had really been quite restless during the New Year period. It was quite infuriating that they had gone to look for people.
Several wives lowered their heads; these were the wives of the Mongol wives. Yin Genjueluo and the others sneered. The gates of Qingyan's residence opened, which greatly angered the Mongol wives. Some even said they would file a complaint with the emperor.
“The granddaughters-in-law are all busy preparing for the New Year; I haven’t seen the wives of the princes,” the Crown Princess quickly stepped forward and said.
Several Mongolian wives' faces darkened upon seeing the Crown Princess's attitude; she clearly intended to betray them after they had served their purpose.
Inside the palace, the concubines each had their own ideas; they were content with simply maintaining normal interactions with the Mongol wives.
"Your Majesty, we women are guilty. We shouldn't have gone out early and delayed the other wives from handling New Year's matters," the Right Wing Prince's wife quickly said.
The Empress Dowager didn't even spare her a glance.
“Your Majesty, it’s a rare occasion for the Mongol princesses to come to the capital, so of course they should have a get-together with those they have a good relationship with before,” Consort Tong said directly.
Qingyan clearly didn't associate with the Mongol wives, so she naturally spoke more boldly.
"Lanya, you should set some rules when inviting people to dinner." The Empress Dowager glanced at Consort Tong, emphasizing the need for proper etiquette.
"Yes, Your Majesty, the Mongol princesses rarely come to the capital. His Majesty told me that we must make sure they feel at home," Consort Tong quickly replied.
Qingyan twitched her ears; Consort Tong was merely using Kangxi as an excuse.
"Fourth Prince's wife, has the leader of the Left Wing Prince's tribe ever visited Batu Buhe, who lives in your residence?" The Empress Dowager asked quickly, noticing Qingyan sitting there.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the leaders and women of the Left Wing Prince's tribe are mostly observing mourning. Batu Buhe comes to pay his respects every day, and then goes to the Buddhist hall to worship Buddha," Qingyan quickly reported.
Inside the Yuanmingyuan, no one could see Batubuhe's true living conditions.
"The Fourth Prince's wife is taking excellent care of him. I've noticed that Batu Buhe has gained weight these past few days," the Left Prince's wife quickly said.
Qingyan smiled and said, "The child's health definitely needs to be taken good care of. Even Father Emperor said that during the mourning period, the child should not suffer. Of course, I will listen to him!"
After he finished speaking, the princes' wives were very happy, and even felt that Qingyan was right. The Mongolian wives had been too talkative again. If they hadn't been kept quiet, who knows what would have happened outside.
The wife of the Right Wing Prince sneered. Batu Buhe was able to stay comfortably in the Fourth Prince's mansion only because he was young. Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen might use Batu Buhe's identity to do things.
"Your Majesty, the Prince wishes to see Batu Buhe before returning home, as he is the leader of the Left Wing Prince's tribe," said the Right Wing Prince's wife directly.
"Alright, come see me here." The Empress Dowager didn't object, as long as they met here with her.
The Mongol wives dared not make a move again. Now, their status in front of the Empress Dowager was getting lower and lower, and they were not well received. If they dared to cause any more trouble...
"Lanya, take the children to your place first. Let the concubines stay here. It's been many years since we last saw the princes' wives!" The Empress Dowager dismissed the princes' wives directly, as the Mongolian wives didn't get along with them very well.
Consort Tong left with the princes' wives. Qingyan, with her three children, followed the main group. Hutulifengsheng and Zhalafen were surrounded by them; if anyone came, they could protect her directly.
Songkelierha and Hutulifengshengzhalafen held hands, preparing to go to Consort Tong's courtyard together, bang!
Qingyan watched as a small figure in sapphire blue was kicked to the ground. Qingyan sneered. The Mongol wives weren't afraid at all; they always wanted to use this trick.
"Masters, please leave first. This servant can handle things here." Tulichen had received a secret decree from Kangxi: if anyone caused trouble, there was no need to consider their identity; they should be eliminated immediately.
Consort Tong nodded slightly upon hearing this and led her entourage away.
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