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Inside the main hall, Consort Tong had just finished her breakfast, with Shu and Shu Zhu by her side. Following Emperor Kangxi's instructions, she left the concubines and the primary wives of the princes to wait. Consort Yi had been sitting in the corridor waiting for a long time. As soon as the Fifth and Ninth Prince's wives arrived, she called them to her side and inquired about the condition of her sons.
Qingyan carefully observed her surroundings and noticed the hatred in Consort Yi's eyes. Consort Yi must be really angry.
"Her Highness the Imperial Concubine requests your presence!" Shu stood at the door and addressed the imperial concubines and primary wives.
Qingyan helped Sulan walk at the very back, keeping a great distance from the people in front, for fear that someone might deliberately cause trouble.
After everyone bowed and took their seats, Qingyan noticed that the unspoken Fujin was secretly shifting her legs. She was glad that she was pregnant, so she had been wearing a pair of layered soles.
Consort Tong did not directly reprimand him, but instead casually inquired about the situation of Yinqi, Yinsi, and Yin. The Fifth and Ninth Prince's wives answered with trepidation, while the Eighth Prince's wife looked resentful. She blamed Consort Tong, Yin, and Yin for the Eighth Prince's confinement.
"Eighth Prince's wife, you're still not convinced?" Consort Tong was naturally annoyed by the sarcastic remarks of the Eighth Prince's wife.
The Eighth Prince's wife was tugged at by the Ninth Prince's wife, who was afraid that the Ninth Prince's wife would cause trouble again.
"Daughter-in-law wouldn't dare!" Yin Si had instructed the Eighth Prince's wife beforehand that no matter how many hurtful things Consort Tong said, she couldn't explode. In Changchun Garden, the two of them had to suppress all their anger.
If it were anyone else, the Eighth Prince's wife would definitely ignore her, as she was used to her own free spirit. From a young age, Prince An, Yue Le, raised her like a boy, and she was especially pampered in the Prince An's residence. This fostered her spoiled and arrogant temperament, and she didn't take Consort Tong seriously at all.
"You wouldn't dare?! I think you're quite bold. How long has it been since the Eighth Prince got married? And now that the princess by his side is pregnant, you don't even bother to take good care of her, but instead have someone abort the child." Consort Tong was furious.
Emperor Kangxi received the news this morning and was furious at the actions of the Eighth Prince's wife. No one is allowed to harm the imperial offspring.
As soon as he finished speaking, people in the flower hall began to discuss it. Qingyan was not surprised. This behavior was definitely like that of the Eighth Prince's wife. In Qing history, the Eighth Prince's wife was known for her jealousy. Moreover, for the first ten years or so, the Eighth Prince had basically no children.
“My dear mother, I did it according to the rules. Father Emperor said he hopes for the birth of the eldest son. If he needs the eldest son, why should the concubines be pregnant?” The Eighth Princess Consort was dressed in a bright red palace gown, with a ruby and pearl phoenix headdress on her head, and anger flashed in her phoenix eyes.
Qingyan secretly praised her, for the Eighth Princess Consort's words had struck a chord with many of the other princess consorts. The concubines' children had grown up, and the infighting was about to begin again.
They muttered to themselves, but dared not show it on their faces, for they had no Prince An to support them.
“Sister Consort Yi, the Eighth Prince’s wife is also young and ignorant. Perhaps the person who relayed the message did not explain it clearly,” Consort Yi implied that Consort Tong was making a mountain out of a molehill. “This girl has been pampered by Yue Le since she was a child and has a straightforward temper. She is no less than the Fourth Prince’s wife.”
Qingyan frowned slightly. Was Consort Yi trying to drag her into this mess?
“Sister Yifei, if the Eighth Prince’s wife could also give birth to twins, I don’t think the censors would have impeached her!” Consort Tong stated directly. It was only after the censors reported the matter to Emperor Kangxi that Consort Tong had no choice but to intervene.
The flower hall fell silent instantly. The concubines knew that Consort Tong and Consort Yi had developed a grudge over the incident at the military port in Guangdong and Guangxi. The affairs of the outer court were not their business.
"Your Highness, you only have a pair of twins, yet the Fourth Prince doesn't even have a single concubine by his side. Is the Fourth Prince's wife jealous?" Consort Yi was furious. Looking at Qingyan, she wondered if she should teach her a lesson.
Qingyan coldly stared at Consort Yi opposite her. Their eyes clashed in mid-air as she touched her slightly protruding belly with her right hand.
"Consort Yi is very concerned about the life in the harem, and she actually knows the situation in the mansion so well!" Qingyan's words hit the nail on the head.
Consort Yi had no relation to Yinzhen; she was neither his biological mother nor his adoptive mother. Her clear knowledge of Yinzhen's basic salary clearly indicated a conspiracy.
After speaking, Consort Yi's face darkened. She took a deep breath and looked at Consort Tong with a wronged expression.
"Imperial Consort, I mean well. If Fourth Princess insists on going her own way, she might suffer in the future!" Consort Yi couldn't stand seeing Qingyan happy and always felt that this girl was just there to make her miserable.
Consort Tong took a sip of tea and listened to Consort Yi's complaints. She found it amusing that Qingyan had refuted her attempts to sow discord, and now Consort Yi was asking her to take charge.
"My little darling is pregnant, and her temper has definitely gotten a bit worse," Consort Tong said with a smile. "My little darling, whether Consort Yi is right or wrong, she is still His Majesty's concubine!"
"Yes, Mother, Qingyan knows her mistake!" Qingyan quickly stood up and bowed. "Your Highness, please forgive my youth and ignorance!"
Qingyan performed a double salute to Consort Yi. Consort Yi was surprised by Qingyan's actions, not expecting Qingyan to bow directly.
A concubine of the rank of Imperial Concubine can only receive half the courtesy from the primary wife of a prince. When Qingyan bent down, Consort Yi completely fell into the pit.
"Fourth Princess Consort, please rise quickly, you're making me feel terrible." Consort Yi was a little annoyed. Qingyan moved too quickly; by the time she reacted, Qingyan had already stood up.
Consort Tong and Lady Yin Genjue secretly gave Qingyan a thumbs up, as she had directly tricked Consort Yi. The women present were all stunned. In the past, the Fourth Prince's wife rarely schemed against people and usually treated them with courtesy.
After Qingyan's actions, many people began to wonder whether they should send their daughters to the Fourth Prince's residence.
"Empress Yi, you're speaking a bit too slowly!" the Crown Princess sneered.
Ever since Fifth Prince and Ninth Prince went to the military ports in Guangdong and Guangxi, Consort Yi has become very arrogant. Every time she sees the Crown Princess, her words are filled with smugness.
The Crown Princess was in a particularly good mood after finally finding a way to get information out of Consort Yi, and even planned to give it a push.
Qingyan lowered her head and began to roll up the handkerchief in her hand, listening to the gossip of the concubines beside her.
Within the palace, Consort Yi had made many enemies. Her seemingly straightforward nature was actually just an act for Emperor Kangxi's benefit.
"Very well, Consort Yi, there are some rules you need to review properly." Consort Tong naturally sided with Qingyan and directly warned Consort Yi that she needed to learn the rules.
As soon as she finished speaking, Consort Yi felt utterly humiliated, yet she had no way to refute it. She knew she had gone too far, which was why she had provoked the attack from several people.
Seeing that Consort Yi was not giving you anything, the Eighth Prince's wife felt even more upset.
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