All day long, Qingyan kept me in my tent to keep quiet. Many chieftain wives wanted to get information about yesterday from the princes' wives. In the early morning, she told Sulan to say that she hadn't slept well last night and had gone into hiding.
Dong Eshi only heard the news of Qingyan's illness after breakfast. Just as she was about to have Mei Ying spread the news, Bu Shunda sent someone to announce that he wanted to see the Third Prince Consort.
Within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Qingyan heard Bu Shunda cursing from inside the Third Prince's tent, and felt a surge of satisfaction.
Seeing Qingyan's smiling face, Sulan couldn't help but give her a thumbs up.
Fortunately, Qingyan claimed to be ill in advance; otherwise, the shouting and cursing that happened in the Third Princess's tent would have played out inside their tent.
Qingyan kept an eye on Dong E's tent. There was never a moment of peace. Even though Dong E had been carefully nurtured by her family, she was still young and would inevitably have information extracted by the other wives. Dong E looked full of regret inside the tent. She was sure that the Empress Dowager would nag her now.
"Fourth Princess Consort is really too wicked, how could she treat her master like this!" Mei Ying complained to Dong E Shi, full of grievances.
Qingyan lay on the soft couch, looking at the small bronze mirror in her hand. Dong Eshi had cursed herself countless times, but she didn't care at all. Pretending to be sick was only the first step. After Yin returned, she would continue to be sick until Kangxi dealt with a certain leader.
"Sulan, go and tell Consort Tong the truth, so as not to make things difficult for Mother." Qingyan whispered to Sulan, and also asked her to make some snacks to send to the Empress Dowager and Consort Tong respectively.
"Yes, Master!" Qingyan was completely relieved after Sulan left.
She watched as the Empress Dowager listened to Su Lan say that she had summoned the imperial physician, her eyes filled with anxiety. She made up her mind to treat the Empress Dowager even better.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager saw that Qingyan had just brought egg tarts and lotus-shaped pastries, a special product from Jiangnan. On the pastries in the very center of the pastries were two small characters that read "Rest assured".
Pfft!
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but chuckle; the little girl had so many clever ideas.
The leaders and their wives were looking for a way out, which the Empress Dowager found unacceptable. Apart from Xiao Guai, the Empress Dowager and Consort Tong also said that they were frightened last night and did not intend to see anyone today.
"Keep a close eye on your mistress and don't let her go out these next few days!" the Empress Dowager instructed, then sent Sulan to Consort Tong's quarters.
Seeing Su Lan leave, Su Mo'er quickly went to the Empress Dowager's side and anxiously inquired about Qing Yan's health. She was very grateful to Qing Yan. The Empress Dowager's health was getting better and better, which was largely due to Qing Yan's frequent preparation of medicinal meals for her. Even the imperial physician who took her pulse said that food therapy was better than medicine.
"You're so worried, look!" The Empress Dowager pointed to the two lotus-shaped pastries with their marks on them, and Su Mo'er finally felt relieved.
The word "rest assured" was deliberately written in Mongolian. Su Mo'er was fluent in Manchu and Mongolian, but not in Chinese. The Empress Dowager, on the other hand, wasn't even very good at Manchu. To avoid putting the two elderly people in too much of a predicament, she had it written in Mongolian.
"This child is so thoughtful!" Su Mo'er exclaimed.
"Here, use these two first, don't let those people see them!" The Empress Dowager didn't want Xiao Guai to be surrounded by danger, so she directly destroyed the evidence.
The lotus flower pastry is filled with red bean paste, which tastes quite good.
"Sulan's cooking skills are getting better and better. It seems I need to learn from her properly." Under Sulan's care, the Empress Dowager's appetite has improved, and she eats more.
Before each meal, the Empress Dowager would stroll in a tent for half an hour, and after each meal, she would walk a hundred steps.
Not only do I eat more, but I also don't feel as full as I used to.
During this period, she gradually reduced the frequency of taking hawthorn pills.
At this moment, Consort Tong was relieved. She had been very worried that her little one might have been frightened by those people, having heard that Qingyan had summoned the imperial physician that morning. She couldn't find peace of mind all night until the news of Qingyan's summons arrived.
Not long after breakfast, Su Lan came over, carrying a lotus-shaped pastry with the Chinese characters "Reassured" written on it.
“Your Majesty, please rest assured, the master is not ill. He is merely avoiding those wives. The Third Prince’s side is completely blocked by the other wives.” Su Lan told Consort Tong about the matter of Yin Zhi’s tent, following Qing Yan’s account.
Consort Tong smiled with satisfaction. Comparing Qingyan and Dong Eshi, it became clear who was more suitable for the nearby location. Consort Rong would definitely have a headache when she heard the news.
Kangxi personally led the princes out, simply to test the three consorts who came. Lady Yingenjueluo was quite knowledgeable and had said last night that the little princess had been frightened and had not gone out. Qingyan claimed to be ill this morning. Lady Tatara had just married into the royal family, so her information was certainly not as good as the other consorts. Therefore, the three consorts became everyone's target.
Qingyan held the storybook, waiting for Sulan's return. The Empress Dowager and Consort Tong must be worried. She reassured them, out of filial piety.
In the distance, Consort Rong had just received the news that Dong E's tent was bustling with activity, but her face darkened.
"Tell me, how could I have such a stupid daughter-in-law!" Consort Rong slammed her teacup down and sighed to Yang Mama beside her.
Yinzhi insisted on having Dong Eshi, so Consort Rong didn't try to sabotage him and instead competed with Consort Tong for the Qingyan banquet.
Now, Consort Rong deeply regrets not listening to Yin Zhi.
"Your Highness, please rest assured, the Third Princess Consort is just young and doesn't think so much!" Granny Yang felt that the Third Princess Consort was still young, and if Consort Rong properly disciplined her, she would definitely be fine.
Consort Rong put the cup aside, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Consort Tong really knows how to train people."
At this moment, Qingyan paid no attention to Consort Rong's sentiments. She lay on the soft couch, taking small bites of the crystal mooncake. The crystal-clear exterior was something Qingyan had the prince's small kitchen develop. In modern times, she often bought the mixing powder for the crystal skin from Taobao, but that wouldn't work here, as it would only cause trouble for the imperial chefs.
"My lady, I have delivered the things to the Empress Dowager and Consort Tong!" Su Lan walked around the camp and noticed some unfriendly glances. She secretly noted the probing looks in their eyes, intending to tell the Fourth Prince when he returned.
Qingyan nodded, put down the book, and pointed to his chin, pondering how to talk to Yin.
"Sulan, have there been any changes in the servants outside?" Qingyan asked.
Because of the harassment by wolves on the road, many servants disappeared. Kangxi was short-handed and had to borrow some slaves from the chieftains of the grasslands. These people became the chieftains' spies. Today, the Empress Dowager, Consort Tong, the palace concubines and the two Fujin are all sick.
"This servant noticed that many slaves are staring at their masters' tents. Your Highness, I hope you won't go out," Su Lan quickly advised Qing Yan.
Emperor Kangxi wasn't even at the camp yet. Even though Qingyan's status was higher, it didn't match the power of the chieftain's wife. After all, they were on someone else's territory. (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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