A few days later, Li Dequan brought an imperial edict, secretly summoning Yin and Qing for a banquet.
At this time, they were still having breakfast. After hearing this, Yin quickly put down his chopsticks, changed clothes with Qingyan, and walked towards the imperial tent.
Inside the imperial tent, besides Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong, Yinzhi and Lady Yingenjueluo were also sitting in the kitchen, waiting for the two of them to arrive.
"Greetings to Father Emperor and Mother Emperor!" After bowing to Qingyan, Yinyu bowed halfway to Yinyu and Lady Yingenjueluo.
Breakfast was laid out on the table, including not only Qingyan's favorite crab roe soup dumplings, but also various Suzhou-style snacks, such as egg pancakes made by the prince's small kitchen. Yin ate the egg pancakes and couldn't help but praise them.
Previously, Yin had brought this food to the Imperial Study. At that time, he was still in the Imperial Study. In winter, because the days were short, he would often go to study on an empty stomach. With Yin there, the princes ate quite a bit.
"Father, why did you decide to make this?" Yin asked, somewhat puzzled. Kangxi had said that this snack was not presentable.
It couldn't compare to the food served in the imperial kitchen; it was just plain congee with eight-treasure pickles and salted duck eggs...
"As long as it tastes good, that's fine. We don't have so many fuss about food when we're out here!" Consort Tong glared at Emperor Kangxi. If it weren't for his meddling, her own little kitchen wouldn't have to cater to the fourth prince's whims.
"Yes, it would be nice to have some noodles!" Yin secretly gave Tongjia Shi some noodles. He also thought they were simple and delicious. It would be good to fill one's stomach with these during a campaign.
Yin and Yin Genjue Luo exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads and quickly ate their breakfast. Onions, wood ear mushrooms, salted duck eggs, preserved eggs and tofu were common household items that were rare to them. Moreover, Xiao Guai's salted duck eggs and preserved eggs were even better than those from the imperial kitchen.
Kangxi ate his wonton noodles with satisfaction. He was finally able to eat the food that Fei Yanggu, that stinky fellow, always boasted about.
"This is better than what I had at Cao Yin's residence when I went to Jiangnan!" Consort Tong ate a small bowl of wonton noodles and couldn't help but find it delicious.
“Mother, each wonton has a shrimp inside, so it’s definitely tastier than the regular ones,” Qingyan explained.
Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong were very pleased with Qingyan's small gesture, as many of the items were contributed by her small kitchen.
"In a moment, go back and pack your things. All of you from both households will secretly follow me to Jiangnan!" Kangxi arranged for Yinzhi and Dong'e to stay here with the Empress Dowager for another month.
With most of the issues that needed to be resolved at the alliance meeting settled, he could finally relax a bit.
Last night, he discussed with the Empress Dowager the possibility of her spending more time with her clansmen here. At this time, it is the plum rain season in Jiangnan, and Kangxi is going to check on the condition of the dikes to try to prevent flooding this year.
"Father, are we going to Jiangnan in secret?" Yin looked at Kangxi curiously, wondering why they wanted to go there secretly.
Every year, don't we wait another month before going to Jiangnan?
"Yes, this year we won't follow the main group. We'll disguise ourselves as wealthy merchants and go there!" Upon learning that Cao Yin was involved with Suo'etu, Kangxi decided to make the trip as soon as possible.
What?!
Apart from Consort Tong, both Yin and Yin opened their mouths in surprise. "This can actually work?"
"In the past, I took Lanya out quite often. Before Xiao Si left the palace, I would take him to the temple fair every year on the fifteenth!" Kangxi said, looking at the breakfast with great satisfaction.
Yin Genjue Luo glanced at Yin. It seemed she needed to learn a thing or two from Qing Yan. In terms of cooking, Xiao Guai made the best dishes among the wives.
"Father, when are we leaving?" Yin asked Kangxi. Now that the decision had been made, they made preparations in advance.
"Tonight at midnight!" Kangxi said directly, looking at his four children.
Before leaving, he would make arrangements for the camp, ensuring that the Mongol leaders would not cause any more trouble for the Empress Dowager.
"The matter of going to Jiangnan must not be leaked," Kangxi repeatedly instructed.
Qingyan was stunned. Could it be that she couldn't say it?
After leaving the tent, Yin took Qingyan's little hand and quickly walked back to the tent.
"Fourth Brother, are we taking all our things?" Qingyan was puzzled. If they were leaving secretly, they certainly couldn't make a big fuss about moving things.
"Of course not. Apart from the jewelry, you don't need to take the clothes and other items. Wait a minute!" Yin turned his head and glanced at Qingyan. The little guy chased all the servants out and with a wave of his little hand, he put all the jewelry into a secret place.
yes!
"Little darling, pack all the clothes away, and pack all the books I brought and the ones on the desk. Also, pack all the food!" Qingyan is a very good cook, and the things in the small kitchen have probably been eyed for a long time. Those things she bought from her fellow villagers can be sent to the capital as gifts.
"Hehe, do you need to tell me!" Qingyan has done this several times. Outsiders have seen that she has bought a lot of things. How much can a special carriage carry? Isn't it all secretly carried by her?
An hour later, Qingyan put down everything that Yin had set aside, and even put away the blue and white porcelain she used.
"Little darling, you...you little money-grubber, that blue and white porcelain is just a replica made in Jingdezhen!" Yin was speechless. The little guy wanted to pounce on the blue and white porcelain as soon as he saw it.
Waaaaah!
Qingyan pouted; in her eyes, these were all antiques!
"Release him, but don't take him!" Yin ordered forcefully. "Don't ask any other questions!"
Their tents were too clean; outsiders would surely notice. It's understandable that Qingyan packed away his court robes and other belongings.
She watched his retreating figure as he went to the study, her little mouth pouting, but she still placed the set of antique blue and white porcelain on the table as he had instructed.
During dinner, Qingyan prepared all the fresh food that couldn't be taken away, and sent a portion each to the Empress Dowager, Emperor Kangxi, and Yinzhi. When Consort Rong and Yinzhi found out, they felt very uncomfortable.
In addition, Kangxi arranged for her and Yinzhi to accompany the Empress Dowager, thus parting ways with Kangxi.
As midnight approached, Yin ordered Qingyan to change into a royal blue cheongsam and walk to the assembly point in flowerpot-shaped shoes. Yin's guards went to carry Qingyan's luggage. When Kangxi saw it, he couldn't help but laugh. Xiao Guai's luggage was the second most, only one less than Lan Ya's!
"You're still right!" Kangxi stood by the carriage, looking at Lanya's smiling face, and couldn't help but sigh.
"You don't mind Xiao Guai eating!" Consort Tong heard Su Lan mention that two-thirds of the food was mountain produce that she had collected.
Qingyan thought that since they were wealthy merchants, they would definitely need to transport some mountain products to the south to buy, which would be an extra layer of security for their identities.
"No need for formalities, let's hurry on our way!" With a wave of his hand, the three members of Fei Yanggu's family, along with Yin Jitai, came into view. Qingyan smiled to herself, relieved that her father and his children hadn't been left behind as cannon fodder.
"Yes!" After everyone responded, they boarded the carriage, with Fei Yanggu and his two sons and Yin Jitai's carriage following behind Yin's carriage.
Qingyan, sitting in the back of the carriage, quickly hid behind the screen to change her clothes. (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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