As evening approached, the lights were lit in the flower hall. The three children were confined to the side room. Qingyan sat in a chair, occasionally turning her head to look outside. Dong'e Gege had been kneeling for several hours, and her little face was slightly pale.
Qingyan looked up at the person opposite her. The Third Princess Consort looked obedient and did not apologize to Dong E Gege at all.
"Third sister-in-law, Princess Dong'e belongs to your household, why don't you apologize?" The Crown Princess had been very careful, afraid of crossing Consort Tong's bottom line. She was really holding back her anger, and she vented it on Princess Dong'e.
“Your Highness, my mother is disciplining Dong E’ge’s manners. It’s not appropriate for me to interfere. I’m a soft-hearted person, and besides, she’s Father’s most beloved daughter. If I interfere, what good will it do me when I go back to my parents’ home?” The Third Princess Consort laid bare her family’s dirty laundry.
The atmosphere in the flower hall instantly became awkward. As expected, the Third Princess Consort was relentless in her pursuit of justice. She would not let any opportunity to strike at Dong E Gege slip by.
"Fine, send someone to check on her. Don't let Princess Dong'e get injured from kneeling; I can't afford to pay for that," Consort Tong sneered.
The Third Prince Consort's words were clearly meant for Consort Tong, implying that if Consort Tong did not pardon Princess Dong'e, and Yinzhi came to cause trouble, Consort Tong would have to bear the consequences herself.
"My dear mother, you're being too kind to me!" the Third Princess said, her face filled with fear and trepidation.
Consort Tong glanced at Shu and told her to hurry up and go out to convey the order.
"Shu, quickly summon the imperial physician to take Princess Dong'e's pulse. Remember, only let him in after he's confirmed to be healthy!" Consort Tong sneered.
After she finished speaking, everyone fell silent. Consort Tong was furious, but the Third Princess Consort was very happy. As long as Dong E Gege was dealt with severely, she could endure any further harassment.
"Noble Mother, hurry and let Third Master go and see! If Princess Dong'e says anything, we'll all be in trouble!" The Crown Princess covered her mouth and laughed.
The anger that had been on her face vanished instantly, and she felt her mood calm down in an instant, with no anger left.
"Do as the Crown Princess wishes!" Consort Tong glanced at the people around her. "Also, Shuzhu, go to the main hall and invite the Third Master to the side room."
"Yes!" Shu Zhu went to fetch someone directly. The Third Princess's back was already soaked with cold sweat. Dong E Gege had endured such grievances, and in the end, the Third Master would definitely hold a grudge against her.
The women present were all ready to watch a good show; everyone knew that the Dong E sisters were going to put on a good show.
"I've said it here today: when you go back, you must all restrain the words and actions of the women and their manners. If anything similar happens again, it won't be as simple as kneeling outside!" Consort Tong glanced around, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to say another word.
"Yes!" Everyone stood up and bowed.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty requests that you and all the principal wives go to the main hall!" Shu Zhu walked in from outside and stood in the middle of the hall to report.
Kangxi was fully aware of what had happened in the side hall. Yinzhi had been reprimanded and was still kneeling inside.
The group slowly walked to the entrance of the main hall. Consort Tong looked at Yinzhi's kneeling back and gave Kangxi a smile. The Crown Prince stood in front of the throne, having listened to Kangxi scolding him for the entire afternoon.
"You've all arrived?" Kangxi waved his hand, indicating that the women no longer needed to perform the proper etiquette.
After everyone was seated, Consort Tong glanced at the Crown Prince and Yin Zhi, then looked at Emperor Kangxi with a slightly apologetic expression.
"Your Majesty, have I caused you any trouble?" Consort Tong said helplessly. "Princess Dong'e is being rather unreasonable, which is why I gave the order directly. If I had known that her health was so delicate, I would not have made the decision on my own."
As soon as he finished speaking, a smile flashed across Yin's eyes. Consort Tong was clearly adding fuel to the fire.
"You are the one in charge of the inner palace. If the rules for the women are not good, can you just ignore it?" Kangxi glared at her angrily. Originally, she liked to delegate power, but Kangxi couldn't stand it anymore, so he had Consort Tong take it back directly.
"Consort Rong is the same. The Third Prince's wife can't manage it. It's about the legitimate and illegitimate parts of the Dong E clan. What about Consort Rong? Can't she tell who her daughter-in-law is?" Kangxi was furious. Consort Tong could never be wrong. If there really was a problem, it was because someone else had schemed against her.
"Your Majesty, why are you shifting the blame to Consort Rong again? I think Consort Rong is very strict with the Third Prince's wife, but she still spoils him and makes a fuss." Consort Tong won't give Yinzhi any face, and the Dong'e sisters are always thinking about dealing with Qingyan.
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong!" Yin Zhi blushed with embarrassment, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the ground.
Kangxi looked coldly at Yinzhi: "Just now, weren't you arguing your case? Did you think your woman was definitely not wrong?"
Yinzhi was speechless. Kangxi disliked men like this the most. If he admitted that he had favored his concubine over his wife, it would be a great improvement.
Now, Yinzhi doesn't have the courage to admit it. Under Consort Tong's persistent questioning, he probably won't say another word.
Qingyan sat down next to Yin and poked Yin's lower back with her hand. Yin turned to look at Qingyan.
She gestured with her chin towards Yinzhi. Yinzhi glanced at her and saw that his face was very pale, with worry flashing in his eyes. Although he appeared calm on the surface, his mind was actually in turmoil.
"Go and take a look first." Kangxi also noticed that Yinzhi's expression was off, so he quickly sent him back.
Seeing that Yinzhi left without even glancing at her, the Third Prince's wife panicked. She quickly got up, bowed to Emperor Kangxi, and chased after him.
"Listen to me, all of you! If you dare to favor a concubine over your wife again, you will be like the third prince and forfeit your right to the throne!" Kangxi said this for the first time, and everyone's hearts skipped a beat. It turned out that Kangxi had been watching and keeping it in mind, and when it finally came to blows, it could lead to utter destruction.
"Yes!" The princes stood up immediately and obediently agreed.
Kangxi glanced at the Crown Prince. Among the princes, the Crown Prince and the Third Prince were the most fond of their concubines and neglected their wives.
Emperor Kangxi was annoyed that the Crown Prince had not made a promise, so he spoke his mind directly.
"Your subject understands." The Crown Prince was still somewhat resistant, but Consort Li Jia's face was very ugly. She was used to being domineering in Yuqing Palace. After all, the only prince was Hongxi, so wouldn't everything in the future belong to Hongxi?
Consort Tong looked in the direction of Lady Li Jia, and sure enough, the latter's eyes were unfriendly.
The Crown Princess's body was drugged during childbirth. For the time being, it is impossible to find out who drugged her. Consort Tong has some idea that Li Jia will also try to harm the Crown Princess for Hongxi's sake.
"Li Jia, you must know the rules for a concubine," Consort Tong said casually, taking a sip of her tea.
"This servant obeys the decree!" Consort Li Jia quickly knelt on the ground and replied.
She clenched her fists, outwardly piously obeying Consort Tong's teachings, but inwardly she was filled with resentment.
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