The atmosphere in Cining Palace was really awkward, and the women could only chat to ease the tension. As lunchtime approached, Emperor Kangxi specially sent someone to invite everyone to dine at Taihe Hall.
The women followed the Empress Dowager's sedan chair toward the Taihe Hall. Qingyan, supporting Sulan, felt quite tired as they walked on flowerpot-soled shoes.
"In a moment, the Mongol leaders will probably make their requests. The wife of Prince Zhi, the wife of the Fourth Prince, and I all have daughters, so we should try our best to talk to them!" The Crown Princess walked slowly, and the wives gathered together to speak directly.
"Your Highness, what do you know?" asked Lady Yin Genjue Luo. The Crown Princess clearly had more information than they did.
"Yes, the Crown Prince reminded us that those with legitimate daughters should try not to try to climb the social ladder." The Crown Princess nodded.
Qingyan, on the contrary, felt that this year, the people here had united against the common enemy and were no longer planning to send the girls to Mongolia for marriage alliances.
"Your Highness, what is this?" The Crown Princess's behavior was too unusual, making Lady Yin Genjue Luo feel somewhat uneasy.
"Alright, I won't say any more. Nobody wants their daughter to suffer over there," the Crown Princess said, abandoning her usual approach and speaking directly to the two of them.
A united front against external threats?!
Seeing that Yin Genjue Luo Shi had lowered her guard, Qing Yan agreed.
Inside the Taihe Hall, the Mongol leaders were each looking for someone to talk to. Yin and Yin were always talking together, making it impossible for them to get a word in edgewise. They were somewhat annoyed and hoped that the women of the household could strike up a conversation with the three principal wives.
After arriving in the capital, the leaders discovered that the royal family was more united and seemed to be working together against external forces, and were no longer planning to send a princess for a political marriage.
After the banquet at Taihe Hall, the women sat down next to their husbands. Qingyan leaned against Yin and whispered to him about the Cining Palace.
A slight smile appeared on Yin's cold face. The Crown Prince understood that he could not completely satisfy all the demands of the Mongol tribes.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, singing and dancing filled the air as the Mongol leaders toasted each other. Emperor Kangxi had long ago sent people to keep an eye on them; if he could obtain any information, that would be quite beneficial.
After a luncheon, the twins were left at Chengqian Palace by Consort Tong. Yin and Qingyan took Hafeng'a back to their residence. Yin held the swaddled baby and looked at the sleeping Hafeng'a, feeling relaxed.
"Fourth Prince, the atmosphere at lunch today was rather unpleasant. Those Mongolian princes seemed to have drunk a bit too much," Qingyan remarked.
The two boarded the carriage and sat inside. Yin gently placed his youngest son inside the carriage, walked around the screen, and sat on the cushion.
"We need to go to the new residence tomorrow." Yin was unsure of Kangxi's meaning and needed to ask Fei Yanggu.
Um? !
"Fourth, the Mongol leaders are coming, they'll definitely be watching!" Qingyan disagreed. Lately, things have been getting tense, and there are many Mongol spies hiding in the capital, hoping to find something to hold against the princes.
"It's fine to go to my father-in-law's during my time off!" Yin shook his head and refused. If someone hadn't been watching him, he might have started staying out all night with Qingyan.
The next morning, after breakfast, Yin took Qingyan in the carriage, while Hafeng was left at home. In such cold weather, he was worried that taking the little guy out too often would make him sick.
"Master, after we came out, there was a carriage following us!" E'shuo reported from both sides of the carriage.
"Don't worry about it!" Yin didn't take it to heart. During his days off, he would take Qingyan back to her parents' home, which was something Yin often did. Even the censors stopped complaining, and the Mongol leaders told him that it didn't matter.
The main gate of Ulanara was wide open, and the carriage slowly drove in and stopped at the second courtyard. Qingyan got off the carriage, while Feiyanggu and Jueluo stood in the courtyard.
"Father, Mother!" Qingyan ran over. When there were no outsiders, Yin would not allow Fei Yanggu and Jue Luo to perform the rites.
"Come in first." Fei Yanggu ushered the two into the main room. Yin and Qingyan sat in the main seats, while Fei Yanggu and Jue Luo Shi sat in the lower seats.
They were worried that someone might accidentally intrude. Feiyangu was a military general, and it was only natural for Mongolian princes to come and visit. Therefore, Feiyangu decided to be cautious.
"Fourth Prince, do you want to ask His Majesty's opinion?" Before the banquet, Kangxi specially summoned Mingzhu and Fei Yanggu to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where they had a private conversation for an hour before coming out.
Yin nodded: "Yes, the Crown Prince has changed quite a bit, and I'm really worried about him!"
Fei Yanggu laughed heartily: "Come here, do you have a tail?"
Yin and Qingyan exchanged a glance and nodded directly; they really did have someone following them.
"Fourth Prince, Fourth Princess, Your Highness, Prince Garga and his wife have come to pay their respects!" Akdun walked in directly, bowed to Yin and the others, and said.
Yinhe and Qingyan's faces darkened. They had finally found an opportunity to ask questions, but it had been ruined again.
"Please!" Fei Yanggu said helplessly. "Princess Consort, take Qingyan to the side hall!"
Jue Luo Shi and her daughter Qing Yan went directly to the side hall. Just as they sat down, Su Zhu asked outside that the Princess Consort of the Prince wanted to come over to pay her respects.
"E'niang" Qingyan didn't want to face those Mongolian wives.
"Alright, please come in!" Jue Luo glanced at Qing Yan and squeezed her hand. "It'll be ready in a moment. I've had the chef make your favorite dishes for lunch."
"Hmm!" Qingyan changed his clothes and sat in the main seat.
The Prince's wife entered, and everyone greeted her.
"Fourth Prince's Consort, you've returned to your parents' home?" After the Prince's Consort took her seat, her first question was about the banquet.
“Yes, we’re taking advantage of Grandpa’s day off to come back and visit Father and Mother,” Qingyan said directly.
"That's really a coincidence! The chief said that when Lord Ulanara went to conquer Mongolia, their relationship was excellent! So, he came over for a visit when he wasn't busy!" The excuse that the princess consort came up with was very good, but Shu Yun didn't believe it at all.
If they were just visiting, they could have waited a few days before coming; they're clearly here to ambush people.
"Mother, the Fujin has come to see Father and you. You two chat, I'm going to rest in my own courtyard for a while!" Qingyan has gotten married, but her little courtyard has been preserved, so she can rest there when she comes over.
After speaking, Qingyan walked straight out of the flower hall. Sulan stared wide-eyed as she saw her mistress come out, wondering why she had come out.
"Back to my courtyard!" Qingyan walked briskly towards the courtyard.
"Master, aren't you going to stay with Madam?" Su Lan asked in surprise.
"I was told I was going to see my father, so what am I doing sitting there?" Qingyan wasn't about to torture herself.
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