On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, the Fourth Prince's mansion was bustling with activity. Qingyan sat in the main hall, waiting for the servants in the courtyard to come and report the news one by one.
The stewards of the mansion had already made several trips back and forth. Qingyan frowned slightly as he watched them constantly asking for instructions.
Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen sat beside Qingyan, listening intently to how her mother handled the situation, and she remembered it all.
On Laba Festival, she was able to handle things independently for the first time, which made Hutulifengshengzhalafen very happy. She even showed it off to Songkelierha on the day of Laba Festival.
As noon approached, everything came to a temporary halt. Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen gazed at her with adoration, making Qingyan feel a little embarrassed.
"Little Darling, is everything settled?" Yin returned from the Ministry of Revenue early, and Qingyan went to greet him.
"Father, Father, you're back?" Hutulifengsheng Zhalafen threw herself into Yin's arms, looking up at him happily, "Father, Mother is so amazing! She managed to handle everything so well, and so quickly too!"
"When you grow up, you'll be able to handle everything quickly, just like your mother!" Yin gave his daughter complete trust.
Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen was very happy to hear what his mother said.
After lunch, Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen went back for a nap, giving Yin and Qingyan a rare moment of solitude.
"Little darling, are you tired?" Yin leaned back on the chaise lounge, holding Qingyan in his arms, his large hands massaging her waist, making her relax completely.
Qingyan nodded slightly. The fact that the stewards had to ask for permission for even the smallest things was giving her a headache.
"Fourth Brother, in previous years, these people didn't have to ask for permission for everything, did they?" Qingyan asked curiously.
Yin held her in his arms, listening to her questions with his eyes closed.
“Recently, there have been quite a few things happening. The servants are no longer sure what their masters are thinking, so they will definitely ask about everything,” Yin said directly.
"What should we be careful about?" Qingyan was also taken aback. "Could it be that Father Emperor has set some new rules?"
Every year during the Lunar New Year, they had to attend banquets, and Consort Tong's side also maintained very strict discipline.
"Yes!" Yin nodded. "This year, no residence is allowed to have any connection with the Mongols!"
"Fourth, Linglong Pavilion and Yuelai Inn both do business with them, and they're not allowed to have any contact with them," Qingyan said somewhat uneasyly.
"You are an exception," Kangxi said, except for those who do business.
Yin was very happy to hear this. A large part of his business was traded with Mongolia, but the proportion with Shuyun was slightly larger.
"How long will this period of tension last?" Qingyan asked curiously.
"I don't know for now!" Yin shook his head. Recently, no one could be sure of Kangxi's intentions.
Qingyan felt more confident: "Sisi, are you going to work this afternoon?"
"What?" Yin glanced at her while holding his teacup.
"In a little while, Yuelai Inn and Linglong Pavilion will come to settle their accounts. Could you take a look for me?" Qingyan hadn't paid much attention to anyone in the business world for a whole year. The managers of each shop were responsible for their own affairs, so Qingyan didn't have to worry about it.
“Okay!” Yin promised.
A happy smile appeared on Qingyan's face. With Yin by her side, she felt completely at ease.
"Little darling, how many days will both shops be open during the Chinese New Year?" Yin asked from the side.
"Let's talk about it after the Lantern Festival!" Qingyan didn't want to earn that money. The craftsmen in both shops had put in a lot of effort, and she wanted everyone to have a happy Spring Festival.
"After the fifteenth?!" Yin was puzzled.
"With the Lunar New Year approaching, the master chefs have created many exquisite pieces. Let's give them a holiday during the New Year." Qingyan wasn't a harsh mistress; she believed that only when her subordinates were well-rested could she reward them more.
Yin smiled and nodded. Qingyan was very generous. The servants did their best to make the two shops prosper.
On the contrary, the situation on Yin's side was rather bad. During the Spring Festival, all the shops were open for business as usual, but from the shopkeepers to the waiters, none of them were able to go home for the New Year.
"Old Jiu's business isn't as good as yours. Now that you've closed down, Old Jiu's business will improve a lot!" Yin complained directly.
“Ninth Master’s shop is very close to mine, so if I close down, his business might be better,” Qingyan said. “Also, during this New Year’s holiday, I’d like to see what new snacks we can develop at the Yuelai Inn!”
"Good!" Yin nodded in praise.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty summons you and your wife!" Su Peisheng walked in from outside and said to Yin.
Qingyan was stunned. Recently, Emperor Kangxi had rarely allowed them to go to the palace. Consort Tong even sent word that, in addition to Yiken'e still having to go to the Imperial Study as usual, Hutulifengshengzhalafen should also be sent back.
Yin and Qingyan exchanged a glance, finding it quite strange.
"Who has entered the palace?" Yin asked.
"Ninth Prince has entered the palace!" Su Peisheng inquired about some information and found out that Yin went to Consort Yi's residence. Not long after, Consort Yi sent someone to summon Emperor Kangxi.
Qingyan snorted coldly. Yin went to complain again. Now that he's married, can he still be a child?
"Fourth Brother, is it about business again?" Qingyan said angrily.
In less than an hour, Yin and Qingyan arrived at the Qianqing Palace. After the two bowed to Kangxi, Kangxi waved his hand and glanced at Yin. She noticed the look of disappointment in Kangxi's eyes.
"Father, why did you call your son and Qingyan over?" Yin asked curiously.
Seeing Yin's unfriendly gaze, Yin hesitated. If he angered Yin, it would be no laughing matter.
"Ninth Brother, what are you about to say now?" Yin was annoyed. Every time the manager of Yuelai Inn handed over the accounts, he would make a fuss with Yin, which made Yin feel very embarrassed.
"Fourth Brother, why do you always criticize me? Those servants are not bad, and I have not done anything wrong either!" Yin Zong felt that Yin had gone too far.
Consort Yi's statement certainly matched her son's; the relationship between Yinqi and Yin was getting better and better, which greatly annoyed Consort Yi.
"If you don't explain yourself clearly, how will anyone know what you're trying to say?" Yin didn't take Yin seriously.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, could you please allow the shop to operate as usual during the New Year?" Yin made the request. When the servants of his own shop received the news that Qingyan's shop would be closed for the New Year, they basically started making a fuss.
“No, it’s already December, everyone is exhausted. Can’t we give them a holiday during the Lunar New Year?” Qingyan thought it was reasonable.
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