After washing up, Yin and Qingyan went to the main courtyard, intending to pay their respects to Kangxi before leaving the Cao residence.
As soon as they entered the hall, Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong sat in the seats of honor with grim expressions. Cherry and her family knelt on the ground, and Yin led Qingyan to pay their respects to the two of them.
"Father, I'd like to take Xiao Guai out for morning tea. Mother, please handle this." Yin said to Consort Tong, "Xiao Guai is frightened."
Kangxi nodded. When the Jue Luo clan made their move, it wasn't as blatant and direct as it had been that morning.
"Be careful, take all the guards sent by Tulichen with you!" Kangxi was very reassured about his son going out; he had done a good job protecting Qingyan.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave!" Qingyan, his eyes red, followed Yin out of the palace.
Consort Tong couldn't help but sigh. It was better to let Qingyan go. If Fei Yanggu saw it, he would probably be furious. It wouldn't be good if a fight broke out on Cao Yin's territory.
Qingyan sat in the carriage, feeling like a bird released from its cage, in a wonderful mood.
"Let's go have dim sum. What would you like to order?" Yin patted the private room that Su Peisheng had booked in advance. "Let's have pan-fried buns. Haven't you been wanting to go?"
Qingyan's eyes lit up instantly. Hangzhou's pan-fried buns... In modern times, she went to Yaobude on the Southern Song Imperial Street, and she still remembered the taste. They were simply delicious and inexpensive.
At this time, the shop probably hadn't opened yet, right?
After the carriage stopped, she helped Yin down from it. Before them was a bustling commercial street, with small door curtains lining both sides.
The two walked into the street, where there was a three-story shop in the middle. People were coming and going. She saw the signboard with the three characters "Zhiweizhai". The shop was full of guests. The two went up to the third floor private room, and after passing the Suzhou embroidery screen, they entered the dining room of a Suzhou-style mansion. The mahogany Nan Gong carved eight-immortal table was placed in the center. The opened window could see the activity on the street. To the left, there was a mahogany screen that concealed the area where the women dined.
On the right is a soft couch, and on the kang table is a set of Kung Fu tea cups with a clear glaze after rain. In the four corners, there are icebergs placed in large, openwork jars with scrolls, and dried jasmine petals are scattered on the icebergs. The faint fragrance of jasmine wafts into everyone's noses.
"Sisi, the environment here is really nice!" Qingyan liked the arrangement, which was fresh and elegant.
"Of course, private rooms aren't for just anyone. Today, I'm serving you pan-fried buns. You've been talking about it all the way here!" Yin didn't understand why Qingyan always criticized the pan-fried buns made by the imperial chef.
"Pan-fried buns, red bean paste, double-stuffed dumplings, shrimp wontons, shrimp xiaolongbao. You can order the rest as you see fit!" Qingyan ordered some dishes, and the waiter who came in to take orders couldn't help but look up at the nobleman. This nobleman knew all the popular dishes in the palace.
Yin waved his hand, telling Su Peisheng to go outside and order food. Xiao Guai's mood had changed, so the meal was worthwhile.
"We can wander around outside all day. The snacks here are pretty good, mostly filled with red bean paste!" Yin had been to Jiangnan once before and was overwhelmed by the sweet red bean paste fillings.
"The double-filled dumplings also come with black sesame and red bean paste fillings, but the skin is made with glutinous rice. Just try a taste!" Qingyan has always liked dumplings; they not only have a sweet taste but are also not too cloying!
Pfft!
Yin laughed. The girl's thoughts really changed quickly; she was able to relax in such a short time.
"Where else do you want to go?" Yin didn't want to go back too soon. After all, being at the Cao family's place wasn't like being at home, and he had to save face for Cao Yin.
Su Lan served two cups of tea and then went to wait on the other side.
"I don't know. I want to listen to Pingtan (a type of storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect), but Mother said I can't go to crowded places." Qingyan pouted. "In this hot weather, I'd rather stay in my room."
Qingyan was listless and didn't want to go to the Cao residence; she felt there was too much gossip and trouble there.
etc!
"Little darling, it's nice that we're here all day. We can see lively scenery, and there's also Pingtan performance after breakfast." Yin had already found out the details, just to fulfill her little wish.
"Really?!" Qingyan's eyes lit up, a smile playing on her lips. That's wonderful!
Soon, breakfast was placed on the table, and her eyes lit up as she focused all her attention on it.
After having some breakfast, I didn't really want to have any more light banquet.
"Fourth Sister, is it appropriate for us not to go back?" Qingyan felt something was amiss. "Today, I've come to our place, but I haven't gone to my sister-in-law's place!"
After calming down, Qingyan noticed something was amiss. Madam Cao looked at Furong with surprise, realizing that Furong must not have been arranged by her, yet when she apologized, Furong took full responsibility.
"You think something's wrong?" Yin didn't put down his chopsticks, still eating wontons.
"Madam Cao's eyes showed no knowledge of the situation, yet she kept pointing out her faults. Do you think it might have been arranged by Cao Yin?" Cao Yin and Yin had an excellent relationship. Having only been at the residence for the past two days, the officials must have come to pay their respects. Both Yin and Yin were present; if only Yin was absent, Cao Yin would be too conspicuous.
He hesitated for a moment, then said that he needed to calm Qingyan down, which would also serve as an excuse to go out.
"No need, they just want to prevent me from seeing the court officials in the south!" Yin understood the Crown Prince's meaning; the current officials would all be replaced by Kangxi within the next year or two.
In his previous life, he didn't come along and never understood why Emperor Kangxi suffered from severe blood loss.
Now, he had some clues: the Crown Prince must have gotten involved with Cao Yin around this time.
"Can we not meet?" The court ladies chatted, but they had nothing in common. "I think all of them have something to say about those women!"
Qingyan was about to say Li Xu when Yin glared at her, and she quickly changed her mind.
"Don't mention names outside. I just want to use Mother and you to punish those servants." Yin sneered. He didn't want anyone to plot against Qingyan.
"Hmph, do you think I'm stupid? I'll just use sarcasm to solve it. I don't like Madam Li!" Qingyan pouted, her face full of reluctance.
Consort Tong told Yinzong that she should save face for the women of the court, and that she would definitely make sarcastic remarks if she encountered anything she didn't like. Kangxi did not stop Qingyan's actions because he did not want Xiaoguai's straightforward temper to be suppressed.
"Fine, if you don't like it, then ignore it." Yin also looked down on her; she was too petty and narrow-minded. It was best for Xiao Guai to avoid getting involved with her.
"Sisi, how long do you think we're going to stay in Hangzhou?" Qingyan looked at the blue sky outside the window. This place was very different from before. The small shops on both sides of the street no longer attracted her to stroll around.
"About a month, then we'll go to the Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou." They'll be staying at the Humble Administrator's Garden for a full two months. (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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