The next morning, after having breakfast, Qingyan couldn't help but think of Madam Cao.
She held her teacup and watched Su Lan bustling about. The maids in the courtyard seemed to fall silent instantly, and no one dared to linger in front of her.
"Your Highness, Cai Die has been beaten to death, and Madam Cao has been confined to her quarters by the Empress," Su Lan whispered in her ear.
Qingyan smiled. Cao Yin seemed to have replaced all the maids around his eldest daughter, Cao Yin's capable pawn. It seemed that Cao Yin was very angry.
"Sulan, tell me... how many servants can remember this punishment?" Qingyan looked outside.
How could these servants remain calm when faced with greater benefits?
Even as evening approached, Qingyan was still monitoring the situation.
"Master, the master has sent word for the punishment!" Su Lan rushed into the hall from outside. Qing Yan was taken aback, put down the Buddhist scriptures in his hand, and hurried to the study.
Yesterday, Emperor Kangxi personally told Yinzhi not to cause any more trouble. Today, Yinzhi was punished with a rod. He was instigated to go against Emperor Kangxi. How could he expect to get away with this?
"Stop!" Qingyan quickly stepped into the study courtyard and looked at Yin nervously.
He stood backlit at the door, radiating a cold aura. Su Peisheng, accompanied by four or five eunuchs, stood in the courtyard carrying heavy boards.
Three eunuchs and a palace maid were tied up in the courtyard. When they saw Qingyan enter, they all showed pleading expressions.
"Fourth Prince, you can't do this!" Qingyan stepped forward and covered Yin's hand. "Father Emperor forbids you from using violence in the Cao family!"
Yin pursed his lips. He felt Qingyan grip his cold hand tightly, and through the light, he could see the nervous look in her eyes.
"Don't worry about it. I had Su Peisheng request the imperial decree. These six people are from the Court of Judicial Review, brought by Father Emperor. If Father Emperor doesn't agree, these people won't come in." Yin led Qingyan towards the study, whispering to her that the punishment was not to be carried out.
Kangxi and Yinzhen secretly set a trap. On the surface, they said that all the memorials from Jiangnan were kept in his study. In the afternoon, he went to the main courtyard and, as Kangxi had instructed, gave the servants a chance to act.
As expected, the servants on the periphery sprang into action. Within an hour of him leaving the study, the memorials were copied. Tulichen and Erlu symbolically intercepted a few people at the courtyard gate, while the rest, according to Kangxi's instructions, sent those fake documents into the capital.
"These people are all pawns who have been thrown out. If I directly challenge them, it will only confuse the ministers' attention," Yin whispered to Qingyan.
ah? !
Qingyan closed her eyes and turned her back to him.
"Fourth Prince, I'll keep you company in the study!" Qingyan stopped blocking him and made room for Yin.
She held the storybook in the study, but her ears were filled with the sound of Yin giving orders.
The sound of each slap landing on her body made her tremble all over.
"Little darling, don't be afraid!" Yin returned to the study and found Qingyan trembling in a chair.
She was pulled into Yin's arms, his large hands resting on her back.
She buried her face in his arms; no matter how many years had passed, she simply couldn't bear the thought of being beaten to death.
The sound of the board sent chills down her spine.
"Fourth Brother, don't kill people with sticks anymore!" Qingyan said in a trembling voice.
“Okay!” Yin agreed immediately.
Su Peisheng stood at the door, listening intently to Yin coaxing Qingyan.
After the execution, Qingyan was held in Yin's arms. Outside, the backyard floor was being cleaned. He pulled her into his body and felt her trembling.
"Little darling, it's alright!" Yin held her and sat her down on the chair, gently comforting her.
An hour later, Su Peisheng entered the study. Yin held the sleeping Qingyan and sat on the soft couch in the study.
"Master, everything has been cleaned up!" Su Peisheng reported in a low voice.
The lackeys of the Sticky Rod Office have been mobilized, replacing all the other lackeys.
When Qingyan regained consciousness, it was already morning.
When Yin had breakfast, he specifically told Su Lan to sleep a little longer.
"Sulan, where is Yin?" Qingyan was sleeping very restlessly, having nightmares all night, and looked very uncomfortable.
"Master has gone to his study!" Su Lan dared not leave the inner chamber for even a moment.
After Qingyan was carried back, she slept intermittently. She threw off the covers, put on her cloak, and, wearing her thick-soled shoes, quickly walked to the study.
"Little Darling!" Yin was furious. Little Darling's arrival had been seen by many guards outside.
"Fourth Brother, I always kept my cloak tightly closed when I was out, so there was no wind." Qingyan blinked, looking at Yinqing's expression, and dared not make any more moves.
"You brat, can't you just give me a break?" Yin leaned down and kissed her pink lips.
He picked up the little one, ripped off her cloak, scooped her up in his arms, and quickly placed her on the bed in the study.
"My little darling..." Yin pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes burning with passion.
“Sisi…” Qingyan grabbed his collar helplessly, her little face scrunched up.
Yesterday's scene had a huge impact on her; sometimes, the bright red color would involuntarily float into her mind.
"Relax!" Yin's words were like a spell, making Qingyan relax completely.
*****************************
In the afternoon, Su Lan stood at the door holding Qing Yan's casual clothes. Qing Yan had run into the study in the morning, dressed in disheveled clothes. Fortunately, Su Peisheng had dispatched all the guards outside the courtyard in advance, otherwise they would have been dealt with by Yin.
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