Later that evening, Kangxi declined the invitation from the Tong family and prepared to leave directly with Consort Tong, Yinzhi, and Qingyan.
"Fourth Prince, you and Xiao Guai should go back to the manor. It would be good for you to rest for a while!" Kangxi said.
Consort Tong lowered her head, her eyes already turning red.
"yes!"
Yin took Qingyan into the carriage and slowly left the Tong residence. He took one last look at the place at the bend of the alley, knowing that he would no longer have to come here to suffer.
With his final wish fulfilled, Yin finally felt relieved. He no longer needed to get involved with the Tong family, which was the best outcome.
“Fourth…” Qingyan noticed that Yin’s mood was very strange, so she reached out her small hand and held his tightly.
Yin smiled, finally free from the constraints of the Tong family, and Longkodo would no longer be the biggest obstacle in his path.
"Hmm?!" Suddenly, the hardships of his previous life flashed through Yin's mind. After ascending the throne, Longkodo often talked about these things.
Having experienced the harsh realities of palace life from a young age, Yin's heart was already deeply wounded.
"Little darling, from now on, the New Year's gifts from the Tong family will be sent separately. The number of New Year's gifts for Tong Guowei's residence and Tong Guogang's residence will be changed." Yin pursed his lips and thought for a moment. Kangxi's decision to involve them was probably a secret signal to the outside world.
Consort Tong's attitude towards the Tong family changed significantly. She distanced herself from her biological father and became closer to Tong Guogang's family.
After all, Tong Guogang's family were military officers, and they certainly didn't have as many opinions as Tong Guowei.
"Huh?!" Qingyan was stunned. Both residences had to be given the same gift. If there was even the slightest difference, Consort Tong would be in a difficult position.
Yin stroked Xiao Guai's hair, pondering how to collect the interest.
"From now on, you don't need to worry about Longkodo. Treat his residence like any other court official's. However, as for Tong Guowei and Madam Tong, things will remain the same as before." Yin wouldn't completely offend anyone; he still had to consider his mother's feelings.
Qingyan nodded obediently and returned to her residence after having dinner at Quanjude.
Sitting at her desk, she looked at the orders. The Tong family's orders were significantly more than those of other families, and all the jewelry was required to be the best, but the prices were indeed very low.
"You don't need to worry about the jewelry from the Tong family anymore!" Yin stood behind Qingyan, looking at the orders in her hand, feeling uneasy.
Qingyan had endured so much provocation for the sake of her and her son. Qingyan raised her head and gazed intently at Yin's profile. His profile, combined with his deep voice, completely captivated Qingyan.
"Snap out of it!" Yinshan added, taking advantage of his position, "It's not bad to keep Xiaoguai engrossed in his voice. Remember what I said, you absolutely cannot let Mother mention this matter again."
Qingyan nodded obediently, pondering whether she should refuse some of the things the Tong family wanted to do.
Starting tomorrow, it's time to start arranging New Year's gifts again; these all require careful preparation.
"Fourth Brother, I specially ordered headdresses for the two Guo Luoma Madams. The materials used for the elder Guo Luoma Madam's headdress are definitely better," Qingyan whispered in Yin's ear.
Yin found that Qingyan was very sensible. He smiled and thought that as long as Xiaoguai did not cross Kangxi's bottom line, he could protect her with his own hands.
The Tong family has caused quite a bit of trouble. Yin will no longer allow them to go to Linglong Pavilion. Si'er has been dealt with. However, the jewelry in Linglong Pavilion is the kind of jewelry that the ladies of the court pursue.
"Send all the orders from the Tong family back. This year, apart from the New Year's gifts you sent, don't prepare anything else for them," Yin said directly.
Qingyan leaned on his shoulder, listening to him talk about the arrangements. The fact that the design of the headdress was less complicated was already a good thing.
"Yes!" Qingyan and Yin intertwined their fingers. "Fourth Brother, let's not reduce the amount this year, let's talk about it next year!"
Qingyan lay on top of him, watching the scenery flash by outside the window. She felt that it was better to make the final decision after Consort Tong had told her herself.
"Next year?!" he exclaimed, puzzled.
"Well, Mother didn't say anything about reducing the amount of jewelry we wear. If we do something behind the scenes, Mother will probably be unhappy." Qingyan didn't want to cause trouble, and at the very least, she didn't want to put Yin in a difficult position.
After all, Yin was raised by Consort Tong, and if he did anything slightly out of line, people would say he was ungrateful.
Looking at Xiao Guai's actions, he couldn't help but sigh that Qing Yan had really grown up and knew how to consider him.
"Don't overthink it, Mother won't!" Yin patted her back, assuring her that her mother wouldn't say anything.
Qingyan pursed her lips and puffed out her cheeks.
"No, Father Emperor just dealt with the Tong family today, and Mother is in a bad mood." Qingyan was prepared to live a cautious life for a while, determined not to be punished by Consort Tong.
Yin stopped trying to persuade her. Xiao Guai was very stubborn; once she made up her mind about something, she would never listen to advice.
"Tomorrow, let's go ask Mother together, shall we?" Yin said indifferently.
"Um!"
*******************************
Many people stayed up that night, including Consort Tong. With so many things happening in her family, she must have felt extremely uncomfortable.
Early in the morning, Yin brought Qingyan to the palace. Today was the day she was to pay her respects to Consort Tong. Qingyan wrinkled her little face and looked at Yin pitifully. A careless word from her might hurt Consort Tong.
At this moment, Kangxi had just gotten up and turned to look at Consort Tong's sleeping face, only then did he feel at ease.
After returning home, Consort Tong cried for a long time, feeling abandoned by her family. The girls Tong Guowei was training in the mansion were all eyeing her position.
"Shu, stop the people who come to pay their respects in a moment," Kangxi instructed directly.
"!"
Later that evening, when Yin brought Qingyan over, Consort Tong was still asleep. The young couple didn't disturb her. Yin took Qingyan's hand and went to the room that Chenggan Palace had reserved for him.
"Fourth Prince, Mother hasn't gotten up yet!?" Qingyan was puzzled. Consort Tong would never allow herself to sleep in.
Each time the emperor paid his respects, Qingyan would arrive a little late, and Consort Tong would be waiting there early.
"The Tong family has gone too far." Tong Guowei and his wife have imposed all their own interests on the Tong family. Fortunately, only Jue Luo was causing trouble behind the scenes; otherwise, there would have been a lot of trouble.
Looking at the pear blossoms outside the window, Qingyan couldn't help but feel a little desolate.
The two imperial concubines who lived in Chenggan Palace, Consort Dong'e and Consort Tong, were both deeply favored by the emperor, but both died young in Qing Dynasty history, and neither had any children.
"Fourth Brother, I don't like it here!"
"Um?!"
"It's so tragic!"
"My little darling!"
Yin wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, but Qingyan's words echoed in his mind.
"From now on, I won't let your courtyard be desolate!" Yin whispered his promise. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
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