As lunchtime approached, the imperial concubines rose to take their leave, intending to pay their respects to Consort Tong after lunch.
Yin and Qingyan awkwardly accompanied the people who came to pay their respects for the entire morning. Seeing the situation, Qingyan had no choice but to stand up and ask Shu to arrange the meal in advance.
"Fourth Princess Consort, this servant has made all the arrangements. The Empress, the Princess Consorts, and the ladies can dine at Chenggan Palace!" Shu quickly reported.
"No need, we'll come over after the Imperial Concubine gets up!" Consort Rong came out and noticed that Shu didn't call Imperial Concubine Tong as usual, so she knew that Emperor Kangxi must have told Imperial Concubine Tong to rest more.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has instructed that His Highness should sleep in until he naturally wakes up today!" Shu's words completely shattered the spirits of the palace concubines present.
The Emperor rarely cared about the condition of the concubines. Every morning, the concubines had to help the Emperor put on his court robes, so they had no time to sleep in.
"Hmm!" The concubines rose to take their leave as Consort Rong departed, while the court ladies dared not leave.
"Little darling, what should we do?" Yin Genjue Luo asked Qingyan as she approached him.
"I'm entertaining you, Your Majesty. The princes will likely dine with you as well!" Qingyan quickly replied.
"Ladies, your mother may not be feeling well. Let's all have a meal together in the dining room," said Madam Yin Genjue Luo.
The ladies-in-waiting all stood up. Madam Tong frowned and looked directly into the inner chamber, worried that Emperor Kangxi was preparing to have Consort Tong warn the Tong family.
Yesterday, the Tong family's decision completely offended Consort Tong, and the concubine's daughter's relentless pursuit of Yin made the Fourth Prince furious.
"Yes!" The court officials had no choice but to obey when they saw that the wife of Prince Zhi had made the suggestion.
Six banquet tables were set up in the dining hall, serving all the private dishes of Chenggan Palace.
"Fourth Princess Consort, let Shuzhu serve here. This servant will go and check on the mistress!" Shuzhu whispered to Qingyan as she approached her.
Qingyan nodded. With Consort Tong absent, she would have to assume the role of mistress of Chenggan Palace.
The princes and their wives were all seated at the head table. The Crown Princess's face remained gloomy, and Consort Tong did not come out, which clearly indicated Kangxi's intentions.
Is she a concubine?
Or is she a subject's wife?
Qingyan was somewhat confused. Madam Tong was also on the list of those to be received, and Consort Tong would usually give Madam Tong some face. Today, everyone was shocked.
"My little darling, is your mother unwell?" The Crown Princess looked at Qingyan, hoping to get some different information from her.
Qingyan nodded. The news of his secret departure from the palace yesterday had been suppressed by Kangxi.
"Come, let's have a meal first. In a little while, Mother will be able to entertain everyone!" Qingyan acted as the host, welcoming the guests.
The lunch was very lavish, and the pent-up resentment among the court officials and their wives was finally released.
In the inner chamber, Consort Tong groggily got up and looked at the sunlight outside the window, which was approaching noon. She couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
"Master, you're awake?" Shu heard the noise in the inner chamber and quickly came in from outside.
Consort Tong watched as Shu walked in, carrying a palace dress in her hands.
"Who came to pay their respects?" Consort Tong rubbed her temples. She was too tired yesterday and forgot that today was the day for paying respects.
"Yes, the concubines and ladies-in-waiting have been waiting all morning." Shu had kept the concubines in line all morning, but Prince Yin and several other princes were summoned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation by Emperor Kangxi halfway through.
In the end, the wives had no choice but to stay and help with the hospitality. The Emperor's decree warmed Consort Tong's heart, and she really didn't know how to face Madam Tong.
"Mother is still here?!" Consort Tong got up helplessly, washed up, and then placed the lunch directly on the octagonal table in the inner chamber.
"Quietly call Xiao Guai over!" Consort Tong doesn't like to dine alone, so having Xiao Guai over is a good opportunity to inquire about what happened this morning.
After bowing, Shu went over to invite Xiao Guai over.
At this moment, Qingyan was being attacked by the Crown Princess and the Third Prince's wife. Just when she was at her wit's end, Shujie saved her.
"Mother, you've gotten up?" Qingyan stepped into the inner chamber and saw Consort Tong sitting comfortably on a stool, waiting for Qingyan to come over.
Consort Tong pointed to the seat next to her. The food on the table was mostly what Qingyan liked to eat, and it was very different from the food on the tables outside.
"Let's have our meal first!" Consort Tong nodded, and the two chatted as they ate.
After lunch, Consort Tong did not rush out immediately. Instead, she sat in the armchair and met with Qingyan to find out what was going on.
"Mother, Consort Rong and the others said they would come over after lunch!" Qingyan disliked the palace concubines, and since Consort Tong was not present in the morning, she became the target of her attacks.
Consort Tong smiled coldly. These people had no intention of plotting. Little Guai was a junior and couldn't openly confront them, so they were thinking of doing something to her.
"Let's go and see those ladies first!" Qingyan helped Consort Tong to the main hall. After everyone had lunch, they sat in the hall chatting and waiting. When the palace maids outside informed them that Consort Tong had arrived, they quickly tidied their clothes, stood up, and prepared to pay their respects to Consort Tong.
When the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law arrived at the entrance of the main hall, everyone was stunned. Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are usually enemies, and it is extremely rare for Consort Tong and Qingyan to get along so well.
"No need for formalities. I am not feeling well, and His Majesty instructed Shu and the others not to call me, which has taken up everyone's time!" Consort Tong slowly walked to the main seat and sat down.
"What are you saying, Your Highness? We were being presumptuous," the Crown Princess quickly replied, rising to her feet.
After Qingyan sat down, she lowered her head and smiled slightly. This morning, these people said that Consort Tong had no manners at all, but Madam Tong did not refute them and let them talk about those things.
"Impulsive? His Majesty has just returned, and all of you gentlemen are quite busy. You must keep the inner court stable and not cause any trouble that could damage the royal family's reputation," Consort Tong said with a faint smile, looking in the direction of Madam Tong.
The court ladies, observing the demeanor of Lady Tong and Consort Tong, were secretly alarmed. They realized that Consort Tong's neglect was likely His Majesty's doing. Having considered this, they dared not utter a single thought.
"Yes!" the ladies-in-waiting stood up and quickly replied, "We will remember Your Majesty's teachings."
Qingyan pursed her lips, secretly chuckling to herself.
"Shu, go and bring the rewards for the ladies of the court." The rewards prepared by Consort Tong were all bestowed by Emperor Kangxi. Every time, for the sake of her mother's reputation, she would give an extra portion to the Tong family. This time, she didn't want to do it anymore.
"!" Shu left.
Lady Tong walked at the very back, and Consort Tong did not, as before, ask her to stay.
Several princes and their wives noticed something was amiss. Consort Tong was noticeably different from her usual dejected self. It seemed that she might have broken ties with the Tong family; at the very least, Tong Guowei's faction had already shown their attitude.
It would be excellent if they went back and spoke to their masters. The princes could certainly gain access to Tong Guowei's connections; after all, the Tong family had so many concubine daughters. Just having one around them would be enough to completely win them over. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)
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