As noon approached, the Linglong Pavilion became increasingly crowded. Many court officials accompanied their female relatives to order jewelry. Yin kept the Dragon Guards watching the officials, as the list was to be recorded in detail for Kangxi to see.
Among these people were some from the eight major surnames, but most were court officials who had been promoted in recent years. Many of them came from poor families, but after standing in the court for a few years, they were able to afford some high-end jewelry from Linglong Pavilion.
There must be something fishy going on here; neither Kangxi nor Yinzhi believed it.
"Fourth Prince, Lady Ulanara also owns shares in this Linglong Pavilion. I am from her family, so why can't I order jewelry here?" Ejeku was indignant. The servants who came out with him all lowered their heads, not daring to listen to this master.
Even the Imperial Consort's shop can run rampant?!
"How dare you!" Accompanied by a shout from outside, a man a few years older than Ejeku strode in. He flicked his sleeves and quickly greeted Yinyu Qingyan.
"This servant greets Your Majesty!" Yargan had just inherited the position of clan chief of the Gioro clan and had been busy solving problems for Ejeku.
Yargan remained kneeling on the ground. He had more experience than Ejeku and could tell at a glance that the Fourth Prince was very dissatisfied with the Gioro clan. Ejeku was still not behaving himself and had come to cause trouble.
Ejeku kept looking at Jueluo Shi, making her press Qingyan to nod.
Qingyan leaned back in the armchair, her face tense, refusing to look at Jueluo's pleading eyes. She was even more annoyed. Why couldn't her mother see her hardships? Why did she always hurt her because of her family?
"You... Yargan, what are you yelling at? I'm talking to my own sister, what's it to you?!" Jue Luo Shi had a very low status at home, and Ejeku was used to giving orders since childhood, so he was even less restrained outside.
"Insolence!" Qingyan slammed her teacup on the table. "Kneel down!"
No matter how wrong Jue Luo is, she is still her mother, and she will always support her no matter what.
Ejeku glared angrily at Qingyan, but under the triple pressure from Yin, Feiyanggu, and Yargan, he still knelt on the ground. Looking at the man who had shrunk in stature, she felt even more uncomfortable.
"For a concubine?!" Qingyan squinted. Ezheku was worried that the silver she had received would be discovered. Those people said that as long as she did what they asked, the generous reward would be his.
Everyone present was stunned by Qingyan's words. For a concubine... wasn't that a joke?
Which man would cherish his concubine like a treasure? Apart from that scourge Longkodo, most men are quite clear-headed. Without the protection of the Tong family, His Majesty would never allow him to favor his concubine over his wife.
"No, no, no!" Ejeku quickly explained.
The matter of Longkodo caused quite a stir in the court a few days ago, and even Tongjia, who had always been valued by Emperor Kangxi, was reprimanded by him.
No?!
Qingyan gave a cold laugh; this guy was spouting nonsense with a straight face.
"Ejeku, you'd better explain yourself before my patience runs out!" Feiyangu slapped him hard; this brother-in-law was the one he feared most. "Speak up!"
When Ejeku saw Feiyangu's tiger-like eyes glare at him, he immediately deflated and recounted how his concubine had been bribed by a court lady when she went out.
As soon as the words were spoken, Qingyan's heart skipped a beat. These ladies were probably pinning their hopes on next year's imperial concubine selection.
Now, many of the court ladies are getting close to Lady Jue Luo, hoping that she can persuade Qingyan.
"Who is it?!" Yin's cold, deep voice rang out, and everyone except Qingyan was aroused by the icy tone.
Qingyan's eyes suddenly lit up. Fei Yanggu looked at his daughter's adorable face and shook his head. Apart from Consort Tong, Qingyan was probably the only female relative that Yin Neng treated gently.
Instantly, no one in the private room dared to speak anymore. Everyone's attention was focused on Ejeku, for every word he uttered would change an entire family.
Outside the door, many of the women eavesdropping rolled up their handkerchiefs, afraid of overhearing anything bad about their families. Both their husbands' families and their own families were extremely important to them, and neither could be dispensed with.
"I don't know!" When Ejeku uttered these three words, many people breathed a sigh of relief.
Qingyan and Yin were very disappointed. They were so close to the truth, but were brought back to reality.
"Investigate!" Yin uttered a single word, instantly freezing everyone present in his wake.
Qingyan tilted his head to look at everyone's expressions. Fei Yanggu and the others had serious expressions, as if a great battle was about to begin.
"Which concubine is it?!" Yin looked at Ejeku. He was ready to take action himself. It was definitely not a good thing that Xiao Guai's business was being targeted by these people.
Emperor Kangxi was aware of Linglong Pavilion and Yuelai Inn. The ministers were envious of the extravagant lifestyle of Fei Yanggu and his two sons, and even colluded with the censors on several occasions to try to gain more benefits from it. However, Xiao Guai was very self-aware and had Fei Yanggu report all the business of the two shops to Emperor Kangxi.
Ejeku caught a glimpse of Yin's cold gaze out of the corner of his eye, and his heart was in turmoil. This concubine was his favorite, and he hadn't gotten tired of her yet. He didn't want to give her up just like that!
"explain!"
The intense gazes of several people forced Ejeku to make a decision and reveal his concubine.
"Su Peisheng, take men to arrest her!" Yin glanced at Su Peisheng and prepared to send someone to find the concubine.
All the potential problems must be brought to light. Yin stroked his chin, thinking of several possible families. During the selection of concubines, the girls from these families would attract the most attention, as their status was high enough to qualify them as secondary consorts. Many of them were eyeing Yin.
Half an hour later, a woman dressed in pink Hanfu appeared before everyone. Qingyan had to admit that such a delicate and weak woman must be very much loved. Ejeku was a woman who loved beautiful women, so a well-trained Han woman would become a hot commodity.
"This servant greets the Fourth Prince!" The woman slowly bowed and greeted Yin, her beautiful face appearing before him.
Looking at the woman in front of him, Qingyan felt a pang of sadness. It seemed that this woman also hoped to climb into the bed of a higher-ranking man.
During the reign of the previous emperor, the imperial family did not place much emphasis on the concept of female chastity. Even Consort Dong'e, who had been married before, could still become a favored concubine of the emperor. Of course, it was also possible for those of lower status to do so.
"Kneel down." Qingyan's face was tense. "Who ordered you to do this?!"
The woman trembled, her face filled with fear. She glanced timidly at Qingyan and lowered her head.
"The jewelry from Linglong Pavilion?" Qingyan recognized that the jewelry on the woman's head was ordered by Linglong Pavilion. These were items that only the principal wife could possess, yet the concubine had brought them out as decorations.
"yes!"
Fei Yanggu and the others' faces darkened further. Using these ornaments would be a breach of the rules. (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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