Starting from the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Qingyan became increasingly busy. The wives of the commanders of the Plain White Banner and the Plain Red Banner came to pay their respects one after another. On the tenth day alone, after paying their respects at Chenggan Palace, Qingyan had already received no less than ten wives of commanders, deputy commanders, and military officers of various ranks.
Before dinner, she leaned listlessly against the armrest of the soft couch, her face stiff. Today, she was like a statue, her mouth constantly grinning. She was inwardly reluctant to chat with the court ladies.
Military generals were different from civil officials. These people were basically true Manchus, and their wives were all princesses of the Eight Banners. In the early years after entering the pass, the women of the Eight Banners were not as strict as they are now.
They spoke very bluntly, some even using profanity, which made her want to frown. Yin had instructed her beforehand to face these people with a smile, and she gritted her teeth and dealt with them for a whole day.
She had to admit that Consort Tong would meet with these people every five or ten days.
"Madam, you should rest too. You've been exhausted all day!" Su Lan massaged Qing Yan's shoulders. All day, Qing Yan had been putting on airs, as if she had been nailed to a template, maintaining the airs of royalty. It was exhausting for Su Lan!
"No need, just arrange dinner!" Qingyan was listless. This day had really taken a toll on her energy, and she was still feeling quite uncomfortable.
When Yin entered, Qingyan was slumped on the armrest of the soft couch, looking utterly hopeless.
After meeting with the ladies-in-waiting, she simply changed into casual clothes, without removing the warm jade and gold hairpin adorned with flowers.
After becoming familiar with her, Yin walked to her side and personally removed the heavy gold hairpins one by one, placing them on the mahogany tray that Su Peisheng was carrying, arranging them according to their arrangement.
Qingyan turned her head and saw Yin standing behind her, helping her remove her hair ornaments. He then pulled her soft body into his arms.
"Little darling, are you tired today?" Yin's deep voice rang in her ear, and she closed her eyes and leaned against his chest.
"Fourth Prince, I can't keep entertaining all these people, can I?" Qingyan looked dejected; those court ladies...
Waaaaah!
Qingyan told Yin everything that had happened that day. She had to admit that she needed to improve her patience. In the future, she would have to deal with these people frequently. If she couldn't control her temper and just exploded, it might put Yin in a difficult position!
"Little darling, there won't be so many in the future. During the New Year, we still need to treat people with respect!" Yin drew a frame for Qingyan, within which she could do as she pleased.
Emperor Kangxi also provided Consort Tong with a framework within which she could freely express herself.
He couldn't help but feel that Kangxi's actions were very different from before.
Corporal Lixian!
Qingyan set up a mini-drama in her mind, her large, watery eyes fixed on Yin. Was this really the icy Prince Yong? Or wasn't he Prince Lian?
"You find it strange?!" Yin smiled.
Previously, he also felt that princes should have the air of royalty and maintain a distance from their ministers; he believed that someone like Yinzhen was definitely wrong.
“Yes, you’re not someone who can let go of your pride!” Qingyan nodded.
etc!
Was he using her as a buffer?
Qingyan was instantly dumbfounded; she wasn't Ambassador Qi Enshan!
"Fourth Sister, I can't understand what they're saying." Qingyan lowered her head. She was the child of a military general, yet she couldn't understand these women at all. That was the worst thing, wasn't it?
Pfft!
Yin spat out his tea, and Xiao Guai actually complained to him.
Even Emperor Kangxi thought that Xiao Guai was the most approachable and would perform better than the others.
"Feeling strained?" Yin smiled, a smile that conveyed a sense of helplessness.
snort!
Qingyan pouted, her slender right index finger tapping on the folding slip delivered by the sticky rod. She felt extremely uncomfortable; those people were simply looking for trouble.
"Look at what they're saying. They're implying that the wives of civil officials look down on them and won't even invite them to banquets. The boundaries between civil and military officials are very clear. It's giving me a real headache!" Qingyan rubbed her temples. This was the worst possible situation.
After the Lantern Festival, she would definitely host a banquet for these court ladies. They would start arguing at the banquet, which would make a fool of themselves. Qingyan did not want her banquet to be ruined like that.
As Yin listened to her complaints, he realized that the boundaries between court ladies and officials were very similar. Civil and military officials could never be one and the same, and this required the emperor's intervention.
"Little Darling, what are you going to do?" Yin looked down at Little Darling.
Qingyan only had two words to say: No way!
She had to get used to being the center of attention, with the court ladies all fawning over her, hoping to gain more benefits from Xiao Guai.
"Sisi, if I were to argue with them, whose side would you take?" Qingyan suddenly thought of this question.
Yin hesitated for a moment and then said, "I will protect my wife!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Qingyan suddenly felt as if he were the emperor.
"My little darling, I once told you that when I rule the world, I will grant you a harem as your home!" Yin whispered in her ear.
Qingyan's eyes widened instantly. Yin was the final victor, and now, every word he spoke would be a promise.
"Fourth...Fourth..." Qingyan's eyes welled up with tears. Yin was not a man who made promises lightly; once he did, he would definitely keep them.
"My little darling, this is my promise to you!" Yin smiled. The little girl's spirit was always too tense, and it was easy for it to break.
She nestled in his arms, feeling only a gentle warmth.
He looked out the window, a king reigning supreme! He would do better in this life; having been a king for so many years, he was not used to submitting to anyone.
"Sisi, I'm waiting!" Qingyan hoped to fight alongside him, not always hide behind him.
Yin smiled, knowing he needed her trust.
"As long as the women can maintain appearances, that's fine." Since childhood, Yin had seen Consort Tong get a headache every time the Spring Festival approached.
Back then, when Empress Niohuru was still alive, there was something to cover her head with. However, the female relatives of the core ministers most trusted by Emperor Kangxi would all go to Chenggan Palace to report. Consort Tong would greet them with a smile, whether she liked it or not.
As his primary wife, she also had to face these problems.
"Hmm!" Qingyan couldn't help but complain. It's easy to say, but hard to do. She wasn't just complaining. Those women probably didn't have much education. They probably didn't even know much Mongolian, let alone Sinology, except for Manchu.
Their words revealed the idea that Manchus were above all else, and she could only pretend not to hear their criticisms.
"Fourth Sister, I know what to do, I definitely won't give myself away!" Qingyan smiled, it was good that someone could listen to her rant.
After venting, I felt much better.
"Hmm!" (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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