The next day, Qingyan went to Chenggan Palace with Yin. During the New Year period, there was very little time to come in and pay respects.
Seeing that Xiao Guai was not feeling well, Consort Tong couldn't help but laugh. It was time to have a good talk with Xiao Guai about her experiences.
"Little Darling, come here!" After Yin and Qingyan bowed, she called Little Darling to her side. It was rare that Kangxi did not appear in Chenggan Palace, and Yin completely relaxed.
"Mother, it's good that Father Emperor isn't here!" Yin said with emotion.
Pfft!
Consort Tong and her mother-in-law both laughed. Kangxi and Yin were always causing trouble here, making so much noise that they had to hide aside and watch the show.
"Little darling, have you seen the wives of the two banner commanders?" Consort Tong also knew that these people were rather vulgar, and most of them were women from beyond the Great Wall. When they spoke, it was unpleasant to listen to them.
Most of them were eliminated in the second round of the selection process, and very few actually made it into Kangxi's career.
"Mother!" Qingyan looked at Consort Tong apologetically, "I just feel a little uncomfortable, but I feel fine!"
Qingyan dared not speak nonsense in front of Consort Tong, so he could only use awkward words to change the subject.
"You don't need to speak up for those people." Consort Tong shook her head indifferently. She knew those women better than Xiao Guai. "Just don't make any promises in front of them!"
Consort Tong gave Xiao Guai a few instructions, and then inquired about Yin's plans for the New Year. The Ministry of Revenue was also extremely busy, having made all the preparations in advance, and was now waiting for the New Year.
"Mother, the Ministry of Revenue has sealed the accounts first, so I can have more time to spend with my little darling!" Yin said nonchalantly. Kangxi often envied Yin's leisure time and would add extra work to his schedule, but Yin didn't care. He knew his father's personality better than anyone else.
Consort Tong nodded. Emperor Kangxi mentioned it several times after he returned, saying that Yin's work ability was quite good.
"In a little while, Prince Zhi and the Third Prince and his wife will be coming. My dear, the New Year is almost here, let's put aside the struggle with Consort Dong'e for now." Consort Tong knew that Consort Dong'e and Qingyan would definitely quarrel when they were together.
"Mother, I understand!" As soon as Qingyan finished speaking, Shuzhu came in and announced that Yinzhi and Dong'e had arrived.
This time, when Yinzhi and Consort Dong'e entered the palace, they also brought Yinzhi's most beloved concubine and her eldest daughter, who were Consort Dong'e's most hated people.
"Let them in," Consort Tong relented.
"Fourth sister-in-law, you've arrived so early!" After paying her respects, Dong Eshi immediately noticed Qingyan and began preparing to make trouble again.
Qingyan smiled and deftly deflected Dong Eshi's attack.
As soon as she finished speaking, both Yinzhi and Yin frowned. It was obvious that Dong Eshi wanted to make things difficult for them, which was unacceptable.
"Third Princess Consort, who are these two?" Qingyan ignored them and looked directly at the woman to the side. She was only sixteen years old, with outstanding looks and a scholarly air about her. Qingyan felt that this woman was more likely to be the Third Princess Consort.
Dong Eshi's inability to maintain a good relationship with her sisters-in-law was largely due to her temperament, which was clearly that of a woman with an excellent temper.
"This is the concubine of the mansion, Your Majesty's mother. This is our mansion's little princess." Dong Eshi said with a smile. Even if the mansion did not have a legitimate son, there was still an eldest daughter from a concubine. Among the several mansions that had gotten married, only Yin's son was still childless. Xiao Guai had not yet planned to find a concubine for Yin, which would definitely cause gossip.
Consort Tong gestured for the little girl to come to her. The little girl was quite pretty, bearing a striking resemblance to the concubine. Yin Zhi's gaze towards her revealed deep paternal love.
"Third son, this child is quite good, she should be nurtured well!" Consort Tong looked at the child's clear eyes and understood that she must have been well protected by her parents.
Lady Dong'e twisted the handkerchief in her hand, hoping that Consort Tong would praise her, but unexpectedly, it was that woman who created the opportunity.
“Yes, my dear mother, she is very clever,” Yin Zhi said directly.
He was fond of Chinese studies, and his concubine came from a family of civil officials, so she was quite cultured and often taught her daughter Chinese studies. She was comparable to Consort Dong E, but quite different.
Qingyan's eyes lit up. This child was being raised very well. Dong Eshi probably couldn't interfere; otherwise, he certainly wouldn't have survived to adulthood.
"Mother, she's so cute!" Qingyan said.
"Yes, next year, your mother will want to hear good news from you. You are still young, and it is right for you to rest for a few years!" Consort Tong noticed a glint in Dong E's eyes and immediately changed the subject.
This year's election will definitely not be peaceful. Kangxi has decided to give Yinzhi another concubine and two princesses. No matter how resentful Dong Eshi may feel, this is a done deal.
Yin refused in public, citing that he had just arrived at the Ministry of Revenue and was very busy with official duties.
Before the censors, Yin dared not utter a single word about the Qingyan banquet, lest they seize upon it as leverage.
"Mother, Xiao Guai and I have discussed whether we can have a child next year!" Yin said to Consort Tong.
Upon hearing this, Qingyan's cheeks flushed. Yin really didn't leave any room for others. Dong'e's expression was very unpleasant.
"Really?!" Consort Tong exclaimed in surprise.
Qingyan nodded. She loved children very much. She didn't have the chance to be a mother in her past life, so it would be wonderful if she could fulfill her wish in this life.
“My dear mother, my fourth sister-in-law should have a child by now!” Dong Eshi said directly.
At this moment, Dong Eshi felt jealous. Among the princes, she was the least favored. Her younger brothers and sisters-in-law were all pampered and loved by their master, but she was the only one who was not favored.
"Third son's wife, you should also think more about the children. It's not right for the third son to be involved with concubine's daughters. Only when the legitimate branch is prosperous can it better support the men working outside!" Consort Tong directly touched on Dong E's sore spot.
Qingyan stood aside, recalling the rumors circulating in the capital that Consort Dong'e had rendered many of Yinzhi's concubines infertile. Unsure of the truth of the matter, she decided it was best to remain a quiet bystander and not get involved in such trouble.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Dong Eshi's face was extremely pale. Only when Yinzhi went to her courtyard could his legitimate sons and daughters appear.
Dong Eshi glared at Qingyan. She didn't even have a single competitor by her side. Shouldn't she be the one being nagged by Consort Tong? Why was it that during their audiences, Consort Tong always had a smiling face and never mentioned Qingyan?
"Mother, look how embarrassed Third Sister-in-law is!" Qingyan said with a smile and a coquettish tone.
The relationship between Consort Tong and Consort Qingyan was somewhat different from that of others; at the very least, Consort Dong'e could not get along with Consort Rong in the same way.
Dong Eshi could only feel a faint envy. She hoped that one day, Consort Rong would have a better impression of her. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
