Consort Tong always had an aloof and superior demeanor, and many military generals' wives dared not speak to her much.
"Your Highness, the Fourth Prince's wife seems quite good. At least, she hasn't caused any trouble!" Madam Tong smiled, knowing that standing next to the Imperial Concubine Tong, she certainly wouldn't speak ill of Xiao Guai.
Dong E's face darkened further. Qing Yan sat to the side, listening to the ladies-in-waiting talking to Consort Tong about what was happening outside. It had to be said that those matters had little to do with her, yet they were attracting a lot of attention.
"Fourth Princess Consort, the other princess consorts are all preparing to hold a flower-viewing banquet after the fifteenth. What about you?" Soetu's wife was not one to back down and directly provoked him.
A faint smile appeared on Qing Yan's lips as he looked at the other person with icy eyes.
"A flower-viewing banquet? All of my sisters-in-law left the palace before us. I remember that no one held a flower-viewing banquet in the first year!" Qingyan looked at Dong Eshi. Yin Genjueluoshi was pregnant. Yin directly rejected the idea of a flower banquet.
Dong Eshi pretended not to know, having made quite a few foolish mistakes last year.
After the words were spoken, the court ladies were speechless. This master really didn't leave any face at all.
Lady Suo'etu dared to directly refute what she said. Lady Yingenjueluo envied Qingyan. She was a primary consort like Xiaoguai, but she couldn't directly refute her.
"Look at what Fourth Princess Consort is saying. Third Princess Consort has simply forgotten. I have already reminded Fourth Princess Consort. Is it not allowed to hold the event?" Lady Suo'etu was annoyed. Even the Crown Princess would not dare to speak to her like that.
Qingyan rested his right hand on the armrest, tilted his head, and looked at her—this was clearly a provocation!
The ladies-in-waiting were all watching the two of them spar, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. Such a spectacle for the Fourth Prince's wife was not common.
"Oh, so you're the one who sets the rules for the royal family?" Qingyan asked, somewhat bewildered. "You just say the word, and the princes and princesses have to follow it."
Normally, the primary wives wouldn't say such things, as it would be too embarrassing. Qingyan, however, was different; she spoke frankly and directly.
Consort Ping sat on the armchair, looking at her sister-in-law with a worried expression. She really didn't care about making a fuss; was she planning to ruin the respect her sister had earned with her life?
Lady Soetu was used to being high and mighty and rarely paid attention to Consort Ping, who was out of favor. Back when Empress Hesheli was alive, she used to visit the palace very often, but when it came to Consort Ping, it was considered good if she didn't say a few sarcastic remarks.
"Fourth Princess Consort, that's not what the lady meant!" Seeing that Lady Hesheli remained silent, Consort Ping had no choice but to speak up herself.
Everyone's attention was focused on Consort Ping, who usually didn't do much.
However, Lady Soetu not only ignored her, but also glared at her angrily.
“Mother, this matter is my fault. I’ve wronged Consort Ping. Sulan, go and tell Su Peisheng to go back and draft the invitations as soon as possible and send them over before the banquet. It’s also the elder’s request!” Qingyan smiled faintly and used the word “elder” to directly pinpoint the crime on Lady Suo’etu.
Consort Tong nodded. Qingyan's actions were reasonable and saved face for everyone. However, in private, she directly criticized the arrogance of the Suo'etu family.
Consort Ping intended to stop her, but was angered by Lady Suo'etu's words.
"Fourth Prince's wife is quite thoughtful!" Lady Suo'etu said smugly, her words even being heeded by the princes' wives.
Soon, the courtiers in the front hall also learned of this matter, and Suo'etu's face instantly turned dark.
The principal wife was a bit older, and Suo'etu had long since stopped liking her. Of all the concubines in the harem, which one was inferior to this woman?
As dinner time approached, Tong Gu'e led the palace concubines and court ladies out. Qing Yan and Yingenjueluo Shi came out one after the other, and only then did she realize that the Crown Princess had not appeared.
"Sister-in-law, why didn't the Crown Princess come out?" Qingyan thought the Crown Princess was only absent when paying her respects, since compared to the eldest son and wife, she was ultimately unimportant.
"Look at the Crown Prince's side!" Yin Genjue Luo Shi pointed at Qing Yan, and Qing Yan was stunned when he looked in that direction.
"The Crown Prince's concubine, Lady Li Jia?!" Qingyan covered her mouth. On such an occasion, even if the Crown Princess was not present, a concubine could not sit next to the Crown Prince.
She was somewhat confused by the scene. Had the Crown Princess done something wrong?
Emperor Kangxi on the dragon throne did not react at all, which suggests that he had tacitly approved of his concubine's attendance at the banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Qingyan helped Sulan sit down next to Yin. They looked at the exquisite imperial dishes on the small table in front of them, but the dishes were already quite cold.
"Fourth Prince, the Crown Princess... hasn't come out yet!" Qingyan glanced at Dong E Shi to the side, and sure enough, her complexion was even worse.
Yin used the table as a barrier, squeezed her small hand, and told her not to ask for the time being.
Every year, the banquets at the Hall of Supreme Harmony are pretty much the same. Last year, the Qing banquet was a disaster, but I still remember these things.
Around midnight, she helped the slightly drunk Yin back to his inner chamber. As soon as she put him on the bed, she quickly wrung out a damp towel to wipe Yin's face. Unexpectedly, her soft little hand was grasped.
"You're not drunk?" Qingyan slapped his chest with her right hand. This guy was really infuriating. "You lied to me about supporting you for so long. You're heavy."
Qingyan pouted, her face full of displeasure.
"If we don't do this, do you think they'll let us off so easily?" Yin had no choice but to resort to this tactic. "Besides, they all want to get information out of you. The Crown Princess hasn't come out yet!"
Qingyan was very curious. No matter what, the Crown Princess represented the face of the royal family. Today, not only did she not appear, but she was even replaced by the Consort. This was obviously something serious.
"The Crown Princess's family has not appeared either!" The Crown Princess's family holds a noble title and should be present among the imperial clan, but this year is an exception.
Qingyan's little mind began to recall: Who was the Crown Princess's mother?
“Right now, the head wife of the Guarjia clan is not the Crown Princess’s mother, but only the stepmother!” Yin explained, noting that this lady clearly wanted her daughter to take the place of the Crown Princess.
Even her half-sisters wanted to take her place, so it would be a miracle if the Crown Princess was in a good mood. In addition, during the southern tour, the Crown Prince's harem was in chaos, and the Crown Princess was directly reprimanded by Consort Tong.
Qingyan laughed unkindly. The relationship between the Crown Princess and her hadn't reached the point of death, but it was close enough.
"What?!" Yin's next words stunned Qingyan. Sure enough, this lady was eyeing the Fourth Prince's residence; the position of concubine was far too coveted. "I think it's the Crown Princess causing trouble. Otherwise, why would that person think our residence is so good?" (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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