At breakfast, all the princes and their wives came over. Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong hosted a banquet for them. The princes seemed a little reserved. Qingyan sat next to Yinzhen, eating his breakfast in small bites, wondering why Emperor Kangxi had chosen this time to host a banquet.
The main group only arrived yesterday, and everyone went to the night market. Could it be that something went wrong at the night market?
"Fourth Prince, Father Emperor doesn't look well!" Qingyan asked Yin through the spatial communicator.
"Don't say any more, have breakfast first, we'll talk when we get back!" Yin's eyes were fixed on Yin Zhi, as if Yin Zhi had committed some heinous crime.
Qingyan followed Yin's gaze and saw that Yin Zhi's well-behaved appearance was quite different from his previous handsome and dashing demeanor.
After breakfast, Consort Tong led the women to a side hall. After everyone was seated, Consort Tong looked at the Third Prince's wife and Princess Dong'e.
"The third son's family!" Consort Tong sneered.
The Third Prince's wife and Princess Dong'e trembled slightly, then quickly stood up and knelt on the carpet.
"My dear mother, it's my fault for not handling this well, which has damaged Third Master's reputation!" Third Princess Consort said helplessly. Yinzhi's temper was getting worse and worse, so Third Princess Consort and Dong'e Gege basically went along with him, hoping not to get beaten up.
"How could you bring a woman who is still in mourning into your household?" Consort Tong was truly exasperated; Yin Zhi was simply too ignorant of etiquette.
As soon as he finished speaking, the women gasped in astonishment. Qingyan's almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise.
Emperor Kangxi valued filial piety above all else, so he always provided for the Empress Dowager with great care. Now, Yinzhi is blatantly contradicting his own principles.
"I have no choice," the Third Princess Consort said helplessly. "Master's temper is getting worse and worse. Lately, my daughter-in-law and Princess Dong'e have been getting beaten up all the time. In the end, we can only go along with Master's temper!"
The Third Prince's wife was complaining, and the sisters-in-law also knew a little about what was going on in the Third Prince's residence. They were all somewhat relieved, because if they had encountered someone like Yinzhi, they would probably have been helpless.
"They don't even care about filial piety anymore?" Consort Tong was furious when she heard about the Third Prince's affairs. If the families of officials in the south found out, they would question the royal family's upbringing.
“My dear mother, I really have no choice. That girl was brought back by him personally, and none of us can get close to her. She is still being pampered in the master’s study. I said I would send some nannies to teach her manners, but the master said that no one should be bothered by too many rules!” The Third Princess Consort also said helplessly.
Recently, Yinzhi and she have had countless arguments, many of which are about things in the backyard.
After Yinzhi fell ill, the Third Princess Consort actually hoped that someone could take care of him so that they wouldn't have to suffer any more physical pain. When that person appeared, the Third Princess Consort breathed a sigh of relief.
"Was tea served?!" This was what Consort Tong cared about.
"No!" Third Princess Consort quickly shook her head.
It's already unbearable enough for someone who hasn't finished mourning to be sent to the mansion; if they were also forced to drink tea, they wouldn't be able to live like this. Even the Third Prince's wife hasn't been humiliated like this before.
"My daughter-in-law failed to discipline her properly, which led to this incident in the mansion. It is my responsibility to deal with it, but I have caused my mother-in-law to worry. It is my fault!" The Third Princess Consort now hopes that Consort Tong can plead with Emperor Kangxi. Yinzhi will definitely be punished, whether by being flogged or demoted.
Consort Tong sat down and sighed as she looked at the Third Prince's wife.
"Are you prepared to bear this sin yourself?" Consort Tong sighed.
The Third Prince's wife looked up at Consort Tong and nodded firmly.
Standing nearby, Qingyan was somewhat surprised. In the Third Master's mansion, Dong'e Gege was more favored than the Third Prince's wife, yet now, the Third Prince was being made to bear the blame.
"Mother, I hope to bear this sin alone. The master is innocent!" The Third Princess Consort thought for a moment. If she took the blame, would Yinzhi treat her daughter better because of her?
Why.....
The sisters-in-law were all somewhat moved, saying that although the Third Princess Consort seemed unapproachable, she had always been sincere towards them, and this was even more true now.
"Alright, Shu, go and speak to His Majesty." Seeing the Third Princess's unwavering gaze, Consort Tong could only acquiesce.
Dong E Gege didn't say a word, treating herself as a mere backdrop in the market.
Qingyan and Yingenjueluo exchanged a glance and saw the regret in each other's eyes.
Soon, Shu came over and led the Third Princess to the main hall. Consort Tong looked at the Third Princess's back and showed a regretful expression.
"You are all the principal wives of the household, so you must keep the servants in check and persuade your masters. If anything happens, don't blame me for taking action!" Consort Tong said to the crowd.
The wives readily agreed, but Qingyan felt uneasy. Why should the women always have to bear the blame?
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has said that the Third Prince will be confined to his quarters for three months, and the Third Princess Consort will spend a month copying scriptures in the Buddhist hall of the imperial palace. She will also be demoted from Prince of the Second Rank to Prince of the Third Rank," Shu said simply.
Consort Tong nodded in satisfaction. Emperor Kangxi should know that this matter had little to do with the Third Prince Consort; it was Yinzhi who did it personally.
“You all need to learn from this!” Consort Tong nodded. “Qingyan, stay. You may all leave.”
Consort Tong heard that things were getting lively inside the main hall, and she knew that Emperor Kangxi should have asked the princes to leave.
After the wives left, Consort Tong waved to Qingyan.
"Little darling, come here quickly!" Consort Tong's face showed a loving expression. "Does it feel abrupt?"
Qingyan nodded: "We went to the night market yesterday too, why didn't we ask about it?"
"Hehe, at midnight, the third prince came out of the theater and happened to run into a man selling himself to bury his father. The Third Princess and Princess Dong'e went back first and weren't with him at all," Consort Tong said sarcastically.
"Has Consort Rong found out?" Qingyan doesn't like Consort Rong. Originally, Consort Rong couldn't control Yinzhi, but now, she's letting the Third Prince's wife manage him personally.
"Of course I know. Do you think Consort Rong is a fool?" Consort Tong sneered.
Consort Rong remained silent, hoping her daughter-in-law would take the blame for all the crimes. During this southern tour, Emperor Kangxi brought several concubines with him last. Consort Rong was placed under house arrest as soon as they arrived at the temporary palace.
"Mother, you're the best!" Qingyan said coquettishly, leaning against Consort Tong.
"They've really lost all sense of propriety!" Kangxi stormed in, followed closely by Yin, his brows furrowed as if he had encountered something difficult to resolve.
Consort Tong and Qingyan paid their respects to Emperor Kangxi, but Kangxi simply waved his hand and told Qingyan to sit to the side.
"Mother, has Consort Rong not been punished?" Yin asked directly.
"Fourth Prince...this is a matter for the inner palace." Consort Tong looked at Yin with displeasure.
"The Empress Dowager is protecting him!" Kangxi felt that he should make things clear with Yin, as he sensed that the woman was targeting Yin.
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