The atmosphere inside the tent became tense. Most of the guards in the camp had been taken away by Kangxi and the princes, leaving less than a third of them behind. This was why the Mongol prince was so audacious.
At this moment, Qingyan was thinking about another problem. The news that Kangxi had taken most of his guards out of the camp was only known to the Crown Prince, a few princes, and important ministers trusted by Kangxi. No one else could find out about these flaws.
"Little darling, sit down!" Consort Tong did not get up. "Naoyan, it's been many years, how have you been?"
Consort Tong looked at the Prince in front of her and couldn't help but recall when she was young, she was almost betrothed to a Mongol, and this was the man she was to marry.
Naoyan?! In Chinese studies, it means prince, haha, this guy's father must have valued the title too much to give him such a name.
Qingyan sat to the side, her curiosity piqued. Back then, Consort Tong and this Mongolian prince must have had some connection.
"Lanya has indeed grown up. I even changed my appearance before coming here, but you can still tell!" Nao Yan laughed heartily. The Empress Dowager had clearly agreed that Consort Tong would be betrothed to him.
After waiting for several years, he heard that Consort Tong had been brought into the palace by Emperor Kangxi, and he had nowhere to vent his anger.
"How dare you! You're blind! Don't you know my name is yours to call?" Consort Tong said coldly. "I'm thinking of our childhood friendship, so I'm giving you this advice once. His Majesty won't watch me suffer."
Consort Tong's words reminded Nao Yan. Originally, he didn't believe that Kangxi would give up Consort Tong and use her as bait. The Crown Prince confidently said that Consort Tong was no longer as favored as before.
During his previous autumn excursions, Emperor Kangxi did not bring Consort Tong along; instead, he was accompanied by young and beautiful noble ladies.
"Your Majesty, are you saying this to me? I know men's thoughts better than you do!" Nao Yan smiled. Don't women care about their pride?
Under the command of Consort Tong, Eshuo and Saito did not make any rash moves, but simply stood to the side, waiting for their masters to give orders.
Qingyan stood up and personally poured a cup of tea for Consort Tong. As soon as she placed the teacup in Consort Tong's hand, she felt its icy coldness. Her heart skipped a beat; Consort Tong wasn't entirely confident either.
Did Emperor Kangxi not leave Consort Tong many people for her?
She surveyed the guards outside. Apart from the new troops led by Eshuo and Saito, half of the remaining guards were actually Kangxi's imperial guards in disguise, while the loyalty of the others was uncertain.
Yin and Yin also left some people behind, but they didn't bring them over. Since something has happened here, the guards will all rush over.
They hoped to resolve the problem completely without firing a single shot, but being on the grasslands, caution was paramount.
"My dear mother, it seems the Prince is a sensible man." Yin Genjue Luo Shi's heart was pounding. All three of her direct descendants' children were in the main tent. If she was not careful, they would all be wiped out.
At this moment, Kangxi and others received the news and couldn't help but frown. In the eyes of the Mongol leaders, the number of guards around the imperial tent and the main tent had not decreased, unless someone had secretly informed the Mongols behind their backs.
"Father, shall we go back?" Yin had made arrangements in advance, specifically leaving Eshuo and Saito behind. With the new army there, there shouldn't be any major trouble.
Kangxi shook his head. The Mongol leaders were mostly hunting nearby. Their Aisin Gioro family members were going back, and they would definitely arouse Yinqi's suspicion.
"No need," Kangxi refused.
He believed that Consort Tong could handle it well. He glanced at his sons' expressions. Yin's expression was not very good. He and his wife had a good relationship, while Yin was relatively more composed.
Yin probably had more confidence in his wife. Qingyan was inexperienced, so it was understandable that Yin would be worried.
The Crown Prince kept his eyes fixed on Kangxi. Before leaving the capital, Suo'etu explained the entanglement between Kangxi, Consort Tong, and Naoyan.
When Yin first arrived at the grassland, he found Naoyan. From his tone, he realized that Naoyan still held the position of Consort Tong in his heart, so he thought of having this man get rid of Yin's two most powerful backers.
Of the older princes, Yin felt that he posed the greatest threat.
*****************
On the other side, Qingyan twirled the silk handkerchief in her hand, noticing that the guards on both sides were already on the verge of drawing their swords. She gave Yin Genjueluo a look, suggesting that the two of them should go to Consort Tong's side. With the three of them by the children's side, they could protect the children in times of crisis.
Acting on her mother's instincts, Qingyan put her sense of crisis aside.
Yin Genjue Luo Shi and Qing Yan stood up at the same time and walked to Consort Tong's side, directly shielding the three children behind them.
Nao Yan noticed the movement of the three people and felt a pang of sadness. Consort Tong hadn't borne Emperor Kangxi any children; it was probably because Kangxi wanted to prevent the Tong family from becoming too powerful. Nao Yan always felt that since Consort Tong had married her, she should already have many children.
"Your Majesty, what is your decision?" Yan Zhuo hoped that Consort Tong would follow him. If the Crown Prince's rebellion succeeded, Consort Tong would surely be forced to commit suicide. He wanted to give Consort Tong a chance to live.
"I will stay by Xuan Ye's side!" Consort Tong smiled. The Mongol leaders were courting death, and she didn't mind letting them understand that no one could withstand the wrath of the emperor.
Qingyan felt uneasy as she listened to their conversation, sensing that they might not be able to hold out until the men returned.
Nao Yan looked at the three women in front of him and thought they were courting death.
Qingyan quietly placed the pistol behind his back, his eyes fixed on the outside of the tent. Seeing that Consort Tong's attitude was resolute, Naoyan simply waved his hand and handed it to the servants of the other Mongol leaders.
Whoosh!
The three of them breathed a sigh of relief. With Nao Yan gone, these servants would be easier to deal with. At least, with Nao Yan here, Consort Tong couldn't say certain things.
The Mongolian guards watched Naoyan leave, a lewd smile playing on their lips. The three women inside the tent were surely doomed.
Saito and Eshuo drew their swords, preparing to confront these people.
"If you lay down your weapons now, I might plead for you before His Majesty!" Consort Tong looked at the guards outside the window. These men had been fooled by the Mongol leaders. If they could lay down their weapons and stand on their side, she wouldn't mind forgiving their insolence.
Qingyan was stiff all over, her eyes were cold, and she hoped that Yineng would come back soon.
As time passed, the Mongol guards gathered outside the tent. Both Oshuo and Saito were on edge, ready to fight them to the death.
Consort Tong and Lady Yin Genjueluo remained calm. They had experienced too many struggles before, and this was just another ordinary one.
They were nervous inside, but they didn't show it on their faces.
"Little darling, if things really get too difficult outside, you and the eldest son should take the child and leave first!" Consort Tong's status is the most valuable; when the Mongol leaders launch their attack, she is their primary target. (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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