For two consecutive days, everyone gathered in the main hall. Emperor Kangxi's face was filled with smiles. Consort Tong's side hall was also very lively, with several families gathered together.
"My little darling, you've gone to so much trouble these past few days!" Consort Tong said to Qingyan.
Qingyan quickly stood up: "Mother, this is what I should do. All my sisters-in-law did the same; everyone contributed!"
Consort Tong, Consort Yi, and Consort Hui exchanged smiles. Their daughters-in-law were very devoted, and as mothers-in-law, they rarely got to enjoy such treatment. However, they were still very happy.
"Alright, all of you, stop being so modest. You're all quite good; even His Majesty praised you." Consort Tong was very satisfied with the group.
The princes, persuaded by the women, behaved exceptionally well in front of Kangxi. Here, they all treated him as their son and did not think about Kangxi's identity.
Emperor Kangxi was greatly comforted, knowing that not all of his sons were looking at his chair anymore.
"The remaining princes will be here soon, and the officials from the south have already begun their visits. Are you few going out to make an appearance?" Kangxi asked, looking at the princes present.
When officials traveled to the capital to report on their duties, they would often visit the residences of the princes, hoping to gain their favor and be given important positions.
"Father, your son and the others have already declined everyone's offers, so you don't need to worry!" Yin glanced at his younger brothers and quickly said.
Emperor Kangxi was quite surprised that his sons would give up such a good opportunity to socialize and come to the remote mountain village of Beiyuan to keep him company.
“Those people are just here to say a few things. The sons are not annoyed by these people. Not one of them tells the truth.” Yinzhi sneered.
Yin, Yin, Yinqi, and Yin all wanted to facepalm upon hearing this. Yin Yi, I really do dare to say anything!
"Tenth Prince!" Emperor Kangxi looked at him helplessly. "You can't even keep your mouth shut. You dare to say anything out loud. Is this the kind of thing you should be saying?"
Yinzhi quickly stood up: "Father, I have never liked those people. When Ermi came to the capital, he seemed to be contacting us, but in reality, didn't he just want to get news about Father from us?"
After the words were spoken, the princes fell silent. Although the officials in the south were generally wealthy and powerful, and everyone would receive a good gift upon entering their residences, dealing with these people was mentally exhausting.
“Father, what the tenth brother said is right. I don’t like it either. When doing business, you have to deal with people from the south. There’s no way around it. Now, I’m not like before, bullying and monopolizing the market. Of course, I’ve toned it down a bit. I definitely have to go out and face those officials.” Yin said directly.
"Go, call all the women over!" Kangxi had his own ideas. Although he should have Consort Tong and others speak to the women, he would speak to them himself now.
Shortly after, Consort Tong, Consort Yi, and Consort Hui entered with their female relatives. They first bowed to Emperor Kangxi, while the primary wives paid their respects to their husbands.
"Please sit down first." Kangxi looked at his daughters-in-law, feeling somewhat uneasy. Although these daughters-in-law were personally appointed by Kangxi, there was still a certain distance between them.
“Starting tomorrow, you will all go out during the day to attend to the invitations from officials in the south. What’s wrong with you always staying here? You are all the primary wives of the household, you should be properly entertaining them!” Kangxi said to his primary wives.
Qingyan's eyes flickered slightly. A major reason why Yin wanted everyone to come to Beiyuan Mountain Village was that he hoped to get away from those people.
When Emperor Kangxi toured the south, he completely disrupted the officialdom in the south. Li Xu's confiscation of property shocked many officials.
"The Emperor's daughter-in-law and others all declined the invitations," said Lady Yin Genjueluo and others.
"Serving you and Mother by our side is our choice!" Yin chimed in.
Kangxi glared at his sons and said angrily, "I'm telling you to go there and handle things during the day, and come back in the evening. The children are with your mother and me!"
Yin and the others were quite helpless. Kangxi's intentions were already made, and he certainly didn't want them to object.
"Yes!" Yin and the others greeted him, feeling truly helpless at this moment.
In the early morning, Yin and Qingyan changed into their outdoor clothes, sent the children to Consort Tong's courtyard, and then left together in their carriage.
"Fourth Prince, why does Father insist that we go and entertain the officials from the south?" Qingyan didn't quite understand. If it were someone else, they probably wouldn't do that.
"Of course, the Eighth Prince has already made his move, so Father Emperor wants us to go out as well, to completely muddy the waters," Yin said directly.
Qingyan leaned on Yin's shoulder, listening to Yin's words, feeling quite strange.
"Could it be that the Mongols have already contacted Yinsi?" Qingyan suddenly remembered that many tribal leaders from the Mongols would be coming to the Ban Jin Festival this year.
"Probably not!" Yin shook his head. If there really was any news, wouldn't the people at Yuelai Inn bring it to them?
"Master, don't you think the atmosphere in the capital has been a bit strange lately?" Qingyan felt that something was amiss.
In previous years, the Golden Festival was filled with a joyful atmosphere from top to bottom. This year is different. Not only is there no joyful atmosphere, but it is also very depressing.
“Of course, this year’s situation is a bit special, so Father Emperor sent shadow guards into the people’s village. There’s bound to be something amiss,” Yin whispered in her ear.
Qingyan sighed, "Fourth Prince, we might need to be on guard. All the officials from the south sent invitations to Yinsi's residence, and the Eighth Prince's wife actually invited them all without exception!"
In previous years, Guo Luoluo's attitude was very arrogant, and the officials' families from the south were selectively received. Therefore, many officials' families would prepare very generous gifts.
“The Eighth Prince is anxious. After Father Emperor came to Yuanmingyuan, he has not given Yinsi an imperial edict to come and live in the villa. The Third Prince has already come over quietly on his own,” Yin said directly.
Yin wanted to laugh. If the officials in the south were fooled and sided with Yin Si, Kangxi might take direct action.
“The scheming among brothers is already deep enough; Yinsi has used everyone.” Yin said directly, “Even Consort Liang will probably be caught in his schemes.”
Qingyan was quite surprised to hear this. Shouldn't Yinsi be extremely filial? How did he become like this?
"Surprised?" Yin said sarcastically. "Eighth Prince is very good at putting on a show. No wonder so many people are fooled by his appearance."
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