Later, Li Dequan arrived at the door of the study. Su Peisheng saw him and quickly went in to report. Yin, Yin and Yin'e exchanged glances. This time the problem was serious, and Kangxi would definitely not sit idly by.
"Alright, when we go to Father's place later, neither of you should say anything. Just wait for me to speak with Father." Yin chose to take responsibility as the elder brother and shield his two younger brothers from trouble.
"Fourth Brother... let me speak first. After all, I'm in charge of the salt route. If I speak about Fourth Sister-in-law's people, Father will definitely become suspicious of me later," Yin said directly.
Yin glanced at Yin, then took Qingyan's hand and left the study. On the way, Yin told Qingyan not to say anything and not to take on any responsibilities.
"Sisi, do you really have a way to make things right?" Qingyan asked him with concern.
Yin nodded. Since the journey was short, Qingyan didn't have time to ask any questions and had to obey Yin's words and remain silent.
The two were the first to arrive at Kangxi's palace, and Yin and Qingyan paid their respects together.
"Get up and get ready. What are you two whispering about in the study?" Kangxi waved his hand, signaling the two men to sit down first.
When all the brothers arrived, they all knelt on the ground, not daring to utter a single word.
"You women, all of you, go to the side hall," Kangxi said directly.
Consort Tong left with her entourage. After the women took their seats, Consort Tong looked at Yin and asked him a question.
"I've summoned you all here today, presumably because of matters in the south," Consort Tong said, adding a few words of special instruction. "After you return, remind the princes that none of them should get close to the officialdom in Jiangnan!"
Consort Tong's words made the sisters-in-law nervous, as the princes usually kept their affairs from the women.
"Mother, do you think Father already knows about those things?" Qingyan asked, staring at Consort Tong.
Consort Tong nodded: "You should all know that Yin is dealing with the salt merchants."
The women dared not utter another word, listening to Consort Tong's teachings.
"Alright, you can all go back now. Qingyan will wait a little while!" Consort Tong had kept Qingyan behind this morning after hearing Kangxi's words.
Qingyan's face showed a helpless expression, indicating that she definitely had something to ask him.
After her sisters-in-law left, Qingyan sat upright in her chair, her face tense.
"Little darling, have Linglong Pavilion and Yuelai Inn reported back on the situation in the south?" Consort Tong asked Qingyan.
Qingyan shook her head. She had always been in charge of the situation there, so if Kangxi wanted to ask, he would definitely come to her.
"Mother, it's not clear yet. News from over there is a bit slow these days. If Ninth Master hadn't come this time, I probably wouldn't even know!" Qingyan said helplessly.
Consort Tong looked closely at Qingyan and realized that the little guy was definitely not lying. Emperor Kangxi felt a little helpless. Now, these children have all grown up and have their own little thoughts.
Several of those left behind in the south betrayed Kangxi, and the situation there remained completely undetected.
"Little darling, from today onwards, you must pay attention to matters in the south. Have your managers report to you every three days, and Yin will dispatch officials to handle the news." Consort Tong looked at Qingyan with surprise and spoke according to Kangxi's instructions.
“Mother… I don’t want to say anything, but the managers certainly can’t have any dealings with officials, and it’s even harder to contact the salt merchants.” Qingyan clearly knew that touching on the salt trade had definitely offended Emperor Kangxi.
Before doing business, Fei Yanggu instructed Qingyan that no matter when, even if it was Emperor Kangxi's honeyed secret, Qingyan was not allowed to touch the salt route, even if it meant taking a bite out of the Jiangnan pie.
"My dear, His Majesty has given you a secret decree to involve the manager of Linglong Pavilion!" Consort Tong said.
Qingyan shook her little head: "Father once told me that no matter what, I must not touch the salt business."
As soon as she finished speaking, Consort Tong sighed heavily. Fei Yanggu was being too cautious. However, she was quite satisfied with Qingyan's idea. According to Consort Tong's thinking, this area should absolutely not be touched.
"Alright, I will pass on the message to His Majesty!" Qingyan said.
Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief. Consort Tong had offered to help, but Qingyan had refused outright, which made it easier for her to respond.
At this moment, Kangxi walked in from outside with Yinzhen. Hearing Qingyan's reason for refusing, he cursed Feiyanggu in his heart for being such a cunning old fox.
Consort Tong led Qingyan to pay their respects to Emperor Kangxi. Qingyan lowered her head and followed on the left side of Yin.
"Little darling, sit down first," Kangxi said directly.
Qingyan sat obediently to the side. Yin looked at Kangxi. If Qingyan had to be involved, Kangxi would not be wary of Feiyanggu.
"Fourth Prince, what do you think about involving Qingyan?" Kangxi asked, looking at Yinzhen.
"Father, I would be better off getting involved myself. I beg you to spare Qingyan this time," Yin pleaded, kneeling on the ground.
Inside the main hall, Yin personally took charge of these matters, hoping to help Qingyan escape this situation.
"Fourth Prince..." Seeing Yin's insistence, Kangxi finally had no choice but to agree.
Kangxi gave a few brief instructions and then dismissed the two. Yin felt a little better when he saw Qingyan's bewildered expression.
"Fourth Prince, what did you promise this time?" After returning to the study, Qingyan asked Yin, who was sitting in a chair.
Yin smiled bitterly. If he really agreed, wouldn't Qingyan eat him alive?
"No, I just agreed to investigate this matter!" Yin replied, looking at Qingyan.
"Why?" Qingyan asked, looking at Yin. "Nobody wants to get involved, Yin, why do you insist on doing it?"
"Someone has to do this. When Father Emperor is old, the situation in the officialdom in the south will be even worse. I can't let the Qing Dynasty follow the same old path!" Yin made up his mind to do what he could.
Qingyan's heart softened when she saw the sorrow in Yin's eyes.
"Fourth Prince, why won't you let me help you?" Qingyan asked curiously, wondering why Yin had simply left her aside.
"I don't want you to suffer any injustice!" Yin comforted Yin.
"Of course I don't want you to do that. The salt merchants are ruthless, so I don't want you to get hurt!" Yin Hui then delegated the task to his subordinates.
Qingyan nodded. The salt merchants' methods of retaliation were likely more numerous than others, and Yin would intervene if necessary.
"Fourth Brother, what exactly do the salt merchants want to do? Why would they take action against that person?" Qingyan asked curiously.
“Ever since Li Xu was imprisoned by the Emperor, many officials in the south have pleaded for him. These salt merchants have bribed the officials with large sums of money in order to restore the relaxed environment they once had,” Yin said.
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