As the year drew to a close, the Yuanmingyuan Garden entered a busy period. After breakfast every day, Qingyan would wait with Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen for the four princes: Yingyin Genjueluo, his mother and daughter, the Fifth Prince's wife, and the Ninth Prince's wife. The princes had all said that after the first day of the Lunar New Year, the families would celebrate the New Year together.
"Songkelierha, you and Hutulifengshengzhalafen go to the side hall. When the princesses come to pay their respects during the New Year, you two will be in charge!" Qingyan entrusted the two children with an important responsibility; he couldn't let the two children sit with the adults.
The two children's eyes lit up; this was truly an opportunity for them to showcase their talents.
"Mother, are you serious?!" Hutulifengshengzhalafen remembered that Yiken'e had asked Yin if he could help Yin prepare for the New Year. Yin had said beforehand that if Yiken'e performed well in the Imperial Study this time, he would let him prepare with everyone else.
Upon hearing this, Hutulifengsheng Zhalafen felt that she might also be examined by her mother.
"Well, you two go to the side hall and discuss how many princesses will attend," Qingyan said to her daughter.
After the two children happily bowed to everyone, they ran to the side hall.
Ninth Princess looked at Qingyan with concern. Back then, she was only ten years old when she helped her mother host a banquet for everyone.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, aren't it a bit too early for my two brothers to be doing these things?" Fifth Princess Consort expressed her concerns.
“No, Hutulifengsheng, Zhalafen, and Songkelierha will definitely be able to stand on their own in the future, so starting their subtle training now is a very good idea, sir.” Qingyan shook his head and said, “Sister-in-law, what do you think?”
“You’re right. The two children will face many more problems in the future. It would be good if we could help them out, but what if we can’t?” Yin Genjue Luo agreed.
As lunchtime approached, the two little girls were excitedly whispering about how much food they needed to prepare.
The wives exchanged smiles, and after lunch, they all went to take a nap.
Qingyan had just entered the inner chamber when he saw Sulan pacing anxiously back and forth at the door.
"Sulan," Qingyan called out.
"Master!" Su Lan saw that there were still many servants outside the courtyard, so she quickly composed herself, walked to Qing Yan's side, and helped Qing Yan into the inner chamber.
As soon as he entered the inner chamber, Su Lan knelt directly before Qing Yan. Qing Yan was slightly startled; this was...
"Master, something has happened at the manor!" Su Lan rarely got this anxious. Today, the spies planted in the manor said that the servants were planning to take advantage of Qing Yan's visit to the Yuanmingyuan Garden to plant several beautiful maids in the main courtyard.
"Oh!" Qingyan didn't care. Yin had been good to her for more than ten years, and these servants couldn't change that, so Qingyan was still very at ease.
"Master, those people are all women from noble families, and some of them are even the legitimate daughters of that person." Su Lan was very anxious. Wu Ya Shi was like an unkillable cockroach, always showing up to disgust people.
Qingyan's expression changed slightly. These maids should all be eligible young ladies to be selected for the imperial concubine selection. If Emperor Kangxi knew about this, he would definitely be furious.
"Is there an spies of the Emperor inside the mansion?" Qingyan's little mind had already turned, and she thought of a good idea.
“Yes!” Su Lan nodded. His Majesty’s spies have all been investigated. Yin You instructed that these spies should not be used unless absolutely necessary.
"After sending someone back, secretly inform these people of their decision!" A cold smile appeared on Qingyan's face.
Su Lan shuddered at Qing Yan's expression; her master was about to scheme against someone again.
The next morning, Yin, who rarely had a day off, stayed with Qingyan until they naturally woke up. Qingyan looked at the person who hadn't appeared when she fell asleep the day before, and her anger quietly rose.
"Hmph!" Qingyan slapped away the large hand that was roaming over his body.
"Little darling, who made you unhappy?" Yin asked quickly, seeing Qingyan's expression.
Upon hearing Yin's words, Qingyan turned her face away, resolutely refusing to look at him.
Yin smiled and said, "Are they those flies in the mansion?"
Qingyan turned around, her almond-shaped eyes widening. Yin Mingming hadn't paid any special attention to the mansion.
"I know everything about the people in the mansion, their families, and which families they belong to!" Yin said, pinching Qingyan's cheek.
"Why don't you clean it?" Qingyan asked curiously.
“We’ve been preparing for the New Year lately, haven’t we? If we deal with everyone now, who will send messages to those who have ulterior motives?” Yin explained to Qingyan. “After the fifteenth, we’ll be leaving, and so will Yin. We can’t let these servants spoil the fun, can we?”
Yin received a secret decree from Kangxi that after they left, Kangxi would also go out with them in two or three months. At that time, they would not need to deal with the matter themselves, as Kangxi would handle everything himself.
"Hmph, I've already made all the preparations, but those few people definitely won't give up. They might even try to stuff those women into the ranks of our servants." Qingyan was familiar with these people's methods and wanted to make Yin take the blame.
"Haha, you little rascal, is it alright to always say things like that?" Yin didn't mind at all. "It's their good fortune that those maids were able to be betrothed in Jiangnan!"
Yin had these women in usefulness, and since they were so eager to climb the social ladder, Yin wouldn't make things difficult for them.
Qingyan opened her mouth slightly: "Fourth Brother, do you mean to send these people to deal with those ladies in Jiangnan?"
"Don't those people all like to give people away? And they openly say they're giving away slaves, so I'll say it again, these people are slaves!" Yin sneered.
Every time Yin made a southern tour, he felt extremely uncomfortable, because these people were always making things difficult for him.
"Fourth Brother, are you planning to send these people to the residences of the officials in the south?" Qingyan pressed.
"Of course, do not do to others what you would not have them do to you." Yin nodded. "So, don't do anything to them for now. I'm keeping these people around because they're useful."
Qingyan leaned against Yin's chest, a relaxed expression on her face.
"Next time, if you have such a plan, please tell me in advance." Qingyan was really worried, but in the end, Yin reassured her.
"Alright, I'll tell you directly next time! Su Lan told Father Emperor's spies about these people, but Father Emperor won't care. These people haven't done anything to cause trouble." Yin knew Kangxi very well. Apart from Consort Tong's matter, Kangxi wouldn't be too curious about other things.
Qingyan was relieved. Since Yin had already planned everything, she only needed to watch the show from the sidelines. As for those people, she didn't need to care about them anymore!
"It's almost the twelfth lunar month, so prepare more Laba porridge. We're going to keep making Laba porridge!" Yin instructed Qingyan.
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