On the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Emperor Kangxi led Yinzhi and his entourage slowly toward Changchun Garden. As the twelfth lunar month began, the atmosphere of the New Year gradually intensified, and people began to prepare for the New Year.
People were coming and going on both sides of the carriage, creating a very lively atmosphere.
"Sisi, shall we go to the market when we get back?" Shu Yun said directly.
The weather was extremely cold in winter, and Yin certainly didn't want Qingyan to suffer from the cold. Therefore, he decided to temporarily prevent Qingyan from going shopping or browsing the New Year's market; she would definitely have spent the whole day outside.
"Little darling, it's getting cold outside. What if you catch a cold if you just go to the New Year's market?" Yin said directly.
Qingyan leaned on Yin's shoulder. If the servants were to prepare the New Year's goods, she would have far fewer opportunities to go out.
"Fourth Brother, I'm not afraid. We personally go out every year to buy some things for ourselves. That's the fun. Most of the New Year's goods can be bought by the people below!" Qingyan said to Yin.
Yin discovered that Qingyan was very persistent about this matter, which forced him to back down.
"Alright, let's go out together tomorrow. We can leave the children with Father and Mother!" Yin whispered in Qingyan's ear.
Qingyan smiled and said, "Shall we sneak out of the Yuanmingyuan?"
“Yes, we’ll just inform Father Emperor and then leave quietly. Also, we need to buy some things for Father and Mother.” Every year, Yin would give Kangxi and Consort Tong some extra things.
Emperor Kangxi would always say that he shouldn't give gifts in private anymore, but he would always use the gifts he received from Yinzhi for a long time.
Pfft!
Qingyan felt that Kangxi and Yinzhen were like father and son, even their habits were very similar.
Previously, Hutulifeng Shengzhalafen specially embroidered a simple purse for Kangxi and Yinzhi. Most of the purses for the two were made by the Shangyi Bureau, and the embroidery was very exquisite.
Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen gave the two small purses as New Year's gifts to the two men, and they wore them ever since. Even during the New Year's Eve dinner, Kangxi wore these ugly purses.
"I wonder what Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen is preparing this year!" Yin was very pleased with this feeling. In his eyes, his daughter's embroidery skills were the best, comparable to those of the embroiderers in the Imperial Wardrobe.
"Anything your daughter gives you is the best in your eyes, isn't it?" Qingyan was a little jealous. After Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen was born, Yin paid less attention to her and focused all his attention on his daughter.
“My little darling, you are the one I care about most. I’ve hung all the things you embroidered on my body. However, I want to give my daughter a little encouragement.” Yin noticed Qingyan’s jealous expression and chuckled.
Qingyan snorted coldly: "You're saying all this now, but when things get tough, you'll definitely side with your daughter again."
After speaking, Yin pinched Qingyan's little face. His daughter had always been very spoiled, and even Yiken'e understood that he must dote on his younger sister.
"Who said that? I will always stand by your side. It is Yiken'e who should protect Hutulifengshengzhalafen. In the future, when our daughter has a husband, I will no longer need to encourage her like this!" Yin was also mentally prepared. When his daughter got a husband, his father would have to step down.
Yin's helpless expression softened Qingyan's heart. Back then, Fei Yanggu had looked just like that, believing that Yin had stolen him away. Therefore, he had made things difficult for Yin a lot in the new house.
He pulled Qingyan into his arms, and his hands rhythmically patted her back, allowing her tense back to gradually relax.
"Fourth Prince, tell me, who exactly introduced Tong Guowei and Yinsi?" Qingyan was very curious as to why Tong Guowei could disregard Consort Tong's feelings and stand directly by Yinsi's side.
"It should be the Niohuru clan. I, Yinsi, do not want that position, so the Niohuru clan has already subtly positioned itself behind Yinsi." Yinsi sneered.
The Niohuru clan behind me has completely declined, with only a very few direct descendants still hoping to stand behind me.
"After the Laba Festival, I feel like the days are passing so slowly, and I'm busy every day!" Qingyan said, flipping through the account book with a sense of deep emotion.
Previously, Qingyan had been preparing for the New Year at his residence. However, since arriving at the Yuanmingyuan, Qingyan had become much lazier and rarely managed these trivial matters anymore, simply handing them over to the stewards below.
“Yes, we’ve been busy all year. Little darling, don’t you think this year is different from previous years?” Yin asked Qingyan.
Emperor Kangxi's decision not to return to the palace and instead spend the New Year at Changchun Garden surprised Yinzhen greatly.
"Different?!" Qingyan didn't understand what Yin meant. "Changchun Garden has ordered a lot of things from Linglong Pavilion. It seems that Father Emperor is going to completely renovate his residence!"
"The list has already been sent over?" Before the people from the Imperial Household Department even settled the bill, Qingyan's side had already begun preparations.
"Of course, I saw those lists. It's really almost Chinese New Year. Father Emperor has gone to great lengths!" Qingyan complained.
For several years in a row, the Imperial Household Department has been ordering New Year's supplies from Linglong Pavilion. In previous years, the quantity they ordered was very small, but this year is different.
"How many?!" Yin asked suspiciously.
"It's probably three times more than last year. Do you think even the things used by the imperial concubines are being sent to me?" Qingyan knew the answer.
Yin gasped twice. There were so many things! If even the slightest thing was out of line, Qingyan's shop would be in trouble.
"So many, can you guarantee that everything is up to standard?" Yin looked at Qingyan seriously.
"Inspections are definitely necessary. I've arranged every step carefully. Each time, three to five people will come to inspect, and each inspector's name will be signed on the inspection checklist. This is definitely not fake!" Qingyan said directly.
Yin nodded in satisfaction. Qingyan was right; they should investigate this thoroughly.
"Moreover, I must also be wary of the people from the Imperial Household Department causing me trouble. When doing business with the servants of the Imperial Household Department, one must be extra careful, otherwise, one will really suffer losses!" Qingyan had heard many merchants say that the servants of the Imperial Household Department often caused trouble, so he instructed the servants to be very careful.
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