Inside the imperial tent, Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong sat at the head of the table, with several princes and their wives arranged on the left and right sides, and the newly appointed leaders kneeling in the middle of the tent.
The other leaders looked at Daryachi with reproach. He had only one weakness: he doted on his daughter, Urige. Normally, it wouldn't be a big deal if a girl from a collateral branch had a bad temper.
As the legitimate daughter of the tribe, Urge had offended far more than just the chieftain.
Today, the Urig incident serves as a warning to all the leaders: before the royal family, the noblewomen of the Mongol tribes are nothing more than subjects.
“Your Majesty, Urig has been spoiled rotten by this servant and has offended the Fourth Prince and Fourth Princess with his words. Please punish me, Your Majesty.” Daryaqi knelt on the ground, begging His Majesty to punish him.
Urige knelt to the side, watching her father sincerely apologize, and she realized that she had really been wrong.
"Fourth Prince Consort, I... this servant knows I was wrong. It was a maidservant from the Third Prince Consort's side who came to our door and said that the Fourth Prince's relationship with his primary wife is not good and he wants to change to a different primary wife." After thinking for a moment, Urigge realized that she had fallen into a trap.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Dong E, and Kangxi's face showed fury.
"Third Prince's wife, what's going on?" Consort Tong was furious. Qingyan was the youngest of the five wives, and the Crown Princess and the Third Prince's wife had never gotten along with her.
Dong Eshi quickly knelt on the ground and said, "My dear mother, I would never dare to spread such rumors. My fourth sister-in-law has always treated me well, and she has never lacked anything for me during festivals."
Qingyan pouted. The Third Princess Consort didn't hint that she always gave extra gifts to the other sisters-in-law, but she didn't give any. She was annoyed that Qingyan wasn't treating everyone equally. Moreover, she shifted the blame for what Urig said onto the servants and Urig, and even pointed out that it was a rumor.
She looked up at Dong Eshi, and their gazes met in mid-air, as if radio waves were clashing.
Yin gently tugged at her small hand with his left hand, telling her not to be too obvious for the time being. Today, Xiao Guai was the one who suffered the most, and the less they talked, the more Kangxi would compensate her later.
Qingyan lowered her little head and perked up her little ears, listening to Kangxi and Consort Tong's questions.
Daryachi was very loyal to Kangxi, while Urig was probably just confined to his quarters. This can be considered as Kangxi treating the Mongol leaders well.
"Father, your daughter-in-law wishes to let Urigge see her. It was said by the maidservant beside her." The maidservants beside Dong Eshi were all brought with her as part of her dowry. Every single one of them was prepared to die for their master.
"Yes!" Kangxi nodded in agreement.
Yinzhi quickly sent Xiaosula to fetch people. If Dong'e could clear herself of suspicion of instigation, he might still have a chance to maintain good relations with the Mongol tribes. He turned and glared at Dong'e. Since their marriage, neither of them had experienced the happiness and tranquility that Yinzhi and Qingyan had. Dong'e often caused a ruckus.
Furthermore, Dong E Qishi lacked the ability to fully control the family like Fei Yanggu. The influence of Dong E Fei Yanggu, the younger brother of Consort Dong E, remained. Although his branch had split into different clans, it still wielded considerable influence, and many of Dong E Qishi's good suggestions were rejected by the family.
Looking at Dong E's calm face, Qingyan couldn't help but feel a little emotional. Many of the servants around the primary wife were extra dowry maids, so they would trust these people more.
The primary wife would replace important positions in the mansion with her own people. In fact, she felt that this was the most unsafe way. These people would become arrogant and complacent, and the more the master trusted them, the more greedy they would become.
A moment later, the four personal maids that Dong Eshi had brought were brought over. Urigge glanced at them and felt even more uncertain, as the ones she had met were not these people.
Consort Tong took in the panicked look in Urigge's eyes.
"Shu, take Urige to the back and draw the appearance of the servants she saw." Seeing Dong Eshi's relieved expression, Consort Tong knew that someone must be plotting something.
Qingyan noticed something amiss and reached out to pinch Yin's sleeve. Yin turned and gave Qingyan a meaningful look.
"Don't be impatient. This matter is the royal family's doing, and it should be the one in the east," Yin said via spatial transmission.
She couldn't understand why the Crown Princess always seemed to be picking on her when she had no grudge against her.
"Fourth Prince, I haven't offended the Crown Princess!" Qingyan looked at her hands, trying hard to recall if she had offended the Crown Princess in any way after marrying into the royal family.
"No, she came through the imperial selection process. You were protected by Father Emperor and only passed the first round before being betrothed directly." Yin knew in his heart that if he dared to let Xiao Guai continue with the selection process, she probably wouldn't be his consort, as those concubines were eyeing her covetously.
Therefore, before the selection of candidates, Kangxi had already secretly discussed with Fei Yanggu that after the first round of selection, he would directly bestow a marriage upon him.
This was the first case in the Qing Dynasty. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager was in poor health at the time; otherwise, Emperor Kangxi certainly could not have carried out this underhanded operation.
"Hmph, it's because her younger sister didn't marry you, but instead married into Mongolia. That Mongolian leader was the one I chose." Qingyan was also aware that Shi Bingwen had personally made the arrangements, and since then, Fei Yanggu had caused the Guarjia clan no shortage of trouble.
After the incident, Fei Yanggu mobilized one-third of his forces to cause trouble for the Guarjia clan. Shi Bingwen's eldest son's duties often went awry, which Kangxi noticed but did not intend to interfere. Fei Yanggu was a man of principle.
“My father-in-law won’t agree, and neither will I.” A cold glint flashed in Yin’s eyes.
Emperor Kangxi sidelined Shi Bingwen, which can be seen as a form of punishment. Even though the Crown Princess secured her position in the Eastern Palace, Shi Bingwen could not provide her with any substantial assistance.
When the Qingyan case was cracked down on, those ministers who had helped Shi Bingwen were either punished or removed from their positions of real power.
Soon, Shu drew the instigating maid according to Wurige's description. As soon as the portrait came out, Shu's scalp tingled. This maid was a third-class maidservant by the Crown Princess's side. She was a maidservant personally selected by Shi Bingwen for the Crown Princess as part of her dowry.
"Your Majesty, please show the portrait to His Majesty first." Shu respectfully handed the portrait to Consort Tong.
Emperor Kangxi turned to look at Consort Tong's portrait, his face instantly darkening. He pointed at Li Dequan and instructed him to give the portrait to the princes for their perusal.
"Urigge, are you sure that person is the same as the one in the portrait?" Kangxi asked repeatedly.
“Yes, this servant can guarantee it, it’s definitely this person. My people have also confirmed it just now,” Urig quickly assured.
Dariachi was relieved. His daughter had been framed by the royal sisters-in-law. His Majesty was in a difficult situation this time; it was best for their leader to feign ignorance. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
