Inside Changchun Garden, Consort Tong sat regally in the main seat of the hall, watching the ladies who came to pay their respects. Qingyan's eyes flickered slightly. This time, all the officials' wives had come to pay their respects. She hoped that the two ladies of the Jue Luo clan would be sensible and not cause any trouble. Otherwise, she would definitely not agree.
After everyone paid their respects to Consort Tong, they took their seats and began chatting casually. Consort Tong even pointed out a few female relatives she was interested in and asked them a few questions about their families.
On the second day of the month, the things that the Jue Luo clan had done to the Eighth Prince's wife had already been reported to the Emperor, and Kangxi specifically asked Consort Tong to inquire about them.
No sooner had Consort Tong's question been raised than the Eighth Prince's wife's expression darkened; this was undoubtedly a family scandal.
To the outside world, it is absolutely forbidden to say that they want to enter the naval port; otherwise, the Eighth Prince's wife would be considered to be interfering in politics.
"Eighth Prince's wife, tell me, what exactly happened? The whole capital is in an uproar, everyone's talking about it!" Consort Tong was furious.
Eighth Prince's wife, Lady Jueluo, knelt in the hall, her mind in turmoil. Her family had shown her no respect; her parents had actually blocked her at the gate of the mansion.
"My dear mother, your daughter-in-law knows she was wrong!" The Eighth Prince's wife didn't say a word or offer any explanation; she simply admitted her mistake. Qingyan looked at the Eighth Prince's wife's pale face and felt a slight sense of empathy for her plight.
The Eighth Prince's wife must have been in a very difficult position, caught between Yinsi and Lady Jueluo.
"Your Highness, this matter really needs to be investigated thoroughly. It is said that the Eighth Prince's wife used the Eighth Prince's invitation to get a position at the military port for her younger brother." Madam Tong Guowei's face darkened. They had all pleaded with Consort Tong, but their requests had been rejected. It was simply not going to work out for Yinsi.
Consort Tong was furious when she looked at her mother. Her mother never gave her any face. No wonder the Emperor would rather change the family tree than have any connection with Tong Guowei's lineage again.
"Second Madam Tong, how did you know?!" The mention of Consort Tong's title stunned many people.
"Your Highness, you know what those people said to you. Please don't take offense," said Tong Guogang's wife.
“Mother, the household must be properly disciplined. How can women be allowed to inquire about matters of state?” Consort Tong said directly.
Qingyan sat in his seat, listening to the women discussing the list of people in the naval port, and felt a little amused.
Those people showed no respect to Consort Tong. Consort Tong clearly said she wanted to stop the topic, but the women hoped to gain some benefits for their own children and continued.
"Enough!" Consort Tong was furious. "Women are not allowed to interfere in politics. This is a rule personally established by the late Emperor. Do you still think you can disobey it?"
Upon hearing this, the women quickly stood up and said they dared not.
"If I find anyone disobeying me behind my back again, don't blame me for not warning you. Madam Tong, when you go back, make sure to keep a good order to the people in your residence and don't cause any more trouble. The honor of the Tong family is not for you to ruin!" Consort Tong said coldly to Consort Tong Guowei's wife.
At this point, Consort Tong no longer wanted to pay attention to Lady Tong Guowei. Holding Lady Tong Guowei's visiting card, she caused Yin a lot of trouble.
Lady Tong Guowei blushed with embarrassment and glared angrily at Consort Tong.
Seeing how Tong Guowei's wife was being bullied, Qingyan was secretly pleased. Before, Tong Guowei's wife had caused Yin a lot of trouble. At the military port, Tong Guowei's wife took advantage of the favor of Consort Tong raising Yin and directly demanded a quota. It was obvious that Longkodo wanted that quota for his own illegitimate son.
Fourth son!
The fact that the child of the concubine who was beaten to death was being taken care of by Lady Tong Guowei infuriated Consort Tong.
Yin was even more furious and was determined not to give any favors to that bastard child.
Seeing that even Lady Tong Guowei had ended up in a bad situation, the women dared not speak and listened meekly to Consort Tong's reprimand.
Qingyan lowered her head, thinking about Consort Tong's words, which were meant to warn the women and make them more vigilant.
"Your Highness, today is the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. According to custom, the women are supposed to make dumplings!" Seeing the oppressive atmosphere, the Crown Princess quickly changed the subject.
Upon hearing this, Qingyan secretly admired the Crown Princess's actions. At this moment, it was truly remarkable that she was able to step forward and mediate the situation.
"Your Highness is absolutely right. The ladies will certainly want to make dumplings themselves. I've already had everything prepared at Changchun Garden today. Let's go together." Consort Tong stood up abruptly.
Qingyan felt relieved. At least she had made dumplings before. Among the women in the family, many were pampered and had never done it before.
"What is Your Highness doing? Shouldn't these be the servants' job?" Qingyan had excellent hearing and overheard the officials' wives at the back complaining about Consort Tong.
Qingyan's lips curled up slightly. These people really aren't afraid of death; they dare to say such things.
"Shut up! If you're courting death, don't drag me down with you!" The officials' wives all knew that if their esteemed master did this, who would truly benefit in the future?
All those present were wives of the principal wife. Normally, they couldn't compete with the concubines for the favor of their husbands. Today, they were very willing to take advantage of this opportunity to stand out in front of their masters.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, do you know how to make dumplings?" The Tenth Princess Consort walked quickly to Qingyan's side from behind and asked anxiously.
"Yes, why?" Qingyan looked at the Tenth Princess Consort with a puzzled expression.
"I've never wrapped them before. Back in my parents' home, that was all the servants' job!" the Tenth Princess said helplessly. "If my mother insists on making me wrap them later, my husband will laugh me to death!"
I consider Tenth Prince's wife and Yinzhi to be a pair of bickering lovers. Every time the other makes a fool of themselves, they laugh at each other for being the most ridiculous one.
"You should learn too! Looking at how your mother does it, she'll probably be able to make them every time from now on!" Qingyan saw that Consort Tong was determined to learn.
The Tenth Prince's wife showed helplessness on her face. Did she have to learn this skill?
Previously, the Tenth Prince's wife thought that the servants had done the kitchen work, but unexpectedly, Consort Tong asked everyone to go together.
"Food prepared with your own hands tastes especially good!" Qingyan smiled. "Sister-in-law, if you really help, Tenth Brother will definitely eat more."
Upon hearing Qingyan's words, the Tenth Princess Consort wore a faint smile.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, I certainly don't have your skills. There aren't that many ingredients on the grasslands, so I've never learned these things!" The Tenth Princess Consort had her own difficulties. The way noble ladies were taught on the grasslands was very different from that in the capital.
"If you didn't learn it before, you can learn it now!" Qingyan led the Tenth Princess away, one after the other.
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