As dinner approached, Consort Tong led the women in making dumplings for the New Year. When Emperor Kangxi and his princes heard this news in the main hall, they all wore happy smiles.
"Second Brother, it's rare for us brothers to get together. This year, we won't keep you all here for the New Year's Eve dinner. Second Sister-in-law and the two younger sisters-in-law are making dumplings with Your Highness." Upon hearing Li Dequan's words, Kangxi quickly persuaded Prince Yu and the others to stay.
Prince Yu and others followed Emperor Kangxi to the flower hall. This year, it was a family occasion to celebrate the New Year together.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager was sitting in the high seat, and the women began to tease her.
"Emperor, Second Prince, you're all here today. Why aren't you hosting a banquet outside?" The Empress Dowager was taken to Changchun Garden by Emperor Kangxi and Consort Tong. She was very happy, as it was a rare treat for members of the royal family to enjoy family time.
Now, Kangxi pays more and more attention to these things, and the Empress Dowager gradually accepts that Kangxi will always invite her over, and she is no longer facing the wives of officials, but her own family.
"Grandma, my brother said that my sister-in-law personally cooked with the women!" Longxi said obsequiously to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager's happy expression made Longxi feel a pang of sadness. The Empress Dowager rarely fought for power in the palace, but now, the Noble Princess had simply brought along some younger people to make dumplings, and the Empress Dowager was already beaming with joy.
"Longxi's family, have you been there?" The Empress Dowager took good care of Longxi. When the late Emperor passed away, Longxi was the youngest. The Empress Dowager felt sorry for him and raised him by her side until the Grand Empress Dowager bestowed a marriage upon him, after which he moved out of the palace.
"Grandma, I went too. As you know, my cooking skills are still the best of Fourth Prince's wife's!" Longxi's wife said helplessly.
"You all need to practice diligently. In the future, during festivals and holidays, everyone should make some by hand." The Empress Dowager thought this was a good idea. "I think we can all make Yuanxiao together on the fifteenth of the lunar month!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the women were puzzled. When the Empress Dowager was alive, she always said that these things were done by servants. How come it became something to amuse herself when it came to the Empress Dowager?
"Your Majesty, this is a good dish. I will bring my brothers and sons to help!" Kangxi nodded in agreement.
Qingyan was astonished. How could Kangxi actually put aside his airs and entertain his relatives in colorful clothes?
"Your Majesty, Qingyan made the most of these, and she even prepared dumplings of all colors. The wives of the eldest, fifth, seventh, and ninth princes are all excellent cooks," Consort Tong quickly chimed in.
"Tenth Prince's wife, what did you do?" The Empress Dowager pointed out those who had a good relationship with Qingyan, but the Tenth Prince's wife was an exception, as she was not reversed.
Ugh!
The Tenth Prince's wife gave an awkward laugh: "Grandma, I've ruined everything. Fourth Sister-in-law said that none of it can be cooked, and that I should prepare another meal for the Master after I return to the mansion."
After she finished speaking, the Empress Dowager laughed. The Tenth Princess was quite straightforward. Among the noble ladies in Mongolia, how many were proficient in such matters?
"Yes, when you get back, you should practice the Lantern Festival dumplings more. I always want to see everyone happy and harmonious!" The Empress Dowager liked having her children and grandchildren around her, and now, Kangxi was truly giving her that feeling.
"Your Majesty, on the fifteenth, you can expect our filial offerings," Kangxi said respectfully to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was all smiles. Everyone shared a meal of dumplings. Since they were spending the winter at Changchun Garden, all banquets and meetings had been simplified.
After having dinner, the princes each rode in their carriages back to their residences.
After returning to the Yuanmingyuan Garden and settling the three children in, Qingyan went to his study. The small kitchen had prepared a late-night snack early on. This year, Emperor Kangxi decreed that the banquet be simplified, and many officials' wives did not enter the courtyard to pay their respects.
"Fourth Prince, why is Father Emperor keeping things simple this year?" Qingyan found it very strange; in previous years, it would definitely have been a grand affair.
Recently, too many officials in the south have been punished, so Kangxi knew that many of their families were preparing to come to the capital to beg for mercy. Kangxi directly cut off this opportunity to plead for leniency.
"Little darling, we're going to your father-in-law's new house tomorrow. Remember to stay home for the New Year and don't see any outsiders!" Yin instructed in a low voice.
Qingyan nodded; she understood the stakes involved.
The next morning, Yin got up early and went to the twins' room. After giving the two children some instructions, he went back to prepare his meal.
After breakfast, the family boarded a carriage and headed towards Ulanara's new residence. At the entrance of the Yuanmingyuan Garden, there were many officials and spies hiding. As soon as Yin went out, these people sent messages to their master.
"Fourth Brother, I see that the area around Yuanmingyuan is not peaceful. Should we clean it up?" After the carriage left the main gate, Qingyan saw the situation around him. He noticed that most of the vendors were not actually selling anything; they were just informants.
"No need, we still need these people!" Yin's face was filled with anger. They couldn't even have peace of mind during the New Year. What were these people up to?
Later, the carriage entered the gate of the new house, and the heavy main gate was closed. Today, Fei Yanggu instructed his men to keep the gate closed to guests.
"Fourth Master, Little Darling, go to the study first!" Fei Yanggu looked at the two of them with a rare serious expression. "Akedun, you stay with the three young masters for now!"
Seeing that Fei Yanggu's expression was not good, the twins quickly left with the butler.
Yin and Qingyan exchanged a glance, secretly feeling that something bad might really have happened.
"Father, what's wrong?" Qingyan asked quickly after sitting down, noticing Fei Yanggu's gloomy face.
"Does Fourth Master know that officials from the south are coming to the capital?" Fei Yanggu received invitations from several former friends, whose children all had positions in the south.
"Yes, I understand!" Yin nodded.
Fei Yanggu didn't say anything more, and directly handed the invitation he had received to Yin, preparing to see how Yin would handle it.
“These are all my friends from when I went to war, and their sons are all officials in the south!” Fei Yanggu is Yin’s father-in-law, so he was extra careful in his actions, for fear of being slandered.
"Father-in-law, Father Emperor has requested that all banquets be simplified this year, hoping to stop these women from pleading for mercy!" Yin told Fei Yanggu directly. If these people dared to obstruct, Yin was not worried that Kangxi would scold him.
“Saituo, have someone decline these invitations, and say…” Before Feiyangu could finish speaking, Yin interrupted him.
“Tell them I’m bringing my fourth wife back for the New Year!” Yin made it clear to Kangxi that he was bringing Qingyan, the twins, and Hafeng to celebrate the New Year with him.
"Fourth Master, is this a good idea?" Saito asked worriedly.
"What's wrong with it?" Yin sneered.
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