Inside the main hall, the officials' wives were chatting in small groups. After noticing their fawning behavior, Lady Yin Genjue Luo hoped that someone could come to her rescue.
Seeing Qingyan approach, she quickly went to his side. Surrounded by the civil officials, the Third Princess Consort wore a happy smile on her face.
"The third son's family is clueless. How can these people be so easily controlled?" Yin Genjue Luo Shi and Yin have been away from the capital for a long time, so she doesn't know much about the officials in the capital.
"Sister-in-law, something might happen. You should talk less for a while," Qingyan reassured Yin Genjue Luo Shi.
After hearing her words, Yin Genjue Luo was slightly taken aback, but finally nodded.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, what are you doing here? We've been looking for you!" The Tenth Princess Consort walked over from the palace entrance and saw Qingyan sitting there with the First Princess Consort, while the Third Princess Consort was socializing not far away, and the sisters-in-law were talking in twos and threes.
"Tenth sister-in-law, why are you only arriving now?" Qingyan looked at the Tenth Princess Consort with a faint smile on his face. The Ninth Princess Consort followed closely behind. The relationship between the Eighth Princess Consort, Jue Luo Shi, and the two of them was becoming increasingly strained.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, let's stay with Tenth Sister-in-law and me." Ninth Princess Consort met Eighth Princess Consort at the door. It has to be said that Eighth Princess Consort had a very high opinion of herself and thought that Ninth and Tenth Princess Consorts, as usual, had to revolve around her.
Today, the Eighth Prince's wife acted all high and mighty, actually ordering the two of them to speak well of her in front of Consort Tong.
Although I returned to the capital for a while, I rarely visited Yinsi's residence.
"What are Third Sister-in-law and Eighth Sister-in-law doing?" Ninth Princess Consort looked at Third and Eighth Princess Consorts, who were surrounded by the officials' wives, and a hint of shock appeared on her face.
Yin Genjueluo sneered. Even Consort Tong rarely interacted with the wives of officials. Kangxi was increasingly disgusted with forming cliques and engaging in private affairs. The Crown Prince was always disliked. In addition, the matter of the Guarjia concubine's daughter touched a nerve with Kangxi.
"They probably saw that things weren't going well over there, so they wanted to try and get some benefits for their master from the sidelines," Ninth Princess Consort said disdainfully.
Qingyan looked at the eyes of the Ninth and Tenth Prince's wives and chuckled inwardly. On the surface, the Eighth Prince's wife seemed to be helping to mediate, but in reality, she was completely offending the wives of officials.
The four sat together and chatted. A report came from outside the hall. Consort Tong led the palace concubines in one after another. The princes' primary wives stood on the right side according to the order of the princes, while the wives of officials stood on the left side according to the men's ranks.
"Rise and kowtow," Consort Tong waved her hand, signaling the officials' wives to rise.
"Your Highness, how was your Lantern Festival?" the Crown Princess asked first.
"Very good. His Majesty has decreed that you may celebrate the festival separately. Each residence has a different way of celebrating the festival. The same banquet every year will make everyone feel annoyed." Consort Tong took a sip of her warm tea and put the teacup aside.
Inside the palace, Consort Tong was very happy to see the officials' wives. Since Emperor Kangxi hadn't sent anyone to lead the banquet, everyone was relaxed. During festivals, everyone had to come to the palace to pay their respects, and the noisy family rarely got to eat their fill. After returning from the banquet, they would have to eat an extra meal.
Yesterday, everyone celebrated in their respective residences and were very happy. This morning, everyone happily came to pay their respects to Consort Tong.
"Sister Consort Tong, His Majesty has actually agreed, which makes things much easier for us," Consort Yi said, looking at Consort Tong.
Upon hearing what the imperial concubines said, the officials' wives smiled even more. During the New Year holidays, the women visited each other.
"Your Highness, this is my first time visiting the capital to pay homage," a member of an official's family standing at the doorway said respectfully, rising to her feet. "This is my first time celebrating the New Year in the capital; it's far more prosperous than my hometown!"
Consort Yi looked down and saw that the man was from a collateral branch of the Guoluo clan outside the Great Wall. He was from a local area. Because Consort Yi was from the main branch, the women of the Guoluo clan were able to find a good home.
“Sister Consort Tong, this is the legitimate daughter of a collateral branch of the Guo Luo Luo clan outside the Great Wall. She has just married the Prefect of Hangzhou as his second wife,” Consort Yi quickly said to Consort Tong.
Consort Tong's expression changed slightly. A member of Consort Yi's collateral branch was actually going to be someone else's second wife. Judging from the girl's age, she was only a teenager. She remembered that the Prefect of Hangzhou was already thirty.
"How could you marry someone and become their second wife?" Consort Tong looked at Consort Yi. "Was this arranged by your family?"
"No, it was her father and mother who made the decision. My father investigated and tried to dissuade them, but they wouldn't listen at all," Consort Yi said helplessly.
Previously, Consort Yi had reminded her mother not to make any more wishes for the family members, or even to interfere in the marriages of other families.
Consort Yi knelt on the ground, begging Consort Tong to relax.
"Your Highness, Consort Yi did nothing wrong." The prefect knelt down and pleaded with Consort Tong, "My parents requested this marriage to give my younger brother a chance, hoping that he could have someone to rely on."
Many families favor sons over daughters, so it's possible that daughters might pave the way for their sons.
Many families have arranged such weddings.
"Are you doing this willingly?" Consort Tong asked Qingyan.
The woman nodded, a faint smile on her face. To have such a marriage was much better than what the women in her own family had received.
"Yes, it was my own choice. At least my background is much better than before," the servant replied politely.
Consort Yi was well aware that I, your humble servant, had taken advice from my family and was preparing to exonerate you.
His Majesty specifically instructed the concubines that each family should behave themselves. This year, the reason why Kangxi ordered each residence to celebrate the Lantern Festival separately was because...
Many of the wives of officials who came to the capital for the banquet lived in the post stations, and some even stayed in the residences of the direct descendants. Although they lived in the side courtyards, being connected with the direct descendants brought them many benefits.
"Consort Yi, get up. This matter has nothing to do with you!" Consort Tong waved to Consort Yi, signaling her to rise.
Consort Yi stood up and sat down. Qingyan sat to the side, his face lowered, listening carefully to the unfolding events.
Consort Tong was probably using Consort Yi's affair as a pretext; the person she really wanted to deal with was not Consort Yi.
The wife of the Hangzhou Prefect knelt on the ground and, upon hearing that Consort Tong had relented, felt a rare sense of confidence in her ability to accumulate points.
"Alright, Consort Yi, I misunderstood you. Rise, all of you." Consort Tong glanced at Consort Liang.
Two days ago, Emperor Kangxi specially brought Consort Liang out of the palace and left her directly in a side hall of Changchun Garden. He didn't even go to see Yinsi, and the Eighth Prince's wife was busy helping Yinsi hold a banquet, so she didn't have time to pay attention to Consort Liang.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
