It was almost dinnertime when they returned to Yuanmingyuan. Yinzhen dared not delay and quickly took Qingyan to Changchun Garden.
Consort Tong was slightly surprised to see the young couple.
"Go to the study!" Emperor Kangxi and his son Yinzhen went to the study.
When Consort Tong saw that Xiao Guai looked travel-worn, she quickly sent Su Lan to the Yuanmingyuan to get some clean clothes, and brought the twins with her.
After washing up, Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen heard Qingyan's voice, and stretched out her chubby little hands towards her, ready to abandon Consort Tong and throw herself into her mother's arms.
“Mother…” The twins hadn’t seen Qingyan all afternoon and missed her terribly. When they saw her, they rushed over to her.
"A mother and child are of one heart!" Consort Tong laughed and placed both children in Qingyan's arms.
Consort Tong did not reside in the palace, so she could see the twins at any time. The Forbidden City was heavily guarded, and the concubines could not come and go as they pleased.
"Little darling, didn't you go to admire the autumn leaves? And you didn't even stay in the western suburbs for a bowl of rice?" Consort Tong asked curiously.
Qingyan had the children sit on her lap, and sat up straight to look at Consort Tong.
"Mother, every time Master takes me out, he makes me think of a way!" Qingyan pouted, looking unhappy, but she still told him about making red leaf bookmarks.
After a moment's thought, Consort Tong agreed with Xiao Guai's idea.
In fact, Emperor Kangxi had already discovered this matter. Several princes would take advantage of the clear autumn weather to go to the Western Hills to enjoy the scenery. He hoped that the princes would find a way to help those people solve their problems.
The heir must have the people at heart. The crown prince followed Kangxi out and indulged in debauchery in a nearby villa, paying no attention to these matters. He was not a competent heir.
"It's good that the fourth prince discovered these things." Consort Tong waved to Shu Rong and the others. A moment later, only Consort Tong, her mother-in-law, and the twins remained in the room.
Qingyan knew that Consort Tong had something to tell her, and those things must have been taboo.
"This is a test for their princes. His Majesty received the news long ago. It's good that Yinzhen was able to realize these things." Consort Tong took a sip of her tea and said, "Now it depends on Xiao Guai's comprehension ability."
"Mother, I will not be a burden to Yinzhen." Qingyan's answer reassured Consort Tong.
Before they arrived, Kangxi summoned Consort Rong and reprimanded her.
He rebuked Yinzhi for only caring about having fun, leaving Consort Rong completely confused. Her eyes kept glancing at Consort Tong for help.
Consort Tong was lucid, and Yinzhen understood Kangxi's good intentions; otherwise, she would have become the second Consort Rong.
After hearing Consort Tong's words, Qingyan felt a sense of unease. If she hadn't listened to what Yinzhen said, would she have been scolded by His Majesty when she returned?
"Don't overthink it. Just treat the child well. For the next few days, keep the house closed to visitors." Dong Eshi was a proud woman. When Yinzhi was scolded or Yinzhen was praised, she would attribute it all to Qingyan.
"Yes," Qingyan quickly replied.
Consort Tong's reminders were very helpful to her, and she was able to avoid some risks each time.
"My little darling, if there's anything about Maple Leaf that needs your mother's help, you must speak up." Consort Tong hoped she could do something for the people.
Emperor Kangxi had to consider the whole picture. He wouldn't let Consort Tong handle it herself. It would be great if the Red Leaf Bookmark could gain a good reputation.
"yes."
Soon, Kangxi and Yinzhen walked solemnly to the front hall. Kangxi looked at Yiken'e, whom he hadn't seen for several days, and his smile widened.
"You two go back and rest first. The journey back and forth must have been tiring. You can leave the two children here." Hutulifengsheng Zhalafen saw Kangxi and Yinzhen, abandoned Qingyan, and leaned into Kangxi's arms.
Consort Tong shook her head helplessly. As long as Emperor Kangxi was alive, Hutulifengsheng Zhalafen would never fall into someone else's arms. Emperor Kangxi would take care of everything for the little girl, from changing diapers to feeding her complementary foods.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now." Yinzhen's expression was not good. After returning, he would discuss the specific implementation plan with Xiaoguai.
Previously, they had only discussed a general plan in the carriage, without considering many details.
In the study, Kangxi listened to Yinzhen's thoughts and asked him some questions. Yinzhen was able to answer them appropriately, and Kangxi was very satisfied with his son's actions.
Although Yinzhen wasn't particularly skilled in business, with the help of his little maid Xiaoguai, he was able to resolve the situation satisfactorily.
When Yinzhen reported the plan, he secured 30% of the profits for Xiao Guai. He said that the good time should be handed over to the subordinates, and that Xiao Guai should also earn some money in the end.
Under the moonlight, Yinzhen and Qingyan strolled through Changchun Garden, and he whispered Kangxi's intentions to Qingyan.
They had two days to write down the detailed plan and submit it.
Emperor Kangxi would weigh the options and decide whether to involve his trusted confidants from that side.
"Could Cao Yin be involved as well?" Qingyan's eyes widened. In the south, Cao Yin's influence was even greater. The Linglong Pavilion's prosperity was partly due to Cao Yin's support.
"It's uncertain for now." Yinzhen believed that Kangxi would not give up on business in the south. Linglong Pavilion was just a small-scale operation, so Kangxi didn't care.
Qingyan pursed her lips and followed Yinzhen back to the Yuanmingyuan.
Upon entering the study, she immediately sat down in the armchair, her face scrunched up, and her mood plummeted.
"This year, Father Emperor should not let Cao Yin get involved. After all, whether this business will succeed is also a question. My dear, this may fail." Kangxi hinted to Yinzhen that Linglong Pavilion should take the lead in making the deal. The red leaves collected all require payment in advance. If the deal fails, it may tie up tens of thousands of taels of silver.
Qingyan was delighted. It was obvious that Kangxi wanted to pick up the ready-made deals. If there was a profit to be made, she wouldn't be doing it next year. If there was no profit, Kangxi wouldn't be responsible for the tens of thousands of taels of silver she lost.
Emperor Kangxi was absolutely cunning and shrewd!
These little thoughts, Qingyan could only ponder in her heart.
"Little darling, control your expression!" Yinzhen reminded him.
He could tell what Qingyan was thinking from her expression.
As their subordinates, they could not contradict Kangxi and could only silently endure it.
Ugh!
She pouted and said, "I understand, I'll be more careful in the future, Fourth Brother. I'll use the money from my own savings!"
Linglong Pavilion involves several parties sharing profits, so it certainly can't do business at a loss.
To avoid any potential conflicts of interest, she had no choice but to bear it all alone.
"What if we make money?" Yinzhen hadn't expected Qingyan to be so pessimistic; there were always two possible outcomes.
"It's mine too!" Qingyan said angrily.
Every time Qingyan does business, he always bears the profits and losses alone, sometimes making money and sometimes losing money.
“The money comes from the manor’s funds. If you make a profit, it’s your private money; if you lose, it’s the manor’s.” Yinzhen didn’t want to put too much pressure on Qingyan.
Qingyan shook her head; the amount of silver in the mansion was not even as much as her private savings.
"Making more money is good for raising children." Yinzhen didn't mind Qingyan earning money to support the family. The two of them needed to work together to make the mansion better.
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