On the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, Qingyan held her last New Year's greeting. She wore an ivory-white long robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves, and a magenta palace dress with magpies bringing good news on the outer layer. The buttons on the front of the robe were wrapped with jade.
As Qingyan stepped into the hall, Consort Tong's eyes lit up. Among the several wives, Xiaoguai was the most well-dressed, with an inner robe and an outer robe of different lengths and widths, a style that Qingyan had brought up.
Sometimes, Consort Tong would imitate Xiao Guai's dressing habits, and many of the palace concubines would follow suit.
"Mother!" After Qingyan took his seat, he saw that Consort Tong was still busy instructing the servants on palace affairs.
Consort Tong pointed to the tea beside her and continued to give instructions to the stewards.
"My little darling, is everything prepared at the manor?" Consort Tong asked.
There were too many things to prepare in the palace. Since November, Consort Tong had been arranging for the Imperial Household Department to make purchases. This year, after the major renovation of Changchun Garden was completed, Emperor Kangxi decided to spend the New Year in Changchun Garden.
"It's almost done, Mother. What about you?" Qingyan prepared some imported goods, which Consort Tong could also use as gifts.
Consort Tong nodded. Xiao Guai had prepared all the rewards and secretly sent them to Changchun Garden in advance.
Starting from the Laba Festival, Consort Tong continued to bestow rewards on her subordinates intermittently, and Tong Guowei's residence received fewer rewards.
Lady Tong Guowei had been complaining a lot, and in the past two days, she had frequently sent her nameplate to Changchun Garden. Consort Tong had refused them all, and Emperor Kangxi had also heard about it, so he advised her to see her family.
After all, Lady Tong Guowei was the mother of Consort Tong, and her continued refusal to meet with the emperor would inevitably draw criticism from the outside world.
"Later, when Madam Tong Guowei returns, you stay here and keep your mother company while she meets her," Consort Tong quickly said.
Qingyan was stunned. Yin had repeatedly instructed him not to get involved in the Tong family's affairs.
“Mother…” Qingyan’s little face scrunched up, her aggrieved little eyes made Consort Tong chuckle.
"Little darling, Fourth Prince told you not to interfere in the Tong family's affairs, didn't he?" Consort Tong looked at Qingyan. "If you accompany Madam Tong Guowei during the meeting, it will reduce the time spent in the audience."
Consort Tong made no attempt to conceal anything, and Qingyan, having grown up, was now more aware of the power struggles among the wives of officials.
“Okay,” Qingyan replied.
Later, Madam Tong Guowei followed Shu in. She had a furrowed brow, and Consort Tong took a sip of her tea.
"Greetings to Your Highness, greetings to the Fourth Prince's wife." Madam Tong Guowei suppressed her anger and bowed her head before Consort Tong.
Consort Tong waved her hand, signaling Lady Tong Guowei to rise.
"Your Majesty, the rewards for the Laba Festival..." Madam Tong Guowei didn't take the Fourth Prince's wife seriously.
This time, Tong Guowei's family lost face among the officials' wives. Many people spoke of the rewards given to the two branches of the Tong family, believing that Consort Tong was expressing her stance and firmly standing on Kangxi's side.
Perhaps the rewards bestowed upon Consort Tong were all arranged by Emperor Kangxi. They were gossiping behind her back, and this reward was meant to demonstrate the imperial family's attitude.
Qingyan sat upright to the side, cautiously watching Madam Tong Guowei's actions. She had to admit that the women of the royal family were all tragic figures, as their maternal families valued their daughters for the benefits they could bring to the family.
As the eldest son grew up, the daughters gained a foothold in the palace and were able to help out at home.
"Mother, I cannot disobey His Majesty's will." Consort Tong was somewhat annoyed. Longkodo had repeatedly used his name to resolve troubles, and the Tong Guowei couple thought this was the proper thing to do.
In the deep palace, Consort Tong was constantly being gossiped about. When the other concubines paid their respects, she was often subjected to sarcastic remarks that she could not refute.
"Your Majesty, how much can you do for the family? Ever since His Majesty separated you from the family, the ladies of our household have been receiving fewer and fewer invitations. Can't you give the family some face?" Qingyan heard Madam Tong soften her stance.
Consort Tong had long recognized Madam Tong Guowei's tactics. If force didn't work, she would try soft tactics, as if she, as the daughter, had ruined the household.
“Mother, His Majesty cares about the rules. Longkodo and Si’er have clearly trampled His Majesty’s dignity on the ground. If His Majesty loses face, how can the family live well?” Consort Tong shook her head helplessly and advised Madam Tong Guowei not to make trouble and to leave some face for the family.
Madam Tong Guowei pondered for a moment. Longkodo no longer listened to his parents' advice. Ever since his fourth son was beaten to death, he had become a completely different person, utterly dejected.
"Your Majesty, as his mother, I also feel sorry for my son. Longkodo seems to have suffered a great blow. He has become very gloomy, and I am really heartbroken. I have been trying to find similar women to help him change his mind." Madam Tong Guowei only has one legitimate son left, and she hopes that her son can make something of himself. In addition, Consort Tong is the highest-ranking woman in the Tong family.
Consort Tong gave a cold laugh. "Madam Tong Guowei still wants to find a fourth son? The royal family has completely lost face."
"Mother, since Longkodo doesn't want to get better, he doesn't need to serve in the court anymore," Consort Tong said directly.
Emperor Kangxi had mentioned that if Longkodo could not regain his composure within two years, he should be removed from the government.
Lady Tong Guowei was stunned. Was Kangxi going to give up on Longkodo?
"Your Majesty, are you telling the truth?" Madam Tong Guowei exclaimed in surprise.
Consort Tong nodded slightly. His Majesty had repeatedly emphasized that Longkodo's profession was a difficult issue for Kangxi.
"Your Majesty, please beg His Majesty." Madam Tong Guowei knelt directly on the ground. Her son had to be outstanding, at the very least, better than Tong Guogang's son.
"Mother, this is Longkodo's choice. All I can do is save his life," Consort Tong said helplessly.
Madam Tong Guogang was stunned; His Majesty actually wanted Longkodo's life.
“Mother, if it were anyone else, Longkodo would have been killed many times over for doing something like that. The royal family’s reputation is of utmost importance. If it weren’t for your reputation, would His Majesty have let him off the hook?” Consort Tong did not believe that Emperor Kangxi would let Longkodo off the hook for her sake.
The Tong family was considered Kangxi's maternal family. Between Tong Guowei and Tong Guogang, Kangxi chose Tong Guowei, who had no right to inherit the throne. This was clearly a way for Kangxi to use Tong Guowei to control Tong Guogang. Therefore, Tong Guogang always kept a low profile; both father and son were astute individuals.
Looking at Tong Guowei's side, since Consort Tong entered the palace, Tong Guowei's methods have become increasingly obvious, even drawing criticism from many censors.
Longkodo acted like a reckless scoundrel, and with Si'er instigating him from the side, Longkodo became the target of everyone's attacks.
Seeing that Kangxi had no intention of harming the Tong family, the officials dared not submit their reports. This time, regarding the Longkodo incident, many people secretly submitted memorials to His Majesty, informing him of how many wrongdoings the Fourth Prince had committed by abusing his status as Longkodo.
"Mother, please remember my words. Take your leave now. The New Year is approaching, and the mansion is busy. There's no need to visit Changchun Garden so often." Consort Tong directly saw the guest out.
Lady Tong Guowei, as if she had lost her soul, staggered out of the palace gate. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
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