On the day of the sacrificial ceremony, Qingyan discovered a hidden problem with the twins. When Yin returned, the couple discussed it and decided to first teach Yiken'e and Hutulifengsheng Zhalafen how to use servants.
Qingyan went to great lengths to ensure that the twins would be able to use servants and prevent them from being deceived later.
Not only did she keep some servants with minor issues, but she also kept an eye on them. As long as they didn't endanger the twins, she would let them go.
After being persuaded by Qingyan, Yin gradually let go.
Fei Yanggu and his two sons advised Qingyan that the twins were still young and could not distinguish right from wrong. Their current commotion was disrespectful to Emperor Kangxi.
Just as they were carrying out the agreed-upon plan, Kangxi sent someone to bring Fei Yanggu to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. After the two secretly investigated, Fei Yanggu stopped talking about the Qingyan banquet.
Actually, she was very curious about what Kangxi had said that made Fei Yanggu let go.
The three members of the Feiyanggu family doted on Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen even more, and Qingyan would sometimes be jealous of his own daughter.
"Mother, can Xingmei in my courtyard be transferred?" Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen observed several times and proposed to Qingyan to change the candidate for the first time.
Qingyan looked at her daughter and told her to speak slowly.
“She goes out every morning!” Hutu Lifengsheng Zhalafen hesitated for a long time before finally saying this.
Qingyan looked at Sulan, after all, Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen was not yet able to express his meaning well, and Sulan's information would be the end.
"It's to report to the side courtyard." Su Lan paid special attention to the twins' courtyard, and in the end, she still managed to catch a few typical cases.
Their positions were very low, so they probably received very little last time. Ting'er, Zhou Xian, sold out information about the twins in exchange for benefits.
"Those women?" Qingyan sneered. The women had their own goals and would no longer abide by the rules.
Su Lan nodded. Those few people were quite well-behaved at first, but since they went back to their parents' home on the second day of the Lunar New Year, their minds have become more active.
"Don't move yet. Wait until Master returns and ask for his opinion. Also, bring Xingmei over." Qingyan was puzzled. Under Qingyan's strict rules, a servant like Xingmei lived a better life than in other mansions.
Why... is she still not satisfied?
"Mother, you must ask her carefully what's going on between her and Ningxiang!" Yiken tried hard to recall his courtyard and garden, where there was also someone who was close to Xingmei.
When they weren't on duty, the two were close friends, almost inseparable. They served the twins in their courtyard, so no one would find it strange that they were so close.
Now that Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen suspects Xingmei, Yiken'e is also unprepared for another one.
"Is that so?" Qingyan prepared to ask Xingmei first.
If Xingmei was sent by Kangxi or Yinzhen, she wouldn't be able to take action.
Yiken nodded quickly, hoping Qingyan would tell him soon.
Soon, Xingmei was led to the main hall. After bowing respectfully, she simply waited to the side.
Qingyan looked Xingmei up and down. This girl was only twelve or thirteen years old. According to palace rules, she was wearing a well-fitting light green palace dress, and her hair was only tied up with a gold hairpin.
"Xingmei, how long have you been serving the princess?" Xingmei's complexion was excellent, as if she had been specially chosen according to Yin's preferences.
Every day, Yin would look at the twins, and Xingmei had many opportunities to get close to them.
Qingyan suddenly started speculating about a conspiracy. Her sisters-in-law had ulterior motives and hoped to instill bad ideas in the twins. The Crown Princess had always regarded Hongxi as a lifeline. When she gave birth to Shulu, the Crown Princess injured her body, and the imperial physician said that it might be difficult for her to have children again.
This news was only circulating among the sisters-in-law; the princes were unaware of it. The Crown Prince hoped that his wife could give birth to a legitimate son, so that she could at least gain a place in Kangxi's eyes.
Xingmei was unaware that she had been exposed and thought Qingyan wanted to ask her some questions.
“This servant has been serving the young prince for five months now.” Xingmei’s voice was very pleasant and her pronunciation was very standard.
Emperor Kangxi, Consort Tong, and Prince Yin all stated that when the twins were learning to speak, the maids around them had to pronounce the words correctly to prevent the twins from learning anything bad.
"It's been five months. Before that, which nanny taught you manners?" Xingmei felt a sense of foreboding as she listened to Qingyan's question.
Xingmei thought for a moment and said, "She's a nanny from the Imperial Household Department."
Qingyan took a sip of tea, then looked away from Xingmei and made her kneel on the ground.
Yiken'e and Hutulifengshengzhalafen sat on either side of Qingyan, staring at her with wide eyes. They really liked Xingmei's voice, and Yiken'e would sometimes even let Xingmei hold her.
"Mother, Yiken'e wants to eat." Yiken'e looked at Xingmei and made a decisive decision, still focusing on food.
The twins woke up a little late today and didn't have a proper breakfast. After playing around for a while, Yiken's little tummy started to feel hungry.
"Suzhu, prepare breakfast for the children." It was rare for Qingyan not to scold the two little ones. If they didn't eat properly, Qingyan would scold them with a stern face.
The twins exchanged a glance; something was wrong with their mother.
As the food was served, Yin also came in from outside. He looked at the two children with bewildered expressions. When they saw Yin return, they stretched out their little hands, hoping their father would hold them.
"Have the children not eaten yet?" Yin asked quickly, noticing the two listless children.
"I don't want to eat, but breakfast is already prepared. Let's feed the child first," Qingyan said to Yin.
When Xingmei saw Yin, she quickly changed her expression, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Yin sat cross-legged on the soft couch, holding Yiken'e, and began to feed the little guy. The little mouth ate breakfast spoonful by spoonful, and the taste was much better than in the morning.
"Mother, breakfast this morning wasn't good!" Yiken said.
Qingyan suddenly exclaimed, "Suzhu, go and check on the two children's breakfast!"
The twins ate in the side room, while Qingyan met with the farm's stewards, who didn't have time to hold the children while they ate.
"Yes!" Su Zhu quickly went out.
"Are the children tilling the land?" Yin asked, changing the subject as he looked at Yiken'e.
The two children instantly perked up and shared their feelings with Yin. Yiken'e became shy. Father said that men are supposed to support women, but he hadn't done as well as Mother.
“You’re still young. When you’re as old as your father, you’ll definitely be able to do it well.” Yin pinched Yiken’s little nose and said to him earnestly.
As Yiken'e grew up, Yin felt that he should speak to Yiken'e from an equal perspective.
Qingyan and her daughter sat opposite, watching the father and son interact with smiles on their faces. Hutuli Fengsheng Zhalafen ate a small steamed bun in her mouth and clapped her little hands to encourage Yiken.
"Is what Father said true?" Yiken'e felt that Yin's answer was too perfunctory.
"You don't believe Father's words anymore?" Yin asked rhetorically.
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